Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2024 Edition - GSJ Journal Publication

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The Principle of Equality in the Eyes of the Israeli Citizens: A Comparative Study between Arab and Jewish Citizens in Israel []


This study explores the perceptions of Arab and Jewish citizens in Israel regarding the principle of equality, utilizing a mixed-method approach comprising both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample consisted of 200 Israeli citizens, divided equally among Arabs and Jews, with all participants completing a questionnaire and 10 also participating in in-depth interviews. The findings reveal significant differences in perceptions of inequality across various dimensions, including income, employment opportunities, educational accessibility, healthcare coverage, and housing quality. These disparities highlight a profound difference in how the two communities perceive their socio-economic standing within the country. For instance, a majority of Arab citizens perceive income inequality and economic discrimination, a sentiment less echoed among Jewish citizens. Employment opportunities also emerged as a concern, with Arab professionals reporting discrimination in the job market. Educational accessibility is notably perceived as unequal by Arab citizens, reflecting disparities in resources and facilities between Jewish and Arab schools. Similarly, healthcare coverage and the quality of housing facilities are areas where Arab citizens perceive greater inequality. The qualitative findings corroborate these perceptions, emphasizing the need for policy changes and a more inclusive approach to address socio-economic and political disparities. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning democratic principles with equitable outcomes, highlighting the challenge faced by the Israeli government in balancing the country's distinct identity with the need for equality in all sectors. It calls for a reevaluation of the Israeli legal system in light of Israel's unique history and cultural richness, advocating for pluralism, inclusivity, and equality. The influence of Zionist ideas since Israel's establishment in 1948 is also discussed, particularly their impact on power distribution and opportunities across different ethnicities. The study suggests that these ideologies may contribute to career advancement challenges faced by non-Jewish citizens, reflecting a broader issue of implicit and explicit discrimination in the country.

BANK SOHAR'S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FROM LAST 5 YEARS AND IT’S IMPACT TO OVERALL PROFITABILITY: CASE OF OMAN []


Financial performance is directly and closely linked to profitability, as good profitability is a reflection of good financial performance within the organization. These studies evaluate the financial performance of Bank Sohar in the last five years and its impact on profitability. This research is a descriptive research that describes financial performance in general. Various methods were used to collect research data, including a questionnaire and an interview. The results concluded that there are internal and external factors that affect the financial performance of the bank, and thus profitability is affected. In general, the financial performance of Sohar International has been considered very good during the last five years, thanks to the bank’s risk management strategies in addition to the merger with HSBC Bank, which had a significant impact on the financial performance and profitability of Bank Sohar. Keywords: Bank Sohar, financial performance, financial profitability, merger, risk management

Analysis of the Overall Financial Performance of the Top Ranking Omani Commercial Banks []


Purpose: This study aims to analyze the general financial performance of the banks, the many factors that affect the bank’s financial performance and the financial indicators that explain and evaluate the financial performance of the banks. This study combines previous studies and the opinions of researcher on bank’s financial performance. Findings revealed that there are factors that affect the financial performance of banks, including loans, non-performing loans and interest margin. Knowing and improving these factors helps improve financial performance. There are financial indicators such as quick ratios and ownership rights that aimed to develop a perception of the bank’s position. Likewise, the lack of these indicators puts the bank in a dangerous position. Design/methodology/approach: The population of the study are the employees from the finance and accounting department at the commercial Omani banks. The primary data were utilized which are the questionnaire and the interview with selected bank’s senior employees. The sample size is 297. Research limitation/implications: It was recommended that the three banks (Bank Muscat, Bank Dhofar, and Alizz Islamic Bank) focus on paying attention to financial performance and knowing the factors affecting it, in addition to knowing the financial indicators. Social implications: This research will add social knowledge about the importance of analyzing financial performance and knowing the factors affecting it, in addition to the financial indicators that evaluate financial performance. Originality/value: This is the first time that a study has been conducted on analyzing the overall financial performance of the best Omani commercial banks. Keywords: commercial banks in Oman, financial analysis, financial performance, top ranking Omani commercial banks

The Impact of the Application of Internal Control on the E-Financial System of Alizz Islamic Bank, Oman []


