Using e-Learning to Aid Technical Uptake of Goat-Based Technologies by Small Livestock Producers in the Philippines

The improvement of goat raising in the Philippines by achieving a stable supply of good quality breeders and highly uniform slaughter goats by 2020 is the aim of an Industry Strategic Plan. While a number of ways of promoting science-based technology have been offered to farmers, countless small to medium-scale farmers are almost impossible to reach. Online FLS or e-learning courses on goats have been developed where learners can take the courses from any place, at their own pace, and in their own convenient time. Internet cafes are available throughout the Philippines, where goat raisers are able to access the e-learning, as well as many homes and offices are equipped with wifi, facilitating access. Although no formal impact evaluation of the effect of the courses on the lives of these learners has been done to date, the emails and messages of the graduates to the development team can attest to the fit of the topics and their satisfaction over the courses

A view of canonical extension

This is a short survey illustrating some of the essential aspects of the theory of canonical extensions. In addition some topological results about canonical extensions of lattices with additional operations in finitely generated varieties are given. In particular, they are doubly algebraic lattices and their interval topologies agree with their double Scott topologies and make them Priestley topological algebras.Comment: 24 pages, 2 figures. Presented at the Eighth International Tbilisi Symposium on Language, Logic and Computation Bakuriani, Georgia, September 21-25 200

The Influence of Operational Sex Ratio on the Intensity of Competition in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) during Rut: An Experimental Approach

We examined how manipulating operational sex ratio (OSR: the ratio of reproductively active males to fertilizable females), could affect the intensity of competition in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) using an experimental approach to test mating systems theory on the very first field study on large mammals of its kind. Study was conducted at the Kutuharju Reindeer Research Station where we had access to a herd of semi-domesticated reindeer. We manipulated OSR on two levels in two enclosures, a female biased treatment (3♂:6♀ = OSR 0.5) and a sex balanced treatment (3♂:3♀ = OSR 1). Female reindeer were injected with 1 ml of estrumate prior to a trial to promote early and synchronized oestrous to assure competition among our 1.5-year-old males. We predicted that with increasing OSR, male-male aggression would increase and courtship behaviours would decrease, unless males adopted alternative mating tactics. Conversely, female-female aggression was predicted to decrease with increasing OSR. The propensity for males to act agonistically was predicted to increase with increasing OSR. Male-male rate of aggression did not differ between treatments. Female-female rate of aggression was found to decrease significantly with increasing OSR. Propensity to act agonistically was not significantly different between treatments. 1.5-year-old males may be too young and inexperienced to behave predictably. We conclude that the intensity of competition cannot be predicted at the group level based on OSR alone, though some trends emerged

Fractionation and ecotoxicological implication of potentially toxic metals in sediments of three urban rivers and the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria, West Africa

The potential environmental impact of sediment-bound Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in three trans-urban rivers in Lagos state and in the Lagos Lagoon was assessed by use of the modified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction. The quality of the data was checked using BCR CRM 143R and BCR CRM 701. Good agreement was obtained between found and certified/indicative values. Of the rivers, the Odo-Iyaalaro, was generally the most contaminated and the Ibeshe the least. Higher concentrations of metals were generally found in the dry season compared to the wet season. Cadmium and Zn were released mostly in the acid exchangeable step of the sequential extraction, indicating that they have the greatest potential mobility and bioavailability of the analytes studied. Chromium and Cu were associated mainly with the reducible and oxidisable fractions, and Pb predominantly with the reducible and residual fractions. Sediments with the highest pseudototal analyte concentrations also released higher proportions of analytes earlier in the sequential extraction procedure. The study suggests that, during the dry season, potentially toxic metals (PTM) may accumulate in sediments in relatively labile forms that are released and can potentially be transported or bioaccumulate in the rainy season. Application of risk assessment codes and Hankanson potential risk indices indicated that Cd was the element of greatest concern in the Lagos Lagoon system. The study indicated that there is a need to strengthen environmental management and pollution control measures to reduce risk from PTM, but that even relatively simple strategies, such as seasonal restrictions on dredging and fishing, could be beneficial

Inability of immunohistochemistry to predict clinical outcomes of endometrial cancer patients

Gossett DR, Alo P, Bristow RE, Galati M, Kyshtoobayeva A, Fruehauf J, Montz FJ. Inability of immunohistochemistry to predict clinical outcomes of endometrial cancer patients. Introduction: Despite optimal surgery, some patients with early endometrial carcinoma develop recurrence and die of disease. A number of immunohistochemical (IHC)-identified cell products (markers) have been proposed as predictors of recurrence. This study characterizes a large series of endometrial carcinomas with previously described markers as well as markers that have not been investigated in endometrial carcinoma. Patients and methods: Women who had undergone surgery for endometrial carcinoma were identified and specimens accessed. Tissue blocks were evaluated for ten IHC markers. Results were correlated with last known clinical status. Results: Mean follow-up was 43 months; complete data were available on 117 patients. Two women died of other causes; of the remaining 115, eight died of disease and six were alive with recurrence at last follow-up (12%). Vascular endothelial growth factor staining independently predicted recurrence and death. However, in multivariate analyses, only FIGO stage predicted outcome. Discussion: Our goal was to identify markers to predict which women with endometrial carcinoma were likely to have disease recurrence. We evaluated cell-cycle regulatory proteins, growth factors, hormone receptors, and angiogenic factors, but did not identify any marker that independently predicted outcome in multivariate analysis. This may reflect the few negative outcomes in our population.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72601/1/j.1048-891x.2004.014028.x.pd

Abnormal "low grade" transformation zone: current diagnostic gold standard

The aim of this work was to examine different methods of investigation in the diagnosis of the abnormal "low grade" transformation zone of the portio. Over a period of one year 41 patients subjected to colposcopic examination underwent exo-endocervical sampling for oncologic evaluation and for detection of viral and bacterial infections (HPV, HSV. adenovirus, mycoplasmas and chlamydia trachomatis), as well as portio biopsy. A 65.8% correlation was found between cytology and the HPV-DNA test results. while histology and the presence of the HPV virus agreed in 51.4% of cases. In those cases in which minimal histological alterations were found (koilocytosis) a high percentage of HPV negativity was found. In discordant negative cytologic tests that were however positive for HPV by PCR. the genotypes identified were always 6 and 11

DEVELOPMENT OF A GROUND-BASED MODEL FOR REMOTE CROP CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM

Agricultural activity is not only one of the basic activities of the human society, but also the premise for the development of human society. Besides, it has close relation with the development and stabilization of nowadays society. It is of great significance to monitor the growth level of crops in order to obtain crop condition information at early stages in the crop growing season thereby, resulting into a good and quality product at the point of harvest, hence improve food security. This paper develops a ground-based model for remote crop condition monitoring system using the Arduino platform. Considering temperature – a major factor that affects the growth of crops and destruction of farm products by pests, animals or objects. This model was designed to sound an alarm when temperature rises beyond 400C or approaching 00C or when a destructive object is detected.  The model uses electronic devices like the breadboard, Arduino board, Ultrasonic sensor, Liquid Crystal, Display, Piezo Buzzer and the LM35 temperature sensor. For the purpose of simulation, the model circuit was fabricated using the Proteus Design Suite software. The operation of the model is designed and tested using the Arduino software

Multivariate analysis of potentially toxic metals in sediments of a tropical coastal lagoon

Surface sediments collected from the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria, and three adjoining rivers were analysed for their physicochemical properties and pseudo-total concentration of the potentially toxic metals (PTM) Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. The concentration of the PTM varied seasonally and spatially. Odo-Iyaalaro was observed to be the most polluted river, with highest concentrations of 42.1 mg kg(-1), 102 mg kg(-1), 185 mg kg(-1), 154 mg kg(-1) and 1040 mg kg(-1) of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, while Ibeshe River was the least contaminated, apart from a site affected by Cu from the textile industry. Some of the sediments were found to be above the consensus-based probable effect concentrations and Dutch sediment guideline for metals. Overall metal concentrations were similar to those reported for other tropical lagoon and estuarine systems affected by anthropogenic inputs as a result of rapid urbanisation. Due to the large number of samples, principal component analysis was used to examine relationships within the data set. Generally, sediments collected during the dry season were observed to have higher concentration of PTM than those collected during the rainy season. This means that PTM could accumulate over a prolonged period and then be released relatively rapidly, on an annual basis, into tropical lagoon systems

