Modern macroeconomics: a review of the post 2008/2009 crisis debate

This paper reviews the current debate on the state of modern macroeconomics from methodological standpoint. While some senior figures in economics have argued that modern macroeconomics has gone wayward and thus become irrelevant for policy, others argue otherwise. Methodologically, the fundamental sources of dispute have centered on realism of assumptions, mathematical formalism and empiricism and falsification of economic models. Our conclusion from this review is that the observable world upon which macroeconomist rely on to make their assumptions, theories and predictions represent a very tiny fraction of physical reality. Thus any policy derived from such partial and short sighted analysis can only produce a sub-optimal outcome. Moreover, the fundamental analysis employed in macroeconomic analysis overlook peculiarities which should be the rule rather than the exception for addressing important economic conundrums. In short, although we do not support the position of most critics on the view that macroeconomics of the last 30 years is completely useless, we are of the view that there is need for serious rethinking about the future of macroeconomics. This is the only way forward, if the subject has anything to say about policy. Keywords: Financial Crisis, Modern Macroeconomics, Rational Expectations, Illusion, Perception and Realit

Achieving a Goal of Distinction in your Dress

The aim of this paper is to identify the essential and vital information about body proportions, body assets and body liabilities so as to realize the good features to emphasize and the flaws to improve through effective optical illusions in clothing. This study was based on the premise that many people disregard their proportions and figure types and just go for any style of dress that may not befit them. In order to achieve the above aim, pertinent literature was reviewed, and interviews conducted to investigate whether or not people consciously select their clothes on the basis of their body proportions. Thirty (30) ladies were interviewed and observed. The result was that the population studied was not individualistic in their dresses. The people had diverse criteria for selecting their clothes which largely excluded consideration of their body proportions. In discussing the results, personality analysis chart was designed for use of fashion conscious persons. This is in relation to the proportions of identified fashion models, average figures and some philosophy on ideal beauty. Besides, design elements which serve as effective tools for optical illusions and recommended design ideas for shaping selected figures have been provided to guide people to go for the most appropriate dress styles that are distinct and individualistic. Keywords:Proportion, personality analysis, optical illusion, distinct dressing. Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 28 (2) 2008: pp. 133-14

The influence of shade and organic fertilizer treatments on the physiology and establishment of Theobroma cacao clones

Aims: This experiment aimed to determine whether the soil application of organic fertilizers can help the establishment of cacao and whether shade alters its response to fertilizers. Study Design: The 1.6 ha experiment was conducted over a period of one crop year (between April 2007 and March 2008) at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana. It involved four cacao genotypes (T 79/501, PA 150, P 30 [POS] and SCA 6), three shade levels (‘light’, ‘medium’ and ‘heavy’) and two fertilizer treatments (‘no fertilizer’, and ‘140 kg/ha of cacao pod husk ash (CPHA) plus poultry manure at 1,800 kg/ha). The experiment was designed as a split-plot with the cacao genotypes as the main plot factor and shade x fertilizer combinations as the sub-plots. Methodology: Gliricidia sepium and plantains (Musa sapientum) were planted in different arrangements to create the three temporary shade regimes for the cacao. Data were collected on temperature and relative humidity of the shade environments, initial soil nutrients, soil moisture, leaf N, P and K+ contents, survival, photo synthesis and growth of test plants. Results: The genotypes P 30 [POS] and SCA 6 showed lower stomatal conductance under non-limiting conditions. In the rainy seasons, plants under light shade had the highest CO2 assimilation rates. However, in the dry season, plants under increased shade recorded greater photosynthetic rates (P = .03). A significant shade x fertilizer interaction (P = .001) on photosynthesis in the dry season showed that heavier shade increases the benefits that young cacao gets from fertilizer application in that season. Conversely, shade should be reduced during the wet seasons to minimize light limitation to assimilation. Conclusion: Under ideal weather conditions young cacao exhibits genetic variability on stomatal conductance. Also, to optimize plant response to fertilizer application shade must be adjusted taking the prevailing weather condition into account

