Patriarchy in Buchi Emecheta’s The Slave Girl and Bessie Head’s A Question of Power: A Gynocentric Approach

African literature has been dominated by male African writers. However, there are a number of female African writers who contributed to the literary landscape of the continent significantly. In line with this, researches that deal with issues of gender in African literature are increasing (Fonchingong, 2006; Salami-Boukari, 2012; Stratton, 1994). In this study, I aim to expose patriarchal oppression in two selected post-colonial African novels. I ask “How do postcolonial African female writers expose gender oppression and patriarchy in their novels?” I ask how the female characters in the selected novels resist patriarchal dominance and oppression. I seek to uncover any thematic patterns and/or overlaps that would emerge across the selected novels. To achieve this, I analyze two feminist Anglophone African novels by female writers of the continent, namely ‘The Slave Girl’ and ‘A Question of Power’. Gynocentrism is used as an approach to achieve this purpose. The analyses of the novels make it feel that patriarchy is used as a tool to stabilize the discrimination of the feminine gender. The heroines in both novels are found to be patriarchal women with some attempt to reverse the gender order. The major female characters in the novels stand against the intersectional discrimination of the feminine from the male personhood, religion, as well as colonial culture. These discussions about patriarchy revive the vitality of African feminist novels to the present readers

Seismic Site Coefficient Model and Improved Design Response Spectra Based on Conditions in South Carolina

A new seismic site coefficient model is developed from the results of over 60,000 total stress, one-dimensional equivalent ground response simulations assuming conditions in South Carolina. Computed site coefficients ( F ) are plotted versus average shear wave velocity in the top 30 m (VS30 ) and grouped by location, spectral acceleration (Soutcrop ) and spectral period. Locations considered in the Coastal Plain include Aiken, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Lake Marion, Myrtle Beach, and the South Carolina side of Savannah. Locations considered in the Piedmont include Columbia, Greenville, Greenwood, and Rock Hill. In all the plots of VS30 versus F , the following three distinct trends can be seen--(1) an increasing trend in F as VS30 increases from a low value; (2) a zone of peak values of F , depending on (S outcrop ); and (3) a decreasing trend in F as VS30 increases beyond the zone of peak F values. Development of the mathematical site coefficient model begins by estimating the peak coefficient (FP ) and the corresponding average shear wave velocity (VS30P ) for each VS30 -F plot. Next, the values of FP and VS30P are studied to determine the most significant influencing variables. Variables found to be most influential are Soutcrop , mean predominant period of the outcrop ground motion (Tm ), average shear wave velocity in the top 100 m (VS100 ), and depth to top of soft rock (HB-C ) or hard rock (HHR ). Then, regression analysis is applied to the values of FP and VS30P . Finally, assuming the best-fit values of FP and VS30P , median relationships for the plotted site coefficients are expressed by a linear relationship for lower values of V S30 and a linear or exponential relationship for higher values of VS30 . The amount of variability within the plotted site coefficients is characterized by 95% upper bound and 5% lower bound relationships. The 95% upper bounds are, on average, 42% higher than the median relationships; and the 5% low bounds are, on average, 36% lower than the median relationships. Computed site coefficients for the Coastal Plain are found to be greater in Myrtle Beach, followed by Savannah, Charleston, Florence, Columbia, Lake Marion and Aiken. More closely matching values of Tm and T100 may explain the higher site coefficients in Myrtle Beach and Savannah. Computed site coefficients for periods of 0.0, 0.2 and 1.0 s (designated as FPGA , Fa , and Fv , respectively) are compared with the 1994 National Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) Fa and Fv values, which are commonly assumed in current seismic design codes. Significant differences are found between the computed site coefficients and the NERHP values, particularly for Site Class D and E, and where the top of rock is at shallow depths. The computed FPGA , Fa and Fv median relationships are recommended for South Carolina because they are: (1) based on regional conditions; (2) continuous with VS30 , (3) considers depth to rock, and (4) consider the frequency (or period) content of the outcrop motion. If it is desired to design with more conservatism than the median relationships provide, the median coefficients can be increased by 40% to obtain values corresponding to the 95% upper bound. Because the proposed seismic site coefficient model is based on a very broad range of soil/rock conditions, much of it can be directly applied to other areas of the world. Specific variables needed to apply the model are: VS30 , VS100 , HB-C or HHR , Soutcrop , and Tm . It is important to remember that the soft- or hard-rock site coefficients selected should correspond to the Soutcrop values available for the area. A relationship to estimate Tm based on HHR and site-to-source distance is suggested for areas influenced by the Charleston Seismic Hazard Zone. This Tm relationship may not be applicable for other areas. Finally, the simplified procedure for constructing acceleration design response spectrum (ADRS), called the three-point ADRS method, is shown to be adequate when VS30 \u3e 200 m/s. When VS30 ≤ 200 m/s, significant spectral peaks may occur at periods greater than 1.0 s. The objective of the multi-point ADRS is not to replace the building code philosophy, but to present an option for the designer to make sure that longer period accelerations are not under-predicted by the three-point ADRS

