Identifying Chamaecrista rotundifolia accessions and Centrosema species for bridging seasonal feed gaps in smallholder mixed farms in the West African derived savanna

Information is scanty on seasonal changes in the yield and quality of forage legumes adapted to the West African savannas. Two experiments were conducted from 1992-1994 in the derived savanna zone of West Africa to determine the dry matter (DM) yield and 48-h in sacco DM digestibility of 17 accessions of Chamaecrista rotundifolia (Experiment 1), and 22 accessions of 8 Centrosema species (Experiment 2) in the main-wet (April-August), minor-wet (September-November), and dry (December-March) seasons. Accessions varied significantly in DM yield and in Sacco DM digestibility in both experiments. Based on the digestible DM yield, accessions were identified with the potential ot provide greater quantities of high quality forage. These included: Ch. rotundifolia ILCA 14165; Ce. acutifolium ILCA 12182 and 12184; Ce. macrocarpum ILCA 15594; Ce. pascuorum ILCA 9; Ce. schottii ILCA 122 and 12401; and Ce. plumieri ILCA 200; for the wet season. Promising accessions for the dry season included: Ch. rotundifolia ILCA 14172 and 14174; Ce. acutifolium ILCA 15591; Ce. arenarium ILCA 12451; Ce. brasilianum ILCA 155; Ce. macrocarpum ILCA 15594; Ce. plumieri ILCA 194; and Ce. schottii ILCA 122. Of the Ce. virginianum accessions evaluated, ILCA 509 was the best in all seasons. The potential of the promising accessions to reduce seasonal deficiencies of high quality feed, especially during the dry season, and their multiple use of soil fertility maintenance, weed control, and pest management in mixed farming systems warrant further research

Bifurcation and Chaos in Coupled Ratchets exhibiting Synchronized Dynamics

The bifurcation and chaotic behaviour of unidirectionally coupled deterministic ratchets is studied as a function of the driving force amplitude ($a$) and frequency ($\omega$). A classification of the various types of bifurcations likely to be encountered in this system was done by examining the stability of the steady state in linear response as well as constructing a two-parameter phase diagram in the ($a -\omega$) plane. Numerical explorations revealed varieties of bifurcation sequences including quasiperiodic route to chaos. Besides, the familiar period-doubling and crises route to chaos exhibited by the one-dimensional ratchet were also found. In addition, the coupled ratchets display symmetry-breaking, saddle-nodes and bubbles of bifurcations. Chaotic behaviour is characterized by using the sensitivity to initial condition as well as the Lyapunov exponent spectrum; while a perusal of the phase space projected in the Poincar$\acute{e}$ cross-section confirms some of the striking features.Comment: 7 pages; 8 figure

Forage from cropping systems as dry season supplements for sheep

Information on the utilisation of legume hays from an intercropping system as a feed supplement is limited. Three forage legume hays (Stylosanthes guianensis, Lablab purpureus and Aeschynomene histrix) were compared by feeding them as supplements for yearling West African Dwarf rams (LWt 18.0±2.2 kg) fed a basal diet of mature guinea grass (Panicum maximum). The performance of the rams was evaluated in a 60-day growth trial, using a completely randomised design with 6 rams per treatment. Organic matter digestibility and nitrogen retention were assessed in a separate trial using the same design; but with 4 animals per treatment. In the growth trial, rams supplemented with S. guianensis and A. histrix gained more weight (P<0.05) than those on the L. purpureus supplemented diet. Average total weight gains were 33.3, 13.2 and 31.2 g/d for S. guianensis-, L. purpureus- and A. histrix-supplemented diets, respectively. Organic matter digestibility was 643, 568 and 523 g/kg for S. guianensis-, A. histrix- and L. purpureus-supplemented groups, respectively. All treatments resulted in positive nitrogen balance. We concluded that feeding forage legumes from cereal-based cropping systems as a supplement can maintain liveweight in sheep and even achieve modest weight gains during the critical dry period when feed quality is poor

Effect of Two Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Fodder Cultivars as Supplements on Voluntary Intake; Milk Yield and Manure Production of Bunaji Cows

