Soaking and drying of cassava roots reduced cyanogenic potential of three cassava varieties at Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia

Detoxification of three cassava varieties (NR-44/72, NW-45/72 and NW-44/72) by traditional methods of processing to produce cassava flour was investigated at the college of agriculture, Jimma University during February to May, 2007. The total hydrogen cyanide (HCN) quantitative determination in cassava flour was carried out using a simple enzymatic picrate paper method. Results show that varieties, soaking time and their interactions highly significantly reduced (P<0.01) total HCN content (ppm) in the flour. Soaking of cassava chips in water for about 24 h prior to sun drying reduced the HCN from 108.37 to 10.83 ppm (reduced by 90%), from 66.45 to 13.33 ppm (reduced by 79.94%) and from 58.63 to 15.0 (reduced by 74.42%) for varieties NW-44/72, NR-44/72 and NW-45/72, respectively. It was noted that total HCN content in cassava flour can be substantially eliminated (by more than 80%) by soaking of cassava chips in water. This study highlighted the importance of soaking of cassava chips for at least 24 h prior to sun drying for a safe level of HCN in the flour. However, it is also important to develop new and improved processing techniques to reduce HCN substantially.Key words: Cassava flour, soaking, total hydrogen cyanide

Calibration of a Hydraulic Model for Seasonal Flooding in a Lowland River with Natural Diversions and Bathymetric Uncertainty, for Dam Downstream Impact Assessment

A method is developed to generate bank-full river main channel geometry, to complement an open-source Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and produce a calibrated hydraulic model reproducing the extent of historically observed overbank flooding. This approach relies on limited surveyed cross section and flow rate information and is potentially suitable for projects in developing countries where the availability of measured data is limited. The method presented is applied to the case of the seasonal flooding of the Baro River in the Gambela floodplain in Ethiopia, modelled with a two-dimensional hydraulic model. The simulated flooding extent for the 1990 wet season is compared with the observed flooding from 1990 satellite imagery and the expected flow interaction patterns with the near Alwero River, showing good agreement. The calibrated model is also used to show the impact of the planned TAMS hydropower dam on the Baro River flooding

Heterosis of early generation white maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred lines for yield and yield components in mid altitude sub-humid agroecology of Ethiopia

The objectives of this study were to calculate heterosis of twelve inbred lines of white maize and identify good hybrids based on grain yield data and other yield-related traits. Thirteen inbred lines (13) were crossed in 2017 with two inbred line testers using a line by tester mating design. Twenty-six crosses were generated and evaluated in a randomized incomplete block design (RCBD) with two standard checks and 3 replications during the long rainy seasons between June to December, 2018 at Bako National Maize Research Center, Ethiopia. Also, adjacentto the hybrid trial, thirteen parental lines with the two tester lines were evaluated using RCBD with three replications. Mean separation was done using least significant differences (LSD). The overall mean grain yields (GY) of the genotypes (crosses) were 6.32 t/ha ranging from 5.21 t/ha to 8.19 t/ha. Heterosis for mid parent, better parentand standard were estimated for inbred lines. The highest significant positive heterosis over the best standard check for GY was recorded for L10 XT2 (334.21%). Inbred lines that showed positive heterosis over better parent and midpart for GY can used for germplasm source for maize breeder

Genotype x environment interaction and stability analysis for yield and yield related traits of Kabuli-type Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia

Chickpea is the major pulse crop cultivated in Ethiopia. However, its production is constrained due to genotype instability and environmental variability. This research was carried out to examine the magnitude of environmental effect on yield of chickpea genotypes and to investigate the stability and adaptability of genotypes under different agro-ecologies. Seventeen (17) genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in five locations. Various stability indices were used to assess stability and genotype by environment performances. Combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) for yield and yield components revealed highly significant (P≤0.01) differences for genotypes, environments and their interaction. The significant interaction showed genotypes respond differently across environments. At Akaki, Chefe Donsa, Debre Zeit, Dembia and Haramaya, top performing genotype were DZ-2012-CK-0001 (2933 kg/ha), Arerti (3219 kg/ha), Arerti (3560 kg/ha) DZ-2012-CK-0013 (2675 kg/ha) and Arerti (2019 kg/ha), respectively. The first two PCs explained 74.45% of the variance. Based on ASV value, DZ-2012-CK-0002 were most stable genotypes. As per AMMI biplot, Arerti and DZ-10-4 were most widely adapted genotypes. Dembia and Haramaya were most discriminative environments for genotypes. Debre Zeit and Chefe Donsa were favorable environment for genotype. Genotypes DZ-2012-CK-0004, DZ-2012-CK-0010, DZ-2012-CK-0013, DZ-2012-CK-0007 and DZ-10-4 are recommendable to Akaki, Chefe Donsa, Debre Zeit, Dembia and Haramya, respectively.Keywords: AMMI, ASV, clustering, phenologic traits, Kabuli, univariate statistics.Abbreviation: E, Environments; G, genotypes; RCBD, randomized complete block design.

