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Biofertilizers can be better alternatives to chemical fertilizers to enhance plant nutrition and productivity as they improve the soil fertility and crop productivity in an eco‐friendly and cost‐effective manner. A pot experiment was conducted between December 2018 and March 2019 in southern Ethiopia to evaluate the combined inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Meso‐rhizobium (MR) on biomass yield, nutrient uptake, and moisture stress tolerance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (variety: Habru). The experiment was executed as a factorial arrangement using a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were control (non‐fertilized), sole AM fungi inoculation, AM fungi inoculation with phosphorus fertilizer (20 kg P ha−1) and MR, and sole inorganic fertilizers (20 kg P;10 kg N ha−1) at four different moisture levels (optimum throughout the growing season, stressed at vegetative, flowering, and seed filling stages). The results demonstrated that biomass yields were limited by moisture stress, especially at vegetative and flowering stages of chickpea. Sole and co‐application of AMF with MR and inorganic P increased biomass yields on average by 19%, 39%, and 33% under water stress conditions, respectively, compared to the non‐inoculated control. The application of AMF with MR and inorganic P also significantly increased nodulation, AMF colonization, and nutrient uptake, but these effects were dependent on soil moisture status. In conclusion, there are potential advantages to be gained from sole and combined AMF application with rhizobium to improve growth and productivity of chickpea through enhanced nutrient and water uptake, though the results of this pot experiment should be validated through field trials. Core Ideas: Combined application of biofertilizers enhanced biomass yields of chickpea over their sole applications.Biofertilizers increased the biomass of chickpea by improving nutrient uptake and moisture stress tolerance.Biofertilizers can be better alternatives to chemical fertilizers to enhance chickpea productivity in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) and anemia is observed to be on the rise over time, adversely affecting the health and overall quality of life among adolescents. Extensive literature corroborates the significant impact of anemia on cognitive development, intelligence and developmental milestones. Nevertheless, the linkage between hemoglobin level and CMD emerging during adolescence remains relatively unexplored. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between hemoglobin level and CMD as well as the mediating factor among school adolescent girls residing in Central Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional study design was conducted among adolescent girls attending schools in Silti Woreda, Central Ethiopia, comprising a total sample size of 516 individuals during the period from October 2–20, 2023. Hemoglobin level was adjusted for altitude, while CMD was evaluated utilising the summation score of a 20‐item Self‐Reporting Questionnaire. Data were analysed through fitting Structural Equation Model and the maximum likelihood estimation method. Goodness of fit was assessed using the χ2The ‐test statistic, Comparative Fit Index, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Standardised Root Mean Square Residual, Non‐Normed Fit Index, Pclose and coefficient of determination (R2). The prevalence of CMD was 22.3% (95% CI: 18.6%–25.8%). Hemoglobin level (UTE = −0.73, CI: −0.93, −0.53) and experience of morbidity symptoms (UTE = 1.05; CI: 0.74, 1.38) were significantly associated with CMD. Furthermore, hemoglobin level is significantly influenced by morbidity frequency symptoms (UDE = −0.63, CI = −0.77, −0.49) and animal source food (ASF) (UDE = 0.09, CI = 0.01, 0.17). Hemoglobin level has been identified as a significant mediator of the experience of morbidity symptoms and ASF on CMD. However, household food insecurity and wealth index had no significant association with CMD. A significant proportion of adolescent girls face CMD, often linked to a lower hemoglobin level. Having a significant association with CMD, the hemoglobin level is found to mediate a significant effect of morbidity symptom experience and ASF on CMD. Hence, addressing early infection prevention, promoting ASF and treating anemia are promptly needed. Key messages: The prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) and anemia is observed to be on the rise over time, adversely affecting the health and overall quality of life among adolescents.The linkage between hemoglobin level and CMD emerging during adolescence remains relatively unexplored.Hemoglobin level and experience of morbidity symptoms were significant factors associated with CMD.Hemoglobin level is found to mediate a significant effect of morbidity symptom experience and animal source food on CMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees are eusocial insects that play vital roles as pollinators of many flowering plants and high value products. However, information on their nesting habitats and nest characteristics is scarce in West Arsi Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. This study was conducted to characterize indigenous knowledge, habitat, and nest of stingless bees. Data were collected using semistructured questionnaire, observations, and ground nest component measurement. The questionnaire survey was administered to 36 stingless bee honey hunters. The study result revealed that the stingless bee honey is considered important in treatment of cough and cold, asthma, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes, and sore throat. Habitat loss and fragmentation, unwise use of agrochemicals, stingless bee enemies, destructive harvesting methods, lack of improved technologies for meliponiculture, and lack of government attention were the dominant threats to stingless bee hunting in the study area. Ground‐nesting stingless bees' colonies are affected by several natural enemies, including ants, honey badgers, wasps, termites, snakes, and foxes. The eight nests of Meliponula beccarii (M. beccarii) were found under the ground at an average depth of 54.38 ± 17.25 cm in three different soil types. The nests of M. beccarii were protected with an average of 6.42 ± 2.82 guard bees/nest entrance that ranges from 2 to 9/colony. Moreover, the average value of honey volume per pot and per nest of M. beccarii was 20.38 ± 6.88 mL and 1.24 ± 427.28 L, respectively. The similarity of nesting substrates, nest architecture, and nesting environment with stingless bees in other regions and the unique indigenous knowledge of stingless bee honey hunters in the area aid in the direct adoption of stingless bee technologies to rescue the areas' ever‐decreasing populations. Thus, based on these findings, adopting stingless bee colony domestication technology is critical for maintaining and improving productivity and conserving the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep connection between Indigenous communities and nature plays a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation. Ethiopia, one of Africa's priority countries for bird conservation, harbours 821 bird species and 83 ethnic groups of Indigenous people. However, cultural and spiritual ties between Indigenous peoples and bird species remain largely unexplored. This is particularly true for remote Indigenous communities such as the Nuer.Relying on preexisting bird survey data, we conducted focussed group discussions and semi‐structured interviews with Indigenous Nuer in western Ethiopia to explore human–bird interactions and documented associated traditional ecological knowledge and considered their conservation implications.We found that Nuers have strong ties with birds. In Nuer community, birds are collectively known by three interchangeable terms: 'gaatkuoth' to mean sacred children of god, 'kuoth' meaning bearers of spirit and 'diit' symbols of human twins (since birds nurture multiple offspring, they associate the incidence of twins in human with birds). We identified 71 culturally important bird species that were used in seven different use categories. Among these species, 10 were used as bushmeat, five for traditional medicine, eight as fish indicators, seven as omens (believed to indicate upcoming misfortunes), three as amulets (believed to protect against danger when bird's body parts are used as necklaces and bracelets), three as season indicators and 45 for their scenic beauty. An informant consensus factor for species in all use categories was >90%, except for the scenic value, indicating a high homogeneity of knowledge about species uses. Bird species with multiple uses have significant cultural values among locals, emphasizing the need to understand these values in conservation efforts. Nuer traditional systems regulate the direct use of birds including for bushmeat. Hunting is permitted only by impoverished households during severe food shortages and is prohibited for those with a history of twins in their ancestry.The Nuer people exhibit a profound cultural connection to birds, viewing them as sacred and spiritually valuable beings. This deep‐seated reverence and traditional knowledge highlight the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into bird conservation strategies to enhance their effectiveness and respect cultural values. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although teff (Eragrostis tef) is a very important staple food crop in Ethiopia, its production is constrained by low productivity due to poor access and adoption rate of improved seed by farmers. The government of Ethiopia envisions realizing an efficient teff value chain that enables a sustainable increase of smallholder teff productivity. As a result, the government is supporting seed producer cooperatives (SPCs) to supply improved teff seeds to farmers. The aim of this study is to compare teff productivity at household level among members and nonmembers of SPCs. To this end, a cross‐sectional survey design with multi‐stage sampling method was used to select 386 sample households (193 SPC members and 193 nonmembers). As membership in a cooperative is voluntary, farmers may self‐select into a given SPC according to their own motivation and interest. In a bid to address the potential issue of selection bias from both observed and unobserved heterogeneities, we employ the treatment effects model (TEM), which allows for a specific correlation structure between the unobservables that affect the treatment and the unobservables that affect the potential outcomes. Results show that, on average, SPC members produce 1.406 more quintals per hectare compared with their nonmember counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), which is caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus along with a potyvirus, has threatened the food security of smallholders in sub‐Saharan Africa. Mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs), which also facilitate virus genome translation, are known to confer variable resistance against viruses. Following phylogenetic analysis, we selected two eIF4E proteins from maize as the most likely candidates to facilitate MLN infection. A knockout (KO) of each of the corresponding genes in elite but MLN‐susceptible maize lines conferred only partial protection. Our inability to knockout both the genes together suggested that at least one was required for survival. When we edited (ED) the eIF4E genes in Mini Maize, however, the plants with the eif4e1‐KO became highly resistant, whereas those with the eif4e2‐KO remained susceptible. Neither of the causal viruses could be detected in the MLN‐inoculated eif4e1‐KO plants. The eIF4E2 cDNA in Mini Maize lacked the entire 4th exon, causing a 22‐amino acid in‐frame deletion, which shortened the protein to 198 amino acids. When we introduced mutations in the 4th exon of the eIF4E2 gene in two elite, MLN‐susceptible lines pre‐edited for an eif4e1‐KO, we obtained as strong resistance against MLN as in eif4e1‐KO Mini Maize. The MLN‐inoculated lines with eif4e1‐KO/eIF4E2‐exon‐4ED performed as well as the uninoculated wild‐type lines. We demonstrate that the C‐terminal 38 amino acids of eIF4E2 are dispensable for normal plant growth but are required for the multiplication of MLN viruses. Our discovery has wide applications across plant species for developing virus‐resistant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of electrochemical and advanced oxidation technologies for industrial wastewater (IW) treatment has grown in popularity during the last two decades. The effectiveness of several methods for treating IW, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), direct‐current (DC) and alternating‐current (AC)‐electrocoagulation (EC), and the combination of H2O2 with DC/AC‐EC (H2O2‐DC/AC‐EC) processes were all investigated. In comparison to the H2O2, DC/AC‐EC, and H2O2‐DC/AC‐EC technologies, the results showed that the H2O2‐AC‐EC process produced 100% total colour and 100% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency with a low power consumption of 4.4 kWhm−3. The H2O2/AC‐EC technology was optimized for treating IW using a response surface methodology approach based on a central composite design using a five‐factor level. Utilizing statistical and mathematical techniques, the optimum parameters were determined to minimize consumption of power (1.02 kWhm−3) and maximum COD elimination (75%). The experimental parameters comprised the following: H2O2 of 600 mg/L, current of 0.65 Amp, pH of 7.6, COD of 1600 mg/L, and treatment time (TT) of 1.26 h. When using a Fe/Fe electrode combination with the wastewater pH of 7, the COD removal efficiency was shown to be enhanced by increasing the TT, current and H2O2, and decreasing the COD concentration. The synergistic impact, quantified as the combined efficiency of eliminating % COD utilizing the H2O2, AC‐EC, and H2O2/AC‐EC procedures, was found to be 15.75%. Therefore, employing a hybrid H2O2‐AC‐EC approach is considerably more effective in treating IW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the asymmetry in ion and electron heating at Earth's magnetotail at mid‐tail distances (XGSM< ${X}_{\mathit{GSM}}< $ −30 RE ${R}_{E}$), we analyze near‐simultaneous observations of reconnection outflows from two opposite sides of reconnection sites at those distances using Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) and Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon's Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) data. We report a pronounced temperature asymmetry between the earthward and tailward reconnection outflows. The asymmetry is more significant for electrons than for ions: Earthward moving ions are only three times hotter than tailward ones, but earthward moving electrons are 5–20 times hotter than tailward ones. The closed field‐line topology on the earthward side of the reconnection region, as opposed to the open topology on the tailward side, is likely a critical contributor to this asymmetry. These findings cast light on the underlying mechanisms of particle heating and energization in magnetotail reconnection, highlighting the significant role of Earth's dipolar magnetic field. This study offers insights for refining magnetic reconnection models, emphasizing the importance of incorporating realistic magnetic field topologies to accurately simulate the heating and energization processes observed in space plasma environments. Key Points: Ions and electrons exhibit higher temperatures earthward of mid‐tail reconnection than tailwardIons are three times hotter earthward than tailward and electrons are 5–20 times hotter earthward than tailwardWe suggest that the temperature asymmetry is due to the closed magnetic field earthward and open field tailward of the reconnection site [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a worldwide challenge to the well‐being of animals and humans. The emergence of AMR is largely attributed to the improper utilization and overuse of antimicrobials. In order to combat this issue and promote responsible antimicrobial use (AMU), it is imperative for veterinary professionals and graduating students to possess extensive knowledge, maintain positive attitudes, and adhere to good practices regarding AMU and AMR. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) of veterinary professionals and senior animal health students' towards veterinary AMU and AMR. Methods: A cross‐sectional study design was conducted on purposefully selected 200 participants (60 of them were veterinary professionals from the districts and towns, and the remaining 140 were senior animal health university students). A self‐administered, structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: The study revealed that, overall, study participants' KAP were not satisfactory. From veterinary professionals, about 56.7% of respondents scored average knowledge, whereas 66.7% and 61.66% of them had negative attitudes and poor practices, respectively, on AMU and AMR. The study found that 56% of the participants' think the previous knowledge they acquired regarding AMU and AMR was not sufficient, and the internet was used as a source of drug information by the majority of participants. The majority (72%) of them were not taking special training on AMU and AMR. Regarding senior animal health students, this study indicated that 52% and 69.2% of the respondents had poor knowledge and a negative attitude, respectively, towards AMU and AMR. Conclusion: Overall, veterinary professionals in the central Gondar zone have average knowledge, a negative attitude and poor practices. Poor knowledge and a negative attitude were also observed among senior animal health students towards AMU and AMR. Therefore, to fill the observed gaps, activities that enhance the skills of veterinary professionals and students should be implemented. Ingreted measures with animicrobial stewardship program and Nationwide studies are highly suggested to evaluate the overall status of veterinary professionals towards AMU and AMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity limits the amount of maize that can be produced in Ethiopia and around the world. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of amendment application and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on maize growth and biomass yield in a greenhouse under both normal and water‐stressed conditions. Biochar, organic matter, and blended inorganic fertilizer (NPSB) were added as amendments. Inoculation of Gigaspora rosea and Rhizophagus clarus with the application of NPSB under normal watering has resulted in maximum heights of 96.7 and 115.0 cm, respectively. When they were subjected to water stress, their maximum heights were 65.7 and 68.01 cm. The leaf number in NPSB fertilization under regular watering was 13.3, comparable to 13.7 in R. clarus + OM and R. clarus + biochar + OM + NPSB. Under normal watering, G. rosea + NPSB and R. clarus + NPSB demonstrated the highest aboveground biomass yields of 57.7 and 47.8 g, respectively. In comparison to the control, G. rosea and R. clarus + NPSB demonstrated the highest yields of 52.9 and 42.8 g. The treatments involving G. rosea + biochar + OM + NPSB and R. clarus + biochar + OM + NPSB exhibited a greater leaf area index of 31.42 and 26.8, respectively. The treatments that were inoculated with G. rosea also showed improvements in root colonization and spore density. The study's findings showed that both a single and a combination AMF inoculation improved every growth parameter that was looked at. To find out how well native AMF can boost maize plant yield in both normal and water‐stressed environments, more research is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Streptococcus pyogenes is the most frequent cause of pharyngitis and skin infections in children and causes immune complications like rheumatic fever and rheumatoid heart disease (RHD), particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, antibiotic resistance pattern, and associated factors of Streptococcus pyogenes among pediatric patients suspected of acute pharyngitis in Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. Methods. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 213 acute pharyngitis suspected pediatric patients from April to September 2022 at Hawassa University Compressive Specialized Hospital and Yirgalem Hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A throat swab was cultured to isolate S. pyogenes, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using standard bacteriological techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result. Out of 213 throat swabs cultured, 22 (10.3%) with 95% CI (6.6–14.6%) were S. pyogenes positive. All isolates of S. pyogenes were sensitive to penicillin and amoxicillin. In contrast, 8 (36.4%) isolates exhibited resistance to tetracycline, 7 (31.8%) to ceftriaxone, 6 (27.3%) to erythromycin, and 5 (22.7%) isolates showed multidrug resistance. The presence of palatal petechiae (P = 0.037) and tonsillar swelling or exudate (P = 0.007) were significantly associated with S. pyogenes carriage in children suspected of having acute pharyngitis. Conclusion. In this study, the prevalence of S. pyogenes among children suspected with acute pharyngitis was low compared to other studies. The isolates showed a high level of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, the treatment of pediatric acute S. pyogenes pharyngitis should depend on an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Furthermore, evaluation of S. pyogenes pediatric acute pharyngitis risk factors and tracking of antibiotic resistance are crucial in the controlling of pediatric acute S. pyogenes pharyngitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field study in a semi‐arid savannah at Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary, Ethiopia, examined livestock grazing effects on rangeland condition, plant species composition and richness, and population of the endangered Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei). Rangeland condition was analysed using a common protocol for the assessment of semi‐arid rangelands. A total count method was used to estimate ungulate numbers. Grazing reduced all measures of range condition and productivity and affected the composition and richness of the herbaceous species. Grazing also induced an increase in the density and number of encroaching woody species Vachellia seyal and Senegalia senegal. The population of the Swayne's hartebeest significantly affected by livestock grazing (mean number of hartebeests observed under moderately and lightly grazed sites were 10.00 ± 2.49 and 6.75 ± 2.06, respectively). No individual hartebeest was observed roaming in the heavily grazed zone, which implies an effective reduction in the extent of habitat available for the hartebeest. The overall condition of the rangeland was poor. Measures to reduce livestock presence in areas from which the hartebeest has been displaced and controlled seasonal livestock grazing within non‐sensitive parts of the Sanctuary may benefit the hartebeest. Coupled with these, livestock exclusions for up to a year and interseeding may help improve rangeland condition and hartebeest's habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of missile guidance systems is a well‐known nonlinear control engineering area of research. To enhance the control performance of a missle guidance system, several technologies have been proposed in existing works. To resolve the weighting matrix selection issue of a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller for the surface‐to‐air missile guidance control system, this study utilizes the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. Selecting the best state (Q) and input (R) weighting matrices is a significant difficulty in the design of the LQG controller for real‐time applications since it affects the controller's performance and optimality. The weighting matrices are often chosen by a trial‐and‐error method that not only complicates the design but also does not yield optimal outcomes. Therefore, in this paper, a PSO method is developed and used in the design of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and LQG controllers for the surface‐to‐air missile control system to choose the elements of the Q and R matrices in the best possible way. Finally, a comparative analysis between the designed controllers was presented. The results shows that a good performance was achieved by using the proposed PSO‐tuned design process. The LQG and LQR are designed by manually adjusting the weighting matrices and utilizing an intelligent procedure, PSO algorithm which achieved optimal results. Further results indicate that the designed controllers, the PSO tuned LQR and LQG achieved a better performance over the manually adjusted LQR and LQG controllers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Pulmonary sequestration is uncommon congenital malformation. It is important to consider pulmonary sequestration even in young adults presenting with recurrent pneumonic symptoms because prompt surgical intervention is both feasible and curative. Moreover, in health settings lacking CT/MRI angiography service, pulmonary sequestration can be easily misdiagnosed as smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, strong clinical suspicion is required to prevent patient mismanagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: East African countries have high rates of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Studies have shown that the involvement of male partners in reproductive health can benefit maternal and child health (MCH). This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the evidence across East Africa that describes male partner involvement and its effect on maternal, reproductive, and child well‐being. Methods: Ten databases were searched to identify quantitative data on male's involvement in East Africa. Studies reporting qualitative data, "intention to use" data or only reporting on male partner's education or economic status were excluded. Studies were organized into five a priori categories: antenatal care (ANC), human immunodeficiency virus, breastfeeding, family planning, and intimate partner violence with further categories developed based on studies included. Results: A total of 2787 records were identified; 644 full texts were reviewed, and 96 studies were included in this review. Data were reported on 118,967 mothers/pregnant women and 15,361 male partners. Most of the studies (n = 83) were reported from four countries Ethiopia (n = 49), Kenya (n = 14), Tanzania (n = 12) and Uganda (n = 10). The evidence indicates that male partner involvement and support is associated with improved reproductive, MCH across a wide range of outcomes. However, the studies were heterogeneous, using diverse exposure and outcome measures. Also, male partners' lack of practical and emotional support, and engagement in violent behaviors towards partners, were associated with profound negative impacts on MCH and well‐being. Conclusions: The body of evidence, although heterogeneous, provides compelling support for male involvement in reproductive health programs designed to support MCH. To advance research in this field, an agreement is needed on a measure of male partner "involvement." To optimize benefits of male partners' involvement, developing core outcome sets and regional coordination are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaemia in women of reproductive age (WRA) can be effectively addressed if supported by a better understanding of the spatial variations, magnitude, severity and distribution of anaemia. This study aimed to map the subnational spatial distribution of anaemia (any, moderate and severe forms) among WRA in Ethiopia. We identified and mapped (any, moderate and severe) anaemia hotspots in WRA (n = 14,923) at the subnational level and identified risk factors using multilevel logistic regression. Kulldorff scan statistics were used to identify hotspot regions. Ordinary kringing was used to predict the anaemia prevalence in unmeasured areas. The overall anaemia prevalence increased from 16.6% in 2011 to 23.6% in 2016, a rise that was mostly related to the widening of existing hotspot areas. The primary clusters of (any) anaemia were in Somali and Afar regions. The horn of the Somali region represented a cluster of 330 km where 10% of WRA were severely anaemic. The Oromia–Somali border represented a significant cluster covering 247 km, with 9% severe anaemia. Population‐dense areas with low anaemia prevalence had high absolute number of cases. Women education, taking iron‐folic‐acid tablets during pregnancy and birth‐delivery in health facilities reduced the risk of any anaemia (P < 0.05). The local‐level mapping of anaemia helped identify clusters that require attention but also highlighted the urgent need to study the aetiology of anaemia to improve the effectiveness and safety of interventions. Both relative and absolute anaemia estimates are critical to determine where additional attention is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distillery