1,354 research outputs found
Influence of Personal Characteristics on Job Performance Among Extension Agents and Agricultural Researchers in South Western Nigeria
No full textThis paper examined the influence of personal characteristics of extension agents and researchers on their job performance. The results indicate that extension agents had a mean of 36. 5 years with majority being male and married as well as having HND certificates. They have also spent between 21 and 30 years in service. Of all the linkage activities, extension agents frequently carried out joint problem identification and evaluation reports. Findings with respect to researchers showed a mean age of 37.4 years and 71.5 per cent were male and married. About 45 per cent had Masters Degree and above. Only 23 per cent are currently studying for higher degrees while 32 per cent had spent between 21 and 30 years in office. Researchers are mostly involved in joint problem identification (73.8 per cent) with extension agent and evaluation meetings (67 per cent). The result of the Chi-Square analysis shows that educational level (χ2 = 25 df10, p < 0.05) and job tenure (χ2 = 23.72 df6, p < 0.05) affect job performance among researchers while for extension agents gender (χ2 = 7.94 df2, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 16 df6, p < 0.05), educational level(χ2 = 27.86 df10, p < 0.05) and job tenure (χ2 = 25.52 df6, p < 0.05) are related to the job performance. The paper concludes that personal characteristics exert a lot of influence on the job performance of extension agents and researchers. Ce papier a examiné l\'influence des caractéristiques personnelles des vulgarisateurs et des chercheurs sur leur performance du travail. Les resultats indiquent que les vulgarisateurs avaient un moyen de 36.5 ans et la majorité sont des sexes maseulins, mariés et possèdent le certificat national du diplôme supérieure. Ils ont également passé entre 21 et 30 ans en service. Parmi toutes les activités de rélation, les vulgarisateurs fréquemment entament le problème conjugué de l\'identification et de l\'évaluation des réportages. Dans le cas des chercheurs, on a remarqué que l\'âge moyen était 37.4 ans et 71.5% étaient des sexes masculins et mariés. 45% d\'eux possèdent le minimum des maîtrises. Il n\'y a que 23% d\'entre eux qui apprennent toujours pour les licences supérieures alors que 32% ont passé entre 21 et 30 ans en service. Les chercheurs s\'occupent normalement du problème conjugué d\'identification (73.8%) avec les vulgarisateurs et des réunions d\'évaluation (67%). Les résultats des analyses chi-carrées indiquent que le niveau pédagogique (χ2 = 23.72 df6, p < 0.05) a un effet sur la performance parmi les chercheurs alors que dans le cas des chercheurs, sexe (χ2 = 7.94df2, p < 0.05) situation familiale (χ2 = 16 df6, p < 0.05) le niveau pédagogique (χ2 = 27.86 df10, p < 0.05) et période du travail (χ2 = 25.52 df6, p < 0.05) sont considérablement liés à la performance du travail. Le papier conclu que les caractéristiques personnelles exercent beaucoup d\'influences sur la performance du travail des vulgarisa teurs et des chercheurs. Keywords: Personal characteristics, job performance, extension agents, researchers, south western Nigeria. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana Vol. 6 2007 pp. 431-44
Effect of Nomadists‟ Uncontrolled grazing on livelihood activities in Oyo State Nigeria
No full textThe study assessed the effect of Nomadic pastoralists uncontrolled grazing which led to conflicts on the livelihood activities of agro-pastoralists in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. Fifty percent of the agro pastoralists households (III) in the study area were randomly selected and simple technique was used to sample one male and one female household heads from each of the households, totaling two hundred and twenty two respondents. The agro-pastoralists personal characteristics, livelihood activities and accessibility to resources before and after occurrence of conflicts due to nomadic pastoralists uncontrolled grazing were determined. Findings showed that majority of the agropastoralists had no formal education. The nomadic pastoralists uncontrolled grazing led to conflicts between agropastoralists and crop farmers. Majority of the agro pastoralists assumed that the aggressive attribute of the nomadic pastoralists was the major cause of their uncontrolled grazing, which consequently made agro pastoralists to suffer in numerous ways. Measures to prevent future occurrence of conflict were recommended. Such as enactment of government policy to check the nomadic pastoralists uncontrolled grazing and improvement to nomadic education programme as to provide opportunities for diverse livelihood activities to the pastoralists
Comparison of methods for the microbiological identification and profiling of cronobacter species from ingredients used in the preparation of infant formula
No full textCronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) can be isolated from a wide range of foods and environments, and its association with neonatal infections has drawn considerable attention from regulatory authorities. The principle route of neonatal infection has been identified as the ingestion of contaminated infant formula. A number of methods have been developed to identify Cronobacter spp., however these were before the most recent (2012 ) taxonomic revision of the genus into seven species. In this study, phenotyping, protein profiling and molecular methods were used to identify Cronobacter strains which had been recently isolated from ingredients used in the preparation of infant formula. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed that different Cronobacter strains had been recovered from the same food products. All isolates were identified as C sakazakii according to four genus specific PCR-probes and protein profiling using MALDI-TOF analysis. However, 16S rDNA sequence analyses and fusA allele sequencing gave more accurate identification: four strains were C sakazakii, one strain was C malonaticus and the remaining strain was C universalis. Multilocus sequence typing showed the strains were different sequence types. These results demonstrate the presence of different Cronobacter species in food ingredients used in the preparation of infant formula, and also the need for molecular identification and profiling methods to be revised according to taxonomic revisions
<smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"> Indigenous labour sourcing: Subsistence farming and poverty status among farmers in Nigeria </smarttagtype></smarttagtype>
No full text478-484 The paper examines the concepts of farm renting, farm pledging and sharecropping as correlates of poverty status among farmers in Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select farmers in Ondo state, where the practice of these concepts predominates. Data were collected through structured interview schedules and data analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. One-way analysis of variance for the six categories of the respondents on expenditure, poverty alleviating strategies and income from other activities shows that there is a significant difference among the respondents for the variables examined. The implication of these findings is that poverty alleviation programmes should focus the types of income generating activities examined in the study. </smarttagtype
Effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on agricultural information access among extension officers in North West Province South Africa
No full textThis study determined the effect of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on agricultural information access among extension officers in North West Province South Africa. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 169 officers from which data were collected with structured and face validated questionnaire. Fourteen statements were perceived by officers as having an effect on improving information access. Significant determinants of the effect of ICT on information access were education (t= 2.61, p = 0.11); constraints to ICT tools (t= 2.60, p = .010), use of ICT tools (t = 4.67, p = .000) and e-readiness (t= -3.01, p =.003).Keywords: Information Communication Technology, information access, extension officers, agricultural informatio
Job burnout and coping strategies among extension agents in south western Nigeria
No full textThe need to maintain a non-mineral dependent economy and daunting food import bills have been the drive for the provision of extension services, which is dependent on motivated extension work force.. Extension personnel will not stay motivated under circumstances where the risk of job burnout is high. A simple random technique was used to select 120 extension agents from 328. Data were collected with a structuredquestionnaire (reliability coefficient of 0.85) and were analyzed with frequency counts, percentages one-way analysis of variance and multiple regressions. The result shows that 68% of the agents are males 85% married; 50% are above 40 years and 66% have at least a BSc degree. Burnout symptoms manifest mostly as depression (48%), insomnia (40%), headaches (43%), and weight loss (44%). Popular copingstrategies are keeping positive attitude at all times, setting self-realistic goals, and maintaining healthy relationship with co-workers. A significant difference exists in burnout symptoms experienced across the states (F = 5.71, df 3,117 p < 0.05). Significant determinants are age (t = 3.61), Number of children (t = 4.36), and coping strategy (t = -4.71).The study recommends that extension agents should be young, dynamic, maintain manageable family size and be exposed to different techniques tocope with burnout symptoms
Hyojun dai toa bunzu. 18 , Hawai shoto hen /
No full textMap of Hawaii published in Japan in 1943.; Also available in an electronic version via the internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-vn6451628. 880-04 Inset: Shinjuwan oyobi Honoruru fukin -- Hawai shoto fukin (Sandoicchi shoto). Scale 1:9,000,000.880-04 Inset: 1-MO!KB'IC!5#i%[i%Ni%ki%k!0o
No full textOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic condition commonly known as Brittle Bones. The purpose of this study was to listen to and document the experiences of those with OI to investigate if there were barriers to inclusive education for students with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Persons with OI are often small in stature, have limited strength and varying degrees of mobility. Adventurous behaviour or everyday activities may result in fractures. Often in the world of disability the focus is on the medical condition rather than the personal experiences of those with the condition. This study provided an opportunity to articulate the personal experiences of the participants.
In this study two specific aspects of educational experiences were examined. The first aspect explored was the way students managed physically within the educational setting, while the second aspect examined how students coped emotionally. Five major questions were used to determine if special education policies have affected the quality of inclusiveness for students with OI in New Zealand classrooms over a period of forty years. These questions examined what barriers exist in the past and whether the same barriers still exist within today's educational setting. The questions investigated what or who may be the cause of these barriers and what possible effects these barriers might have on the student The present situation was compared with the past and finally how might these barriers be overcome was investigated.
This qualitative study focused on three individuals, each representing a different generation. The participants exemplified a particular phenomenon, specifically the daily school lives in New Zealand of those with OI. The difficulties these students faced were explored through semi-structured interviews to encourage the three participants to voice their individual experiences. All three participants gave freely of their thoughts in an articulate, thoughtful and open manner, sharing both their positive and unpleasant experiences.
This study revealed that some New Zealand schools have yet to implement recent inclusive education policies set out by the Ministry of Education. The three participants identified barriers to inclusive education from their own personal perspectives. The physical environment of school presented challenges. Distance between classrooms and assembly halls and accessibility to the playground, ramps and toilet facilities created difficulties for students with OI who did not walk independently. Attitudes of parents, teachers, and the wider school community impacted on the self-attitude of students with OI. Over-protection, fear and anxiety were identified as unintentional attitudes that placed limitations on participation of meaningful activities and added to student feelings of isolation and difference. Lack of knowledge of the medical and psychosocial aspects of students with OI could account for the continued barriers imposed by some teachers.
Barriers do still exist in some New Zealand schools for students with osteogenesis imperfecta. Improved access could result in more participation. More participation could allow for an improved quality of social interaction and thus result in greater focus on the person and less focus on the disability. Collaboration between all school staff, parents and students with OI is essential to minimise barriers and maximise academic and social opportunities
Extension systems in Southern African countries: A review
No full textThis paper reviews extension systems in selected southern African countries with a view of identifying the features of the systems and how they have been able to reach their target audience. Some of the features are use of committees for research and extension linkages, involvement of NGOs and private sector, the use development programmes to improve rural areas, extensive grassroots coverage, use of ICT, high involvement of farmers in extension planning, potential for effective programme implementation, and effective setting of extension administration units.. The paper recommends that extension administrators, and policy makers should review the extension systems in each country with the realities and challenges of extension in the 21st century
New Perspectives on Computational and Cognitive Strategies for Word Sense Disambiguation
No full textCognitive and Computational Strategies for Word Sense Disambiguation examines cognitive strategies by humans and computational strategies by machines, for WSD in parallel. Focusing on a psychologically valid property of words and senses, author Oi Yee Kwong discusses their concreteness or abstractness and draws on psycholinguistic data to examine the extent to which existing lexical resources resemble the mental lexicon as far as the concreteness distinction is concerned. The text also investigates the contribution of different knowledge sources to WSD in relation to this very intrinsic nature of words and senses.
- …
