Why heavily indebted poor countries have failed to pay back their debt? An empirical investigation (in English)

This paper, in using cross-section pooled logit, probit, and fixed-effects logit models, empirically explores the main factors affecting the rescheduling of contractual debt-service payments by heavily indebted poor countries (HICPs) in the late 1980s and the 1990s. The results seem to suggest that HIPCs past external debt, per-capita income level, GDP growth rate, trade openness, foreign-currency reserves, and capital inflows are core factors affecting debt servicing.debt crisis, debt rescheduling, logit model, fixed effects, heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC)

Genetic Variability and Character Association in Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes, Southwestern Ethiopia

This study aimed to estimate the genetic variability of 36 upland rice genotypes for yield and its components, and determine trait association among morphological traits. The field experiment was conducted using simple lattice design at two locations (Guraferda and Gojeb) during 2016 main cropping season. Analysis of variance for individual locations revealed significant differences (P≤0.05) among genotypes for most of the studied traits at Guraferda, however number of fertile tillers per plant, number of unfilled grains per panicle, non-fertile tillers per plant, panicle length, thousand grain weight and biological yield were found being non-significant. Similarly, the genotypes showed significant difference (P≤0.05) for plant height, number of filled grain per panicle, days to maturity, number of primary branches per panicle and grain yield however the remaining traits were showed non-significant difference among genotypes at Gojeb. Combined analysis of variance over the two locations revealed significant differences (P≤0.05) among the genotypes for most of the studied traits, while genotype x location interactions showed significant differences for the traits, total number of tillers per plant, plant height, days to 50% heading, days to maturity and grain yield. The mean over the two locations showed, wide ranges for number of filled grains per panicle (24-123), days to 50% heading (50-83) and grain yield (15-34 q/ha). The genotypic coefficient of variation ranged from 2.3% for plant height to 19.5% for number of filled grains per panicle, and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from 4.0% for panicle length to 20.2% for filled grains per panicle. High broad sense heritability (H2B) estimates were obtained for number of filled grains per panicle (93.3%) and days to 50% heading (61.6%); while low H2B value was found for plant height (20.1%), number of primary branches per panicle (15.1%) and grain yield (14.4%). The estimates of genetic advance as the percentage of the mean (GAM) ranged from 2.1% for plant height to 38.8% for number of filled grains per panicle. High H2B coupled with high GAM were obtained for number of filled grains per panicle, which indicates that this trait can be effectively improved through selection. Grain yield showed significant and positive genotypic correlation with 1000-grain weight, days to 50% heading, days to maturity and harvest index. Similarly, it showed significant and positive phenotypic correlation with panicle length, number of filled grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight, fertile tillers per plant and number of primary branches per panicle. Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed high and positive direct effect of days to heading (0.7), 1000-grain weight (0.6), days to maturity (0.3) and harvest index (0.2). The detected positive correlation indicated that, increases in the value of one trait results in increasing the correlated traits. Keywords: Broad sense heritability, Upland rice, Variability, DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-3-0

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Body Mass Index: Issues in Model Specification

*Objective:* To investigate the best statistical models that describe the effect of physical activity on BMI.
*Design:* Cross-sectional analyses of physical activity and BMI data.Subjects: 107 obese, overweight, and healthy college students (mean duration of physical activity for the normal, overweight, and obese students: 89, 59, and 24 months, respectively; mean BMI for the normal, overweight, and obese students: 21.61, 27.07, and 35.54 kg/m^2^, respectively).
*Measurements:* Inverse linear, inverse logarithmic, and inverse logistics models were used to analyze survey data for physical activity (measured by both frequency and duration of exercise) and BMI. Gender, age, and physical intensity variables were also statistically controlled. 
*Results:* Coefficients of determination, r-squared, showed the inverse logarithmic model is more accurate in describing the effect of physical activity on BMI than is the inverse linear model. The inverse logistic method also showed physical activity affects BMI. 
*Conclusions:* Although the inverse logarithmic method can be used in some cases, the inverse logistic model seems to be theoretically and empirically best suited in describing the relationship between physical activity and body weight