Response of Seed Size and Plant Density on Growth, Yield and Grain Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties Under Vertic Luvisols of Kulumsa in Arsi Zone

With November the objectives of to determine the optimum plant density levels of bread wheat by identifying the most cost-effective variety, a field experiment was conducted at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center from June to 2018 cropping season, Three bread wheat varieties (Hidassie, Dendea and Shorima) representing different seed sizes of large, medium, small, respectively and four plant density levels of 250, 300, 350 and 400 plants m-2 were tested. The main effect of the varieties seed size on days to 50% of heading, days to 90% of maturity, thousand kernel weight and hecto liter weight showed significant (p<0.01) variations, while number of tillers and spike length indicated statistically significant (p<0.05) variations. The use of 300 plants m-2 plant density for the variety Hidassie /large seed size/ resulted in highest seedling number (26.30), of tillers (7.50), days to 50% of heading (63.00), days to 50% of maturity, (116.00), spike length, (7.50 cm), thousand kernel weight (48.22 gm.), hecto liter weight (78.30 kg/hL). The main effect of plant population on number of seedlings and harvest index showed significant (p<0.01) variations. Number of seedlings and harvest index resulted in (25.31) and (44.05) respectively. The interaction effects of variety and plant density on harvest index, indicated significant (p<0.001) variation, while grain yield showed statistically significant (p<0.01) variation, likewise biomass yield and straw yield indicated significant (p<0.05) variations. The harvest index, resulted in (43.63%), while grain yield is (4.309 Ton ha-1), similarly biomass yield and straw yield are (11.00 Ton ha-1) and (5.28 Ton ha-1) respectively, and it suggests that these traits are generally enhanced by the genetic makeups of the variety Hidassie /large seed size/. Economic analysis using partial budget procedure was performed on grain yields to determine the treatment with most profitable returns. The beneficial marginal rate of return (8.50) and benefit cost ratio (8.07) was obtained from the variety Hidassie /large seed size/ at a plant density of 300 seeds m-2 followed by a marginal rate of return (9.55) and benefit cost ratio (8.05) were also recorded again from the variety Hidassie /large seed size/ at plant density of 250 plants m-2. So the most cost-effective variety and plant density level for farmers with low cost of production and higher benefits were identified to be the variety Hidassie /large seed size/ at the plant density level of 300 plants m-2 in the rain fed cropping season is identified as low cost of production with highest benefit and can be recommended for the producers of wheat crop. The plant density level of 250 plants m-2 for variety Hidassie /large seed size/ was also cost-effective with highest net-benefit and can be recommended as another possible choice. But, as this study was conducted at one experimental site, it is required to repeat the experiment across locations, soil type, and over-seasons to make agronomically consistent recommendations and economically feasible levels of plant density for bread wheat.   Keywords: Bread Wheat Yield, Economic Benefit, Plant Density, Grain Quality, Varieties Seed Size. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-15-01 Publication date:August 31st 202

The Impediments of Export-oriented Economic Growth Strategy’s Implementation in Ethiopia

