Starting Ones Own Business What Motivates Entrepreneurs?

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that motivate and challenge people when starting up their own small business. This paper includes the challenges that entrepreneurs encounter, advantages and disadvantages of owning ones own business, as well as highlighting the factors that are important to succeed in owning ones own business. The study was quantitative in nature and made use of an online survey questionnaire to collect data from entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The results indicated that the most motivational factors include the desire to pursue a business idea and that they want to be their own boss. The results further highlighted that the main challenges for small business owners are financial in nature as well as support from the government

Implementasi Peranan Kepolisan Dalam Mengatasi Kenakalan Remaja Serta Hambatan-Hambatan Yang Dialami Oleh Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan

Kenakalan remaja meliputi semua perilaku yang menyimpang dari norma-norma hukum pidana yang dilakukan oleh Remaja. Perilaku tersebut akan merugikan diri sendiri dan orang-orang sekitarnya. Krisis identitas, kontrol diri yang lemah, keadaan keluarga yang kurang baik, pengaruh negatif teman, dan pengaruh lingkungan yang kurang baik menjadi faktor kriminogen dari kenakalan remaja. Penelitian ini termasuk dalam tipe penelitian empiris yang berlokasi di wilayah hukum Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan. Teknik analisis data yaitu data yang diolah kemudian dianalisasis secara deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukan. Bagaimanakah implementasi peranan kepolisian dalam mengatasi kenakalan remajadi Kabupaten Timor Tengah Selatan yaitu: melakukan kunjungan ke sekolah-sekolah dalam wilayah Hukum Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan dan melakukan patroli dan pengawasan secara rutin. Serta hambatan-hambatan yang dialami oleh Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan yaitu: kurangnya sarana yang memadai bagi polisi dalam melaksanakan tugas, kurangnya informasi yang diterima dari masyarakat, kurangnnya masyarakat terhadap hukum, kurangnya kepercayaan masyarkat terhadap polisi, masih kurangnya pengawasan orang tua terhadap anak, tidak adanya perlakukan jam malam, kebocoran informasi penangkapan. Kesimpulan dan Saran yaitu: Peranan Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan dalam mengatai kenakalan remaja yaitu dengan melakukan penyuluhan-penyuluhan hukum kesekolah-sekolah diwilaya Hukum Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan, Kepolisian Resor Timor Tengah Selatan harus lebih fokus memberikan pengawasan kepada para remaja yang sering melakukan kasus kenakalan remaja dilingkungan sekolah maupun masyarakat

De novo assembled expressed gene catalog of a fast-growing Eucalyptus tree produced by Illumina mRNA-Seq

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>De novo </it>assembly of transcript sequences produced by short-read DNA sequencing technologies offers a rapid approach to obtain expressed gene catalogs for non-model organisms. A draft genome sequence will be produced in 2010 for a <it>Eucalyptus </it>tree species (<it>E. grandis</it>) representing the most important hardwood fibre crop in the world. Genome annotation of this valuable woody plant and genetic dissection of its superior growth and productivity will be greatly facilitated by the availability of a comprehensive collection of expressed gene sequences from multiple tissues and organs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We present an extensive expressed gene catalog for a commercially grown <it>E. grandis </it>× <it>E. urophylla </it>hybrid clone constructed using only Illumina mRNA-Seq technology and <it>de novo </it>assembly. A total of 18,894 transcript-derived contigs, a large proportion of which represent full-length protein coding genes were assembled and annotated. Analysis of assembly quality, length and diversity show that this dataset represent the most comprehensive expressed gene catalog for any <it>Eucalyptus </it>tree. mRNA-Seq analysis furthermore allowed digital expression profiling of all of the assembled transcripts across diverse xylogenic and non-xylogenic tissues, which is invaluable for ascribing putative gene functions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>De novo </it>assembly of Illumina mRNA-Seq reads is an efficient approach for transcriptome sequencing and profiling in <it>Eucalyptus </it>and other non-model organisms. The transcriptome resource (Eucspresso, <url>http://eucspresso.bi.up.ac.za/</url>) generated by this study will be of value for genomic analysis of woody biomass production in <it>Eucalyptus </it>and for comparative genomic analysis of growth and development in woody and herbaceous plants.</p

