Evaluation of soil and water salinity for irrigation in North-eastern Ethiopia: Case study of Fursa small scale irrigation system in Awash River Basin

For sound land use and water management in irrigated area, knowledge of the chemical composition of soils, water, climate, drainage condition and irrigation methods before action are crucial for sustainability of irrigation projects. The study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of soils and water for intended irrigation scheme with reference to standard suitability classes. With regard to this, a study was conducted in Awash River Basin at Fursa small scale irrigation scheme in Northeastern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from bore holes of three soil mapping units of the study site across depth and water samples were taken from irrigation water with plastic bottles for analysis of range of physical and chemical properties. The results of the analysis reveal the existence of potential sodicity not only in the soil but also in the irrigation water. The study underlines the need for selection of salt tolerant crops and good water management by using appropriate irrigation methods to sustain productivity of soil in the proposed irrigation site. This has significant contribution to deciding the type of crop to be produced and appropriate irrigation methods for sustainability of soil productivity.Key words: Fursa irrigation scheme, salinity, sodicity, soil analysis, water analysis

Integration of Family Planning Services within Post Abortion Care at Health Facilities in Dessie –North East Ethiopia

The aim of this study is to investigate the integration of family planning services within post abortion care that plays a vital role in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality resulting from abortion and its  complications. Facility based cross - sectional study design was used including both quantitative and qualitative data collection method. The sample size was 291. The number of study units to be sampled from each facility was determined using proportional allocation to size and systematic random sampling was employed to select and approach each study  subjects. A validated semi structured questionnaire was used to collect thedata. Bi-variate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the most important predictors of integrating family planning services within post abortion care. A total of 282 post abortion women were included in the exit interview. Among these 158 (56.0%) reported that they have got family planning (FP) counselling and 134 (47.5%) left the health facility with modern contraceptive method. Lack of trained provider, being over loaded by other routine activities, absence of separate post abortion room, lack of commodities and supplies were major identified barriers of integrating family planning services within post  abortion care. Family planning services were partially integrated within post abortion care. Attention should be given in service providers training,  availing post abortion family planning supplies and equipments in the post abortion recovery room

Optimum Depth of Seismic Drains for Mitigating Large Deformations in Liquefied Ground with Hydraulic Barrier

Liquefaction of water saturated granular soils is one of the major risks that affect the safety and post-earthquake performance of infrastructure such as bridges, dams, buildings, and lifelines in various parts of the world. The seismically induced ground deformations are often the main concern when liquefaction occurs in significant zones of an earth structure or soil foundation. Recent studies including field data, centrifuge model testing and numerical investigations indicate that large lateral spreads and flow-slides in gentle sandy slopes have taken place when a low permeability silt/clay layer (hydraulic barrier) is present. One of the promising measures to alleviate this barrier effect and ground failures is seismic drains. Currently the effects of seismic drain configuration in plan are well understood and established in the engineering profession. However, most drain improvement schemes comprise of seismic drains that fully penetrate the liquefied soil layer. This paper describes the results of a coupled stress-flow dynamic analysis to investigate the enhancement effect of drain depth on deformations of liquefied slopes with barrier sub-layer. This study showed that drains that fully penetrate the liquefiable depth do not provide the lowest deformations and as a result may not provide the optimum solution

Tree species richness affecting fine root biomass in European forests

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Expression of cyclin D1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Cyclin D1 expression regulates normal cell cycle. Its deregulation or overexpression may cause disruption in the normal cell cycle control and lead to cancer progression. In this study, we aimed to study the expression of cyclin D1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and find its association with the different grades of oral tumors, if any.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks specimens of OSCC with variable grades. The expression of cyclin D1 was evaluated through immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.Results: A total of 40 (9 female and 31 male) samples were included, with a maleto-female ratio of 3.4:1. The age ranged between 25 and 90 years with an average age of 65.5 years. Twenty-five (62.5%) samples were diagnosed as well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC) and fifteen (37.5%) as poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC). No cases of moderately differentiated squamous carcinoma were included in the study. The expression of cyclin D1 was detected in the cases of WDSCC and a lesser expression was seen in the PDSCC with a P-value of 0.0003, OR 1581 and 95% CI (29.8239 to 83810.7113).Conclusion: Cyclin D1 is expressed in OSCC and stronger expression was detected in WDSCC