336 research outputs found

    Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Non-Vaccination Of Dogs Against Rabies In Ibadan, Nigeria

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    Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that affects human, domestic and wild animals. It is an acute, highly contagious and fatal disease caused by a bullet – shaped, enveloped RNA virus 180-75nm known as Lyssavirus type 1 and marked by a1mg and variable incubation period (Oboegbulem,. 1994). It is transmitted to animals and humans through close contact with saliva from infected animals. Once symptoms of the disease develop, rabies is fatal to both animals and humans (WHO, 200l). In Nigeria where dog bites continue to be the main mode of transmission of the disease to man, it remains a serious public health hazard. (Thorne, 1954; Ezeokoli et al. 1984; Ikede and Adeyemi, 1984). Reliable data on rabies are scarce in many areas of the globe, making it difficult to assess its full impact on human and animal health (WHO 2001). Since dog has been established as the predominant vector of rabies in Nigeria, the most logical and cost – effective approach to rabies control is elimination of stray and owner less dogs combined with a programme of single mass immunization in the shortest possible time, at least 80% of the entire dog population (WHO, 2001). The retrospective dog rabies vaccination evaluated at Ibadan carried out by Adeyemi (2000) showed that there is low response of dog owners to routine control of dog rabies by immunization. Effective, practicable and acceptable control strategy can only be put in place after the socio-economic facts associated with dog owners in each community have been studied. This paper reports the socioeconomic factors associated with Non-vaccination of dogs in Ibadan city, Nigeria. Keywords: Owned-dogs, anti-rabies vaccination, zoonosis, Ibadan cityNigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 28 (3) 2007 pp. 59-6

    Comparative Evaluation of the Pathogenicity of<i>Mycoplasma gallinaceum</i>in Chickens

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    Mycoplasma gallinaceum is not among the most pathogenic mycoplasmas affecting poultry, but its continuous reisolation from flocks in South Africa displaying typical signs of mycoplasmosis prompted us to revisit its role in respiratory disease. Specific-pathogen-free white leghorn chickens were co-challenged with either M. gallinaceum (MGC) and QX-like infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), or the more virulent Mycoplasm gallisepticum (MG) and IBV. No clinical signs were observed apart from sneezing in chickens challenged with IBV, MGCþIBV, and MGþIBV. On postmortem examination, one bird each in the MGC þ IBV and IBV groups developed peritonitis or airsacculitis, respectively. In the tracheas, the MGþ IBV group showed the most severe ciliary damage with a mean ciliostatic score of 32.40 compared to scores of 26.83 and 20.4 for the MGC þ IBV and IBV groups, respectively. Corresponding tracheal lesions were recorded. Quantitation of the challenge pathogens by quantitative realtime PCR and real-time reverse transcriptase–PCR determined that MGC was shed in much higher titers from the trachea than MG, when co-infected with IBV. Interestingly, the presence of both MG and MGC appeared to enhance IBV replication in the tracheas of infected chickens, whereas the presence of IBV suppressed MG and MGC proliferation in the trachea. In general, the nonpathogenicity of M. gallinaceum in chickens was confirmed, but it was able to aggravate respiratory disease and pathogen proliferation with virulent QX-like IBV.Celia Abolnik’s South African National Research Foundation grant for rated scientists. Modupeore Adeyemi was supported by a University of Pretoria postdoctoral scholarship, and Dauda G. Bwala was supported by a University of Pretoria PhD scholarship.http://www.aaapjournals.info/loi/avdiam2018Production Animal Studie

    To what extent can non-price/income instruments influence the demand for energy?

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    The demand for energy is not simply a function of price and income, but can be shown also to be a function also of the underlying energy demand trend (UEDT). The UEDT captures behavioural responses to non-fiscal instruments, including technological change, but also encapsulating attitudinal responses/changes in demand that might result for instance from increased public awareness of how environmentally damaging energy use can be, hence reflecting underlying consumer preferences. This study estimates a longitudinal econometric model for the aggregate demand functions of a sample of 17 OECD countries for the period 1960-2005. This approach to modelling will enable UEDT’s to be observed for each of the countries, as well as the normal price and income elasticities. The model results will provide an indication of the extent to which price/income based instruments can be used to reduce the demand for energy, as well as indicating the extent to which consumers have responded to non-price/income instruments.OECD Aggregate energy demand; Asymmetry; Exogenous non-economic factors.

