The Promise of E-Platform Technology in Medical Education

Increasing the number as well as improving the capacity and quality of medical professionals to achieve an equitable health care for all is a global priority and a global challenge. In developing countries, which are facing the largest burden of disease, to achieve the above stated objective, there is a big need for more well-trained, competent and dedicated health care providers. Currently, there is a well-documented shortage of trained health workers globally, with the poorest countries having the greatest shortfalls.The time tested, traditional approach of training health care force by importing professionals from overseas is not only prohibitively expensive but also not sufficient to achieve the scale and pace of the required human capacity building. Considering this fact, distance learning programs, which include m-Health as well as other information technology (IT) platforms and tools, can provide unique, timely, cost-effective, easily scalable and valuable opportunities to expand access to training health care manpower in developing countries where the shortage is critical.Keywords: E-Platform technology, Vedio conference, Distance learnin

Mammals of the Mazie National Park, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia

A study to investigate the diversity of the mammalian fauna of the Mazie National Park (mnp) was carried out from October 2007 to March 2008. Based on topographic maps, and a preliminary survey, four habitat types (riverine forest, grassland with scattered trees, savannah grassland, and bush land) were identified.  Mammals were recorded in representative samples of each vegetation type in the park. A total of 39 mammalian species were recorded in mnp.  Of these, 30 were medium to large-sized mammals, 6 were small rodents and 3 were shrews. The observed mammals of the study area were grouped into eight categories based on their feeding habits as meat eaters (23%), fruit and leaf eaters (8%), termite specialists (3%), root eaters (8%), grazers and browsers (10%), small gleaners (13%), bulk feeders (3%) and others (32%)

Raltegravir: first in class HIV integrase inhibitor

On October 16, 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved raltegravir for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents in treatment-experienced adult patients who have evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple antiretroviral agents. Raltegravir is first in a novel class of antiretroviral drugs known as integrase inhibitors. It has demonstrated potent anti HIV activity in both antiretroviral treatment-naïve and experienced patients. The most common adverse events reported with raltegravir during phase 2 and 3 clinical trials were diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Laboratory abnormalities include mild elevations in liver transaminases and creatine phosphokinase

Pathogenecity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, to the Two Spotted Spider Mites, Tetranychus urticae, (Acari: Tetranychidae) at Different Temperatures and in Greenhouse Condition

Pathogenecity of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae isolates of Ethiopian origin on eggs and adults of the two spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, effect of temperature on virulence, as well as potentials of isolates in the greenhouse condition was assessed during October 2008 to May 2009 at Plant protection Research center in Ambo. All the isolates tested (B. bassiana 9614 and 9609, and M. anisopliae MM and PPRC 6) caused high mortality to the eggs of the two spotted spider mites compared to the control groups. Significant differences of pathogenicity were observed among isolates kept at different temperature regimes. Temperature regimes of 25°C and 30°C were suitable for the isolates M. anisopliae MM and B. bassiana 9614 compared to 20°C and 35°C. All the four fungal isolates used caused significantly higher mortality compared with the untreated control groups under the greenhouse condition and the highest mortality was 89.4%. As a consequence leaves treated with the fungal isolates had less damage that may be attributed to fewer number of surviving mites. The study showed that M. anisopliae and B. bassiana are able to kill the two spotted spider mites eggs and adults, and can be used as substitute or complement to synthetic chemicals most of which lack ovicidal activity.Keywords: Entomopathogens; Isolates; Mortality; Temperature; Two Spotted Spider Mites

Efficacy of Ethiopian Beauveria bassiana and Metarhiziumanisopliae isolates on spotted spider mites, Tetranychusurticae (Acari: tetranychidae) under laboratory conditions

The efficacy of six Beauveria bassiana and nine Metarhiziumanisopliae isolates of Ethiopian origin were bioassayed in the laboratory replicated 4 times for their lethal effects against the adult of Tetranychusurticae with the aim to incorporate as bio- agent component for IPM of the two spider mites. All the tested isolates were pathogenic tothe two spotted spider mite at 1x108 conidia ml- concentration, but virulence ranged from 45.4% to 90.0% with LT50 from 3.19 to 11.81 days. Based on the extent of mortality, isolates PPRC 29, PPRC 27, PPRC 19, PPRC 66, and EE of Metarhizium; and GG and HH of Beauveria were moderately virulent (60-80%) and PPRC 2 &PPRC 61 of Metarhizium; and9615 & 9604 of Beauveria are weak (<60%). Four isolates (MM &PPRC 6 of Metarhizium; and 9614&9609 of Beauveria) which caused mortality ranges of 86% to 90%,were categorized as highly virulent and further evaluated at four different doses (1×105, 1×106, 1×107 and 1×108 ml-1). The isolates inoculated at different concentrations significantly differed in their efficacy and the higher concentration (1×108 conidia ml-1) caused higher mortality than the lower (1×105 conidia ml-1). Isolate 9614 showed the least LC50 (1.37×105) followed by MM (1.9×105). Therefore the two isolates, B. bassiana 9614 and M.anisopliae MM, which caused higher mortalities within shorter periods, were promising bioagents for the management of the two spotted spider mites

