Weak LI-ideals in implicative almost distributive lattices

In the field of many valued logic, lattice valued logic (especially ideals) plays an important role. Nowadays, lattice valued logic is becoming a research area. Researchers introduced weak LI-ideals of lattice implication algebra. Furthermore, other scholars researched LI-ideals of implicative almost distributive lattice. Therefore, the target of this paper was to investigate new development on the extension of LI-ideal theories and properties in implicative almost distributive lattice. So, in this paper, the notion of weak LI-ideals and maximal weak LI- ideals of implicative almost distributive lattice are defined. The properties of weak LI- ideals in implicative almost distributive lattice are studied and several characterizations of weak LI-ideals are given. Relationship between weak LI-ideals and weak filters are explored. Hence, the extension properties of weak LI-ideal of lattice implication algebra to that of weak LI-ideal of implicative almost distributive lattice were shown.

Morphometric characteristics of four important fish species from the Rwandan side of Lake Kivu

Inland fisheries are important socio-economic resources for rural communities in Africa. In Rwanda, about two million people directly depend on capture fisheries from Lake Kivu. Sustainable fisheries management requires monitoring of population dynamics that help devise effective intervention strategies. However, the relevant data such as length-length and length-weight relationships do not exist for most of the key species in Lake Kivu. The present study generated morphometric and body weight data for Limnothrissa miodon (n=82), Lamprichthys tanganicanus (n=55), Haplochromis vittatus (n=51) and Haplochromis graueri (n=34) from Lake Kivu. Length-weight relationships (W=aLb) were highly significant for all species (p < 0.0001), high adjusted R2 = 78 to 98% of the variance in weight explained by total length. Negative allometric length-weight relationships were found with regression slope (b) values of 2.7 for Limnothrissa miodon, 2.8 for H. graueri, and 2.8 for L. tanganicanus, and positive (b=3.4) for Haplochromis vittatus. Length-length relationships were highly significant for all species (p ≤ 0.0001), except for the relationship between total and caudal length for L. miodon, and total and caudal peduncle length for L. tanganicanus, both not significant at p > 0.05. The highest R2 was for the relationships between total and standard length for H. vittatus, and total and fork length for L. tanganicanus. No description of length-length relationships exists for these species in literature or in FishBase database. The data generated in the current study will be used to assess changes in fish populations over time.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by aqueous extract of Dovyalis abyssinica fruit for antibacterial applications

Green biosynthesis technique was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Fresh citrus fruit of Dovyalis abyssinica (vernacular name Koshim) tree was extracted by distilled water to obtain phenolic natural compounds that have reducing capacity of metallic ions to the corresponding metallic nanoparticles, in this case, silver ion to silver nanoparticles. The appearance of the UV-Vis absorbance peak at 430 nm and the color change from pale yellow reaction mixture to reddish brown colored product solution have confirmed the formation of AgNPs. FTIR data has also shown the presence of organic components from the plant with the particles that may be used as capping agents to stabilize the formed particles and to control the size. The prepared nanoparticles and the plant extract have shown antibacterial property against E. coli and S. aureus, though the effect of the AgNPs was better than the plant extract. This study contributes for the development of environmentally friendly procedures in the preparation of nanoparticles for medicine, energy or environment.

Differential pulse stripping voltammetric determination of paracetamol in pharmaceutical tablet samples using murexide modified carbon paste electrode

As an acetyl aniline drug, paracetamol (PA) has antipyretic and analgesic functions, which is suitable for the remedy of fever, headache and joint ache. The murexide modified carbon paste electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and compared with bare carbon paste electrode. In this study, murexide-carbon paste electrode (MXCPE) was described for the differential pulse stripping voltammetric determination of paracetamol in pharmaceutical tablet sample. The MXCPE exhibited a better electrocatalytical behavior for the oxidation of PA as evidenced by nearly two folds of current enhancement and a shift of the onset potential by 65 mV in comparison with a bare carbon paste electrode. Differential pulse stripping voltammetry peak currents of PA increased linearly with their concentrations in the ranges of 5-1000 mM with a detection limit of 0.09 mM (S/N = 3). The determination of the analyte in pharmaceutical samples was found in the range 97.6-106.0% of the theoretical values and a recovery result between 94.6 and 96.8% was obtained. For selective determination of PA in the presence of AA was successfully performed.

