Utilization of Satellite Imaging and Information Communication Technology in Agricultural Information Dissemination in Nigeria

This study appraised the level of usage of satellite imaging and selected Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools by agricultural extension workers (EWs) in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. Specifically, information on usage of satellite imaging, personal skill ratings, and constraints faced by respondents in the usage of ICT equipment were gathered. Findings revealed that a majority of the respondents (97%) perceived themselves as incompetent in reading and interpreting satellite imaging for agricultural information dissemination. The study posited that government at various levels should assist in training EWs on digital compatibility.     

Pesticide knowledge and risk perception among adolescent Latino farmworkers

A substantial proportion of the agricultural production in the U.S. is dependent on the labor of Latino farmworkers. While exact figures are not known, it is estimated that adolescents make up 7% of this valuable workforce. These young workers may be at increased risk for the toxic effects of environmental exposures encountered during their work. Furthermore, language barriers and health beliefs may influence the risk perceptions of this population. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of migrant adolescent farmworkers in 1998 to investigate their work practices, health beliefs, and pesticide knowledge. The large majority of the adolescents in our sample were from Mexico, and 36.3% spoke primarily indigenous languages. Many of the adolescents (64.7%) were traveling and working in the U.S. independent of their parents. Few of the adolescents reported having received pesticide training; however, 21.6% of the sample reported that their current work involved mixing and/or applying agricultural chemicals. The scores on the pesticide knowledge questionnaire were found to significantly predict self-reported use of protection for adolescent farmworkers. The results of this study point to a need for improved pesticide training in youth agricultural workers and specialized education efforts directed toward minorities who speak indigenous dialects. Special attention is merited toward adolescent farmworkers who report that their work includes mixing or applying agricultural chemicals. As the number of adolescent farmworkers increases in the U.S. and the characteristics of the migrant stream continue to change, culturally and developmentally appropriate instruments are needed to adequately assess the health beliefs and protective practices of this population.     

徒手切割法体细胞克隆研究进展

体细胞核移植技术目前主要局限性是需要显微操作仪以及相关设备,并且对技术人员也有较高要求。徒手切割法体细胞克隆(HM C)技术不需要显微操作,且对技术人员要求也不高,是一项手工化的核移植技术,对今后核移植技术的研究以及产业化的发展具有一定的推动作用。     

Sowing the seeds of hope: providing regional behavioral health supports to the agricultural population

In 1999, project leaders from seven states (i.e., Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) began to share ideas and resources for providing behavioral health assistance (i.e., mental health counseling and addictions services) to stressed farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and their families. The seven states are among those most impacted by the farm crisis of the 1980s and again by low commodity prices and disasters such as droughts and floods in the 1990s. Project leaders conferred in monthly telephone conference calls and by 2001 began meeting in semi-annual face-to-face meetings to formally agree on a mission, program components, and management structure. Administrative functions were transferred from the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health and Wisconsin Primary Healthcare Association, to AgriWellness, Inc., a regional nonprofit corporation founded to provide technical assistance, grant writing, training of service providers, and other administrative supports. The Sowing the Seeds of Hope program has become a model for the provision of behavioral health supports for the agricultural population, including development of farm stress telephone hotlines, provision of confidential and affordable outpatient mental health and substance abuse counseling, training of professional providers in agricultural behavioral health, training of indigenous farm and rural residents as outreach workers who can respond to disasters of all types, and weekend educational retreats for farm residents. The program has achieved economy of scale by sharing expertise across state boundaries and the formation of a regional administrative structure. Yet, many challenges exist, the greatest of which is obtaining ongoing permanent support for the increasing numbers of uninsured and underinsured people involved in agriculture.     

