Average Margin Research Articles

Organizacioni oblik, polna struktura generalnih zakonskih zastupnika i profitabilnost preduzeća - dokazi srpskih preduzeća

This research paper is part of a wider project in which the influence of various factors on the performance of the company is analyzed. The impact of the gender structure of general legal representatives as well as the form of organization of the company on profitability expressed through the average gross profit margin was studied. The five-year period from 2018 to 2022 was studied, in which data from the profit and loss statements of a total of 192 entities were analyzed. The sample presents six groups classified by the form of organization of companies that can be encountered in business practice. All statistical analyses were carried out in the IBM SPSS 23 program. In the research, the hypotheses about the statistically significant influence of the difference in the gender of general representatives on the profitability of the company were rejected, and the hypothesis about the significant differences in the influence of the form of organization of the company on the profitability expressed by the average gross profit margin, which was accepted. Research into factors that can affect the profitability of the analyzed subjects should enable the making of better management decisions in order to realize better and better performance of the company.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Puerile Strategy on Big Data

With the advent of the era of big data, the economic market has been in a dynamic change. In order to adapt to this change, many companies have implemented a widely used strategy of expanding sales at low prices and low interests - “puerile”. Thus, we analyze the “puerile” strategy from three aspects: turnover, profit margin, and discount strength of the mall. Through mathematical modeling, charts are created by collecting the sales data of a shopping mall in 2017 and 2018. By separating and filtering the collected data, the data with missing cost prices is separated and filtered out. The abnormal data is excluded, and the required data is finally obtained. By finding minimum and maximum profit margins, the average daily profit margin and turnover of the mall based on small profits and high sales are calculated. By setting the four indicators to measure the discount strength of the anti-discount sum, sales volume ratio, turnover ratio, and cost ratio, a linear weighting mathematics model of the discount force is established. Finally, the daily discount strength is classified, and the size of the discount force is analyzed.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TEA FARMING IN JHAPA DISTRICT, NEPAL

Tea, one of the biggest high-value exports from Nepal, which uses up 16,920 hectares of total land and accounts for 0.1% of the country’s GDP. Tea as usually cultivated in the eastern regions of the nation, has significantly altered peoples’ livelihoods while also boosting national income. This study was conducted on the economic analysis of tea production by farmers in Jhapa district of Nepal on parts of Bhadrapur, Haldibari and Kachankawal. Random survey of 60 samples were taken from the research area’s tea farmers. The average area under tea cultivation was found to be 0.53 hectares per household. The average production per hectare was 23.05 tons, average production cost per hectare was Rs. 244,743.82 and Rs. 10.23 per kg. There were overall chances of 5% loss of the harvested tea leaves which deducted total marketable leaves. The average price of 1 kg of leaves was Rs. 19.5 and the marketing practice was done via middlemen which cost Rs. 2.5 per kg of leaves. The average gross margin per kg was Rs. 6.73 with overall benefit-cost ratio of 1.86 for every household. SWOT analysis conducted showed that favourable soil conditions had major strength with index of importance of 0.85. Likewise, difficulties in obtaining subsidies, family financial aid and market competition from private estates were major weakness, opportunity, and threat with index of 0.88, 0.85, and 0.90 respectively.

Impact of certification on market performance of cocoa industry in OSUN State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of certification on the market performance of the cocoa industry using primary data from a cross-sectional survey of 240 cocoa marketers. Considering counterfactual scenarios, this study analyzed the effects of certification on the net marketing margin of cocoa marketers using the endogenous switching regression model (ESRM) and for the robustness evaluation, inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) was utilized. Results showed that about 92% of the cocoa marketers were Licensed Buying Agents (LBAs) then the exporter (7%) and the least were cooperatives with about 3%. The results showed that 28% of the Licensed Buying Agents (LBAs) were certified while 35% of the exporters were certified. Also, the results revealed that 3 different marketing channels were used in the study area. The cost and return analysis revealed that certified marketers are efficient and more productive in their business compared to uncertified marketers. The ESRM treatment impact suggested that the average net marketing margin of certified cocoa marketers is higher than those that were uncertified. The study concluded that certification has helped to improve the marketing of cocoa marketers in the study.

