Evaluation and Modeling of Residual Chlorine in Dangila Town Water Supply System

Application of chlorine for protection of drinking water in distribution system is not well established for the Dangila town. The study was conducted to assess chlorine dosing and model for residual chlorine using Water CAD software. The necessary dates were collected using primary and secondary sources. The existing maximum residual chlorine concentration at sample point 6 through the samples by 1.5 kg/m3 chlorine dose with 3 ml/s flow rates was found to be 0.17 mg/l. Even, it was less than the minimum recommended WHO and ESA standard (0.2mg/l). The amount of total Coliform was found 5 colonies per 100ml and pH (8.68-9.1) and the remaining main chemical water quality parameters that analyses were found within WHO & ESA limits. In order to model the residual chlorine content 3 scenarios were developed. Scenario I and II were developed with 0.6 mg/l chlorine dose with 26 ml/s flow rate and 0.5 mg/l chlorine dose with 22 ml/s flow rate, respectively. In both scenarios residual chlorine concentration was recorded above the maximum limits (0.5mg/l) around the injection point which is a bit higher than the maximum limit, while 4 sample points got less than 0.2mg/l. Scenario II, all residual chlorine results were below 0.5 mg/l, but still the farthest 4 sample points got lower than 0.2mg/l.  To solve the above problem Scenario III was developed with three injection points at reservoir, Junction 4 & 55`` within 0.45, 0.15 and 0.2 mg/l chlorine dose to keep the residual chlorine concentration acceptable. Therefore, installing two additional chlorine injection points were the best solution that identified from the analysis. Keywords: Residual chlorine, Water quality and Water CAD DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-1-01 Publication date: January 31st 202

Patterns of phenotypic variation in endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) from Ethiopia

The extent of morphological variability of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) sampled from 17 localities in Ethiopia that varied from 1600 to 3000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l) was investigated using 16 characters. Statistical analyses were performed using leaf hairiness and altitude as categorical variables. Cluster analysis performed using average taxonomic distance matrix revealed the separation of most plants into their respective leaf hairiness and altitude groups. When leaf hairiness was used as categorical variable, canonical discriminant analysis performed using characters selected by the stepwise procedure revealed the distinct separation of all glabrous plants from the pubescent ones with the slightly pubescent plants being intermediate. Classificatory discriminant analysis was used to assign 95.8% of the plants into their respective hairiness groups. Our data therefore support the hypothesis that pubescent forms are highly likely to be a different taxon. For altitude groups, canonical discriminant analysis performed using characters selected by the stepwise procedure resulted to the separation of most plants into lowland (1600-2100 m.a.s.l.), central highlands (2101-2500 m.a.s.l.), and highland (2501-3000 m.a.s.l) groups. Classificatory discriminant analysis was able to assign 70.8% of the plants into their respective altitude groups. However, all results from discriminant analyses of the morphological data were not strong enough to support the presence of morphological ecotypes in endod along altitudinal gradients. Key Words: Altitude, endod, morphological variation, Phytolacca dodecandra, pubescence. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(1) 2004: 32-3

Principles, requirements and prospects of genetic mapping in plants

Genetic mapping (also known as linkage mapping or meiotic mapping) refers to the determination of the relative position and distances between markers along chromosomes. Genetic map distancesbetween two markers are defined as the mean number of recombination events, involving a given chromatid, in that region per meiosis. Genetic map construction requires that the researcher developappropriate mapping population, decide the sample size and type of molecular marker(s) for genotyping, genotype the mapping population with sufficient number of markers, and perform linkageanalyses using statistical programs. The construction of detailed genetic maps with high levels of genome coverage is a first step for localizing genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are associatedwith economically important traits, marker assisted selection, comparative mapping between different species, a framework for anchoring physical maps, and the basis for map-based cloning of genes.Highly reproducible, high throughput, codominant, and transferable molecular markers, especially developed from expressed regions, are sought to increase the utility of genetic maps. This articlereviews the principles, requirements, and future prospects of genetic mapping in plants

