The association of agricultural information services and technical efficiency among maize producers in Kakamega, western Kenya

Maize is the staple food for most Kenyan households, and grown in almost all the farming systems. Due to diminishing farm sizes in Kakamega District, crop productivity and the efficiency of farming systems are of great concern. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the links between efficiency in maize production and access to soil-related agricultural information services. Using cluster sampling, a total of 154 farmers in Kakamega District were interviewed. A 2–step estimation technique (Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit model) were used to evaluate the technical efficiencies among the farmers and the factors explaining the estimated efficiency scores. Data was disaggregated into farmers with and those without access to soil-related agricultural information services. The results shows that farmers with access to soil-related agricultural information services were more technically efficient (average technical efficiency of 90%) in maize production compared to those without access to information (technical efficiency at 70%). Given the significant role that access to soil-related agricultural information services play on technical efficiency in maize production in the study area, the paper recommends improvements in farmers access to this important resources through: (i) the strengthening of the formal and informal agricultural extension services, (ii) a stronger linkage among agricultural research, agricultural extension, and farm level activities; and (iii) policy support for increased distribution of soil management inputs.Maize, Soil information, Technical efficiency, Tobit analysis, DEA, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

URBAN HOUSEHOLD DEMAND FOR MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS IN NIGERIA: AN ALMOST IDEAL DEMAND SYSTEM ANALYSIS

This study is based on micro level data on urban household food consumption and expenditure collected between 1999 and 2000 in three Nigerian cities. The LA/AIDS model, which allows the inclusion of demographic variables, was applied to a subset of the data on meat and meat products namely beef, mutton/goat, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk. Results indicate that urban demand for meat products will continue to increase as incomes improve, suggesting potential market opportunities especially for poultry. Intra-household demand patterns clearly indicate the importance of beef for children but contrary to expectations, there is a reduced demand for milk as the number of infants in urban households increase. The observed high income elasticity of demand for poultry products may have a positive impact on the derived demand for maize, a primary product in poultry feed. Encouraging poultry production will help restore the battered agricultural sector of Nigeria, increase farmer income, reduce unemployment, and conserve foreign exchange earnings.Urban households, Meat demand, Demand analysis, Nigeria, Demand and Price Analysis,

Sindromul neuroleptic malign la utilizarea neurolepticelor atipice în tratamentul schizofreniei

Background. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) as an adverse reaction to the use of atypical neuroleptics (AN) is present in 0.02 - 3 % of patients, being determined by age, sex, diagnosis and the group of atypical neuroleptics that were administered. Objective of the study. Analysis and systematization of the adverse reactions (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) produced by atypical neuroleptics. Material and Methods. The articles from the PubMed and MEDLINE database were selected and analyzed according to the keywords “neuroleptic malignant syndrome”, “atypical antipsychotic drugs”, “treatment of schizophrenia”. Results. He pathophysiology of this adverse reaction is not fully elucidated, a hypothesis is the rapid blockade of D2 receptors in the CNS. NMS includes such symptoms as: instability, extrapyramidal disorders, hyperpyrexia, and altered mental state. When using AN as clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quentiapine SNM occurred on average on the 14th day. Thus, on the background of the treatment with clozapine SNM was manifested in 30%, in the administration of risperidone in 38%, in the administration of olanzapine in 27%, and quentiapine in 5% of cases. Conclusion. Thus, we can say that in terms of treatment with AN, the SNM rate is lower than with the use of typical neuroleptics or it may simply be a reflection of doctors' awareness and the followup of early treatment with more harmless and contemporary drugs. Introducere. Sindromul neuroleptic malign (SNM) ca reacție adversă la utilizarea neurolepticelor atipice (NA) este prezent la 0,02-3% din pacienți, fiind determinat de vârstă, sex, diagnostic și grupa de neuroleptice atipice care a fost administrată. Scopul lucrării. Analiza și sistematizarea reacțiilor adverse (sindromul neuroleptic malign) produse de neuroleptice atipice. Material și Metode. S-au selectat și analizat articolele din baza de date PubMed și MEDLINE după cuvintele-cheie: „neuroleptic malignant syndrome”,”atypical antipsychotic drugs”, “treatment of schizophrenia”. Rezultate. Fiziopatologia acestei reacții adverse nu e pe deplin elucidată, o ipoteză fiind blocarea rapidă a receptorilor D2 din SNC. SNM include așa simptome ca: instabilitate, dereglări extrapiramidale, hiperpirexie și stare mentală modificată. La utilizarea NA ca clozapină, risperidonă, olanzapină și quentiapină SNM a apărut în medie la a 14-a zi. Astfel că pe fon de tratament cu clozapină SNM s-a manifestat în 30%, la administrarea risperidonei în 38%, la administrarea olanzapinei în 27%, iar quentiapinei în 5% cazuri. Concluzii. Astfel putem spune că pe fon de tratament cu NA, rata SNM este mai joasă decât la utilizarea neuroleptice tipice sau poate pur și simplu să fie o reflectare a conștientizării medicilor și urmarea tratamentului precoce cu medicamente mai inofesive și contemporane

