bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On-spot Billing System, Cost of Water, Revenue Collection Mechanism & Revenue Collection Performance of Public Utility Entities Evidence from NWSC Mbarara Centre
Authors: Atukunda Gershom , Nekemia Ampiire , Nuwagaba Arthur 
Published: April 2023

Revenue collection performance is vital in promoting efficiency in the service delivery and economic development of organizations. The purpose of the study was to determine the contribution of on-spot billing system, cost of water and revenue collection mechanism on revenue collection performance of public entities in Uganda. The study objectives were to establish the contribution of cost of water on the revenue collection performance in NWSC, to examine the contribution of revenue collection mechanism on revenue collection performance in NWSC, and to find out the relationship between on-spot billing system and revenue collection performance in NWSC.
The study was guided by the cash management theory which focuses improving liquidity and it adopted a cross-sectional research design. Data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. 108 respondents participated in the study. Data was entered into SPSS, and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings show that the cost of water significantly contributes to revenue collection performance in NWSC, Mbarara Centre. Results also indicate that location of pay points, the failure to automate revenue collection, the number of pay points, and mode of paying bills significantly contributed to Revenue Collection Performance Findings. Further affirm that on-spot billing has a significant effect on revenue collection performance at NWSC because it enhances revenue collection performance.
Basing on the results of the study, it is recommended that the government should subsidise more the cost of water, customers be engaged in the pricing or mode of payment for water bills, number of pay points be increased and establish more convenient ways of paying for water like of mobile money agents and more attention be attached on improving on the on-spot billing system and meter reading challenges and also that customers be sensitized on their roles to NWSC.
Climate Smart Agriculture - A Comprehensive Scoping and Assessment Study with Particular Reference to Uganda
Authors: Osiru David. S.O 
Published: April 2023

** The paper is based on the study carried out by the author for FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and FANRPAN (Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network) as a consultant.
Based on the projection on population growth and food consumption pattern in developing countries, there is likely to be a deficit in the food production by the year
2050. Africa’s population has just passed 1 billion and it is expected to double by the year 2050 (FAO 2012) According to FAO, Sub Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive, is the region that has the highest proportion of poor and undernourished people in Africa (FAO,2011a). Agricultural production will, therefore have to increase by at least 70% in order to ensure that the food demands are met.
Meeting the food demands of a growing population is already a formidable task for agricultural sector of many developing nations like Uganda but this will be further exacerbated by climate change. Largely due to climate change, agricultural productivity is likely to decrease. Similarly, the stability of production and incomes are likely to change. This trend may be even worse in countries which are already experiencing food insecurity (FAO 2012)
The important implication of this is that for Uganda, policy makers will be faced with an even greater challenge to ensure that agriculture contributes more in addressing food security issues, development and climate change (adaptation and mitigation). In other words, agriculture in Uganda must undergo major and significant transformation in order to address the challenges likely to be faced in achieving food security and responding to climate change. Put in another way, in order to stabilize output and income, production systems must become more resilient or more capable of performing well in the face of disruptive events. This requires transformation in the management of natural resources and higher efficiency in the use of these resources and inputs for production.
According to FAO, approaches that seek to maximize the benefits and minimize the trade-offs across the multiple objectives, often associated with agricultural sector, require more integrated and coordinated planning, policies and institutional arrangements as well as financing and investments. Such approaches and related enabling requirements are referred to by FAO as climate smart agriculture. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is thus a way to ensure the achievements of future food security under climate change. CSA encompasses sustainable agriculture and it includes the need for adaptation and the potential for mitigation with associated technical, policy and financing implications.
This scoping study attempts to review and examine the current production practices as it relates to CSA in Uganda. The study also seeks to conduct comprehensive reviews of the existing policies, analyze gaps and identify relevant policy recommendations.
Effect of Population Growth on Food Security Situation among Refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District
Authors: Ally Zamzam , Banugire Firimooni R , Atukunda Gershom , Atwine Johnson 
Published: April 2023

The study was about the effect of population growth on food security situation among the Refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District. The study objectives were; to determine the main population changes taking place in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, and also to establish the effects of age composition on food availability among the Refugees.
The researcher used a cross-sectional research design. The study used a sample size of 133 respondents.
Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitateive data was analyzed using SPSS. Basing on the field findings, there was a significant relationship between Population Growth and Food Security situation among the Refugees of Nakivale Refugee Settlement. This was due to the fact that when the population fertility and refugee influx is high, food becomes insufficient to the refugees and when the mortality is highly, the population reduces as most of the people become sick and weak and food is highly consumed by the weak people.
Based on the age composition, it was evident that working age bracket increases food security the fact that most households involved in work and their consumption rate is reserved compared to the younger population who are dependants as well as existing mothers who produce more young kids. The researcher recommends that the government and NGOs institute more technical personnel in the camp to help refugees by training them on better farming skills, helping them to create employment. It is also recommended that the refugees need to be trained with income generating activities both entrepreneurial and life skills. Further recommendation to the government and NGOs is that there should be addition of various food types that refugees prefer to eat, also, different seedlings should be given to refugees for them to grow more crops and improve on yielding. NGOs should intervene towards empowering mothers specifically those who have children below 12 years.
Assessment of the Effects of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer application on Banana Yields in Shuuku Town Council, Sheema District, Western Uganda
Authors: Kanyesigye J , Ssemakula Edward 
Published: April 2023

