Building a Future Microfinance Community in Kenya

The lack of access to financial tools has been a significant problem in many areas around the world for a long time. It prevents certain groups of people from being able to progress financially and improve their economic standing. This issue stems from an overall lack of resources and infrastructure in the area. Without the acquisition of new funds, there is no path to poverty alleviation in underdeveloped areas. Currently, the global response has been to try to provide these resources through various methods, including microfinance activities. Microfinance institutions have been operating in Kenya for decades. They provide a variety of services that include personal loans, business loans, and personal savings accounts, among others. These services have provided a foundation for growth and show promise. However, as currently constructed, these loans fail to demonstrate an ability to provide lasting economic growth on a regional scale. The key is to develop solutions that expand microfinance activities and are focused on growing Kenya\u27s economy. This thesis examines historical applications of microfinance by using data samples gathered from academic sources. The data is used to conduct financial analysis that helps determine the current factors that have an impact on microfinance activities and their future implications. It also assesses the economic situation that currently exists in Kenya and the potential for future growth. The main purpose of this thesis is to highlight the factors that positively affect poverty alleviation, illustrate efficacious uses of microfinance that already exist, and propose what an effective application of microfinance activities would look like in the future based on the data gathered in the study

SOC solutions of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse: an exploratory collective case study

Doctor of PhilosophySchool of Family Studies and Human ServicesRick ScheidtThis exploratory collective case study utilized structured interviews to investigate retrospective reports of potential losses in resources resulting from childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and whether Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) “Solutions” were used by six adult male survivors to help offset these losses. Within- and between-case analyses of thematic reports are offered. Specifically, a description of each case is presented with an overview of the analysis of both unique and shared SOC Solution responses. SOC is presented in developmental research literature as a model of self-regulation across the life span. Retrospective reports of the participants suggest they did not engage in self-regulation in response to this childhood trauma. Rather, their reports evidenced the use of reactive “holding strategies” as opposed to deliberate use of selection strategies. This suggestive discovery supports previous research indicating that child survivors of trauma may have reduced self-regulation capacities. Childhood self-regulation may occur through the support of an adult (“dyadic regulation”). Findings further illustrate that the abuse may increase isolation in childhood. However, isolation, as an immediate childhood response to the abuse, may have reduced their potential for dyadic regulation as they dealt with the abuse on their own. Participants reports indicated the use” holding strategies” in childhood that were typically maladaptive. This may have led to the use of maladaptive optimization solutions in childhood that supported these holding strategies. Participants’ reports indicate that they were unable to deliberately access and implement adaptive compensation solutions until they reached adulthood, where these solutions seemed to contribute to more effective loss-directed responses. Baseline reserve capacity and developmental reserve capacity related to adaptive responding in the SOC model are discussed in the present context of trauma. The contributions of this case study to theory building in both the SOC developmental literature and clinical practice with male survivors of CSA are cautiously offered. Results may inform the theoretical reach of the SOC model, showing the limits of the self-regulation model when applied to childhood trauma. The study may inform clinical practice with this population by highlighting the importance of helping children self-regulate through dyadic regulation. Through this process, children may be guided by supportive adults to intentionally select adaptive goals to focus on following sexual abuse. Resources that male survivors may access and/or develop to adjust to the losses caused by childhood sexual abuse are offered

Energy and Nutrient Recovery fromCattle Feedlots

Selective harvesting of manure can benefit cattle producers by creating a product of value. A tool that identifies locations of manure accumulation has been developed using a subsurface sensor (Dualem-1S, Milton, ON) and software designed for salt mapping (ESAP, Riverside, CA). The combination allowed the development of models to estimate higher heating value (HHV) of feedlot manure across a feedlot pen. Soil sample data from cattle feedlots in Texas and Nebraska were analyzed for volatile solids (VSs) then combined with the Dualem-1S apparent soil conductivity (ECa) data to produce models having correlations between associated ECa values and VS (r2 = 0.869, VS). A corresponding model is under development to estimate the moisture content of the collectable solids. The combined models allow real-time spatial estimates of HHV within a feedlot pen. These methods will allow direct harvesting of VS for use as a recoverable energy source through direct combustion or cocombustion

Electromagnetic Induction Sensor Data to Identify Areas of Manure Accumulation on a Feedlot Surface

