Improved forage cultivation for increased in fodder availability and climate change mitigation in the Savanna agro-ecological zone of northern Ghana

The study was conducted to investigate the biomass yield and quality of two forage species Brachiaria ruziziensis (B. ruziziensis) and Sorghum almum (S. almum) in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in two different locations (Bihinayili in the Savelugu District and Zanlerigu in the Nabdam District) in the Savanna agro-ecological zone of Ghana. Agronomic data were collected and representative samples of forage biomass taken at 60 days after planting to estimate dry matter yield and nutritive quality. The two-way interaction effect of forage species and experimental site was not significant for both agronomic and chemical parameters except for tiller number. The average leaf size was broader (P=0.006) in S. almum (299.0 cm2) than B. ruziziensis (85.0 cm2). Number of leaves per plant was higher (P=0.016) in B. ruziziensis (10.75). Number of tillers per plant in B. ruziziensis (9.62) was higher (P=0.001) than S. almum (2.88). Plant height was however, higher in S. almum (183.1 cm) than B. ruziziensis (90.1 cm). Dry matter yield of forages at 60 days after planting was higher (P<0.001) at Bihinayili (8.49 tons/ha) than that at Zanlerigu (2.23 tons/ha). The CP content of the forages at Bihinayili (89.7 g/kg DM) was also higher (P=0.018) than that at Zanlerigu (68.6 g/kg DM). Dry matter yield of B. ruziziensis (4.84 tons/ha) did not differ significantly from that of S. almum (5.88 tons/ha). In conclusion, B. ruziziensis and S. almum performed well within the Savanna agroecological zone and could enhance fodder supply and carbon sequestration

The use of free autogenous rib grafts in maxillofacial reconstruction

Background: Hard tissue defects in the maxillofacial region due to trauma or ablative surgery result in functional and cosmetic problems. State-of-theart methods for reconstruction include the use of vascularised tissue. Objective: To review our results with the use of non-vascularised rib grafts for maxillofacial reconstruction. Method: Patients who underwent maxillofacial reconstruction using rib at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital during 1996-2004 were studied. The technique for rib harvest and implantation of the graft was standardized. Clindamycin was administered peri-operatively and the harvested rib was temporarily stored in clindamycin/saline before implantation. The graft was successful if it survived beyond 6 months after placement. Follow- up was for at least 12months postoperatively. Results: A total of 29 patients were studied. The indications for grafting included ameloblastoma, malignant disease, cyst, ankylosis, and trauma. Either rib bone only or with cartilage were used. In 90% of patients (26/29) the graft healed uneventfully. Two patients had dehiscence of the wound with exposure of the graft intraorally within two weeks of surgery and were successfully managed with antibiotics. Conclusion: Free autogenous rib was successfully used to reconstruct defects in the maxillofacial region. Further stabilization of the graft by intermaxillary fixation and the prophylactic use of clindamycin may have helped to minimize complications

Trends in the prevalence of female genital muti-lation and its effect on delivery outcomes in the kassena-nankana district of northern Ghana

Rational: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is prevalent in northern Ghana, as the practice is seen as a passage rite to women adulthood and thus undertaken just before marriage. Objectives: We determined the changes in trend of FGM in deliveries at the Navrongo War Memo-rial hospital, and compared the outcomes and FGM status.Design: Retrospective extraction and analysis of delivery data at the hospital from 1st January 1996 to 31st December 2003. Results: Of the 5071 deliveries, about 29% (1466/5071) were associated with FGM. The high-est prevalence (95% CI) of 61.5% (50.9, 71.2) was in women aged 40 years and above, and the lowest of 14.4% (11.7, 17.0) was in women below 20 years. The all-age prevalence of FGM showed a significant decline (p-value for linear trend < 0.01) from 35.2% in 1996 to 21.1% in 2003. About 6% (89/1466) of mothers with FGM had stillbirths compared with about 3% (123/3605) of mothers without FGM. Again FGM was associated with 8.2% (120/1466) caesarean section rate compared with 6.7% (241/3605) in mothers without FGM. Mean birth weight and frequency of low birth weights were not significantly associated with FGM status. Conclusion: Although there is a high rate of FGM among mothers in the district and is associated with a higher proportion of stillbirths and caesar-ean sections, practice has shown a significant de-cline in the district in recent years due to the pre-vailing campaigns and intervention studies. There is therefore the need to sustain the ongoing inter-vention efforts