Crown-CAM: Interpretable Visual Explanations for Tree Crown Detection in Aerial Images

Visual explanation of “black-box” models allows researchers in <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">explainable artificial intelligence</i> (XAI) to interpret the model’s decisions in a human-understandable manner. In this paper, we propose <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">interpretable class activation mapping for tree crown detection</i> (Crown-CAM) that overcomes inaccurate localization & computational complexity of previous methods while generating reliable visual explanations for the challenging and dynamic problem of tree crown detection in aerial images. It consists of an unsupervised selection of activation maps, computation of local score maps, and non-contextual background suppression to efficiently provide fine-grain localization of tree crowns in scenarios with dense forest trees or scenes without tree crowns. Additionally, two <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Intersection over Union</i> (IoU)-based metrics are introduced to effectively quantify both the accuracy and inaccuracy of generated explanations with respect to regions with or even without tree crowns in the image. Empirical evaluations demonstrate that the proposed Crown-CAM outperforms the Score-CAM, Augmented Score-CAM, and Eigen-CAM methods by an average IoU margin of 8.7, 5.3, and 21.7 (and 3.3, 9.8, and 16.5) respectively in improving the accuracy (and decreasing inaccuracy) of visual explanations on the challenging NEON tree crown dataset.

A More Robust Model to Answer Noisy Questions in KBQA

In practical applications, the raw input to a Knowledge Based Question Answering (KBQA) system may vary in forms, expressions, sources, etc. As a result, the actual input to the system may contain various errors caused by various noise in raw data and processes of transmission, transformation, translation, etc. As a result, it is significant to evaluate and enhance the robustness of a KBQA model to various noisy questions. In this paper, we generate 29 datasets of various noisy questions based on the original SimpleQuestions dataset to evaluate and enhance the robustness of a KBQA model, and propose a model which is more robust to various noisy questions. Compared with traditional methods, the main contribution in this paper is that we propose a method of generating datasets of different noisy questions to evaluate the robustness of a KBQA model, and propose a KBQA model which contains incremental learning and Mask Language Model (MLM) in the question answering process, so that our model is less affected by different kinds of noise in questions and achieves higher accuracies on datasets of different noisy questions, which shows its robustness. Experimental results show that our model achieves an average accuracy of 78.1% on these datasets and outperforms the baseline BERT-based model by an average margin of 5.0% with the similar training cost. In addition, further experiments show that our model is compatible with other pre-trained models such as ALBERT and ELECTRA.

Profitability Analysis of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Production in Edo State, Nigeria

The continuous importation of fish portends a colossal loss of foreign exchange reserved to Nigeria which requires urgent attention to boost fish production. It is against this backdrop that this study analyzed the profitability analysis of catfish production in Edo State, Nigeria. It specifically describe the production characteristics of the catfish farmers, estimate the input and output quantities of catfish, determine the profitability and identify the constraints associated with catfish production in the study area. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select a total of 468 catfish farmers from the study area. Data collection was achieved through the administration of structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and 4-Point Likert-type scale. The results revealed that the farmers in the study area used more of personal savings (58.12%), family land (59.40%) and local feed (82.48%). Stocked more at juvenile stage (70.30%) and produced average output of 4859.51kg per production cycle. The results also showed the average total cost incurred and revenue realized were N 543.67 and N 752.56 per kg fish respectively. The catfish production was profitable with average gross margin, net profit and return per naira invested of N224.35, N208.90 and N1.38 per production cycle respectively. The major constraints faced by catfish farmers were high cost of food (3.96), lack of capital (3.65) and lack of inadequate power supply (3.51) are very serious constraints among others. Since the catfish production was profitable, the farmers should be encouraged to combat these constraints and expand their holdings to boost production.

Performance and supply chain analysis of Binalebu-1 in some selected areas of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to find out the performance and supply chain of Binalebu-1 in four major Binalebu-1growing areas of Bangladesh, namely Cumilla, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Dhaka districts. Simple random sampling technique was followed for this study. The average cost of lemon production was estimated at Tk. 206127 per hectare of which about 68% was variable cost and 32% was fixed cost. Human labour cost was the lion share (32%) of total cost and it followed by irrigation cost (6.63%), Insecticide (2.64%) sapling (2.60%), and in the study areas. The average yield of Binalebu-1 was recorded 28.32 t/ha in all study areas while it was highest in 3rd year (30.24 t/ha) followed by 2nd year (28.17 t/ha) and 1st year (26.58 t/ha). The average gross return, gross margin and net return of lemon were found to be Tk 744517.62/ha, Tk 454521.67/ha, and Tk 538390.75/ha, respectively. Average BCR was found to be 2.71 on the basis of total cost. Supply chain was classified into four types: Channel 1: Accounts for 40 % which was ranked as I; Channel II: Accounts for 20 % which was Ranked as II; Channel III: Accounts for 18 % which was Ranked as III, Channel IV: Accounts for 12 % which was ranked as IV; Channel V: Accounts for 10 % which was Ranked as V. It was revealed that the value addition of the Faria, Bepari, Paiker, Arathdar, Retailer were Tk.135, Tk.95, Tk.55, Tk.39 and, Tk155 per quintal, respectively.