Using Multiple Linear Regression Models to Determine the Effect of Some Factors on Consumption of Electricitrical Power in Basra

Two methods of Multiple Linear Regression have been used in the current study. The two methods are: 1- All Possibles Regression. 2- The BackWord Elimination Procedure. To determine the effect of temperature dgrees (ST), the number of population (SP) the personal income rate (SX, and the electrical power consamption (SY) in Basra during the period (2001-2010) the results of data were obtained by using the statistical program (SPSS). It is found that, there is significant effect of the above variables the income per capita at the rate (SX), temperature dgrees (ST) and the number of population (SP) consumption of electricity power (SY). The value of the extension and its adjustment were obtained to show the significant also the Significant extents of these factors was examined interpretation of the impact of electricity power consumption (SY) for the factors the number of population (SP), temperature dgrees (ST) and the income per capita at the rate (SX).The values of Regression factors b0, b1, b2, and b3 were obtained also

Challenges and opportunities to the African agriculture and food systems

Reduction in the proportion of undernourished people worldwide has been achieved despite global population increase. However, the achievement of reducing undernourishment globally was uneven; sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular has the least progress. In SSA, agriculture is only slowly changing with actual well below potential yields. Failures in agricultural policies, weak institutions, and poor governance are the root of growth stagnation. Agriculture contributes a significant share to the SSA economy and a majority of the population derives their livelihood from this sector. It is justifiable to assume that for sustainable growth of the African economy, significant investment and creative innovation in agriculture are needed. However, several factors such as growth of the farming population, loss of soil fertility, climate change, water scarcity, post-harvest losses, and limited market access could challenge such expectation. On the other hand, new policy reforms and initiatives, and appropriate investment that directly or indirectly support agricultural innovation and growth are emerging. This chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities to advance agricultural growth and food systems in Africa and makes recommendations for solutions.Keywords: Africa, food systems, agriculture, agricultural research, agricultural investmen

Enset‐based agricultural systems in Ethiopia: A systematic review of production trends, agronomy, processing and the wider food security applications of a neglected banana relative

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is the major starch staple of the Ethiopian Highlands, where its unique attributes enhance the food security of approximately 20 million people and have earned it the title “The Tree Against Hunger”. Yet enset‐based agriculture is virtually unknown outside of its narrow zone of cultivation, despite growing wild across much of East and Southern Africa. Here, we review historical production data to show that the area of land under enset production in Ethiopia has reportedly increased 46% in two decades, whilst yield increased 12‐fold over the same period, making enset the second most produced crop species in Ethiopia—though we critically evaluate potential issues with these data. Furthermore, we address a major challenge in the development and wider cultivation of enset, by reviewing and synthesizing the complex and fragmented agronomic and ethnobotanic knowledge associated with this species; including farming systems, processing methods, products, medicinal uses and cultural importance. Finally, we provide a framework to improve the quality, consistency and comparability of data collected across culturally diverse enset‐based agricultural systems to enhanced sustainable use of this neglected starch staple. In conclusion, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for enset cultivation beyond its restricted distribution, and the regional food security potential it could afford smallholders elsewhere in Southern and East Africa

Evaluation and Demonstration of Hubbard JV Broiler Breed at Axum and Axum Zeria, Tigray Region, Northen Ethiopia

This study was implemented at Axum and its surrounding to evaluate the performance and demonstrate the breed at small holder management level in 2012. From the total of 7 participants included in the study 3 were women. Total of 756 day old Hubbard JV broiler chicks were brought from Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center and according to the house size 100-135 chicks were supplied per participate. Participant farmers were trained on poultry house and housing, health, feeding and data recording. The houses were disinfected, bedded with Tef straw and a 250 watt infrared bulb was used to heat the birds. Proper drinking and feeding materials were used to feed the chicks at adlib basis. Vaccines were given against Newcastle and gumbro diseases. Records like daily feed intake, weekly body weight gain and mortality was taken throughout the experiments. At the end carcass characteristics was measured. Mean daily feed intake (g) and weekly weight gain (g) per bird were 79.69±4.54 and 283.51±18.18 respectively. The mean final weight was 1776.67g±109.07 at 45 days consuming 3586.05 grams of feed per bird. Average mortality of birds was 6.6% and farmers profited 26.78 birr per bird. The breed adapted well to the area as well as to the small holder production system, besides farmers showed greater interest on the breed. Eventually we strongly recommend that due attention must be given for the sustainable supply of the breed. Keywords: Body weight gain, Day old chicks, Feed intake, Mortality, Smallholde