Ambo University

Tropical forests are biodiversity hotspots that provide critical ecosystem services but are increasingly threatened by deforestation and intensive land use, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, forest loss due to agricultural expansion underscores the need for sustainable landscape strategies. Agroforestry (AF) systems contribute to biodiversity conservation; however, their role in maintaining woody species composition and diversity across landscape gradients and in supporting adjacent natural forests remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the contribution of AF systems to woody species conservation in and around the Tulu Korma Natural Forest, Central Ethiopia. This study evaluated the contribution of AF systems to woody species conservation in and around the Tulu Korma Natural Forest, Central Ethiopia. A stratified sampling design was employed across three agroforestry systems (homegardens, scattered trees on farmland, and woodlots) and three distance gradients from the forest edge (0–100 m, 100–300 m, and > 300 m). A total of 180 households were selected proportionally across distance gradients and wealth categories (rich, medium, and poor) using simple random sampling. The study recorded 124 woody species from 89 genera to 47 families. Natural forests exhibited the highest species richness and diversity, followed by homegardens, scattered trees, and woodlots. Beta diversity and NMDS analyses showed clear differences in species composition across land-use types, with woodlots dominated by exotic species and contributing least to native species conservation. Within AF systems, woody species richness and Shannon diversity tended to be lower at greater distances from the forest, with β-diversity patterns associated primarily with species turnover. Homegardens and scattered trees retained higher native species richness and compositional similarity to natural forests than woodlots. These findings demonstrate that agroforestry systems near forests play a significant role in maintaining woody species diversity and conserving native species, supporting the integration of AF into biodiversity management, sustainable land-use planning, and forest restoration initiatives.

This model is highly helpful in thermal management and complex energy systems, particularly where precise control over heat and mass transfer is required. Solarized nanofluids can be used to improve heat absorption and transfer in solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic cooling systems, and energy storage devices. The inclusion of slip effects, thermophoresis, and Brownian motion makes the model applicable to micro- and nano-scale devices such as MEMS, micro reactors, and biomedical cooling systems. Furthermore, Bayesian regularization-based machine learning analysis enhances prediction accuracy for complex nonlinear behaviors, making the model effective in industrial process optimization, polymer processing, and chemical reactors that use non-Newtonian fluids with activation energy effects. The heat generation influence on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) solarized Boger nanofluid under slip velocity and activation energy effects are examined in this paper. The nonlinear relationship between the governing physical parameters and the resulting flow and heat transfer behaviour is modelled using an artificial intelligence-based neural network framework that has been optimized using the Intelligent Bayesian Regularization technique. The neural network is trained using 80% of the generated dataset, with the remaining 20% being utilized for testing to ensure the suggested model is correct, dependable, and predictive. As the values of the chemical reaction parameter grow, the concentration profile decreases.

BackgroundBlood donation is vital for health systems, yet global shortages persist due to low donor participation. Understanding the psychological determinants of donation is critical to improving recruitment and retention. The Theory of Planned Behavior has been widely applied to predict donation intention and behavior.ObjectiveThis review aimed to map and synthesize the evidence on blood donation practices and behavioral intentions through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior, identifying key determinants, barriers, facilitators, and research gaps.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review guided by PRISMA-ScR. Major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane, Hinari, and the WHO library) and grey literature were searched for studies published between January 1, 2004, and August 31, 2025. Eligible studies applied the theory of planned behavior constructs to blood donation practices across different populations and settings.ResultsNineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most (n = 12) focused on students, while others examined healthcare workers or established donors. Cross-sectional designs predominated. Theory of planned behavior constructs, including attitude, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, moral norms, and anticipated regret were strong predictors of intention to donate blood. However, intention alone was insufficient to consistently predict actual donation behavior. Reported barriers included fear, low self-efficacy, and systemic challenges; facilitators included altruism, positive attitudes, social influence, and prior donation experience.ConclusionTheory of planned behavior provides a robust framework for understanding blood donation intentions, but augmenting it with moral norms and past behavior may improve the prediction of actual behavior. Interventions should target attitudes, perceived behavioral control, self-efficacy, and supportive social norms, while addressing systemic barriers, to strengthen voluntary donor recruitment and retention.

Older adults usually experience polypharmacy which increases their risk of adverse drug events, drug-drug interactions, and medication non-adherence. Clinical pharmacists, with specialized expertise in pharmacotherapy, are capable of engaging in deprescribing interventions aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate medications and overall medication burden. However, the overall impact of these pharmacist-led strategies remains unclear due to heterogeneity in study designs, settings, and outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of pharmacist-led deprescribing interventions among older adults across different settings. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for English language randomized controlled trials and high-quality nonrandomized studies published from January 2015 onward, comparing pharmacist-led deprescribing interventions to usual care in any setting (community, outpatient, hospital, or long-term care). Primary outcomes were mean change in total number of medications per patient and the proportion of patients achieving effective deprescribing (discontinuation of ≥ 1 PIM or ≥ 0.5 reduction in a drug burden index). Seven studies (five RCTs, two non-randomized) encompassing 3,607 older adults met inclusion criteria. The pooled mean difference (MD) in total medications at last follow-up favored intervention by − 0.55 medications (95

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) continue to pose serious public health issues in developing countries, including Ethiopia.ObjectiveThis study is aimed at determining the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among children at Sengota Primary School in the Dendi District, Oromia Region.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2020. Sociodemographic data and potential risk factors for the occurrence of IPIs were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire. Stool samples were gathered to detect parasites and examined using direct wet mount and formol-ethyl acetate concentration methods. Data analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software, Version 20.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among children in the study area was 25.5% (103/404) with 95% CI (21.0%-29.5%). The prevalence rates for protozoa, helminths, and polyparasitism were 14.1% (57/404), 8.2% (33/404), and 3.2% (13/404), respectively. The most prevalent protozoan parasites were Giardia duodenalis, affecting 11.1% (45/404), whereas the prevailing helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides, accounting for 5.0% (20/404). Washing hands sometimes before meals and after defecations (adjusted odds ratio, AOR: 11.148, 95% CI = 4.666, 26.071), never wash hands before meals and after defecations (AOR: 9.290, 95% CI = 0.611-141.321), using river water for drinking purposes (AOR = 7.298, 95% CI = 2.076-25.595), the use of groundwater as a source of drinking purposes (AOR = 28.866, 95% CI = 8.288-100.538), defecating in open field (AOR: 37.306, 95% CI = 4.534-306.930) were significantly associated with IPIs in the present study.ConclusionsThe study findings indicate that IPIs are common among children at Sengota Primary School. Contributing factors include poor hygiene practices, limited access to safe drinking water, and insufficient latrine facilities. To effectively reduce the incidence of these infections, it is essential to enhance public health initiatives and establish regular deworming programs in schools.