International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR)

Influence of Institutional Business Factors on the Growth of Social Enterprises in Croatia

2019-11-19T07:47:54+00:00

Social entrepreneurship is recognized as a key element in overcoming social and economic problems. The impact of social enterprise is recognized in balanced use and allocation of available resources, reducing unemployment, strengthening of democracy, reduction of the informal economy, encouraging social cohesion and improving the quality of life. Social entrepreneurship in Croatia is faintly developed and it is necessary to get financial injection by the government to support the development and expansion of companies in the sphere of social entrepreneurship. In Croatia, there is still a missing institutional framework to support the operation and development of social enterprises. The main reasons for this are the lack of definition of the legal framework, but also a wide interpretation and understanding of the concepts of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise, both in theory and in practice. In order to see which institutional business factors influence on the growth of social enterprises, the data was conducted with primary and secondary research.

Inter-Laboratory Comparability of Clinical Chemistry Testing: A New Perspective

2019-11-16T08:50:22+00:00

Background/Aim: Existing external quality assurance proficiency testing may not reflect routine ‘real-world’ daily testing proficiency. The overall aim of the study was to conduct an inter-laboratory comparability testing of some routinely measured clinical chemistry analytes by selected private medical laboratories using the mentor-adept approach. Methodology: Aliquots of freshly separated plasma from a single individual (1ml) each were sent to each of the selected labs and a Teaching hospital for same-day testing. All samples were sent as ‘‘blinded-samples’’ (labelled with anonymous names, ages and attached lab request forms with clinical diagnoses) so that they would be tested as real patient samples. Results: All the labs met the acceptability criteria range for both the z-score and Precision Index. However, many of the labs had their total analytical errors for the tests outside the allowable total error ranges with both European and CLIA recommendations. Conclusion: There are relative similarities in the z-score (inter-laboratory bias) and Precision Index (inter-laboratory precision) among the labs. However, many of the labs did not meet recommended analytical goals for total analytical errors on individual samples run in a day. In the light of the findings, it is highly recommended that though laboratories should be aware of conduction of periodic external quality assurance exercises, such exercises should be done using “blinded-samples” as utilized in this current study without prior notification of the day and time of testing.

The Use of Rice Husk Biochar and Flooding System on Rice Production in Central of Sulawesi Indonesia

2019-11-16T08:35:47+00:00

The population growth rate is not in line with the rate of increase in food production, especially rice which is the staple food of 90% of the Indonesian people, to maintain food security in various government programs including PAJALE (Rice, corn and soybeans), through increased production through intensification or extensification. To increase land productivity, soil health must be improved using soil enhancers such as biochar. The source of biochar can come from plant residues such as rice husk. biochar can improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Besides that, water management in the rice cultivation system is very important especially in certain phases of rice growth. This study aims to examine the use of Biochar doses and flooding systems on the efficiency of fertilizing and productivity of lowland rice plants. This study used a randomized block design, with a factorial pattern. The first factor consisted of 6 levels of treatment of biochar doses, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 tons ha^-1. And the second factor consists of 2 levels, namely, (p1) continuous water flooding and (p2) intermittent water flooding, observed response parameters, plant height, concentration leaf, N,P, K, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, weight 1000 grain, and ton ha^-1 production. The results showed that the setting of flooding and biohcar use had a positive effect in increasing the number of productive tillers at an average of 21 tillers, rice production by 22.31% from 4.44 tons ha^-1 to 6.99 tons ha^-1 harvested dry grain (HDG) 14% moisture content in the use of a dose of 3 tons ha^-1 Biochar rice husk. Water flooding do not affect statistical production.

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Falls among Older People in Central Kenya

2019-11-13T15:44:22+00:00

An estimated one-third of the older people worldwide sustain falls every year, which contributes to over 20% of injuries in this age group. In the central region of (Mount) Kenya, despite increasing awareness about this condition, the magnitude as well as the socio-demographic and lifestyle factors leading to falls in the older people are not well known. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of falls, their outcomes, and the factors influencing their occurrence among older persons aged 65 years and above living in Gatanga Sub-County, Murang’a County, central Kenya. An analytical cross-sectional study design was used. Using systematic random sampling, 403 out of 9247 study participants were identified and interviewed at home. Using a structured interview form, data was collected on socio-demographic, socio-economic, lifestyle, and medical factors, as well as on fall or non-fall status from September 2016 to August 2017. Proportions were used to evaluate the occurrence of falls, lifestyle factors and medical conditions. Pearson’s Chi square and logistic regression were used to evaluate associations between lifestyle and medical exposures and falls outcomes. With 41%, the prevalence of falls amongst the older people in this region is high.

The farming lifestyle involving animal husbandry and medical illnesses are significantly associated with falls. To reduce the occurrence of falls, we need to integrate relevant preventive measures that reduce the risk of falls in communities of the older people in Central Kenya.

The Role of Profitability Mediates the Effect of Macro Economic Factors, Capital Structure and Company Growth on Firm’s Value

2019-11-13T15:14:28+00:00

The company's goal in a management perspective is to maximize shareholder satisfaction. The stock price in the capital market reflects the value of a company. There are many factors that affect a firm value. The purpose of this study is to determine how the role of profitability in mediating the influence of macroeconomic factors (inflation and GDP), capital structure (DER) and company growth on firm value (PER). The population numbered in this study is the textile and garment sector companies listed on the Stock Exchange in the period 2013 to 2017, as many as 17 companies. The sampling method used was non-probability sampling method so that the number of samples obtained was 15 samples. The analysis technique used in this study is path analysis. The results of this study indicate that inflation, capital structure, and company growth have a significant positive effect on company profitability while GDP has a significant positive effect on firm profitability. Inflation, capital structure, and company growth have a significant positive effect on value, while GDP does not have a significant positive effect on firm value. Profitability has a significant positive effect on firm value. Profitability does not significantly mediate the effect of GDP and company growth on firm value. This shows that with the addition of the profitability variable, the size of the profitability of a company does not affect inflation, GDP and company growth in increasing firm value but profitability significantly mediates the effect of inflation and capital structure on firm value in the garment and textile industry companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange Period 2013-2017.