Prevalence of abomasal nematodes in sheep and goats slaughtered at Haramaya municipal abattoir, eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

The study was conducted from November 2009 to March 2010 in Haramaya district, eastern Hararghe zone of Oromiya region, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of abomasal nematodes of small ruminants slaughtered at Haramaya municipal abattoir. During the study period a total of 384 abomasums of small ruminants (181 sheep and 203 goats) were examined.  Three genera of nematodes were identified in both sheep and goats abomasa with overall prevalence of 95.8%.   The prevalence in sheep and goats were 94.5% and 97% respectively. The prevalence in both animal species was 85.7% Haemonchus contortus, 82.3% Trichostrongylus axei and 79.9% Teladorsagia. The specific prevalence observed were 90% for Haemonchus contortus, 75.7 % for Trichostrongylus axei, and 80.7 % for Teladorsagia spp. in sheep and 81.8 % for Haemonchus contortus, 88.2 % for Trichostrongylus axei and 79.3 % for Teladorsagia spp. in goats. Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in nematode species except Teladorsagia species was observed. There was no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) among the risk factors of age and sex considered in relation to the prevalence of abomasal nematodes. Generally, a high infection rate of small ruminants with abomasal nematodes was observed during the study period. Keywords: Small ruminants, Abomasal nematodes, Prevalence, Haramaya, Abattoi

Application of Microsatellites in Genetic Diversity Analysis and Heterotic Grouping of Sorghum and Maize

Sorghum and maize are major cereal crops worldwide and key food security crops in Sub-Saharan Africa. The difference in the mating systems, maize as predominantly a cross-fertilizer and sorghum as a self-fertilizer is reflected in differences in visible phenotypic and genotypic variations. The reproductive differences dictate the level of genetic variation present in the two crops. Conventionally, a heterotic group assignment is made based on phenotypic values estimated through combining ability and heterosis analyses. However, phenotypic evaluation methods have their limitation due to the influence of the environment and may not reflect the heterotic pattern of the lines accurately. Therefore, more effective and complementary methods have been proposed for heterotic grouping of candidate lines. Estimation of molecular-based genetic distance has proven to be a useful tool to describe existing heterotic groups, to identify new heterotic groups, and to assign inbreds into heterotic groups. Among the molecular markers, microsatellites markers have proved to be a powerful tool for analyzing genetic diversity and for classifying inbred lines into heterotic groups. Therefore, the aim of this chapter was to elucidate the use of microsatellite markers in genetic diversity analysis and heterotic grouping of sorghum and maize

Effect of side chain length on the stability and structural properties of 3-(2’,5’-dialkoxyphenyl)thiophenes: a theoretical study

We report on the effect of the alkoxy chain length on the thermodynamic properties of neutral and the corresponding radical cations of 3-(2’,5’-dibutyloxyphenyl)thiophene (DBOPT), 3-(2’,5’-diheptyloxyphenyl)thiophene (DHOPT), and 3-(2’,5’-dioctyloxyphenyl)thiophene (DOOPT) and their dimers studied by Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods. The DFT calculations suggest that dimers of the dialkoxyphenylthiophenes with longer side chains are thermodynamically more stable by about 61.39 kJ/mol than the ones with shorter side chains at the radical cation state. The results correlate well with the experimental observations made during the electrochemical synthesis of these polymers from their monomers.KEY WORDS: Density functional theory, Hartree-Fock, DialkoxyphenylthiophenesBull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2010, 24(1), 93-102

MWCNTs/Ag-ZnO nanocomposite for efficient photocatalytic degradation of congo red

Three nanomaterials namely, zinc oxide (ZC), silver-doped zinc oxide (AZ) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes coupled with silver doped zinc oxide nanocomposite (MWAZ) were synthesized, characterized and employed for photo degradation of an organic pollutant, congo red (CR). The photocatalytic activity study showed efficient degradation of CR upon irradiation with UV and visible light in the order of MWAZ > AZ > ZC > Commercial ZnO (ZCO). Percentage photodegradation of 99% and a pseudo 1st order rate constant of 2.3 x 10-2 min-1 were achieved by MWAZ as a catalyst under visible light irradiation, implying photo- sensitizing ability of MWCNTs and the capability of MWCNTs to hinder recombination of photogenerated holes and electrons. The control experiment in the dark condition gave only 7.9% of degradation efficiency and 5.56 x 10-4 min-1 rate constant, implying the significant role of light source for catalytic degradation of CR.   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 55-66. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.