Variation in contents of crude protein and mineral elements in 32 cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) accessions in Ghana

Thirty-two cowpea accessions were studied for variation in contents of protein and mineral nutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium). Cowpea flour from 40 wholesome dried seeds of each accession was used for the analysis. The wet oxidation method was used to determine the content of mineral nutrients. Nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl procedure. Protein content ranged from 16.35 to 27.27 per cent. Sodium content ranged from 90.53 to 91.30 ppm, and potassium content from 30.33 to 71.30 ppm. Similarly, values for magnesium and calcium ranged from 146.73 to 968.20 ppm and from 43.33 to 171.20 ppm, respectively. Percent crude protein correlated significantly positively with sodium and negatively with calcium. Magnesium was correlated significantly with potassium. Black seeds generally recorded the highest percent crude protein on the average, while cream seeds had the highest magnesium and calcium contents, respectively. Trente-deux accessions de dolique étaient étudiées pour la variation en teneurs de protéines et de nutriments minérales (le calcium). La farine de dolique de quarante graines saines séchés de chaque accession était utilisée pour l'analyse. La détermination de nutriments minérales était par la méthode d'oxydation humide. La teneur d'azote était déterminée par la procédure de Kjeldahl. Teneur de protéine variait entre 16.35 et 27.27 %. La teneur de sodium variait entre 90.53 et 91.30 ppm, la teneur de potassium variait entre 30.33 et 71.30 ppm. De la même façon les valeurs pour le magnésium et le calcium variaient respectivement entre 146.73 et 98.20 ppm et entre 43.33 et 171.20 ppm. Le pourcentage de protéine brute corrélait considérablement positivement avec sodium en négativement avec calcium. Le magnésium était corrélé considérablement avec le potassium. Les graines colorées noires enregistraient en général le plus élevé du pourcentage de protéine brute en moyenne, alors que les graines colorées crèmes avaient les teneurs de magnésium et de calcium les plus élevées respectivement. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (1) 2006: pp. 83-8

Phubbing Behavior and Quality of Friendship in Faculty of Public Health, Nusa Cendana University

Phubbing is a behavior or act of ignoring someone in the scope of the social environment by focusing on smartphones instead of paying attention to the interlocutor when interacting so that it affects interpersonal relationships. This study aims to determine the effect of phubbing behavior and the quality of friendship among students of the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Nusa Cendana Kupang. This research method uses quantitative research with a simple linear regression analysis design. The number of samples was 100 students of the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Nusa Cendana Kupang. The sampling technique used was simple random sampling. The results of this study indicate that the significance value (sig) is 0, 033 <of 0.05 and the value of t count> t table is -2.162> 1.984. This means that Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted that there is a negative effect of phubbing behavior on the quality of friendship among students of the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Nusa Cendana Kupang

The Craft Industry, Oral Literature and Language in the Development of Tourism in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges

This paper examines the role the craft industry, Oral Literature and language play in the development of tourism in Ghana.  From the study, it was found that all the three are important for several reasons, namely economic value, exchange of information, sharing of experiences or world-views and finally changing biases.  However, lack of outlets and finishing of products constitute major problems. Key Words: Artifact, Cosmo-vision, pragmatic interpretation, equiparable, lyrical interpretation

