Objective:To assess the distribution of ABO blood group and their relationship with Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) malaria among febrile outpatients who sought medical attention at Dore Bafeno Health Center,South...Objective:To assess the distribution of ABO blood group and their relationship with Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) malaria among febrile outpatients who sought medical attention at Dore Bafeno Health Center,Southern Ethiopia.Methods:A total of 269 febrile outpatients who visited Dore Bafeno Health Center,Southern Ethiopia,were examined for malaria and also tested for ABO blood groups in January 2010.The blood specimens were collected by finger pricking,stained with Geimsa,and examined microscopically.Positive cases of the parasitemia were counted.CareStart^(TM) Malaria PflPv Combo was also used to test the blood specimens for malaria.ABO blood groups were determined by agglutination test using ERYCLONE antisera.Data on socio-demographic characteristics and treatment status of the participants were also collected.Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to assess the difference between frequencies and means,respectively.Results:Out of a total of 269 participants,178(66.2%) febrile patients were found to be infected with Plasmodium parasites,among which 146(54.3%),28(10.4%),and 4(1.5%) belonged to P.falciparum,P.vivax,and mixed infections,respectively.All febrile patients were also tested for ABO blood groups and 51.3%,23.5%,21.9%and 3.3%were found to be blood types of 0,A,B and AB,respectively.Both total malaria infection and P.falciparum infection showed significant association with blood types(P<0.05).The proportion of A or B but not 0 phenotypes was higher(P<0.05) in individuals with P.falciparum as compared with non-infected individuals.The chance of having P.falciparum infection in patients with blood groups A,B and AB was 2.5,2.5 and 3.3times more than individuals showing blood 0 phenotypes,respectively.The mean P.falciparum malaria parasitemia for blood groups A,B,AB,and 0 were 3 744/μ L,1 805/ μ L,5 331/μ L,and1 515/μ L,respectively(P<0.01).Conclusions:The present findings indicate that individuals of blood groups A,B and AB are more susceptible to P.falciparum infection as compared with individuals o展开更多
A regional analysis of design storms, defined as the expected rainfall intensity for given storm duration and return period, is conducted to determine storm Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) relationships. T...A regional analysis of design storms, defined as the expected rainfall intensity for given storm duration and return period, is conducted to determine storm Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) relationships. The ultimate purpose was to determine IDF curves for homogeneous regions identified in Botswana. Three homogeneous regions were identified based on topographic and rainfall characteristics which were constructed with the K-Means Clustering algorithm. Using the mean annual rainfall and the 24 hr annual maximum rainfall as an indicator of rainfall intensity for each homogeneous region, IDF curves and maps of rainfall intensities of 1 to 24 hr and above durations were produced. The Gamma and Lognormal probability distribution functions were able to provide estimates of rainfall depths for low and medium return periods (up to 100 years) in any location in each homogeneous region of Botswana.展开更多
This manuscript is an attempt to demonstrate effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) and measures to reduce risk of flooding and environmental impact in urban settings. The nature-based solutions (NBS) were asse...This manuscript is an attempt to demonstrate effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) and measures to reduce risk of flooding and environmental impact in urban settings. The nature-based solutions (NBS) were assessed as scenarios from experience of urban storm drainage and sewerage systems based on practices that improve urban water management through modelling using urban stormwater management model (SWMM). The model has been applied in a typical urban environment in the second city in Botswana, the City of Francistown, which has a population of more than one hundred thousand. By considering the 2-yr and 10-year storm events in a calibrated SWMM, NBS scenarios from a mix of low impact and drainage measures were considered. The considered NBS scenarios were used to determine their effectiveness in terms of reducing and controlling peak runoff, flood volumes, infiltration and evapotranspiration in the study area, which are vital in assessing the opportunity and challenge for sustainable management of water resources and associated tradeoff of investments in the urban contexts. The study demonstrates the usefulness of implementing effective measures for achieving NBS in urban context and possibility of outscaling at basin and regional levels.展开更多
This study is motivated to highlight the variability of recent drought hotspots in the region of southern Africa in terms of the seasonal and annual rainfall regimes and their possible spatial linkage with the 1950-20...This study is motivated to highlight the variability of recent drought hotspots in the region of southern Africa in terms of the seasonal and annual rainfall regimes and their possible spatial linkage with the 1950-2020 seasonal El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Some evidence is found on possible links between the occurrence of drought hotspots in the region in terms of seasonal and mean annual runoff and warm ENSO events. This was revealed by the existence of a strong and nearly-strong positive linear correlation between Seasonal and annual rainfall depths and the warm seasonal ENSO indices explained by the southern oscillation index represented by the sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies data obtained from the National Oceanographic and Aeronautics Administration (NOAA). Considering the entire southern African region, 41% of the surface areas exhibit moderate (r > 0.25) and strong (r > 0.5) correlation coefficients in terms of the December to February quarter rainfall and ENSO indices. Above 50% confidence interval in the correlation between seasonal rainfall and ENSO during DJF quarters is found in 74% of the surface area of the region of southern Africa. The high confidence interval of the positive correlation coefficients is an indication that substantial variance of precipitation during ENSO years is accounted for by the warm ENSO events. The areas with pronounced lower rainfalls and droughts associated with ENSO activity in the region include larger and some pockets of various countries in southern Africa, including but not limited to Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. The recent drought events of 2019/2020, and previously in 2015/16 in this region with wider regional impacts can be explained by the ENSO phenomena.展开更多
The present paper provides evidence of the possible impact of shale-limestone-mudstone successions aquifers on groundwater chemistry by assessing the different hydrogeochemical processes. This was done by considering ...The present paper provides evidence of the possible impact of shale-limestone-mudstone successions aquifers on groundwater chemistry by assessing the different hydrogeochemical processes. This was done by considering a sedimentary aquifer basin, namely the Hantebet sub basin (24.4 km<sup>2</sup>), Tekeze basin, northern Ethiopia. Groundwater is the main source of water supply in the sub basin extracted using hand dug wells, for domestic, irrigation and livestock uses. The sub basin is dominated by Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary successions. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from hand dug wells using depth-integrated sampling techniques from both confined and unconfined aquifers. The major water bearing formations are gravely sand, weathered shale and weathered and fractured limestone, and intercalated weathered and fractured limestone and mudstone. The results indicate that groundwater is acidic to neutral, fresh, and hard to very hard. Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, HCO<sup>-</sup>3</sub> and SO<sup>2-</sup>4</sub> are dominant ions compared to Mg<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, and Cl<sup>-</sup> ions which show low to very low concentrations. Among eight hydrochemical facies identified, Ca-Na-HCO<sub>3</sub> (40%), Ca-HCO<sub>3</sub> (20%), Ca-Mg-Na-HCO<sub>3</sub> (10%) and Ca-Na-HCO<sub>3</sub>-SO<sub>4</sub> (10%) types dominate water chemistry. Dissolution of calcite and gypsum, and hydrolysis of feldspars, plagioclase, biotite and pyroxene are the major geochemical processes that control the chemistry of groundwater in the area. The intercalated shale beds are the source of sodium and chloride ions. Since, this study is based on groundwater from hand dug wells, the conclusions of this study should be further verified using groundwater from deep wells that are drilled in these successions.展开更多
