Estimating Dry Matter Digestibility of Forage in Equine Diets

Previous research indicates equine fecal inoculates produce comparable results to cecal fluid when used for in vitro procedures to analyze dry matter digestibility (DMD). Equine hindgut microbial populations represented in fecal samples have been shown to be affected by diet. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of diet on in vitro DMD when fecal samples from horses on varying starch and fiber diets were used as inoculates. Six mature Quarter Horses (BW 522 ± 45kg) were used in a crossover repeated measures design to compare the effects of a grain vs. all forage diets on the in vitro digestion of forages ranging: CP 7.7 to 16.4 %DM, NDF 53 to 72 %DM. Treatments were a grain diet of corn chops and mixed grass hay with alfalfa cubes and a forage only diet of mixed grass hay with alfalfa cubes. Horses were divided into two groups of three and assigned an initial start diet. Fecal samples were collected from each horse on days 0,11, 22, 33, and 44, with groups switching treatments on day 22. Inoculum prepared from samples were used in the Ankom Daisy II Incubator® to compare DMD after fermentation. Digested NDF (NDFD) and digested ADF (ADFD) of forage samples were analyzed using the Ankom2000 Fiber Analyzer®. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS using covtest to evaluate digestibility differences in the diet by forage parameter interaction. After the 22d adaptation period, fecal samples from horses on the grain diet promoted higher NDFD of forages with high NDF and low CP when CP and NDF were used as covariates (P=0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Dry matter digestibility tended to be higher (P=0.08). There was a significant horse effect on DMD and NDFD (P≤0.05). Findings suggest diet may influence hindgut microbial population to the extent of effecting fiber digestion and should be considered when selecting equine fecal samples for in-vitro digestion procedures. Increased digestibility of lowquality forage was seen when horses were fed a grain diet. In addition, pooling fecal samples from more than one donor consuming various diets may yield more precise results for in vitro digestibility trials. Further investigation of forage digestibility using a broader spectrum of forage types may elucidate a more distinct pattern of the dietary impact on fiber digestion

GENDER IMPACTS OF SMALL FARMERS’ COMMERCIALIZATION OF GINGER (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) ENTERPRISE IN NIGERIA

This study addressed the issue of gender and agricultural commercialization among smallholders in Nigeria with ginger as a case study. It focused on the relative or absolute roles, gains and losses by men and women farmers as a result of commercializing small ginger farm. Ginger is a crop grown mainly for cash in Nigeria. Nigerian ginger is known to produce very high quality essential oils mainly oleoresin and gingerol used in confectionery and pharmaceutical industries. Men take decision mostly on ginger production while ginger marketing is more of the women’s job. Women income is devoted to food and children care while men take care of education of the children. There is increased income and improved health facilities to members of the household. There are, however, increases in workload and responsibility for men for major decisions while women play major role in decision during maintenance of ginger field.Nigerian Ginger, Commercialization, Gender impacts, Agribusiness, Consumer/Household Economics,

Mapping Sex Offender Addresses: The Utility of the Alaska Sex Offender Registry as a Research Data Base

The registration of sex offenders was part of a national effort to enhance public safety by permitting law enforcement officials to track the location of convicted sex offenders after their release. All fifty states have enacted legislation requiring persons convicted of various sex-related offenses to register with law enforcement agencies; many states also grant public access to all or a portion of their registries. This document reports on the Alaska Statistical Analysis Center's efforts to improve data accuracy in the Alaska Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Alaska State Troopers, and to assess the registry's utility as a research tool.Bureau of Justice Statistics, Grant No. 1999-RU-RX-K006Background of the Project / Research Methodology / Results / Utility: Spatial Justice Research / APPENDICES / A. Alaska’s Sex Offender Registration Law / B. Establishment of a Central Registry of Sex Offenders in Alaska / C. Definitions of Offenses for which Convicted Persons Must Register as Sex Offenders in Alask

Dietary elimination of children with food protein induced gastrointestinal allergy – micronutrient adequacy with and without a hypoallergenic formula?

Background: The cornerstone for management of Food protein-induced gastrointestinal allergy (FPGIA) is dietary exclusion; however the micronutrient intake of this population has been poorly studied. We set out to determine the dietary intake of children on an elimination diet for this food allergy and hypothesised that the type of elimination diet and the presence of a hypoallergenic formula (HF) significantly impacts on micronutrient intake. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted on children diagnosed with FPIGA on an exclusion diet who completed a 3 day semi-quantitative food diary 4 weeks after commencing the diet. Nutritional intake where HF was used was compared to those without HF, with or without a vitamin and mineral supplement (VMS). Results: One-hundred-and-five food diaries were included in the data analysis: 70 boys (66.7%) with median age of 21.8 months [IQR: 10 - 67.7]. Fifty-three children (50.5%) consumed a HF and the volume of consumption was correlated to micronutrient intake. Significantly (p <0.05) more children reached their micronutrient requirements if a HF was consumed. In those without a HF, some continued not to achieve requirements in particular for vitamin D and zinc, in spite of VMS. Conclusion: This study points towards the important micronutrient contribution of a HF in children with FPIGA. Children, who are not on a HF and without a VMS, are at increased risk of low intakes in particular vitamin D and zinc. Further studies need to be performed, to assess whether dietary intake translates into actual biological deficiencies

