Recent Articles

In the design process of corn harvester, the influence and action mechanism of corn plant characteristics on the working parts of corn harvester (including cutting device, ear picking device, peeling device and other key parts) should be considered, and the physical and mechanical properties of corn plant need to be analyzed. To prevent serious “gnawing” of ears, high loss rate and crushing rate of ears and grains, and low efficiency of harvesting operation due to high moisture content of ears of corn in harvest period. Therefore, it is particularly important to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of maize plants.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and export crop in central highlands of Oromia region. The limiting macro and micronutrients were identified for the production of potato crops in Boneya districts. The rates of these nutrients for high potato yield and disease resistance are not yet determined. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the effect of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on yield and yield related traits of potato varieties at Boneya Kebele, central highlands of Oromia region. The experiment was conducted as factorial combination of seven levels of blended NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 kg ha-1) and three potato varieties (Belete, Gudane and Jalane) in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results of the study revealed that variety and blended NPSB fertilizer had significant effect on crop phenology, growth, tuber yield and yield components except proportion of medium size tubers which is not influenced by the two main factors. Blended NPSB fertilizer had nonsignificant effect on days to 50% emergence, number of main stem/hill and proportion of large size tubers. Variety and blended NPSB fertilizer interacted to influence days to 50% flowering, average tuber weight (g), average tuber number, unmarketable tuber yield, and proportion of small, medium and large size tubers. The highest marketable tuber yield (30.74 t ha-1) and total tuber yield (32.16 t ha-1) was obtained by the application of NPSB fertilizer at highest rate of 300 kg ha-1 which was followed by the application of 250 kg ha-1. Gudane (29.52 t ha-1) and Belete (29.48 t ha-1) produced significantly higher marketable tuber yield than Jalane variety. Therefore, growing of the two varieties at highest rates of blended NPSB fertilizer could be recommended in the study area for producers, because of gives higher marketable yield.

The bioactivity of turmeric, garlic and curry oil and powder were evaluated and compared against maize storage pest, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) at 28+20C and relative humidity (r.h.) 65+5% in the laboratory. Ten pairs of newly emerged weevils were introduced separately into each of the plastics containing 20 g maize seed treated with plant oil at different concentrations, 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% v/v and similarly plant powder at dosage levels of 0.25 g, 0.50 g and 1.00 g of the tested plant parts. Each treatment, including the control comprised four replicates which were laid out 3×3 factorial arrangements in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that oil and powder of curry, and turmeric evoked significant mortality (82.50%) and (81.00%), while garlic powder is equally effective (72.00%) in achieving mortality of the weevil. There was an appreciable reduction in means of exit hole and percent seed damage in treated maize seeds at 0.50% and 1.00% concentrations. Curry had exit hole (12.25 &11.00), turmeric had (12.75&11.75); also lower seed damage was recorded in curry (11.00% & 21.75%), while turmeric had (20.75% &31.00%). There was however corresponding high percent undamaged seed recorded in curry (89.00% & 78.25%) and turmeric (79.25% & 73.25%). All the plant parts tested reduced weight loss in the stored maize seeds when compared with the control. Adult mortality significantly correlated with exit hole (r = 0.381), seed damage (r = 0.0509) and undamaged seed (r = -0.0643). Therefore, 0.50% was lowest concentration at which control was achieved.

Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious disorder that presents with skin ischemia and necrosis and is characterized histologically by calcification of dermal arterioles. It is also called “calcific uremic arteriolopathy” (CUA). It has a poor prognosis and often occurs in patients undergoing dialysis. We present six cases of calciphylaxis associated with a wide range of symptoms, including nonhealing thigh, abdominal wall, breast and penile ulcer. We report our experience of a multi-interventional strategy in treating patients with calciphylaxis and nonhealing ulcers.

