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About 19 epidermal succulent stem characters (five qualitative and 14 quantitative) of four medicinal and often confused Caralluma species in Yemen (C. penicillata, C. quadrangula, C. subulata and C. tuberculata) were investigated using compound light microscopy. The results indicated that the studied epidermal characters showed high significance in distinguishing between the investigated taxa. Furthermore, based on the studied epidermal properties, statistical analysis, Two-Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) illustrate the taxonomic relationship between the studied species, which agrees with the earlier taxonomic studies on the genus Caralluma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to antibiotic medications is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal for good health and well-being. However, non-prescribed and informal sources are implicated as the most common causes of inappropriate antibiotic access practices, resulting in untargeted therapy, which leads to antibiotic resistance. Hence, knowing antibiotic access practices at the community level is essential to target misuse sources. In this study, 2256 household representatives were surveyed between July and September 2023 to examine their antibiotic access practices. Of 1245 household members who received antibiotics, 45.6% did so inappropriately. Non-prescribed antibiotic access was more common among urban residents and individuals not enrolled in health insurance schemes. This means of antibiotic access was also more common among individuals concerned about distance, drug availability, and healthcare convenience at public facilities. In addition, women and rural individuals were more likely to get antibiotics from unauthorized sources. Unrestricted antibiotic dispensing practices in urban areas enabled their non-prescribed access, while unlicensed providers prevailed with this access practice in rural areas. In this regard, personal behaviors and healthcare-related gaps such as the lack of health insurance, inconvenience, and drug unavailability have led community members to seek antibiotics from unofficial and non-prescribed sources. Targeting the identified behavioral and institutional factors can enhance antibiotic access through prescriptions, hence reducing antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Agriculture is Ethiopia's principal economic activity, employing the vast majority of the population, however, smallholder farmers in the country face long-standing challenges, including low levels of production, low income, and less credit use. This study aimed to analyze the impact of access to credit on crop productivity and income among small-scale farmers in the study area. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January 1st to 30th, 2022. Primary data were collected from purposely selected seven (7) kebele of the district based on potential users of agricultural credit. Then the impact was investigated by applying the propensity score matching technique. A Probit regression model was used to determine factors associated with credit use. The significance of the variables was decided at a 5% level of significance. Results: In our study, a total sample of 347 smallholder farmers were randomly selected, out of which 42.9% were credit-users while 59.1% were non-users. Regarding sources of credit use, Vision Fund was the most commonly used source of credit with 67.8% of users, followed by the Omo Microfinance institution with 22.1%. Sex of the farmer, age of the farmer, existence collateral, farm size, attitude towards risk, extension service, membership in credit institutions, road access, and number of total livestock units in tropical livestock units (TLU) had significant effects on credit use at a 5% level of significance. Moreover, the estimates showed that utilizing credit resulted in a rise in crop productivity in current market value and total yearly income by 19,302.44 and 18,009.63 respectively. Conclusion: Our study suggested that credit use had a considerable impact on crop productivity and total annual income. As a result, the study recommended that the government's rural finance policy agenda should prioritize opening different branches near farmers, improving credit usability, and providing more training programs to smallholder farmers to improve their skills and help reduce the problems that impede their use of agricultural credit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hookworm infection and schistosomiasis are two of sub-Saharan Africa's most common neglected tropical diseases. An annual mass drug administration (MDA) program against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), including hookworm, has been implemented in Mayuge district, Uganda, since 2003 to date. However, hookworm and schistosomiasis remain prevalent in Mayuge district. Understanding the factors that predispose children to these infections in the context of MDA could inform interventions to reduce prevalence in Uganda and similar settings. Method: This cross-sectional study took place in 33 randomly selected primary schools in the Mayuge district from January to February 2022. Children in primary classes 4 or 5, in the selected schools provided single stool samples and completed questionnaires. Stool specimens were examined using the Kato-Katz method to determine the prevalence of hookworm and schistosomiasis. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to assess the associations of each infection with potential risk factors. Result: A total of 1,617 students (mean age 12.1 years, 50.1% male) were enrolled. The prevalence of hookworm infection and schistosomiasis was 21.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 19.8–23.9%) and 18.7% (95% CI: 16.8–20.7%), respectively. In multivariable analysis, longer water fetching time (over 30 min versus less than 30 min) and working daily in the soil were associated with increased odds of hookworm infection (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.49, 95% CI: 1.13–1.96 and 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03–1.82, respectively). Higher odds of schistosomiasis were linked to proximity to water bodies within a one-hour walking distance (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.35–2.50), and not always washing hands before eating (AOR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.50–2.67). Swimming, bathing, or washing in water bodies twice a week, compared to never, also increased schistosomiasis odds (AOR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.66–5.13). Conclusion: Consistent with the mechanisms of acquisition, hookworm infection increased with exposure to soil, and schistosomiasis increased with exposure to unclean water. Our findings highlight the importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene programs and strategies aimed at reducing exposure within the framework of Neglected Tropical Disease elimination programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although neonatal sepsis is a major public health problem contributing to 30-50% of neonatal deaths in low- and middle-income countries, data on predictors of time to death are limited in Eastern Ethiopia. This study is aimed at determining predictors of time to death among neonates with sepsis admitted in public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods. An institutional-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 415 neonates admitted to referral hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia with sepsis from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Data were collected from medical records by using structured checklist and entered using EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using Stata 17. The Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to describe survival experience among different categories. The proportional hazard assumption and goodness of fit for the Cox regression model were checked. The Cox regression model was used to identify the significant predictors. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Finally, statistical significance was set at a p value < 0.05 in the Cox regression analysis. Results. Of the 415 neonates with neonatal sepsis, 71 (17.1%) (95% CI: 13.60-21.08) died at discharge, with a median time to death of 14 days. The overall incidence rate of mortality was 36.5 per 1000 neonate days. Low birthweight (AHR = 2.50 ; 95% CI: 1.15-5.44), maternal age ≥ 35 years (AHR = 3.17 ; 95% CI: 1.11, 9.04), low fifth-minute Apgar score (AHR: 2.32; 95% CI: 1.30-4.14), and late initiation of breastfeeding (AHR = 4.82 ; 95% CI: 1.40-16.65) were independent predictors of mortality among neonates with sepsis. Conclusions. Almost one in five neonates with sepsis died at discharge. Low birthweight, maternal age ≥ 35 years, low fifth-minute Apgar score, and late initiation of breastfeeding were predictors of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Mesozoic and/or Tertiary rift basins are well developed. These rift basins have proven their importance to economic development of the region through major oil discoveries including the Jobi-Rii field in the Albertine basin, Uganda, the Ngamia field in Lokichar Basin, Kenya and the oil fields of Yemen. The Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) developed during the Oligocene–Miocene time as part of the East African Rift System and is commonly divided into the Northern, Central and Southern parts. The subsurface rift architecture of the MER remains poorly understood due to lack detailed geophysical studies. This study aims to investigate the subsurface stratigraphic and structural setup of the Southern MER by using 2D high-resolution seismic reflection surveys integrated with nearby well data. Analysis of 2D-seismic reflection data in the Southern MER reveals four horizons from which three horizons show good correlations in Northern Abaya and Gelana basins. The basement structure delineated the main basins in the study area: Northern Abaya, Southern Abaya, Chamo and Gelana sub-basins. The sub-basins showed a typical rift-basin development: pre-rift, syn-rift and post-rift sedimentation and the faulted basement is dominantly oriented NE–SW parallel to the regional structural trend of the area. The deepest basement is greater than 3600 m in Northern Abaya basin followed by Gelana Basin which reaches to 3100 m. Southern Abaya and Chamo basins have shallow basement depths less than 2250 m. Interpretation of the interval velocity integrated with the geology and nearby well data helped to identify the different stratigraphic units ranging from Jurassic to Quaternary time span in the area. Possible source rocks of Late Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous marine shales and fluvial–lacustrine sediments of Lower Miocene thickness 1200 m and 1800 m are identified in Northern Abaya Basin, respectively, where the thicknesses of those units are 900 m and 1000 m in Galena Basin. We also infer from seismic interpretation that the upper Miocene sand/sandstone inferred on both sub-basins can be considered as a reservoir, whereas distinctive fault closures against the basement with horst and grabens or tilted half grabens and anticlinal structures can smoothly provide the hydrocarbon trapping mechanism. Numerous faults mapped on seismic sections play a major role for migration of hydrocarbon from source to reservoir rocks. The interpreted NE–SW major faults located on the western side of most of the seismic sections reactivated during the East African rifting at Neogene period produced an appreciable throw which can also provide migration pathways for the hydrocarbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to May 2020 to determine the seroprevalence and identify potential risk factors of brucellosis in dairy cows and owners. Purposive sampling was performed in the respective farms and kebeles to screen recent cases of abortion. The overall seroprevalence of bovine and human brucellosis was 0.61% (95%CI:0.016-2.09) and 1.21% (95%CI:0.032-4.27) respectively using combined RBPT and CFT tests. Late stage of abortion (OR = 14.74, p = 0.0002), retained fetal membrane (OR = 32.74, p = 0.006), market-based stock replacement (OR = 16.55, p = 0.002), and presence of parturition pen (OR = 11.511, p = 0.027) was found to be significantly associated with seropositivity for Brucella infection in dairy cattle. Human housing (OR = 1.8, p = 0.002), contact with aborted fetus (OR = 21.19, p = 0.017), and drinking raw milk from aborted (OR = 5.72, 0.019) and retained fetal membrane (OR = 4.22, p = 0.029) cows all had a significant influence on human brucellosis seropositivity. A structured interview question was administered to 284 respondents. Accordingly, most respondents had no knowledge of bovine brucellosis and their zoonotic effects (93.3%) in contrast most of them drink raw milk. Implementation of a test and slaughter strategy with compensation is recommended with this low prevalence. In the case of human brucellosis, implementing one health approach framework should be practiced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calf diarrhoea, the eighth most common cause of death in this age group, affects over 75% of newborn calves under three weeks old. Fifty calves with diarrhoea from the nine intensive dairy farms were assessed during the study period. Of these, 72% (n =36) were positive for E. coli There was a strong link between the prevalence of E. coli in calf diarrhoea and the age groups. Therefore, those under the age of one month were 1.3 more likely to be infected with E. coli than those between one and three months of age. The Antibiogram test revealed that E. coli isolated was highly responsive to the antibiotics tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin and doxycycline, but less susceptible to the drugs amoxicillin, ceftazidime, nitrofurantoin, and kanamycin and resistant to the antibiotics cefotaxime and vancomycin. Results from interviews and regular observations in the study area indicate that young calves were more impacted by diarrhoea, which accounted for about half of all health issues in calves. The E. coli recovery rate was significantly higher in calves that were one week old. These findings supported the hypothesis that the level of calf diarrhoea was excessive and would be detrimental to dairy output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses of fauna tooth enamel from Garba IVD (1.95 Ma) and Gombore IB (1.66 Ma), two Early Acheulean sites of Melka Kunture (Upper Awash, Ethiopia), and discuss faunal taxonomy and fossil pollen. Our aim is to infer the diet and habitat of the fossil fauna, as well as the environment of both sites, in order to provide a broader paleoecological reconstruction. During the Pleistocene, the vegetation of the highlands of Ethiopia belonged to the Dry evergreen Afromontane Forest and grassland complex, which is distinct from the savanna of lower elevations in eastern Africa. Our carbon isotopic results indicate that all the analyzed faunal taxa were grazers consuming C4 plants, whereas oxygen isotopic results discriminate the taxa according to their semiaquatic or terrestrial habitats. These results are consistent with the taxonomic composition of the faunal assemblages and the palynological results, suggesting extended mountain grasslands in the landscape at Garba IVD. In contrast, the carbon isotopic results do not totally agree with the pollen paleoenvironmental reconstruction at Gombore IB, where the open vegetation was interrupted by forests and bushy vegetation. Stable isotope and pollen data provide different outcomes (feeding strategies vs. nearby plants) and have different temporal and spatial resolutions. This is relevant when reconstructing past environments by using independent proxies. Furthermore, isotopic comparisons with other Early Pleistocene paleontological and archaeological sites from eastern Africa indicate that all the analyzed taxa in common fed on C4 plants and that their dietary strategies were not affected by variations linked to the difference in elevations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of land use and land cover change information has significantly risen as a result of the requirement for relevant data for environmental monitoring, modeling, and planning. The main objective of the study is to analyze the trend of land use and land cover dynamics in Sheka biosphere reserve: A Case of Shato Core Area, Southwest Ethiopia. To map the land use and land cover, supervised classifications were used, and an accuracy evaluation was conducted. Information on the trend of land use and land cover change was obtained using the IDRISI software's land change modeler. Results showed that about 308.29ha (56.7%) of wetland and 3,215.6ha (19.6%) of natural forest were converted to other land use types in the last 30 years. Plantation and rural settlement increased by 2,234.3ha (10.2%) and 1289.6ha (6.6%) respectively from 1991–2021. Sheka biosphere reserve was registered with UNESCO in 2012 and Shato is one of the core areas. It covers 5023.3ha (25.5%) of the study area. However, 1482ha (7.5%) were given to coffee plantations, and currently, only 3,541ha (18%) are left. The main drivers of land cover changes were attributed to large-scale agricultural intensification and its induced expansions of rural settlements in and around the Shato core area. The overall accuracy and kappa statistics for 1991, 2006, and 2021 were 74% (0.74), 81% (0.81), and 81.2% (0.812), respectively. Thus, land use and land cover change trend mapping and analysis play a crucial role in conservation planning and habitat monitoring. The study concluded that wetland and forestland conversions in the study area are decreasing overwhelmingly and need serious intervention mechanisms to tackle the loss of biodiversity in the Shato core area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a collection of abstracts, case studies, and research articles related to various topics in blood transfusion and immunohaematology. The studies cover a range of subjects, including the quality control of fresh frozen plasma, the prevalence of infectious diseases among blood donors, the identification of rare blood types, and the impact of patient blood management practices. The findings from these studies offer valuable insights into improving blood transfusion safety, optimizing donor selection and testing strategies, and enhancing the overall quality of transfusion services. [Extracted from the article]

