Effect of water treated and urea treated neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel cake as protein supplement on haematological, biochemical and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

In a study to evaluate the carcass haematological and biochemical characteristics of broiler birds fed graded levels of water and urea-treated neem kernel cake (NKC), 300 day-old broilers (Cobb, 500) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments for 56 days. Water and feed were fed adlibitum. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous to replace soya bean meal at 0 per cent neem kernel cake (NKC), 5 per cent water treated neem kernel cake (WNKC), 10 per cent WNKC, 5 per cent water and urea treated neem kernel cake (WUNKC) and 10 per cent WUNKC for diets 1,2,3,4, and 5, respectively. The results showed that average daily feed intake (ADFI), average body weight gain (ABWG), average daily water intake (ADWI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed cost kg-1 live weight gain were significantly (P = 0.05) different across dietary treatments. With the exception of the red blood cell (RBC), globulin and total protein, all the haematological parameters (white blood cell, haemoglobin, PCV, MCH, MCHC and MCV) and biochemical parameters (albumen, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and TGS) measured were not significantly (P = 0.05) different across the dietary treatments. Results on carcass parameters were significantly (P = 0.05) different among the dietary treatments. Liver, gizzard, heart, dressed weight, and intestinal weights of birds on the test diets were significantly (P = 0.05) different from those on the control diet

Cost efficiency of Ghana's banking industry: a panel data analysis

This study analyzes the efficiency of the banking industry in Ghana over the period of 2001–2010 using the data envelopment analysis. The study investigates the impact of size, capitalization, loan loss provision, inflation rate and GDP growth rate on Ghana’s bank efficiency using both static and dynamic panel data models. The static model is estimated by the fixed effects estimator whereas the dynamic mdoel is estimated by the two step system GMM estimator. The results suggest that Ghana banks are inefficient. This study reveals that well-capitalized banks in Ghana are less cost efficient. In addition, bank size has no influence on bank cost efficiency suggesting that larger banks in Ghana have no cost advantages over their smaller counterparts. The findings also exhibit that loan loss provision ratio has no effect on bank efficiency in Ghana. This study finds GDP growth rate negatively influences bank cost efficiency and that lagged cost efficiency tends to persist from year to year

Farmers' agronomic and social evaluation of productivity yield and N2-fixation in different cowpea varieties and their subsequent residual N effects on a succeeding maize crop

Cowpea-maize rotations form an important component of the farming systems of smallholder farmers in the forest/savannah transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana. We evaluated five cowpea varieties for grain yield, N-2-fixation, biomass production, and contribution to productivity of subsequent maize grown in rotation. We further analyzed the interrelationship between these technical dimensions and the social acceptability of these cowpea varieties for farmers. Cowpea grain yield ranged between 1.1 and 1.4 t ha(-1) with no significant yield differences among the different varieties. Using the N-15 natural abundance technique, the average proportion of N-2 fixed ranged between 61% for Ayiyi and 77% for Legon prolific. This resulted in average amounts of N-2 fixed in above-ground biomass ranging between 32 and 67 kg N ha(-1), respectively. Variation in estimates due to differences in delta N-15 among reference plants were larger than differences between cowpea varieties. The amount of soil-derived N ranged from 15 to 20 kg N ha(-1). The above-ground net N contribution of the cowpea varieties to the soil (after adjusting for N export in grains) was highest for Legon Prolific (31 kg N ha(-1)) due to high N-2-fixation and high leaf biomass production. Maize grain yield after cowpea without application of mineral N fertilizer ranged between 0.4 t ha(-1) with maize after maize to 1.5 t ha(-1) with Legon Prolific. The N fertilizer equivalence values for the cowpea varieties ranged between 18 and 60 kg N ha(-1). IT810D-1010 was ranked by the farmers as the most preferred cowpea variety due to its white seed type, short-duration, ease of harvesting and good market value. Despite the high leaf biomass production and high amount of N-2 fixed by Legon Prolific, it was generally the least preferred variety due to lower market price, late maturity, least potential cash income (due to the red mottled seed type) and difficulty in harvesting. Although farmers recognized the contribution of cowpea to soil fertility and yields of subsequent maize, they did not consider this as an important criterion for varietal selection. Soil fertility improvement must be considered as an additional benefit rather than a direct selection criterion when designing more sustainable smallholder farming systems

The perception and preference of consumers for local poultry meat in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana

The study examined the preference for and perception of consumers concerning the locally produced poultry meat in the Kumasi metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Fifty consumers were randomly selected. The results demonstrated that most consumers preferred the local poultry meat to the imported meat. The logit estimates indicated that factors such as age, gender, cold store, cut parts, and healthiness significantly influence consumers’ preference for the locally produced poultry meat. Age, gender and healthiness positively influence consumer’s preference, while cold store and cut parts negatively associated with consumer preference for local poultry meat. On the perception, 68 per cent of the consumers strongly agreed that local poultry meat is tough, while 58 per cent alleged that imported poultry meat is rather tough. In terms of affordability, 46 per cent of the consumers disagreed that local poultry meat is affordable, while 52 per cent strongly objected to the idea that imported poultry meat is relatively cheaper. In terms of availability, 54 per cent of the consumers admitted that local poultry meat is not readily available, while 58 per cent indicated that imported poultry meat is readily available and can be obtained at anytime. Sixty per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that local poultry meat taste better, while 46 per cent of the respondents indicated that imported poultry meat do not taste better. This was probably due to long period of refrigeration, which reduced its freshness and taste and made it less healthy for consumption. It is suggested that the government should subsidize the cost of inputs for the local poultry industry, since the results indicated that high cost was the major factor that influenced consumers’ purchasing decision

Parents’ perceptions, attitudes and acceptability of Treatment of childhood malaria with artemisinin combination therapies in Ghana

Background: There is little information on sociocultural and contextual factors that may influence attitudes of patients to new treatments, such as artemisinin combination therapies (ACT). Methods: Semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to assess views of parents of children with uncomplicated malaria treated with ACT in a low socio-economic area in Accra, Ghana. Results: The majority of parents reported a favourable experience, in terms of perceived i) rapidity of symptom resolution, compared to their previous experienceof other therapies for childhood malaria, or ii) when their experience was compared that of parents of children treated with monotherapy. The parents of children treated with ACT were more willing to pay for thetreatment, or adhere to the full treatment course. The explanations given for adherence were consistent with conventional biomedical explanations. Although careseeking practices for childhood malaria were considered appropriate, perceived or real barriers to accessiblehealth care were also important factors in the decision to seek treatment. Household dynamics and perceived inequities at the care-provider-patient interface were identified as having potential negative impact on care-seeking practices and adherence.Conclusions: Health education messages aimed at improvingthe response to childhood febrile illness should include other strategic stakeholders, such as decisionmakers at the household level. The effectiveness and implementation success of the ACT policy could beenhanced by highlighting and reinforcing messages intrinsic to these regimens. Integrating the views of caretakers during the clinical encounter was validated as an empowerment tool that could aid in the appropriate responses to childhood illness

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Chlorophyll Content in the Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

The experiment was conducted to study the mutagenic effect of gamma rays on chlorophyll content at three different physiological stages in the cowpea: pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering. Five sets of cowpea seeds were subjected to individual doses of gamma rays: 400 Gy, 450 Gy, 500 Gy, 600 Gy and 0 Gy. The seeds were sown to raise the M1 generation. The M1 generation seeds were collected and sown in the next season to raise the M2 generation. Leaf chlorophyll content was measured for M2 generation plants. Mean chlorophyll content for pre-flowering stage ranged between 38.9 ± 8.17 (control) and 64.2 ± 6.16 (400 Gy). Flowering stage mean chlorophyll content ranged from 48.3 ± 14.4 (600 Gy) to 99.4 ± 6.22 (450 Gy). Post-harvest chlorophyll mean content ranged between 13.1 ±0.98 (600 Gy) and 38.0 ±1.90 (400 Gy). There were significant differences in treatment effects for pre-flowering (P = 0.021), flowering (P = 0.005) and harvest (P = 0.000). At pre-flowering treatment, treatment 400 Gy scored a significant increase of 64 percent (P = 0.02) above the control. The optimum dose for useful induced mutation for increases in chlorophyll concentration in the cowpea was 400 Gy

Transitional care of older adults in skilled nursing facilities: A systematic review

Transitional care may be an effective strategy for preparing older adults for transitions from skilled nursing facilities (SNF) to home. In this systematic review, studies of patients discharged from SNFs to home were reviewed. Study findings were assessed (1) to identify whether transitional care interventions, as compared to usual care, improved clinical outcomes such as mortality, readmission rates, quality of life or functional status; and (2) to describe intervention characteristics, resources needed for implementation, and methodologic challenges. Of 1,082 unique studies identified in a systematic search, the full texts of six studies meeting criteria for inclusion were reviewed. Although the risk for bias was high across studies, the findings suggest that there is promising but limited evidence that transitional care improves clinical outcomes for SNF patients. Evidence in the review identifies needs for further study, such as the need for randomized studies of transitional care in SNFs, and methodological challenges to studying transitional care for SNF patients