5th Annual International Conference 2022
http://repository.kyu.ac.ke/123456789/769
2024-03-28T18:47:53ZTowards A Framework for Managing Construction Project Labour Productivity in Kenya.
http://repository.kyu.ac.ke/123456789/841
Towards A Framework for Managing Construction Project Labour Productivity in Kenya.
ole, S.M
Labour productivity has been held responsible for the success or failure of construction projects in the urban areas in Kenya and beyond. Without standardized metrics for measurement of labour productivity, it becomes difficult or outrightly impossible to estimate the exact cost of aproject for both contractors and clients thus leading to escalation of costs, loss in profits,increase in project execution time, stalling of projects and loss of confidence in the constructionindustry. This research explores the factors affecting construction labour productivity amongstpractitioners in Nairobi and on projects within Nairobi. It establishes a definition of the termand evaluates available literature. It then measures through a survey, the effect of informationflow on construction Labour Productivity at project level. Five factors are concluded to be criticalin project level CLP. The study also provides recommendations on how to manage CLP issueswithin the industry to increase this productivity.
2022-03-01T00:00:00ZSpiral Micro-Structured FBG Hydrogen Sensor based on Pd87-Ni13/Pd4-Ag1 Thin Film and Femtosecond Laser Ablation
http://repository.kyu.ac.ke/123456789/840
Spiral Micro-Structured FBG Hydrogen Sensor based on Pd87-Ni13/Pd4-Ag1 Thin Film and Femtosecond Laser Ablation
Zhou, x; Karanja, J. M; Yang, M; Ming, X. Z; Liu, K; Zhou, F; Dai, Y
A novel laser machined spiral microstructure fiber Bragg grating (FBG) hydrogen sensor coated
with composite sensing film is presented. The sensor probes are sputtered with Pd/Ni and
Pd/Ag film respectively. The atomic ratio of the Pd/Ni and Pd/Ag composite films is controlled
at 87:13 and 4:1 respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that a pitch 60 μm FBG with
double spiral microstructures, coated with 520 nm Pd/Ni and Pd/Ag film has hydrogen gas
sensitivity in air of 13 pm/%H and 25 pm/%H respectively. The laser ablated spiral
microstructured probes with composite films showed greater sensitivity compared with
standard FBG probes with similar coating. The optimum testing temperature (50 °C) enhanced
the sensitivity and repeatability of the probes. Due to its high gas response and reversibility, the
sensor probe is a potential candidate for hydrogen monitoring.
2022-03-01T00:00:00ZCloud Computing Usability Model for Quality University Education
http://repository.kyu.ac.ke/123456789/839
Cloud Computing Usability Model for Quality University Education
Wasike, J. M.; Wabwile, P. N.
Content delivery, communication and collaboration are associated with information Technology
in University Education. To achieve these objectives, there is need for servers, storage and
appropriate software in the universities and other educational institutions. Cloud Computing is
based on Internet, whereby shared resources, software and information, are provided to
computers and devices on-demand and works in an electricity grid-like fashion to support
education. The more usable the cloud, the more efficient the task performance. The purpose of
this research was to investigate and analyze cloud computing usability attributes, and then
develop a cloud computing usability model for quality education. The study objectives were to
identify university education quality parameters, establish cloud computing usability attributes
which may affect implementation of cloud technology, develop applicable cloud computing
usability model for university education and a tool to assess how the model impacts on delivery
of quality of university education. The research adopted pragmatism philosophy, employing a
case study research method based on universities in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used with
an estimated sample size of 65 respondents. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews
and questionnaires to deliver a cloud computing usability model and a tool to assess acceptability
of cloud computing in universities. This research makes a significant contribution to the scientific
knowledge through establishment of cloud computing user satisfaction attributes in line with
parameters for quality university education and in terms of the cloud computing usability model.
2022-03-01T00:00:00ZDevelopment of Antiserum for Rapid Identification of Erwinia Spp. isolated from Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum Spp.) and its Control Using Actinomycetes
http://repository.kyu.ac.ke/123456789/838
Development of Antiserum for Rapid Identification of Erwinia Spp. isolated from Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum Spp.) and its Control Using Actinomycetes
Waithaka, P. N.; Gichuru, E. M.; Githaga, B. M.; Gacau, S. W.
Erwinia spp. causes soft rot in Ornithogalum spp., a flower grown purposely for export in Kenya
pausing a great risk to national economy. This study sought to produce antiserum against the
Erwinia spp. using rabbits and to test the sensitivity of the pathogen to actinomycetes isolated
from the soils of Menengai crater. Erwinia spp. was isolated by first sterilizing the plant tissues
using 70% ethanol washed in distilled water and plated in nutrient again. Further sub-culturing
on nutrient agar was carried out to obtain pure cultures. Sensitivity of Erwinia spp. isolates to
actinomycetes crude extracts was carried out using disc diffusion bioassay. Production of
antiserum was done by injecting Erwinia spp. intramuscularly into the rabbits. The antiserum was
tested against the pathogen using immunodiffusion technique. Five potent actinomycetes, PAN
12, PAN 30, PAN 35, PAN 50 and PAN 60 were isolated from the soils of Menengai crater. The
Erwinia spp. obtained had typical cultural and morphological characteristics of the species.
Although there was no significant difference in the zones of inhibition of the Erwinia spp. by the
actinomycetes isolates, PAN 35 showed the largest zones of inhibition. There is need to control
Erwinia spp. otherwise horticultural farming in general and growing of the flower in particular
will be jeopardized.
2022-03-01T00:00:00Z