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Autonomous teams of unmanned ground and air vehicles rely on networking and distributed processing to collaborate as they jointly localize, explore, map, and learn in sometimes difficult and adverse conditions. Co-designed intelligent wireless networks are needed for these autonomous mobile agents for applications including disaster response, logistics and transportation, supplementing cellular networks, and agricultural and environmental monitoring. In this paper we describe recent progress on wireless networking and distributed processing for autonomous systems using a low frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, here defined as roughly 25 to 100 MHz with corresponding wavelengths of 3 to 12 meters. This research is motivated by the desire to support autonomous systems operating in dense and cluttered environments by harnessing low frequency propagation, where meters long wavelengths yield significantly reduced scattering and enhanced penetration of obstacles and structures. This differs considerably from higher frequency propagation, requiring different low frequency propagation models than those widely employed for other bands. Progress in use of low frequency for autonomous systems has resulted from combined advances in low frequency propagation modeling, networking, antennas and electromagnetics, geolocation, multi-antenna array distributed beamforming, and mobile collaborative processing. This article describes the breadth and the depth of interaction between areas, leading to new tools and methods, especially in physically complex indoor/outdoor, dense urban, and other challenging scenarios. We bring together key results, models, measurements, and experiments that describe the state of the art for new uses of low frequency spectrum for multi-agent autonomy.

IntroductionThe increasing pressure on land and water resources, fueled by high population growth and climate change, has profound implications for crop yield and quality. While studies thrive for various crops, a notable research gap exists in understanding the responses of forage crops to irrigation and nutrient management in developing countries. This study aims to address this gap by assessing the impact of irrigation and fertilizer application on forage production in the Ethiopian sub-humid highlands.MethodsThe experiment focused on four forage varieties, namely Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) cultivars, ILRI-16791, ILRI-16819, ILRI-16803, and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) ILRI-144 cultivated in experimental plots. Three irrigation levels designated as IR60 (60% of total available soil water), IR80 (80%), and IR100 (100%) were applied, along with three fertilizer rates: organic manure at 30 t ha−1, and Urea-N at 100 kg ha−1 and 300 kg ha−1. Agronomic data including growth performance, forage dry matter yield, and nutritional quality were collected during two trial years.Results and discussionAmong the various irrigation treatments, IR80 demonstrated the most favorable balance between forage yield, WUE, net benefit, and LWP. In addition, the highest DMY, WUE, net benefit, and LWP were obtained for UREA at the rate of 300 kg ha−1 while the lowest DMY and WUE were observed for UREA at the rate of 100 kg ha−1. Significant variations were observed among the four forage varieties, with Napier grass ILRI-16791 having the highest DMY (9.8 tons ha−1), WUE (39 kg ha−1 mm−1), LWP (0.28 USD m−3 for local cows, and 1.04 USD m−3 for crossbred cows), and net benefit (783 USD ha−1). For all forages combined, a 40 and 20% decrease in irrigation increased water use efficiency by 17 and 9.4%, respectively. These results indicate that a moderate level of deficient irrigation such as IR80 could be a viable water management strategy for irrigated forage, especially in water-scarce areas. The conserved water saved from the deficit irrigation can thus be used to irrigate additional land, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient water usage approach.

Small-scale cultivation of irrigated fodder is emerging as a vital production system in mixed farming communities. Efficient water management plays a key role in enhancing forage production, especially in the face of changing climate. A field-scale experimental study was conducted in Robit Bata kebele, Ethiopia, with the following objectives: (1) to examine the effects of conventional farmers’ irrigation scheduling versus climate-based irrigation scheduling; and (2) to assess the influence of water-lifting technologies (manual pulley and solar Majipump) on dry matter yield (DMY), water productivity (WP), irrigation labor productivity (ILP), and water productivity in terms of crude protein and metabolizable energy (WP.CP and WP.ME) of Napier grass. The experiment used 10 farmers’ plots each with a size of 100 m2. Half of the plots were treated using farmers’ scheduling while the other half were treated using climate-based irrigation scheduling. Monitoring of irrigation water use and crop yield took place over two irrigation seasons from November 2020 to June 2021. Results showed there was an interaction effect of irrigation management (p = 0.019) and water-lifting technologies (p = 0.016) with season on DMY. The highest DMY occurred in the first irrigation season with climate-based scheduling and solar Majipump use. The interaction effect of irrigation management and season affected WP (p = 0.047). Climate-based scheduling had a higher WP in the first season, while farmers’ scheduling had a higher WP during the second season. On average, the solar Majipump outperformed the pulley, achieving 5 kg m−3 WP compared to the pulley’s 4 kg m−3 (p = 0.018). Emphasizing the seasonal impact, it is recommended to promote full irrigation (climate-based) in the first season for maximum yield and WP. Conversely, in the second season, advocating only deficit irrigation is advised due to water scarcity and sustainability concerns. Statistical parity in DMY and lower WP with full irrigation in the second season supports this recommendation, addressing the challenge of optimizing water use in the context of a changing climate and ensuring sustainable smallholder agriculture practices. Therefore, implementing appropriate irrigation management alongside efficient water-lifting technologies holds the potential to enhance fodder productivity and bolster smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Future research should explore the comparative benefits of irrigated fodder versus other crops and the overall advantages of investing in irrigated fodder over vegetables.

Tesfahun Zewde Legisso,1 Bereket Getachew Mamo,1 Abebaw Miskir Bimrew,1 Teshale Fikadu2,3 1Department of Statistics, College of Natural Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 3Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Public Health, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tesfahun Zewde Legisso, Email tesfahun.zewde@yahoo.comBackground: Hypertension is a common non-communicable disease detected through blood pressure measurement that makes periodic health examinations crucial for the detection, prevention, and timely treatment.Objective: To assess the frequency of blood pressure examination and its determinant among civil servants in Arba Minch Town, south Ethiopia.Methods: From February to March 2020 an organization-based cross-sectional study design was employed among civil servants in Arba Minch town. Data were collected from 580 randomly selected civil servants using a well-structured questionnaire. Hurdle Poisson regression model was conducted to identify determinants of frequency of blood pressure examination using R version 4.0.2.Results: A total of 407 (70.2%) civil servants had never examined their blood pressure within a year before the study time. The mean frequency of blood pressure examination was 0.71 with a standard deviation of 1.46. The hurdle Poisson regression analysis indicates age above 40 years (IRR = 6.11, p < 0.001), elevated blood pressure (IRR = 1.48, p < 0.001), no family history of hypertension (IRR = 0.59, p < 0.001) had significant effects on the expected number of non-zero counts blood pressure examination. And education status (OR; 2.39, p < 0.05), poor knowledge about hypertension, not getting advice from health professionals (OR = 8.93, p < 0.001), and age above 40 years had significant effects on not taking blood pressure examination.Conclusion: The frequency of blood pressure examinations among civil servants was found to be low. This study reveals age, elevated blood pressure, family history of hypertension, getting advice, and knowledge on hypertension were found to be determinants of the frequency of blood pressure examination. Thus, concerned health authorities and medical workers should work on these factors to prevent and detect hypertension among apparently healthy civil servants.Keywords: Arba Minch, blood pressure examination, Ethiopia, hurdle Poisson regression, hypertension

This paper presents a compact three-port antenna design suitable for use in mobile radio systems that require polarization and pattern diversity. The antenna design utilizes a shorted bow-tie patch split in half with an air gap and a top-loaded two-element monopole placed along the gap on a small common ground plane ( $0.37\lambda ^{2}$ ) to achieve a compact form factor. The patch is excited by aperture coupling and probe feeding via two independent ports, producing two orthogonally polarized broadside patterns for polarization diversity. Meanwhile, the co-located monopole generates a vertically polarized omnidirectional pattern to provide pattern diversity. High inter-port isolation (> 25 dB) is achieved by incorporating simple decoupling structures shorted to the ground plane between the patch and the monopole. Measurements on the antenna prototype show that envelope correlation coefficients among the three different radiation patterns are lower than – 37 dB (or 0.0002) within the operating bandwidth, making this antenna a good candidate for diversity applications.