industrial wastewater (DIW) was tested for color and COD removal percentages using an electrochemical and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Specifically, the study compared direct/alternating–current–electrocoagulation (DC‐EC/AC‐EC), sono (US), and direct/alternating current–electrocoagulation coupled with sono (US) (DC‐EC/US and AC‐EC/US) processes. Also evaluated were the effects of these procedures on the power needed to treat DIW. Experimental results showed that compared to single processes such as DC‐EC, AC‐EC, US, hybrid DC‐EC/US, and the hybrid AC‐EC/US process achieved a total color elimination efficiency of 100 % and a COD elimination efficiency of 100 % while using a lower power consumption of 4.76 kWhrm−3. The effects of important operational factors such treatment duration, cycle of pulse duty, sonication power, current density, chemical oxygen demand, electrode spacing, electrode pairing, pH, concentration of electrolyte on the % removal of COD and power usage of DIW were investigated using hybrid AC‐EC/US process. When using a Fe/Fe electrode combination, the effectiveness of COD removal was shown to be enhanced by increasing the treatment duration, current, US power, and decreasing the COD concentration, electrode spacing. The study also provided the results of an investigation into the synergistic index between AC‐EC and US process and operational cost. Based on its ability to efficiently and effectively remove contaminants from wastewater and industrial effluent, the AC‐EC/US approach stands out among the other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections that continue to exist are the main cause of cervical cancer (CC), two‐thirds of CC occurrences worldwide are caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18, and 99.7% of CC tumors are linked to oncogenic HPV infection. To identify challenges of CC and its prevention and treatment modalities. Methods: This review examined the epidemiology, predisposing factors, genetic factors, clinical assessment methods, current treatment options, and prevention approaches for CC. We had perform a narrative data synthesis rather than a pooled analysis. A thorough literature search in pertinent databases related to CC was done with the inclusion of data that were published in the English language. Results: Early detection of CC is of utmost importance to detect precancerous lesions at an early stage. Therefore, all responsible agencies concerned with health should make all women aware of the benefits of CC screening and educate the general public. HPV vaccination coverage is very low in resource‐limited settings. Conclusion: To achieve the goal of eliminating CC as a public health problem in 2030, the World Health Organization will pay special attention to increasing HPV vaccination coverage throughout the world. To further improve HPV vaccine acceptability among parents and their children, safety‐related aspects of the HPV vaccine should be further investigated through post‐marketing surveillance and multicentre randomized clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater from the textile and dyeing industries contains hazardous dyes. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of magnetic biochar nanocomposites synthesized from khat leftovers (KLs) and coffee husks (CHs) in removing methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Magnetic biochar nanocomposites were synthesized by pretreating 25 g of biomass with a 12.5 mmol mixture of FeS and FeCl3 at a 1:1 molar ratio, followed by pyrolyzing at 300°C for 1 h. The resulting products were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller. The results showed that the adsorbents are amorphous, and the activated biochars, are more porous and contain various functional groups such as C‐O, C = C, O‐H, C‐H, and Fe‐O. When 0.2 g of pristine biochars of CH and KL were applied to 20 mL aqueous solutions containing 20 mg/L of MB at pH 7.5 and 25°C, they removed 44.73% and 75.26% of MB, respectively. However, the resulting nanocomposites exhibited a maximum removal efficiency of 99.10% and 99.23% with magnetic iron oxide‐CH biochar nanocomposite (Fe3O4‐CHBNC) and magnetic iron oxide‐KL biochar nanocomposite (Fe3O4‐KLBNC), respectively, with maximum adsorption capacities of 51.02 and 78.13 mg/g. The reusability study also showed removal efficiencies of 77.57% and 83.49% up to six‐cycle reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Opioid use has increased globally, dramatically increasing opioid overdose, dependence, abuse and mortality. Limited research is available on opioid use patterns in older adults in New Zealand and internationally. This study aims to address this gap by determining the incidence and prevalence of opioid use among older adults (age ≥65 years) in New Zealand from 2007 to 2018. Methods: This was a population‐based retrospective cohort study conducted using New Zealand national administrative healthcare databases. The annual opioid use incidence (2008–2018) and prevalence (2007–2018) in older adults were determined and stratified by sex, age, and opioid type and strength. We used descriptive statistics to summarise the patterns of opioid dispensing. Data analysis was conducted using MS Excel, and data linking was performed using SQL software. Results: A total of 820,349 older adults were initiated on opioids during the study period. The overall incidence of opioid use in older adults showed a steady increase from 2008 to 2015; similarly, the prevalence steadily increased from 2007 to 2015, and thereafter, both rates fluctuated. A slight decrease in both prevalence and incidence rates was observed in 2018. Codeine and tramadol were the most commonly dispensed opioids during the study period. Females had a higher incidence and prevalence of all opioids than males. Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of opioid dispensing increased in New Zealand older adults over time. Monitoring the trends of opioid use in older adults is critical to enable clinicians and policymakers to deliver early interventions to prevent future opioid‐related adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ring current, an equatorial near‐Earth current, fluctuates in response to solar wind plasma interactions with Earth's magnetosphere. Despite extensive research on storm‐time ring current energization, direct evidence of the energy transport into the inner‐magnetosphere that powers this current remains scarce. Recent observations revealing that very‐near‐Earth reconnection (VNERX, occurring at geocentric distance <14 RE) can occur during storms suggest that such reconnection could play an important role in ring current development. Here we address how common VNERX is. We use inner‐magnetosphere and plasma sheet observations from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellites spanning 13 years. During this period, THEMIS observed 512 storms and 7 VNERX events. All VNERX events occurred during storm main‐phase at or near the pre‐midnight sector (None were observed during storm recovery‐phase.). The events occurred within 1 RE of the modeled neutral sheet, suggesting that VNERX events are elusive because they lie near the neutral sheet. Since THEMIS spent 5,253 hr within 1 RE of the modeled neutral sheet during storm main‐phase, the inferred observational VNERX occurrence rate is 1.3 per 1,000 hr of storm main‐phase. This rate is lower than published ion‐diffusion‐region occurrence rates seen in the near‐Earth plasma sheet during non‐storm times (likely substorms). These results suggest that while VNERX events might be significant for the storm‐time ring current's initial buildup (during storm main‐phase), other transport mechanisms, like enhanced global convection, may be responsible for maintaining the strength of the ring current during storm recovery‐phase. Key Points: Very‐Near‐Earth reconnection (VNERX) events have an observed occurrence rate of 1.3 events per 1,000 hr of storm main phaseVNERX may be important for the initial buildup of the main‐phase ring currentVNERX is predominately observed in the pre‐midnight sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many operational parameters, either discretely or collectively, can influence the biodegradation performance towards enhancing biogas yield and quality. Among the operating parameters, organic loading rate (OLR), inoculum-substrate ratio, and carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N) are the most critical parameters in the optimization and enhancement of biogas yield. Optimization of the biogas production processes depends on the ability of anaerobic microorganisms to respond to variations in operational parameters such as pH, redox potential, and intermediate products to enhance the biogas yield. This review article focuses on the role of process parameters, kinetic models, artificial intelligence, Aspen Plus (AP), and anaerobic digestion model no. 1 (ADM1) in optimizing biogas yield via an anaerobic codigestion (AcoD) process. The review showed that biomaterials codigestion upgraded biogas yield to the extent of 400%, and organic removal efficiency reached up to 90% compared to a single substrate. In addition, the current work has verified that the kinetic model is the most effective tool for signifying that the hydrolysis phase is the rate-limiting step, whereas AP is the most effective tool in the design and optimization of the AcoD process parameters. The reviewed kinetic and AI models show strong correlation values ranging from 0.931 to 0.9991 and 0.8700 to 0.9998, respectively. The AcoD system involves complex chemical reactions, but AP might have limitations in representing such complex chemical processes with nonideal behavior and complicated