Multivariate Analysis of Malt Barley Genotypes for Different Malt Quality and Agronomic Traits in Ethiopia

Barley is one of the widely grown cereal crop in the highlands of Ethiopia. Twenty five malt barley genotypes were evaluated using a 5 × 5 simple lattice design at Holetta, Bekoji, Debreberhan and Kofele locations to group tested malt barley genotypes, to characterize traits that contribute to total variability and to determine genetic variability among malt barley genotypes.  The tested genotypes showed significant variation for all eleven agronomic and malt quality traits considered in this experiment. The candidate genotype (IBON-HI 118/2016) showed relatively better  malt quality and agronomic performance. The first three principal components (PCs) contributes 85% total variability. Days to heading, maturity and malt quality traits (protein, extract and friability), plant height and grain yield contribute chiefly for 50%  percent variability explained by PC 1. Based on cluster analysis the tested genotypes grouped into three clusters (C) consisted of 15 (C-I), 8 (C-II) and 2 (C-III) genotypes. C-I contain genotypes which had relatively better grain yield. Whereas, C-II consists of barley genotypes with better malt qualities. Thus, crossing among genotypes from these two clusters could give better genetic recombination for important malt quality and agronomic traits. Keywords: Cluster analysis, genetic variability, principal component DOI: 10.7176/ALST/85-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

Assessment of Malt Barley Genotypes for Grain Yield and Malting Quality Traits in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

A multi-location variety trial was conducted with the objective to identify suitable malt barley varieties that satisfy the malt and brewing industry quality requirements and reduce the cost for importing malt barley. The trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of 28 promising malt barley varieties in seven environments (site-season combinations) during 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The phenological and agronomic data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using ‘R’ software.  All the traits analysis showed significant genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction effects. Genotype, HB 52 X Bahati (G-5) exhibited high mean grain yield (5128 kgha-1) and significantly different for grain yield from one of the improved checks (Traveller). The other promising genotype, Bekoji-1 X Grace (G-8) showed acceptable malt quality results for extract (81.8 %), protein (10.0 %), friability (85 %) and lower values for beta -glucan (369 mg/l) with comparable grain yield to the improved checks (Traveller, HB1963). Similarly, genotype Sabin X Beka (G-7) showed acceptable malt quality results with lower level of beta-glucan (287mg/l). The “which-won-where” and “Mean vs. Stability” view of GGE biplot showed that, G-5 exhibited high mean grain yield and moderate grain yield stability and is the winner genotype in all test environments. Overall,  G-8 is identified as potential malting barley candidate varieties to be tested for more industrial malt quality traits prior to variety verification  trial  and G-5 can be considered as potential parent in the malt barley crossing program for its good yield potential. Keywords: ANOVA, GGE biplot, Malt barley, Grain yield, Malt quality and Stability DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-20-01 Publication date:October 31st 202

Characterization of the Multipath Environment of Ionospheric Scintillation Receivers

Includes bibliographical referencesGlobal Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are used to provide information on position, time and velocity all over the world at any time of the day. Currently there are four operational GNSS and one of them is GPS (Global Positioning System) that is developed and maintained by U.S Department of Defence (DoD), which is widely used and accessible all over the world. The accuracy of the output or even the availability of the navigation system depends on current space weather conditions, which can cause random fluctuations of the phase and amplitude of the received signal, called scintillation. Interference of GNSS signals that are reflected and refracted from stationary objects on the ground, with signals that travel along a direct path via the ionosphere to the antenna, cause errors in the measured amplitude and phase. These errors are known as multipath errors and can lead to cycle slip and loss of lock on the satellite or degradation in the accuracy of position determination. High elevation cut off angles used for filtering GNSS signals, usually 15-30°, can reduce non-ionospheric interference due to multipath signals coming from the horizon. Since a fixed-elevation threshold does not take into consideration the surrounding physical environment of each GPS station, it can result in a significant loss of valuable data. Alternatively, if the fixed-elevation threshold is not high enough we run the risk of including multipath data in the analysis. In this project we characterized the multipath environment of the GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC (Total Electron Content) Monitor (GISTM) receivers installed by SANSA (South African National Space Agency) at Gough Island (40:34oS and 9:88° W), Marion Island (46:87° S and 37:86° E), Hermanus (34:42° S and19:22° E) and SANAE IV (71:73° S and 2:2° W) by plotting azimuth-elevation maps of scintillation indices averaged over one year. The azimuth-elevation maps were used to identify objects that regularly scatter signals and cause high scintillation resulting from multipath effects. After identifying the multipath area from the azimuth-elevation map, an azimuth-dependent elevation threshold was developed using the MATLAB curve fitting tool. Using this method we are able to reduce the multi-path errors without losing important data. Using the azimuth-dependent elevation threshold typically gives 5 to 28% more useful data than using a 20° fixed-elevation threshold

Small Loans-Big Gains: Benefits and Repayment Performance of Microfinance Programs in Tgray, Mekelle

Microfinance is the provision of small amount of loans to those who have low income and could not have the access to credit from the formal banks. The study was conducted aiming to assess impact of programs in terms of poverty reduction, women`s empowerment, timely repayment and the livelihood of borrowers of Dedebit Credit and Saving Institution(DECSI), using primary data which has been collected through structured questionnaire in the study area. Data used for this study were collected as part of the MU-IUC collaboration program between Mekelle University and Flemish Universities. A sample of 183 borrowers was selected randomly for the study. From the total sample respondents 71.58% are female and the rest 28.42% are male. Moreover, 108 are female headed households and the remaining 51 are male headed households. Therefore, from the sample clients female headed households are larger than male headed clients. Only clients who took at least two group loans are included in the study as members of the treated group. The control group, on the other hand, was made up of DECSI’s clients who took only one loan. It was found out in the study that, on average, female headed borrowers took significantly lesser amount of loan than their male counterparts. Members of the treated group in the sample enjoyed loan frequency ranging from 2-14 and it was found that the amount of loan they borrow (loan size) increased from time to time. With regard to average profit the amount of profit on average obtained by male household headed borrowers is higher than their female household headed counterparts in x all the three loan periods (Current Loan period, Previous Loan period, and Before Previous Loan period). To measure the impact of microfinance on the living condition of clients we use the Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Quasi-experimental samples which contain participants and non-participants have been used. We use household consumption expenditure as impact indicator. The analytical findings indicate that microfinance loans of DECSI have improved the clients` wellbeing in their living standard. There is a significance difference between treated and control groups in terms of food and non-food expenditure which includes expenditure on personal care, durables and jewelry. The income of the clients has increases due to the fact that beyond their food consumption they possess durable goods like household furniture and jewelry such as gold and silver. However, we did not find significant difference between program participants and non-participants for total expenditure on education, utilities and other expenses like social contributions except that in only one method is significant. The increment of income is not only at household level but also total per capita of individual household members

Estimating the hidden magnitude of the malaria community burden

The second push for global malaria eradication, launched more than a decade ago,1 has motivated a renewed interest in the understanding of malaria transmission, and in the strategies required to interrupt it. In this respect, in order to eliminate malaria from a given geographical area, rapid detection and treatment of the clinical cases is rarely sufficient. In settings where transmission intensity is sufficiently high, populations exposed to continuous infective mosquito bites progressively develop a tolerance to malaria infections during the first few years of their life. This tolerance protects them against malaria disease, but not necessarily against the infection itself

Self-Medication Practices In Addis Ababa: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Self-care is a response of individuals to promote or restore their health. Self-medication, one form of self-care, it is the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms of illnesses. Although there are arguments for and against self-medication, its contribution in the promotion of health is beyond doubt. This study deals with self-medication on modern drugs and it attempts to assess self-medication practices of drug consumers. METHODS: A multi-stage stratified sampling of drug retail outlets in Addis Ababa was employed. Convenient sampling was used to select respondents from among those who came to the community pharmacies to purchase drugs for self-medication. Respondents were interviewed after they made their requests but before they were provided with information on the drugs they requested. Data were collected using a pre-tested semistructured questionnaire. RESULTS: Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents revealed that drug consumers consisted of all age categories of both genders; as well as pregnant and breast-feeding mothers of varying educational background levels. The most frequently reported illnesses that prompted self-medication of respondents were gastrointestinal diseases, headache, fever and respiratory tract infections. Slightly greater than 30% of illnesses/symptoms of illnesses were less than 24 hours and around one-fifth, one or more weeks of duration. The most common reasons reported for self-diagnosis and selfmedication were non-seriousness of the disease, emergency use and prior experience on the drug. Two-thirds of the drug consumers requested drugs by specifically mentioning the name of the drug or category to which it belongs and 20.7% by telling their illness or symptoms of illnesses. More than 100 different types of drugs were requested, the most frequent category of drugs being analgesics or antipyretics 30.1%, antimicrobials (26.4%) and gastrointestinal drugs (17.7%). CONCLUSION: Self-medication is widely practised for a wide range of illnesses or symptoms of illnesses, and for both over-the-counter and prescription only drugs. The public as well as the health care providers have to be educated on the scopes of selfmedication; i.e., the type of illnesses to be self-diagnosed and self-treated, and the type of drug products to be used in order to promote responsible self-medication.Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 14, No. 1 January 200

MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF FRUIT JUICES SERVED IN CAFES/RESTURANTS, JIMMA TOWN, SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

No abstract - Available on PD

Physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water of different sources, Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Additional file 3: Table S3 . Correlations among measured parameters of water samples from five different water sources, Serbo town and its surroundings, 2012