Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial activity of Benzimidazole Derivatives and their Cu (ii), Ni (ii) and Co (ii) complexes

Benzimidazole is one of the privileged nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, which is found in many bioactive compounds, benzimidazole and its derivatives have evolved as an important heterocyclic system due to their potency in a wide range of biologically active compounds like anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungals, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and so on. Derivatives of 1-arylsulfonylbenzimidazole and their respective Cu (II), Ni (II) and Co (II) complexes were successfully synthesized. The structures of all the synthesized ligands were confirmed by using IR, UV-Visible, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The Cu (II), Ni (II) and Co (II) complexes were confirmed by using IR and VU-Visible spectra.  The IR spectra of ligands and its metal complexes imply that the benzimidazol derivative ligands behave as basic bidentate ligands coordination through the azomethine nitrogen and oxygen atom. In-vitro antibacterial activity of all the synthesized ligands and their metal complexes were evaluated by using disc diffusion method against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and S. aureus bacterial species .The tested compounds and metal complexes exhibited from good to excellent activity (zone of inhibition (ZI) ranged 10 mm to 23 mm). Compound BIL1 exhibited better activity than the standard drug against E. coli (ZI of 15 mm) and K. pneumoniae (ZI of 5 mm)compared with gentamycin ((ZI of 15mm). Complex CoC exhibited better activity against S. aureus (ZI of 23 mm) compared with gentamicine  (ZI value of 21 mm). This compound is a good starting point to develop new drug for treating pathogenic diseases. Therefore, synthesis of more analogue were recommended for further discovery of a new drug candidate

The Effect of Macroeconomic Factors on Agricultural Sector Growth in Tanzania: Macroeconomic Factors on Agricultural Sector

The agricultural sector in Tanzania is a significant contributor to the country's economy, but various macroeconomic factors, including inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates have impeded its growth. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of macroeconomic factors on agricultural sector growth in Tanzania. The study aimed specifically to determine the effect of exchange rates, interest rates, and inflation rates on agricultural sector growth. The study used a correlational research design and quantitative data from existing sources, covering the period from the year 1993 to 2023. The data was sourced from reputable institutions, including the National Bureau of Statistics, the Bank of Tanzania, and the World Bank. This study used descriptive analysis, trend analysis, and time-series analysis. The descriptive analysis involved means, standard deviations, maximum and minimum values of exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates, and the share of agriculture in County’s GDP. The trend analysis involved time series line graphs which were used to illustrate the trends and patterns of variables. The study also applied ARDL to estimate the long-run and short-run relationships between variables. Findings indicate that the exchange rates, interest rates, and inflation have a statistically significant negative effect on agricultural sector growth at p-values of 0.0458, 0.042, and 0.014, respectively. The negative effect of exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation rate on agricultural sector growth means that, when exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation rate increases, agricultural sector growth decreases hence the study draws a conclusion that, the exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation rate have a negative effect on agricultural sector growth. Policymakers should prioritize stabilizing these economic indicators and consider targeted support measures to mitigate their adverse effects on agriculture, ensuring the sector can thrive amidst fluctuating macroeconomic conditions. To mitigate the negative impact of high inflation, depreciated currency and high interest rates on the agricultural sector, the government can provide subsidies to farmers in order to offset increased costs of production, renegotiating trade agreements with other countries to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers so that farmers can export their products at competitive prices. The government can also increase access to credit for farmers and agricultural businesses through subsidies, low-interest loans, or credit guarantees

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Infection Prevention among Healthcare Providers at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH), Sidama Region

