Changes in the management environment and practices of small-scale farmers from 1994 to 2001

Published ThesisThe objective of the study was to analyse the changes that took place in the small-scale agricultural management environment (external and internal) from 1994 to 2001 in the Free State Province and to associate these changes with the management performance of the farmers within this same period. External management environment refers to economic, physical (natural), trade, technological, social and political environments, while internal management implies biographic characteristics of the farmer, as well as land, capital and personnel. Fifty small-scale farmers geographically located throughout the province in the three main farming categories, namely crop production, livestock production, and mixed farming, were randomly selected. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing closed as well as open-ended questions. Both the chi-square and t-tests were used to analyse the data. The study found that no significant changes took place in the external small-scale management environment, with the exception of the social environment (collaboration) where small-scale farmer collaboration with the commercial counterpart increased significantly (P<0.01) from 30% in 1994 to 76% in 2001. In the internal small-scale management environment, significant changes took place in the following areas: crop and livestock production, mechanisation, labour management, financial management, and marketing. Compared to 1994 there was a 24% (X2 P<0.01) improvement in the number of farmers claiming to “know” their soil potential in 2001. There was also a significant change in the number of farmers who always analyse their soil before planting (X2=4.750 with 1 df P<0.05). Another significant trend was with regard to pest control, with more farmers (P<0.05) controlling pests in 2001 than in 1994. With regard to livestock production, there was a significant improvement (X2 = 3886 with 1 df P<0.05) from 1994 to 2001 in the number of farmers following an immunisation programme. From 1994 to 2001 the number of farmers with tractors increased significantly (58% vs. 68% P<0.01). Again, there was a significant increase of 18% in implement ownership among farmers (X2 <0.01). In terms of labour management 17% more respondents signed service contracts with their employees (11% in 1994 vs. 28% in 2001). The change was significant (P<0.05). With regard to financial management there was a statistically significant improvement in the number of farmers keeping balance sheets in 2001 compared to 1994 (30% in 1994 vs. 54% in 2001). Fifty-four percent of farmers drew up enterprise budgets in 2001, compared to 46% in 1994 (P<0.05). More farmers (46%) compiled income statements in 2001 than in 1994 (32%) (P<0.05). This was also the case with cash-flow statements. In respect of marketing, there was a significant change in the area of market projections. A greater number of farmers (40%) performed market projections in 2001 than in 1994 (20%) (P<0.05). In general, the performance index of the farmers improved in 2001 in comparison to 1994. This could be attributed to, amongst other things, the use of experts in the case of financial matters. In the areas where no significant change took place it was apparent that the farmers had experienced problems, particularly where money was involved, for instance in the purchasing of production inputs like pesticides and medication

Forecasting emerging markets interest rates using optimal time-varying financial conditions index

This paper aims to optimise the financial conditions index (FCI) indicator that best describes the monetary policy interest rate setting behaviour of twelve emerging market central banks. This is achieved by analysing and looking at the background of modelling interest rates and forecasting interest rate setting behaviour from various regions globally. Following the credit crisis of 2008, the conventional wisdom and foundations that prevailed before were profoundly shaken. Particularly the conduct and behaviour of central banks in response to financial conditions assumed centre stage. Consequently, there has been a consensus among economists and policymakers on the importance of financial conditions, and the influence thereof, on the interest rate setting. However, in order for central banks to achieve their financial stability objectives, they need to construct an optimal indicator that best describes financial conditions. To construct such an optimal indicator, this paper firstly investigates whether the central banks of emerging markets follow the Taylor rule in setting their interest rates. Secondly, it investigates whether the FCI with optimal time-varying weights better describes interest rate movements in emerging markets, when incorporated in the Taylor rule. Lastly, it evaluates interest rate predictability by comparing various models that include non-optimized FCIs. The paper finds that the majority of emerging countries follow the Taylor rule. It also finds that most emerging markets take into account the information contained in FCIs and the majority of these countries, optimize the variables that enter the FCIs. When evaluating the forecasting accuracy of these models, the paper finds that the optimized model ranks superior in most countries in terms of forecasting accuracy. The optimization and allocation of the variables that enter the optimized FCI happen in a similar manner that was proposed by Markowitz in portfolio allocation theory.GR201

