Assessing the suitability of rice cultivation in Muvumba P-8 marshland of Rwanda using soil properties

This paper deals with the estimation of different soil properties of Muvumba P-8 marshland in Rwanda to assess the soil for its suitability for rice cultivation. The objective of the research is to determine the soil properties. Properties like texture, bulk density, total available water, infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity and permeability were determined. Soil properties were estimated for different soil depths of 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm. It was found that the layer of the soil with 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm is having the soil texture of sandy clay loam and the depth of 45-60 cm is having the texture of clay loam. The soil of the plots with depths like 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm are having the clay content of 21, 25, 26 and 38% respectively and are having the bulk densities of 1.38, 1.29, 1.33 and 1.12 gm/cm3. It shows that clay content increases as the depth of the soil increases. The average total available water for three different depths mentioned are 8.5, 11.2, 15.5 and 16.5 mm and it varies from 4.5 mm to 26.4 mm. The data were analysed by using GENISTAT in order to get the difference of variation. The average infiltration rate of the field at Muvumba P-8 marshland was 12.8 mm/hour. It means that a water layer of 12.8 mm on the soil surface will take one hour to infiltrate. The experimental plot at Muvumba P-8 marshland was found to be moderately slow infiltration rate but it has rapid permeability. It indicates that there is slow entry of water in top soil surface but the percolation will be faster due rapid permeability. It is good for rice cultivation. Keywords: Soil properties-weather parameters-marshland-assessment-rice cultivatio

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Impact of acadja fisheries on fish assemblages in Lake Nokoué, Benin, West Africa

Acadjas are artificial systems aimed at enhancing fish production by providing additional substrata for development of plants and animals upon which the fish will feed. This study aims to evaluate the impact of acadjas on fish assemblages and on conservation of the fish fauna diversity in Lake Nokoué in Benin. Between June 2003 and September 2004, experimental acadjas were installed and monitored. Fish samples were obtained from two areas of Lake Nokoué (Ganvié and Zogbo stations) within and without acadjas with the assistance of artisanal fishermen. Physico-chemical parameters were also measured inside and outside of the experimental acadjas in the same two stations. Twenty-five fish species belonging to 17 families were identified in acadjas out of a total of 51 species belonging to 34 families inventoried in 2001 at Lake Nokoué (i.e. 49% of the specific richness of the ichthyofauna). Fifty-six percent of fish fauna caught in acadjas are estuarine forms and represent 78% of all estuarine forms of Lake Nokoué in 2001. The analysis of variance showed that the specific richness of the acadjas varied significantly according to the station (p < 0.05), with a high specific richness in Zogbo station where acadjas are less abundant. Acadjas are selective for some fish species such as cichlids which represent 95% of the total numeric abundance and contribute about 90% of the total fish biomass. The high densities of acadjas could contribute to the reduction of the richness of fish fauna. Rational management could consist of reorganizing the surface areas of Lake Nokoué by preserving areas for other fish species that do not colonize acadjas

Evaluation du programme de Oxfam Novib au Burundi, 2005-2009

Contains fulltext : 86801.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Impact of acadja fisheries on the population dynamics of

In Lake Nokoué fishermen have developed the acadjas system which operates as an extensive aquaculture practice. Little is known about the population dynamics of fish fauna which colonizes those acadjas. Therefore, population parameters of two cichlids of Lake Nokoué, Sarotherodon melanotheron and Hemichromis fasciatus, sampled in areas within and without acadjas were investigated using length-frequency data collected between June 2003 and December 2004. For the two species, asymptotic length, L∞ was higher within than without acadjas (26.8 cm and 24.1 cm respectively for S. melanotheron; 18.5 cm and 16.5 cm respectively for H. faciatus). K and Φ′ values recorded outside acadjas were higher than inside acadjas for H. fasciatus whereas the same values were very slightly different without and within acadjas for S. melanotheron. H. fasciatus is a fish predator and branches or woody debris of acadjas are not favourable for its hunting activities.The total and natural mortality rates for the two species were higher outside than inside acadjas showing so the role of protection insured by acadjas systems. Acadjas have more impact on H. fasciatus than on S. melanotheron. A possibility of management is to reorganize the distribution of acadjas over Lake Nokoué in order to keep some areas in which no acadjas would be allowed for fish species that growth is better without acadjas

Spatial and seasonal distribution of the ichthyofauna of Lake Nokoué, Bénin, west Africa

The fish biodiversity of Lake Nokoué, a lagoon in Bénin, was monitored for one year from August 2000 to July 2001 by means of samples from the artisanal fishery collected once a month at three stations. A total of 5 933 fish weighing 95 322g (mean individual weight 16.0g) belonging to 51 species, 47 genera and 34 families were sampled. An abundance of juveniles was observed, confirming the importance of the lake as nursery grounds, rich in exploitable habitats like other tropical estuaries and lagoons. The fish fauna comprised three main components: i) an estuarine component (strict, freshwater and marine origins) which is the basis of the lagoon fauna community and which is stable in space and time; ii) a marine component containing fishes which appeared in the lagoon during the dry season where the salinity remains high (>20‰) and iii) a freshwater component with fishes coming into the lagoon from the river during the flood period. The magnitude of the spatial and seasonal fluctuations of the last two components varies depending on the area: marine (Zogbo), freshwater (Vêki) or intermediate (Ganvié). The global species richness and the relative abundances of fish vary between stations and from month to month. November, with 20 species on average, and January, with 6 species on average, are significantly different as regards species richness. Keywords: biodiversity; fish; lagoons; Bénin (Afr J Aqua Sci: 2003 28(2): 151-161

Ultrasonographic Median Nerve Changes After a Wheelchair Sporting Event

Impink BG, Boninger ML, Walker H, Collinger JL, Niyonkuru C. Ultrasonographic median nerve changes after a wheelchair sporting event. Objectives: To investigate the acute median nerve response to intense wheelchair propulsion by using ultrasonography and to examine the relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) signs and symptoms and the acute median nerve response. Design: Case series. Setting: Research room at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Participants: Manual wheelchair users (N=28) competing in wheelchair basketball. Intervention: Ultrasound images collected before and after a wheelchair basketball game. Main Outcome Measures: Median nerve cross-sectional area, flattening ratio, and swelling ratio and changes in these after activity. Comparison of median nerve characteristics and patient characteristics between participants with and without positive physical examination findings and with and without symptoms of CTS. Results: Significant changes in median nerve ultrasound characteristics were noted after activity. The group as a whole showed a significant decrease in cross-sectional area at the radius of 4.05% (P=.023). Participants with positive physical examinations showed significantly different (P=.029) and opposite changes in swelling ratio compared with the normal group. Subjects with CTS symptoms had a significantly (P=.022) greater duration of wheelchair use (17.1y) compared with the asymptomatic participants (9y). Conclusions: Manual wheelchair propulsion induces acute changes in median nerve characteristics that can be visualized by using ultrasound. Studying the acute median nerve response may be useful for optimizing various interventions, such as wheelchair set up or propulsion training, to decrease both acute and chronic median nerve damage and the likelihood of developing CTS. © 2009 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine