Modelling Water Productivity of Selected Grain Crops in Rain-fed and Surface Irrigated Fields in Northern Nigeria

Field trials of selected grain crops (rice, wheat and maize) were conducted for three years under rain-fed and surface irrigated systems to evaluate their water productivity and model same. A completely randomized design (CRD) experiment was used at the Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa, Kano State. Rice yield was 11.6, 9.9 and 5.3 tons/ha; wheat yield was 1.46, 1.92 and 2.0 tons/ha, while Maize yield was 0.8, 0.4 and 0.91 tons/ha in the 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cropping season, respectively. ANOVA revealed a highly significant difference in the yield of paddy rice, wheat and maize at both 1 % and 5% significant levels (Fcalc>Ftab), with p-value of 0.0002, 0.004 and 0.001 for rice, wheat and maize respectively. Crop – water productivity models developed revealed that optimum crop yield of 12.8 tons/ha of paddy rice, 2.7 tons/ha of wheat and 0.94 tons/ha of maize is achievable with 58.3 cm of rainfall, 34 cm and of 29.8 cm of irrigation water respectively

Evaluation of chloride mass balance and recharge in agricultural lands in Nigeria

Groundwater salinization studies and recharge estimation was carried out at the Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa, Nigeria. Groundwater samples from fifteen randomly selected piezometer locations were analyzed monthly for chloride using Mohr’s method for three years while recharge was estimated using the chloride mass balance (CMB) method. Groundwater chloride range from 22 - 91.4 mg/l, seasonal trend was identified with the hot dry season (April – June) having higher values than the wet season (July – October). Correlation analysis revealed chloride status that is not associated with one another in all soil types while salt build up was observed at the south western tip of the farmland indicating potential reduction of agricultural productivity. CMB revealed a mean annual recharge of 869 mm; the method was found to underestimate recharge because it does not account for lateral flow contribution, hence should be discouraged as a stand-alone methodology for recharge studies. Salt build-up was exacerbated by the collapse of the drainage system. Reconstruction of the drainage systems using tile drains should be executed to control the rising water level in the area; conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water is recommended to maximally utilise available water in order to ensure ecological sustainability and free some water for other uses

Effects of carotenoids on mitochondrial dysfunction

Oxidative stress, an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant status, favouring the pro-oxidant state is a result of increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or inadequate antioxidant protection. ROS are produced through several mechanisms in cells including during mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Increased mitochondrial-derived ROS are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, an early event in age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s diseases (ADs) and in metabolic disorders including diabetes. AD post-mortem investigations of affected brain regions have shown the accumulation of oxidative damage to macromolecules, and oxidative stress has been considered an important contributor to disease pathology. An increase in oxidative stress, which leads to increased levels of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and other ROS in a potentially vicious cycle is both causative and a consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction may be ameliorated by molecules with antioxidant capacities that accumulate in mitochondria such as carotenoids. However, the role of carotenoids in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction is not fully understood. A better understanding of the role of antioxidants in mitochondrial function is a promising lead towards the development of novel and effective treatment strategies for age-related diseases. This review evaluates and summarises some of the latest developments and insights into the effects of carotenoids on mitochondrial dysfunction with a focus on the antioxidant properties of carotenoids. The mitochondria-protective role of carotenoids may be key in therapeutic strategies and targeting the mitochondria ROS is emerging in drug development for age-related diseases

Succinylation of potato (Ipomoea batatas) starch: effect of varying ethanol concentration on pasting, structural, morphological, and functional properties

The shortcomings arising from usage of native starches in various industrial processes have demanded the need for modification in order to enhance its functionality. This study investigated the impact of ethanol concentration on pasting, structural, morphological, and functional properties of succinylated potato starch. Some granules of the potato starch sample also appeared to be multilobed and fractured. The Fourier transform -1 infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) study revealed the presence of carbonyl group (1747 cm-1 ) in the starch chains as an additional functional group after succinylation. The statistical analysis of the study data revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in protein, fat, fibre, ash, and reduction in moisture contents after modification. Analysis with visco-analyzer showed reduction in pasting parameters after modification. Modification of native potato starch with ethanol improved the functionality of the starch by imparting some additional physicochemical and functional properties. These improved properties upon modification, therefore, suggest some potential favorable qualities for special applications

Performance evaluation of selected infiltration equations for irrigated (FADAMA) soils in Southern Kaduna Plain, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The need for continuous and in-depth study on the applicability and accuracy of infiltration equations cannot be exhausted since equation parameters and performance vary for different soils. The study reported herein, has evaluated four infiltration equations (Kostiakov's; Philip's; Horton; Talsma and Parlange). The field water infiltration data used in these equations were based on double ring infiltrometer tests conducted for 4 hours at two fadama irrigation area (Kuda and Kukumdaji). Measurements were made at two sites in each of the two Fadama irrigation area based on land management practice (Cultivated/fallow) giving a total of four experimental sites. The results of the measured infiltration rates reveals that site 2 (Kuda/fallow) gave the highest average final infiltration rate of 69mm/hr followed by site 1(Kuda/cultivated) of value 52mm/hr and then site 3(Kukumdaji/cultivated) of value 35mm/hr while site 4 (Kukumdaji/fallow) recorded the least of 18mm/hr. Results of the Comparism between measured and predicted infiltration rates reveal that Kostiakov's and Philip's equation gives the best fit when compared with the rest of the equations tested. Results from the study conclude that Kostiakov's and Philip's equation can be used to predict infiltration rates for the soil studied but that Kostiakov's equation approximated the measured infiltration rates with higher accuracy and best fit than did Philip's and Horton's equation. Talsma and Parlange's equation fail to approximate measured data particularly in the early stage of measurement

COVID-19 Outcomes in Minority Ethnic Groups: Do Obesity and Metabolic Risk Play a Role?

Purpose of Review Globally, minority ethnic groups have been at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality and morbidity than majority populations. This review outlines factors that may interact to create these inequalities and explores the hypothesis that differing levels of cardio-metabolic risk, according to ethnic group, play a role. Recent Findings Two UK Biobank studies have reported that the body mass index is more strongly associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality in minority ethnic populations than in White populations. A study of UK patients found that the strongest association between obesity and adverse COVID-19 outcomes was in people of Black ethnicity. Summary Differences in the prevalence of obesity and its metabolic sequelae have been shown to partly mediate ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 outcomes, although not always consistently. It is possible that ethnic differences in the consequences of obesity may explain some of the remaining disparity in COVID-19 risk

Stressors and coping mechanisms of family care-givers of older relatives living with long-term conditions in mainland China: A scoping review of the evidence

YesAs the ageing population in China continues to grow, more people will be living with long-term health conditions and require support from family care-givers. This scoping review therefore aims to explore sources of stress and coping mechanisms adopted by care-givers of older relatives living with long-term conditions in mainland China. Literature searches were conducted in English (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SCOPUS) and Chinese (CNKI, WANFANG DATA, CQVIP and CBM) databases between October and November 2019. The searches focused on the stressors and coping mechanisms utilised by family care-givers residing in the community. Narrative synthesis was used to identify themes within the data. Forty-six papers were included: 20 papers from English and 26 from Chinese databases. Six themes captured stressors: care-giving time (N = 22), financial resources (N = 17), role and personal strains (N = 42), preparedness (N = 4), social roles (N = 10) and lack of adequate formal support (N = 22); and one theme captured coping (N = 14). Unmet needs of care-givers of older relatives in mainland China were found to be extensive. Only a few studies had attempted to explore the causal link between stressors, coping and the influence of culture. Findings underscore the significance of adequately capturing intricacies around care-givers’ unmet needs, rather than generalising on the basis of culture. Qualitative studies are critical to providing a better understanding of the relationship between stressors, coping and resources afforded to care-givers by their cultural environment. Having such understanding is crucial to inform the development of competent care, which promotes self-efficacy and self-actualisation in care-givers in mainland China.This work was supported by Research England: Quality Related Global Challenge Research Fund (QR-GCRF)

Stressors and coping mechanisms of family care-givers of older relatives living with long-term conditions in mainland China: a scoping review of the evidence

As the ageing population in China continues to grow, more people will be living with long-term health conditions and require support from family care-givers. This scoping review therefore aims to explore sources of stress and coping mechanisms adopted by care-givers of older relatives living with long-term conditions in mainland China. Literature searches were conducted in English (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SCOPUS) and Chinese (CNKI, WANFANG DATA, CQVIP and CBM) databases between October and November 2019. The searches focused on the stressors and coping mechanisms utilised by family care-givers residing in the community. Narrative synthesis was used to identify themes within the data. Forty-six papers were included: 20 papers from English and 26 from Chinese databases. Six themes captured stressors: care-giving time (N = 22), financial resources (N = 17), role and personal strains (N = 42), preparedness (N = 4), social roles (N = 10) and lack of adequate formal support (N = 22); and one theme captured coping (N = 14). Unmet needs of care-givers of older relatives in mainland China were found to be extensive. Only a few studies had attempted to explore the causal link between stressors, coping and the influence of culture. Findings underscore the significance of adequately capturing intricacies around care-givers' unmet needs, rather than generalising on the basis of culture. Qualitative studies are critical to providing a better understanding of the relationship between stressors, coping and resources afforded to care-givers by their cultural environment. Having such understanding is crucial to inform the development of competent care, which promotes self-efficacy and self-actualisation in care-givers in mainland China

A Machine Learning Approach to Measure and Monitor Physical Activity in Children to Help Fight Overweight and Obesity

Physical Activity is important for maintaining healthy lifestyles. Recommendations for physical activity levels are issued by most governments as part of public health measures. As such, reliable measurement of physical activity for regulatory purposes is vital. This has lead research to explore standards for achieving this using wearable technology and artificial neural networks that produce classifications for specific physical activity events. Applied from a very early age, the ubiquitous capture of physical activity data using mobile and wearable technology may help us to understand how we can combat childhood obesity and the impact that this has in later life. A supervised machine learning approach is adopted in this paper that utilizes data obtained from accelerometer sensors worn by children in free-living environments. The paper presents a set of activities and features suitable for measuring physical activity and evaluates the use of a Multilayer Perceptron neural network to classify physical activities by activity type. A rigorous reproducible data science methodology is presented for subsequent use in physical activity research. Our results show that it was possible to obtain an overall accuracy of 96 % with 95 % for sensitivity, 99 % for specificity and a kappa value of 94 % when three and four feature combinations were used