Empowerment and Tech Adoption: Introducing the Treadle Pump Triggers Farmers’ Innovation in Eastern Ethiopia

In 2013, thirty-eight treadle pumps (TPs) were installed as low-cost technology introduction for small-scale irrigation in eastern Ethiopia. This pilot project also trained six farmers on tube well excavation, as well as the installation and maintenance of pumps. In June 2015, researchers visited nine of the thirty-eight TP villages and found only two TPs functioning as originally installed. The rest were replaced with a new technology developed by the trained farmers. Farmers, empowered by training, gained more control in developing technology options tailored to local needs and conditions of their communities. Adopters of the new technology stated that the limited water output and high labor demand of the conventional TP did not optimally fulfil their irrigation water requirements. The new technology had spread quickly to more than one hundred households due to three key factors. First, farmers’ innovative modifications of the initial excavation technique addressed the discharge limitations of the conventional TP by excavating boreholes with wider diameter. Second, local ownership of the new technology, including skills used in well drilling and manufacturing excavation implements, made the modified irrigation technology affordable and accessible to the majority of households. Third, this innovation spread organically without any external support, confirming its sustainability

LINKING SEASONAL PREDICTIONS TO DECISION-MAKING AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN THE GREATER HORN OF AFRICA

Seventy-six participants, including experts from seven countries from the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) and project coinvestigators from the United States, met to discuss experimental seasonal prediction models and products for the GHA, to engage decision-makers and users in the assessment of hydroclimatic information requirements, and to use feedback to build a framework to support decision-making and disaster management. In pre- and postworkshop surveys, workshop participants were asked how the utility of forecasts to decision-makers might be improved. Their recommendations are presente

Experiential Learning in Soil Science: Evaluating Soil Quality in South Wollo, Ethiopia

This study abroad program provided an opportunity to enhance the international experience and research skills of University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) students within a multidisciplinary team’s research-education goal on improving food security in Ethiopia. The experiential study component of the project included preparatory sessions during the Fall 2015 Semester at the UNL followed by a four- to five-week fieldwork experience in Ethiopia. Teams from the UNL and an Ethiopian university participated in survey data collection and field soil evaluations from farms in the Gerado area of South Wollo, Ethiopia. Having students interact with farmers increased student self-confidence and enhanced their leadership skills. Soil fertility evaluation provided the opportunity for students to apply soil health concepts in a practical setting, thus giving them a fuller understanding of these commonly challenging concepts. Throughout the study experience in Ethiopia, two UNL students wrote reflective journal entries each day and participated in daily wrap-ups. Students also gave permission to staff at Wollo University and to fellow students and faculty at the UNL. In addition they completed a final paper integrating the journal material and the experiential research work in Ethiopia. Students experienced cultural immersion while participating in this ongoing research project

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

Reviving a Traditional Pasture Management System in Fentale, East Central Ethiopia

In this paper, we describe the process of establishing dry season grass reserves, traditionally known as kalo, among Kereyu and Ittu pastoralists of Fentale in the Awash Valley of eastern central Ethiopia. The data were primarily collected using qualitative research methods such as key informant interviews, group discussions, field observations, and records of community meetings and non-governmental organization (NGO) project reports. In the last decade and a half, several attempts were made by NGOs and local governments to encourage pastoralists to revive their traditional practices of setting aside grass reserves for seasonal grazing, but only a few such private enclosures were established. Even these private enclosures remained sources of conflict among community members until the severe drought of 2002. In response to events associated with the drought, community leaders, with the support of government and NGOs, mobilized local communities to establish both private and communal grass reserves for dry season grazing. The unusually good rains in the summer of 2003 resulted in high pasture production in the reserves that had not been observed for several previous decades. Stimulated by this positive event, communities attempted to expand this community-based pasture management system with varying degrees of success. While this initiative indicated that degraded rangelands can recover with appropriate management practices, and that increased rangeland productivity can significantly improve the livelihood of pastoralists, setting up appropriate institutional mechanisms for the sustainable management of pasture remains a challenge