Madda Walabu University, one of the public universities in Ethiopia, was established in 2006. The university is located in Bale Zone, in the town of Robe, about 430 km (270 mi) from the capital city, Addis Ababa. The university has 46 undergraduate and 28 postgraduate programs.
Demand for sustainable energy systems has resulted in building interest for converting agricultural residues such as coffee husk and sugarcane bagasse into usable syngas through the biomass gasification. This is done by burning the biomass in limited air or other gas supply and converting it into a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. Hence, in this paper, performance of a throated updraft gasifier is analyzed by utilizing coffee husk and bagasse biomass feedstocks. As such, a detailed study on the thermodynamic equilibrium model and experimental analysis is performed. Syngas composition, lower heating value (LHV), gas yield, and cold gas efficiency (CGE), were predicted using a stoichiometric equilibrium model. Moreover, experimental analysis is performed for the analysis of syngas composition. Thus, for both feedstocks when equivalence ratio (ER) is increased the value of CO2, N2, and gas yield increases. Nevertheless, the value of CH4, CO, H2, and LHV, and CGE has decreases. Similarly, with increased moisture content (MC), the value of CO, N2, CH4, LHV, and CGE have fallen, however, the value of CO2, H2, and gas yield have increased. At optimum operating conditions corresponding to an ER of 0.30 and a MC of 12
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a modern, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective energy conversion technology that utilizes renewable organic waste as fuel, converting stored chemical energy into usable bioelectricity in the presence of a biocatalyst. Despite advancements in MFC technology, several challenges remain in optimizing power production efficiency, particularly regarding anode materials and modifications. In this study, low-cost biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) were coated with a polyaniline (PANI) conducting matrix to synthesize hybrid Fe3O4/PANI binary nanocomposites (NCs) as modified MFC anodes via an in-situ polymerization process. Characterization techniques, including UV–Vis, XRD, SEM, and FT-IR, revealed the successful synthesis of green-routed nano-scaled materials with altered optical properties after matrix coating, high crystallinity in the iron oxide phase, rougher surface morphology, and characteristic Fe–O peaks at 594 cm⁻1. Additionally, the electrochemical behavior of the prepared nano-materials was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), where low ΔEp values (0.473 V) for Fe3O4/PANI NCs indicated the presence of reversible charge transfer mechanisms at the electrode surface, reflecting a high rate of electron transfer. The synthesized nanocomposite was used to modify pencil graphite anodes to construct four single-chamber MFCs: bare pencil graphite anodes, pencil graphite anodes modified with Fe3O4, PANI, and Fe3O4/PANI nanocomposites. The maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) value was 645 ± 24.50 mV, with a high power output of 424.51 ± 6.86 mW/m2 and current density of 2475.01 ± 1.23 mA m−2 produced by the Fe3O4/PANI NCs modified pencil graphite electrode, which is more than six times the efficiency in terms of power density compared to the unmodified pencil graphite electrode (PGE). These results demonstrate that the synthesized nanocomposite plays an effective and value-added role in modifying traditional carbon anode electrodes within an MFC energy conversion device system.
Background: Artificial intelligence is emerging as a promising tool in surgical oncology, with growing evidence suggesting potential applications in diagnostic support, intraoperative guidance, and perioperative risk assessment. In gastric cancer surgery, emerging applications range from AI-assisted endoscopic detection to data-driven perioperative risk prediction, while some technological developments, particularly in robotic autonomy, derive from broader surgical or experimental models that may inform future gastric procedures. Methods: A narrative review was conducted following established methodological standards, including the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) and the Search-Appraisal-Synthesis-Analysis (SALSA) framework. English-language studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science up to October 2025 were included. Evidence was synthesized thematically across five domains: AI-assisted anatomical recognition and lymphadenectomy support, autonomous robotic systems, early cancer detection, perioperative predictive and frailty models, and ethical and regulatory considerations. Results: AI-based computer vision and deep learning algorithms have demonstrated promising capabilities for real-time anatomical recognition, surgical phase classification, and intraoperative guidance, although evidence of direct patient-level benefit remains limited. In diagnostic settings, AI-assisted endoscopy and Raman spectroscopy have been shown to improve early lesion detection and reduce dependence on operator experience. Predictive models, including MySurgeryRisk and AI-driven frailty assessments, may support individualized prehabilitation planning and perioperative risk stratification. Persistent limitations include small and heterogeneous datasets, insufficient external validation, and unresolved concerns related to data privacy, algorithmic interpretability, and medico-legal responsibility. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence is progressively emerging as a promising tool in gastric cancer surgery, integrating automation, advanced analytics, and human clinical reasoning. Its safe and ethical adoption requires robust validation, transparent governance, and continuous surgeon oversight. When developed within human-centered and ethically grounded frameworks, AI can augment, rather than replace, surgical expertise, potentially advancing precision, safety, and equity in oncologic care.
In the sphere of science and technology, nanotechnology stands out as a rapidly advancing field, characterized by the manipulation of metal and metal oxide materials at scales of ≤ 100 nanometres. In the present study, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized through a green method using the aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaves as a natural reducing and capping agent, after which the catalytic degradation of toxic organic dyes, namely, Safranin O commonly known as basic red 2 (SO-BR2) and Rhodamine B (RhB), in the presence of NaBH4 was evaluated. The synthesized CuO NPs were characterized using UV‒Vis, FT-IR, XRD, and SEM techniques, and their results confirmed the successful synthesis of the nanomaterial a via the plant-assisted method with characteristic peak of Cu-O bond interaction at 809 cm⁻¹ a band gap of 3.71 eV, a mean crystalline size of 2.406 nm and varied morphologies with medium agglomeration. The catalytic degradation of SO-BR2 and RhB by the CuNPs in the presence of NaBH4 exhibited maximum efficiencies of 97.74 ± 0.0410
BACKGROUND: Women living with human immune deficiency (WLWH) had higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Recurrence of the lesions is higher among WLWH than HIV negative women. Effective follow-up is very crucial in order to reduce the persistence of the lesions and avoid recurrence. However, less than half of the women attend yearly follow up in Ethiopia. This study investigated the barriers and facilitators of screening follow-up from the perspectives of WLWH and healthcare providers. OBJECTIVES: To explore the barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer screening follow-up among WLWH who were treated for pre-cancer lesions in the West Arsi Zone, South Ethiopia. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted among 18 participants (12 WLWH and 6 healthcare providers) in two hospitals and two health centers in West Arsi Zone from January 1 to February 28, 2025. Participants were selected via purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide. ATLAS.ti version 25.0.1 was used for data analysis. Data were transcribed, translated verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM). Findings were reported using texts and quotations in line with the SEM framework. RESULTS: The major barriers were lack of awareness, fear, lack of money, poor counseling, gender preference, lack of privacy, stigma, traditional medicine and religious practices. On the other hand, having awareness, phone reminders, male partner support, good provider approach, free services and availability of alternative treatment options were identified as facilitators of follow-up. CONCLUSION: There are unique challenges facing WLWH cervical cancer screening adherence in Ethiopia. Ensuring compassionate and respectful care with availability of more female providers is crucial. Continuous awareness creation campaigns, empowering women, involving male partners, and promoting human papilloma virus (HPV) self-test could avert most of the identified barriers.
