Strategies to Minimize the Impact of Supply Chain Risk on Business Performance

The exposure of companies to turbulence, uncertainty, and vulnerability in their supply chain results in supply chain disruption with an estimate cost of $10 million for each supply chain disruption. The purpose of this case study was to explore the strategies supply chain managers use to mitigate supply chain disruption on business performance in a pharmaceutical company in Maryland. Contingency theory of fit formed the conceptual framework for this study. Participant perceptions were elicited in interviews with 11 supply chain managers regarding strategies to mitigate risks associated with supply chain disruptions. Data from interviews and supporting documents were processed and analyzed using data source triangulation to discern emergent themes. Three main themes emerged: (a) supply chain design, planning, and forecasting; (b) flexible and multiple supplier base; and (c) resource allocation and demand management. The implications for positive social change include the potential of reducing supply chain risk, which could lead to lower prices of products for consumers, increased stakeholder satisfaction, and a higher standard of living

Innovative propagation techniques in banana and plantain

Despite the significant role of banana and plantain (Musa spp.) in the livelihood of millions of people mostly in developing countries and in particular Sub-Saharan Africa, cultivation of these important crops is impeded by numerous challenges. Against this backdrop, research attempts were made to improve shoot proliferation in banana and plantain by employing innovative macropropagation techniques. Banana and plantain suckers were harvested in the greenhouses of the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany and research fields of the Crops Research Institute, Ghana. These were subjected to Plants Issus de Fragments de tige technique (PIF), which is a mechanical preparation technique. It involves paring, thus cutting off the roots of the corms with a sharp sterilized knife. Thereafter, the leaf sheaths of the corms were carefully removed, consequently exposing latent axillary buds and the apical shoot meristem. Some of the corms had the exposed meristem destroyed with crosswise incision whiles others had the meristem left intact. Various hormonal treatments with the synthetic plant hormone 6-benzylaminopurine (0, 2.25 and 225.25 mg L-1 BAP) and natural plant hormones derived from coconut water were used. Fresh and autoclaved coconut water and other additives such as papain and root growth biostimulant from seaweed were employed in various combination to treat banana and plantain corms by either soaking or vacuum infiltration. The treated corms were planted in germination beds filled with growth substrates inside growth chambers. Evaluation of solution uptake from the two application methods and subsequently effects on number and growth characteristics of lateral shoots from the treated corms were carried out. Field evaluation of growth and yield of acclimatized plantlets from the PIF technique and hormonally derived plantlets were also undertaken. The hormonal solution application method demonstrated a higher solution uptake with the method of infiltration which was about 33% more compared to the method of soaking. Results revealed an earlier shoot emergence in corms which had the apical meristem destroyed with crosswise incision, demonstrating the breakdown of apical dominance. Nonetheless, this did not contribute to significantly higher shoot numbers when compared to corms with intact apical meristem. BAP treated corms had triggered greater number of strong shoots with comparatively higher number of roots than untreated controls, however, the effect was independent of the concentration applied. The study further revealed the importance of natural growth hormones particularly the application of autoclaved coconut water as an alternative to the expensive plant growth hormone, 6-benzylaminopurine. There was a marked effect of autoclaved coconut water, resulting in earlier shoot development characterized with higher root numbers compared to corms subjected to 6-benzylaminopurine and the PIF technique, respectively. Moreover, the addition of the proteolytic enzyme papain and the root growth biostimulant seaweed extract to coconut water did not influence the growth performance of the treated corms. Vegetative growth performance, specifically pseudostem length of the main crop, was significantly influenced by the treatment at 6 and 9 months of growth in the field. BAP and seaweed extract recorded the highest numbers of suckers. Uniformity of acclimatized plantlets with well-developed roots and active leaves at the nursery stage might have contributed immensely for the uniform vegetative growth. Treating the corms with BAP and seaweed significantly influenced the bunch weight of the main crop resulting in a bunch weight of about 11 kg. However, there was no significant difference among treatments regarding bunch weight of the first sucker crop with each treatment recording a bunch weight of 11 kg.Trotz der wichtigen Rolle von Bananen und Kochbananen (Musa spp.) als Lebensgrundlage für Millionen von Menschen in Entwicklungsländern, insbesondere in Subsahara-Afrika, ist der Anbau dieser Kulturen von verschiedensten Problemen geprägt. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurden Forschungsanstrengungen unternommen um durch den Einsatz innovativer Makrovermehrungstechniken die Schösslingsvermehrung in Bananen und Kochbananen zu verbessern. Schösslinge von Bananen und Kochbananen wurden in den Gewächshäusern der Universität Hohenheim, Stuttgart und auf den Versuchsfeldern des Crops Research Institute, Ghana gesammelt. Die Schösslinge wurden mit der Methode Plants Issus de Fragment de tige technique (PIF) vorbereitet. Bei dieser mechanischen Behandlung werden zunächst die Wurzeln des Rhizoms mit einem scharfen, sterilisierten Messer abgeschnitten. Dann werden vorsichtig die Blattscheiden der Rhizome entfernt um die latenten Seitenknospen und das apikale Sprossmeristem freizulegen. Bei einem Teil der Rhizome wurde das freigelegte Meristem mit einem Kreuzschnitt zerstört. Anschließend wurden verschiedene Hormonbehandlungen mit dem synthetischen Pflanzenhormon 6-Benzylaminopurin (0, 2.25 und 225.25 mg L-1 BAP) und mit natürlichen Pflanzenhormonen aus Kokosnusswasser angewendet. Die Rhizome der Bananen und Kochbananen wurden durch Einlegen oder Vakuuminfiltrierung mit frischem und autoklavierten Kokosnusswasser und weiteren Additiven wie Papain und einem Wurzelstimulanz aus Seegras behandelt. Die behandelten Rhizome wurden in Klimakammern in Pflanzsubstrat eingebracht. Im Anschluss wurde die verschiedene Aufnahme der Lösungen durch die zwei Anwendungsmethoden gemessen und der Einfluss auf Anzahl und Wachstum der lateralen Sprosse der behandelten Rhizome evaluiert. Außerdem wurde das Wachstum und der Ertrag der akklimatisierten Pflanzen aus der PIF Methode und aus der hormonbasierten Behandlung getestet. Das Infiltrieren mit der Hormonlösung erzielte eine etwa 33% höhere Aufnahme im Vergleich zum Einlegen in die Lösung. Ergebnisse zeigen außerdem, dass die apikale Dormanz bei den eingeschnittenen Rhizomen erfolgreich gebrochen wurde da bei diesen Rhizomen die Sprosse früher austrieben. Allerdings wurde die Anzahl der Sprosse im Vergleich zu den nicht-eingeschnittenen Rhizomen nicht erhöht. Rhizome, welche mit BAP behandelt wurden, brachten mehr Sprosse mit einer stärkeren Bewurzelung hervor als die unbehandelten Kontrollen; allerdings war dieser Effekt unabhängig von der Konzentration der Lösungen. Die Studie bestärkte außerdem die Rolle natürlicher Wachstumshormone; insbesondere stellte sich autoklaviertes Kokosnusswasser als Alternative zu dem teuren Wachstumshormon 6-Benzylaminopurin heraus. Rhizome, die mit autoklaviertem Kokosnusswasser behandelt wurden, zeigten ein früheres Sprosswachstum mit einer größeren Wurzelanzahl als Rhizome, die mit 6-Benzylaminopurin oder der PIF Methode behandelt wurden. Die Beigabe des proteolytischen Enzyms Papain und dem Wurzelstimulanz aus Seegras Extrakt zum Kokosnusswasser beeinflusste das Wachstumsverhalten der behandelten Rhizome nicht. Das vegetative Wachstumsverhalten, insbesondere die Länge des Scheinstammes der Hauptpflanze, wurde durch die Behandlung nach 6 und 9 Monaten im Feld signifikant beeinflusst. Die Behandlungen mit BAP und Seegras Extrakt erzielten die höchste Anzahl an Schösslingen. Die Homogenität der akklimatisierten Pflanzen mit gut entwickelten Wurzeln und Blättern bereits im Jungstadium förderte wahrscheinlich das gleichförmige vegetative Wachstum. Die Behandlungen der Rhizome mit BAP und Seegras Extrakt beeinflussten das Gewicht der Fruchtstände der Hauptpflanze signifikant und brachten Fruchtstandgewichte von 11 kg hervor. Das Fruchtstandgewicht der Folgetriebe wurde von den Behandlungen nicht signifikant beeinflusst und betrug ebenfalls 11 kg

