Julius Joseph to James Meredith (9 October 1962)

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Methods to Improve Our Understanding of Aspen Regeneration and Aspen Distribution Across the Intermountain West

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the dominant broadleaf tree and an ecologically important species at upper elevations in the Intermountain West. Recent large-scale forest mortality events have raised questions about how physiological and climatic factors influence aspen’s distribution across the western U.S. Aspen is particularly well-known for reproducing asexually from its root sprouts, leading to the formation of large clonal stands. In addition, as a wind-dispersed species, aspen sexual reproduction plays an important role in how it is distributed at a landscape scale. My research focuses on questions relating to both sexual and asexual reproduction of aspen. My first research question was to determine how is aspen distributed by sex and climatic variables across the Intermountain West? My results indicated that there were nearly 2:1 male:female aspen across the landscape. These results indicate an overall male bias among established aspen in the Intermountain West, which may suggest male aspen clones are persisting longer or expanding more than female clones. My second research question was to determine how well above- and below-ground measurements predict aspen suckering sized root mass and regeneration potential. Results indicated a few strong correlations between the mass of suckering-sized roots and understory associated species cover, as well as proportion of crown dieback. There were also strong correlations between root phloem diameter proportion and root carbohydrate measurements. These results suggest that the use of stand- or root-level measurements can improve prediction of aspen suckering response

Economics of Fish Marketing in Central Uganda: A Preliminary Analysis

The paper examines profitability and market performance of small-scale fish traders selected randomly from a cross-section of nine fish markets in four districts in Central Uganda. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire which was designed to solicit information on traders’ socio-economic characteristics, marketing characteristics, operating costs and returns, and problems associated with fish marketing in the study area. Percentages were used to describe the socio-economic characteristics, market characteristic and problems associated with fish marketing while gross profit and marketing performance models were used to determine profitability, marketing margin and operational efficiency, respectively. The results suggest that fish trade is carried out by both men and women. More men are involved in the trade of fresh fish while more women are involved in the processed (sundried/smoked) fish trade. Some traders dealt in more than one species of fish although a majority sold exclusively in one species. Gross profit was estimated at USh358.40/kg and USh234.73/kg for wholesalers and retailers, respectively, with marketing margins of 19.32% and 16.67% for wholesalers and retailers, respectively. The market operational efficiency was 279.27 percent, implying high efficiency in fish marketing in the study area. The major pressing concerns which included high supply cost, low prices, low fish supply and increased arrests for selling immature fish were common to both retail and wholesale marketing channels.Fish marketing, survey data, gross profit, market margin, operational efficiency, Uganda, Agribusiness, International Development, International Relations/Trade, Marketing, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

The Contribution Professional Codes of Conducts on Secondary Education Teacher’s Professionalism: A Case of Bukoba District Council, Kagera Region, Tanzania

The main purpose of this study was to examine The Contribution of professional codes of conducts on secondary education teacher’s professionalism: A Case of Bukoba District Council, Kagera Region, Tanzania. The study was guided by deontological and utilitarianism theories. The research employed a mixed research approach under convergent parallel research design. The study used a population of 238 with the sample size of 149 comprising of 1 DSEO, 13 WEOs, 13 Head of Schools, and 122 Teachers. The sample was obtained by simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique, and data were gathered by using questionnaires and interview guide. What’s more, cronbach alpha coefficient approach was used to ensure the reliability of the instruments. Obtained finding were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 computer package. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and the findings were presented by using frequency tables and pie-charts. Also, part of qualitative data wascodedand categorized by thematic analysis of which description were employed to present data in chapter four. The findings indicated that in teaching professionalism there is ethical and moral practice, moral development and moral values which are caused professional codes of conducts to teachers.In addition, it was found that professional codes of conducts raise the standards of teaching professionalism, brings about respect, integrity and obedience to laws. The study recommended that the government and other educational authorities to put more emphasize on the moral development to teachers because it is one of the important that contribute to ethical practice