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a critical global challenge, significantlyincreasing patient morbidity and mortality. Healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices(KAP) toward infection prevention (IP) are pivotal in combating these infections. Despite its importance,data on KAP among healthcare providers in Ethiopia are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP ofhealthcare providers and examine associated factors at Hawassa University Comprehensive SpecializedHospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1 to December 15, 2024, involving191 healthcare providers, yielding a 96.9% response rate. Data were collected using a structuredquestionnaire, entered into EpiData, and analyzed in STATA. Multivariable logistic regression wasperformed to identify factors influencing KAP, with findings reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: Among participants, 72.8% demonstrated good IP knowledge [AOR = 18.21, 95% CI (2.54-62.4)], with IP manuals at the workplace significantly enhancing knowledge AOR = 4.22, 95% CI (2.48-9.68)]. Favourable attitudes toward IP were reported by 66.5%, influenced by sufficient PPE availability[AOR = 3.12, 95% CI (1.65, 5.82)] and recent IP training [AOR = 1.89, 95% CI (1.12-3.95)]. Good IPpractices were observed in 60.8%, strongly associated with good knowledge [AOR = 3.50, 95% CI(1.70-7.23)] and adequate PPE [AOR = 2.64, 95% CI (1.40-4.80)]. Conclusion: The findings highlight suboptimal IP KAP among healthcare providers, despite significantassociations with knowledge, training, and resources. Enhancing KAP requires addressing gaps in PPEsupply, IP manuals, and training programs. Institutional and policy-level interventions are imperative tofoster effective infection control practices

Effect of Land Use Activities on Water Quality and Vegetation Cover Change in Nsooba - Lubigi Wetland System, Kampala City

An assessment of the effect of land use activities on water quality and vegetation cover change in Nsooba - Lubingi Wetland System in Kampala city was conducted between July and October 2020. In order to achieve the set objectives, twelve locations were selected from the Nsooba - Lubingi Catchment. The physico-chemical characteristics of water along the catchment area were determined by standard analytical methods. The average values for Total Dissolved Solids across all the land-use types of wetland, built up areas and agriculture were lower than the National Standard (750 mg/l). A similar pattern of the land-use  was observed for the parameters Total phosphorous, Biological oxygen demand, Chemical oxygen demand, Total suspended solids and Total organic carbon, where the observed average values were all below the National Standards of 10 mg/l, 50mg/l, 70mg/l, 50mg/l and 50mg/l, respectively. The Total Nitrogen average value for built-up areas (11.27 mg/l) was higher than the national standard of 10 mg/l while the remaining land use types of wetland (8.05mg/l) and agriculture (5.96mg/l) were below that of the recommended standard. GIS and remote sensing techniques were used to analyze high-resolution satellite imagery captured during 1998, 2008, and 2018. Wetland coverage declined by approximately 5 hectares (47.2% to 14.58%) from 1998 to 2018. Although most of the measured parameters were below the National standard specified by the Uganda National Environmental Management Authority apart from Total Nitrogen for built-up areas, there is need for close monitoring of the water quality in Nsooba - Lubingi catchment to ensure public health safety. The increased built-up environment in the Nsooba - Lubigi wetland affects ecosystems services of the wetland. The buffer zones for flood control and sewage treatment have been turned into a built-up environment. The results from this study suggest a need to protect the Nsooba - Lubingi catchment for its important ecosystems services of flood control and sewage treatment

Landslide Hazard Assessment and Zonation by using Slope Susceptibility Evaluation Parameter (SSEP) Rating Scheme- a Case from Debre Sina, Northern Ethiopia

Rainfall-induced landslides of different types and sizes frequently affect the hilly and mountainous terrains of the highlands of Ethiopia. The principal objective of the proposed research study was intended to prepare a landslide hazard zonation map of the area, particularly for hazardous zones. In the present study, the Slope Susceptibility Evaluation Parameter rating scheme has been implemented as a relevant approach to map the landslide hazard of the Debresina area, which has experienced slope failure problems for a long period of time. The geology of the area includes quaternary sediments, ignimbrite, rhyolite, different kinds of basalts, and tuff deposits, which are highly weathered and changed into unconsolidated sediments at some localities. Locally observed geological structures such as joints, dykes, and other discontinuities have a considerable role in the initiation of landslide hazards. As a general methodology, a facet map was prepared from a topographic map (1:50,000) and rating values were assigned to each causative parameter (both intrinsic and external) based on its severity in triggering landslide hazard. The study area was classified into three hazard classes, of which 25 % of the slopes fall into a moderate hazard zone, while 58 % and 17 %were found to be high and very high hazard zones, respectively. Validation of the landslide hazard zonation map with past landslide activities suggests the rationality of the considered governing parameters, the adopted technique, tools, and procedures in developing the study area's landslide hazard map. Further, in order to validate the landslide hazard map prepared during the present study, active landslide activities and potential instability areas, delineated through inventory mapping, were overlaid on it, which yielded promising results.

