Genetic Variability, Yield and Yield Associations of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) Genotypes Grown at Gitilo Najo, Western Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the variability in yield, heritability, genetic advance and associations among characters, to estimate contribution of each trait in yield of the eighteen lentil genotypes. The genotypes were grown at Wollega University, Shambu Campus, Gitilo Najo Research Site. The genotypes were planted in RCBD and replicated three times. Data were collected for 12 morpho-agronomic traits. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant (P< 0.05) difference for all traits among the genotypes except for number of primary branches and hundred seed weight. The heritability values for the 12 characters ranged from 4.3% (hundred seed weight) to 94.3% (days to emergency). Estimates heritability values for days to emergence, plant height, number of pods per plant, biomass yield are >60% while for days to flowering, days to maturity, grain filling period and harvest index are between 40 % and 60%. Estimates of genetic advance as percent of mean at 5% selection intensity ranged from 0.59 % (hundred seed weight) to 78.1% (number of pods per plant). High heritability values coupled with high genetic advance as percent mean were observed for number of pods per plant and biomass yield which indicates the traits are controlled by additive type of genes. A low genotypic coefficient of variability and low genetic advance as a percent mean observed for characters hundred seed weight and pod length indicated that the characters were under high environmental influence, and that phenotypic selection based on these characters would be ineffective. Days to 50 % flowering showed positive and highly significant correlation with days to 95 % maturity at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Both at genotypic and phenotypic levels, grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with plant height and biomass yield while it was negatively and significantly correlated with harvest index. The result revealed wide variability for yield and yield determining traits for the tested genotypes which will help in the improvement of lentil genotypes for the area

The global financial regulatory system and the rule of law : An appraisal of the regulatory process under Basel III

The efficacy of the existing international financial regulation and adoption of an institutionalised form of regulation are among the global financial governance issues which have been well addressed by scholars in the field. The less investigated but directly related and worth considering issue is the impact of the contemporary global financial governance system on fundamental values like the rule of law. This article examines this less explored yet worth investigating issue with a focus on Basel III, namely, how far does the regulatory process under Basel III, as it stands today, inhibit or foster the rule of law. Soft law, informal groups of this regulatory network and the regulatory process are analyzed in the light of the relevant elements of the rule of law. The article shows that the accountability deficit and lack of inclusive governance in the Basel III regulatory system have inhibited the advancement of the rule of law which should have been fostered to build legitimacy in this regulatory system

Evaluation of Soil Cations in Agricultural Soils of East Wollega Zone in South Western Ethiopia

No Abstract

Current status of intestinal Schistosomiasis and soiltransmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Adwa Town, Northern Ethiopia

Background: Epidemiological baseline information on the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in a given locality is a prerequisite for development and evaluation of sound control strategies.Objective: To determine the current status of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Adwa Town, northern Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in eight primary schools in Adwa Town between October and November 2007. Fecal samples of 386 school children in the age group 7-18 were collected andmicroscopically examined using the Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. A questionnaire was used to identify determinants for Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth infections.Results: The most prevalent intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children in Adwa Town as determined by Kato-Katz (58.7%) and formol ether concentration (60.6%) methods was intestinal schistosomiasis, with an overall intensity of 95.8 eggs per gram of stool. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was higher in males (70.7%) than in females (57%), as determined by both methods. Less common parasites observed included Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm species, Hymenolepis nana, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar.Conclusion: The residents of Adwa Town represent a high-risk community with respect to intestinal schistosomiasis. Hence, mass praziquantel administration to school-age children and all adults considered to be at risk is required once a year until the level of infection falls below the level of public health importance. There is also a need to supplement chemotherapy with other measures such as environmental sanitation and health education to make the impact of chemotherapy sustainable

Performance of CareStart™ Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections in the Afar Region, North East Ethiopia

Background: CareStart™ Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test has shown encouraging results for the diagnosis of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, the performance of the test could be affected by different factors like gene polymorphisms, excess heat and humidity. Hence, evaluation of the performance of the test in different settings in Ethiopia is vital for the routine diagnosis of malaria.Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of CareStartTM Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test for the diagnosis of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in the Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia.Methods: Finger prick blood samples were collected from a total of 1092 patients who had malaria symptoms and visited three different health facilities in the Afar Region. Giemsa-stained thin and thick blood smears were prepared and microscopically examined under 100 × magnifications for Plasmodium species identification and determination of parasitaemia. CareStart Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test was also performed as per the manufacturer's instructions. The sensitivity and the specificity of the test was determined using microscopy as gold standard.Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 98.5% and 98.0% respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 91.7% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.7% for the diagnosis of P. falciparum infection. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of P. vivax infection were 100% and 99.6% respectively, with PPV and NPV of 86.2% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed high sensitivity and specificity of CareStartTM Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test for the diagnosis of both P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in the study area, though additional study may be needed in the most peripheral hottest areas of the region. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2011;25(3):206-211