Cost Efficiency and Default Risk in Commercial Banks in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of cost efficiency on default risk in commercial banks in Kenya. Many literature show that there have been an increased number of significant bank problems in USA, Brazil, India, Pakistan Indonesia, Ghana and even Kenya. In Kenya, the ratio of gross non-performing loans to gross loans increased from 6.8 percent in December 2015 to 9.2 percent in December 2016, subsequently increasing the default risk. The banking sector in Kenya has undergone several changes from the early 1990’s that was characterized by high level of bank failures, non-performing loans and inefficiencies to the current period that exhibits high levels of profitability, innovations like mobile and internet banking, agency banking, unsecured lending and the introduction of credit reference bureaus. The National treasury had hinted at introducing regulations to curb the high interest rate regime after commercial banks recorded huge profit margins in a high interest rate environment, even though depositors had been left dry. According to the bank supervisory report, the interest rate spread widened to 13 per cent at the end of December 2011 from 10.3 per cent by December 2010 which the CBK Governor termed as a sign of inefficiency in the banking sector. Secondary data was used in the study and descriptive survey design was applied. The target population was 42 Commercial Banks in Kenya out of which 2 were under receivership and 1 was under statutory management. Panel data for 39 commercial banks for the six years period from 2014 to 2019 were obtained from the CBK and individual bank websites. The study was guided by Agency theory, Moral hazard theory and Stakeholders theory. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and random and fixed effects were used for secondary data using E-views software. The findings indicated that cost efficiency highly reduces loan defaults. It was recommended that cost efficiency be improved in all commercial banks to reduce loan defaults. Keywords: Cost efficiency, Default Risk DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-22-06 Publication date: November 30th 202

CAPITAL EFFICIENCY AND DEFAULT RISK, EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA

The main objective of this study was to determine effect of capital efficiency on default risk in commercial banks in Kenya. According to the bank supervisory report, the interest rate spread widened to 13 per cent at the end of December 2011 from 10.3 per cent by December 2010 which the CBK Governor termed as a sign of inefficiency in the banking sector. Secondary data was used in the study and descriptive survey design was applied. The target population was 42 Commercial Banks in Kenya out of which 2 were under receivership and 1 was under statutory management. Panel data for 39 commercial banks for the six years period from 2014 to 2019 were obtained from the CBK and individual bank websites. The study was guided by Agency theory, Moral hazard theory and Stakeholders theory. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and random and fixed effects were used for secondary data using E-views software. The findings indicated correlation coefficients of capital adequacy and return on equity of -0.14 and -0.11 respectively signifying a negative correlation between capital efficiency and non-performing loans. It was recommended that capital efficiency be strengthened to reduce non perfuming loans. JEL: G10; G20; G21 Article visualizations

The use of cartoons in promoting Ecological organic agriculture among children and youths in smallholder farming communities

This paper aims to showcase the functionality of a cartoon in promoting ecological organic agricultural knowledge among youths in smallholder farming communities. A pretest and posttest quasi experimental design was used on a group of urban, peri-urban and rural primary school children of age 5-12 years between 2015 and 2016. The 12 EOA cartoon Book topics upon which the tests were made on the school children were developed in a participatory manner involving scientists, farmers, cartoonists, youths and animators. Observations indicate that using a cartoon in teaching EOA knowledge provided a relaxed learning mode, while the learners are entertained. The interactive and entertaining environment enhances the retention of the ecological organic agriculture principles and practices embedded in the cartoon images, sounds and symbols, hence a conclusion that cartoons in whatever format, are important tools in promoting EOA practices through increasing youth academic achievement and the level of knowledge retention in ecological organic agriculture

Controversies and Intrigues Behind the Introduction of Development Areas by Some State Governments in Nigeria: Matters Arising

It is known fact that various school of thought exists on whether the State government has the constitutional right to create development areas or not. Some are of the view that the creation of development areas is a way of bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots level while others considered such move as a way of siphoning public fund into private pockets   Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the necessity or otherwise of introducing development areas within the existing constitutionally recognized local government councils at the State levels in Nigeria .  In efforts to achieving the objective of this study, a qualitative technique of data collection and analysis of existing documents, reports, bulletin, records and official publications was adopted. At the end of the study, it was discovered that most States that created development areas are not faring better in terms of revenue generation, infrastructure development and provision of social amenities to citizens despites the supposedly benefits drivable from such decisions. In most cases, such initiative only succeeded in increasing the cost of governance through astronomical rise in the recurrent expenditures. In other words, statutory allocations meant for existing local councils are now being shared to development areas without any form of returns thereafter. Therefore, this study recommended for the scraping of development areas in order to channel available resources at the local councils to the implementation of viable projects that have direct bearing on improved standard of living for rural dwellers. DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-5-06 Publication date:May 31st 201