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Support vector machine approach in selection of welding method for grey cast iron
No full textVarious pagings ;Grey cast iron is the utmost common form of cast iron. It is used in applications where its high stiffness, machinability, vibration dulling, high heat capacity and great thermal conductivity are of advantage, such as in automobile components especially for internal combustion engine cylinder blocks, flywheels, gearbox cases, manifolds, disk brake rotors and cookware. It therefore contributes a lot to the socio-economic and technological standards of any country. With its unique properties such as; easy castability, vibration reduction, high stiffness and high thermal conductivity, repair of grey cast iron steel requires careful consideration when selecting the correct welding method from the many techniques available. This study is focused on developing a tool for selecting appropriate welding methods for grey cast iron. Two common welding methods; Oxygen-acetylene Gas welding and Shielded Metal Arc Welding, were evaluated in respect of the critical factors that affect weld quality like: type of joint, filler material and the carbon composition of the material. It was observed that Arc welding a butt joint with a cast iron electrode gave very high tensile strength of 116.04N/m2 hence very good joining. On the other hand, gas welding a lap joint with Mild steel gave the least Tensile strength of 31.22N/m2 signifying a poor-quality weld. A support Vector machine (tool) was then developed to choose the most applicable method of welding grey cast iron, basing on the three attributes; joint, filler material and carbon composition. Results showed that a Non-linear Support vector machine was the most appropriate, as it was able to identify the most appropriate welding method in all cases. The non-linearity in the attributes was identified to come from the filler material, which was associated with microstructure cracking. Results from the Support Vector Machine were compared to that from the popular TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method which was able to classify only 75% of the welding methods correctly. A non-linear support vector machine model can be applied to help welders to identify the appropriate welding technique
Risk factors and case management of acquired pneumonia in children under five years at selected health centre IVs in Uganda
No full textxiv, 98 p. : ill. (some col.) ;Pneumonia is the second leading cause of death in children under five years of age in Uganda. Knowing the risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia cases in children under five years is useful for prevention and intervention programs that are aimed at controlling the disease risk factors and disease prevalence. The objective of the study was to investigate and assess risk factors and case management of acquired pneumonia in children under five years at selected health centre IVs in Uganda, using a cross sectional design. Data was collected from close to 2,000 caretakers and 20 health workers using questionnaires. Binary logistic regression was used to identify significant risk factors associated with acquired pneumonia. Research findings indicate that, consumption of whole food for some days (OR: 1.567; 95% CI: 1.031 – 2.308), size of the house (OR: 0.530; 95% CI: 0.403 – 0.698), number of people in the family (OR: 2.130; 95% CI: 1.580 – 2.871), presence of a source of pollution in the neighbourhood (OR: 1.135; 95% CI: 1.005 – 1.282), presence of a member who smokes in the family (OR: 0.487; 95% CI: 0.309 – 0.770) and number of times the child received immunisation for pneumonia (OR: 0.585; 95% CI: 0.427 – 0.802), were the significant risk factors of acquired pneumonia. It was further found out that majority of the children received delayed diagnosis and treatment. While the most common clinical sign and symptom was rapid breathing, most health centre IVs lacked pneumonia diagnostic tools
Managing hearing impairment among children at family level in olok sub-county, pallisa district
No full textxv, 90 p. : ill.(col.) ;The study investigated how hearing impairment among children is being managed at family level in rural communities including Olok sub-county, Pallisa district. It was guided by three objectives: To establish the awareness of how hearing impairment is commonly caused among children at family level in Olok sub-county, to examine how hearing impairment affects the language and communication development of children at family level in Olok sub-county, and to explore the strategies used in managing hearing impairment among children at family level in Olok sub-county. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study involving nine (N=9) participants who included both parents and children with hearing impairment. Purposive sampling was used to identify the participants from whom data was collected using a semi structured interview guide. Findings indicated that families were aware of the causes of hearing loss in their children and were able to mention them. They identified diseases and accidents among others. Slow language development, communication challenges, negative community and neighbors’ attitudes towards children with hearing impairment were the major effects. Other effects noted were financial limitations, busy schedules and ignorance among parents on how to manage and communicate with children with hearing impairment. The findings identified the following strategies for managing hearing impairment among children: training parents in sign language, provision of hearing aids and constant medical checkup. The study recommended for parents to always seek for medical attention of their children from qualified health personnel in health facilities, sensitize their children to avoid playing in dangerous places that can cause accidents for them, train and empower parents on skills for early assessment, avoid putting on very high volumes when using ear phones, and establish a section at the health centers with staff having knowledge on assessment and intervention of hearing problems in children. In addition, parents should solicit for fund to buy for their children assistive listening devices, organize themselves into associations such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) for financial support, training in Ugandan sign language for parents and children, taking children to the nearby health facility for medical examination in case of any sign of HI, and provision of hearing aids to pupils with hearing impairment in inclusive primary schools in rural communities at a free cost
