A model for hydraulic redistribution incorporating coupled soil-root moisture transport

International audienceOne of the adaptive strategies of vegetation, particularly in water limited ecosystems, is the development of deep roots and the use of hydraulic redistribution which enables them to make optimal use of resources available throughout the soil column. Hydraulic redistribution refers to roots acting as a preferential pathway for the movement of water from wet to dry soil layers driven by the moisture gradient ? be it from the shallow to deep layers or vice versa. This occurs during the nighttime while during the daytime moisture movement is driven to fulfill the transpiration demand at the canopy. In this study, we develop a model to investigate the effect of hydraulic redistribution by deep roots on the terrestrial climatology. Sierra Nevada eco-region is chosen as the study site which has wet winters and dry summers. Hydraulic redistribution enables the movement of moisture from the upper soil layers to deeper zones during the wet months and this moisture is then available to meet the transpiration demand during the late dry season. It results in significant alteration of the profiles of soil moisture and water uptake as well as increase in the canopy transpiration, carbon assimilation, and the associated water-use-efficiency during the dry summer season. This also makes the presence of roots in deeper soil layers much more important than their proportional abundance would otherwise dictate. Comparison with observations of latent heat from a flux tower demonstrates improved predictability and provides validation of the model results. Hydraulic redistribution serves as a mechanism for the interaction between the variability of deep layer soil-moisture and the land-surface climatology and could have significant implications for seasonal and sub-seasonal climate prediction

Assessment of Productive and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Gindeberet and Abuna Gindeberet Districts of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Gindeberet and Abuna Gindeberet districts of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess the productive and reproductive performance of dairy cows in the study areas. The study districts were stratified in to two agro-ecological zones (midland and lowland). Eight kebeles were purposively selected (four kebeles from each agro-ecological zone) based on dairy potential and accessibilities. A total of 240 households were selected by proportional random sampling technique. Data were collected by formal interview method by using semi-structured questionnaire. The result of the study indicated that the overall average milk yield per cow per day in the study areas were 1.42±0.15 and 4.5±0.12 liters for both local and cross cows, respectively. The overall average lactation length per cow in the study areas were 7.58±0.06 and 9.05±0.14 months for both local and cross cows, respectively. The overall average age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval and days open for local bred cows were 45.27± 0.47, 57.08 ± 0.61 and 20.93±0.22 months and 191.40 ± 0.35 days, respectively.  The overall average age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval and days open for cross bred cows were 32.11± 1.23, 40.79 ± 1.23 and 17.69±1.23 months and 113.08± 0.31days, respectively. The current constraints of dairy production in the study areas were lack of breed selection, shortage of feed and feeding, lack of health care and extension services. Therefore, from the current study it was concluded that the reproductive and productive performance of both local and crossbred cows are relatively low. Hence, there should be need extension services to improve the productive and reproductive of dairy cattle to enhance the improvement of livelihood of the small holders in the study areas. Keywords: - Abuna Gindeberet, Cross bred, Gindeberet, lactation length, Local bred, Milk yiel

Biomedical waste disposal systems of health facilities in Ethiopia

Background: Biomedical waste generated from health and health-related activities can be grouped as general waste and hazardous waste. This remains true if and only if there is proper on-site handling, such as the segregation and separation of waste based on the type and nature of the source. Methods: A stratified random sampling design was used to provide representative results for Ethiopia, for various types of facility and management authorities, and for each of the 11 regions. Totally, 1327 health facilities were assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) inventory tools. Results: Nationally, medical waste in 32.6% of the studied health facilities was stored in covered containers, and in about 27% of them it was stored in another protected environment. About 40% of health facilities stored their medical waste in unprotected areas. Twenty-eight (2.6%) and 420 (39.3%) health facilities used 2-chamber industrial incinerators and 1-chamber drum incinerators, respectively. About 58% of health facilities used unsafe waste treatment methods. The proportion of using safe medical waste disposal method was high in referral hospitals (87.9%). This shows the utilization of safe medical waste disposal methods is in decreasing order from higher to lower levels of organization in health facilities. Conclusion: The present study showed a preliminary finding on the waste disposal systems of health facilities at the national level. Dumping biomedical waste outside the health facility is common, and access to common waste facilities is limited. Therefore, a holistic approach to safe medical waste management practices, including the collection process (handling, sorting, and segregation), storage, treatment and final disposal is crucial in all types of health facilities, regardless of the level of organization, ownership, or geographic distribution. Keywords: Health Facility, Biomedical Waste, Disposal, Incinerator, Ethiopi

An Assessment Of The Practice Of Vocabulary Teaching Strategies In EFL Classes: Kellem Secondary School Grade 9 And 10 English Teachers In Focus