reaction mechanisms. The design and optimization of AcoD with reliable input parameters are highly limited or nonexistent. The AcoD process design with AP opens fresh research opportunities, including improved efficiency, finding appropriate retention time, and saving time, as well as finding the optimum biogas yield. This review article gives an insightful understanding of AcoD process parameter optimization and valuable strategies for policy development enhancing sustainability in the biogas sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to assess prognostic risk for individuals in precision health research, risk prediction models are increasingly used, in which statistical models are used to estimate the risk of future outcomes based on clinical and nonclinical characteristics. The predictive accuracy of a risk score must be assessed before it can be used in routine clinical decision making, where the receiver operator characteristic curves, precision–recall curves, and their corresponding area under the curves are commonly used metrics to evaluate the discriminatory ability of a continuous risk score. Among these the precision–recall curves have been shown to be more informative when dealing with unbalanced biomarker distribution between classes, which is common in rare event, even though except one, all existing methods are proposed for classic uncensored data. This paper is therefore to propose a novel nonparametric estimation approach for the time‐dependent precision–recall curve and its associated area under the curve for right‐censored data. A simulation is conducted to show the better finite sample property of the proposed estimator over the existing method and a real‐world data from primary biliary cirrhosis trial is used to demonstrate the practical applicability of the proposed estimator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Prevalence surveys in Ethiopia indicate smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis (SNPTB) taking the major share of the overall TB burden. It has also been a diagnostic dilemma worldwide leading to diagnostic delays and difficulty in monitoring treatment outcomes. This study determines and compares the clinical and imaging findings in SNPTB and smear positive PTB (SPPTB). Methodology. A case-control study was conducted on 313 PTB (173 SNPTB) patients. Data and sputum samples were collected from consented patients. Smear microscopy, GeneXpert, and culture analyses were performed on sputum samples. Data were analyzed using Stata version 17; a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Of the 173 SNPTB patients, 42% were culture positive with discordances between test results reported by health facilities and Armauer Hansen Research Institute laboratory using concentrated smear microscopy. A previous history of TB and fewer cavitary lesions were significantly associated with SNPTB. Conclusions. Though overall clinical presentations of SNPTB patients resemble those seen in SPPTB patients, a prior history of TB was strongly associated with SNPTB. Subject to further investigations, the relatively higher discrepancies seen in TB diagnoses reflect the posed diagnostic challenges in SNPTB patients, as a higher proportion of these patients are also seen in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural enemies of plant pathogens might play an important role in controlling plant disease levels in natural and agricultural systems. Yet, plant pathogen–natural enemy interactions might be sensitive to climatic changes. Understanding the relationship between climate, plant pathogens and their natural enemies is thus important for developing climate‐resilient, sustainable agriculture.To this aim, we recorded shade cover, daily minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity, coffee leaf rust and its hyperparasite at 58 sites in southwestern Ethiopia during the dry and wet season for 2 years.Coffee leaf rust severity was positively related to the maximum temperature. Hyperparasite severity was higher when the minimum temperature was low (i.e. in places with cold night temperatures). While canopy cover did not have a direct effect on rust severity, it reduced rust severity indirectly by lowering the maximum temperature. Canopy cover had a direct positive effect on the hyperparasite severity during one surveying period.Synthesis and applications. Our findings highlight that coffee leaf rust and its hyperparasite are both affected by shade cover and temperature, but in different ways. On the one hand, these niche differences lead to the worrying prediction that levels of coffee leaf rust will increase, and its hyperparasite will decrease, with climate change. On the other hand, these niche differences between coffee leaf rust and its hyperparasite provide opportunities to develop strategies to manage the environment (such as shade cover and microclimate) in such a way that the rust is disfavoured and the hyperparasite is favoured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Dementia is a severe neurodegenerative disorder and it is a group of acquired symptoms associated with impaired cognitive functions. In low-income settings particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it is often seen as part of normal aging. Environmental, behavioral, and lifestyle interventions have the potential to alter the disease course of dementia. Objective. This study is aimed to synthesize the literature/evidence(s) on the management practice and treatment outcomes of dementia in SSA. Method. Comprehensive literature was searched in PubMed database, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Eligibility has been set, and based on the criteria, initially, a total of 442 results were obtained, and from those around 183 articles were duplicated. After examining titles and abstracts of records 26 articles were identified. Finally, five randomized clinical trials (RCT) and three prospective cohort studies that were reported on the management practice and treatment outcome of dementia in SSA were eligible for analysis. RCT and prospective cohort studies were used to strengthen the quality of evidence. The quality of the included RCT studies was assessed by using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Result. A total of 2781 patient data were included in the final analysis. Of these, 2354 patients were obtained from 5 RCTs and 427 patients from 3 prospective cohort studies, which were conducted in SSA countries. RCT studies were done on the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) showed improvements in language memory domains and physical health. In addition, studies that focus on the management of human immunodeficiency virus-associated dementia (HIVAD) were reported to improve neurocognitively. Conclusion. CST is applicable in low-resource settings and it shows improvements in cognitive function and quality of life. Early initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings has been associated with improvement in the cognitive function of HIVAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are used in various fields such as industrial, environmental remediation, catalytic, and antibacterial applications. However, their ability to absorb visible light is limited due to their high-energy bandgap and fast electron-hole recombination, which restricts their use. To enhance the efficiency of ZnO-NPs in medical and other applications, surface functionality can be modified through doping. Here, we investigated the effects of S and N doping on the energy bandgap of ZnO-NP and their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The results showed that the optical bandgap energy of pure ZnO-NPs was 2.98 eV while that of 6% N-ZnO, 4% S-ZnO, and S4-N6-ZnO was 2.78, 2.69, and 2.63 eV, respectively. The energy bandgap reduction is attributed to the changes in the electronic level of zinc oxide as the result of doping. The crystal size of pure ZnO-NPs, 6% N-ZnO, 4% S-ZnO, and S4-N6-ZnO was 29.06, 27.05, 29.02, and 25.06 nm, respectively, as calculated from XRD data using FWHM. Following the bandgap and particle size reduction, the antimicrobial activities of the dual-doped ZnO-NPs surpassed that of the pure ZnO-NPs. Moreover, dual doping improved the antioxidant activity of ZnO-NPs from 52.45% to 88.89% for the optimized concentration. Therefore, incorporating S and N as dual dopants can enhance the functionality and efficiency of ZnO-NPs in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the use of manganese oxide-biochar nanocomposites (MnOx-BNC), synthesized from coffee husk (CH) and khat leftover (KL) for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Pristine biochars of each biomass (CH and KL) as well as their corresponding biochar-based nanocomposites were synthesized by pyrolyzing at 300°C for 1 h. The biochar-based nanocomposites were synthesized by pretreating 25 g of each biomass with 12.5 mmol of KMnO4. To assess the MB removal efficiency, we conducted preliminary tests using 0.2 g of each adsorbent, 20 mL of 20 mg·L−1 MB, pH 7.5, and shaking the mixture at 200 rpm and for 2 h at 25°C. The results showed that the pristine biochar of CH and KL removed 39.08% and 75.26% of MB from aqueous solutions, respectively. However, the MnOx-BNCs removed 99.27% with manganese oxide-coffee husk biochar nanocomposite (MnOx-CHBNC) and 98.20% with manganese oxide-khat leftover biochar nanocomposite (MnOx-KLBNC) of the MB, which are significantly higher than their corresponding pristine biochars. The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm and a pseudo-second-order model, indicating favorable monolayer adsorption. The MnOx-CHBNC and MnOx-KLBNC demonstrated satisfactory removal efficiencies even after three and six cycles of