The Impact of Logistics Performance on Foreign Trade Volume

The study addresses the logistics impact on foreign trade volume, which has a significant role in the global economy. Logistics and transportation are becoming increasingly crucial in international economic ties. The Logistic Performance Index (LPI) compares nations, giving a broad picture of customs processes, logistics costs, and the quality of the infrastructure required for overland and marine transportation. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between logistics performance and foreign trade volume. The data of LPI and foreign trade volume are been analyzed which were obtained from World Bank data. SPSS was used In order to figure out the results, As per the analysis results, the impact of logistics performance on foreign trade volume is statistically highly significant. Consequently, it could be suggested that the logistics ability of a country triggers the increase of foreign trade volume

Determinants of Credit Default Risk of Microfinance Institutions in Assosa Zone

The paper deals with assessment of the determinants of default risks in microfinance institutions in Assosa zone. The problem identified was that microfinance programs performmeagerly because of delay in repayment and high default rates. Hence, it has been essential toestablish if these limitations prevailed in the selected 8 MFIs in the zone schemed bydetermining the default rate and the grounds of the observed series. Therefore, in orderto address those issues, the researchers collected primary data collected through structuredquestionnaire and captured secondary sources of data. The data analysis tools used were descriptive and inferential analysis. The logistic probit model was employed to estimate the determinants of credit default risk and the repayment performance.  The finding shows that credit diversion is positively related to number of dependents supported by the borrower, use of financial records, credit/loan size and number of times borrowed(sig 10%) from the same source. Income from other sources than credit/loan, loan supervision made to the borrower and suitability of credit repayment period (1%) were found to be negatively related to loan diversion. The results also pointed out that credit diversion fitted value of credit/loan diversion rate (FITCDR) is significant and negatively related to credit repayment performance. The negative sign probably implies the use of diverted funds for non-income generating purposes, and it is significant at 5%. In addition gender, credit/loan size and number of dependents are all negatively related to the probability of credit repayment. Only suitability of repayment period is significant at 1% level. So, the MFIs are recommended to solve problems observed in its rationing mechanism. Moreover, the processes should be worked out to identify borrower capacity and any obligations that may interfere with repayment. Finally, they should intensify recovery of outstanding balances from defaulters through increased borrower follow-up. Keywords: MFIs, Credit Default, Credit Diversion, Loan Rationing, Creditworthy

Understanding Online and offline Sex Seeking Behavior Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Implications For HIV/AIDS Interventions

Men who have sex with men (MSM), especially in the southeastern US are disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Young MSM and African American MSM are particularly burdened accounting for a greater proportion of HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Factors such as risky sexual behavior, perception of sexual risk, ignorance about HIV sero-status, internalized homonegativity/homophobia (IH), stigma, and alcohol and illegal drug use have been advanced as reasons for this disproportionate burden. HIV/AIDS prevention efforts aimed at stemming the epidemic among MSM have focused on locations where MSM meet other men for sex such as parks, beaches, bathhouses, adult book stores, clubs, and bars. However, in recent years, the Internet has emerged as a venue where MSM also meet other men for sex. This has prompted research studies examining the correlates of Internet sex seeking behavior among MSM. A review of these research studies show that most of them were conducted in regions other than the southeastern US, and on predominantly homogenous samples of MSM, usually older, White MSM. Furthermore, these studies have produced contradictory findings and focused almost exclusively on sexual risk. The paucity of studies conducted in the southeastern US focusing on a diverse sample of young MSM (18-29 years) provided the basis for the current research study. The overall goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between IH, risky sexual behavior, health protective sexual communication, perception of partners\u27 sexual risk, and Internet sex seeking behavior among young MSM. Additionally this study examined the influence of race on these relationships. The study design was cross-sectional recruiting MSM from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. Participants were recruited online and offline. Online participants completed an electronic survey while offline participants completed a pencil and paper survey. Two hundred and sixty seven participants were recruited but four participants were dropped because they failed to meet the study\u27s inclusion criteria, resulting in a sample size of 263. Analysis was done using the Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and Mplus version 7. Descriptive statistics and a path analysis were conducted. Results of the analyses showed a high prevalence of Internet sex seeking behavior and risky sexual behavior respondents. Also, IH was not associated with Internet sex seeking behavior though African American MSM reported significantly higher levels of IH than White MSM. African American MSM who sought sex online reported a greater perception of partners\u27 sexual risk than White MSM who sought sex online but were less likely to engage in health protective sexual communication relative to White MSM. Per sexual risk, African American MSM who sought sex online were more likely to engage in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) than White MSM and MSM who sought sex online were more likely to engage in casual sex and report a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) than MSM who sought sex offline. These findings support the need for more aggressive sexual health interventions that include equipping MSM with the tools and self-efficacy to navigate these virtual communities and understand the sexual risk associated with it. They also lend support to the use of the Internet and other mobile platforms as a tool for HIV/AIDS prevention interventions while presenting a new focus for interventions that target African American MSM

Retos en la salvaguarda y seguridad del Patrimonio Cultural en los conflictos violentos en Nigeria.

