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Purpose. The authors aim to reveal the influence of philosophical and esoteric principles on the formation and further development of Roberto Assagioli’s concept of psychosynthesis. The theoretical basis of the study is determined by the latest methodological approaches in the study of the relationship between philosophical, psychological, and esoteric approaches in the study of the unconscious and the formation of a harmonious personality. Originality. For the first time, a systematic analysis of the anthropological foundations of Roberto Assagioli’s work has been carried out in Ukrainian philosophical literature, the specificity of the connection between esoteric teachings and psychosynthesis has been revealed on the basis of a thorough study of primary sources and biographical evidence of the life and work of the famous Italian thinker. Conclusions. Psychosynthesis, which is one of the leading directions of modern psychology, has a rather multicultural philosophical and methodological basis. Its founder Roberto Assagioli, while developing his concept, was influenced by theosophical-esoteric, pragmatic kabbalistic, and Eastern religious concepts and practices. Unlike psychoanalysis, which saw the unconscious as physiological-naturalistic determinants of the human psyche and behavior, psychosynthesis considers the unconscious as a hidden potential for self-development of the individual. Roberto Assagioli went through a long and difficult way to finally form his own concept, which became the basis of the psycho-techniques of disidentification and work with subpersonalities, which help to discover the true transpersonal self, which is the source of human self-improvement. Modern discussions about the relationship between psychosynthesis and various forms of parapsychology once again testify to the synthetic nature of Assagioli’s teaching, which combines various psychotherapeutic practices. This is what gives psychosynthesis a new push for development in the conditions of wars, disasters, loneliness, and related psychological disorders.

The results of analysis of specific activity and multiple forms of oxidoreductase class enzymes are presented: antioxidant complex (catalase and peroxidase) and dehydrogenases (alcohol dehydrogenase, NAD+-malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). Seven varieties of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) served as the object of the study. Dormant seeds and 3- and 7-day-old soybean seedlings were used for the analysis. Protein content was determined by the Lowry method, peroxidase activity was determined by colorimetric, catalase and the studied dehydrogenases – by spectrophotometric methods, electrophoretic spectra of enzymes – by electrophoresis on 7.5% polyacrylamide gel columns. Identification of the zones with enzymatic activity on the gel was performed by appropriate histochemical methods. Analysis of specific activity of antioxidant enzymes in dormant soybean seeds revealed increased activity of peroxidase and low activity of catalase. During seed germination, the inverse relationship of the specific activity of these enzymes is observed. On the 7th day the specific activity of catalase increases, that of peroxidase decreases to a minimum. In soybean germination, 5 forms of catalase were detected, indicating low polymorphism and stability of the enzyme, and 18 forms of peroxidase, which confirm high polymorphism and the possibility of using this enzyme as a marker of biochemical processes. Alcohol dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were found to be of low heterogeneity, with the specific activity of these enzymes decreasing during germination compared to the dormant period of soybean seeds. The specific activity of NAD+-malate dehydrogenase increases slightly during germination. Eight forms of this enzyme were detected in the soybean varieties studied indicating increased polymorphism. In dormant soybean seeds, the electrophoretic spectra of NAD+-malate dehydrogenase exhibited varietal diversity allowing the enzyme to be used as a marker for further studies.

AbstractThe global feed production has increased in the past few years. Despite the growing trend, the current production does not meet the demand in Kenya. The government of Kenya has initiated several efforts towards promoting fodder production to increase milk production and household income. This study analysed the effects of fodder production on household income in Homa Bay County, Kenya using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. The study used primary data collected through structured questionnaires in Homabay County, Kenya from a sample size of 300 smallholder farmers. Results indicated that years of schooling, herd size, household size, labour used in land preparation, and land size under fodder had a positive influence on the probability of farmers to mainly feed their livestock on Napier grass. On the contrary, the number of extension contacts negatively influenced the probability of farmers feeding their livestock on Napier grass. Results show that there was a significant difference between the incomes of farmers who fed their cattle on Napier grass and those who mainly grazed their cattle on natural grass. Specifically, smallholder farmers who fed their livestock on Napier grass reported a Kshs. 3,916.67 (USD 25.71) higher income than their counterparts who grazed their livestock on natural grass reflecting an increase by 24.94%. Thus, the study recommends the need for both the national and county governments to incorporate fodder production as a key area for livestock development agenda in their policy plans to improve the farmers’ income.

AbstractNewcastle disease (ND) poses a major challenge to Kenyan farmers who raise local chicken in a free-range system. The lack of consistent poultry rearing practices makes it unclear how farmers manage the disease. Insufficient awareness and negative perceptions contribute to the problem, leading to poor management and increased disease outbreaks. The extent of Kenyan farmers’ awareness and perceptions of ND also remains poorly documented. This study examined ND awareness, perceptions, and factors influencing awareness using a binary logit model on data from 332 farmers in high rainfall (Kakamega) and low rainfall (Machakos) regions in Kenya. Limited access to support services (34% extension, 25% training and 25% credit) was observed. The ND was perceived as a significant chicken disease, causing high mortality and losses during outbreaks. Awareness of ND was higher in high-rainfall areas. The household type, access to extension services and credit, training, and group membership significantly influenced ND awareness. Strengthening group membership is recommended for improved access to relevant information. Kakamega and Machakos county governments should invest more in targeted extension services, potentially collaborating with private providers and development partners. Financial institutions should also tailor their products to fit chicken farmers’ needs.

