Framework for determining airport daily departure and arrival delay thresholds: statistical modelling approach

The study derives a framework for assessing airport efficiency through evaluating optimal arrival and departure delay thresholds. Assumptions of airport efficiency measurements, though based upon minimum numeric values such as 15 min of turnaround time, cannot be extrapolated to determine proportions of delay-days of an airport. This study explored the concept of delay threshold to determine the proportion of delay-days as an expansion of the theory of delay and our previous work. Data-driven approach using statistical modelling was employed to a limited set of determinants of daily delay at an airport. For the purpose of testing the efficacy of the threshold levels, operational data for Entebbe International Airport were used as a case study. Findings show differences in the proportions of delay at departure (μ = 0.499; 95 % CI = 0.023) and arrival (μ = 0.363; 95 % CI = 0.022). Multivariate logistic model confirmed an optimal daily departure and arrival delay threshold of 60 % for the airport given the four probable thresholds {50, 60, 70, 80}. The decision for the threshold value was based on the number of significant determinants, the goodness of fit statistics based on the Wald test and the area under the receiver operating curves. These findings propose a modelling framework to generate relevant information for the Air Traffic Management relevant in planning and measurement of airport operational efficiency

Gender Differences Among Academic Staff and Students Offering STEM in National Universities in Uganda: The Case of Kyambogo University

Female University students and academic staff continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This study examined the status of female academic staff and students offering STEM at Kyambogo University (KyU), Uganda. The status and trend of female to male ratio of academic staff and students were determined. Practical strategies and policies for narrowing the gender gap for students offering STEM were identified. The status and trend of female to male ratio of students was determined by analyzing Student’s Academic Registrar’s   and graduation records   for the academic year 2014-2018. For academic staff, a gender analysis of Human Resources records was conducted based on the number of male or female academic staff teaching at the University in both STEM and non-STEM disciplines. There was an increase over time in student’s graduation from the Non-STEM fields with R2=0.3254 for the undergraduate programmes (P<0.05). The number of students in STEM fields declined gradually overtime, R2= 0.91; P<0.05). Male dominance among students and leadership position among academic staff in STEM and Non-STEM fields was evident. Difference between career pathways are causes for low female students and academic staff enrolment and teaching in STEM fields. The University needs to implement gender responsive programmes that enhance entry, retention, and participation in leadership positions for both female staff and students in STEM fields. Keywords: Status, Female Academic Staff and Students, STEM, Kyambogo University DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-24-09 Publication date:August 31st 202

Assessing Aircraft Timeliness Variations By Major Airlines: Passenger Travel Practice In Uganda

Flight delays do not only affect passenger satisfaction but also carry along costly consequences to airlines. The overall objective of the study was to assess aircraft timeliness variations by major airlines so as to determine passenger travel practice in Uganda. The study hypotheses were tested using a two-way ANOVA F-test and further measures of associations

Determining Factors that Influence Household Food Insecurity in Uganda: A Case Study of Tororo and Busia Districts

Addressing the national food insecurity problem requires an understanding and measurement of food insecurity at micro-level using a wide range of explanatory variables. Measurement of food insecurity is a challenge because it is a multi-faceted latent and continuous phenomenon explained by many variables. This paper examines these variables and applies exploratory factor analysis to identify variables which significantly influence household food insecurity and how they uniquely associate with specific food insecurity factors. Primary data on food availability, access, utilization and coping strategies were collected from 1175 randomly selected rural households in Tororo and Busia Districts of Uganda. Feasibility of exploratory factor analysis was analyzed using Pearso

Determining Food Insecurity: An Application of the Rasch Model with Household Survey Data in Uganda

The inexplicable nature of food insecurity in parts of Uganda and worldwide necessitated an investigation into the nature, extent, and differentials of household food security. The main objective of this study was to examine the food security dynamics and model household food insecurity. The Rasch modelling approach was employed on a dataset from a sample of 1175 (Tororo = 577; Busia = 598) randomly selected households in the year 2010. All households provided responses to the food security questions and none was omitted from the analysis. At 5 percent level of significance the analysis indicated that Tororo district average food security assessment (0.137 ± 0.181) was lower than that for Busia district (0.768 ± 0.177). All the mean square fit statistics were in the range of 0.5 to 1.5, and none of them showed any signs of distortion, degradation, or less productivity for measurement. This confirmed that items used in this study were very productive for measurement of food security in the study area. The study recommends further analysis where item responses are ordered polytomous rather than the dichotomous item response functions used. Furthermore, consideration should be given to fit models that allow for different latent distributions for households with children and those without children and possibly other subgroups of respondents

On Statistical Definition of Free and Fair Election: Bivariate Normal Distribution Model

The coining of the expression free and fair was a good way towards evaluating elections, but fell short of qualifying its real quantification to guide an informed judgment; this paper provides guidance for such a definition. Data from the Uganda National Baseline Survey were used to assess the dynamics of the determinants for a free and fair election. All determinants were statistically significant (p&lt;0.01) for the two multinomial models (free and fair election models). The predicted probabilities for free and fair were each used as inputs to form probability distribution function could jointly define the expression free and fair using a bivariate normal distribution. A strong positive correlation was identified between an election being free and fair (ρ=0.9693,p&lt;0.01) implying the reliability of the statistical models in jointly considering free and fair. The study recommends development of central statistical computational system to inform electoral bodies and judges in passing scientifically backed ruling on whether an election is free and fair. A threshold percentage for any election to be referred to as free and fair could be developed either deterministically or stochastically and provisions of which passed under electoral law.</jats:p

Per capita burden of non-communicable diseases: a risk factor population survey

The data was based on a population-based, nationally representative non-communicable disease (NCD) baseline survey conducted in the year 2014.  The study aimed at assessing the disease burden using key risk factors based on population data drawn from 3987 participants across Uganda.  The five key risk factors considered in the study included; high frequency of tobacco smoking, less than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day, low physical activity levels, high body mass index and raised blood pressure with associated risk factors