• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.82-103
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• 2023

The Zimbabwean healthcare sector faces huge challenges due to increased demands for improved services for a growing number of patients with fewer resources. The use of information and communications technologies, prevalent in many industries, but lacking in Zimbabwean healthcare, could increase productivity and innovation. The adoption of health management information systems (HMISs) can lead to improved patient safety and high-level patient care. These technologies can change delivery methods to be more patient focused by utilising integrated models and allowing for a continuum of care across healthcare providers. However, implementation of these technologies in the health care sector remains low. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the advantages to be attained by using HMISs in healthcare delivery and to ascertain the factors that influence the uptake of such systems in the public healthcare sector. A conceptual model, extending the technology, organization, and environment framework by means of other adoption models, underpins the study of adoption behavior. A mixed method methodology was used to conduct the study. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were used to allow for regression analysis. For the qualitative approach, thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. The results showed that the critical success factors (namely, relative advantage, availability, complexity, compatibility, trialability, observability, management support, information and communication technology expertise, communication processes, government regulation, infrastructure support, organizational readiness, industry and competitive support, external support, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use) influenced adoption of HMISs in public hospitals in Zimbabwe.

• World Technopolis Review
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2016

Entrepreneurship development has increasingly become a global solution to address the problem of rising unemployment. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) have become important tools in improving the economic performance and social well-being of nations. When universities and industry work together to push the boundaries of knowledge, they become a powerful engine for innovation and economic growth. This paper is based on focus group interviews and discussions conducted with key players involved in the HIT-Sandown-UNDP Business Incubation Programme in Harare Zimbabwe. The business incubation project sought to support young Zimbabweans to transform their technical prototypes into commercially and socially viable ventures. As a result, a total of 10 prototypes were refined and investor ready business plans were developed for capital sourcing purposes. It was only through the coming together of the partners that real transformation of the lives of the participants was achieved through learning valuable business skills, coaching and mentoring. University-industry partnerships are a useful vehicle of setting up sustainable business incubation centres.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.65-73
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• 2011

기후변화는 에너지 수지와 물 수지의 변화를 초래하여 육상 생물권에 영향을 미칠 것이다. 기온과 강수량의 변화와 대기중의 탄산가스 농도 변화는 작물의 생육환경을 크게 변화시킬 것이다. 본 연구에서는 FAO AquaCrop 모형을 이용하여 기온과 강수량의 변화와 대기중 탄산가스 농도의 변화가 짐바브웨의 옥수수 수확량에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 미래 기후 값은 HadCM3 모형 예측 값을 change factor 기법으로 상세화 하였다. 배출 시나리오는 A2와 B2를 선정하였으며 시간대는 2020s, 2050s 및 2080s의 30년 기간을 선정하였다. 기준작물 증발산량은 Penman-Monteith 식으로 산정하였다. 관개용수 공급이 충분한 것으로 가정하고 전통적인 보충관개를 실시하였을 때 기준년도 (1970s)에 비해 옥수수 증발산량은 최대 26 %, 옥수수 잠재 수확량은 최대 93 %까지 증가할 것으로 예측되었으며 물의 생산성은 최대 53 %까지 증가할 것으로 예측되었다.

• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine strategies which clothing manufacturers had employed to make themselves more competitive in the era of fast fashion. The Zimbabwean fashion industry is facing fierce competition from imported fast-fashion products which are lower priced and offer consumers a variety of designs from which to choose. The study made use of a qualitative approach with multiple case study design. In-depth interviews were used to gather data from participants, who were selected using the purposive sampling. The study found that clothing manufacturers had resorted to sub-contracting garment manufacturing work, promoting the buy-Zimbabwe campaign and developing in-house brands. This study offers insights into how the fast-fashion era has impacted the local fashion industry and unveils the practical solutions that local clothing manufacturers have embraced in a bid to remain operational and become globally competitive.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2005

