Bule Hora University

The CoMoCrSi + Cr₃C₂ coating was applied to MDN 420 steel using High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) spraying after subjecting the CoMoCrSi feedstock to high-energy ball milling (HEBM). This process enhanced the formation of hard intermetallic Laves phases and reduced particle size to 60.12 μm. The study focused on the coating’s performance in its as-sprayed condition and after exposure to oxidation and hot corrosion with molten salts at 700 °C for 50 cycles in static air. Characterization methods included X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), along with measurements of surface roughness, microhardness, and porosity. The coating exhibited a surface roughness of 2.995 ± 0.25 μm, a thickness of 210.53 ± 15 μm, and a low porosity of 2.160 ± 0.10%. Microhardness increased from 158.6 ± 6 Hv in the substrate to 547.5 ± 15 Hv in the coating, due to the dispersion of Cr₃C₂ particles. The coated samples showed lower parabolic rate constants (Kp) of 0.434 × 10− 15 g2⋅cm− 4⋅s− 1 and 0.330 × 10− 15 g2⋅cm− 4⋅s− 1, indicating improved oxidation and hot corrosion resistance, respectively. XRD analysis revealed that the phases of Co3Mo2Si, Co7Mo6, Co3Mo, and Co2Mo3 were the intermetallic laves phases generated in the CoMoCrSi feedstock through the HEBM process. During oxidation, the formation of dense and adherent Cr₂O₃ and SiO₂ scales provides the primary protection by restricting oxygen diffusion and sealing splat boundaries. While at hot corrosion, with molten salts, leads to the formation of secondary phases such as Na₂MoO₄, NaVO₃, CrMoO₄, and Cr₃(VO₄) ₂ through fluxing reactions with Mo- and Cr-based oxides.

Women, who usually play a significant role in household food management and agricultural activities, are frequently marginalized and lack access to resources, education, and decision-making power in Walmara District. The objective of this study is to investigate women’s empowerment and its effect on household food security using the Rural Women’s Composite Empowerment Index model. We used a quantitative method in this study. We selected 335 female-headed households via systematic sampling for surveys. Food security was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. The ordered logit model was employed to analyze quantitative data. The findings reveal that women are empowered in autonomy (87%), lack of violence (86%), decision-making (83%), economic empowerment (82%), and time allocation (80%) domains in the study area. It also shows that 7.8%, 20.9%, and 71.3% of the sampled households are the most food secure, mildly food secure, and food insecure, respectively. The econometric result suggests that a one-unit increase in women’s empowerment would result in a 0.609-unit increase in the ordered log odds of being in the higher food security category. The study concludes that women’s empowerment enhances their autonomy in making choices and decisions related to food security. The paper recommends that the government should establish a rural women’s empowerment hub to monitor and follow up on the implementation of women’s empowerment in rural areas and realize sustainable development goals—gender equality in food security.

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) find wide application owing to their superior physical and mechanical properties compared with monolithic metals. Aluminium and cenosphere are combined to produce a lightweight, strong component. The liquid metallurgical technique was used to produce five compositions of Al7075 grade aluminium-cenosphere composites. The study investigates the tribological and mechanical properties of an aluminium matrix composite reinforced with cenosphere. The SEM microphotographs show that the matrix material has filled the shattered spherical portion, thereby improving the composite’s interfacial strength. The main aim of this study is to determine how cenosphere concentration affects the mechanical, microstructural, and wear characteristics of an aluminium matrix composite reinforced with cenosphere. Tensile and sliding wear test specimens are typically prepared in accordance with ASTM E8 and ASTM G99, respectively. The experiments demonstrated that adding cenosphere to grade 7075 aluminium alloy improved the composite’s density, hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance. The experimental results showed that the specimen diameter contributed 53.11%, the heat treatment duration contributed 26.17%, the type of specimen contributed 5.31%, and the percentage of cenosphere contributed 4.29%. In a similar vein, during the wear test, the specimen diameter contributed 69.94%, the heat treatment duration contributed 16.54%, the type of specimen contributed 5.31%, and the percentage of cenosphere contributed 4.29%. After a thorough investigation, A2B2C2D2 and A1B3C3D2, respectively, have been shown to be the most promising combinations for the tensile test and the wear test.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common pathogen responsible for various infections, with multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains increasingly complicating treatment. Phage therapy has shown significant potential in treating difficult bacterial infections; however, research specifically focused on phages targeting this bacterium remains limited. This study aimed to isolate and characterize lytic bacteriophages that target multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae. Phages were isolated from 66 environmental samples through spot assays conducted on 10 multidrug-resistant strains. Phages were isolated via spot assays and purified via streak plating. Characterization included PCR-based identification and classification, determination of the latent period, efficiency of plating, burst size, stability testing, and evaluation of in vitro bactericidal activity. From a total of 660 spots tested against 10 multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, 102 phages were successfully isolated. These phages demonstrated individual lytic activity ranging from 8% (4/46) to 63% (29/46). PCR-based classification of the 60 bacteriophages identified six distinct virulent phage genera, with Taipeivirus being the most prevalent at 18.3% (11/60) and Webervirus the least common at 10.0% (6 out of 60). Stability assessments of pH and temperature demonstrated optimal activity between pH 5 and 9 and at temperatures up to 50 °C. These results endorse phage therapy as a viable alternative for treating MDR and hypervirulent K. pneumoniae infections. The data offer critical insights into local bacteriophage diversity and underscore its potential for developing targeted therapeutic agents. Genome sequencing, in vivo studies, and clinical trials are required to validate the efficacy and safety of these phages.

In Ethiopia, the enrollment of females in school is still lower than that of males. Women also struggle greatly in Dabia Primary School to participate in the educational process. this study aims to identify the factors that influence the academic achievement of grade eight female students at Dabia Primary School. A cros sectional study was conducted from to, may 30 to July 01, 2024 on 53 respondents in all, including 36 female students in grade 8 and 17 teachers, were sampled for this study. The students were selected employing simple random selection techniques, while teachers were chosen via purposive sampling. The primary instruments for acquiring data were interviews and questionnaires. Frequency counts, percentages, and mean values were used to examine the data. The study's findings showed that psychological elements (96%) like shyness and concern of what others will think of them were highly rated by both teachers and female pupils. The most detrimental influences were rated as psychological factors (92.5%), sociocultural factors (92.5%), personal factors (53%) such as poor academic backgrounds of students and poor communication skills, and sociocultural factors (92.5%) such as livelihood dependence of the respondents and negative attitudes toward female education and the allocation of household tasks to women.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a prominent pathogen implicated in a wide range of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and septicemia. Its ability to acquire and disseminate antibiotic resistance, coupled with the rising prevalence of hypervirulent strains, represents a significant public health threat. Understanding the molecular basis of drug resistance can guide the design and development of effective treatment strategies. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these bacteria is a complicated process and cannot be attributed to a single resistance mechanism. K. pneumoniae develops resistance to antibiotics through a variety of mechanisms, ranging from single molecular mechanisms to complex interactions, where molecular synergy exacerbates resistance. This review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the drug resistance and virulence of this pathogen. Key antibiotic resistance mechanisms include drug inactivation via B-lactamases and carbapenemases, membrane remodeling, efflux pump systems, such as AcrAB-TolC and OqxAB, and biofilm formation facilitated by quorum sensing. Additionally, the role of ribosomal changes in resistance is highlighted. This review also examines the mechanisms of virulence, emphasizing fimbriae, iron acquisition systems, and immune evasion strategies. Understanding these mechanisms of drug resistance and virulence is crucial for remodeling existing antibiotics and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Perfume extraction is the process of isolating fragrant compounds from raw materials using methods like distillation, solvent extraction, expression, or enfleurage. In this work, essential oil, which is suitable for perfume formulation, is extracted from lemongrass with the help of solvent extraction method. The experiment was conducted by varying the time of extraction. The yield of oil was measured for samples produced by setting the extraction time at 4hr, 8hr and 10hr. The extracted essential oil was incorporated into a perfume formulation with the addition of a fixative and a carrier solvent. The Perfume preparation was done by taking different ratio of notes; these notes are top notes, middle note and base notes respectively. The highest yield I obtained from the experiment (0.83%) conducted for the time duration of 10hr from 70g of lemongrass. As time passes, the ethanol solvent evaporates, leaving the essential oil concentrated in the mixture. In this study the essential oil which was obtained for extraction time of 10hrs was characterized for properties such as boiling point, stain test and physical properties. The success of this work could stimulate the growth of the perfume industry and create job opportunities by utilizing locally available, low-cost raw materials.

Justicia schimperiana is an evergreen shrub growing in the wet part of Ethiopia. The plant is known by different names among the localities and is commonly termed Sensel. It is usually used for medicinal purposes for various communicable and non-communicable diseases. However, the extent of the ethnobotany of this plant has not been studied well before, so the aim of this study is to assess the palaeobotanical knowledge of the Sensel plant (Justicia schimperiana). Parallel to the sample plant collection, a total of 30 informants (21 male and 9 female) were selected to collect ethnobotanical information from two districts. Among the informants, 7 key informants who are known as traditional healers were selected purposefully. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews and group discussions were analyzed. The study indicates that the community, mainly those of low economic status and people who have failed to be healed by modern medication from their health problems, depend on an indigenous herbal remedy medication like sensel. Hence, the sensel plant is used to prepare a remedy for human and animal diseases like rabies, hepatitis, skin diseases, communicable diseases, asthma, malaria, abdominal disorders, livestock diseases, and other human-related ritual problems.