Strategies for Accessing Credit by Small and Medium Enterprises

Small and medium enterprise (SME) business owners play a significant role in the Kenyan economy as they account for approximately 78% of total employment and 57% of the new jobs created. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore what strategies some Kenyan SME business owners used within the past 5 years to access credit to improve company profitability and growth. The target population consisted of 4 SME owners of businesses located in Kakamega Town, Kenya, who have had access to credit within the past 5 years. The conceptual framework for this study was the social capital theory. Semistructured interviews were conducted and company documents were gathered. All interpretations from the data were subjected to member checking to ensure the trustworthiness of findings. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data collected, 4 themes emerged after the data analysis: (a) group lending, (b) information access, (c) education and professional background of the entrepreneur, and (d) effect of access to credit on the performance of SMEs. The application of the findings from this study may contribute to social change by providing insights and strategies for SME business owners to access credit and ensure sustainable business growth that could potentially enhance community standards of living

Arbitrary qubit transformations on tuneable Rashba rings

An exact solution is presented for the time-dependent wave function of an initial ground-state Kramers-doublet qubit that is driven around a quantum ring. We show that the initial qubit may be transformed to an arbitrary point on the Bloch sphere for an integral number of revolutions around the ring. Full coverage of the Bloch sphere is achieved by dividing the total rotation into segments, changing the rotation axis after each segment by an adiabatic shift in the Rashba spin-orbit interaction. Prospects and challenges for possible realizations are discussed for which rings based on InAs quantum wires are promising candidates

What drives health-care spending priorities? An international survey of health-care professionals

The authors set out to compare spending priorities for health care, across a selection of largely middle-income countries, through a survey of current and future decision makers

Conocimientos, percepciones y prácticas relacionados a equinococosis quística en familias con antecedentes de la enfermedad

The aim of this study was to systematize information about the knowledge, perceptions and practices associated with exposure to Echinococcus granulosus in families with a history of cystic echinococcosis (EQ) from the province of Huancayo, Junín region (Peru), attended at the National Institute of Child Health during the period 2004-2012. An interview guide was developed and applied to the family member closest to the case of the patient with EQ, but allowing the intervention of other members. Extracts from the transcription of the audios were categorized as risk factors for contracting the disease, impacts on the patient and the family, and change produced in the post disease environment. The quantitative section was summarized on descriptive statistics. It was demonstrated the persistence of deficiencies in the knowledge, perceptions and practices of the interviewees and their families regarding the EQ. Families maintain habits and practices that favour the transmission and dissemination of the disease. The experience of suffering the disease years ago has not produced positive changes in their lifestyles. It is hoped that the results serve as antecedents to act against the social aspects of this disease.El objetivo del estudio fue sistematizar la información acerca del conocimiento, percepciones y prácticas asociadas a la exposición a Echinococcus granulosus en familias con antecedentes de equinococosis quística (EQ) de la provincia de Huancayo, región Junín (Perú), que fueron atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño durante el periodo 2004-2012. Se elaboró una guía de entrevista que se aplicó al miembro de la familia más cercana al caso del paciente con EQ, pero permitiéndose la intervención de los demás miembros. Extractos de la transcripción de los audios fueron categorizadas como factores de riesgo para contraer la enfermedad, impactos sobre el paciente y la familia, y cambios producidos en el entorno pos-enfermedad. La sección cuantitativa resumió información en base a estadística descriptiva. Se demostró la persistencia de deficiencias en cuanto a conocimientos, percepciones y prácticas de los entrevistados y sus familias respecto a la EQ. Las familias mantienen hábitos y prácticas que favorecen la transmisión y diseminación de la enfermedad y la experiencia de sufrir la enfermedad años atrás no produjo cambios positivos en sus estilos de vida. Se espera que los resultados sirvan como antecedentes para actuar frente a los aspectos sociales de esta enfermedad

Proposal of a framework for evaluating military surveillance systems for early detection of outbreaks on duty areas

