Striga infestation and its interaction to density of sorghum, basic chemical and physical properties of the soil across Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, sorghum is the major crop next to teff grown all over the country. Though the productivity of sorghum has increased in the last few years, the overall national productivity of sorghum is low (2.106 t/ha) compared to the average production of 2.3 t/ha of developed countries. The low productivity of sorghum is attributed mainly to infestation by Striga. The annual yield loss and geographic distribution of Striga infestation in Sub-Saharan Africa is steadily increasing. The region is mainly characterized by poor soil fertility and structure, lower distribution and intensity of rain fall. The average yield loss of sorghum due to striga exceeds 50% and in severe cases complete cop failure can occur forcing farmers to abandon cereal production. A survey was conducted in 2014 to determine the interaction of Striga hermonthica infestation with basic chemical and physical properties of the soil and to assess the association of Striga infestation and population density of sorghum in relation to Tigray region. There was a strong association between the average Striga count and population density of sorghum per unit area of land. Similarly, strong association was observed between Striga infestation and soil pH, available phosphorous, percent organic matter, total nitrogen and soil texture. The influence of soil organic matter on level of Striga infestation was observed superior to other soil chemical and physical properties. The highest level of Striga infestation was recorded at kebeles which had got the highest population density of sorghum, low soil organic matter and available phosphorous and sandy textured soils. Therefore maintaining optimum population of sorghum and improving the fertility status of the soil have been suggested for controlling of S. hermonthica in the region. Key words: Correlation, Striga infestation, sorghum planting density, soil properties, Tigray region.

Impact of pre-treatment by torrefaction and carbonization on temperature field, energy efficiency and tar content during the gasification of cotton stalks

The present study focused on the gasification of raw and pre-treated cotton stalks (CS) by torrefaction and carbonization. Temperature fields, mass balance, energy balance, energy efficiency and tar content of the gas were investigated for the gasification of different types of biomass materials (raw, torrefied and carbonized CS). High temperature and thick reduction zone were obtained during the gasification of pre-treated CS comparatively to the gasification of raw CS. Thus, the thermal and catalytic cracking of the tars may be more pronounced for the gasification of pre-treated biomass particularly for the carbonized biomass. Mass and energy balances have shown a reduction of biomass conversion during the gasification of torrefied and carbonized CS. Indeed, the energy efficiency of 58.7, 46.5 and 38.4% were obtained for raw, carbonized and torrefied CS, respectively. The lowest energetic performances were found during the gasification of torrefied CS due probably to the severe degree of the torrefaction. However, the tar content in gas was drastically decreased by the pre-treatment of the CS. Indeed, the tar contents of 4.41, 2.24 and 0.10 g/Nm3 were obtained for the gasification of raw, torrefied and carbonized CS, respectively. Key words: Biomass gasification, pre-treatment, tar content, energy efficiency.

Hormone replacement therapy and Alzheimers disease in older women: A systematic review of literature

Inheritance and combining ability study on drought tolerance and grain yield among early maturing inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.)

Utilization of stress tolerant maize is key to sustainable production and food security. Limited knowledge on genetics of drought tolerance hampers development of drought tolerant varieties. The aim of this study was to study inheritance and combining ability of drought tolerance and grain yield among early inbred lines of maize. Five inbred lines were mated in full diallel in 2015 major season. The resultant 20 hybrids, 5 parents and 2 checks were evaluated under drought stress and well watered conditions in a screen house. Data was collected on days to 50% tasseling (DT 50%), days to 50% silking (DS 50%), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), leaf rolling, leaf senescence, plant aspect (PASP), plant height (PHT), ear height (EHT), ears per plant (EPP), ear weight, hundred grain weight (100 GW) and grain yield per hectare (GY). Drought condition was induced 40 days after planting (DAP) but watering was continued once per week till maturity. Results from combined ANOVA showed there was high and significant (p<0.01) level of genetic variability among parental lines and hybrids used in all the traits studied except DT 50%, PHT, EHT, EPP and 100 GW. Both additive and non-additive gene actions were important as well as GCA/SCA ratio variance. Lines TZEI-23 (215.22) and TZEI-25 (76.84) had the highest and highly significant (p<0.01) positive GCA effects for GY under drought. Hybrids TZEI-25 x TZEI-13 showed the highest positive and highly significant (p<0.01) SCA effects for GY (385.74) followed by its reciprocal TZEI-13 x TZEI-25 (311.49) under water stress.  High broad sense heritability was observed for almost all the traits. High narrow sense heritability were observed DT 50% (0.69), DS 50% (0.80) and leaf senescence (0.61) under drought condition. Eighteen and nineteen hybrids had positive high parent heterosis (HPH) under water stress and well watered conditions, respectively for GY. The parents TZEI-23 and TZEI-25 were identified as the best general combiners respectively under drought and well watered conditions. The highest HPH were observed in many traits for TZEI-13 x TZEI-25 and TZEI-124 x TZEI-13. It is recommended these hybrids are further evaluated in different environments for release to farmers to increase yield.   Key words: Maize, inheritance, combining ability, drought, tolerance.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among HIV/AIDS patients attending Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos Plateau State Nigeria: A retrospective study

The prevalence of hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) among HIV infected persons is a major public health problem in Nigeria. The increasing number of people living with HIV in Nigeria has presented the health care system with new co-morbid infections such as HBV and HCV. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among HIV/AIDS patients attending Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos Plateau State Nigeria. The study was a retrospective study that reviewed all clinical case records of HIV/AIDS patients seen from 1st January, 2012 to 31st December, 2016. Information such as age, sex, marital status, occupation, educational level, hepatitis B and C status, CD4 T lymphocyte count, signs and symptoms were retrieved using structured questionnaire. Data were analysed and presented in simple percentage while Chi-square test was used to test for associations between variables at P<0.05. According to the results, more than two-third of the patients (1051, 68.10%) were females and 576 (37.30%) were in the age group of 38-47 years with a mean age of 42.60±9.9 years. The prevalence of HBV was 56.70% while HCV was 30.30%. In addition, both HBV and HCV were significantly found among HIV infected females compared to HIV infected males. The mean CD4 cells/µl for HBV positive was 500.48±101.81 while HCV positive was 557.33±121.76. The study showed the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among the HIV infected patients. Therefore routine screening for hepatitis B and C markers among HIV patients should be carried out regularly. Key words: Prevalence, HIV/AIDS patients, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, CD4 count, Bingham University.

Counseling preferences of patients visiting community pharmacies in Palestine: a cross-sectional study

Auditor compliance in Libya with the rules and ethics of the audit profession

Perceived Quality of Tuberculosis Treatment Services From Patient Perspectives in Selected TB Management Units, Mogadishu-Somalia.

Evaluation of the Availability of Safe Water and Sanitation Facilities in IDP Camps In Kahda District in Mogadishu, Somalia

Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Howlwadag MCH, Mogadishu