Water quality monitoring in Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo region : a research based on water resources of the Abaya-Chamo Basin - South Ethiopia

This study is based on water quality monitoring work of water resources within the Abaya-Chamo basin. The methods, method validation and analysis results have been presented and discussed. Seansonal variation and trends as well as associated water quality management issues are discussed. A water quality monitoring system based on an integrated partial physical orthogonal model has been designed based on data generated within the water resources of the Abaya-Chamo drainage basin. Abstract common factors were extracted by the application of principal component and factor analysis. By overlaying real factors with abstract common factors the underlaying causes for the water quality variations hace been explained. Surface flow factors, sub surface flow factors, leaching flow factors, effects of soil matrix, rainfall magnitude and intensity, discharge, catchment area and slope, in stream pollution and point sources of pollution, evaporative storage and precipitation chemistry all showed up in such integrated model. This model can be extended by including further physical factors as well as natural and anthropogenic pollution sources and factors. This model can be extended to lakes and ground water sources as well. Design of water quality monitoring intervals was accomplished with the help of spectral analysis. Spatial monitoring spacing for lake water quality was determined after hierarchical cluster analysis. The possibility of modelling the various water quality parameters was investigated. Auto regressive modelling fits well variables that have seasonally evened variation. Variables with short-term fluctuation were modelled with spectral level regression. State-space method was satisfactorily applied for relating the time series between two sampling points located on different rivers. Discharge-base contaminant modelling was modified to compensate for error by establishing a pattern of relationship between calculated and observed contaminant loads

Establishing financial markets in Ethiopia: the environmental foundation, challenges and opportunities

This paper intends to examine the environmental foundation for establishing financial markets in Ethiopia, identify the potential challenges and opportunities. The environmental foundation is assessed using the PEST (political, economic, social and technological) perspectives. Emphasis is given to identify the roles that financial markets can play in expediting Ethiopian economy, the environmental factors that need to be analyzed the current situation of Ethiopia in terms of each factor. An exhaustive analysis of literature has been made on the secondary data obtained from different sources. The research method employed in the study has both qualitative and quantitative features. The findings of the study are presumed to be of paramount importance in providing input information for policy makers towards establishing financial markets in Ethiopia. As a way forward the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) need to take timely actions to further investigate the environmental situation to establish financial markets, appreciate the potential opportunities and make preparations towards addressing the direct challenges

Dynamics of Inter-Ethnic Relations, Peaceful Co-Existence, Conflicts, and Peace Building Mechanisms Between the Gumuz and Non-Gumuz Communities (1961-1974)

Scholars believe that there is difficulty of getting a clear definition for ethnicity due to the haziness of the objective and subjective criteria involved in the determination of members of the group. Usually, ethnicity shows grouping based on primordial ties like origin, language, culture, history, territory etc which are based on objectively determined factors. A person who does not fulfill these factors but who based on his subjective interests demands to be identified with a particular ethnic group may face problems if the group does not accept him. And inability to get a clear definition of ethnicity has even led to a tendency of avoidance approach to the search for definition (Hizkias, 2001: 110).The Gumuz of Matakal is renowned for their traditional conflict management institutions that play important role in harmonizing their relations with the neighboring “ethnic” group such as the Amhara, Agew and Oromo. However, ironically, spirals of conflicts that have continued to rent the region’s peace and stability in general and Mandura and Dibaţe Waradas of Matakal Zone in particular. These conflicts differ in their causes, nature, intensity, frequency; yet the peculiarities are often glossed over and depicted as typical inter ethnic conflicts between the highlanders or “settlers” on one side and the “indigenous “people on the other. Keywords: Biography, Banditry life, Patriotic feeling, Resistanc