计算机技术在大学统计教学实训中的应用研究

大学统计教学具有基础技能的特点,而当前的教学中往往注重＂基础＂教育,而忽略了＂技能＂的培养。针对大学统计学教学的特点,指出了统计实训过程中存在的问题,提出了利用计算机技术解决实训难题的思路,并分别探讨了网络技术、软件技术和数据库技术在统计实训过程中的应用。     

Zoonoses and Public Health

The study assessed the communication competence of agricultural extension workers in Benue State, Nigeria. Ninety-three respondents were selected and studied using stratified and random sampling techniques. Data were collected from the use of a well-structured questionnaire. The results obtained revealed that the majority (57%) showed a low level of communication knowledge/skill. Logit regression statistics showed significant effect of respondents’ educational qualification, work experience, and rank (salary grade level) on their communication competence at 5% level of probability. It is therefore recommended that Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority should adequately train their staff so as to correct their low communication knowledge/skill.     

Agricultural employers' hiring and safety practices for adolescent workers

The goal of the "Safety Training for Employers and Supervisors of Adolescent Farmworkers" initiative is to improve the occupational health and safety knowledge and practices of agricultural employers and supervisors responsible for employees, ages 14 to 17 years. Surveys were sent to members of the National Council of Agricultural Employers and the Washington Growers League to measure attitudes regarding adolescent employees, current hiring and training practices, and future intentions. More than half of the respondents hire adolescents. Two-thirds were male, nearly three-quarters of the respondents had college or post-graduate degrees, and more than half were 50 years or older. The majority of respondents had positive perceptions of adolescents in terms of dependability, helpfulness, and work ethic. Among those who currently hire young workers, the most common reasons were to provide a job for children of friends and family and because they can work part-time to fill a labor demand. Among those not hiring adolescents, the most common reason was concern about child labor regulations and associated tasks (e.g., paperwork, monitoring hours). Respondents use a variety of safety training resources, especially posters and safety meetings. For the future, they expect to need more handout materials and training videos. Study results provide insights into barriers to the employment of young workers and suggest methods by which agricultural safety specialists can best assist those employers and producers who are willing to hire adolescents into agricultural work settings.     

Knowledge Levels and Perceived Effect of Climate Change on Extension Delivery in North West Province,South Africa

A simple random sampling technique was used to select 20% of the extension officers in North West Province, South Africa. Data on knowledge levels and perceived effect of climate change on extension delivery were collected and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and multiple regression analysis. The results show that a wide range of knowledge levels exists on climate change issues related to causes, effect, vulnerability, and mitigation and that extension officers will have to address new skill requirements for farmers, the need for specialized extension services, and changing and diversified livelihoods. The results have several implications for training and educating extension officers on climate change issues.     

探析高职院校计算机类专业实训教师队伍建设

高等职业教育的实训教学在人才培养过程中有着极其重要的地位,实训效果直接影响到人才培养质量和毕业生的就业竞争力。实训教师是实训教学中的重要角色,实训教师的职业素质和技术水平决定了实训课程的教学效果,培养一支专兼结合、高水平、高素质的实训教师队伍是实现人才培养目标的有效途径。     

Soil fabrics of the plowed layer of flooded rice fields

For a long while Japanese agricultural workers have centered their efforts to an increase in rice production, confirming the extreme importance of appropriate water controlling for a good crop. Meanwhile, Japanese farmers have traditionally practiced to keep their fields in a dry state for several days in the mid-summer. They have been convinced of healthy plants with temporarily draining off water. Its season is generally in the dog-days from the end of July to the beginning of August, and the degree of drainage seems to be decided by farmer's private views or experience. For instance, the Japan's No. 1 prize winner in technical skill of rice competition in 1950 withdrew water until light marks remained when stepped in the field, while the 1952's winner drained his field until slight cracking on ground for the period August 11 to 13 (4). They were really successful in obtaining 7.71 and 9.27 tons of brown rice per hectare, respectively. However, it appears to be needed to bring out the scientific meanings of the practice more clearly in order to make it reasonably and universaly, provided the practice is indispensable for a good rice crop.     