Purpose: This study focuses on the impact of implementing internal control on the electronic financial system of Alizz Islamic Bank. Internal control is important in identifying weaknesses and errors in the bank's operations. Internal control over the electronic financial system helps achieve the bank’s objectives through the effectiveness and efficiency of operations and the reliability of financial reports. Internal control ensures the continuity of the bank, reduces risks, and maintains the organization's attention to laws and regulations. Internal control ensures the continuity of the bank, reduces risks, and maintains the organization's attention to laws and regulations. Internal control components help protect the bank's assets from misuse or theft and detect all errors in the books of accounts of the electronic financial system. Internal control may face some challenges, but there are recommendations that may help eliminate the challenges of the bank’s electronic financial system. Design/methodology/approach: The study population was Alizz Islamic Bank employees - employees and managers in the bank's financial department. The design of this research relies on exploratory and descriptive methods to describe the topic and demographics. The research contributes to data collection, analysis, and processing. In this descriptive research, the circumstances of the events and how they are related and occur in general will be clarified. In descriptive data, data was collected using quantitative and qualitative methods. Primary sources were used by distributing a questionnaire, as well as using secondary sources such as books, websites, and articles to obtain the necessary information. The study included 73 samples from the population. Bank employees were interviewed and surveyed through a questionnaire using Google, and samples were selected using a non-random sampling technique. The data was analyzed using different data processing methods to analyze the data. Findings: The study revealed that the bank stresses the importance of using internal control over the electronic financial system to facilitate the accuracy of financial reports and protect the bank’s assets. The bank uses internal control over the financial system because it is considered very important in financial systems as it protects company data from any theft. Internal control helps the bank identify weak points and correct them to achieve objectives. Internal control enables the bank to understand the electronic data system and protect all the bank’s systems and data. Research limitations/ implications: Based on the results, it was recommended that the bank focus on internal control over the electronic financial system and that employees use advanced applications in preparing financial reports because they may help the bank protect the bank’s data and systems. Social Implications: This research will add collective knowledge about the impact of implementing internal control on the electronic financial system. The study recommended the need for the bank to monitor financial data continuously to protect the entire electronic financial system. Originality/ Value: This is the first time that a study has been conducted regarding the impact of application of internal control on the electronic financial system of Alizz Islamic Bank. Keywords: Alizz Islamic Bank, E-Financial System, Electronic system, Internal control

The Realisation of the Literary Analysis []


Analysis of any narrative generally considers focusing on the structural components of the text and interpreting the main aspects of its content. Specifically, the emphasis is put on the schematic presentation of the techniques, functions of expressive means, atmosphere and tone of the passage. To realize the thorough and complete analysis we suggest the algorithm with the narrative elements and constitutive parts of the text interpretation.

THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE IN THE GAMBIA AND GUINEA BISSAU: CASE OF THE CASHEW SECTOR []


This study aims to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of cashew production, identify climate change trends, analyze the vulnerability of cashew industries, and evaluate mitigation strategies employed by stakeholders in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau. The sample size determination relied on Slovin's formula, leading to 400 respondents for each country. The study encompassed three cashew-producing regions in The Gambia and four in Guinea Bissau. A structured questionnaire, pretested for clarity and relevance, was used for data collection. Preliminary findings suggest that Guinea Bissau exhibits greater efficiency in cashew production, while both countries face challenges from changing climatic conditions. The Gambia appears more strongly impacted by climate change, with respondents expressing discontent and citing negative effects on cashew production. Stakeholders in both countries recognize the importance of mitigating climate change, emphasizing the need for government support, public engagement, and resource allocation for effective climate change initiatives. This research contributes valuable insights into the comparative dynamics of cashew production and climate change impacts in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau, offering a foundation for informed policy interventions and sustainable agricultural practices in the face of climate challenges.

Effect of Project Management Information Systems on Implementation of Orora Wihaze Project in Rwanda []


This study assessed the effect of project management information systems (PMIS) on implementation success of the Rwanda Orora Wihaze project. A census survey design was used among 130 stakeholders. Questionnaires and documentation were used in data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis were utilized. Results showed PMIS infrastructure, quality, security and use positively influence project implementation. Additionally, 76.7% variation in project success was accounted for by PMIS elements. The study recommends organizations adopt PMIS, with focus on robust infrastructure and stringent quality assurance, to enhance project outcomes.

INVESTIGATING HOW CONSUMERS PERCEIVE AND PREFER HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOURISM: AN IN-DEPTH EXAMINATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SRI LANKA []


