Showing papers by "Adama University published in 2014"

Meat Consumption Culture in Ethiopia.

Abstract: The consumption of animal flesh food in Ethiopia has associated with cultural practices. Meat plays pivotal and vital parts in special occasions and its cultural symbolic weight is markedly greater than that accorded to most other food. Processing and cooking of poultry is a gender based duty and has socio-cultural roles. Ethiopians are dependent on limited types of animals for meats due to the taboo associated culturally. Moreover, the consumption of meat and meat products has a very tidy association with religious beliefs, and are influenced by religions. The main religions of Ethiopia have their own peculiar doctrines of setting the feeding habits and customs of their followers. They influence meat products consumption through dictating the source animals that should be used or not be used for food, and scheduling the days of the years in periodical permeation and restriction of consumptions which in turn influences the pattern of meat consumption in the country. In Ethiopia, a cow or an ox is commonly butchered for the sole purpose of selling within the community. In special occasions, people have a cultural ceremony of slaughtering cow or ox and sharing among the group, called Kircha, which is a very common option of the people in rural area where access of meat is challenging frequently.

Persistence and stability of Eastern Afromontane forests: evidence from brevicipitid frogs

Abstract: Aim The persistence and stability of habitats through time are considered predictors of high levels of biodiversity in some environments. Long-term habitat persistence and stability may explain the species-rich, endemic forest fauna and flora of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Region (EABR). Using complementary phylogenetic and biogeographical approaches, we examine evolutionary patterns in EABR brevicipitid frogs. Using these data, we test whether brevicipitid history reflects patterns of long-term forest persistence and/or stability across the EABR. Location East Africa. Methods A dated phylogeny for brevicipitids was constructed using two nuclear and three mitochondrial markers. Alternative diversification models were used to determine signal for constant or varying net diversification rates. Using our dated tree, we identified areas of high phylogenetic diversity (PD), and inferred ancestral areas using likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Results Brevicipitids have a long history, with generic diversification among extant lineages pre-dating the Oligocene (> 33 Ma). Ancestral-area reconstructions indicate the presence of brevicipitids in the EABR since the Oligocene, and support a scenario of palaeoendemics surviving in EABR refugia. Ancestral-area reconstructions indicate that the central Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) formed the initial centre of diversification of forest brevicipitids. Measures of PD show that diversity varies across the EABR but is highest in the EAM. Constant net diversification rate in brevicipitids is a significantly better fit than alternative, rate-variable models. Main conclusions The degree of persistence of forest habitats appears to be a contributing factor to the varying levels of diversity across the EABR in brevicipitids (and other organisms). In contrast to the Southern Highlands and Ethiopian Bale Mountains, the EAM stands out as an area that enabled the constant accumulation of brevicipitid species over a long period of time.

Phenotypic characterization of indigenous chicken populations in Southeastern Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia

Abstract: The objective of this study was to characterize the native chickens reared in three agro-ecological zones of Southeastern Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. Data on visual appraisal and linear body measurements were obtained from a total of 600 matured local chickens of both sexes drawn from 240 households. The results indicated that the average flock size, age at first egg of hens and eggs produced per clutch were 11.9 heads, 6.2 months and 15.4 eggs, respectively. The majority of the male chicken possessed snake head shape (60.7 percent) and most of them had rose combs (57.9 percent), red feather plumage (46.1 percent), yellow shanks (86.3 percent), red earlobes (84.2 percent) and yellow skin (56.8 percent). Majority of the hens possessed single combs (43.5 percent), red earlobes (77.3 percent), yellow shanks (44.4 percent), yellowish brown feather (27.4 percent) followed by red (24.2 percent) and black (21.2 percent). The cocks were generally heavier (1.39 kg) than the hens (1.22 kg). The average values for breast angle (degrees), body length, body width, shank length, shank circumference, keel bone length, wing span, comb length and beak length of the cocks were 45.9, 24.1, 24.9, 7.43, 3.86, 9.63, 7.99, 4.86 and 1.91 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for the hens were 40.2, 22.7, 23.8, 7.43, 3.46, 8.95, 7.40, 2.47 and 1.71. The values for wing span, comb length, beak length, body weight, breast angle and keel bone length differed (P < 0.05) across the agro-ecologies. The best predictor for assessing the body weight of hens was breast angle and body length, whereas in the cocks it was best estimated using breast angle and shank circumference values. The present study suggests that indigenous chickens in the study area possess useful economic traits that could be improved through systematic breeding for enhanced productivity under scavenging production systems.

