Previous farm-level studies have shown that adopting improved feeding and management strategies improves livestock productivity and, in particular, increases the milk production and income of resource-poor smallholder mixed-crop and livestock farmers. This paper analyses the impact of the introduction of crossbred cow and improved feeding and management technologies in the Ethiopian highlands in terms of direct changes in household income, patterns of food and non-food expenditure, and caloric intake. Using a recursive econometric model that takes into account the seasonal variability of consumption patterns, the analysis indicates a positive relationship between household income and adoption of the improved dairy technologies. The incremental increase in household income translates directly into higher expenditure on food and non-food items. Caloric intake is also positively related to adoption of crossbred cows and improved feed technologies. This indicates the significant role that improved smallholder livestock technologies can play in improving food security and nutrition as well as alleviating poverty.

In this regional study of infants greater than 30 weeks gestation and with a birthweight greater than 1250 g, the prevalence of any ROP was low (2.0%). This study supports evidence from other studies that screening for ROP could be restricted, at least within our referral network, to infants less than 30 completed weeks and a birthweight less than 1250 g.

Purpose: To examine the effects of fatiguing isometric contractions on maximal eccentric strength and electromechanical delay (EMD) of the knee flexors in healthy young adults of different training status. Methods : Seventy-five male participants (27.7 ± 5.0 years) were enrolled in this study and allocated to three experimental groups according to their training status: athletes (ATH, n = 25), physically active adults (ACT, n = 25), and sedentary participants (SED, n = 25). The fatigue protocol comprised intermittent isometric knee flexions (6-s contraction, 4-s rest) at 60% of the maximum voluntary contraction until failure. Pre- and post-fatigue, maximal eccentric knee flexor strength and EMDs of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles were assessed during maximal eccentric knee flexor actions at 60, 180, and 300°/s angular velocity. An analysis of covariance was computed with baseline (unfatigued) data included as a covariate. Results: Significant and large-sized main effects of group ( p ≤ 0.017, 0.87 ≤ d ≤ 3.69) and/or angular velocity ( p < 0.001, d = 1.81) were observed. Post hoc tests indicated that regardless of angular velocity, maximal eccentric knee flexor strength was lower and EMD was longer in SED compared with ATH and ACT ( p ≤ 0.025, 0.76 ≤ d ≤ 1.82) and in ACT compared with ATH ( p = ≤0.025, 0.76 ≤ d ≤ 1.82). Additionally, EMD at post-test was significantly longer at 300°/s compared with 60 and 180°/s ( p < 0.001, 2.95 ≤ d ≤ 4.64) and at 180°/s compared with 60°/s ( p < 0.001, d = 2.56), irrespective of training status. Conclusion: The main outcomes revealed significantly higher maximal eccentric strength and shorter eccentric EMDs of knee flexors in individuals with higher training status (i.e., athletes) following fatiguing exercises. Therefore, higher training status is associated with better neuromuscular functioning (i.e., strength, EMD) of the hamstring muscles in fatigued condition. Future longitudinal studies are needed to substantiate the clinical relevance of these findings.

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