This study examines the complex dynamics of consumer perceptions and preferences in the expanding health and well-ness tourism sector within the cultural context of Sri Lanka. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research investi-gates the interactions among demographic factors, travel-related considerations, health and wellness preferences, digital health literacy, and cultural sensitivity. Insights from demographics highlight the intricate influence of age, income, and education levels on preferences, with younger individuals favoring adventurous activities and those with higher incomes seeking luxurious wellness experiences. Travel-related factors, such as previous travel experiences and travel purposes, underscore the need to tailor wellness offerings to diverse travel motivations. Digital health literacy emerges as a crucial factor shaping consumer behavior, impacting how wellness information is accessed and utilized. The study underscores the significance of wellness providers leveraging technology to enhance accessibility and engagement, particularly for tech-savvy consumers. Cultural sensitivity acts as a moderating variable, showcasing its profound impact on the rela-tionships between demographic and travel-related factors, digital health literacy, and health and wellness preferences. This emphasizes the importance of authentic cultural experiences in shaping the attractiveness of wellness offerings. The recommendations derived from the findings advocate for diversifying wellness offerings, employing targeted marketing strategies, and engaging in collaborative initiatives with local communities. Additionally, the study emphasizes the con-tinuous monitoring of consumer trends to adapt to the evolving wellness tourism landscape. In conclusion, this research contributes a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing health and wellness tourism in Sri Lanka, providing stra-tegic guidance for industry stakeholders. This positions Sri Lanka to capitalize on its cultural richness and diverse land-scapes, aiming to emerge as a prominent destination in the global wellness tourism arena.

OVERCOMING THE DIFFICULTIES OF TRAVEL FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PTSD IN SRI LANKA. []


This qualitative investigation delves into the intricate challenges faced by individuals dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while traveling in Sri Lanka. Situated within the framework of trauma theory, the study uncovers the profound influence of cultural subtleties, societal attitudes, social support systems, and infrastructural obstacles on the travel experiences of PTSD survivors. Cultural norms perpetuate a pervasive stigma around mental health, creating a cul-ture of silence and exacerbating the difficulties encountered during travel. The research advocates for interventions that are culturally sensitive and community-based awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health and cultivate an envi-ronment conducive to disclosure. Family and community bonds are identified as influential factors in shaping PTSD disclosure, where robust family net-works provide support, while societal challenges contribute to hesitancy. The study emphasizes the importance of broader societal awareness and education to reduce stigma and promote understanding within communities, fostering inclusivity for PTSD survivors during travel. Additionally, infrastructural challenges, such as limited accessibility and awareness, hinder smooth movement, intensifying reluctance to disclose. The research underscores the necessity of informed and accessible support systems, enhanced accessibility to mental health resources, and societal awareness initiatives to alleviate challenges in travel experiences. Managerial implications include the adoption of trauma-informed approaches, customization of services, promotion of mental health aware-ness, development of inclusive policies, collaboration with mental health professionals, and advocacy for sustainable tourism practices within the travel industry. In summary, this study contributes to the evolving discourse on mental health, travel, and societal inclusion, providing recommendations and insights to foster empathy, understanding, and support for individuals navigating PTSD within diverse societal landscapes in Sri Lanka.

EXPLORING THE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE: EVALUATING THE EFFECTS AND POSSI-BILITIES OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITHIN THE TOURISM SECTOR. []


This research delves into the far-reaching consequences of digital transformation within the tourism sector, analyzing critical facets such as the integration of digital technologies, the evolution of business models, and customer interaction through digital platforms. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data was gathered from a diverse array of tourism enterprises, encompassing hotels, travel agencies, and tour operators. The results illuminate a pervasive assimilation of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and data analytics, indicative of a substantial technological paradigm shift in the industry. The adaptation of digital business models, notably the dependence on online channels and the embrace of sharing economy approaches, underscores the flexible nature of tourism establishments. Central to shaping tourist ex-periences is customer engagement through websites, mobile apps, and social media. The composite score, portraying the perceived impact of digital transformation, captures the overall sentiment of the industry, providing insights into its preparedness for a future dominated by technology. Recommendations highlight the necessity of workforce upskilling, fortifying digital presence, and encouraging collaboration to harness the transformative potential of digital technologies within the dynamic tourism landscape. This study enriches our understanding of the industry's reaction to digital pro-gress, guiding stakeholders towards strategic initiatives that foster sustainable growth and competitiveness.

ZOOPLANKTON PERIODICITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES IN SHIRORO LAKE, NIGERIA []


