Influence of Principals’ Instructional Supervision Practices on Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Makueni County, Kenya

KCSE Performance in Public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya has consistently declined between 2014 and 2018. Although no empirical studies have explained the cause of the decline, Principals’ instructional supervision practices may have contributed to the trend necessitating the need for an investigation. This study investigated Influence of Principals’ Instructional Supervision Practices on Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Makueni County, Kenya. The objective of the study was to establish the influence of principals’ instructional supervision practices on KCSE performance in public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya. The hypothesis for the study was that there is no statistically significant relationship between principals’ instructional supervision practices and students’ performance in KCSE in public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya. The study employed mixed methods research design. The rationale for using the method is that it combines both qualitative and quantitative data within a single study hence complementing each other by integrating their strengths. The target population was all principals and teachers of public secondary schools in Makueni County. The study employed stratified sampling technique for schools, equal allocation sampling technique for both principals and teachers for quantitative phase while maximal variation sampling was used for qualitative phase. Means, percentage and frequencies were used to determine the distribution of variables under study among the respondents and represented in tables and figures. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between principals’ instructional supervision practices and KCSE performance in public secondary schools in Makueni County. The results for quantitative phase indicated that the coefficient of correlation (r) for the objective was 0.6 at significance level of 0.04. Principals interviewed attested that they embraced instructional supervision practices. The study concluded that principals of public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya applied effective instructional supervision practices that positively influenced KCSE performance and that  principals’  instructional supervision practices influence  students’ KCSE performance in public secondary schools in Makueni County .The study recommends that principals  be trained on specific instructional supervision strategies to enhance their effectiveness in instructional leadership. Keywords: Supervision, Instructional supervision, principals’ instructional supervision practices, Supervision practices DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-15-14 Publication date:May 31st 202

Caractéristique Physico-Chimique Etdynamique des Formes Environnementales des Coccidies Entériques Dans Les Eaux De Sources, Puits et Cours D’eau dans La Commune d’Akono(Cameroun, Afrique Centrale)

L’objectif de cette étude vise à évaluer la qualité physico-chimique et parasitologique des eaux de sources, des puits et du cours d’eau dans la commune d’Akono. L’étude entreprise d’Avril 2017 à Mars 2018 a permis d’effectuer les échantillonnages pour des analyses physico-chimiques et parasitologiques. Les paramètres physiques tels que la température (T °C), la turbidité, les matières en suspension (MES) et la couleur et quelques paramètres chimiques : le pH, la conductivité, l’oxygène, l’oxydabilité, les nitrates, les nitrites, l’azote ammoniacal ont été mesurés. Les eaux de la commune d’Akono sont légèrement acides (Ph=6,1±0,3 UC) et faiblement minéralisées (conductivité=95,5±67,5 µS/Cm). Les teneurs en azote obtenues sont inférieures aux normes. De fortes corrélations ont été mises en évidence entre la conductivité, la turbidité, la couleur, les MES et les densités des oocystes obtenues. Les analyses parasitologiques des échantillons d’eau ont permis d’identifier des oocystes du genre Cryptosporidium sp (141 oocystes/L), de Cyclospora cayetanensis (52 oocystes/L) et d’Isospora belli (40 oocystes/L). Les eaux ont été soumises à une pollution d’origine fécale dans la commune d’Akono. L’usage de ces eaux pourrait présenter un risque sanitaire pour les populations. The objective of this study is intended to assess the physico-chemical quality and the parasitological quality of spring waters, wells and stream in the Akono city council. The study was carried out from April 2017 to March 2018. Within this time, samples for physicochemical and Parasitological analyses where collected. Physical parameters such as temperature (T °C), turbidity, suspended solids (SS) and the color and some chemical parameters: pH, conductivity, oxygen, the oxidability, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia were measured. The waters of Akono municipality are slightly acidic with an average pH of 6.1±0.3 UC. These waters are lowly mineralized with an average electrical conductivity of 95.5±67.5 µS/cm. The concentrations of nitrogenous compounds obtained are slightly below substandard. Strong correlations were observed between electrical conductivity, turbidity, color, SS by the oocysts and densities obtained. Parasitological analyses were made by observation using an optical microscope 40 X objective. The results reveal the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. (141oocysts/L), Cyclospora cayetanensis (52oocysts/L) and Isospora belli (40oocysts/L). The water was subjected to pollution of faecal origin in the Akono municipality. The use of this waters could present a health risk for the population

Improving Rural Women income through Cocoyam Value Addition Technologies in Abia State, Nigeria

The National Root Crops Research Institution (NRCRI) Umudike embarked on massive capacity building and extension of technologies of new and improved food forms of cocoyam to rural farmers/women groups from 2005 to date in this country generally and south-east agricultural zone in particular. This study investigated how this training and extension of the technologies has empowered rural women to become entrepreneurs at various levels. A structured interview scheduled, were administered to 120 farmers in 2 agricultural zones of Abia (Ohafia and Umuahia). Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics like linear regression model and t-test was used to test the hypothesis. The result revealed that majority of the respondents were married (88%) while 12% were single and were reasonably aware of the technologies. However, on the utilization of the technologies, out of the 5 processing technologies, only 3 had high level of utilization, processing of cocoyam into cake (=3.7) Bread (3.5 and Chin-chin (=3.2). Also a tangible impact was made in the livelihood of the respondents as there was a reasonable difference in income of the respondents after the training. The major challenges associated with the utilization were no extension agents to answer their questions (=3.90) lack of commitment = ( =3.25 and marketing of product = (=3.17) among others. It is therefore recommended that re-training and provision of market facilities should be intensified to enhance the utilization of the processing technologies and their impact among the respondents

