Faculty of Science and Education

Two dimensional imaging of the ionospheric total electron content over East Africa

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Two dimensional imaging of the ionospheric total electron content over East Africa Waibi, Roggers Total Electron Content (TEC) is an important parameter for monitoring the effects of space weather. It is often obtained from a network of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. However, the GPS receivers are unevenly distributed in East Africa resulting in limited TEC data in some areas. In an attempt to address this challenge, a hybrid approach involving Finite Element Method (FEM) together with Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) technique was used to construct TEC maps from the limited TEC observations. These maps offer crucial, detailed spatial information regarding TEC variations in the ionosphere. This information is valuable for applications such as global navigation, space weather monitoring, and scientific research. Before constructing the maps, the characteristics of TEC over the region during quiet and disturbed conditions for the high (2014) and low (2018) solar activity years were studied. Studying TEC variation before generating maps is important as it provides valuable insights into the behavior of the ionosphere, helps in constructing accurate TEC maps and supports various applications that rely on precise and uninterrupted ionospheric information. The results revealed that maximum TEC over East Africa occurred between 12:00 and 13:00 UT, while minimum TEC occurred at about 03:30 UT. The highest TEC values were observed in March equinox and the lowest in June solstice for both years. After sunset, TEC enhancements were observed between 18:00 UT and 21:00 UT especially in 2014 and enhancements at the crest of the anomaly occurred roughly an hour earlier than at the trough. The day maximum TEC values decreased with increasing magnetic latitude. More TEC fluctuations were observed in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region during storm days, reflecting the disturbances in the ionosphere caused by geomagnetic storms. To construct the maps, an observation model was developed using the FEM, by making assumptions about the relationship between the measured data, the ionospheric TEC distribution, and the additive noise. Prior information was then integrated into the model and a tuning parameter was introduced to address data limitations. By running multiple Kalman filters in parallel, TEC images were generated through weighted averaging. The TEC maps clearly captured the diurnal variations in TEC over East Africa. An expected rise in TEC during the daytime and a decrease during the nighttime, indicating the influence of solar radiation on the ionosphere was shown. Furthermore, the maps revealed that TEC levels were highest during equinox months and lowest during solstice months, demonstrating a distinct seasonal trend. In addition, significant asymmetries related to equinoxes and solstices were observed. The TEC maps also provided valuable information about the response of the ionosphere to geomagnetic storms. During geomagnetic storm events, significant deviations in TEC values were observed, indicating disturbances in the ionospheric TEC. The maps were validated against selected GPS receivers. The results showed a strong positive correlation coefficient ranging between 0.98 and 0.99. This suggests that the constructed TEC maps align well with actual measured data and can be used as a good tool for predicting TEC over the East African low-latitude region.

Management of sexuality education and deviant behaviors among adolescent students in secondary schools in Bugiri District, Uganda

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Management of sexuality education and deviant behaviors among adolescent students in secondary schools in Bugiri District, Uganda Basan, Muhamed Khan Abstract This study investigated management of sexuality education and deviant behaviours of adolescent learners in secondary schools in Bugiri District in Uganda by specifically focusing on: the extent to which deviant behaviours are manifested by adolescent learners; identify the approaches to management of sexuality education; and the influence of management of sexuality education on behaviours of adolescent learners. A cross-sectional survey design employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed on a sample of 320 students, 166 teachers and 10 head teachers. Stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling techniques were applied. The questionnaire guide was found valid (CVI > .70) and reliable (Cronbach alpha > .60). The researcher used regression analysis measure the influence of sexuality education on deviant behaviours of adolescent students. According to findings, deviant behaviours among secondary school students primarily manifested as smoking, bullying, neglecting personal hygiene, and engaging in sexual activity while at school. The study also found out that the child-to-child approach, counseling and guidance, and friendly school policies were key deviant behaviour management approaches in Public secondary schools in Bugiri District. Finally, it was established that sexuality education significantly influenced behaviors of adolescent students (B = .633, t = 5.751, p < .05). The study concluded that Adolescent students still practice deviant behaviours in public secondary schools; such behaviours can be curbed through guidance and counselling, empowering students‟ leadership bodies, sensitizing the students of the after effects of deviant behaviours, making a follow up for reformatory purposes as well as allowing productive peer group interactions. The study recommends that Ministry of Education and Sports should organize workshops and seminars on management approaches of Sexuality Education, the National Curriculum Development Center to design an appropriate comprehensive Sexuality Education Curriculum that fits the recommended age and sex, incorporating interactive and participatory teaching methods that promotes critical thinking