Land management policy and practice in a steepland agricultural area: a Malaysian example

The steeplands worked by Malaysian farmers are being severely degraded by loss of fertility, landsliding and soil erosion. Although the need to conserve and carefully manage agricultural land is clearly stated in government policies, the actual outcomes of policy implementation are often not effective, real government action appearing to be concentrated on alleviating urban environmental problems rather than on sustainable use of rural land. Detailed investigations in villages in western Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, found that lack of commitment to ensure the long‐term sustainability of the land farmed by the rural poor was reflected in the types of training programme of the agricultural extension service field workers, and the advice and practices encouraged by the government. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Review of Trends in Strawberry Research from 1960 to 2016

A review of publications on “Strawberry” was done by using the Scopus database for the period 1960–2016. A total of 10,400 articles were found in the database and analyzed using a variety of measures. Results show that publication increased exponentially from 1960 to 2016. Multiple authors are collaborating in strawberry research. Acta Horticulturae was the most productive journal. The United States of America was the most productive country. The greatest portion of the research was concerned with medicinal benefits of strawberries to humans. This work will be useful to researchers in identifying trends in strawberry research.     

The process of establishing, implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of establishing and implementing a social support infant feeding intervention. DESIGN: This paper outlines the initial stages of a randomised controlled trial which assessed the effectiveness of a social support intervention on a range of infant feeding outcomes. Details are presented of the processes involved in recruiting, training and supporting a group of volunteers who provided support to the study sample. SETTING: Camden and Islington, London, UK. RESULTS: Initial networking with local agencies and organisations provided invaluable information and contacts. Employing a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator is vitally important in the recruitment, training and support of volunteers. Providing child care and travel expenses is an essential incentive for volunteers with young children. Advertisements placed in local newspapers were the most successful means of recruiting volunteers. Appropriate training is needed to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective support. Particular emphasis in the training focused upon developing the necessary interpersonal skills and self-confidence. The evaluation of the training programme demonstrated that it improved volunteers' knowledge and reported confidence. The provision of ongoing support is also essential to maintain volunteers' interest and enthusiasm. The retention of volunteers is, however, a key challenge. CONCLUSIONS: The processes outlined in this paper have demonstrated the feasibility of successfully establishing, implementing and maintaining a community-based social support infant feeding programme. The experiences described provide useful insights into the practical issues that need to be addressed in setting up a social support intervention.     

Agricultural sources and sinks of carbon

Most existing agricultural lands have been in production for sufficiently long periods that C inputs and outputs are nearly balanced and they are neither a major source nor sink of atmospheric C. As population increases, food requirements and the need for more crop land increase accordingly. An annual conversion of previously uncultivated lands up to 1.5 × 10⁷ hectares may be expected. It is this new agricultural land which suffers the greatest losses of C during and subsequent to its conversion. The primary focus for analysis of future C fluxes in agroecosystems needs to be on current changes in land use and management as well as on direct effects of CO₂ and climate change. A valid assessment of C pools and fluxes in agroecosystems requires a global soils data base and comprehensive information on land use and management practices. A comprehensive effort to assemble and analyze this information is urgently needed.     

Role of India's Anganwadi Center in Securing Food and Nutrition for Mothers and Children

India's 2013 National Food Security Act identifies Anganwadi centers (the courtyard shelter) as responsible for ensuring the food and nutrition for mothers and children. This article proposes four essential reforms that must take place to revitalize the languishing Anganwadi system: (a) strengthen implementation of the Integrated Child and Development Services (ICDS) through greater outreach and education; (b) boost incentives for Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi health workers; (c) bring together different government stakeholders to provide the integrative framework needed; and (d) improve monitoring and evaluation of Anganwadis so as to better gauge not just performance of workers, but also health and nutrition outcomes among women and children.     

Man and the biosphere: An international research programme

A new international research programme entitled Man and the Biosphere (MAB) has just been launched by the General Conference of UNESCO. This programme is to focus on the structure and functioning of the biosphere and its ecological regions, on the changes brought about by Man in the biosphere and its resources, on the overall effects of these changes upon the human species itself, and on the education and information which needs to be provided on these matters. The need for the programme and the history of its development are briefly analysed. The scope and the proposed scientific content of MAB are described, including a list of the 31 research themes that are being considered on natural environments little modified by Man, on rural environments, on urban-industrial environments, and on pollution and related phenomena affecting the biosphere. An indication is given of the type of basic operations needed for such an international programme which is to include networks of observation and research stations and utilization of modern methodologies; also indicated are the education and training activities contemplated as a support to the programme, particularly in developing countries. It is emphasized that the MAB programme, which constitutes in many respects a follow-up and extension at the intergovernmental level of the International Biological Programme (IBP), will be carried out under the guidance of a 25-countries coordinating council in close cooperation with the other United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations concerned. Each country has been invited to set up a National Committee through which individual scientists can influence the content of the programme.     