Projecting the burden of dental caries and periodontal diseases among the adult population in the United Kingdom using a multi-state population model

ObjectivesWith the aging United Kingdom population, oral diseases are expected to increase. Exploring credible projections is fundamental to understanding the likely impact of emerging population-level interventions on oral disease burden. This study aims at providing a credible, evidence-based projection of the adult population in the United Kingdom with dental caries and periodontal diseases.MethodsWe developed a multi-state population model using system dynamics that disaggregates the adult population in the United Kingdom into different oral health states. The caries population was divided into three states: no caries, treated caries, and untreated caries. The periodontal disease population was disaggregated into no periodontal disease, pocketing between 4 and &lt; 6 mm, 6 and &lt; 9 mm, and 9 mm or more. Data from the 2009 dental health survey in the United Kingdom was used to estimate age and gender-specific prevalence rates as input to the multi-state population model.ResultsOf the population 16 years and older, the number with carious teeth is projected to decrease from 15.742 million in the year 2020 to 15.504 million by the year 2050, representing a decrease of 1.5%. For individuals with carious teeth, the older adult population is estimated to constitute 62.06% by 2050 and is projected to increase 89.4% from 5.079 million in 2020 to 9.623 million by 2050. The adult population with periodontal pocketing is estimated to increase from 25.751 million in 2020 to 27.980 million by 2050, while those with periodontal loss of attachment are projected to increase from 18.667 million in 2020 to 20.898 million by 2050. The burden of carious teeth and periodontal diseases is anticipated to shift from the adult population (16–59 years) to the older adult population. The older adult population with carious teeth is estimated to rise from 32.26% in 2020 to 62.06% by 2050, while that for periodontal disease is expected to increase from 42.44% in 2020 to 54.57% by 2050.ConclusionThis model provides evidence-based plausible future demand for oral health conditions, allowing policymakers to plan for oral health capacity to address growing needs. Because of the significant delay involved in educating and training oral health personnel, such projections offer policymakers the opportunity to be proactive in planning for future capacity needs instead of being reactive

Comparing and contrasting travelling wave behaviour for groundwater flow and foam drainage

Liquid drainage within foam is generally described by the foam drainage equation which admits travelling wave solutions. Meanwhile, Richards’ equation has been used to describe liquid flow in unsaturated soil. Travelling wave solutions for Richards equation are also available using soil material property functions which have been developed by Van Genuchten. In order to compare and contrast these solutions, the travelling waves are expressed as dimensionless height, ξ^ , versus moisture content, Θ. For low moisture content, ξ^ exhibits an abrupt change away from the dry state in Richards equation compared to a much more gradual change in foam drainage. When moisture content nears saturation, ξ^ reaches large values (i.e. ξ^ ≫ 1) for both Richards equation and foam drainage, implying a gradual approach of Θ towards the saturated state. The ξ^ values in Richards equation tend, however, to be larger than those in the foam drainage equation, implying an even more gradual approach towards saturation. The reasons for the difference between foam drainage and Richards equation solutions are traced back to soil material properties and in particular a soil specific parameter “m” which is determined from the soil-water retention curve

Use of the Triple-Layer Hermetic Bag against the Maize Weevil, Sitophilus Zeamais (Mots) in Three Varieties of Maize