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years a wide variety of epidemiological surveillance systems have been developed to provide early identification of outbreaks of infectious disease. Each system has had its own strengths and weaknesses. In 2002 a Working Group of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) produced a framework for evaluation, which proved suitable for many public health surveillance systems. However this did not easily adapt to the military setting, where by necessity a variety of different parameters are assessed, different constraints placed on the systems, and different objectives required. This paper describes a proposed framework for evaluation of military syndromic surveillance systems designed to detect outbreaks of disease on operational deployments.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The new framework described in this paper was developed from the cumulative experience of British and French military syndromic surveillance systems. The methods included a general assessment framework (CDC), followed by more specific methods of conducting evaluation. These included Knowledge/Attitude/Practice surveys (KAP surveys), technical audits, ergonomic studies, simulations and multi-national exercises. A variety of military constraints required integration into the evaluation. Examples of these include the variability of geographical conditions in the field, deployment to areas without prior knowledge of naturally-occurring disease patterns, the differences in field sanitation between locations and over the length of deployment, the mobility of military forces, turnover of personnel, continuity of surveillance across different locations, integration with surveillance systems from other nations working alongside each other, compatibility with non-medical information systems, and security.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A framework for evaluation has been developed that can be used for military surveillance systems in a staged manner consisting of initial, intermediate and final evaluations. For each stage of the process parameters for assessment have been defined and methods identified.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The combined experiences of French and British syndromic surveillance systems developed for use in deployed military forces has allowed the development of a specific evaluation framework. The tool is suitable for use by all nations who wish to evaluate syndromic surveillance in their own military forces. It could also be useful for civilian mobile systems or for national security surveillance systems.</p

Enseñanza, aprendizaje y enfoque de la matemática en la ingeniería

Introduction. Engineering is a field that drives progress and innovation in our society. From building impressive structures to developing cutting-edge technologies, engineers play a crucial role in shaping the world around us. However, behind every engineering achievement lies a solid foundation of mathematical knowledge that enables the conceptualization, design, and resolution of complex problems. Mathematics is the universal language that allows communication and understanding of natural phenomena and technological applications. The interaction between mathematics and engineering is so deep that it could be said that mathematics is the foundation on which engineering is built. Objective. Analyze and understand how the teaching, learning and approach of mathematics is approached in the context of engineering, with the purpose of improving the training of students and their ability to apply mathematical concepts in solving engineering problems. Methodology. Through the documentary analysis technique, in which different sources of scientific information are reviewed. Results. The teaching and learning of mathematics in engineering must be relevant, active, functional and interdisciplinary, with a perspective on the development of application skills and critical thinking. The focus of mathematics in engineering must be highly directed to the practical application and to overcome the challenges of engineering for the XXI century, with a solid foundation in fundamental mathematical concepts. Conclusion. The teacher must adapt their teaching methods to effectively train engineering students, most of whom will not major in mathematics, but will use mathematics as an essential tool in their future careers. Difficulty in learning engineering calculus is often related to a teaching approach that encourages memorization and rote application in search of final correct answers, rather than focusing on an approach that prioritizes process, context, and understanding. clearly and coherently.Introducción. La ingeniería es un campo que impulsa el progreso y la innovación en nuestra sociedad. Desde la construcción de estructuras impresionantes hasta el desarrollo de tecnologías vanguardistas, los ingenieros desempeñan un papel crucial en dar forma al mundo que nos rodea. Sin embargo, detrás de cada logro ingenieril se encuentra una base sólida de conocimientos matemáticos que permite la conceptualización, el diseño y la resolución de problemas complejos. Las matemáticas son el lenguaje universal que consiente la comunicación y el entendimiento de los fenómenos naturales y las aplicaciones tecnológicas. La interacción entre las matemáticas y la ingeniería es tan profunda que se podría afirmar que la matemática es el cimiento sobre el cual se erige la ingeniería. Objetivo. Analizar y comprender cómo se aborda la enseñanza, el aprendizaje y el enfoque de las matemáticas en el contexto de la ingeniería, con el propósito de mejorar la formación de los estudiantes y su capacidad para aplicar conceptos matemáticos en la resolución de problemas ingenieriles. Metodología. Mediante la técnica de análisis documental, en la que se revisan diferentes fuentes de información científica. Resultados. La enseñanza y aprendizaje de la matemática en la ingeniería debe ser relevante, activo, funcional e interdisciplinario, con una perspectiva en el desarrollo de habilidades de aplicación y pensamiento crítico. El enfoque de la matemática en la ingeniería debe ser altamente direccionado a la aplicación práctica y a superar los desafíos de la ingeniería para el siglo XXI, con una base sólida en conceptos matemáticos fundamentales. Conclusión. El docente debe adaptar sus métodos de enseñanza para capacitar de manera efectiva a estudiantes de ingeniería, la mayoría de los cuales no se especializarán en matemáticas, pero usarán las matemáticas como una herramienta esencial en sus futuras carreras. La dificultad en el aprendizaje del cálculo en ingeniería a menudo se relaciona con un enfoque de enseñanza que fomenta la memorización y la aplicación mecánica en busca de respuestas finales correctas, en lugar de centrarse en un enfoque que priorice el proceso, el contexto y la comprensión con claridad y coherencia