Zooplankton dynamics and periodicity in a water body provide useful information on the ecological status of the water body and may serve as bio-monitors of ecosystem health. In this study, we investigated the monthly variation of zooplankton community structure and the environmental variables of Shiroro Lake in north central, Nigeria between January 2013 and December 2015 using standard methods with the aim of ascertaining the ecological status and ecosystem health of this lake. Results obtained indicated that most of the physicochemical parameters examined showed variations within the months as affected by the rainfall regime. Temperature fluctuated between 20.8 and 27.4oC, pH (7.19 – 8.04), transparency (17.8 – 23.73cm), dissolved oxygen, DO (3.34 – 8.04 mg/l), BOD (2.34-3.33mg/l), total hardness (25.57 – 36.43mg/l), alkalinity (13.45 – 15.72 mg/l), phosphate (0.22 – 0.32 mg/l), magnesium (0.26 - 0.35mg/l), nitrate (0.29 – 0.61mg/l) and total dissolved solids (90.5 – 154.5mg/l). Diversity was rather low with only 19 genera recovered from the water body consisting of 5 Rotifers, 6 Cladocera and 8 Copepods. Generally, abundance was significantly higher in the dry season (November – April) as compared with the wet season period (May – October). Although, the cladocerans (Moina and Diaphanosum) had significantly higher abundance values, Keratella (Rotifer), and Ceriodaphnia (Cladocera) were the dominant taxa occurring in all the months. Furthermore, the zooplankton population fluctuated well with the temporal changes in environmental variables with DO and nutrients (phosphate and nitrate) accounting for most of the variations observed by Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). The Shiroro Lake is a stressed water body owing to the numerous human activities occurring there. Care should therefore be taken to protect and preserve the fauna species by ameliorating the effects of the pollution.

COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME SELECTED BIOMASS FOR BIO-OIL PRODUCTION []


ABSTRACT This study presents a comprehensive characterization of four biomass, corn stover, iroko sawdust, elephant grass, mahogany bark, to aid appropriate selection for bio-oil production. The proximate, ultimate, and compositional analyses were carried out following the American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The results of moisture content of the various biomass range of 0.40 – 1.30% with corn Stover, iroko sawdust, elephant grass and mahogany bark recording 0.40, 0.42, 0.86 and 1.30% respectively. Amongst the biomass, mahogany bark recorded the highest value of 1.30% while corn stover was the lowest. mahogany bark exhibited favorable characteristics for bio-oil production as indicated by its higher volatile matter (79.96%), low ash content (3.39%), moisture content (1.30%), and high fixed carbon content (15.35 %). Also, all samples showed favorable ignition and flammability properties. The low nitrogen (<0.13%) and sulfur (<0.05%) contents in the samples make them environmentally benign fuels as a lower percentage of NOx and SOx will be released during the production of the bio-oil. These results are contributions to the advancement of a sustainable and efficient carbon-neutral energy mix, promoting biomass resource utilization for the generation of energy. . The cellulose content ranged from 40.12-42.16.56% with corn stover having the highest value (42.16%). The quantities of cellulose and hemicellulose obtained here is in consonance with the values of cellulose (48%) and hemicellulose (29%) reported by Mullen et al., 2010. This is an indication that corn stover will be most suitable for biomass pyrolysis because a relatively higher bio-oil yield can be expected as cellulose and hemicellulose contents are the two main biomass components that favours high yield of bio-oil. The HHV value ranged from 19.80-22.80 MJ/kg in the biomass samples studied. Corn stover has the highest value (22.80MJ/kg) whereas the elephant grass had the least value HHV (19.70MJ/kg).

Customer churn prediction model enhacement for the telecommunication industry using data transformation methods and feature selection []


In the realm of the telecommunications industry, customer churn stands as a paramount challenge. To address this issue, researchers and analysts make extensive use of customer relationship management data and employ diverse machine learning models and data manipulation techniques to pinpoint potential churners. In the telecommunications industry, addressing customer churn is pivotal. Our research builds upon prior work, introducing substantial enhancements with the primary goal of advancing the effectiveness of the telecom sector, we embarked on an exploration of multiple machine and deep learning models, coupled with data transformation methods. Our optimization efforts encompassed the application of novel feature selection techniques and the fine-tuning of hyperparameters. Subsequently, we conducted experiments on the same publicly available telecommunications datasets, previously utilized in related research, using widely accepted evaluation metrics like AUC, precision, recall, and F-measure. Our suggested methods specially using the bayesian optimization enhanced the accuracy of predictions to reach a maximum of 96% and a minimum of 93%.

INDIVIDUAL RISK FACTORS FOR EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDE AMONG SMALL SCALE COFFEE FARM WORKERS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY, KENYA []


