Critical Assessment of Banking Institutions in South Africa

Banks play an important role in a country’s economy through investments, deposits and withdrawals. Many banking products are sold to clients to meet their financial needs and obligations. Their performances are therefore very critical in supporting socio economic development. Financial institutions still facing challenges linked to the lack of financial previsions through the use of financial tool that allows preventing financial distress. Banks are not always well-managed because managers lack capacity and the sound knowledge in dealing effectively with the analysis of risk and return and decision-making. The current study highlights and gives orientations on key performance indicators that bank can use to manage their financial conditions in advance in a sustainable manner. The major objective of this research is to critically assess the South African banks performance using Financial Ratio Analysis (FRA)and descriptive statistics through comparative financial statement analysis form 2010 to 2013 between“ the big four†South African banks. In using correlational analysis, the study aim to establish the link between exogenous and endogenous variables of bank performance. The results showed that FirstRand bank was the best achiever with a higher level of performance following by Standard bank, then Absa and Nedbank. Furthermore, it appears that there is a strong relationship between bank performance and bank size because the volume of assets represents the bigger source of bank incomes. This study opens door to further study including both large and small banks and a comparative analysis between two research methods. The paper is divided into five major sections

Nonparametric estimation of copulas and copula densities by orthogonal projections

In this paper we study nonparametric estimators of copulas and copula densities. We first focus our study on a density copula estimator based on a polynomial orthogonal projection of the joint density. A new copula estimator is then deduced. Its asymptotic properties are studied: we provide a large functional class for which this construction is optimal in the minimax and maxiset sense and we propose a method selection for the smoothing parameter. An intensive simulation study shows the very good performance of both copulas and copula densities estimators which we compare to a large panel of competitors. A real dataset in actuarial science illustrates this approach.Comment: 42 pages, 6 figures, 11 table

The Impact of Knowledge-Based Economy on Growth Performance: Evidence from South Africa

This article seeks to measure and evaluate the impact of knowledge-based economy on growth performance in South Africa. The study focuses in identifying specific economic pillars that enhance growth performance in South Africa. Although transition from traditional to knowledge-based economy appears structural, the course to digital innovation guides adaptation to the global change. Following the World Bank KAM (knowledge assessment methodology), this article uses data analysis from the 2007 to 2016 to highlighted economic transition in the recent decade. This article uses quantitative methods to analyse secondary data collected from various websites such as SA Statistics, organisation for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as well as the World bank that publish South African economic data. Data analysis is done using SPSS software version 26 as a major statistical tool for advance data interpretation. However, the study is limited to yearly data frequency compared to quarterly or monthly frequency since statistical data are mostly published per year. The empirical results showed that 67% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is explained by the dependent variables namely FDI 9Foreign Direct Investment), R&D 9Research and Development), trade ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) and Computer balance as well as literacy. Innovation system, economic regime, information infrastructure as well as human resources’ elements are statistically significant in improving economic growth in South Africa with a correlation matrix of 81%. Data interpretation showed that transition from traditional to knowledge-based economy is a key driver of national economic prosperity that guarantees long-term survival. Suggestions from the study stipulates that decision-makers should ensure efficiency of knowledge-based economy structure through definition and application of knowledge-related policies tailored to the country’s specifications. The proposed conceptual framework will guide the implementation of successful knowledge-based economy that will enrich growth performance in South Africa

Study on Avian Utilization of Gmelina arborea in General Hassan Usman Katsina Park, Kaduna, Nigeria

