Preliminary studies on the effects of bulb size at planting and NPK fertilizer application on growth and yield of shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum L.)

ABSTRACTStudies were carried out at the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Ghana from July to September 2012 to determine the effects of bulb size at planting, and NPK fertilizer application on growth and yield of shallot. Small, medium and big bulbs of diameter 0.8 – 1.2 cm, 1.3 – 1.5 cm and 1.6 – 2 cm, respectively, were planted on the field. Two weeks after planting, NPK (15-15-15) fertilizer was applied at 0, 85, 170 or 255 kg ha-1. Treatment combinations were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Results of the study showed that planting large bulbs and applying no NPK fertilizer produced the highest leaf number, whilst the use of small bulb followed by an application of 85 or 170 kg ha-1 of NPK produced the least leaf number of leaves. The use of big bulbs at planting together with the application of 85 kg ha-1 of NPK gave the highest number of bulbs, whilst medium bulbs which received 255 kg ha-1 of NPK gave the least number of bulbs at harvest. Similarly, the application of 85 kg ha-1 of NPK to big bulbs gave the highest bulb fresh weight, whilst small bulbs which received no NPK application recorded the least bulb weight at harvest. In terms of bulb yield at harvest, the medium bulb also responded well to the application of 85 kg ha-1 of NPK fertilizer. In shallot production, especially in the study area, farmers should use big bulbs during planting and 85 kg ha-1 of NPK fertilizer should be applied for optimum bulb yield and vegetative growth. Original scientific paper. Received 03 Apr 14; revised 25 Sep 14

Interphase cytogenetics of multicentric renal cell tumours confirm associations of specific aberrations with defined cytomorphologies

To demonstrate associations of certain chromosomal aberrations with defined renal cell tumour (RCT) subtypes, we analysed 239 tumour nephrectomy cases for specimens with multicentric tumours. Chromosomal in situ hybridization was then performed on 15 cases with 34 foci (16 conventional renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), and 18 papillary RCTs (11 carcinomas and seven adenomas) for specific chromosomal aberrations, using α-satellite probes for chromosomes 3, 7 or 17. Particular preference was given to cases which had separate foci with different cytomorphologies. Furthermore, we compared aberrations in relation to tumour size, stage, grade and between different foci in a specimen. Thirty-four cases had multiple tumours. Forty-seven per cent of the multicentric tumours were conventional RCCs and 53% papillary RCTs (against 83% solitary conventional RCCs and 5% solitary papillary RCTs). Three conventional RCCs sized 8 mm (G3), 13 cm (pT2, G2) and 15 cm (pT3b, G3), respectively, revealed monosomy 3, and 13 were disomic. Seventeen papillary RCTs (11 carcinomas and six adenomas) displayed trisomy 17, irrespective of size or grade. Four papillary carcinomas and six papillary adenomas had trisomy 7, and the rest (seven papillary carcinomas and one papillary adenoma) revealed disomy 7. In conclusion, papillary RCTs were tendentially multicentric. Although specific for conventional RCCs heedless of size, monosomy 3 was only observed in high-grade and/or advanced tumours. Trisomy 17 was only detectable in papillary RCTs irrespective of tumour state, showing increased copies with tumour growth. Papillary RCTs also appeared to lose some copies of chromosome 7 with tumour progress, possibly reflecting malignancy. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

State owned enterprises as bribe payers: the role of institutional environment

Our paper draws attention to a neglected channel of corruption—the bribe payments by state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This is an important phenomenon as bribe payments by SOEs fruitlessly waste national resources, compromising public welfare and national prosperity. Using a large dataset of 30,249 firms from 50 countries, we show that, in general, SOEs are less likely to pay bribes for achieving organizational objectives owing to their political connectivity. However, in deteriorated institutional environments, SOEs may be subjected to potential managerial rent-seeking behaviors, which disproportionately increase SOE bribe propensity relative to privately owned enterprises. Specifically, our findings highlight the importance of fostering democracy and rule of law, reducing prevalence of corruption and shortening power distance in reducing the incidence of SOE bribery

A MULTIDIMENSIONAL METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

The conceptual and methodological bases of evaluating public transportation services are examined. Multiple measures of transit performance, including efficiency and effectiveness measures, service area characteristics and planning and design criteria, are proposed and tested against data gathered from 56 American transit agencies. The analysis supports a multidimensional conceptualization of performance that looks comprehensively at the entire span of evaluation including the context, process and outcome of the evaluation. The analysis also shows that in addition to achieving efficiency and effectiveness, transit performance could also lead to improvement in data utilization, and agency capabilities and public image

TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT: A SERVICE STRATEGY FOR THE \u2790S AND BEYOND

Continued loss of market share may prompt transit system officials to rethink traditional management practices and opt for Total Quality Management (TQM). TQM is an organization strategy that concentrates of developing and involving employees in agency decision making, and improving work processes to meet or exceed customer expectations. In a nutshell, TQM emphasizes customer satisfaction, process improvement, employee empowerment, and continuous improvement. This article discusses innovative TQM-based techniques, including the current initiatives of some transit agencies. In order to successfully apply TQM strategies, an agency must understand what constitutes transit service, who transit customers are, what their expectations are, and what management requirements are necessary to meet customer expectations. These issues are addressed in detail