According to the population census of 2019, about 70% of the Kenyan population is rural. Most of whom depend heavily on rain-fed agriculture under unstable climate conditions. This is also the case in Kirinyaga County where majority of the coffee farmers are small scale farmers who rely on the crop for income generation activities that require the use of pesticides to in-crease yields. The overdependence on pesticides has resulted in overuse and exposures of pesticides and uninformed mix-ing of pesticides in an effort to manage the low labor costs and meeting output needs and requirements at end of the harvest which has resulted consequently in poor health of farm workers. The main objective of this study was to establish the inci-dence of occupational acute pesticide toxicities among small scale coffee farm workers in Kirinyaga, determine the levels of perception and behavior of small-scale farmers regarding occupational usage of pesticide and determine the factors associ-ated with occupational acute pesticide toxicities in relation to small scale coffee farm workers. The study utilized a descrip-tive cross-sectional study design. The study sampled a population of 399 respondents who were randomly selected in the five wards in Kirinyaga central sub county namely Mutira North and South, Kanye-ine, Kirinyaga central and Inoi wards. An electronic based semi-structured questionnaire using KOBO Toolkit, observational checklists and plates were used in data collection. Data analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences SPSS version 25.0. The relationship between independent and dependent variables was determined using chi-squared tests. Significant risk factors were ana-lyzed using logistic regression and expressed as odds ratios. The study established that the incidence risk for acute pesticide poisoning symptoms was 52.3% with the most common symptoms being headaches (95.7%), diarrhea (98.8%), skin rashes (88%), staggering (81.9%) and dizziness (81.9%). The perception levels that were found significant in line with acute pesti-cide poisoning were those of effect to human health (p=0.031) and environment (p=0.027). Additionally, perceived failure to use safety equipment increased potential for Acute pesticide Poisoning(p=0.041)(OR= 2.199) .statistically significant indi-vidual risk factors identified were worker characteristics of drinking alcohol( OR= 0.033)and eating during pesticide appli-cation (OR= 0.537); socio-demographic characteristics of gender(OR=0.035), level of education (OR=0.024) and employment status(OR= 0.011); the safety practices of wearing PPEs(OR= 1.305), taking a systemic shower (OR= 0.537). A farm worker who washed hands was 2.042 times less likely to exhibit symptoms of APP. Hospital staff reported they had no means in terms of equipment and technical expertise to identify pesticide poisoning symptoms. Nevertheless, cases of Acute Pesticide Poisoning were hardly reported at health facilities among farmers because of the common nature of symptoms with other common illnesses. This study concluded that there is a high incidence risk among small-scale farmers for occupational APP. The varying individual risk factors and perceptions are indicative of the need for a multi- disciplined approach to training to help minimize adverse effects associated with pesticide exposure and to encourage approaches already in use that can minimize the harmful effects of pesticide use in coffee production.

THE INFLUENCE OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION ON JOB PERFORMANCE THROUGH INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOR AS AN INTERVENING VARIABLE []


A company is generally founded by a founder for the long term, but not all companies can survive in the long term. One of the things that company owners pay attention to maintain their company is the performance of their employees. It is hoped that this research can help companies in the hospitality industry to improve the job performance of their employees, while still paying attention to employee engagement and employee satisfaction, as well as encouraging innovative work behavior of their employees. This research is quantitative deductive research, using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). This research shows that a sense of work engagement has a significant influence on employee performance, so steps to foster a sense of engagement need to be taken by organizational management. Meanwhile, job satisfaction does not always influence employee performance, but if you add the variable of innovative work behavior, it also has a positive influence on employee performance. It can be concluded that if it is based on innovative behavior, both employee engagement and job satisfaction show a positive influence on employee performance. So, the spirit of innovation needs to become an organizational culture. The suggestion for the next researcher is to use the broader research object of the respondents so that the research results can be used as a reference for the hotel industry in general.

ETHNOPSYCHIATRIC THERAPY UNDER RWANDAN CULTURE []


Our research focuses on ethnopsychiatry uses traditional Rwandan therapy inside ancient Rwandans societies, which led us to ask this kind of question "what are traditional therapeutic techniques were used by ancients Rwandans societies differs to actually Rwandans modern therapy?”. It was chosen because we are very interested in the culture and behaviour of Rwandans in both ancestral and modern times. The methodology used to gather information was based on an oral and documentary technique (written and video documents on ancestral Rwandan practices). It was shown that ancestral techniques in the therapeutic field were not well structured, hence the ethical issues, deontology and human responsibilities were not taken into account in the same way as modern therapeutic techniques. In the field of psychiatry, we are interested in Rwandan pharmacology treating mental disorders based on traditional Rwandan systems. From the point of view of scientific ethics, it is almost impossible to confirm that these pharmacopoeia products actually cure, as no in-depth study has been carried out to confirm their therapeutic role with any accuracy.