Estimation of Optimum Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates in Winter Wheat in Humid Mediterranean Conditions,I: Selection of Yield and Protein Response Models

Nitrogen (N) fertilization management directly affects yield and grain protein content of soft red winter wheat, so there is a need to estimate the optimum N fertilizer dose needed to obtain the greatest yield and the desired protein content under a humid Mediterranean climate. The objective of this work was to select the best response models of wheat yield and protein content to applied N fertilizer. To fulfil this objective, 13 experiments were conducted in the years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 in northern Spain where 0, 100, 140, 180, and 220 kg N ha^–1 were applied. The quadratic plateau model best described yield response to N fertilizer, with 182 kg N ha^–1 producing the maximum yield. The quadratic model was chosen for modeling protein response to N fertilization, and 176 kg N ha^–1 was the rate required for achieving protein contents greater than 125 g kg^–1.     

Longitudinal analysis of pulmonary dysfunction in the initial years of employment in the grain industry

The negative health effects of exposure to grain dust have previously been examined, but few studies have observed the effects on newly hired employees. Young grain workers are of interest because changes in pulmonary function may occur after a short duration of employment, and because older grain workers may represent a survivor population. The New Grain Workers Study (NGWS), a longitudinal study of 299 newly hired male grain industry workers, was conducted between 1980 and 1985. The objectives were to determine the effects of employment in the grain industry on pulmonary function. Pre-employment physical examinations and pulmonary function tests were conducted on subjects at the Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan. The Grain Dust Medical Surveillance Program (GDMSP) was a Labour Canada program that began in 1978. All subjects were grain workers employed in the grain industry in Saskatchewan. All subjects completed a respiratory symptoms questionnaire and underwent pulmonary function testing. Baseline observations were recorded every three years between 1978 and 1993. Data were available on 2184 grain workers. Generalized estimating equations were used to fit marginal and transitional multivariable regression models to determine the effects of grain dust exposure on pulmonary function. Marginal and transitional models were then compared. Height, exposure weeks, and previous FVC were predictive of FVC in the NGWS, while exposure weeks and previous FEV1 were predictive of FEV1. These models, as well as a transitional regression model built using the GDMSP data, were used to compute predicted mean annual decline inpulmonary function. Non-smoking grain workers in the NGWS had the highest pulmonary function test values, but also had the greatest predicted annual decline in pulmonary function. Ever-smoking grain workers in the GDMSP had the lowest pulmonary function test values. Non-smoking grain workers in the GDMSP had the least predicted annual decline in pulmonary function.     

基于深度全卷积神经网络的大田稻穗分割

稻穗的准确分割是获取水稻穗部性状、实现水稻表型自动化测量的关键。该研究应用水稻图像数据集及数据增广技术,离线训练了用于稻穗分割的3个分别基于Seg Net,Deep LAB和PSPNet的全卷积神经网络。综合考虑分割性能和计算速度,优选了基于Seg Net的网络,称为Panicle Net。在线分割阶段先将原始图像划分为子图,由Panicle Net分割子图,再拼接子图得到分割结果。比较该算法及现有作物果穗分割算法Panicle-SEG、HSeg、i2滞后阈值法及joint Seg,该算法对与训练样本同年度拍摄样本Qseg值0.76、F值0.86,不同年度样本Qseg值0.67、F值0.80,远优于次优的Panicle-SEG算法,且计算速度约为Panicle-SEG算法的35倍。该算法能克服稻穗边缘严重不规则、不同品种及生育期稻穗外观差异大、穂叶颜色混叠和复杂大田环境中光照、遮挡等因素的干扰,提升稻穗分割准确度及效率,进而服务于水稻育种栽培。