The Experiment was on the effect of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer on banana yields in Shuuku Town council, Sheema district. It was guided by three objectives which were, determining the effect of Farmyard Manure and NPK Fertilizer on plant girth, plant height, establishing the effect on leaf and sucker development and also determining hands formation on banana bunches in the 3 selected Sites.
The experiment was set using an incomplete randomized block design to evaluate the effects of Farmyard Manure and NPK fertilizer on banana yields, with an aim of determining the effect of Farmyard manure and NPK fertilizer on plant girth, plant height, establishing the effect on leaf and sucker development and also determining Hands formation on banana bunches in the 3 selected farms. Each block consisted of 30 banana stools, each farm with 4 blocks, one block cattle manure, another for NPK fertilizer, another one for a combination of both and the last one as a control in a randomized form.
Data was collected from at least 15 banana stools from each block. Data was used to give conclusions to the experiment objectives. Data was coded, edited and analyzed using SPSS to give meaning. After data processing, it was presented in tables. The researcher recommended the combined application of cattle manure and NPK fertilizers in banana production since they provide different nutrients to the soil hence ensuring increased yields.
The researcher recommended utilization of cattle manure for the average Farmers. For the farmers involved in production of the banana crop, the researcher recommended cattle manure to enhance plant heights for both the maiden plants and suckers.
Prolactin-secreting Pituitary Macro-adenoma Presenting with Mass Effects, Hormonal Deficiencies, and Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Okikiade Adedeji , Browne-Caesar Twanna , Afolayan-Oloye Olayinka , Agboola Rasheed , Olojede Olubunmi , Oyewole Adijat 
Published: April 2023

To report and review a case of prolactin-producing pituitary tumor presenting with mass effects, hormonal deficiency, and neurogenic diabetes insipidus in a nulliparous woman of Afro-Caribbean descent. The patient presented with dull-aching headaches associated with worsening vision, nausea, and vomiting. The patient also complained of polyuria, nocturia, thirst, polydipsia, and weight gain. Physical examination showed bilateral visual field defects, while investigations revealed hypernatremia and elevated plasma osmolality but decreased urine sodium concentration, osmolality, and specific gravity.
Results of the hormonal profile showed high plasma prolactin levels, a low plasma concentration of the antidiuretic hormone, and decreased levels of other anterior pituitary hormones. Imaging revealed a large, uncalcified, cystic pituitary mass extending into adjacent structures and compressing the optic chiasm and internal carotid artery. The outcome of the water deprivation and desmopressin administration tests were consistent with neurogenic diabetes insipidus, and a diagnosis of prolactin-producing pituitary macroadenoma with mass effects, hormonal deficiencies, and neurogenic diabetes insipidus was made. The patient was commenced on medical treatment and referred for histopathological diagnosis and definitive treatment. This report highlights the coexistence of neurogenic diabetes insipidus with a prolactin-producing pituitary macroadenoma presenting with mass effects.
Response of Organic Fertilizers on Sorghum: Greengram Intercropping on Yield Attribute, Yield, and Economics at Varying Row Ratios under Rainfed Situations
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Uttam S. K. , Kumar Pradeep , Verma Shikhar , Dheer Vineet , Gautam Susheel 
Published: April 2023

India is the largest producer of Pulses, however productivity is stills very low, and need of millet is also increasing day by day in this concern to utilize the filed efficiently to get higher millet yield as well as pulses per unit area. A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2017 at Soil Conservation and Water Management Farm of the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur to find out effect of cropping systems of different row ratio and doses of farm yard manure (FYM) on, yield and economics of crops under rainfed condition. The treatments comprised of 4 cropping systems i.e. (i) sole sorghum, 45 cm apart (ii) sole greengram, 45 cm apart (iii) sorghum + greengram (2:1 row ratio ) (iv) sorghum + greengram (3:1 row ratio) and 3 doses of FYM i.e. (i) without FYM (ii) 10 t/ha (iii) 20 t/ha were tested in Factorial Randomized block design with 3 replications. Results obtained that the yield of sorghum and greengram were highest in their sole stands. The yield of sole and intercropped greengram in terms of sorghum equivalent grain yield showed significantly (p <0.05) variation, whereas sorghum + greengram (2:1 row ratio) brought out significantly (p <0.05) the highest production as compared to other cropping systems. Moreover, the land equivalent ratio, gross return and net return were also found to be the highest. Simultaneously Increasing rates of FYM brought out significant (p <0.05) improvement in vegetative growth, yield attributes and grain/stover yield, where a dose of 10 t FYM/ha gave best performance in respect of vegetative growth, yield attributes and grain/stover yield. In addition, net return was also noticed higher.
The Compliance and Quality of Biological Examination Requests at the Douala General Hospital
Authors: Pierre Nda Mefo'o Jean , Arnauld Ondoua Jacques , Pierre Ngene Jean , Emmanuel Mbosso Teinkela Jean , Elodie Ngo Malabo , Clémence Olemba , Christian Ngoule Charles , Gisèle Etame Loe , Cécile Okalla Ebongue 
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The prescription of biological examinations is the first step in guaranteeing the quality of the results of the biological analyzes given by the laboratory. Indeed, the irregularity of requests for biological examinations makes it difficult to carry out and interpret the results and also compromises the optimal and rational use of the diagnostic aid tool that is the clinical biology laboratory. The purpose of this study was to assess the compliance and quality of Biological Examinations Requests (BERs) at the Douala General Hospital (DGH)
Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2022 in the clinical biology laboratory department of the DGH. The information provided on each request for examinations was evaluated using a technical sheet containing the evaluation grids of the ISO 15189 standard.
Results: A total of 1765 BERs from 10 known clinical departments and 5.20% (n = 91) with no details on the department were analyzed. Prescriber qualification was absent in 13.31% (n=235), clinical information was notified in 23.79% (n=420), prescriber contact in 2.89% (n=51). The compliance assessment revealed that 49% (n=867) requests were non-compliant. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between non-compliant BERs and the internal medicine department (OR = 0.52 and P-value = 0.038) and medical specialists (OR = 0.576 and P-value = 0.048) with a significant association.
Conclusion: It was observed that the non-compliant BERs lacked information identifying the patient, the prescriber, as well as the examination/sample. The ISO standard recommends the accuracy of this information. Because their absence would make it impossible to carry out the examinations, waste of time searching for the service/prescriber for additional information or for the return of the results. These results suggest an improvement in practices in the prescription of medical biology analyzes at the DGH in particular and in Cameroon in general.
Modelling Uncertainty Effects in Decision Taking in Buyer-Supplier Relations
Authors: Kamann Dirk-Jan F. 
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To develop a model that shows the different aspects that play a role in decision making in buyer-supplier relations when facing uncertainty.
Methodology: Process steps and relevant aspects were distilled from a broad literature review and evaluated in a Mini-Delphi style workshop.
Findings: An accumulative three-layered model shows (1) the assumed decision flow of the decision maker’s process under uncertainty; (2) the assumed behavioural aspects affecting this decision flow; (3) manifest variables and latent constructs related to the decision flow.
Relevance: The proposed model is designed to be used for surveys and gamification experiments, with relevant operationalised variables made explicit.
Evaluating Morning Reports by Emergency Medicine Residents
Authors: Alotaibi Majed Alawe , Alahmari Ali , Almujalli Yazeed Mousa 
Published: April 2023

Background: Inpatient case-based teaching is used in morning report (MR). In light of the quick changes in medical practice, it's critical to gauge the residents' opinions of this teaching approach. In order to determine the viewpoint of emergency medicine residents on different parts of morning reports and to suggest a format based on our observations, our study used an observational cross-sectional methodology.
Methods: Residents of King Saud Medical City (KSMC), King Salman Hospital, Aliman General Hospital, and Imam Abdulrahman Alfaisal Hospital participated in an observational cross-sectional survey on morning reports. The residents were given a 22-item questionnaire that asked them about the objective, structure, and substance of the morning report as well as who would be the best choice to present and conduct it and how frequently it should be done. The statistical program "Statistical Package for Social Sciences" was used for the analyses (SPSS).
Results: 88.6% of residents agreed that the morning report should be presented by the post-call faculty. 53.3% of respondents said they preferred a general internist, while the chief resident who was conducting the report received a nearly identical response rate (54.6%). Discussion of particular intriguing instances was preferred by 34.6% of the residents since it would aid those 70% more in their post-graduate exams. The residents strongly agreed that management difficulties (86.6%) and diagnostic workup (90%) should be discussed in the morning report. Evidence-based medicine (66.6%) and disease processes (67.3% each) received equal ratings.
Conclusion: Morning reports are a valuable instructional tool and ought to be a requirement of all postgraduate residency programs, both domestically and abroad.
Weak Membrane Stabilizing Activity of Sydowinin B and Pitholide B
Authors: Alade G. O. , Ajibesin K. K. 
Published: April 2023

