Potential of \u3ci\u3eCroton megalocarpus\u3c/i\u3e Nut as an Alternative Protein Supplement for Feeding of Ruminants in the Tropics

Croton megalocarous is a tree native to the arid and semi-arid rangelands of East Africa that produces nuts reported to contain high crude protein (CP). However, they are often neglected as a potential feed due to lack of information on how best to utilize them. This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and in sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of four forms of croton namely whole nut (WN), peeled nut (PN), De-husked nut (DhN) and Defatted seed (DfS). DM of all forms was above 89%, ash content was highest in WN (5.9%) and least in PN (2.2%). Crude fibre content was high in WN (52.2%) and PN (57.8%) while the DhN and DfS had the highest CP (15.7%) and (19.8%) respectively. Ether extract content was highest in DhN (36.2%) and least in DfS (11.2%). In sacco DM degradability was highest after 48 hours of incubation in all forms with highest degradability recorded for DhN (60.5%) and the least for PN (34.5%). The rapidly soluble fraction (a), potentially degradable fraction (a+b), index value (IV) and effective degradability (ED) were significantly high in DhN compared to the other forms. High DM was an indication of good keeping quality implying that nuts could be harvested and stored for future feeding while ash content reflected on potential as a source of minerals for livestock. The CP and IV of all the croton forms was above the 7% and 33% minimum required for optimum rumen function and to support sufficient feed intake, respectively. Processing of croton nut by de-husking and oil extraction enhanced the CP, soluble and potentially degradable fractions of croton nut. Subsequently, the two forms could satisfy the minimum of 15% CP required for lactation and growth in addition to provision of readily fermentable nutrients to boost intake of low-quality forages

The extent of and factors associated with self-reported overdose and self-reported receipt of naloxone among people who inject drugs (PWID) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Overdose is a major cause of death among PWID, and for opioid overdoses naloxone administration can reduce harm. However, globally there is limited national level data on the extent of non-fatal overdose and naloxone uptake. The first national level data on the extent of self-reported overdose and self-reported receipt of naloxone among UK PWID, providing a baseline to monitor the impact of the recent policy change regarding naloxone availability, is presented. METHODS: Data on self-reported overdose and receipt of naloxone during the preceding year for 2013-2014 from a national survey of PWID was analysed. Participants who reported injecting during the preceding year were included. RESULTS: Participants (3850) were predominantly male (75%); mean age was 36 years. The most commonly injected drugs were: heroin (91%), crack (45%) and amphetamine (29%). 15% (591) reported overdosing during the preceding year. There were no differences in the proportion reporting overdose by age or gender, but overdose was more common among those who: injected multiple drugs; recently ceased addiction treatment; injected with used needles/syringes; ever had transactional sex; had used a sexual health clinic or emergency department and lived in Wales or Northern Ireland. Among those reporting an overdose during the preceding year, a third reported two to four overdoses and 7.5% five or more overdoses; half reported receiving naloxone. Those reporting naloxone receipt in the preceding year were more likely to: live in Wales or Northern Ireland; ever received used needles/syringes; ever been imprisoned; and less likely to have injected two drug types. CONCLUSION: These data provide a baseline for monitoring the impact of the 2015 UK policy change to improve take-home naloxone access. Interventions tackling overdose should promote naloxone awareness and access, and target those who; are poly-drug injectors, have ceased treatment, share needles/syringes and whose drug use links to sexual activity

Simulation model for solar energy harnessing by the solar tunnel dryer

Models were developed to predict global solar radiation and the energy harnessed by a solar tunnel dryer, and simulated in Visual Basic 6.  In addition, the simulated data were compared with actual data.  Using a 10% absolute residual error interval, the developed model achieved 78.4% and 83.3% performance for global solar radiation and energy harnessing, respectively.  Further, the relationship between global solar radiation and the ten years mean satellite solar radiation, and that between the actual and simulated plenum chamber temperatures were linear, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.788 and 0.962.  Thus, it shows that there is the existence of strong correlation between satellite and predicted global solar radiation, and between predicted and actual plenum chamber temperatures.  Furthermore, Student’s t-test did not show any significant difference between simulated and actual data for solar radiation and energy harnessing.  Finally, this study shows that the developed model can be used to predict solar radiation and the energy harnessed by the solar tunnel dryer.Keywords: modeling, tunnel-dryer, global, direct, solar-radiation, plenum-temperature Citation: Kituu G. M., D. Shitanda, C. L. Kanali, J. T. Mailutha, C. K. Njoroge, J. K.Wainaina, and J. S Bongyereire. Simulation model for solar energy harnessing by the solar tunnel dryer.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 91-98

