Economic Effects of Minnesota’s Basic and Seller Assisted Loan Program on Farm Profitability and Investment

Agricultural Finance,

Multi-sector stakeholder partnerships as a mechanism for creating public value

Abstract: Multi-stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs) were formally recognised as an important mechanism for the promotion and implementation of sustainable development at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg in 2002 (Atkisson 2015). The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agenda of 17 “Goals to Transform Our World” was adopted in 2017. The aim of these goals, as an extension of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is to facilitate the attainment of universal, inclusive and indivisible growth and development, the Agenda calls for action by all countries to improve the lives of people everywhere. Goal 17 aims to revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. To this end, the UN (n.d.) claims MSPs are crucial to leverage the inter-linkages between the SDGs to enhance their effectiveness and impact and accelerate progress in achieving the Goals. The article conceptualises MSPs as a means to achieve public value. The research approach is based on applying unobtrusive research techniques conducted by means of a literature study. The findings of the research suggests that an MSP is an important governance mechanism to facilitate and strengthen public value

Sustainable independent power production in middle-income African countries

Abstract : The energy sector in many African countries faces challenges such as supplying electricity to the public in a sustainable manner, demand and supply challenges, institutional and governance challenges, private investment obstacles, unequal supply of energy, rolling blackouts, and grid maintenance and infrastructure challenges. These challenges are coupled with and linked to other social and basic service delivery challenges in a developmental context. New renewable delivery modes through independent power production (IPP) present a window of opportunity for massive investments in Africa. The aim of this paper is to determine the potential for IPP, as well as the barriers for the sustainable management thereof in selected upper middle-income countries in Africa. A cross-case study method is used. Content analysis was used to analyse 13 middle-income African countries. Country case studies were conducted on upper middle-income African economies. Country profiles comprise Angola, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The following criteria were used to identify barriers: energy technology, investment, socioeconomic development risk, sovereign risk, policy drivers, policy content, legislative basis for IPP, management of stakeholders, and governance risk. Barriers include economic, political, and sovereign risk, as well as maintenance and grid expansion challenges. The need to help the environment, as a driver, is not strong. The strongest current drivers are pricing, cost, and market incentives. The benefits of managing natural resources and facilitating sustainable development exist but are implicit

Observational space-times

Includes bibliographical references.The work presented in this thesis forms part of a programme undertaken in collaboration with G.F.R. Ellis and R. Maartens, the primary aim of which is to examine in detail how cosmological observations may be used to determine the large scale structure of space-time (see, e.g., refs. [1-5]). In order to place this work in context as part of the ongoing cosmological enterprise, it is necessary to review briefly the main objectives of cosmology, the basic assumptions underlying most modern attempts to achieve these objectives, and the observational as well as philosophical status of these assumptions

Guidelines for group work in an undergraduate learning programme

Published ArticleIt is required of higher education institutions in South Africa to provide for the development of general skills such as the ability to function in a team, and to apply group work as a method of instruction. After implementation of group work in the new five-year medical curriculum at the University of the Free State, it was realised that ineffective group dynamics and the inexperience of staff and students warranted clear and comprehensive guidelines for group work. For the development of these, opinions of students and staff involved, as well as inputs by experts on group work and literature findings, were evaluated. Their responses are reported and guidelines for effective group work are suggested

Guidelines for group work in an undergraduate learning programme

Published ArticleIt is required of higher education institutions in South Africa to provide for the development of general skills such as the ability to function in a team, and to apply group work as a method of instruction. After implementation of group work in the new five-year medical curriculum at the University of the Free State, it was realised that ineffective group dynamics and the inexperience of staff and students warranted clear and comprehensive guidelines for group work. For the development of these, opinions of students and staff involved, as well as inputs by experts on group work and literature findings, were evaluated. Their responses are reported and guidelines for effective group work are suggested

New onset diabetes after transplantation in renal transplant recipients at Tygerberg Hospital

New Onset Diabetes after Transplantation (NODAT) is a common complication of renal transplantation worldwide.However, there is very little data available regarding this condition in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study was thereforeconducted in order to determine the incidence of NODAT and its associated risk factors in a South African renaltransplant population. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 221 patients who underwent renal transplants atTygerberg Hospital during the period January 1st 1995 to December 31st 2008.Specific information was retrieved from patient files in order to determine the study outcomes. Fifty of the 221 patientswere found to have NODAT reflecting an incidence of 22.6% (95% CI 0.17-0.28). The cumulative incidences of NODATat three, 12 and 36 months were 9%, 12% and 17% respectively. The mean time to onset of NODAT was 18 monthsafter transplantation (95% CI 11.3-25.3) and the mean age at diagnoses of NODAT was 41 years (95% CI 38.9-44.8).Transplantation at the age of 40 years (odds ratio = 1.05) as well the usage of tacrolimus (odds ratio = 0.43) was foundto increase the risk of developing NODAT. The development of NODAT did not have any effect on graft or patientsurvival in this study.The incidence of NODAT in a South African population appears to be as high as it is worldwide with the first year posttransplantationcarrying the greatest risk for its development. The risk for development of NODAT is increased as thetime post-transplantation increases. Transplantation from the age of 40 years and the use of tacrolimus appear to be themost significant risk factors

Investigating the impact of poor utilisation of quality management system in a South African foundry

Background: In 2007 alone, twenty six foundries were closed down when the castings industries directory was released. A high scrap rate due to a lack of quality management is one of the root causes of low productivity and low profits, resulting in closures. Method: This research paper focusses on the impact of defects on productivity and monetary losses due to poor utilisation of the quality management system in sand casting. Data was gathered on defects and productivity and the company’s quality control records were used for monetary losses due to scrap. The study was conducted over a period of one year at a South African foundry. The standard multiple regression analysis method was used to assess the ability of five defects (cross jointed, bad mould, shrinkage, core fault, and gas porosity) to predict monetary and productivity losses. Results: Cross jointed and bad mould defects had a correlation coefficient of 0.727 and 0.716 respectively which indicated a strong positive correlation. The overall variance explained by the model was 61%, F = 16.263, p<.005. Thus the prevalence of these two types of defects can significantly predict monetary losses, while core fault predicted productivity. Conclusion: Foundry should concentrate on eliminating cross jointed and bad mould defects to avoid a high scrap rate, and core fault to improve productivity