reuse, respectively, indicating their potential effectiveness for alternative use in removing MB from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asset building and financial inclusion programmes have contributed to the enhancement of consumers' welfare through asset accumulation. Employing the FinScope consumer survey for South Africa, we extended the analysis of the relationship between financial inclusion and asset holding by examining whether this, in turn, improves consumers' subjective well‐being (SWB). Financial inclusion was captured by credit, savings, and insurance whereas multiple correspondence analysis was employed to compute an asset index that captured indicators of individual material possessions. Results from the partial least squares path model suggested that financial inclusion had an indirect positive association with consumers' SWB through increased asset holding, but the association was more pronounced via formal channels of saving, credit, and insurance. As such, social policymakers are encouraged to integrate access to insurance, credit, and savings through formal channels in poverty interventions since this has a greater indirect association with consumers' SWB via increased asset ownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical evidence on the patterns of the multipurpose trees distribution and regeneration status, which are under threats pressure is necessary for the proper management and conservation of the species. Prunus africana is listed as vulnerable while Albizia gummifera is listed as least concern amongst the multipurpose trees. This study was aimed to investigate the distribution, abundance, density, and regeneration status of Prunus africana and Albizia gummifera along agroecology and farmers' wealth status in agroforestry. Stratification sampling and equal sampling techniques were employed. A total of 162 quadrats were laid within the randomly selected 54 households' farms. A nested quadrat size was 20 m × 20 m for enset tree-based homegarden and parklands. For live fencing, a quadrat size was 4 m × 10 m. Abundance, diameter (cm), height (m), and growth habits of both trees were recorded. Density (stems per ha), diameter class (cm), height (m) class of both trees, and mean of growth habit were analyzed and considered. One-way ANOVA analysis and independent t-test were employed for means comparison by using SPSS V. 23.0. A total of 132 individual A. gummifera was recorded along agroecology while a total of 55 individual P. africana was recorded along agroecology. Mean density (stem/ha) of A. gummifera and P. africana showed significant difference between agroecology and farmers' wealth groups (P < 0.05). A. gummifera and P. africana were sparsely distributed in the enset tree-based homegarden, parklands, and live fencing along agroecology. The overall diameter (cm) class and height (m) class distribution pattern of these tree species were observed as a J-shaped curve. The regeneration status of A. gummifera and P. africana was poor. In conclusion, distribution, abundance, and regeneration status of A. gummifera and P. africana were influenced by agroecology and farmers' wealth status needing appropriate conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest restoration has never been higher on policymakers' agendas. Complex and multi‐dimensional arrangements across the urban–rural continuum challenge restorationists and require integrative approaches to strengthen environmental protection and increase restoration outcomes. It remains unclear if urban and rural forest restoration are moving towards or away from each other in practice and research, and whether comparing research outcomes can help stakeholders to gain a clearer understanding of the interconnectedness between the two fields. This study aims to identify the challenges and opportunities for enhancing forest restoration in both urban and rural systems by reviewing the scientific evidence, engaging with key stakeholders and using an urban–rural forest restoration framework. Using the Society for Ecological Restoration's International Principles as discussion topics, we highlight aspects of convergence and divergence between the two fields to broaden our understanding of forest restoration and promote integrative management approaches to address future forest conditions. Our findings reveal that urban and rural forest restoration have convergent and divergent aspects. We emphasise the importance of tailoring goals and objectives to specific contexts and the need to design different institutions and incentives based on the social and ecological needs and goals of stakeholders in different regions. Additionally, we discuss the challenges of achieving high levels of ecological restoration and the need to go beyond traditional ecology to plan, implement, monitor, and adaptively manage restored forests. We suggest that rivers and watersheds could serve as a common ground linking rural and urban landscapes and that forest restoration could interact with other environmental protection measures. We note the potential for expanding the creative vision associated with increasing tree‐containing environments in cities to generate more diverse and resilient forest restoration outcomes in rural settings. This study underscores the value of integrative management approaches in addressing future forest conditions across the urban–rural continuum. Our framework provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and decision‐makers to advance the field of forest restoration and address the challenges of restoration across the urban–rural continuum. The rural–urban interface serves as a convergence point for forest restoration, and both urban and rural fields can benefit from each other's expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their ability to produce meat, milk, leather, glue, gelatin, and other products that people may utilize, beef cattle are domesticated. Beef cattle production and marketing play a vital role in the growth and development of the globe and the African economy. Ethiopia has great potential for livestock population in Africa and in the world but earns less from beef cattle production and marketing. Ethiopian farmers are reluctant to beef cattle market participation. Their reluctant to participate in beef cattle marketing causes lack of beef cattle products in the market and causes high prices for beef cattle and its products. The research objective was to analyze the impact of beef cattle market participation on the welfare of beef cattle smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The primary data come from 400 randomly selected beef cattle farmers involved in beef cattle production and marketing and actors. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics propensity score matching (PSM) model have used to analyze the collected data. The data analysis result indicated that smallholder beef cattle farmers participating in beef cattle marketing and farmers' annual per capita consumption expenditure (economic welfare) increased by 84% more than the nonbeef cattle market participants. We assume this is a first result and investigation in the study area. The research study is important for farmers, policymakers, researchers, and the academia in general. Providing education and training, promoting the participation of more women in beef cattle marketing, and promoting and encouraging more full-time beef cattle farmers are suggested recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media in Africa has grown considerably over the past two decades and has fueled an extremely abundant literature. In this article, we examine their effects on remittances observed from a sample of 50 African countries. To achieve this, we specify and estimate a panel data model using the system generalized method of moments over the period 2009–2019. Our results show that social media, approximated by the Facebook penetration rate, increases remittances in Africa. Controlled by four complementary measures of social media (Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter), our results remain stable and robust. We suggest a qualitative improvement in connectivity and the establishment of a traceability system to better control the volume and their orientation in the financing of productive economic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape fires are increasing in frequency and severity globally. In Australia, extreme bushfires cause a large and increasing health and socioeconomic burden for communities and governments. People with asthma are particularly vulnerable to the effects of landscape fire smoke (LFS) exposure. Here, we present a position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. Within this statement we provide a review of the impact of LFS on adults and children with asthma, highlighting the greater impact of LFS on vulnerable groups, particularly older people, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also highlight the development of asthma on the background of risk factors (smoking, occupation and atopy). Within this document we present advice for asthma management, smoke mitigation strategies and access to air quality information, that should be implemented during periods of LFS. We promote clinician awareness, and the implementation of public health messaging and preparation, especially for people with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) emerged as a major lepidopteran pest destroying maize in sub‐Saharan Africa. A diallel mating design was used to generate 210 experimental hybrids from 21 lines. Experimental hybrids and four checks were evaluated in two locations. Commercial checks suffered higher foliar and ear damage compared to the top 15 hybrids. Mean squares associated with the genotypic variation were higher than genotype‐by‐environment interactions for foliar and ear damage traits. Heritabilities were moderate to high. Significant correlations were observed between grain yield (GY) with ear rot (−0.54) and ear damage (−0.45). Positive and significant GCA effects were observed for GY in seven parental lines, which were developed from multiple insect resistance breeding programmes. CKSBL10153 has the highest GCA value for GY and shows significant GCA effects for foliar and ear damage traits. These lines were identified as the ideal combiners for GY and FAW resistance and are therefore recommended for utilization as testers in the development of FAW‐resistant three‐way cross‐hybrid maize with correlated response for increased GY. GCA and marker‐based prediction correlations of GY were 0.79 and 0.96, respectively. Both GCA effects and marker‐based models were effective in predicting hybrid performance for FAW resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Orthodontic treatment of patients with traumatic dental injuries is challenging, with limited evidence of routines and outcomes. The aims of this study were: (i) to describe how orthodontists perceive the information on traumatic dental injuries received by referral from the Public Dental Health Service before orthodontic treatment and (ii) to assess orthodontists' knowledge and working routines in managing traumatic dental injuries. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained through a survey of all practicing orthodontists registered as members of the Norwegian Association of Orthodontists (n = 203). Results: Eighty‐three orthodontists were enrolled, most of whom had received their dental degree (73.0%) and specialist orthodontic training (88.5%) in Norway. They reported examining patients with a history of traumatic dental injury at weekly (34.2%) or monthly (38.0%) basis. In 85.5% of cases, they obtained a history of traumatic dental injury from patients. Half of the respondents (51.3%) favoured two‐phase early orthodontic treatment for patients with an overjet ≥6 mm. The observation time and treatment strategy showed considerable discrepancies across traumatic dental injury diagnoses. Most (59.1%) orthodontists considered the information on previous traumatic dental injuries provided by the Public Dental Health Services referral 'inadequate', more commonly in cases of mild (83.5%) than severe (57.5%) traumatic dental injuries. Conclusions: Orthodontic management of patients with traumatic dental injuries was characterised by lack of uniformity in both recommended observation time before orthodontic treatment and management strategy. The referral routines by the Public Dental Health Services for patients with traumatic dental injuries were perceived as 'inadequate' in terms of frequency and quality. The results indicate the requirement of standardisation of routines related to orthodontic management of traumatic dental injuries and referral routines by the Public Dental Health Services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Shigellosis is the most common cause of epidemic dysentery found worldwide, particularly in developing countries, where it causes infant diarrhea and mortality. The prevalence of Shigella species resistant to commonly used antimicrobial drugs has steadily increased. The purpose of this review is to describe the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) characteristics of Shigella species in East Africa between 2015 and 2022. Methods. Studies were identified using a computerized search of Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, with a detailed search strategy and cross-checking of reference lists for studies published between 2015 and 2022. Articles presenting data on prevalence and AMR, accessibility of the full-length article, and publication dates between 2015 and 2022 were the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the review. Original research reports written in English were considered. The heterogeneities of the studies were examined, and a meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence and AMR using a random effects model. Results. The pooled prevalence of Shigella species in East Africa was 6.2% (95% CI −0.20–12.60), according to an analysis of 22 studies. Shigella species prevalence was 4.0% in Ethiopia, 14.6% in Kenya, 0.7% in Sudan, 5.2% in South Sudan, and 20.6% in Somalia. The association of Shigella infection significantly varied among the countries (p = 0.01). Among the antibiotics tested, most Shigella isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, and ceftriaxone. Despite the fact that the reports varied in study sites and time, Shigella species were resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, and co-trimoxazole. Conclusion. The pooled estimate indicates high burden of Shigella infection in East Africa, as well as a high proportion of drug resistance pattern to tetracycline, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and amoxicillin. Therefore, initiating and scale-up of performing drug susceptibility test for each shigellosis case need to be considered and strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava has a crucial role in benefiting smallholder farmers as the main food and income source in southern Ethiopia. Characterization accessions are crucial for assessing variation, classifying, and identifying desirable accessions for crop improvement and conservation. In this regard, there needs to be more information on the morphological characterization and classification cassava accessions. Thus, the aim of this research was to systematically characterize, evaluate, and classify cassava accessions using qualitative characters to provide useful information for breeding program and conservation. A total of 64 accessions were planted using a simple lattice design during the 2020-2021 cropping season. Thirty qualitative data were collected at 3, 6, 9, and 18 months after planting and analyzed using the SAS and R-software packages. The high variable characteristics were the shape of the central leaflet, petiole color, leaf retention, branching habit, the color of the stem epidermis, the color of the stem exterior, the external color of the storage root, and the color of the root pulp towards frequency distribution analysis. The Shannon–Weaver diversity index ranged from 0.24 to 1.47, with an overall mean of 0.84. The first three dimensions in the multiple correspondent method explained approximately 39.39% of the total variation, with Dim 1 accounting for 20.77% and Dim 2 accounting for 9.98%, while petiole color and texture of the root epidermis were the leading contributors to the total variation, respectively. In clustering analysis, 64 accessions were classified into 4 clusters of varying sizes. The distribution of accessions in each cluster revealed that 52 accessions were in cluster I, 6 in cluster II, 5 in cluster III, and 1 in cluster IV. Each cluster was varied by a major group characteristic that it represented. Furthermore, the study identified the desirable accessions for desired storage root characteristics such as root constrictions, the external color of the storage root, the color of root pulp, the color of the root cortex, and cortex peeling tendency. In conclusion, the various analyses performed indicated the existence of sufficient genetic variability for the characteristics evaluated, which could be attributed to the dissimilar genetic backgrounds of the evaluated accessions. Thus, these could be utilized for breeding work and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Shigella and parasitic infections are common public health problems throughout the world. Shigellosis is an acute gastroenteritis infection and one of Ethiopia's most common causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in children under five. High resistance rates to commonly used antibiotic agents have been documented in different locations in Ethiopia. Objective. This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial features of the Shigella species isolated from children under five years of age with acute diarrhea in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods. Using a cross-sectional study, freshly passed fecal specimens were collected for intestinal parasite and bacterial isolation. Fecal samples for bacterial identification were placed immediately in Cary–Blair media and transported to the Ethiopian Public Health Institution (EPHI) laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AMST) was conducted using the disk diffusion method. Data were described using descriptive statistical tools. The association of independent and dependent variables was evaluated with logistic regression. A P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 8.2% with seven different species. Among the 534 stool-cultured specimens, 47 (8.8%) were positive for Shigella species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AMST) showed that 100%, 93.6%, 80.9%, 72.3%, and 57.5% were susceptible to norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and cefoxitin, respectively. However, 100% of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and erythromycin. More than 50% of the isolates were resistant to three and above antibiotics, while none of them were susceptible to all the antibiotics tested. All risk factors assessed did not show a statistically significant association with Shigella infection. Conclusion. The high levels of antibiotic resistance observed among the commonly prescribed antibiotics are alarming. The emerging resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid signals a severe public health threat in the management of shigellosis. Raising