The feeding value of fodder from two cowpea cultivars to a basal maize stover diet was investigated using fifteen lactating White Fulani (Zebu) cows. The two cultivars were IT-716 and 994-DP. Diet was constituted as 50g DM/kg live weight and each of the cultivars was supplemented at 50% of the daily dry matter requirement of individual animals. The experimental design was a complete randomize. The parameters measured included feed intake, milk yield and composition and manure production. In a separate trial, dry matter degradation of the fodder was assessed. There were no significant differences in dry matter intake of the supplements. However, the dry matter intake of stover in the control diet was higher than those on the supplemented groups. The milk yields ranged from 887 to 1378 ml/day. Milk yield differed among treatments. Supplementation did not affect (P 0.05) fat, protein, total solids and ash contents of the milk across the treatments. Manure productions were not significantly different among the treatments. Similarly, content of N, P and K in manure were comparable among the treatments except for N that was lower (P 0.05) in the control group. The dry matter degradation was influenced by the fodder cultivars. The feeding of dual-purpose forage legumes residues could enhance milk production in lactating Zebu cows. This may be further increased by exploring other ways of improving feed residue utilization in the dry season

Work Ethics and Public Service Delivery: A Review of Literature and Agenda for Future Research

Factors influencing the delivery of public sectors have been a major concern in developing countries. This is born out of the fact that ethical conducts of public servants aresignificant to the success of effective public service delivery. It is no longer news that there are dysfunctions in the Public Service in Nigeria leading to failure in service delivery. While studies have shown this, its relationship with work ethics requires further investigation. This study, therefore, aims at interrogating the relationship between work ethics and public service delivery. Data obtained from six academic databases such as google scholar, Scopus, peered reviewed journals, Jstor, Science Direct (Elsevier), Web of Science, ProQuest, and Sage were systematically reviewed. The result of the analysis revealed that there is relationship between work ethics and public service delivery

Effect of Manure Application on Herbage Yield, Nutritive Value and Performance of Wad Sheep Fed Panicum maximum

Effect of types of manure on herbage yield, nutritive value and performance of WAD Sheep fed native Panicum maximum was investigated. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with each plot replicated thrice. Poultry manure and sheep - goat manure were applied through broadcasting to an established Panicum maximum stand to supply 200kgN/ha and 0kgN/ha (control). Grass herbage harvested from experiment plot were fed as sole diets to West African dwarf sheep to determine feed intake (g/h/d), nutrient digestibility (%) and weight gain (g/h/d). Results showed that Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced (P&lt;0.05) higher values for biomass yield, number of tillers, tiller height, leaf length and leaf width. The chemical composition of Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced (P&lt;0.05) higher CP and GE compared to sheep-goat manure. Similar trend of result was observed on mineral composition of Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced (P&lt;0.05) higher values for P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu compared to sheep-goat manure. The feed intake (g/h/d), nutrient digestibility (%) and weight gain of the animals fed Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced higher values compared to its counterpart. It was concluded based on data obtained from this study that poultry manure application will promote higher yield and nutritive value for the Panicum maximum. Animals fed with this as sole diet and as short feeding regime experienced high weight gain

Effect of Manure Application on Herbage Yield, Nutritive Value and Performance of Wad Sheep Fed Panicum maximum

Effect of types of manure on herbage yield, nutritive value and performance of WAD Sheep fed native Panicum maximum was investigated. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with each plot replicated thrice. Poultry manure and sheep - goat manure were applied through broadcasting to an established Panicum maximum stand to supply 200kgN/ha and 0kgN/ha (control). Grass herbage harvested from experiment plot were fed as sole diets to West African dwarf sheep to determine feed intake (g/h/d), nutrient digestibility (%) and weight gain (g/h/d). Results showed that Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced (P&lt;0.05) higher values for biomass yield, number of tillers, tiller height, leaf length and leaf width. The chemical composition of Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced (P&lt;0.05) higher CP and GE compared to sheep-goat manure. Similar trend of result was observed on mineral composition of Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced (P&lt;0.05) higher values for P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu compared to sheep-goat manure. The feed intake (g/h/d), nutrient digestibility (%) and weight gain of the animals fed Panicum maximum fertilized with poultry manure produced higher values compared to its counterpart. It was concluded based on data obtained from this study that poultry manure application will promote higher yield and nutritive value for the Panicum maximum. Animals fed with this as sole diet and as short feeding regime experienced high weight gain. Keywords: Poultry manure, sheep - goat manure, herbage yield, Panicum maximum, WAD Shee

