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Rural farmers’ access to farm credit in Nigeria has been very low, which affects farm performance, and credit providers have blamed for the problem in the sector. While this general perception persists the fact may be the case of credit demand, rather than just the risk-averse attitudes of credit providers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate significant factors influencing farmers’ credit demand to ensure efficient credit provision.

The research adopted mixed methods for an in-depth investigation into the problem. There were 216 research participants split into equal halves of men and women from six local government areas of Nasarawa State. Data collection methods employed structured interviews, focus group discussions, close/open-ended and key informant interviews. Analytical tools involved descriptive statistics, the logit and multinomial logit models to determine participants’ socio-economic characteristics, sources of credit, access, factors influencing credit demand generally and from the various sources of credit identified.

Findings reveal only 47.6 per cent of the participants accessed credit, with fewer women accessing than men. The most accessed forms of credit are from the semi-formal sources, with more men accessing from formal sources and more women from non-formal sources. Factors having significant influence on credit demand generally are education, group membership and household size. And from formal, semi-formal and non-formal credit sources are education, information on sources of credit, deposits, household size and marital status; education, deposits, group membership, household size, flock size; and education, group membership, and gender from the non-formal credit providers, respectively.

Due to time constraint, this study data were collected concurrently with both quantitative and qualitative methods and did not allow for the interrogation of findings from one method with the other. In addition, the research categorised the agency of women based on marital status only as single or married and did not interrogate the agency of women further, this may be a limitation as some of the female participants are from polygamous homes.

Unlike the current concentration of Nigerian research of this kind with quantitative methods alone, this research contributes particularly to Nigerian research output and experience by triangulating both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore farmers sources of credit, access and factors determining access to credit in the study area.

An audit was undertaken, aimed at investigating documentation of hospital urethral catheterisation in patients’ notes.

Standards were devised by the urology department and documentation of these standards was recorded. After identifying deficiencies in the quality of record keeping, proforma catheterisation stickers were produced and distributed throughout the hospital wards. The standards were then re‐audited a month later.

There was only 3 per cent full documentation using the catheterisation standards set for this study in the initial audit. In the re‐audit there was a 55 per cent usage rate of stickers. Of the notes with stickers 84 per cent had full documentation compared to only 2 per cent without stickers.

The use of proforma stickers improves documentation of urethral catheterisation in patients’ notes.

This paper identifies a way of improving documentation of urethral catheterisation in patients’ notes.

The aim of the study is primarily to ensure the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite textile surface that is produced. Subsequently, the sensor properties were determined by monitoring the resistance changes under tensile forces.

Thermoplastic polyurethane solution was prepared by adding MWCNT and SDS for the production of a nanocomposite textile surface by the electrospinning method. In the present study, it was aimed to improve the conductivity and sensor properties by increasing the surface area via nanotechnological production methods depending on the MWCNT and SDS ratios.

It was determined that the vertical and horizontal samples taken from the produced nanocomposite surfaces had electrical properties. In the present study, the relation between the SDS and MWCNT incorporation has been proven not only with the viscosity but also with the conductivity values of the solution. On the other hand, enhanced conductivity is obtained for the SDS-incoorporated nanocomposites for which homogeneous distribution is maintained. The findings of the study indicate that there were resistance changes for the produced nanocomposite surfaces under tension forces, and thus sensor properties were obtained.

It has been observed that studies on textile-based sensors have increased in recent years. In these studies, conductive materials are adapted to textile structures by coating and impregnation methods. In the present study, nanocomposite surfaces were obtained by the electrospinning method with the incoorporation of conductive MWCNT and SDS into a thermoplastic polyurethane solution. Owing to the homogeneous distribution of the conductive particles into the composite system, the conductivity of the nanomats was remarkably enhanced. For the obtained nanocomposite mats, resistance change under extension stress is maintained, and thus they can be utilized as strain sensors.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology was applied to a medical records department (MRD) of a hospital in India to reduce the Turn-Around-Time (TAT) of medical records preparation process and thus to improve the productivity and performance of the department.

The research reported in this paper is based on a case study carried out using LSS approach and in improving the medical records preparation process.

The root causes for the problem were identified and validated through data-based analysis from LSS tool box, at different stages in the project. As a result of this project, the TAT was reduced from average 19 minutes to eight minutes and the standard deviation was reduced by one-tenth, which was a remarkable achievement for department under study. This was resulted in the reduction in the work-in-process inventory of medical records from 40 units to 0 at the end of the day. Project in-turn reduced the staffing level from the earlier level of six to a current level of four.