El recien nacido con dolor: el papel del equipo de enfermeria

It's a quantitative, descriptive and cross study conducted with the nurse team working in the field of neonatology at the three hospitals, Alfenas-MG. Aimed to describe the forms of pain assessment of the newborn used by nurse team and analyze the practice of nursing as pain management of neonates. Data were collected through a semi-structured formulary, from August to September 2008, of 42 nurses working. The analyze was performed using SPSS software using descriptive statistics and correlation test. It was observed that the respondents recognize that the newborn is capable of feeling pain and evaluated by physiological and behavioral changes and that there isn't pain assessment scales standardized in the institutions. For the management, carry out pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. There is need to train professionals contributing to the assessment and management of pain, promoting of holistic care of the neonate.Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal realizado con profesionales de Enfermería que actúan en el área de Neonatología en los tres hospitales de Alfenas, Minas Gerais. Se objetivó describir las formas de evaluación del dolor del recién nacido utilizados por el personal de enfermería y analizar la práctica de la enfermería como el manejo del dolor del neonato. La recolección de datos fue hecha por medio de un formulario semiestructurado, entre agosto y septiembre de 2008, con 42 profesionales. El análisis fue hecho con el software SPSS, utilizando la estadística descriptiva y la prueba de correlación. Los entrevistados reconocen que el neonato es capaz de sentir dolor y esto se evalúa a través de alteraciones fisiológicas y de comportamiento, no hay utilización de escalas de evaluación del dolor estandarizadas en las instituciones. Para el manejo, realizan intervenciones farmacológicas y no farmacológicas. Hay necesidad de capacitar profesionales contribuyendo para la evaluación y manejo del dolor, para la promoción del cuidado integral al neonato.Estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal realizado com profissionais de enfermagem que atuam em neonatologia nos três hospitais de Alfenas-MG. Objetivou descrever as formas de avaliação de dor do recém-nascido utilizadas pela equipe de enfermagem e analisar a prática da enfermagem quanto ao manejo da dor do neonato. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de formulário semiestruturado, de agosto a setembro de 2008, com 42 profissionais. A análise foi feita pelo software SPSS utilizando estatística descritiva e teste de correlação. Os entrevistados acreditam que o recém-nascido é capaz de sentir dor e a avaliam por meio de alterações fisiológicas e comportamentais, e que não há utilização de escalas de avaliação álgica padronizadas nas instituições. Para o manejo, realizam intervenções farmacológicas e não farmacológicas. Há necessidade de capacitar os profissionais, contribuindo para a avaliação e o manejo da dor, e promovendo o cuidado integral ao neonato.Universidade de São Paulo Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirao Preto Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-infantil e Saude PublicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Enfermagem Pediatrica Escola Paulista de EnfermagemUniversidade Federal de Alfenas Escola de Enfermagem Programa de Pos-graduacao em EnfermagemUniversidade de São Paulo Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirao Preto Departamento de Enfermagem Geral e EspecializadaUniversidade Federal de Alfenas Escola de EnfermagemPrograma de Pos-graduacao em Enfermagem Programa de Pos-graduacao em EnfermagemEscola de Enfermagem Escola de EnfermagemUniversidade de São PauloUNIFESP, Depto. de Enfermagem Pediatrica Escola Paulista de Enfermagem (EPE)SciEL

Increased winter drownings in ice-covered regions with warmer winters

Winter activities on ice are culturally important for many countries, yet they constitute a high safety risk depending upon the stability of the ice. Because consistently cold periods are required to form stable and thick ice, warmer winters could degrade ice conditions and increase the likelihood of falling through the ice. This study provides the first large-scale assessment of winter drowning from 10 Northern Hemisphere countries. We documented over 4000 winter drowning events. Winter drownings increased exponentially in regions with warmer winters when air temperatures neared 0 ̊C. The largest number of drownings occurred when winter air temperatures were between -5 ̊C and 0 ̊C, when ice is less stable, and also in regions where indigenous traditions and livelihood require extended time on ice. Rates of drowning were greatest late in the winter season when ice stability declines. Children and adults up to the age of 39 were at the highest risk of winter drownings. Beyond temperature, differences in cultures, regulations, and human behaviours can be important additional risk factors. Our findings indicate the potential for increased human mortality with warmer winter air temperatures. Incorporating drowning prevention plans would improve adaptation strategies to a changing climate.Funding was provided to SS by the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science Early Researcher Award and York University Research Chair programme. Funding support for BAD was provided by Kempestiftelserna. AL was supported by Estonian Research Council Grant PSG 32. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Funding was provided to SS by the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science Early Researcher Award and York University Research Chair programme. Funding support for BAD was provided by Kempestiftelserna. AL was supported by Estonian Research Council Grant PSG 32. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript