Using panel data to estimate the effect of rainfall shocks on smallholders food security and vulnerability in rural Ethiopia

Ethiopia's agriculture is predominantly rainfed and hence any irregularity in weather conditions has adverse welfare implications. Using panel data, this paper analyzes the effect of rainfall shocks on Ethiopian rural households' food security and vulnerability over time while controlling for a range of other factors. To this end, we generated a time-variant household food security index which is developed by principal components analysis. Based on the scores of the index, households were classified into relative food security groups and their socioeconomic differences were assessed. The exploratory results show that compared to the less secured households, the more secured ones have male and literate household heads, tend to have a greater number of economically active household members, own more livestock, experience better rainfall outcome, participate in equb (a local savings group), and use chemical fertilizer. Fixed effects regression was used to identify the factors which affect the score's variability and the results indicate that rainfall shock is an important factor affecting households' food security over time. It is also noted that household size, head's age, participation in equb, off-farm activities, use of fertilizer, and livestock ownership positively and significantly affect the food security score. Results from multinomial logistic regression model reinforce the fixed effects regression results by showing the strong association of persistent food insecurity and vulnerability with adverse rainfall shock. A number of conclusions can be drawn from the results which are useful for policymakers as well as for agencies that engage in areas of risk and food security.food security, principal components analysis, rainfall, panel data, Ethiopia, Food Security and Poverty, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q18, C13,

Using panel data to estimate the effect of rainfall shocks on smallholders food security and vulnerability in rural Ethiopia

Ethiopia's agriculture is predominantly rainfed and hence any irregularity in weather conditions has adverse welfare implications. Using panel data, this paper analyzes the effect of rainfall shocks on Ethiopian rural households' food security and vulnerability over time while controlling for a range of other factors. To this end, we generated a time-variant household food security index which is developed by principal components analysis. Based on the scores of the index, households were classified into relative food security groups and their socioeconomic differences were assessed. The exploratory results show that compared to the less secured households, the more secured ones have male and literate household heads, tend to have a greater number of economically active household members, own more livestock, experience better rainfall outcome, participate in equb (a local savings group), and use chemical fertilizer. Fixed effects regression was used to identify the factors which affect the score's variability and the results indicate that rainfall shock is an important factor affecting households' food security over time. It is also noted that household size, head's age, participation in equb, off-farm activities, use of fertilizer, and livestock ownership positively and significantly affect the food security score. Results from multinomial logistic regression model reinforce the fixed effects regression results by showing the strong association of persistent food insecurity and vulnerability with adverse rainfall shock. A number of conclusions can be drawn from the results which are useful for policymakers as well as for agencies that engage in areas of risk and food security

ICT Integration in Ethiopian High Schools

The purpose of this research is to describe the status of ICT integration in Ethiopian high schools. Ethiopian government invested millions of dollars every year to purchase of ICT devices and provide short term ICT training for teachers. However, the impact of this initiative was not systematically assessed whether it brings the expected impact on the quality of education. In other words, if teachers integrate ICT with pedagogy (use ICT to deliver instructions in the classroom), it is assumed that ICT is used to improve the quality of education. The research was undertaken using descriptive research method. For data collection, questionnaire, one to one interview, focused group discussion and classroom observation was used. The participants of the study include teachers, students, vice directors for teachers’ professional development, ICT technicians, and ICT4E and teachers professional development experts. During the study, 600 teachers, 120 students, 30 directors, 30 ICT technicians and 12 regional ICT4E and teachers professional development experts and four ICT4E expert at the federal level were involved The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. There are two basic type of ICT devices used in the school, namely Plasma TV and computers. Plasma TV was introduced as instructional delivery tools. The main finding of the research is that ICT is still at a lower stage of integration. Although the Plasma was intended to enrich the classroom instruction with technology, almost in 50% of the schools, it is not used because of timely maintenance and power interruption. Computers are mainly used for teaching basic computer skills. Very few teachers try to use computers to enrich their instruction in the classroom. This is done by the individual teacher’s initiative. There is no school level vision how ICT is used for pedagogical application. The study concludes that ICT integration in the schools require careful planning that considers contextual factors such as availability of electricity, availability of ICT technicians, availability of adequate budget to maintain existing devices and buy new devices, good ICT pedagogical knowledge and overall ICT strategy plan to integrate in the schools. In the Ethiopian case, there is no well articulated and detailed plan how ICT is integrated and specific expected benefits to be achieved rather than stating general benefits adopted from the literature

