Volume 11, Issue 6, June 2023 Edition - GSJ Journal Publication

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Chemical Changes in Nutritional and Mineral Composition of Fermented Pigeon Pea (Cajanus Cajan L.) Seeds. []


The pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is one of the major grain legume crops of the tropical world. Changes in the proximate composition, nutritive and non-nutritive components, and gross energy were studied in seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) that were fermented for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days. Raw and fermented seeds were analysed for moisture, crude protein, fat, crude fibre, nitrogen free extractives, ash content, copper, iron, zinc, manganese, and average digestible energy. Raw and fermented results shows that moisture (9.63-20.07%), crude protein (17.46-22.38%), fat (2.72-7.84%), crude fibre (8.21-9.16%), nitrogen free extractives (57.44-61.73%), ash (5.10-8.10%), copper (0.018-0.020 mg/g), iron (0.063-0.185 mg/g), zinc (0.035-0.045 mg/g), manganese (0.015-0.019 mg/g), and average digestible energy (369.60-376.74 Kcal/100g). It was concluded that proximate composition and digestible energy value of pigeon pea seeds were significantly affected by fermentation. Fermentation of the seeds up to 3 days improved the total ash, fat, gross energy, digestible energy and the iron contents of the seeds. On the hand, 2 days of fermentation remarkably improved the average digestible energy of the seed

Impact of Vision 2020 Umurenge Program on Livelihoods of Communities in Nduba Sector, Gasabo District, Rwanda. []


This study focused on impact of Vision 2020 Umurenge program (VUP) on livelihoods of communities in Nduba Sector in Gasabo district, Rwanda with the following specific objectives : To assess influence of VUP on job creation on livelihoods of communities in Nduba Sector in Gasabo district, Rwanda, to identify influence of VUP on education development on livelihoods of communities in Nduba Sector in Gasabo district, Rwanda and to examine influence of VUP on Health improvement on livelihoods of communities in Nduba Sector in Gasabo district, Rwanda. After analyzing data, the following results were obtained, for influence of Vision 2020 Umurenge Program on job creation on livelihoods of communities in Nduba Sector in Gasabo district, Rwanda. 43.6% strongly agreed and 54.1% agreed that Vision 2020 Umurenge Program Improved creation of employment, the job creation correlated with livelihoods of communities in Nbuba at r=0.875. Further, influence of VUP on education development on livelihoods of communities in Nduba Sector in Gasabo district, there is strong positive correlation between education development and livelihoods of communities at r=0.804. Health improvement are corelated with livelihoods of communities at r=.840. In conclusion, research concluded that vision 2020 Umurenge program contributes to the livelihoods of communities through job creation, education development and health improvement. The study recommended that Vision 2020 Umurenge Program beneficiaries to make savings and start new economic activities to avoid further poverty after stopping Vision 2020 Umurenge Program supports.

A STUDY OF MOBILE BANKING USAGE IN ZIMBABWE []


The purpose of the research study was to evaluate the factors that contribute to the acceptance of the mobile banking technology in Zimbabwe. In the paper, a mixed research methodology was applied although it was more quantitative than qualitative. A mixed research methodology uses both the quantitative and the qualitative approach. According to Guilford (2013), quantitative results refers to those outcomes that can be measured, quantified or counted and can be given a numerical value. Whereas, qualitative results are descriptive in nature and they answer how and why a certain phenomenon is happening. The study target population was made up of the Masvingo province residents who are in the informal sector. The size of the sample was 700 residents from the entire province. A self-administered questionnaire was created and given to respondents and interviews were conducted. Using the primary collection technique, 627 out of 700 distributed questionnaires, were fruitfully completed were appropriate for scrutiny as they were fully completed, resulting in an 89.57% response rate. The outcomes from the questionnaire that focused only on those who have already adopted mobile banking were examined using multiple regression analysis. It was discovered that among the variables of the Technology Acceptance Model, perceived risk which is the assumed jeopardy of using mobile banking negatively affects potential users from adopting mobile banking services. On the other hand, awareness was discovered to be an important factor towards the adoption of the technology and it is still a continuous process taking and still needs more efforts so as to make almost everyone fully aware of the technology. Demographic variables like gender, age, income and educational level were also discovered to be major factors that funded to the adoption of the mobile banking technology in Zimbabwe. An interview was used also that attempted to investigate in-depth the reasons why the adoption of mobile banking is taking long in other places.