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Malaria Transmission and Its Preventive Measures among Households in Urban Areas of Assosa Zone, Western Ethiopia

Background: Knowledge about the modes of transmission and preventive measures of malaria are important preceding factors for the acceptance and use of proven control tools by the community. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) about modes of malaria transmission and preventive methods in the study areas. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three urban areas of Assosa zone, Western Ethiopia from January to February, 2006. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS for windows version 12.0.1. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were employed to test the strength of association. Results: About 48% of the study participants were aware that malaria can be transmitted by mosquito bites. Thirty percent (30%), of respondents were aware that mosquitoes carry disease causing microorganism, 95% were aware that mosquitoes bite during night, and 61% were aware that mosquitoes rest at dark places inside the house. Sleeping under a mosquito net and eliminating mosquito-breeding sites were identified by 58% and 52% of respondents, respectively, as major malaria preventive measures. Respondents' education and wealth status were associated with comprehensive knowledge on malaria preventive measures (OR= 2.42, 95% CI: 1.09, 5.4 and OR= 3.89, 95% CI: 1.99, 7.6, respectively). Conclusion: Knowledge of the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission and comprehensive knowledge about malaria prevention strategies among the study population were observed to be lower than 50%. Comprehensive behavioral change and communication is required to improve the knowledge of the mode of malaria transmission and its preventive and control measures.The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development Vol. 21 (2) 2007: pp. 157-16

Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Laundry Soaps Prepared From Mango and Avocado Seed Oils and Their Blends: Giving Attention to Fruit Left Overs

It is a common practice to use oils extracted from fruits seeds for soap making. The oils are non-edible to avoid food competition. The objective of the present study was to assess the possibility of preparing a soap of acceptable quality from oils extracted from seeds of Avocado and Mango. The ground Avocado and Mango seeds were subjected to Soxhlet extraction technique using n-hexane as an organic solvent. The oil yield of 2.43% and 1.32% were obtained for Avocado seed and Mango seed samples, respectively. The analyses of the physicochemical properties such as saponification value, acid value, percent free fatty acid, and relative density were found to be 25.245 and 84.15, 30.86 and 30.85, 6.26 and 6.26, 0.87 and 0.83, respectively, and the data were in favor of utilization of the oils in soap making. Moreover, the blends of extracted Avocado and Mango seed oils in a 1:1, 3:1 and 1:3 ratios (by mass) revealed Saponification values of 151.47, 162.69, 214.62, respectively; total fatty matter contents of 59±1.41, 63 ± 1.41, 67±1.41, respectively; total alkali contents of 1.44 ± 0.03, 1.715 ± 0.08, 1.77 ± 0.13, respectively. The pH values of soaps prepared from the two oils and their blends were found to be in the range of 9.6-10.15. The data are comparable to commercial soaps and also suggest that the prepared soaps from the extracted oils can be used for cleaning purpose without any harm on human skin

The impact of glaucoma on quality of life in Ethiopia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a chronic disease characterized by irreversible optic nerve damage and visual field loss that leads to visual impairment and blindness; ultimately limiting personal independence and compromising overall quality of life of affected individuals. There is paucity of information on how glaucoma affects the quality of life of patients in low and middle-income countries where resources for both diagnosis and treatment of such conditions are limited. In this study we investigate the impact of glaucoma on quality of life in Ethiopian patients. METHODS: The quality of life of 307 glaucoma patients and 76 normal controls that were frequency matched to the age and sex profiles of the cases was assessed using Amharic version of Glaucoma Quality of Life -15 questionnaire. Linear regression models and the t-test were employed to compare significant differences in GQL-15 scores and to generate mean and mean differences between cases and controls respectively. RESULTS: The mean GQL-15 score in the glaucoma cases was substantially higher (indicating poorer quality of life) than the controls [cases 46.3 (95% CI, 28.8-63.8) and controls 18.6 (95% CI, 15.2-22.0), p < 0.0001]. Cases with normal visual acuity and mild glaucoma had significantly higher scores than the controls. Poorer quality of life was associated with age ≥ 71 years old 51.1 (95%CI, 26.2-75.9), rural residence 55.7 (95%CI, 49.9-61.5), monthly income of <400 Birr (53.1; 95%CI, 50.5-55.6), diagnosis time 1-5 years (49.6; 95%CI, 41.2-57.9), severe visual impairment (70.5; 95%CI, 58.1-82.8), and advanced glaucoma (50.9; 95%CI, 43.6-58.3). CONCLUSION: These glaucoma patients, including those with normal visual acuity and early disease, had poorer quality of life compared to normal controls. Older age, rural residence, low income and more advanced disease were significantly associated with poorer quality of life. There is a need to increase awareness of the impact of glaucoma among clinicians, patients and their families, for a better understanding of the impact this disease has on a person's life

Feeding your soil-nurturing the people

United States Agency for International Developmen