Factors Affecting the Survival of Giraffe in Ethiopia

Giraffe is a social animal and a none- territorial and tend to live in a small group. In Ethiopia there are two species of giraffe; the Nubian giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardlis) and Retuculatied  giraffe ( Giraffa reticulated ) occur in southern low lands in east of Omo river including the Mago national park, Borena and Ogden  area. Giraffe populations in Ethiopia diminished over the past century in diversity, density and distribution as a result of illegal hunting, habitat degradation, civil war and unrest, Absence of a compressive land use plan, lack of comprehensive research, the impact of skin disease in giraffe population and land degradation due to overgrazing. This review discusses the different physical and biological factors that leads to the declining of giraffe population in Ethiopia. Key words: Biological factors, Ethiopia, Giraffe, Physical factor

Satisfaction of Clients by the Service Provision by Burayu City Land Administration and Use Office, Ethiopia

Urban land administration is one of the major services the local government should provide to the people who have interest upon construction of their residential or for other investment purpose. Burayu city is located in Ethiopia, Oromia National Regional State just adjacent to Addis Ababa which is the capital city of the country. Since Burayu city is very proximate to Addis Abeba (than any other urban center in the country) and the suitable feature of the city to live and work in, demand of land for different purpose in the city is very high. The main objective of this study is to recognize the overall satisfaction level of household customers and to identify the major factors determining their satisfaction. This is important as the study is expected to provide a big picture about the satisfaction of households who are customers of the Office of Burayu City Land Administration and Use. It is also expected that the findings of the research will contribute to the expansion of knowledge of service providers and help them to better deal with their members and strive to correct the problems and deliver high quality customer services which in turn can make customers build trust in the office. A random sampling technique was used in drawing the representative samples of the research. The overall satisfaction of customers can be concluded as below the average (3.27) out of 7 which means 46.71%. The mean highest score is registered for tangibility (4,89) followed by 3.38 for assurance, 3.14 for reliability, 3.10 for awareness, 2.59 for responsiveness and the least score is 2.52 for empathy. For this low satisfaction level, the major factors are identified as empathy related factors like the extent to which employees understand the specific needs of customers, understanding and having the best interest of customers at heart, personal attention of employees to customers, and having of  convenient operating hours to all its customers. Keywords: Satisfaction, Land Administration, Burayu City, Households DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/67-03 Publication date:July 31st 202

Analysis of differentially expressed genes induced by drought stress in tef (Eragrostistef) root

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which induces root growth in tef. Molecular mechanisms underlying the elongation of roots under drought stress are not known. Therefore, we aimed to study the tef root system to uncover the expression profiles for drought stress using Agilent gene chip of rice. One hundred seventy-five expressed genes were found to be differentially expressed after eight days of drought stress with Eragrostis tef- resistant genotype, Kaye Murri. The drought-responsive genes were isolated and classified into nine categories according to the functional roles in plant metabolic pathways, such as defense, signal transduction, cell wall fortification, oxidative stress, photosynthesis,  development, cell maintenance, RNA binding, and unknown functions. The profiles of tef root genes, responsive to drought stress shared common identities with other expression profiles known to be elicited by diverse stresses, including pathogenesis, abiotic stress, and wounding. Well-known drought-related transcription factor-like, WRKY and bHLH were up-regulated. Cell transport-related regulators such as potassium transporter 22-like, auxin transporter-like protein 1, and wall-associated receptor kinase were also involved in the expression profile of tef root under drought stress. Their expression had enhanced the drought-responsive genes, which, have a direct role to maintain root growth under drought stress. Key words: Drought, Genome, Microarray, Root, Te

The Effect of Canopy Architecture and Seasonal Variations on Several Seed Quality Attributes in Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merr.)

