Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Honey from The Kayonza District, Rwanda [PDF] BAMURANGE Olivier
Abstract
Assessment of pesticide residues in honey from Kayonza District, RWANDA was conducted for six different pesticides: Abamectin, Profenofos, Alpha-cypermethrin, Chlorothalonil, deltamethrin, and Metalaxyl which are commonly used in Rwanda Easter Province, and their levels were evaluated under laboratory states. Pesticide residue in honey is one of the significant parameters to evaluate environmental contamination, and in this regard, twenty-eight (28) samples of fresh Apis mellifera honey were gathered from three different geographic areas (sector) namely Kabare, Kabarondo, and Ndego, in Kayonza District. After collection, these samples were transported in good condition by using a cool box and stored in the laboratory at a temperature between 4-100C until analysis. Ex-traction of pesticide residues in samples was carried out using water and ethyl acetate. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-UV) was used to identify and quantify the residues of these six distinct pesticides following the extraction and cleanup of honey. Traces of abamectin and deltamethrin pesticide residues were found, and the detection ranges were LOD to 0.048mg/kg for abamectin and LOD to 0.015 mg/kg for deltamethrin. Three samples of honey from the Ndego Sector contained traces of abamectin, while one sample each from the Ndego and Kabare sectors contained traces of deltamethrin. The range of residues detected is below the MRLs for Abamectin and Deltamethrin whose values are 0.05 and 0.03mg/kg, respectively, while profenofos, alpha-cypermethrin, metalaxyl, chlorothalonil residues were not found in all of the samples examined. According to the findings of this study, honey from Rwanda is free from pesticide residues when the findings of current study are compared to maximum residue limits but farmers and beekeepers must create a plan for their use of pesticides to avoid probable danger to health.
Keywords: Extraction, Pesticides, HPLC, Limit of Detection, Maximum Residues Limits
CLOUD BASED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS
IN RWANDA, A CASE STUDY OF THE RWANDA DIGITAL ACCELERATION PROJECT [PDF] MBONEKO GRACIELLA, Dr. Gitahi Njenga (PhD)
The main objective of this study was to assess the cloud base management practices and the performance of IT projects in Rwanda. The study was carried out on the Rwanda Digital acceleration project Phase I (RDAP I) of RISA as case study. The findings were to add to the literature on the cloud based management practices and how the process affects performance within IT projects in Rwanda. This study followed the following objectives: To evaluate the effect of the cloud based project planning (scope plan and resource plan) on the performance of RDAP I, to determine the effect of cloud based project collaboration (communication and coordination) on the performance of RDAP I, and analyze the effect of cloud based project monitoring (Analysis and reporting) on the performance of RDAP I. Descriptive research design was used within this study, and the study population comprised both 57 employees of RDAP I, and 132 contractors involved in the implementation of the project. Using stratified sampling technique and slovin’s formula the sample size of 128 respondents was established. The researcher used primary and secondary data in this study. A closed end questionnaire was utilized. Descriptive research design and correlation analysis were utilized to assess the data and results generalized for the entire population, while multiple regression was used to test hypothesesThe regression model 1 revealed that Cloud based Project planning (measured by Scope plan and resource plan) contributed to 78.9% on performance in RDAP I. The calculated F statistic of 6.351 and the calculated p-value of =.030 was less than the Critical p-value of =.05 level of significance, making the entire model significant. Therefore, this implies that the variables: Scope plan and resource plan had significant effect to the variation of performance.. The findings of the multiple regression analysis showed that cloud based project monitoring (measured Analysis and reporting) contributes to 72.8% on performance. Findings in Table 4.16, indicate that F statistic of 4.831 and the p-value of 0.012 is less than the critical p-value of 0.05. The results in Table 4.17 indicate that Analysis (β1= 0.642, t=1.500, p-value=0.001<0.05) and Reporting (β2= 0.164, t=0.280, p-value=0.029<0.05) have positive and significant effect on performance of RDAP I. This shows that 1 per cent increase in analysis and reporting will lead respectively to 0.642% and 0.164% increase on performance of RDAP I in Rwanda.
HUMAN ERROR MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN RWANDA.
A CASE STUDY OF THE ICT CENTRALIZED PROCUREMENT PROJECT OF RISA. [PDF] MBONEKO Carmelle, Dr. Gitahi Njenga, PhD
The main objective of this study was to assess the human error management practices and project performance in Public institutions in Rwanda. The study was carried out in the ICT Centralized Procurement Project of RISA as case study. This study followed the following objectives: To examine the effect of human error management practices (Human error acceptance, communicating about error, and support for error management) on the scope performance in ICT Centralized Procurement Project, to assess the effect of human error management practices on the time performance in ICT Centralized Procurement Project, and to determine the effect of human error management practices on the cost performance in ICT Centralized Procurement Project. The study was anchored on the Organizational learning theory, Theory of Change, and the Utilitarian Theory. Descriptive research design was used within this study, and the study population comprised 152 employees working on the project. The researcher used primary and secondary data in this study. A closed end questionnaire was utilized. The study used the random sampling method to select 110 respondents using the Slovin's Formula, 90questionnaires were returned back and they were effectively filled giving a response rate of 81.8%. Descriptive research design and correlation analysis were utilized to assess the data and results generalized for the entire population, while multiple regression was used to test hypotheses. To compute and analyze the data in this study, SPSS version 27 was used. Findings in Model 1 of the multiple regression revealed that Human error acceptance variables ((Knowledge, Personal innovativeness, and Team learning behavior) contributes to 81.4% on performance in ICT-CPP.) contributes to 81.4% on performance in ICT-CPP. The calculated F statistic of 7.370 and the calculated p-value of =.000 is less than the Critical p-value of =.05 level of significance, making the entire model significant. The results in Table 4.11 indicated that that 1 per cent increase in Knowledge, Personal innovativeness, and Team learning behavior will lead respectively to 0.400%, 0.082% and 0.610% increase in scope performance of ICT-CPP
INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND THE TYPES OF OPERATION ON MENTAL HEALTH OF MILITARY PERSONNEL [PDF] Damian D. OSA-AFIANA & Timileyin M. FASHOLA
This study investigates the influence of personality traits and types of operations on the mental health of military personnel. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted and data was gathered from selected 238 military personnel in Odogbo barracks, Ibadan. More of the respondents 221 (92.9%) were males, while the other 17 (7.1%) were females. Age distribution ranged from 20 years old and 54 years, with an average age of 33.8 (SD = 8.8). Findings revealed that personality traits (extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience) jointly predicted mental health {R = .29; R2 = .09; F (5, 232) = 4.36; P<.01}; however, only conscientiousness (β = .20; t = 2.09; P<.05) independently predicted mental health. Finally, the type of operation had no significant influence on mental health among military personnel [F (5, 232) = .19; P>.05]. It was therefore concluded that personality traits such as extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were significant correlates of mental health of military personnel. It was therefore recommended that profiles of military intake be made on their personality and possibly recruited and placed according to their personality traits. An individual with an increased level of extroversion could be given an upper hand in a selection over someone low in extroversion.
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) in Zambia: A Systematic Analysis of the Sector in Relation to Size, Production, Marketing, Value-Addition, Government Regulation and Support. [PDF] Richard Musukwa, Frank Mukwilima, Prof. E. Kazonga, Prof. B. Mapeto
This paper presents a systematic analysis of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector in Zambia with emphasis on sector characterization, production, marketing, value-addition, and government regulation and support. The main methodological approach consisted of an extensive desk review combined with field visits to government departments, mining associations, and companies. Data collection was conducted using structured closed and open-ended questionnaires administered to 15 organizations. The analytical framework was adopted from the Africa Minerals Development Center (AMDC) Growth framework which recognizes three (3) important elements of growth in the mining sector: ((i) Governance – legal and fiscal framework and institutions; (ii) ASM benefits (economic, social, financial, and infrastructures); (iii) negative impacts (environmental, physical, social and cultural)) that support the “ASM. The major findings were that ASM comprises more than 400 small scale miners and non-specified number of illegal miners and artisanal miners who are estimated to be over 500 thousand. Further, this paper establishes that mineral production by Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners is not documented posing a challenge to establish the actual contribution of the ASM sector; the market is uncoordinated; and value-addition is absent. Major challenges include: Taxing the artisanal miners specially the illegal miners; Accessing production data from ASM; Illegal mining which interfere with operation of this sector; and Lack of sustainability in the ASM which prevent proper planning of the outputs. On the ASM side, challenges include: Lack of capital (no bankable document to access finance from the bank, hire proper geologist, etc.); Lack of technical and business skills; unfair and inappropriate market arrangement; Lack of processing plants; and Illegal miners. The paper recommends the following: i) the strengthening of policy and legislation; (ii) the need for devising innovative financing mechanisms for ASM; (iii) the need for improvement of technology grounded in local intermediated technology and research & development; (iv) optimization of mining and processing operations (to improve productivity and efficiency); (v) regulated and structured access to the market at mine pit; (vi) beneficiation and access to market at mid and downstream; (vii) and tax payment by the miners, which could be at selling point.
: Prevalence of typhoid fever disease in rural area in South West Nigeria [PDF] Kola Bamidele Jayeoba1, Opeyemi Lanre-Ojo1 and Ogbonna Mary Aina2
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious complications and can be fatal. It is rare in developed countries. This disease is treated with antibiotics and fluid. This study aims to determine prevalence of typhoid among patients Federal Medical Center (FMC) Ido Ekiti Ekiti state from 2018 to 2020. Descriptive retrospective study was carried out on eighty hundred forty six (846) patients tested for typhoid fever Federal Teaching Hospitaln Ido, Ekiti state from 2018 to 2020. Medical records of suspected patients tested for typhoid fever infection were collected from medical records of Health Information Management department of Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti, Ekiti state. SPSS software, windows version19 was used to analyze data. Results were presented in statement, tables and bar charts. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. A total of 846 patients, age 1-65 years were analyzed. There are 314 males (37.1%) and 532 females (62.9%) giving an M.F ratio 1: 1.9. Widal test result showed that 340 (40.2%) patients were positive while 506 (59.8%) were negative giving ratio 1: 1.4. In 2018 numbers of positive cases were 210 (39.8%) while 318 (60.2%) were negative. In 2019 number of positive cases were 89 (41.2%) while 127(58.8) were negative. And in 2020 numbers of positive cases were 52 (42.3%) while 71 (57.7%). The results of this study showed that there were increased in typhoid fever in the communities. We are of the opinion that people should be sensitized about proper sanitation and personal hygiene.
Key words: complications, Salmonella typhi, antibiotics, sanitation, personal hygiene
Comparison of some physiochemical parameters of emulsion Paint formulated from Monomethylol urea Resin, and that from di, and Trimethylol urea resins [PDF] Archibong Christopher Sunday
Monomethylol urea was synthesis, then compared with di and Tri methylol urea using standard organization of Nigeria as a reference standard. The physical properties of the three resins, saw monomethylol urea exhibiting improvement in terms moisture uptake, hardness and reduction of formaldehyde emission over di and Tri methylol urea. Paint products formulated from each of the polymer resins were further subjected to physical and chemical test to ascertain the paint quality and durability. Each of these paint products passed the stability and opacity test, their pH values were within the acceptable range in the coating industry. The paint products were also not affected when place in an acidic medium, they all show one form of defection or the other when place in a salt medium, only paint product from Trimethylol urea was affected in an alkaline medium. This study presented monomethylol urea as a better binder for emulsion paint formulation than di and tri methylol urea.