THE EFFECT OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS’ PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF MODERN MARKET BUILDING PROJECT IN MUSANZE DISTRICT []


ABSTRACT Some of the local government projects fail or delayed due to the fact that monitoring and evaluation of those projects was not effectively done on time. With this challenge, the researcher decided to carry out this study aimed to examine the effect of monitoring and evaluation on the local government projects performance in Musanze District. Four specific objectives served as the basis to this study, namely: to assess the influence of process monitoring and evaluation on the performance of local government projects in Musanze District, to examine the influence of compliance monitoring and evaluation on the performance of local government projects in Musanze District, to assess the influence of financial monitoring and evaluation on the performance of local government projects in Musanze District and to evaluate the influence of results monitoring and evaluation on the performance of local government projects in Musanze District. This study adopted a descriptive and correlational research design. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The population of this study was 386 employees of Musanze District involved in Monitoring and Evaluation. The sample size was determined using Yamane formula to choose 197 respondents as the sample and the techniques used include simple random sampling and stratified sampling method. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire, interview guide, observation and documentation as data collection instruments. The validity of the instruments was checked by involving experts’ views and the reliability was tested by determining Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data and thematic approach was used to analyze quantitative data. The findings indicated that 93.4% changes in performance of local government projects in Musanze district is explained by variation in monitoring and evaluation practices. Therefore, monitoring and evaluation practices are statistically significant factors to the performance of local government projects in Musanze district with R2 of 0.934. In addition, it was found that an increase in one unit of process monitoring and evaluation, increases performance of local government project in Musanze District by 0.798, an increase in one unit of compliance monitoring and evaluation, increases performance of local government project in Musanze District by 0.602, an increase in one unit of financial monitoring and evaluation, increases performance of local government project in Musanze District by 1.081, and an increase in one unit of the results monitoring and evaluation, increases performance of local government project in Musanze District by 0.949. The study recommends that the policy makers should formulate policies that encourage the compact application of monitoring and evaluation approaches in their projects. Key words: Monitoring, evaluation and project performance.

Research on the benefits and risks of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies on future of finance: A case study of National Bank of Oman []


The world is witnessing a rapid digital transformation driven by technological innovations. This research investigates the opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology and its impact on the future of finance, while highlighting the National Bank of Oman for being the first bank working in the field of blockchain and cryptocurrencies in Oman. This study uses qualitative and exploratory research design to conclude the potential impact on banking operations and financial transactions. One of the most important objectives of the research is to evaluate the bank’s readiness to adopt blockchain technology and identify the opportunities and challenges associated with it. The research methodology includes interviews and analysis of documents taken from reliable sources, which are considered primary sources. As for secondary sources that rely on previous studies, such as relevant literature, books, and web pages. This research seeks to know about the adoption of blockchain technology, its use, and the envisioned future of financial transactions within the organization. It is expected that the results of this study will contribute to the financial sector, and everyone interested in the field of digitalization. Furthermore, this research helps decision makers within the National Bank of Oman to develop policies and strategies that are aligned with the unique context of the financial field in the Sultanate. The study highlights the challenges and opportunities that the organization faces while implementing this technology. However, the research suggests various strategies to enhance the effectiveness of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to keep pace with rapid technological development, as Oman Vision 2040 aspires to increase the rate of digital transformation of institutions. Keywords: Blockchain; Cryptocurrencies; FinTech; Digital Transformation; Smart Contract; Decentralized Application

Decline of Marriage System in Nigerian Films: An Impact Valuation of Domestic Violence in Ramsey Noah’s Rosemary’s Fight (2014) []


There is a growing concern over amassing rates of failure in marriage system in Nigeria. Reports of break ups, separations and ultimate divorces are on an unimaginable upsurge. While the adverse effects caused by this trend is suggested to have been caused by several factors, the role of domestic violence remains critical. This study examined the impact of domestic violence on the decline of marriages in Nigeria. The study was guided by control theory, a social theory of family violence which beliefs that several family crisis are borne out of the need of an individual to acquire, sustain and control power within a relationship. A qualitative design was adopted for a content analysis of Ramsey Noah’s film titled: Rosemary’s Fight (2014). A critical valuation of the film revealed that domestic violence is indeed, a catalyst to the decline of marriages and family system in Nigeria. The study therefore, recommends amongst other things that a legal frame work should be put in place to protect the Nigerian woman against domestic violence. Keywords: Decline, marriage system, film, impact, valuation

160 New Records of Some wild species from Bangladesh []


The present study is providing the new distributional records of more than 160 new records of Angiosperm family from all over Bangladesh. This is also a record of 20 rediscovered or additions to the taxon of Bangladesh. All specimen examined and described in short list. A total of 180 species list here from all over Bangladesh.