Producing high quality soybean seed in the hot humid tropics is no easy task. During seed production, several environmental factors and plant morphological characteristics can exert their influences on seed quality. A study was undertaken at Universiti Putra Malaysia to study the effect of canopy architecture and seasonal variations on several seed quality attributes in soybean (GZycine max L. Merr.). Four soybean cultivars namely, Palmetto, AGS190, Deing and Cikurai were grown in the field for four seasons during 2003 and 2004. Four levels of defoliation treatments [0% defoliation (*170.89pmol m'2s" light intensity), 25% defoliation (*324.33pmol m'2s-' light intensity), 50% defoliation (*473.01pmol m-2s-' light intensity) and 75% defoliation (+642.84pmol m'2s" light intensity], were iniposed at the pod initiation stage (R3). Weather factors such as light intensity, canopy, air and soil temperatures, canopy and air relative humidity, soil moisture and leaf area index were recorded at seven-day intervals starting from the imposition of defoliation until plants reached physiological maturity (R7). Seeds harvested at harvest maturity (R8) were used to determine seed yield, viability, vigour, 1 00-seed weight and for Phomopsis bioassay. Phomopsis sp. seed infection was predicted using weather factors and leaf area index. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the progression and colonization of Phomopsis sp. on the stem, pod and seed starting from R3 until R8. Defoliation treatments were found to have inconsistent effects on seed yield (kg ha-') and pods per plant for AGS190, Deing and Palmetto. Pod number of Palmetto was affected during season Ill only whereas the pod number for Cikurai was significantly affected for all seasons. However, defoliation treatments affected 100-seed weight for all cultivars except for AGS 190 (season I), Deing (season IV) and Cikurai (season 111). From the combined analysis of data over the four seasons, defoliation improved percent seed germination from 6.8 to 13.2%. Increasing the level of defoliation resulted in increasing percent germination and 3-day seedling height and reduced Phomopsis incidence for all cultivars. The highest germination was recorded during season I1 which coincided with the least level of Phomopsis sp. seed infection. Moreover, this disease was influenced by seasonal variations. The disease incidence was high during seasons Ill (51.3%) and IV (49.5%) characterized by high rainfall during seed development and maturation as compared to seasons I and 11 which encountered low rainfall situations (33.3% and 32.5%, respectively). AGSl90, a large seeded cultivar, was severely affected by the seed-borne disease (51.5% infection) whereas Deing, a small seeded cultivar, was the least affected (34.7%). Defoliation treatments increased light intensity within the plant canopy for all cultivars studied. Light intensity and canopy temperature revealed negative correlation with percentage Phomopsis incidence indicating that high light intensity and temperature inside plant canopy reduced Phomopsis sp. seed infection. On the contrary, positive relationship was observed between canopy and air relative humidity, soil moisture and leaf area index with percentage Phomopsis incidence. From the stepwise multiple regression analysis, Phomopsis sp. seed infection can be predicted by leaf area index, soil moisture and canopy relative humidity; while its reduction can be predicted by increased light intensity and canopy temperature during seed development and maturation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that hngi progression and colonization started at different growth stages for different plant parts. Stems were infected during the early reproductive stage (R3) whereas pods became noticeably infected during the full seed stage (R6) and seeds were the last to be infected. The hngi were internally- borne within the infected seeds. Fungal hyphae were observed externally on the surface of the plant parts studied and internally both in the pod and in all the three layers of the seed coat: palisade cell, hourglass cell and parenchyma cell layers. Fungi colonization was highest at the late plant growth stages of R7 and R8. A progressive increase in pod and seed infection was detected during subsequent growth stages between R6 and R8. From the pod, the pathogen can infect and colonize the seed. The SEM results suggested that the reproductive growth period of R6 to R7 was more critical with respect to Phomopsis sp. seed infection than earlier reproductive growth periods, since more severe colonization of pods and seeds took place at the later stages of plant growth. SEM revealed that stem infection allowed buildup of inoculum for subsequent infection of the pod, whereas pod infection was necessary for further infection of seeds. Since pod infection is the prerequisite for seed infection, this study suggests that fbngicide would be best applied between R4 and R5 before the seed-borne fungi reach the seed during R6 and the subsequent growth stages. Prediction model based on four seasons' data accurately described the relationship between the environmental conditions and leaf area index during seed development and maturation and the levels of seed infection by Phomopsis sp. Moreover, the model fitted well with the field and laboratory data collected. However, this model needs to be tested at multilocational trials for validity. The results of the present study have shown that plant canopy modification through defoliation appears to improve quality of seeds produced under wet and warm tropical environments. In addition, the study also suggested that growing of soybean cultivars with open canopies and having low leaf area index, coupled with rain-free harvesting seasons can result in the production of high quality seeds. Although the prediction model so developed in this study needs to be tested for validity at different locations and variable environments, it has the potential to be used as a practical tool in plant disease forecasting programs