Analysis of a DC collector-based power converter topology for an offshore wind farm

The conventional collection grids for offshore wind farm consist of internal AC link comprising of series-parallel connections of identical wind energy conversion units (WECUs). Each WECU includes a 60- or 50-Hz power transformer. The power transformers are replaced by the power converters in this article. The weight of a power converter is much lower compared to that of a power transformer of similar characteristics, thus reducing the weight of the offshore wind farm. Most of the studies being done to design DC collection grids use the conventional full-bridge voltage source converter as the topology of power converter. The efficiency of the wind farm is low due to the switching losses. In this article a cascade connection of a diode rectifier and an interleaved DC-DC boost converter is used for the converter topology. The switches duty cycle is reduced, thus improving the efficiency of the wind farm. The dynamic model of the proposed power converter is derived, including its control schemes. Power Simulator (The Powersim, Rockville, USA) and MATLAB Software (The MathWorks, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) are used to test the performances of the proposed converter model.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uemp202016-06-15hb201

Dynamic analysis of DC-DC converter internal to an offshore wind farm

This paper investigates the dynamic performance of an active rectifier integrated into a wind park. The small changes in the DC current and the DC voltage are examined. The small variations are caused by the miniature power flow unbalance between the offshore wind park and the grid land. Internal DC collector is considered into the wind park, which provides an internal DC medium voltage bus. The AC output signal from the wind generator to the internal DC collector or DC bus is regulated through active rectifier. An active rectifier is a cascade connection of an uncontrolled full bridge diode rectifier and a controlled DC-DC boost converter. The small changes in the DC current and DC voltage due to power flow unbalance are analysed across the boost converter. The way in which these small variations affect the internal medium DC voltage is determined. The results are presented in the form of small signal transfer functions and are evaluated with MATLAB software.http://ieeexplore.ieee.orgxpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=4159946hb201

Identification and Toxigenicity of Aspergillus spp. from Soils Planted to Peanuts in Eastern Zambia

It is not known which aflatoxigenic species are present in Zambia. Therefore, soil samples were collected during May to June 2012, at the end of the growing season in Eastern Province, from 399 farmers' fields that had been planted to groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Nyimba, Petauke, Mambwe, and Chipata Districts. Population densities of Aspergillus spp. were estimated by plating 10−3 soil dilutions on modified dichloran rose Bengal (MDRB) media. To test for toxigenicity, colonies were randomly selected from MDRB dilution plates, single-spored, transferred to vials with yeast extract sucrose (YES) liquid media, and grown for a week at room temperature. Agra Strip ® lateral flow cards were then used to test the filtered extracts, from the YES cultures, for total aflatoxin at 4 and 20 parts per billion (ppb). We identified Aspergillus flavus (small and large sclerotia strains), A. parasiticus, A. niger, A. nomius, A. oryzae, A. tamarii, and A. terreus. 100% of the S-strain A. flavus isolates produced aflatoxin at 4 and 20 ppb, whereas 86% and 56% of the L-strain A. flavus isolates produced aflatoxins at 4 and 20 ppb, respectively. All the A. nomius isolates produced aflatoxins at 4 and 20 ppb. 79% and 64% the A. parasiticus isolates produced aflatoxins at 4 and 20 ppb. To our knowledge, this is the first peer reviewed report from Zambia documenting the population densities of A. flavus across different agroecologies. In addition, it is also the first report on the identification of different Aspergillus spp., such as A. nomius, A. terreus, A. oryzae, and A. tamarii from Zambia. This information, taken together with cropping practices, soil characteristics, agroecological and climatic data, can form a basis for developing holistic pre-harvest aflatoxin mitigation strategies

