Citizens Perception on the Fairness of Rule of Law in Botswana and Tanzania and Its Implication for Good Governance

Under democratic government, rule of law is one of the important and primary aspects which every citizen would expect to be upheld. Democracy cherishes rule of law and this should be seen to prevail in all facets of the government as well as private sector. This paper analyzes the findings obtained by Afrobarometer in 2011-2012. Comparative analysis of the way Batswana and Tanzanians perceive operation of the rule of law by their governments shows divergent views. Whilst Batswana strongly affirms their government to treat people equitably under the law, Tanzanians perceive their government to operate inequitably as far as justice dispensation is concerned. The paper explores this dichotomy and gives probable explanations to this ramification and its implications for good governance. It also suggests the way the situation can be improved. Keywords: Rule of law, good governance, democracy, Botswana, Tanzania

Results of an interlaboratory method performance study for the size determination and quantification of silver nanoparticles in chicken meat by single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS)

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) promises fast and selective determination of nanoparticle size and number concentrations. While several studies on practical applications have been published, data on formal, especially interlaboratory validation of sp-ICP-MS, is sparse. An international interlaboratory study was organized to determine repeatability and reproducibility of the determination of the median particle size and particle number concentration of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) in chicken meat. Ten laboratories from the European Union, the USA, and Canada determined particle size and particle number concentration of two chicken meat homogenates spiked with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized AgNPs. For the determination of the median particle diameter, repeatability standard deviations of 2 and 5% were determined, and reproducibility standard deviations were 15 and 25%, respectively. The equivalent median diameter itself was approximately 60% larger than the diameter of the particles in the spiking solution. Determination of the particle number concentration was significantly less precise, with repeatability standard deviations of 7 and 18% and reproducibility standard deviations of 70 and 90%

Mapping out market drivers of improved variety seed use: The case of sorghum in Tanzania

It is understood that the grain market pulls the seed market. The problem of low quality prompted failure of traders and processors to purchase most of the farmers' grain to subsequently drive the use of improved variety seed. The aim of this study is to identify drivers that persuade farmers to use improved variety seeds for grain production. It also assesses factors affecting market participation among small-scale farmers. Descriptive analysis, Binary Logistic model, Probit model and gross margin analysis was conducted from random selected sample of 212 individual farmers, 63 grain off-takers, 3 extension officers and 7 seeds producers through structured interviews. In additional, 80 farmers were interviewed through 10 focus group discussion. The results showed that taste, preferences and price difference between grain and seed were significant and positive drivers that influenced the decision of farmers to use improved varieties at 47% and 0.007%, respectively. Factors such as group membership and farm size were significantly positive affecting farmer's market participation while age was negatively significant affecting farmer's market participation. Gross margin was computed to compare the profit margin between users and non-users of improved variety seeds, where users had high profit margin (530 979.89Tsh/Ha) compared to non-users (472 885.94Tsh/Ha), because non-users incurred high seed cost (54 504.84Tsh/15kg) compared to users of improved variety seeds (39 329.94Tsh/kg). Also, users obtained high grain revenue compared to non-user at 1 353 268.37Tsh and 848 249.11Tsh, respectively. Efforts should be made by value chain actors and other agricultural actors to support farmers based on market demand so they could benefit from high grain quality, quantity and promising grain market

Superfund: An Assessment of Superfund Site Remedy Selectioin and Implementation

Since its inception in 1980, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund Program has served as the primary mechanism for coordinating the remediation of sites contaminated with hazardous substances. Although the program has successfully overseen cleanup at hundreds of sites, experts have identified a number of weaknesses in the remedy selection and implementation processes. Our study focuses on two weaknesses that have been identified at individual Superfund sites in the previous literature: Remedy Selection: • Selection of non-permanent remedies over permanent remedies Remedy Implementation: • Inconsistency and non-transparency shown in the documentation of cleanup objectives, site cleanup progress, and problems during remedy implementation Although these weaknesses were well documented in previous literature, our group found little evidence that the underlying cause of these weaknesses had been addressed. Our study adds to the current understanding of these weaknesses by investigating their origins using established policy and engineering systems analysis techniques. We have based our analysis on three Superfund site case studies. We offer several recommendations that address the observed weaknesses in site remedy selection and implementation. Lastly, we include suggestions for areas in which further inquiry may be useful

Progress on adaptive optics for multimodal OCT and confocal microscopy

We present our progress on image-guided (sensor-less) adaptive optics for multi-modal imaging of retinal tissue using high numerical aperture OCT and confocal microscopy using a custom developed instrument. Images of ex vivo tissues are compared to data acquired in vivo

Diversity of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Germplasm from Tanzania

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important cereal crop cultivated in varied agro-ecological zones of Tanzania ranging from the southern highlands to coastal lowlands. Different cultivars and varieties of sorghum are needed for cultivation in such varied zones. Phenotypic properties of Tanzanian sorghums are not well-studied. Objective of this study was to phenotype some sorghum germplasm from Tanzania using morphological markers to establish their diversity for future use in breeding programs. Ninety-eight sorghum genotypes were evaluated at Bumala and Amagoro in Western Kenya during 2009 and 2010 seasons in a randomized complete block design. The International Plant Genetic Resource Centre descriptors of 1993 were used for data collection. Accession MCSR T29 was the earliest which took only 64 days while MCSR T80 was the latest taking 86 days to attain 50% flowering compared to the overall mean of 71 days. The MCSR T71 was the best yielder (114.6 g/ panicle) and MCSR T10 was the lowest (10.3 g/panicle) compared to overall mean of 92.4g/panicle. About 60% of the sorghums had brown and only 2.2% had black grains. MCSR T90 had bold grains with 1000 seed weight of 55.2g. Leaves per plant ranged from 7 in MCSR T69 to 17 in MCSR T25. Plant height ranged from 72.8 cm in MCSR T53 to 434.6 cm in MCSR T80. This study showed that, Tanzanian sorghums are diverse therefore could be used in future breeding programs for developing multipurpose and adapted cultivars. Keywords: Cultivars, Diversity, Phenotype, Varieties, SorghumSorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important cereal crop cultivated in varied agro-ecological zones of Tanzania ranging from the southern highlands to coastal lowlands. Different cultivars and varieties of sorghum are needed for cultivation in such varied zones. Phenotypic properties of Tanzanian sorghums are not well-studied. Objective of this study was to phenotype some sorghum germplasm from Tanzania using morphological markers to establish their diversity for future use in breeding programs. Ninety-eight sorghum genotypes were evaluated at Bumala and Amagoro in Western Kenya during 2009 and 2010 seasons in a randomized complete block design. The International Plant Genetic Resource Centre descriptors of 1993 were used for data collection. Accession MCSR T29 was the earliest which took only 64 days while MCSR T80 was the latest taking 86 days to attain 50% flowering compared to the overall mean of 71 days. The MCSR T71 was the best yielder (114.6 g/ panicle) and MCSR T10 was the lowest (10.3 g/panicle) compared to overall mean of 92.4g/panicle. About 60% of the sorghums had brown and only 2.2% had black grains. MCSR T90 had bold grains with 1000 seed weight of 55.2g. Leaves per plant ranged from 7 in MCSR T69 to 17 in MCSR T25. Plant height ranged from 72.8 cm in MCSR T53 to 434.6 cm in MCSR T80. This study showed that, Tanzanian sorghums are diverse therefore could be used in future breeding programs for developing multipurpose and adapted cultivars. Keywords: Cultivars, Diversity, Phenotype, Varieties, Sorghu

Organic And Bacteriological Pollution Of Groundwater In The Department Of Collines (Benin, West Africa)

Water contamination not only threatens human life but also disrupts continuous access to quality drinking water supply. In the present study, we carried out an investigation on the quality and pollution assessment of groundwater in the department of Collines, in the republic of Benin. Organic pollution which characterizes the organic pollution from the content of ammonium, nitrites and orthophosphates, was assessed using the organic pollution index. Results highlighted Zero to low organic pollution in various studied site.  Furthermore, the presence of Escherichia coli as well as the detection of enterococci in the sampled groundwater bodies pointed out a serious suspicion of faecal contamination and the presence of enteropathogenic microorganisms