Comparative study of top soil magnetic susceptibility variation based on some human activities

Abstract: An investigation of the effect of some human activities on the magnetic susceptibility and frequency dependent susceptibility was conducted on top soil samples from, a commercial area, a motor park and a school environment in Jalingo, Taraba State, N-E Nigeria. The purpose was to assess the variation of magnetic susceptibility with different land use, detect pollution hotspots using magnetic proxy parameters and evaluate the contribution of superparamagnetic (SP) grain size contribution to the magnetic susceptibility from calculation of the frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility (MS). The results of the mass specific low frequency magnetic susceptibility measurements showed significant enhancement with values ranging from 67.8 - 495.3 x 10 -8 m 3 kg -1 with a mean value of 191.61 x 10 -8 m 3 kg -1

On Visibility and Legitimisation of Languages: The ‘Linguistic Landscape’ in Adaama, Ethiopia

Abstract: With a focus on the city of Adaama (formerly: Nazret), the biggest urban agglomeration in Oromia Regional State, the paper addresses the “linguistic landscape” which is indicative of the overall sociolinguistic situation of a polity. Language use in the public space has not only practical-instrumental, but also historical, political, juridical, and most of all psycho-sociological dimensions, the latter relating to the symbolic value of written language use. The paper deals with multilingual graphic representations on public commercial and private sign-boards, advertisements, and notices in Adaama city, with an additional focus on the situation on the campus of Adama Science and Technology University. Under the chosen theoretical framework, it analyses language visibility in terms of language legitimisation, both in terms of peoples’ attitudes and based on official documents regarding language status and language use in present-day Ethiopia, such as the Education and Training Policy (1994), the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1995), the Revised Constitution of Oromia Regional State (2001/2006), and the Higher Education Proclamation (2009). The primary focus of the paper is on the status, functions, and representations of Afan Oromo, including a review of the major historico-political changes affecting this language from Imperial Ethiopa (before 1974), the Darg period (until 1991), and under the new Constitution of the FDRE (since 1995). The paper also deals with linguistic and graphic issues concerning the “orthographic” representations of the four languages used: Afan Oromo, Amharic, Arabic, and English, involving three different graphic systems: Fidal (Abugida), Arabic, and Roman.

Load balancing techniques: Major challenge in Cloud Computing - a systematic review

Abstract: Cloud Computing is an emerging area in the field of information technology (IT). Load balancing is one of the main challenges in cloud computing. It is a technique which is required to distribute the dynamic workload across multiple nodes to ensure that no single node is overloaded. Load balancing techniques help in optimal utilization of resources and hence in enhancing the performance of the system. The goal of load balancing is to minimize the resource consumption which will further reduce energy consumption and carbon emission rate that is the dire need of cloud computing. This determines the need of new metrics, energy consumption and carbon emission for energy-efficient load balancing in cloud computing. This paper mainly focused on the concept of load balancing technique in cloud computing, the existing load balancing techniques and also discusses the different qualitative metrics or parameters like performance, scalability, associated overhead etc.

E-Learning Technology in Pre-Service Teachers Training - Lessons for Ethiopia

Abstract: Dynamic changes in technology can have a profound effect on teacher’s education. With technology evolving at such a rapid rate, it is imperative that teachers training institutions equip teacher trainees with technological skills that are essential for coping in the wider learning community. These skills are most effectively gained by learning with technology, rather than about technology. Despite increasing number of technologies and level of educational technology provided by teacher education programs, effective and high-level integration of technology into learning and teaching processes is not still as expected. The purpose of this review was to ascertain how pre-service teachers training institutions were using an e-learning technology in global context and what factors affected successful implementation of e-learning and how they remedy the barriers, so as to gain lessons for Ethiopia teachers training institutions. More specifically, this review sought to examine the basic features, advantages and disadvantages of e-learning, barriers and its remedy toward the effective utilization of the e-learning techno-pedagogy for quality teachers education. The review results indicated that successful implementation of the e-learning technology in pre-service teachers training was dependent on the four key factors of ICT infrastructure, ICT leadership, support and training initiatives and the teachers’ and trainees ICT capacity. These four factors are not hierarchical in nature, but are all equally important. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n1p159

The performance of true seed shallot lines under different environments of Ethiopia.

Abstract: Seven true seed shallot lines were evaluated for 3 years at 3 locations to determine their performance and stability. Stability differences were assessed on the basis of linear regression of the lines on environmental index and on deviation from linear function along with the mean yield. The combined analysis showed that bulb yield over 9 environments ranged from 15.1 to 17.5 t ha-1 with overall mean yield of 16.5 t ha-1, and lines Vethalam, Tropix, Dz-94 and Athlas gave the highest mean yield. The combined analysis of variance showed significant (p<0.05) genotype and genotype by environment effects on bulb yield. The regression coefficient for bulb yield ranged from 0.72 to 1.36. The regression coefficient of two high yielding lines (Vethalam and Athlas) was above 1, and was higher in environments where growing conditions were favorable. High and significant deviations were obtained for lines Tropix and Athlas and these lines were found unstable to change in environment. However, line Tropix showed specific adaptation to low yielding environments of Kulumsa and Melkassa. The best line Vethalam with a small deviation from regression was found widely adaptable to different environments and it was released with local name ‛Yeras’ to be grown in Rift Valley and similar areas in Ethiopia.

Discrimination of Defective (Full Black, Full Sour and Immature) and Nondefective Coffee Beans by Their Physical Properties

Abstract: In this research the physical properties of defective and nondefective coffee beans were investigated. The study results show that there are highly significant differences (P < 0.001) in the physical properties (true and bulk volume, true and bulk density, mass) and (P < 0.05) in sphericity and porosity of green coffee beans, respectively. Higher and lower values of mass and dimensional parameters were obtained in full sour and full black coffee beans, respectively. On the other hand, the physical properties of the beans investigated as the function of moisture content (%db) were found to be a linear relation with volume, mass and equivalent diameter, and an inverse relation with density of the beans. Generally, the moisture content (% dry basis [d.b.]) of defective beans (full sour 12.87%, immature 11.34%, full black 10.41%) is higher than nondefective beans (10.22%) for sample kept at oven temperature (105C) for 48 h. The results of the study indicated that the physical properties alone can successfully separate defective and nondefective beans prior and after roasting. Practical Applications The physical properties of defective and nondefective coffee beans were investigated. The determined physical properties of beans have useful applications in coffee quality control. In addition, these properties have significant importance for machinery and process equipment design. The methods are simple, fast and inexpensive as compared with the chemical methods that need high-cost equipment and solvents.

Identification of an anticancer compound contained in seeds of Maesa lanceolata, a medicinal plant in Ethiopia

Abstract: Maesa lanceolata is an ethno-medicinal plant distributed in Central and East Africa, especially Ethiopia and Kenya. It has been used as a traditional medicine against bacterial infections in the small intestine and viral infections in the liver and throat, as well as treatment for rheumatic arthritis. Even though the activity of M. lanceolata leaves has been studied in angiogenesis, which is significantly related to cancer and tumorigenesis, tangible evidence for cancer inhibiting activity of M. lanceolata seeds has not yet been obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which an anti-cancer compound has been identified from the seeds of M. lanceolata and its anti-tumor activity evaluated in HCT116 human colon cancer cells.

Review of Models/Theories Explaining Tax Compliance Behavior

Abstract: This study offers an overview of the theoretical foundations for explaining tax compliance behavior. The interest generated by the subject matter of tax compliance behavior has led to identification of several factors that are believed to influence individual tax compliance decision. These factors have been compressed into several models/theories providing insights into the subject matter. This study reviewed five prominent theories/models that have been used to explain compliance via- economic deterrence; socio-psychology; fiscal exchange; comparative treatment; and political legitimacy. The study noted that there is no ‘one model fits all’ for explaining tax compliance behavior, and further concludes that individual tax compliance is influenced by both economic and non-economic factors. As such, tax administrators as well as researchers on the subject matter should combine relevant models and incorporate these factors into developing effective tax systems.