Business Mentorship System of the Igbos and Job Creation in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, Nigeria

The Business Mentorship System of the Igbos commonly known as ‘Igba-Boi’ apprenticeship is a common practice among the Igbo people, especially the Onitsha Main Market traders in southeast Nigeria. The study focuses on the effect of the mentorship system on creating employment opportunities and other aspects of entrepreneurship in Onitsha, Anambra State. Using survey data, the study explores the relationship between mentorship and job creation through the lens of Social Learning Theory, which suggests that skills and behaviours are learned through observation and social interaction. Structured questionnaires were distributed to 375 mentors, current mentees, and former mentees. Thus, with the help of descriptive and thematic analysis, the study shows that the system of the mentorship contributes to the strengthening of the entrepreneurial abilities of the mentees and the growth rates of businesses launch and employment. The study reveals that mentees who are well trained and equipped are likely to set up business ventures thus offering employment opportunities in the region. Based on these findings, the study recommends that government structures be formalized to support and enhance the capacity of this traditional mentorship system in fostering entrepreneurship and job creation in Onitsha Main Market and similar commercial hubs

Impacts of Land Use Land Cover Change in Gidabo Sub-Basin: A Literature Review of the Case of Ethiopia Rift Valley Lake Basin: Lamiso Shura, Mihret Dananto*, Petros Yohannis, and Alemu O. Aga

In the past 50 years, there have been tremendous changes in land use pattern which exerted significant influence on land resource of the Ethiopia. This paper comprehensively analysed the primary scientific issues about the impacts of land use and land cover change on the water resource and sedimentation of Gidabo River Basin (Ethiopia. So far LULC change was studied for full basin and, upper parts of the basin from the years 1985 to 2018 by using Landsat TM and Landsat ETM+ and Landsat OLI/TIRS images. As the result, agricultural land and urban settlement is increasing and forest and grassland is decreasing in the basin. The impact of land dynamics on the hydrological response of the basin is studied up the year 2006 and reported as the surface runoff and evapotranspiration increasing staring from the year 1986 to 2006. Sediment yield and hotspot erosion area is identified based on detected land use and available measured sediment data of the basin. In this review, it is analysed that, the detected soil loss rate of the basin is significantly different form study to study and no assessment is done for the last 15 years since the measured stream and sediment flow data is limited at the year 2006. The shortage of such data and empirical estimation of sediment and flow for huge ungauged part of the basin (lower parts) have led for variation of results via analyses. Although a wide watershed interventions activity was held for the last 15 years in the watershed, no study analysed its effect so far. Hence, we would like to recommend undertaking a new study that can alleviate the variation of the previous studies upon land used land cover change, stream and sediment flow, and erosion hot spot area. Since the availability of measured sediment yield of the basin is too low, it is good to develop an empirical model that can substitute the measured sediment by using other watershed parameters

Evaluation and Validation of the Causes for Cobblestone Road Failures in Hawassa City: Tigist Assefa¹*, Tigist Guracha, Erste Telila, and Temesgen Aynabeba

         Cobblestone road failures are a process of decreasing the serviceability of the cobblestone road by causing potholes, poor bonding, and poor drainage conditions. The present cobblestone road condition of Hawassa city shows high failures. The severity of the cobblestone road is even more critical in the study area because of the significant problems of the construction process, clogged ditches, and poor crossectional slope. Similarly, the effect of failures in this area that is shown on the vehicles that use the road is also the main effect that affects the life span of the road since there is no legal load limit and freight vehicles use this road. This research mainly focuses on the assessment of cobblestone road condition by studying the causes of cobblestone road failure in relation to the sub-grade strength, traffic volume currently handled by the cobblestone road in Hawassa city with relation to standards, studying the drainage condition of the study area based on the availability and functionality of ditches and putting the remedial measures that should have to take through having a primary and secondary data collection method. For this study, different analysis methods are used such as descriptive, laboratory, and exploratory using the purposive sampling method. From this, the analysis of cobblestone road condition assessment is done by taking the weighted average of high failure of the study area based on various measurement and visual methods such as capturing the picture of road condition and measuring the deteriorated route length and width. In another way, cobblestone road failures concerning subgrade soil strength and the analyses were carried out using laboratory tests by taking representative samples from study area route segments. The test integrates density, maximum dry density, and CBR (California bearing ratio) determination. Based on the study the condition of the study area road segments taken as moderate and poor condition, handle higher traffic volume than the recommended standard  for route that connects the main road to the public area, have poor crossectional slope compared to the standard manuals and taking visual inspection onsite but the soil strength of study area route segment attain the recommended standard so the cause of the failures are due to unavailability of the ditch and poor functionality, lack of timely maintenance, lack of legal load limit for low volume roads especially for those routes that connect main road with public areas and poor construction experience and the city municipality have to do scheduled survey condition, maintenance, construct ditches and put legal load limit  to control the city low volume road to not deteriorate without attaining the service life year   Keywords: Cobblestone road failures, survey condition, Subgrade strength, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Traffic volum

