Effect of Plant Spacing on Seed Yield of Cow Pea in Dilla Substation, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Dilla sub-station with objective of identifying optimum between plant space for optimum seed yield and quality seed. One high yielding variety, which is in seed multiplication, was used for the experiment. Four different between plant spaces (10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm) with constant between row spacing (40 cm) were used as experimental treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results indicated that dry   herbage yield has shown significantly (p<0.05) higher in plant spacing of 20 cm than other spacing (30 and 40 cm) On contrary to herbage yield, at spacing of 30 and 40 cm seed yield was higher than 20 cm spacing. Seed yield has showed statistically significant variation at 30 cm than at 20 and 10 cm between plants spaces at (p<0.05). Hence, there will be two recommendation options for smallholder producers. To secure feed shortage and increased herbage production 20 cm between plant spacing is sufficient while for increased seed yield 30 and 40 cm could be recommended.   Further trials might be required in intercropping condition with different cereal crops to utilize resources more efficiently. . Keywords: Biomass yield, seed yield, plant spacing, cowpe

Pastoral Perceptions towards Livestock and Rangeland Management Practices in Kuraz District of South Omo Zone, South Western Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Kuraz district of south Omo Zone, South Nation nationalities people regional state (SNNPRS), with the objectives of assessing perception of pastoralists on livestock-rangeland management practices. The mean family size of the study district per household was 6.86, with very low education coverage 9.6%, which means 90.4% of the pastoralists were non-educated. Pastoralism (68.3%) and agro-pastoralism (31.7%) were the dominant production systems. The sale of livestock and livestock products were ranked 1st and 2nd as the main source of income. Migration was the first measure taken to cope up drought followed by inter-clan dependence. Almost all of the respondents replied that compared to the past, their grazing lands are now covered with bushes and unpalatable shrubs. Drought and overgrazing were ranked to be the 1st and 2nd factors for bush encroachment in the district. Pastoralists in the study district ranked drought and feed shortage as 1st and 2nd major livestock production constraints respectively. Herbaceous pasture and browse species of rangelands were ranked as 1st and 2nd sources of livestock feed respectively. There is poor traditional knowledge of rangeland management practices mainly due to poor elders’ coordination and presence of Island (Desset) for dry season feeding. Pastoralists in the study district replied that compared to the past now a days there is increased frequency in occurrence of drought. In general, this study revealed that pastoralists in the study district has poor knowledge of range resource management and utilization practices hence, they have to be trained and aware of appropriate ways of management and improvement practices like rotational grazing, enclosed area utilization and bush clearing in order to increase the productivity of livestock and rangeland for sustainable utilization Keywords:  Bush encroachment, coping mechanism, livestock constraints, Migration and Pastoralist

Effect of Post Bush Clearing Management Practice on Herbaceous Species Productivity and Soil Status of Rangelands in Hammer District of South Omo Zone

Bush encroachment is one of the factors that cause rangeland degradation in most pastoral areas of east Africa. A study on effects of post bush clearing management practice on rangeland productivity and soil status was conducted in Hammer district of South Omo zone, Southern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing effect post bush clearing management practice on the vegetation composition and soil status. A hectare of rangeland encroached by different acacia species was fenced and replicated/divided into three plots, and each plot was subdivided into four sub-plots to receive four treatments: un cleared woody vegetation (control) T1, cutting at above ground and leave as it is in the field (T2), cutting above ground and remove from field (T3), cutting above ground and burn right in the field (T4). Data on species composition indicated that almost all species present in all treatment groups with exception of two grass species Cenchrus ciliaris and Chloris pycnotrix dominated in plots which has received T2. Data on total herbaceous biomass, total grass biomass, total non grass biomass, soil erosion and soil compaction were collected after treatment applications. The applied treatments significantly influenced at (p<0.05) total herbaceous biomass, total grass biomass, total non grass biomass production, soil erosion and soil compaction. The results of this study showed that better biomass yield was harvested from treatment T2 which is highly significant at (p<0.05) followed by T3. There was no significant difference at (p<0.05) between T1 and T4 in all parameters.  On top that pastoralists perceived T2 in terms of lesser labor cost relative to T3 to remove cut materials from the field, even though it was in accessible to harvest and utilize at final stage. Therefore, controlling encroaching tree/shrub species through mechanical control and leaving the cleared material as it had increased the total herbaceous biomass for the livestock. The management of bush encroachment in such a way if sustained will contribute in stabilizing rangelands productivity and help to minimize the shortage of feed. Keywords: Biomass yield, Bush clearing, herbaceous layer, soil compactio

Predictors of early neonatal mortality at a neonatal intensive care unit of a specialized referral teaching hospital in Ethiopia