Desidrata??o da polpa de guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg) por diferentes processos e avalia??o da estabilidade dos compostos bioativos presentes

The objective of this work was to obtain the pulp of guabiroba dehydrated by three different processes, in a heater with circulation and air renewal, heater without air circulation and in lyophilizer, using as a carrier maltodextrin. It was initially determined from a preliminary study which were the best concentrations of the carrier agent (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% (m / m)) and what would be the best drying temperature for the heater (50, 60 and 70?C), evaluating the quality of the physical and physical-chemical characteristics of the final product. The properties analyzed for the dehydrated product under the pre-established conditions were moisture, water activity, color, concentration of bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and carotenoids), total titratable acidity, solubility and reconstitution time. The concentration of the carrier agent and the set drying temperature was 20% (m / m) and 60?C respectively, this choice was justified because this sample had better visual and handling conditions, as well as greater conservation of the bioactive compounds and coloration of samples. The results showed that the powder obtained by the lyophilization process had a coloring hue close to yellow and the dried samples in heater with and without air circulation was orange / brown chlorination, and all the drying processes studied obtained a significant difference of (?E) relative to the in natural sample. In general, for all three processes, the appearance of the powder can be considered loose with sticky texture. It was also observed that the powders presented good solubility (74, 73 and 81%) and a reconstitution time of 312, 375 and 255 seconds, for samples dehydrated in heater with and without circulation and air and Lyophilized, respectively. The moisture content of the guabiroba pulp powder with 20% maltodextrin ranged from 7.3% to 8.2% and the water activity from 0.31 to 0.35, these values were reached after a drying time of 16 (air circulation), 24 (no air circulation) and 48 hours (lyophilization). Regarding the bioactive compounds, when comparing the product before and after drying, the impact was clear, however, despite the observed losses, guabiroba powders presented a good concentration of retained compounds in the lyophilized samples, followed by samples dehydrated in an oven with and without air circulation, for ascorbic acid the retention index was 12.1; 2.5 and 3.5%, for the phenolic compounds, 59.2; 17.1 and 25.5% and for carotenoids 42.7; 6.2 and 5.3%, respectively. The study during the storage of guabiroba powder showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of bioactive compounds, especially in lyophilized samples, however, even though, evaluating the results together, the product shows high technological and bioactive potential and can be used as an ingredient in the food industry. In general, drying proved to be an excellent strategy to improve the use of guabiroba pulp, avoiding the high wastage of this food and contributing to the promotion and appreciation of this regional raw material, becoming a source of income for small farmersO objetivo deste trabalho foi obter polpa de guabiroba desidratada por tr?s diferentes processos, em estufa com circula??o e renova??o de ar, estufa sem circula??o de ar e em liofilizador, utilizando como agente carreador a maltodextrina. Inicialmente foi determinado, a partir de um estudo preliminar, quais seriam as melhores concentra??es do agente carreador (0, 10, 20, 30 e 40% (m/m)) e qual seria a melhor temperatura de secagem para as estufas (50, 60 e 70?C). As propriedades analisadas