On-Farm Testing of Early Maturing Soybeans

Maturity Group (MG) II soybean varieties have performed well in University of Kentucky tests over the past several years. Six tests from 1986 to 1989 showed MG II varieities to outyield MG I, III, or IV varieties. During those relatively dry years, MG II may have been able to better utilize limited soil moisture than did later maturing varieties. Across the years 1990 to 1993, four planting date tests showed continued strong performance by MG II\u27 varieties, although MG III and IV varieties had slightly higher yield averages during those wetter years. In summary, over the last eight years of UK testing, MG II varieties have produced average yields virtually identical to those of MG III or MG IV varieties. Thus, growers could plant a portion of their soybean acreage to MG II varieties and gain the advantages of earlier harvest, more fall planting options, and perhaps profit from higher early fall cash market prices

On-Farm Testing of Early Maturing Soybean

Maturity Group (MG) II soybean varieties have performed well in University of Kentucky tests over the past several years. Early planted (late April/early May) tests in the relatively dry years of l986 through 1989 showed MG II yields to exceed those of MG III or MG lV. Over the generally wetter years 1990 through 1993, MG III and lV yields were slightly better than those of MG II varieties. Across eight years of data, MG II yield averages were virtually identical to those of MG III and lV. Perhaps growers could plant a portion of their soybean acreage to MG II varieties and gain the advantages of earlier harvest, such as more fall planting options and slightly higher early fall cash market prices, while obtaining similar yields as they could with MG lV varieties

Risk factors associated with poorly controlled diabetes in a rural population of Karnataka: a case-control study

Background: The worldwide prevalence of diabetes has risen dramatically over the past two decades. India with the highest absolute number of cases has become the diabetes capital of the world. The aim of the study was to identify the factors associated with poorly controlled diabetes and comparing them between poorly controlled and well controlled subjects. Methods: This is a case-control study carried out in a rural population of villages in Devanahalli Taluk, Karnataka. Study population included adults above 20 years having type II diabetes for a minimum of one year currently under treatment. 50 poorly controlled and 50 well controlled patients willing to participate were enrolled for the study. A pre-determined questionnaire was used after taking a verbal consent from each participant. Results: Long duration of diabetes, presence of co-morbidities, irregular visit to physicians and skipping medicines were the factors associated with poorly controlled diabetes. Conclusion: The study emphasizes that regular follow up and control of co-morbidities are important factors in optimal control of disease.

Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions in children treated at Muhimbili N ational Hospital, Tanzania

Introduction: Orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions occur at any age. An increasing occurrence has made these tumours a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.Objective: To determine the clinicopathological characteristics and  treatment modalities of orofacial tumours and tumourlike lesions in children at Muhimbili National Hospital.Methods: Children aged below 18 years with orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and clinically examined. The data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of < 0.05.Results: 121 children aged 4 days to 17 years (mean= 8.56 years ±5.5 SD), 52.1 % being male, participated in the study. The age groups 0-5 years (38%) and 11-15 years (28.1%) were most affected- p-value 0.38. The majority (86%) of the lesions were benign; haemangioma was the most (16.4%) common benign tumour. Dentigerous cyst was the most (7.8%) frequent tumour-like lesion observed, while Burkitt’s lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma were the most common malignant lesions.  Swelling was the most common clinical feature in all tumours and tumour-like lesions and surgery was the most common treatment.Conclusion: Benign orofacial tumours and tumour-like lesions were the types most commonly seen among children in Tanzania.Key words: orofacial, tumours, tumour-like lesions, children, Tanzania

CONTEXTUALISING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A PANACEA TO YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

Youth unemployment has bewildered governments across the globe, both in developed and emerging economies countries, with South Africa being no exception. This is captured through the accelerating youth unemployment rate in the country. Considering the positive contributions of excessive youth entrepreneurship policies in other countries, this paper, through the lenses of Schumpeter’s 1934 economic development theory, demonstrates that through entrepreneurship, the South African government should strive to accelerate the already implemented and discard the less effective youth policies. Consequently, creating an innovative environment centered around the youth eradicates the exacerbating percentage of inactive or discouraged youth due to unemployment. Longer spells of inactivity threaten their human development and their contribution to the South African economy. Therefore, a youth-driven entrepreneurship economy can assist the government in counter-solving upcoming and persistent negative effects of unemployed youth. Keeping the youth productive, and innovative, creating jobs and incomes

Perception of general and oral health in White and African American adults: assessing the effect of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions 1

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74693/1/j.1600-0528.2004.00177.x.pd