Parent-progeny relationships and genotype X environment effects for factors associated with grass tetany and forage quality in Russian Wildrye

Grass tetany (hypomagnesemia) has caused severe economic losses in ruminant animals grazing cool-season grasses, including Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski]. The malady has been associated with deficiencies in Mg, Ca, and carbohydrates, and high levels of K. The K/(Ca + Mg) ratio (KRAT), expressed as moles of charge, is often used to express the grass tetany potential of forage. Development and use of new cultivars with an improved balance of the associated minerals would be an economical approach to reduce the incidence of grass tetany. Objectives of this study were to characterize the genetic variability, genotype by environment interactions, and intercharacter relationships for P, K, Ca, Mg, KRAT, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), among 21 clonal lines of Russian wildrye and their polycross progenies. Evaluations were made for 2 yr at three diverse locations in the USA and Canada. The clonal lines were derived from cultivars and plant introductions. Although the clone x location interaction was usually significant, differences among the clonal lines were significant for K, Ca, Mg, and KRAT, and three forage quality estimates of CP, NDF, and true IVDMD. Although the magnitude of the genetic variability among the progenies was substantially less than that found among the clonal lines, we conclude that the grass tetany potential, CP, NDF, IVDMD, and P concentration of this breeding population can be altered through breeding. Opportunities for genetic improvement in forage quality were particularly favorable for CP. Genetic correlations among the clonal lines suggested that selection for higher levels of CP would be accompanied by increased K, Ca, Mg, and IVDMD and reduced KR AT and NDF

Value of syndromic surveillance within the Armed Forces for early warning during a dengue fever outbreak in French Guiana in 2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A dengue fever outbreak occured in French Guiana in 2006. The objectives were to study the value of a syndromic surveillance system set up within the armed forces, compared to the traditional clinical surveillance system during this outbreak, to highlight issues involved in comparing military and civilian surveillance systems and to discuss the interest of syndromic surveillance for public health response.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Military syndromic surveillance allows the surveillance of suspected dengue fever cases among the 3,000 armed forces personnel. Within the same population, clinical surveillance uses several definition criteria for dengue fever cases, depending on the epidemiological situation. Civilian laboratory surveillance allows the surveillance of biologically confirmed cases, within the 200,000 inhabitants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>It was shown that syndromic surveillance detected the dengue fever outbreak several weeks before clinical surveillance, allowing quick and effective enhancement of vector control within the armed forces. Syndromic surveillance was also found to have detected the outbreak before civilian laboratory surveillance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Military syndromic surveillance allowed an early warning for this outbreak to be issued, enabling a quicker public health response by the armed forces. Civilian surveillance system has since introduced syndromic surveillance as part of its surveillance strategy. This should enable quicker public health responses in the future.</p