Lathyrus sativus is considered as an important economical source of high-quality proteins and adaptability to global climate change. To detect accessions useful for future breeding strategies, the genetic variability among and within seven Lathyrus sativus accessions was assessed by morphological characters and the in vitro digestibility study. An important genetic diversity was found using various morphological traits. The significant heterogeneity revealed by variance analysis (ANOVA) and correlation test could be elucidated by the different geographical origins of the studied accessions and the natural selection of grass pea. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) exhibited the accumulation of several genotypes in the same cluster which confirm that these genotypes are not dispersed according to their origin. Whereas, the individuals of grass pea from Ethiopia were collected in distinct group indicating that these samples are close each other's and are different from the other accessions. In the same aim, the in vitro digestion model showed that most of the proteins were digested after 60-min incubation except the β-lathyrin protein. The different digestion kinetics found could be used as a method to distinguish different crop accessions. In fact, the densitometry analysis of β-lathyrin protein band showed that grass pea from Ethiopia, Germany, Bangladesh, and Morocco were more digested than grass pea from Canada, Afghanistan, and Greece in gastric phase, and Grass pea from Afghanistan and Germany were more digested than the rest of the samples in duodenal phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine dictycaulosis is a serious disease in ruminants caused by lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The infection is closely related to pasture contamination with the infective larvae. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to June 2021 to detect the prevalence of bovine dictyocaulosis in two animal-rearing stations in Assiut, Upper Egypt with risk factor analysis. Also, the role of filth flies in the transmission of infective larvae was investigated. A total of 251 animals (143 cattle and 108 buffaloes) were examined using the modified Baermann technique and postmortem examination. Multiple fly pools were also collected and examined for the detection of Dictyocaulus larvae in different seasons microscopically and by PCR techniques. The overall prevalence of D. viviparus infection in cattle and buffaloes was 20.98% and 52.78%, respectively. The infection was significantly higher in the young aged and symptomatic animals (96.7%). Most lungworm infection was recorded during autumn, spring, and winter seasons, respectively. Coprological examination coincides with microscopic examination of fly wash regarding the prevalence and the seasonal variation. Musca domestica, Borborillus vitripennis, Fannia canicularis, and Sepsis punctum were the most abundant fly species and showed the highest rates of infection. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an outbreak of bovine dictycauolosis in Upper Egypt. The obtained results proved the role of filth flies in the transmission of D. viviparus larvae during the outbreak. Control programs for bovine dictyocaulosis should include the control of filth flies around the rearing places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their paramount importance all over the globe in supporting food security, information about wild edible plants is generally patchy. In this study, we investigated the wild edible plants used by the local people in the Soro District of Hadiya Zone, southern Ethiopia. The main purpose of the study was to document and analyze the indigenous and local knowledge of the people on their abundance, diversity, use and management. Methods and materials: Purposive sampling and systematic random sampling were used to identify informants who can give information about the wild edible plants of the area. Data were collected by interviewing 26 purposively sampled key informants and 128 systematically randomly sampled general informants using semi-structured interviews. Guided observations and 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 5–12 participants/discussants at each FGD session were also undertaken. Statistical analyses (mainly descriptive statistics approaches) and common analytical tools of ethnobotany including informant consensus, informant consensus factor, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, paired comparison and index of fidelity level were applied to the data sets. Results: A total of 64 wild edible plant species belonging to 52 genera and 39 families were recorded. All of these species are indigenous, 16 are new additions to the database and seven of them, including Urtica simensis and Thymus schimperi, are endemic to Ethiopia. In about 82.81% of the species, the edible plant part is also used in the Ethiopian traditional herbal medicine. It is striking to see that almost all wild edible plants recorded from the study area are nutraceutical plant species, serving multiple roles as food and therapeutic sources for the local people. We recorded five growth habits of 34.38% trees, 32.81% herbs, 25% shrubs, 6.25% climbers, and 1.56% liana. We found the Flacourtiaceae, Solanaceae, and Moraceae to be families that represented more species (4 each), followed by Acanthaceae, Apocynaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Asteraceae, which accounted for 3 species each. Fruits (53.13%) and leaves (31.25%) were consumed in more proportions than other edible parts (15.63%); mostly the ripe, raw fruit is eaten upon simple processing, followed by leaves eaten after boiling, roasting and cooking. Conclusion: The frequency and intensity of consumption of these plants varied significantly (P < 0.05) with gender differences, key and general informants, and people's religious backgrounds. We postulate that priority setting for in situ and ex situ conservation of multipurpose wild edible plants in human-inhabited landscapes is essential to warrant sustainable use and conservation of the species as well as the use of new modes of application and valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) enables identification of treatment-related side effects of a disease. Such aspects may negatively impact on patients' lives and should be taken into consideration in medical decision-making. In sub-Saharan Africa, research from the perspective of patients with chronic kidney disease is scarce, and it is almost non-existent in patients undergoing hemodialysis. We aimed to determine HRQOL among end-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Ethiopia and to identify factors associated with HRQOL. Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia directed to all patients receiving hemodialysis due to kidney failure at 11 randomly-selected government and private hospitals/dialysis centers in the capital of Ethiopia. Data were collected by trained nurses using the KDQOL-36 instrument with five subscales measuring generic and disease-specific HRQOL. Study-specific items were used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. Factors associated with HRQOL were examined using multivariable linear regression models. Results: Four hundred eighty-one patients completed the survey through face-to-face interviews (response rate 96%; mean age 45.34 ± 14.67). The mean scores of the subscales ranged from 25.6 to 66.68 (range 0–100), with higher scores reflecting better health. Factors associated with low HRQOL included older age, female sex, no formal education, poor medication adherence, > 2 hemodialysis sessions/week, lower body mass index (< 18.5), longer duration of hemodialysis treatment (≥ 12 months), and poor social support. Conclusion: Patients with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, had low HRQOL across all subscales compared to previous studies. Therefore, the implementation of guidelines is crucial to improve patients' adherence to their prescribed medications. Furthermore, establishing patient support groups and encouraging patients to use the available support resources from family members, neighbors, and friends have the potential to improve patients' HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is one of the most neglected zoonotic diseases in the world. It affects all age groups and both sexes. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to May 2020 to estimate the seroprevalence and assess the potential risk factors of brucellosis among dairy cow owners and dairy farmworkers, and assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices in selected sites in the central highlands of Oromia, Ethiopia. A structured interview question was administered to 284 respondents, and only 166 of them volunteered to give a blood sample. Most respondents had limited knowledge of brucellosis (93.3%), zoonotic diseases transmitted by handling animal delivery (88%), and consuming raw milk and other animal products (90.0%). Accordingly, 149 blood samples from animal owners and 17 farmworkers were collected for serological testing. The serum samples collected were initially screened using the Rose Bengal Plate test, and the Complement Fixation test was used as a confirmatory test. The overall seroprevalence of zoonotic brucellosis was 1.2% (95%CI: 0.32–4.27). There was a statistically significant association of human brucellosis with human housing (OR = 1.8, p = 0.002), contact with aborted fetus (OR = 21.19, p = 0.017), drinking raw milk from non-aborted (OR = 24.99, p = 0.012), aborted (OR = 5.72, 0.019), and retained fetal membrane (OR = 4.22, p = 0.029) cows. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the seroprevalence of brucellosis in the study area was low. Public awareness among animal owners, farm and animal health workers on the transmission and health hazards of brucellosis needs to be addressed through community training. Implementing one health approach between veterinary and medical health professionals must be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empowering women and reducing gender disparities are key challenges of 21st century. This is more pressing in rural areas of developing countries like Ethiopia. The problem is prevalent in intra-household relationships. However, most initiatives of women empowerment have been transitory and externally imposed without considering structural causes of gender inequality hence they have been less effective. We reviewed and compared rural women's empowerment under widely occurring traditional systems versus community-led initiative, specifically the case of the Awra Amba community in northwest Ethiopia. The comparison was made on the bases of key indicators including division of labor, access to information, and resources, leadership and decision-making and genderbased violence. There exist number of studies assessing gender relations in rural areas under traditional systems. The studies showed that rural women have more workload involving both household and farm activities compared to men who are tasked to mainly outside home activities. Moreover, limited accesses to information, services and control over resources, low decision-making power, lack of opportunities to self-development such as education and training are key challenges to rural women. However, the above observed gaps seem to have been relatively tackled in the case of the Awra Amba community. This community owns a unique self-organized system with the goal of addressing socioeconomic problems through the principle of egalitarianism. Woman's inferior position in the community is believed to be eliminated by destroying the traditional gender roles and patriarchal gender ideology. As a result, some of the community values and principles have been replicated to other Ethiopian rural communities through own initiated exchange visits. But the actual implementation of the community-led initiative in Awara Amba is not immune to criticism. Therefore, in-depth scientific research, and upscaling of successful community-led empowerment practices should be encouraged to understand how locally organized collective actions help to realize inclusive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better grasp the development and trends of tannery wastewater (TWW) treatment research, this paper provides a review of the TWW treatment research dynamics based on the Web of Science (WoS) database and using CiteSpace software. The research dynamics, hot topics, evolutionary history and research trends in this field are revealed. The results showed that research related to TWW treatment has shown a high growth trend in the number of articles in recent years, and India was outstanding in terms of influence in this area. The keyword clustering analysis showed that the main research hotspots in the field of TWW treatment were biological treatment processes (phytoremediation, constructed wetlands, anaerobic treatment and biofilm reactors) and chemical treatment processes (coagulation and flocculation, and advanced oxidation processes). The analysis of new research frontiers showed that the bioremediation and the application of biofuel cells in TWW will become important research directions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current Ethiopian lease proclamation is to ensure efficiency and transparency in land delivery and to enhance the revenue generated to the state through the transfer of land by tender. However, there are various challenges in relation to access to urban land in Ethiopia that adversely affects the business environment. Thus, this study is aimed at identifying the determinants of urban land lease price using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and hedonic regression methods. The data about land lease price have been collected from the Addis Ababa city land transfer office. After coding and editing, the data have been processed in statistical software. Based on a significance threshold larger than 0.05, it was discovered that the three variables in the hedonic regression model (HRM) have no effect on the price of urban land leases. In the instance of the ANN, all variables have an effect on the price of Addis Ababa's urban land leasing. When the results of the two methods are combined, all of the variables have an impact on the determination of Addis Ababa's urban land leasing price. The ANN outperforms the HRM in terms of model prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the emerging and promising of on-farm trees to the biodiversity conservation, economic and ecological importance, there is still a dearth of empirical scientific information on how farmers manage trees to improve floristic diversity across Agroforestry land uses in semi-arid. Therefore, this research was aimed to (i) investigate and compare the floristic composition and diversity across three Agroforestry practices; (ii) examine regeneration status of selected trees species; (iii) describe management practices and species preference. Two peasant associations (Anabelesa and Digba) were purposively selected. Then, farmers who practice homegardens, parklands, live fencings and woodlots were stratified based on local wealth category. "91" households were randomly selected from each wealth category. Different quadrats were laid out for inventory. 24 key informants were used. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. A total of 49 woody species, belonging to 44 genera and 30 families were encountered across the four land uses. The mean Shannon diversity index of rich farmers was higher over medium and poor. The mean basal area and stem number ranged from 0.27 to 48.2 m2 ha−1 and 9.48 to 2320.83 stems ha−1, respectively. Trees with the top five highest IVI in homegardens and live fencings was showed a Reversed J-shaped diameter class distribution. Farmers employed pruning, thinning, composting, pollarding, lopping, coppicing, weeding, protection and watering. Species Preference was influenced by the purposes of trees. These results suggest that acknowledging the farmers' indigenous knowledge on trees management is crucial for enhancing biodiversity conservation in the agricultural ecosystems in semi-arid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storage duration and seed treatments before storage are important factors responsible for retaining seed longevity. Hence, germination of tagasaste seed in the laboratory or nursery has been difficult and problematic without seed treatment, and yet, there is no information about the tagasaste seed longevity after treatment. Thus, this research was carried out to investigate the longevity of tagasaste seed after seed treatment for optimum germination percentage. The tagasaste seed was collected from the field of Holetta Agricultural Research Centre and treated monthly from March 2016 through February 2017. The germination test for the treated seed was done in the month of March for three consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The data were analyzed using the SAS software, and the least significant difference was employed for mean separation. The germination percentage was not significantly P > 0.05 different within the months of the first, second, and