Archives-December  

Poultry manures are widely used in market gardening in South Benin. Several studies have shown that the use of raw poultry manures in market gardening has an impact on both the microbiological and chemical quality of the vegetables produced. Therefore, the hygienisation of these manures, through various composting processes, is necessary. The main objective of this research is to study the efficiency of aerobic composting and the anaerobic digestion of poultry manures in terms of reduction of pathogenic microbial load. To do this, poultry manure collected on a target farm in southern Benin was treated according to the two composting processes. Samples of the raw manure and humus obtained after composting were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for the count of the pathogenic flora. The quantum of Escherichia coli decreased by more than 90 % at the end of both processes, but aerobic composting was more effective than anaerobic digestion. On the other hand, there was a proliferation of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and Clostridium perfringens whose quanta increased considerably at the end of the two processes, which can be justified by several factors whose redox potential of these two particular bacteria, conditions of the composting process and the hygiene of post-composting operations.

Rangeland ecosystems are dynamic and will change in the occurrence turbulences and will degrade if cross the threshold of rangeland health. We can judge on the effects of management activities by determination of rangeland health features. In this study using 17 ecological indicators, including rill, water flow pattern, Pedestal, bare ground, gully, wind-scoured, litter movement, soil surface resistance to erosion, soil surface loss or degradation, plant community composition and distribution relative to infiltration and runoff and, compaction layer, structural and functional groups, plant mortality, litter amount, annual production, invasive plants and reproductive capability of perennial plants for determination of three characteristics of rangeland ecosystems (soil and habitat stability, hydrological functions and health of living organisms). The main objective of this study is applying this concept in the area of Cheshme Anjir. Indicators were studied in three ecosystems characteristic expressed in five evaluation class and deviation degree of rangeland health features with reference area. The results showed that the key habitat in term of sustainability of soil and habitat in slight to moderate, hydrologic function slight to moderate, organisms’ health slight to moderate while critical habitat in term of soil sustainability and habitat in relatively extreme, hydrologic function in extreme and organism health located in extreme class.

Baobab Multi-nutrient Block Concentrate (BMBC) as dietary supplement for enhancing milk production and quality in Red Sokoto goats (RSG) was evaluated. The formulation consists of Baobab pulp and seed 25%, wheat offal 25% palm kernel cake (PKC) 20%, Urea 5 %; salt 5%; molasses 10% and cement 10%, respectively, Sixteen (16) lactating RSG previously crossed with South Africa Boer bucks were randomly selected, balanced for weight and grouped into 2 comprising of Eight (8) animals each. Group A were allowed access to BMBC (- BMBC), while Group B were allowed access to BMBC (+BMBC). Panicum maximum was fed on zero grazing at 4% of individual animals’ body weight. Daily milk yield and samples were taken to analyze for Total solids, Crude protein, Fat and Ash and selected minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P). The results were significantly affected (P<0.05). Milk yield for RSG +BMBC ranged from 398.75 – 428.50g/day with mean average of 412.69g/day ahead of RSG – BMBC with value range of 312.75 – 335g/day; with mean average of 324.12g/day. Milk composition (%) values for RSG +BMBC were 18.50, 6.05, 5.75, 0.98 and 5.72, RSG – BMBC 12.05, 3.58, 3.30, 0.82 and 4.35 for total solids, protein, fat, ash and lactose, respectively. Mineral values(mg/g) recorded for Ca, K, Mg, Na and P in RSG+BMBC were 250.00, 342.50, 88.45, 92.86 and 96.95, compared to RSG – BMBC with 231.00, 330.00, 75.53, 84.13 and 91.10, respectively. This results showed that BMBC enhanced the yield and composition and mineral values of lactating RSG. 

The mechanical advantage of using composite is high strength to weight ratios which increases their capabilities for aerospace, structural and automobile applications. The epoxy-coated reinforcement (ECR) has gained mainstream acceptance to extend the useful life of highway structures. The volume fraction of reinforcement affects the overall strength a composite and the orientation of fibers in matrix plays a significant role in determining the debonding behavior. The present work focuses on the determination of compressive strength and debonding behavior of steel reinforced epoxy composite with different orientation angles of fibers. The results revealed that among different orientations of fibers, reinforcement at 0° angles shows maximum compressive strength and least debonding than 45° and 90° angle of reinforcement.

Training is a vital in crystallizing acceptable technological classroom practices. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to discover the perceptions of Indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers about the adoption of digital technology in the classroom. Rogers’s diffusion of innovation theory and David and Venkatesh technology of acceptance model served as theoretical precepts to understand indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers’ perceptions about the use of digital technology, perceived barriers, and the coping and adopting mechanism throughout their pedagogical practices. Ten indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers participated in this qualitative study. Semistructured, interviews were the primary data collection tool. Open coding was used to generate themes, and analyzed emergent coding. The findings of this indicated that the rate of adoption of digital technology could accelerate if (a) training is strategic, (b) reduction of institutional barriers, and (c) professional practices are aligned for educational growth. Indigenous Amerindian preservice teachers may be served well to acquire the skills and overcome the technological barriers to better prepare learners beyond the classroom. Even though internet access would facilitate indigenous Amerindians in Guyana to develop technology literacy skills and access educational resources, some preservice teachers have a low rate of technology adoption in the classroom. This study may contribute to knowledge to the field of digital technology and furthers understanding of pedagogical practices. The findings may contribute to positive social change in that professional development centers can improve skills that provide flexible learning for IAPT to integrate digital technology beyond the classroom. and serve as a catalyst to promote growth by capacity building.

Somalia is a country that has experienced excessive amounts of political instability during the past decade. Somalia, like most other countries in Africa, was colonized by European nations during the late 1800s (Roth, Somalia a country in turmoil , 2004). According to United nation Development Program (UNDP), the prolonged fighting in Somalia led to massive loss of property, lives and destruction of the society (UNDP 2008). Political instability contributed to massive suffering and poverty in Somalia, there has been massive unemployment and migration of people from the country. The study guided by the following objectives, to find out whether quality education affects economic development of Somalia, to ascertain how the gross domestic product affects economic development of Somalia, to determine the extent to which investments affects economic development. This study was descriptive in nature and it will utilize cross-sectional data collected through a standard questionnaire. This study will be conducted in Mogadishu City, the capital of Somalia. The target populations of this study will be114348 residents of Hodan District (UNFPA, 2014). In order to provide valid estimates, 384 respondents will be selected with Simple random sampling and only those present at that time will be chosen. The findings it shows that quality education plays a significant role in the economic development of the country. The study showed that a large percentage of the respondents in Somalia agree that it through offering quality education to the people of Somalia that productivity of the country will improve and economic development. The correlation analysis between the independent variable indicated strong relationship between the independent variables. This indicates that the independent variables were significant enough to impact the dependent variable. There is a strong relation between higher GDP and good quality education indicated by 57.8 percent. The relationship between Higher GDP and Savings is the only way we can increase economic growth indicated by 51.9 was significant enough to influence the dependent variable. The government of Somalia should strive for education quality improvement through renovating the teacher education and training system, improving teachers' quality and teacher status, reform and adaptation of curriculum at all levels The study established that savings and investment is the only way a country can increase economic growth, for any country to achieve economic growth there must be significant savings first.Investment means an increase in capital spending, e.g. buying new machines, building bigger factories and education. For example, investing in skills and education can increase labor productivity. Investment in new technology and capital can increase the productive capacity of the economy.

This study established the association between fish farming management practices and fish yield in Kakamega County, Kenya. The results were that fish farmers who record the highest fish harvest of over 400 Kgs of fish output per 300 m2 fishpond are those who check water quality at their ponds and apply corrective measures; and those who get their fingerlings from accredited sources. The success of fish farming as an economic livelihood activity in Kakamega County depends on the proper application and appropriate implementation of fish farming management practices. These include management of water and management of the production units through appropriate stocking, feeding and record keeping.

This work presents the results of a flood risk assessment in Akoko-Edo and environs using GIS and landsat-TM data. This study is aimed at identifying the causes of the flood and quantifying the hydrological processes leading to this extreme event through a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Landsat approach. It also assesses the situation, through the analysis of the spatial and temporal rainfall variability and the quantification of the discharge at different locations in the study area and compared with other cases that are believed to be the cause for high runoff volume .This study thus tries to identify the causes for the occurrence of floods and future risks to look over options for prevention or reduction of the hazard in the area by concentrating the study in the area through GIS and landsat based analysis. The data was processed and enhanced to give colour composites, geologic maps, drainage pattern, land use and land cover map, flood risk area map, rain fall map. The results showed that Akoko- Edo area has a low risk to flooding in the Northwest area while in Etsako East area there is high risk towards the Northwest, central and the Eastern part of the area, as well as towards the Northern part there is a very high risk of flooding. In the central area, there is a moderate risk while there is a low to very low risk towards the southeastern part of the area. Etsako west has a moderately high risk to flooding in the Southern part to a very high risk in the South while in the central there is a very high risk to flooding for people living around the area but towards the North there is a very low to low risk of flooding.

This study alluded to the importance and necessity of strategic human resource planning with the purpose of submitting an appropriate and applied model of strategic human resource planning in a company and for recognition of effective factors has been used of different models of strategic human resource planning. To determine the effective factors in the company, 17 opinions of experts was received through interview and in order to ranking factors according to importance, 76 opinions of managers and experts were obtained through questionnaire. Also for recognition internal and external environment of company were used SWOT technique and interview, the results of QSPM matrix classified executive strategies. Results showed that among internal factors within the organization: employee satisfaction, human resource management objectives, qualitative characteristics of the staff and among organizational external factors: technological conditions, legal conditions, economic conditions, respectively, were ranked in terms of importance. In the end after recognition internal and external factors involved in supply and demand forecasting strategies, and supply and demand matching strategy was proposed appropriate pattern of strategic human resource planning.

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is located in Southern part of the country and by Nigeria’s political arrangement is in the South-South geo-political zone. The region is made up of nine oil-producing states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The region is almost the size of England and is dominated by mangrove-lined creeks. The region is an ethnographic watershed made up of ethnic groups such as Ibibio, Efik, Izon, (Ijaw), Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Kalabari,, Okrika, Andoni, Igbo, Bini, Ogoni and so on. From the 2006 census, the region has a population of about 32 million people. Although many European powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch, French and Germans did business in the region, the footprints of the British remain indelible in the area. Diverse British agents such as the explorers, traders, missionaries and administrators contributed to the annexation of the area as part of the British Empire. One of the potent instruments adopted by the imperialist agents was the gunboat diplomacy which involved the use of superior military capability to bombard and threaten various communities in a bid to extract anti-slave and protection treaties as well as other favourable privileges against the will of the people. The paper examines the process from 1836 when the British traders implemented the first major gunboat diplomatic act and secured a treaty with the Bonny monarch. The discourse ends in 1885, when the British declared a Protectorate over the Oil Rivers, an episode which marked the genesis of the colonization of that part of Nigeria. The present resort to the use of arms by the youths of the oil rich region to press for improved condition appears to be a reenactment of the British gunboat policy. The paper adopts a historical analytical methodology.