JHIA Africa Thesis Bank
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Improving Addis Ababa Light Railway Transit Service Using Queue Theory and Monte-Carlo Simulation Models: Case of Torhailoch And Lideta Stations
No full textOne of the main problems of Addis Ababa light railway transit service is the congestion and extended waiting line. The waiting time of passengers took on average 17 minutes, greatly reducing the satisfaction of customers. This is the reason why the study set the main objective to develop an optimization model for improving the service of AALRT station. As part of the approach to achieve this objective, the study first developed the characteristics of the data to investigate the congestion problem. second, an optimization model developed on the selected station. And finally, the researcher designed an alternative model through comparing the performance and cost-effectiveness against the existing model.
The study adopted case study research methodology by taking the Torhailoch and Lideta metro station using combined Queuing Theory and Monte-Carlo simulation method. Moreover, the case studies were selected for the most congested station in the morning’s and afternoon’s peak hours. Based on this, primary data were collected from each station and secondary data were conducted from document and through interview.
The best fit probability distributions of the passengers were found to be uniform, binomial and negative binomial. These indicates that the congestion problem cannot be solved through Queue Theory and Markov Chain. Hence, the researcher optimized the problem by combining Queuing Theory and Monte Carlo simulation. The models output indicates that the congestion rate of AALRT in
Torhailoch and Lideta are 109.13% - 115.76% and 116.18% -131.06%, respectively.
Therefore, it was found that adding two single tramcars could reduce the waiting time by seven minutes and the congestion by 95%. As well, the new model improved the profit by 3,623.22 per hour in the morning and afternoon, respectively
Kenya-Uganda Dispute Over Migingo Island: A Perspective from the Kenyan Side
No full textThis research on the Kenya-Uganda Dispute over Migingo Island: A Perspective
from the Kenyan Side, is aimed at finding out why the dispute over the ownership
and the resulting governance of Migingo Island persists, in spite of efforts by both
countries to resolve it. The study sought to find out the underlying causes of the
dispute and the efforts made so far to resolve it in order to come up with possible
alternative mechanisms to transform it. It was carried out on the assumption that
grassroots stakeholders have not been sufficiently included in the process of
resolving the dispute and that their meaningful inclusion would provide a better
transformation of the dispute. By means of interviews with stakeholders at different
levels of the dispute, the study gained quantitative and qualitative data which has
been analyzed in simple frequency. The findings show that the dispute is not only
about the territory and its governance but also about resources. They also show that
whereas so far top-level leadership of both countries has been involved in efforts to
resolve it, the local community has not been sufficiently involved in the process. The
study would benefit local communities, county, national as well as regional leaders
and policy makers of the two countries, Kenya and Uganda, in particular, and the
East African community, in general, as they seek a lasting solution to Migingo Island
dispute and other similar disputes in the region
“Moved by the Lord on the Cross” A Jesuit Spirituality of the Cross in the Post Conciliar Period (General Congregations 31 – 36)
No full textMotivation and Justification
The theme on the Spirituality of the Cross draws its inspiration from my own vocation story, where as a small boy I would find myself transfixed to the huge crucifix in the Church and wonder in amazement at the figure of Christ hanging on the Cross at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Nairobi. Unknown to me then, I had begun a spiritual journey of contemplating the mystery of the Cross. When I later joined the Society of Jesus I discovered in Ignatian Spirituality a connection with the Cross and was especially drawn to the gaze of the merciful God through the colloquy with the Crucified Christ hanging on the Cross [Ex 53]. In my previous studies of Masters in Ignatian Spirituality I explored the meaning of the Cross in Saint Ignatius of Loyola, drawn from an observation that the Cross would appear in key moments of Ignatius’s own pilgrimage and mentioned in key documents of the Society of Jesus.1 It is this quest for the impact of the Cross on the Society of Jesus that led me to explore the Documents of the General Congregations held after the Second Vatican Council
International Refugee Protection Framework Influence on Human Security in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textThis study examined Kenya•s efforts to meet its international obligation of responsibility
to protect refugees on the one hand, and its duty to secure its citizenry, security and
sovereignty on the other. T he Government of Kenya delivered a decision to end hosting
of refugeesclarifying that thecountry•s national security interests were threatened by Al
Shaabab. The general objective was to assess the international refugee pro tection
framework on human security in Nairobi, Kenya. The specific objectives were (i) to
evaluate the structure, nature and form of the international refugee protection framework
operational in Nairobi, Kenya;(ii) assess the nature of human security in N airobi County;
(iii) identify challenges and opportunities in enforcing the refugee protection framework
in relation to human security in Kenya. The main question was: what is the nature,
structure and form of refugee protection framework operational in Na robi, Kenya?The
study employed the constructivist theoretical framework. This study used mixed research
methods by employing both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The researcher
obtained the list of registered refugees from relevant offices. From that list, 285
respondents were selected using the systematic random sampling. Data was collected
using questionnaires, structured interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 3
FGDs and 8 key informant interviews wereconducted. The validity and re liability of the
questionnaire was determined through previous studies and guidance from experts. A
total of 171 out of 285 questionnaire copies were returned and used for quantitative
analysis. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 21 prese nted in tables,
graphs, pie charts, and percentages. The qualitative findings were analyzed by content.
The overall conclusion of this study was that the international refugee protection
framework had a negative impact on human security in Nairobi, Kenya. The emphasis on
the rights of refugees compromised Kenya•s conventional security. Kenya•scapacity for
refugee response and management was inadequate. T he protection frameworkalso did
not speak to violence instigated by refugees in the host state. Moreinsecurity, more
learning. Countries that have undergone more than 10 terror attacks have done better in
subsequent insecurity, creating a culture of prevention, community and regional -building
among international stakeholders. No generational change without nstitutional change. A
new refugee protection framework without sound institutional anchorage in systems of
control on security would merely inherit the institutional failures that had been witnessed.
The state should consider Kenya for Kenyans first. Internalsecurity policy must seek to
increase the capacity of citizen response, recovery and adaptability while reducing the
current sense of powerlessness through increased knowledge acquisition. Investing in
human capital, development of physical infrastr ucture, and the technological
advancement in preventing terrorism to maintain state power was recommended
“The Female Face” of HIV/AIDS as an Ethical Challenge to the Catholic Church in Uganda: Lessons of Catholic Social Teaching
No full textSince the emergence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Uganda in the 1980s, it has
become increasingly evident that the HIV/AIDS scourge disproportionately affects more
women and girls than men and boys. Women and girls suffer a particular vulnerability
due to this pandemic. There are social, economic, political, and cultural factors that
precipitate and aggravate the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls in Uganda.
This dissertation contends that Catholic Social Teaching offers us one of the best
and most comprehensive and integrative ways for addressing the HIV/AIDS scourge. We
argue specifically for a rights-based solidarity as the most comprehensive and integrative
method for tackling HIV/AIDS.
Dignity calls upon us to treat all persons with equal consideration. Dignity
challenges us to pay particular attention to those whose equal dignity is most threatened.
It is also dignity that gives rise to human rights. Human rights spell out the conditions
that are necessary for honoring, protecting and preserving people’s dignity. To protect
and preserve the rights of people, in turn, calls for the participation of all to the common
good. To participate in the common good demands that people live in solidarity with one
another. This solidarity becomes more critical when it comes to the most vulnerable
members of society. Solidarity as a paradigmatic key of encounter of people with oneanother, challenges us to leave no one behind. The preferential option for the poor, on the
other hand, becomes the hermeneutical principal for remedying social structures and
policies so as to bring to the center everyone and especially the poor and vulnerable
groups who are often left at the margins of society.
