Determination of cultivar-dependent variation in food-feed traits in lentil (Lens culinaris)

The study was conducted with the objectives of analyzing and evaluating of lentil varieties for haulm nutritional values, determining the relationship between fodder traits and agronomic traits, and developing Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) equation for predicting nutritional value of lentil haulm. The samples were collected from Debre zeit, Akaki, Chefe Donsa and Minjar field experimental sites of Debre zeit Agricultural Research Center and the laboratory work was conducted at Animal Nutrition laboratory of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa. The study was conducted from January 2014 to April 2015. NIRS equation development was done using 633 haulm samples from preliminary and national variety trials. Only 315 samples of national variety trial were used for analysis of nutritional value on twenty seven testing and five control varieties using Random Complete Block Design (RCBD). Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System(SAS) software. The model developed by NIRS for the prediction of lentil haulm of crude protein (CP), metabolizable energy (ME), true in vitro organic matter digestibility (TIVOMD), ash and fiber fractions were accurate and successful method. In potential environment varieties (PE) haulm CP (11.53%), at Debre zeit, while crude protein yield (CPY)(0.42t/ha), ME(8.55MJ/kg DM) and TIVOMD(57.89%) at Chefe Donsa had the highest (P<0.05) values. In low moisture stress varieties (LMS) higher (P<0.05) haulm CP(9.90%) was obtained at Minjar, but higher values of CPY(0.38t/ha), ME(8.01MJ/kg DM) and TIVOMD(54.74%) were obtained from Debre zeit.In LMS Dz2012Ln0014 had the highest (P<0.05) CP (11.94%), TIVOMD (57.91%) and the lowest fiber fractions than controls, also higher in ME (8MJ/kgDM) contents than Alem Tena and local check. But, Dz2012Ln0013 had the highest(P<0.05) crude protein yield CPY). In PE Dz2012Ln0018 and Dz2012Ln0024 were the highest (P<0.05) in CP (10.05 and 10.19%), CPY (0.46 and 0.48 t/ha) and ME (8.6 and 8.58MJ/kg DM) contents than controls respectively. But, Dz2012Ln0019 had the highest (P<0.05) TIVOMD (59.45%) value. In the present study haulm yield and grain yield were positively correlated. CPY was positively correlated with all studied agronomic traits with the exceptions of grain yield and harvest index. ME and TIVOMD were positively correlated with yield and yield components. In LMS higher (P<0.05) grain yield was obtained from DZ2012Ln0004 (1.22t/ha), DZ2012Ln0001(1.07t/ha)and DZ2012Ln0005 (1.02t/ha) than controls.DZ2012Ln0005 (4.83 and 2.55t/ha), DZ2012Ln0013(4.67 and 2.46t/ha), DZ2012Ln0012 (4.43 and 2.42 t/ha) had significantly higher (P<0.05) values of haulm yield and haulm digestible dry matter yield than controls respectively. In PE Derash (2.81t/ha) had the highest (P<0.05) grain yield followed by Alemaya(2.09t/ha) andDz2012Ln0016(2.01t/ha). Significantly high (P<0.05) haulm yield and digestible dry matter yield were obtained from Dz2012Ln0017(6.52 and 3.70t/ha) and Dz2012Ln0026(5.99 and 3.36 t/ha) respectively. Varieties with high haulm nutritional value were not found to be high in their potential utility index that may be, because of their lower values of harvest index due to infestation of mild parasites and incidence of diseases

Feeds and Forage Development: Africa RISING science, innovations and technologies with scaling potential from the Ethiopian Highlands

United States Agency for International Developmen

Selecting for food-feed traits in early and late maturing lentil genotypes(Lens culinaris)

To explore genetic and environmental variability of food-feed traits in lentil genotypes, straws of 78elite genotypes and 4 checks of early and late maturing lentil types were evaluated for their nutritive value and potential trade-offs of the nutritive parameters with straw yield and grain yield. Further, effects of genotypic and environmental sources on variation in the nutritive value were also determined. Straw nutritive traits were analyzed by a combination of conventional laboratory techniques and Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. Results from eight trials carried out across 3 different sites in Ethiopia showed highly significant genotypic variation (P<0.05) in grain yield, straw yields and straw nutritive traits. This confirmed the existence of exploitable genetic variation in these traits. Similarly, the relationship between grain yield and straw yield was positive. The correlation between grain yield and nutritive parameters of straw was insignificant or negative. The correlation between maturity types and straw traits was either neutral or negative. Genotype by environment interactions were significant (P<0.05) for straw yield and nutritive traits indicating that variation in the traits is dependent of environment. It is possible to develop genotypes with a combination of food-feed traits from early and late maturing lentil types to address the high demand for grain and livestock fodder in various agro ecological zones in mixed crop-livestock farming systems using appropriate breeding approaches

Conceptualising the empowerment of caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities in Ethiopia: a qualitative study

Background Caregivers of children with developmental disabilities (DDs) in Ethiopia experience stigma and exclusion. Due to limited existing services and substantial barriers to accessing care, they often lack support. Caregiver empowerment could help address injustices that hinder their capacity to support their child as they would like. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning and potential role of empowerment for caregivers raising a child with a DD and how empowerment was situated in relation to other priorities in service development. Methods This was a qualitative phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Amharic and English with caregivers of children with a DD (n = 15), clinicians (n = 11), community-based health extension workers (n = 5), representatives of non-governmental organisations working with families with DDs (n = 17), and representatives of local authorities in health, education, and social care (n = 15). Data were analysed thematically. Results Three main themes were developed: “Barriers to exercising caregivers’ agency”; “Whose decision is it to initiate empowerment?”; and “Supporting caregivers through support groups”. Caregiver capacity to do what they thought was best for their child was undermined by poverty, a sense of hopelessness, experience of domestic abuse and multiple burdens experienced by those who were single mothers. Caregivers were nonetheless active in seeking to bring about change for their children. Caregivers and professionals considered support groups to be instrumental in facilitating empowerment. Participants reflected that caregiver-focused interventions could contribute to increasing caregivers’ capacity to exercise their agency. A tension existed between a focus on individualistic notions of empowerment from some professionals compared to a focus on recognising expertise by experience identified as vital by caregivers. Power dynamics in the context of external funding of empowerment programmes could paradoxically disempower. Conclusion Caregivers of children with DDs in Ethiopia are disempowered through poverty, stigma, and poor access to information and resources. Shifting power to caregivers and increasing their access to opportunities should be done on their own terms and in response to their prioritised needs

Leveraging Multilayered “Omics” Data for Atopic Dermatitis: A Road Map to Precision Medicine

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex multifactorial inflammatory skin disease that affects ~280 million people worldwide. About 85% of AD cases begin in childhood, a significant portion of which can persist into adulthood. Moreover, a typical progression of children with AD to food allergy, asthma or allergic rhinitis has been reported (“allergic march” or “atopic march”). AD comprises highly heterogeneous sub-phenotypes/endotypes resulting from complex interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as environmental stimuli, and genetic factors regulating cutaneous functions (impaired barrier function, epidermal lipid, and protease abnormalities), immune functions and the microbiome. Though the roles of high-throughput “omics” integrations in defining endotypes are recognized, current analyses are primarily based on individual omics data and using binary clinical outcomes. Although individual omics analysis, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), can effectively map variants correlated with AD, the majority of the heritability and the functional relevance of discovered variants are not explained or known by the identified variants. The limited success of singular approaches underscores the need for holistic and integrated approaches to investigate complex phenotypes using trans-omics data integration strategies. Integrating omics layers (e.g., genome, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, lipidome, exposome, microbiome), which often have complementary and synergistic effects, might provide the opportunity to capture the flow of information underlying AD disease manifestation. Overlapping genes/candidates derived from multiple omics types include FLG, SPINK5, S100A8, and SERPINB3 in AD pathogenesis. Overlapping pathways include macrophage, endothelial cell and fibroblast activation pathways, in addition to well-known Th1/Th2 and NFkB activation pathways. Interestingly, there was more multi-omics overlap at the pathway level than gene level. Further analysis of multi-omics overlap at the tissue level showed that among 30 tissue types from the GTEx database, skin and esophagus were significantly enriched, indicating the biological interconnection between AD and food allergy. The present work explores multi-omics integration and provides new biological insights to better define the biological basis of AD etiology and confirm previously reported AD genes/pathways. In this context, we also discuss opportunities and challenges introduced by “big omics data” and their integration

Dismissive and deceptive car dealerships create barriers to electric vehicle adoption at the point of sale

This study investigates the role of car dealerships in the electrification of passenger transport, namely their sales advice about the purchase and use of electric vehicles (EVs). Because most consumers do not have pre-existing knowledge of EVs, and current market conditions favour petrol and diesel vehicles, car dealership experiences may strongly influence EV purchasing decisions. Here we show that car dealerships pose a significant barrier at the point of sale due to a perceived lack of business case viability in relation to petrol and diesel vehicles. In 126 shopping experiences at 82 car dealerships across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, we find dealers were dismissive of EVs, misinformed shoppers on vehicle specifications, omitted EVs from the sales conversation and strongly oriented customers towards petrol and diesel vehicle options. Dealer’s technological orientation, willingness to sell, and displayed knowledge of EVs were the main contributors to likely purchase intentions. These findings combined with expert interviews suggest that government and industry signalling affect sales strategies and purchasing trends. Policy and business strategies that address barriers at the point of sale are needed to accelerate EV adoption

Immunological profiling in long COVID:overall low grade inflammation and T-lymphocyte senescence and increased monocyte activation correlating with increasing fatigue severity

Background: Many patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection develop long COVID with fatigue as one of the most disabling symptoms. We performed clinical and immune profiling of fatigued and non-fatigued long COVID patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Methods:Long COVID symptoms were assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, including the fatigue assessment scale (FAS, scores ≥22 denote fatigue), and followed up to one year after hospital discharge. We assessed inflammation-related genes in circulating monocytes, serum levels of inflammation-regulating cytokines, and leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets, including major monocyte subsets and senescent T-lymphocytes, at 3-6 months post-discharge. Results: We included 37 fatigued and 36 non-fatigued long COVID patients and 42 HCs. Fatigued long COVID patients represented a more severe clinical profile than non-fatigued patients, with many concurrent symptoms (median 9 [IQR 5.0-10.0] vs 3 [1.0-5.0] symptoms, p&lt;0.001), and signs of cognitive failure (41%) and depression (&gt;24%). Immune abnormalities that were found in the entire group of long COVID patients were low grade inflammation (increased inflammatory gene expression in monocytes, increased serum pro-inflammatory cytokines) and signs of T-lymphocyte senescence (increased exhausted CD8+ TEMRA-lymphocytes). Immune profiles did not significantly differ between fatigued and non-fatigued long COVID groups. However, the severity of fatigue (total FAS score) significantly correlated with increases of intermediate and non-classical monocytes, upregulated gene levels of CCL2, CCL7, and SERPINB2 in monocytes, increases in serum Galectin-9, and higher CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts. Conclusion: Long COVID with fatigue is associated with many concurrent and persistent symptoms lasting up to one year after hospitalization. Increased fatigue severity associated with stronger signs of monocyte activation in long COVID patients and potentially point in the direction of monocyte-endothelial interaction. These abnormalities were present against a background of immune abnormalities common to the entire group of long COVID patients.</p

The importance of service quality in British Muslim’s choice of an Islamic or non-Islamic bank account

Using an extended SERVQUAL model, this study identifies and compares the importance of service quality to Muslim consumers with an Islamic or non-Islamic bank account in a non-Muslim country, Britain. Eight group discussions and survey with 300 Muslims were conducted. Five dimensions of service quality were identified, i.e. Responsiveness, Credibility, Islamic Tangibles, Accessibility and Reputation. These differ in structure and content from the original SERVQUAL developed in the west and the subsequent CARTER model constructed in a Muslim country. In addition, significant differences were found in the importance rating of items by respondents holding an account with an Islamic bank compared to those with a non-Islamic bank account. This study is one of the first to identify and compare the importance of service quality between Islamic and non-Islamic bank account holders in a western non-Muslim country. The results advance our understanding of the impact of culture on SERVQUAL. The study provides insight into Muslims’ bank choice and helps bank managers of both Islamic and non-Islamic banks to focus their attention on the service quality dimensions that matter most to Muslim customers