awareness about resistance and educating health professionals, policymakers, and the public can help improve the quality of patient care and rational antibiotic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate coverage of effective Kangaroo mother care (KMC) by developing a model that would result in high coverage (≥80%) of KMC for newborn weighing less than 2000 g at birth in Tigray region, Ethiopia. Methods: The study used formative research and continuous programme learning in iterative cycles of model development and modification conducted in close collaboration with the Tigray Regional Health Bureau. Quantitative methods were used to evaluate the various models. All study facilities were enrolled simultaneously, and hospitals and health centres were considered to become KMC‐providers. Results: The final scalable model implemented in two rural districts and one special urban zone of Tigray region attained the desired objective, with coverage of effective KMC of 82.3% at discharge. Conclusion: Achieving high coverage of KMC is possible through the design of context‐specific implementation strategies. The key factors for success were the commitment and strong leadership from the regional health bureau, strong linkages within the health system and between different departments within health facilities, improved health worker knowledge, skills and attitudes, hospitals and health centres that supported KMC performance, and systematic generation and use of data for continuous quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To estimate incremental costs of an implementation model for scaling up Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for neonates with birthweight <2000 g. Methods: Seven sites across Ethiopia and India collected data for 2018–19 to calculate incremental recurrent costs (of health worker time, supplies, and operations) and start‐up costs for KMC scale up. The costs were estimated per live newborn <2000 g eligible for KMC identified in the study population. Results: Scaling up KMC in study districts required average incremental costs of US$59 (95% CI US$ 52–67) in Ethiopia and US$72 (95% CI US$ 41–103) in India per eligible newborn in the population. Most of these costs were recurrent; the annualised start‐up costs per eligible newborn ranged from 12%–25% of total costs in Ethiopia and 9%–16% in India. The major cost driver was human resources, followed by initial and recurrent training, supplies, and communications costs. Incremental infrastructure costs were only 2%–6% of total costs in both countries. Most of the costs were for activities at the KMC implementing facility, accounting for 79%–88% of the total costs in Ethiopia and 89%–93% of those in India. Conclusion: The costs for successful scale up of KMC seem affordable but must be included in programme budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: As part of a multi‐country implementation trial, we tested a regionally specific model of kangaroo mother care (KMC). Effective KMC was defined as ≥8 h of newborn‐caregiver skin‐to‐skin contact daily plus exclusive breast feeding. The study was designed to achieve ≥80+% effective KMC coverage at the population level. Methods: The Amhara KMC model was designed using global evidence, formative research in the region and input from government officials, clinicians, newborn families and global scientists. We optimised the initial model using continuous quality improvement with process feedback, outcome measurement and collaborative re‐design. Outcomes from the evaluation period are reported. Results: At discharge, the final model resulted in a median of 16 h per day of skin‐to‐skin contact with 63% effective KMC coverage. Fifty‐three percent sustained effective KMC to 7 days post‐discharge. Conclusions: It is possible to achieve high coverage (63%), high‐quality KMC at public hospitals without prior KMC services using government‐owned, multisectoral collaborative design. Targeted co‐design, real‐time data and customisation of KMC interventions with input from impacted stakeholders was critical in achieving high coverage and sustained quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented growth in access to mobile phones and smartphones has opened up new possibilities in the way people live and work. However, women in developing countries are unable to take advantage of this growth due to certain factors and socio‐cultural norms that give rise to the gender digital divide. In this study, using the nationally representative Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (2019–2020), we investigate the gender and rural–urban (female) digital divide in a country with one of the most considerable digital divides. Furthermore, we employ an instrumental variable approach to study the effect of mobile or smartphone ownership on female labor force participation. The results indicate that institutional and sociocultural norms explain most of the ownership gap of mobile or smartphones between men and women. The instrumental variable approach demonstrates that mobile or smartphone ownership increases the participation of women in the labor force. We also find that the differences between observable characteristics, especially literacy and education, explain the rural–urban digital divide among females. Considering the importance of mobile or smartphone ownership in facilitating women's labor supply decisions, providing women with digital tools and upskilling them has wider implications for their economic well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birthweight is a useful public health measure of maternal health, nutrition, healthcare delivery, and child morbidity and mortality. Previous research did not focus on dietary patterns but rather on a single or a few foods or nutrients. This study aimed to assess the maternal dietary pattern and its association with birthweight in northern Ethiopia. A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among 373 pregnant mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy who came to attend their routine antenatal care service. The food frequency questionnaire was collected from the previous week, and the birthweight data were collected from the medical records after delivery. Three maternal dietary patterns were identified; dietary pattern includes eggs, milk, milk products, and certain fruits and roots. Dietary pattern 2 includes certain vegetables, green leafy vegetables, vitamin A‐rich vegetables, pulses such as beans, peas, and chickpeas, and drinks like coffee, tea, and soda. Dietary pattern 3 includes meat, nuts, and grains such as teff, corn, wheat, and white flour. Dietary pattern 1 (β = 52.45, p =.03) and dietary pattern 2 (β = 66.76, p =.01), residency (β = 287.08, p <.001), a mid‐upper‐arm circumference of 21–23 cm (β = 187.10, p =.02), a mid‐upper‐arm circumference of >23 cm (β = 272, p =.01), and gestational age at delivery (β = 12.58, p =.004) were the factors significantly associated with increased birthweight. The maternal dietary pattern has a significant association with birthweight. The focus should be given to maternal dietary patterns to prevent suboptimal and high birthweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement in subgrade soil has always been an area of concern for highway and geotechnical engineers. Weak subgrade soil results in a greater thickness of the pavement layer, which increases the cost of pavement construction. It further leads to large deformations, which in turn cause continuous deterioration of the paved surface. To solve this problem, various engineering solutions and soil improvement mechanisms were previously proposed. This study was designed to investigate the stabilization of weak subgrade soil with nylon synthetic fiber (NSF) in a compromising combination. Previously, some investigations used a lower fiber content with a higher fiber length, whereas others used a lower fiber length with a higher fiber content. However, this investigation was uniquely designed to stabilize weak subgrade soil with the consideration of appropriate fiber length (10 mm and 20 mm) and content (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2.5%). The engineering properties of the soil, the effect of NSF on weak subgrade soil, various fiber content and aspect ratios, and the optimum content and critical fiber aspect ratio were investigated in a laboratory. The effect of fibers on compaction, CBR values, and CBR swell values has also been studied. Laboratory results on the modified compaction tests showed that maximum dry density (MDD) was increased with the increment of fiber content, whereas optimum moisture content (OMC) remained constant. The soaked CBR and CBR swell values of natural soil were 1.80% and 8.95%, respectively. Due to reinforcement, the percentage increase in soaked CBR value at the optimum NSF content is 265.3, 310.0, 282.8, and 342.2 for aspect ratios of 33.33, 66.67, 25, and 50, respectively, with reference to natural soil. Also, the percentage decrease in swelling is 34.7, 52.75, 43.55, and 36.9, respectively. Moreover, the CBR value increases with the increase in aspect ratio by keeping the diameter constant and decreases with the increase in aspect ratio by keeping the length constant. It was also observed that increasing the length and diameter of NSF further increased the CBR value of reinforced soil. This increment was substantial at a fiber content of 1.5% for an aspect ratio of 50 (length = 20 mm, diameter = 0.4 mm). There was also a decrease in the CBR swelling value with an increase in fiber content. Finally, this investigation concluded that the use of NSF is a solution to weak soils with regard to moisture and performance problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]