Maize ranks with wheat and rice as one of the world’s chief grain crops. However, the safety of this important food crop is threatened by pests such as insects, rodents and moulds which results from inappropriate storage methods. Insect pest infestation accounts for about 20-50% of all food crop losses. This study was carried under ambient laboratory conditions of 32± 2oC and 72-88% r.h to determine the effectiveness of the triple-layer hermetic bag in controlling the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Mot) on three varieties of maize (Obatampa, Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong). Five (5) kilograms of each variety with three replicates were infested with 50 S. zeamais and stored for three (3) months in three different types of bags (hermetic, Polypropylene and Jute). Destructive sampling was done monthly to determine the moisture content, viability of each variety and weight loss after storage. Percentage damage of grain due to S. zeamais was assessed on the different types of storage bags. The results show that the high yielding Obatampa was more susceptible to S. zeamais than the two local varieties; Abrodenkye and Kamangkpong. Damage, weight loss and germination rates were significantly (p  higher in the polypropylene and jute bags than the hermetic bags. These were also dependent on the length of storage. The triple-layer hermetic bags were effective against S. zeamais and could be used for storage of maize. Keywords: Maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais; Triple-layer hermetic bag; Polypropylene; Jute

Effect of input credit on smallholder farmers’ output and income: Evidence from Northern Ghana

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of input credit on smallholder farmers’ output and income using Masara N’Arziki support project in Northern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional primary data set was used to estimate the effect of project participation on farm output, yield and income using propensity score matching (PSM) methods. Findings The findings are that project participation is skewed towards experienced farmers with big-sized households and farms. The effect of project on outcomes is somewhat unsatisfactory in the sense that participation only raises output and yield, but not income. Research limitations/implications The paper only examined the project effect on farm outcomes among smallholder farmers participating in the programme in just one operational area in the Northern region. Future research should consider all the operational areas for an informed generalisation of findings. Practical implications Greater benefits to farmers from programme participation would require project management to review the contractual arrangement so that the high cost of input credit is significantly reduced. Originality/value The paper applied the PSM to estimate the effect of project participation on farm output, yield and income among smallholder farmers which is non-existent in the literature on the study area, at least as far as we know. This paper can inform future policy on the direction and nature of support for smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana

Evaluation of false yam (Icacinaoliviformis) leaves on the growth performance of weaner rabbits (Oryctolaguscuniculus

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the effect of Icacina oliviformis leaf meal (IOLM) on the growth performance of weaner rabbits

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Security Systems Regime of a Hypothetical Radiological Facility Using a Risk Calculation

This paper presents how security effectiveness can be measured by considering the cost involved in providing security for a radiological center and measures to improve security through risk analysis. The expansion of nuclear technologies and the possible use of nuclear and radioactive materials continues to grow. This increase comes with potential risk of radioactive materials being used for the wrong reasons; thus it is important to provide physical protection of nuclear related facilities to counter these threats and use atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The effectiveness of the security systems put in place at the facility can be assessed by making analysis of the risks associated to the facility. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.The authors express gratitude to Nuclear Fuel Cycle Department of Tomsk Polytechnic University, Russia for providing support to this paper

Children's Medicines in Tanzania: A National Survey of Administration Practices and Preferences.

The dearth of age-appropriate formulations of many medicines for children poses a major challenge to pediatric therapeutic practice, adherence, and health care delivery worldwide. We provide information on current administration practices of pediatric medicines and describe key stakeholder preferences for new formulation characteristics. We surveyed children aged 6-12 years, parents/caregivers over age 18 with children under age 12, and healthcare workers in 10 regions of Tanzania to determine current pediatric medicine prescription and administration practices as well as preferences for new formulations. Analyses were stratified by setting, pediatric age group, parent/caregiver education, and healthcare worker cadre. Complete data were available for 206 children, 202 parents/caregivers, and 202 healthcare workers. Swallowing oral solid dosage forms whole or crushing/dissolving them and mixing with water were the two most frequently reported methods of administration. Children frequently reported disliking medication taste, and many had vomited doses. Healthcare workers reported medicine availability most significantly influences prescribing practices. Most parents/caregivers and children prefer sweet-tasting medicine. Parents/caregivers and healthcare workers prefer oral liquid dosage forms for young children, and had similar thresholds for the maximum number of oral solid dosage forms children at different ages can take. There are many impediments to acceptable and accurate administration of medicines to children. Current practices are associated with poor tolerability and the potential for under- or over-dosing. Children, parents/caregivers, and healthcare workers in Tanzania have clear preferences for tastes and formulations, which should inform the development, manufacturing, and marketing of pediatric medications for resource-limited settings