GIS-based approach for morphometric characteristics and development of hydrographs for the upper watershed of Jebba Reservoir, Nigeria

Nigeria's Jebba sub-basins are synonymous to frequent flooding, high rate of erosion, depletion of soil nutrients and unsustainable water use. The uncontrolled flooding may be a result of numerous factors related to topography, geology, climate and human activity. The present work was an attempt to describe the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the estimation of morphometric characteristics of eight sub-basins in the upstream watershed of Jebba reservoir, Nigeria. Morphometric characteristics such as topographic, areal, relief and network were determined. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) technique was applied to estimate hydrographs. The study revealed that sub-basin number 3 had the lowest time of concentration and maximum depth of runoff while sub-basin number 2 had maximum ratio of circulation of 1.8 and it is tagged as the area that is highly prone to flood. The peak runoff in the sub-basins ranged between 330.10 and 924.86 m3/s (25-year return period) and for 100-year intervals ranged between 502.69 to 1408.40 m3/s. The estimated peak runoffs can be adopted for designing and constructing erosion control structures in the catchment area.

Growth, survival and egg production of exotic chicken breeds under small scale production system in Bahir Dar City Administration, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Growth, survival and egg production performance and profitability of exotic chicken breeds were evaluated under small-scale chicken producers in urban and peri-urban areas of Bahir Dar City from 2018 to 2019. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, monitoring and field observation. Thirty-three small-scale chicken enterprises (30 from urban and three from peri-urban areas) were included in this study. All questionnaire data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. The monitoring data was analyzed with ANOVA using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS version 9.0. The monitoring result revealed that the growth performance of chicken significantly varied with respect to breeds and production systems of producers. Sasso T44 had higher daily body weight gain (10.66 ± 0.03 g) and total body weight gain (1642 ± 5.02 g) within 22 weeks of age in the urban areas. The mean egg production for Bovans Brown at the age of six months was 124.8 ± 4.10 eggs. The annual mean egg production performance of Bovans Brown was 239.63 ± 4.32. The overall mortality rate of all exotic chicken was 6.5%. Despite many constraints, small-scale chicken production was profitable. Seasonal disease outbreaks, shortages of feed and housing problems were the major constraints of small-scale chicken producers. The growth performance and survival rate of exotic chicken was promising, but the egg production was low. Therefore, the management practices of small-scale chicken enterprises in the study area should be improved.

Effect of pre-slaughter beef cattle handling on welfare and beef quality in Ambo and Guder markets and abattoirs, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Improper beef cattle handling could affect welfare and meat quality. The effect of beef cattle handling during transportation and in the lairage on the animal welfare and beef quality was studied in relation to Guder and Ambo markets and abattoirs. Data were collected from 200 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. For laboratory analysis, animals were randomly assigned into three groups: Group I - trekked from the nearest places (≤30 km), Group II - trekked farthest places (>30 km), and Group III - transported using vehicles (>50 km). One-hundred pooled beef swab samples were collected from the flank, brisket, and rump to determine aerobic bacterial load and another 100 beef samples to assess pH values. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and ANOVA were used for analysis. The result of the study indicated that trekking was the major means of transportation (72%). The majority of animal handlers (92%) did not allow animals to feed, water, and rest during trekking. Beef cattle were overcrowded and beaten during vehicle transport. About 47% of the beef samples were abnormal of which the majority were DFD (dark, firm and dry) beef and DFD beef with spoilage. The pH of meat was significantly affected by the distance traveled before slaughter using both trekking and vehicle transportation (t= -3.5, p=0.001). Therefore, it is concluded that there was poor handling and stressful situation of beef cattle before slaughtering, which negatively affected the welfare and beef quality. Hence, pertinent proclamations, regulations, and delivery of animal welfare awareness training for different stakeholders are urgently needed.