Forecasting emerging markets interest rates using optimal time-varying financial conditions index

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Finance and Investment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2018This paper aims to optimise the financial conditions index (FCI) indicator that best describes the monetary policy interest rate setting behaviour of twelve emerging market central banks. This is achieved by analysing and looking at the background of modelling interest rates and forecasting interest rate setting behaviour from various regions globally. Following the credit crisis of 2008, the conventional wisdom and foundations that prevailed before were profoundly shaken. Particularly the conduct and behaviour of central banks in response to financial conditions assumed centre stage. Consequently, there has been a consensus among economists and policymakers on the importance of financial conditions, and the influence thereof, on the interest rate setting. However, in order for central banks to achieve their financial stability objectives, they need to construct an optimal indicator that best describes financial conditions. To construct such an optimal indicator, this paper firstly investigates whether the central banks of emerging markets follow the Taylor rule in setting their interest rates. Secondly, it investigates whether the FCI with optimal time-varying weights better describes interest rate movements in emerging markets, when incorporated in the Taylor rule. Lastly, it evaluates interest rate predictability by comparing various models that include non-optimized FCIs. The paper finds that the majority of emerging countries follow the Taylor rule. It also finds that most emerging markets take into account the information contained in FCIs and the majority of these countries, optimize the variables that enter the FCIs. When evaluating the forecasting accuracy of these models, the paper finds that the optimized model ranks superior in most countries in terms of forecasting accuracy. The optimization and allocation of the variables that enter the optimized FCI happen in a similar manner that was proposed by Markowitz in portfolio allocation theory.GR201

Transcriptional profiling of CcpE-regulated genes in Staphylococcus aureus

AbstractThe transcriptional regulator CcpE is an important citrate-sensing regulator that modulates metabolic state, virulence factor expression, and bacterial virulence of Staphylococcus aureus (Ding et al., 2014 [1]). In this article, we report detailed methods for genome-wide transcriptional profiling of CcpE-regulated genes generated for the research article “Metabolic sensor governing bacterial virulence in Staphylococcus aureus” (Ding et al., 2014 [1]). All transcriptional profiling data was deposited to Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database under accession number GSE57260

Conceptual design of gasification-based biorefineries using the C-H-O ternary diagram

This dissertation develops a systematic targeting method based on the C-H-O ternary diagram for the conceptual design of gasification-based biorefineries. The approach is applied using dimethyl ether (DME) as case study. A stoichiometric equilibrium model is presented for calculation of the C-H-O chemical equilibria to evaluate and predict equilibrium syngas composition, operating temperature, type and amount of oxidant required in biomass gasification. Overall atomic species balances are developed and process targets are plotted on the C-H-O ternary diagram. Sustainability metrics are incorporated to provide useful insights into the efficiency of biorefinery process targets. It was found that syngas at 1200 and 1500 K is predominantly H2 and CO. Moreover, DME biorefineries have two main process targets, based on the indirect and direct synthesis routes. Gasification at 1200 K and 1 atm. using H2O/CO2 = 2.642 (w/w) and H2O/CH4 = 1.645 (w/w) achieved syngas composition targets for the direct and indirect methods respectively. Comparatively, the integrated biorefinery based on indirect route was more efficient, producing 1.903 ton of DME per ton of biomass feedstock. The process is 100% carbon-efficient and recycles 1.025 tons of H2O.Civil and Chemical EngineeringM. Tech. (Chemical Engineering

Ore reserves generation at variable development and stoping rates for a UG2 Bushveld Complex platinum reef conventional mining layout

Ore reserves generation at a rate lower than the depletion or mining rate will lead to a shortage of places to be mined usually referred to as ‘lack of flexibility’. The purpose of the research was to critically evaluate one major capital project that was about to be implemented with a view to establish if there exists a balance between depletion and replacement of ore reserves in that particular project. The project was planned to deliver 100 000 tonnes per month. Numerical modelling was carried out in Mine2-4D and Earthworks Production Scheduler, EPS, the results, of which, were imported into Microsoft Excel for further analysis. The analysis revealed that:- 1 Planned production level (100 000 tonnes per month) cannot be achieved at the planned development rates. 2 Production levels above 33 000 tonnes per month (15m/month face advance) takes the system out of balance. 3 Optimal Production equals 33 000 tonnes per month achieved in 4 years and maintained over 9 years. Project flexibility should be assessed before any project can be approved, and monitored throughout the life of the project

Structure and photoluminescence properties of red-emitting apatite-type phosphor NaY9(SiO4)6O2:Sm3+ with excellent quantum efficiency and thermal stability for solid-state lighting.

