Assessment of Reference Evapotranspiration Estimation Models

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is an important factor in estimating crop water requirement, water resource management and designing irrigation scheduling. This study matches the outputs of open pans and Blaney Criddle (BC) to CROPWAT irrigation simulation software using 20-year daily weather data of Auchi and its environs were acquired from the Nigeria Meteorological Station (NMET) as baseline weather dataset. Thus, the baseline weather data was reproduced using a general circulation model for data re-analysis. The accuracy of each model was evaluated using various statistical metrics. ETo estimated from the four models were compared with the CROPWAT model, an irrigation software program used for solar radiation (RS), reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop water requirement (CWR) calculations. Validation outputs have the correlation values (R2) of 0.587, 0.536, 0.511 and 0.513 for EToBC-ETo CROPWAT, EToBT-EToCROPWAT, ETo AUS-ETo CROPWAT, and EToUS-EToCROPWAT respectively. This result indicates a marginal good fit between the estimated Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) from each model and CROPWAT irrigation software. However, there were discrepancies between the simulated and computed reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for the model with Blaney Criddle and Australia pan having correlation (R2)) and bias value (AB) of 0.223; 0.241 and 2.30; 2.00 respectively. In conclusion, all the selected reference evapotranspiration (ETo) estimating models have strong capabilities of providing accurate outcome be useful for water resources and hydrological modeling

Analysis of Computer Based Design in Architectural and Convectional Drafting Methods in Schools. The Case of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi

The paper compares the concepts of computer-aided design in architecture CAAD to manual drafting MD in Auchi Polytechnic Auchi These techniques are educational tools designed to train the student to become better in project design and creativity A structurallybased questionnaire was developed to measure a series of active variables of CAAD and MD The results revealed that ninety percent 90 of the HND students indicated a strong preference for CAAD while most of the OND students were not aware of CAAD software AutoCAD architecture is mostly taught at the Department and the students generally prefer to use Revit Software for their studio and design project It is realized that the students are highly interested in learning and applying CAAD in the studio and project design having discovered that CAAD proficiency through self-learning approach was estimated to be the highest out of the five considered technique

Effects of Concentrate Supplementation on Performance Characteristics of Goats Challenged with Trypanosoma brucei

The influence of concentrate-feed supplementation on dry matter and nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen retention and body weight gain in goats challenged with trypanosomiasis was studied. Sixteen male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (7.32 ± 0.70 kg) inoculated with 1.5 × 106 Trypanosoma brucei were divided into four treatment groups each of four replicates in a 56-day, completely randomized design experiment. Treatments consisted of varying intake levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 g/head/day) of a maize-based concentrate supplement (19.72 %; CP) to basal Panicum maximum hay (10.81 %; CP). Dry matter intake (g/head/day) of 211.77 ± 2.66, 215.14 ± 7.25, 253.28 ± 5.23, and 275.96 ± 3.65 obtained for goats fed supplement at 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/head/day respectively were different. Coefficient of crude protein or crude fibre digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) for goats fed the concentrate supplement at 100 or 150 g/head/day level than for those fed at 50 g/head/day or the control. Differences in feed nutrient intake and digestibility caused gradual improvement (p < 0.05) in body weight gain (g/head/day) from 8.39 ± 0.21 in the un-supplemented group to 18.21 ± 0.42 in goats fed concentrate supplement at 150 g/head/day. The results indicated a positive influence of concentrate supplementation on ability of the goats infected with trypanosomiasis to consume and digest feed nutrients for body weight gain. The 100 g /head/day level of supplementation was considered adequate

The cost-utility analysis of adult male circumcision for prevention of heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men in sub-Saharan Africa : a probabilistic decision model

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the cost-utility of adult male circumcision (AMC) versus no AMC in the prevention of heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A decision tree was constructed and parameterized using data from published sources. The economic evaluation was conducted from the perspective of government health care payer. Benefits (disability adjusted life years [DALYs]) and costs were discounted at 3%. Costs were assessed in 2008 US dollars. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the base-case results. The uncertainty surrounding the estimates of cost effectiveness was illustrated through a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve and cost-effectiveness plane. Results In the base-case analysis, AMC can be regarded as cost saving because it is associated with higher DALYs gained and lower costs than no AMC. The probability that AMC is cost effective is above 0.96 at a threshold value of $150 and remains high over a wide range of threshold values. Thus, there is very little uncertainty surrounding the decision to adopt AMC for prevention of heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men. The results were found to be sensitive to varying any of the following parameters: DALYs averted, discount, and circumcision efficacy. Conclusions AMC is found to be cost saving. AMC may be seen as a promising new form of strategy for prevention of heterosexual acquisition of HIV in men, but should never replace other known methods of HIV prevention and should always be considered as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package