A study on the avian utilization of Gmelina arborea in General Hassan Katsina Park (Gamji Park) was carried out between 0630hr to 0830hr, from December 2015 to January 2016. Four G. arborea trees spaced 100 m apart were identified and each observed from a 50 m distance while recording the bird species, time spent and behavioral activities carried out on the trees. A total of 26 bird species belonging to 18 families were recorded in five height classes of the tree, using focal observation. Bird diversity index was highest (2.50) in the fourth stratum, 16-20 m, and reduced to the second stratum, 6-10 m (2.18). The topmost stratum (21-25 m) recorded the least diversity index value (1.23), other than the 1-5 m height stratum where no bird was recorded. Six bird species that included members of the family: Psittacidae encountered and the Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans) however, utilized the topmost height. Bird abundance closely followed the same trend. Vinaceous dove (Streptopelia vinacea) spent the highest mean time (268 seconds) on the tree perching, closely followed by Piacpiac (Ptilostomus afer) (249 seconds). Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans) spent the least time of 36 seconds. Highest frequencies of bird activity were perching (29.67 %), gleaning (27.25 %), hopping (24.39 %) and preening (19.69 %). Yellow-billed kite and Grey kestrel spend the least time but often seen hovering and scanning in the park. The results indicate predominance of selectiveness over random utilization of G. arborea for most bird species observed. Key words: Bird species, Height class, Gmelina arborea, utilization, Kaduna

Breeding records of hooded vultures Necrosyrtes monachus (Timminek, 1823) at Kpokap, Zango Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Nesting of vultures was studied alongside with their population and distribution. Vulture’s nest is usually occupied by male and female for successful incubation of egg(s) and rearing of the chick(s). Continuation and preservation of an organism is achieved through conducive breeding habitat; vultures inclusive. Two nests were found at Kpokap all on Giant cola tree (Cola gigantea). The nests were placed each at the fork of the tree trunk. Nest 1 was located at about 9.5m above the ground while nest 2 was located at about 8.5m above the ground. The monogamous vultures fly out from their nests but hoover around whenever they felt threatened. This study is aimed at preserving the breeding pairs of vultures found at the study areas as fast as possible

Passive surveillance of communicable diseases among inmates of Jos central prison, Nigeria

Background: This paper presents a comprehensive study of the disease profile among inmates of Jos prison, Nigeria.  Methods: Blood samples were examined using Giemsa-stained thin and thick smears for Plasmodium parasites determine and stat-pak was employed to detect antibodies against HIV types I and II, sputum samples were stained by Ziehl-Nelson method and examined for acid fast Bacilli. Intestinal parasites were identified and characterized from stool samples using normal saline and lugol’s iodine method and subsequently formal-ether concentration and Kato-katz technique.Results: Out of 132 inmates that presented themselves for medical treatment at the prison clinic, eighty-nine (67.4%) (95% CI=62.4-72.4) were infected with various pathogenic agents, namely Plasmodium parasites (37.1%), intestinal parasites (14.4%), human immunodeficiency virus (11.4%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4.5%). The parasites occurred both as mono and mixed-double and triple infections. Malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum predominates with 65.3% (32/49) while non-falciparum species had 20.4% due to P. malariae (16.3%) and P. vivax (4.1%). Intestinal parasites accounted for 14.4% (95% CI=9.4-19.4) of the infections comprising five species, with Entamoeba hystolytica dorminating (57.9%) and Strogyloides stercoralis rare (4.8%). Of the co-infection, the highest combination was Plasmodium + HIV (35.3%). Fifteen inmates had HIV virus (16.5%) and 6 (6.6%) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The age group 1-40 years recorded 93.3% and 100% of the HIV and tuberculosis infections respectively. Eleven deaths were recorded 4 years preceding this survey from various causes including HIV and septicemia.Conclusions: The study concludes that Nigerian prisons pose a serious threat as reservoir of diseases to the nation

Seroprevalence of avian leukosis virus in local chickens in five live bird markets, Kaduna metropolis, North-western Nigeria