The role of biotransformation processes in mediating interactions between psychotropic drugs and natural products

Many patients are not aware that natural products such as fruit juices or plant infusions can cause significant interactions with several drugs, some of which can be dangerous, especially when the medical treatment is for neurological or psychiatric disorders. Among the most predisposed for interacting with drugs are citric juices, particularly grapefruit and plant infusions, especially St John`s wort (Hypericum perforatum). Understanding the mechanism and the frequency of this type of interaction helps to avoid it. The goal of this research was to identify and summarize the most relevant reports on interactions between psychotropic drugs and natural beverages, in order to raise awareness among physicians that they should invest more time in educating patients how to administer drugs properly, thus reducing the likelihood of such unwanted events. For the purpose of this study, an electronic search of PubMed database was conducted until September 2019. We concluded that natural beverage consumption along side medical treatment is a widespread practice and the main mechanism generating interactions is related to the functioning of biotransformation enzymes

Determining smallholder farmers’ preferences for Push-Pull technology dissemination pathways in western Kenya

The push-pull technology (PPT) has widely been disseminated to control stemborer (Chilo partellus and Busseola fusca) and Striga weeds (Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica) in maize fields in Kenya. This study examined farmers’ preferences for various dissemination pathways in order to proffer better targeting of resources in an optimal dissemination strategy. The pathways considered were public meetings (barazas), radio, farmer field schools (FFS), field days (FD), farmer teachers (FT), the fellow farmers (FF) and print materials. Using a weighted score index and ordered probit regression, the different pathways were sequentially ranked as FD, FT, FFS, FF, print materials, Radio, and barazas. Marginal effects from ordered probit showed that farmers had the least preferences for baraza and radio pathways. The farmer categories with the highest preference for particular pathways were: less educated farmers for FD, farmers with small land sizes for FT, farmers belonging to groups for FFS, and young educated farmers for the print materials. This information is extremely important for targeting the different segments of farmers.Push-pull technology, Stemborer, Striga, Dissemination pathways, preference, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Importanța vaccinării în evoluția infecției SARS COV-2

