Regression Analysis of Index Properties of Soil as Strength Determinant for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) [PDF] Dino Abdella, Tadesse Abebe, Prof. Emer Tucay Quezon
Investigation of the variation in different soil types and origins is an essential task for Geotechnical engineers. To overcome the effects of this change, the Geotechnical engineers, as well as other professionals, attempted to develop empirical equations unique to a region and soil type to use the soil for its intended purpose. However, these empirical equations are more reliable for the kind of soil where there is the strong relationship of parameters is developed. Hence, it is good practice to develop empirical equations that best fit in the soil available in the location that we can access. On the flexible pavement, subgrade is considered to be an ideal layer to resist wheel load, and its CBR value is considered as the strength measuring a parameter. Conducting CBR test is an expensive and time-consuming procedure. Also, it is challenging to mold the sample at a desired in-situ density in the laboratory. Furthermore, if the available soil is of poor quality, suitable additives are mixed with soil, and resulting strength of soil is assessed by the CBR value which is cumbersome. To overcome such problem, statistical approach such as regression-based models are used. This can be used for quick and easily determined parameters. Relative to this, the study has been conducted to develop an equation to show the relationship between the index properties and CBR values precisely located along Welkite- Arekit - Hosanna Road of about 121km stretches. It was carried out using thirty samples retrieved from this road and tested in a laboratory. The test result of the regression based statistical analysis was used to develop the predetermined relationship. The relationship development was performed in the form of an equation of CBR as a function of grain size parameters, Atterberg's liquid limits and compaction parameters by considering the effect of individual soil properties as well as the effect of a combination of soil properties on the CBR value. Based on the results of the study for both linear and multiple linear regression analyses, it was revealed that there was relatively fair relationship obtained by combining plasticity index, the percentage of fine content and maximum dry density which are strength determinant of fine-grained soils. Also, the results showed that the coefficient of determination for multiple linear regression is R2=0. 731, while for single linear regression is R2=0. 682. Therefore, it is concluded that the index properties of soils are sufficiently accurate in determining the CBR values, of which it can be utilized for preliminary characterization.
CYBER SECURITY INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK IN TANZANIA: A POLICY ANALYSIS [PDF] SEMBOJA, Haji H. 1, SILLA, Beatus S.2 and MUSUGURI, Joseph N.
Cyber security threats propagating through the globally interconnected cyberspace are difficult to manage with conventional national state instruments. Like other countries, Tanzania is struggling to comprehend its interests in the cyber domain. According to the Global Cyber security Index Tanzania is ranked 22nd out of 29 positions with 0.206 unsatisfactory level of preparedness in cyber security considering legal, technical, institution, capacity and international cooperation measures. The paper analyzed the cyber security institutional framework in Tanzania. Both qualitative and quantitative data and information were analyzed to assess the performance of the institutions relative to Global Cyber security Index (GCI 2015) designed from the ITU Global Cyber security Agenda (GCA). The paper found that Tanzania is less prepared in terms of strategies for prevention, detection, response and crisis management of cyber attacks. Tanzania has complex primary problems, constraints and challenges affecting performances of cyber security systems. These include lack of explicit national cyber security policy; many legally independent institutions with different laws, regulations and interests, top leadership system is not well defined, lack of formal institutional linkage; inadequate resources in each institution; lack of institutional dynamism. The study recommends that there is a need of national cyber security policy, laws and institution framework. To support the desired system immediately the government has to formulate implementation strategy of the policy as well as the institutions and regulations to smooth performance and interaction among the current cyber security systems.
USE OF GROUNDED THEORY METHODOLOGY IN E-HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE KENYAN HEALTHCARE SECTOR [PDF] Caroline Boore
For information system research to maintain most significance in emerging areas of the socio-technical field such as healthcare sector researchers need to adopt a new methodology. A new methodological alternative such as grounded theory building research, where the emerging theory helps explain, in conceptual terms, what is going on in the substantive field of research. Other methods have the effect of forcing preconception through the transfer of erroneous theoretical assumptions upon the emerging phenomena. A Grounded Theory approach may overcome these problems by providing a window that does not bias surface with a priori suppositions and does not push towards a selection of predetermined theories from which the researcher must elucidate the socio technical phenomena. Grounded theory is typically offered as an inductive approach, whose objective is to build and develop theories of an intricate nature based on empirical evidence. The implementation of information technology (IT) and domain-specific e-health is, amongst other things, seen as potential leverage in responding to problems concerning the healthcare sector. The existing theoretical frameworks for e-health implementation in developing nations are not holistic and only address few aspects of e-health implementation. Indeed the theoretical frameworks that are in place may not show the real context for many developing countries for the implementation of e-health systems thus there is a need to explore other methodologies of carrying out such healthcare research. A data driven approach like grounded theory approach would be appropriate to unearth this phenomenon of e-health implementation in developing countries. The paper used secondary data sources to evaluate the impact of grounded theory methodology in implementing information systems in the healthcare sector.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF BANKS IN KENYA [PDF] Kamau, Mwangi James, Muranga, Njihia Bitange, Ndemo.
Great effort has been made by researchers attempting to examine and explain how IS deployment in organizations relate to firm perfor-mance. The findings have been inconsistent, with some studies recording significant positive relationships, others null and still others re-porting negative effects. Scholars face difficulties in articulating universally accepted understanding of information systems in organizations. Contributing to the search for clarity on the link between IS integration and organizational performance, this study conceptualized a relationship between IS integration and the overall outcome of the organization. The overriding objective aimed at verifying whether there exists a significant direct relationship between IS integration and performance. The current study employed a mix method design of descriptive, exploratory and cross section to investigate the relationships of the constructs in the study. The current research employed the more robust structural equation modeling specifically PLS-SEM to analyze the relationships between the conceptualized constructs. From the analysis and in conformity with earlier studies, the direct linkage between IS integration and firm performance was found to be statistically insignificant. The insignificant linkage between IS and performance is a proof that IS impacts firm performance indirectly. Therefore, ROI of automation should be focused on IS enabled proxies that have a direct link with firm performance like organizational ambidexterity and not directly on information systems investments.
