Suchergebnisse

Over the last decade, Tunisia has been invaded by recurrent drought periods which caused an extension of desertification along the North-South axis. Accompanied with various anthropogenic factors, the low and erratic rainfall results in frequent periods of serious drought alternating with periods of floods have caused major damages in the natural forage resources. Face to this situation, The Tunisian Government has recently engaged a vast program for the management, conservation and mobilization of natural genetic resources: national strategies for soil and water conservation, water resources, forage resources and rangelands rehabilitation. Because of its great ecological, agronomic and economic properties, the genus Brachypodium, has been developed as a model for temperate cereals, biofuel and grass crop. In order to define a strategy for improving and managing genetic resources of Brachypodium species in Tunisia, we have characterized the morpho-phenologic and the genetic variation of 180 lines of the complex of species B. distachyon, B. stacei and B. hybridum through 18 quantitatives traits and a large set of SSR and InDels markers. The first results of our analysis showed that the species allotetraploid B. hybridum is the predominant species in Tunisia, while the two diploid species B. distachyon and B.stacei are less frequent. The analysis of morpho-genetic diversity of this complex of species by the 18 morpho-phenologic traits and 15 SSR markers showed that the morphogenetic variation between species dominate that within species. However, the allotetraploid species was found to be more morphologically and genetically variable its two parental species. The detailed analysis of the morpho-phenologic diversity of the Tunisian B. hybridum germplasm (9 natural populations) showed a considerable variation between populations and eco-regions in all studied traits Variation was relatively higher for reproductive (34.8 %) than for vegetative (32.8 %) traits. The majority of traits showed very low ( 0.3) heritability with low border value for average length of spikelet and an average value of 0.64. Analysis of the morpho-phenologic between populations revealed that populations originated from Ain Drahem and Jbel Zaghouan (0.61) are the most differenciated while those Haouria and Raoued are the most morphologically closes (Qst = 0.1) (Overal Qst = 0.32). Moreover, the results showed also that the morphological differentiation between populations is not affected neither by geographic distances nor altitudinal differences. The genetic variation the Tunisian B. hybridum germplasm analyzed by SSR and InDels markers showed that the studied populations of B. hybrdium are characterized by high genetic variability. The results of SSR analysis revealed 100% of polymorphism and an average of genetic diversity (expected heterozygosity) of 0.79 across populations, while those revealed by InDels markers showed that the studied populations exhibited 90% of polymorphism and 35% of genetic variation. The extensive intra-population genetic variation is accompanied by a recurrent inter-populational gene flow (Nm> 2) promoting a homogeneous intra-population genetic variation a relatively low inter-populations genetic differentiation. Indeed, the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on SSR and Indels data revealed that most of genetic variation was attributed to the within populations component. The level of genetic differentiation among populations was doesn't exceeds 2% for SSR markers (PT = 0.023) and 20% for InDels markers (PT = 0.196). Moreover, the spatial genetic structure established through Cluster analysis (UPGMA) principal co-ordinate analysis (PCoA) and Bayesian approach grouped populations from distinct geographic area and altitudinal classes, suggesting that neither geographical distances nor altitudinal differences constrain the relationships among the populations. Taken together, the results the morpho-phenologic and molecular approaches suggest that the genetic structure of the Tunisian natural populations of B. hybridum is influenced by both, a gene flow via long seed dispersal and the natural selection.