Investigating risks management on construction projects in Uganda: a contractor’s perspective
No full textxii, 55 p. : ill. (some col.) ;In order to successfully manage construction projects, contractors must effectively manage risks involved on these projects. Construction projects typically include an arbitrary contingency number of 10% to control risk, which does not adequately handle the unidentified risks that have an impact on contractors. This study sought to investigate how risk management is handled on building projects. Eighty respondents from carefully chosen contractors in the Masindi District and central Kampala were taken into consideration in order to collect empirical data for the study. The research methodology used in the study was descriptive. In order to facilitate respondents' comprehension and enable correct responses, the data was gathered using self-administered questionnaires that included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Regression analysis, means, and frequency tables were used to examine the data. The study identified the following as common risks related to the execution of construction projects; negligence in inspection, labor and resource shortages site conditions, inadequate project management and unknown site conditions. The study established that the risk of project cost overruns had the highest effect associated with implementation of construction projects. Other risk factors with high effect included: schedule delays, loss of company's reputation, slow business growth, high labor turnover and poor-quality output. A contractor’s risk management tool was developed as a regression equation; which can be used to track the effects of risk management in construction projects.
It is envisaged that this tool will guide project managers in decision making on which parameters to pay more attention to in implementation of projects.
Key words: Risk, Management, Construction Projects, Contractor, regression
Phytochemical investigation of ipomoea cairica for antimicrobial agents
No full textxvi, 96 p. : ill. (some col.) ;The emergence of new infectious diseases and the resurgence of several infections has put the people in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa to an assiduous risk. This has created the necessity for studies directed towards the development of new alternatives for antimicrobial agents. In this study a portion of the dichloromethane/methanol (1:1, v/v) crude extract from the air dried and pulverized aerial parts of Ipomoea cairica was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening which revealed the presence of alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids and phenols. Another portion of the crude extract was subjected to repeated column chromatography over silica gel leading to the identification of two compounds; Diisobutyl phthalate (53) and Friedelin (54) which were characterized and elucidated using various spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. The crude extract and the isolated compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activities against four bacterial strains; Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcuss aureus, and three fungal strains; Aspergillus niger, Penicillum chrysogenum and Candida albicans using well agar diffusion assay and their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values determined using a 2-fold dilution technique. The crude extract exhibited good antimicrobial activities with zones of inhibitions; 20± 0.25, 26 ± 0.10, 24 ± 0.12 and 14 ± 0.05 mm for E. coli, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively, and the zones of inhibitions for fungal strains were as follows; 16± 0.5, 24± 0.00 and 20± 0.41 mm for A. niger, P. chrysogenum and C. albicans, respectively. The two isolated pure compounds were only tested against the four strains of bacteria and exhibited relatively weak activities: Compound (53); 8.0 ± 0.22, 4.0 ± 0.32, 6.0 ± 0.00 and 6.0 ± 0.55 mm, and Compound (54); 8.0± 0.05, 5.0± 0.50, 8.0± 0.12, 10± 0.50 mm for E. coli, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively. The two isolated pure compounds showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 125 to 1000 g/ml respectively
Dietary intake and fatigue symptoms among football players in the Uganda premier league clubs based in Kampala district
No full textxii, 95 p.Football players dietary intake and body composition plays a great role in their performance. However, fatigue symptoms affect the performance of football players on match days. This research was conducted to investigate the correlation between dietary intake and fatigue symptoms among football players in the Uganda Premier League. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 214 football players and eight team managers. Data on dietary intake (food frequency, timing of meals, hydration and supplements), fatigue symptoms (muscle pulls, thirst, reduced flexibility, dizziness, reduced running speed) and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body fat percentage, BMI) were collected through self-administered questionnaires, key informant interviews and bio impedance machine respectively. The study indicated that a significant proportion of football players (80%) exhibited inadequate pre-match dietary intake primarily characterized by lack of a balanced diet and insufficient fluid consumption. Moreover, 87% of the participants reported experiencing fatigue symptoms, including muscle pulls, thirst, and reduced flexibility. Statistical analysis revealed a strong association between inadequate balanced diet and both muscle pulls (p=0.031) and reduced flexibility (p=0.041). These findings underscore the critical role of dietary intake timing, particularly balanced diet, in mitigating fatigue and optimizing performance among Ugandan football players