THE IMPACT OF INTEREST RATE VOLATILITY ON STOCK PRICES IN ZIMBABWE []


The main goal of this paper was to scrutinize the impact of interest rate volatility on stock prices from a developing country and Zimbabwe was used as the case study. The study analyzed quarterly data for all the 54 companies that were listed on the ZSE over the specified time frame (2009-2021). In estimating the ARDL model, the study conducted a number of procedural tests which include the stationarity, inte-gration, autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, multicollinearity, normality and model specification and findings were established. The out-come from the research study proved that in Zimbabwe volatile interest rates has a direct impact on stock prices. That is, when interest rates go up, bond prices go down and vice-versa. The negative relationship was discovered to exist in Zimbabwe which is in line to the norm which states that there is an inverse relationship between stock prices and interest rates. This can be caused by increased borrowing costs. When interest rates rise, it becomes more expensive for companies to borrow money to finance their operations. This can lead to a decrease in profits and earnings, which can in turn lead to a decrease in stock prices. This can also be caused by Investor expectations since investors may become more risk-averse and sell off stocks in favor of safer assets such as bonds. This can lead to a decrease in stock prices due to a decrease in demand. It is important to note that the relationship between interest rates and stock prices is complex and can be influenced by many factors, including economic conditions, market sentiment, and investor expectations. While rising interest rates may have a negative impact on stock prices, this is not always the case. In some instances, rising interest rates can signal a strong econo-my, which can lead to increased profits and earnings for companies and higher stock prices. In summary, the relationship between inter-est rates and stock prices is complex and multifaceted. While rising interest rates can lead to a decrease in stock prices due to increased borrowing costs, decreased consumer spending, and other factors, the relationship is not always straightforward and can be influenced by many factors. Investors should carefully consider the broader economic context and the specific factors affecting individual companies before making investment decisions. Other factors like Consumer price index, Exchange rate, Lending rate and Money supply were also discovered to have influence on stock prices.

SOLVING NONLINEAR SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS USING THE ADOMIAN DECOMPOSITION METHOD []


In this paper, we present the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) for solving systems of nonlinear equations. MATHEMATICA program is introduced with an input program for finding Adomian polynomials for nonlinear equations. ADM was compared with Broyden’s and Newton’s methods and its results showed better and faster convergence to exact solutions .

ONLINE TERTIARY SCHOOLS MANPOWER MONITORING SYSTEM FOR COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) REGION V []


The Online Tertiary Schools Manpower Monitoring System using Dynamic System Development Methodology is an important initiative designed specifically for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) RO V in Legazpi City. The primary objective of this study was to create an online system that enables CHED RO V to monitor the quality of education delivered by specific Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This monitoring is achieved by tracking the faculty lineup and qualifications, which are crucial factors in producing globally competitive graduates of high quality. The project had several detailed objectives: Firstly, it aimed to determine the most effective method for HEIs in the region to submit their documents to the CHED office. This streamlining of document submission ensures efficiency and convenience for both the HEIs and CHED RO V. Secondly, the study focused on developing a web-based system that allows CHED RO V to monitor, track, and verify the manpower profiles, faculty lineups, and academic qualifications of registered tertiary schools in the region. The final objective was to evaluate and validate the developed system in terms of functionality, reliability, usability, speed, maintainability, and portability. These aspects are crucial for ensuring that the system meets the required standards and can be effectively utilized by CHED RO V. Based on the findings of the study, several conclusions can be drawn. Currently, the Commission on Higher Education utilizes spreadsheets as a tool for storing information related to HEI profiles, offered courses, and faculty lineups and qualifications. However, the development of an online tertiary schools manpower monitoring system best addresses the needs of CHED RO V in terms of collecting and monitoring HEI information, faculty lineups, and academic qualifications. Additionally, the system enables the tracking and monitoring of faculties teaching in overload or connected to multiple schools in the region. The evaluation of the entire system by the CHED RO V ES and MIS head resulted in a satisfactory rating, while the HEIs and IT experts gave a very satisfactory rating. This indicates that the developed Online Tertiary School Manpower Monitoring System effectively meets the needs and expectations of all stakeholders involved. Considering the conclusions drawn, several recommendations can be made. The proposed Online Tertiary Schools Manpower Monitoring System should replace the current methods of collecting and monitoring HEI information, programs offered, faculty lineups, and academic qualifications. It offers improved efficiency and effectiveness in these areas. The system can also be utilized to track and monitor faculties who are teaching in overload or connected to multiple schools in the region, further enhancing its utility. For future researchers working on similar projects, it is recommended to incorporate mobile technology support and compatibility to increase flexibility. Additionally, greater emphasis should be placed on system speed, usability, maintainability, and portability to enhance the overall performance and user experience of the system. Key Words: Faculty Overload Monitoring System, Faculty Teaching Load System, Faculty Teaching Two or More Schools, Online Tertiary Schools Manpower Monitoring System, Subject Management System.