third years of storage durations. While, the germination percentage of the seed stored after treatment for one, two, and three years was nonsignificant P > 0.05 . Therefore, the treated seed of tagasaste can be stored under the ambient conditions of a tropical highland environment for about three years without significant loss in germination percentage. However, the study should be conducted for more years to know the effect of storage duration on seed viability of tagasaste after seed treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to assess the nutritional composition and the impact of diverse green extraction techniques like conventional (CE), microwave-assisted (MAE), ultra-sound assisted (UAE), and brewing (BR) on the phytochemicals, antioxidant activities, and bio-accessibility of functional compounds by in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion from Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta leaves. The nutritional composition unveiled that the leaves enclose high fibre (17.3 ± 2.2%), ash (8.2 ± 1.4%), calcium (636 ± 3 mg/100 g), and potassium (152 ± 0.69 mg/100 g). C. robusta prevailed C. arabica leaves in total phenolics (TP) while the UAE, MAE, and BR (68.05 ± 1.5, 56.1 ± 1.2, 55.52 ± 1.8 mg of CGAE (chlorogenic acid equivalent)/g respectively), recaptured higher TP as compared to the CE (27.26 ± 1.1 mg of CGAE/g). Chlorogenic acid (8–36 mg/g) followed by quercetin (1–3 mg/g), caffeine (4–12 mg/g), trigonelline (2–8 mg/g) and theophylline (0.05–0.3 mg/g) represent the major phytochemicals. The antioxidant activities (ABTS and FRAP) were in accordance with the total phenolics present in the extracts. Higher bio-accessibility was exhibited for alkaloids (60–70%) than chlorogenic acid (40–50%) while quercetin was the least bio-accessible. Principle component analysis revealed 59.3% and 28.9% of the total variance between extractions, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities. The utilization of coffee leaves could be a promising raw material for food and pharma sector besides providing sustainability and waste valorisation for the coffee industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities have been growing rapidly over the past 30 years. This urban growth requires proper planning for sustainable development. Considering the possible future urban planning problems to Sialkot city, Pakistan, it is taken as a study area because of its significance as an industrial and economically emerging city. This study applied Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GISs) to recognize, compute, analyze, and plot urban sprawl susceptibility. A multicriteria evaluation method was used, employing factors such as land cover, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), population density, and road proximity as inputs. The weights of all input factors were estimated according to urban sprawl dynamics between the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used for Sialkot city to assess the susceptibility of urban sprawl and pattern. The outcomes showed that 118 km2 (45%) of the area was not susceptible, 62 km2 (24%) was slightly susceptible, while 42 km2 (16%) was restrained susceptible, and 38 km2 (15%) was extremely susceptible to urban sprawl. We found a linear scattered and leapfrog sprawl pattern in the study area. The substantial variations in the field of study for 30 years showed threats for fertile farming land and other natural resources, consequently threatening the production and security of food. The findings of this research would aid the government in monitoring and estimating susceptible sprawl to prevent agricultural land and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parent–adolescent discussion on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues leads to increased awareness on reproductive health matters and reduces risky behaviors among adolescents and also contributes to negative SRH outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess parent–adolescent discussion on SRH issues and its associated factors in Sawla town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of 10–19-year-olds in Sawla town from March to April 2020. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select 697 study subjects. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, adapted from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic Health Survey and other published literature. The questionnaire consisted of questions about socio-demographic factors, knowledge about SRH issues, attitudes towards SRH issues, and discussions between parents and adolescents concerning SRH issues and was administered by face-to-face interviews p-value < 0.05 and 95%CI for adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were used to declare the significance of the associations. Results: Of the total participants, 168 (25.7%) respondents had reported discussion about at least two components of SRH issues in the last 6 months prior to the study. Multiple logistic regression model revealed that attending primary education (AOR 3, 95% CI: 1.10, 7.70), secondary education (AOR 9, 95% CI: 3.87, 20.64) and diploma and above (AOR 22.33, 95% CI: 9.49, 32.56), monthly income of above 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR 2.40, 95% CI: 1.30, 4.55), good knowledge (AOR 2, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.50)and positive attitude (AOR 4, 95% CI: 1.57, 10) towards SRH issues were statically significant factors associated with increased parent–adolescent discussion about SRH. Conclusion: The occurrence of parent–adolescent SRH discussion is low in Sawla town. Educational status, average monthly income, knowledge and attitude on SRH issues were major factors affecting parent–adolescent discussion on SRH issues. Continuous capacity building on SRH issues for parents to increase the level of parental knowledge and attitude about SRH issues and sustainable advocacy should be provided about the importance of parent to the adolescent discussion. Moreover, it is important to support and scale up the adult learning program to decrease the level of illiteracy. Plain English summary: The health threats for adolescents today are predominantly behavioral rather than biomedical and more of today's adolescents are involved in health behavior with the potential for serious consequences. In most cultures, parents and family members are an influential source of knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and values for children and youth. Open parent–adolescent discussion on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues often leads to increased awareness on reproductive health matters and reduces risky behaviors among adolescents and also is the base to reduce bad reproductive health outcomes. This study provides an overview of parent–adolescent discussion on SRH issues among parents in Sawla town in Southern Ethiopia. We found that only about one-fourth (25.7%) of the parents discuss at least two components of SRH issues with their children in the last 6 months prior to the study. Educational status, average monthly income, knowledge, and attitude on SRH issues were major factors for these disparities. Knowing the level of parent–adolescent discussion on SRH issues with their children and factors affecting the discussion may help concerned bodies to design Continuous capacity building and life skill training programs on SRH issues for parents and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the collections held at herbarium FT, new and noteworthy records of vascular plants are provided for the flora of southern Somalia and north‐eastern Kenya. One taxon, Polycarpaea somalensis is recorded as new for the flora of Kenya. Nine taxa, Cyanotis aff. foecunda, Blepharis kenyensis, Launaea sarmentosa, Jatropha hildebrandtii var. hildebrandtii, Scaevola taccada, Polygala aff. muratii, Portulaca coralloides, Portulaca oblonga, Grewia glandulosa are recorded as new for the flora of Somalia and the presence of four taxa, Aneilema lamuense, Ehretia bakeri, Ipomoea aitonii, Strychnos decussata, previously known from single collections, is confirmed. New distributional or noteworthy records are reported for 16 species (Dyschoriste bayensis, Kleinia grantii, Pluchea sarcophylla, Vernonia bayensis, Maerua angolensis subsp. angolensis, Polycarpaea somalensis, Ipomoea kotschyana, Euphorbia hirta, Jatropha stuhlmannii, Lobelia fervens subsp. fervens, Flueggea leucopyrus, Digitaria macroblephara, Portulaca commutata, Talinum portulacifolium, Melhania kelleri, Corchorus aestuans) and for the recently described Emilia corallina one additional record is provided. A note on capsule and seed morphology of Blepharis kenyensis is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: This article intends to summarize all the up-to-date information on coffee leaves, rendering it to be used as a potential agri-food resource in the growing functional foods and pharma