Conjunctivitis in dupilumab clinical trials

Background Dupilumab blocks the shared receptor component for interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. It is approved in the U.S.A. for patients aged ≥ 12 years with moderate-tosevere atopic dermatitis (AD) uncontrolled by topical prescription medicines or who cannot use topical medicines, for patients in Japan whose AD is uncontrolled with existing therapies, for patients with moderate-to-severe AD in Europe who are candidates for systemic therapy and for patients aged ≥ 12 years for maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma uncontrolled with their current medicines. AD trials have reported increased incidence of conjunctivitis for dupilumab vs. placebo. Objectives To characterize further the occurrence and risk factors of conjunctivitis in dupilumab clinical trials. Methods We evaluated randomized placebo-controlled trials of dupilumab in AD (n = 2629), asthma (n = 2876), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (n = 60) and eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) (n = 47). Results In most AD trials, dupilumab-treated patients had higher conjunctivitis incidence than placebo controls. Higher baseline AD severity and previous history of conjunctivitis were associated with increased conjunctivitis incidence. Conjunctivitis was mostly mild to moderate. Most cases recovered or resolved during the treatment period; two patients permanently discontinued dupilumab due to conjunctivitis or keratitis. Common treatments included ophthalmic corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers. Most cases were diagnosed by the investigators. In asthma and CRSwNP trials, the incidence of conjunctivitis was lower for both dupilumab and placebo than in AD trials; dupilumab did not increase the incidence compared with placebo. In the EoE trial, no patients had conjunctivitis. Conclusions Conjunctivitis was more frequent with dupilumab treatment in most AD trials. In dupilumab trials in other type 2 diseases, incidence of conjunctivitis was overall very low, and was similar for dupilumab and placebo. In AD, the incidence of conjunctivitis was associated with AD severity and prior history of conjunctivitis. The aetiology and treatment of conjunctivitis in dupilumab-treated patients require further study

Uniform or Sex-Specific Cardiac Troponin Thresholds to Rule-out Myocardial Infarction at Presentation

Background: Myocardial infarction can be ruled out in patients with a single cardiac troponin measurement. Whether use of a uniform rule-out threshold has resulted in sex-differences in care remains unclear.Objectives: To evaluate implementation of a uniform rule-out threshold in females and males with possible myocardial infarction, and to derive and validate sex-specific thresholds. Methods: The implementation of a uniform rule-out threshold (&lt;5 ng/L) with a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assay was evaluated in consecutive patients presenting with possible myocardial infarction. The proportion of low-risk patients discharged from Emergency Department (ED) and incidence of myocardial infarction or cardiac death at 30 days were determined. Sex-specific thresholds were derived and validated, and proportion of female and male patients stratified as low-risk compared with uniform threshold.Results: In 16,792 patients (58±17 years, 46% female) care was guided using a uniform threshold. This identified more female than male patients as low-risk (73% versus 62%), but a similar proportion of low-risk patients were discharged from ED (81% for both) with fewer than 5 (&lt;0.1%) patients having a subsequent myocardial infarction or cardiac death at 30 days. Compared to uniform threshold of &lt;5 ng/L, use of sex-specific thresholds would increase the proportion of female (61.8% versus 65.9%) and reduce the proportion of male (54.8% versus 47.8%) patients identified as low-risk.Conclusions: Implementation of a uniform rule-out threshold for myocardial infarction was safe and effective in both sexes. Sex-specific rule-out thresholds should be considered, but their impact on effectiveness and safety may be limited.Keywords: Cardiac troponin, sex, myocardial infarction<br/

Nexus between government policies and performance of small scale bread bakeries in Nigeria

Government policy could compress the small scale business sector in any economy if not giving careful attention, hence, this study assessed the nexus between government policies and performance of small scale bread bakeries in Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 107 bread bakeries using structured questionnaire. Descriptive, profitability ratios and linear regression were employed. Profit margin was higher for those that were trained by government, received credit and pay tax when compared to their counterparts who did not benefit from these policies. The regression results showed that none of the policy variables was significant with profit but amount paid for registration, year of business registration and licensing procedure significantly affected assets accumulation. Therefore, this study concludes that for any bakery to commence operation, it must be registered and have a specific standard of assets. Hence, governments should streamline the licensing procedure and also reduce registration amount.Keywords: Government Policies, Small scale, bread bakery, performance, Nigeri