Mass Casualty and Disaster Management in Divisional Hospitals in Kandy District Sri Lanka []


A Mass Casualty is defined as an event that overwhelms the local healthcare system, sometimes the number of casualties exceeds the local resources sometimes. Mass casualties result in loss of many lives and disruption of the function of communities. Therefore, all the hospitals must have a dedicated system to manage them. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among Heads of Institutes, selected health staff in Type A Divisional Hospitals in Kandy District Sri Lanka, and the readiness of those institutes were assessed by using the Accident and Emergency Policy of Sri Lanka. By results, the most of hospitals (57%) had disaster management plans and disaster management committees, but no single plan had an involvement of external resource people and has revived during the last one-year period. Interestingly 86% of hospitals had standard operation procedures to manage a mass casualty incidence. However, simulation drills had not been conducted in any of the institutes. About 80% of the participants were aware of the risk of natural disasters of their areas. All most all the hospitals had majority of basic facilities as recommended by the accident and emergency policy, but some critical facilities were not available. Divisional Hospitals of the district have various management issues which affect the mass casualty management. The knowledge and awareness of the studied staff members was not so satisfactory. It may also affect the mass casualty management. In this research, a in-depth data collection by heads of institutes was not done, and higher-level healthcare managers such as regional directors and provincial directors were not included. Those were some limitations. With the results, conducting disaster management training to primary care health staff, and allocating a budget and resource persons to support those hospitals are recommended.

The Effect of Commercial Feeding Combined with Cassava Leaf Meal on the Growth of Tawes Fish (Barbonymus gonionotus) []


Tawes fish is one of the fish that has the potential to be cultivated because it has a fairly good prospect and is favored by the community. Feed becomes one of the important components of fish growth. The slow growth of tawes fish is an obstacle for farmers and is the cause of the high cost of feed production. Therefore, it is necessary to have alternative forage feed to help accelerate the growth of tawes fish such as cassava leaves. This study aims to determine the optimum level of adding cassava leaf meal to feed on the growth rate of tawes. The method used in this research is an experimental method using Complete Randomized Design (RAL), which consists of 5 treatments and 4 repeats. The treatment used was (A) without cassava leaf flour (control), (B) cassava leaf flour by 10%, (C) cassava leaf flour by 15%, (D) cassava leaf flour by 20%, (E) cassava leaf flour by 25%. The test fish used is tawes fish with a length of 5-7 cm and a weight of 7-8 g. The container used is hapa with a size of 1 x 1 x 1 m as many as 20 pieces with a density of 20 fish per treatment and a duration of maintenance for 40 days. The amount of feed given is as much as 5% of fish biomass. The observed length and weight data were analyzed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a confidence level of 95%, if there is a noticeable difference, the Duncan multiple distance test is carried out. The results showed that giving cassava leaf meal at a dose of 10% in feed gave the best results with the highest daily growth rate of 57.00 ± 21.7% with a feed conversion ratio of 2.2 ± 0.5 and the highest survival of 90.0 ± 14.4% in tawes.

Contemporary Democracy and the Roles of Traditional Rulers In Government: A Study Of Boki Local Government Area Traditional Rulers Institution []


This study was aimed at examining contemporary democracy and the roles of traditional rulers in government with specific reference to Boki Local Government Area’s traditional institutions in Cross River State. The population for the study was made up of three (3) villages and each of the six (6) clans of the Boki local government area. The sample size was 270 from the population of the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and made use of a questionnaire as an instrument for data collection. The simple percentage and chi-square were used for data analyses. From the results of the analyses of the data collected, it was realized that there is a significant relationship between the traditional rulers and the nation’s polity. Traditional rulers play a significant role in implementing governmental rules at the grassroots level as well as in recruitment into their high offices. The researcher recommended that traditional rulers' consultative and program management committees should be set up. Local government chairmen and councilors being constitutionally subjected to elective offices should not join executive council sessions with traditional rulers. To achieve the goals of good governance, grassroots participation, and community / rural development, local governments' traditional rulership consultative and program committee (LGTCPC) should be set up in each local government council. Keywords: Traditional rulers, government, governance, questionnaire, consultative, grassroots participants, rural development, management committee.

A study on Long-Range Business Plan for Turnaround Maintenance Projects.. []


Turnaround maintenance (TAM) is a periodic shutdown of a plant or facility to perform necessary repairs, overhauls, and inspections. TAM is essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of industrial operations, but it also involves high costs, risks, and uncertainties. Therefore, planning and managing TAM effectively is a critical challenge for plant managers and engineers. This study proposes a long-range business plan (LRBP) for TAM that integrates strategic, tactical, and operational decisions in a holistic framework. The LRBP aims to optimize the trade-off between the benefits and costs of TAM over a long-term horizon, considering various factors such as market demand, production capacity, equipment condition, maintenance resources, and risk mitigation. The study develops a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to formulate the LRBP problem and applies it to a case study of a petrochemical plant. The results show that the LRBP can provide significant savings in TAM costs and improve the performance indicators of the plant. The study also conducts a sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of different parameters and scenarios on the optimal LRBP. The study contributes to the literature on TAM planning by proposing a comprehensive and practical approach that can support decision-makers in the complex and dynamic environment of industrial plants.