Economic analysis of cassava processing in egbeda local government area, oyo state, nigeria

Cassava is one of the most important crops that can be cultivated all year round yet there is inability to meet the quantity demanded by industries and other end user of the product. This study was carried out to analyse cassava value chain in Egbeda local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Primary data needed for the study were collected through the administration of questionnaires. A total of 85 questionnaires were administered. Descriptive (Table and Frequency) and budgetary analysis was used. Well-constructed questionnaires were administered to major actors in the chain (farmers/producers, marketers and processors.). The result revealed that there are three major cassava processed products in the study area; garri, cassava dough(fufu) and cassava chip (lafun).The result also revealed that females are more involved in the marketing(71.14% ) and processing(85.71% ) of cassava. Also most of the respondents were betweeen the age range of 31-50. The study also revealed that to every one tonne of fresh cassava 275000(garri), 34500 (wet fufu) and 45000(cassva chip) are produced respectively. While the average gross margin estimated for the producer/farmers was N706111. Also it was discovered that poor marketing information is a major challenge faced by the processors. It is therefore recommended that cassava processors should organize to form an association and a cooperative society to strengthen the marketing network.

Determinanty výnosnosti evropského bankovního systému v letech 2012-2019

This paper aims to find the microeconomic and macroeconomic determinants of European bank profitability from 2012 to 2019 using the regression model with the multicollinearity condition as a matrix parameter, the multicollinearity below the defined value, ensuring regression model reliability. The bank sector profitability is measured by return of average equity, return of average assets and net interest margin as dependent variables. The research creates a set of independent variables based on a literature review. The model is built on a sample of 3,257 European commercial banks for all EU countries excluding Romania due to missing data, and the input data were obtained based on the Orbis Focus Bank and the World Bank Database. The results revealed that the cost to income ratio and loan loss reserves to gross loans are the most important determinants of profitability of European commercial banks as measured by return of average assets. The results also show that GDP growth rate, inflation measured by the consumer prices and loan loss reserves to gross loans are the most important determinants for the net interest margin indicator. We recommend that commercial banks optimize the cost structure, create sufficient reserves, monitor the process of digital transformation and monitor credit risk indicators.

Sustainable bioleaching of lithium-ion batteries for critical materials recovery

The demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has increased substantially over the last few decades due to their longer lifetime, greater resistance to self-discharge, and higher output voltage compared to other battery types. With the global trend of electrifying vehicle fleets, the number of LIBs reaching their end-of-life (EOL) is expected to grow substantially in the next decade. These EOL LIBs represent a significant secondary source of materials (e.g., Li, Co, Ni, Mn) that can be recovered and reused in LIBs or other products. In this study, we developed a bioleaching process that could recover critical materials from EOL LIBs in an economical and environmentally sustainable manner under industrially relevant conditions. Black mass, i.e., cathode-containing powder, prepared from EOL LIBs was leached using a biolixiviant produced from corn stover by Gluconobacter oxydans bacteria. Iron(II) was used as a reducing agent to promote metal dissolution. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) estimated a potential average profit margin of 21% for processing 10,000 t of black mass per year, which represents approximately 30% of the available black mass in the US in 2020. Life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrated that bioleaching of spent LIBs could be more environmentally sustainable than alternative hydrometallurgical recovery methods such as hydrochloric acid leaching (16–19 kg vs. 43–91 kg CO2 equivalent global warming potential per kg of recovered cobalt). The TEA results are highly dependent on the cost of black mass production, which varies by EOL LIB collection and transportation costs. Emerging technologies for deactivating used LIBs for fire safety at collection centers will allow the transport of EOL LIBs as non-hazardous materials, lower the cost of preparing black mass and thereby increase economic prospects for EOL LIBs recycling using this approach.