The Effect of Sectoral Output Volatility on Economic Growth in Ethiopia

This study examined the effect of sectoral output volatility on economic growth and the determinants of economic growth in the Ethiopian economy. The study used annual time series data spanning from 1981 to 2018 and included capital stock, working-age population, trade balance, and sectoral output volatility as an explanatory variable. Using the Exponential General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration test, the study found a long-run relationship between economic growth and economic growth explanatory variables. From the ARDL model, capital stock and trade balance (which has been negative throughout the study period) was found to have a positive and negative significant effect on the economic growth of Ethiopia, respectively. In the long-run, volatility of industrial and service sector output growth had a negative and statistically significant effect on the economic growth of Ethiopia. In recent years the role of agriculture in the Ethiopian economy, particularly in terms of contribution to the national GDP, has been declining—indicating the growing importance of service and industrial sectors. Therefore, smoothening and maintaining the positive sectoral output growth is advisable for the betterment of the economy. Besides, balancing the foreign trade and curbing unrestricted importation is recommended as long as economic growth is concerned

In vitro antifungal activity, phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography profiling of Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich root extracts

Background: The emergence of microorganisms’ new resistance mechanism, the emerging and re-emerging of new infectious disease and side effects of antimicrobials threatening our ability to treat infectious diseases. Therefore, researches for the innovation of new drugs are needed through identification of the best candidate like plants which are used in traditional medicine. In Ethiopia, women dye their palms and nails by a root paste of the study plant (Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich) as a beauty treatment, to toughen the skin and to control fungal infections.Objectives: To investigate the antifungal activities, phytochemical screening and Thin Layer Chromatography profiling of aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate root extracts of Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich.Methods: The roots of Impatiens tinctoria A. Rich were collected from Gurage Zone around Butajira town and processed and extracted using solvents of ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. Agar well diffusion and agar dilution methods were used for screening the antifungal activity of the extracts and for determination of minimal inhibitory concentration, respectively. The minimum fungicidal concentration of the extracts was determined and the plant extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening.Result: From the tested fungi T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were more susceptible. The study screened the presence of at least 7 phytochemicals (alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinens, terpenoids, glycosides, quinones and saponins) and 6 compounds in the roots of the study plant. Ethyl acetate extract was more potent and broader spectrum of antifungal activities than ethanol and aqueous extracts.Conclusion: The roots of the study plant showed notable antifungal potency. However, further research should be undertaken to elucidate the involved phytochemicals and compounds present in the extracts and mechanism of action which clear out the road for developing new antifungal drugs

Effect of Process-Genre Approach on Students’ Writing Skill: Timuga Preparatory School 11Th Grade in Focus

This study was administered to examine the effects of process-genre instruction in the EFL writing class. It also explored the incorporation of rhetorical moves and steps on their essay. Besides, a perception of students on the effectiveness of intervention was assessed. It was delimited at 11th grade Timuga Preparatory School. To this end, quasi-experimental design was employed. Section A (N=42) and C (N=41) were participants of the study as an experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) respectively using  Simple random sampling technique. The EG was exposed for process-genre intervention while the CG received the usual writing instruction. Two research instruments were used to collect data: pre-post intervention writing test and interview. The experimental and controlling procedure was done accordingly. Grade 11 English students textbook was used as an instructional material both for EG and CG. Independent samples t- test was employed to compare the test scores of the two groups at the pre-post test and a paired samples t- test for inter group comparison. Moreover, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were also employed. Based on the findings of this study, process-genre writing instruction proved to be a helpful instructional method to EFL writing classes. Students showed an attempt in employing rhetorical moves and steps in the process of composition. Student’s perception towards process-genre writing instruction was positively affected. EFL teachers should be technical and knowledgeable in employing the instruction in their writing classroom. Finally, further research is recommended to investigate the effects of the process-genre based writing instruction from different perspectives as an instructional technique in EFL writing classroom by extending the intervention time. Keywords: Writing skill, Process writing, Genre writing, process-genre Approach DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-3-02