Sheep production is affected by genetic and non-genetic factors. A knowledge of these factors is essential for efficient management and for the accurate estimation of breeding values. The objective of this study was to establish the non-genetic factors which affect birth weight and weaning weight in Dorper, Mutton Merino and indigenous Sabi sheep breeds. A total of 2,625 birth and weaning weight records from Grasslands Research Station collected from 1991 through 1993, were used. The records were collected from indigenous Sabi (939), Dorper (807) and Mutton Merino (898) sheep. A mixed classification model containing the fixed effects of year, birth status and sex was used for identification of non-genetic factors. Sire within breed was included as a random effect. Two factor interactions and three factor interactions were important in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep. The mean birth weights were 4.37${\pm}$0.04 kg, 4.62${\pm}$0.04 kg and 3.29${\pm}$0.04 kg for Mutton Merino, Dorper and Sabi sheep, respectively. Sire had significant effects (p<0.05) on birth weight in Mutton Merino and indigenous Sabi sheep. Year of lambing had significant effects (p<0.05) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep. The effect of birth status was non significant in Dorper and Mutton Merino sheep while effect of birth status was significant on birth weight in indigenous Sabi sheep. In Indigenous Sabi sheep lambs born as singles (3.30${\pm}$0.05 kg) were 0.23 kg heavier than twins (3.07${\pm}$0.05 kg), in Mutton Merino lambs born as singles (3.99${\pm}$0.08 kg) were 0.07 kg heavier than twins (3.92${\pm}$0.08 kg) and in Dorper lambs born as singles (4.41${\pm}$0.04 kg) were 0.02 kg heavier than twins (4.39${\pm}$0.04 kg). On average males were heavier than females (p<0.05) weighing (3.32${\pm}$0.04 kg vs. 3.05${\pm}$0.07 kg) in indigenous Sabi, 4.73${\pm}$0.03 kg vs. 4.08${\pm}$0.05 in Dorper and 4.26${\pm}$0.07 kg vs. 3.66${\pm}$0.09 kg in Mutton Merino sheep. Two way factor interactions of sire*year, year*sex and sex*birth status had significant effects (p<0.05) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep while the effect of year*birth status was non significant on birth weight in Indigenous Sabi sheep. The three way factor interaction of year*sex*birth status had a significant effect (p<0.01) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi and Mutton Merino. Tupping weight fitted as a covariate had significant effects (p<0.001) on birth weight in indigenous Sabi, Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep. The mean weaning weights were 17.94${\pm}$0.31 kg, 18.19${\pm}$0.28 kg and 14.39${\pm}$0.28 kg for Mutton Merino, Dorper and Indigenous Sabi sheep, respectively. Effects of sire and sire*year were non significant on weaning weight in Dorper and Mutton Merino while year, sex and sex*year interaction had significant effects (p<0.001) on weaning weight. On average males were heavier than females (p<0.001) at weaning. The respective weaning weights were 18.05${\pm}$0.46 kg, 18.68${\pm}$0.19 kg, 14.14${\pm}$0.15 kg for males and 16.64${\pm}$0.60 kg, 16.41${\pm}$0.31 kg, 12.64${\pm}$0.32 kg for females in Mutton Merino, Dorper and Indigenous Sabi sheep. Lambs born as singles were significantly heavier at weaning than twins, 0.05 kg, 0.06 kg and 0.78 kg for Mutton Merino, Dorper and Indigenous Sabi sheep, respectively. Effect of tupping weight was highly significant on weaning weight. The three way factor interaction year*sex*birth status had a significant effect (p<0.01) on weaning weight. Correction for environmental effects is necessary to increase accuracy of direct selection for birth weight and weaning weight.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.996-1002
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• 2003