Abstract The purpose of this research is to assess to what extent English language teachers practice vocabulary teaching strategies at Kellem Secondary school. The study particularly, tried to find out teachers’ knowledge on the theoretical perspective of vocabulary teaching strategies, examine to what extent teachers practically use vocabulary teaching strategies in EFL classes and identify the major factors that might hamper the implementation of vocabulary teaching strategies in EFL classes. To this end, the study employed descriptive survey method, which involves both quantitative and qualitative methods. Accordingly, Kellem Secondary School was selected through availability sampling. Then, 13 English teachers from both grade 9 and 10 were selected purposefully for the interview, for the questionnaire and for classroom observation. In addition, data were collected from 90 randomly chosen students through questionnaire. Thus, descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were employed in analyzing the quantitative data and the qualitative data were analyzed qualitatively. Finally, based on the findings, the researcher recommended that creating meaningful vocabulary teaching opportunities through different vocabulary teaching strategies should be practiced widely in the school. The results of the study reveal that the teachers were not capable enough on the knowledge and the theoretical orientations of vocabulary teaching strategies in EFL classes. In addition, it was found that the teachers lacked practical skills on the implementation of different types of vocabulary teaching strategies in EFL classes according to their suitability. Furthermore, the study revealed that they rarely practiced these strategies during vocabulary instruction. Generally, the practices of vocabulary teaching strategies were not given sufficient attention at Kellem Secondary School. Thus, the study indicated that the English teachers didn’t practice different vocabulary teaching strategies in EFL classes. Finally recommendations were drawn based on the above findingsJimma Universit

Criminal adjudication by state courts under the FDRE constitution: the quest for compartmentalization of jurisdiction

With the introduction of federal arrangement with the FDRE Constitution, the issue of distribution of powers between the Federal Government and the states in general and that of criminal adjudicative jurisdiction between the Federal courts and state courts in particular has become a controversial point. This controversy has resulted in due to the fact that the Constitution has established a dual court structure. On the one hand, the dualism of the court structure presupposes that the federal courts adjudicate federal criminal matters, where as state courts adjudicate state criminal matters. This principle is accompanied by an exception that the state courts adjudicate federal criminal matters by delegation power. On the other hand, since the federal government has centralized criminal legislative power, it has become controversial how the state courts are adjudicating criminal matters of the federal government: with delegation power or as an original power. This article explores how the state courts are adjudicating federal criminal matters, and how the criminal adjudicative jurisdiction of the federal courts and state courts is compartmentalized.Keywords: jurisdiction, criminal adjudication, compartmentalization, constitution, federalis

EXAMINING THE ROLE OF LINGUISTICS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING AS EFL AT HIGHER INSTITUTION: THE CASE OF METTU UNIVERSITY

This paper was aimed at examining the role of linguistics in English language teaching as a EFL at higher education. The participants of the study were summer students of English Language and literature department of Mettu University. Accordingly, all participants were selected through purposive sampling techniques for the questionnaire and interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Thus, this study employed a mixed approach. The findings of the study revealed that all participants have reached on mutual understanding and well noted that linguistics and language teaching have the same subject matter to deal with the role of linguistics to play in the process of language teaching. Therefore it can be said that language is the fundamental unit of the branch of linguistics. Without languages the subject of linguistics cannot be there. In other words languages pave the way for the growth of the field of linguistics. A language is a mental phenomenon and a way of expression of thought by means of articulate sounds. On the other hand linguistics is a branch of study that deals with languages. Finally, the findings have significant implications for adoption of linguistics in teaching language. This is the reason why the role of linguistics in English language teaching is needed for language learners.Keywords: Linguistics, Language, Language Teaching, Teaching, Role Of Linguistic

Assessment of Women Participation in Primary Saving and Credit Cooperatives in Dawuro Zone Essera District, South West Ethiopia

Cooperative is a form of organization where voluntary associated together as human being on the basis of equality for the promotion of economic interest of themselves. The study would be conducted to assess cases that hinder women participation in SACCCOs in case of Essera woreda. Women has face many problems in order to participate in cooperative society, division of work and the patriarchy are the source for hindering factors for women to participate in cooperative. The general objective of this study was to assess factors that hinder women participation in cooperatives. The study used both primary and secondary data the primary data were collected from interview, questionnaire and group discussion. The secondary data was collected from member’s loan books, members saving books, members by low, the Essera Woreda Cooperative Promotion Office (CPO) document and other research work. This data was analyzed by using table, percentage and graph.   In order to SACCO for economic benefit in saving and credit cooperative society face the problems in adequate financial structure, low attitude members about saving and loan use and lack of awareness. These situations have the opportunities of cooperative like, members of Essera saving and credit   cooperatives are expected to provide them with a wide range of saving and credit to be used in everyday living and members hope to benefit from saving and credit cooperatives in respect of fair prices, high quality products and reliable services.  The result of the study revealed that most of the respondents saved their money on their saving and credit cooperative society after they join. This indicates that the saving performance of the members was increased. Federal cooperative agency should pay attention continuously supervising of SACCO as they many peoples in providing loan as well as saving services and they are one of the financial services providers that highly contribute for the outreach of financial services for the memberships. Keywords: SACCO, women, Economy, Essera DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-5-04 Publication date:March 31st 2020

Review on Crop Diversity for Climate Change Adaptation

Climate change is real. Crop failure that declines productivity is also real. Extreme climatic condition that our farmers are facing is causing a drought, pests and other plant diseases. Ethiopian farmers are seriously vulnerable to the climate extremes. Their rain fall dependent agriculture left them in the situation under production loss. In order to cope up with this harsh climate conditions it sounds great to change farming system. Given climate change and its adverse consequences are common; the farmers’ capacity to adapt to the already existing climate extremes should be enhanced.Increasing crop diversity is one of the important ways of adapting to climate change. It is all about diversifying a type of crops in the farm. Different crops have different response to the climatic shocks, pests, diseases and other enemies. Drought resistant crops are those crops with high tolerance to the drought. Those crops save the household of poor farmers who are living in the subsistence life. Enset is an important drought tolerant endemic crop to Ethiopia. This golden crop is limited to southern part of Ethiopia and not widely distributed even inside the country. If experts of plant are engaged in the researches associated with this crop and its distribution throughout the country, it grants bulk loaves to those households under hunger due to climate change. Sorghum is another drought resistant crop in Ethiopia. Though it is already at the hand of the farmers, its improved variety has to be further introduced to the farmers in order to insure household’s food security. Sweet potato is also invaluable crop in climate change adaptation. Its high productivity and great nutritional value support farmers to survive under climate change. Finally, I believe that, the combination of these and others important crops in the farm can help to adapt to the climate change. The diverse the crops, the less will be the production loss due to climate change Keywords: climate change, crop diversity, climate change adaptatio

Determinants of Livestock Production Development of Smallholder Farmers’: The Case of Bedele District, Bunno Bedele Zone, Western Ethiopia

Livestock production is undertaken both in highland and lowland of Ethiopia. The study assessed determinants of livestock production development through identifying the constraints and opportunity to production developments. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. The district was randomly selected from zones. To undertake the assessment three kebele were selected for the same cases from these districts. Using proportionate sampling technique a total of 99 respondents was selected from the kebele where by ten were female headed and 89 were male headed households. Descriptive statistics like mean and percentage was used to describe the socio-economic data of respondents. Some opportunities available for livestock production development in the study area are availability of water, supply of improved breed, feed availability, credit services, veterinary supply and mixed crop-livestock production system.  Econometric model a multiple linear regression analysis has been carried out to find the factors influence livestock production development of smallholder farmers’. The results of the multiple linear regression model showed that from a total of ten explanatory variables were included in the model, of which education level , extension services ,  availability of market information, availability of grazing land, Artificial insemination  and veterinary service were found to be statistically significant to livestock production development. The multiple linear regression result show that livestock production development in the study area is determined by availability of grazing land, extension services, artificial insemination and veterinary service, availability of market information  education level at 1%, and 5% significant level respectively. Keywords: Determinants, Smallholder farmers, Livestock Production development, multiple linear regression models DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-8-03 Publication date: August 31st 201

Analysis of Determinants of Private Investment in Ethiopia

To make private investment more attractive, most African countries have liberalized market and attempted to create enabling environment in recent decades. Ethiopia, like many African countries, took some steps towards liberalizing market and the macroeconomic regime as well as introducing some measures aimed at improving the investment regulatory framework. This study analyses the determinants of private investment in Ethiopia using a time series analysis over the period of 1975 to 2009.The study gave an extensive account of the theoretical explanation of private investment as well as reviewing the policy regimes, the investment regulatory framework and institutional set up in the country over the study period. It also undertakes empirical analysis to establish the determining factors of private investment in Ethiopia. Our findings show that growth rate of real GDP, availability of credit, and public investment among others, have positive impact on private investment. On the other hand, macroeconomic instability (liberalization), lending rate, and consumer price index (CPI) have negative impact on private investment. The results suggest that policies that address only some components of macroeconomic instability may not be enough to revive private investment. Thus, the findings imply that liberalization of the market and regulatory regimes, stable macroeconomic and political environment, and major improvements in infrastructure are essential to attract private investors to Ethiopia. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-7-03 Publication date: April 30th 202