The paper is based on a single case study executed in IP-MRD of a single hospital and hence there is limitation in generalizing the specific results from the study. But the approach adopted and the learning from this study can be generalized.

This paper will be helpful for those professionals who are interested in implementing LSS to healthcare organization to improve the productivity and performance.

Kaolin is a soft, white mineral mainly composed of coarse‐ to fine‐grained, plate‐like aluminum silicate particles. As kaolin assists with desired rheological properties that help maintain proper dispersion and provide bulk to the product, it is used as an important extender in paint manufacture. It can be used to reduce the amount of expensive pigments, such as titanium dioxide. In spite of these uses, kaolin has the disadvantage of having coarse particles and low hiding power. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new class of pigments based on kaolin as a core and titanium dioxide as the shell.

In the work reported in this paper, kaolin was used as a core covered with a surface layer of titanium dioxide comprising the shell in order to combine their properties and get over kaolin's disadvantages, besides enhancing its corrosion protection properties. The pigments prepared were characterised using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Deposition of titanium dioxide on the surface of kaolin was confirmed by Energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. Pigment properties were estimated according to American standard testing methods (ASTM) methods and then were incorporated in anticorrosive paint formulations based on medium oil alkyd resin. The physico‐mechanical and corrosion properties of dry paint films were determined according to ASTM methods.

The tests revealed that the concentration of titanium dioxide layer deposited on kaolin surface was inversely proportional to the anticorrosive behaviour of these pigments.

The pigments can be applied in other polymer composites, e.g. rubber and plastics as filler and reinforcing agent.

The pigments prepared are eco‐friendly that can replace other expensive pigments. These pigments can compensate for the presence of titanium dioxide in paint formulations successfully, and thus lower the costs. The main advantage of these pigments is that they combine the properties of both of their counterparts, they are of lower cost, and they also overcome the disadvantages of both its counterparts, e.g. low hiding power of kaolin, photochemical activity of titanium dioxide. Also, they can be applied in other industries other than paints, e.g. paper, rubber and plastics composites.

In this paper, the authors provide the design, heat flow analysis and pressure analysis of a commercial energy efficient in-line water heating system in South Africa. The designed commercial in-line water heating system captures the energy consumption, flow rate, temperature and pressure during operation and accordingly responds on these values to increase the energy efficiency of the system. The user is constantly aware of the energy consumption and cost during operation and can choose to switch to a more economical setting to conserve energy. A central processor with PID control was used to optimize the energy consumption of the in-line water heating system. An overview on the design and results of the heat flow analysis and pressure analysis are provided.

The study highlights our findings, including the confirmation of phase stability through XRD analysis, the characterization of optical properties revealing high absorption and conductivity and the analysis of mechanical stability through elastic constants. Additionally, we present detailed results on the band gap, EELS analysis and the suitability of SrZrO3 perovskite oxides for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Cubic SrZrO₃ perovskite oxides were designed within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) via the CASTEP code under varying stress conditions (0–100 GPa), aiming to explore the key properties for diverse applications. The phase stability was confirmed by XRD analysis. From 0 to 40 GPa, there is an increase in the band gap from 3.330 to 3.615 eV, while it narrows from 3.493 to 3.155 eV beyond 60 GPa. The optical characteristics revealed high absorption, superior conductivity and a lower loss function. Significantly, the elastic constants (C₁₁, C₁₂ and C₄₄) satisfy the Born-stability criterion, ensuring the mechanical stability of the compound. Additionally, the Poisson’s ratio, Pugh ratio (B/G), Frantsevich ratio, Cauchy pressure (P_C) and anisotropy factor ensured both ductile and anisotropic characteristics. Higher values of Young’s modulus and shear modulus signify a superior ability to withstand longitudinal stresses. In the EELS analysis, distinctive energy-loss peaks resulting from absorption and emission correlated with diverse electronic transitions and energy levels associated with Sr, Zr and O atoms are used to probe the precise exploration of the electronic and optical characteristics of materials with a high degree of accuracy. Based on these findings, the designed SrZrO₃ perovskite oxides are particularly suitable for applications in various optoelectronic devices.