A 6 (accession)${\times}$5 (cutting interval) factorial experiment was conducted over two years to investigate the effect of stage of growth on herbage production, nutritive value and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of Napier grass and Napier grass${\times}$Pearl millet hybrids (hybrid Pennisetum). The purpose of the experiment was to determine the optimum stage of growth to harvest the Pennisetums for ensilage. Two Napier accessions (SDPP 8 and SDPP 19) and four hybrid Pennisetum (SDPN 3, SDPN 29, SDPN 38 and Bana grass) were compared at five harvest intervals (viz. 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). Basal fertilizers were similar in all treatment plots, although nitrogen (N) top-dressing fertilizer was varied proportionately, depending on the harvesting interval. The application was based on a standard rate of 60 kg N/ha every six weeks. Stage of growth had significant effects on forage yield, WSC content and nutritive value of the Pennisetums. Herbage yields increased in a progressively linear manner, with age. Nutritive value declined as the harvesting interval increased. In particular, crude protein content declined rapidly (p<0.001) from $204g\;kg^{-1}$ DM at 2 weeks to $92g\;kg^{-1}$ DM at 8 weeks of growth. In vitro dry matter digestibility decreased from 728 to $636g\;kg^{-1}$ DM, whilst acid and neutral detergent fibre contents increased from 360 and 704 to 398 and $785g\;kg^{-1}$ DM, respectively. Rapid changes in nutritive value occurred after 6 weeks of growth. The concentration of WSC increased in a quadratic manner, with peaks ($136-182g\;kg^{-1}$ DM) at about 6 weeks. However, the DM content of the forage was low ($150-200g\;DM\;kg^{-1}$) at 6 weeks. Therefore, it was concluded that Pennisetums should be harvested between 6 and 7 weeks, to increase DM content and optimize herbage production without seriously affecting nutritive value and WSC content. Accessions SDPN 29 and SDPP 19 appeared to be most suited for ensilage. It was suggested that WSC content should be incorporated as a criterion in the agronomic evaluation and screening of Pennisetum varieties.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.843-851
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of pre-wilting Bana grass (Pennisetum purpureum x P. americanum) herbage under sunny conditions for 0, 6, 18, 24, 32 and 48 h and ensiling it with maize meal. Four levels of maize meal(viz., 0, 5, 10 and 15% on fresh weight (Fw) basis) were tested. The experiment had a split-plot design. Wilting increased the concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) significantly (p<0.001) on a Fw basis, although there were no significant changes on DM basis. Unwilted grass contained $36.1g{\cdot}WSC{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}Fw$ ($127.6g{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}DM$) and this increased to $64.1g{\cdot}WSC{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}Fw$ ($116.7g{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}DM$) after 48 h of pre-wilting. Wilting also increased the DM content of herbage significantly (p>0.001) from 250 to $620g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$, between 0 and 48 h respectively. The concentration of fermentation end-products decreased (except butyric acid) and pH increased when the period of wilting increased, indicating that fermentation was restricted. In particular, lactic acid content declined from 50.8 to $26.2g{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}DM$ (p<0.01) and the residual WSC contents of silage increased from 2.7 with fresh herbage to $18.1g{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}DM$ with 48 h of wilting (p<0.001). Rapid wilting for 24 h, to a DM of $450g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ was optimum since important increases in pH, residual WSC and DMD occurred at this level of wilting. Acetic acid, butyric acid and ammoniacal-N contents were lowest with 24 h of wilting. There were no significant interactions between length of wilting and the incorporation of maize meal. Wilting had a greater influence on fermentation than the incorporation of maize meal. Addition of maize meal facilitated fermentation by increasing forage DM content and reducing effluent production. In addition, the maize meal increased DMD. It was concluded that maize meal should generally be incorporated at a level of 5% on fresh weight basis.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.29-35
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• 2014

Purpose - The study aimed to evaluate the market opportunities and constraints confronting resource-poor pig farmers in South Africa. Research design, data, and methodology - Information was collected from 292 households in three municipalities through interviews with key informants. The data collected included socio-economic characteristics, major market channels, prices for different pig classes, average weight of the pigs on sale, number of pigs sold annually, and preferred meat quality attributes. Results - In Ngqushwa, 96% of respondents sold pigs as compared to Elundini (81%) and Ntabankulu (65%). Less resource-poor households and those with market-oriented production had large herdsizes (P < 0.05) when compared to more resource-poor farmers. The probability of selling pigs was high for the backyard production system and educated farmers. For all farmers, opportunities included high pork demand, good prices, employment creation, and a niche market for organically produced indigenous pork. Constraints include disease, feed shortages for large herds, distances to formal markets, lack of training, and drugs. Conclusions - Constraints outnumbered opportunities for the resource-poor pig farmers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.39-50
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• 2011

