Carcass and Non-carcass Yield Characteristics of Horro Sheep Supplemented with Two Lablab purpureus Cultivars and Concentrate Mixture to a Basal Diet of Natural grass hay

The study was carried out using twenty five male yearling Horro sheep with average body weight (BW) of 18.5 + 1.99 kg (Mean + SD) to determine the supplementary value of Beresa-55 and Gebisa-17 Lablab purpureus cultivars and concentrate mixture to a basal diets of natural pasture hay on carcass and non-carcass yield characteristics. All lambs were stratified in to five groups according to their initial body weight in randomized complete block design and were assigned to the dietary treatments randomly. Experimental lambs had free access to a basal diet (natural grass hay) but, supplemental feeds were restricted considering 1.5 and 2% of their body weight in dry matter (DM) basis which is adjusted following regular weight measurements. Thus, the treatments were; ad-lib natural grass hay + concentrate mixture at 2% BW (T1), ad-lib natural grass hay + Gebisa-17 cultivar at 1.5% BW (T2), ad-lib natural grass hay + Gebisa-17 cultivar at 2% BW (T3), ad-lib natural grass hay + Beresa-55 cultivar at 1.5% BW (T4) and ad-lib natural grass hay + Beresa-55 cultivar at 2% BW (T5). All carcass parameters and most of the non carcass parameters were significantly affected by dietary treatments. Lambs fed diets T1 and T5 had performed better in most of the parameters measured such as SW, EBW, HCW, fore and Hind quarter. However, lambs in T2, T3 and T4 had intermediate value in these parameters. In general, lambs fed T1 and T5 enhanced comparable carcass and non carcass yield than in the other treatments. However, Supplementation with conventional feed resources (grains, cereals etc.) for animal production is scarce and highly expensive in many parts of the world. Hence, the use of forage legumes as alternative feed resources for ruminant livestock is becoming increasingly important in many parts of the tropics and sub-tropics because of its availability, abundance and relatively reduced cost. Therefore, it can be recommended that, T5 (ad-lib grass hay+Beresa-55 cultivars at 2% BW) can be used as a priority supplement in feeding of local sheep. Keywords: Horro sheep, dressing percentage, hot carcass weight, Lablab purpureu

Designing Multimedia Quality-based Advanced Videoconferencing Applications for Telemedicine over the Internet

Telemedicine and related healthcare technologies aim to provide efficient healthcare to improve the well being of patients and bring medical expertise at a lower cost to people who are geographically separated. This field has evolved over the past thirty years and today most telemedicine applications still use expensive leased telecommunication circuits to provide secured reliable connections. With the ubiquity of the Internet, it is now possible to deliver healthcare through Internet-based telemedicine applications to a wider population. However, the unreliable connection properties of packet-based systems and their vulnerability to various impairments that can occur at the physical, network, and application levels hamper the quality of Internet-based telemedicine applications. This research developed a taxonomy that identifies several key telemedicine dimensions to help patients, providers and program administrators understand the effort. The next phases of the study will create new objective/subjective multimedia quality models exclusively for telemedicine over the Internet using an experimental design over an emulated testbed. These models will be developed for telediagnosis in ophthalmology and mental health with extensive experiments using real-world telemedicine multimedia sessions obtained from the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care and VA. Finally, an intelligent videoconferencing software will be developed with real-time quality feedback functionality based on the quality models developed during this study. This new artifact will help practitioners in the field to pursue telemedicine confidently with the knowledge of real-time quality conditions under which they operate

New Regionalism in Global Order: Regional Trade Integration and Its Links with Financial Sector

This dissertation evaluates the linkages of regional trade integration with regional financial integration and financial development in the EU and the ASEAN. The research utilizes quantitative and qualitative data to analyze development of banking sector and capital markets in these two regions, reviews related integration initiatives in the EU and ASEAN banking sectors and capital markets and their possible links with regional trade. The results mainly indicate that banking sector and capital markets perform important functions to provide financing to firms and infrastructure projects, to hedge trade and project risks and to support macro-financial stability, all of which can support regional trade. However, there are significant differences in the EU and ASEAN both in trade and financial sectors and being a member in a region with developed institutional structures and large trade networks -such as the EU- is the biggest advantage to intra-regional trade