Sugarcane is one of the important irrigated crops in Ethiopia and its production is highly linked with its energy and water use. In this paper, identifications and quantifications of input and output, direct and indir...Sugarcane is one of the important irrigated crops in Ethiopia and its production is highly linked with its energy and water use. In this paper, identifications and quantifications of input and output, direct and indirect energy sources, and energy use of farm operations were carried out on 11 irrigation schemes of Awash River Basin. In order to grow 91.8 to 167.6 tons of cane, 47.9 to 143.4 GJ/ha of total energy was used. Average total input energies of gravity, pump surface and sprinkler scheme categories to grow 109.8, 112.7 and 136.3 ton/ha were 53.6, 68.9 and 129.2 GJ/ha, respectively. Around 90% and 74% total energies of gravity surface and sprinkler schemes were consumed as direct and indirect energies, respectively. Irrigation found to be the most energy consuming operation constituting more than 50% input energy of all scheme categories. Energy efficiency of gravity schemes was 152% and 300% higher than pump driven surface and sprinkler schemes. Energy sequestrated in cane straws burned during harvesting found to be higher than fertilizer and pumping energy demands. Use of cane straws as manure and energy sources have the potential to substitute demands which in turn needs further investigations and analysis.展开更多
Most planned developments in a catchment for control of excess water using a culvert, bridge or dam spillway are located at a site in a stream where there are no discharge measurements. Even though, for gauged catchme...Most planned developments in a catchment for control of excess water using a culvert, bridge or dam spillway are located at a site in a stream where there are no discharge measurements. Even though, for gauged catchments a number of established flood frequency models and rainfall-runoff models do exist, for ungauged catchments mostly regional flood frequency and event-based rainfall-runoff models are used, which depend on regional parameters. In this paper, a regional approach for design floods is presented and risk implication for design of drainage structures assessed. A case study in light of the above has been considered at four ungauged sites in the Limpopo Drainage Basin in north-eastern Botswana.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the synergic antibacterial activity of garlic and tazma honey against standard and clinical pathogenic bacteria.Methods:Antimicrobial activity of tazma honey,garlic and mixture of them against...Objective:To investigate the synergic antibacterial activity of garlic and tazma honey against standard and clinical pathogenic bacteria.Methods:Antimicrobial activity of tazma honey,garlic and mixture of them against pathogenic bacteria were determined.Chloramphenicol and water were used as positive and negative controls,respectively.Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration of antimicrobial samples were determined using standard methods.Results:Inhibition zone of mixture of garlic and tazma honey against all tested pathogens was significantly(P≤0.05)greater than garlic and tazma honey alone.The diameter zone of inhibition ranged from(18±1)to(35±1)mm for mixture of garlic and tazma honey,(12±1)to(20±1)nun for tazma honey and(14±1)to(22±1)mm for garlic as compared with(10±1)to(30±1)mm for chloramphenicol.The combination of garlic and tazma honey(30-35 mm)was more significantly(P≤0.05)effective against Salmonella(NCTC 8385),Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 25923),Lyesria moncytogenes(ATCC 19116)and Streptococcus pneumonia(ATCC 63).Results also showed considerable antimicrobial activity of garlic and tazma honey.MIC of mixture of garlic and tazma honey at 6.25%against total test bacteria was 88.9%.MIC of mixture of garlic and tazma honey at6.25%against Gram positive and negative were 100%and 83.33%,respectively.The bactericidal activities of garlic,tazma honey,and mixture of garlic and tazma honey against all pathogenic bacteria at 6.25%concentration were 66.6%,55.6%and 55.6%,respectively.Conclusions:This finding strongly supports the claim of the local community to use the combination of tazma honey and garlic for the treatment of different pathogenic bacterial infections.Therefore,garlic in combination with tazma honey can serve as an alternative natural antimicrobial drug for the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infections.Further in vivo study is recommended to come up with a comprehensive conclusion.展开更多
<span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Flood is a natural process generated by the interaction of various driving fac</span><span style="font-...<span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Flood is a natural process generated by the interaction of various driving fac</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tors. Flood peak flows, flood frequency at different return periods, and potential driving forces are analyzed in this study. The peak flow of six gauging stations, with a catchment area ranging from 169 -</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">124,108 km</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and sufficient observed streamflow data, was selected to develop threshold (3</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> quartile) magnitude and frequency (POTF) that occurred over ten years of records. Sixteen Potential climatic, watershed and human driving factors of floods in the study area were identified and analyzed with GIS, Pearson’s correlation, and Principal Correlation Analysis (PCA) to select the most influential factors. Eight of them (MAR, DA, BE, VS, sand, forest AGR, PD) are identified as the most significant variables in the flood formation of the basin. Moreover, mean annual rainfall (MAR), drainage area (DA), and lack of forest cover are explored as the principal driving factors for flood peak discharge in Wabi-Shebele River Basin. Fi</span></span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nally, the study resulted in regression equations that helped plan and design different infrastructure works in the basin as ungauged catchment empirical</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> equations to compute Q</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">MPF</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, Q</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">5</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, Q</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">10</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, Q</span><sub><span st展开更多
Flood events vary with sub-regions, sites and time and show complex characteristics. This study investigated temporal variabilities in flood discharges and relationships with principal driving factors in data scarce W...Flood events vary with sub-regions, sites and time and show complex characteristics. This study investigated temporal variabilities in flood discharges and relationships with principal driving factors in data scarce Wabi Shebele River Basin. The preliminary analysis using exploratory data analysis (EDA) on annual and seasonal maximum discharge reveals that there are cycles of extreme flows at five- and ten-year intervals respectively throughout the basin. The statistical verification using the Mann-Kendall test and Quantile perturbation method indicates a significant trend in flood magnitude and frequency entire the basin in the early 21st century. For longest period (1980-2010) annual maximum stream flow shows significant positive trend (p-value < 0.05) in middle catchments and negative trend (p-value < 0.05) in eastern catchments. The years: 1986-1995, 2006-2010 are the years in which positive significant anomalies occurred in all seasons, while the years: 1980-1985, 1996-2005 are the occurrence years of significant negative anomalies. Rainfall from climate drivers;DA, BE, VS and fraction of sand from environmental background drivers;fraction of forest and population density from external factors were identified as the powerful driving factors of flood variabilities in the Wabi Shebele River Basin.展开更多
The current status of persistent organic pollutants in Ethiopian environment is not well monitored despite the existing pollution potential from a number of sources.Water and sediment samples collected from Akaki Rive...The current status of persistent organic pollutants in Ethiopian environment is not well monitored despite the existing pollution potential from a number of sources.Water and sediment samples collected from Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir,Central Ethiopia were analyzed to assess the concentrations,distribution,possible sources and potential ecological risk of eight organochlorine pesticides(OCPs)and seven polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs).Water and sediment samples were extracted by liquid-liquid and Soxhlet extraction respectively,and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy(GC-MS).The detectable OCPs and PCBs in water samples were DDT,DDE,DDD,lindane and dieldrin and PCB-28,PCB-101 and PCB-118,respectively in the rainy season.Analyzed sediment samples showed the presence of lindane in the dry and p,p’-DDT,p,p’-DDE,p,p’-DDD,a,b-endosulfan,heptachlor epoxide(B),and dieldrin in the rainy seasons.Among the indicator PCBs analyzed,sediment samples showed the presence of PCB-52,PCB-101 and PCB-118 in the dry and all indicator PCBs in the rainy seasons.Sources analysis showed that PCBs and detected OCPs were mainly from the historical input of commercial products,but there were recent discharge of DDT and lindane into the river system.Ecological risk assessment of the analyzed OCPs and PCBs using water and sediment quality guidelines indicated that lindane in the dry and p’-DDT,p,p’-DDE,p,p’-DDD,heptachlore epoxide and dieldrin in the rainy seasons in the sediment samples from Akaki river and Aba Samuel reservoir were above the limit at most of the sites.This suggests there is greater possibility of higher ecological hazards in these residues.However,the levels of total PCB concentrations and other OCPs at all sites were below the limit and thus their potential ecotoxicological risks were rather low.展开更多
Improving agricultural water productivity, under rainfed or irrigated conditions, holds significant scope for addressing climate change vulnerability. It also offers adaptation capacity needs as well as water and food...Improving agricultural water productivity, under rainfed or irrigated conditions, holds significant scope for addressing climate change vulnerability. It also offers adaptation capacity needs as well as water and food security in the southern African region. In this study, evidence for climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in rainfed agricultural systems is explored through modeling predictions of crop yield, soil moisture and excess water for potential harvesting. The study specifically presents the results of climate change impacts under rainfed conditions for maize, sorghum and sunflower using soil-water-crop model simulations, integrated based on daily inputs of rainfall and evapotranspiration disaggregated from GCM scenarios. The research targets a vast farming region dominated by heavy clay soils where rainfed agriculture is a dominant practice. The potential for improving soil water productivity and improved water harvesting have been explored as ways of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. This can be utilized to explore and design appropriate conservation agriculture and adaptation practices in similar agro-ecological environments, and create opportunities for outscaling for much wider areas. The results of this study can suggest the need for possible policy refinements towards reducing vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in rainfed farming systems.展开更多
Objective:To assess the magnitude and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolates from various clinical specimens.Methods:A record based on retrospectivestudy was conducted at Gondar Unive...Objective:To assess the magnitude and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolates from various clinical specimens.Methods:A record based on retrospectivestudy was conducted at Gondar University Teaching Hospital from September 2007 to January 2012.All patients who visited Gondar University Hospital and provided clinical specimens(body fluids,discharge,swab and blood)for routine bacteriological culturing and antimicrobial susceptibilitytesting were taken for analysis.Clinical specimens were processed for bacterial culture accordingto the standard procedures.Antimicrobial susceptibility test for isolated organisms was doneusing agar disk diffusion method.The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version16 package.Results:One hundred and fifty threeStreptococcus pneumoniaewere isolated frompatients who visited Gondar University Teaching Hospital bacteriology laboratory for culture.Majority of the pneumococcal isolates were from inpatients[111(72.5%)],and 74(48.4%)were frombody fluids.Out of the total isolates,93(61%)were found to be resistant to at least one antibioticused for susceptibility testing.Forty eight(43.2%)of the isolates were multi-drug resistant(resistantto two or more drugs).The resistance rate noted for both ciprofloxacin 17(11.1%)and ceftriaxone15(9.8%)were alarming.Conclusions:High proportions of the isolates tend to be increasinglyresistant to the commonly prescribed drugs.The recommended drug of choice like ciprofloxacinand ceftriaxone were found to be less susceptible in the study area.Based on the findings,wetherefore recommend that antimicrobial agents should be inspected for acceptable activity beforethey are prescribed and administered empirically.Further study with a better design and surveyof antimicrobial susceptibility at large scale shoule be performed to draw advanced information.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of praziquantel(PZQ) in the treatment of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.Methods:In a cross-sectional study,stool specimens were collected from randomly selected 299 sch...Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of praziquantel(PZQ) in the treatment of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.Methods:In a cross-sectional study,stool specimens were collected from randomly selected 299 school children in Shesha Kekele Elementary School,Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia,in April 2010.Stool specimens were examined using a single Kato-Katz thick smear for Schistosoma mansoni(5.mansoni) ova.Children who were found positive for S.mansoni were treated with a single oral dose of PZQ at 40 mg/kg bw and interviewed for treatment-related symptoms 24 hours after drug administration.Four weeks post-treatment,stool specimens were collected from the same children and examined following the same procedure as in the pretreatment.Drug efficacy was determined based on cure and egg reduction rates.Results:Pretreatment prevalence of S.mansoni infection was 74.9%with geometric mean egg count of 268. The evaluated generic PZQ produced an overall cure rate of 73.6%(P<0.000 1,OR:8.33,CI:5.3-13.1) and egg reduction rate of 68.2%(P=0.03,F=0.64).The cure rate showed significant association with age(x^2=H,P=0.004),the highest rate being observed in the 15-22 age group.83%of S. mansoni infected children showed various treatment-related symptoms,the most frerjiient being headache,nausea,and abdominal pain.These symptoms were associated with age(P<0.001) and pre-treatment intensity of infection(P<0.05).Conclusions:The present observations revealed relatively lower cure and egg reduction rates of the PZQ evaluated as compared to previous reports for other PZQ brands in Ethiopia.Hence,in depth studies are recommended to clarify whether the present relatively lower cure rate is the actual cure rate of the praziquantel evaluated,treatment failure,or reduced susceptibility of the parasite.Treatment-related side effects observed were transient and tolerable.展开更多
<div style="text-align:justify;"> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">Evaluating the capacity of lecturer is the key to improve quality of education by improving lecturer capacity in hig...<div style="text-align:justify;"> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">Evaluating the capacity of lecturer is the key to improve quality of education by improving lecturer capacity in higher education institution. Lecturer’s capacity has been evaluated using different parameters in Assosa University, Ethiopia. Mandatorily, lecturers are evaluated using printed check list. For the last few years we observed that, the lecturer efficiency score is found on the shelf and not checked by anyone to know the gaps and to establish follow-up system. The use of intranet based web system is better to use lecturer’s efficiency result to monitor their performance and to establish follow-up mechanism. In this study, a prototype of web based yearbook efficiency management system for evaluating and monitoring the performance of lecturers was designed and developed. The evaluation process in the system was presented according to the university evaluation format. The output generated by the proposed system can be used by lecturers, HoD, HRM and academic managers to monitor teaching performance.</span> </div>展开更多
<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Land-use change has been</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">...<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Land-use change has been</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">a factor that alters the hydrologic response of the watersheds leading to influencing on sediment yield changes. This study is mainly focusing on the assessment of the impacts of the land-use changes on sediment load and lake depth reduction on Lake Ziway, Ethiopia using an integrated approach of Remote Sensing (RS), GIS and SWAT model. ERDAS IMAGINE 14 model was used to generate land-use maps from Landsat TM, ETM+, and Ls8 acquired, in 1988, 2002 and 2015 as representative for the periods of (1988</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1998), (1998</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2008) and (2008</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2018), respectively. The maximum likelihood algorithm of supervised classification applied to classify the </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">basin land-use into seven land-use classes. The SWAT hydrological model</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> with ArcGIS interface setup for the basin to evaluate the flow and sediment load with calibration and validation performance of the model range R</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (0.71 </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 0.89) and NSE (0.57 </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 0.87). As a result, the total average annual sediment yield from the sub-basins estimated as 3.59</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t/ha/yr, 4.36</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t/ha/yr, and 4.89</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t/展开更多
Demand for fresh water, as one of the major natural resources, is increasing rapidly with increasing development and environmental degradation. The continued abstraction of water from Lake Ziway and its main feeder ri...Demand for fresh water, as one of the major natural resources, is increasing rapidly with increasing development and environmental degradation. The continued abstraction of water from Lake Ziway and its main feeder rivers Meki and Katar for irrigation indicates that the water demand may soon exceed the supply. To illustrate disparities in spatial distribution of water resources, the Upper Awash sub-basin, which shares a water-divide with the CRVL sub-basin, has large flow volumes particularly in the rainy season and suffers with seasonal flooding. The rationale behind regaining the water in CRVL relies on this non-uniform spatial distribution of fresh water, calling for a balance between water surplus and deficit regions. For this reason, Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) is suggested as a viable option to augment utilizable water resources of the Upper Awash sub-basin to reduce the significant pressure on the water supply of the rapidly developing urban and irrigation areas in the CRVL sub-basin. A water evaluation and planning (WEAP) model was used to quantify the amount of surplus water in the donor basin, when examining the hydrological dynamics of the basins. Furthermore, optimal flow diversion scenarios were generated by maintaining two baseline scenario constraints. The estimated surplus water in the rainy season is expected to contribute 18 million cubic meters (mcm), 88 mcm and 192 mcm in months June, July and August respectively under average conditions. The optimal amount of diverted water could potentially stabilize the environmental degradation of Lake Ziway and Lake Abijata by compensating for development-driven abstraction and surface water evaporation respectively.展开更多
In this study, an integrated approach for runoff estimation using the storm water management model (SWMM) was applied to undertake a stormwater and sewerage modelling in urban setting. The main objectives of the resea...In this study, an integrated approach for runoff estimation using the storm water management model (SWMM) was applied to undertake a stormwater and sewerage modelling in urban setting. The main objectives of the research and this manuscript include overload detection of sewer systems during extreme rainfall events with SWMM and to model and predict the relationship between precipitation parameters and overflooding of sewer collection system that includes emergency ponds to relieve flow from pump stations. The study takes into account monitored concurrent extreme rainfall event data and peak wet weather flows observed at outfall of collection system entering a wastewater treatment plant draining the urban centre. In the study SWMM was modified and adapted for the Tati and Ntshe confluence rivers draining the urban centre of Francistown in Northern Botswana. Landuse, soil, geological, drainage and sewerage network and imperviousness data sets were acquired and developed in GIS database. The runoff coefficient is found to range between 0.12 and 0.24 in the studied catchments. The calibrated model was able to predict the observed outputs with reasonable accuracy for calibration datasets of two peak flood events of 2016-Jan 12 and 2017-Feb 16 and verification flood events of 2016-Feb 05 and 2017-Feb 26. For six watersheds that drain the study area considered with a seventh entire collection system catchment area, we have evaluated the model performance using different criteria. We have found that correlation coefficients range from 0.539 to 0.813 and NSE ranges from 40.9% to 89.0%, and RSR ranges from 0.330 to 0.812 for the calibration datasets. Whereas, for the verification dataset, the correlation coefficients range from 0.539 to 0.813 and NSE values range from 40.9% to 89.0%, and RSR values range from 0.330 to 0.812. Using the criteria adopted, the SWMM-simulated runoff values are in acceptable agreement with the observed hydrographs.展开更多
Captivity of wild animals and restriction of their movement can lead to stress, resulting in suppressed immune response and reduced disease resistance ability. Wild animals in zoological gardens can predominately affe...Captivity of wild animals and restriction of their movement can lead to stress, resulting in suppressed immune response and reduced disease resistance ability. Wild animals in zoological gardens can predominately affected by various gastro-intestinal parasites. This study was therefore, conducted to determine occurrence, identify types and assess seasonal variation of gastrointestinal parasites in captive animals at the Zoological garden of Haramaya University. The study involved a retrospective investigation of zoo records and fecal examinations. Twenty two fecal samples were collected in December, 2013 from all the animals in the garden and examined using concentration and fecal culture techniques. Sampling was repeated after four months in April, 2014 to assess seasonal variations of the parasites. The result from the retrospective study showed death of 21 animals in the last five years. Fecal examination confirmed presence of gastrointestinal parasites with an overall mean prevalence rate of 73.8%. A total of 9 parasite taxa were identified of which 6 (66.67%) and 4 (33.33%) were helminths and protozoa respectively. No Cestode and Trematode species were recovered. <i>Trichuris spp.</i>, <i>Toxocara spp.</i>, <i>Strongyloides spp.</i>, <i>Toxascaris leonine</i>, <i>Passalurus ambiguous</i> and <i>Ascaridia spp.</i> were the helminth parasites observed in the garden. <i>Entamoeba spp.</i>, <i>Isospora spp.</i> and <i>Eimeria spp.</i> were the protozoan parasites encountered. No remarkable seasonal variation in parasitic infection was noticed in the garden. The study revealed occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in the zoological garden, most of which are zoonotic and hence future studies are needed to determine risks of cross-transmission.展开更多
Total mercury(THg)levels were determined in sediment(n=22)and muscle of Clarias gariepinus(n=36)in dry and rainy seasons from Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir,Ethiopia in 2016-2017.The analyses of THg we...Total mercury(THg)levels were determined in sediment(n=22)and muscle of Clarias gariepinus(n=36)in dry and rainy seasons from Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir,Ethiopia in 2016-2017.The analyses of THg were performed using cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometer(CV-AAS)after acid digestion technique.The relationship of THg levels to size of the fish has also been investigated.The THg levels in sediments range from 9.5e43.8 mg/kg dry wt in the dry and 20.6e175.4 mg/kg dry wt in the rainy seasons.This study indicated that the levels of THg in sediments varies spatially and seasonally.In both seasons,THg levels increased from upstream to downstream areas,revealing increased anthropogenic inputs of mercury pollution.It was also found that the THg concentrations in all the sediment samples were below the US EPA guideline value of 200 mg/kg dry wt.The THg levels in Clarias gariepinus were in the range from 360e924 mg/kg dry wt in the dry and 325e1233 mg/kg dry wt in the rainy seasons,and had positive relationship to the total length and body weight.The THg concentrations found in Clarias gariepinus were within the acceptable guidelines of the FAO/WHO.Therefore,the muscle of Clarias gariepinus from the study area is not hazardous to human health with respect to mercury.However,the average value of THg seems to be slightly higher than results reported from other Ethiopian freshwater bodies.Thus,monitoring of mercury species in sediment and different organs of fish are strongly recommended.展开更多
基金Supported by School of Graduate Studies through Aklilu LemmaInstitute of Pathobiology,Addis Ababa University(No:RDP/Py-014/09)
文摘Objective:To assess the distribution of ABO blood group and their relationship with Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum) malaria among febrile outpatients who sought medical attention at Dore Bafeno Health Center,Southern Ethiopia.Methods:A total of 269 febrile outpatients who visited Dore Bafeno Health Center,Southern Ethiopia,were examined for malaria and also tested for ABO blood groups in January 2010.The blood specimens were collected by finger pricking,stained with Geimsa,and examined microscopically.Positive cases of the parasitemia were counted.CareStart^(TM) Malaria PflPv Combo was also used to test the blood specimens for malaria.ABO blood groups were determined by agglutination test using ERYCLONE antisera.Data on socio-demographic characteristics and treatment status of the participants were also collected.Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to assess the difference between frequencies and means,respectively.Results:Out of a total of 269 participants,178(66.2%) febrile patients were found to be infected with Plasmodium parasites,among which 146(54.3%),28(10.4%),and 4(1.5%) belonged to P.falciparum,P.vivax,and mixed infections,respectively.All febrile patients were also tested for ABO blood groups and 51.3%,23.5%,21.9%and 3.3%were found to be blood types of 0,A,B and AB,respectively.Both total malaria infection and P.falciparum infection showed significant association with blood types(P<0.05).The proportion of A or B but not 0 phenotypes was higher(P<0.05) in individuals with P.falciparum as compared with non-infected individuals.The chance of having P.falciparum infection in patients with blood groups A,B and AB was 2.5,2.5 and 3.3times more than individuals showing blood 0 phenotypes,respectively.The mean P.falciparum malaria parasitemia for blood groups A,B,AB,and 0 were 3 744/μ L,1 805/ μ L,5 331/μ L,and1 515/μ L,respectively(P<0.01).Conclusions:The present findings indicate that individuals of blood groups A,B and AB are more susceptible to P.falciparum infection as compared with individuals o
文摘A regional analysis of design storms, defined as the expected rainfall intensity for given storm duration and return period, is conducted to determine storm Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) relationships. The ultimate purpose was to determine IDF curves for homogeneous regions identified in Botswana. Three homogeneous regions were identified based on topographic and rainfall characteristics which were constructed with the K-Means Clustering algorithm. Using the mean annual rainfall and the 24 hr annual maximum rainfall as an indicator of rainfall intensity for each homogeneous region, IDF curves and maps of rainfall intensities of 1 to 24 hr and above durations were produced. The Gamma and Lognormal probability distribution functions were able to provide estimates of rainfall depths for low and medium return periods (up to 100 years) in any location in each homogeneous region of Botswana.
文摘This manuscript is an attempt to demonstrate effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) and measures to reduce risk of flooding and environmental impact in urban settings. The nature-based solutions (NBS) were assessed as scenarios from experience of urban storm drainage and sewerage systems based on practices that improve urban water management through modelling using urban stormwater management model (SWMM). The model has been applied in a typical urban environment in the second city in Botswana, the City of Francistown, which has a population of more than one hundred thousand. By considering the 2-yr and 10-year storm events in a calibrated SWMM, NBS scenarios from a mix of low impact and drainage measures were considered. The considered NBS scenarios were used to determine their effectiveness in terms of reducing and controlling peak runoff, flood volumes, infiltration and evapotranspiration in the study area, which are vital in assessing the opportunity and challenge for sustainable management of water resources and associated tradeoff of investments in the urban contexts. The study demonstrates the usefulness of implementing effective measures for achieving NBS in urban context and possibility of outscaling at basin and regional levels.
文摘This study is motivated to highlight the variability of recent drought hotspots in the region of southern Africa in terms of the seasonal and annual rainfall regimes and their possible spatial linkage with the 1950-2020 seasonal El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Some evidence is found on possible links between the occurrence of drought hotspots in the region in terms of seasonal and mean annual runoff and warm ENSO events. This was revealed by the existence of a strong and nearly-strong positive linear correlation between Seasonal and annual rainfall depths and the warm seasonal ENSO indices explained by the southern oscillation index represented by the sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies data obtained from the National Oceanographic and Aeronautics Administration (NOAA). Considering the entire southern African region, 41% of the surface areas exhibit moderate (r > 0.25) and strong (r > 0.5) correlation coefficients in terms of the December to February quarter rainfall and ENSO indices. Above 50% confidence interval in the correlation between seasonal rainfall and ENSO during DJF quarters is found in 74% of the surface area of the region of southern Africa. The high confidence interval of the positive correlation coefficients is an indication that substantial variance of precipitation during ENSO years is accounted for by the warm ENSO events. The areas with pronounced lower rainfalls and droughts associated with ENSO activity in the region include larger and some pockets of various countries in southern Africa, including but not limited to Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. The recent drought events of 2019/2020, and previously in 2015/16 in this region with wider regional impacts can be explained by the ENSO phenomena.
文摘The present paper provides evidence of the possible impact of shale-limestone-mudstone successions aquifers on groundwater chemistry by assessing the different hydrogeochemical processes. This was done by considering a sedimentary aquifer basin, namely the Hantebet sub basin (24.4 km<sup>2</sup>), Tekeze basin, northern Ethiopia. Groundwater is the main source of water supply in the sub basin extracted using hand dug wells, for domestic, irrigation and livestock uses. The sub basin is dominated by Paleozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary successions. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from hand dug wells using depth-integrated sampling techniques from both confined and unconfined aquifers. The major water bearing formations are gravely sand, weathered shale and weathered and fractured limestone, and intercalated weathered and fractured limestone and mudstone. The results indicate that groundwater is acidic to neutral, fresh, and hard to very hard. Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, HCO<sup>-</sup>3</sub> and SO<sup>2-</sup>4</sub> are dominant ions compared to Mg<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, and Cl<sup>-</sup> ions which show low to very low concentrations. Among eight hydrochemical facies identified, Ca-Na-HCO<sub>3</sub> (40%), Ca-HCO<sub>3</sub> (20%), Ca-Mg-Na-HCO<sub>3</sub> (10%) and Ca-Na-HCO<sub>3</sub>-SO<sub>4</sub> (10%) types dominate water chemistry. Dissolution of calcite and gypsum, and hydrolysis of feldspars, plagioclase, biotite and pyroxene are the major geochemical processes that control the chemistry of groundwater in the area. The intercalated shale beds are the source of sodium and chloride ions. Since, this study is based on groundwater from hand dug wells, the conclusions of this study should be further verified using groundwater from deep wells that are drilled in these successions.
文摘Sugarcane is one of the important irrigated crops in Ethiopia and its production is highly linked with its energy and water use. In this paper, identifications and quantifications of input and output, direct and indirect energy sources, and energy use of farm operations were carried out on 11 irrigation schemes of Awash River Basin. In order to grow 91.8 to 167.6 tons of cane, 47.9 to 143.4 GJ/ha of total energy was used. Average total input energies of gravity, pump surface and sprinkler scheme categories to grow 109.8, 112.7 and 136.3 ton/ha were 53.6, 68.9 and 129.2 GJ/ha, respectively. Around 90% and 74% total energies of gravity surface and sprinkler schemes were consumed as direct and indirect energies, respectively. Irrigation found to be the most energy consuming operation constituting more than 50% input energy of all scheme categories. Energy efficiency of gravity schemes was 152% and 300% higher than pump driven surface and sprinkler schemes. Energy sequestrated in cane straws burned during harvesting found to be higher than fertilizer and pumping energy demands. Use of cane straws as manure and energy sources have the potential to substitute demands which in turn needs further investigations and analysis.
文摘Most planned developments in a catchment for control of excess water using a culvert, bridge or dam spillway are located at a site in a stream where there are no discharge measurements. Even though, for gauged catchments a number of established flood frequency models and rainfall-runoff models do exist, for ungauged catchments mostly regional flood frequency and event-based rainfall-runoff models are used, which depend on regional parameters. In this paper, a regional approach for design floods is presented and risk implication for design of drainage structures assessed. A case study in light of the above has been considered at four ungauged sites in the Limpopo Drainage Basin in north-eastern Botswana.
基金Supported by University of Condar(UOG/Budget/no.6215),Condar,Ethiopia
文摘Objective:To investigate the synergic antibacterial activity of garlic and tazma honey against standard and clinical pathogenic bacteria.Methods:Antimicrobial activity of tazma honey,garlic and mixture of them against pathogenic bacteria were determined.Chloramphenicol and water were used as positive and negative controls,respectively.Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration of antimicrobial samples were determined using standard methods.Results:Inhibition zone of mixture of garlic and tazma honey against all tested pathogens was significantly(P≤0.05)greater than garlic and tazma honey alone.The diameter zone of inhibition ranged from(18±1)to(35±1)mm for mixture of garlic and tazma honey,(12±1)to(20±1)nun for tazma honey and(14±1)to(22±1)mm for garlic as compared with(10±1)to(30±1)mm for chloramphenicol.The combination of garlic and tazma honey(30-35 mm)was more significantly(P≤0.05)effective against Salmonella(NCTC 8385),Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 25923),Lyesria moncytogenes(ATCC 19116)and Streptococcus pneumonia(ATCC 63).Results also showed considerable antimicrobial activity of garlic and tazma honey.MIC of mixture of garlic and tazma honey at 6.25%against total test bacteria was 88.9%.MIC of mixture of garlic and tazma honey at6.25%against Gram positive and negative were 100%and 83.33%,respectively.The bactericidal activities of garlic,tazma honey,and mixture of garlic and tazma honey against all pathogenic bacteria at 6.25%concentration were 66.6%,55.6%and 55.6%,respectively.Conclusions:This finding strongly supports the claim of the local community to use the combination of tazma honey and garlic for the treatment of different pathogenic bacterial infections.Therefore,garlic in combination with tazma honey can serve as an alternative natural antimicrobial drug for the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infections.Further in vivo study is recommended to come up with a comprehensive conclusion.
文摘<span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Flood is a natural process generated by the interaction of various driving fac</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">tors. Flood peak flows, flood frequency at different return periods, and potential driving forces are analyzed in this study. The peak flow of six gauging stations, with a catchment area ranging from 169 -</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">124,108 km</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> and sufficient observed streamflow data, was selected to develop threshold (3</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">rd</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> quartile) magnitude and frequency (POTF) that occurred over ten years of records. Sixteen Potential climatic, watershed and human driving factors of floods in the study area were identified and analyzed with GIS, Pearson’s correlation, and Principal Correlation Analysis (PCA) to select the most influential factors. Eight of them (MAR, DA, BE, VS, sand, forest AGR, PD) are identified as the most significant variables in the flood formation of the basin. Moreover, mean annual rainfall (MAR), drainage area (DA), and lack of forest cover are explored as the principal driving factors for flood peak discharge in Wabi-Shebele River Basin. Fi</span></span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nally, the study resulted in regression equations that helped plan and design different infrastructure works in the basin as ungauged catchment empirical</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> equations to compute Q</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">MPF</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, Q</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">5</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, Q</span><sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">10</span></sub><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, Q</span><sub><span st
文摘Flood events vary with sub-regions, sites and time and show complex characteristics. This study investigated temporal variabilities in flood discharges and relationships with principal driving factors in data scarce Wabi Shebele River Basin. The preliminary analysis using exploratory data analysis (EDA) on annual and seasonal maximum discharge reveals that there are cycles of extreme flows at five- and ten-year intervals respectively throughout the basin. The statistical verification using the Mann-Kendall test and Quantile perturbation method indicates a significant trend in flood magnitude and frequency entire the basin in the early 21st century. For longest period (1980-2010) annual maximum stream flow shows significant positive trend (p-value < 0.05) in middle catchments and negative trend (p-value < 0.05) in eastern catchments. The years: 1986-1995, 2006-2010 are the years in which positive significant anomalies occurred in all seasons, while the years: 1980-1985, 1996-2005 are the occurrence years of significant negative anomalies. Rainfall from climate drivers;DA, BE, VS and fraction of sand from environmental background drivers;fraction of forest and population density from external factors were identified as the powerful driving factors of flood variabilities in the Wabi Shebele River Basin.
文摘The current status of persistent organic pollutants in Ethiopian environment is not well monitored despite the existing pollution potential from a number of sources.Water and sediment samples collected from Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir,Central Ethiopia were analyzed to assess the concentrations,distribution,possible sources and potential ecological risk of eight organochlorine pesticides(OCPs)and seven polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs).Water and sediment samples were extracted by liquid-liquid and Soxhlet extraction respectively,and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy(GC-MS).The detectable OCPs and PCBs in water samples were DDT,DDE,DDD,lindane and dieldrin and PCB-28,PCB-101 and PCB-118,respectively in the rainy season.Analyzed sediment samples showed the presence of lindane in the dry and p,p’-DDT,p,p’-DDE,p,p’-DDD,a,b-endosulfan,heptachlor epoxide(B),and dieldrin in the rainy seasons.Among the indicator PCBs analyzed,sediment samples showed the presence of PCB-52,PCB-101 and PCB-118 in the dry and all indicator PCBs in the rainy seasons.Sources analysis showed that PCBs and detected OCPs were mainly from the historical input of commercial products,but there were recent discharge of DDT and lindane into the river system.Ecological risk assessment of the analyzed OCPs and PCBs using water and sediment quality guidelines indicated that lindane in the dry and p’-DDT,p,p’-DDE,p,p’-DDD,heptachlore epoxide and dieldrin in the rainy seasons in the sediment samples from Akaki river and Aba Samuel reservoir were above the limit at most of the sites.This suggests there is greater possibility of higher ecological hazards in these residues.However,the levels of total PCB concentrations and other OCPs at all sites were below the limit and thus their potential ecotoxicological risks were rather low.
文摘Improving agricultural water productivity, under rainfed or irrigated conditions, holds significant scope for addressing climate change vulnerability. It also offers adaptation capacity needs as well as water and food security in the southern African region. In this study, evidence for climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in rainfed agricultural systems is explored through modeling predictions of crop yield, soil moisture and excess water for potential harvesting. The study specifically presents the results of climate change impacts under rainfed conditions for maize, sorghum and sunflower using soil-water-crop model simulations, integrated based on daily inputs of rainfall and evapotranspiration disaggregated from GCM scenarios. The research targets a vast farming region dominated by heavy clay soils where rainfed agriculture is a dominant practice. The potential for improving soil water productivity and improved water harvesting have been explored as ways of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. This can be utilized to explore and design appropriate conservation agriculture and adaptation practices in similar agro-ecological environments, and create opportunities for outscaling for much wider areas. The results of this study can suggest the need for possible policy refinements towards reducing vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in rainfed farming systems.
基金This work was supported by Research and Community Services of University of Gondar with Grant No.RPO/55/43/2008
文摘Objective:To assess the magnitude and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolates from various clinical specimens.Methods:A record based on retrospectivestudy was conducted at Gondar University Teaching Hospital from September 2007 to January 2012.All patients who visited Gondar University Hospital and provided clinical specimens(body fluids,discharge,swab and blood)for routine bacteriological culturing and antimicrobial susceptibilitytesting were taken for analysis.Clinical specimens were processed for bacterial culture accordingto the standard procedures.Antimicrobial susceptibility test for isolated organisms was doneusing agar disk diffusion method.The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version16 package.Results:One hundred and fifty threeStreptococcus pneumoniaewere isolated frompatients who visited Gondar University Teaching Hospital bacteriology laboratory for culture.Majority of the pneumococcal isolates were from inpatients[111(72.5%)],and 74(48.4%)were frombody fluids.Out of the total isolates,93(61%)were found to be resistant to at least one antibioticused for susceptibility testing.Forty eight(43.2%)of the isolates were multi-drug resistant(resistantto two or more drugs).The resistance rate noted for both ciprofloxacin 17(11.1%)and ceftriaxone15(9.8%)were alarming.Conclusions:High proportions of the isolates tend to be increasinglyresistant to the commonly prescribed drugs.The recommended drug of choice like ciprofloxacinand ceftriaxone were found to be less susceptible in the study area.Based on the findings,wetherefore recommend that antimicrobial agents should be inspected for acceptable activity beforethey are prescribed and administered empirically.Further study with a better design and surveyof antimicrobial susceptibility at large scale shoule be performed to draw advanced information.
基金financially supported by the Vice President Officefor Research and Dean of School of Graduate Studies and Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology(grant No.RDP/PY-014/09)
文摘Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of praziquantel(PZQ) in the treatment of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.Methods:In a cross-sectional study,stool specimens were collected from randomly selected 299 school children in Shesha Kekele Elementary School,Wondo Genet, Southern Ethiopia,in April 2010.Stool specimens were examined using a single Kato-Katz thick smear for Schistosoma mansoni(5.mansoni) ova.Children who were found positive for S.mansoni were treated with a single oral dose of PZQ at 40 mg/kg bw and interviewed for treatment-related symptoms 24 hours after drug administration.Four weeks post-treatment,stool specimens were collected from the same children and examined following the same procedure as in the pretreatment.Drug efficacy was determined based on cure and egg reduction rates.Results:Pretreatment prevalence of S.mansoni infection was 74.9%with geometric mean egg count of 268. The evaluated generic PZQ produced an overall cure rate of 73.6%(P<0.000 1,OR:8.33,CI:5.3-13.1) and egg reduction rate of 68.2%(P=0.03,F=0.64).The cure rate showed significant association with age(x^2=H,P=0.004),the highest rate being observed in the 15-22 age group.83%of S. mansoni infected children showed various treatment-related symptoms,the most frerjiient being headache,nausea,and abdominal pain.These symptoms were associated with age(P<0.001) and pre-treatment intensity of infection(P<0.05).Conclusions:The present observations revealed relatively lower cure and egg reduction rates of the PZQ evaluated as compared to previous reports for other PZQ brands in Ethiopia.Hence,in depth studies are recommended to clarify whether the present relatively lower cure rate is the actual cure rate of the praziquantel evaluated,treatment failure,or reduced susceptibility of the parasite.Treatment-related side effects observed were transient and tolerable.