Composition of benthic invertebrates along river mpanga in relation to anthropogenic disturbance
No full textxii, 42 p. : ill. (some col.) ;Research on the assemblages of benthic macro faunal community in the River Mpanga catchment was conducted during the period November 2019 - January 2020 following the standard methods to assess the status of environmental pollution. Good ecological water quality is needed to maintain the integrity of the river system and depends on the preservation of natural conditions of the water and the surrounding environment. Unsustainable and improper use and pollution through various human activities can impair and destroy the ecological state of a natural system by changing its chemical composition and the biological communities that are naturally occurring. To assess the benthic invertebrates' composition in relation to anthropogenic disturbance along river Mpanga, chemical, physio-chemical and biological data were collected along the different sections of the river. The study area includes upstream of Mpanga river, the midstream in Fort Portal, the tea estates area downstream of Fort Portal. Results from the upstream area confirm that human activities have a large influence on the physical and chemical water quality. While the impact on the general biodiversity of benthic invertebrates is less pronounced at present, the continuation of these human activities threatens the habitat availability for benthic invertebrates that depend on natural river banks and unpolluted water.
Chemical and biological water quality were further lowered by certain urban pressures, which can be mainly linked to improper waste and sewage disposal, as to the absence of natural bank environments. Downstream of the urban area in Fort portal, where human pressure is less intense and where banks are less modified and protected from surrounding land use practices by a protection zone of natural vegetation, both chemical and biological quality improve. The river system recovers further as it passes through Kibale Forest Natural Park, which leaves time for suspended solids (turbidity) to settle and allows chemical and biological processes to lower the water's mineral, salt and nutrient-load
Revenue mobilization strategies and the financial performance of Kampala capital city authority (KCCA)
No full textxiii, 74 p. ;The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of revenue mobilization strategies on financial performance of KCCA. The specific objectives were to establish the; effect of electronic collection of local revenue on financial performance of KCCA, effect of Voluntary compliance on financial performance of KCCA, and effect of direct field revenue collection on financial performance of KCCA. This study was carried out using a cross sectional research design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study targeted a population of staff from the Directorate of Treasury Services, Audit, and Directorate of Revenue Collection. The study used a sample size of 103 respondents where 98 were for structured interviews and 5 respondents were for key informant interviews. The study used both simple random and purposive sampling techniques in the process of data collection. The findings revealed that electronic revenue collection has a significant positive effect on financial performance of KCCA (β=0.411, P-value (0.000) 0.05). In conclusion, the study proved that electronic collection of revenue and voluntary tax compliance were instrumental in improving the financial performance of KCCA. The study recommends that there is need for KCCA to sensitize taxpayers on the use of electronic means when paying taxes. For instance, tax payers should be sensitized and trained very well on how to use the e-city application. The study suggests that there should be sensitizations on the new taxes introduced by KCCA to ensure that there is compliance. This may help to reduce on the number of tax payers who avoid and evade paying taxes. Lastly, there should be continued field enforcement to ensure that tax payers comply with tax clearance. However, it should be done in a peaceful way through encouraging them to clear their tax dues
Supply pressure and quality of water along distribution network of small supply scheme: a case of Mukono district, Uganda
No full textxv, 89 p. : ill. (some col.) ;The main objective was to assess the variation of water quality with water pressure along the supply network in small water systems in Mukono District. To achieve this, an assessment of the variation of pressure was done, water quality along the supply chain was assessed, and the relationship between water pressure and quality variation was validated. A sample of 95 questionnaires were distributed. Water pressure and water quality samples were collected at the same points created on the network specifically at the production wells, transmission and distribution and at the customer meter points. Eight water quality Parameters were selected and tested during the study (i.e. Potential of Hydrogen, Dissolved Oxygen (PH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Coliforms (TC), Apparent color, Turbidity, and Residual Chlorine).
