Performance Evaluation of Reaper-Binder for Wheat

In Ethiopia, harvesting cereal crops is one of the major attentive agricultural operations in agriculture production, which demands a considerable amount of labor. There are significant issues with labor costs and availability during the harvest of wheat crops. Therefore, it is crucial to use mechanical technologies to assure timely harvesting operations and to reduce field losses in order to increase farm productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the self-propelled reaper-binder performance in a farmer's field. The reaper binder's effective field capacity was determined to be 0.108 hectares per hour, with a field efficiency of 84.65 percent and an operating speed of 2.55 km per hour. Fuel consumption of 10.66 l/ha was recorded. Total grain losses during reaper binder harvesting were 2.02% compared to 3.30% during manual harvesting. Harvesting with a reaper binder and harvesting by manual cost 1,391.18 Birr per hectare and 2850 Birr per hectare, respectively. Compared to manual harvesting with a sickle, reaper binder harvesting costs were lowered by 48.82 percent. Therefore, mechanical harvesting is more feasible and economical than manual harvesting in terms of time, money, and labor. Keywords: Harvesting, Mechanical harvesting, Reaper binder, Wheat DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-6-01 Publication date:October 31st 202

To What Extent Do Environmental Regulations Curb Air Pollution and Enhance Production, Productivity, and Innovation?

This study delves into the fascinating relationship between environmental regulations, air pollution reduction, and their subsequent impact on production, productivity, and innovation. By adopting Porter’s hypothesis approach, the study aims to shed light on a crucial aspect overlooked in previous studies - the prerequisite of “well-designed environmental regulation,” as Porter’s hypothesis emphasizes. The study uses microeconomic principles, whose conclusions propose a novel framework for crafting effective policies that balance curbing air pollution and fostering economic growth. Specifically, the study advocates for a tax rate on pollution that aligns with the marginal cost of the polluter within the industry. This approach ensures that environmental regulations are not only effective in reducing pollution but also facilitate sustainable production practices. Through a comprehensive analysis of industry-specific data and econometric modeling, we uncover the substantial potential of well-designed environmental regulations to enhance production and productivity. Moreover, our study highlights the transformative impact such regulations can have on innovation within industries, fostering the development of cleaner technologies and practices. By elucidating the profound interplay between environmental regulations, air pollution reduction, and economic outcomes, this study seeks to provide policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers with valuable insights into the importance of crafting meticulously designed environmental policies. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable development, paving the way for a greener and more prosperous future

ANALISIS TARIF PELAYARAN KAPAL RAKYAT RUTE PULAU KAPOTA – PULAU WANGI-WANGI DI KABUPATEN WAKATOBI PROVINSI SULAWESI TENGGARA

Perubahan tarif pelayaran kapal rakyat terjadi tahun 2019 disebabkan kenaikan BBM pada Kabupaten Wakatobi sehingga kondisi tersebut sangat memperngaruhi ATP (Ability to pay) dan WTP (Willigness to pay) pengguna kapal rakyat. Dari permasalahan tersebut perlu dilakukan penelitian untuk mengetahui Tarif ideal pelayaran kapal rakyat rute pulau Kapota – pulau Wangi-wangi. Hasil yang didapatkan bahwa 41 atau 82% dari 50 responden setuju dengan tarif Rp.10000 yang diterapkan oleh operator kapal tetapi penulis juga mengalisis bahwa dengan tarif Rp.8000 operator kapal tetap mendapatkan keuntungan selain itu pengguna kapal rakyat tidak merasa terbebani