Kemant (ness): The Quest for Identity and Autonomy in Ethiopian Federal Polity

In the post 1991 context of ’politics of ethnic identity’ along with ‘politics of equal dignity’, this article examines Kemant’s quest for self-determination that the federalist system provides for ‘nations, nationalities and peoples’ of Ethiopia, whilst struggling for the recognition of their ethnic identity over the past two decades. By exploring their de facto existence, and precedence, in the federalist state, the article tracks the political history of Kemant nationality’s struggle. It aims to contribute to the lively political debate on the authenticity of Kemant’s political quest and provides fascinating insights for further inquiries. Drawing on qualitative exploratory research, the article argues that Kemant people’s political struggle, which has grown- out of conditions of alienation and discontent in Ethiopian federal experiment that denied their very distinct existence, is mainly entrenched in identity reclaims before it entirely melts down in the federal arrangement. It is not only a socio-political act of recovering fractured Kemant identity, but also an instrumentalist act for demanding autonomous political administration that can provide a sense of security and autonomy to promote, maintain and reconstruct their identity. Thus, identity and autonomy are intimately linked, and simultaneously demanded by the Kemant people. Keywords: Kemant; Identity; Autonomy; Ethiopia; Federalis

Mathematical Modeling of Split Tensile Strength of Agrostone with Different Bio-fillers

There has been a growing imbalance in the demand and supply of construction materials with increasing prices day by day at an alarming rate due to escalating cost of energy.  Quest for a low cost, environmental friendly material has resulted in the development of Agrostone made out of industrial and agricultural waste while saving the environment from solid waste disposal issues.  This also contributes for saving the energy required for production of conventional building materials up to 20 per cent thereby reducing the emissions. Agrostone made of different bio-fillers such as water hyacinth, bagasse and grass, satisfy the strength requirements as per Ethiopian construction material standard which is equivalent to a hollow block. The split tensile strength has been evolved through the compression test by adopting the standard test methods of applied for concrete. This paper presents the correlation of the experimental results split tensile strength with the values obtained using various empirical relations existing in the literature for unreinforced concrete. It is found that all these relations have underestimated the results while the experimental results of Agrostone with water hyacinth bio-filler have better correlation with results of relation given by Arioglu et al. This paper also presents mathematical models developed using linear and polynomial regression analysis to predict the split tensile strength of Agrostone. The correlation coefficients from the regression analysis are obtained using the Stats.blue software. It is found that the polynomial equations of degree five and the correlation indicators r and r2 show a strong relation between the independent compressive strength and the dependent split tensile strength. The linear regression also predicts the values with acceptable degree of accuracy. The results obtained by developed mathematical models are very close to the experimental within acceptable range of error

Immunological Response of Hiv-Infected Children to Highly Active Antiretoviral Therapy at Gondar University Hospital, North-Western Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in children has not been well studied specially in developing countries where the burden of HIV is high. This study was aimed to assess the immunologic response of HIV-infected children to HAART at Pediatric ART Clinic Gondar University Hospital.METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric ART Clinic Gondar University Hospital from March01-April 30, 2014. The study included 283 HIV-infected children who were on HAART for 6 months and above. Medical records of HIV-infected children were reviewed using pre-tested questionnaire. CD4 count/percent was collected every 6 months retrospectively. For all statistical significance tests, the cut-off value was p<0.05. Poison Regression was used for further analysis.RESULTS: The mean age of children was 6.9 years with a standard deviation of 3.4 years. The median CD4 count/percent was 232/13%, 450/21%, 540/25% and 608/27% at the time of initiation, 6, 12 and 18 months of ART, respectively. HAART initiated at higher CD4 count, good adherence and HIV status disclosure were found to have positive effects for immunological response.CONCLUSION: The study revealed that there was good Immunological response to ART, and that the  maximum response was in the 1st 6 months of ART. Low CD4 count at initiation, undisclosed HIV status and lack of good adherence were found to cause low immunological response to HAART.KEYWORDS: HAART, CD4, Immunologic respons