This study aims to investigate the effects of slice thicknesses (2, 4, and 6 mm) and solar tunnel drying zones (zone I, zone II, and zone III) on the drying characteristics and thermal properties of taro slices, which were dried using solar tunnel drying (STD). To assess the drying characteristics of taro slices, the data from the drying kinetics were fitted with five different models. The adequacy of fit for the proposed models was evaluated using the reduced chi-square (χ 2 ), determination of coefficient (R 2 ), mean relative percent error (P), and root means square error (RMSE). The results showed that, among the five drying models, the drying characteristics of taro are better expressed by the logarithmic model. The thinnest slices dried in zone III had the highest diffusivity (6.57 × 10 -09 m 2 /s), lowest specific heat capacity (1.761 kJ/kg °C), and maximum thermal conductivity (0.268 W/m °C). It was also dried within a short period of time (5.5 h). The findings of this study provide evidence that STD zones and slice thickness have significant impact on the drying characteristics of dried taro slices.

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Drying fruits and vegetables can be achieved using different drying methods based on the crop's economic value and the technology's affordability. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, where sunlight intensity and duration are high, it is recommended to use solar drying methods. A solar tunnel dryer is one of the methods commonly used to produce dried fruits and vegetables. It is necessary to determine the drying kinetics at different dryer zones and select a suitable drying kinetics model to overcome the limitation. In addition, pretreatment methods are commonly recommended to improve the quality of the dried product. This work aimed to determine the drying kinetics of pumpkin slices at different zones of drier and pretreatment effect on product quality. Three zones of drier and four pretreatments were employed in the two-factor factorial experiment. Seven thin layer kinetic models were evaluated. pH, TSS, TA, moisture content (MC), and water activity (a w ) were determined for quality evaluation. Recorded data showed that the temperature in the tunnel increased from zone I to III with a decrease in RH. Results showed a higher drying constant (K) and effective diffusivity (D eff ); drier zone III > II > I. Pretreatments also showed a significant effect on K and D eff . Regardless of pretreatment types, two-term exponential and diffusion models are better fitted for zones I and II/III, respectively. With pretreatments and drier zones, the TSS value increases from zones I to III but with a decrease in titratable acidity, moisture content, and water activity. From the result, it can be concluded that different drying rates are observed in different zones. However, a better quality of pumpkin powder was observed in drier zone II for pumpkin slices pretreated with a 2% salt solution. It is recommended to create a drying medium that resembles zone II or better to use the recommended kinetic models to predict the drying time for each zone for a better quality product by avoiding under-or over-drying of slices.

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This study was intended to examine the influence of viewing kana television dramas on psychosocial developments of adolescents of Oromia special zone preparatory schools in Oromia region.  To address this objective, correlational research design was employed.  It was targeted on 349 participants selected by multistage and purposive sampling techniques.  Questionnaire and key informant interview guide were used to gather information from participants.  Furthermore, quantitative data analysis was used where multiple linear regression and independent sample t-test were applied.  Tikur Fikir drama was mostly explained peer interaction (β= 0.077, p= .024) while Kuzi Guni drama was mostly predicted adolescent-family interaction (β= 0.082, p= .022) and Kitat drama was mostly predicted adolescents’ identity development (β= 0.334, p= .018).  Independent sample t-test was conducted where there was non-statistically significant mean difference between gender in both peer interaction (male: x ̅=8,SD=1.27 and female: x ̅=8,SD=1.29 at t (332) = -1.45, p =. 149) and family interaction (male: x ̅=8,SD=1.58 and female: x ̅=8,SD=1.49 at t (332) = -.957, p =.321) whereas statistically significant mean difference was found in identity development of the participants((male: x ̅=29.45,SD=4.186 and female: x ̅=31,SD=3.705 at t (327) = -4.44, p< .05) while female adolescents were more influenced by the dramas than their counterparts.  Therefore, it was conclude kana television dramas influenced the psychosocial development of adolescents where awareness raising for both parents and students on monitoring the influences viewing the dramas and further studies are critically recommended in some important social variables including adolescents’ academic achievements, adolescents’ time management skills, and marriage relationships of the society members.