Doing Away With Borders: Jornal de Borda Goes Beyond the Frontiers of Art

As publicações dos artistas são frequentemente utilizadas em estudos de arte contemporânea nas discussões sobre publicações impressas. No entanto, estas publicações vão para além das suas nomenclaturas e do seu lugar nas instituições de arte. As fronteiras das artes visuais estão cada vez mais difusas, e as discussões sobre as obras de arte tornam-se mais potentes quando vistas dentro do espectro mais amplo da cultura visual. A estética tem o poder de produzir conhecimento e de estabelecer relações com as formas de viver e de estar no mundo e através da história. As publicações, como tal, são lugares sociais que podem mediar as relações entre as pessoas, especialmente quando envolvem questões como o feminismo, o capitalismo e a descolonização. O Jornal de Borda, jornal de cultura visual anarquista que circulou na América Latina em português e espanhol entre 2015 e 2021, é um exemplo de expressão artística em publicação impressa. Estabelece estrategicamente o nome de corpos dissidentes — referidos como "corpas" — no contexto da arte dentro da cultura visual; estabelece as relações entre estes corpos e o anarquismo dentro do contexto latino-americano; e a estética relaciona-se diretamente com outros jornais do século passado, tais como A Plebe, honrando a história e, simultaneamente, fazendo história.Artists' publications are often used in contemporary art studies in discussions about the printed page. However, these publications go beyond their nomenclatures and place in art institutions. The boundaries of visual arts are increasingly blurred, and discussions of works of art become more potent when viewed within the broader spectrum of visual culture. Aesthetics have the power to produce knowledge and establish relations with ways of living and being in the world and throughout history. Publications, as such, are social places that can mediate these relationships between people, especially when it involves issues like feminism, capitalism, and decoloniality. The Jornal de Borda — an anarchist visual culture newspaper circulated in Latin America in Portuguese and Spanish between 2015 and 2021 — is an example of artistic expression through printing. It strategizes the name of dissenting bodies — referred to as “corpas” — in the context of art within visual culture; it establishes relations between these bodies and anarchism within the Latin American context; and the aesthetic relates directly to other newspapers from the last century, such as A Plebe, honoring history as it makes history

Identification of socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ practices affecting rice (Oryza spp.) yields in Benin (West Africa)

Rice (Oryza spp.) is one of the major staple foods in Benin. Benin has increased rice production through the expansion of cultivation area rather than increasing rice yields. To better understand the factors affecting rice yields, a thorough understanding of the current rice production system characteristics and constraints is required. The present study identifies socio-economic characteristics and farmers’ practices affecting rice yields and suggests improved cultivation practices in the sector. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, including socio-economic characteristics and rice cultivation practices from 230 randomly selected rice producers in North and Central Benin. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis were used to group rice producers into different groups. Findings revealed that the proportion of rice producers having access to credit was low (33.5 %). Out of seventeen variables, only three (lowland rice cultivation, irrigated rice cultivation and total land cultivated area) discriminated best the rice producers in three (03) clusters with distinct characteristics in terms of socio-economics factors and cropping practices affecting rice yields. Most respondents (more than 70 %) did not practice crop rotation or fallow. This, together with low levels of chemical fertiliser applications and type of rice cultivation, explains poor rice production in particular in clusters 1 and 2. Yield enhancement is possible through the combination of lowland and irrigated cultivation performed by farmers in cluster 3 with the highest mean rice yield (3.8 t.ha-1). We suggest tackling the specific characteristics and needs of rice producers would more adequately help to improve rice yields. Interventions to enhance rice yields include training on best rice production practices, provision of input subsidies and access to irrigation tailored to the specific constraints and needs of each rice grower type. Finally, enabling access to credit will improve productivity of rice farmers in Benin

Effet des feuilles de Moringa oleifera et de Commelina benghalensis sur les performances de croissance et les caractéristiques de carcasse des cochons d’Inde (Cavia porcellus) au Sud-Bénin

