639 research outputs found

    IWRM and Rural Livelihood Project in Dzimphutsi: process documentation

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    Water resource management / Multiple use / Project planning / Project management / Participatory management / Community involvement / Dams / Irrigation schemes / Irrigated farming / Fish ponds / Livestock / Domestic water / Villages / Water scarcity / Institution building / Water users / Impact assessment / Malawi / Dzimphutsi Village / Mtendere Irrigation Scheme / Nkudzi River

    Lessons learnt from the IWRM demonstration projects: innovations in local-level integrated water resource development in Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia

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    Water resource management / Guidelines / Project planning / Financing / Multiple use / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Participatory management / Community involvement / Empowerment / Local government / Poverty / Public health / Malawi / Mozambique / Swaziland / Zambia

    An appraisal of the of eco-climatic characteristics in Northern Nigeria

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    The character of the sub-regional eco-climatic zones has possibly changed as suggested in the dwindling fortune of agricultural productivity, documented changes in vegetation and freshwater resources and rising poverty levels especially in the hitherto productive Northern Nigeria. To determine and map the changes, if any, in these eco-climatic characteristics is therefore important for general planning. This study is using rainfall and temperature data (1950-2006) to determine factors of rainfall effectiveness; onset dates, cessation dates, hydrologic growing season (HGS), monsoon quality index (MQI) and aridity index (AI); summarizing and ranking them using numerical identifiers for the interpretation of the various moisture situations, to assess the eco-climatic characteristics in the northern Nigeria. A multi-temporal database has been developed for the factors and classes have been defined using quantitative definitions for the time series. The point data have been transformed to spatial data and subjected to geospatial analysis. The results so far reveal variability in the effects of each factor on eco-climatic zonation and it is anticipated that integrating these derived climatic parameters and remotely sensed (vegetation dynamics) data using GIS techniques, is crucial for water management and attainment of food security.Key words: Eco-climatic, moisture effectiveness, surface, principal component analysis, environmental quality

    Design of High Speed Split SAR ADC With Improved Linearity

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    Abstract: Recently low power Analog to Digital Converters(ADCs) have been developed for many energy constrained applications such as wireless sensor networks and bio-medical applications. Successive approximation register (SAR) ADC are good candidates for low power applications and widely used for low energy application due to its minimum analog blocks. The static linearity performance in terms of the integral nonlinearity and differential nonlinearity and the parasitic effects of the split DAC, are analyzed. A code-randomized calibration technique is done to correct the conversion nonlinearity in the conventional SAR ADC, which is verified by behavioral simulation. Here the SAR ADC is designed in such a way that the control module completely control the splitting up of modules and the speed of operation is changed using low level input bits.A dedicated multiplexer can be used to minimize the capacitor array structure.The control module controls the clock signal and determines the time at which the analog signal should enter the SAR logic.On attaining control over the time of arrival of input signals the speed of conversion can be increased and power utilisation can be minimised

    The Occurrence and Antibiotics Sensitivity Profile of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Commercial Poultry Feeds in Minna, Niger State

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    The study was conducted to determine the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella pathogens from different brand of commercially available poultry feeds in Minna metropolis. A total of 60 samples from three poultry feeds namely; Starter, finisher and layers were  aseptically collected and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. All samples analyzed were cultured on Nutrient agar media by spread plate’s technique and subsequently on selective media for total bacterial count. Total viable count (TVC) of Salmonella and E. coli recorded in the feeds were as follows: starter 3.47cfu/g, finisher 4.84 cfu/g and layers 9.02 cfu/g. There was a significant (p<0.05) trend in the overall percentage distribution of Salmonella and E. coli contamination across the feed’s category, with the higher distribution  recorded in layers 100% and finisher while, starter had (66.6%) distribution. The overall result of antibiotics susceptibility tests of  Salmonella and E. coli revealed the sensitivity of (53.8%), and resistant of (46.1%) in E. coli while, Salmonella had (38.4 %) sensitivity and (61.5%) resistant to all antibiotics tested. Thus, all the poultry feeds were found to be contaminated with bacteria which may pose a public health risk to human. Therefore, the occurrence of Salmonella and E. coli in poultry feeds reinforces the need for effective control  measures, hygiene in processing and handling of feeds