Negussie Boti Sidamo,1 Sultan Hussen,1 Tamiru Shibiru,2 Meseret Girma,1 Mulugeta Shegaze,1 Abera Mersha,3 Teshale Fikadu,1 Zeleke Gebru,1 Eshetu Andarge,1 Mustefa Glagn,1 Selamawit Gebeyehu,1 Bilcha Oumer,4 Gebremaryam Temesgen5 1School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 2School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 3School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 4Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 5Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Negussie Boti SidamoSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaEmail Hanehalid@gmail.comBackground: Since the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, different public health measures have been implemented to prevent and control the further spread of the disease. However, barriers that influence the effective implementation of public health measures were not explore in Ethiopia especially in study Area. Therefore, this study tried to fill this gap by exploring the barriers to effective implementation of public health measures for prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Gamo Zone of southern Ethiopia.Methods: The study employed a qualitative study with a phenomenology approach among purposely selected 30 individuals in the community and selected institutions. Key informant interview was used to collect the data. The data were transcribed verbatim and translated into the English language. The transcribed data were read several times to clearly understand the content for further analysis. The analysis of the data was conducted based on the modified Tanahashi framework.Results: The study identified different barriers under five main themes: accessibility, acceptability, availability, contact and use, and effective implementation of public health measures related to barriers. The main barriers to effective implementation of public health measures were resistance to change, negligence, lack of community engagement, insufficient training for front line workers, poor supportive supervision, poor law enforcement, and lack of continuous community awareness creation. Beside, acceptability related barriers like cultural and religious norms and availability related barriers like shortage of personal protective equipment and shortage of skilled health professional have also lion share barriers for implementation of the public health measures.Conclusion: The study identified different personal, institutional, and societal level barriers for effective implementation of public health measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, proper and targeted continuous community awareness creation with further mandatory law enforcement activities should be implemented by the concerned bodies to mitigate individual and societal level barriers. In addition, the government with relevant stakeholders should give due attention to equip and protect the frontline professionals by availing the necessary logistic and provision of continuous capacity-building activities.Keywords: COVID-19, effective implementation, public health measures, modified Tanahashi model, barriers, Gamo zone

Eshetu Andarge,1 Teshale Fikadu,1 Rodas Temesgen,2 Mulugeta Shegaze,1 Tesfaye Feleke,1 Firehiwot Haile,1 Gisila Endashaw,3 Negussie Boti,1 Alemayehu Bekele,4 Mustefa Glagn1 1School of Public Health, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia; 2Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia; 3School of Nursing, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia; 4Center for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Eshetu AndargeSchool of Public Health, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box: 021, Arba Minch, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, EthiopiaTel +251-9-45-89-59-37Email andeshe7@gmail.comPurpose: With prevention being the only and best available intervention, COVID-19 has recently become a global threat, having had and continuing to have enormous health, economic, and societal impacts. Evidence so far has documented a heightened risk of mortality to people with chronic conditions. There is a dearth of evidence regarding chronic disease patients’ intention and practice on the preventive measures. This study tried to fill this gap by assessing the intention to practice and practice on personal preventive measures (PPMs) among adults with chronic conditions.Materials and Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southern Ethiopia among 806 adults with chronic conditions by employing a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS software version 25. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with intention and practice. Level of statistical significance was declared at a P-value of less than 0.05.Results: The study showed that 52% (95% CI=47.61– 54.80) and 76.3% (95% CI=73.36– 79.24) of adults with chronic conditions were intending to practice and had ever practiced the personal preventive measures. Participants’ subjective norm (SN) (AOR=4.94; 95% CI=3.49– 6.96) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) (AOR=4.13; 95% CI=2.69– 6.34) were the factors associated with their intention. Good knowledge and a positive attitude were found to be significant factors associated with the participants’ actual practice of the PPMs among other independent factors.Conclusion: Around half of the participants were intending to practice PPMs, and three-quarters had good practice on the PPMs against COVID-19. Interventions targeted to improve intention and practice on the PPMs need to take into account improving knowledge and attitude, and build positive subjective norms and heighten the confidence to control the preventive behaviors.Keywords: intention, practice, theory of planned behavior, chronic conditions, South Ethiopia

In this paper, we study a wireless network where multiple distributed transmitters control the phases of their signals so that they can be constructively combined at a client receiver. Unlike centralized beamforming with co-located and phase-synchronized antennas, geographically separated transmitters experience phase offsets caused by the individual local oscillators. In practical scenarios, the transmitters should not be placed too close to each other in order to alleviate mutual coupling effects and extend the coverage region. In this regard, we model the spatial distribution of the transmitters as a β -Ginibre point process that models the repulsive feature. We investigate two types of transmission strategies: (i) Transmitter selection in which the client selects the transmitter providing the highest received power at the client, and (ii) Coherent beamforming in which multiple transmitters send their signals simultaneously to the client in the presence of phase offsets among the transmitters. We introduce the exact expression of the coverage probability of the transmitter selection method. Also, we derive an approximation of the coverage probability of the coherent beamforming scheme by leveraging two scaling factors that respectively capture the impacts of the phase offsets and the degree of repulsion on the coverage probability. From numerical simulations, we validate the accuracy of our analysis.

The study was conducted to determine the yield and nutritional quality of sweet lupine (Lupinus angustifolius.) grown in midaltitude of Lemo District, Southern Ethiopia. The yield and nutritive value of sweet lupine in terms of quantity and quality was conducted using a factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments for the study were two sweet lupine varieties (Vitabore and Sanabore), two locations (Upper Gana and Jewe Kebeles, and six levels of planting spacing: 30 cm × 7 cm (S1), 40 cm × 7 cm (S2), 30 cm × 15 cm (S3), 40 cm × 15 cm (S4), 30 cm × 20 cm (S5), and 40 cm × 20 cm (S6)). The yield, chemical composition, and digestibility among parameters were studied. Sweet lupine varieties in Upper Gana Kebele gave the highest green forage yield (39.58 t/ha) and forage dry matter (4.84 t/ha) at 30 cm × 7 cm planting spacing, respectively. Seed yield (SYD) (t/ha) was highly affected (P

This article is meant to analyze the origin, evolution and current status of neoliberalism with special focus on the shift that has been observed in the main-stream political ideology of capitalism. An explanatory research approach was employed by relying on secondary sources of data to explain the rise and fall of neoliberalism and its dynamics and uncertain journey in an allegory of destruction of the Berlin Wall to the construction of Mexico wall. The review revealed that the neoliberal ideology which was once projected as a panacea for the liberation of human dignity, autonomy, choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete in markets and personal empowerment is no more relevant and workable as it was during the 1970s. The shreds of evidence further brought out that champions of neoliberalism were more engaged in the arms race, religious polarization, terrorism vs. anti-terrorism, mainstream ideological rivalry, politics of oil under the garb of democracy and market economy. A paradigm shift was also observed as a hallmark in this paper when the messiah of neoliberalism shifted to protectionism which is symbolized by the strong zeal to construct the Mexico Wall. This paradigm shift took place now when free-trade ideology started to signify a trend of integration among the countries of the South and when a significant rise of Emerging Markets has been taking place. It concluded that the holiness of market-oriented ideology proved to be an unholy affair.

