Modeling Statistical Downscaling for Prediction Precipitation Dry Season in Bireuen District Province Aceh

The Asian-Australian monsoon circulation specifically causes the Indonesian region to go through climate changebility that impacts on rainfall variability in different Indonesia's zone. Local climate conditions such as rainfall data are commonly simulated using GCM time series data. This study tries to model the statistical downscaling of GCM in the form of 7x7 matrix using Support Vector Regression (SVR) for rainfall forecasting during drought in Bireuen Regency, Aceh. The output yields optimal result using certain parameter i.e. C = 0.5, γ = 0.8, d = 1, and ↋= 0.01. The duration of computation during training and testing are ± 45 seconds for linear kernels and ± 2 minutes for polynomials. The correlation degree and RMSE values of GCM and the actually observed data at Gandapura wheather station are 0.672 and 21.106. The RSME value obtained in that region is the lowest compared to the Juli station which is equal to 31,428. However, the Juli station has the highest correlation value that is 0.677. On the other hand, the polynomial kernel has a correlation degree and RMSE value equal to 0.577 and 29,895 respectively. To summary, the best GCM using SVR kernel is the one at Gandapura weather station in consideration of having the lowest RMSE value with a high correlation degree

Role of the African Council for Distance Education in Fostering Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning in Africa

The African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) was established to promote research, policy and quality in open and distance learning (ODL), so as to increase access to education and training in Africa. This paper discusses the role of the council in fostering establishment of a quality assurance and accreditation agency (QAAA) aimed at addressing concerns for quality in ODL on the continent, so that the society can have confidence in it. The paper discusses the context within which establishment of the council and development of the QAAA were necessitated as well as the policy framework within which the QAAA is being developed. The challenges being experienced in implementing the project are examined and recommendations towards their resolution, and ensuring the success and sustainability of the agency, are made.Keywords: Quality assurance; Open and distance learning; Accreditation; ACD

Effect of Endurance and Strength on Academic Achievement of Physical Education Students in Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study investigates the effect of endurance and strength on academic achievement of physical education students in federal college of education, obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of this study, two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Literature was reviewed according to the hypotheses directing the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study. Total samples of two hundred (200) respondents were randomly selected for the study. The selection was done through the simple random collection. A questionnaire instrument was constructed by the researchers with the help of some measurement experts that gave it face and content validity. To test the hypotheses and to ascertain whether to accept or reject them, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis was considered appropriate because of the nature of each of the variables involved. The .05 level of significance was used for the statistical testing of each hypothesis with critical values and degrees of freedom. The results showed that, there is significant effect of muscular endurance and muscular strength on academic achievement of federal college of education students in physical education. Based on the findings of the study, appropriate conclusions and recommendations were made. Keywords: Endurance, Strength, Academic Achievement and Physical Education.

Priority health problems as a vehicle for undergraduate: problem based learning in community medicine

Keywords: health problem, diseases, nutrition, hypertention, stomach pai

Land Tenure Systems and Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria: A Case of Rice Production

This study examined land tenure systems and rice productivity in Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select a total sample size of three hundred and forty-nine (349) rice farmers for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, total factor productivity, and the Stochastic production frontier model. The study revealed that a large portion of the land (over 94%) used for rice production was acquired through inheritance mode of land acquisition and communal type of land tenure system widely practised. The result of total factor productivity indicated that 62.18% of the rice farmers were at a sub-optimal productivity level. The results of the stochastic production frontier function revealed that seed (P< 0.10), and fertilizer application (P<0.01) were the significant factors influencing the technical efficiency of rice production in the study area. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the current land use act and policy should be amended to prevent concurrent grabbing of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes to enhance the availability and accessibility of land for agriculture

Economic Analysis of Cassava Production: Prospects and Challenges in Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyse cassava production, prospects and challenges in Irepodun local government area, Kwara State, Nigeria. It aimed to examine the determinant variables and determine the profitability level of cassava enterprises. The study was based on primary data obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire from 100 cassava farmers drawn through multi-stage sampling techniques from the study area. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ordinary least square (OLS) regression model and gross margin analysis. The result of the OLS regression estimates showed that farm size, cost of fertilizer application, farm size, herbicides, family and hired labour were significant variable affecting cassava production in the study area. Fertilizer, farm size and hired labour are significant at 1% while herbicide and family labour are significant at 10%. The study found that the average gross margin per hectare for cassava production in the study area was ₦24,749.28 ($65.30) with a gross benefit ratio of 1.38. This shows that for every ₦1 invested in the business of cassava production, there is a corresponding profit of ₦1.38. The major challenges identified in cassava enterprise are huge transportation cost, high cost of production, lack of improved cassava cultivars, and lack of market linkages. The study concluded despite the problem encountered in the study area, cassava production is profitable and can serve as a panacea for economic improvement of households. Therefore, the study recommends that basic inputs such as improved cassava varieties, herbicides and fertilizer should be made available at affordable price. Also, infrastructural facilities such as good road network and improve marketing channels should be provided in order to sustain current cassava production rate and economic gains from the production

JOKOWI DAN PRABOWO, MENYELISIK ISU “SONTOLOYO” DAN “TAMPANG BOYOLALI” PADA KOMPAS.COM

This research is aimed to know on how to overview the content of the news and get across the trend of kompas.com related to the content news of the issue of Sontoloyo and Tampang Boyolali. The results identifies that based on the resource category and the main issue of Sontoloyo and Tampang Boyolali which presented by kompas.com obtained various results. For the issue of Sontoloyo, the content is more likely to be obtained from experts/intellectuals, while for the issue of Tampang Boyolali obtained from BPN or Badan Pemenangan Nasional. The most widely reported issue by kompas.com is a Tampang Boyolali issue consists of  42 news items with a percentage of 72.4%. In terms of comments on the issue of Sontoloyo and Tampang Boyolali on Kompas.com, indicates that both issues get negative results in the news, but the issue of Tampang Boyolali obtains more prominent result of 18 news items with a percentage of 41.8%, compared to Sontoloyo issues as many as 5 news items with a percentage of 33.3%