industries. Coffee leaves have been processed for herbal tea and ethno-medicine since centuries in the parts of the world where coffee is grown traditionally. Currently, interest in the valorisation of coffee leaves for its application in the food industry is proliferating and the research related to it is scanty and, therefore, worthwhile to congregate. The current review compromises the botanical description, chemical composition, bio-actives and ethnomedicinal properties of coffee leaves. It encompasses the existing pharmacological studies on coffee leaves including the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities to pave path for future research. Furthermore, applications and patents associated with coffee leaves in different fields such as therapeutic agents, beverages, packaging material, tobacco substitute etc. have been summarized. The investigation reveals that, despite of many patents on coffee leaves only few products could reach the worldwide market; also in spite of coffee leaves having a rich ethno-medicinal use the study on its pharmacological activities are scarce which creates a huge scope to carry out in-vitro and in-vivo research on its various bio-activities. Future insights reflecting the supplementary research regarding the sensory attributes, changes in phytochemical composition, flavour development and product formulations which is vital are also discussed. In conclusion, this review addresses the breach and specifies the requirements to convert the existing knowledge into commercialized food products with functional properties. Thus, coffee leaves being a copious resource of bio-actives serve as a potential agri-food resource and a promising future in the emerging functional food and nutraceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of time, the Moroccan people have used many medicinal plants as a popular medicine to cure many human and livestock health problems. Yet, few studies have been carried in the past to properly document and promote traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge. This study was conducted out from July 1st, 2016 to July 30th, 2018 in the Rif; it was aimed to establish the list of medicinal plants, together with the association of ethnomedicinal knowledge. The ethnomedicinal data obtained were from 1000 traditional healers using semi-structured discussions, free listing, and focus groups. Family importance value, plant part value, fidelity level, the relative frequency of citation, and informant consensus factor were applied in data interpretation. Plant species were accumulated, and deposited at the Plant, Animal Productions and agro-industry laboratory, Ibn Tofail University. A total of 280 medicinal plants belong to 204 genera and 70 families were documented. Asteraceae with 29 species was the most used family in this study area. Rosmarinus officinalis L. (RFC = 0.189) was the species the most commonly prescribed by local traditional healers. Similarly, the leaf was the most useful part of the plant (PPV = 0.364), the most frequent affections were osteoarticular affections (ICF = 0.983), and the majority of herbal remedies were prepared from a decoction (38.6%). The results of the present investigation confirmed the presence of indigenous ethnomedicinal information of plant species in the Rif's area to treat various disorders. More investigation on phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological should be considered to determine new drugs from these reported plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 20% of neonates develop sepsis and among them approximately 1% die due to sepsis-related causes. Bacterial pathogens are the commonest cause of neonatal sepsis which is either early onset (<72 hours of age) or late onset (>72 hours). Little is known about the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of sepsis causing bacterial pathogens in Nepal. A prospective study was carried out among neonates suspected to have sepsis and admitted to Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital from January to December 2016. Clinical suspicion of sepsis was made based on clinical findings and laboratory parameters, later confirmed by isolation of organisms in blood culture. Drug resistance pattern of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were studied by standard methods. Meropenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria were processed for the detection of ß-lactamases and resistant genes were detected by X-pert Carba-R (Cepheid) Assays. Of 372 neonates with clinically suspected sepsis, 132 (35.4%) had blood culture positivity, with 47% early onset and 53% late onset sepsis. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus (CONS) was the most common (37.9%) etiological agent followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.9%). Of all 132 isolates, 81 (61.3%) were Gram-positive of which 22 (27.2%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR), three (3.7%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and 14 (17.2%) were methicillin-resistant CoNS; and 50 (37.8%) were Gram-negative of which 26 (52%) were MDR and 29 (58%) were resistant to ß-lactamases. The blaKPC gene was detected in four isolates of K. pneumoniae, two of E. coli, one ABC (Acinetobacter baumanii complex), and one Enterobacter aerogenes whereas blaNDM gene was detected in one isolate of K. pneumoniae, two of E. coli, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one Acinetobacter baumanii complex, and one Enterobacter aerogenes. Overall mortality due to sepsis-related causes was 7.6% (10 of 132). One-third of clinically suspected neonatal sepsis cases were culture positive. Late onset sepsis was more common than early onset. CoNS was the predominant bacterial isolate followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, with high rates of multi-drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The provision of quality health care during the COVID-19 pandemic depends largely on the health of health care providers. However, healthcare providers as the frontline caregivers dealing with infected patients, are more vulnerable to mental health problems. Despite this fact, there is scarce information regarding the mental health impact of COVID-19 among frontline health care providers in South-West Ethiopia. Objective: This study aimed to determine the levels and predictors of anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among frontline healthcare providers in Gurage zonal public hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 322 health care providers from November 10–25, 2020 in Gurage zonal health institutions. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A pretested self -administered structured questionnaire was used as a data collection technique. The data were entered into the Epi-data version 3.01 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi-square tests) were presented Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were made to identify variables having a significant association with the dependent variables. Results: The results of this study had shown that the overall prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress among health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic was 36%, [95% CI = (30.7%- 41.3%)], 25.8% [95% CI = (21.1%- 30.4%)] and 31.4% [95% CI = (26.4%- 36.0%)] respectively. Age, Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR = 7.9], Educational status, [AOR = 3.2], low monthly income [AOR = 1.87], and presence of infected family members [AOR = 3.3] were statistically associated with anxiety. Besides this, gender, [AOR = 1.9], masters [AOR = 10.8], and degree holder [AOR = 2.2], living with spouse [AOR = 5.8], and family [AOR = 3.9], being pharmacists [AOR = 4.5], and physician [AOR = (0.19)], were found to be statistically significant predictors of depression among health care providers. Our study finding also showed that working at general [AOR = 4.8], and referral hospitals [AOR = 3.2], and low monthly income [AOR = 2.3] were found to be statistically significant predictors of stress among health care providers. Conclusion: Based on our finding significant numbers of healthcare providers were suffered from anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 outbreak. So, the Government and other stakeholders should be involved and closely work and monitor the mental wellbeing of health care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of disorders that arise from the failure of the neural tube close between 21 and 28 days after conception. About 90% of neural tube defects and 95% of death due to these defects occurs in low-income countries. Since these NTDs cause considerable morbidity and mortality, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of NTDs in Africa.Methods: The protocol of this study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO number: CRD42020149356). All major databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar search engine were systematically searched. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa, and Cochran's Q-statistics and I2 tests were used to assess heterogeneity between included studies. Publication bias was assessed using Begg 's tests, and the association between determinant factors and NTDs was estimated using a random-effect model.Results: Of the total 2679 articles, 37 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa was 50.71 per 10,000 births (95% CI: 48.03, 53.44). Folic acid supplementation (AOR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.85), maternal exposure to pesticide (AOR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.04-10.39), mothers with a previous history of stillbirth (AOR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.99-5.65) and maternal exposure to x-ray radiation (AOR 2.34; 95% CI: 1.27-4.31) were found to be determinants of NTDs.Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of NTDs in Africa was found to be high. Maternal exposure to pesticides and x-ray radiation were significantly associated with NTDs. Folic acid supplementation before and within the first month of pregnancy was found to be a protective factor for NTDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work describes fermentation of raw materials to produce citric acid through single and co-culture process using indigenous strains of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. For this purpose, orange peels, peanut shells and their homogenous mixtures were used as raw material using solid state fermentation (SSF). Incubation period, pH, temperature, moisture content, inoculum size and substrate concentrations were optimized simultaneously using response surface methodology (RSM) design followed by contour plot analysis. Citric acid was separated from other by products in a nonpolar C-8 column and quantified using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) technique. It was found that more amount of citric acid (114.68±0.73 mg/mL) was produced during co-culture fermentation employing both A. niger and A. fumigatus simultaneously as compared to single culture fermentation inoculated with A. niger (94.92±0.46 mg/mL) and A. fumigatus (65.13±0.28 mg/mL), using 25 gms orange peels OPs as substrate, 60 % moisture content, 6 pH, 6 mL inoculum size, 6 days incubation period and 50 °C temperature as optimized fermentation conditions. The results also showed that RSM based co-culture SSF using cheap biomass can produce more amount of citric acid as compared to conventional fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constructions of urban infrastructure are an important sector that provides remarkable ingredients for the economic development of modern cities. However, a large number of transportation infrastructure construction projects are delayed; therefore, those projects always exceed their original time and cost estimates. So construction delay has been considered as a recurring problem in the construction projects of urban infrastructure, and it adversely affects the time, cost, safety, and quality of construction. This paper is committed to investigating the time performance of subway tunnel constructions in China to identify the causes of delay based on the questionnaire surveys of 87 tunnel consultants and 91 contractors, and a total of 49 delay causes of tunnel construction are identified one by one in this study. It can be concluded from this study that the six most severe delay causes are national policy for subway tunnel construction, complicated geological conditions, payment delays by owners, award projects to the lowest bid price, shortage of advanced large equipment, and low productivity of laborers. There is a relatively reliable agreement between the tunnel consultants and contractors of 76.3% on the ranking of different delay causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing intensity, duration, and frequency (IDF) of rainfall with the reflection of future climate change is required for designing and managing water infrastructures. Hence, this study was aimed to predict future changes in IDF information for seven stations of the Tigray Region. Observed hourly and spatiotemporally downscaled Hadley Center Climate Model version 3 (HadCM3) model output data sets via Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM) 4.2.9 and Hyetos models were used. Gumbel [Extreme Value Type I (EVI)] distribution and MIDUSS IDF Curve Fit tool were employed for frequency analysis and estimation of IDF equation parameters. Finally, general trends for three future climate timelines were established. The result revealed that the rainfall intensity is expected to decrease by 15.9%, 14.7%, and 20.3% for short storms and increase by 21.3%, 26.9%, and 18.9% for longer storms in the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s, respectively, with frequent intensive rainfall occurrences by the 2020s and 2050s under the A2 emission scenario (high emission scenario). These have a great message to which the existing and future water management facilities are designed, functioned, and sustained. Thus, design facilities need to be updated as per the reflection of climate change impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia extends across the Rift Valley, where cinder gravels (scoria) occur widely. Considering its abundance and environmental benefits, these cinder gravels are an enormous resource for earth structure fill. However, the gravels usually fail to comply with aggregate specifications for ballasted railways, primarily due to the high vesicularity of their particles. Nineteen cinder gravel samples from different locations were tested for their grain-size range, porosity, specific gravity, dry density, morphology, Los Angeles abrasion loss, and geochemistry. The results confirmed that the high void ratios of the gravels limit their direct use in railway construction. The cinder gravels therefore were blended with local silty sands to improve their suitability as aggregates. The blended material was assessed for consolidated undrained shear strength, breakage potential, and California bearing ratio. The field compaction performance of a trial railway section was evaluated and combined with the laboratory test results to produce a guideline for applying the cinder gravels as railway earth structure. Adopting interparticle porosity as a replacement for the original porosity in evaluating the quality of the compacted cinder gravel is recommended. Field dynamic measurements performed at two railway subgrade sections constructed using the stabilized cinder gravel or traditional geomaterials demonstrated that the stabilized-aggregate subgrade performed better under various train speed conditions. This study improves knowledge of aggregate stabilization techniques and facilitates wider use of cinder gravel in railway construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diarrhoea has been the major cause of death especially in children of developing countries. Brucea antidysenterica is one of the several medicinal plants used traditionally for the treatment of diarrhoea in Ethiopia. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activities of the root extract of B. antidysenterica. Methods: Plant material was extracted by maceration technique using 80% methanol. The antidiarrhoeal activity was tested using castor oil-induced diarrhoea, castor oil-induced charcoal meal test, and castor oil-induced enteropooling models in mice. Whilst, the antibacterial activity of the crude extract was evaluated using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Results: The 80% methanolic crude extract significantly delayed the diarrhoeal onset at the two higher doses (p < 0.001) and it has also inhibited the number and weight of faecal output at all tested doses as compared with the negative control. Moreover, it showed a significant anti-motility effect (p < 0.001) at all tested doses. Whereas it displayed a significant reduction in the weight and volume of intestinal contents at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01). The highest concentration (800 mg/mL) of test extract showed maximum zone of inhibition in all tested standard strains of bacteria (18.3 mm–22 mm). While MIC and MBC values (0.39 mg/mL and 1.56 mg/mL) showed that S. flexneri was the most susceptible pathogen for test extract. Conclusion: The study revealed that the root extract of B. antidysenterica has antidiarrhoeal and antibacterial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out in Bezawite tree nursery site, Bahir Dar, to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala leaf juices on tree seedling growth and survival rates of Cordia africana at different doses in nursery and field condition. Seven treatments were tested, six treatments plus one control without any input, using a RCBD design with three replications were tested. 