Avian leukosis virus is recognized as an important viral pathogen in the poultry industry, resulting in salient severe economic losses due to reduced production, uneven flock growth rates, reduced growth, and immunosuppression which predispose affected birds to other infections. This study examined the seroprevalence of avian leukosis virus (ALV) in local chickens (LC) in 5 different live bird markets (LBMs) in Kaduna Metropolis. A total of 276 sera were tested for ALV p27 antigen using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An overall seroprevalence of 28.3% (78/276) was recorded in the study. At the market level, the seroprevalence of 35% (21/60), 30% (18/60), 32% (16/50), 28.6% (16/56), and 14% (7/50) were recorded for Sabon Tasha, Central market, Railway station, Kawo and Sokoto Road LBMs respectively. With regards to sex, female LC showed a significantly higher prevalence of 30.5% (46/105) compared to male chickens 26.9% (46/171) with no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed. This study established the presence of antigen to ALV in local chickens sold in LBMs. We recommend surveillance and further studies on the isolation, molecular characterization and pathogenicity of ALV in the study area

Conception de capteur électromagnétique dédié au suivi de données physiologiques et basé sur l'exploitation des propriétés ioniques et/ou dipolaires des matériaux

Nowadays, the extraction of meaningful, continuous, accurate and real-time information related to the configuration and quality of material properties is of paramount importance for the proper functioning of any system. One way to obtain accurate, non-intrusive data is to use planar microwave sensors. Consequently, this class of sensor is of major interest in applications (food, clinical and chemical) where accurate determination of sodium chloride and sucrose concentration is important. Our work focused on the development of microwave sensors for the analysis of ternary mixtures involving sodium chloride and sucrose in aqueous solutions, which has opened the way to the detection of compounds with both ionic and dipolar behaviours, notably sodium lactate. Sodium lactate is a singular compound with both ionic and dipolar behaviour. The development of the sensor first required the broadband dielectric characterization of these mixtures at different concentrations, highlighting a dual behaviour of the mixtures made of conductive effects at low frequencies and dipolar relaxation at microwave frequencies. Also, an important part of the work focused on the deduction of predictive models of the variations of the Cole-Cole model parameters of permittivity as a function of the solute concentration. Based on this modelling, an innovative microwave-based sensor capable of measuring solute concentrations and temperature was developed, designed and experimentally validated. The originality of this work is to give a proof of feasibility of such a dual parameter sensor, its detection capabilities being exclusively based on electrical measurements.De nos jours, l'extraction d'informations significatives, continues, précises et en temps réel liées à la configuration et à la qualité des propriétés des matériaux est d'une importance capitale pour le bon fonctionnement de tout système. L‘une des voies pour obtenir des données précises, et de manière non intrusives est d‘utiliser des capteurs planaires microondes. En conséquence cette catégorie de capteur présente un intérêt majeur dans les applications (agroalimentaire, clinique et chimique) où la détermination précise de la concentration du chlorure de sodium et de sucrose est importante. Nos travaux ont visé le développement de capteurs hyperfréquences pour l’analyse des mélanges ternaires impliquant du chlorure de sodium et du sucrose dans des solutions aqueuses, ceci a ouvert la voie à la détection de composé ayant à la fois des comportements ionique et dipolaire et notamment du lactate de sodium. Le lactate est un composé singulier ayant un comportement ionique et dipolaire. Le développement du capteur a tout d’abord nécessité la caractérisation diélectrique large bande de ces mélanges à différentes concentrations, mettant en évidence un double comportement avec des effets de conduction à basse fréquence et de relaxation dipolaire aux fréquences micro-ondes. Aussi, une partie importante du travail s‘est focalisée sur la déduction des modèles prédictifs des variations des paramètres du modèle Cole-Cole de la permittivité en fonction de la concentration des solutés. Sur la base de cette modélisation, un capteur innovant basé sur les microondes et capable de mesurer les concentrations des solutés, ainsi que la température a été mis au point, conçu et validé expérimentalement. L‘originalité de ce travail est de donner une preuve de faisabilité d'un tel capteur à double paramètre, ses capacités de détection étant exclusivement basées sur des mesures électriques