Plant Species Composition and Community Perception Towards Landscaping Work Executed at Hawassa University-Main Campus, Ethiopia

Landscaping is making visual improvements to academic institutions, urban and other private organizationswithplants and attractive materials.People all over the world are attracted to green and beautiful landscapes which initiate them to be happy and creative. Especially students in higher educational institutions who spend much of their time focused on their studies need of clean, green and attractively well-designed land scape in their campus. So far data on plant species composition and perception of the university towards landscape work is lacking. With this understanding, the study was conducted to investigate plant species composition and community perception towards landscaping work executed at HawassaUniversity’s main campus using questionnaires, interviews, observation, and group discussion methods. In addition, Vegetation data were collected using a systematic sampling method. In the study 221respondents were drawn from academic staff, administrative workers and students using a simple random sampling method. Key informants were selected using purposive sampling method. In order to identify the plant species, systematic sampling along the transect line was employed. Twelve (12), 40m X 40 m = 1600 m2 area quadrat plots were laid and all the plants species in the quadrats were collected and identified. The distance between each transectsand quadrat was 200 m and 100m respectively. 52 plant species with44 genera and 29 families were recorded. The study showed that, the most dominant family was Fabaceaewith 9 species followed by Cupressaceaeas well as Moraceae with 4 species each respectively. The results revealed that campus landscaping work was the most significantly important and made the campus more attractive by plantation (61.1%), landscaping (27.1%) and walkways (5.7%). Plantation could also modify the micro-climate of the campus environment(94.3%) due to the plant's photosynthesis process which producesO2 and takes in Co2 from the atmosphere. We conclude that educational institutions landscaping work needs to be encouraged to enhance the teaching-learning process, and to make the sector an attractive working environment. A great educational environment is guided by the most powerful teacher of all, nature itself

Length-based estimates of growth parameters and mortality rates of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus, L. 1758) in Lake Abaya, Southern Ethiopia

The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is one of the most commercially important fish species in Ethiopia. Effective management is essential to sustaining their fisheries and providing benefits for the local communities. The study was aimed at determining the basic population characteristics (growth, mortality rates, and recruitment), size at first maturity, length at first capture, and stock status of O. niloticus in Lake Abaya. These basic quantitative population characteristics enable a fisheries manager to identify population changes resulting from fishing. The parameters were determined using length frequency data collected from 4089 samples of O. niloticus ranging from 23 to 47 cm in total length. The total length (TL) and total weight (TW) of O. niloticus samples were gathered between September 2021 and August 2022. The length-weight relationship parameters were (TW = 0.0157TL3.0192, R2 = 0.9603) and the condition factor K=1.69. The population parameters were determined using the ELEFAN I routine in FiSAT software. Estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters were (L∞) = 49.35 cm, growth curvature (k) = 0.36 yr-1, age at length zero (to) = -0.40, and growth performance index (Փ') = 3.0.The estimated values of total natural and fishing mortalities were Z= 1.34 yr-1, M =0.34 yr-1,and F= 1.0 yr-1, respectively. The current exploitation rate (E) was0.74, which is higher than the optimal (E = 0.5) and indicates that O. niloticus in Lake Abaya was overexploited. In order to maintain the sustainability of the fish population, it is advised that the local authorities establish regulations for the management of O. noloticus in Lake Abaya. These regulations should include protecting the use of small fishing gear and safeguarding fish that are caught smaller than their length at first maturity