Determination of pavement number for flexible pavements using FWD deflection bowl information

Structural Number (SN) is a well-known pavement index methodology derived from the product of structural layer coefficients, layer thicknesses and environmental (and drainage) factors. Subsequently, the Adjusted Structural Number (SNP) included the influence of the subgrade on pavement strength. The Pavement Number (PN) was recently developed in South Africa as an index similar to the SNP. However, in the PN calculation Equivalent Long Term Stiffness (ELTS) values are derived from material class inputs in a knowledge-based system. An approach to calculate the Effective Pavement Number (PNeff), is proposed which utilises the full deflection bowl more effectively in the calculation. It uses the Shape Factor (F1) to determine equivalent layer thickness (He) and FWD deflections at offset of 300mm from the centre of loading to derive Surface Modulus (SM) inputs for calculating an ELTS value representing the total pavement structure, SMpav. The product of the He and SMpav thus provides a derived PNeff value. A large database of flexible pavements was used to successfully validate this approach. It is demonstrated that PNeff, thus derived from the utilisation of the full deflection bowl and without detailed information of pavement layer thicknesses can be used to complement initial or preliminary structural evaluation. It is illustrated how PNeff is used in a benchmark methodology with FWD surveys. The well established FWD deflection bowl structural benchmark analysis method can then further enhance this preliminary structural analysis with PNeff by assisting in a preliminary analysis and helping to determine origin of distress. Hereafter detailed structural analyses can follow with detailed material type and pavement layer information in a much more focussed fashion.Paper presented at the 34th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 6-9 July 2015 "Working Together to Deliver - Sakha Sonke", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Bitumen-aggregate adhesion: a predictive study based on zeta potential analysis using the streaming potential technique

Bitumen and aggregates are the main constituents of asphalt; their physical and chemical properties have a direct influence on the performance of the mixture. Adhesion between mineral aggregates and bitumen is an important criterion for predicting the performance of asphalt pavements to resist common distresses. Lack of bonding can lead to significant asphalt pavement failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the application of zeta potential analysis for the prediction of adhesion between bitumen and stone aggregate based on their surface charge. The adhesion behaviour of four (4) aggregate sources (dolomite, dolerite, andesite, and quartzite) to a 70/100pen grade bitumen was studied. The adhesion of the bituminous binder to stone aggregate was determined with the conventional Rolling Bottle test method used at the CSIR. The zeta potential for macroscopic solid surfaces of aggregates with similar physical properties and bitumen was measured using an electrokinetic analyser at different pH levels. The results predicted that dolomite aggregates had better adhesion when compared to dolerite, andesite, and quartzite aggregates. The Rolling Bottle results are ranked in a way consistent with the zeta potential predictions when the isoelectric point (IEP) is used. The characterization of the aggregate surface chemistry in the zeta potential vs pH curves has provided a better insight into the behaviour of aggregates in different pH conditions. The location of the IEP as per the characterization allows for a better prediction of aggregate-bitumen adhesion behaviour. The content of Fe2O3 and CaO present in the aggregates (i.e., dolomite and dolerite) results in better adhesion than the aggregates with a higher content of SiO2 (i.e., quartzite and andesite). The study shows that the zeta potential analysis has the potential to predict the adhesion of bituminous binder to stone aggregate.Papers presented at the 40th International Southern African Transport Conference on 04 -08 July 202

The wool proteome and fibre characteristics of three distinct genetic ovine breeds from Portugal

