Resettlement adjustment patterns to rural development programs: the case of Tiga dam in Kano State of Nigeria

In Nigeria, the government is the major initiator of projects to improve the economy and of efforts to reform or modernize the society. These projects consequently are designed with little or no consultation with the people who are to be affected by them. One of such projects, the subject of this thesis, is the construction of Tiga dam in Kano State which resulted in the relocation of about 12,000 people. In the thesis, relocation of rural people (resettlement) is conceived of as a development project and a perspective was developed that rural communities undergoing compulsory resettlement respond in the same general fashion irrespective of their sociocultural background and of the policy of resettlement authorities. This theoretical framework includes problems of socioeconomic adjustment, perception of the conditions and opportunities created by the project and factors affecting the displaced persons\u27 responses to a development project;Data were obtained by means of personal interviews with 344 household heads selected at random in four new villages. Percentages are employed to report certain aspects of the study. Gamma ((gamma)) as a measure of association of ordinal data is used to analyze some relationships while Pearson correlations and multiple regression procedures are used to analyze interval level measures;Problems of socioeconomic adjustment were found to be those that concern the social and economic well-being of the relocatees--farmland, housing, water supplies and so on. It also was found that, in general, the affected persons viewed the various conditions and opportunities created by the project as having beneficial effects;It was found that same variables tended to affect perceptions of the conditions and opportunities created by the project and apprehension of new communities. Size of farm and involvement in project activities in particular were found to be important determinants of perception of the conditions and opportunities created by the project and apprehension of new communities;Size of farm, length of awareness of inundation, knowledge of agencies and their roles, length of residence on the project, involvement in project activities and vested interests served by the project were found to be positively and significantly related to attitudes toward the project. The variables in the model explained about 44% of the variation in attitudes toward the project. However, involvement in project activities, length of residence on the project and size of farm operated by the relocatee, together, explained more of the variation in attitudes toward the project;The implications of the study for sociological theory, research and planning applications are discussed

Sources And Use Of Extension Information Among Maize Farmers In Rural Northern Nigeria

This study focused on identification of the main sources of extension information used by farmers who grew improved maize in two villages of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 125 farmers were sampled and based on their responses, data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that the relevant sources of extension information available to the respondent farmers were in this order of importance; radio, extension agent, fellow farmers, agricultural shows, village head, slides/film shows, traders, written material and television. Furthermore, findings revealed that the respondents utilized extension information, to a great extent on the following technologies/recommendations; improved maize, seed rate, seed dressing, plant spacing, fertilizer application, post-harvest processing, and storage. Recommendations on herbicides and pesticides were however, not utilized to a great extent by the respondents. Key words: Extension information, improved maize, utilization, sources of information Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 11-1

The waste water drainage and treatment outline scheme for the Ponikva karst area

The subject of the diploma paper is the wastewater drainage and treatment outline scheme for the Ponikva karst area. This area has been denoted as a nature park, which is why the measures considering the wastewater have to be taken even sooner. The legal arrangements from the wastewater drainage and treatment field, the public sewage system planning as well as the realization and dimensioning are all presented in the introduction part. The paper also contains the presentation of the natural characteristics together with the description of individual hamlets. The essence is captured in the presentation of the various solutions of the dimensioned sewage systems of a single hamlet or more hamlets joint through a single system.\ud The last part contains the comparison of costs of construction, operation and maintenance between diferent variants

Some Aspects of Reproductive Performance of Red Sokoto Goat Does Post Synchronization with Prostaglandin F2-Alpha And Progesterone Sponges

A study on reproduction of 52 Red Sokoto Goat (RSG) does was conducted to evaluate some aspects of their reproductive performance for clinical application and as an update. Does were randomly divided into 18, 18 and 16 as prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2α),  progesterone sponges (P4S) and control groups respectively. Double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and P4S inserted for 12-days were used to synchronize oestrus, while the control group received no treatment. Thirteen bucks were used, seven as breeders and six as heat detectors. Oestrus detection employed visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was the cardinal  sign of oestrus. Breeding was by hand-mating and at detected oestrus. Results indicated heterosexual and homosexual mounting, thin stringy clear mucous discharge and standing-to-be-mounted as signs of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 100 %, 94.4 % and 75.0 %  for PGF2α, P4S and Control respectively; P4S retention rate was 94%. Effect of synchronization agent on on-set of oestrus was 15.86 + 0.73 h (PGF2α), 15.08 + 0.84 h (P4S) and 17.73 + 0.85 h (Control), while parity on on-set of oestrus was 12.12 + 1.87 h (first), 17.77 + 0.77  h (second) and 18.79 + 1.95 h (third). Effect of synchronization agent on duration of oestrus was 44.76 + 2.13 h, 45.78 + 2.46 h and 42.40 + 2.50 h for PGF2Α P4S and Control respectively, while parity on duration of oestrus was 42.26 + 5.48 h (first), 45.02 + 2.27 h (second) and 45.67 + 5.73 h (third). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for oestrus on-set and duration. Overall pregnancy and  conception rates were 65.4 % and 72.3 % respectively, kidding rate was 76.5 %, abortion rate was 23.5 % and late embryonic mortality rate was 26.5 %. Mean gestation were 146.29 + 1.59 and 146.63 + 1.64 for single and twin births respectively. Age, parity and body condition score of dam had significant effect on litter size (P < 0.05). It was concluded that some aspects of the reproductive  performance of the RSG does studied following oestrus synchronization with PGF2α and P4S had clinical application, good and acceptable. Key Words: Reproductive, Red Sokoto, Does, Prostaglandin F2-alpha and Progesterone

