The effect of environmental variability on livestock and land-use management: The Borana plateau, southern Ethiopia

The Borana people are the predominant ethnic group on the Borana Plateau in southern Ethiopia. Though traditionally transhumant pastoralists, they have recently increased their reliance on crops. Rainfall in the region averages between 353 mm to 873 mm; variability in rainfall is quite high, with coefficients of variation ranging from.21 to.68. The past decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in land allocated to crops, and land in pastures that are either becoming privatised, or accessible to only a small sub-group of people. In this paper, we derive an empirical model of stocking rates and land allocation, which is then used to estimate the effects of exogenous parameters on stocking densities, land allocated to crops, and land allocated to private pastures. Results indicate the following: a) regions with high coefficients of variation in rainfall have lower livestock densities and less land allocated to crops, b) communities with greater numbers of households and higher population densities have larger indices of non-cooperation, higher stock densities, and more land allocated to crops, c) heterogeneity within a community, measured by the distribution of wealth levels, is positively related to an index of non-cooperation, and to higher stock densities, d) higher relative prices of livestock and shorter distances to market are associated with greater stock densities as well as greater land allocated to crops, e) the greater is mobility into an area, the higher are stock densities, and the lower is the cooperation level, whereas outward mobility by community members has no effect on either stock densities or the level of cooperation reached, f) the proportion of members engaged in wage work outside has a significant negative effect on the ability of the community to cooperate. Outside wage work also increases land allocated to crops, but has a significant negative effect on land allocated to private pastures, and g) the greater is the index of non-cooperation, the higher are stock densities and the greater is land allocated to crops.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS IN Oryza sativa x Oryza sativa CROSS

The number one goal of most rice improvement programmes around the world is breeding for high potential to take care of the increasing consumption of rice. The objective of this experiment was to study the inheritance of yield and yield components and to estimate the heritabilities of important quantitative traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Six generations viz., P1, P2, F1, F2, BCP1 and BCP2 of a cross between IET6279 and IR70445-146-3-3 were used for the study. Generation mean analysis suggested that additive effects had a major role for the expression of plant height, number of panicles, number of spikelets per panicle, percentage spikelets fertility per plant and grain yield per plant, which further suggested that phenotypic selection was possible at an early stage. Both additive and non-additive gene actions were important for the expression of number of fertile spikelets per panicle and 100-grain weight. Therefore, selection for these characters would be fruitful, if delayed till epistasis effects are reduced to a minimum. High broad sense heritability estimates were observed for characters viz. plant height and 100-grain weight, suggesting that the characters under study are less influenced by environment in their expression. Thus, selection based on phenotypic value of these characters would be reliable and effective. Low estimates of broad sense heritability were observed for number of panicles per plant, number of spikelets per panicle, number of fertile spikelets per panicle, percentage spikelets fertility per plant and grain yield per plant, indicating that influence of the environment was high for these characters. Therefore, superior genotypes selection based on phenotypic performance for these characters may not effective.La majorit\ue9 des objectifs des programmes d\u2019am\ue9lioration du riz dans le monde est relative \ue0 la s\ue9lection pour le d\ue9sire croissant de la consommation du riz. L\u2019objectif de cette exp\ue9rimentation \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9tudier l\u2019h\ue9ritage du rendement et des composantes du rendement et d\u2019estimer les h\ue9ritabilit\ue9s des traits importants sur le riz (Oryza sativa L.). Six g\ue9n\ue9rations viz, P1, P2, F1, F2, BCP1 et BCP2 du croisement entre IET6279 et IR70445-146-3-3 \ue9taient utilis\ue9s pour cette \ue9tude. L\u2019analyse de la moyenne des g\ue9n\ue9rations a sugg\ue9r\ue9 que les effets additifs ont un r\uf4le majeur pour l\u2019expression de la taille de la plante, le nombre de panicules, le nombre d\u2019\ue9pillets par panicule, le pourcentage de fertilit\ue9 d\u2019\ue9pillets par plant et le rendement en grain par plant qui davantage ont sugg\ue9r\ue9 que la s\ue9lection ph\ue9notypique \ue9tait possible \ue0 une \ue9tape pr\ue9coce. Les actions de g\ue8nes de type additifs et non-additifs \ue9taient importantes pour l\u2019expression du nombre d\u2019\ue9pillets fertiles par panicule et le poids de 100-grains. Toutefois, la s\ue9lection pour ces caract\ue8res serait utile\ua0; si elle est retard\ue9e jusqu\u2019\ue0 ce que les effets d\u2019\ue9pistasis soit r\ue9duits au minimum. La valeur \ue9lev\ue9e de la grande h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 \ue9tait observ\ue9e pour les caract\ue8res viz. La taille de la plante et le poids de 100 grains, sugg\ue9raient que les caract\ue8res sous investigation sont moins influenc\ue9s par l\u2019environnement dans leur expression. Donc, la s\ue9lection bas\ue9e sur les valeurs ph\ue9notypiques de ces caract\ue8res serait plus efficace. De faibles valeurs estim\ue9es de la grande h\ue9ritabilit\ue9 \ue9taient observ\ue9es pour le nombre panicules par plant, nombre d\u2019\ue9pillets par panicule, nombre d\u2019\ue9pillets fertiles par panicule, le pourcentage d\u2019\ue9pillets fertiles par plant et le rendement en grain par plant, indiquant que l\u2019influence de l\u2019environnement \ue9tait \ue9lev\ue9e pour ces caract\ue8res. Toutefois, la s\ue9lection sup\ue9rieure des g\ue9notypes bas\ue9e sur la performance ph\ue9notypique pour ces caract\ue8res pourrait \ueatre non efficiente