para o produto desidratado nas condi??es pr?estabelecidas foram umidade, atividade de ?gua, cor, concentra??o dos compostos bioativos (?cido asc?rbico, compostos fen?licos e carotenoides), acidez titul?vel total, solubilidade e tempo de reconstitui??o. A concentra??o do agente carreador e a temperatura de secagem estabelecida foi de 20% (m/m) e 60?C respectivamente, em virtude da amostra apresentar melhores condi??es visuais e de manuseio, bem como, maior conserva??o dos compostos bioativos e colora??o das amostras. Os resultados ainda demostraram que o p? obtido pelo processo de liofiliza??o apresentou um tom de colora??o pr?ximo ao amarelo e as amostras secas em estufa com e sem circula??o de ar apresentaram clora??o alaranjado/marrom, sendo que todos os processos de secagem estudados obtiveram diferen?a significativa de colora??o (?E) em rela??o a amostra in natura. Para os tr?s processos, a apar?ncia do p? foi considerada solta com textura pegajosa. Observou-se tamb?m que os p?s apresentaram boa solubilidade (74, 73 e 81%) e um tempo de reconstitui??o de 312, 375 e 255 segundos, para as amostras desidratadas em estufa com e sem circula??o e ar e liofilizadas, respectivamente. O teor de umidade da polpa de guabiroba em p? com 20% de maltodextrina variou entre 7,3% a 8,2% e a atividade de ?gua 0,31 a 0,35, esses valores foram alcan?ados ap?s um tempo de secagem de 16 (estufa com circula??o), 24 (sem circula??o) e 48 horas (liofiliza??o). Em rela??o aos compostos bioativos, ao comparar o produto antes e ap?s as secagens, ficou claro o impacto, no entanto, apesar das perdas observadas, os p?s de guabiroba apresentaram uma boa concentra??o de compostos retidos nas amostras liofilizadas, seguidas das amostras desidratadas em estufa com e sem circula??o de ar, para o ?cido asc?rbico o ?ndice de reten??o foi de 12,1; 2,5 e 3,5%, para os compostos fen?licos, 59,2; 17,1 e 25,5% e para os carotenoides 42,7; 6,2 e 5,3%, respectivamente. O estudo durante o armazenamento do p? de guabiroba revelou um decr?scimo significante nas concentra??es dos compostos bioativos, principalmente nas amostras liofilizadas, por?m, mesmo assim, avaliando os resultados em conjunto, o produto mostra-se com potencial tecnol?gico e bioativo elevado, podendo ser usado como ingrediente na ind?stria aliment?cia. De modo geral a secagem demostrou ser uma excelente estrat?gia para melhorar a utiliza??o da polpa de guabiroba, evitando o alto desperd?cio deste alimento e contribuindo na promo??o e valoriza??o dessa mat?ria prima regional, tornando-se uma fonte de renda extra para pequenos agricultores

Effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters of albino Wistar rats

The effect of oral administration of the leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum G. on biochemical and haematological parameters were investigated in albino rats for 16 days. The extract did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05) on the plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). The concentration of the platelets was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 1000 mg/kg body weight, while white blood cell (WBC) was significantly increased at 500 mg/kg body weight. The doses significantly reduced (p < 0.05) plasma levels of AST, ALT, total protein, glucose and creatinine while urea was significantly increased. While the extract significantly increased the lung, brain and liver-body weights, the kidney, heart, testis, spleen and epididymis-body weights were not significantly affected. The result suggests that the leaf extract of C. albidum contains antiplatelet and hypoglycemic properties and exhibited selective organ toxicity to the rats

Understanding Climate Change and Manifestation of its Driven Impacts in the Semi Arid Areas of Dodoma Region, Tanzania