Effects of processing methods on nutritional composition of improved soybean varieties for soymilk production

Value addition efforts in respect of using soybean in various food applications are scarce in Ethiopia. The effect of processing methods was investigated on nutritional composition of improved soybean varieties for soymilk production. The experiment was carried out in a factorial design, improved soybean variety as the first factor (Didessa, Katta and Korme) and processing methods as a second factor of three levels (Illinois, Cornel and Traditional method), replicated three times. The Cornel processing method gave the highest ash content (0.32%) from Korme and the lowest (0.27%) from Didessa and Katta varieties. The highest (2.60%) crude protein content was recorded from Didessa and the lowest (2.13%) from Katta, using Cornel processing methods. The highest carbohydrate content (13.21%) was recorded from Didessa and the lowest (6.87%) from Korme. The highest (75.93 kcal/100 g) energy content was recorded from Didessa and the lowest (51.77 kcal/100 g) from Korme, by Cornell processing method. Generally, Cornel processing method was the best of the three processing methods for improved variety of soybean. From the three varieties of improved soybean, Didessa had higher nutritional composition and could be used in different food product development efforts and can contribute in addressing the food security problems of Ethiopia.

Synthesis, characterization and functional evaluation of gold nanoparticles prepared using Dovyalis abyssinica leaf extracts as reducing and surface capping agent

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plants and microorganisms is biologically safe, cost effective, and environmentally friendly technology. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were synthesized using aqueous extracts of leaves of Dovyalis abyssinica as reducing and surface capping agent and the catalytic activity, antibacterial action and antioxidant potential of the synthesized AU NPs were evaluated. Firstly, HAuCl4 was synthesized in the laboratory from metallic gold and hydrochloric acid using a predesigned method. Secondly, Au NPs was synthesized by mixing HAuCl4 and the plant extract at 45 oC with a digestion time of 1 h. The size of the nanoparticles was modulated by varying the ratio of the plant extract and HAuCl4 with known concentrations. The synthesized Au NPs showed strong absorption around 540 nm which lies in the characteristic absorption region of Au metal nanoparticles (520–580 nm). The X-ray diffraction spectrum of the synthesized Au NPs showed characteristic crystalline structures of gold. The scanning electron spectroscopy images of the synthesized Au NPS revealed the presence of mixed shapes predominantly of irregular shapes and a particle size analyzer displayed an average size of 63.13 nm. The fourier-transform infrared spectrum of Au NPS confirmed the presence of amine, carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups as surface capping molecules. Although the synthesized Au NPs showed poor bacterial growth inhibition activity on two selected bacteria, it demonstrated excellent free radical scavenging activity against 2, 2-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and good catalytic activity for degrading bromothymol blue and methyl red compounds. In contrast to the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts, the aqueous fraction was identified as powerful reducing fraction for the synthesis of Au NPs in this experiment.

Determinants of farm level market supply of tomatoes in Fogera district, South Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This research attempted to analyze the determinants of market supply of tomato in Fogera district, South Gondar zone, Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Tomatoes generate income for the poor farmers of Ethiopia. Primary and secondary data were collected. The primary data was generated though a household survey (N=235), a pre-tested structured questionnaire and a key informant interview using a checklist. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression model. The model results showed livestock ownership, size of land allocated for tomato, access to credit, income from non-farm/off-farm activities and use of improved seed significantly affected quantity of tomato supplied to the market. The findings indicated the need to encourage off/non-farm income activities, strengthen access to improved varieties of tomato, use technologies that can improve the production and productivity of tomato, and expand the access to credit.