Spectrum of a regular weighted Sturm-Liouville problem and certain innite sets of integers

Certain infinite subsets of the set of positive integers are investigated as possible spectra of Regular Weighted Sturm-Liouville-Eigenvalue problem with separated homogeneous boundary conditions. With the (conditional) exception of the set of square integers, it is shown that all the sets considered herein are not spectra of such a problem. Concepts adopted from the area of study in Mathematical analysis known as asymptotic analysis will figure prominently in the proofs of the main result

Effect of Temporary Shade Tree Species on Growth Performance of Newly Transplanted Arabica Coffee Seedlings at Jimma

A field experiment was conducted at Jimma Agricultural Research Centre (JARC) with an objective to investigate the effect of various temporary shade tree species on survival rate, early growth performance and field establishment of Arabica coffee seedlings between 2008 and 2014 cropping season. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used. The treatment consisted of temporary shade tree species vis. Pigeon pea (Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp)Tephrosia sp. Caster bean,Leucaena sp., Sesbania sesbane, grass hat (‘’Gojo’’) and open plot as a control. Coffee seedlings were raised using a CBD resistant coffee cultivar, 74110 following the recommended nursery management practices. Each experimental plot constituted of 12 coffee seedlings planted at 2m by 2m spacing. Seeds of pigeon pea,Tephrosia, Caster bean,Luecnea and Sesbania sesbanewhich were collected and prepared have been sown between coffee rows in east and west directions so as to protect seedlings from morning and afternoon sun injury. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) variations were detected among treatments for nearly all growth parameters studied. Accordingly, almost all distractive and non-distractive growth parameters were considerably affected by temporary shade treatment. In general grass hat treatment followed by Sesbania sesban showed best growth performance of coffee seedlings. Thus areas with ample rainfall or soil moisture Sesbania sesban and Pigeon pea can be used as temporary shade for coffee seedlings if planted under wider spacing (4 m x 4 m) sesbania sesban and (2 m x 2 m) pigeon pea so as to reduce their competition effect with young coffee tree for climatic and soil resources. Keywords: - inter row, intra row, temporary shade tree and transplanted seedling

Evaluation of Three Universal Extractants for the Determination of P, NO3- and K in Some Soils of Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of selected universal soil extractants (0.01 M CaCl2.2H2O, 0.01 M BaCl2, 0.02 M SrCl2.6H2O) procedures on extraction efficiency of the extractants for the determination of P, NO3- and K. The study was conducted using completely randomized design method in three replications at Haramaya University Laboratory by collecting five (5) soil samples from Bako, Ambo, Awash, Metehara and Amaresa. From the results obtained, 0.02 M SrCl2.6H2O extraction procedure was found to be the most suitable method for the determination of P in acidic, basic and neutral soils. However, very close relationship was found between this extractant and conventional soil testing method for P with (p<0.01 and r = 0.997). The amount of nitrate determined by 0.02 M SrCl2.6H2O was higher than the other extractants used in this study and this extractant was found to be the most suitable extractant for the determination of nitrate in basic  soils and also very close relationship was found between this extractant and conventional soil testing method with (p < 0.01 and r = 0.991). On the other hand the amount of nitrate determined by  0.01 M BaCl2 was found to be the most suitable for acidic and neutral soils and also very close relationship was found between this extractant and conventional soil testing method with (p<0.01 and r =  0.989  ). The amount of K determined by conventional soil testing method was higher than unbuffered salt extractants used in this study. However, very close relationship was found between 0.01 M BaCl2 extractable K and 1M ammonium acetate extractable K with (p <0.01 r = 0.997). Although very close relationship was found between the amount of NO3-, P and K extracted by unbuffered salt solutions and conventional soil testing method, the t-test indicates that the two methods are significantly different (at p < 0.05). Thus, these unbuffered salt solutions could easily be adopted for the determination of P and NO3- in the soil. But for the determination of K in the soil, the unbuffered salt solution could not replace the conventional soil testing method. Key words: soils, universal extractants, P, NO3-, K, availabilit