    PHYTOCHEMICALS AND HYPOGLYCEMIC PROPERTIES OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS

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    Plants and plant products are continuously being explored in medicine against diabetics. In the present study, phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic properties of methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus against alloxan-induced diabetic rats were conducted. A total of fifteen (15) albino rats were randomly selected into 5 groups of 3 rats per group. Groups 1-3 rats were treated with   250 and 500 mg/kg methanol extract of Phyllanthus amarus and 5 mg/kg of glibenclamide respectively, while groups 4 and 5 served as diabetic and normal controls respectively. All treatments were administered orally, once daily for fifteen days. Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, total phenols and tannins. A significant (P<0.05) and a progressive increase in blood glucose level were observed in diabetic untreated rats throughout the experimental periods. At the end of the treatment period rat treated with 250 & 500 mg/kg, P. amarus had final glucose level of 117.00±5.43 mg/dl & 106.00±4.56 mg/kg. Rats treated with 2.5mg/kg glibenclamide had final glucose level of 117.33±5.43 while the untreated rat had final glucose level of 562.50±15.45 mg/dl. The extract of phyllanthus amarus at 250 and 500 mg/kg also cause a significant improvement in body weight gain of the rat. It is concluded that phyllanthus amarus contains some useful phytochemicals with potential hypoglycemic reputations. Thus, it may be considered as a natural source of the drug for therapeutic purposes

    Analysis of The Relationship Between Income Inequality snd Poverty Prevalence in Selected North Central States of Nigeria: 1991 – 2013

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    Poverty in Nigeria has been described as pervasive owing to the fact that the nation has witnessed a persistent increase in poverty level over the years despite various poverty alleviation programs. More so, it has been argued that income inequality is a manifestation as well as strong cause of poverty. The study therefore analyses the empirical relationship between income inequality and poverty prevalence among households in selected North Central States in Nigeria. This study employed survey method supported by time series data using regression analysis A representative sample of 600 respondents was planned for the survey in order to have at least 462 households responding. The result shows that dependency ratio, level of calorie intake, poverty per head counts are important factor influencing the level of poverty prevalence. Hence the study observes a substantial correlation between income inequality and poverty prevalence in the studied North Central Nigeria. The study therefore recommends a deliberate policy of reducing income inequality through equitable distribution of income and acceptable revenue sharing formula, need to campaign against large family size, providing subsidy and credit facilities for farmers and artisans true co-operatives, overhauling existing poverty alleviation programme and finally instituting good governance in every sphere of government activity which is a sine-qua-non for poverty reduction

    Physical factors contributing to rural water supply functionality performance in Malawi

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    This report communicates the findings generated from one of the project surveys – deconstruction and forensic analysis of 50 individual water points in Malawi. The report presents the new data generated to Malawi’s groundwater resource potential; the nature and condition of hand-pump borehole installations; and the significance of both of these factors to service performance. Based on the evidence collected, the main physical factor affecting functionality performance within Malawi is shown to be the poor condition of handpump components. Functionality of handpumps is considerably higher than in the other study countries, Ethiopia and Uganda, and the resource potential, depth to groundwater and recharge are generally favourable. Improved systems for rapid maintenance and repair would help increase functionality further. This finding should not, however, be considered to be the only driving force of functionality outcomes in these regions of Malawi, and the results of this survey need to be examined alongside the wider project findings. Wider institutional arrangements, resources and dynamics, are likely to play a significant role in the implementation of appropriate borehole construction, siting and design; procurement processes; and the management capacity available for water points at national to local levels
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