Nursery Plant Production Models under Quarantine Pests’ Outbreak: Assessing the Environmental Implications and Economic Viability

The Apulia (southern Italy) ornamental sector has been facing regulatory obligations and trade limitations due to a Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) outbreak since 2013. Alternative options to encounter these constraints include the implementation of novel and sustainable ornamental production (NSM) practices. In this context, the purpose of this study is to assess simultaneously the environmental implications and economic viability of these options versus the conventional production options (CMs) among eight ornamental species (Abelia grandiflora, Bougainvillea cv Don Mario, Lantana camara cv Bandana rosa, Jasminum officinalis, Photinia fraseri cv Red Robin, Loropetalum chinense cv Black Pearl, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Viburnum lucidum). Life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost–benefit analysis (CBA) were used for this purpose. LCA revealed that NSM induced relatively less environmental impacts at the nursery level towards agricultural land occupation, climate change, fossil depletion, and water depletion. CBA showed that NSM increases moderately nursery business profitability in an economic sustainable way. An overall annual average gross margin of about EUR 192/1000 plants can be generated using NSM over the CM model. In general, this research provides a useful decision-support, helping nursery growers under the pressure of the threat of quarantine pests such as Xf to adopt NSM practices, which could be useful to produce ornamental and landscape plants with high sanitary quality.

MARGIN ANALYSIS AND PROFIT OF CLOVE MARKETING, LEMBO DISTRICT, KONAWE UTARA REGENCY

This study plans to dissect the advertising edges and benefits of clove promoting which have been completed in Puulemo Town, Lembo Locale, North Konawe Rule. This study was carried out between March and April 2022. Farmers, or 20 percent of the population, were selected at random (simple random sampling). so that a total of 21 farmers participated in the survey. For an example of dealers in clove promoting comprising of 3 gatherers and 2 wholesalers, it was done in a (snowball) way as per data from the ranchers. According to the findings of this study, the following are cloves' marketing channels: Wholesalers, traders, collectors, and farmers At the collector level, the average clove marketing margin was Rp. 15,000/Kg, or Rp, at the wholesaler level. 20,000/Kg. Collectors and wholesalers make an average profit of Rp from distributing the results of their purchases of cloves. 6,758,5000.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Joint Sparse Locality-Aware Regression for Robust Discriminative Learning.

With the dramatic increase of dimensions in the data representation, extracting latent low-dimensional features becomes of the utmost importance for efficient classification. Aiming at the problems of weakly discriminating marginal representation and difficulty in revealing the data manifold structure in most of the existing linear discriminant methods, we propose a more powerful discriminant feature extraction framework, namely, joint sparse locality-aware regression (JSLAR). In our model, we formulate a new strategy induced by the nonsquared L2 norm for enhancing the local intraclass compactness of the data manifold, which can achieve the joint learning of the locality-aware graph structure and the desirable projection matrix. Besides, we formulate a weighted retargeted regression to perform the marginal representation learning adaptively instead of using the general average interclass margin. To alleviate the disturbance of outliers and prevent overfitting, we measure the regression term and locality-aware term together with the regularization term by forcing the row sparsity with the joint L2,1 norms. Then, we derive an effective iterative algorithm for solving the proposed model. The experimental results over a range of benchmark databases demonstrate that the proposed JSLAR outperforms some state-of-the-art approaches.