Improving Rural Women income through Cocoyam Value Addition Technologies in Abia State, Nigeria

The National Root Crops Research Institution (NRCRI) Umudike embarked on massive capacity building and extension of technologies of new and improved food forms of cocoyam to rural farmers/women groups from 2005 to date in this country generally and south-east agricultural zone in particular. This study investigated how this training and extension of the technologies has empowered rural women to become entrepreneurs at various levels. A structured interview scheduled, were administered to 120 farmers in 2 agricultural zones of Abia (Ohafia and Umuahia). Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics like linear regression model and t-test was used to test the hypothesis. The result revealed that majority of the respondents were married (88%) while 12% were single and were reasonably aware of the technologies. However, on the utilization of the technologies, out of the 5 processing technologies, only 3 had high level of utilization, processing of cocoyam into cake (=3.7) Bread (3.5 and Chin-chin (=3.2). Also a tangible impact was made in the livelihood of the respondents as there was a reasonable difference in income of the respondents after the training. The major challenges associated with the utilization were no extension agents to answer their questions (=3.90) lack of commitment = ( =3.25 and marketing of product = (=3.17) among others. It is therefore recommended that re-training and provision of market facilities should be intensified to enhance the utilization of the processing technologies and their impact among the respondents

Parameter identification of the passive response in arteries

This article discusses the passive response of arteries, with a particular focus on the material parameter identification process of constitutive model of anisotropic hyperelasticity. The arterial wall is composed of three layers: tunica intima, tunica media and tunica adventitia. However, only the media and the adventitia are assumed to be mechanically relevant tissue layers. Thus, it is necessary to determine a set of material parameters for each contributing layer, based on inhomogeneous stress-strain state in an experimental setup. In these tests, tensile and internal pressure loading paths are applied on a human mammary artery, which is embedded in a tank filled with Krebs solution. The artery was proved, in previous works, to be slightly compressible and anisotropic. We draw on the model of Nolan et al. (2014) to identify the material parameters, based on the experimental data provided by contour lines and using digital imaging analysis. The experimental protocol is explained in detail. From the experiments, the axial reaction force and displacement in the radial direction are used to determine the material parameters by using finite element simulations. A particular focus lies on the highly correlated solution between material parameters in the layer, emphasizing the extreme difficulties of a “unique” identification

The global impact of the DRACMA guidelines cow’s milk allergy clinical practice

Background: The 2010 Diagnosis and Rationale for Action against Cow’s Milk Allergy (DRACMA) guidelines are the only Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines for cow’s milk allergy (CMA). They indicate oral food challenge (OFC) as the reference test for diagnosis, and suggest the choice of specific alternative formula in different clinical conditions. Their recommendations are flexible, both in diagnosis and in treatment. Objectives & methods: Using the Scopus citation records, we evaluated the influence of the DRACMA guidelines on milk allergy literature. We also reviewed their impact on successive food allergy and CMA guidelines at national and international level. We describe some economic consequences of their application. Results: DRACMA are the most cited CMA guidelines, and the second cited guidelines on food allergy. Many subsequent guidelines took stock of DRACMA’s metanalyses adapting recommendations to the local context. Some of these chose not to consider OFC as an absolute requirement for the diagnosis of CMA. Studies on their implementation show that in this case, the treatment costs may increase and there is a risk of overdiagnosis. Interestingly, we observed a reduction in the cost of alternative formulas following the publication of the DRACMA guidelines. Conclusions: DRACMA reconciled international differences in the diagnosis and management of CMA. They promoted a cultural debate, improved clinician’s knowledge of CMA, improved the quality of diagnosis and care, reduced inappropriate practices, fostered the efficient use of resources, empowered patients, and influenced some public policies. The accruing evidence on diagnosis and treatment of CMA necessitates their update in the near futur

Respiratory syncytial virus seasonality in three epidemiological zones of Kenya

Understanding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulation patterns is necessary to guide the timing of limited‐duration interventions such as vaccines. We describe RSV circulation over multiple seasons in three distinct counties of Kenya during 2006‐2018. Kilifi and Siaya counties each had consistent but distinct RSV seasonality, lasting on average 18‐22 weeks. Based on data from available years, RSV did not have a clear pattern of circulation in Nairobi. This information can help guide the timing of vaccines and immunoprophylaxis products that are under development

Evaluating the replicability of social science experiments in Nature and Science between 2010 and 2015

Being able to replicate scientific findings is crucial for scientific progress. We replicate 21 systematically selected experimental studies in the social sciences published in Nature and Science between 2010 and 2015. The replications follow analysis plans reviewed by the original authors and pre-registered prior to the replications. The replications are high powered, with sample sizes on average about five times higher than in the original studies. We find a significant effect in the same direction as the original study for 13 (62%) studies, and the effect size of the replications is on average about 50% of the original effect size. Replicability varies between 12 (57%) and 14 (67%) studies for complementary replicability indicators. Consistent with these results, the estimated true-positive rate is 67% in a Bayesian analysis. The relative effect size of true positives is estimated to be 71%, suggesting that both false positives and inflated effect sizes of true positives contribute to imperfect reproducibility. Furthermore, we find that peer beliefs of replicability are strongly related to replicability, suggesting that the research community could predict which results would replicate and that failures to replicate were not the result of chance alone