Socially Inclusive Development : The Foundations for Decent Societies in East and Southern Africa

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The Decent Society Index Mark 2 : (1) Constructing the Index

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Applying a Needs Assessment Model for Improving Agricultural Education in Guinea

Extension education is considered an essential component of improving agricultural sustainability by diffusing innovations that increase crop yield and alleviate poverty in Guinea, Africa. To accomplish learning outcomes, extension agents must be confidentand competent in their instructional abilities. This is achieved by self-evaluation of their training needs. The objective of this quantitative research was to conduct a needs assessment with leaders of the Farmer-to-Farmer educational programto identifytheir training needs. A purposive sample of thirteen higher-education leaders of the Farmer-to-Farmer program were asked to identify their educational needs and prioritize items contributing to the knowledge gap following their participation in a ten-day training. The Borich Needs Assessment Model was used to calculate the mean weighted discrepancy score (MWDS) of all items. The top five content areas with the greatest reported needs were: Power Point presentations (MWDS = 5.72), teaching financial management (MWDS = 5.51), using SWOT analysis (MWDS = 4.5), teaching marketing concepts (MWDS = 4.36) and incorporating stakeholders (MWDS = 4.35). Following a Pre/Post-Test, the top five content knowledge improvement areas and percent increase in reported knowledge were utilizing strategic planning (176%), using Borich (1970) for program needs assessment (153%), using SWOT analysis (122%), analyzing external influences in educational programs (115%) and strategies to conduct farm trials (67%). Respondents reported increased confidence in seeking stakeholder needs and building resources to increase program value. The results have implications to build education equity and sustainability in Guinea

Bending and Web Crippling Interaction of Cold-formed Steel Members

The North American Specification has recently adopted a new web crippling approach for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (NAS, 2001). This approach is similar to what is currently in the Canadian S136 Standard (CSA, 1994). The current web crippling and bending interaction equations for single-web sections in the North American Specification (NAS 2001) are based on the previous web crippling methods that are contained in the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specification (AISI, 1996). As well, the moment component of the interaction equations was based on the previous reduced web strength method instead of the stress gradient approach that is now contained in the North American Specification (NAS, 2001). Using the available data found in the literature, regression analyses were carried out using the new web crippling equations and the stress gradient method to substantiate the current web crippling and bending interaction equations in the North American Specification (NAS, 2001). Based on the results of this investigation, new web crippling and bending interaction equations have been developed

Calibrations of Bolted Cold-formed Steel Connections in Bearing (With and Without Washers)

The bearing strength of bolted connections is treated differently in the two current North American Cold-Formed Steel Design documents, the AISI Specification in the USA (AISI 1996a) and the S136 Standard in Canada (CSA 1994). In the case of the S136 Standard (CSA 1994), only one expression is presented that applies to all bolted connections such as single and double shear, as well as, with and without washers. In the AISI Specification (AISI 1996a), however, a distinction is made between single shear and double shear connections and the use of washers. Contained in this paper are the calibration results of single and double shear cold-formed steel bolted connections with and without washers that failed in bearing. Calibrations were carried out in accordance with the AISI Commentary (AISI 1996b) to establish the resistance factors and respective factor of safety, which have already been adopted by the North American Specification (NAS 2001)

The North American Free Trade Agreemet and United States Employment.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will create new opportunities for United States firms and workers while simultaneously protecting United States workers over a 15-year timeframe. The benefits of NAFTA include eliminating conditions that currently encourage or require United States firms to invest south of the border, establishing free trade in services, and eliminating non-tariff barriers which impede United States merchandise exports to Mexico. Furthermore, NAFTA would provide an improved and expanded regional trade and investment base resulting in a boost to the global competitiveness of US products. NAFTA would also increase trade liberalization with Mexico and maintain Mexico as a premier growth market for US exports and maintain the jobs those exports support. As NAFTA’s provisions are introduced, the provisions will be slowly phased in to protect US industries and workers. This will include tariff phase-outs, the NAFTA rules of origin, and a government to government dispute settlement procedure. Critics of NAFTA argue United States firms will move to Mexico due to weak labor and environmental standards. This belief, however, is a misconception. Standards in Mexico do not differ significantly from those in the United States and cooperative bilateral efforts on labor and environmental matters are occurring simultaneously to the NAFTA negotiations. The elimination of Mexico’s tariff and non-tariff barriers, Mexico’s local content, and export performance requirements, will eliminate motivation for United States manufacturers to move to Mexico. Nonetheless, international trade is necessary for the US economy and the US should engage in continental free trade through NAFTA