Bibliography on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the Diaspora: The 2004 Update

No Abstract Available Ethiop.J.Health Dev. Vol.19(1) 2005: 65-8

Genetic diversity assessment of farmers’ and improved potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars from Eritrea using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers

Sixty three potato clones (51 farmers’ and 12 varieties) from Eritrea, 18 and 12 varieties from Kenya and Rwanda, respectively were characterized using 12 highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The study was designed to assess the genetic diversity and varietal distinctness among the different samples. In total, 91 alleles ranging between 2 (STM1053) to 13 (STM0031) alleles per marker were scored. All but 97.8 SSR markers were highly polymorphic with an average PIC value of 0.87 (0.51 to 0.98). All of the 51 farmers’ cultivars were clearly distinct from each other. Samples from Eritrea showed the highest genetic diversity as explained by the diversity index (h). The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that the local farmers’ Eritrean samples are different from the Kenyan, Rwandese and even the imported varieties. Genetic distance analysis generated three clusters correlating with the PCoA findings. Cluster I consisted of 45 samples with 6 sub-clusters; Cluster II consisted of 29 samples with a majority (26) from Eritrea while cluster III consisted of 19 samples. Potato materials from Eritrea appeared to cluster separately from the other samples, which reflects a contribution from the Tuberosum germplasm prominent in temperate regions, unlike from the Andigenum germplasm for Kenyan and Rwandan potato materials. Most of the Eritrean samples in cluster I are farmers’ cultivars with intermediate maturity, good performance and better tuber quality characteristics. Cluster II contains mainly the imported variety from Eritrea characterized by late emergence and late maturity. The Kenyan and Rwandese were grouped mainly in Cluster III. In summary, the farmers’ cultivars are distinct from the Kenyan and Rwandese materials and represent more genetic diversity than the varieties imported into Eritrea. This finding is of interest to national breeding program to use the farmer’s materials as source of genetic variation for traits of interest.Keywords: Potato, simple sequence repeat (SSR), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), cluster analysis, Eritrea, multivariat

Ethiopia schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes control programme: progress and prospects

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes are among seventeen WHO prioritized neglected tropical diseases that infect humans. These parasitic infections can be treated using single-dose and safe drugs. Ethiopia successfully mapped the distribution of these infections nationwide. According to the mapping there are an estimated 37.3 million people living in schistosomiasis endemic areas, and 79 million in schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes endemic areas. The Federal Ministry of Health successfully scaled up Schistosomiasis and schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes intervention in endemic areas and treated over 19 million individuals in 2015. The Ministry of Health has made a huge effort to establish neglected tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthes program in the health system which helped to map majority of the woredas and initiate nationwide intervention. The National control programme is designed to achieve elimination for those diseases as a major public health problem by 2020 and aim to attain transmission break by 2025. The programme focuses on reaching those school-aged children who are not attending school, integration between neglected tropical diseases programme, and further collaboration with the WASH actors

Review of Ethiopian onchocerciasis elimination programme

Onchocerciasis is a severe parasitic infection which causes disabling skin and subcutaneous tissue changes. The disease is endemic in many African countries including Ethiopia. In 2013, Ethiopia launched Onchocerciasis elimination program with the goal of attaining interruption of onchocerciasis transmission nationwide by 2020. The country has successfully scaled up interventions and achieved 100% geographic coverage in all known endemic districts. The main strategy for interrupting the disease is mass drug administration (MDA) delivered two times per year. The treatment coverage for the last five years has been maintained at more than 80%. Despite many years of ivermectin MDA the transmission of onchocerciasis in many districts remained unabated. To achieve the 2020 goal, sustained high geographic and therapeutic coverage is required which is validated by coverage surveys. The programme should aim to improve the knowledge and attitude of the community towards the programme in order to improve drug compliance. The partnership between the relevant stakeholders should be strengthened to facilitate open discussions regarding the programme implementation and any challenges that may arise in the control and elimination of the disease. It is also important to consider intensified vector control