The Assessment of Job Satisfaction of Janitorial Staff in Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Kandy District, Sri Lanka []


Abstract This research article investigates job satisfaction among janitorial staff in two prominent tertiary care hospitals in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka. The study adopts a robust mixed-methods approach, combining descriptive cross-sectional analysis and qualitative methods, offering comprehensive insights into the nuanced dimensions of janitorial services. The demographic analysis provides a foundation, revealing key factors influencing job satisfaction, including gender distribution, age representation, income brackets, and educational background. The detailed statistical analysis, presented in Table 4, uncovers positive perceptions among janitorial staff across various dimensions, such as facilities, colleague support, and overall job satisfaction. Colleague support emerges as a notable strength, contributing to a positive work environment, and indicating potential for enhancing teamwork. The findings not only provide a benchmark for local contexts but also contribute to the global discourse on job satisfaction in healthcare services. The research highlights the significance of addressing unique challenges faced by janitorial staff, filling a crucial gap in the literature. In conclusion, the study offers practical implications for hospital administrators, policymakers, and researchers. By leveraging identified strengths and addressing specific areas for improvement, interventions can be implemented to enhance the well-being and performance of janitorial staff. This research not only addresses immediate challenges in the Kandy District but also contributes valuable insights to the broader discussion on job satisfaction in healthcare, paving the way for future research and interventions globally.

STRENGTH AND DURABILITY PERFORMANCE OF DEMOLISHED AGGREGATES AND PALM OIL MILLLING WASTE FOR ECO-FRIENDLY CONCRETE MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT []


This research evaluated the durability and strength performance of concrete containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA), Palm Oil Clinker Powder (POCP) and demolished aggregates. These selected palm oil wastes, which are pozzolans were added as partial replacement for cement each at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 100%for concrete production. The same combinations were also used for partial replacement of the natural coarse aggregates with the demolished aggregates. Compressive and Flexural strength tests were conducted on air and water cured concrete samples containing Demolished Aggregates (DA) with cement and fine aggregates, demolished aggregates with POFA and demolished aggregates with POCP at varied proportions. The result showed that the strength of concrete with demolished ag-gregates alone is lower compared to that of the normal aggregate concrete. Upon the addi-tion of POFA and POCP, the concrete strength was improved, with that of POFA outper-forming the POCP. Peak strengths were obtained with the use of POFA at 30% DA and 50% POFA content, and with compressive and flexural strength values of 48.32N/mm2 and 5.50 N/mm2respectively. Addition of POCP gave maximum compressive and flexural strength of 44.54N/mm2 and 5.36N/mm2 respectively at 20%DA and 30%POCP content. Rapid chloride penetration and water adsorption durability test result on the combinations of demolished aggregates, palm oil fuel ash and palm oil clinker powder produced 24%DA, 30%POFA and 20% POCP as the most optimal combinations for good strength and mod-erately durable concrete performance. This research showed that the selected palm oil waste pozzolans can enhance the strength and durability of concrete containing demolished aggregates for sustainable concrete production

Bakor Standing Stones and Tourism Development in Cross River State, Nigeria []


In addition to their social and cultural values, cultural heritage resources have emerged in recent years as instrument for tourism development that is capable of solving seasons problem and boosting regional economies. By using qualitative method to elicit data, this study evaluates the potentials of Bakor stone objects for cultural tourism development in Cross River State. Key informant in-depth interview, focus group discussion and field observation form the main instruments for data collection. A total 18 key informants from nine communities were carefully selected using snowball sampling technique. Content and SWOT analysis techniques were used to analyze and evaluate potential monoliths for tourism development. Findings revealed a total of 127 monoliths identified in 12 sites across six clans. Result also showed that Bakor standing stones have high potentials for cultural tourism development in the region. Although challenges that bordered on remoteness and poor accessibility of sites were identifies, there are greater opportunities that the communities stand to gain if these sites are fully developed. The study therefore recommends government full commitment, provision of required funding, education and training of human capital and conservation of sites.

Perspective in African Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria and Ghana Tourism Development Policies []


This paper reviews the tourism policies of Nigeria and Ghana. The main focus was to compare the policy trust of the two countries in order to understand the commitment of West African Governments to tourism development in the 21st century. The study revealed some generic features of tourism policy between the two countries, particularly in the area of economic impacts. The study also shows that Ghana have made a step forward by focusing on key aspects of tourism development and the role they play in fostering growth in specific parts of the economy. Nigeria tourism policy is also seen to be uncoordinated and lack vital policy issues when compared to Ghana tourism policy. Key words: Policy, tourism, African tourism, tourism Policy