The results showed that, all the water quality parameters indicated quality variation as water traveled into the supply system. However, some had significant increase, decrease and others had insignificant variation with water pressure. PH, DO, TDS, EC, TC, Apparent color, Turbidity and Residual Chlorine recorded; 0.765 & 0.255, 0.655 & 0.23, 0.577 & 0.492, 0.592 & 0.492, 0.53 & 0.08, 0.951 &0.0311, and 0.841 & 0.932 significant values in Nakifuma and KKN network systems respectively. PH, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, and Total Coliforms recorded negative correlation with pressure (i.e.-0.184 & -0.63, -0.339 & -0.411, -0.327 & -0.411, and -0.327 & -0.411), whereas Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, and Apparent color showed positive correlation (i.e. 0.96 & 0.51, 0.038 & 0.912 and 0.402 & 0.964) in both Nakifuma and KKN) small water systems respectively varying with water pressure. Residual Chlorine recorded negative correlation in KKN (i.e. 0.125) and positive correlation in Nakifuma (i.e. -0.499). In order to attain an equilibrium of water residual pressure and safe quality water in small water system, water quality parameters should be maintained in the desired ranges, i.e. PH = (6.5-8.8)mg/l, Dissolved Oxygen = (6.5 – 8)mg/l, Total Dissolved Solids = < 300mg/l, Electrical Conductivity = < 400μs/cm, Turbidity = < 1NTU, Apparent Color = 5<15(PtCo), Total Coliforms = <0.0(Cfu/100m/l), residual chlorine = (0.2<0.5)mg/l. Water pressures supplied should be above 10<160m and maintained to prevent pressure variations causing intrusion of contamination into the water system due to occurrence of network failures.
Key words: Water Pressure, Water quality, Variation, Mukono District, Nakifuma, Kabembe-Kalagi-Naggalama
Hearing aids use in inclusive secondary schools: their effectiveness on learning of student with hearing impairment a case of one selected district in Tanzania
No full textx, 92 p. : ill. ;This study examined the hearing aids use in secondary schools; their effectiveness on learning to the student with hearing impairment in one of the selected districts in Tanzania. In developing countries like Tanzania, hearing aids are the key to rehabilitation for the majority of persons as well as students with hearing impairment. The study was guided by three objectives as follows; to examine the status of the use of hearing aids among the students with impairment in inclusive secondary schools; to analyse the effectiveness of the use of hearing aids towards the learning of students with hearing impairment in secondary schools; and to explore the hindrances faced by students with hearing impairment while using hearing aids in their learning. The study was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s theory to find out how the environment can create the effectiveness use of hearing aids during learning. The study was qualitative in nature with a case study design used. The target population for this study were 247 and a sample size 12 participants were selected purposively from the secondary school to participate in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used during data collection and results were analysed thematically. The finding revealed that the status of the use of hearing aids is good and bad because some students do use hearing aids at school to communicate in their learning whereas others do not use as they claim that hearing aids make noise leading to pain in the ear and headache. The findings further revealed that hearing aids help students to participate in both academic and non-academic school activities. The study findings also indicated that although hearing aids had positive impacts in learning, there were hindrances encountered when students use hearing aids during learning. Some of these are poor infrastructures, inappropriate and unwillingness to wear hearing aids. Following the above findings, the study recommended that Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) as a stakeholder in inclusive secondary schools needs to monitor the use of hearing aids in schools. The monitoring would ensure that hearing aids are effectively used by students with hearing impairment. Inclusive secondary school administrators should initiate partnerships with corporate organizations and non-governmental organizations for lobbing of assistance to modify and establish friendly classroom that favoured students with hearing impairment. The school administrations ensures that there are regular medical check-ups for students with hearing problems in their respective inclusive schools. Teachers in collaboration with the school administration should guide and counselling students who are unwilling to put on their hearing aids. This may encourage students with hearing impairment to wear their hearing aids hence ease their communication in learning