A low-power, low-frequency, ad hoc networking paradigm is considered for robust communications among mobile agents in complex non-line-of-sight (NLOS) indoor and urban-type scenarios. Compared with higher frequency, the lower portion of the very high frequency (VHF) band offers improved penetration and reduced multipath in such scenarios. Low VHF is underutilized for mobile ad hoc networking due to the lack of compact low-power systems and efficient miniature antennas. We investigate the proposed approach through experiments in realistic scenarios. In order to carry out the experiments, we leverage a compact, low-power ZigBee radio operating seamlessly in the low-VHF band by introducing a bi-directional frequency converter, which translates ZigBee signals into low-VHF carriers, along with a recently developed highly miniaturized efficient antenna. The experimental low-VHF radio system and a conventional ZigBee operating at 2.4 GHz are both integrated on a compact ground robotic platform for autonomous experimentation and comparison in NLOS indoor and outdoor settings. Measurements quantify the significant advantages of the low-VHF radio system in terms of packet error rate, fading, radio signal strength, and extended spatial coverage, in a number of complex communication environments.

Introduction: The increasing pressure on land and water resources, fueled by high population growth and climate change, has profound implications for crop yield and quality. While studies thrive for various crops, a notable research gap exists in understanding the responses of forage crops to irrigation and nutrient management in developing countries. This study aims to address this gap by assessing the impact of irrigation and fertilizer application on forage production in the Ethiopian sub-humid highlands. Methods: The experiment focused on four forage varieties, namely Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) cultivars, ILRI-16791, ILRI-16819, ILRI-16803, and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) ILRI-144 cultivated in experimental plots. Three irrigation levels designated as IR60 (60% of total available soil water), IR80 (80%), and IR100 (100%) were applied, along with three fertilizer rates: organic manure at 30 t ha-1, and Urea-N at 100kgha-1 and 300kgha-1. Agronomic data including growth performance, forage dry matter yield, and nutritional quality were collected during two trial years. Results and discussion: Among the various irrigation treatments, IR80 demonstrated the most favorable balance between forage yield, WUE, net benefit, and LWP. In addition, the highest DMY, WUE, net benefit, and LWP were obtained for UREA at the rate of 300kgha-1 while the lowest DMY and WUE were observed for UREA at the rate of 100kgha-1. Significant variations were observed among the four forage varieties, with Napier grass ILRI-16791 having the highest DMY (9.8 tons ha-1), WUE (39kgha-1 mm-1), LWP (0.28 USD m-3 for local cows, and 1.04 USD m-1 for crossbred cows), and net benefit (783 USD ha-1). For all forages combined, a 40 and 20% decrease in irrigation increased water use efficiency by 17 and 9.4%, respectively. These results indicate that a moderate level of deficient irrigation such as IR80 could be a viable water management strategy for irrigated forage, especially in water-scarce areas. The conserved water saved from the deficit irrigation can thus be used to irrigate additional land, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient water usage approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale cultivation of irrigated fodder is emerging as a vital production system in mixed farming communities. Efficient water management plays a key role in enhancing forage production, especially in the face of changing climate. A field-scale experimental study was conducted in Robit Bata kebele, Ethiopia, with the following objectives: (1) to examine the effects of conventional farmers' irrigation scheduling versus climate-based irrigation scheduling; and (2) to assess the influence of water-lifting technologies (manual pulley and solar Majipump) on dry matter yield (DMY), water productivity (WP), irrigation labor productivity (ILP), and water productivity in terms of crude protein and metabolizable energy (WP.CP and WP.ME) of Napier grass. The experiment used 10 farmers' plots each with a size of 100 m2. Half of the plots were treated using farmers' scheduling while the other half were treated using climate-based irrigation scheduling. Monitoring of irrigation water use and crop yield took place over two irrigation seasons from November 2020 to June 2021. Results showed there was an interaction effect of irrigation management (p = 0.019) and water-lifting technologies (p = 0.016) with season on DMY. The highest DMY occurred in the first irrigation season with climate-based scheduling and solar Majipump use. The interaction effect of irrigation management and season affected WP (p = 0.047). Climate-based scheduling had a higher WP in the first season, while farmers' scheduling had a higher WP during the second season. On average, the solar Majipump outperformed the pulley, achieving 5 kg m−3 WP compared to the pulley's 4 kg m−3 (p = 0.018). Emphasizing the seasonal impact, it is recommended to promote full irrigation (climate-based) in the first season for maximum yield and WP. Conversely, in the second season, advocating only deficit irrigation is advised due to water scarcity and sustainability concerns. Statistical parity in DMY and lower WP with full irrigation in the second season supports this recommendation, addressing the challenge of optimizing water use in the context of a changing climate and ensuring sustainable smallholder agriculture practices. Therefore, implementing appropriate irrigation management alongside efficient water-lifting technologies holds the potential to enhance fodder productivity and bolster smallholder farmers' livelihoods. Future research should explore the comparative benefits of irrigated fodder versus other crops and the overall advantages of investing in irrigated fodder over vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the context of graph theory and chemical graph theory, this research conducts a detailed mathematical investigation of reverse topological indices as they relate to iron telluride networks, clarifying their complex interactions. Graph theory is a branch of abstract mathematics that carefully studies the connections and structural features of graphs made up of edges and vertices. These theoretical ideas are expanded upon in chemical graph theory, which models molecular architectures with atoms acting as vertices and chemical bonds as edges. By extending these concepts, this work investigates the reverse topological indices in the context of Iron Telluride networks and outlines their significant effects on chemical reactivity, molecular topology and statistical modeling. By navigating intricate mathematical formalisms and algorithmic approaches, the analysis provides profound insights into the reactivity patterns and structural dynamics of Iron Telluride compounds, enhancing our knowledge of solid-state chemistry and materials science.

Abstract This paper describes a generalized Diophantine fuzzy sets, which can be seen as a generalization of both Diophantine fuzzy sets and Pythagorean fuzzy sets. We define the basic properties of generalized Diophantine fuzzy set, as well as their relationships and distances. We compare Diophantine fuzzy sets with other Diophantine Pythagorean fuzzy sets to demonstrate their importance in the literature. We introduce new operators including necessity, possibility, accuracy function and score function. Furthermore, we discuss the new distance between normalized Euclidean distance and normalized Hamming distance. For a generalized Diophantine fuzzy relation, image and inverse image functions are defined. Numerous real-world applications can be found for the prevalent ideas of intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Pythagorean fuzzy sets, Diophantine fuzzy sets and q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets. Regretfully, these theories about the membership and non-membership grades have their own limits. We provide a new idea the generalized Diophantine fuzzy set that eliminates these limitations by including reference parameters. Compared to other kinds of fuzzy sets, there are more applications for generalized Diophantine fuzzy sets. We offer practical examples that show how different enhanced distances might be used in everyday situations. Additionally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach, flowchart based multi-criteria decision-making is provided and used to a numerical example. The outcomes are assessed for various parameter values. Furthermore, a comparative analysis developed to demonstrate the superiority of the suggested technique over current methodologies.

Abstract The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose significant challenges worldwide, despite widespread vaccination. Researchers are actively exploring antiviral treatments to assess their efficacy against emerging virus variants. The aim of the study is to employ M-polynomial, neighborhood M-polynomial approach and QSPR/QSAR analysis to evaluate specific antiviral drugs including Lopinavir, Ritonavir, Arbidol, Thalidomide, Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Theaflavin and Remdesivir. Utilizing degree-based and neighborhood degree sum-based topological indices on molecular multigraphs reveals insights into the physicochemical properties of these drugs, such as polar surface area, polarizability, surface tension, boiling point, enthalpy of vaporization, flash point, molar refraction and molar volume are crucial in predicting their efficacy against viruses. These properties influence the solubility, permeability, and bio availability of the drugs, which in turn affect their ability to interact with viral targets and inhibit viral replication. In QSPR analysis, molecular multigraphs yield notable correlation coefficients exceeding those from simple graphs: molar refraction (MR) (0.9860), polarizability (P) (0.9861), surface tension (ST) (0.6086), molar volume (MV) (0.9353) using degree-based indices, and flash point (FP) (0.9781), surface tension (ST) (0.7841) using neighborhood degree sum-based indices. QSAR models, constructed through multiple linear regressions (MLR) with a backward elimination approach at a significance level of 0.05, exhibit promising predictive capabilities highlighting the significance of the biological activity $$IC_{50}$$ I C 50 (Half maximal inhibitory concentration). Notably, the alignment of predicted and observed values for Remdesivir’s with obs $${pIC_{50} = 6.01}$$ p I C 50 = 6.01 ,pred $${pIC_{50} = 6.01}$$ p I C 50 = 6.01 ( $$pIC_{50}$$ p I C 50 represents the negative logarithm of $$IC_{50}$$ I C 50 ) underscores the accuracy of multigraph-based QSAR analysis. The primary objective is to showcase the valuable contribution of multigraphs to QSPR and QSAR analyses, offering crucial insights into molecular structures and antiviral properties. The integration of physicochemical applications enhances our understanding of factors influencing antiviral drug efficacy, essential for combating emerging viral strains effectively.

Topological indices are mathematical descriptors of the structure of a molecule that can be used to predict its properties. They are derived from the graph theory, which describes the topology of a molecule and its connectivity. The main objective is mathematical modeling and topological properties of ϒ-graphyne. Current research focuses on two structures made from hexagonal honeycomb graphite lattices named triangular ϒ-graphyne and triangular ϒ-graphyne chains. The authors have simultaneously computed the first and second Reverse Zagreb indices, reverse hyper-Zagreb indices, and their polynomials. This research also derives mathematical closed-form formulas for some of its fundamental degree-based molecular descriptors. Researchers have been trying to synthesize a novel carbon form called Graphyne. For over a decade but with no success. Recently, some researchers have made a breakthrough in generating Carbons elusive allotrope and solved a long-standing problem in carbon materials. This wonder material is created to rival the conductivity of graphene but with control. These results opened new ways of research in the fields of semiconductors, electronics and optics. Furthermore, graphical and tabular results will help to investigate the structure-property relationships in γ-graphyne.

Abstract In this study, we introduce a novel valency-based index, the neighborhood face index (NFI), designed to characterize the structural attributes of benzenoid hydrocarbons. To assess the practical applicability of NFI, we conducted a linear regression analysis utilizing numerous physiochemical properties associated with benzenoid hydrocarbons. Remarkably, the results revealed an extraordinary correlation exceeding 0.9991 between NFI and these properties, underscoring the robust predictive capability of the index. The NFI, identified as the best-performing descriptor, is subsequently investigated within certain infinite families of carbon nanotubes. This analysis demonstrates the index’s exceptional predictive accuracy, suggesting its potential as a versatile tool for characterizing and predicting properties across diverse molecular structures, particularly in the context of carbon nanotubes.

Exploring the applications of Laplacian and signless Laplacian spectra extends beyond theoretical chemistry, computer science, electrical networks, and complex networks. These spectra, with their relevance, provide valuable insights into the structures of real-world networks and facilitate the prediction of their structural properties. The focal point of the study lies in the spectrum-based analysis of torus grid graphs. From these analyses, crucial network measures such as mean-first passage time, average path length, spanning trees, and spectral radius are derived. This research enriches our comprehension of the interplay between graph spectra and network characteristics, offering a holistic understanding of complex networks. Consequently, it contributes to the ability to make predictions and conduct analyses across diverse scientific disciplines.

We propose a wideband multibeam circular array antenna for directional networking applications at VHF/UHF frequencies. We introduce a directional antenna element by combining the radiation patterns of a monopole and a loop element. Combining the figure-eight-shaped and omnidirectional radiation patterns of the loop and the monopole antenna results in a directional antenna element. We demonstrate that a significantly larger bandwidth can be achieved by moderately relaxing the size constraints placed on the antenna element. A circular array consisting of eight of these radiating elements was developed. This array has a low profile, fitting in a 4 $\times $ 4 $\times $ 1 ft3 volume. The antenna shows a well-matched frequency response with S11 below −10 dB over an octave frequency bandwidth of 225–450 MHz. The good impedance matching of the array is maintained if the array elements are individually excited (e.g., to provide eight beams) or if multiple adjacent elements are excited together to provide fewer, more directional beams. We validated our simulation results by fabricating and experimentally characterizing a 3:1 scaled model of the proposed antenna. The proposed array can achieve gain values of 6–8 dBi within its operational bandwidth if each radiating element is excited individually. This gain increases to 10–12 dBi by exciting three adjacent elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the utilization of fractional calculus has witnessed a notable surge across various scientific and engineering domains. This manuscript delves into the exploration of adapted iterative techniques tailored for solving nonlinear equations, capitalizing on the diverse range of derivatives available for addressing different problem contexts. We scrutinize previously developed iterative methods, enhancing their efficacy by introducing an auxiliary parameter to the root search process for nonlinear equations (NLE), alongside a fixed order of fractional derivatives. The selection of the auxiliary parameter is confined to the interval (0,1] for convenience. A thorough convergence analysis is conducted, employing a fractional power series expansion of f(x) in terms of fractional derivatives. Subsequently, a series of NLEs is solved to showcase and contrast the efficiency of our proposed methods with established iterative techniques. This refined abstract aims to succinctly elucidate the objectives and contributions of our study, providing readers with a clearer understanding of the manuscript's scope and significance.

Objective To identify determinants of puerperal sepsis among postpartum women attending East Shoa Zone public hospitals, Central Ethiopia, 2023.Design and setting An institutional-based, unmatched case–control study was conducted from 19 June 2023 to 4 September 2023, in East Shoa Zone public hospitals.Participants 495 postpartum women (100 cases and 395 controls) were selected using systematic sampling techniques. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and from medical charts using a pretested, structured questionnaire. The AOR with its corresponding 95% CI was used to identify determinant variables. Findings were presented in texts and tables.Outcome measures The medical charts of participants were reviewed to identify those who had developed puerperal sepsis.Results Anaemia (AOR 6.05; 95% CI 2.57 to 14.26), undernourishment (AOR 4.43; 95% CI 1.96 to 10.01), gestational diabetes mellitus (AOR 3.26; 95% CI 1.22 to 8.74), postpartum haemorrhage (AOR 3.17; 95% CI 1.28 to 7.87), obstructed labour (AOR 2.76; 95% CI 1.17 to 6.52), multiparity (AOR 2.54; 95% CI 1.17 to 5.50), placenta previa (AOR 2.27; 95% CI 1.11 to 4.67) and vaginal examination ≥5 times (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.05 to 4.54) were the independent determinants of puerperal sepsis in this study.Conclusion This study found that gestational diabetes mellitus, anaemia, undernourishment, placenta previa, obstructed labour, postpartum haemorrhage and five or more per-vaginal examinations during labour were the determinants of puerperal sepsis. Therefore, it is recommended that obstetric care providers strictly adhere to guidelines on the number of vaginal exams that should be performed throughout labour and that they perform these exams using the appropriate infection-prevention techniques. In addition, they should provide comprehensive health education on nutrition during pregnancy and postnatal periods and the importance of iron supplements.

This communication presents a low-profile and efficient low-very high-frequency (VHF) antenna designed for compact unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). An effective miniaturization strategy for a top-loaded multielement monopole antenna is proposed to improve its gain while maintaining a low profile. The approach introduces multiple closely spaced short vertical radiating elements and a structurally constructed 180° phase shifter connecting the elements on a small ground plane. The phase shifter enables electric currents flowing through the vertical elements to be in phase, resulting in enhanced radiation without increasing the antenna profile. In order to improve the antenna bandwidth, a monopole configuration with a sleeve feed and capacitive top loading is adapted. The proposed antenna optimized for a compact UGV via parametric analysis has a height of $0.028\lambda $ at 42 MHz (the corresponding electrical size $ka=0.24$). The measured performance of an antenna prototype shows the 3 dB bandwidth of 0.67 MHz and the peak gain of −2.5 dBi. The proposed design can achieve more than 16% reduction in lateral dimensions and 1 dB improvement in gain compared to the state-of-the-art design with similar topology. The performance of the antenna integrated on an actual UGV system is also evaluated by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Maternal satisfaction with pain management after cesarean delivery serves as an indicator of the quality of care. Assessing the level of satisfaction with postcesarean delivery pain management is paramount for both the mother and the healthcare institution. This study aimed to assess maternal satisfaction with postcesarean section pain management and associated factors at the Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northwest, Ethiopia, in 2023. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023, involving 424 study participants. A consecutive sampling method was utilized for participant selection. Data were entered into Epidata and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive and analytic statistics were employed. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with maternal satisfaction regarding postcesarean section pain management. Variables with a p value of

The versatile uses of Copper(II) Fluoride (CuF2) are well known; these include its usage as a precursor in chemical synthesis as well as its contribution to the creation of sophisticated materials and electronics. There are interesting opportunities to study the interactions between these elements because of their unique crystal structure, which contains copper ions and fluoride anions. Its potential in optoelectronic devices and conductive qualities also make it a viable material for next-generation technologies. To better understand the structural properties of CuF2 and how they affect its entropy, we present new Zagreb indices in this study and use them to calculate entropy measures. We also build a regression model to clarify the relationship between the calculated indices and entropy levels. The findings of our investigation offer significant understanding regarding the ability of the suggested Zagreb indices to extract meaningful content and their correlation with entropy in the context of CuF2. This information is important for understanding CuF2 alloys and for exploring related complex materials.

Adisu Naga Mamo,1 Robdu Furi Gilo,2,&ast; Ashetu Fikadu Tesema,3,&ast; Negash Fetene Worku,4 Tadese Teshome Kenea,5 Dinka Kebede Dibisa,6 Yonas Adisu Dagafa,7 Lamessa Dube8,&ast; 1Department of Public Health Emergency Management, Kelem Wallaga Zonal Health Office, Dambi Dollo, Oromia, Ethiopia; 2Department of Pediatrics, Shala District Health Office, Shashamane, Oromia, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health Science, Dambi Dollo University, Dambi Dollo, Oromia, Ethiopia; 4Department of Diseases Prevention and Control, Yaya Gulale District Health Office, Fiche, Oromia, Ethiopia; 5Department of Public Health Emergency Management, Sire Hospital, Nekemte, Oromia, Ethiopia; 6Department of Diseases Prevention and Control, Setema District Health Office, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia; 7Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health Science, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Oromia, Ethiopia; 8Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Adisu Naga Mamo, Tel +251917712305, Email obsanega8@gmail.comBackground: The greatest risk of getting tuberculosis (TB) infection is contact with patients who have pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends tuberculosis screening for all household contacts of PTB patients. However, there is no information on household contact screening adherence among PTB patients in Shashamane town.Methods: A facility-based mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to November 30, 2021 among consecutively selected 392 PTB patients and 23 purposely selected key informants. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire and leading questions. Data analysis was made using SPSS version 25 and in-depth interview information was analyzed based on thematic areas. Bivariable followed by multivariable logistic regression with 95% CI were conducted. P-value< 0.05 was considered to identify statistically significant factors.Results: The overall adherence to household contact screening (HHCS) was 44.4% (95% CI: 39.3, 49.1). Having under fifteen years of contact (AOR=2.386, 95% CI: 1.44, 3.96), diploma and above education status (AOR=3.43, 95% CI: 1.286, 9.15), good knowledge (AOR=2.999, 95% CI: 1.79, 5.03), favorable attitude (AOR=2.409, 95% CI: 1.45, 4.02), getting health education (AOR=3.287, 95% CI: 1.92, 5.63) and smear positive type of PTB (AOR=2.156, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.62) were factors significantly associated with HHCS adherence. Workload, facility readiness and care provide commitments were also identified from qualitative data.Conclusion and Recommendation: HHCS adherence in our study was sub-optimal referenced to WHO and national recommendations that all household contact should be screened. Having age less than fifteen years contact, education status, knowledge, attitude, receiving health education and type of pulmonary tuberculosis were factors associated with adherence. We recommend increasing community awareness of TB, providing health education TB patients and their families, strengthening positive attitudes toward HHC screening and strengthening the commitment of health professionals to screen for HHCs.Keywords: adherence, household, contact, screening, pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract Background One of the most challenging problems in developing countries including Ethiopia is improving maternal health. About 303,000 mothers die globally, and one in every 180 is at risk from maternal causes. Developing regions account for 99% of maternal deaths. Maternal near miss (MNM) resulted in long-term consequences. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and predictors of maternal near miss in Ethiopia from January 2015 to March 2023. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis cover both published and unpublished studies from different databases (PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library) to search for published studies whilst searches for unpublished studies were conducted using Google Scholar and Google searches. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Duplicated studies were removed using Endnote X8. The paper quality was also assessed based on the JBI checklist. Finally, 21 studies were included in the study. Data synthesis and statistical analysis were conducted using STATA Version 17 software. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence using the random effect model. Heterogeneity and publication bias was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test, (Q) and I squared test (I2). Subgroup analysis based on study region and year of publication was performed. Result From a total of 705 obtained studies, twenty-one studies involving 701,997 pregnant or postpartum mothers were included in the final analysis. The national pooled prevalence of MNM in Ethiopia was 140/1000 [95% CI: 80, 190]. Lack of formal education [AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.10], Lack of antenatal care [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.33, 3.03], history of cesarean section [AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: 2.91, 5.24], anemia [AOR = 4.86, 95% CI: 3.24, 6.47], and having chronic medical disorder [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.53, 3.29] were among the predictors of maternal near misses from the pooled estimate. Conclusion The national prevalence of maternal near miss was still substantial. Antenatal care is found to be protective against maternal near miss. Emphasizing antenatal care to prevent anemia and modifying other chronic medical conditions is recommended as prevention strategies. Avoiding primary cesarean section is recommended unless a clear indication is present. Finally, the country should place more emphasis on strategies for reducing MNM and its consequences, with the hope of improving women's health.

