Evaluation of atrazine plus isoxaflutole (Atoll®) mixture for weed control in maize

Field experiments were set up in three ecological zones of southwestern Nigeria to evaluate the effectiveness of Atoll® (atrazine + isoxaflutole), a new herbicide mixture, for weed control in maize. Crop i njury rating indicated pronounced phytotoxic effect on crops from 1.34 to 1.61 kg a.i. ha-1 Atoll in all locations. Acceptable weed control was realized in Atoll treatments except for 0.54 kg a.i. ha-1 at Ilorin and Orin-Ekiti. Atoll treatments in Ilorin and Orin-Ekiti controlled weeds more effectively than atrazine soluble concentrate (SC) and atrazine wettable powder (WP). Average yield across the locations was highest in 0.81 kg a.i. ha-1 Atoll. Yield losses in weedy checks compared to 0.81 kg a.i. ha-1 Atoll ranged between 18.8 and 67.3 per cent in the three locations.Des expériences de terrain ont été menées dans trois zones écologiques du Sud-ouest du Nigeria pour évaluer l'efficacité de l'Atoll (atrazine + isoxaflutole), préparation herbicide pour lutter contre la mauvaise herbe nuisible à la culture du maïs. L'évaluation des degats causés aux récoltes a révélé des effets phytotoxiqes prononcés de l'ordre de 1.34 à 1.61 kg a. i. ha-1 Atoll dans tous les emplacements. Le traitement à base d'Atoll des cultures a donné des résultats acceptables à l'exception des emplacements comme Ilorin et Orin-Ekiti où le taux a été de 0.54 kg a.i. ha-1. A Ilorin et Orin-Ekiti les traitements à base d'Atoll ont été plus efficaces que le concentré soluble d'atrazine (SC) et la poudre soluble d'atrazine (WP). La moyenne des récoltes la plus élevée à travers ces emplacements a été vérifiée à 0.81 kg a. i. ha-1 Atoll. Les pertes en récolte sur les surfaces dominées par les mauvaises herbes, par rapport à 0.81 kg a.i. ha-1 Atoll, ont varié entre 18.8 et 67.3 pour cent dans les trois emplacements. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 40 (2) 2008: pp. 193-19

Antimicrobial activity of Cassia alata

The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Cassia alata leaves has been evaluated. The extracts exhibited more antifungal than antibacterial properties

Variability of the lateral ligamentous complex of the knee

The current study examined the prevalence and morphometric values of three extracapsular ligaments on the lateral aspect of the knee namely lateral collateral ligament, anterolateral and triradiate collateral ligaments in human cadavers. Twenty knees were used. The lateral collateral ligament, anterolateral and triradiate collateral ligaments were present in 70%, 5% and 25% of the cases respectively. The triradiate collateral ligament had three parts namely femoral, tibial and fibular arms with average lengths of 20.03mm, 18.14mm and 16.20mm respectively. The lateral collateral ligament was attached on the lateral condyle of femur and the apex of head of fibula. The anterolateral ligament was attached on the lateral epicondyle of femur anterior to the origin of the lateral collateral ligament and both posterior to the Gerdy’s tubercle and on the lateral meniscus. The triradiate collateral ligament attached on the lateral condyle of femur, descends as the femoral arm and divides at the joint line as the tibial arm (anteriorly) and fibular arm (posteriorly). The tibial arm was attached on the posterior aspect of the Gerdy’s tubercle while the fibular arm was attached on the anterior aspect of head of fibula. The triradiate collateral ligament and the anterolateral ligaments possessed internal attachment to the lateral meniscus and could potentiate meniscal damage. There are considerable ligament variations at the lateral side of knee which should be brought to the knowledge of surgeons and radiologists.Keywords: Knee, Lateral complex, lateral collateral ligament, anterolateral ligament, triradiate collateral ligamen

Effective Project Management of a Pan-African Cancer Research Network : Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP)

CITATION: Odiaka, E. 2018. Effective Project Management of a Pan-African Cancer Research Network : Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP). Journal of Global Oncology, 4:1-12, doi:10.1200/JGO.18.00062.The original publication is available at https://ascopubs.orgPurpose Health research in low- and middle-income countries can generate novel scientific knowledge and improve clinical care, fostering population health improvements to prevent premature death. Project management is a critical part of the success of this research, applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to accomplish required goals. Here, we describe the development and implementation of tools to support a multifaceted study of prostate cancer in Africa, focusing on building strategic and operational capacity. Methods Applying a learning organizational framework, we developed and implemented a project management toolkit (PMT) that includes a management process flowchart, a cyclical centerspecific schedule of activities, periodic reporting and communication, and center-specific monitoring and evaluation metrics. Results The PMT was successfully deployed during year one of the project with effective component implementation occurring through periodic cycles of dissemination and feedback to local center project managers. A specific evaluation was conducted 1 year after study initiation to obtain enrollment data, evaluate individual quality control management plans, and undertake risk log assessments and follow-up. Pilot data obtained identified areas in which centers required mentoring, strengthening, and capacity development. Strategies were implemented to improve project goals and operational capacity through local problem solving, conducting quality control checks and following compliancy with study aims. Moving forward, centers will perform quarterly evaluations and initiate strengthening measures as required. Conclusion The PMT has fostered the development of both strategic and operational capacity across project centers. Investment in project management resources is essential to ensuring high-quality, impactful health research in low- and middle-income countries.https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JGO.18.00062Publisher's versio

Economic assessment of tillage systems and weed control methods in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in southwestern Nigeria

This study was conducted to appraise the economics of different land preparation systems and weed management options in maize cultivation in three ecological zones (Ikenne, Ibadan and Ilorin) of southwestern Nigeria. Four tillage systems as main treatments and six weed control methods as sub-treatments were accommodated in a split-block arrangement of randomized complete block design with three replications. The main treatments were no-tillage (NT), ploughing and harrowing (PH), ploughing twice (PP), ploughing twice and harrowing (PPH) while the sub-treatments were atrazine plus metolachlor (Primextra) at 2.5 and 3.5 kg a.i. ha-1, atrazine plus pendimethalin at 1.25 + 0.83 and 1.75 + 1.16 kg a.i. ha-1, handweeded and unweeded checks. Net benefits achieved from no-tillage system were lower than that of mechanical tillage in all the locations. Greater net returns were obtained from PPH and PH treatments where handweeding or chemical weeding was used. Increased herbicide rate was not economical under the mechanical tillage systems. Any of the mechanical tillage methods can be employed in the three locations. Atrazine plus metolachlor or atrazine plus pendimethalin mixtures are profitable for maize production in Ikenne and Ibadan while the latter is profitable in Ilorin. Keywords: Tillage; weed control; economic; herbicides; maizeMoor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 15-2

Effects of Balanites Aegyptiaca (del) Seed Cake on Growth and Carcass Performance of Growing Rabbit

A study on growth and carcass performance was conducted to evaluate the effect of Balanites aegyptiaca seed cake meal (BASCM) as a substitute for groundnut cake in the diet of growing rabbit. Five experimental diets were formulated representing the following treatments: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. T1 (0% BASCM) was served as the control diet, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 contained 25%, 50% 75% and 100% BASCM respectively. A total of 100 weaner rabbits of mixed breeds were purchased from the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria, Nigeria. The rabbits were fed the control diet during the one week of adjustment period. They were given vitalyte as anti-stress and were dewormed using ivermectin, at the end of one week of adjustment; the rabbits were housed in different hutches and fed their respective experimental diet for one month. Each treatment contained 20 rabbits and these treatments’ (T1-T5) each were replicated in four portions and each portion had five rabbits each. Results showed that all the parameters were significantly different (P<0.05) among the treatment groups. Balanites aegyptiaca seed cake meal can replace groundnut cake at 25% level inclusion without adverse effect on the rabbit physiology

Maize Response to a Synthetic Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer, Poultry Manure and Time of Application in the Guinea Savannah of Nigeria

Two field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, located in the Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria, to study the effects of a synthetic organic nitrogen fertilizer (Urea) and poultry manure (Pm-a natural organic nitrogen source) and their time of application on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). The response of maize to the two sources of nitrogen varied significantly with time of application. Urea applied at 4 and 6 weeks after planting (wap) gave the best crop performance while poultry manure applied between planting and 4 wap recorded better crop performance than the other times of application. Maize growth and grain yield were consistently better in poultry manure and urea-treated plants than in the no-fertilizer control treatment at

Prevalence of Swine Diseases in Ijebu Division of Ogun State

This study was carried out by visiting 20 towns/ villages in Ijebu-division of Ogun State, where a total of 5,043 pigs were observed for various disease conditions. Blood and faecal samples and skin scrapings were collected from 137 sick animals, of which 3.65% were positive for the presence of Trypanosoma brucei. The following gastrointestinal nematode eggs were found in the faecal samples evaluated: Ascaris sp. (45.26%), Strongyles (10.22%), Strongyloides sp. (5.11%) and Trichuris sp. (2.92%). Sarcoptes scabiei which was the only ectoparasite of pigs encountered in this study accounted for 12.41% of the 137 skin scrapings collected. A total of 606 out of 5,043 animals were found to be clinically sick. Identified disease conditions include wound infection (33.50%), diarrhoea (22.11%), piglet anaemia (15.84%), mange (10.89%), tail sore (6.44%), foot rot (4.95%), mastitis (2.97%), metritis (1.82%) and pneumonia (1.49%). Keywords: Prevalence, Swine Diseases, Parasites, Ogun State