A new method to investigate the equilibrium state of an economy is proposed. The classification of the equilibrium states is given. The basic principle of equilibrium the economy to its environment is formulated. It is used to obtain the money circulation equation. On this basis the notion of the sustainable economic development is defined. The analysis of the economy of three European contries is given. The principle of adequacy of currency exchange and inflation rates to the determining factors is proposed.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the subjective well-being of experienced special education teachers in one mid-Atlantic state in the United States. The significance of this study was amplified by the onset of COVID-19. These circumstances were reflected within the data and provide implications for school administrators. Methods: Qualitative data collection methods, including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and audio journals, were used to generate data from twelve experienced special education teachers. Research Design: A transcendental phenomenological methodology, framed within Martin Seligman’s well-being theory, structured this study. Findings: The themes that arose from the data indicated that experienced special education teachers sourced positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment from role-related experiences. However, barriers to these elements of well-being and negative emotions were also described. Some of this data aligned with previous literature and some data was shaped by the unique experiences of early pandemic virtual instruction. Conclusions: Culminating from the data are practical implications for K-12 school leaders to provide intentional support for the retention and well-being of special educators. Of these implications, acknowledging the hefty paperwork demands within the role, prioritizing teacher planning time, and expressing appreciation could benefit the well-being of those who teach within the special education community.

Introduction: Enset is a native food security crop in Ethiopia; and it has been served as emergency food crop in Vietnam during second world war. The crop is commonly used as staple food, and raw material for domestic and high-tech industries. Despite such opportunities, its production is declining due to introduction of new cereals, recurrent droughts and pests. There is also limited research conducted to address challenges. Methodology: Purposive sampling was used to select samples and three separate semi-structured interview schedules were used to collect data from producers, traders and consumers, accordingly. Tobit regression model was run to analyze market supply and intensity of market participation. Porter’s Value Chain Analysis tool was used to map the value chain. Result: Minimum and maximum number of enset trees harvested per year per household was 24 and 144, respectively; this was similar to National average. 34.75% of respondents consumed enset as alternative food due to skyrocketing prices of latter crops. Eight and seven marketing channels were observed in enset and bulla market, respectively. Recommendation: to ameliorate decreasing production and to increase farmers’ market participation, training should be given on enset value chain; intention should be done on integrated disease and pest management.

The systematic assessment of community livelihood assets, strategies and economic and social conditions are essential for improving the living standards of the existing community and sustaining the resource development of the future generation. The main aim of this study is to identify the community development needs and potentials by assessing the challenges and prospects of the community under Chira watershed. Cross-sectional research design was employed. The data were analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, cross-tabulation along with inferential statistics like t-test; Chi-square test. The survey result indicated that only 17.5% of this land is conserved and covered by improved soil and water conservation measures. Only 17% of the respondents have used irrigation for crop production purpose and all of them were used traditional irrigation activities. Regardless of production increase, high price of fertilizer (50%), land shortage (25%), soil degradation (16.7%), lack of money (3.3%), lack of oxen (3.3%) and natural disaster (1.7 %) were mentioned as the current problems regarding crop production activities. Generally, infrastructure development in the area is weak and, therefore, much improvement is in need like developing roads, well developed farmer training center and demonstration sites, saving and credit institutions, electricity and mobile networks.

Gastrectasia, Ectasia, or Acute gastric dilatation is a surgical emergency. Historically it was associated with binge eating, branded as gluttony, wolf eating and today goes by a refined name BED or binge eating disorder. Myriad in spectrum presentation the triggers continue to be the same a history of psychiatric disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and psychogenic polyphagia (1), (2) or following surgical procedure like fundoplication, pyloric stenosis. A masquerader in abdomen emergencies with abdominal pain and vomiting in the initial stages to shock & multiorgan collapse in later presentation. If not picked early the consequences disastrous. The mortality and morbidity from gastric dilatation is reported at 80% to 100% (1), (2), (21).

Aim: Carcinoma of the upper lip is less frequent than in the lower lip. It affects both sexes in equal proportion. Histologically basal cell carcinomas are numerically preponderant and are observed in 50% of cases in the skin and adnexae in the oro-facial area. Methods: The authors describe a major defect of the right upper lip after a wide resection for carcinoma. Immediate reconstruction was performed with rotation of a flap from the lower lip according to Estlander. The postoperative oral deformity persisted after radiotherapy and during the subsequent follow up. At a later stage, and after radiotherapy, two lipostructure procedures improved the volumetric, soft tissue texture and functional outcomes. The combination of these techniques yielded a satisfactory morpho-functional result maintaining symmetry, function and aesthetics in the orofacial and in the labial-commissure area. Conclusion: A clinical case of right upper lip basocellular carcinoma is reported. Resection and immediate reconstruction with a flap rotation from the lower lip flap according to Estlander, were carried out. During the follow-up lipostructure procedures improved volumes, functions, morphology and soft tissue texture as well.