Exports have a vital role in driving economic growth. For a number of countries including Ethiopia, international trade, especially exports has a critical role namely, an impetus for the national economy. Successively, in the past several years’ the Ethiopia’s government has used export promotion policies and approaches to increase trades and generate export-driven economic development by establishing a comprehensively possible export sectors. Nevertheless, due to the declining exports which resulted in a negative balance of payment, acute shortages of foreign exchange, and mounting international obligations, the country’s export-oriented growth strategy was not successful as intended. Hence this study aimed to investigate the impediments of export-oriented growth strategies implementation in Ethiopia using a mixed research approaches.The result of the study revealed that, it has been found that in spite of some progress or improvements in the export sectors of the study country (i.e., Ethiopia), when compared to past couple of years, the implementation of export-led growth strategies has led to lack of quality services due to poor planning, inadequate resources and poor monitoring and evaluation of the strategies being implemented. This has compromised the quality of each service being delivered. It has also led to a situation where the study country is unable to meet the ever-increasing demand for each of the services or commodities sufficiently. Evidence has confirmed also that the said services rendered are inadequate and not effective. The study also found that the implementation of the existing export-led growth strategy impacts negatively (affects or not as intended) on the provision of quality services and not successful as stipulated in the trade policy of the country. Hence, there is a need to critically consider the specific gaps identified by the study in designing strategies for accelerating development of exports in the country through holistic and integrated approaches. To this end, the outcomes stand important for redesigning export trade policy/strategies to boost the performance of exports and the overall ultimate economic growth in the country, Ethiopia. Keywords: Ethiopia, Export–oriented growth strategy, Impediments, Implementation DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-19-02 Publication date:October 31st 202

The Impediments of Export-oriented Economic Growth Strategy’s Implementation in Ethiopia

Exports have a vital role in driving economic growth. For a number of countries including Ethiopia, international trade, especially exports has a critical role namely, an impetus for the national economy. Successively, in the past several years’ the Ethiopia’s government has used export promotion policies and approaches to increase trades and generate export-driven economic development by establishing a comprehensively possible export sectors. Nevertheless, due to the declining exports which resulted in a negative balance of payment, acute shortages of foreign exchange, and mounting international obligations, the country’s export-oriented growth strategy was not successful as intended. Hence this study aimed to investigate the impediments of export-oriented growth strategies implementation in Ethiopia using a mixed research approaches. The result of the study revealed that, it has been found that in spite of some progress or improvements in the export sectors of the study country (i.e., Ethiopia), when compared to past couple of years, the implementation of export-led growth strategies has led to lack of quality services due to poor planning, inadequate resources and poor monitoring and evaluation of the strategies being implemented. This has compromised the quality of each service being delivered. It has also led to a situation where the study country is unable to meet the ever-increasing demand for each of the services or commodities sufficiently. Evidence has confirmed also that the said services rendered are inadequate and not effective. The study also found that the implementation of the existing export-led growth strategy impacts negatively (affects or not as intended) on the provision of quality services and not successful as stipulated in the trade policy of the country. Hence, there is a need to critically consider the specific gaps identified by the study in designing strategies for accelerating development of exports in the country through holistic and integrated approaches. To this end, the outcomes stand important for redesigning export trade policy/strategies to boost the performance of exports and the overall ultimate economic growth in the country, Ethiopia. Keywords: Ethiopia, Export–oriented growth strategy, Impediments, Implementation DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/13-1-04 Publication date: January 31st 202

Evaluation of Cinder Gravel for Gravel Road Surfacing Construction: A Case of Gadab Asasa Woreda

Ethiopia has one of the lowest road densities and lowest Rural Accessibility Indexes in Sub- Saharan Africa (World Bank, 2016). The second Growth and Transportation Plan Of the country involves the construction of 100,000 km of road between 2015 and 2020, and it is likely that this planned expansion of the road network will continue in later years and decades. Cinder gravel offers significant potential as a low-cost, naturally occurring material in low-volume rural road construction and rehabilitation. However, the variability in its engineering parameters, particularly its grading, density, porosity and strength, have meant that the material often fails to meet standard specifications for road construction. From previous related studies, the sub-base and base courses such as cement, lime, calcium, fly ash were stabilized by so many researchers with mixing, but less attention was given to naturaly available Cinder gravel with fine materials for surfacing gravel road. The objective of this study is to investigate the strength characteristics of mechanically stabilized and to evaluate the potential use of cindergravel to be used as a surfacing gravel road material. when blended with fine grained soil. The samples of material were taken from Sigalo and Dabara Quarry sites.by using Experimental trial through processes of mixed, to achieve the ERA manual specification, the cinder gravel was blended with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% of fine-grained soil by total mass. In this study the conducted tests includes gradation, compaction test, atterberg limits, specific gravity, AIV, ACV, LAA, and California Bearing Ratio test. Results indicated that the CBR, SG, AIV, ACV, LAA, water absorption and Atterberg’s limits of neat Cinder gravel are: 64%, 2.55, 39.87%, 41.63%, 43.36%, 13.3% No Value, respectively. The optimum amount of fine grained soil is 20 % by weight proportion at a density of 1.683 g/cc, the range of soaked CBR of the blended mix increases from 64 % to 85.9 % and PI value changed from zero % to 12.1%. Analysis of the results shows the addition of fine increase the plasticity index, CBR.MDD and reduce water absorption with an increase in MDD and CBR with steeped locally fine contents up to 20%. Therefore, it is concluded that, from both MDD and CBR-percent of fine-grained soil curve, the optimum amount of fine- soil treatment by 20%, as exhibited in improvement of its gradation and plasticity. From this study it was found out that locally fine soil stabilized with cinder gravel do meet the minimum requirement of ERA pavement manual specification for use as a wearing course material in gravel road constructio

