Adama University

About: Adama University is a education organization based out in Nazrēt, Ethiopia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 840 authors who have published 1010 publications receiving 5547 citations. The organization is also known as: Adama Science and Technology University & ቴክኖሎጂ ዩኒቨርሲቲ, አዳማ ሳይንስና ቴክኖሎጂ ዩኒቨርሲቲ.

Genetic diversity and symbiotic effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium strains nodulating selected annual grain legumes growing in Ethiopia.

Abstract: Vigna unguiculata, Vigna radiata and Arachis hypogaea growing in Ethiopia are nodulated by a genetically diverse group of Bradyrhizobium strains. To determine the genetic identity and symbiotic effectiveness of these bacteria, a collection of 36 test strains originating from the root nodules of the three hosts was investigated using multilocus sequence analyses (MLSA) of core genes including 16S rRNA, recA, glnII, gyrB, atpD and dnaK. Sequence analysis of nodA and nifH genes along with tests for symbiotic effectiveness using δ15N analysis were also carried out. The phylogenetic trees derived from the MLSA grouped most test strains into four well-supported distinct positions designated as genospecies I-IV. The maximum likelihood (ML) tree that was constructed based on the nodA gene sequences separated the entire test strains into two lineages, where the majority of the test strains were clustered on one of a well-supported large branch that comprise Bradyrhizobium species from the tropics. This clearly suggested the monophyletic origin of the nodA genes within the bradyrhizobia of tropical origin. The δ15N-based symbiotic effectiveness test of seven selected strains revealed that strains GN100 (δ15N=0.73) and GN102 (δ15N=0.79) were highly effective nitrogen fixers when inoculated to cowpea, thus can be considered as inoculants in cowpea production. It was concluded that Ethiopian soils are a hotspot for rhizobial diversity. This calls for further research to unravel as yet unknown bradyrhizobia nodulating legume host species growing in the country. In this respect, prospective research should also address the mechanisms of symbiotic specificity that could lead to high nitrogen fixation in target legumes.

An Insight into Processing and Properties of Smart Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Nanocomposites

Abstract: Years after the discovery of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) mechanical engineers, scientists have been figuring out various ways to incorporate these with the resin without forcing the compan...

Synthesis and Characterization of PVA-Assisted Metal Oxide Nanomaterials: Surface Area, Porosity, and Electrochemical Property Improvement

Abstract: The poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted sol-gel-self-propagation route has been used for the synthesis of porous binary metal oxide nanocomposites (BMONCs) and ternary metal oxide nanocomposites (TMONCs). The effects of synthesis techniques, precursor’s type, amount of PVA loading, and precursor’s percentage were studied. The optical, chemical bonding, crystallinity, morphological, textural, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were characterized by UV-vis-DRS/UV-vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM/EDX and TEM/HRTEM/SAED, BET, and CV/EIS techniques, respectively. The porous nature of the materials was confirmed by SEM, BET, and SAED analytical techniques. Using XRD and TEM analysis, the approximate particle size of the materials was confirmed to be in the nanometer range (~7-70 nm). The EDX and HRTEM analysis was confirming the presence of predictable composition and actuality of the composites, respectively. Moving from bare ZnO to ternary nanocomposites, the great morphological, surface area, and electrochemical property enhancement was confirmed. The charge transfer capability order was obtained to be ZnO/Fe2O3/Mn2O3 > ZnO/Fe2O3 > ZnO/Mn2O3 > ZnO. The respective approximate electron transfer resistance value is 7, 25, 61, and 65 Ω. Therefore, this work can improve the toxicity towards solvent used, surface area to volume ratio, and aggregation/agglomeration problem and also enhance the charge transfer capability due to the heterojunction.

How Efficient Are the Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions in Extending Financial Services to the Poor? A Comparison with the Commercial Banks

Abstract: This article investigates the efficiency of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in extending financial services to the poor by comparing their cost efficiency with that of commercial banks (CBs). Using an unbalanced panel data of fourteen MFIs and seven CBs for 2001–08 in Ethiopia, a stochastic frontier model is estimated in which heterogeneities (in the working environments and nature of businesses) between MFIs and CBs are controlled for in the cost function. The result indicates that the MFIs are, on average, 33.5% less efficient compared with the CBs mainly due to their smaller size, focus on outreach and reliance on non-commercial sources of funds such as donations. In fact, the largest MFIs are found to have cost efficiency scores that are comparable with that of the most efficient banks. Despite the wide efficiency gap, there is a strong evidence of convergence. Copyright 2013 , Oxford University Press.