Research Notes : United States : Evaluation of soybean germplasm for stress tolerance biological efficiency : To evaluate soybean germplasm and cultivars for stress tolerance toward : Soil Acidity

Three years of field trials (1981-83) with six cultivars of soybeans (\u27Bed-ford\u27, \u27Bragg\u27, \u27Braxton\u27, C-237, \u27Forrest\u27, and \u27Tracy M\u27) conducted on the Memphis silt loam soil showed greater resistance to low pH (5.0-5.5) for Forrest and Bedford as compared to the other cultivars. However, at pHs lower than 5.0, seed formation of all the cultivars was adversely affected, espe-cially under moisture stresses. Greenhouse and laboratory studies during the same time period indicated higher P absorption for Forrest and Bedford at pH 5.0 to 5.

Optimization of the Adsorptive Dehydration of Ethanol –Water System

This work has explored the use of enzyme modified corn starch for the dehydration of ethanol – water mixtures. The X - RD analysis revealed that the enzyme modified corn starch is amorphous in nature while the Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that the enzyme modified corn starch particles are spherical and irregular in shape with the existence of pores in the starch molecule. Optimization and modelling of the process variables was carried out using the RSM (BBD) design of experiment. The optimum process variables obtained were 2.75mm, 61.69min, and 49.99oC for particle size, time, and temperature respectively at an initial concentration of 90wt% with predicted value of 95.4065wt%. The model was validated at the optimum conditions which gave an experimental value of 95.00wt% ethanol concentration. The experimentally result obtained is 99.574% close to the result obtained from the predicted optimum value. Keywords: Response surface methodology, Enzyme Modified Corn starch, X – RD, SEM, Optimization, Ethanol – water mixtures, Box – Behnken design

Research Notes : United States : Evaluation of soybean germplasm for stress tolerance and biological efficiency : To evaluate soybean germplasm and cultivars for stress tolerance toward - Soil Acidity

Field experiments conducted on a silt loam soil with six culti-vars under four pH ranges (5.9-6.7, 5.7-6.5, 5.3-6.0 and 5.0-5.6) in-dicated significant tolerance of \u27Bedford\u27 and \u27Forrest\u27 under acid soil pH ranges. The two cultivars were superior to \u27Bragg\u27, \u27Braxton\u27, \u27Co-237\u27, and \u27Tracy M\u27 in 1981 and 1982 trials. However, lowering of pH to 4.6-5.4, 4.5-5.4, 4.1-5.1, and 3.8-4.5 resulted in nullified seed formation in all the cultivars

Gender Influence on School Climate and Organizational Silence Amongst Teachers in Anambra State

This paper examines the gender influence on school climate and organizational silence among teachers in secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Correlational research design is used for the study. The population of the study consisted of all the 5498 teachers in 259 secondary schools in Anambra State, comprising 775 male and 4723 female teachers. Two structured questionnaires were adapted as the instruments for data collection. The internal consistency of the instruments was established using Cronbach alpha which yielded 0.81 and 0.91. Four research questions and four hypotheses guided the study. The study reveals that there is no significant relationship between the perception of teachers who teach in an open school climate and their organizational silence. Secondly, there is no significant relationship between the perception of male and female teachers who teach in a closed school climate and their organizational silence. Based on this, recommendations were made

Geographic Information System Based Approach to Pre-Election Monitoring In Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

GIS based electoral system provides efficient database and also be useful to enhance officials to conduct and manage elections. This research is aimed at using Geographic Information System based approach to monitoring election in Awka South L.G.A of Anambra State. The methodology employed in this research involves conversion of analogue map into digital map (through the process of scanning), georeferencing and digitizing, updating the study road map using Google Earth image. Other processes includes: Plotting of coordinate points, Geo-database creation and queries generations. GIS based mapping is one of the best techniques of depicting spatial data, the location the polling unit was depicted and it was noticed that there are no polling units located at around/within Ngozika and Udoka Housing units

Assessment of Food Security Situation of Tiv Farming households in Nigeria

The fact that several households are engaged in farming does not translate directly to them being food secured, this is because of the food security entails all people at all times having both physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for a productive and healthy life. The study therefore, assessed the food security situation and living conditions of Tiv farming households. Respondents were drawn from farming households in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States. Data was collected from 315 heads of households using interview schedule, and the data were analysed using means and food security index. The study found that enhanced ICT use (M=2.47) and increased competition (M=2.40) were perceived conditions that were found to be attributed to their agricultural operations. The analysis of food security situation shows that majority (64.1%) of these households were food secured. This could be because of those strategies for ensuring food security is working for majority of the families. Also on the strategies put in place to ensure households’ food security were the use of high yielding crop varieties (M= 1.60), mixed cropping (M=1.53) and use of early maturing crop varieties. Therefore the study recommends that governments in these states should support various extension agencies involved in the dissemination of these technologies that enhance the food security of the farmers