Objectifs: pour évaluer l’effet de la complémentation aux feuilles de Moringa oléifera (ben ailé) et Commelina benghalensis (herbe du porc) sur la croissance, les rendements de carcasses des cobayes.Méthodologie et Résultats: Ainsi, un essai de 7 semaines a été conduit. Soixante-dix (70) cobayes (50% de femelles et 50% de mâles) âgés de 10 à 12 semaines ont été utilisés. Chaque groupe de cobayes de même sexe a été réparti en 5 lots de 7 cobayes correspondant aux rations expérimentales : ration T à base uniquement de son de blé, ration M20 composée de son de blé et la poudre des feuilles séchées du ben ailé au taux d’incorporation de 20%, rations C10, C20 et C30 composées de son de blé contenant la poudre des parties aériennes séchées de l’herbe du porc respectivement aux taux d’incorporation de 10%, 20% et 30%. Les gains moyens quotidiens (GMQ) les plus élevés ont été obtenus pour les lots T (3,2g chez les mâles et 2,63g chez les femelles). Les femelles des lots M20, C10 et C20 ont eu les rendements de carcasse sans tête les plus élevés variant de 60,1% à 74,2%.Conclusion et applications des résultats: Les différentes rations expérimentales ont induit un gain de poids chez les cobayes au cours de l’essai. La ration T uniquement à base de son blé a induit les gains moyens quotidiens les plus élevés, cependant à l’abattage les animaux ayant reçu cette ration ont montré un dépôt de tissu adipeux. L’emploi exclusif du son de blé dans la complémentation des cobayes est donc à éviter. La ration M20 a induit des troubles de croissance chez certains cobayes, il serait donc préférable de réduire le taux d’incorporation de 20% utilisé dans cet essai pour de meilleurs résultats. Commelina benghalensis a induit un meilleur rendement carcasse au taux d’incorporation de 10%, son utilisation en alimentation caviacole est recommandée. Cependant son utilisation sous forme de fourrage frais doit être envisagée pour une amélioration des performances de croissance.Mots clés: Cavia porcellus, complémentation, croissance, Commelina benghalensis, Moringa oléiferaEnglish Title:  Effect of Moringa oleifera and Commelina benghalensis leaves on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in South of BeninEnglish AbstractObjectives: to evaluate, the influence of the supplementation of their diet by Moringa oleifera (horse-radish tree) and Commelina benghalensis (Bengal day flower) leaves on the growth rate and carcass characteristics of guinea pig.Methodology and Results: Thus a seven-week trial was conducted. Seventy (70) guinea pigs (50% of females and 50% of males) aged between 10 to 12 weeks were randomly allotted to five groups of 7 males and 7 females corresponding to five experimental feeds such as diet T with wheat bran only, diet M20 with wheat bran and 20% of horse-radish tree leaves powder as supplement, diets C10, C20 and C30 containing wheat bran and graded levels (10%, 20% and 30%) of Bengal day flower over ground parts dried and mixed as supplement. The highest mean weekly weight gains (GMQ) were obtained for groups T (3.2g for males and 2.63g for females). Females for groups M20, C10 and C20 had the highest values of carcass without head yields varying from 60.1 % to 74.2 %.Conclusion and application of results: The different experimental feeds induced a gain of body weight of the guinea pigs during the test. The diet T with wheat bran only induced the highest weekly weight gains, although after slaughter, guinea pigs which receive this diet showed a deposit of adipose tissue. The exclusive use of wheat bran as supplement of guinea pig must be avoided. The diet M20 induced a trouble on growth of some guinea pigs, it is also preferable to reduce the supplement level for best results. Commelina benghalensis induces better carcass at the rate of incorporation of 10%, its use in feeding guinea pigs is recommended. However its use in the form of fresh forage should be considered for an improvement in growth performance.Keywords: Cavia porcellus, supplementation, growth, Commelina benghalensis, Moringa oléifer

