—Data on Birth registration often comes from complex sampling designs with hierarchical structure. The use of single level probit or logistic model which don't account for population structures such as grouping (by state) or clustering... more
—Data on Birth registration often comes from complex sampling designs with hierarchical structure. The use of single level probit or logistic model which don't account for population structures such as grouping (by state) or clustering effect (within households) in the population often biases estimates obtained from such analysis. The study aimed at using a novel approach and expanded variables on the determinants of birth registration. This study used a multilevel logistic approach in determining predictors of birth registration. The systematic bias is accounted for by taking advantage of the multi stage sampling structure of the Demographic and Heath Survey (DHS), and employing a three-level (state, cluster and individual) random effect logistic model. The results of the study showed that Birth registration in Nigeria is influenced primarily by the demographic characteristics of the parents, characteristics of the child and the socio and economic wellbeing of the household. Also, birth registration varies by 21.7% between two children within the same cluster, implying same state and 7.1% between two children who belong to different cluster, but within the same state. Nigeria's population faces numerous limitations to birth registration amongst them being lack of accessibility of registration services and indirect costs associated to registration. This study recommends that the government urgently mitigates these by improving accessibility of registration services to its population. The study explored a more robust methodology than considered the design structure of the data under study in the model building and permitted the estimation of effects related to the structure variables.
In as much as Counties in Kenya have been mandated to expedite devolved services to the citizens for accelerated development. Whereas the functions of county governments include provision of firefighting and disaster management services,... more
In as much as Counties in Kenya have been mandated to expedite devolved services to the citizens for accelerated development. Whereas the functions of county governments include provision of firefighting and disaster management services, the citizens have raised concern on the manner in these services are delivered especially bureaucratic culture in provision of firefighting services. This study aimed at assessing the influence of bureaucratic culture in delivery of firefighting services in Nyamira County by; analyzing the effect of organizational structure in the delivery of firefighting services in Nyamira County, assessing the influence of rules and regulations in the provision of firefighting services in Nyamira County, and determining impact of standards of operating procedure in the delivery of firefighting services in Nyamira County. The author made intensive review of documentary information relevant to the subject matter through questionnaires with closed ended questions as well conducted focus group discussions with market committee members in Nyamira County. This study adopted descriptive research design using both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive tools such as mean and percentages and presented using tables, charts and graphs. The study involved 22 homesteads, 6 market centers and 19 schools affected by fire breakouts within the last five years. The theoretical framework that guided this study was Max Weber Bureaucratic Model. Analysis was done by the help of software program SPSS version 22 where tables and percentages was used to describe the phenomenon for easy presentation. Qualitative data collected from focus group discussions from key respondents was grouped and discussed based on the themes of the objectives of this study. The study revealed that; the existing organizational structure at the County government impedes service delivery, there are good rules and regulations managing fire fighting services at the county, and the county had standards of operating procedures. The study concluded by recommending that the county should pursue necessary organizational structural reforms.
DOWNLOAD FREE FOR 50 DAYS AT: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1aEEr7tGO~9xUZ Calcium carbonate has many applications in different fields; its use in environment remediation is particularly considered, due to its non-toxicity and... more
DOWNLOAD FREE FOR 50 DAYS AT: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1aEEr7tGO~9xUZ Calcium carbonate has many applications in different fields; its use in environment remediation is particularly considered, due to its non-toxicity and potentially high efficiency. The structure, morphology and surface features of calcium carbonate can greatly affect its performance. Hierarchical porosity, in particular, can be beneficial for several functional properties. In this study, we report the synthesis of biomorphic calcium carbonate using a sustainable template agent – waste cork powder. Pyrolysed cork powder was infiltrated by an appropriate calcium-containing salt and successively thermally treated. Selected precursors, different impregnation-solution concentrations and thermal conditions were tested. The resulting materials were characterised by XRD, Raman spectroscopy and SEM. Surface area and porosity features were studied by BET analysis, with a detailed study on the effect of synthesis on the mesoporosity of the materials, average sizes varying between 4−15 nm. The most valuable results were achieved with calcium acetate followed by pyrolysis performed for relatively short time period. This maintained the porous 3D honeycomb cork structure made of ∼20 μm hexagonal cells, while consisting of highly mesoporous single-phase CaCO3. Such samples showed the highest surface area ever reported for CaCO3 prepared using a plant-based template; moreover, it also exhibited a dual-scale hierarchical porosity as, in addition to micrometer scale cellular macroporosity, it contained a significant mesoporosity in the cell walls, with a very narrow range of 3.6–3.9 nm.
These promising characteristics enable the potential employment of cork-derived CaCO3 for environment remediation.
