Supplementary Methods Adapted to Determine Standing Woody Plants Height and Biomass in Ph. D. Geography Research

Vegetation structures such as density, height and biomass are important in protection of the earth’s surface. The study was embarked upon to determine the woody plant height, girth and crowdiness in order to estimate the Total Above Ground Biomass of community of woody plant stands. The materials and methods used in the study are clinometers, measuring tape, plastic netting ropes and pegs to construct the sample quadrats. To measure the woody plants height using a clinometer there were challenges encountered due to insignificant space for the base line and line of sight.  The scope covered Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria to generate empirical data on woody plant heights, girths and crowdiness with a focus to determine the total above ground biomass of community of woody plant stands. The results come up with the empirical methods on how to determine a tree height in a crowded community of vegetation and how to estimate the total above ground biomass of a single and community of woody plant stands. The supplementary methods should be further researched to come up with empirical method on how to determine precise tree height and biomass. The physical measurements should be adopted to generate precise data on woody plant stands such as height, girth, crowdiness and biomass

Some potential occupational and environmental hazards associated with fish pond production in Nigeria

The paper highlights the concept of information and the significance of environmental and occupational hazards associated with pond fish production in Nigeria and discuss the possible options for the ways forward. The major raw material used in fish production system is the organic manure (cow dung, poultry droppings, porcine manure etc) that serves as substrate for heterotrophic production of bacteria and protozoa, which act as food for zooplankton and the fish. The pathogenic organisms (viruses, bacteria, protozoa's, and parasites), are noted for the potential hazard to the fish handlers and consumers. Nine species from seven genera of bacteria associated with fish diseases are found to have association with diseases of human such as typhoid fever, bacillary dysentery and other gastrointestinal tract related problems. Also the environmental contaminants in pond fish production become important because of its significance to consumers' acceptance of the fish product

Grafting: An Effective Strategy for Nematode Management in Tomato Genotypes

Research focus currently relies on combinations of environmentally friendly approaches among which is grafting for pathogen management. Grafting has potential to provide resistance to multiple soilborne pathogens, for example, nematodes, after a susceptible plant (scion) is united with resistant rootstocks. Sources of resistant rootstocks include species from the same family or closely related species, hybrids, and weeds. This chapter focuses on the following themes: (1) grafting and cost implications, (2) rootstock selection and tomato grafting against root-knot nematodes, (3) grafting techniques and requirements and graft union formation, (4) fruit quality of grafted plants, and (5) screening of rootstocks against root-knot nematode and identification of markers linked to Mi gene in rootstocks. Tomato rootstock breeding efforts, if coordinated properly, can lead to production of rootstocks, which can be adapted to specific environments and abiotic stresses

Variations in CCL3L gene cluster sequence and non-specific gene copy numbers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Copy number variations (CNVs) of the gene CC chemokine ligand 3-like1 (<it>CCL3L1</it>) have been implicated in HIV-1 susceptibility, but the association has been inconsistent. <it>CCL3L1 </it>shares homology with a cluster of genes localized to chromosome 17q12, namely <it>CCL3</it>, <it>CCL3L2</it>, and, <it>CCL3L3</it>. These genes are involved in host defense and inflammatory processes. Several CNV assays have been developed for the <it>CCL3L1 </it>gene.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Through pairwise and multiple alignments of these genes, we have shown that the homology between these genes ranges from 50% to 99% in complete gene sequences and from 70-100% in the exonic regions, with <it>CCL3L1 </it>and <it>CCL3L3 </it>being identical. By use of MEGA 4 and BioEdit, we aligned sense primers, anti-sense primers, and probes used in several previously described assays against pre-multiple alignments of all four chemokine genes. Each set of probes and primers aligned and matched with overlapping sequences in at least two of the four genes, indicating that previously utilized RT-PCR based CNV assays are not specific for only <it>CCL3L1</it>. The four available assays measured median copies of 2 and 3-4 in European and African American, respectively. The concordance between the assays ranged from 0.44-0.83 suggesting individual discordant calls and inconsistencies with the assays from the expected gene coverage from the known sequence.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This indicates that some of the inconsistencies in the association studies could be due to assays that provide heterogenous results. Sequence information to determine CNV of the three genes separately would allow to test whether their association with the pathogenesis of a human disease or phenotype is affected by an individual gene or by a combination of these genes.</p

Diseases associated with livestock integrated fish farming in Nigeria: a review

Just like other animals and humans, fishes are prone to diseases and predation. Diseases can be caused by one and/or combination of any of the following agents e.g. bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Diseases have become a primary constraint to aquacultural development, which may affect the achievement of a desired impact for rapid development of fish culture in Nigeria. Apart from causing mortalities, they also cause loss of production quality, reduced growth, reduced fecundity, loss due to control measures and loss due to social factors associated with the farmer. This review has discussed the diseases that are associated with integrated fish farming including livestock cum fish farming, poultry-cum fish farming, Waste water fish farming, rice-cum fish farming e.t.c. The control of diseases associated with integrated fish farming requires a multi-disciplinary approach including chemotherapy, sanitation, routine hygiene, quarantine, genetic selection and immunoprophylaxis. The treatment and prevention of fish diseases follow the same principles used in chemotherapy of higher animals