Background: The larger fraction of infant mortality is that of neonatal; and early neonatal death is the most significant contributor of neonatal mortality as a whole. There are various factors which may be associated with early neonatal mortality and they have been the reasons for the wide variation in mortality rates among the health facilities reporting.Objective: This study was made to assess the independent predictors of early neonatal mortality.Methods: From 2001 through 2005, a total of 3789 live born neonates, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Tikur Anbessa Hospital, were included in this study. Variables were classified into two: Socio economic/reproductive factors and maternal/newborn factors. Predictors were assessed using a multivariable binary logistic regression. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 were entered into a multivariable logistic model.Results: From the socio-economic/reproductive variables: age less than one day (AOR=2.53 95% CI= (1.66, 3.85)), having three or more siblings (AOR=2.04, 95% CI= (1.15, 3.64) ), second birth order (AOR=1.79, 95% CI= (1.28, 2.51)), absence of antenatal care (AOR=1.70, 95% CI= (1.28,2.26)), and being unmarried (AOR=1.55 95%CI= (1.20,2.00)) were independent predictors of increased mortality. On the other hand, singleton pregnancy was found to be protective by 30% against early neonatal mortality with an odds of 0.70, 95% CI of (0.54, 0.90). From the neonatal/ maternal variables: gestational age of <32 weeks (AOR= 10.46, 95% CI= (5.39, 20.31)), first minute APGAR of three or less (AOR=2.12, 95% CI= (1.39, 2.23)), presence of any congenital anomaly ( AOR=2.02, 95% CI=(1.33,2.51)), presence of peri-natal asphyxia (AOR=1.82, 95% CI=(1.32,2.51)), any oxygen treatment (AOR=2.65, 95% CI=(1.89,3.72)), birth weight less than 1500 (AOR=9.64, 95%CI=(3.32,27.97)) were independent predictors of neonatal mortality. A normal weight at admission was protective of early neonatal mortality.Conclusion: There are many factors that could have influenced neonatal mortality in the current study. Antenatal care follow up is the key point of contact for planning and managing labor and delivery; it should be improved to control most other variables. The care provided to these high risk babies should also be maximized to reduce mortality in these risk groups

System and Neural Network Analysis of Economic and Financial Development – A case study of Dubai and rest of UAE

The study examines the factors affecting the economic and financial development by applying Zellner’s seemingly unrelated regressions (SURE) and Neural Network techniques. It applies multivariate and neural network frameworks for analysing the GDP of Dubai and rest of UAE using data for 2001–2015. The study shows that there exists positive interdependencies between Dubai and rest of UAE economies. This signifies that the core competencies across various sectors in Dubai and rest of UAE economies need to be promoted further to have overall diversified impact on UAE economy. The positive sizable impact of the finance sector in Dubai and negative sizable impact in the rest of the UAE provide many opportunities for designing diversification programs for sustained economic development of the entire UAE economy. The small sample size, non-availability of detailed sectoral data in four of the seven emirates constrained the scope of the study for generalization to other economies in the Middle East. The study findings are crucial for identifying structural reforms, to strengthen competitiveness and accelerate private sector-led job creation for nationals, potential on further opening up foreign direct investment (FDI), improving selected areas of the business environment, and easing access to finance for start-ups and SMEs in both the economies. JEL: C32, C52, D85, N15, N2

Effect of Effective Microbes (EM) Bokashi Supplementation on Weight Gain Performance of Yearling Bucks of Woito Guji Goat Breeds Fed Natural Hay as Basal Diet

The experiment was conducted in Jinka agricultural research center on-station to determine the effect of different level of effective microbe Bokashi inclusion as supplement on weight gain performance of yearling woito-Guji bucks fed natural grass hay as basal diet. Twenty yearling bucks and with body weight of 13.72 ± 1.74 kg were used in the study. Experimental animals were purchased from local markets namely Qaqo and Benata on two consecutive marketing days and brought to the research center compounded where they stayed in quarantine for two weeks for the purpose of acclimatization. Vaccination and treatment against disease and internal parasite was given for all bucks soon after arrival to quarantine. The experimental design completely randomized block design. Five yearling bucks were randomly assigned to each dietary treatment that consisted of ad libitum local grass hay + no EM-bokashi supplement (T1), and supplementation of effective microbe bokashi at the level of 1% (T2), 3% (T3), and 5% (T4) of total ration as feed basis. Each treatment group has received 200g of wheat bran per day/experimental animal. Highest weight gain was obtained at (P < 0.05) with 5% effective microbe bokashi as compared to 3 %, 1% and that of control. However, live weight gain at 1% effective microbe Bokashi inclusion was not significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of the control. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that using 5 % EM-bokashi supplementation could bring better body weight gain and resistance to disease and parasites of yearling bucks fed on low protein diet. Hence, increase total profit of the enterprise. But, it can be recommended that this study need to be conducted with broad range of level of effective microbe bokashi supplementation to know the optimum profitable inclusion level of effective microbe Bokashi. Keywords: - Effective Microbes, Weight gain, low protein diet, Woito Guji breed

Poverty and inequality – but of what - as social determinants of health in Africa?