Bringing the social into vaccination research: Community-led ethnography and trust-building in immunization programs in Sierra Leone

Background Vaccine hesitancy is a complex, contested social phenomenon and existing research highlights the multifaceted role of trust in strengthening vaccine confidence. However, understanding public engagement with vaccination through the lens of (mis)trust requires more contextual evidence on trust's qualitative determinants. This includes expanding the geographic focus beyond current studies' focus on High Income Countries. Furthermore, obstacles remain in effectively integrating social science findings in the design of vaccine deployment strategies, and in ensuring that those who implement interventions and are affected by them are directly involved in producing knowledge about vaccination challenges. Methods We piloted a community-led ethnographic approach, training Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Kambia District, Sierra Leone, in qualitative social science methods. Methods included participant observation, participatory power mapping and rumour tracking, focus group discussions and key stakeholder interviews. CHWs, with the support of public health officials and professional social scientists, conducted research on vaccination challenges, analysed data, tested new community engagement strategies based on their findings and elicited local perspectives on these approaches. Results Our findings on vaccine confidence in five border communities highlighted three key themes: the impact of prior experiences with the health system on (mis)trust; relevance of livelihood strategies and power dynamics for vaccine uptake and access; and the contextual nature of knowledge around vaccines. Across these themes, we show how expressions of trust centered on social proximity, reliability and respect and the role of structural issues affecting both vaccine access and confidence. The pilot also highlighted the value and practical challenges to meaningfully co-designed research. Conclusion There is scope for broader application of a community-led ethnographic approach will help redesign programming that is responsive to local knowledge and experience. Involving communities and low-cadre service providers in generating knowledge and solutions can strengthen relationships and sustain dialogue to bolster vaccine confidence

Elemental Composition Analysis of Soil Samples from Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

This study analysis the elemental composition and concentration of elements in the soils of the study area to ascertain degree of elemental enhancement in the soil resulting from anthropogenic activities with possible soil contamination, human health and environmental detriment. The study area was divided into eight grids and two soil samples per grid from over burden to a depth of 900mm was collected randomly in each grid. The samples were prepared using standard methods and analyzed with a linear accelerator. The number of detectable elements and their quantitative information was extracted from the elemental spectral signatures. . The result showed a high concentration value in some elements in the soil samples above values of elemental concentrations in soils from other reported studied region. In addition, Aluminium, Strontium, Barium, Gallium etc also showed an extremely high value in their concentration that exceeds the world wide mean range upper limit values in crustal soil study published. The study indicates some degree of potential contamination and therefore necessitate a regular periodic monitoring study to reduce potential health detriment to humans and the environment to as low as reasonably possible

PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF AFRICA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

In article modern cooperation between the African countries and the EU, the main ways and forms of activization of development of economic euro-African cooperation, a condition and the factors promoting development of the European-African cooperation at the present stage are analyzed. The directions of diversification of forms, methods and mechanisms of the European-African cooperation are considered. The role of strategy of cooperation between the European Union and the international economic organizations in stabilization of economy of the African countries is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the perspective directions of development of economic cooperation of the countries of Africa and the EU. Authors called potential problems on the way of development of the international economic cooperation of the countries of Europe and Africa

PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF AFRICA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

In article modern cooperation between the African countries and the EU, the main ways and forms of activization of development of economic euro-African cooperation, a condition and the factors promoting development of the European-African cooperation at the present stage are analyzed. The directions of diversification of forms, methods and mechanisms of the European-African cooperation are considered. The role of strategy of cooperation between the European Union and the international economic organizations in stabilization of economy of the African countries is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the perspective directions of development of economic cooperation of the countries of Africa and the EU. Authors called potential problems on the way of development of the international economic cooperation of the countries of Europe and Africa

Studi In Vitro Potensi Kurkuminoid (Curcuma Domestica Vahl) dan Senyawa-senyawanya terhadap Superoksidadismutase dan pada Proses Peroksidasi Lipid Sel Monosit.

Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui apakah masing-masing sampel ( kurkuminoid,kurkumin, desmetoksikurkumin dan bisdesmetoksikurkumin ) dengan dosis sama (3,68 ug/50ul)yang diisolasi dan dimurnikan dari rimpang kunyit (Curcuma domestica Vahl) memiliki efekterhadap aktivitas superoksidadismutase dan terhadap proses peroksidasi lipid secara in vitro.Subjek penelitian menggunakan sel monosit yang diisolasi dari darah pria dewasa normaldengan metode Boyum.Masing-masing sampel dibagi ke dalam dua grup, grup (a) dilarutkan dalam dimetilsulfoksida(DMSO), dan grup (b) dilarutkan dalam air suling. Kedua grup sampel tersebut diuji terhadapaktivitas superoksidadismutase, dilakukan dengan metode Murakami, dan juga diuji terhadapproses peroksidasi lipid sel monosit dilakukan dengan metode TBARS.Hasil penelitian dari kedua grup sampel, memiliki efek meningkatkan aktivitassuperoksidadismutase secara bermakna (p< 0,05), demikian pula dapat menghambat terhadapproses peroksidasi lipid, yang ditunjukan dengan penurunan kadar malondialdehid secarabermakna (p< 0,05).Sampel grup (a) memiliki kekuatan lebih besar terhadap peningkatan aktivitas superoksidadismutasejika dibandingkan dengan sampel grup (b), khususnya terlihat pada kurkuminoidaktivitasnya hampir menyamai α-tokoferol.Kurkumin baik dari grup (a) maupun dari grup (b) memiliki aktivitas yang lebih besar terhadappenghambatan proses peroksidasi lipid dibandingkan dengan kurkuminoid, desmetoksikurkumindan bisdesmetoksi-kurkumin. Bahkan lebih kuat dari α-tokoferol

Using a Participatory Approach and Legume Integration to Increase the Productivity of Early Maturing Maize in the Nigerian Sudan Savannas