Introduction. The SARS CoV-2 infection necessitated the urgent development of a vaccine capable of stopping the progression of the pandemic situation. The developed vaccines have been shown to have the potential to reduce the rate of infection, as well as to elucidate the particularities of the evolution of the disease in the post-vaccination period. Objective of the study. To analyze the evolution of SARS CoV-2 infection in vaccinated patients treated in specialized covid clinics. Material and methods. From the therapy departments, 27 medical histories were randomly selected from patients with COVID-19, vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine, who underwent inpatient treatment. Results. The analysis of the severity of the disease showed that in 5 patients the form was mild, in 20 it was the easy form and in 2 - severe, and the degree of respiratory failure did not exceed I. It was observed that most patients they had more than 21 days since vaccination. The analysis of the number of doses administered revealed that 13 patients were vaccinated with two doses, 3 - with the single-dose Janssen/ Johnson vaccine, 8 - were also vaccinated and one person was vaccinated with the first dose. At discharge, 22 patients were considered cured, and 5 with amelioration. Conclusions. Vaccination has been an advantageous method in the beneficial evolution of SARS CoV-2 infection confirmed by decreasing the severity of the disease, the effectiveness of treatment, and the prognosis in the cure of patients.Introducere. Infecția SARS CoV-2 a impus necesitatea elaborării urgente a unui vaccin capabil să stopeze progresia pandemiei. Vaccinurile elaborate s-au dovedit potențiale de a reduce rata de infectare, precum și au necesitat elucidarea particularităților de evoluție a maladiei în perioada de postvaccinare. Scopul lucrării. Analiza evoluției infecției SARS CoV-2 la pacienții vaccinați tratați în clinicile specializate covid. Material și metode. Din secțiile de terapie s-au selectat aleatoriu 27 fișe medicale a pacienților cu COVID-19, vaccinați cel puțin cu o doză de vaccin, ce au urmat tratament în staționar. Rezultate. Analiza gravității bolii a demonstrat, că la 5 pacienți forma era ușoară, la 20 a constituit forma medie și la 2 – gravă, iar gradul insuficienței respiratorii nu depășea- I. La aprecierea timpului de la vaccinare până la internare s-a observat, că majoritatea pacienților aveau mai mult de 21 zile de la vaccinare. Analiza numărului de doze administrate a relevat, că 13 pacienți au fost vaccinați cu două doze, 3 - cu vaccinul Janssen/Johnson monodoză, 8 - au făcut și doza booster și o persoană a fost vaccinată cu prima doză. La externare 22 pacienți au fost considerați vindecați, iar 5 cu ameliorare. Concluzii. Vaccinarea a constituit o metodă avantajoasă în evoluția benefică a infecției SARS CoV-2 confirmată prin diminuarea gradului de severitate a maladiei, eficacitatea tratamentului și pronosticul în vindecarea pacienților

Evaluation of Rice Brands by Sensory Qualities

A purposively selected 20 member sensory panel was used to do sensory and cooking qualities assessment of locally processed rice brands and popularly imported rice brands consumed by most Nigerians. The local brands are ‘Enyi, Lobi, Eagle and Veetee; while the imported brands are ‘Tomato and Caprice. The results showed that Olam was significantly better and distinguishable from Abakaliki, Tomato and Caprice brands for colour (P<0.05); Olam was significantly better than Caprice for flavour (P<0.05); Olam was significantly better than Abakaliki and Caprice for sogginess (P<0.05); Olam was significantly preferred than Veetee for stickness (P<0.05); Olam was significantly better than the other brands for taste (P<0.05); Olam was significantly preferred to other brands for texture (P<0.05) and significantly better from Tomato for general acceptability (P<0.05). On assessment of rice grains, the results also showed that Enyi and Abakaliki had poor grain colour rating (P<0.05); the general  acceptability of Olam, Caprice and Veetee grain brands were significantly better than the other brands (P<0.05). Generally speaking, the results of the analyses showed that local brands of processed rice competed well with imported brands for sensory qualities.Key words: rice brands, sensory qualities, consumer preference, general acceptabilit

Human resource management and circular economy: a critical perspective

While there is an increase in the number of organisations disclosing their commitment or intentions to embrace the circular economy for sustainable futures, the role of individuals found within these organisations and their management remains inconspicuous. Current disclosures on Human Resource (HR) and the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) at firm level Circular Economic (CE) transitions and practices are conceptual and few, which limits both academics and practitioners’ understanding regarding the practical implications of CE on organisations HR and how these could be managed. This research, therefore, addresses this gap and intends to provide critical, empirical evidence and interpretations of HR and the role of HRM within organisations CE pursuits – using six organisations (case studies). The case studies included in this paper forms about ten per cent of the cases - to be analysed for the second part of the study. These six case studies are selected to facilitate a pilot study, to test the research approach/methods adopted to derive the research findings. Previous research findings on firm-level CE functional areas has predominantly focused on product and process design, supply chain, marketing and sales management; however, analysis of these case studies found that currently, HRM role as a functional area that includes training, recruitment/selection, performance and rewards management process are not captured in firm-level CE transitions. Nonetheless, in terms of a critical perspective of HR and the role of HRM within CE organisations, the analysis of these case studies captured the broader social outcomes such as job creation, improvement in wellbeing and a change in organisational culture. But it remains to be seen if similar trends would be identified within a wider sample of business cases the researchers intend to examine to extend this research