Using Jpcap API to Monitor, Analyze, and Report Network Traffic for DDoS Attacks

Abstract: Nowadays, Computer Networks tend to be large and diverse systems that communicate using wide selection of protocols This complexity made the desire for more sophisticated tools to watch and troubleshoot network traffic Network traffic monitoring is can be quite a network diagnostic tool that monitors local area networks and provides a graphical display of network statistics While collecting information through the network's data stream, network monitor displays the source address of the computer that sent a frame onto the network, the destination address of the computer that received the frame and also the protocols employed to send the frame The procedure through which network monitor collects this information is known as Capturing Automatically, the network monitor gathers statistics on all of the frames it detects on the network into a capture buffer that is a reserved storage area in memory To capture statistics on merely a specific subset of frames, we could discriminate these frames by designing a capture filter To work with network monitor, the computer will need to have a network card that supports promiscuous mode This paper targets on the usage of packet capturing library Jpcap for monitoring, analyzing and reporting Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

Intestinal Helminthic Infection in Numan (Northeast Nigeria)

Abstract: Intestinal helminthes are the most common diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa with a very higher negative public health and socio-economic impacts. Mass drug administration is one programme aimed at controlling the disease. The exercise has not been successful in Nigeria due to low levels of living standards, poor environmental sanitation, and ignorance of simple health-promoting behaviours. Due to negative impacts of helmithiasis, there is therefore the need for good preventive and control measures. This can not be done effectively without a baseline data on the occurrence of helminthiasis in a particular area. A study of prevalence of intestinal helminthes infections among inhabitants of five villages in Numan local Government area Adamawa, Nigeria was carried out using formal-ether concentration method. Out of the 296 subjects examined, 27(9.1%) were found to be infected with at least one helminth. The prevalence of intestinal helminthes found were Taenia spp (3.7%), Hookworm (3.4%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.0%). There was no significant association between helminthic infection and sex (P>0.05). There was no significant association between prevalence and age (P>0.05). Teania spp had the highest prevalence among subjects examined. Prevalence and co- infection was highest in Salti village. Intestinal helminthes are of public health importance in the area, and control measures are imperative.

Software designing methodology for ICT4D domain

Abstract: ICT Interventions at agriculture information service provide rural farmer with the knowledge to improve their wellbeing. There are various technological and operational components that go into design of a software system particularly in ICT for development initiatives. We aimed to design method that covers socio-technical issues via participatory design.

Castor Seed from Melkasa Agricultural Research Centre, East Showa, Ethiopia and it's biodiesel performance in Four Stroke Diesel Engine

Abstract: This study focused in investigating the fuel properties of Castor oil Methyl Ester (CME) and its blend with diesel fuel in running a diesel engine. Engine tests have been carried out with the aim of obtaining comparative measures of torque, power, and specific fuel consumption. Castor oil was extracted by using a mechanical pressing machine and trans-esterification was made by methyl alcohol and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst. So that its viscosity and density were reduced and by increasing its volatility. By following the procedures given in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) book the fuel characteristics were identified whether it fulfil the requirements needed to be used as a fuel in internal combustion engines or not. From the characterization result, it was proved that trans-esterified castor oil was found to be a promising alternative fuel for compression ignition (diesel) engines. But the viscosity of CME was still higher and the energy content was a little bit less as compared to petro diesel. To solve these problems CME was blended with petro diesel in some proportion (B5, B10, B20, B40, B80). The torque, power and brake specific fuel consumption performances of CME and its blends with petro diesel were tested in a four stroke diesel engine. The analyzed results were compared with that of petro diesel and found to be very nearly similar, making CME a suiTable alternative fuel for petro diesel.

Determination of Gibbs Free Energy of Formation of MnV 2 O 4 Solid Solution at 1823 K (1550 °C)

Abstract: The Gibbs free energy of formation of MnV2O4 solid solution saturated with either MnO or V2O3 was experimentally determined at 1823 K (1550 °C) by employing a chemical equilibrium technique. The MnV2O4 solid solution mixed with MnO or V2O3 was brought to equilibrium with either liquid Fe or liquid Cu to measure equilibrium compositions of the liquid metal. Using the available thermodynamic parameters such as Wagner’s interaction parameter for liquid Fe or Gibbs free energy of liquid solution composed of Cu-Mn-V-O, the Gibbs free energy of formation of the MnV2O4 solid solution from constituent oxides (MnO and V2O3) was then determined to be: MnO(s) + V2O3(s) = MnV2O4(MnO-satd.): \(\Updelta g^\circ_{{\rm f,MnV}_{2}{\rm O}_{4}}\) = −31.4 ± 2 (kJ/mol); MnO(s) + V2O3(s) = MnV2O4(V2O3-satd.): \(\Updelta g^\circ_{{\rm f,MnV}_{2}{\rm O}_{4}}\) = −37.8 ± 2 (kJ/mol). The \(\Updelta g^\circ_{{\rm f,MnV}_{2}{\rm O}_{4}}\) values were independent of the oxygen partial pressure within the range from 2.0 × 10−12 to 6.3 × 10−11, employed in the current study.