AbstractApart from generating Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the dairy industry in Kenya contributes to the employment of over a million people along the milk value chain. The sub-sector, however, still experiences low productivity and extensive informal marketing. Farmers have, therefore, formed cooperative societies that have received support in cooling plants and access to dairy services, animal health and artificial insemination. However, participation by members of these cooperative societies is still low, and participation’s impact on income has not been determined. This study sought to assess the impact of the choice of cooperatives on smallholder dairy farmers’ incomes. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from a sample of 277 Nyamira and Homa Bay Counties farmers. An endogenous switching regression model was used to analyze data. The results indicated that cooperative market participation increased farmers’ incomes by about 10%. The results also revealed that distance to market, milk payment period, number of lactating cows, farm size, and farmer location influenced farmers’ decision to participate in the cooperatives. Furthermore, the level of education, number of lactating cows, farm size, access to off-farm income and access to extension services were significant in determining farmers’ income. This paper suggests policies that increase cooperative market participation for smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya.

AbstractAntinutritional factors (ANFs) are the most found chemical in legumes, including beans. This study was done to evaluate the effects of processing techniques on the anti-nutritional factors of common beans. Soaking in water alone, and soaking in sodium bicarbonate (0.05 %) solutions (1:3 in both cases), germination for 24- and 48-hours (at 25 °C), and conventional and pressure cooking, were applied. The dried and ground processed beans were subjected to analysis for phytate and tannin (vanillin-HCl, Burns). The ANFs were significantly affected by each treatment (P < 0.05). Soaking the beans in water and sodium bicarbonate showed a reduction in phytate content of 17.79% and 27.32 %, respectively. The reduction in phytate content by 22.57% for germination of 24 hours and 34.95 % for 48 hours at 25 °C was achieved. The amount of phytate reduced by conventional cooking and pressure cooking was 33.29 % and 35.21 %, respectively. It was also illustrated that the soaking reduced the tannin content by 46.88 % for soaking in water and 54.76 % for soaking in sodium bicarbonate. Reductions in tannin content of 59.44% and 66.69% were obtained by 24-hour and 48-hour germination, respectively, while ordinary and pressure cooking showed tannin reductions of 69.81 % and 77.69 % respectively. Pressure cooking showed the highest reduction in the ANFs and greatly affected the phytate and tannin content, followed by ordinary cooking and germination for 48 hours. It was concluded that pressure cooking shows the highest reduction in phytate and tannin contents.

The Limpopo estuary mangrove forest covers about 928 ha; however, 382 ha remain intact, and 546 ha were degraded after the 2000 floods. Mangrove replanting campaigns were carried out at the site. This study assesses the ability of restored forests to provide carbon storage functions. The results showed that A. marina was the dominant species in all study areas. The carbon reserve of living biomass above and below ground in the natural forest was 67.9 ± 100.9 MgCha−1 and 65.0 ± 77.1 MgC ha−1, respectively; in the planted forests (2016, 2014, 2010), it was 1.1 ± 0.5 MgCha−1 and 2.1 ± 1.0 MgCha−1, 1.8 ± 1.0 MgCha−1 and 3.6 ± 2.0 MgCha−1, 3.7 ± 2.0 MgCha−1 and 5.3 ± 2.5 MgCha−1. Soil carbon reserve was 229.4 ± 119.4 MgCha−1 in natural forest and 230.3 ± 134.8 MgCha−1, 234.8 ± 132.7 MgC ha−1, 229.4 ± 119.4 MgCha−1 in planted forests (2016, 2014, 2010). The total carbon reserve in the natural forest was 362.3 MgCha−1; and 233.5 MgCha−1, 240.2 MgCha−1 and 246.4 MgCha−1 in the planted forests (2016, 2014, 2010), respectively. Natural and restored forests had similar amounts of soil carbon, which reinforces the idea that soil is a stable carbon pool. Moreover, restored forests failed to store the same amount of live biomass (carbon), which supports the idea that it is better to prevent habitat degradation than to restore it.

The temperature field and chemiluminescence measurements of axisymmetric flame are obtained simultaneously in only one image. Digital Laser Speckle Displacement measures temperature fields, and direct image flame determines chemiluminescence values. Applying the Abel transform of axisymmetric objects for volume visualization requires smooth intensity profiles. Due to the nature of the experimental setup, direct image flame is corrupted with speckle noise and a crosstalk effect. These undesirable effects deteriorate the measurement results. Then, experimental data need crosstalk correction and speckle noise reduction to improve the measurements. This work aims to implement a methodology to reduce the speckle noise of highly noisy data intensity profiles to create smooth profiles appropriate to applying the Abel transform. The method uses a Four-Order Partial Differential Equation to reduce speckle noise and a Curve fitting utilizing a set of Gaussian functions to decrease residual undesirable effects. After this, correction of crosstalk is necessary to avoid this effect. The methodology is applied to premixed flames generated with Liquid Petroleum Gas for different mixes.