Road infrastructure and intra-community trade in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community

We examine the contribution of domestic and interstates road infrastructures to trade flow between member countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Theories of international economics as well as those of the new economic geography suggest a positive contribution of both road infrastructures to intraregional trade. A gravity model of international trade is estimated to evaluate this theoretical prediction in the CEMAC zone. Results confirm a positive contribution of interstate road infrastructure to intra-Community trade, but show no evidence of a positive contribution of domestic road infrastructure to intra- CEMAC trade.

Assessment of neonatal mortalities and stillbirths data quality in Offinso North District of Ghana

Background: Stillbirths and neonatal deaths when poorly documented or collated, negatively affect the quality of decision and interventions. This study sought to assess the quality of routine neonatal mortalities and stillbirth records in health facilities and propose interventions to improve the data quality gaps. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. This study was carried out at three (3) purposively selected health facilities in Offinso North district. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths recorded in registers from 2015 to 2017, were recounted and compared with monthly aggregated data and District Health Information Management System 2 (DHIMS 2) data using a self-developed Excel Data Quality Assessment Tool (DQS). An observational checklist was used to collect primary data on completeness and availability. Accuracy ratio (verification factor), discrepancy rate, percentage availability and completeness of stillbirths and neonatal mortality data were computed using the DQS tool. Findings: The results showed high discrepancy rate of stillbirth data recorded in registers compared with monthly aggregated reports (12.5%), and monthly aggregated reports compared with DHIMS 2 (13.5%). Neonatal mortalities data were under-reported in monthly aggregated reports, but over-reported in DHIMS 2. Overall data completeness was about 84.6%, but only 68.5% of submitted reports were supervised by facility in-charges. Delivery and admission registers availability were 100% and 83.3% respectively. Conclusion: Quality of stillbirths and neonatal mortality data in the district is generally encouraging, but are not reliable for decision-making. Routine data quality audit is needed to reduce high discrepancies in stillbirth and neonatal mortality data in the district.

A Conceptual Forecasting Analysis of International Trade Aspects Based on Globalization Impact Issues

Global GDP is really important for trade, since the larger the global economy, the more goods and services available for trade. Global GDP grew by around two-thirds in real terms between 2000 and 2020 – or 2.6% per year on average.2020 saw some of the largest trade reductions and output volumes for both industrial production and goods trade since WWII. The year 2020 was marked by some of the largest reductions in trade and output volumes since WWII. The declines in both world industrial production and goods trade in the first half of 2020 were of similar depth to those at the trough of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). In addition, trade and production impacts across specific goods, services and trade partners were highly varied. Initial pandemic-era expectations for a double-digit decline in world merchandise trade in 2020 did not materialise. Global trade turned out to recover from the shock at an extraordinarily fast pace from around mid-2020.

Manpower Training and Development in Nigeria Public Organisations: A Study of Abia State Civil Service.

Manpower training and development is essential to the success and productivity of every organization. Although technology and the internet have enabled global collaboration and competition, employees are still the organization’s competitive advantage. Manpower training and development enables employees to develop skills and competence necessary to enhance bottom-line results for their organizations.

Assessment of Effect of Hydropower Plant Projects on Socio-Environmental Sustenance and Development in Rwanda: A Review Done At Rubagabaga Hydropower Ltd.

The study investigated the socio-economic and environmental impact of hydropower projects in Rwanda with a case study of Rubagabaga hydropower Ltd operating from Nyabihu District. It examines the impact of a socio-economic and environmental hydropower plant in Rwanda, identifies the challenge hydropower plants face in Rwanda, and finally investigates the relationship between hydro powers and their socio-economic impact in Rwanda? In this research, the quantitative research design is based on statistical data of the research that was used with quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The target population of this study was made up of 252 participants including 154 respondents all from ten different villages surrounding the Rubagabaga plant in Nyabihu District. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlation analysis and tables that were interpreted to confirm or deny the relevance of the main and specific objectives. Based on results from table no.16 demonstrates that the beta= 0.397 with the t value of 2.333 and the p-value of 0. 021. Since the p-value is less than 0.05, the researcher rejected the null hypothesis and considered it an alternate. There is a strong positive relationship between environmental assessment of hydropower plant projects and socio-environmental sustenance and development. In a nutshell, the researcher has rejected the null hypothesis and considered its alternate. Community structure and dynamics have a positive influence on socio-environmental sustenance and development. Table no.16 shows that beta= 0.341 with the t value of 2.668 as the p-value was 0.009. Since the p-value is less than 0.05. Therefore, the researcher rejected the null hypothesis and considered it an alternate. According to table no.21, the changes in community structure and dynamics of the hydropower plant project cause the increase of 0.341 (34.1%) of the socio-environment sustenance and development. The ratio of beta modal results for the t value expressed t=2.66 hence the probability value is significant on socio-environment sustenance and development noting that sig. =0.009. Carefully, the researcher has rejected the null hypothesis and considered its alternate. With this in mind, community structure and dynamics has a positive influence on socio-environmental sustenance and development. Table no.16 has shown beta= 0.478 with the t value of 4.543 as the p-value was 0.000 which is less than 0.05. According to the findings, the changes in government policies, stability, and support of hydropower plant project causes the increase of 0.478 (47.80%) of the socio-environment sustenance and development. The ratio of beta modal results for the t value expressed t= 4.54 hence the probability value is significant on socio-environment sustenance and development noting that sig. =0.000.

