Groundwater Recharge, Evapotranspiration and Surface Runoff Estimation Using WetSpass Modeling Method in Illala Catchment, Northern Ethiopia

Hydrometeorological information is important in planning and management of natural resources. The northern Ethiopia in general and Illala sub-basin in particular is lacking reliable information with regard to groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration and surface runoff. The main objective of the study is to estimate the distributed groundwater recharge, surface runoff and evapotranspiration amount of Illala sub basin using WetSpass modeling method. Long term mean hydrometeorological data and physical characteristics of the catchment such as land use/land cover, soil type, topography, groundwater level and slope are used as an input to the model. The mean annual groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration and runoff were found to be 66, 440 and 40mm respectively. Accordingly, recharge accounts for 12% of the precipitation while the rest 81% and 7% becomes evapotranspiration and surface runoff respectively. The study area is characterized by low groundwater recharge due to the presence of high evapotranspiration rate associated with high temperature, dry wind, low rainfall and relative humidity though it is a little bit large compared to some parts of the northern Ethiopia.Keywords: Groundwater, WetSpass, Recharge, Illala, Catchment, Tigray, Ethiopi

Heat transfer of a nanofluid over a stretching sheet with velocity slip and temperature jump in porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction and radiation

In this study, heat transfer of a nanofluid over a stretching sheet with velocity slip and temperature jump in porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction and radiation is theoretically investigated. The governing partial differential equations with the corresponding boundary conditions are reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations via Lie group analysis. Numerical solutions of these equations are obtained by Runge-Kutta fourth order method along with shooting technique and the results obtained for different governing flow parameters are drawn graphically and their effects on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are discussed. The reduced Nusselt number and reduced Sherwood number are presented in tabular form. It is noted that the reduced Nusselt number increases with the increase of Prandtl number but the reduced Sherwood number decreases. The effect of temperature jump parameter decreases the reduced Nusselt number and reduced Sherwood number

Percepatan Masa Penggunaan Sonde Melalui Stimulasi Non Nutritive Sucking Dalam Pemberian Minum Bayi Prematur

Acceleration of Gastric Tube Usage through Non Nutritive Sucking Simulation for Premature Infant Feeding. An adequate sucking can be improved a premature infant\u27s sucking reflex with non nutritive sucking stimulation (NNS) with pacifier. The purpose of this research was to identify the influence of NNS stimulation with pacifier towards the duration of gastric tube USAge during premature infant feeding. The design of this research was quasi experimental with post test only control group design with 20 respondents for two groups, then were chosen by purposive sampling in one of Tangerang District Hospital. The data were collected using a questionnaire and an observation form. Data were analized using independent t test. The result of this research showed that there was no influence of NNS with pacifier towards the duration of gastric tube USAge (p=0,379), however the duration of gastric tube USAge was shortened. This research recommends that non nutritive sucking stimulation with pacifier is an alternative procedures to improve a premature infant\u27s sucking reflex

Breeding strategy to improve Ethiopian Boran cattle for meat and milk production

In Ethiopia, genetic improvement of the indigenous cattle for dairy production, focusing on crossbreeding, has been practised for the last five decades, albeit with little success. Selection as an improvement tool has been given less emphasis and as such there have been no systematic and organized selection schemes for cattle genetic improvement in Ethiopia. In addition, little or no genetic improvement work targeted at improving beef production has been undertaken so far. Therefore, there is a need to develop effective and sustainable genetic improvement schemes for indigenous cattle breeds of Ethiopia. This report is prepared to develop breeding plans for the Ethiopian Boran cattle and is based on: 1) secondary data sources that include literature review from earlier works on Ethiopian Boran cattle; 2) results of data collected and analysed from dairy herds at Debre Zeit research Station of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Holetta Agricultural Research Center of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR); 3) detailed desk work to design the improvement program; and 4) suitability analysis for Boran cattle using GIS. Ethiopian Boran, although a beef breed in many tropical countries, has been used as a dairy animal in many development and experimental activities in Ethiopia. The breed has been found to be fast growing, fertile and good milk producer compared to other indigenous cattle breeds in Ethiopia. The growth, reproduction and milk production performance of Boran has been improved in different parts of the world including Kenya, South Africa, Australia and USA. This indicates the huge potential of the breed that could be tapped if appropriate breeding strategy supported by proper management could be designed and fully implemented. In this report, selection scheme based on open nucleus breeding program is suggested to improve the beef and dairy attributes of the Ethiopian Boran cattle. Where crossbreeding is an option to improve dairy performance, a detail operational scheme is also suggested. Suitability of Ethiopian Boran cattle to different locations in Ethiopia is also mapped using GIS