Magnetic Skyrmions and Quasi Particles: A Review on Principles and Applications

Skyrmions are topologically nontrivial, magnetic quasiparticles that are characterized by a topological charge. The field of magnetic skyrmions has been actively investigated across a wide range of topics during the last two decades. We mainly reviewed and discussed magnetic skyrmions, and quasiparticles: reviews on principles and applications. We concentrated on theoretical discoveries and advances in magnetic skyrmions, topological effects, the skyrmion Hall effect, and the dynamics of skyrmions. The skyrmion Hall effect causes a transverse deflection of skyrmions when they are driven by currents, whereas the first additional contribution to the Hall effect of electrons in the presence of a topologically non-trivial spin texture may become beneficial for detecting skyrmions. This means that when a current is applied along the racetrack, skyrmions are pushed toward the edge, causing pinning or possibly the loss of data. This is one of the reasons why there is currently no prototype for a spintronic device based on skyrmions. The anti-ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic skyrmions were then discussed in relation to spintronics. Finally, we reviewed several potential applications based on magnetic skyrmions, including skyrmion race track memory, a skyrmion logical device, a skyrmion magnonic crystal, and skyrmion-based radio frequency devices

Prevalence of Camel Trypanosomosis at Selected Districts of Bale Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Across-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to March 2014 at selected districts of Bale zone, Oromia Regional States of Ethiopia to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosmosis and assess associated potential risk factors. Simple random sampling technique was used and the study animals were selected based on the camel population of the district in the study area. The wet, thin smear and the Buffy coat examination was employed under microscope. Out of 392 examined animals, 70 (17.9%) were positive for Trypanosome evansi. There was statistically significant difference between age groups, districts of the animals and trypanosome infection (P<0.05). Higher prevalence of the infection was recorded in Age group of >4 years (27.6%) followed by 3 years (14.5%) and 3-4 years old camels (10.5%) respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed between sex with the occurrence of the disease (P>0.05). The highest prevalence of the disease was observed in Delo-Mena district, 42 (23.9%) whereas the lowest was recorded in Goro district, 9 (9.90%) during the study period. The result of the current study revealed that camel trypanosmosis was highly prevalent in the study area. Thus, there is need of further study on the distribution and seasonality of the disease and its vectors in order to establish effective prevention and control measures in affected herd.Keywords: Bale Zone Buffy coat Camel trypanosomosis Ethiopia Prevalence Smea

A theoretical model of high Curie temperature for N-type ferromagnetic diluted semiconductors based on iron-doped indium antimonide

In this paper, without using an external magnetic field, ferromagnetism on diluted InFeSb magnetic semiconductors is studied up to 317.65 K. The spin-wave model that the Heisenberg Hamiltonian translates into in the system has been developed using the green function formalism and the Holstein–Primakoff transformation estimate. The numbers of magnons, dispersion, Curie temperature, susceptibility, and specific heat capacity of the system have all been determined using the established model. The findings demonstrate that the ferromagnetic in In0.893Fe0.107Sb has a Curie temperature that is significantly higher than those found in prior investigations (317.65 K)

Survey of ethno-veterinary medicinal plants at selected districts of Harari Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

The survey of ethno-veterinary medicinal plants was conducted from November,2014 to April, 2015 at selected districts of Harari Regional State, eastern Ethiopia.The aim of the study was to identify and document medicinal plants and the associated ethno-medicinal knowledge of the local community. Semi-structured interview, guided field observation, group discussion and market survey were used to collect the required data. Informant consensus method and group discussion wereconducted for crosschecking and verification of the information. Both descriptivestatistics and quantitative methods were used for data analysis. About 46 plantspecies belonging to 33 families were identified and documented based on the localclaims of the plants. Majority plant taxa were collected from the wild (54.4%) followed by domestic once (24%). Among these plant families, Fabaceae, Solanaeceae and Euphorbiaceae were commonly used to treat Equine colic, retained placenta and Black leg respectively. The most frequently used plant parts were reported to be the leaves (37%) and then the roots (30.4%). The condition of preparation was in the fresh form (82.5%) and fresh/dry form (17.5%). Oral  administration (65.3%) was the most common route of administration. In  conclusion, the participants have a wealth of indigenous knowledge about plant medicines for treating their livestock but, agricultural expansion was the major threats to medicinal plants in the study area. Thus, awareness creation should be done in order to conserve and document the plants. Keywords: Ethno-veterinary, Medicinal plants, Indigenous knowledge, HarariRegional Stat

Bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis prevalence in cattle from selected milk cooperatives in Arsi zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and bovine brucellosis are two important milk-borne zoonoses that have been shown to be prevalent to various degrees in Ethiopian cattle. The study was carried out in four Woredas (districts) around Asella town, Arsi Zone between October 2011 and March 2012 and included 318 small-holders in 13 dairy cooperatives that marketed the delivered milk. The aims of the study were i) to assess the prevalence of the two diseases in cattle in a cross-sectional study, ii) to assess potential risk factors of BTB and brucellosis to humans as well as the knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) among these farmers towards these diseases.; BTB testing using the comparative intradermal skin test (CIDT) was done on 584 milking cows, out of which 417 were serologically tested for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plate Test and reactors confirmed with an indirect ELISA test (PrioCHECK®). The individual animal prevalence was 0.3% (95% CI 0.1% to 1.3%) for BTB, 1.7% (95% CI 0.8% to 3.5%) for brucellosis and 8.9% (95% CI 6.8% to 11.5%) for MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex). Of the 13 milk cooperatives, two had at least one positive BTB reactor and five had animals positive for brucellosis. Cross-breeds accounted for 100% and 71.4% of the BTB and brucellosis reactors respectively. For both diseases, there were prevalence variations depending on Woreda. No animal was concomitant reactor for BTB and brucellosis. Raw milk was consumed by 55.4% of the respondents. 79.2% of the respondents reported touching the afterbirth with bare hands. The latter was fed to dogs in 83% of the households. One cow among the herds of the 130 interviewees had aborted in the last 12 months. Among the interviewees, 77% stated knowing tuberculosis in general but 42 out of the 130 respondents (32.3%) did not know that BTB was transmitted by livestock. Less than half (47.7%) of the respondents knew about brucellosis.; Low prevalence of both diseases reflected the potential for the area to compete with the growing milk demand. The authors discussed the possible control strategies for the area

Predictors of time to death among preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia:A cohort study

Background Although the survival of preterm neonates has improved, thanks to advanced and specialized neonatal intensive care, it remains the main reason for neonatal admission, death, and risk of lifelong complication. In this study, we assessed time to death and its predictors among preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia. Methods A hospital based retrospective cohort was conducted among preterm neonates admitted to NICU at public hospitals in west Guji and Borena zones, Oromia National Regional State, southern Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used to select records of preterm neonates admitted to both major hospitals in the study area. Data on neonatal condition, obstetric information, and status at discharge were collected from admission to discharge by trained research assistant through review of their medical records. Kaplan Meir curve and Log rank test were used to estimate the survival time and compare survival curves between variables. Cox-Proportional Hazards model was used to identify significant predictors of time to death at p&lt;0.05. Result Of 510 neonates enrolled, 130(25.5%; 95% CI: 22-29) neonates died at discharge or 28days. The median survival time was 18 days with an interquartile range of (IQR = 6, 24). The overall incidence of neonatal mortality was 47.7 (95% CI: 40.2-56.7) per 1000 neonatal days. In the multivariable cox-proportional hazard analysis, lack of antenatal care (AHR: 7.1; 95%CI: 4-12.65), primipara (AHR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.16-4.43), pregnancy complications (AHR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.94-6.0), resuscitation at birth (AHR: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.28-0.77) and not receiving Kangaroo mother care (AHR: 9.3, 95% CI: 4.36-19.9) were predictors of preterm neonatal death. Conclusion Despite admission to NICU for advanced care and follow up, mortality of preterm neonates was found to be high in the study settings. Addressing major intrapartum complications is required to improve survival of neonates admitted to NICU.</p

Predictors of time to death among preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia:A cohort study

Background Although the survival of preterm neonates has improved, thanks to advanced and specialized neonatal intensive care, it remains the main reason for neonatal admission, death, and risk of lifelong complication. In this study, we assessed time to death and its predictors among preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) at public hospitals in southern Ethiopia. Methods A hospital based retrospective cohort was conducted among preterm neonates admitted to NICU at public hospitals in west Guji and Borena zones, Oromia National Regional State, southern Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used to select records of preterm neonates admitted to both major hospitals in the study area. Data on neonatal condition, obstetric information, and status at discharge were collected from admission to discharge by trained research assistant through review of their medical records. Kaplan Meir curve and Log rank test were used to estimate the survival time and compare survival curves between variables. Cox-Proportional Hazards model was used to identify significant predictors of time to death at p&lt;0.05. Result Of 510 neonates enrolled, 130(25.5%; 95% CI: 22-29) neonates died at discharge or 28days. The median survival time was 18 days with an interquartile range of (IQR = 6, 24). The overall incidence of neonatal mortality was 47.7 (95% CI: 40.2-56.7) per 1000 neonatal days. In the multivariable cox-proportional hazard analysis, lack of antenatal care (AHR: 7.1; 95%CI: 4-12.65), primipara (AHR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.16-4.43), pregnancy complications (AHR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.94-6.0), resuscitation at birth (AHR: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.28-0.77) and not receiving Kangaroo mother care (AHR: 9.3, 95% CI: 4.36-19.9) were predictors of preterm neonatal death. Conclusion Despite admission to NICU for advanced care and follow up, mortality of preterm neonates was found to be high in the study settings. Addressing major intrapartum complications is required to improve survival of neonates admitted to NICU.</p