Feeding value of different levels of malt sprout and katikala atella on nutrient utilization and growth performance of sheep fed basal diet of Rhodes grass hay.

Abstract: Nonconventional agro-industrial by-products such as traditional liquor residues (locally called katikala atella) are widely used by livestock farmers in Ethiopia. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the supplementary value of katikala atella and malt sprout (MS) on performance of sheep fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass hay. Thirty intact yearling male sheep with an average initial body weight of 17.4 ± 0.74 kg (mean ± SD) were assigned to the treatments in a completely randomized block design: atella alone (T1), 75 % atella + 25 % malt sprout (MS) (T2), 50 % atella + 50 % MS (T3), 25 % atella + 75 % MS (T4), MS alone (T5), and Rhodes grass hay alone (T6). Grass hay was fed ad libitum to all treatments. The total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes of sheep fed T4, T5, and T3 diets were the highest (P 0.05) DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF digestibility. The highest (P < 0.05) average daily gain was for sheep fed T3, T4, and T5 diets, while sheep in T6 lost body weight. Sheep fed T5 diet had the highest (P < 0.05) nitrogen retention, while those fed T6 diet had the lowest. The study has shown that a mixture diet consisting of equal parts of katikala atella and malt sprout (T3) are found to be superior in most of the required nutrient characteristics.

Decarburization of Molten Fe–C Droplet: Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation

Abstract: Decarburization of Fe–C droplet was investigated by fluid dynamics numerical simulation based on physical properties under gas phase mass transfer controlled regime. Fluid flow and species concentration fields around the droplet implementing a reaction of carbon with oxidant gas at the interface were calculated by a commercial CFD package which solves a set of transport equations. Overall decarburization rate of the molten Fe–C droplet was obtained by the simulation, and it was additionally validated by the present authors’ own experiment using gas-liquid drop reaction in a levitation melting equipment. It was observed by the simulation that decarburization rate on the surface of a droplet was not homogeneous due to inhomogeneous gas distribution around the droplet. A new concept of local mass transfer coefficient ratio was proposed in the present study as a ratio of effective local mass transfer coefficient at a specific site over average mass transfer coefficient, as a function of θ (angle between direction of gas flow and direction to reaction site on the droplet surface from the droplet center) and dimensionless numbers regarding fluid flow:

Re-inventing the production of adhesive from Cassava starch as a career opportunity in chemistry education

Abstract: The present study is aimed at investigating the properties of Cassava starch for the production of adhesives as a career opportunity in chemistry education. Method of starch extraction, characterization and adhesive production for quality assessment was performed. The results showed that adhesives produced with sodium hydroxide as a gelatinization enhancer has a maximum drying time of 8.60 minutes and had a stronger bond. The work concludes that the adhesive produced is of good quality and can lead to re-inventing chemistry education as a career opportunity. However, the Cassava adhesive met the basic requirement for adhesive use and application. At the end recommendations were made, among others increase employment opportunities, also diversify the economic base of farmers and there is need for reorientation and attitudinal change towards entrepreneurial job.

Development of a New Method of Sensitivity Matrix for Image Reconstruction in Electric Charge Tomography System Using Finite Element Method

Abstract: In this paper, a new method of sensitivity matrix generation is presented for application in electric charge tomography system. The sensitivity matrix is the most important parameter in solid particles concentration profile computation in electric charge tomography system. The analytical method of developing the sensitivity matrix that have been developed and used in electric charge tomography is characterised by some uncertainties that give poor tomography images of flowing solid particles. The new proposed method involved subdivision of the pipeline cross-section into many subdivisions called the computational mesh. The subdivision is made by the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM). On each of the electrodynamic sensor installed to detect the electric charges carried by the moving solid particles; the effect of the particles’ electric charges enclosed in each of the computational mesh is modelled into a system equation. The system equation is used to compute the effect of the charges in the form of a matrix system of size [M×N] called the sensitivity matrix. The sensitivity matrix is applied for the reconstruction of the tomography image, using the Linear Back Projection (LBP) method. The reconstructed images represented the solid particles distribution through the pipeline. This assertion is due the consistencies between the simulation and real images with respect to the simulated images and the captured real data.