    Preliminary Investigation of Some Serum Biochemical Parameters of Confined Nigerian Cattle Breeds in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria Fed with Some Conventional and Non-Conventional Feedstuffs

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    Unavailability of adequate livestock feeds is a long term constraint to the expansion of livestock industry in Nigeria. Cattle production needs high quantity feeds requirement but hampered by high cost and dwindling herbage in Nigeria.This preliminary investigation determined the combined effects of conventional {Elephant Grass (EG), Guinea Grass (GG), Cassava Peels (CP)} and non-conventional feeds {Banana Leaf (BL), Banana Stem (BS), and Wood Saw-dust (WS)} on the levels of cholesterol and some other biochemical parameters in fully-confined cattle breeds in Ibadan. Male (9) and female (14) cattle of different age groups were used. Feeds is a major limitation for rearing cattle in full-confinement in the area, hence the aim of this investigation is to assess important nutritive values and safety parameters of the alternative feeds to the cattle and consumers.Proximate analysis for each of the feeds was determined for %crude protein, % crude fibre, % crude fat, % ash, % dry matter and % moisture content. The serum biochemical parameters analyzed were cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose (mg/dl); total protein, albumin, globulin and creatinine (g/ml). All analysis were determined by standard methods. Results of proximate analysis showed the following feeds with highest values, crude-protein (EG 15.13+0.11%), crude-fibre (EG 29.8+1.56%), crude fat (EG 4.40+0.57%), ash (BB 12.15+0.21%), dry matter (BA 94.90+0.14%) and moisture (WM 7.83+0.25%). The following cattle breeds showed the highest serum biochemistry values, cholesterol (Bororo-female ¹, 253 mg/dl), triglycerides (Bororo-female ²,  5.4mg/dl), glucose (Gudali-male³, 224 mg/dl), total protein (Gudali-female7, 34.92 g/ml), albumin (Gudali-male2 and Bororo-female1,10.17 g/ml each), globulin (Gudali-male7, 32.38g/ml), albumin/globulin ratio (Gudali-male2 and Bororo-female 1, 0.84 each) and creatinine (Gudali-female6 and Cross Kugu-male1, 3.20g/ml each). The study concluded that the non-conventional feeds had high levels of crude proteins, crude fibre, dry matter, moisture  and the serum biochemistry values were within normal reference intervals. However, lower triglycerides and higher creatinine values were recorded, which indicated further tests on liver and kidney functions. No clinical signs of organs abnormality were manifested. Keywords: Conventional, alternative feedstuffs, Nigerian cattle, serum biochemistr

    Application of geomechanical properties and energy parameters of rocks in sustainable mining and mineral processing

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    Abstract Geomechanical properties comprise geological and mechanical parameters that influence rock response to stress and energy transformation at varying rates. In the fields of rock mechanics, geotechnical and civil engineering, geomechanical properties of rocks are useful in design, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable engineering infrastructures. Geomechanical properties also influence the breakage characteristics of rocks at varying stress and energy rates, with potential applications in mineral processing (impact comminution). However, applications of geomechanical properties in improving sustainability of engineering infrastructures and mineral liberation during impact comminution has not been fully explored. The aim of this dissertation is to investigate relations between geomechanical properties, energy transformation, fragmentation characteristics and possible applications of forementioned relations in sustainable mining and mineral processing. To achieve this, experimentation and artificial intelligence were applied in predicting forementioned relations at varying rates. Based on study findings, empirical models, and guidance charts for estimating geomechanical properties, energy transformation and breakage characteristics of rocks were proposed. Findings from this study are useful in improving sustainability of mining and mineral processing applications which are dependent on geomechanical properties of rocks. Original papers Ozoji, T., Zhang, Z.-X., Adeyemi, A., Qiao, Y., &amp; Chi, L.-Y. (2023). Effect of characteristic impedance in estimating specific energy and average fragment size at high strain rates of some peridotitic rock materials at laboratory scale. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 56(8), 5693&ndash;5704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03359-3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03359-3 Self-archived version Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Chi, L.-Y., &amp; Adegbe, C. (2024). Experimental investigation on the role of characteristic impedance in reducing ore-loss and energy wastage during impact comminution. Manuscript in preparation. Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Serasinghe, B. K., Bakkamuntala, N., Obaje, N. G., &amp; Umar, M. U. (2024). Laboratory investigation on relations between characteristic impedance, energy transformation and dynamic stress induced faults in rocks. 58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, ARMA-2024-0825. https://doi.org/10.56952/ARMA-2024-0825 https://doi.org/10.56952/ARMA-2024-0825 Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Zhang, N., Paasovaara, N., &amp; Arrieta, M. R. (2024). Effect of strain rate on specific fracture energy and micro-fracture surface properties of rock specimen under dynamic uniaxial compression. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 295, 109763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109763 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109763 Self-archived version Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Zhou, S., Liu, H. (2024). Guidance charts and empirical models for indirect estimation of dissipated energy from laboratory scale rock breakage under dynamic uniaxial compression. Manuscript in preparation. Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z. X., Aladejare, A. E., Zhang, N., &amp; Guan, X. (2023). An investigation on relations between dissipated energy and dynamic compressive strength of Kemi-peridotite at high strain rates. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1124(1), 012078. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1124/1/012078 https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1124/1/012078 Aladejare, A. E., Alofe, E. D., Onifade, M., Lawal, A. I., Ozoji, T. M., &amp; Zhang, Z.-X. (2021). Empirical estimation of uniaxial compressive strength of rock: Database of simple, multiple, and artificial intelligence-based regressions. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 39(6), 4427&ndash;4455. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-021-01772-5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-021-01772-5 Self-archived version Aladejare, A. E., Malachi Ozoji, T., Adebayo Idris, M., Lawal, A. I., &amp; Onifade, M. (2022). Empirical estimation of rock mass deformation modulus of rocks: Comparison of intact rock properties and rock mass classifications as inputs. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15(11), 1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10190-7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10190-7 Self-archived version Aladejare, A. E., Ozoji, T., Lawal, A. I., &amp; Zhang, Z. (2022). Soft computing-based models for predicting the characteristic impedance of igneous rock from their physico-mechanical properties. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 55(7), 4291&ndash;4304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02836-5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02836-5 Self-archived version Aladejare, A. E., Idowu, K. A., &amp; Ozoji, T. (2024). Reliability of Monte Carlo simulation approach for estimating uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock. Earth Science Informatics, 17(3), 2043&ndash;2053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-024-01262-1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-024-01262-1 Self-archived version Tiivistelmä Geomekaaniset ominaisuudet koostuvat geologisista ja mekaanisista parametreista, jotka vaikuttavat kallion vasteeseen jännitykseen ja energian muuntumiseen vaihtelevilla nopeuksilla. Kalliomekaniikan, geotekniikan ja maa- ja vesirakentamisen aloilla kivien geomekaaniset ominaisuudet ovat hyödyllisiä kestävien teknisten infrastruktuurien suunnittelussa, toteutuksessa ja arvioinnissa. Geomekaaniset ominaisuudet vaikuttavat myös kivien rikkoutumisominaisuuksiin vaihtelevilla jännityksillä ja energianopeuksilla, ja niillä on potentiaalisia sovelluksia mineraalien käsittelyssä (iskujen hienonnus). Geomekaanisten ominaisuuksien sovelluksia teknisten infrastruktuurien kestävyyden parantamisessa ja mineraalien vapautumisessa iskun hienonnuksen aikana ei kuitenkaan ole täysin tutkittu. Tämän väitöskirjan tavoitteena on tutkia geomekaanisten ominaisuuksien, energian muuntumisen, pirstoutumisominaisuuksien ja edellä mainittujen suhteiden mahdollisia sovelluksia kestävässä kaivostoiminnassa ja mineraalien käsittelyssä. Tämän saavuttamiseksi kokeilua ja tekoälyä hyödynnettiin edellä mainittujen suhteiden ennustamisessa vaihtelevalla nopeudella. Tutkimustulosten perusteella ehdotettiin empiirisiä malleja ja ohjekaavioita kivien geomekaanisten ominaisuuksien, energian muuntumisen ja rikkoutumisominaisuuksien arvioimiseksi. Tämän tutkimuksen tulokset ovat hyödyllisiä kivien geomekaanisista ominaisuuksista riippuvaisten kaivos- ja mineraalienkäsittelysovellusten kestävyyden parantamisessa. Osajulkaisut Ozoji, T., Zhang, Z.-X., Adeyemi, A., Qiao, Y., &amp; Chi, L.