African League Against Rheumatism (AFLAR) preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives To develop recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A task force comprising of 25 rheumatologists from the 5 regions of the continent was formed and operated through a hub-and-spoke model with a central working committee (CWC) and 4 subgroups. The subgroups championed separate scopes of the clinical questions and formulated preliminary statements of recommendations which were processed centrally in the CWC. The CWC and each subgroup met by several virtual meetings, and two rounds of voting were conducted on the drafted statements of recommendations. Votes were online-delivered and recommendations were pruned down according to predefined criteria. Each statement was rated between 1 and 9 with 1–3, 4–6 and 7–9 representing disagreement, uncertainty and agreement, respectively. The levels of agreement on the statements were stratified as low, moderate or high according to the spread of votes. A statement was retired if it had a mean vote below 7 or a ‘low’ level of agreement. Results A total of 126 initial statements of recommendations were drafted, and these were reduced to 22 after the two rounds of voting. Conclusions The preliminary statements of recommendations will serve to guide the clinical practice of rheumatology across Africa amidst the changing practices and uncertainties in the current era of COVID-19. It is recognized that further updates to the recommendations will be needed as more evidence emerges

Cotton pest management practices and the selection of pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae population in Northern Benin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pyrethroid insecticides, carbamate and organophosphate are the classes of insecticides commonly used in agriculture for crop protection in Benin. Pyrethroids remain the only class of insecticides recommended by the WHO for impregnation of bed nets. Unfortunately, the high level of pyrethroid resistance in <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>s.l., threatens to undermine the success of pyrethroid treated nets. This study focuses on the investigation of agricultural practices in cotton growing areas, and their direct impact on larval populations of <it>An. gambiae </it>in surrounding breeding sites.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The protocol was based on the collection of agro-sociological data where farmers were subjected to semi-structured questionnaires based on the strategies used for crop protection. This was complemented by bioassay tests to assess the susceptibility of malaria vectors to various insecticides. Molecular analysis was performed to characterize the resistance genes and the molecular forms of <it>An. gambiae</it>. Insecticide residues in soil samples from breeding sites were investigated to determine major factors that can inhibit the normal growth of mosquito larvae by exposing susceptible and resistant laboratory strains.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There is a common use by local farmers of mineral fertilizer NPK at 200 kg/ha and urea at 50 kg/hectare following insecticide treatments in both the Calendar Control Program (CCP) and the Targeted Intermittent Control Program (TICP). By contrast, no chemicals are involved in Biological Program (BP) where farmers use organic and natural fertilizers which include animal excreta.</p> <p>Susceptibility test results confirmed a high resistance to DDT. Mean mortality of <it>An. gambiae </it>collected from the farms practicing CCP, TICP and BP methods were 33%, 42% and 65% respectively. <it>An. gambiae </it>populations from areas using the CCP and TICP programs showed resistance to permethrin with mortality of 50% and 58% respectively. By contrast, bioassay test results of <it>An. gambiae </it>from BP areas gave a high level of susceptibility to permethrin with an average mortality of 94%.</p> <p>Molecular analysis identified <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s, and <it>An. arabiensis </it>with a high predominance of <it>An. gambiae s.s </it>(90%). The two molecular forms, M and S, were also determined with a high frequency of the S form (96%).</p> <p>The <it>Kdr </it>gene seemed the main target- site resistance mechanism detected in CCP, TICP, and BP areas at the rates ranging from 32 to 78%. The frequency of <it>ace-1R </it>gene was very low (< 0.1).</p> <p>The presence of inhibiting factors in soil samples under insecticide treatments were found and affected negatively in delaying the development of <it>An. gambiae </it>larval populations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This research shows that <it>Kdr </it>has spread widely in <it>An. gambiae</it>, mainly in CCP and TICP areas where pyrethroids are extensively used. To reduce the negative impact of pesticides use in cotton crop protection, the application of BP-like programs, which do not appear to select for vector resistance would be useful. These results could serve as scientific evidence of the spread of resistance due to a massive agricultural use of insecticides and contribute to the management of pesticides usage on cotton crops hence reducing the selection pressure of insecticides on <it>An. gambiae </it>populations.</p