아프리카 사하라 이남지역의 농업 정책가들은 빈농을 위한 보조금 비료가 효율적으로 배분되지 않고 있는 것을 매우 중요한 문제라 인식하고 있다. 즉 보조금 비료가 시장가격으로 비료를 구입할 수 있는 부유한 농가에게 돌아가는 등의 문제점이 발생하고 있다. 결국 빈농을 위한 보조금 비료 프로그램의 원래 목적을 크게 손상시키고 있는 셈이다. 짐바브웨 정부가 시도하고 있는 보조금 비료 프로그램은 소농을 대상으로 배분하고 있으며, 주로 빈농이 대부분인 지역을 그 대상으로 한다. 본 연구는 사하라 이남지역 일부 국가의 사례연구와 짐바브웨 농가를 대상으로 한 설문조사를 바탕으로 수행되었다. 주요 논점은 1)소농을 위한 보조금 비료가 현지 시장가격으로 구입할 수 있는 부농가로 흘러가고 있는지, 2)짐바브웨 농가들의 보조금 비료 배분 프로그램에 대한 인식은 어떠한지 등이다. 짐바브웨 카도모 지역에서 무작위로 100가구를 선정하여 설문조사를 실시하고 분석하였다. 가구당 수입과 보조금 비료의 접근과는 무관한 것으로 나타났고, 현지 시장에서 비료를 사는 것과 가구당 수입과는 유의미한 것으로 나타났다(p=0.0037). 이는 보조금 비료의 수혜자가 현지 시장에서 비료를 살 수 있는 능력을 가지고 있다는 것을 보여 주고 있다. 가구당 수입과 보조금 비료 혜택을 보지 못한 채 비료 없이 작물을 재배하는 것과의 관계를 분석한 결과 유의한 수준을 보이고 있다(p=0.040). 이는 보조금 비료의 획득에 실패했을 때 그 농가들은 결국 비료 없이 농사를 지을 것이라는 것을 보여주는 것이다. 이 프로그램에 대한 많은 농가들의 일반적인 인식은 부농이나 영향력 있는 농가가 빈농에 비해 혜택을 더 보고 있다고 생각한다. 이러한 인식을 가능케 하는 이유는 많은 농가들이 수혜자 선정 과정에 관여하지 못하기 때문에 결국 부농을 위한 프로그램이라는 의심을 가지게 된다는 것이다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.603-621
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• 2017

The current review focuses on characterization and conservation efforts vital for the development of breeding programmes for indigenous beef cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa. Indigenous African cattle breeds were identified and characterized using information from refereed journals, conference papers and research reports. Results of this current review reviewed that smallholder beef cattle production in Southern Africa is extensive and dominated by indigenous beef cattle strains adaptable to the local environment. The breeds include Nguni, Mashona, Tuli, Malawi Zebu, Bovino de Tete, Angoni, Landim, Barotse, Twsana and Ankole. These breeds have important functions ranging from provision of food and income to socio-economic, cultural and ecological roles. They also have adaptive traits ranging from drought tolerant, resistance to ticks and tick borne diseases, heat tolerance and resistance to trypanosomosis. Stakeholders in the conservation of beef cattle were also identified and they included farmers, national government, research institutes and universities as well as breeding companies and societies in Southern Africa. Research efforts made to evaluate threats and opportunities of indigenous beef cattle production systems, assess the contribution of indigenous cattle to household food security and income, genetically and phenotypically characterize and conserve indigenous breeds, and develop breeding programs for smallholder beef production are highlighted. Although smallholder beef cattle production in the smallholder farming systems contributes substantially to household food security and income, their productivity is hindered by several constraints that include high prevalence of diseases and parasites, limited feed availability and poor marketing. The majority of the African cattle populations remain largely uncharacterized although most of the indigenous cattle breeds have been identified.