Farmers' and improved potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars growing in Eritrea are main sources of food and income to many growers. The current study was proposed to characterize 17 farmers' and 4 imported cultivars of potato using 33 morphological descriptors. Planting was done in two geographically distinct locations, HAC and Asmara, Eritrea. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications having 18 plants per plot. Plants grown at HAC emerged early (24.52 days) and reach maturity (94.84 days) while at Asmara it took 43.77 and 123.59 days, respectively. However, yield was higher in Asmara (0.49 kg/plant) compared to HAC (0.37 kg/plant). An accession having many and longer stems was associated with more tuber production, but inversely related to yield. Similarly, accessions with higher stem thickness and tuber size were associated with high yields. The PCA analysis indicated that the first four components explained about 85% of the total variability among the studied materials. The PCA clustered the materials in to four main groups (GI, GII, GIII, GIV) mainly explained by flowering patterns and yield related descriptors. The work has provided useful information on morphological characteristics of the farmer's potato to avoid duplication of resources and identify promising materials for future breeding program.

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BackgroundNeurocognitive impairment is associated with psychological morbidities, such as depression and anxiety, among people living with HIV. The presence of these comorbidities affects viral load suppression, treatment adherence, quality of life, treatment outcomes, and functionality. Despite this fact, there is a dearth of studies that examined the triple burden of neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety among antiretroviral therapy attendees in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety at the same time among people living with HIV/AIDS.MethodWe conducted an institution-based multicenter cross-sectional study in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 410 study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Neurocognitive impairment was assessed using the International HIV Dementia Scale. Co-occurring depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on sociodemographic and clinical-related characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsTwo-thirds (66.8%) of the people living with HIV had neurocognitive impairment. The prevalence of co-occurring depression and anxiety was found in 39.8%. Women with HIV, people with comorbid chronic medical illness, and those under a second-line treatment regimen were factors associated with neurocognitive impairment. Furthermore, pill burden, second-line treatment regimen, HIV clinical stages, social support, HIV-perceived stigma, and neurocognitive impairment were associated factors with co-occurring depression and anxiety.ConclusionsWe found a high prevalence of neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety among people living with HIV/AIDs. Further research is needed to assess the clinical course of neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety.

Topographic Position Index (TPI) algorithm is useful for landform classification using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to identify upper, middle and lower parts of the landscape. Topographic slope positions and landform classifications can be automated and measured by employing the Jenness algorithm based on the Set of Rules in the TPI. Adama Wereda in Ethiopia has been selected to study the different landforms classified using DEM (30m resolution) and Landsat 8 OLI data. Spatial statistics and GIS applications were also used to distinguish the geomorphologic properties of DEM. Adama Wereda encompasses 2.15% of the valley, 33.79% of flat lands, 15.85 % of lower slope, 33.07% of average slope, 12.85% of upper slope and 2.24% of ridges. Nine land use and land cover (LULC) classes, specifically rocky terrain, built up area, forests, water bodies, roads, agriculture, barren land, hill/mountain and fallow land have been analyzed. Landforms of Adama Wereda are ranging from large-scale features such as plains and mountain ranges to minor features such as hills and valleys. The built-up area and agriculture are covering most of the landform classes. U shaped valley was observed in water bodies. The various classifications of TPI and landform can be used in precision agriculture, land-use alteration studies, etc.

This study was undertaken in Kucha Woreda to assess the impact of Trypanosoma spp. on cattle and its vector infestation rate using cross-sectional study design. The study was done from November 2016 to June 2017 on 384 local cattle using buffy coat method and tsetse fly density was seen in intervention area with non-controlled area. The overall infection rate 4.17% (N=16) showed an insignificant (p>0.05) difference of prevalence rate in animal with different body condition score. Medium body condition animals were the most affected animal group. The study also revealed that adult (4.22%) and male (6.12%) animals are relatively susceptible to bovine trypanosomosis than young (4.00%) and female (2.95%) animals. Animals with PCV value of 21.56 and 26.32% were found to be parasitaemic and aparasitemic cattle, respectively. In both research site, 20 NGU trap was deployed to see the vector infestation and only Glossina pallidipes was found together with mechanical vectors. 2.86 and 26.27 FTD were found in both controlled and uncontrolled kebele, respectively, this big difference resulted in uncontrolled Kodo Wono kebele due to absence of intervention by Arba Minch tsetse fly suppression site. The total tsetse fly infestation rate in the area was found to be 14.67 FTD. Due to its adverse effect on cattle production, parasitic and vector control and prevention mechanism should be in place especially in those kebele neighbors to the controlled kebele.