A study was initiated to test the validity of using electromagnetic induction (EMI) survey data, a prediction-based sampling strategy, and ordinary linear regression modeling to predict spatially variable feedlot surface manure accumulation. A 30- by 60-m feedlot pen with a central mound was selected for this study. A Dualem-1S EMI meter (Dualem Inc., Milton, ON, Canada) pulled on 2-m spacing was used to collect feedlot surface apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) data. Meter data were combined with global positioning system coordinates at a rate of fi ve readings per second. Two 20-site sampling approaches were used to determine the validity of using EMI data for prediction-based sampling. Soil samples were analyzed for volatile solids (VS), total N (TN), total P (TP), and Cl−. A stratified random sampling (SRS) approach (n = 20) was used as an independent set to test models estimated from the prediction-based (n = 20) response surface sample design (RSSD). Th e RSSD sampling plan demonstrated better design optimality criteria than the SRS approach. Excellent correlations between the EMI data and the ln(Cl−), TN, TP, and VS soil properties suggest that it can be used to map spatially variable manure accumulations. Each model was capable of explaining \u3e90% of the constituent sample variations. Fitted models were used to estimate average manure accumulation and predict spatial variations. The corresponding prediction maps show a pronounced pen design effect on manure accumulation. This technique enables researchers to develop precision practices to mitigate environmental contamination from beef feedlots

An environmental assessment of cattle manure and urea fertilizer treatments for corn production in the northern Great Plains

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) emissions from livestock systems have become important regional, national, and international concerns. Our objective was to use process-level simulation to explore differences among manure and inorganic fertilizer treatments in a corn production system used to feed finishing cattle in the Northern Great Plains region of the U.S. Our analysis included model assessment, simulation to compare treatments under recent climate, and comparisons using projected midcentury climate. The Integrated Farm System Model was evaluated in representing the performance and nutrient losses of corn production using cattle manure without bedding, manure with bedding, urea, and no fertilization treatments. Two-year field experiments conducted near Clay Center, Nebraska; Brookings, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota provided observed emission data following these treatments. Means of simulated emission rates of methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide were generally similar to those observed from field-applied manure or urea fertilizer. Simulation of corn production systems over 25 years of recent climate showed greater soluble P runoff with use of feedlot and bedded manure compared to use of inorganic fertilizers, but life-cycle fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emission were decreased. Compared to feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses in corn production by retaining more N in manure removed from a bedded housing facility and through increased runoff because a large portion of the stover was removed from the cornfield for use as bedding material. Simulation of these treatments using projected midcentury climate indicated a trend toward a small increase in simulated grain production in the Dakotas and a small decrease for irrigated corn in Nebraska. Climate differences affected the three production systems similarly, so production and environmental impact differences among the fertilization systems under future climate were similar to those obtained under recent climate

Energy and Nutrient Recovery fromCattle Feedlots

Selective harvesting of manure can benefit cattle producers by creating a product of value. A tool that identifies locations of manure accumulation has been developed using a subsurface sensor (Dualem-1S, Milton, ON) and software designed for salt mapping (ESAP, Riverside, CA). The combination allowed the development of models to estimate higher heating value (HHV) of feedlot manure across a feedlot pen. Soil sample data from cattle feedlots in Texas and Nebraska were analyzed for volatile solids (VSs) then combined with the Dualem-1S apparent soil conductivity (ECa) data to produce models having correlations between associated ECa values and VS (r2 = 0.869, VS). A corresponding model is under development to estimate the moisture content of the collectable solids. The combined models allow real-time spatial estimates of HHV within a feedlot pen. These methods will allow direct harvesting of VS for use as a recoverable energy source through direct combustion or cocombustion

Microbial community structure from southern High Plains beef cattle feedyard manure and relationship with nitrous oxide emissions

Modern molecular techniques enable characterization of the microbial biome in livestock manure, from which there is particular concern over emission of greenhouse gases. This study evaluated how sampling depth, time, temperature, and artificial rainfall affected microbial community structure in feedyard manure, and relationships between the manure biome and known parameters related to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. In three large incubation chambers, maintained at different temperatures that received two applications of artificial rainfall, we evaluated manure microbiome composition and abundance of N2O-producing enzymes (nirK and nirS) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). These data were used with previously published data from the same study on N2O emissions and assessment of manure physicochemical properties, denitrification enzyme activity (DEA), and nitrification activity (NA). Microbiome composition was Firmicutes (50%), followed by 32% Actinobacteria, 11% Proteobacteria, 5% Bacteroidetes, 1% Chloroflexi, and small populations (\u3c0.5%) of Planctomycetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia, Tenericutes, and other organisms. Average bacterial populations varied largely as a function of sampling depth and time. Firmicutes increases tended to coincide with high N2O emissions. Overall, the largest change observed was increased Proteobacteria at 5–10 cm, where relative abundance increased from 10% (17.2 °C) to 24% (46.2 °C) over time and with increased temperature. Firmicutes and Actinobacteria predominated the microbial community of manure, but favorable conditions may lead to increases in Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi, which could influence N cycling and N2O emissions from feedyards. Copy numbers of nirS at the beginning of the experiment were higher than nirK. Differences in concentrations of nirK and nirS indicated that denitrifying enzymes in feedyard manure, particularly nirS, were sensitive to environmental changes