Wool properties and commodity value vary considerably between breeds. In Portugal, three major ovine groups exist: Churros, Bordaleiros and Merinos. This work studies the effect of the ovine genotype on the wool proteome of such groups. Wool was collected from 15 ewes/breed and genetic groups: Churra da Terra Quente (CTQ) or Churro, Serra da Estrela (SE) or Bordaleiro and Merino Branco (MB) or Merino. Proteins were extracted and subjected to label-free proteomics analysis. A total of 50 keratinous protein groups were identified in all the samples, divided into type I and II keratins and the keratin associated proteins: high-glycine-tyrosine proteins, ultra-high sulphur proteins and high-sulphur proteins. Major differences were found between MB and CTQ with respect to K75 and K38, both medullar proteins and to a lesser extent between SE and CTQ suggesting that these might be good markers for this trait in wool. Partial least squares discriminatory analysis proved MB to be readily distinguishable from the other two breeds. Further differences were noted in keratin associated protein levels between the three breeds, normally an indicator of higher levels of orthocortex and also their relationship to high curvature, high crimp fibres like Merinoinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

More Urbanization, Fewer Bats: The Importance of Forest Conservation in Honduras

Urbanization is a phenomenon that results in fragmentation and eventual destruction of forests. Suburbanization is a subset of that same phenomenon in which fragmentation has resulted in the retention of small patches of the original forest and surviving old growth trees. Alternatively, the area surrounding the central city had been cleared for agricultural use and the suburban residents have planted many trees in parks and private property. This fragmentation will of course affect many species of bats, including species of the family Phyllostomidae. In this work, we estimate and compare the diversity of phyllostomid bats in three landscapes in Honduras: forests, suburban, and urban areas, from 2015 to 2018. Concurrently, we compared bat activity patterns based on the hour and percentage of moonlight at the time they were captured, and we compared external measurements, forearm and ear length. Urban areas are the least diverse and exhibited the lowest abundance. The forearm and ear length were significantly different only between forests and urban areas. The degree of lunar phobia also differed among those landscapes, but the time of capture did not differ. This is the first attempt to describe the activity patterns of phyllostomids in these studied areas and the effect of urbanization on Honduran bats. As expected, we found that from forests to cities, the diversity and abundance of phyllostomids decreased. However, there are many gaps in our knowledge of how totally or partially urbanized areas are affecting phyllostomid bats in Honduras

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis reveals the unique genetic composition of South African selected macadamia accessions

Macadamia nuts are known globally for their high quality and economic value. Global macadamia commercial nut production amounts to 60,000 metric tonnes and is increasing steadily. South Africa is the leading producer with 29% of worldwide kernel production. Commercial macadamia germplasm was originally selected from a small genepool (mainly Macadamia integrifolia species) from a limited geographic distribution in Australia. These accessions were subsequently bred, cloned and exported across the world to start local macadamia industries. The South African macadamia industry was established with pre-commercial and commercial macadamia from different parts of the world, and local selections were also performed. Many of these accessions have unique genetic compositions that have not been characterized yet. We used 13 nuclear microsatellite markers to study the genetic diversity and structure of macadamia germplasm cultivated in South Africa. We compared four groups of accessions including 31 originating from the Hawaiian Agricultural Experimental Station (HAES), 19 from Australia (AUS), two from California and one from Israel (OTH), 31 from South Africa’s locally selected accessions (SA) and 26 from two local Farmers (FARM). We used STRUCTURE, PCoA and neighbour-joining phylogenetic analyses to show that the South African selected accessions include diverse hybrid genotypes with strong Macadamia tetraphylla composition, unlike the Hawaiian commercially released and Australian representative collections that mostly have M. integrifolia or hybrid composition. Our results suggest that the South African selections represent a unique and diverse set of germplasm for future macadamia improvement efforts that will benefit from genomic breeding technologies.The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and Macadamias South Africa.https://link.springer.com/journal/11295hj2023BiochemistryForestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)GeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog