Observations on elephant habitat and conservation of elephants in Eritrea

Confined to a small area of about 100 by 50 km, the elephants in Eritrea are one of the northernmost populations in Africa. They are vulnerable because they appear to be genetically isolated and their small number may renders them a non-viable population. During 1997-1999 we visited elephant habitat in the Zoba Gash-Barka in southwest Eritrea to study problems of encroaching human populations on elephant habitat. This situation was described in the preceding article by Hagos Yohannes who is proposing to translocate farmers — with their willing cooperation — from the conflict zone to non-wildlife designated areas. Should such an ambitious plan be too difficult to execute, an alternative solution is being considered

The Elephants of Gash-Barka, Eritrea: Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genetic Patterns

Eritrea has one of the northernmost populations of African elephants. Only about 100 elephants persist in the Gash-Barka administrative zone. Elephants in Eritrea have become completely isolated, with no gene flow from other elephant populations. The conservation of Eritrean elephants would benefit from an understanding of their genetic affinities to elephants elsewhere on the continent and the degree to which genetic variation persists in the population. Using dung samples from Eritrean elephants, we examined 18 species-diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms in 3 nuclear genes, sequences of mitochondrial HVR1 and ND5, and genotyped 11 microsatellite loci. The sampled Eritrean elephants carried nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers establishing them as savanna elephants, with closer genetic affinity to Eastern than to North Central savanna elephant populations, and contrary to speculation by some scholars that forest elephants were found in Eritrea. Mitochondrial DNA diversity was relatively low, with 2 haplotypes unique to Eritrea predominating. Microsatellite genotypes could only be determined for a small number of elephants but suggested that the population suffers from low genetic diversity. Conservation efforts should aim to protect Eritrean elephants and their habitat in the short run, with restoration of habitat connectivity and genetic diversity as long-term goals.https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/faculty_staff_works/1030/thumbnail.jp

Synthesis, optical and electrochemical characterization of anthrancene and benzothiadiazole-containing polyfluorene copolymers

New solution-processable, anthrancene- and benzothiadiazole-containing polyfluorene copolymers (P1-P3) have been synthesized and characterized. The preparation and characterization of the corresponding blue light-emitting devices are also reported. Polymers P2 and P3 show high photoluminescence efficiency while polymer P2 does not show any significant light emission up to 8.0 V. The results show the need for balance of electron and hole transport in polymer light emitting diodes. KEY WORDS: Anthracene, Benzothiadiazole, Polyfluorene copolymers, Photoluminescence, Light emitting diode  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2006, 20(2), 309-317

Data from: The elephants of Gash-Barka, Eritrea: nuclear and mitochondrial genetic patterns

Eritrea has one of the northernmost populations of African elephants. Only about 100 elephants persist in the Gash-Barka administrative zone. Elephants in Eritrea have become completely isolated, with no gene flow from other elephant populations. The conservation of Eritrean elephants would benefit from an understanding of their genetic affinities to elephants elsewhere on the continent and the degree to which genetic variation persists in the population. Using dung samples from Eritrean elephants, we examined 18 species-diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms in 3 nuclear genes, sequences of mitochondrial HVR1 and ND5, and genotyped 11 microsatellite loci. The sampled Eritrean elephants carried nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers establishing them as savanna elephants, with closer genetic affinity to Eastern than to North Central savanna elephant populations, and contrary to speculation by some scholars that forest elephants were found in Eritrea. Mitochondrial DNA diversity was relatively low, with 2 haplotypes unique to Eritrea predominating. Microsatellite genotypes could only be determined for a small number of elephants but suggested that the population suffers from low genetic diversity. Conservation efforts should aim to protect Eritrean elephants and their habitat in the short run, with restoration of habitat connectivity and genetic diversity as long-term goals

<b>Synthesis, optical and electrochemical characterization of anthrancene and benzothiadiazole-containing polyfluorene copolymers</b>

New solution-processable, anthrancene- and benzothiadiazole-containing polyfluorene copolymers (<b>P1</b>-<b>P3</b>) have been synthesized and characterized. The preparation and characterization of the corresponding blue light-emitting devices are also reported. Polymers <b>P2</b> and <b>P3</b> show high photoluminescence efficiency while polymer <b>P2</b> does not show any significant light emission up to 8.0 V. The results show the need for balance of electron and hole transport in polymer light emitting diodes

BrandtAL_JoH_2014-Dryad

Eritrean elephant genotypes from 11 loc

An action agenda for Africa’s electricity sector

Modernization and expansion require heightened effort

An action agenda for Africa's electricity sector.

Modernization and expansion require heightened effort

Magnitude of Multidrug Resistance among Bacterial Isolates from Surgical Site Infections in Two National Referral Hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea

Background. The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of understanding the epidemiology of MDR organisms from a local standpoint. Here, we report on a spectrum of bacteria associated with surgical site infections in two referral hospitals in Eritrea and the associated antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Methods. This survey was conducted between February and May 2017. A total of 83 patients receiving treatment for various surgical conditions were included. Swabs from infected surgical sites were collected using Levine technique and processed using standard microbiological procedures. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on Mueller–Hinton Agar by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results. A total of 116 isolates were recovered from 83 patients. In total, 67 (58%) and 49 (42%) of the isolates were Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. The most common isolates included Citrobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp., and Acinetobacter spp. In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus, CONS, and Streptococcus viridians were the predominant Gram-positive isolates. All the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin. MRSA phenotype was observed in 70% of the isolates. Vancomycin, clindamycin, and erythromycin resistance were observed in 60%, 25%, and 25% of the isolates, respectively. Furthermore, a high proportion (91%) of the Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to ampicillin and 100% of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to >5 of the tested antibiotics. The two Acinetobacter isolates were resistant to >7 antimicrobial agents. We also noted that 4 (60%) of the Klebsiella isolates were resistant to >5 antimicrobial agents. Possible pan-drug-resistant (PDR) strains were also isolated. Conclusion. Due to the high frequency of MDR isolates reported in this study, the development and implementation of suitable infection control policies and guidelines is imperative