MATERNAL UTILIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THE CASE OF NALERIGU IN THE NORTH EAST REGION OF GHANA []


Maternal Health Care Services refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Maternal healthcare includes antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance and postnatal care (PNC). This study is designed purposely to assess maternal attitude and the factors that influence maternal utilization of health care services in Nalerigu in the East Mamprusi Municipality of North East Region -Ghana. The study was an analytical cross-section design. A sample size of 200 women in maternity who were from and within Nalerigu was conveniently sampled for the study and a questionnaire was administered as a tool for the data collection. The socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants showed most respondents (57.5%) were within the age range 25-35 years which is an indication that women of reproductive age were the active participants. Findings also revealed that; educational level of the respondents showed most women attained Senior High Secondary Education. Some other respondents gained JHS & primary education (37.5%) with a few other indicating they have never attained any formal education. Regarding respondents attitude towards maternal health care services, majority (78%) of them said they attend maternal health services such as ANC at least thrice during pregnancy. Others (22%) indicated they do not attend ANC services. The study further revealed respondents were given information on nutrition during pregnancy (97.5%), HIV/AIDS (78.5%), progress of pregnancy (94.5%), pregnancy danger signs (95.5%), care of the baby (93.5%), family planning (6%) and among several others. In conclusion, the utilization of maternal health care services was generally high among the respondents and only a small proportion did not regularly exploit the services. This study recommends that, the East Mamprusi Municipal health directorate should intensify education and awareness on maternal health care and its importance especially among women in the rural communities.

Evaluation of Local Industry of Bangladesh Including Shipbuilding []


Abstract: Bangladesh as a country with large young population has an opportunity to get success in heavy and labour intensive industry. Bangladesh is a maritime nation with glorious shipbuilding history. But, we fail to keep pace with global shipbuilding industry. We need to study our business opportunity and challenges special emphasis on local shipbuilding. Present geopolitical situation and financial crisis may increase demand for low cost ships. This is an opportunity and is favourable for local shipbuilding. Estimated volume of future global shipbuilding market is around USD 200 billion, where small ship building market is around USD 20 billion. In near future, the world will need few thousand of merchant ships, where mostly are small to medium. Today’s single hall oil tanker fleet is going to be replaced soon as per IMO requirement. There is a serious demand of container ships in all size. UNCTAD, WB, WTO, and OECD have detected the high demand of container ships in future. Small and medium container, tanker, cargo, multipurpose ships market up to 10000 DWT is suitable for local shipbuilding and we are capable of grasp 1% of global market share and that value is USD 2 billion.

Production of Natural Plastic with Cranberry Fruit( Vaccinum Subg. Oxycoccus) []


Plastics are non-biodegradable materials in nature that cause environmental pollution. Plastics are formed by the chemical combination of monomers to form large structured polymers. They are also preferred in the industry due to their heat-resistant types. Polyvinylidene chlo-ride (PVDC), a type of plastic widely used in food packaging, is known to contribute to the formation of microplastics in nature, leading to water and soil pollution. These microplastics accumulate in marine organisms and eventually enter the human system, causing health prob-lems. Natural plastics produced from starch are currently an area of research. In this project, bioplastics were made using starch, taking advantage of the antioxidant properties of red fruits. Cranberry, which has a high antioxidant content among red fruits, was selected. In the future stages of the project, work will continue to preserve protein-rich foods. The bioplastic made with cranberries used a minimal amount of chemicals. Starch, glycerin, and grape vinegar were used to create an environmentally friendly packaging. The product obtained had the typical texture and consistency of plastic. It was created in a form suitable for use in food packaging.

Khất Sĩ Buddhist Tradition of Viet Nam []


In the early 20th Century, the revival of Buddhism in the World emerged strongly and spread widely to many Buddhist countries. At the same time, Vietnamese Buddhism was also restored by a number of the Buddhist revival movements in Mahāyāna and Theravāda. Apart from that, a newly Buddhist tradition was founded in South Vietnam called the Khất Sĩ Buddhist Tradition, one of nine organizations in the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha. This paper introduces the Khất Sĩ Buddhist Tradition of Viet Nam.

The Image Hall’s Architecture of Khất Sĩ Buddhist Tradition in Viet Nam []


The image hall is a live museum containing the typical architectural features of the different Buddhist traditions in Vietnam in various dynasties for a long time. Influencing Buddhist thoughts and philosophies led to the independent image hall of architectural formation and style. Based on the construction and shape of an image hall, visitors can quickly realize which practices the pagoda belongs to. As one knows, Vietnamese Buddhism survived and developed in three main traditions Mahāyāna, Theravāda, and Khất Sĩ. In general, each practice has unique architectural features of the image hall that create the curiosity of visitors who desire to explore the pagoda’s architecture in Vietnam. This paper describes the image hall's architecture of Khất Sĩ Buddhist tradition.

“CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ITS IMPACT ON BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY” []


Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing corporate social responsibility, also called corporate citizenship, companies can be conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental.To engage in CSR means that, in the ordinary course of business, a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment instead of contributing negatively to them. Corporate social responsibility is a business model by which companies make a concerted effort to operate in ways that enhance rather than degrade society and the environment. CSR helps both improve various aspects of society as well as promote a positive brand image of companies. Corporate responsibility programs are also a great way to raise morale in the workplace. CSRs are often broken into four categories: environmental impacts, ethical responsibility, philanthropic endeavors, and financial responsibilities. This research article looks into the available literature about Corporate Social Responsibility with the aim of analyzing the impact of CSR on the business and its sustainability with the objective that is be useful for CSR practitioners and those who are interested in the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Interaction between the socioeconomic characteristics and Perception of the social effect of sexual violence []


This paper explored the interaction between socioeconomic characteristics and perception of the social effect of sexual violence using a cross-sectional research design and a qualitative approach. The study population was seven hundred and fourteen (714), representing the number of reported cases of sexual violence among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from a Non-Governmental Organisation in Rivers State. Fifteen participants were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. Results from the thematic analysis and data synthesis demonstrate that survivors from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to experience SV, which can lead to a greater sense of stigma and shame. The study, therefore, recommends that economically empowering women could be instrumental in repositioning the interaction between socioeconomic characteristics and perception of the social effect of sexual violence. Keywords: Sexual Violence, Women of reproductive age, Social effect, intersectionality.

Early Parkinson's Disease Detection Using Machine Learning Algorithm. []


This following research paper showcases the possibility of having an early Parkinson’s detection by utilizing and applying the study of machine learning algorithms. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that effects many patients across the world in which early detection is critical for timely interventions and it can lead to a positive outcome for the patients. The following study uncovers the way to build an efficient model by the help of applying the collected data which contains the patients details like speech related feature which will help us analyze whether the patient is healthy or has the disease. Moreover, we will be exploring different techniques of supervised learning and the most effective and accurate one will be selected. The data within the dataset has 197 number of instances and 23 attributes in which it was a study that was done by the University of Oxford in cooperation with the national center for voice and speech. Moreover, the study was conducted on 31 patients in which 23 were diagnosed with PD (Parkinson’s disease).

FUNDING AND PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: A CASE OF INSPIRE EDUCATE AND EMPOWER RWANDA []


Local non-governmental organizations do important development work that requires a lot of money and the ability to get that money to where it needs to go. This study looked at how funding affects the effectiveness of regional non-governmental organizations in Rwanda. The particular aims were to investigate the effect of fundraising on the performance of Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda, evaluate the effect of fund allocation on the performance of Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda, and assess the effect of fund control on the performance of Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda. The study used resource dependence theory. Mixed cross sectional and descriptive survey designs were applied with mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The target population was composed of the staff of Inspire, Educate, and Empower Rwanda, totaling 220. The Yamane formula of 1967 was used to arrive at a sample of 142. The probability technique of simple random is used to select the sample. Data is collected by using a questionnaire and interview schedule. The data was analyzed with inferential and descriptive statistics, and all the ethical issues were adhered to. The results indicate a model summary on fund control, fundraising, fund allocation, and the performance of LNGOs. With an R-value of 0.827, an R-squared of 0.684, and an adjusted R-squared of 0.677, we can assume that Inspire Educate Empower Rwanda was able to manage, raise, and distribute its financial resources with a 67.7% success rate. The analysis of variance between the independent and dependent variables reveals a significant p value (0.05), indicating that regression was significant as fund control, fundraising, and fund allocation are good predictors of the performance of LNGOs. Hereby, the researcher goes with an alternative hypothesis while the null hypothesis is rejected. Inspire Educate and Empower Rwanda should conduct regular audits, which are essential for effective fund control. Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with financial policies and identify areas for improvement.