Background: Many African economies have achieved substantial economic growth over the past recent years, yet several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including those concerned with health, remain considerably behind target. This paper examines whether progress towards these goals is being hampered by existing levels of poverty and income inequality. It also considers whether the inequality hypothesis of Wilkinson and Pickett1 applies to population health outcomes in African states.Methods: Correlation analysis and scatter plots were used to assess graphically the link between variations in health outcomes, level of poverty and income inequality in different countries. Health status outcomes were measured by using four indicators: infant and under-five (child) mortality rates; maternal mortality ratios; and life expectancy at birth. In each of the 52 African nations, the proportion of the population living below the poverty line is used as an indicator of the level of poverty and Gini coefficient as a measure of income inequality. The study used a comprehensive review of secondary and relevant literature that are pertinent in the subject area. The data datasets obtained online from UNICEF2 and UNDP3 (2009) used to test the research questions. World Health Organization the three broad dimensions to consider when moving towards better population health outcome through Universal Health Coverage and the Social Determinants of Health framework reviewed to establish the poverty and income inequality link in African countries population health outcomes.Results: The study shows that poverty is strongly associated with all health outcome differences in Africa (IMR, cc = 0.63; U5MR, cc = 0.64; MMR, cc = 0.49; life expectancy at birth, cc = -0.67); income inequality with only one of the four indicators (IMR, cc = 0.14; U5MR, cc = 0.07; MMR, cc = 0.22; life expectancy at birth, cc = -0.49), whereas income inequality is associated with one of the four indicators.Conclusion: The study shows that tackling poverty should be the immediate concern in Africaas a means of promoting better health for all. There is a question mark over whether the findings of Wilkinson and Pickett1 on the relationship between income inequality and health apply to Africa. The reasons for this question mark are discussed. More research is needed to investigate whether the inequality results found in this study are replicated in other studies of African health.Keywords: Health inequalities, poverty, income inequality, MDGs, social determinants of health, Afric

Sectoral Evaluation for Economic and Financial Development in Dubai and rest of UAE

The paper examines sector specific characteristics to analyse the factors affecting the sustainability of the economies of Dubai and rest of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study applies system design to analyse the research questions. Consequently, Zellner’s seemingly unrelated regressions (SURE) technique is used to examine the relative contribution of sectors to the economies Dubai, as an individual Emirate, and the rest of UAE as a group of Emirates using time series sectoral level data for 2001–2015. The study shows that there exists positive interdependencies between Dubai and rest of UAE economies. This signifies that the core competencies across various sectors in Dubai and rest of UAE economies need to be promoted further to have overall diversified impact on UAE economy. The positive sizable impact of the finance sector in Dubai and negative sizable impact in the rest of the UAE provide many opportunities for designing diversification programs for sustained economic development of the entire UAE economy. The small sample size, non-availability of detailed sectoral data in four of the seven emirates constrained the scope of the study for generalization to other economies in the middle east.   The study findings are very crucial for identifying structural reforms, to strengthen competitiveness and accelerate private sector-led job creation for nationals, potential on further opening up foreign direct investment (FDI), improving selected areas of the business environment, and easing access to finance for start-ups and SMEs in both the economies. There are very few studies, which have researched the sector specific characteristics to explain the factors affecting the sustainability of the economies of Dubai and the rest of UAE. The study provides insights to the UAE policy makers, for enhancement of policies through development of the key sectors that influence the performance of the two economies. Despite being independent entities though, the seven emirates of the UAE are economically interdependent. Studies on such interactions add unique value to the literature. Keywords: SURE, GDP, Dubai, UAE, Sectoral Evaluation, Financial development

High-frequency percussive ventilation facilitates weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults

© 2018 American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology. All Rights Reserved. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an invaluable rescue therapy for patients suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest, but it is not without its drawbacks. There are cases where patients recover their cardiac function, yet they fail to wean to mechanical conventional ventilation (MCV). The use of high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) has been described in patients with acute respiratory failure (RF) who fail MCV. We describe our experience with five patients who underwent VA-ECMO for cardiopulmonary arrest who were successfully weaned from VA-ECMO with HFPV after failure to wean with MCV. Weaning trials of HFPV a day before decannulation or at the time of separation from VA-ECMO were conducted. Primary endpoint data collected include pre- and post-HFPV partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) and PaO2/FIO2(P/F) ratios measured at 2 and 24 hours after institution of HFPV. Additional periprocedural data points were collected including length of time on ECMO, hospital stay, and survival to discharge. Four of five patients were placed on VA-ECMO subsequent to percutaneous coronary intervention. One patient had cardiac arrest secondary to RF. Mean PaO2(44 ± 15.9 mmHg vs. 354 ± 149 mmHg, p \u3c .01) and mean P/F ratio (44 ± 15.9 vs. 354 ± 149, p \u3c .01) increased dramatically at 2 hours after the initiation of HFPV. Theimprovementinmean PaO2and P/F ratio was durable at 24 hours whether or not the patient was returned to MCV (n = 3) or remained on HFPV (n = 2) (44 ± 15.9 mmHg vs. 131 ± 68.7 mmHg, p = .036 and 44 ± 15.9 vs. 169 ± 69.9, p \u3c .01, respectively). Survival to discharge was 80%. The data presented suggest that HFPV may be used as a strategy to shorten time on ECMO, thereby reducing the negative effects of the ECMO circuit and improving its cost efficacy