Ethiopian Journals Online (EJOL)
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Investigation of the Effect of Lime Treatment on the Soil Water characteristics curve of expansive Soils
Full text linkThe engineering behavior of natural untreated and compacted lime-treated expansive soils, which typically exist in a state of unsaturated condition, can be better-explained using concepts from unsaturated soil mechanics. The soil water characteristics curve (SWCC) is the key unsaturated soil property for obtaining unsaturated soil property functions (USPFs). However, there are limited studies on the effect of lime on the SWCC of lime-treated expansive soils. This study investigated the effect of lime on the SWCC of lime-treated expansive soils. The drying portion of SWCCs for untreated natural soil and lime - treated soil samples with three different lime contents (3 %, 6 % and 9 %) with 7 days of curing were studied. The SWCCs were determined by using pressure plate apparatus in the suction range of 0 – 1400 kPa. The shrinkage curve (SC) was also determined to evaluate the change in volume of the different soil samples. The experimental results indicate that SWCC is affected by lime treatment and there is a change in the SWCC parameters and in the shape and position of SWCC as the percentage of lime is changed. The SWCC of the lime-treated soil samples show a higher rate of desaturation as the lime content increases. The Air Entry Value (AEV) and residual water content of lime-treated soil decreases with increase in percentage of lime and the SWCC shifts towards the left side as the AEV decreases. The differences in AEV obtained from gravimetric- water-content-based SWCC (w-SWCC) and degree-of-saturation-based SWCC (S-SWCC) for the lime-treated soil samples were small when compared to the untreated natural soil sample.Keywords: Air-entry value, Expansive soil, Lime treatment, Shrinkage curve, Soil–water characteristic curve, Unsaturated soil
Spectrum Occupancy Predictions Using Deep Learning Algorithms
Full text linkThe fixed spectrum allocation (FSA) policy causes a waste of valuable and limited natural resources because a significant portion of the spectrum allocated to users is unused. With the exponential growth of wireless devices and the continuous development of new technologies demanding more bandwidth, there is a significant spectrum shortage under current policies. Dynamic spectrum access (DSA) implemented in a cognitive radio network (CRN) is an emerging solution to meet the growing demand for spectrum that promises to improve spectrum utilization, enabling secondary users (SUs) to utilize unused spectrum allocated to primary users (PUs). This study has addressed all the limitations of the previous studies by implementing a comprehensive approach that encompasses reliable spectrum sensing, potential candidate spectrum band identification, long-term adaptive prediction modeling, and quantification of improvements achieved in the prediction model. The Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) Deep Learning (DL) model was proposed as a solution for this study to address the challenge of capturing temporal dynamics in sequential inputs. The LSTM model leverages a gating mechanism to regulate information flow within the network, allowing it to learn and model long-term temporal dependencies effectively. The dataset used for this study was obtained from a real-world spectrum measurement by employing the Cyclostationary Feature Detection (CFD) approaches in the GSM900 mobile network uplink band, spanning a frequency range of 902.5 to 915 MHz over five consecutive days. The dataset comprises a total of 225,000 data points. The five-day spectrum measurement data analysis yielded an average spectrum utilization of 20.47 %. The proposed model predicted the spectrum occupancy state for 5 hours ahead in the future with an accuracy of 99.45 %, improved the spectrum utilization from 20.47 % to 98.28 % and reduced the sensing energy to 29.39 % compared to real-time sensing
Predictors of Hate Speech Propagation and on Facebook Among the Youth in Ethiopian Government Universities: Evidence form Haramaya and Dire Dawa Universities
Full text linkThough the issue of hate speech is not a new phenomenonto Ethiopia,its visibility hasincreased due to its propagation specificallythrough social mediainducing political and social instability among the youth and beyond. There had been notheoretical /empirical studies examining the predictors that propagate Hate Speech on Facebook among University youthin Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the propagation and predictors of hate speech on Facebook among the youth in Haramaya and Dire Dawa Universities.The studyemployed cross-sectional survey design to pool quantitative data from university youth enrolled in Eastern Ethiopia. Data was collected through self-developed structured questionnaires from a random sample of377 university youthwho claimed to be Facebook users. We adopted the Uses and gratifications theory and the ‘social media logic’ to explain the findings. The findings suggested that majority of the sampled youth have used Facebook for over six years and spent more than four hours aday. Paradoxical it may seem, the youth had both positive andnegative attitude towards hate speech when they were exposed to ethnically-induced hate, albeit majority of them spread hate on purpose. The outcome of the multiple linear regression model revealed that attitude was the strongest predictor of hate speech followed respectively by exposure, purpose, level of educationand age. Concerned stakeholders need to collaborate in media literacy education to tackle hate speech propagation among university yout