Malaria Prevalence and Insecticide Treated Nets Usage in Argungu (North Western Nigeria)

Abstract: Insecticide treated net (ITNs) is known to have a major impact on malaria control if properly used The study was carried out to ascertain the impact of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) on malaria prevalence in Argungu, Northwestern Nigeria a decade after free distribution of ITNs Questionnaires were administered to obtain relevant information such as: age, occupation, and ownership and use or otherwise of ITNs Capillary blood samples obtained using sterile lancet were used in making thick blood films which were stained using Giemsa staining technique The stained thick films were all examined microscopically for malaria parasites Of the 300 household studied 226(75%) possessed at least one ITNs Possession of ITNs is significantly associated with occupation (P<005) Eighty nine percent of the civil servants had at least one ITNs, and only 40% of the unemployed household had at least one ITNs Not all these ITNs are being put into use Only 113(57%) out of the 199 pregnant women used ITNs the night before the survey Malaria prevalence is more among non ITNs users with proportionate decrease with increase in age among pregnant women Impact of insecticide treated nets on preventing malaria may be minimized if they are not used properly most especially by the vulnerable populations

Hybrid one step block method for the solution of third order initial value problems of ordinary differential equations

Abstract: In this paper, we develop one point, five hybrid points, block method using the method of collocation and interpolation of the power series approximate solution to develop a linear multistep method with a constant step-length which was implemented in block method. The basic properties of the derived method was investigated and found to be constant, zero stable and convergent. The region of absolute stability was equally investigated. The derived method was tested on some numerical examples.

Crude Extracts of Leaf and Stem Bark of CASSIA SIAMEA have IN VITRO Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of crude extracts of leaf and stem bark of Cassia siamea on Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. Phytochemical analysis of both the leaf and stem bark of the plant indicated the presence of tanins,saponins,flavonoids,steroids and cardiac glycosides while phenols was found to be present only in the leaf. Aqueous crude extract of the leaf had highest activity on the test organisms ranging from 10.00 mm to 15.00 mm.In the case of stem bark, it was the crude methanolic extract that exhibited highest activity against the test organisms ranging from 8.00 mm to 16.00 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous crude extract of leafof the plant is 2.5 mg/ml for Salmonella typhi and Staphilococcus aureus while 5.0 mg/ml is for Escherichia coli. The MIC of methanolic crude extract of stem bark is 5.0 mg/ml for Staphilococcus aureus and 10.0 mg/ml for E.coli but against Salmonella typhi. This observation suggested that, the extracts are active in vitro against the test organisms.

The perception of electrical engineering trade teachers on the use of information and communication technology for teaching in technical colleges in adamawa and gombe states of nigeria

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the perception of electrical engineering trade teachers on the role of information and communication technology (ICT) for classroom instructions in Technical Colleges in Adamawa and Gombe States of Nigeria. A forty item structured Questionnaire was distributed to twenty-six electrical engineering trade teachers from Adamawa and Gombe States technical colleges for collection of data. The questionnaire was face validated and trial tested on five electrical engineering trade teachers from Taraba state. Test- re-test method of establishing reliability was used and cronbanch Alpha formula was used to calculate a reliability index of 0.78. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Student’s t-test was used to test the three hypotheses formulated to guide the study. The study revealed that electrical engineering trade teachers lack some basic ICT skills like skills in database and spreadsheet. The findings revealed among others the following: electrical engineering teachers perceived themselves as having inadequate skills required to use the ICT for classroom instructions. It also revealed that teachers were not comfortable with regards to the role of ICT vis-a-vis their in classroom management/control and loyalty from students. Recommendations based on the findings included among others that electrical engineering trade teachers should be given sufficient retraining on how to use ICT for teaching and learning processes. Teachers should acquire the requisites knowledge and skills for integrating the ICT into education for instructional delivery.