In this sense, Catholic Social Teaching invites and challenges us as members of
society to cultivate a new way of “seeing, judging and acting” so as to bring on board the
socially abandoned, the materially and economically impoverished, the politically
oppressed and the culturally excluded members of society. The women and girls with
HIV/AIDS in Uganda are among the most vulnerable, excluded, and impoverished group
who merit our new way of “seeing, judging and acting” so that their suffering and illness
serve to bring us in closer solidarity and not alienation
Management of Inter-ethnic Conflicts in Uganda: A Case Study of Nabbongo Sub-County
No full textDue to the persistence of inter-ethnic conflicts in Uganda, this study set out to examine the policies and mechanisms employed by the Ugandan State to address the problem and promote harmony and stability in the country. The research followed a “case study” design, focusing on Nabbongo Sub-County of Bulambuli District of Uganda. The data were collected through mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative), with questionnaires containing open-ended and close-ended questions. The choice of data providers involved stratified and purposive sampling methods. Data providers included rustic (agro-pastoralists) and policy makers. The research findings show that according to policy the government (through its Ministry of Internal Affairs) is to handle interethnic conflicts and maintain harmony through stakeholders collaboration, i.e., with government’s local agencies (e.g., local government, Local Council officials), police, ethnic authorities, clan members and families. However, the findings show that such stakeholders collaboration remain wanting; government’s armed units (police and military) are often called in, thereby overriding the stakeholders collaborative approach. The research recommends that the policy of stakeholders collaboration, as envisaged in the policy of decentralisation must be adhered to; the economic hardship and youth unemployment must be addressed; and grassroots population be more involved in finding better solutions to the persistent interethnic conflicts. The ministry of internal affairs of Uganda, local government authorities and community officials should find this research helpful in addressing the perennial interethnic conflicts in Uganda
An Efficient Hybrid Intrusion Detection System Combines Signature-Based and Anomaly-Based Techniques
No full textAn Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is employed to detect many types of malicious behaviors which will compromise the safety and trust of a computer system. Its basic aim is to protect the system against malware and unauthorized access of a network or a system. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) security issues are getting more attention by researchers due to deployment circumstances. They are usually deployed in unattended and harsh environments that make them susceptible for many kinds of attacks. Different security mechanisms have been proposed for WSN. Detection-based mechanisms are considered to be the second defense line against attacks when the traditional
prevention based mechanisms failed to Handel them. In the proposed system, most of the unknown anomalies or intrusions can be able to recognize and detect suspected intrusion. The system aims to effectively for Network Intrusion Detection and to decrease misclassification of attacks.
The prime goal of this thesis research work was therefore to develop an efficient hybrid intrusion detection system for WSNs. The approach uses the clustering algorithm to reduce the amount of information and decrease the consumption of energy. In addition, we have used a class of machine learning algorithm called support vector machine (SVM), that separates data into normal and anomalous (binary classification) in order to detect anomalies. We have also applied a misuse detection technique to determine known attack patterns (signatures). Therefore, the combination of both techniques can achieve a high detection rate with low false positive and false negative rate (accuracy rate over 98%). Finally, we have developed a mechanism of cooperation among IDS agents
that work with each other, that mechanism can make a better decision in order to verify if a node is compromised or not which might determine a novel sign of intrusion. The evaluation of the proposed approaches for IDS was examined based on the following metrics, a detection rate of attacks, false alarm rate of attacks and accuracy. The proposed methods produced high accuracy rate and hence, it can be concluded that these models can be considered as high strength system in terms of network intrusion detection
Imago Dei, Imago Trinitatis, the Person in Community – a Divine Reality and Human Inspiration
No full textUsing the work of B. Lonergan and H.U. von Balthasar to enhance our understanding of the
individual within the community, I argue that the African notion of Ubuntu enriches our
understanding of humanity through recognizing the role and importance of community. I use
Lonergan to show that awareness of another’s humanity leads to a deeper awareness of one’s
own and that the ultimate form of being-in-relationship is a being-in-love which requires
authenticity and self-transcendence. I argue that Ubuntu is another way of naming selftranscendence
from an African perspective. Drawing on the works of Balthasar, theologically