Triangulating data sources for further learning from and about the MDSR in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional review of facilitybased maternal death data from EmONCassessment and MDSR system

Background Triangulating findings from MDSR with other sources can better inform maternal health programs. A national Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) assessment and the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) system provided data to determine the coverage of MDSR implementation in health facilities, the leading causes and contributing factors to death, and the extent to which life-saving interventions were provided to deceased women. Methods This paper is based on triangulation of findings from a descriptive analysis of secondary data extracted from the 2016 EmONC assessment and the MDSR system databases. EmONC assessment was conducted in 3804 health facilities. Data from interview of each facility leader on MDSR implementation, review of 1305 registered maternal deaths and 679 chart reviews of maternal deaths that happened form May 16, 2015 to December 15, 2016 were included from the EmONC assessment. Case summary reports of 601 reviewed maternal deaths were included from the MDSR system. Results A maternal death review committee was established in 64% of health facilities. 5.5% of facilities had submitted at least one maternal death summary report to the national MDSR database. Postpartum hemorrhage (10–27%) and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia (10–24.1%) were the leading primary causes of maternal death. In MDSR, delay-1 factors contributed to 7–33% of maternal deaths. Delay-2, related to reaching a facility, contributed to 32% & 40% of maternal deaths in the EmONC assessment and MDSR, respectively. Similarly, delay-3 factor due to delayed transfer of mothers to appropriate level of care contributed for 29 and 22% of maternal deaths. From the EmONC data, 72% of the women who died due to severe pre-eclampsia or eclampsia were given anticonvulsants while 48% of those dying of postpartum haemorrhage received uterotonics. Conclusion The facility level implementation coverage of MDSR was sub-optimal. Obstetric hemorrhage and severe preeclampsia or eclampsia were the leading causes of maternal death. Delayed arrival to facility (Delay 2) was the predominant contributing factor to facility-based maternal deaths. The limited EmONC provision should be the focus of quality improvement in health facilities.publishedVersio

Sediment yield at southwest Ethiopia's forest frontier

Deforestation is one of the major factors affecting soil erosion in tropical regions but to what extent does the crop growth in deforested areas protect the land from erosion? We evaluated the effect of deforestation on suspended sediment yield at the scale of zero-order catchments by contrasting five paired small forest and cropland catchments at Ethiopia's southwestern forest frontier. Suspended sediment samples were collected from nine San Dimas flumes and one V-notch weir installed in catchments draining the natural forest and cropland, at different altitudes. The suspended sediment data were collected from June 8 to October 30, 2013 and 2014. The suspended sediment yield of both land-use types was strongly correlated with the corresponding runoff discharge. The results show that the average seasonal suspended sediment yield from cropland (17.0 +/- 7.6 Mg ha(-1)) is four times higher than from the paired forests (4.0 +/- 1.9 Mg ha(-1)). High sediment yields from forests are related to livestock grazing, but forests still have an important role in the protection of the surface soil from erosion at southwest Ethiopia's forest frontier. Land management in southwestern Ethiopia's highlands will need a strong change in paradigm, in which the overall belief in the recently imported mahrasha ard plough is abandoned, oxen and other cattle decreased in number and kept in homesteads, the forests being protected from human and livestock interferences and the open farmlands turned into agroforestry. Such an approach is still possible as all required elements are available in the landscape

Focused ultrasound-enhanced intranasal brain delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

The objective of this study was to unveil the potential mechanism of focused ultrasound (FUS)- enhanced intranasal (IN) brain drug delivery and assess its feasibility in the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Delivery outcomes of fluorescently-labeled dextrans to mouse brains by IN administration either before or after FUS sonication were compared to evaluate whether FUS enhances IN delivery by active pumping or passive diffusion. Fluorescence imaging of brain slices found that IN administration followed by FUS sonication achieved significantly higher delivery than IN administration only, while pre-treatment by FUS sonication followed by IN administration was not significantly different from IN administration only. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a promising neurotrophic factor for the treatment of many central nervous system diseases, was delivered by IN followed by FUS to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique and compared with the established FUS technique where drugs are injected intravenously. Immunohistochemistry staining of BDNF revealed that FUS-enhanced IN delivery achieved similar locally enhanced delivery as the established FUS technique. This study suggested that FUS enhances IN brain drug delivery by FUS-induced active pumping of the drug and demonstrated that FUS-enhanced IN delivery is a promising technique for noninvasive and localized delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain

"Homelessness and Health Problems Are Not Distinct:" the Challenges of Rural-Urban Migrant Homeless Older People in Ethiopia

Compared with western countries, research on homelessness among older people in developing nations is minimal. Unlike in Global North nations that offer income security in late-life, in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa abject poverty contributes to older adults migrating from rural areas to urban centers in search of a means of livelihood. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges faced by homeless older rural-urban migrants in Kobo Town, Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study employed a qualitative descriptive case study. Purposive sampling was used to identify ten older adult migrants who had been homeless for more than a year. Data from in-depth interviews was supplemented with key informant interviews, observation, and document review. The narrative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Study results revealed that homeless elders faced multiple challenges including lack of necessities such as food, shelter, and water, mobility issues, lack of employment access, social exclusion, and psychological struggles. The findings call attention to the need for practical access to social and economic empowerment responses to prevent and curb homelessness among older adults in developing nations