Drought, infestation of cereal crops by the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, and poor soil fertility are the major constraints to maize production by smallholder farmers in the Sudan savannas of northern Nigeria. Four innovation platforms (IPs) were therefore established in 2008 in the Sudan savanna (SS) agroecological zone of northern Nigeria to create a stakeholder forum to address these identified food production challenges in the target areas. )e IPs comprised researchers from Bayero University, Kano; Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; state and local government extension programs in Kano and Katsina states; input and output dealers; community-based organisations; and media organisations in the two states. )e current study reports on the effects of legume integration on maize performance in farmer fields and the adoption of Striga management technologies introduced in the IPs over a four-year period. )e deployment of drought- Striga-tolerant and early-maturing maize varieties along with legume rotation reduced Striga infestation by 46–100% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 80–97% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 59–94% when soybean was rotated with maize. Grain yield of maize increased by 63–88% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 69–128% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 9–133% when soybean was rotated with maize. Participatory and detailed questionnaire-based adoption surveys showed high adoption of improved maize varieties, five years after program interventions. )e maize variety 99EVDT-W-STR C0 was the most popular among all the IPs because it is early maturing, Striga-resistant, and drought-tolerant. )e high maize yields and high adoption rates suggest that the IP approach was effective in disseminating maize technologies

An intra-COVID-19 assessment of hand hygiene facility, policy and staff compliance in two hospitals in Sierra Leone: is there a difference between regional and capital city hospitals?

Although hand hygiene (HH) is the most effective intervention to reduce the spread of infections, there are limited data on HH facilities, policy, and compliance in sub-Saharan Africa. This cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing HH using the WHO HH self-assessment framework, HH technical reference manual, and a modified infection control self-assessment tool in two hospitals in Sierra Leone. Only 10% and 9% of regional and capital city hospitals had running tap water, respectively. Veronica buckets were the resources for HH in 89% of units in the regional hospital and 92% of units in capital city hospital. Constant supply of soap and alcohol-based hand rub was available in 82% and 68%; and 74% and 79% of units in the capital city and regional hospitals, respectively. Only 10% of the units in both hospitals had hand-drying facilities and functional sinks. Overall HH compliance for the two hospitals was 18.6% and was higher in the regional (20.8%) than the capital city (17.0%) hospitals. The HH levels for the capital city and regional hospitals were 277.5 and 262.5 respectively. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still challenges with HH compliance in Sierra Leone. It is, therefore, necessary to strengthen the HH multi-modal strategy

Governments' policy response to drought in Eswatini and Lesotho : a systematic review of the characteristics, comprehensiveness, and quality of existing policies to improve community resilience to drought hazards

The southern African kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho experience recurrent drought-induced disasters. Policies have been enacted, but no attempt has been made to synthesise the effects on disaster resilience. This review analyses the characteristics, quality, and comprehensiveness of drought-resilience policies in Eswatini and Lesotho. We have systematically reviewed public policies that shape responses to disaster resilience published between 1 January 1980 and 30 June 2019. A combination of keywords was used to search electronic bibliographic databases, multidisciplinary databases, key organisational websites, and the first 20 pages of Google for policies that addressed disaster and/or drought resilience. Identified documents were downloaded into an EndNote database and screened for eligibility using predetermined criteria. The logic of events framework was used for quality assessment, and a metaethnographic approach was applied for data synthesis. Three broad categories of characteristics, thematic outcomes and quality, and comprehensiveness of policy documents emerged and are presented. Policy responses contributing to disaster resilience were found in n = 32 out of 13,700 documents. Three (n = 3/32) policies were statutory, and the rest were nonstatutory. Eleven (n = 11/32) were assessed to be of high quality. Policy responses relating to drought resilience focused on reducing vulnerability to recurrent disasters; promoting drought and climate change adaptation; improving agriculture and food security; safeguarding cultural heritage; and preventing gender inequality and gender-based violence as well as improving disaster governance. However, the construct of drought resilience was not strongly articulated as a major policy goal across policy documents. There is an urgent need to promote better understanding of drought resilience in order to motivate policymakers to steer away from reactive interventions and position resilience as a major national policy goal in both countries to expedite inclusive growth and safeguard development gains and the health and wellbeing of the majority of their populations who are rural-based populations