Dehydrocostus lactone from the root of Ajuga integrifolia (Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don): Quantitative determination and in- silico study for anti-breast cancer activity

Many biological activities were reported for the Ajuga species, specifically for Ajuga integrifolia and its synonyms. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antibacterial, blood purifier effects, and anticancer activity. This study quantitatively determines dehydrocostus lactone (DHCL) from the root of Ajuga integrifolia and its in silico study for anti-breast cancer activity. Camag HPTLC was used for TLC – densitometric estimation of dehydrocostus lactone. Estrogen receptor alpha (ER?) protein (PDB ID: 3ERT) was selected for its involvement in cell proliferation within the breast cancer cell. Tamoxifen is a reference drug commonly used in hormonal therapy, and DHCL was used as a ligand. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina in PyRx v.0.8 to get the bestconformational pose for forming the expected receptor-ligand complex. The docking result visualization was performed using LigPlot v.1.4.5 software for 2D, and the interactive visualization in 3D was done using Biovia Discovery Studio software. The presence of DHCL in the root of A. integrifolia was not reported so far. DHCL content in the root of A. integrifolia was estimated to be 16.5 ± 0.25 mg/g of crude extract using the TLC- densitometric method. From the molecular docking study, DHCL was found to be a promising inhibitor for estrogen receptor interaction in the breast cell and can be selected for further in vivo research to develop an anti-breast cancer drug

Integrating soil conservation and fodder production as climate adaptation strategy in Ethiopia

Like many smallholder farmers in Africa, the farming families of southern Ethiopia are facing three major challenges: the need to intensify and diversify their farm production, on very small areas, in a context of high population growth. In these rural areas, given the fertility rate, the population will double by 2050; agricultural practices must preserve the environment to maintain its productive capacity, for current and future generations; the necessity to rapidly adapt farming practices to cope with climate changes. Regarding these three challenges, Inter Aide has developed an innovative approach that consists in combining fodder production and soil and water conservation. The basic idea is simple: to plant fodder on anti-erosive structures and in unproductive places on the farm

Effect of electronic records on mortality among patients in hospital and primary healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analyses

BackgroundElectronic medical records or electronic health records, collectively called electronic records, have significantly transformed the healthcare system and service provision in our world. Despite a number of primary studies on the subject, reports are inconsistent and contradictory about the effects of electronic records on mortality. Therefore, this review examined the effect of electronic records on mortality.MethodsThe review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 guideline. Six databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, were searched from February 20 to October 25, 2023. Studies that assessed the effect of electronic records on mortality and were published between 1998 and 2022 were included. Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Narrative synthesis was performed to identify patterns across studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using fixed effect and random-effects models to estimate the pooled effect of electronic records on mortality. Funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to assess for publication bias.ResultsFifty-four papers were found eligible for the systematic review, of which 42 were included in the meta-analyses. Of the 32 studies that assessed the effect of electronic health record on mortality, eight (25.00%) reported a statistically significant reduction in mortality, 22 (68.75%) did not show a statistically significant difference, and two (6.25%) studies reported an increased risk of mortality. Similarly, among the 22 studies that determined the effect of electronic medical record on mortality, 12 (54.55%) reported a statistically significant reduction in mortality, and ten (45.45%) studies didn't show a statistically significant difference. The fixed effect and random effects on mortality were OR = 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93–0.97) and OR = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89–0.99), respectively. The associated I-squared was 61.5%. Statistical tests indicated that there was no significant publication bias among the studies included in the meta-analysis.ConclusionDespite some heterogeneity among the studies, the review indicated that the implementation of electronic records in inpatient, specialized and intensive care units, and primary healthcare facilities seems to result in a statistically significant reduction in mortality. Maturity level and specific features may have played important roles.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42023437257)