Composite insulators demonstrate superior electrical performance in contrast to standard insulators.Nevertheless, the deterioration of composite insulator and the challenges in identifying defects arethe primary drawbacks of these insulators. This study investigates the effect of water droplets onthe electrical behavior of composite insulators, which are widely used in high-voltage applications.Using COMSOL software, a Finite Element Model (FEM) was developed to simulate the electric fielddistribution on the surface of a composite insulator in the presence of water droplets. The resultsindicate that the existence of water droplets increases the electric field intensity by approximately33.33% when the number of droplets increases from two to six. The simulations also reveal that waterdroplets significantly increase the electric field’s intensity, which affects the electric field and potentialdistribution on the insulator’s surface. Furthermore, the conductivity of water droplets was found tohave a negligible impact on the electric field distribution along the insulator. To systematically evaluatethe influence of various factors, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed in combinationwith Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to analyze the interactions between water droplet number,pollution, and applied voltage. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the maximum electric fieldintensity increased by nearly 38.3% as water droplet conductivity rose from low to high levels. RSMwas used to generate a second-order polynomial model that describes the relationship between thesefactors and the electrical performance of the insulator, allowing for the identification of significanttrends and interactions. The findings provide valuable insights for the design and development ofcomposite insulators that are more resilient to environmental factors, enhancing their overall electricalperformance.Keywords: ANOVA, Composite insulator, Electric field, FEM, Water droplet

Multimetric assessment is one of the important tools for diagnosing, detecting and measuring impairment inecosystem function in lentic ecosystems. It enhances detection capabilities across a broader variety of stressorsand offers a more complete picture of ecological conditions than single metrics or biological indicators. In thiscontext, a diatom-based multimetric index (MMI-D) has been developed to evaluate the ecological health ofLake Hawassa. Physicochemical and benthic diatom sampling was conducted at nine sites along the lakeshore,representing varying levels of human disturbance, from February to November in2015 and 2016. The sampling siteswere classified a priori into three categories: minimally disturbed (three sites), moderately disturbed (three sites) andhighly disturbed (three sites). This classification, was based on a clustering analysis using the percent disturbancescore (PDS). Of the 24-diatom candidate metrics, only ten were chosen as core metrics for the development ofMMI-D, based on redundancy analysis, reaction to environmental conditions, percent discriminatory efficiency (%DE)and box plots. The newly established MMI-D clearly distinguished between reference and non-reference sites, andbetween the lake’s three clusters. The MMI-D’s performance was validated using independent data sets from lakesHawassa and Ziway and it demonstrated the best capability for discrimination between different disturbance levels.MMI-D 2-stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression analysis revealed an inverse but robust connection with the PDS,indicating its responsiveness to Lake Hawassa habitat quality degradation (n = 9, R2 = 0.921, p < 0.001). The MMI-Drevealed a high %DE (95.1%) and a negative but significant connection with nutrients, total suspended solids (TSS),and turbidity (R2 > 0.6; p < 0.05). Generally, it can be concluded that this index is a powerful tool that could assistendusers by providing a practical method for measuring the ecological quality of Lake Hawassa.Keywords: benthic diatoms, ecological quality, Lake Ziway, redundancy analysis, validation

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the most important commercial vegetable crop widely grown throughout the world. It is also animportant bulb crop in Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity are restricted by diferent factors, including biotic andabiotic stresses. Tis review investigates the potential impacts of spacing and varieties on onion yield and yield components inEthiopia. Countries around the world are producing onion for its nutritional value, medicinal properties, minerals, proteins, andcarbohydrates. In terms of production, onion ranks second only after tomatoes. Te average onion yield in Ethiopia is estimated tobe 8.8 tons/ha, while in the world, it is approximately 19.7 tons/ha. Inappropriate spacing and inadequate onion varieties are someof the limitations widely described for yield variation in Ethiopia. Tus, to control the size, shape, and yield of onion bulbs, spacingdetermination and variety improvement are some of the techniques currently employed in Ethiopia. Adama red, Bombay red, andred creole are some of the known varieties in the country, and the intrarow spacings for Adama red and Bombay red are reported tobe 4 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Diferent spacing between onion plants afects how much they produce and other factors such assize and quality, depending on the variety. It is important to assess whether changing spacing makes sense from both a farmingand economic standpoint, alongside considering other agricultural methods.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) holds signifcant agricultural and nutritional importance in Ethiopia; yet, its pro-duction faces challenges, including suboptimal nitrogen fertilizer management. Te aim of this review was to review the possibleefect of nitrogen fertilizer levels on the production of cabbage in Ethiopia. Nitrogen fertilization signifcantly infuences cabbageyield and quality. Moderate to high levels of nitrogen application enhance plant growth, leaf area, head weight, and yield.However, excessive nitrogen levels can lead to adverse efects such as delayed maturity, increased susceptibility to pests anddiseases, and reduced postharvest quality. In Ethiopia, small-scale farmers use diferent nitrogen levels for cabbage cultivation. InEthiopia, NPSB or NPSBZN fertilizers are widely employed for the growing of various crops such as cabbage. 242 kg of NPS and79 kg of urea are the blanket recommendation for the current production of cabbage in Ethiopia. Te existing rate is not conducivefor farmers. Terefore, small-scale farmers ought to utilize an optimal and cost-efective nitrogen rate to boost the cabbage yield.Furthermore, the efectiveness of nitrogen fertilization is infuenced by various factors including the soil type, climate, cabbagevariety, and agronomic practices. Integrated nutrient management approaches, combining nitrogen fertilizers with organicamendments or other nutrients, have shown promise in optimizing cabbage production while minimizing environmentalimpacts. Te government ought to heed suggestions concerning soil characteristics such as the soil type, fertility, and additionalfactors such as the soil pH level and soil moisture contents.

Abstract: Forests play a crucial role in mitigating theimpacts of climate change by sequestering carbon in theirbiomass and soil. However, Ethiopia faces the threat of soilcarbon emissions due to deforestation and continuous cul-tivation. This study reviewed the analogies in phytobio-mass and soil carbon evaluation methods in Ethiopia.Index-base and year-wise analysis methods were used forthe compilation of the study. Developing nations, such asEthiopia, duly enhance resilient measures to assess forestcarbon stocks for effective climate change mitigation, parti-cularly with reference to emissions from deforestation anddegradation. Even though more than 90% of Ethiopia’senergy comes from forest biomass, deforestation signifi-cantly affects the carbon stored in aboveground biomass,which is the largest reservoir. Estimating forest biomassand carbon emissions entails uncertainties, with errorranges around ±50% for aboveground pools and ±90% forsoil carbon pools. Various tier methodologies are employedby experts to estimate forest biomass and carbon stock emis-sions, with Tier 2 factors serving as default emissions butcountry-specific factors offering improved accuracy overTier 1. Tier 3 methodologies require highly specific inven-tory data on carbon stocks in different pools and commonmeasurements of key carbon stocks. Forest conservationenhances biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and essentialecosystem services, fostering soil health, regulating watercycles, and supporting diverse plant and animal species.In conclusion, directing efforts towards forest conservationnot only helps maintain biodiversity and ecosystem servicesbut also significantly contributes to mitigating climate change
by enhancing carbon storage capacities and reducing green-house gas emissions.Keywords: allometric equations, carbon stock, carbon accounting, climate change, tie

The world population has increased significantly in urban areas since 1990. Ethiopia, the secondmost populous country in Africa, has experienced rapid urbanization, exerting immense pressure on land allocation in its emerging cities. To address housing demand, the Ethiopian government has prioritized cooperative housing allotments in regional cities; however, the sustainability of this approach remains understudied. This research examines three key objectives: (1) the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of cooperative housing development; (2) urban-rural connectivity challenges and their implications for peri-urban sustainability; and (3) the integration of sustainability considerations in property valuation practices. The study focuses on six emerging cities in West Gojam, East Gojam, North Gojam, and Awi zones (Debremarkos, Bure, Bahir Dar, Injibara, Mota, and Finote Selam), incorporating survey data from 357 households, supplemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions with planners, property valuers, and municipal officials. Data were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and exploratory factor analysis, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.First, the analysis of urban-rural linkages highlights governance and infrastructure deficits in peri-urban areas, such as poor road quality, inadequate public transport, and fragmented land management. These challenges hinder sustainable integration, necessitating coordinated planning, standardized land-use regulations, and investments in connectivity. Second, the study examines property valuation in city municipalities, revealing inconsistencies in procedures, outdated regulatory frameworks, and a lack of technological adoption (e.g., GIS, blockchain). Recommendations include digitizing valuation processes, aligning practices with market dynamics, and integrating sustainability criteria into regulatory standards. Third, the research assesses cooperative housing, identifying procedural inefficiencies, financial barriers, and informal practices like land flipping as threats to sustainability. Policy reforms, improved governance, and affordable financing mechanisms are proposed to enhance transparency and align cooperative housing with urban planning goals. Collectively, the findings underscore the need for holistic governance reforms, infrastructure investment, and stakeholder collaboration to foster equitable and sustainable urban development in Ethiopia. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers to address these interconnected challenges and advance national development objectives.Keywords: Allotment, Cooperative housing, Ethiopia, land development, Sustainability

This study examines the role of external actors in Ethiopia’s ongoing national dialogue, with a particular focus on the Amhara people’s interests. A convergent mixed-methods design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data, was employed. Findings show that international NGOs shape the dialogue’s legitimacy, inclusivity, and perceived local ownership. While their funding, mediation, and agenda-setting are vital for sustaining the process, many Ethiopians remain skeptical, viewing their involvement as a source of political conditionality, foreign dominance, and threats to sovereignty. Survey results reveal that 78.3% of respondents considered external actors moderately to highly influential, and over 65% saw this role as more problematic than beneficial.The study also assessed internal stakeholders’ involvement. Results indicate that inclusivity remains a major concern, with 85% of respondents believing opposition parties are inadequately represented. The ruling government dominates the agenda, undermining credibility. Civil society organizations, community leaders, and religious figures attempt to link grassroots issues to national debates, but face restrictions and political distrust. Insurgent groups wield influence, yet unconditional inclusion risks legitimizing violence. For the Amhara, skepticism toward the dialogue is particularly pronounced. Central grievances include marginalization in federal politics, unresolved identity and boundary conflicts—most notably Wolkait and Raya ethnic-based violence, and demands for constitutional reform. Despite support from Amhara-affiliated domestic actors and diaspora networks, their influence is curtailed by state control and structural constraints. Moreover, interethnic tensions and perceptions that Amhara claims threaten the ethnic federal order complicate their participation.The findings underscore the paradox of external assistance: simultaneously essential and delegitimizing. To enhance credibility and sustainability, Ethiopia’s national dialogue must prioritize inclusivity, transparency, and meaningful local ownership.
Keywords: Ethiopia, national dialogue, Amhara, conflict resolution, ethnic federalism, transitional justice, inclusive

Integration of nonlinear loads in modern power systems has led to many issues arising mainly dueto the generation of harmonic currents and the presence of reactive power, both having adverseeffects on power quality and grid stability. Harmonic currents cause increased losses, overheatingof equipment, and voltage distortions, while reactive power imbalances result in inefficiencies inpower delivery and compromised system performance. To overcome these problems, a Shunt ActivePower FIlter design and an optimal control strategy for harmonic mitigation and reactive powercompensation are proposed in this paper. The design incorporates an optimized anti-windup PIcontroller for DC-link voltage regulation and an optimized output filter to enhance the quality of theinjected current. This design is formulated as an optimization problem and solved using the GoldenJackal Optimizer. MATLAB/Simulink simulations validate the proposed method under differentoperating conditions, covering dynamic change of loads and unbalanced grid conditions. The resultshows a remarkable reduction in Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of grid current, and reactive powercompensation meanwhile maintaining the stability of the grid.Keywords: Golden Jackal optimization, Shunt active power filter (SAPF), Optimal control, Power quality,Current harmonics compensation

Every year, millions die in road accidents globally, imposing significant economic and humanitariancosts. While road traffic accidents are a major health concern, many developing countries, includingEthiopia, struggle to address this issue effectively. Ethiopia ranks second in East Africa for severe roadtraffic accidents, highlighting the need for improved injury reduction strategies. This study introduces anovel approach by chronologically identifying and prioritizing accident black spots in the studied area,Ethiopia. This method provides a valuable tool for transportation authorities and traffic police to targethigh-risk areas for immediate intervention. Focusing on the Dembecha-Injibara highway segment,the study employs both descriptive and inferential analyses, using the Zegeer method to calculateaccident rates. It also uses factors of weight contributing to road traffic accidents and their severityto rank accident-prone areas. The findings reveal that areas near Finote Selam, Banja, and Burie arehighly prone to severe accidents, with specific accident frequencies and priority values identified.Recommendations are offered to address these high-risk areas and mitigate severe traffic accidents inthe study region.Keywords: Road Traffic accidents, Severity, Prioritization and identification of Black Spot

Background
Anemia is a critical complication among hemodialysis patients, often leading to poor outcomes. This study aimed to assess anemia prevalence and identify predictors among hemodialysis patients at Felege Hiote Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.


Research design and methods
A retrospective cohort study analyzed 410 hemodialysis patients from January 2018 to February 2022. Data was collected from medical records, entered using Epi-data Version 4.1, and analyzed with STATA Version 14. Kaplan-Meier survival curves assessed survival time, while Cox regression identified anemia predictors.


Results
Of 410 patients, 66 (16.1%) developed anemia, with an incidence rate of 7.9 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 3.1–13.5). Significant predictors included female sex (IRR: 1.5, p = 0.04), rural residence (IRR: 2.5, p = 0.01), low body mass index (IRR: 1.6, p = 0.02), and congestive heart failure (IRR: 6.9, p = 0.02).


Conclusions
Anemia prevalence among hemodialysis patients is high, with key predictors including gender, residence, body mass index, and comorbidities. Interventions targeting these factors, especially in rural areas, could reduce anemia incidence. Study limitations include single-center data, incomplete variables, and lack of causality.





KEYWORDS: Anemia, incidence, predictors of anemia, end stage kidney disease, hemodialysis