25ml and 50 ml of leaf juice were sub ministered at three different epochs, emergency, half nursery life span and 30 days before transplanting. Data on root collar diameter, height, and survival rate were collected every 6 months interval for two years in the field condition. Results showed that moringa extract increased growth and survival rate of Cordia africana in the field. Treatment of 50 ml MLJ at emergency shows good survival rate and growth parameters after two years in the field and there is significant difference among treatments in terms of height and root caller diameter as well as survival rate in the field (127.87 cm, 2.44 cm and 87.75%, respectively). Generally, applying moringa leaf juice on Cordia africana had a positive effect on growth parameters and more generally pronounced in the field condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human--wildlife conflict presents major challenges to both wildlife managers and rural livelihoods. Here, we investigated human--wildlife conflict in and around Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS). We estimated the densities of wild animals within SSHS and conducted questionnaire interviews about livestock predation and crop raiding patterns with individuals in 378 households occurring <3000 m outside the Sanctuary's borders. Respondents reported that hyenas Crocuta crocuta and African wolves Canis anthus were the only livestock predators and were responsible for combined losses of ~ 10% (29 207 USD) of their livestock over a three-year period. Hyenas predated cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys and horses, whereas African wolves targeted only goats and sheep. Hyena predation occurred both inside and outside SSHS, whereas African wolf predation occurred mainly near the inside periphery of the sanctuary. Most (58%) of the respondents experienced crop raiding of their farms by Swayne's hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei, warthogs Phacochoerus africanus and/or crested porcupines Hystrix cristata. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the crop raiding occurred 1--1500 m from the sanctuary. Potatoes and maize were the most commonly raided crops. Local communities used guarding, patrolling, loud noises, smoky fires, flashes of light, fences and trenches as deterrence methods. Of the crop raiding species, only Swayne's hartebeests were regarded positively, while warthogs and crusted porcupines were viewed negatively by respondents. We conclude that although SSHS is of critical conservation value to the Swayne's hartebeest, the surrounding communities endure significant livestock predation and crop raiding by wild animals sheltered in the sanctuary. The survival of this relict population of Swayne's hartebeest in the sanctuary remains at risk unless the human--wildlife conflict in surrounding areas is resolved. This calls for site-specific measures in consultation with the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines attainments and challenges in the pursuits of legal education reform launched in 2006. Achievements and challenges in LL.B programmes are examined based on the standards of the legal education reform programme relating to admission of students to law schools, staff profile, standards of reform relating to curriculum, course delivery, assessment, law school autonomy, research, publications, quality assessment and the requisite resources thereof. There are commendable achievements such as raising the duration of legal education from four to five years, the introduction of LL.B exit exam, and the preparation of a significant number of teaching materials. However, the data, documents and literature discussed and analyzed in this article indicate that the level of quality and standards in Ethiopia's legal education stand below most of the thresholds that were envisaged in the 2006 Legal Education Reform Programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of government spending on agricultural growth in Pakistan. The relationship among agriculture value added per worker and public spending on education, health, road length, the number of tube wells in the agriculture sector, improved seed distribution has been estimated through various econometric approaches in the study. Pakistan's agriculture growth has registered mixed trends from 1972 to 2014. Empirical evidence from developing countries suggests that public spending has a profoundly positive relationship with agricultural growth. Agriculture is the second largest sector of Pakistan's economy, accounting for more than one-fifth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing almost half of the country's workforce. The study utilized time series data for the period 1972 to 2014. The stationarity of time series data has checked through Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. Johansen Co-integration test and Error Correction Model (ECM) have employed for the long run and short run empirical estimation. The Co-integration test results show the presence of a long run relationship among the variables. The coefficient of the ECM term (-.537563) in the ECM model is negative and statistically significant, which validates stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables, with speed of 53 per cent to restore disequilibrium in case of any shock. The regression results reveal that public spending on education, health and road length has a positive influence on agriculture value addition in Pakistan. The study recommends the allocation of greater resources to education, health and transport and communication sectors for agricultural growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is a major root crop widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. However, little information is available on its water stress tolerance under different soil textures. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of five water regimes (20%, 60%, 100%, 140%, and 180% ETc-crop water requirement) and three soil textures (clay, sandy clay loam, and sandy soil) on the growth, yield, and water-use efficiency (WUE) of taro. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, and two harvests of taro were analyzed. In both harvests, leaf number (LN), leaf area (LA), and corm yield (Yc) were lower at 20% and 60% ETc when compared with 100% ETc, and higher at 140% ETc and 180% ETc when compared with 100% ETc. Sandy soil (SS) exhibited higher LN at all water regimes than clay soil (CS) and sandy clay loam (SCL) soil. For LA, the values found in SS were higher at lower water regimes (20% and 60% ETc). In the three types of soil, WUE was significantly higher at 20% ETc, 1.00 and 0.51 kgm-3, respectively, in the first and second harvests compared with the other water regimes. In the second harvest, WUE and Yc were significantly higher in SS compared with CS and SCL, indicating that SS has greater potential to improve the WUE of taro under limited water availability conditions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Ocimum gratissimum, (scent) leaf extract on Paramphistomum cervi and Fasciola hepatica were investigated. Five different concentrations of leaf extract (2mg, 4mg, 6mg, 8mg and 10mg/ml) were prepared and administered in vitro in sample petridishes containing P. cervi and F. hepatica collected from cattle slaughtered at Apiapum abattoir. A total of 10 of each of the parasites were kept inside each sample petridish. Mortality of the parasites was monitored for 1,2,3,4 and 5 hour duration. The mean cumulative mortality and probit (quantal concentration-response) analysis were performed to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) of the plant leaf extract on the trematode. The trematocidal activities of the plant extract were time and concentration dependent. The cumulative mortality (%) of the trematodes occasioned by administration of leaf extracts range from 6.67-76.67% at the end of 5 hour at (2mg/ml) for F. hepatica and 10.67-70.00% for P. cervi. At the highest concentration (10mg/ml) of O. gratissimum, 100% mortality was attained in just 4 hours of exposure of P. Cervi with a range of 76.67-100% whereas 4 hours was required for the same result for F. hepatica having a range of 66.67-100% mortality. The LC50 values decreased with increase in time of exposure for both species of parasites. The 5h LC50 of, O. gratissimum (2.63mg/ml), recorded against P. cervi was higher than the corresponding value 2.02mg/ml, for F. hepatica. The smaller the LC50 value the more lethal the extract and susceptibility the organism is to the extract. The results revealed that O. gratissimum (scent leaf) may be employed as anthelmintic against trematode parasites P. cervi and F. hepatica although efficacy of the extract may be influenced by route of administration of extract, health status of the host animal and nutritional state as well as general physiologic conditions of the animal in vivo administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]