Recommendations for and compliance with social restrictions during implementation of school closures in the early phase of the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 outbreak in Melbourne, Australia

Background Localized reactive school and classroom closures were implemented as part of a suite of pandemic containment measures during the initial response to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. Infected individuals, and those who had been in close contact with a case, were asked to stay in voluntary home quarantine and refrain from contact with visitors for seven days from the date of symptom onset or exposure to an infected person. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) was available for treatment or prophylaxis. Methods We surveyed affected families through schools involved in the closures. Analyses of responses were descriptive. We characterized recommendations made to case and contact households and quantified adherence to guidelines and antiviral therapy. Results Of the 314 respondent households, 51 contained a confirmed case. The prescribed quarantine period ranged from 1-14 days, reflecting logistic difficulties in reactive implementation relative to the stated guidelines. Household-level compliance with the requirement to stay at home was high (84.5%, 95% CI 79.3,88.5) and contact with children outside the immediate family infrequent. Conclusions Levels of compliance with recommendations in our sample were high compared with other studies, likely due to heightened public awareness of a newly introduced virus of uncertain severity. The variability of reported recommendations highlighted the difficulties inherent in implementing a targeted reactive strategy, such as that employed in Melbourne, on a large scale during a public health emergency. This study emphasizes the need to understand how public health measures are implemented when seeking to evaluate their effectiveness

Applicability of an abbreviated version of the Child-OIDP inventory among primary schoolchildren in Tanzania

Background: There is a need for studies evaluating oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children in developing countries. Aim: to assess the psychometric properties, prevalence and perceived causes of the child version of oral impact on daily performance inventory (Child- OIDP) among school children in two socio-demographically different districts of Tanzania. Socio-behavioral and clinical correlates of children's OHRQoL were also investigated.Method: One thousand six hundred and one children ( mean age 13 yr, 60.5% girls) attending 16 ( urban and rural) primary schools in Kinondoni and Temeke districts completed a survey instrument in face to face interviews and participated in a full mouth clinical examination. The survey instrument was designed to measure a Kiswahili translated and culturally adapted Child-OIDP frequency score, global oral health indicators and socio-demographic factors. Results: The Kiswahili version of the Child- OIDP inventory preserved the overall concept of the original English version and revealed good reliability in terms of Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.77 ( Kinondoni: 0.62, Temeke: 0.76). Weighted Kappa scores from a test-retest were 1.0 and 0.8 in Kinondoni and Temeke, respectively. Validity was supported in that the OIDP scores varied systematically and in the expected direction with self-reported oral health measures and socio-behavioral indicators. Confirmatory factor analyses, CFA, confirmed three dimensions identified initially by Principle Component Analysis within the OIDP item pool. A total of 28.6% of the participants had at least one oral impact. The area specific rates for Kinondoni and Temeke were 18.5% and 45.5%. The most frequently reported impacts were problems eating and cleaning teeth, and the most frequently reported cause of impacts were toothache, ulcer in mouth and position of teeth. Conclusion: This study showed that the Kiswahili version of the Child- OIDP was applicable for use among schoolchildren in Tanzania

Identification of priority health conditions for field-based screening in urban slums in Bangalore, India

BACKGROUND: Urban slums are characterised by unique challenging living conditions, which increase their inhabitants' vulnerability to specific health conditions. The identification and prioritization of the key health issues occurring in these settings is essential for the development of programmes that aim to enhance the health of local slum communities effectively. As such, the present study sought to identify and prioritise the key health issues occurring in urban slums, with a focus on the perceptions of health professionals and community workers, in the rapidly growing city of Bangalore, India. METHODS: The study followed a two-phased mixed methods design. During Phase I of the study, a total of 60 health conditions belonging to four major categories: - 1) non-communicable diseases; 2) infectious diseases; 3) maternal and women's reproductive health; and 4) child health - were identified through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with health professionals and other relevant stakeholders with experience working with urban slum communities in Bangalore. In Phase II, the health issues were prioritised based on four criteria through a consensus workshop conducted in Bangalore. RESULTS: The top health issues prioritized during the workshop were: diabetes and hypertension (non-communicable diseases category), dengue fever (infectious diseases category), malnutrition and anaemia (child health, and maternal and women's reproductive health categories). Diarrhoea was also selected as a top priority in children. These health issues were in line with national and international reports that listed them as top causes of mortality and major contributors to the burden of diseases in India. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will be used to inform the development of technologies and the design of interventions to improve the health outcomes of local communities. Identification of priority health issues in the slums of other regions of India, and in other low and lower middle-income countries, is recommended