A survey of ectoparasites associated with 3 species of fish Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Oreochromis niloticus and Bagrus bayad in River Benue, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

A survey of ectoparasites of three species of fish (Oreochromis niloticus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis and Bagrus bayad) of River Benue was carried out for a period of three weeks. Samples were collected directly from fishermen, at the river side (River Benue) in a plastic bucket and were carried to the laboratory. A smear samples from the skin were taken. Fins were cuted and gills were dissected and examine individually in saline solution in a Petri dish and platyhelminthes parasites as the most common ectoparasites of threes three species (Oreochromis, Auchenoglanis, and Bagrus). A total number of five hundred and seventy two (572) parasites were observed. Result of this study reveals that the large number of parasites were found on the gills (65%) of the three fish species studied, compared to skin (16%) and fins (19%) of the total parasites observed; among the three fish species studied. O. niloticus carries 33% while A. occidentalis carries 41% and B. bayad carries 26% of the total parasites seen. There was negligible difference in the level of infestation in the sexes (i.e. male and female) of Oreochronis and Bagrus. However, a great significance difference in the level of infestation was found in the sexes of Auchenoglani

Aquaculture investment in Nigeria: a case study of New Bussa

Hunger and malnutrition have remained amongst the most devastating problems facing the majority of Nigerian poor. These challenges and other social and economic objectives are the main forces driving aquaculture development to augment for food deficient, in particular fish, which is the cheapest source of protein. However looking at the aquaculture potential and the demand for fish, more needs to be done in aquaculture sub-sector. Unfortunately, despite the increase awareness, many people still remain skeptical about returns in aquaculture investment. This backdrop prompted the study, which empirically analyzed the situation based on two (2) semi-concrete ponds at NIFFR. The results which were extrapolated for five years shows a cost benefit ratio of 1.8, which indicated worthy investment. The results would essentially serve as guide to practitioners and intended fish farmer

The perceptions of nurses regarding communication with nurse managers in a public hospital in westrand in Gauteng Province

The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of nurses regarding communication with nurse managers in the workplace. The design of the study was a generic qualitative. The methodology of choice was qualitative, explorative method. The sample was non-probability and the approach or technique used was purposive sampling method. It comprised of thirty nurses, ten of each category. The category was a component of professional nurses, enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing auxiliary nurses. The data collection method used in the study was in-depth interviews using a self-designed interview guide. Face to face interviews was conducted in a quiet room within the hospital ward as a natural setting. Data was collected using a voice recorder for the sake of protecting the missing of information which may be important. The data analysis was with the help of employing transcribing and coding of voice recorded data and observation noted during the collection of data. The data collection method used in the study was in-depth interviews using a self-designed interview guide. Face to face interviews was conducted in a quiet room within the hospital ward as a natural setting. Data was collected using a voice recorder for the sake of protecting the missing of information which may be important. The data analysis was with the help of employing transcribing and coding of voice recorded data and observation noted during the collection of data. The findings showed that there were dynamics in communication from all nurse categories and that also indicated that there was a need to conduct a research so that the root cause may be identified and suggestions to be put in place to curb the challenges. In conclusion it showed that communication is the key problem of all and it is a worldwide problem.Health StudiesM.A. (Health Studies

The Impact of Money Supply on Inflation Rate in Ghana

The main purpose of the study was to empirically investigate the impact of money supply on inflation rate in Ghana using semi-annual series ranging from December 1990 to June 2017. Specifically, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration was employed to ascertain the long-run and short-run relationship between the series. The findings from the study revealed that, growth in money supply (GMS) has a positive significant impact on inflation rate (INFR) in the long-run. However, no significant association was found between money supply and inflation in the short-run. Political instability during election year that arises from the manipulation of fiscal policy in order for the incumbent government to increase the likelihood of winning the next election was found to have a negative and significant impact on inflation rate in the short run. Keywords: Money Supply, Inflation, government spending, Ghana DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-16-17 Publication date: August 31st 201

Harnessing Useful Rhizosphere Microorganisms for Nematode Control

Nematodes are very diverse and parasitize various plants including vegetables, and their management is of concern. Biological control of nematodes provides an environmentally friendly management option and there are various micro‐soil‐borne organisms which can be considered for this purpose. The primary goal of this chapter is to provide a review on the progress made so far, in application of biological control agents in nematode management in vegetables, cereals, and root and tuber crops. This chapter will be divided into five (5) sections: (1) herbivore‐induced plant volatiles, (2) root exudates and nematode control, (3) inhibitory metabolites in bacteria for nematode management, (4) fungi and symbiotic reprogramming in host cells, and (5) fungi antagonists of nematodes