Oestrus synchronisation in Red Sokoto does treated with prostaglandin F2α and progesterone pessaries

Comparative oestrus synchronisation was carried out in 52 Red Sokoto does with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness and tightness of synchrony of prostaglandin F2- alpha (PGF2α) and progesterone pessaries for clinical application. Does were randomly divided into PGF2α treated (n = 18), progesterone pessaries treated (n = 18) and control (n = 16) groups. A double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and progesterone pessaries inserted for 12-days were used to synchronise oestrus, with no treatment to the Control group. Six sexually active bucks were used as heat detectors. Intensive and non-intensive oestrus detections were employed using visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was used as the main sign of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 88.9 %, 33.3 % and 37.5 % for PGF2α, progesterone pessaries and Control groups respectively. Tightness of oestrus synchrony for PGF2α was within four days, while that of progesterone pessaries was within three days. Progesterone pessaries retention rate was 94.4 %. It was concluded that PGF2α double injection, 12-days apart, synchronised oestrus in Red Sokoto doe was more effective with a tighter synchrony and recommended for clinical use than progesterone pessaries inserted for 12-days.Keywords: Oestrus, Progesterone, Prostaglandin F2-alpha, Red Sokoto doe, Synchronisatio

Progesterone profile of red Sokoto does treated with prostaglandin F2-alpha and progesterone sponges for clinical application

Progesterone profiles of Red Sokoto does were evaluated for clinical application. Fiftyone Red Sokoto goats does were assigned into three groups: (a) prostaglandin F2-alpha (n = 17), and given double injection of prostaglandin F2-alpha at 12-days interval; (b) progesterone sponges (n = 17), and administered progesterone sponges, inserted for 12-days; and (c) control (n = 17), no treatment. Blood samples were collected from all groups from day 0 to 6, day 9, day 12 to 15, day 19, and day 21 to 23 for progesterone profile. Group A had four profiles: 1) does in luteal phase at first and second injections; 2) does in luteal phase at first injection but insensitive at second; 3) does in follicular phase at first injection but luteal phase at second; 4) does, insensitive at first and second injections. Group B profile were: 1) does in luteal phase at sponge insertion; 2) does in luteal phase with decreased progesterone concentration; 3) does in follicular phase at sponge insertion; 4) does with insensitive corpus luteum at sponge insertion. It was concluded that progesterone profile assisted in describing exhibitions and nonexhibitions of behavioural oestrus in Red Sokoto does

Empirical Evidence on the Use of Credit Scoring for Predicting Insurance Losses with Psycho-social and Biochemical Explanations

An important development in personal lines of insurance in the United States is the use of credit history data for insurance risk classification to predict losses. This research presents the results of collaboration with industry conducted by a university at the request of its state legislature. The purpose was to see the viability and validity of the use of credit scoring to predict insurance losses given its controversial nature and criticism as redundant of other predictive variables currently used. Working with industry and government, this study analyzed more than 175,000 policyholders’ information for the relationship between credit score and claims. Credit scores were significantly related to incurred losses, evidencing both statistical and practical significance. We investigate whether the revealed relationship between credit score and incurred losses was explainable by overlap with existing underwriting variables or whether the credit score adds new information about losses not contained in existing underwriting variables. The results show that credit scores contain significant information not already incorporated into other traditional rating variables (e.g., age, sex, driving history). We discuss how sensation seeking and self-control theory provide a partial explanation of why credit scoring works (the psycho-social perspective). This article also presents an overview of biological and chemical correlates of risk taking that helps explain why knowing risk-taking behavior in one realm (e.g., risky financial behavior and poor credit history) transits to predicting risk-taking behavior in other realms (e.g., automobile insurance incurred losses). Additional research is needed to advance new nontraditional loss prediction variables from social media consumer information to using information provided by technological advances. The evolving and dynamic nature of the insurance marketplace makes it imperative that professionals continue to evolve predictive variables and for academics to assist with understanding the whys of the relationships through theory development.IC2 Institut

Alternative low doses and routes of administering a prostaglandin F2α analogue to induce luteolysis in Nelore cows

The present study was conducted in order to verify the efficacy of lower doses and alternative routes of a prostaglandin F2α analogue, luprostiol (PGF), for the induction of luteolysis and the precipitation of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus). A conventional dose (15 mg) of PGF was compared to doses lower than the conventional dose, which ranges from 10 to 50%, that were administered intramuscularly (IM), intravulvosubmucosally (IVSM), or in the Bai-hui acupuncture site located within the lumbosacral area. The cows were administered PGF 8 day after estrus in the presence of a corpus luteum, and randomly assigned to the following groups: G1 (positive control), 15 mg, IM (n = 23); G2, 7.5 mg, IM (n = 23); G3, 3.75 mg, IM (n = 24); G4, 7.5 mg, IVSM (n = 25); G5, 3.75 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 24); and G6, 1.5 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 25). The results indicated that 50% of a conventional dose of PGF (7.5 mg) resulted in a complete luteal regression (plasma progesterone <1 ng/ml) at Hour 48, and hastened estrus, regardless of whether or not PGF was administered IM or IVSM. Comparatively, 10 or 25% of the conventional dose, even when administered to the Bai-hui acupoint, resulted in an initial reduction in the concentration of progesterone at Hour 24, followed by an increase observed at Hour 48. In conclusion, 25% of a conventional PGF dose administered via the Bai-hui acupoint proved inadequate to induce a complete luteal regression, whereas 50% of a conventional dose administered IM or IVSM was found to be the minimal dose required to induce effectively a complete luteal regression, and to precipitate the onset of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows