Assessing the Effect of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Runoff and Sediment Yield on Hunde Lafto watershed of Upper Wabi Shebelle Basin

A study was carried out at Hunde Lafto watershed to assess effect of Soil and Water Conservation practices on runoff and sediment yield. Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to assess the effectiveness of different Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices implemented in the watershed based on different scenarios (base line, stone bunds and crop residue management scenarios). The simulated sediment yield shows that soil loss rate range from 0-76.9 t/ha/yr with annual weighted average rate of 45.4 t/ha/yr. Parallel terrace (stone bunds) scenario reduced the total sediment yield from 10,978.7 t/yr to 3,734.26 t/yr relative to base simulation, which is equivalent to 65.9% decrease and reduces the surface runoff by 27% from 410.4 mm to 299.5 mm, increase base flow by 23% and lateral flow by 22.6% at outlet of watershed. While simulation of crop residue management scenario reduced total sediment yield to 4,299.84 t/yr from base simulation, which is equivalent to 60.8% reduction and the surface runoff by 23.5% from 410.4 mm to 313.6 mm, increase base flow by 18.6% and lateral flow by 19.9% at outlet. the benefits of crop residue management practices were more important in the watershed and recommended for farmers. Keywords: Soil and water conservation, Calibration and validation, simulation, Hunde Lafto catchment, Baseline scenario, runoff, sediment yield, watershed managemen

Helminths and malaria co-infections are associated with elevated serum IgE

BACKGROUND: Both helminth and malaria infections result in a highly polarized immune response characterized by IgE production. This study aimed to investigate the total serum IgE profile in vivo as a measure of Th2 immune response in malaria patients with and without helminth co-infection. METHODS: A cross sectional observational study composed of microscopically confirmed malaria positive (N = 197) and malaria negative (N = 216) apparently healthy controls with and without helminth infection was conducted at Wondo Genet Health Center, Southern Ethiopia. A pre-designed structured format was utilized to collect socio-demographic and clinical data of the subjects. Detection and quantification of helminths, malaria parasites and determination of serum IgE levels were carried out following standard procedures. RESULTS: Irrespective of helminth infection, individuals infected by malaria showed significantly high levels of serum IgE compared with malaria free apparently healthy controls (with and without helminth infections). Moreover, malaria patients co-infected with intestinal helminths showed high level of serum IgE compared with those malaria patients without intestinal helminths (2198 IU/ml versus 1668 IU/ml). A strong statistically significant association was observed between malaria parasite density and elevated serum IgE levels (2047 IU/ml versus 1778 IU/ml; P = 0.001) with high and low parasitaemia (parasite density >50,000 parasite/μl of blood), respectively. Likewise, helminth egg loads were significantly associated with elevated serum IgE levels (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The elevated serum IgE response in malaria patients irrespective of helminth infection and its correlation with malaria parasite density and helminth egg intensity support that malaria infection is also a strong driver of IgE production as compared to helminths

Effects of Multihollow Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma on Chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Peanut

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of atmospheric pressure plasma generated by multihollow surface dielectric barrier discharge on chemical and antioxidant properties of peanut. Multihollow surface dielectric barrier discharge is a novel plasma device applicable in food industry applications due to the capacity of the generated plasma to treat the surface of food without changing the quality. Peanut seeds were exposed to the multihollow plasma for different plasma power (10–40 W), air flow rate (0.5–20 l/min), and time (1–15 min). The fatty acid profile, peroxide value, acid value, moisture content, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity were evaluated during cold plasma treatment. The result revealed that, due to the variation plasma power, treatment time and air flow rate caused a decrease in unsaturated fatty acid and moisture content and increased saturated fatty acids, peroxide value, acid value, and total polyphenols of the peanut

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of E. coli O157:H7 Isolated from Traditionally Marketed Raw Cow Milk in and around Asosa Town, Western Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to July 2015 to determine the prevalence and populations of E. coli as well as the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli O157:H7 isolated from raw milk. Biochemical and serological tests methods were used to confirm E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 and isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the agar disc diffusion method. Out of 380 raw milk samples examined, 129 (33.9%) and 11 (2.9%) were contaminated with E. coli and E. coli O157:H7, respectively. The highest prevalence was recorded in samples obtained from vendors (39.1%, 4.978 ± 0.180 log10/ml) compared with samples from farmers (28.1%, 3.93 ± 0.01 log10/ml) with significant differences (P=0.02). The frequency of contamination was higher in the samples collected from milk that was stored and transported in plastic containers (39.4%) than in the containers made of stainless steel (23.0%) (P=0.002). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile showed that E. coli O157:H7 were resistant to tetracycline (81.8%), streptomycin (81.8%), and kanamycin (63.6%). Milk samples were produced and handled under poor hygienic conditions, stored, and transported in inappropriate containers and under temperature abuse conditions leading to high health risk to the consumers. Additional studies would be needed to establish association between the occurrences of E. coli O157:H7 in raw milk and all the risk factors involved in and around Asosa town

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii

A cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2011 to September 2013 to assess the seroprevalence and identify risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic ruminants of East Hararghe zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Sera of 1360 domestic ruminants were analyzed for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Additionally, the owners were also interviewed using a structured questionnaire to identify the potential risk factors of T. gondii infection. Overall, the prevalence of T. gondii infection in domestic ruminants was 22.2% (302/1360). The seroprevalence in sheep, goats, cattle, and camels was 33.7%, 27.6%, 10.7%, and 14.4%, respectively. District, species, sex, age, and water source were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection. Increased seropositivity was observed in females (OR = 2.63) and also with the use of pond (OR = 4.25) and pipe (OR = 9.57) water sources in sheep; age >1 year old (OR = 3.45) and with drinking from pond (OR = 6.03) and pipe (OR = 11.61) water sources in goats; with the use of pond (OR = 5.60) and pipe (OR = 10.68) water sources in cattle; and in >4-year-old camels (OR = 2.49). In conclusion, T. gondii infection is common and widespread among the domestic ruminants of the study area, indicating the potential transmission to humans from these animals when they are used as a source of food. Hence, it is crucial to raise awareness of the people about T. gondii infection and conduct further study to explore the impact of the disease on food animal production

Optimization and influence of multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma operating conditions on the physical quality of peanut

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of atmospheric pressure plasma generated by multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharges on physical quality of peanut (Arachis Hypogea L). Multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharge is a novel plasma device applicable in food industry applications due to the capacity of the generated plasma to treat the surface of food without changing the quality. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the plasma treatment for surface treatment as raw peanut forms over a range of power (10–40 W), air flow rate (0.5–20 L/min) and time (1–15 min). The weight loss, hardness, contact angle, color parameters, microstructure, and sensory quality evaluation were evaluated during plasma treatments and modeled by response surface methodology and compared the means. Second order polynomial model adequately described the plasma treated experimental data except for sensory attributes with an insignificant lack of fit (p > 0.05). The result revealed that extreme conditions caused a decrease in L*,b*, hardness, contact angle, increased weight loss, color change and changed the microstructure of the treated peanuts

Polyethylene oxide electrolyte added by silane-functionalized TiO2 filler for lithium battery

Titanium dioxide ceramic functionalized with silane organic group is used here to improve polyethylene oxide electrolyte properties. The results demonstrate the effective role of the silane coating in enhancing the polymer–ceramic interactions and, consequently, the polymer electrolyte properties for application in lithium polymer battery. The ceramic added electrolyte shows conductivity higher than 10−4 S cm−1 above 65 °C and a transference number approaching 0.5. The electrolyte membrane is then selected as the polymer separator in a lithium cell using LiFePO4 electrode, characterized by enhanced behavior in terms of capacity, cycling stability and efficiency

Poor glycemic control and its associated factors among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Harar, eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Poor glycemic control increases the risk of acute metabolic derangements and long-term consequences, which are the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Maintaining adequate glycemic control is challenging for children with diabetes, particularly in resource-limited settings. There is a paucity of data on the magnitude of poor glycemic control and its predisposing factors in Ethiopian particularly in this study setting. Hence, we aimed to assess the magnitude of poor glycemic control and its associated factors among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetic mellitus in Jugol and Hiwot Fana Compressive Specialized University Hospitals in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Jugol and Hiwot Fana Compressive Specialized University Hospitals. Participants were included consecutively in the follow-up clinic from November 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and a review of medical records. A binary logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors associated with poor glycemic control. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result A total of 231 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included. The magnitude of poor glycemic control was 166 (71.9%) with 95% CI 66.0–77.7%). In multivariable analysis, the age of the child (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.83), education of the caregiver (aOR = 4.13;95% CI: 1.82–9.46), meal frequency less than three (aOR = 3.28; 95% CI: 1.25–8.62), and consumption of forbidden foods (aOR = 3.17; 95% CI: 1.21–8.29) were factors significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Conclusion Two-thirds of participants had poor glycemic control. There was a statistically significant association between the age of the child, education of the caregiver, meal frequency, and forbidden foods with poor glycemic control. To improve glycemic control, diabetes education on meal use and selection should be conducted during follow-up along with parent education