Modeling PDC cutter rock interaction

Optimizing the drilling performance in high pressure high temperature (HPHT) operations is crucial to successful, economic mineral extraction, and is one of the major goals behind the Department of Energy\u27s (DOE) Deep Trek program and the primary goal of the Ultra-Deep Drilling Simulator (UDS) laboratory currently being designed and constructed at National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL).;To best leverage the valuable unique data from experiments in the UDS, a three-dimensional FLAC model of a single cutter interacting with the rock specimen (as tested in the UDS) has been developed. This cutter-rock model was developed using parameters so that various aspects of the model could be easily changed in subsequent runs.;This study will present the development of the cutter-rock model and the results of the initial numerical tests investigating the effect of various geologic and drilling parameters such as: rock strength, pore pressure, stress fields and cutting depth. Also, the results of the comparison/calibration of the model with single cutter laboratory tests will be presented.;Three basic initial models were run. First, two different rock types (a sandstone and a shale) with three different cutting depths are modeled to investigate the effect of rock strength and cutting depth on cutter loads. Second, The effect of various confining stress levels on the single cutter tests are analyzed by applying three different hydrostatic confinements (0 MPa, 25 MPa, and 50 MPa) to the core. Third, to incorporate the effects of fluid (both drilling mud and internal fluid) on the drilling process, pore pressure is included in the cutter/rock model. Results of these models showed that initial cutter/rock model is working properly.;The calibration of the 3D numerical model with the laboratory single cutter tests was primarily accomplished by matching the average vertical and horizontal loads on the cutter between the model and the laboratory tests. A FLAC 3D model was developed to back analyze the linear cutter test data published by Glowka (1989). The model eventually calculated the cutter loads pretty close to the test results. It is found that the different failure modes in the cutter/rock model, shear (crushing) and tensile (chipping), are highly dependent on the depth of cut and the tensile strength of the rock and greatly affect the cutting loads

Determinants of Loan Repayment Performance in Shashemene City Administration: The Case of Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company in Shashemene Branch, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Microfinance can be an important element of an effective poverty reduction strategy especially for developing countries. In Ethiopia, there has been a high growing interest in considering micro financing as an important approach for the poor. The services provided by microfinance institutions is needed to enable the poor to reduce their consumption, manage their risks better, build their assets gradually, develop their micro enterprises, improve their income earning capacity, and enjoy an improved quality of life. However, the performance of loan repayment has become a serious problem in the country in general and in the study area in particular. This study was therefore identifying and analyzing the determinants of LRP in MFIs with particular reference to OCSSCO Shashamene branch. A total of 169 respondents were included in the survey and the main data for the study was collected through structured questionnaire administered by trained enumerators. In addition, secondary data was collected from the branch office records. Probit model was employed to analyze the determinants of loan repayment performance of the branch borrowers. A total of sixteen explanatory variables were included in the model’s equation. The result of probit regression confirmed that nine of them; age of the borrowers, level of education, income from activities financed by the loan, suitability of , family size, loan diversion rate, residential area, loan size and grace period were significantly affect LRP while the remaining were found to be insignificant in the model. STATA14.0 software was used to analyze data and t-test and chi-squared test was employed to compare non-defaulters and defaulters with respect to significant explanatory variables. Hence, taking these factors in to account is vital since it provides information enabling to take effective measures aiming at improving LRP in the study area. Equivalently, it would also help the institution and policy makers by providing information on how to exercise their capacity to reduce loan default. Keywords: Micro-finance, loan repayment performance, Probit model, Credit and Saving Share Company, Shashemene City. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/79-01 Publication date:October 31st 202

An evaluation of English for Ethiopian grade 12 students' textbook in cultivating students' paragraph writing skills with particular emphasis on cohesion and coherence: Bantu Preparatory School in focus