Economic feasibility of fish cage culture in Lake Victoria, Kenya

AbstractFish cage culture has rapidly grown throughout Lake Victoria's shores, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) being the primarily cultured species. However, there is inadequate information on its economic viability. The study investigated the economic feasibility of fish cage farming system in Lake Victoria, Kenya, by evaluating the relationship between cost of inputs and revenue from fish sales and analysing the overall profitability of the fish cage culture in the lake. Systematic sampling was employed to select 200 cage farmers for the study. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, gross margin analysis, net farm income and profitability ratios. The average quantity of fish produced in the production cycle was 11,971.53 kg from which an average of 9020.77 kg was sold at an average selling price of Kenyan Shillings (KSH) 281.36 (USD 2.60) per kg. The multiple regression results revealed that the cost of feeds (coefficient of −0.603) and fish seed (coefficient of −0.387) had a significant influence on returns from fish cage culture business at p &lt; 0.01 and p &lt; 0.05, respectively. The costs of feeds and fish seed were significant components of the total production cost, accounting for 60.25% and 33.50%, respectively. Fish cage production was profitable, with an average gross margin of KSH 1146,727.68 (USD 10,545.59) and net farm income of KSH 1020,518.78 (USD 9384.94) in a production cycle, with a benefit cost ratio of 1.43, an expense structure ratio of 0.06, a gross revenue ratio of 0.70 and a return on investment of 0.43. The study recommends formulation of friendly policies, legislations, operating guidelines and an enabling environment for feed and fish seed producers by policy makers to enhance fish feed and seed production and subsequently reduce prices of feed and seed. Through this, economic viability of fish cage culture will be enhanced.

Marketing of non-timber forest products as a means of income generation in Oja-oba market, Iseyin local government area, Oyo State

Background: This study examined marketing of non-timber forest products as a means of income generation in Oja-Oba Market, Iseyin Local Government of Oyo State. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been located to play an important position in family financial system and food security. Methods: In the present study, a simple random sampling was used to choose ninety-four respondents (25 % sampling depth) from 376 marketers that were identified. A total of seventy-eight responses were retrieved from the 94 questionnaires distributed. Data were analyzed using descriptive information and budgetary evaluation. Results: Most of the of respondents (51.4%) were the ages of 31 and 40 years old, female (51.3%), married (73.1%), had adult schooling (34.6%), have been farmers (60.3 %), had 11-20yrs experience (44.9%), and had been indigenous (69.2%). Many of the marketed NTFPs had been bush meat (73.1%), honey and bee wax (71.8%), fuel wood (60.3%), and Shea butter (60.3 %). The charges of NTFPs numerous at diverse tiers, for example, bush meat that sells for #2500.00 on the farm level is in the end offered at #6000.00 to very last purchasers. This also carried out to different NTFPs advertised in the place, indicating that NTFP marketing turned into a profitable enterprise in the study area. Profitability of the very best marketed NTFPs (bush meat) revealed an average gross margin of #34,040.00 and a net profit of #28,040.00, whilst the benefit cost Ratio was 2.53, indicating that for each # 2.00 invested in the business, there was a go back of 53kobo. Poor transportation (35.9%), a lack of storage facilities (23.1%), deforestation (12.8%), and price fluctuation are the various fundamental issues encountered (11.5%). Marketing NTFPs is a rewarding commercial enterprise which could assist improve rural livelihoods. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it was determined that the area was highly enriched with various varieties of NTFPs that serve the needs of the residents. It was recommended that Sustainable forest management of non-timber forest products should be implemented as a development strategy in the study area to ensure the continuous availability of non-timber forest products in the study area.

A Model to Compare International Hospital Bed Numbers, including a Case Study on the Role of Indigenous People on Acute 'Occupied' Bed Demand in Australian States.

Comparing international or regional hospital bed numbers is not an easy matter, and a pragmatic method has been proposed that plots the number of beds per 1000 deaths versus the log of deaths per 1000 population. This method relies on the fact that 55% of a person’s lifetime hospital bed utilization occurs in the last year of life—irrespective of the age at death. This is called the nearness to death effect. The slope and intercept of the logarithmic relationship between the two are highly correlated. This study demonstrates how lines of equivalent bed provision can be constructed based on the value of the intercept. Sweden looks to be the most bed-efficient country due to long-term investment in integrated care. The potential limitations of the method are illustrated using data from English Clinical Commissioning Groups. The main limitation is that maternity, paediatric, and mental health care do not conform to the nearness to death effect, and hence, the method mainly applies to adult acute care, especially medical and critical care bed numbers. It is also suggested that sensible comparison can only be made by comparing levels of occupied beds rather than available beds. Occupied beds measure the expressed bed demand (although often constrained by access to care issues), while available beds measure supply. The issue of bed supply is made complex by the role of hospital size on the average occupancy margin. Smaller hospitals are forced to operate at a lower average occupancy; hence, countries with many smaller hospitals such as Germany and the USA appear to have very high numbers of available beds. The so-called 85% occupancy rule is an “urban myth” and has no fundamental basis whatsoever. The very high number of “hospital” beds in Japan is simply an artefact arising from “nursing home” beds being counted as a “hospital” bed in this country. Finally, the new method is applied to the expressed demand for occupied acute beds in Australian states. Using data specific to acute care, i.e., excluding mental health and maternity, a long-standing deficit of beds was identified in Tasmania, while an unusually high level of occupied beds in the Northern Territory (NT) was revealed. The high level of demand for beds in the NT appears due to an exceptionally large population of indigenous people in this state, who are recognized to have elevated health care needs relative to non-indigenous Australians. In this respect, indigenous Australians use 3.5 times more occupied bed days per 1000 deaths (1509 versus 429 beds per 1000 deaths) and 6 times more occupied bed days per 1000 population (90 versus 15 beds per 1000 population) than their non-indigenous counterparts. The figure of 1509 beds per 1000 deaths (or 4.13 occupied beds per 1000 deaths) for indigenous Australians is indicative of a high level of “acute” nursing care in the last months of life, probably because nursing home care is not readily available due to remoteness. A lack of acute beds in the NT then results in an extremely high average bed occupancy rate with contingent efficiency and delayed access implications.