Associations among Yield and Yield-related Characters in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Twenty potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes were tested at Ankober (3100 masl), Ethiopia, during the 2002 main rainy season to estimate the nature  and magnitude of correlations and path coefficient analysis among eleven characters. The experiment was laid out in RCB design with three replications  on a plot size of 6.75 m2. Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among the genotypes for all the characters studied. The result of the  experiment indicated that though genotypic correlations were higher in magnitude than that of phenotypic correlations, the direction of phenotypic  correlation coefficients were the same as that of corresponding genotypic ones for majority of the characters. At genotypic level, tuber yield per plant  was positively and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with stem number per hill (rg = 0.588) and leaf area per plant (rg = 0.759). Path coefficient analysis at  genotypic level also indicated that these characters had positive indirect effects on tuber yield via tuber number per plant. This result suggested the  possibility of simultaneous selection of stem number per hill and leaf area per plant with tuber number per plant to maximize tuber yield. Path coefficient  analysis at genotypic level further indicated that average tuber weight, tuber number per plant, above ground biomass and internode  number are important components of tuber yield per plant. Positive and high magnitude direct effect of average tuber weight and tuber number per  plant, and their relatively high negative indirect effects on tuber yield per plant via each other indicated the need to be cautious during simultaneous  selection for improving tuber yield per plant.&nbsp

An overview of molecular marker methods for plants

The development and use of molecular markers for the detection and exploitation of DNA polymorphism is one of the most significant developments in the field of molecular genetics. The presence of various types of molecular markers, and differences in their principles, methodologies, and applications require careful consideration in choosing one or more of such methods. No molecular markers are available yet that fulfill all requirements needed by researchers. According to the kind of study to be undertaken, one can choose among the variety of molecular techniques, each of which combines at least some desirable properties. This article provides detail review for 11 different molecular marker methods: restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), inter-simple sequencerepeats (ISSRs), sequence characterized regions (SCARs), sequence tag sites (STSs), cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS), microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), expressedsequence tags (ESTs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and diversity arrays technology (DArT)

Microsatellites and agronomic traits for assessing genetic relationships among 18 New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties

The Africa Rice Center (WARDA) has developed several interspecific rice varieties by crossing the high yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica) with the locally adapted African rice (Oryza glaberrima). Eighteen varieties were named with the prefix NERICA (New Rice for Africa) but theirgenetic difference and patterns of relationship is largely unknown. A total of 102 polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to genotype 18 NERICAs. A subset of seven NERICAs (NERICA 1 to 7) was further characterized for 10 agronomic traits. The microsatellites data revealed no genetic difference between NERICA 8 and 9. The absence of genetic distance and identical SSR haplotype distribution (banding pattern) observed between NERICAs 8 and 9 is highly likely to be due to lack molecular difference at the DNA level but the possibility for seed admixture remains to be explored. This study, however, revealed the presence of a wide range of genetic differences among all other NERICAs, with the highest being between NERICA 6 and 17. Cluster and principal component analyses of the SSR data revealed distinct separation of NERICA 1 to 7 from NERICA 8 to 18. The possible reasons for such separation and the implications for breeding programs are discusse

Progress and prospects of marker assisted backcrossing as a tool in crop breeding programs

Marker assisted backcrossing (MAB) is one of the most anticipated and frequently cited benefits of molecular markers as indirect selection tools in breeding programs. However, routine implementationsof MAB in ongoing plant breeding programs are still scarce. Currently MAB of single gene is perhaps the most powerful approach that uses DNA markers effectively. Improvement of quantitative traits loci(QTLs) through MAB resulted to variable results ranging from limited success and/or even a failure to a few highly successful stories. A major constraint to the implementation of MAB in pragmatic breedingprograms has been the high relative cost compared to conventional phenotypic selection. It is a popular misconception that a ‘DNA fingerprint’ is always to be preferred. To be useful to plant breeders,gains made from MAB must be more cost-effective than gains through traditional breeding or MAB must generate significant time savings, which justifies the additional cost involved. Currently, mostnational agricultural research systems (NARS) in Africa have either no or very limited facilities, skilled manpower, and financing for integrating molecular markers as part of their breeding programs. Therefore, conventional breeding methods remain the main option for NARS for many years to come, but targeted use of MAB may become a supplement if well-validated markers are developed or availablethrough collaboration with the international agricultural research centers. This paper provides detail review of the current literature on MAB, including requirements and selected experimental results

Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury Among Trauma Patients in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of mortality and disability in young age populations, particularly in children and adolescents. The objective of this systematic review and metaanalysis was to assess the prevalence of TBI among trauma patients in Ethiopia. Methods: A three-stage search strategy was conducted on PubMed/Medline, Science Direct and African Journals Online, and a grey literature search was conducted on Google Scholar. Data were analyzed with R version 3.6.1. Results: The pooled prevalence of TBI in Ethiopia was 20% (95% confidence interval (CI), 11–32). Subgroup analysis revealed that road traffic accident was the commonest mechanism of injury in Ethiopia at 21% (95% IC, 15– 30), next was assault at 18% (95% CI, 5–48). Conclusion: This review shows a high prevalence of TBI among trauma patients in Ethiopia when compared with continental and global reports. Policymakers and stakeholders should work on regulatory laws on transportation; pre-hospital emergency medical care system is also in high demand.Keywords: Head injury, Road traffic accident, Assault, Ethiopi

Married women’s empowerment and associated factors on achievement of their ideal number of children in Dilla Zuria woreda, Gedeo zone, Southern-Ethiopia: a community based cross sectional study

Background: Women’s empowerment in health care decision has been recognized as an important dimension to their access to reproductive health service and for better maternal and child health outcomes. However, the effect of women’s empowerment on achievement of their ideal number of children remains relatively unexplored in the context of Ethiopia. Hence, this current study aimed to explore the impact of women empowerment on their ability to achieve their ideal number of children among married women.Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to February 1, 2015 among married women aged 15-49 years in Dilla Zuraia Woreda, Gedeo Zone. Systematic sampling technique was used to select a total of 592 study participants. Pre-tested structured questionnaires were used for gathering data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical package.Results: This study demonstrates that 82.8% of women achieved their ideal number of children that they need to have in their whole life. About (69.4%) of married women had empowerment to achieves their ideal number of children. Women’s empowerment as measured by household decision making and attitude towards gender role were positively associated with women’s ideal number of children. The finding that empowerment as measured by household decision-making and gender role attitudes was less influential in predicting achievement of ideal fertility than husband‘s desires of children. Our study also suggests education was associated with a smaller ideal number of children.Conclusions: Our study documents showed low empowerment, but strong association between women empowerment and achievement of their ideal number of children. The findings suggest different targeting strategies to improve women’s status, as well as men’s awareness and involvement in sexual issues via women’s empowerment

Evaluation and Modeling of Residual Chlorine in Dangila Town Water Supply System

Application of chlorine for protection of drinking water in distribution system is not well established for the Dangila town. The study was conducted to assess chlorine dosing and model for residual chlorine using Water CAD software. The necessary dates were collected using primary and secondary sources. The existing maximum residual chlorine concentration at sample point 6 through the samples by 1.5 kg/m3 chlorine dose with 3 ml/s flow rates was found to be 0.17 mg/l. Even, it was less than the minimum recommended WHO and ESA standard (0.2mg/l). The amount of total Coliform was found 5 colonies per 100ml and pH (8.68-9.1) and the remaining main chemical water quality parameters that analyses were found within WHO & ESA limits. In order to model the residual chlorine content 3 scenarios were developed. Scenario I and II were developed with 0.6 mg/l chlorine dose with 26 ml/s flow rate and 0.5 mg/l chlorine dose with 22 ml/s flow rate, respectively. In both scenarios residual chlorine concentration was recorded above the maximum limits (0.5mg/l) around the injection point which is a bit higher than the maximum limit, while 4 sample points got less than 0.2mg/l. Scenario II, all residual chlorine results were below 0.5 mg/l, but still the farthest 4 sample points got lower than 0.2mg/l.  To solve the above problem Scenario III was developed with three injection points at reservoir, Junction 4 & 55`` within 0.45, 0.15 and 0.2 mg/l chlorine dose to keep the residual chlorine concentration acceptable. Therefore, installing two additional chlorine injection points were the best solution that identified from the analysis. Keywords: Residual chlorine, Water quality and Water CAD DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-11-05 Publication date: December 31st 201