Tinjauan Pengembangan Landasan Pacu Bandar Udara Kasiguncu Kabupaten Poso

Means of airport for landing and take off of aircraft is runway. This writing to determine the direction of runway according to aircraft that serviced, geometric requirements of existingrunway conditions in 2011 and the development of phase II stage 2 in 2030 and runway pavement thickness existing conditions in 2011 and the development of phase II stage 2 in 2030. Method that used to determine the direction of the runway using the wind rose and for geometric runway using the ICAO and FAA as well as for runway pavement thickness using the FAA.From the wind analysis result using the wind rose, the direction of the existing runway 03-21 can be used safely. From the calculation result of the geometric condition of existing runway length obtained in 2011 by ICAO runway at for the Fokker F-28 aircraft while the width of the runway by ICAO and FAA at 30,48 m. The condition of the existing runway has a runway length 1.617 m and a width 30 m, so that the runway has been unable to serve the aircraft.For the conditions of the development of phase II stage 2 in 2030 acquired by the FAA runway length at 2.070 m and width 30,48 m while the length of the runway by ICAO at 2.704 m and a width 45,72 m. Conditions runway geometric phase II development stage 2 has a length 2.100 m and a width 45 m, so the runway is capable of servicing Boeing 737-300 aircraft safely compared with FAA planning method. From the calculation result of runway pavement thickness existing conditions in 2011 earned a total pavement thickness is 38 cm with aircraft plan Xian MA-60. Condition of existing runway has a total pavement thickness is 87 cm so that the Xian MA-60 aircraft can be served safely. For the conditions of the development of phase II stage 2 obtained after the equivalent total pavement thickness is 69,5 m for model 1 and 68,8 cm for the model 2 with aircraft plan Boeing 737-300. Conditions runway development phase II stage 2 has a totalpavement thickness after the equivalent is 77,5 cm, so the Boeing 737-300 aircraft can be served safely

Input Supply Structure for Yam Production in Ghana

Yam is an extremely important crop for at least 60 million rural poor producers, processors and consumers in West Africa providing multiple opportunities for poverty reduction and nourishment of poor people in the sub-region. Despite the importance of this crop, its production is stagnating, thus threatening rural livelihoods and urban food security. Input supply dealers to the yam sub-sector are quite scanty and rather focused on general agro inputs. Literature on the structure of yam input supply systems is  scanty and non-existing. This creates inefficiencies in supplying the necessary inputs for production affecting productivity of the production process. The objective of this paper is therefore to provide a structural analysis of the input supply system and the role input dealers play in providing products and services to the  production process. Through the use of stakeholder analysis and structured interviews, results revealed that 50% of agro input dealers interviewed provided herbicides to farmers. Information on input on high demand was through extension (43%) indicating the relevance of the extension services in information delivery. The most common form of assistance was training (42.86%) followed by advisory services (28.57%) with limited access to credit (4.29 %). Gross margins were quite faviourable such that seed yam had gross margin of GHC 30 per 100 tubers, agro chemicals was GHC 5/litre and fertilizer GHC 2.67/Bag. Strengthening the capital base of input dealers will make them more efficient to serve the production system effectively and productively. Keywords: Input dealer,  yam production, labour , seed yam, agro input

USER INSTITUTIONS OF OFFICE WORKERS IN GHANA: INVESTIGATING THE DIFFERENCES

ABSTRACT The aim was to investigate whether there are differences in the institutions of office workers based on their anthropometric measurements (such as popliteal to floor height, buttock to popliteal length, elbow to seat height, sitting shoulder height, knee height and width of bitrochanter). It follows that, anthropometric measurements of a number of office workers' from three public institutions in Ghana were studied in a survey. The study employed a Multivariate analysis of variance (i.e. a versatile multivariate statistical technique) for the data analysis. In the results, the p -values of the four different multivariate tests (Pillai's Trace, Wilks' Lambda, Hotelling's Trace and Roy's Largest Root) were all significant given p = 0.000 < 0.050. The finding was that, there was a significant effect of the anthropometric measurements in the three institutions considered as a group. Thus, the three institutions differed generally on the six anthropometric measurements variables. The main effects of the individual dependent variables was that four anthropometric measurements (popliteal to floor height, elbow to seat height, knee height and width of bitrochanter) significantly differ in the three institutions. The post hoc analysis was also carried out using the pairwise comparisons to know the institutions where the differences came from