Growth Response of Dekoko (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum) to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers at Enderta Woreda, Northern Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer on dekoko (Pisum sativum var.abyssinicum) growth parameters. The Experiment was conducted in 2013/14 at the experimental field of Mekelle University Endayesus Campus, Northern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. It comprises four treatments viz. Control (with no fertilizer), 30 kg N ha-1+30 kg P2O5 ha-1, 60 kg N ha-1+60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 90 kg N ha-1+90 kg P2O5 ha-1. Data on growth parameters like: leaf area, number of branches per plant and plant height were measured and collected. Results show that, the effect of N + P2O5 on in all the growth parameters of dekoko was significant at 5% Probability level. The highest leaf area index (2.82m2m-2) among N+P2O5 levels, was recorded from 90 Kg/ha N +90 Kg/ha P2O5. Similarly highest Plant height (50.83Cm) was found from the treatment combination of 90 Kg/ha N +90 Kg/ha P2O5. Maximum number of basal branches (2.73) was obtained from the highest treatment combination. Keywords: Growth attributes, nitrogen, phosphorus, Pisum sativum var. abyssinicu

Growth of youth-owned MSEs in Ethiopia: characteristics, determinants and challenges

The study examines the factors that influence the growth of youth-owned MSEs in Ethiopia using a sample survey of 909 operators which were selected through a multi-stage random sampling techniques. The result of the cross-tabulated descriptive statistics showed that the personal attributes, firm characteristics, inter-firm cooperation and policy predictability affected the growth of the MSE operators. Growth rate was also influenced by the diverse and heterogeneous character of the youth-owned MSEs. Unlike many other studies, the findings of this study reveal that the average growth rates of microenterprises are much lower than the small enterprises. Female-owned firms registered relatively lower growth rate compared to their male counterpart. The results obtained from the regression indicate that among the personal attributes of youth MSE owners: education, sole ownership form of business organization, small enterprise category, experience in similar business, and gender (male MSE owners) are significant variables which positively influence the growth of the youth operators. Out of the firm-level attributes, access to training before starting business, social networking and access to loan are statistically significant variables which negatively affect growth rate. On the other hand, access to product markets, future plan of the enterprises, saving culture, size of start-up capital and current capital are found as significant variables influencing the growth of youth-owned MSEs. The predictability of policies and inter-firm cooperation are also found to be significant variables affecting growth and expansion of youth-owned MSEs. Since the growth rate of microenterprises and women-owned enterprises are lower, the study suggests revisiting the current support program by crafting tailored interventions. Moreover, although inter-firm cooperation and policy predictability affect the growth of youth-owned MSEs, due focus should be given to improve social networking and building the trust and confidence of the operators on government policies and strategies.Keywords: Youth-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs), Growth rate of firm

Developing Supply Chain Agility for the High-Volume and High-Variety Industry

Supply chains are under pressure to meet performance expectations under conditions in which access to the global network of suppliers and customers is fluid. Most studies accept the importance of agility to enhance performance using flexibility as a key dimension. Moreover, based on literature and empirical implications, it is essentially noticeable that there is an agreement on the need for flexibility in manufacturing to address both internal changes at the manufacturing echelon (e.g., a variation of process times) and external uncertainties (e.g., availability of ingredients, delivery schedules).However, there is a lack of adoptable metrics of manufacturing flexibility that can be used to evaluate manufacturing flexibility’s impact to enhance TH and reduce cost, both at the manufacturing echelon and the supply chain as a system as well as its impact on other echelons. Therefore, focusing on manufacturing flexibility as a competitive strategy induces a driving force for the success of the performance of supply chains. The purpose of this research is to present an applicable methodology for the evaluation of flexibility in a supply chain called Flexible Discrete Supply Chain (FDSC). The FDSC structure consists of a supplier, manufacturer, distributor, and customer as its conceptual model. Two main performance indicators – TH and cost are used to study the FDSC performance. This study utilizes four dimensions: volume, delivery, mix, and innovation (VDMI) flexibility. Quality function deployment is used to translate the dimensions of flexibility to key metrics that can be controlled in a discrete-event simulation (DES) model. The DES model is used to generate data, and for configuring VDMI metrics. The data is used for further sensitivity analysis. The developed methodology is verified and validated using data from a real case study. It is applicable to all supply chains within the FDSC criteria. This study contributes to the body of knowledge of supply chain flexibility through technical, methodical, and managerial implications. It clearly illustrated scenarios and provided guidelines for operations managers, to test among VMDI flexibility to maximize TH constrained by cost. Key directions for future research are identified

A Review on: Performance Evaluation of Crop Simulation Model (APSIM) in Prediction Crop Growth, Development and Yield in Semi Arid Tropics

Crop Simulation Models (CSM) are computerized representations of crop growth, development and yield, simulated through mathematical equations as functions of soil conditions, weather and management practices. The Crop simulation models like agricultural production system simulator can save time and resources better prediction accuracy is the most important point that should be considered in decision making process. Most models are not tested or poorly tested, and hence their usefulness in decision making process is unproven. Therefore, this paper Reviews the performance of the APSIM CSM simulation accuracy with respect to the simulation of the growth, development and yield of the selected crops. APSIM model is reliable crop simulation model in predicting development, Growth and yield of different crops in the semi arid tropics. Keywords: APSIM, CSM, Yield, Semi arid tropic

Response of Chickpea (Cicier Arietinium L.) to Rhizobium Inoculation and Blended fertilizer Rates in Laelay Maichew, Central Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Low soil fertility is one of the limiting factor for low productivity of chickpea in Central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Field experiment was therefore, conducted for two consecutive years (2016-2017) in Laelay Maichew (Hatsebo) to evaluate the effects of NPSB fertilizer and rhizobium inoculation on yield and yield components of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Rhizobium inoculation was assigned to the main plots with two levels (with and without rhizobium inoculation) and NPSB fertilizer rates in sub plot with seven levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg ha-1 NPSB). Data collected were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS software. A combined analysis of variance showed a significant interaction effects of NPSB and rhizobium inoculation on chickpea yield and yield components (P<0.05) across the two years. The highest number of pods per plant (76.8) was recorded from 125 kg ha‑1 NPSB along with rhizobium inoculation and the highest grain yields were obtained from 150 kg ha‑1 (3609 kg ha‑1) and 125 kg ha‑1 NPSB (3514 kg ha‑1) along with rhizobium inoculation. Maximum marginal rate of return (4106.68%) was gained when chickpea was inoculated with rhizobium and 125 kg ha-1 NPSB application. From the present results it could be concluded that 125 kg ha-1 NPSB along with rhizobium inoculation seeds would be the optimum treatment combination for enhancing chickpea yield and better profitability in soils with low level of available plant nutrients (NPSB)

Patterns of neoplastic diseases among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients

Abstract: In order to investigate the association between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 and neoplasms, we analyzed the pattern and rates of neoplastic disorders among HIVpositive and HIV-negative patients. A total of 108 incident neoplastic diseases were diagnosed among 4272 subjects tested for HIV at Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, from September 1994 to March 1997. Forty-eight (1.1%) incident tumors were diagnosed among 2701 patients seropositive for antibodies to HIV-1 and 60 (1.4%) among 1573 seronegatives. There was no statistical diferrence on the occurrence of tumor in the HIV-positive or HIV-negative subjects (Odds ratio=0.48; 95% confidence interval=0.32,0.72). Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) was the most frequent neoplastic disease among HIV-positive subjects (47.9%) and it was strongly associated with HIV seropositivity (Odds ratio=13.5; 95% confidence interval=1.95, 268.99). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (22.9%) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) (18.8%) were the other frequent neoplasms. Most (73%) of the HIV-related NHL were of the high grade type;64% of these tumors were extranodal and 55.6% of all NHL occurring in HIV-negative subjects were of the high grade type;only 33.3% were extranodal. NHL of the low grade type was less frequent in HIV- positive subjects compared to HIV-negative subjects (9.1 vs. 25.9%; Odds ratio= 4.08;95% confidence interval 0.51,88.42). Significant cases of cervical carcinomas (37.5%), classified histologicaly as sqamous cell carcinomas, were associated with HIV infection, although it was not statisticaly significant (Odds ratio=0.44;95% confidence interval=0.08,2.29). In the HIV-uninfected subjects, NHL was the most common neoplasm (45%) followed by HD (15%), hematological malignancies (10.1%) and cervical carcinomas (8.3%). Data from the present study demonstrate that some neoplasms are frequently associated with the current trends of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia. Many new AIDS-related neoplasms will likely continue to be identified in the future. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1998;12(2):117-123

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers on Dekoko (Pisum sativum var.abyssinicum A. Braun) Yield and Yield related traits

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer levels on dekoko (Pisum sativum var.abyssinicum A.Braun) yield and yield components as well as to establish the net benefit at each fertilizer levels. The Experiment was conducted at Mekelle university Endayesus campus in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia in 2013/14. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four blocks. It comprises four nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer treatments combinations. Viz., Control (N0P0), 30 kg N ha-1 and 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 (N1P1), 60 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1(N2P2) and 90 kg N ha-1 and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 (N3P3).The highest yield (2114.55 kg ha-1), biomass (5312.5 kg ha-1), nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency (4.58 kg kg-¹) and maximum marginal rate of return (499%) were obtained when treated with N2P2. From the present results it could be concluded that 60 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 fertilizer rate would be optimum treatment combination for enhancing dekoko yield and yield components, NP use efficiency, and economic profitability. Therefore, application of 60 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 is recommended for better productivity and profitability of dekoko at low soil fertility levels

Structural performance of a Railway Truss Bridge Design, Fabrication, Fem and Model Testing

This thesis focuses on the design, fabrication, and analysis of an aluminum truss bridge. The bridge was designed using theoretical and numerical methods, and then physically fabricated for experimental testing. The results showed that the bridge performed well under various loads, confirming the accuracy of the design and fabrication processes. The use of aluminum as a construction material was found to be advantageous due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. The study highlights the importance of integrating theoretical analysis, advanced modeling, precise fabrication techniques, and experimental testing for understanding the performance of aluminum truss bridges

STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF A RAILWAY TRUSS BRIDGE MODEL: DESIGN, FABRICATION AND MODEL TESTING.

This bachelor's thesis focuses on the design, fabrication, and analysis of a truss bridge made of aluminum metal. The truss bridge is first designed theoretically as 2D truss bridge, and it is redesigned as 3D and optimized using SAP2000. Once the truss bridge is fabricated, the experimental test (strain measuring) takes place using Strain-gauges

STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE OF A RAILWAY TRUSS BRIDGE MODEL: DESIGN, FABRICATION AND MODEL TESTING.

This bachelor's thesis focuses on the design, fabrication, and analysis of a truss bridge made of aluminum metal. The truss bridge is first designed theoretically as 2D truss bridge, and it is redesigned as 3D and optimized using SAP2000