Easily and flexibly deployable ad-hoc communication networks emerging in tactical military or even civilian contexts, frequently suffer from poor synchronization due to lack of coordinating infrastructure. In addition to synchronization issues, and especially in military settings, security from the aspect of detectability is also of crucial importance. Imperfect synchronization can be dealt with by making use of Quasi-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (QS-CDMA), relying on Loosely Synchronous Codes to maintain orthogonality in the presence of limited time delays. Security, in terms of low probability of detection (LPD) from the standpoint of a malicious adversary, can be improved (reduced detection) by employing randomization techniques that disrupt the inherent structure of the transmitted QS-CDMA signals. This is based on the fact that QS-CDMA signals are Cyclostationary, having (almost) periodic Auto-Correlation functions (ACF) due to eminent signal periodicities (such as spreading code repetition). In this paper, we propose techniques to disturb the ACF and equivalently the Spectral Correlation function, and reduce the Degree of Cyclostationarity (DCS), our LPD measure. Specifically, we investigate randomization via 1) random per symbol time dithering and 2) random selection of spreading sequences, as well as a hybrid approach combining time dithering and code randomization. In all proposed techniques knowledge of the randomization pattern is not required at the legitimate receiver. We derive the Spectral Correlation function of the QS-CDMA signal under the proposed randomization schemes and compare it to simulations. We show through analysis and extensive numerical simulations that the proposed technique can reduce the DCS by almost two orders of magnitude. We also show that enhanced LPD can be achieved using the proposed techniques while sacrificing a part of the reduced time synchronization requirement. We further analyze the implications of the friendly receiver not knowing the randomization pattern and present results on the resulting communication performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe accurate estimation of gestational age is crucial in identifying prematurity and other health problems in newborns and in providing appropriate perinatal care. Although there are numerous methods for measuring gestational age, they are not always applicable. During these situations, it becomes challenging to ascertain whether a baby has been born prematurely or not. Therefore, this study aims to estimate gestational age by utilizing newborn anthropometric parameters.PurposeThe objective of this study is to estimate the gestational age of newborns in public hospitals located in the North Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia, by using anthropometric parameters.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at a facility from February 2022 to April 2022, using an interview-based questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. The anthropometric parameters that were measured include foot length (FL), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and chest and head circumference (CHC). The study’s sample size had a total of 420 participants. The data were cleaned, edited, manually checked for completeness, and entered into Epi-data version 3.1. Subsequently, the data were transferred into SPSS for analysis. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regressions. Finally, the data were presented using statements and tables.ResultsThere is a significant and positive correlation between anthropometric parameters, including head circumference (r: 0.483), MUAC (r: 0.481), foot length (r: 0.457), and chest circumference (r: 0.482) with gestational age. All anthropometric parameters demonstrated positive and significant estimates of gestational age. The combination of the four measurements yielded the strongest estimate of gestational age. Gestational age can be calculated by the formula: Gestational age (Weeks) = 9.78 + 0.209*CHC + 0.607*MUAC + 0.727*FL + 0.322*HC.ConclusionGestational age can be measured using head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, foot length, and chest circumference. Utilizing the four anthropometric parameters in combination exhibits greater efficacy in estimating gestational age than using them individually. Therefore, it is recommended to use these alternative approaches when standard methods are not applicable.

BackgroundMaternal satisfaction with intrapartum care is a multidimensional assumption of satisfaction with self and with the physical environment of the delivery ward and quality of care. Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care affects the selection of birthplace and helps to identify gaps between actual and intended healthcare outcomes. This study aims to assess factors that affect maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care.ObjectivesTo assess maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in the South-west Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022.MethodsA cross-sectional study approach among 420 mothers was conducted between April 14 and June 14, 2022. Systematic random sampling was used to select mothers for face-to-face interviews every two intervals. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. P-values of

The study was conducted to determine the yield and nutritional quality of sweet lupine (Lupinus angustifolius.) grown in midaltitude of Lemo District, Southern Ethiopia. The yield and nutritive value of sweet lupine in terms of quantity and quality was conducted using a factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments for the study were two sweet lupine varieties (Vitabore and Sanabore), two locations (Upper Gana and Jewe Kebeles, and six levels of planting spacing: 30 cm × 7 cm (S1), 40 cm × 7 cm (S2), 30 cm × 15 cm (S3), 40 cm × 15 cm (S4), 30 cm × 20 cm (S5), and 40 cm × 20 cm (S6)). The yield, chemical composition, and digestibility among parameters were studied. Sweet lupine varieties in Upper Gana Kebele gave the highest green forage yield (39.58 t/ha) and forage dry matter (4.84 t/ha) at 30 cm × 7 cm planting spacing, respectively. Seed yield (SYD) (t/ha) was highly affected (P < 0.01) by location. The maximum seed (2.98 t/ha) yield was observed in Upper Gana Kebele with the minimum (2.15 t/ha) at Jewe Kebele. The forage in Jewe Kebele gave the highest organic matter (OM) (87.01%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (37.50%) content at a stage of 100% flowering. Sweet lupine forage in Upper Gana Kebele gave the highest crude protein (CP) content (23.11%) while the highest forage CP content was recorded at a planting space of 40 cm × 20 cm (23.67%). Sweet lupine forage gave the maximum in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (69.10%) at a spacing of 40 cm × 20 cm in Upper Gana. The highest CP (29.11%) content and IVOMD (80.49%) of seed were recorded in Upper Gana Kebele. The overall result of this study suggested that green forage yield and forage dry matter yield are affected by location, planting spacing, and stage of flowering, whereas the chemical composition of sweet lupine forage was affected by location and variety interaction (dry matter and acid detergent fiber), location and stage of flowering interaction (OM, ADF and total ash), location (CP, metabolizable energy (ME), and IVOMD), planting spacing (CP and IVOMD), and stage of flowering (CP and ME). On the other hand, sweet lupine seed yield, seed CP, and IVOMD were affected by location. The large differences in yield and nutritive values observed among sweet lupine varieties, growth environment, planting spacing, and their interactions entail consideration of these factors for appropriate utilization of sweet lupine as a feed resource for livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active matching techniques with non-Foster reactive elements have been introduced to overcome fundamental performance limits on electrically small passive antennas. While several experimental studies have demonstrated successful bandwidth enhancement with active matching applied to small unmatched passive antennas, their radiation performance against similar-sized, efficient, resonant antennas alone (and/or applied to active matching) has not yet been confirmed to assess their effectiveness for practical wireless communications applications. Beginning with a highly miniaturized efficient resonant antenna (${\lambda }_{0}$ /50 in height), we design an active matching network derived from an antenna impedance model. We conduct an extensive simulation analysis to address challenging issues associated with the design arising from a tradeoff between degree of bandwidth enhancement and stability of the matching network. Based on experimental performance assessment, the effective 3 dB bandwidth of the proposed actively matched antenna is improved by more than three times compared with the passive version and improved in efficiency by more than 10 dB relative to cases that apply active matching techniques to similar-sized, unmatched passive antennas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work focuses on the fabrication of pristine and metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Li, and Sn) doped β -PbO phase nanoparticles by cost-effective precipitation method. The properties of the produced nanoparticles were investigated using a variety of characterization techniques. The produced compound was a highly pure β -PbO phase, according to the XRD data. From the UV–vis DRS the obtained bandgap of pristine β -PbO, Co, Cu, Ni, Li, and Sn doped β -PbO was 2.68 eV, 1.88 eV, 2.01 eV, 2.65 eV, 2.64 eV, and 2.70 eV, respectively. The doped samples with the lowest photoluminescence (PL) intensities show the reduced photogenerated electron–hole pair recombination, which increased the photocatalytic activity of β -PbO nanoparticles. The study of the surface morphology by SEM reveals the irregular distribution of the particles. In both pristine and doped nanoparticles, EDX verifies the existence of the expected elements. In comparison to pristine β -PbO, all doped β -PbO nanoparticles have enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under the irradiation of visible light. Among the doped nanoparticles, Cu and Co-doped β -PbO demonstrated particularly high performance. After 80 min of irradiation, Cu and Co-doped β -PbO showed 99.45% and 99.39% degradation rates of MB dye, compared to only 75.13% for pure β -PbO. Hence, the photocatalytic activity of pure β -PbO is boosted through metals doping due to bandgap narrowing, generation of impurity states, increased specific surface area, higher carrier concentration, reduced carriers recombination, the action of dopant ions, and microstructural changes.