This article examines the nature and manifestation of climate change driven impacts on the agrarian districts of Kongwa and Bahi in the semi arid areas of Dodoma region in Tanzania. A Survey of 398 households in the study area was undertaken to elicit information on the nature and manifestation of climate change driven impacts. Household and key informant interviews and focus group discussion were used in collection of primary data. Secondary data were obtained through documentary review and from the Tanzania Meteorological Agency for the case of climatic data. The results indicate that climate change in Dodoma region is evident as revealed by steady increase in temperature and wind speed and the general declining rainfall trend overtime. Consequently, such changes in weather parameters over time has severely affected the livelihoods of local communities as manifested through decline in crop production, loss of livelihood sources, shortage of water and pasture for livestock, and difficulties in feeding household members overtime among others. Given the findings, this article concludes that climate change  and its impacts in the area are real and hence climate change interventions should focus on increasing agricultural productivity, pasture for livestock through sustainable livestock keeping and land use planning, diversification of socio-economic activities, as well as sustainable utilization and management of natural resources.  Keywords: Climate change; manifestation; local communities; semi arid areas, climate change impacts

Dynamics of Disruption Risk Management in Grain Chain in Nigeria: A Simulation Study

The study focussed on disruption risks in grain chain in Nigeria. The chain consists of different stages. It includes production, processing, storage and consumption. Rice grain is an important dietary food in Nigeria, in which its sufficiency cannot be over emphasised and this is mainly consumed by households. Currently, the supply of rice is below thresholds and consumption level. Farmers, processors, wholesalers and retailers are major actors in the rice grain chain. Also governments are a vital organ in this chain in the area of policy decisions. Nigeria is currently under-supplied in rice and over the years the supply of rice by Nigerians chain actors have been fluctuating due to some prominent disruption factors associated with the chain. These factors were identified to be weather failure, natural disaster, pests and disease, political instability and infrastructural risk. This has further reduced, and caused uncertainties, in the volume supplied at different points of chain stages. This study was mainly aimed to examine the effect of disruption risks in the grain chain in Nigeria. Specifically, the research explored the actual volume currently supply from different points in the rice grain chain. The research examines the volatility that exists at different points of the chain. The average volume supplied. The results show that at production level, the output shortage is on average 6.94 mt per year. Whilst, the output shortage at processing level will on average 3.75 mt per year. There is a 90% probability that the output shortage will be greater than 5.98 mt of paddy rice and, 3.04 mt of milled rice at 5% percentile, but less than 7.82 mt of paddy rice and, 4.45 mt of milled rice at 95% percentile, in a year. These shortages fluctuate with 0.56 standard deviation at production point and 0.42 standard deviation at processing. The cost to finance the default was also simulated along with the output volume based on two strategic approaches; an increase in paddy rice production, and an increase in the import of milled rice. The average cost for the shortfalls are expected to be €3.34 billion for paddy rice production and €1.95 billion for import of milled rice in a year. Keywords: Disruption, risk management, simulation model, grain chain, Nigeri

Effects of Free Primary Education on the Quality of Education in Public Primary Schools in Kanduyi Sub-County of Bungoma County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of free primary education on the quality of education in public primary schools in Kanduyi Sub-county, Bungoma County. While free primary education has increased participation, it is being viewed as having affected the quality of education in public primary schools. The study examined the effects of enrolment, facilities and human resources due to free primary education on quality of education. The research adopted a descriptive survey because it was concerned with describing the characteristics of a particular group. The research used stratified random sampling by dividing the population into a number of groups of strata, where the members of the group shared a particular characteristic or characteristics. The target population included 30 head teachers, 164 teachers, 270 pupils. The sample was based on 30% the number of members in each group. The researcher used questionnaires, interview schedule and documentary analysis to collect data.  The questionnaire was the main instrument of primary data collection. The researcher randomly picked 2 head teachers, 10 teachers and 20 pupils who participated in the pilot study. These subjects were however omitted from the final research. Both construct and content validity were applied in this study to ensure that the dimensions that were being measured by the instrument of data collection adequately covered what was intended. In order to test reliability, the researcher pre-tested the questionnaires before undertaking the actual research, and a 0.74 reliability coefficient was obtained. Primary data was collected using open ended and closed ended questionnaires and this data was supplemented by secondary data. The data was then analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively by first data coding, error checking and pre-analytical computer check. On a 5-point Likert scale, the relevant variables’ dimensions were processed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 computer software. This study found that education management should focus attention on strategies to increase enrolment of learners in each school in order to make FPE a success, communities need to be sensitized on the need to enroll children in FPE through offering support to ECDE to prepare the pupils going into primary level, and large numbers of pupils in classroom is responsible for the poor performance in Kanduyi Sub-County. It is there recommended that the government should take an active role in the implementation of the FPE program to ensure adequate enrollment. The government should review its policy on FPE so as to allow communities to supplement its effort in pursuit of effective impact and successful delivery FPE programme. It is therefore recommended that the government should take an active role in the provision of necessary funds, equipment and manpower if FPE programme has to succeed. The inferences drawn from this study will assist stakeholders in improving the quality of implementation of FPE by appropriately controlling the factors that affect quality of education. The data was analyzed using a descriptive statistical method, guided by the statistical packages of social science. Keywords: free primary education, quality of education, implementatio

Drivers of Farmers’ Marketable Supply of Pineapple in South East Nigeria

Market volume of pineapple has been studied from different angles in the developing countries. However, model identifying the relative significance of household socio-economic and institutional attributes influencing marketable supply of pineapple at household level in South East Nigeria have rarely been estimated. In this study, discrete choice of multinomial logit model was used to estimate the market channel choices. Multistage sampling technique was used and data was collected from 100 small holder pineapple farmers. Data for the study was collected from sampled market outlets in South east Nigeria between May, 2015 and April, 2016. Multiple regression model was used to analyze factors influencing the marketable supply of pineapple in South east Nigeria. The results of this study showed that age of household head, educational level, extension services, family size, marketing distance, access to information and communication technology and need for credit were found to significantly influence volume of pineapple marketed. Therefore the need for credit and rural infrastructure that will enable them add value to pineapple. Access to infrastructure and credit ensure more volume of pineapple marketed as well as higher margins and consequently will be the key in promoting agric business in the study area

Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous, methanol and chloroform leaf extracts of Cissus multistriata

Antimicrobial activity of aqueous, methanol and chloroform leaf extracts of Cissus multistriata were investigated against 8 bacterial and 2 fungal test organisms, using the tube dilution and agar ditch diffusion methods. Aqueous leaf extract had no activity against both the bacterial and fungal test organisms. Both the methanol and chloroform leaf extracts inhibited all the test organisms with chloroform leaf extract showing the highest zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli (diameter 25 mm) and least against Staphylococcus aureus (diameter 13 mm). The methanol leaf extract was least inhibitory against Salmonella typhi (diameter 8 mm) and most inhibitory against S. aureus (diameter 15 mm). The methanol leaf extract of C. multistriata show more antifungal activity compared withchloroform leaf extract, with Candida albicans being more susceptible than Aspergillus niger to both methanol and chloroform leaf extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of methanol leaf extract show least activity against Yersinia enterocolitica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 100 mg/ml) and higher activity of MIC at 50 mg/ml against the other bacterial test organisms. The chloroform leaf extract MIC of 100 mg/ml had least activity against Proteus mirabilis and P. aeruginosaand MIC of 20 mg/ml most inhibitory against E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and S. typhi. The antimicrobial activity of the heated extracts persisted after exposure to various temperatures between 30oC to 121oC for 15 to 30 min. However, the extract activity decreased as the temperature&#160; increased. The killing rate of the MBC of chloroform extract on E. coli was 1 cfu/3 min while on S. typhi was 1 cfu/3.8 min