this recognition of community not only enhances our understanding of humanity but alludes to
the profound theological recognition that the Imago Dei in the other is most profoundly an Imago
Trinitatis. Since God cannot be God out of relationship with God, human persons require
community, and the ecclesial community to be most fully human person
Effect of Traditional Pokot Worldview on Spread of Christianity among the Pokot
No full textChristian missionaries established the first mission work among the Pokot of West Pokot
County in 1931, when the Churchman‟s Missionary Society (BCMS) the Anglicans
established a mission centre at Kacheliba. However, they encountered resistance and non
response from the Pokot. To date, the bulk of the Pokot, especially the elderly are still
conservative to their traditional lifestyle and reluctant to open up to Christianity, change
and new ideas. This Study endeavoured to find out why the pokot resisted Christianity,
change and new ideas. The objectives of the study were: First, to examine the traditional
Pokot worldview. Second, evaluate the spread of Christianity among the Pokot, and
finally, to assess the effect of the traditional Pokot worldview on the spread of
Christianity among the Pokot. This study was guided by the structural functionalism
theory of Robert K. Merton (1910-2003). The basic principle of this theory is that society
has evolved as an organism and should therefore be studied from the perspective of the
social structures and the functions of its constituent elements. This study adopted a
descriptive design. The Purposive, snowball and the random sampling methods were used
to select the respondents for the study. The study established that the bulk of the Pokot,
especially the elderly are very acculturated and conservative to their traditional beleiefs
and practices. Due to this, the traditional Pokot worldview has affected the spread of
Christianity among the Pokot. There is need therefore, for Christian denominations doing
mission work among the Pokot to present the Gospel in light of the Pokot culture and
traditional worldview. This can be achieved be achieved by involving the Pokot in
decision making and in the establishment of Christian programs that are culturally
relevant to them and are geared towards addressing needs perceived by them
Educational Experiences and Academic Adjustment of Transfer Students at the Four-Year University
No full textEducation has been perceived as the key pathway that individuals utilize to
achieve economic success and upward mobility, yet how that education is acquired is not
a lock-step process. According to the 2015 Signature 9 Report from the National Student
Clearinghouse Research Center, students made 2.4 million (37.2%) transitions from one
institution to another between 2008 and 2014 (Shapiro et al., 2015). However, according
to Student Achievement Measurement (n.d.), only 11% of students who transfer from
four-year to four-year institution complete a bachelor’s degree, which is much smaller
than the 71.7% of full-time students who start at a four-year institution and complete a
degree within six years (Shapiro et al., 2016).
Given that transfer students often struggle to complete their degree at the
transferred college, the current study was an attempt to understand the role of highimpact
activities on the educational experiences of transfer students as compared to nontransfer
students and to examine how class preparation, student-faculty interactions, and
interactions with peers and advisors may affect the GPA and educational aspirations of
transfer students beyond a baccalaureate. To accomplish the proposed aims, the following
two research questions were explored using 2015 National Survey of Student
Engagement (NSSE) survey data collected in 2015 by a private institution in South
Florida: (1) What are the factors contributing to a difference in academic performance
between transfer and non-transfer students? and (2) What are the factors that contribute to
different educational aspirations beyond the bachelor’s degree for transfer and nontransfer
students?
For the first research question, a hierarchical multiple regression was utilized to
explore whether the self-reported GPA between transfer students and non-transfer
students differs depending on the level of student engagement. Results from a
hierarchical multiple regression suggest that peer relationship and class preparation might
help transfer students enhance their GPA. For the second research question, a hierarchical
logistic regression was used to study the differential effect of the level of student
engagement on the educational aspirations beyond the baccalaureate between transfer and
non-transfer students. Study findings indicate that the establishment of strong peer
interactions is more likely to help transfer students pursue their education beyond a
baccalaureate degree.
The current study provided empirical evidence suggesting that peer relationships
might help transfer students raise their GPA and aspire beyond a baccalaureate degree. In
addition, class preparation was found to be an important factor that might assist transfer
students enhance their GPA. Ultimately, this study suggests the benefits of creating and
implementing specific programs and initiatives to target the needs of transfer students and
support them in both increasing their GPA through improved class preparation and
developing critical relationships with peers and faculty