IntroductionPreconception care is an important preventive intervention for adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is recognized as a strategy to optimize women's health and pregnancy outcomes in Western countries. However, preconception care is underutilized in sub-Saharan Africa, like Ethiopia, where maternal mortality is high. Evidence is scarce in the study area about the prevalence and factors associated with preconception care utilization. Therefore this study aimed to assess the proportion of preconception care utilization and associated factors among pregnant mothers in Fiche town, central Ethiopia, 2021.MethodA community-based cross-sectional study was done from May 10 to June 25, 2021. A systematic random sample technique was used to choose 393 pregnant women for the study. A structured, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS version 25 for analysis. A Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to check for the association. Odds ratio along with 95% was used to describe the association. Finally, a significant association was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.Results388 respondents participated in this study, making the response rate 98.7%. Of total study participants only 84 (21.6%; 95% CI, 18, 25.8) utilized preconception care. The study found that diploma or higher level of education (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.27, 9.53), psychological and financial support from a partner (AOR = 3.86, 95% CI: 2.1, 7.10), joint discussion and plan with a partner (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.55, 7.13), history of chronic disease (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.67, 7.25), and good knowledge about preconception care (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.38) were significantly associated with preconception care utilization.ConclusionsOverall, less than a quarter of the pregnant mothers utilized preconception care, indicating that awareness is very low. Pregnant mothers who have a higher educational level, have good communication and support from their partners, have chronic health problems, and have good knowledge about preconception care were more likely to utilize the service. Preconception care is a better opportunity to intervene and maintain the mother in the continuum of care.

In this article, we investigate the problem of distributed coherent beamforming in wireless networks where multiple distributed transmitters adjust the phases of their signals to form a directional and targeted communication link to a client receiver. The quality-of-service (QoS) and security are key components of robust and secure wireless networks. Although the security can be improved by exploiting information about potential adversaries, such information may not be available in practical networks since the adversaries are often passive. Therefore, we introduce transmission strategies which not only send a confidential message by forming a beam towards the client but also broadcast interference with the aim of obfuscating adversaries without having any information about them. Since the interference may degrade the QoS of the client, the transmitters radiating the interference steer a null to the client to alleviate the interference. We develop two algorithms. The first assumes that a subset of the transmitters send the confidential message in the direction of the client via coherent beamforming. Then, the others transmit interference while creating a null towards the client. In the second, each node transmits both the confidential message and interference simultaneously. Two different client feedback scenarios are considered, two-bit and rich feedback. Both of the proposed algorithms can be performed in a fully distributed manner without any knowledge about potential adversaries. Numerical simulations in both microwave and low-very high frequency (low-VHF) bands validate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a design strategy for platform-based antennas operating on electrically small platforms such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Specifically, we report the design of a platform-based antenna operating at the lower end of the very-high-frequency (VHF) band for a small UGV with physical dimensions of 99 cm × 67 cm × 39 cm. The antenna is mounted on the bottom of the platform resulting in an extremely low-profile design and generating vertically polarized, monopole-like radiation patterns. Using characteristic-mode theory (CMT), performance metrics of the antenna including its maximum potential bandwidth and radiation patterns are investigated. The performance of the antenna when operating in a realistic operational environment is analyzed using full-wave electromagnetic simulations. A full-scale prototype of the antenna mounted on the bottom of the vehicle was fabricated and experimentally characterized. Finally, the design of this low-profile antenna is extended to a two-element antenna array mounted on the same platform and a prototype of this two-element array was fabricated. Basic experiments were conducted to study impedance matching and mutual coupling effects in this electrically small antenna array. The performance of this array as part of a two-element direction-finding system was investigated through computer simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock, farms, abattoirs, and food supply systems can become the source of foodborne pathogens, including S. aureus, in the absence of monitoring, general hygienic practices, and control. Studies are scarce on reservoirs (hiding places) and routes of entry of S. aureus into the food supply chain in Ethiopia. To fill these gaps, we evaluated the role of cows (milk), meat, equipment, and food handlers on the abundance and AMR of S. aureus in five geographical areas in central Oromia, Ethiopia. We isolated S. aureus from 10 different ecologies per area in 5 areas and tested their sensitivity to 14 antimicrobials of 9 different classes. We ranked the 5 areas and 10 ecologies by computing their multiple AMR index (MARI) at a cut-off value of 0.2 to determine ‘high-risk’ ecologies for AMR. We recorded as MDR if an isolate had resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial classes. We used a circos diagram to analyze if isolates with identical AMR patterns were shared between different ecologies. S. aureus is prevalent in central Oromia (16.1–18.3%), higher in dairy farms than in abattoirs, and varied among 10 ecologies (p < 0.001) but not among 5 areas (p > 0.05). Of the 92 isolates, 94.6% were penicillin-resistant. Their AMR prevalence was above 40% for 9 of 14 antimicrobials. All isolates (100%) had AMR in at least one antimicrobial class (range = 1–9; median = 5), indicating MDR was prevalent. The prevalence of MDR S. aureus varied (p < 0.05) among areas and 10 ecologies; the highest was in slaughter lines. All isolates had a MARI of >0.2, indicating drug overuse, and S. aureus’s AMR burden is high in central Oromia. Dairy farms had higher MARI values (0.44) than abattoirs (0.39). Of 10 ecologies, the highest and lowest MARI values were in the beef supply chain, i.e., slaughter line (0.67) and butcher’s hand (0.25). Of the 68 different AMR patterns by 92 isolates against 14 antimicrobials, 53 patterns (77.9%) were unique to individual isolates, indicating they were phenotypically dissimilar. MDR S. aureus was widespread in central Oromia in dairy and meat supply chains, contaminating milk, meat, equipment, and workers in farm and abattoir settings. In the absence of strict regulations and interventions, MDR S. aureus can be disseminated from these epicenters to the public.