A novel red-emitting phosphor NaY9(SiO4)6O2:Sm3+ (NYS:Sm3+) was synthesized and the X-ray diffraction and high-resolution TEM testified that the NYS compound belongs to the apatite structure which crystallized in a hexagonal unit cell with space group P63/m. The novel phosphor boasts of such three advantageous properties as perfect compatible match with the commercial UV chips, 73.2% quantum efficiency and 90.9% thermal stability at 150 °C. Details are as follows. NYS:Sm3+ phosphor showed obvious absorption in the UV regions centered at 407 nm, which can be perfectly compatible with the commercial UV chips. The property investigations showed that NYS:Sm3+ phosphor emitted reddish emission with CIE coordination of (0.563, 0.417). The optimum quenching concentration of Sm3+ in NYS phosphor was about 10%mol, and the corresponding concentration quenching mechanism was verified to be the electric dipole-dipole interaction. Upon excitation at 407 nm, the composition-optimized NYS:0.10Sm3+ exhibited a high quantum efficiency of 73.2%, and its luminescence intensity at 150 °C decreased simply to 90.9% of the initial value at room temperature. All of the results indicated that NYS:Sm3+ is a promising candidate as a reddish-emitting UV convertible phosphor for application in white light emitting diodes (w-LEDs)

Potential dopant in photocatalysis process for wastewater treatment-a review

Nowadays, too much pollution has happened around us, and one of them is water pollution, which each day has become more severe and worse. One of the sources of water pollution comes from the industry that has used dyes either excessively or not. In case of that, the wastewater needs to be treated before released to the river or environment. In this paper, a review of the wastewater treatment using dopants such as nitrogen and magnesium, will be discussed

"If it is left, it becomes easy for me to get tested": use of oral self-tests and community health workers to maximize the potential of home-based HIV testing among adolescents in Lesoth

Home-based HIV testing fails to reach high coverage among adolescents and young adults (AYA), mainly because they are often absent during the day of home-based testing. ADORE (ADolescent ORal tEsting) is a mixed-method nested study among AYA in rural Lesotho, measuring the effect of home-based secondary distribution of oral HIV self-tests (HIVST) on coverage, as well as exploring how AYA perceive this HIV self-testing model.; ADORE study was nested in a cluster-randomized trial. In intervention village-clusters, oral HIVST were left for household members who were absent or declined testing during a testing campaign. One present household member was trained on HIVST use. Distributed HIVST were followed up by village health workers (VHW). In control clusters no self-tests were distributed. The quantitative outcome was testing coverage among AYA (age 12 to 24) within 120 days, defined as a confirmed HIV test result or known status, using adjusted random-effects logistic regression on the intention-to-treat population. Qualitatively, we conducted in-depth interviews among both AYA who used and did not use the distributed HIVST.; From July 2018 to December 2018, 49 and 57 villages with 1471 and 1620 consenting households and 1236 and 1445 AYA in the control and intervention arm, respectively, were enrolled. On the day of the home-visit, a testing coverage of 37% (461/1236) and 41% (596/1445) in the control and the intervention arm, respectively, were achieved. During the 120 days follow-up period, an additional 23 and 490 AYA in control and intervention clusters, respectively, knew their status. This resulted in a testing coverage of 484/1236 (39%) in the control versus 1086/1445 (75%) in the intervention arm (aOR 8.80 [95% CI 5.81 to 13.32]; p < 0.001). 21 interviews were performed. Personal assistance after the secondary distribution emerged as a key theme and VHWs were generally seen as a trusted cadre.; Secondary distribution of HIVST for AYA absent or refusing to test during home-based testing in Lesotho resulted in an absolute 36% increase in coverage. Distribution should, however, go along with clear instructions on the use of the HIVST and a possibility to easily access more personal support