Consumer Behavior Towards Purchase Intention of Seafood Processed Products in The Province of West Nusa Tenggara

This study aims to analyze the variables that influence purchasing decisions for processed marine products in the Province of West Nusa Tenggara. Determination of the number of respondents who will be the sample using the 10% Margin of Error (MOE) method with a total of 100 respondents consisting of several districts in West Nusa Tenggara Province. The analytical tool used in this research is Multiple Linear Regression to see the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. The research was conducted using a Likert scale on each research variable with ordinal data and transformed into intervals using the Method Successive Interval (MSI), using the MS.excel application, while the Multiple Linear Regression data processing used the Stata application. The result of this research is that the consumer behavior of processed seafood in West Nusa Tenggara Province is slightly different from the conventional theory of consumer behavior, where the brand has a negative effect on purchasing decisions of 0.2129039 points, and convenience has a negative effect on purchasing decisions of 0.1199636 points. Meanwhile, price, packaging, promotion, benefits, and consumer traditions have a positive effect on purchase intention. Processed seafood products in West Nusa Tenggara Province have different consumer characteristics from other products in general.

Impact of Collaborative Learning on Student Teachers’ Comprehension and Attitudes Towards Environmental Education Concepts in Chemistry

The study explored the impact of of collaborative learning on student teachers’ comprehension and attitudes towards environmental education concepts in Chemistry. The study involved 64 student teachers studying environmental chemistry at Mufulira College of Education in Zambia. The action research adopted a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design. The students were randomly assigned to the two intervention groups. In both groups students had opportunities to learn pollution, waste management and climate change. In the experimental group they used team based learning while in the comparison group students used think-pair-share learning. Overall, learners’ attitudes towards chemistry were improved from pre-test to post-test in both the experimental group. Results from the achievement test revealed a statistically significant difference (t (df, 62) = 2.030, p = .024 at α = .05) between the mean scores of the experimental group (Mean = 69.75; SD = 13.853) and the comparison group (Mean = 60.67; SD = 14.501) after the experimental Phase. Overall, both forms of collaborative learning incorporating environmental education concepts and issues in Chemistry had a positive impact on learners’ comprehension and attitudes towards chemistry.

Plant Disease Detection and Monitoring Using Artificial Neural Network

Fungi have been identified as a major threat to crop production in the world. In this study, methods of improving the performance of plant disease detection and prediction using artificial neural network techniques are presented. The hyperspectral fungi dataset of 21 plant species were collected and trained using backpropagation algorithms of an artificial neural network to improve the conventional hyperspectral sensor. The system was modelled using self-defining equations and universal modelling diagrams and then implemented in the neural network toolbox in Matlab. The system was tested validated and the result showed a fungi detection accuracy of 96.61% and the percentage increment was 19.53%.

Implementation of Blended Learning in the Pandemic Period of Arabic Subjects in MTs Negeri 1 Banyumas

Learning Arabic in MTs Negeri 1 Banyumas many encountered various obstacles and obstacles. in the midst of this Covid-19 condition. Using the blended learning model by combining online learning and face-to-face learning (offline) in the Covid-19 pandemic can increase the effectiveness of learning and the learning spirit of learners because in addition to getting online subject matter also still get direct assistance from teachers in the teaching and learning process by paying attention to strict health protocols. This research is qualitative descriptive research because it produces qualitative data. Data collection uses interview, observation and documentation models. Analytical techniques using description techniques with Miles and Huberman's interaction analysis model with flow include data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion withdrawal. The results of the study concluded, the first blended learning planning of Arabic MTs Negeri 1 Banyumas includes preparing a Learning Implementation Plan (RPP) and preparation of facilities and infrastructure supporting blended learning. Blended learning in Arabic subjects in MTs Negeri 1 Banyumas in this pandemic period is carried out with a provision of one day of online learning and one day of offline learning with a maximum capacity of 20 learners per class with a duration of 30 minutes per meeting hour. The learning evaluation system includes self-assessment, UTS or UAS that have been compiled by teachers using googleform and voice notes.

Green House Smart Farming Echosystem

The future of farming has been one of the most talked-about issues on world forums, with the world population increasing yearly there is a special need to develop more efficient ways to grow food and distribute them effectively. This work discusses the design and implementation of a greenhouse smart farming echo system for the cultivation and distribution of plants using mushrooms as a focused product, linking a farm environment to a business market (cultivation processes and supply chain). A greenhouse farm smartly monitored with embedded devices, a control interface for these devices, and a web platform for product distribution and consumer management platform was developed to create a unified smart agricultural echo system. The embedded system has sensors that monitor the levels of light, temperature, soil moisture and humidity and automatically open the tap to water the farm. In addition, the supply chain was designed for the distribution of farm products. The prototype was fabricated and tested. The results showed that both the electronic part and the supply chain are working as proposed.