46 research outputs found
Rethinking Educati. in Ethiopia. Tekeste Negash, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Uppsala, 1996, 118 pages .
No full textTekeste Negash, the author of The Crises ofEthiopia Education: some implications fornation building (t 990), has' recently comeout with a book, Rethinking Education inEthiopia. He analyses educational issues andpolices in Ethiopia from the historical andcontemporary perspectives in relation to thedevelopment of the country. He alsoforwards recommendations some. of whichare in fact controversial
Litter decomposition of six tree species on indigenous agroforestry farms in south-eastern Ethiopia in relation to litterfall carbon inputs and modelled soil respiration
No full textThe indigenous agroforestry systems practised by smallholders in south-eastern Ethiopia have high biodiversity and productivity. However, little is known about their carbon (C) inputs and outputs. We carried out a 1-year litterbag study to determine leaf litter decomposition k constants for six woody species common to these agroforestry systems. The k values were then used to calculate the decomposition C losses from measured litterfall C fluxes and the results compared to modelled soil respiration (Rs) C losses. Litterbag weight loss at the end of the year was 100% or nearly so, k values 2.582-6.108 (yr(-1)) and half-life 41-112 days. k values were significantly (p = 0.023) correlated with litter N contents, nearly so with C/N ratios (p = 0.053), but not with other nutrients (Ca, Mg and K), and negatively correlated with temperature (p = 0.080). Using species, farm elevation, temperature and litter quality as predictors, partial least squares regression explained 48% of the variation in k. Depending on species, estimated decomposition C losses from litterfall were 18 to 58% lower than annual litterfall C inputs. Using a heterotrophic respiration (Rh) to Rs ratio of 0.5, modelled Rh C losses were 89 to 238% of litterfall decomposition C losses estimated using k values. However, using an Rh/Rs ratio of 0.27, which is appropriate for tropical humid forests, Rh C losses were 11 to 138% of estimated litterfall decomposition C losses. Our decomposition and soil respiration estimates indicate that litterfall is sufficient to maintain soil organic C contents and thereby the soil fertility of these unique agroforestry systems.Peer reviewe
Perception of African Youth on Personal Computer Utilization: The Case of Ethiopia and Rwanda
No full textThe tendency to pursue innovativeness and adopt new technologies has been found more likely with younger individuals and a strong relationship between attitude and personal computer (PC) utilization has been found. However, research in these areas is mainly focused on high-income countries. Do these findings hold for low-income countries? What are the perceptions of African youth on the factors that impact PC use? There is a dearth of micro-level studies that promote understanding about the behavior of individuals in low-income countries. This study looked at demographic data including age, gender, grade level, region, and prior experience among 228 youth from Ethiopia and Rwanda. PC utilization constructs including complexity, long-term consequences, and facilitating conditions were studied. The author found access to PCs at least three times a week and providing structured computer training programs as major factor for increased PC utilization. Computer centers with more female instructors were found to have larger female enrollment. The author also found younger groups (15 year olds and younger) disagreed about PC utilization factors. Implications and directions for future research are also included
The use of Lagrange multipliers and Kuhn-Tucker's theory in optimization problems, 1987
No full textLagrange multipliers, penalty methods, and Kuhn-Tucker's theory are some important mathematical tools used in optimization problems. These tools are discussed so that one can appreciate the current areas of optimization research. Moreover, since extensive research work exists for linear optimization problems, only nonlinear applications are discussed
An analysis of an equation governing the transverse displacement of a beam, 1998
No full textIn this thesis, we study the transverse displacement of a multi-layered beam. The beam is made up of three layers. The middle layer has hysteresis while the outer layers are elastic. The equation governing the transverse motion of the beam is simplified, and a model equation that retains the essential features of the original equation is analyzed. In addition, we provide a method of approximation of the model equation using splines
A mathematical model of urban traffic flow
No full textWe study a particular traffic network where the volume of traffic is regulated by controlling the traffic signals at each intersection. We make an appropriate choice of uw where v=0,..., k, which will enable us to control the traffic signals. Our objective is to move one traffic configuration to another (ideal or appropriate) traffic configuration so we may stop configuration within our network. Numerical examples were used to specifically demonstrate the effect of uv to our model. The calculations were implemented using a mathematical tool, MathCad Plus
Optimum problem involving integral equations, 1987
No full textExtremum problem involving certain linear integral equations with linear constraints is considered. We first give a discussion of integral equation with emphasis on the resolvent. Then, we use the resolvent method to convert an extremum problem involving a state and control into one where only the control appears. In the form involving just the controls, the optimal controls are easy to characterize
Problem solving methods in game theory, 1988
No full textGame theory is the mathematical theory associated with winning strategic and non-strategic games. In order to win a game, a player must find an optimal strategy to play. Strategies may be either pure or mixed. The latter is used when there are no pure strategies available . Games that require mixed strategies may be solved by various methods. This study is concerned with the basic theory of games. Definitions and methods for solving games are discussed. The methods for solving involve both pure and mixed strategies. The simplex method for solving linear programming problems is reviewed. The numerical examples were solved using the IBM Macintosh with the MacSimplex package
Communities of Practice to Overcome Africa’s “Brain-Drain”: The Role of Information Communication Technology
No full textThe HIV/AIDS pandemic is decimating Africa’s productive age. Trained professionals in HIV/AIDS are in short supply in countrieswith developing economies. The current paper proposes the use of informationcommunication technology (ICT), videoconferencing in particular, for quicklytraining professionals. The author collaborated with several Diaspora groups tobring HIV medical management training to Ethiopia. The HIV medical management trainingcase study in Ethiopia is presented todemonstrate videoconferencing capabilities.
The current paper discusses a case where experts in the U.S. participated in trainingsenior physicians in Ethiopia. Connecting, via videoconferencing, Communities of Practicewith a common area of interest that reside in geographically dispersed regions is proposedas an alternative to overcome Africa’s brain drain
"The Role of The Author and The Filmmaker in Creating an Oppositional Gaze". An Analysis of Rivers Solomon’s "The Deep" and "Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever".
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