-Y. (2023). Effect of characteristic impedance in estimating specific energy and average fragment size at high strain rates of some peridotitic rock materials at laboratory scale. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 56(8), 5693&ndash;5704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03359-3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-023-03359-3 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Chi, L.-Y., &amp; Adegbe, C. (2024). Experimental investigation on the role of characteristic impedance in reducing ore-loss and energy wastage during impact comminution. Manuscript in preparation. Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Serasinghe, B. K., Bakkamuntala, N., Obaje, N. G., &amp; Umar, M. U. (2024). Laboratory investigation on relations between characteristic impedance, energy transformation and dynamic stress induced faults in rocks. 58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, ARMA-2024-0825. https://doi.org/10.56952/ARMA-2024-0825 https://doi.org/10.56952/ARMA-2024-0825 Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Zhang, N., Paasovaara, N., &amp; Arrieta, M. R. (2024). Effect of strain rate on specific fracture energy and micro-fracture surface properties of rock specimen under dynamic uniaxial compression. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 295, 109763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109763 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109763 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z.-X., Aladejare, A. E., Zhou, S., Liu, H. (2024). Guidance charts and empirical models for indirect estimation of dissipated energy from laboratory scale rock breakage under dynamic uniaxial compression. Manuscript in preparation. Ozoji, T. M., Zhang, Z. X., Aladejare, A. E., Zhang, N., &amp; Guan, X. (2023). An investigation on relations between dissipated energy and dynamic compressive strength of Kemi-peridotite at high strain rates. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1124(1), 012078. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1124/1/012078 https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1124/1/012078 Aladejare, A. E., Alofe, E. D., Onifade, M., Lawal, A. I., Ozoji, T. M., &amp; Zhang, Z.-X. (2021). Empirical estimation of uniaxial compressive strength of rock: Database of simple, multiple, and artificial intelligence-based regressions. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 39(6), 4427&ndash;4455. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-021-01772-5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-021-01772-5 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Aladejare, A. E., Malachi Ozoji, T., Adebayo Idris, M., Lawal, A. I., &amp; Onifade, M. (2022). Empirical estimation of rock mass deformation modulus of rocks: Comparison of intact rock properties and rock mass classifications as inputs. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15(11), 1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10190-7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10190-7 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Aladejare, A. E., Ozoji, T., Lawal, A. I., &amp; Zhang, Z. (2022). Soft computing-based models for predicting the characteristic impedance of igneous rock from their physico-mechanical properties. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 55(7), 4291&ndash;4304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02836-5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-022-02836-5 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Aladejare, A. E., Idowu, K. A., &amp; Ozoji, T. (2024). Reliability of Monte Carlo simulation approach for estimating uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock. Earth Science Informatics, 17(3), 2043&ndash;2053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-024-01262-1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-024-01262-1 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Academic dissertation to be presented with the assent of the Doctoral Programme Committee of Technology and Natural Sciences of the University of Oulu for public defence in the OP-Pohjola auditorium (L6), Linnanmaa, on 24 September 2024, at 10 a.m.Abstract Geomechanical properties comprise geological and mechanical parameters that influence rock response to stress and energy transformation at varying rates. In the fields of rock mechanics, geotechnical and civil engineering, geomechanical properties of rocks are useful in design, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable engineering infrastructures. Geomechanical properties also influence the breakage characteristics of rocks at varying stress and energy rates, with potential applications in mineral processing (impact comminution). However, applications of geomechanical properties in improving sustainability of engineering infrastructures and mineral liberation during impact comminution has not been fully explored. The aim of this dissertation is to investigate relations between geomechanical properties, energy transformation, fragmentation characteristics and possible applications of forementioned relations in sustainable mining and mineral processing. To achieve this, experimentation and artificial intelligence were applied in predicting forementioned relations at varying rates. Based on study findings, empirical models, and guidance charts for estimating geomechanical properties, energy transformation and breakage characteristics of rocks were proposed. Findings from this study are useful in improving sustainability of mining and mineral processing applications which are dependent on geomechanical properties of rocks.Tiivistelmä Geomekaaniset ominaisuudet koostuvat geologisista ja mekaanisista parametreista, jotka vaikuttavat kallion vasteeseen jännitykseen ja energian muuntumiseen vaihtelevilla nopeuksilla. Kalliomekaniikan, geotekniikan ja maa- ja vesirakentamisen aloilla kivien geomekaaniset ominaisuudet ovat hyödyllisiä kestävien teknisten infrastruktuurien suunnittelussa, toteutuksessa ja arvioinnissa. Geomekaaniset ominaisuudet vaikuttavat myös kivien rikkoutumisominaisuuksiin vaihtelevilla jännityksillä ja energianopeuksilla, ja niillä on potentiaalisia sovelluksia mineraalien käsittelyssä (iskujen hienonnus). Geomekaanisten ominaisuuksien sovelluksia teknisten infrastruktuurien kestävyyden parantamisessa ja mineraalien vapautumisessa iskun hienonnuksen aikana ei kuitenkaan ole täysin tutkittu. Tämän väitöskirjan tavoitteena on tutkia geomekaanisten ominaisuuksien, energian muuntumisen, pirstoutumisominaisuuksien ja edellä mainittujen suhteiden mahdollisia sovelluksia kestävässä kaivostoiminnassa ja mineraalien käsittelyssä. Tämän saavuttamiseksi kokeilua ja tekoälyä hyödynnettiin edellä mainittujen suhteiden ennustamisessa vaihtelevalla nopeudella. Tutkimustulosten perusteella ehdotettiin empiirisiä malleja ja ohjekaavioita kivien geomekaanisten ominaisuuksien, energian muuntumisen ja rikkoutumisominaisuuksien arvioimiseksi. Tämän tutkimuksen tulokset ovat hyödyllisiä kivien geomekaanisista ominaisuuksista riippuvaisten kaivos- ja mineraalienkäsittelysovellusten kestävyyden parantamisessa

    Women's sexual control within conjugal union

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    This study attempts to examine the extent to which women have control over their sexuality within marriage and its implication for the spread of HIV/AIDS. The survey was carried out in metropolitan Lagos. The study shows that women have some control over their sexuality especially during certain occasions such as during menstruation, breastfeeding, pregnancy and when they are sick. However, only few women could negotiate with their husbands especially by insisting on safe sexual practices. The study therefore shows that women need to be educated on the need for safer sex practices, especially in this era of HIV/AIDS. They should also be economically empowered so as to practice safer sex. Again, men should be educated on the safer sex practices in other to control the spread of HIV/AIDS.conjugal, extramarital, menstruation, safe-sex, sex behavior, sexuality

    Asymmetric Price Responses and the Underlying Energy Demand Trend: Are they Substitutes or Complements? Evidence from Modelling OECD Aggregate Energy Demand

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    A number of energy demand studies have considered the importance of modelling Asymmetric Price Responses (APR), for example, the often-cited work of Gately and Huntington (2002). Griffin and Schulman (2005) questioned the asymmetric approach arguing that this is only capturing energy saving technical progress. Huntington (2006), however, showed that for whole economy aggregate energy and oil demand there is a role statistically for both APR and exogenous energy saving technical change. In a separate strand of the literature the idea of the Underlying Energy Demand Trend (UEDT) has been developed, see for example Hunt et al. (2003a and 2003b) and Dimitropoulos et al. (2005). They argue that it is important, in time series energy demand models, to allow for stochastic trends (or UEDTs) based upon the structural time series/dynamic regression methodology recommended by Harvey (1989, 1997). This paper attempts to bring these strands of the literature together by conducting tests for the UEDT and APR in energy demand models within both a panel context (consistent with the Huntington, 2006 approach) and the structural time series modelling framework. A set of tests across a range of specifications using time-series and panel data are therefore undertaken in order to ascertain whether energy saving technical change (or the more general UEDT) and APR are substitutes for each other when modelling energy demand or whether they are actually picking up different influences and are therefore complements. Using annual whole economy data for 17 OECD countries over the period 1960 – 2004 the results suggest that in general the UEDT and ARP are complementary estimation methodologies when modelling aggregate energy demand. It is argued therefore that energy demand modellers should not assume at the outset that one method is superior to the other. Moreover, wherever possible, a general model (be it in a time series or panel context) that includes a ‘non linear UEDT’ and APR should be initially estimated, and only if accepted by the data should symmetry and/or a more restrictive UEDT be imposed.Energy Demand, OECD, Asymmetric Price Responses, Underlying Energy Demand Trend.

    African Swine Fever: an Overview

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    The African swine fever (ASF) is an expanding devastating viral disease currently threatening the pig industry worldwide. The virus is an icosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyribovirus (ICDV) of the Asfarviridae family. It is an arbovirus (transmitted by ticks) and it is the only arbovirus that contains DNA. Wild suids of Africa, mainly the warthog and bushpig, are the original vertebrate hosts of ASF. Domestic pigs are infected by ticks (Ornithodoros moubata) or by direct contact with wild suids. Transstadial and transovarian infections occur in ticks. Recently, ASF caused high morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs in Nigeria and other West African countries previously known to be free of the disease. No protective vaccination has been discovered; hence, a slaughter policy with adequate compensation, strict quarantine of pigs and their products at borders are necessary to stop the current outbreaks of ASF in Africa, particularly in West Africa. To eradicate ASF it has become very urgent to further promote awareness of ASF, to cook swill before serving to pigs, and to enforce regulations against free-ranging pigs. Research in vaccine production against ASF should be intensified. Governments must improve veterinary ambulatory and diagnostic services as well as the information network since ASF is a notifiable disease
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