Skilled birth attendance during delivery is a crucial factor in reducing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the factors influencing utilisation of Skilled Birth Attendants (SBA) among women of childbearing age in healthcare facilities in the rural communities of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The need for this study arose because women attend antenatal care during pregnancy but do not come to the facility to deliver. They were only seen when complications arise. Cross sectional descriptive design was adopted for the study. A multi-staged sampling was used to select a total population of 208 respondents who attended antenatal and child welfare clinic at the time of this study, with the return rate of (207) 99.52% The Cronbach's alpha was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument and the reliability coefficient was 0.8. Data analysis was done using frequency counts, simple percentages and logistic regression. The study findings revealed that those who utilized SBA were 80.7% and only 19.3% demonstrated low utilisation, hence, a high proportion women of reproductive age utilise SBA in Akpabuyo. The findings also revealed that economic factors such as poverty and husband unemployment (95.1%) influence the utilisation of SBA. Similarly, most participants (66.1%) disagreed that utilisation of SBA is not against their cultural belief while 33.9% agreed that using SBA is against their cultural belief such as use of herbs, husband approval and other traditional practices. Test of the hypothesis also revealed that the proportion of utilisation of SBA is not statistically significant related to economic and cultural factors among women of childbearing age in Akpabuyo LGA. It was recommended that deliberate programs should be put in place to encourage male involvement in reproductive health services in order to encourage and support their spouses financially to utilise the services of SBA.

Studies show that students perform poorly at the secondary school level in biology. The concepts considered as difficult contribute more to the poor performance. The fact remains that the topics related to these concepts are found to be difficult by the teachers teaching them. The undesirable trend has been attributed among other reasons to ineffective pedagogy among teachers of biology. This problem led to an upsurge of research into innovative approaches that can alleviate the situation. One such emerging approach advocated here is the use of 5Es' constructivist approach. The approach advocates problem solving learning atmosphere where learners are effectively guided to take responsibility for their learning, the effective utilization of which can enhance biology teaching and learning. This paper focused on how this approach could be applied in teaching one of the identified difficult concepts in biology namely; respiration. Some empirical studies on the effectiveness of the constructivist-based methods when compared with other approaches were reviewed. A sample of note of lesson using the 5Es' approach and guide was designed. It was recommended among others that government as well as professional associations should organize training for biology teachers on the use of 5Es' learning cycle as effective teaching approach.KEYWORDS: Utilization, 5Es Constructivist approach, difficult concepts, Biology.

This study examined the impact of rainfall regime on cocoa production in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The impetus for this study was provided by the declining trend in cocoa production coupled with the world-wide climatic change. Data for the study included rainfall amount, rainfall duration, rainfall intensity, temperature, relative humidity and total cocoa production from 1978 to 2007. The data were obtained from the meteorological station Ikom, Cross River state, Nigeria. The statistical techniques employed in analyzing the data included the times series using least square estimation method, multiple correlation and multiple regression. The result revealed a significant decrease in rainfall amount in the study area. Also, there exist a significant relationship between rainfall duration and intensity and cocoa production. It is recommended that farmers adapt to changing climate by cultivating the tolerable cocoa species to less rainfall in the area. It is highly recommended that data recording and management be improved to facilitate further water resource management research and development, based on reliable information. Government should establish an agricultural data-base centre where all information relating to agriculture can be obtained easily when is necessary. This will go a long way to solve the problem of non-available agricultural data and inconsistencies in the available ones, which have hampered planning in Nigeria overtime.Â

PurposeThis research discloses the effect of religiosity on purchasing intention through serial-mediation paths in a halal-certified food context. Borrowing from the identity theory while supplemented by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the knowledge–attitude–practice (KAP) theory, a 4-layered framework is developed to investigate such an issue.Design/methodology/approach264 questionnaires are collected in the field study conducted in Tunis, Tunisia. Quota sampling method is applied. Testing of the hypotheses is performed using partial least square analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal that religiosity affects the four mediators—awareness, trust, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control—which in turn affect attitude, and purchase intention towards halal-certified food is eventually aroused. These four serial-mediation paths are further proved to form the mechanisms.Research limitations/implicationsThe field study participants are limited to consumers in Tunis. Besides, a mechanism to collect the data from general public including lower educated consumers should be necessary.Originality/valueThis research is a pioneering work investigating the sequential intervening effect in the religiosity-intention relationship in halal-certified food. The authors provide unique and fruitful insights into this relatively untapped field for academia and firms.