Solar UV-Assisted Pretreatment of River Water Samples for the Voltammetric Monitoring of Nickel and Cobalt Ultratraces

Abstract: The application of solar UV radiation as sample digestion method is reported. The method is employed in adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of nickel and cobalt in river water samples. The river water samples were collected from downstream of Warnow River (Germany) and acidified to pH of by addition of ultrapure 65% HNO3. Furthermore, 3.4 mgL−1 ultrapure hydrogen peroxide solution was added to the samples as photochemical reaction initiator. The samples were transferred to UV-A transparent polyethylene terephthalate bottles and put in the sunshine for UV irradiation for six and 12 hours at a UV-A intensity of 3.90 mW/m2. The comparison of the concentration values showed that, 6 hours of solar UV irradiation at 3.90 mW/m2 UV-A intensity is not sufficient to complete the digestion process though it yields much better results than the undigested original sample. However, 12 hours of solar UV-A irradiation under similar conditions is almost as effective as a 30 W artificial UV lamp (254 nm) and can be applied to the digestion of dissolved organic carbon in trace nickel (II) and cobalt (II) analysis in natural waters such as river water, lake waters, and well waters.

Effect of greenhouse cover spectral properties on rose yield for Ethiopia highland

Abstract: In different agro-climates the greenhouse horticulture are making use of various types of plastic cover where its influence on production in relation to crop, indoor climate and outside climate not considered in selection. In this study, major spectral properties of mainly used greenhouse cover for Ethiopian highland and their effect on yield were investigated. Cover spectral properties such as cover near-infrared (NIR) transmission, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) transmission and cover longwave emission coefficient were major parameters that are considered in this study to determine their effect on dry matter harvest. To examine the influence of the cover parameters on biomass production, a generic tool or a model constructed in Matlab software was used. The model comprises energy balance equations, mass balance equations and growth model. The measured greenhouse indoor temperature data was considered for validation of the model. Simulations of indoor temperature, canopy temperature and vapor concentration were conducted for the existing greenhouse configuration. The result of the simulation showed that in Ethiopian greenhouse for highland, high and low temperature, night time high humidity and low CO2 during day time are major problems which inhibit the growth and on the other hand create favorable condition for well know disease in the region that is botrytis. According to sensitivity analysis output of the model, 1% increase in PAR transmission resulted 0.009% increase dry matter harvest, whereas a percent increase in cover NIR transmission has caused 0.259% reduction in yield. Moreover, increment of cover long wave emission coefficient by 1 percent positively influences (0.044%) the rose production. The resulted depicted that as compared to low temperature problem during rainy season (2-3 months), high temperature problem during summer season (9-10 months) would become a foremost problem in Ethiopian highland greenhouse horticulture. Thus, plastic cover with lower NIR transmission and higher PAR transmission and long-wave emission coefficient is desirable for Ethiopian highland greenhouses. However, the study revealed that night time low temperature particularly during rainy season should be studied to incorporate in respective growth model.

Functional Inter-Textuality in the Spoken and Written Genres of Legal Statutes: A Discursive Analysis of Judge’S Summing-Up and Lawyers’ Closing Arguments in Adama High Criminal Court

Abstract: This study examines the intertextual influence of the courtroom spoken genre with the written genre used by judge's summing up and lawyers' closing arguments in Ethiopian Criminal court trial. In doing so, it employs the relational and comparison-expository structuring models. The relational struc- turing is used to give emphasis to the manner in which evidence items bear on particular issues and shows how evidence items are related to each other and to major facts in issues of judge's summing-up while the comparison-expository structure is to intertextually link the spoken genres of the two opposing lawyers' views with the Ethiopian criminal law written statutes. The findings of the study suggest that mixed rhetorical strategies, the judge's relational summing up and the lawyers' comparison-expository closing arguments, are more effective than a strict narrative strategy in addressing the final judgment of the argumenta- tion.

Evasion and Avoidance as Forms of Tax Non-Compliance: A Critical Review

Abstract: Taxation is considered a veritable source of revenue for financing developmental as well as people oriented programs in virtually all countries, irrespective of whether they are classified as developed or developing economies. History has however shown that individuals often exhibit one form of tax reduction behavior or the other, with series of arguments on the legal, economic and moral consequences of these acts. This present study reviewed previous international literature regarding tax compliance and non-compliance behavior. The review of literature indicated that individual non-compliance can be intentional or unintentional, and intentional noncompliance usually takes the forms of evasion or avoidance. The study found that while tax evasion is universally acclaimed to be illegal and punishable, there still exist some lines of argument as to the (il)legality or permissibility of tax avoidance as a means of reducing tax burdens. The paper concludes that non-compliance with tax payments, by whatever form is undesirable as it ultimately reduces revenue accruing to the government and by extension, the entire economy. As such, governments and tax administrators should seek ways to improve compliance.