Determinants of Food Insecurity using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale: A Cross-Sectional Study in Enset-Based Agricultural Practice of Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia
Full text linkThis study investigates the determinants of food insecurity in the Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia, using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) as a measure of food insecurity. Employing a cross-sectional research design, the study integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 620 sampled farming households through a multi-stage sampling method and analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Both descriptive and inferential statistics including frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, independent-sample t-test, and binary logistic regression, were utilized for data analysis. The findings reveal that higher levels of education, larger land sizes, longer birth intervals, and greater household asset ownership positively influence household food security. Conversely, heavy reliance on enset (false banana) is associated with lower food security, likely due to limited agricultural yields and reduced dietary diversity. Additionally, the study identifies common coping strategies, such as reducing meal variety, opting for cheaper meals, and limiting portion sizes, as prevalent responses to food insecurity. These results highlight the importance of education, land access, family planning, and diversified food production in enhancing food security in the region
Policy Integration for Sustainable Environmental Management of Lake Tana, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Full text linkThis study analyzes the integration status of environmental protection policies for Lake Tana using a convergent mixed methods approach within a pragmatism research paradigm. Data was collected through observations, focus group discussions, document reviews, and interviews with policymakers and stakeholders. Content analysis and CapScan analysis were employed to assess the extent of policy integration pertinent to Lake Tana. The result shows significant gaps in policy integration particularly in policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Results further indicate that stakeholders lacked alignment on key issues, resulting in poor sectoral coordination and fragmented efforts. Integration challenges including poor stakeholder engagement, insufficient institutional capacity, and fragmented policy frameworks are exacerbated by varied levels of leadership, accountability, and monitoring. Furthermore, policymakers and experts emphasized the need for stronger institutional structures and enhanced coordination to tackle these issues effectively. The study suggests the need for increased political commitment, better stakeholder collaboration, financial alignment, and improved monitoring systems. It also suggests policy reforms to strengthen institutional frameworks and develop a unified strategy for the sustainable management of Lake Tana, contributing to a broader understanding of policy integration in environmental governance
The Objectives and Content of the Ethiopian School English Syllabus: Its Adequacy, Relevence and Effectiveness
No full textA Language syllabus is an educational docwnent;1,n fact, it is a record of corrunitments andaccountability. It directs progress andindicates destination. To serve these purposes,it needs to be adequate (complete) in containingthe requirements as a guide for ' theteaching-learning proc.ess, relevant (suitable)to the situation it intends to serve, andeffective (yeilding) in producing expectedlearning outcomes. How is the Ethiopian SchoolEnglish Syllabus in the light of these issues:Adequacy, Relevance and effectiveness? Thisthree-part study starts with a background surveyof the design and use of language syllabuses,followed by a view on the Ethiopian SchoolEnglish Syllabus (ESES), and concludes with somesuggestions. It is feU that this type of studywill be very helpful, particularly, at a timewhen the Ethiopian School Curriculwn in generaland the language syllabus in particular are underscrutiny
TEACHING IN ACTION: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF TEACHING STYLES AMONG STUDENT TEACHERS
No full textThis paper reports on an observational study oftwenty student-teachers. The purpose was to assess the natureof classroom interactions and examine the findings in the lightof previous research outcomes. Pertinent classroom datafromclassrooms of student-teachers during their student teachingpractice sessions were critically examined. Results indicatedthat the classrooms transactions were limited to narrowquestions, narrow lectures and student responses. Hence,these components were found to represent the ingredients on. which language teaching was based in the classrooms of thestudent-teachers