Physical functioning as a predictor of retirement: Has its importance changed over a thirty-year period in Sweden?

Many countries, including Sweden, are implementing policies aimed at delaying retirement and encouraging older workers to remain on the labour market for longer. During recent decades, there have been several major reforms to the pension and social security systems in Sweden. Moreover, the nature of occupations has shifted towards more non-manual and sedentary activities, older women are today almost as active in the labour market as men in Sweden, and physical functioning has improved over time. In this study, we investigate whether the importance of physical functioning as a predictor for retirement has changed over time, for women and men, respectively. We used four waves of nationally representative data from The Swedish Level of Living Survey from 1981, 1991, 2000, and 2010, together with income register data. We found that greater severity of musculoskeletal pain and mobility limitations increased the likelihood of retirement in all waves. Results from logistic regression models with average marginal effects and predictive margins showed that there is a trend towards physical functioning becoming less important for retirement towards the end of the study period, especially for women, when controlling for occupational-based social class, age, adverse physical working conditions, and job demands. People, especially women, reporting impaired physical functioning did not retire to the same extent as in previous decades. This indicates that people stayed longer in the labour market despite impaired physical functioning, which may have repercussions on well-being and quality of life.

High Accuracy Electric Water Heater using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)

Nowadays, water heater is a common household appliance. Water heater can be divided into three types, based on fuel sources: gas, diesel, and electric. Electric water heater is the most common due to its ease of use. The problems that often occur on electric water heater are over-temperature due to user error in setting up the thermostat and inaccurate readings caused by a conventional system control. These problems will cause a surge in power consumption. Over-temperature and conventional control inaccuracies can be overcome using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) control algorithm in the form of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The proposed algorithm acts as a control by maintaining the stability of the temperature to obtain more accurate results. An accurate temperature reading can lower power consumption in electric water heater. This study tries to simulate Electric Water Heater temperature control using the ANFIS algorithm until stable readings can be achieved in all temperature settings. Results from disturbance tests in the form of external condition that causes sudden temperature change show that the system can maintain stability with an average error margin of 0.045% and the rate of accuracy of 99.955%.

Technical efficiency of onion production in Kebbi State: A Stochastic frontier production function approach

This study investigates onion producers’ technical efficiency level in Kebbi State. Purposive and simple random sampling procedures were adopted in selecting 210 onion producers using structured questionnaire from seven local government areas in the state. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and stochastic frontier production models were employed in describing and analyzing the data. The results showed that producers generated an average gross revenue and gross margin of ₦1,085,692.51 and ₦700,388.33 at farm-gate price, respectively. The coefficients of farm size (0.6779), labour (0.1700) and seed (0.01011) were significantly positive in influencing the onion output, while level of education and household size significantly increased technical efficiency of producers. The technical efficiency of the pooled sample ranges from 0.13 to 0.95 and the mean technical efficiency was 0.78. Production constraints recorded were; high cost of input, pest and disease attack, poor pricing and inadequate government support. In conclusion, onion is a viable agribusiness enterprise for wealth generation and reliable means of small producers’ livelihood and lucrative business for large scale producers. The study recommends the need to identify sustainable interventions through government/nongovernmental support policies to improve input supply system, encourage adult education vide extension service and strengthening linkages among onion producers.