Ethical dilemmas and administrators' job performance in secondary schools in Tororo District

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Ethical dilemmas and administrators' job performance in secondary schools in Tororo District Namata, Sarah Abstract This study investigated the relationship between ethical dilemmas and administrators’ job performance in secondary schools in Tororo District. The study was anchored on the deontological theory that was advocated by Emmanuel Kant between1724-1804. The study specifically examined the relationship between: lack of academic integrity, management of conflicts of interest, lack of equity and fairness and administrators’ job performance in selected Tororo District secondary schools. A cross- section survey design was used where both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were employed for the purpose of triangulation. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between variables. Research instruments included; questionnaires and interview guides. From a population of 153 teachers and 10 administrators, a sample of 101 teachers and 5 administrators was selected using simple random and purposive sampling techniques respectively. “Cronbach Alpha coefficient” where (α = 0.796) and CVI (83.3%) were adopted to establish the reliability and validity of the questionnaire respectively. Study findings indicated that there was an insignificant correlation between lack of academic integrity and administrators’ job performance (r=.060 p < .550). In addition, the findings disclosed a statistically significant but weak Connection between management of conflicts of interest and administrators’ job performance (r=.135 p < .0550). This indicates that although there was existence of management of conflicts of interest in secondary schools in Tororo District, it does not impact significantly administrators’ job performance. Furthermore, the findings showed that there was a statistically significant but weak relationship between lack of equity and fairness and administrators’ job performance (r=.153 p < .064). It was therefore concluded that although lack of academic integrity, management of conflict, and lack of equity and fairness were not strongly correlated with administrators’ job performance, there is need to pay some attention to them because they were found to statistically significant. It is therefore recommended that. Administrators should undergo retooling programs, refreshing courses and trainings to empower them with administrative skills. Among others, the study recommended that administrators should: establish strategies for enhancing hard work among learners to promote academic integrity; undertake ethical and moral trainings that may help them in implementing their professional code of conduct to enhance their performance; and, promote school cultures that emphasize equity and fairness among the community members.

Modelling leakage of sewage pipes laid in a porous ground: A case study of Tororo District

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Modelling leakage of sewage pipes laid in a porous ground: A case study of Tororo District Ebelait, Joseph ABSTRACT This study gives an account of leaks in sewer pipelines through a permeable ground by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) bearing single leakage via simulation of fluids from Ansys Fluent 17.2 commercial software based on normal k-ε model with steady state condition. The segment of the pipe was a three dimensional having a cylinder length of 40mm, a pipe diameter of 20 mm, and leak orifice diameter of 2 mm with absorbent ground of length 25 mm and breadth 30 mm. The aim for the research was to decrease the rate of wastewater leaks from pipelines buried in the ground using CFD. The obtained results from simulation showed that once the flow was subjected to an outlet pressure from 100000 Pa to 275000 Pa the wastewater leaks from pressures of 99499 Pa to 278799.8 Pa signifying that increase in outlet pressures increases the pressure at the leak orifice and similarly an increase in inlet velocity caused an increase in velocity at the point and no substantial alteration in wastewater drift rate with increased inlet velocities. Thus, following of pressure and velocity vectors along the pipe was a tremendously imperative device that recognizes leakages as these arenas are disturbed by trepidations together before and after leakage points. A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTORATE OF GRADUATE STUDIES, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS OF BUSITEMA UNIVERSITY