The impact of monetary policy on Zimbabwe’s economic growth. []


Whereas numerous studies have investigated the impact of monetary policies on economic growth, the Zimbabwe’s situation has received far less economic literature attention. This study employed five independent variables namely which are, interest rate, inflation, money supply, exchange rate and investment, and one independent variable that is Gross Domestic Product. To add to the collect- ed works, this research uses monthly time series data covering the period of 1980 to 2021 to study the impact of monetary policies on Zimbabwe’s economic growth. Using the ARDL (Autoregressive Dis- tributed Lag) model, Granger Causality test and a regression model, it was discovered that the mone- tary policy has a short run relationship on Zimbabwe’s economic growth. Specifically, investment and money supply have a positive impact on economic growth. Inflation, interest rates, and exchange rate have an inverse relationship with economic growth. Hence, an increase in those variables with an inverse relationship negatively affects economic growth. That is, when they increase, economic growth decreases. The results from this work will help policy makers in decision making. KeyWords : Exchange rate, Gross Domestic Product, Inflation, Interest rate, Monetary policy.

LANDSCAPING OF MUNICIPAL SANITARY LANDFILLS – COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON POLICIES, REGULATIONS, ISSUES, IMPACTS IN INDIAN CONTEXT- SITE STUDY AND DESIGN INTERVENTIONS IN VISAKHAPATNAM CITY, ANDHRA PRADESH. []


Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is one of the major issues in developing countries today. In India, Over 377 million urban people live in 7,935 towns and cities and generate 62 million tons of municipal solid waste per annum. Only 43 million tonne is collected, 11.9 million is treated and 31 million tonne is dumped in landfill sites. The solid waste has been polluting the air, soil and water because of improper dumping. Neighboring habitants of the landfill sites undergo a lot of physical and mental pain and illness, especially during monsoons and fire accidents in landfills. Monsoons cause the nauseating smell to become severe to cause breathing problems, and spread to long distances. There is an ever existent public outcry on the health conditions of nearby residents depleting due to the fatal ailments every now and then due to reasons like Pests and houseflies, underground water pollution, mosquitoes, stink, etc. The study focuses on various issues and impacts caused by Sanitary landfills in Indian cities and various landscape related policy level regulations and guidelines and implementations shown in design in an Indian context in the city of Visakhapatnam.

KNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPTABILITY TOWARDS INTRAUTERINE DEVICE AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN GASABO DISTRICT HEALTH CENTERS-KIGALI, RWANDA []


OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of knowledge and acceptability towards intrauterine device and factors associated with IUD acceptability among women attending antenatal care in Gasabo district health centers. Method: A cross-sectional study, using systematic sampling technique was conducted with 128 women in reproductive age between 18 and 49 years old, attending Antenatal care in Gasabo district health centers. Data were obtained using survey questionnaire. The level of knowledge was assessed and scored using a 10 grade knowledge indicators, the score obtained was categorized as inadequate (below 50%), moderate (50-69%), and adequate (above 70%). Acceptability was also assessed and classified as poor (score below 50%) and good (score above 50%). Correlation analysis and chi-square test were used in SPSS version 28 at 95% confidence interval. Results: the majority of respondent have inadequate knowledge at 68.7%, moderate knowledge at 28.3% and adequate knowledge at 2.3%., the level of acceptability was good at 77.3%, and having one or more children was associated with IUD acceptability almost two times more than having no child [AOR=1.802; 95% CI=1.243-2.611 P:0.05]. Conclusion: as the population of Rwanda is still increasing with fertility rate of 3.8 birth per women, it poses a challenge not only to country development but also to maternal and child health, therefore different health care structures in Rwanda are recommended to use ANC opportunity to advance family planning education with more focus on IUD as safe long-acting reversible contraceptive not only in couples with many children but also in nulliparous women. Keywords: antenatal care, contraception, intrauterine device, family planning, long-acting reversible contraceptive method, maternal and child health, primary health care.

BASIC EDUCATION LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN AND IN-PERSON CLASSES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN LAMBAYONG []


The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in significant changes to the Philippine educational system. It necessitates a new adjustment, which is commonly referred to as "New Normal Education” as this transition constrains school administrators in meeting the needs of the learners. Hence, the goal of this study is to determine the impact of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP) to the Implementation of Limited Face to Face class among Public Secondary Schools at Lambayong Sultan Kudarat for the school year 2022-2023. Based on the result, Public Secondary Schools at Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat observed a high extent of the reinforcement of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP) which means that during the pandemic they were able to allocate the funds for the learning strategies and modalities in their school, specifically during the modular class. The result indicates that secondary schools in Lambayong have an outstanding conduct or implementation of in-person classes which can be attributed to the reinforcement of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP). This also implies that effective learning modalities are also observed among these schools which promote quality teaching results even during the trying times. Furthermore, relevant learning resources were also given to the learners during the in-person classes. Finally, the extent of the reinforcement of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP) Public Secondary Schools at Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat affects the level of schools’ Implementation of in-person classes during the school year 2022-2023. Keywords: In-Person Classes, Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan