Volume 11, Issue 9, September 2023 Edition - GSJ Journal Publication

[1]  [2]  [3]  [4]  [5]  [6]  [7]  [8]

Parallel Data Warehouse PDW for Enterprise Kuwait Finance House . building Data Warehouse for leading bank in Kuwait []


Kuwait Finance House (KFH), pioneering in the Islamic Finance industry in the Middle East region, has Enterprise Data Warehousing (EDW or DW) solution for its banking, commercial and Real Estate sectors. This paper outlines appropriate steps taken technically during its implementation on MS APS ® platform Windows environment. Essential concepts and guidelines covered are Naming conventions, synchronization, history data specifics, Error handling, Load process automation, and its control process, etc. Subsidiaries data from Malaysia, Turkey and Bahrain is also being loaded for some of its downstream applications. Informatica® v10.2 is used as a tool for extracting and loading data to the EDW. MS APS used as a server on windows platform, CA Erwin v12 used as a data modeling tool.

Microfinance: a solution to keep banks out of the informal sector in Mali. []


Since its creation in 1986 of the self-managed village savings and credit banks (CVECA) of the Dogon Country, followed in 1987 by Kafo Jiginew in the cotton zone, microfinance has been the subject of much discussion. Its establishment in Mali was immediately a success since in a few years, Malian Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have built up an extraordinary portfolio. However, many MFIs in the world, particularly in Mali, are reaching maturity and are faced with financing and project portfolio development issues. This article studies in depth the situation of microcredit today in Mali and its role in financing the Malian informal sector.

EVALUATION DE LA CONSOMATION DES FRUITS ET LEGUMES DANS LE MENAGES (Cas du Quartier LUBIMBI) []


La province de haut-Lomami se retrouve dans une situation particulière marquant la hausse du prix des denrées alimentaire de première nécessité dont les fruits deviennent énormément chers cette question de rareté dont notre province en est victime nous a permis d’évaluer la consommation des fruits et légumes dans les ménages du quartier LUBIMBI, aire de santé Q. BASE dans la ville province de Kamina. En effet, l’objectif général était d’évaluer la consommation des légumes et fuits dans les ménages durant une période de trois mois allant du 01 Mars au 30 Juin dans l’aire de santé Q. BASE ; Entant donner que l’étude était prospective, nous avons utilisé la méthode descriptive transversale. Pour arriver à la récolte des données, certaines techniques nous sont étés utiles dont nous citons les techniques suivantes : l’interview, le questionnaire et l’observation dirigé. Apres analyse des données, nous avons aboutis à ce qui suit : Les menages qui ont consommé 1à 2 jours la portion des legumes representent 11% contre 47% de ceux qui ont consommé tous les 7 jours. Les menages qui ont consommé les légumes provenant de leurs champs soit les petits jardins representent 28%. Les menages n’ayant pas consommés les fuits toute la semaine representent 61% contre 4% qui ont consommé tous les 7 jours. Les ménages n’ayant pas consommés les fruits toute la semaine représentent 61% contre 11% qui ont consommé 1 fruit soit 2 par jour. Hormis ceux qui n’ont pas consommé, les ménages qui ont acheté au marché représente 26 % et 4% pour les fruits de collectes. En conclusion, l’étude a montré que, les légumes étaient plus consommées que les fruits dans les ménages

PROBLEMATIQUE DES SITES SENTINELLES DE SURVEILLANCE NUTRITIONNELLE ET SUIVI DES ALERTES PRECOCES(SNSAP) (Cas des zones de santé de la province du Haut-Lomami) []


Résumé L’étude a porté sur la problématique des sites sentinelles de surveillance nutritionnelle et suivi des alertes précoces dans 24 sites sentinelles SNSAP de la Division Provinciale du Haut-Lomami ; l’objectif poursuivi est d’identifier les structures à faible et à forte utilisation des services de la surveillance nutritionnelle et suivi des alertes précoces ainsi que leurs catégorisations. La méthodologie qui a été utilisée est descriptive transversale les techniques d’analyse documentaire et celle d’observation. Apres analyse des différents indicateurs, il ressort ce qui suit : En rapport avec le suivi de croissance, il a été une faible utilisation de service CPS de 0 à 6 mois dans 19/24 avec taux de fréquentation inferieure à 50 % et 1 avec un taux de fréquentation supérieur à 80 % et pour la tranche d'âge compris entre 6 et 59 mois 12/24 ont un taux de fréquentation inferieure à 50 % et 5/24 avec un taux de fréquentation supérieur à 100 %. Pour la consultation prénatale 10/24 ont un taux de fréquentation inferieure à 50 % et 2/24 avec un taux de fréquentation supérieur à 100 %. Les données de la CPoN montrent dans 8/24 à un taux de fréquentation inferieure à 50 % et 3/24 avec un taux de fréquentation supérieur à 100 %. En ce qui concerne l’accouchement, 13/24 ont un taux de fréquentation inferieure à 50 % et 2/24 avec un taux de fréquentation supérieur à 100 %. En conclusion, l’étude à relevé un faible taux de réalisation des indicateurs de surveillance et suivi des alertes précoces dans toutes les sites sentinelles de la province du Haut-Lomami.

A Study on Strategic Management as a Determinant of Organizational Performance []


The study deals on the importance of strategic management in business organizations and how business strategies could determine the performances of an organization. Managers in all organizations need strategies to solve the complicated problems that they have to cope with. This is where business strategies or strategic management is required. The study, thus, aims to identify strategic management as a key determinant of organizational performance. The main objective of this research is to understand the importance of strategic management in business, so that organizations can utilize it for improving efficiency in business, as well as that of their employees. The literature review discusses the opinions of other scholars who in one way or the other have carried out investigations in this area and their views of how strategic management is indispensable in the performance of a business organization. The research is believed to provide crucial knowledge on the impacts of strategic management as a factor for organizational performance. The interpretive research method was used in the data collection and analysis. The research approach was qualitative where literature review was used, and a case study method was applied. A case study on Coca Cola Company Calabar, Nigeria was used to answer the research questions. Also, interviews were conducted, the records of which were collected and analyzed. During the research program, all ethical issues were observed and the purpose and procedures of the study were clearly declared. The study explains all the procedures applied for data collection and a clear analysis based on the examinations was provided. The findings emphasizes that as more and more industries become global, strategic management is also becoming increasingly, an important way to keep track of international developments and position companies for long-term competitive advantage. The study’s conclusion is that effective strategic management in business organizations is a key to determining organizational performance.

A THEORETICAL EVALUATION OF THE GLOBAL TRADE IN DRUGS: HOW RELIABLE IS RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY IN EXPLAINING THE MOTIVATION FOR ALL OF THE ACTORS INVOLVED IN TRAFFICKING DRUGS []


This research examines organised criminal gangs to evaluate the relationship between rational choice theory and drug trafficking. It argues that the dominance of rational choice theory as the sole explanation for trafficking can be called into question when compared to the motivations of those higher in the quasi-legal-criminal hierarchy of the global trade in drugs. It tests the validity of rational choice theory underpinning why traffickers ingest kilos of cocaine or heroin into their bodies to transport it half way across the globe with the rationality of bankers laundering cocaine profits for drug barons at the opposite end of the social hierarchy. It also examine the reasons for the disparity in punishments which send impoverished marginalised foreign nationals to prisons for fourteen years while the banking fraternity avoids prosecution. This study evaluates whether or not the average drug trafficker that swallows ounces of heroin can realistically be defined as rational. How can the drug ‘mule’ be rational compared the mafia boss, corrupt politicians, law enforcement agents, police officers as well as the leaders of the emerging mafia states? This paper argues that a combination of factors integral to the rise in drug trafficking and neo-liberalism has had implications for poor, black and minority ethnic women. A feminist analysis of existing case studies informs the primary chapter to illustrate how drug trafficking organisations is a means to an end whereby it serves the interests of the liberal few. The research concludes that rational choice is appropriate in many junctures of the drug trafficking process. However, it is also evident that not every drug mule is guilty of rationally choosing to perpetrate the crime that enables the spread of drugs across the globe. Key Words Globalisation; neoliberalism; mafia states; mules; corruption; sentencing; exclusion

BIOLOGY TEACHERS’ SELF-MOTIVATION AS CORRELATES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN MINNA, NIGER STATE []


The study investigated the relationship between Biology teachers’ Self-motivation and secondary school Biology students’ performance in Minna, Niger State. The study adopted a correlational research design and was guided by one research question and one corresponding null hypothesis. A total of 105 Biology teachers and 520 Biology students formed the sample size of the study. The study focused on Self-motivation which is one of the constructs of emotional intelligence. The instrument used for data collection from the Biology teachers was the researchers’ structured questionnaire titled Biology Teachers’ Self-motivation Questionnaire (BIOTSEQ). The instrument was pilot-tested and data collected was analyzed using Cronbach Alpha and reliability coefficient of 0.74 was obtained. Data collected was correlated with Biology students’ scores in the past centralized promotion examination of the state. Descriptive statistics, namely, mean and standard deviation with scatter plots were used to answer the research questions. Inferential statistics used was simple linear regression to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that there was positive relationship between Biology teachers’ Self-motivation and students’ performance in .Biology. Authors recommended that Biology teachers’ self-motivation should be encouraged via counselling services and seminars in secondary schools as it boost students’ performance in Biology.

ANALYSE DES EFFETS DE LA SECURITE FONCIERE SUR LES PERFORMANCES ECONOMIQUES DES PRODUCTEURS DE COTON AU BURKINA FASO []


Land tenure security is being promoted and adopted as a means of mitigating the low level of agricultural investments in Burkina Faso. With this in mind, Observatoire national du foncier au Burkina Faso (ONF-BF) initiated an operation in the rural commune of Boudry to reduce land tenure insecurity. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of land tenure security on cotton growers' investments and agricultural yields. To this end, a survey was conducted among one hundred (100) cotton producers in the villages of Ouayalgui V1 and Ouayalgui V2. The results showed that 6.18% of cotton growers were women, and 8.24% had received only primary-level formal education. Also, cultivated areas are small (1.42 ha on average) and in terms of land tenure security, the preference of cotton growers in the study area is for rural land ownership certificates (APFR) and rural land loans, with a predominance of APFR (97.9%). The study highlighted the existence of four types of agricultural investments: boreholes, tree plantations, fertilizer application and the purchase of agricultural equipment. Qualitative bivariate analysis was used to characterize the determinants of agricultural investments. The analysis indicated a two-sided asymptotic significance (p-value=0.668) well above the significance level (α=0.05), meaning that the influence of land tenure security on agricultural investments in the study area was not significant. Characterization of the determinants of agricultural yields revealed a p-value (0.000) well below the significance level (0.05), meaning that land tenure security is a factor that influences agricultural yield. However, it would be interesting to analyze the impact of each type of rural land tenure security document on investments and agricultural yields.

Federalism and PEACEMAKING PRACTICES IN benadir Region MOGADISHU, SOMALIA []


Accommodation defined inspecting strategy was utilized and chosen test size of 222 common social orders and ideological groups. To accomplish the goals of this review, information was gathered through Self-regulated poll instrument. Information investigation, the analyst was utilized both enlightening, connection inspecting procedure additionally involved Factual Bundle for the Sociology (SPSS). The principal consequences of the primary goal got this study was tracked down a moderate positive connection among Federalism and Peacemaking rehearses (r=.690 ) ,The subsequent goal was to look at the connection among Independence and Peacemaking practice, the review came about that Independence has moderate positive connection among Independence and Peacemaking practices(r=.587 ) The third goal was to distinguish the connection between power sharing and Peacemaking rehearses, the review found a moderate positive connection between power sharing and Peacemaking practices(r=.628)Finally, the review suggests that study Power sharing ought to be partitioned to the sub-public legislatures without limitation any circumstance Key: Federalism, Governance and Power sharing

AN ASSESSMENT OF DISASTER RISK AND THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCES IN MECHANIZED AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTION ILORIN NIGERIA []


ABSTRACT Spontaneous challenges of disaster at different frequency and severity concurrently engulf the universe causing lot of hazard. These hazards are predicted to increase with the negative impacts of climate change, which will worsen the incidence of associated disasters in the African region. Apart from the commonly focused hazards climatic and geological hazards such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, landslides and cyclones, there are also industrial and technological related hazards. A study to determine the awareness of disaster risk and the frequency of occurrences and the levels of disaster and risk management was carried out at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin. The methods used for data collection were Questionnaire administration, in-depth interview and field survey.ws The result were analyzed through pie-chart, showing percentage in terms of Hazard risk with 2015 having the highest percentage of (45.5%). 2016 (24.2%), 2017 (12.1%). The lowest hazard risk on the yearly analysis are 2018 (6.19%), 2019 (9.1%) and the least being 2020 with (3.0%). This result has clearly shown that within 2015-2020 the study area experienced decreasing pattern variations in hazards. The findings revealed that N.C.A.M Ilorin has low disaster risk and low frequency of occurrences levels of disaster high degree level of mitigation and preparedness achieved through the use of hierarchy of control and administrative measure. therefore, there is a need for the combination of, elimination; substitution; isolation; engineering controls; administrative controls, should be fully implemented to totally eliminate hazard risk in the Centre. The staffs were advised to avoid working without safety materials to minimize the effects of hazards from mechanized agricultural equipment.

Effects of Floating Columns on RC Building []


The construction of reinforced concrete buildings with floating columns in different types of buildings has lifted few years back due to requirements of space for public use as well for parking purposes in different buildings. As the upper stories are needed with more working areas in real field buildings with floating columns are constructed. The RC buildings with G+3, G+5 and G+7 storied realistic residential, public buildings are taken for the modeling. Linear Dynamic analysis i.e. Modal Spectrum Analysis was performed with the software ETABS20. All three structures are analyzed with floating column at vary-ing distances of 0.9m, 1.5m and 2.1m from the main columns in the buildings. From the study it is found that the smaller buildings have more seismic effects than in bigger buildings. As the floating col-umns are kept in any direction, it has higher effects on the direction where the floating column is kept. Due to floating column the cross section of structural members should be increased than that of structure without floating column i.e. 26.065% in aver-age to resist the effects generated by introduced floating column. For floating columns kept in X-direction at different span displacement is decreased by 0.3021% in average due to change in Centre of gravity in the building as mass changes. For Y-direction, displacement is increased by 1.259% in average, as the weight is constant through the axis. Average drift is also af-fected by the floating column in which the drift is maximum at the storey where floating column is introduced. And the base shear is maximum at 2.1m from main column at first storey as the mass is maximum for the 2.1m and at first storey. As the span is decreasing the base shear is found to be decreased and as the span increases for the same storey the base shear is found to be increased. when floating columns are kept on higher storeys the seismic parameters are lesser in terms of dis-placement, storey drift and base shear than that when floating columns are kept in lower storeys.

Factors Influencing Home Delivery in Rural Rwanda: A Qualitative Study []


Background: Skilled birth attendance (SBA) has been promoted to as evident strategy to improve maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities in Rwanda and elsewhere. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing home deliveries in rural area, especially in Kabari and Kigufi health centers which located in rural areas of Rubavu District, from July to December 2021was essential for the development of effective interventions to ensure that those remaining pregnant women could deliver at health facilities. Methods: The researcher used an exploratory-descriptive qualitative research design with in-depth interviews (IDIs), Focus Group Discussion (FDGs) and Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) in August 2022. We purposively selected fifty-six participants including 20 women who had delivered at home during the study period, 8KIIs with health personnel (Midwives, CEHOs, CHWs and in-charges of social affairs) and four focus group discussions (FGDs) on heterogeneous groups of seven community members comprised of husbands of women giving birth at home, nurses, elderly women, village leaders, CHWs, women and in-charge of social affairs. The data collected were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically using MAXQDA software. Result: Two main themes that emerged as factors that influenced home delivery were belief and perceptions, as well as barriers to SBA. The beliefs and perception factors that influenced home births were sociocultural and birth unpreparedness. While barriers that prevented SBA were previous childbirth experience, family issues, economic factors, health facility factors, and geographical access. Conclusion: Our findings provide vital information on the factors influencing home deliveries and practices in Kigufi and Kabari catchment areas. This study underscores the need for comprehensive interventions to address the factors that affect mother’s accessibility to maternity services, increased awareness of the dangers of home births. Thus, emphasis on more efficient referral system and the use of health services during childbirth in Nyamyumba and Kanzenze sectors, as ones of the rural remote areas in Rwanda and elsewhere in low resource countries. Keywords: Maternity services, Birth preparedness, Factors influencing, Home delivery, Qualitative study

Assessment of Mechanical and Durability Properties of Concrete Using Rubber Waste as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate []


Concrete is a basic engineering material used for developing modern structures. At present,river sand is becoming expensive due to higher cost of transportation from river beds. Judiciary and Governments have therefore imposed ban on extraction of river sand from the river bed beyond a certain depth causing a shortage of fine aggregates. Consequently, concrete industry has been forced to look for alternative materials of river sand as fine aggregate. It is therefore desirable to investigate the use of cheaper, easily available and sustainable alternative materials to natural sand. Large quantities of waste rubber tyres are produced every year and accumulation of these tyres is a major problem. The engineering properties of concrete can be enhanced by using different industrial wastes as a replacement of fine aggregate. Waste rubber tyres can be used as in the concrete as replacement of fine aggregate (FA). This would not only solve the problem of accumulation of tyres but will also save natural resources. Therefore, the present study has been carried out for workability, mechanical and durability properties of concrete containing rubber fiber as partial replacement of fine aggregate. The fine aggregate was substituted with waste rubber fiber by 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% to prepare waste rubber fiber concrete. Tests were performed on concrete samples to analyze workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and abrasion resistance. The compressive strength is adversely affected and the other water absorption are marginally affected. The partial replacement of fine aggregate by rubber fiber is found to enhance the flexural strength and abrasion resistance properties of rubberized concrete. Results indicated that rubber fiber concrete can be used to prepare precast structures, paver blocks and for the applications where high flexural load acts. Keywords: Fine aggregate, Rubber fiber, Rubber fiber concrete, Flexural strength, Abrasion Resistance

A Deterministic model on the transmission dynamics of covid -19 in a heterogeneous nigeria population []


ABSTRACT The disease covid-19 pandemic has imposed lot of challenges to the world at large and Nigeria is no exception. Understanding the transmission dynamics of coronavirus (COVID-19) is very important for positive change. This study present a suitable way of determining the spread and control of Covid-19. The model high-lighted some various parameters such as Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Isolation and Recovered (S1 S2 E1 E2 I R) underlying health conditions that influence the transmission dynamics of the virus. A primary data was employed which was gotten from Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane, a flow chat was constructed and the analysis was carried out using matlab, the disease was discussed in detailed at the methodology. Some epidemiological parameters such as reproduction number, contact rates and population movement were used to project the potential spread of covid-19 in different regions in Nigeria. The basic reproduction number was calculated and the stability analysis of the equilibrium points was determined. the model also provides insights into the effectiveness of the public health measures on the spread and control outbreak, the model analysis showed that susceptible vaccinated individuals can become susceptible and also be exposed once the vaccination expires which will lead to spread of the disease.

Effects of Trade Facilitation Agreement on Border Security []


The aim of this study is to examine the border security implications (proxy by small arms and light weapons (SALWs)) on trade facilitation within Nigerian borders and its immediate border countries of Benin Republic, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The study employed panel OLS method using linear gravity framework for secondary data between 2017 and 2022. The study found that, Ease of Doing Business (EDB) reduces SALWs. Thus, improves border security. The coefficient of EDB is -0.214096, and has a p-values < 5% which statistically reduces SALWs cross-border trade. Also, Logistics Performance Index (LPI), proxy for trade facilitation within the period under review decelerates cross-border trade in SALWs. As a result, the LPI coefficient is -3.047479, which is statistically significant at the 5% level of significance. The study concludes that trade facilitation contributes to border security by decreasing cross-border SALWs and, therefore recommends that, trade facilitation be secured using modern border-protection tactics. This necessitates thorough security profiling and the use of latest technologies, such as the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), non-intrusive scanners, etc, in order to guarantee maximum security in both imports and exports from country of origin to the final destination. Keywords: Trade Facilitation, Customs, Border Security, Regional Trade Agreement.

Incidence and Mortality Trend Analysis using Historical Cancer Data of the United States of America []


Cancer is a complex disease that affects people of different ages, ethnicities, sexes, and races differently. To address the disparities in cancer outcomes among different populations, there is a need for a better understanding of the factors that contribute to these disparities. This study analyzed data from the CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) from 1999 to 2014 to examine how cancer affects different races and sexes. Our dataset included 961,776 cancer cases across 14 columns. Our findings suggest that there are significant differences in cancer incidence and mortality rates among different racial and ethnic groups. For instance, African Americans have higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than any other racial or ethnic group in the US. Additionally, we found that there are differences in cancer incidence and mortality rates among different sexes. For example, men have higher incidence rates of cancer than women, but women have a slightly higher mortality rate from cancer. Our study underscores the need for targeted interventions to reduce the burden of cancer in high-risk populations. By identifying the factors that contribute to disparities in cancer outcomes, we can develop effective strategies to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality in all populations. The aim of the cancer analysis study was to examine comparatively the cancer trends in the United States between 1999 and 2014. To do this, we gathered cancer registry data from two primary sources, the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), as well as cancer mortality data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. These sources provided comprehensive information on new cancer cases and cancer deaths for the entire U.S. population. Since we are interested in national trends rather than regional ones, we filtered out any data that was specific to regions. This subset of data allowed the research to focus analysis on cancer trends at a national level, and to identify any patterns or changes in cancer rates across the United States during the study period. Gathering data from reliable sources is a crucial component of any research study and is especially important in cancer research. The CDC and NCI are highly respected organizations in the field of cancer research, and their cancer registry data is widely used in studies investigating cancer trends and outcomes. Similarly, the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics is a reputable source of mortality data in the United States. By using data from these sources, we can draw on high-quality, reliable information to inform the analysis of cancer trends in the United States.