Irrigation farmers motivation for participating in social networking in North Central Nigeria

The study focused on the motivation of farmers in participating in social networking on the use of irrigations in north central Nigeria.  For the purpose of the study, social networking for this study consist of water users Association, Cooperative Societies, Agricultural  Agency, Farmers Group, Family, Neighbourhood, Religious Group, Community Based Organizations, Non- Governmental Organization and Input Suppliers that are operating within the lower Niger River Basin Authority Irrigation sites at Shonga, Oke-oyi and Ejiba in North Central Nigeria. One hundred and ninety four irrigation farmers were randomly selected from three irrigation farming areas in two states of Kwara and Kogi in north central Nigeria. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. The Motivation for undertaking irrigation farming and their level of participation in social networking were measured through a 4-point likert scale while the data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson product moment correlation. The findings showed that all the respondents (100%) were male, 94.6% were married and more than half (54.1%) of the respondents had no formal education, the result revealed family had the highest mean (3.86) based on their level of participation in social networking which was followed by water users association (3.82). Respondents ranked market information (2.47) as the most important contribution of social networking to the use of irrigation while Agricultural Extension Agency (2.85) was ranked as the most effective social networking in providing access to resource for irrigation farming. The result of Pearson product moment correlation revealed that there is significant relationship between their motivation for undertaking irrigation farming and their level of participation in social networking (r= 0.159; p < 0.05). Based on the findings, it is therefore recommended among others that farmers involved in irrigation farming should come together to form functional groups that can access resources for irrigation farming. Key Words: Farmers, Irrigation, Motivation, Social Networkin

An assessment of knowledge of farming-related hazards and precautionary practices of farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study assessed knowledge of farming-related hazards and precautionary practices of farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 160 respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sampling  technique. The statistical techniques used for analysis were frequency count, percentages, Pearson Product Moment correlation (PPMC) and Kruskal wallis ranking. The results show common agricultural  production to include maize, yam and cassava. Results also revealed that general body pain  (mean=1213.24), poor/careless use of farm tools (mean=119.41), sickness/ill health (mean=1193.01),  inhaling of dusts from the air (mean=1122.65) and long distance trekking to farm (mean=1114.08) were the top known hazards among farmers in the study area. Field coat/overall (mean=701.69) ranked 1st, rubber boot/old canvas (mean=692.28) ranked 2nd, use of gloves (mean=646.76) ranked 3rd were the common protective equipment used by farmers in the study area. Other precautionary practices such making of environment clean of debris and sharp objects and cutting of trees/sticks deep into roots to  prevent pointed and sharp edges were indicated by 100% of the respondents. Findings further revealed that major constraints to use of protective equipments include; not aware of it importance (80.0%), not convenience while working (62.5%), I was not trained (58.8%). The Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that precautionary practices such as field coat/ overall, cap/Hat, nose mask and eye goggle were statistically significant to farmers knowledge of farming-related hazards. The study therefore recommends the need for education and training of farmers and farm workers to increase their knowledge and practices of farm related occupational hazards in the study area.Keywords: knowledge, precautionary practices, farmers, Kwara state

An Analysis of Yam Storage Strategy to Promote Food Security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

This study examines the analysis of yam storage strategy to promote food security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 110 respondents, using wellstructured interviews schedule. The data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and probit model to test for significance. The study found that barn (47.3%) and indigenous plant materials (27.3%) were the common storage strategy used which are not capable of ensuring good storage for yam produce till off season. Probit model analysis revealed that the selected personal characteristics had significant (p<0.05) influence on farmer’s choice of strategy used. Deterioration of yam that reduces its quality (mean score 2.01) has also been the leading problem faced in marketing yam produce. It was concluded that these are one of the major reasons for food insecurity among farmers in the study area. It was recommended that farmers should be provided with information regarding improved storage strategies as well as exposed to training on their use

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of stroke - the second leading cause of death worldwide - were conducted predominantly in populations of European ancestry(1,2). Here, in cross-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses of 110,182 patients who have had a stroke (five ancestries, 33% non-European) and 1,503,898 control individuals, we identify association signals for stroke and its subtypes at 89 (61 new) independent loci: 60 in primary inverse-variance-weighted analyses and 29 in secondary meta-regression and multitrait analyses. On the basis of internal cross-ancestry validation and an independent follow-up in 89,084 additional cases of stroke (30% non-European) and 1,013,843 control individuals, 87% of the primary stroke risk loci and 60% of the secondary stroke risk loci were replicated (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were highly correlated across ancestries. Cross-ancestry fine-mapping, in silico mutagenesis analysis(3), and transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide association analyses revealed putative causal genes (such as SH3PXD2A and FURIN) and variants (such as at GRK5 and NOS3). Using a three-pronged approach(4), we provide genetic evidence for putative drug effects, highlighting F11, KLKB1, PROC, GP1BA, LAMC2 and VCAM1 as possible targets, with drugs already under investigation for stroke for F11 and PROC. A polygenic score integrating cross-ancestry and ancestry-specific stroke GWASs with vascular-risk factor GWASs (integrative polygenic scores) strongly predicted ischaemic stroke in populations of European, East Asian and African ancestry(5). Stroke genetic risk scores were predictive of ischaemic stroke independent of clinical risk factors in 52,600 clinical-trial participants with cardiometabolic disease. Our results provide insights to inform biology, reveal potential drug targets and derive genetic risk prediction tools across ancestries.</p

Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of stroke — the second leading cause of death worldwide — were conducted predominantly in populations of European ancestry1,2. Here, in cross-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses of 110,182 patients who have had a stroke (five ancestries, 33% non-European) and 1,503,898 control individuals, we identify association signals for stroke and its subtypes at 89 (61 new) independent loci: 60 in primary inverse-variance-weighted analyses and 29 in secondary meta-regression and multitrait analyses. On the basis of internal cross-ancestry validation and an independent follow-up in 89,084 additional cases of stroke (30% non-European) and 1,013,843 control individuals, 87% of the primary stroke risk loci and 60% of the secondary stroke risk loci were replicated (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were highly correlated across ancestries. Cross-ancestry fine-mapping, in silico mutagenesis analysis3, and transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide association analyses revealed putative causal genes (such as SH3PXD2A and FURIN) and variants (such as at GRK5 and NOS3). Using a three-pronged approach4, we provide genetic evidence for putative drug effects, highlighting F11, KLKB1, PROC, GP1BA, LAMC2 and VCAM1 as possible targets, with drugs already under investigation for stroke for F11 and PROC. A polygenic score integrating cross-ancestry and ancestry-specific stroke GWASs with vascular-risk factor GWASs (integrative polygenic scores) strongly predicted ischaemic stroke in populations of European, East Asian and African ancestry5. Stroke genetic risk scores were predictive of ischaemic stroke independent of clinical risk factors in 52,600 clinical-trial participants with cardiometabolic disease. Our results provide insights to inform biology, reveal potential drug targets and derive genetic risk prediction tools across ancestries

Perceived Benefits of National Fadama Development Project III among Rural Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to appraise the perceived benefits of third national fadama development project III among rural farmers in Kwara state, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed in selecting 225 Fadama III users as respondents. Data were collected by well trained fadama community facilitators through the use of structured questionnaire and was analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The result of the findings indicates that majority (36.9%) of the respondents were aged between 46-55 years. Also 63.6% were males, 87.1% were married and only 16.9% had no formal education. Results further showed that maize and Cassava crops were the common crops grown. Advisory services (31%), assets acquisition (32%) and capacity building (25%) were the major were perceived benefits by respondents. Over 33% of respondents, who benefitted directly from Fadama III Project supported activities, have increased their average annual income ranging from N201, 000.00 to N250, 000.00 representing about 62.5% achievement. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) revealed that there is a significant positive correlation at 2-tailed level (p&lt;0.01 and p&lt;0.05) between age, education and the benefit derived from fadama III project. Serious problems to project were poor leadership/management of FCAs/FUGs officers and late release of government counterpart contribution fund. Majority (43.6%) indicated that adequate funding and prompt payment of counterpart fund by government are way out of the problems facing them.Keywords: Fadama III project, Fadama Community Association, Users Group, Kwara Stat

Perception of nomadic Fulani household heads on their children involvement in ranch succession plan in Ilorin south lga of Kwara state, Nigeria

This study focused on the perception of nomadic Fulani household heads on children involvement in ranch ownership succession plan in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State Nigeria. Fifty nomadic household heads were randomly selected from three nomadic Fulani settlements in the study area. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire to elicit information on the technical skills for cattle management, skills on relationship with people, process of transfer of control of cattle and thereason for involving children and youth in ranch ownership succession plan. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage and Pearson correlation. The findings showed that all the household heads’ were male, the mean household size and herd size were 13.56 and 294.10 respectively. The study revealed that 100 percent of the respondents involved their children in ranch ownership succession plan in order to avoid risk of disharmony in the family, to give up control graduallyand to supervise their children in their development. Pearson correlation results shows that income is significant but age, herd size and household size are not significant factors that determines the reason for involving children in ranch ownership succession plan. The study recommends the promotion of enlightenment programmes that will adequately expose nomadic Fulani to formal education along with their cattle rearing practices.Keywords: Nomadic Fulani, Perception, Children, Involvement, Ranch Succession

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Datura Stramonium Seed on Spermiograms of West African Dwarf Bucks

Effect of aqueous extract of Datura stramonium on the spermiogramic parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks were investigated in a trial involving twenty bucks aged between 10 and 13 months and weighed 8.37 +1.23kg. The bucks were randomly grouped into 5 treatments consisting of 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30ml/kg b.w/animal/day in a completely  randomized design. The extract was administered orally for ten consecutive days. The results showed that some important spermiogramic parameters such as mass activity, progressive sperm motility, and sperm concentration followed similar trend and the values increased with  increasing levels of the extract (

The perception of agricultural extension agents on job motivation in Kwara State Nigeria

This study examined extension agent perception on job motivation in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study engaged  the entire 106 agricultural extension agents in Kwara State. Data were analysed using both Descriptive  Statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Results showed that the major perceived  motivating factors among extension agents in Kwara State in descending order were the following:supervision  of work, recognition for good work, feedback from supervision, evaluation of work, salary increment, meeting  with supervisor, promotion prospect, annual leave opportunity, payment of salary at the right time, and good housing opportunity while motivation by pay than money was considered as a minor motivating factor. The  PPMC result showed that significant determinants of job motivation were age (P=0.025), gender (P=0.032), education (0.025), and experience (P=0.032) at P&lt; 0.05. The study recommended among others that the members of staff who perform supervisory roles in the organization should be given more training that places more emphasis on supervision.Keywords: perception, job motivation, extension agent, Kwara state, Nigeri