Modelling, Analysis and Design of a Bottle-Shaped Building

The emergence of unique structures around the world have turned the points of it location to centers of attraction thereby yielding benefits to the economy of the cities where they are cited. Worldwide, iconic structures stand out, placing its location on the map. Hence, the idea of bottle-shaped building was birthed trying to put bottle to tension. This research models, analyses and designs a bottle-shaped structure according the British Standard. The works carried out in this research consisted of step by step generation of a three dimensional computer models of the bottle shaped super- structure, analysis and design of critical members for various combination of dead load, live load and the wind load and the critical analysis of the results obtained. The results of the nonlinear finite element analysis carried out for different ranges of loading scenarios were so exiting. It confirmed the validity of the approach adopted for the model and showed that the realization of the structure is very feasible

Unique Shaped Structures: Modelling, Design and Verification of a Water Drop-Shaped Building

Unique shaped structures have been of great interest to the world for the way they impact the environments. Their points of location become centres of attraction for residents and visitors alike. This has brought a lot of joy, love and benefits to the host cities. The inkling of water drop-shaped structure came as a contribution towards increasing the number of existing iconic master pieces. This work will consist of creating structural model, analysing and designing the elements in reinforced concrete and glass in accordance to the British Standards. The research will mark an advancement on previous models on bottle-shaped structures. The non-symmetric circular shaped structure is modelled floor by floor to take care of the irregular change of shape vertically and horizontally. Prevailing and the most grievous load combinations are adopted for the non-linear finite element analysis. All the elements passed the structural verification tests and the drifts were within limits for various combination of load

The Impact of Flooding on the Social Determinants of Health in Nigeria: A Case for North-South Institutional Collaboration to Address Climate Issues

Nigeria witnessed unprecedented flooding in recent times. This paper examines the impact of the flood disasters on critical social factors related to health and wellbeing ( income, housing, education, health care, safety and mental health). The authors sought information from newspapers and other sources (NEMA, WHO reports). The reports revealed massive loss of human lives and livestock, homes, property and livelihood especially in the coastal states along the bank of River Niger and Benue. Some of the states worst hit include Benue, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Kogi, Edo, Bayesa, Delta, Niger, Taraba, and Kano. The devastation caused by the floods could not be adequately contained due to infrastructural (shelters, health centers, classrooms, etc) and logistic deficiencies (inadequate personnel and  facilities) Micro and macro level interventions such as development and enforcement of land use policies; construction of mobile clinics in affected areas; mobilization/recruitment and training of multi disciplinary response teams (social workers, public health professionals, physicians, nurses, psychologists, clergy; etc.) Aside from current local responses, a well-coordinated sustainable international collaborations/partnerships among schools of social work and public health to address the social needs arising from flooding and other climate change issues in Nigeria are needed, in the spirit of North-South cooperation. Keywords: Nigeria, Climate change, social determinants, health

Prevalence of depression and its relationship with drug abuse among senior secondary school students in Calabar, Calabar Cross river state, Nigeria

The society is getting more challenging for human living due to civilization and globalization. The secondary school students have their own share of the challenges. This has brought about increased prevalence of depression among the students. It is also noted that the use of illicit drugs are on the increase. Before, the use of illicit drugs was blamed on family background and peer influence. This research aimed at finding if there is a relationship between depression and drug abuse. The researchers also assessed the prevalence of these variables among senior secondary schools students in Calabar, Cross River State. The population of the study was one thousand and two (1002) senior secondary school students. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select the schools and the students respectively. Two hundred (200) students, representing about 20% of the population were involved in the study. However, only one hundred and ninety (190) successfully completed the stages of the study. Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) were the instruments used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient were used to analyze the data. The result showed that there is increased prevalence of both depression and drug abuse among the students. There is also a significant relationship between depression and drug abuse. The result was discussed after which the researchers recommended that homes and school environment should be made more friendly to enable the students share their problems with parents, teachers, and school management

GENDER, DEPRESSION AND DRUG ABUSE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CALABAR EDUCATION ZONE OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

This study aimed at investigating if there is any significant difference between gender, depression and drug abuse among senior secondary school students in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The survey design was adopted. The study population was 1002 students from three senior secondary schools. However, 20% of the population which is 200 students were sampled using simple random sampling to form the sample of the study, only 190 students completed the study, two instruments were adapted and used for data collection namely: Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. The study revealed that there is significant difference in depression between the male and female students. The female students were more depressed than the males. There is also a significant difference in the way the male and female students abuse drugs. The male students abuse drugs more than the females. The results were discussed and it was recommended that homes and schools should be made more friendly to avoid depression in students and all sources of illicit drugs should be blocked.  Article visualizations