Assessment of Food Security Situation of Tiv Farming households in Nigeria

The fact that several households are engaged in farming does not translate directly to them being food secured, this is because of the food security entails all people at all times having both physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for a productive and healthy life. The study therefore, assessed the food security situation and living conditions of Tiv farming households. Respondents were drawn from farming households in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States. Data was collected from 315 heads of households using interview schedule, and the data were analysed using means and food security index. The study found that enhanced ICT use (M=2.47) and increased competition (M=2.40) were perceived conditions that were found to be attributed to their agricultural operations. The analysis of food security situation shows that majority (64.1%) of these households were food secured. This could be because of those strategies for ensuring food security is working for majority of the families. Also on the strategies put in place to ensure households’ food security were the use of high yielding crop varieties (M= 1.60), mixed cropping (M=1.53) and use of early maturing crop varieties. Therefore the study recommends that governments in these states should support various extension agencies involved in the dissemination of these technologies that enhance the food security of the farmers

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Normal Hausa-Fulani Children and Adolescents of Northern Nigeria

Background: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a useful parameter for assessing respiratory function in health and disease. However there are few studies reporting normal values of this parameter in Northern Nigeria in general and the North western zone in particular. Also prediction formulae for predicting PEFR from anthropometric parameters are not available for this population. The present study was therefore designed to measure Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in normal Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and to derive prediction formulae for this population. Methods: Apparently healthy boys (n=376) and girls (n=240) aged between 6 and 18 years were randomly selected and their height, weight and chest circumference determined. PEFR was measured at ambient temperature and pressure saturated with water vapour (ATPS) in the erect position. Regression analyses were carried out on the relationship between PEFR and each anthropometric parameter and prediction formulae with the least standard error of estimates chosen. Data obtained in this study were also subjected to prediction formulae derived from Nigerian populations elsewhere. Results: PEFR (L/min) was significantly (P<0.001) higher in boys (382.5 \ub1 118.3) than in girls (332.6 \ub1 88.3). It correlated positively and significantly with age, height, weight and chest circumference in both sexes. The prediction formulae derived from the present data in boys and girls respectively are: PEFR (L/min) = 85.83 + 8.25 x weight (kg) (\ub1 3.15) and PEFR (L/min) = 3.67 + 28.15 x age (years) (\ub1 3.51). The predicted PEFR values obtained using earlier formulae were generally lower than the observed values. Conclusion: PEFR has been obtained in normal healthy Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and prediction formulae derived for use in this population. The results of this study suggest that the usefulness of prediction formulae may be limited to the ethnic group or locality from which they were derived.Fond : Le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) est un param\ue8tre utile pour \ue9valuer la fonction respiratoire dans la sant\ue9 et la maladie. Cependant, il y a peu d'\ue9tudes indiquant des valeurs normales de ce param\ue8tre au nord du Nig\ue9ria en g\ue9n\ue9ral et la zone occidentale du nord en particulier. En outre les formules de pr\ue9vision pour pr\ue9voir le DEM des param\ue8tres anthropom\ue9triques ne sont pas disponibles pour cette population. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 donc con\ue7ue pour mesurer le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) dans les enfants et les adolescents normaux de hausa-Fulani-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et pour d\ue9river des formules de pr\ue9vision \ue0 cette population. M\ue9thodes : Les gar\ue7ons apparent en bonne sant\ue9 (n=376) et les filles (n=240) \ue2g\ue9s entre 6 et 18 ans ont \ue9t\ue9 al\ue9atoirement choisis et leur circonf\ue9rence de taille, de poids et de coffre ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9termin\ue9es. Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 mesur\ue9 \ue0 la temp\ue9rature ambiante et \ue0 la pression satur\ue9es avec la vapeur d'eau (TAPS) en position droite. Des analyses de r\ue9gression ont \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9es sur le rapport entre le DEM et chaque param\ue8tre anthropom\ue9trique et formules de pr\ue9vision avec la moindre erreur type des \ue9valuations choisies. Des donn\ue9es obtenues dans cette \ue9tude ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement soumises aux formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des populations nig\ue9rianes ailleurs. R\ue9sultats : Le DEM (L/min) \ue9tait de mani\ue8re significative (P<0.001) plus haut dans les gar\ue7ons (382,5 \ub1 118,3) que dans les filles (332,6 \ub1 88,3). Il s'est corr\ue9l\ue9 positivment et de mani\ue8re significative avec l'\ue2ge, la taille, et la circonf\ue9rence de poids et de coffre dans les deux sexes. Les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des donn\ue9es actuelles dans les gar\ue7ons et dans les filles respectivement sont : DEM (L/min) = 85,83 + 8,25 x poid (kilogramme) (\ub1 3,15) et DEM (L/min) = 3,67 + 28,15 x \ue2ge (ann\ue9es) (\ub1 3,51). Les valeurs du DEM pr\ue9vues obtenues en utilisant des premi\ue8res formules \ue9taient g\ue9n\ue9ralement inf\ue9rieures aux valeurs observ\ue9es. Conclusion : Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 obtenu dans les enfants et les adolescents de sant\ue9 normale d' Hausa-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es pour l'usage dans cette population. Les r\ue9sultats de cette \ue9tude sugg\ue8rent que l'utilit\ue9 des formules de pr\ue9vision puisse \ueatre limit\ue9e au groupe ou \ue0 la localit\ue9 ethnique desquels ils ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9riv\ue9s

Designing a package of sexual and reproductive health and HIV outreach services to meet the heterogeneous preferences of young people in Malawi: results from a discrete choice experiment.

BACKGROUND: This article examines young people's preferences for integrated family planning (FP) and HIV services in rural Malawi. Different hypothetical configurations for outreach services are presented using a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE). Responses are analysed using Random Parameters Logit and Generalised Mixed Logit (GMXL) models in preference space and a GMXL model parameterised in willingness-to-pay space. Simulations are used to estimate the proportion of respondents expected to choose different service packages as elements are varied individually and in combination. RESULTS: Responses were collected from 537 young people aged 15-24. Results show that when considering attending an outreach service to access family planning young people value confidentiality and the availability of HIV services including HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and HIV treatment, though significant observable and unobservable heterogeneity is present. Female respondents and those aged 20-24 were less concerned with service confidentiality compared to male respondents and those aged 15-19; respondents who were in a relationship at the time of the survey valued confidentiality more than those who reported being single. The addition of sports and recreation for young people may also be an attractive feature of a youth-friendly service; however, preferences for this attribute vary according to respondent gender. Results of the simulation modelling indicate that the most preferred service package is one that offers confidential services, both HCT and HIV treatment and sports for youth, with up to 32% of respondents expected to choose this service over a service where clients may have concerns over confidentiality, only HCT is available and there are no additional activities for young people. Estimates of willingness-to-pay for service attributes indicate that respondents were willing to pay up to USD$1.76 for confidentiality, USD$0.65 for a service offering both HCT and HIV treatment and USD$0.26 for a service including sports for youth. CONCLUSIONS: Young people were able to complete a complex DCE and appeared to trade between the different characteristics used to describe the outreach services. These findings may offer important insight to policy makers designing youth friendly SRH outreach services and providers aiming to improve the acceptability and uptake of FP services

The impact of HIV/SRH service integration on workload: analysis from the Integra Initiative in two African settings.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in integration of HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services as a way to improve the efficiency of human resources (HR) for health in low- and middle-income countries. Although this is supported by a wealth of evidence on the acceptability and clinical effectiveness of service integration, there is little evidence on whether staff in general health services can easily absorb HIV services. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive analysis of HR integration through task shifting/sharing and staff workload in the context of the Integra Initiative - a large-scale five-year evaluation of HIV/SRH integration. We describe the level, characteristics and changes in HR integration in the context of wider efforts to integrate HIV/SRH, and explore the impact of HR integration on staff workload. RESULTS: Improvements in the range of services provided by staff (HR integration) were more likely to be achieved in facilities which also improved other elements of integration. While there was no overall relationship between integration and workload at the facility level, HIV/SRH integration may be most influential on staff workload for provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling (PITC) and postnatal care (PNC) services, particularly where HIV care and treatment services are being supported with extra SRH/HIV staffing. Our findings therefore suggest that there may be potential for further efficiency gains through integration, but overall the pace of improvement is slow. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive analysis explores the effect of HIV/SRH integration on staff workload through economies of scale and scope in high- and medium-HIV prevalence settings. We find some evidence to suggest that there is potential to improve productivity through integration, but, at the same time, significant challenges are being faced, with the pace of productivity gain slow. We recommend that efforts to implement integration are assessed in the broader context of HR planning to ensure that neither staff nor patients are negatively impacted by integration policy