CASTEP codes were utilized to design the cubic SrZrO₃ perovskite under varying stress conditions ranging from 0 to 100 GPa. The phase stability was confirmed through XRD analysis. A distinctive trend in the band gap was observed: an increase from 3.330 eV to 3.615 eV as the stress increased from 0 to 40 GPa and a decrease from 3.493 to 3.155 above 60 GPa. A higher absorption and conductivity and a lower loss function were found for the optical properties. The mechanical stability was ensured by elastic constants (C₁₁, C₁₂, and C₄₄) satisfying the Born-stability criteria. Additionally, the Poisson’s ratio, Pugh’s ratio (B/G), Frantsevich ratio, Cauchy pressure (P_C) and anisotropy factor were used to verify the ductility and anisotropy of the materials. Higher values of Young’s modulus and shear modulus indicate a superior ability to withstand longitudinal stresses. EELS analysis revealed distinctive energy-loss peaks associated with Sr, Zr and O atoms, enabling precise exploration of the electronic and optical characteristics with a high degree of accuracy. As expected, the designed SrZrO₃ perovskite oxides exhibit favorable properties, making them particularly suitable for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

In this study, we utilized DFT within the CASTEP code framework to investigate the properties of cubic SrZrO₃ perovskite oxides under varying stress conditions ranging from 0 to 100 GPa. Our research aimed to explore the key properties of SrZrO₃ for diverse applications, particularly in optoelectronic devices.

Kaolin is a soft white mineral which has a large array of uses. It is most commonly referred to as “China clay”. Sources of this mineral can be found all over the world, its uses are multiple and diverse. It is a mineral belonging to the group of alumino‐silicates with the chemical composition Al2Si2O5(OH)4. It is white, soft, plastic clay mainly composed of plate‐like particles. It is a unique industrial mineral, which remains chemically inert over a relatively wide pH range. The purpose of this paper is to study the difference in performances of untreated or natural kaolin, thermally treated kaolin or so‐called “calcined kaolin” and chemically treated kaolin using ammonium molybdate to convert the γ‐Al2O3 naturally found in kaolin to α‐Al2O3 which possesses one of the most known stable crystalline phases (corundum) in alkyd based anticorrosive paint formulations used for protection of steel.

The different kaolins were characterized using different analytical and spectro‐photometric techniques. The pigments were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Evaluation of these pigments using international standard testing methods (ASTM) was estimated. The extender pigments were then incorporated in solvent‐based paint formulations based on medium oil‐modified soya‐bean dehydrated castor oil alkyd resin. The physico‐mechanical properties of dry films and their corrosion properties using accelerated laboratory test in 3.5% NaCl for 28 days were tested.

The results of this work revealed that calcined kaolin was better in its performance in protection of steel than kaolin, while chemically treated kaolin varied in its performance according to the concentration of modifier or dopant.

Kaolin has a large array of uses. These pigments can be applied in other polymer composites, e.g. rubber and plastics as reinforcing agent.

The untreated and treated kaolins are environmentally friendly pigments which can impart high anticorrosive behaviour to paint films with concomitant cost saving.

The purpose of this paper is to develop an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl.

A pharmaceutical drug acetyl G was investigated for its corrosion inhibition efficiency using weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The inhibition efficiency increased with increase in inhibitor concentration. Results from polarisation studies revealed mixed type of inhibition. Impedance studies, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform spectroscopy confirm the adsorption of inhibitor on the mild steel surface.

The drug acetyl G has sulphur and nitrogen atoms which effectively block the corrosion of mild steel and is non-toxic and has good inhibition efficiency.

This method provides an excellent, non-toxic and cost-effective material as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium.

Application of this drug as a corrosion inhibitor has not been reported yet in the literature. Replacing the organic inhibitors, this green inhibitor shows excellent inhibition efficiency. This is adsorbed excellently on the mild steel surface due to the presence of long chain and hetero atoms. Thus, the drug retards the corrosion reaction.

The present study aims to test the impact of workplace incivility and violence on doctors' turnover intentions. Besides, the present study also tested the mediating role of employees' burnout.

The population of the present study was doctors working in 20 public sector hospitals. Where 250 doctors working in emergency departments participated, the sample size was calculated through Krejcie and Morgan's table. The data analysis was conducted through SPSS and Smart-PLS.

Results of the present study supported all the relationships except the relationship between workplace violence and turnover intentions. More specifically, relationship between workplace incivility and turnover intentions was confirmed, and mediation effect of doctors' burnout was also confirmed.

This present study is novel in a way that this study framed the study model using conservative resource theory and social cognitive theory covering both employees cognitive and external factors. Further, the nexus “workplace incivility → workplace violence → job burnout → turnover intentions” was tested for the first time, hence making a valuable addition to the body of literature. Further this study is a contribution to healthcare literature in context of incivility, violence, burnout, and turnover. Burnout is first time explored as moderator with workplace incivility which is another contribution.