Morphological features of indigenous chicken populations of Ethiopia

This study describes the variations in the physical features and the useful attributes of different populations of indigenous chickens. Five populations of chickens in different regions of Ethiopia were studied based on 13 qualitative traits recorded for a total of 1 125 chickens. Additional measurements on quantitative traits (shank length and body weight) were also included. Descriptive statistics (nonparametric and F tests) were used to analyze the data. Each of the study populations possessed multiple variants of plumage colours and other physical features. However, white body plumage is one of the prominent features of Farta chickens and red is predominant in the other populations. Pea comb is the dominant comb type in all regions. Most of the chickens in the high altitude regions have yellow skin. The geographic distribution and frequency of naked neck chickens are generally small, and the available small proportion is found mainly in the low altitude regions. Males in all populations are heavier and taller than the females. Body weights range from 1 411 g (Konso) to 1 700 g (Horro) in adult males and from 1 011 g (Konso) to 1 517 g (Sheka) in females. Most of the morphological traits that were studied showed a very low level of associations with each other

Physical factors contributing to rural water supply functionality performance in Ethiopia

This report communicates the findings generated from one of the project surveys – deconstruction and forensic analysis of 50 individual water points in Ethiopia. The report presents the new data generated to Ethiopia’s groundwater resource potential; the nature and condition of hand-pump borehole installations; and the significance of both of these factors to service performance. Based on the evidence collected, the survey results indicate the main physical factors most likely to affect functionality performance within the Ethiopian Highlands are the relatively deep depth to groundwater and the poor condition of handpump components. The impact of these factors to functionality performance can be mitigated through appropriate pump technology choice (e.g. use of deeper handpump boreholes (HPB) lift design), handpump construction, and adequate accessibility to repairs and maintenance capacity with breakdowns. These factors should not, however, be considered to be the only driving forces of functionality outcomes in these regions of Ethiopia, and the results of this survey need to be examined alongside the wider project findings. Wider institutional arrangements, resources and dynamics, are likely to play a significant role in the implementation of appropriate borehole construction, siting and design; procurement processes; and the management capacity available for water points at national to local levels

UPGro Hidden Crisis Research Consortium : unravelling past failures for future success in Rural Water Supply. Survey 1 Results, Country Report Ethiopia

Statistics on the functionality of water points from the Hidden Crisis project in Ethiopia are presented. The survey, undertaken in 2016, was focussed on boreholes equipped with handpumps (HPBs) within igneous volcanic rocks in the Ethiopian Highlands (covering approximately 400 Woredas). A stratified two-stage sampling strategy was adopted, and a tiered definition of functionality developed which enabled more nuanced definitions to be reported. The results from the survey indicate: • 82% of HPBs were working on the day of the survey (similar to national statistics) • 59% of HPBs passed the design yield of 10 litres per minute • 45% passed the design yield and also experienced < 1 month downtime within a year. • 28% of HPB’s which passed the design yield and reliability, also passed WHO standards of water quality indicators (TTCs and inorganic chemistry). The results of the survey indicate the utility of carrying out more detailed assessments of functionality to help unpack national statistics. A linked survey of the performance of the water management arrangements at water points showed that for 85% of the sites water management arrangements were judged to be functional or highly functional. The Hidden Crisis project is a 4 year (2015-19) research project aimed at developing a robust evidence base and understanding of the complex and multi-faceted causes which underlie the current high failure rates of many new groundwater supplies in Africa, so that future WASH investments can be more sustainable. The project is being undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of established researchers in physical and social sciences from the UK, Ethiopia, Uganda, Malawi and Australia, led by the British Geological Survey

