The characteristics and suitability of the soils of some major cocoa growing areas of Nigeria: Tung lga of Cross River

The soils of the major cocoa growing district of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State were surveyed using a flexible grid method to assess the  suitability of these soils for cocoa production. This study  was carried out as part of efforts to revitalize cocoa production in Nigeria. Both the linear and square root  parametric models of suitability assessment were used for the evaluation exercise. From the computed values of the current index productivity (1.80 12.75), all the mapping units delineated from the exercise were currently not suitable (N2) for cocoa production. The limiting factors identified include high rainfall (> 2500 mm annually) and relative humidity (65.5% - 85%), low fertility (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) resulting from nutrient leaching, low pH (3.45 4.90 in KCl) and cation exchange  capacity (1.67 10.75 cmol kg-1), and low to toxic  concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and B in the soils. However, the values of potential productivity index (13.41 - 45) suggested that most of the mapping units will be marginally suitable (S3) for cocoa production with adequate application of appropriate fertilizers and suitable soil management practices. This will require a carefully designed fertilizer trial to ascertain the optima fertilizer level, fertilizer types and application methods.Key words: Land suitability, Cocoa production, Soil fertility, Soil management and Etung LGA

Different Points of a Continuum? Cross Sectional Comparison of the Current and Pre-contact Psychosocial Problems among the Different Categories of Adolescents in Institutional Care in Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The combination of adverse social indicators and a predominantly youthful population puts Nigeria, and indeed many countries of sub-Sahara Africa, at the risk of explosion in the number of youth coming in contact with the juvenile justice system. Despite this risk, custodial childcare systems in the region are still poorly developed with both juvenile offenders and neglected adolescents coming in contact with the systems being kept in the same incarcerating facility. The needs of these different groups of adolescents may be different. Knowing their common and unique needs can inform common prevention strategies and ensure that specific service-needs of different categories of adolescents in institutional custody are met.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on the family background, pre-contact social circumstance, neurological and anthropometric profiles, and certain aspects of mental health of adolescents drawn from two juvenile justice institutions in Nigeria were obtained. The results for the adolescents on ‘criminal code’ and those admitted as a case of child neglect were compared using chi-square and odd ratios.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants were 211 adolescents comprising of 158 on ‘criminal code’ and 53 declared as ‘neglected’. A lot of similarities were found. For instance, the prevalence of parental separation, family transition, experience of street-life and lifetime exposure to traumatic events and posttraumatic stress was equally high among the two groups of adolescents. The adolescents on ‘criminal code’ however had significantly higher prevalence of conduct and alcohol/substance use disorders while the child neglect group had poorer anthropometric profiles and higher prevalence of neurological disorders.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Child neglect and juvenile delinquency in Nigeria may truly be different points of a continuum. There are however fundamental differences that can warrant specific prevention strategies and tailor-made service provision while in custodial care.</p

Closed-Loop Systems and In Vitro Neuronal Cultures: Overview and Applications

One of the main limitations preventing the realization of a successful dialogue between the brain and a putative enabling device is the intricacy of brain signals. In this perspective, closed-loop in vitro systems can be used to investigate the interactions between a network of neurons and an external system, such as an interacting environment or an artificial device. In this chapter, we provide an overview of closed-loop in vitro systems, which have been developed for investigating potential neuroprosthetic applications. In particular, we first explore how to modify or set a target dynamical behavior in a network of neurons. We then analyze the behavior of in vitro systems connected to artificial devices, such as robots. Finally, we provide an overview of biological neuronal networks interacting with artificial neuronal networks, a configuration currently offering a promising solution for clinical applications