Varieties of a single crop type may vary in several attributes affecting the choice at different spots of the food supply chain. This paper demonstrates a rapid classification of ten tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] grain varieties based on image processing and multivariate data analysis. Extreme Gradient Boosted Tree Discriminant Analysis (EGBDA) was applied for the variety-based classification. The developed classification model achieved a remarkable classification performance with 97% of prediction accuracy and 99% of precision. A less complex classification model using eighteen selected variables also achieved similar classification performance. The developed technique can authenticate tef varieties at the research and industrial level. Although the finding of this study is remarkable, it is essential to incorporate additional tef varieties into the model and consider other sources of variation such as agroecology as an extension of this finding.

Graph theory (GT) is a mathematical field that involves the study of graphs or diagrams that contain points and lines to represent the representation of mathematical truth in a diagrammatic format. From simple graphs, complex network architectures can be built using graph operations. Topological indices (TI) are graph invariants that correlate the physicochemical and interesting properties of different graphs. TI deal with many properties of molecular structure as well. It is important to compute the TI of complex structures. The corona product (CP) of two graphs G and H gives us a new graph obtained by taking one copy of G and VG copies of H and joining the ith vertex of G to every vertex in the ith copy of H. In this paper, based on various CP graphs composed of paths, cycles, and complete graphs, the geometric index (GA) and atom bond connectivity (ABC) index are investigated. Particularly, we discussed the corona products Ps⨀Pt, Ct⨀Cs, Kt⊙Ks, Kt⊙Ps, and Ps⊙Kt and GA and ABC index. Moreover, a few molecular graphs and physicochemical features may be predicted by considering relevant mathematical findings supported by proofs.

Direction of arrival (DoA) estimation has wide-ranging applications and is particularly challenging in complex propagation environments. Conventional approaches estimate the DoA based on the phase of the impinging signal on a sensor array. This approach has several challenges: for example, it requires tight synchronization among array elements and the estimated DoA is sensitive to multipath and to correct specification of the array geometry. In this paper, we develop a principled Bayesian DoA estimation algorithm based on the received signal strength gradient. We present algorithms for clustering, spatial- and model-based outlier detection and removal, and proper uncertainty quantification, which yield an estimator robust to non-uniform shadowing, multipath, and errors in antenna position. Physics-based full-wave simulations and experiments in the 2.4 GHz and 40 MHz bands illustrate the utility of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, using the Quantum ESPRESSO package, density functional theory was used to study the effects of different metal dopants on the structural and electronic properties of tetragonal α-PbO. Tetragonal α-PbO has attracted attention due to its application in various optoelectronic devices. However, in order to apply it in these technologies suitably, its properties have to be improved since it has low electronic conductivity. In this study, nine different metals from alkali metals, p-block metals, and 3d-transition metals have been used as dopants to investigate its electronic properties. Moreover, the performance of four pseudopotentials was tested. Via the partial density of state and band structure calculations, an indirect bandgap was found for pristine α-PbO. The generalized gradient approximation of the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof exchange correlation with ultrasoft pseudopotential gives 1.75 eV for pristine α-PbO, which decreased during the incorporation of different metal dopants. Depending on the position of the Fermi level and impurity energy level in metal doping, the n- or p-type conductivity has been identified. The calculated partial density of states shows the contribution of orbital states of dopants to the partial density of states. The valence band maximum is mainly made of O-2p states whereas the conduction band minimum is dominated by Pb-6p states in undoped α-PbO. The calculated lattice constants were a = b = 3.997 Å and c = 5.220 Å, which are in best agreement with the experimental values. The computational study verified that doping various metals had a significant effect on the structural and electronic properties of α-PbO.

BackgroundCervical cancer screening is a means of detecting cervical cancer early, before it develops, in order to reduce disease mortality and morbidity. When women are screened for cervical cancer between the ages of 30 and 40 years at least one time in their life, their risk of cancer could be decreased by 25–36%. Despite this advantage, cervical cancer screening coverage in Ethiopia is still

ObjectiveTo assess the utilization status and associated factors of integrated community case management (ICCM) of caretakers with

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) serves as a direct measure of individuals’ health, life expectancy and the impact that the utilization of health care has on quality of life. The purpose of this study is to assess the HRQoL of people living with HIV (PLHIV), and to ascertain its association with the social inequalities and clinical determinants among people living with HIV in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2016 and February 2017; 390 people at two referral hospitals and three health centers participated in the study. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health Scale (PROMIS Global 10) was used to measure key HRQoL domains. Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GPH) summary scores were employed. GPH and GMH summary scores below 50 (the standardized mean score) were determined as poor HRQoL. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with GPH and GMH summary scores. Results This study included 259 (66.4%) females and 131 (33.6%) males. The GPH summary scores ranged from 16.2 to 67.7 with a mean of 48.8 (SD = 8.9). Almost 44.6% of the study population has a GPH summary score of below 50; the GMH summary scores ranged from 28.4 to 67.6 with a mean of 50.8 (SD = 8.1). About 41.8% of the study population has a GMH summary score of below 50. Unemployment, household food insecurity and comorbidities with HIV were associated with both poor GPH and poor GMH summary scores. Age below 25 years and being a member of Christian fellowship were inversely associated with poor GPH. The least wealth index score and CD4 count below 350 cells/mL were also associated with poor GMH. Conclusion Overall, socioeconomic inequalities and HIV-related clinical factors play an important role in improving the HRQoL of PLHIV. Many of these determinants are alterable risk factors. Appropriate strategies can improve the holistic management of chronic HIV care and maximize PLHIVs’ HRQoL. Such strategies require the adoption of comprehensive interventions, including policies and programmes that would improve the health, wellbeing and livelihood of PLHIV.

A cross sectional study was conducted during November 2013 to June 2014 to estimate the prevalence of Cysticercosis from abattoir survey and Taeniasis within the society found in and around Dilla town. Active abattoir survey and questionnaire survey were performed to accomplish the study. Of the total of 400 inspected cattle carcasses, 17 had varying number of C. bovis giving an overall prevalence of 4.25% (17/400). The prevalence of Cysticercus bovis showed significant difference (p0.05)in the prevalence of Cysticercus bovis among the different Origins, breed, body condition score and age. Anatomical distribution of the cyst showed that highest proportions of C. bovis cyst were observed in shoulder muscle and tongue (29.41%), followed by, masseter muscle (23.53%), heart (11.76%) and liver (5.88%). Of the total 69 interviewed respondents, 57.79% (40/69) had contracted T.saginata infection. The majority of the respondent had an experience of row meat consumption as a result of traditional and cultural practice. The findings of this study including prevalence of C. bovis and questionnaire survey of taeniasis prevalence indicated the importance of Cysticercosis and Taeniasis in public health aspects. Therefore, due attention should be given to the public awareness and strict routine meat inspection in order to safe guard the public health