Aflatoxin risk management in commercial groundnut products in Malawi (Sub-Saharan Africa): a call for a more socially responsible industry

This study was performed as a follow-up to a study from 2013, to assess the impact of management interventions on aflatoxin incidence and levels in commercial groundnut products in Malawi. Sixty-seven samples of commercial groundnut products were analyzed for aflatoxin using a fluorometric method. Total aflatoxin levels ranged from 1.5 to 1200 μg/kg in raw groundnuts and 83–820 μg/kg in groundnut flour from vendors. In branded groundnut flour and peanut butter from supermarkets, aflatoxin levels ranged from 13 to 670 μg/kg and 1.3 to 180 μg/kg, respectively. About 93, 88, 78 and 72% of the samples analyzed contained aflatoxin levels above regulatory limit used in Malawi (3 μg/kg), EU (4 μg/kg), most developing countries (10 μg/kg), and the USA (20 μg/kg), respectively. Despite much effort, aflatoxin levels remain persistently high in commercial groundnut. Considering the difficulty of achieving an efficient government regulation system due to resource constraint, the authors recommend the promotion of a socially responsible groundnut processing industry that has consumer welfare as its central feature

A Case for Regular Aflatoxin Monitoring in Peanut Butter in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from a 3-Year Survey in Zambia

A 3-year comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin contamination in peanut butter was conducted in Zambia, sub-Saharan Africa. The study analyzed 954 containers of 24 local and imported peanut butter brands collected from shops in Chipata, Mambwe, Petauke, Katete, and Nyimba districts and also in Lusaka from 2012 to 2014. For analysis, a sample included six containers of a single brand, from the same processing batch number and the same shop. Each container was quantitatively analyzed for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in six replicates by using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; thus, aflatoxin contamination level of a given sample was derived from an average of 36 test values. Results showed that 73% of the brands tested in 2012 were contaminated with AFB1 levels >20 μg/kg and ranged up to 130 μg/kg. In 2013, 80% of the brands were contaminated with AFB1 levels >20 μg/kg and ranged up to 10,740 μg/kg. Compared with brand data from 2012 and 2013, fewer brands in 2014, i.e., 53%, had aflatoxin B1 levels >20 μg/kg and ranged up to 1,000 μg/kg. Of the eight brands tested repeatedly across the 3-year period, none consistently averaged ≤20 μg/kg. Our survey clearly demonstrates the regular occurrence of high levels of AF B1 in peanut butter in Zambia. Considering that some of the brands tested originated from neighboring countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, the current findings provide a sub-Saharan regional perspective regarding the safety of peanut butter

Prevalence and determinants of human papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions in HIV-positive women in Kenya

Background: We assessed the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with various characteristics, CD4 count and use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) among HIV-positive women. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 498 HIV-positive women who underwent HPV PCR-based testing, cytology, and systematic cervical biopsy. Results: In all, 68.7% of women were HPV-positive, 52.6% had high-risk (hr) HPV, and 40.2% multiple type infections. High-risk human papillomavirus-positivity did not vary significantly by age but it was negatively associated with education level. The most frequent types in 113 CIN2/3 were HPV16 (26.5%), HPV35 (19.5%), and HPV58 (12.4%). CD4 count was negatively associated with prevalence of hrHPV (Po0.001) and CIN2/3 among non-users of cART (P¼0.013). Combination antiretroviral therapies users (X2 year) had lower hrHPV prevalence (prevalence ratio (PR) vs non-users¼0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61–0.96) and multiple infections (PR¼0.68, 95% CI: 0.53–0.88), but not fewer CIN2/3. The positive predictive value of hrHPV-positivity for CIN2/3 increased from 28.9% at age o35 years to 53.3% in X45 years. Conclusion: The burden of hrHPV and CIN2/3 was high and it was related to immunosuppression level. Combination antiretroviral therapies (X2 year) use had a favourable effect on hrHPV prevalence but cART in our population may have been started too late to prevent CIN2/3