Almost every community, country and continent is experiencing a form of conflict, war or disaster. These wars have claimed lives, antiquities, heritage materials, contemporary Arts, Galleries, Museums, Archives, Monuments andHeritage sites. The aim of this study is to explore the challenges of safeguarding cultural heritage material during violent conflict in Nigeria bearing in mind the two UNESCO world heritage sites in Nigeria: Sukur kingdom and Osun Oshogbo sacred Grove. The outcome of this study will help the policy makers to address the challenges of safeguarding cultural heritage materials in times of conflicts, bridge the gap on the existing literature concerning the safeguarding of cultural heritage materials in times of conflict and to make a modest contribution to the existing body of knowledge on cultural heritage protection in Nigeria in particular and other parts of the world in general. This study relies on both primary and secondary sources using questionnaire and oral interview to elicit information from selected relevant cultural agencies, journalists and scholars in the field of art and culture. Relevant literature and documents on the challenges of safeguarding and securing of cultural heritage materials during conflicts were reviewed. The data gathered from the questionnaires and the oral interview is presented in frequency tabular form to give precise and comprehensive insight into the study findings. Notable among the challenges were insecurity and lack of professionalism in the field of cultural heritage profession. The study also revealed that governments are not enforcing the global laws and conventions for the protection of cultural heritage materials in times of violent conflict. The communities where these materials are located have little or no knowledge about the import of these materials and do not take part in securing them in the event of conflict. It is crucial that we place high value on heritage materials since they are inextricably linked with our identity and where we come from. It is strongly recommended that Cultural Heritage Institutions should involve as much as possible the local communities living around the sites by creating awareness educating and encouraging them to take ownership of the Sites located within their communities. They must ensure that the site is safeguarded against all forms of threat. Items of heritage value are not often considered in most disaster management plans therefore there is the need to consider heritage as priority just as the protection of lives and property.Casi cada comunidad, país y continente está experimentando alguna forma de conflicto, guerra o desastre. Estas guerras han demandado vidas, antigüedades, materiales patrimoniales, Artes contemporáneas, galerías, museos, archivos, monumentos y lugares patrimoniales. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar los desafíos de la salvaguarda del material del patrimonio cultural durante un conflicto violento en Nigeria, manteniendo en mente los dos lugares Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO en Nigeria: Sukur Kingdom y la cueva sagrada de Osun Oshogbo. El resultado de este estudio ayudará a los legisladores a abordar los desafíos de la conservación de los materiales del patrimonio cultural en tiempo de conflicto, establecerá puentes sobre la literatura existente en relación a la salvaguarda de los materiales del patrimonio cultural en tiempos de conflicto y proporcionará una contribución modesta al cuerpo existente de conocimiento sobre la protección del patrimonio cultural en Nigeria en particular, y en otras partes del mundo en general. Este estudio se apoya tanto en fuentes primarias como secundarias de información utilizando cuestionarios y entrevistas orales para recoger información de las agencias culturales relevantes seleccionadas, periodistas y académicos en el campo del arte y la cultura. La literatura y los documentos relevantes sobre los desafíos en la preservación y la seguridad de materiales de patrimonio mundial durante los conflictos fueron revisados. Los datos recogidos de los cuestionarios y las entrevistas orales se presentan en forma de tablas de frecuencia para dar una visión precisa y detallada de los descubrimientos del estudio. Es crucial que otorguemos un alto valor a los materiales patrimoniales ya que están vinculados inextricablemente con nuestra identidad y del lugar del que procedemos. Se recomienda encarecidamente que las instituciones de Patrimonio involucraran todo lo que fuese posible a las comunidades viviendo alrededor de los sitios mediante la creación de conciencia educando y animándoles para convertirse en propietarios de los lugares localizados dentro de sus comunidades. Deben asegurarse que el lugar está protegido frente a todas formas de amenaza. Los objetos de valor patrimonial no están a menudo considerados en la mayoría de los planes de gestión de riesgo, por lo que es necesario considerar al patrimonio como prioridad tanto como lo es la protección de las vidas y los bienes. protección de las vidas y los bienes.Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y ArqueologíaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaTRUEMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)pu

Orígenes de un desencuentro: El Partido Comunista de Chile ante el Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario y la dictadura de Villarroel en Bolivia (1943-1946)

El artículo aborda la interpretación del Partido Comunista de Chile sobre la Dictadura de Gualberto Villarroel en Bolivia y la actuación que tuvo en ella el Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario, entre los años 1943 y 1946. El autor sostiene que dicha interpretación estuvo marcada por el antifascismo y por una lectura de la historia boliviana teñida de tópicos liberales. Así, el nacionalismo del MNR y los militares bolivianos  fue representado como una forma de fascismo y su actuación en el concierto latinoamericano fue interpretada bajo una óptica panamericanista, considerándola como parte de un plan del Eje para dificultar la labor de los aliados en América. En esta línea, los comunistas chilenos pugnaron por que la Cancillería chilena negara el reconocimiento al gobierno boliviano y entraron en pugna con actores políticos y sindicales chilenos proclives a conceder el reconocimiento a dicho régimen