The main purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of English for Ethiopian Grade 12 Students' Textbook in cultivating students' paragraph writing with particular emphasis on cohesion and coherence at Bantu Preparatory. Descriptive research design was employed, to conduct the study. Three EFL teachers and 20 students were selected in a systematic random sampling technique. The study employed three data gathering tools: document analysis, semistructured interview and paragraph writing test. Document analysis was employed to identify whether the textbook has adequate cohesive devices that help students to write coherent and cohesive paragraph. Paragraph writing test was conducted to investigate the factors that affect the cohesion and coherence of paragraph written by students. Moreover, semi- structured interview was conducted with three English language teachers to identify what the English language teachers used to do to help students in writing a coherent paragraph. All data collected .using different tools were analyzed qualitatively. The study indicated that the occurrences of ". cohesive devices with their functions in Grade 12 Students' English Textbook were not sufficient and the paragraphs that the students wrote had problems of cohesion and coherence. The paragraphs have problems of organization, unity of ideas and the students tend to use more conjunctions and references due to insufficient provision of cohesive devices in the textbook that helps students to write cohesive and coherence paragraph writing. In addition, the teachers' activities designed to help students write coherent paragraphs were inadequate. Therefore, the textbook should provide sufficient and appropriate cohesive ties that help learners to join sentences together that keep the flow of ideas between sentences with varieties of activities.Jimma Universit

Assessment of Pastorals’ Perceptions of Lake Basaka's Water Quality Concerning Its Impact on Sheep and Goat Production in Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to assess pastoral perceptions of lake Basaka saline water concerning the effects on sheep and goat production in great Ethiopia's mid-rift valley. Fourteen focus group discussions with livestock owners and 15 key informant interviews were done in selected areas, and both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a questionnaire guide. The survey study report showed that pastoral and agropastoral were common production systems with diverse species of livestock with goat and sheep in dominance. Feed scarcity, drought, and water problems were the major constraints to sheep and goat production and productivity. While lake Basaka water is not good for the drinking of sheep and goats because of its salinity content, it was a major water source for their animals, especially during dry seasons. Seasons and climate conditions were varied the salinity contents of lake Basaka water and had negative effects on livestock production and health. However, goats are more tolerant of the drinking lake Basaka than sheep in the study area.  Based on the pastoral perceptions, in dry regions including the study area, where feed is scarce both in quantity, long-term drinking naturally saline water of lake Basaka is not safe for livestock species, especially during dry seasons. These findings are useful for policymakers and organizations working on projects aimed at increasing the resilience of pastoralists, while future research could identify appropriate technologies to help alleviate these impacts. Keywords: Water scarcity; poor water quality; small ruminants DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-17-02 Publication date:September 30th 202

Biocontrol Dynamicsttrichogramma SPP Associated With Helicoverpa Armigera (Hubner) In Ethiopian Mixed Vegetation Ecosystems

The natural occurrence of egg parasitoids was assessed by investigating the compatibility of Trichogramma spp. associated with the African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner) under mixed vegetation ecosystems. Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to study the diversity, species composition, biology and effectiveness of recovered Trichogramma spp. and other egg parasitoids on H. armigera. Assessments on the diversity of egg parasitoids conducted on farmers' fields on 50 randomly selected sites from four contrasting agro-ecosystems indicated that there were four main groups of Hymenopteran egg parasitoids. They were the two Telenomus spp. (Scelionidae), two Trichogrammatoidea spp. nr. lutea and nr armigera (Trichogrammatidea), two Trichogramma spp. nr. mwanzia and nr. bournieri (Trichogrammatidae) and lastly a number of unidentified species. The natural field parasitism was estimated to be 33%; parasitism of the recovered egg parasitoid species according to locations varied from 27 to 40% while that of different crops (cotton, tomato and pepper) varied from 25 to 57%. Among those recovered from the surveyed agro-ecological locations, Trichogramma sp. nr. bournieri was recovered on various canopy structures of cotton, tomato and maize, indicating that it has a broader niche. Egg parasitoid abundance and species composition analyzed by the Czekanowski coefficient and Shannon index indicated that Tsp. nr. bournieri, Telenomus sp. and Tsp. nr. mwanzia were widespread in both low (Afar) and high altitude (Guder) agro-ecologies. The abundance of H. armigera egg and its egg parasitoids in two benchmark sites at extreme altitudes (740 and 2034 meter above sea level) during the main and offseasons on eight crop types varied with respect to crop type, season and altitude. In general, parasitism was higher during the main season. At lower altitudes, the highest count of parasitized eggs was from pigeon peas where the parasitoid Telenomus sp. was the most abundant. At higher altitudes, the highest number of parasitized eggs was recorded from tomato. The first appearance of targeted host egg during the offseason at lower altitude was in November and it was the highest number recorded. At Guder, (high altitude) during the off-season, H armigera eggs and their parasitoids were recorded from November to January in tomatoes and pigeon peas with the highest parasitism recorded in January in both crops. Observations revealed that male Tsp. nr. bournieri emerged 7-12 minutes earlier than the females. The males stood guard around the parasitized eggs awaiting the emerging female for copulation. The overall frequency distribution of the number of adults emerged daily was positively skewed for both sexes. The duration of immature and adult stages for T.sp. nr. bournieri was 9.25 and 3 days, respectively, whereas for Tsp. nr. mwanzia it was 9.35 and 2.35 days, respectively. tllPUET'AKAAN SULTAN ABDUL UNIVERSITI WTRA MALkYSlA Suitability and acceptability of H. armigera egg for ovipostion of the native Tsp. nr. bournieri, Tsp. nr. mwanzia and a Telenomus sp. was studied under laboratory conditions. Telenomus sp. failed to perform when held under laboratory conditions. The reason for this is not clear. The acceptability and suitability level .by the two Trichogramma parasitoids varied with age and density of H. armigera eggs. In general, severity of parasitism decreased with increasing host egg age while searching or foraging increased with increasing host egg age. Functional responses studied on various factitious host egg densities exposed to different numbers and combinations of parasitoid species showed the mean rate of parasitism was highest when the host eggs were exposed to an individual species of multiple females of four to eight. The mean parasitism rate increased with increasing number of adults. The host egg parasitism by Tsp. nr. bournieri and Zsp. nr. mwanzia was highly affected at temperature intervals between 10 and 40°C. The number of adult female progeny was greater than the males at different level of temperature. Trichogramma sp. nr. bournieri had a wider spectrum and its optimum temperature was between 10 and 35°C. The high efficiency of parasitism by Tsp. nr. bournieri and its superior searching capacity, as revealed by studies done under the controlled conditions of the greenhouse (under cloth mesh cage) and lathehouse (under open air cage) led to the conclussion that it was potentially promising to be exploited as a biocontrol agent against H. armigera

Federalism, Democracy and Foreign Direct Investment Inflows: Are They Complementary or Competing Concepts?

Least developed countries (LDCS) and developing countries desperately need foreign direct investment (FDI) for steady economic growth and sustainable development. Partly as a result of stiff competition due to globalization which brought about cross-border businesses through multi-national corporations (MNCs), those unfortunate economies are changing their policies and exerting their maximum potential to demonstrate themselves as favourable investment destinations in the eyes of MNCs. But, FDI comes to the host states only after thorough analysis of the benefits and costs because investors are motivated by making profits. Thus, obviously foreign direct investors opt for less risky investment. To achieve this, foreign direct investor’s seriously look in whether the host state is a democratic state, adopted functioning federalism, etc so that they would easily forecast the political risks against their investments. The tendency is that, investors will not come and continue their operations if the political risks are high while they do where the political risks are lower. However, the conceptual relationships among democracy, federalism and FDI inflows are still very concerning issues all over the world. This paper clearly shows as federalism and FDI inflows on one hand; democracy and FDI inflows on the other side are complementary than competing concepts. Federalism, democracy and FDI inflows have been regarded as a mutually reinforcing couple by many scholars to date. Hence, democratic and federal countries attract higher levels of FDI through ensuring the lowering of political risks. Keywords: - Foreign Direct Investment, Democracy, Federalism, MNCs. DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/68-02 Publication date:July 31st 2020