Background: There is a dire need for anti-inflammatory agents presently to solve many health challenges. Extracts of endophytic fungi have been implicated a lot in this area. The aim of the study was to test isolated compounds from the extract of Pestalotiopsis clavispora residing in Phoenix reclinata.
Methods: Fungal isolation from Phoenix reclinata, cultivation, extraction isolation of compounds, characterisation and membrane stabilisation assay were carried out by standard methods.
Results and Discussion: From the extract of P. clavispora, was isolated three compounds which are 7,8-dihydroxanthenone-8-carboxylic acid methyl ester,sydowinin B and pitholide B. The fungus was from the mangrove plant Phoenix reclinata Jacq. (Arecaceae).
Sydowinin B and pitholide B exhibited a very weak membrane stabilizing activity of 4.5 and 2% respectively, at 100 µg/mL and 5% at 200 µg/mL for the two compounds.
Conclusion: The compounds have not been isolated before from this fungus and they exhibited a very weak membrane stabilizing activity.
Quantitative Measurements of Macular and Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow Parameters Following Cataract Surgery in Eye Department, Red Cross Tertiary General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Authors: Kouroupaki A. I. , Pateras E. , Karabatsas K. 
Published: April 2023

Objective: To evaluate the effect of uncomplicated cataract surgery on macular and optic nerve head blood flow with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A). Retinal vascular changes and macular vessel remodeling following cataract surgery is an area of interest, as the effect, cause and duration of such changes remain debatable.
Setting: Eye Department, Red Cross Tertiary General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Methods: In this study, we recruited cataract surgery candidates who had regular post operative visits and underwent longitudinal OCT-A examinations before and after surgery.
Results: Macular vessel density increased in the post operative visits both in the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary network (DCP) (P<0.001) and showed a persistent effect over 3 months follow-up. Macular thickness increased over the first postoperative month, but returned to preoperative values at 3 months. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) measurements and vessel density at radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC) were unaffected.
Conclusions: OCT-A enables a quantitative analysis of blood flow by regular patient monitoring. In this study, we found that after cataract surgery, macular blood flow increased significantly. The reason for this could be attributed to post operative inflammatory process or vascular remodeling due to change in retinal metabolic demands.
Association of State-Level Tax Policy and Infant Mortality in the United States, 1996-2019
Authors: Junior Jean A. , Lee Lois K. , Fleegler Eric W. , Monuteaux Michael C. , Niescierenko Michelle L. , Stewart Amanda M. 
Published: April 2023

ImportanceInfant mortality in the United States is highest among peer nations; it is also inequitable, with the highest rates among Black infants. The association between tax policy and infant mortality is not well understood.ObjectiveTo examine the association between state-level tax policy and state-level infant mortality in the US.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis state-level, population-based cross-sectional study investigated the association between tax policy and infant mortality in the US from 1996 through 2019. All US infant births and deaths were included, with data obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. Data were analyzed from November 28, 2021, to July 9, 2022.ExposuresState-level tax policy was operationalized as tax revenue per capita and tax progressivity. The Suits index was used to measure tax progressivity, with higher progressivity indicating increased tax rates for wealthier individuals.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe association between tax policy and infant mortality rates was analyzed using a multivariable, negative binomial, generalized estimating equations model. Since 6 years of tax progressivity data were available (1995, 2002, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2018), 300 state-years were included. Adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) were calculated controlling for year, state-level demographic variables, federal transfer revenue, and other revenue. Secondary analyses were conducted for racial and ethnic subgroups.ResultsThere were 148 336 infant deaths in the US from 1996 through 2019, including 27 861 Hispanic infants, 1882 non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native infants, 5792 non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander infants, 41 560 non-Hispanic Black infants, and 68 666 non-Hispanic White infants. The overall infant mortality rate was 6.29 deaths per 1000 live births. Each $1000 increase in tax revenue per capita was associated with a 2.6% decrease in the infant mortality rate (aIRR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99). An increase of 0.10 in the Suits index (ie, increased tax progressivity) was associated with a 4.6% decrease in the infant mortality rate (aIRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.99). Increased tax progressivity was associated with decreased non-Hispanic White infant mortality (aIRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.99), and increased tax revenue was associated with increased non-Hispanic Black infant mortality (aIRR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cross-sectional study, an increase in tax revenue and the Suits index of tax progressivity were both associated with decreased infant mortality. These associations varied by race and ethnicity. Tax policy is an important, modifiable social determinant of health that may influence state-level infant mortality.