Semienzymatic cyclization of disulfide-rich peptides using sortase A

Background: Sortase A (SrtA) is a transpeptidase capable of catalyzing the formation of amide bonds. Results: SrtA was used to backbone-cyclize disulfide-rich peptides, including kalata B1, -conotoxin Vc1.1, and SFTI-1. Conclusion: SrtA-mediated cyclization is applicable to small disulfide-rich peptides. Significance: SrtA-mediated cyclization is an alternative to native chemical ligation for the cyclization of small peptides of therapeutic interest

The Effects of Logistics Activities on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Modjo Dry Port, Ethiopia

Ethiopian logistics system is coupled with lack of sea port resulted in poor linkage of producers to the consumers and non-competitiveness of Ethiopian goods on global market, which compromised livelihood of the people and economy of the country. This research conceptualizes and develops on efficient and effective logistics system needs to be put in place to solve these socio-economic problems. The main objective of the study was to examine the effects of logistics activities on organizational performance in the case of Modjo dry port concerning to the four main logistics activities (transportation management, inventory management, warehouse management, and customer response). Both primary (questionnaires) and secondary sources of data were used. To achieve the objectives of this study descriptive and explanatory research design was used, and also this study applies a mixed research approach. Stratified Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents for the study and accordingly 133 sample size was taken for the study. The descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as; mean, standard deviation, percentage, correlation and multiple regressions were used to analyse collected data with the aid of SPSS. From finding, it is that there is average relationship between Logistics management and organizational performance. Based on the result of regression analysis all variables i.e. Transportation management, Inventory management, Warehouse management and Customer Response are significant effect on organizational performance. Therefore, in order to achieve advancement in profitability and customer satisfaction in the long-run through enhancing organizational performance, it is better for the organization to give due emphasis to the point recommended under recommendation and infrastructures of logistics activities and organizational performanc

Enzyme-Catalyzed Macrocyclization of Long Unprotected Peptides

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) catalyzed macrocyclization reaction for peptides up to 40 amino acids in length is reported. GST catalyzes the selective SNAr reaction between an N-terminal glutathione (GSH, γ-Glu-Cys-Gly) tag and a C-terminal perfluoroaryl-modified cysteine on the same polypeptide chain. Cyclic peptides ranging from 9 to 24 residues were quantitatively produced within 2 h in aqueous pH = 8 buffer at room temperature. The reaction was highly selective for cyclization at the GSH tag, enabling the combination of GST-catalyzed ligation with native chemical ligation to generate a large 40-residue peptide macrocycle.Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT startup funds)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (grant GM101762)Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (Award)Sontag Foundation (Distinguished Scientist Award)Amgen Inc. (Summer Graduate Research Fellowship

The Effects of Motivation on Employees‟ Performance at Jimma City Administration Civil Service Sectors

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of motivation on employee’s job performance at Jimma city civil service sectors. Quantitative Primary data were collected using questionnaire from 308 participants that were selected from 25 sectors of the city using proportional allocation method and qualitative data was collected from purposely selected participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics of correlation and regression analysis were used to analyze the empirical data and thematic data analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Pearson correlation Coefficient (r) was used to the correlation result indicated that there were positive relationship between all of independent variables and the dependent variable. This implies that any increase or decrease on the independent variable will bring corresponding change on employees’ job performance. Hence, it was recommended that Jimma city civil service sectors should periodically review its practice on extrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors, working condition and co-worker relationship in order to improve the limitation and to identify its effectiveness on employees’ job performance