文摘<div style="text-align:justify;"> <span style="font-family:Verdana;">Evaluating the capacity of lecturer is the key to improve quality of education by improving lecturer capacity in higher education institution. Lecturer’s capacity has been evaluated using different parameters in Assosa University, Ethiopia. Mandatorily, lecturers are evaluated using printed check list. For the last few years we observed that, the lecturer efficiency score is found on the shelf and not checked by anyone to know the gaps and to establish follow-up system. The use of intranet based web system is better to use lecturer’s efficiency result to monitor their performance and to establish follow-up mechanism. In this study, a prototype of web based yearbook efficiency management system for evaluating and monitoring the performance of lecturers was designed and developed. The evaluation process in the system was presented according to the university evaluation format. The output generated by the proposed system can be used by lecturers, HoD, HRM and academic managers to monitor teaching performance.</span> </div>
文摘<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Land-use change has been</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">a factor that alters the hydrologic response of the watersheds leading to influencing on sediment yield changes. This study is mainly focusing on the assessment of the impacts of the land-use changes on sediment load and lake depth reduction on Lake Ziway, Ethiopia using an integrated approach of Remote Sensing (RS), GIS and SWAT model. ERDAS IMAGINE 14 model was used to generate land-use maps from Landsat TM, ETM+, and Ls8 acquired, in 1988, 2002 and 2015 as representative for the periods of (1988</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1998), (1998</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2008) and (2008</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2018), respectively. The maximum likelihood algorithm of supervised classification applied to classify the </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">basin land-use into seven land-use classes. The SWAT hydrological model</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> with ArcGIS interface setup for the basin to evaluate the flow and sediment load with calibration and validation performance of the model range R</span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2</span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> (0.71 </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 0.89) and NSE (0.57 </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> 0.87). As a result, the total average annual sediment yield from the sub-basins estimated as 3.59</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t/ha/yr, 4.36</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t/ha/yr, and 4.89</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">t/
文摘Demand for fresh water, as one of the major natural resources, is increasing rapidly with increasing development and environmental degradation. The continued abstraction of water from Lake Ziway and its main feeder rivers Meki and Katar for irrigation indicates that the water demand may soon exceed the supply. To illustrate disparities in spatial distribution of water resources, the Upper Awash sub-basin, which shares a water-divide with the CRVL sub-basin, has large flow volumes particularly in the rainy season and suffers with seasonal flooding. The rationale behind regaining the water in CRVL relies on this non-uniform spatial distribution of fresh water, calling for a balance between water surplus and deficit regions. For this reason, Inter Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) is suggested as a viable option to augment utilizable water resources of the Upper Awash sub-basin to reduce the significant pressure on the water supply of the rapidly developing urban and irrigation areas in the CRVL sub-basin. A water evaluation and planning (WEAP) model was used to quantify the amount of surplus water in the donor basin, when examining the hydrological dynamics of the basins. Furthermore, optimal flow diversion scenarios were generated by maintaining two baseline scenario constraints. The estimated surplus water in the rainy season is expected to contribute 18 million cubic meters (mcm), 88 mcm and 192 mcm in months June, July and August respectively under average conditions. The optimal amount of diverted water could potentially stabilize the environmental degradation of Lake Ziway and Lake Abijata by compensating for development-driven abstraction and surface water evaporation respectively.
文摘In this study, an integrated approach for runoff estimation using the storm water management model (SWMM) was applied to undertake a stormwater and sewerage modelling in urban setting. The main objectives of the research and this manuscript include overload detection of sewer systems during extreme rainfall events with SWMM and to model and predict the relationship between precipitation parameters and overflooding of sewer collection system that includes emergency ponds to relieve flow from pump stations. The study takes into account monitored concurrent extreme rainfall event data and peak wet weather flows observed at outfall of collection system entering a wastewater treatment plant draining the urban centre. In the study SWMM was modified and adapted for the Tati and Ntshe confluence rivers draining the urban centre of Francistown in Northern Botswana. Landuse, soil, geological, drainage and sewerage network and imperviousness data sets were acquired and developed in GIS database. The runoff coefficient is found to range between 0.12 and 0.24 in the studied catchments. The calibrated model was able to predict the observed outputs with reasonable accuracy for calibration datasets of two peak flood events of 2016-Jan 12 and 2017-Feb 16 and verification flood events of 2016-Feb 05 and 2017-Feb 26. For six watersheds that drain the study area considered with a seventh entire collection system catchment area, we have evaluated the model performance using different criteria. We have found that correlation coefficients range from 0.539 to 0.813 and NSE ranges from 40.9% to 89.0%, and RSR ranges from 0.330 to 0.812 for the calibration datasets. Whereas, for the verification dataset, the correlation coefficients range from 0.539 to 0.813 and NSE values range from 40.9% to 89.0%, and RSR values range from 0.330 to 0.812. Using the criteria adopted, the SWMM-simulated runoff values are in acceptable agreement with the observed hydrographs.
文摘Captivity of wild animals and restriction of their movement can lead to stress, resulting in suppressed immune response and reduced disease resistance ability. Wild animals in zoological gardens can predominately affected by various gastro-intestinal parasites. This study was therefore, conducted to determine occurrence, identify types and assess seasonal variation of gastrointestinal parasites in captive animals at the Zoological garden of Haramaya University. The study involved a retrospective investigation of zoo records and fecal examinations. Twenty two fecal samples were collected in December, 2013 from all the animals in the garden and examined using concentration and fecal culture techniques. Sampling was repeated after four months in April, 2014 to assess seasonal variations of the parasites. The result from the retrospective study showed death of 21 animals in the last five years. Fecal examination confirmed presence of gastrointestinal parasites with an overall mean prevalence rate of 73.8%. A total of 9 parasite taxa were identified of which 6 (66.67%) and 4 (33.33%) were helminths and protozoa respectively. No Cestode and Trematode species were recovered. <i>Trichuris spp.</i>, <i>Toxocara spp.</i>, <i>Strongyloides spp.</i>, <i>Toxascaris leonine</i>, <i>Passalurus ambiguous</i> and <i>Ascaridia spp.</i> were the helminth parasites observed in the garden. <i>Entamoeba spp.</i>, <i>Isospora spp.</i> and <i>Eimeria spp.</i> were the protozoan parasites encountered. No remarkable seasonal variation in parasitic infection was noticed in the garden. The study revealed occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in the zoological garden, most of which are zoonotic and hence future studies are needed to determine risks of cross-transmission.
文摘Total mercury(THg)levels were determined in sediment(n=22)and muscle of Clarias gariepinus(n=36)in dry and rainy seasons from Akaki River catchment and Aba Samuel Reservoir,Ethiopia in 2016-2017.The analyses of THg were performed using cold vapor-atomic absorption spectrometer(CV-AAS)after acid digestion technique.The relationship of THg levels to size of the fish has also been investigated.The THg levels in sediments range from 9.5e43.8 mg/kg dry wt in the dry and 20.6e175.4 mg/kg dry wt in the rainy seasons.This study indicated that the levels of THg in sediments varies spatially and seasonally.In both seasons,THg levels increased from upstream to downstream areas,revealing increased anthropogenic inputs of mercury pollution.It was also found that the THg concentrations in all the sediment samples were below the US EPA guideline value of 200 mg/kg dry wt.The THg levels in Clarias gariepinus were in the range from 360e924 mg/kg dry wt in the dry and 325e1233 mg/kg dry wt in the rainy seasons,and had positive relationship to the total length and body weight.The THg concentrations found in Clarias gariepinus were within the acceptable guidelines of the FAO/WHO.Therefore,the muscle of Clarias gariepinus from the study area is not hazardous to human health with respect to mercury.However,the average value of THg seems to be slightly higher than results reported from other Ethiopian freshwater bodies.Thus,monitoring of mercury species in sediment and different organs of fish are strongly recommended.