Diversity of LEI0258 microsatellite locus in indigenous Ethiopian chickens

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatio

Risky sexual practices and related factors among ART attendees in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Background Many HIV-positive persons avoid risky sexual practices after testing HIV sero-positive. However, a substantial number continue to engage in risky sexual practices that may further transmit the virus, put them at risk of contracting secondary sexually transmitted infections and lead to problems with drug resistance. Thus, this study was intended to assess risky sexual practices and related factors among HIV- positive ART attendees in public hospitals of Addis Ababa. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among ART attendees from February to March, 2009. Questionnaire-based face-to-face interviews were used to gather data. SPSS software was used to perform descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results Six hundred and one ART attendees who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was included in the study and interviewed. More than one-third (36.9%) had a history of risky sexual practices in the three months prior to the study. The major reasons given for not using condoms were: partner's dislike of them, both partners being positive for HIV and the desire to have a child. Factors associated with risky sexual practices included: lack of discussion about condom use (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR = 7.23, 95% CI: 4.14, 12.63); lack of self-efficacy in using condoms (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 2.07, 5.23); lack of sexual pleasure when using a condom (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.52, 3.76); and multiple sexual partners (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.09, 6.57). Being with a negative sero-status partner (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.80), or partners of unknown sero-status (AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.39) were associated with less risky practice. Conclusions A considerable proportion (36.9%) of respondents engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse, potentially resulting in re-infection by a new virus strain, other sexually transmitted infections and onward transmission of the HIV virus. Health education and counseling which focuses on the identified factors has to be provided. The health education and counseling can be provided to these people at ART appointments on follow- up care. It can be provided in a one-on-one basis or through patient group educational discussions at the clinics

Whole genome scan reveals the genetic signature of African Ankole cattle breed and potential for higher quality beef

BACKGROUND: Africa is home to numerous cattle breeds whose diversity has been shaped by subtle combinations of human and natural selection. African Sanga cattle are an intermediate type of cattle resulting from interbreeding between Bos taurus and Bos indicus subspecies. Recently, research has asserted the potential of Sanga breeds for commercial beef production with better meat quality as compared to Bos indicus breeds. Here, we identified meat quality related gene regions that are positively selected in Ankole (Sanga) cattle breeds as compared to indicus (Boran, Ogaden, and Kenana) breeds using cross-population (XP-EHH and XP-CLR) statistical methods. RESULTS: We identified 238 (XP-EHH) and 213 (XP-CLR) positively selected genes, of which 97 were detected from both statistics. Among the genes obtained, we primarily reported those involved in different biological process and pathways associated with meat quality traits. Genes (CAPZB, COL9A2, PDGFRA, MAP3K5, ZNF410, and PKM2) involved in muscle structure and metabolism affect meat tenderness. Genes (PLA2G2A, PARK2, ZNF410, MAP2K3, PLCD3, PLCD1, and ROCK1) related to intramuscular fat (IMF) are involved in adipose metabolism and adipogenesis. MB and SLC48A1 affect meat color. In addition, we identified genes (TIMP2, PKM2, PRKG1, MAP3K5, and ATP8A1) related to feeding efficiency. Among the enriched Gene Ontology Biological Process (GO BP) terms, actin cytoskeleton organization, actin filament-based process, and protein ubiquitination are associated with meat tenderness whereas cellular component organization, negative regulation of actin filament depolymerization and negative regulation of protein complex disassembly are involved in adipocyte regulation. The MAPK pathway is responsible for cell proliferation and plays an important role in hyperplastic growth, which has a positive effect on meat tenderness. CONCLUSION: Results revealed several candidate genes positively selected in Ankole cattle in relation to meat quality characteristics. The genes identified are involved in muscle structure and metabolism, and adipose metabolism and adipogenesis. These genes help in the understanding of the biological mechanisms controlling beef quality characteristics in African Ankole cattle. These results provide a basis for further research on the genomic characteristics of Ankole and other Sanga cattle breeds for quality beef. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0467-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users