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Challenging behavior (CB) is a common occurrence in early childhood and frequently occurs in young children with disabilities. CB is also culturally perceived and includes differences in how caregivers understand and define the topography of CB. Despite the cultural interpretation, CB is known to impact the child and their family but there has been little exploration of what marginalized caregivers perceive as the impact of the CB that their young children with disabilities exhibit. We used semi-structured interviews to explore the perceptions of 24 caregivers, who identified as Black, Mexican American, and White, about the impact of their child's CB. Caregivers shared how the CB impacted themselves, their families, their child, and others. Although much of the impact was similar among caregivers, we discuss nuanced differences across ethnic groups.

Abstract Foodborne illnesses affect 30% of people in developed nations and lead to financial difficulties in less wealthy countries. Insufficient understanding of pathogens and inadequate food safety practices in water bottling facilities impede progress. To prevent illnesses, ensuring clean water, proper sanitation, and good hand hygiene are essential in order to decrease the 829,000 annual deaths related to diarrhea. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of food safety systems in water bottling factories in view of their contextual characteristics. A study was conducted in northwestern Ethiopia at water bottling factories from January 2023 to August 2023. This study used a mixed method approach to collect and analyze data through laboratory testing, observations, interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. The Kruskal‒Wallis H test was used to compare mean scores of context riskiness and food safety output across four clusters, while the Mann‒Whitney U test was used to compare means between certified and noncertified factories. In our study, 43% of the samples showed positive total plate count. The result also indicated the presence of potentially dangerous by-products of chlorine, trihalomethanes was found in bottled water. On average, the manufacturers operated in a moderate risk context. Inadequate food safety outcomes resulted from lower food safety management systems scores. Factories with insufficient Food Safety Management Systems often face challenges marked by safety protocol discrepancies, leading to higher risks of contamination and non-compliance with regulations. This assessment underscores the need for tailored interventions focusing on specific contextual barriers to improve food safety outcomes in the bottled water industry.

Abstract The selection and combination of dose regimens for antimalarials involve complex considerations including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. In this study, we use immediate ex vivo P. falciparum field isolates to evaluate the effect of cabamiquine and pyronaridine as standalone treatments and in combination therapy. We feed the data into a pharmacometrics model to generate an interaction map and simulate meaningful clinical dose ratios. We demonstrate that the pharmacometrics model of parasite growth and killing provides a detailed description of parasite kinetics against cabamiquine-susceptible and resistant parasites. Pyronaridine monotherapy provides suboptimal killing rates at doses as high as 720 mg. In contrast, the combination of a single dose of 330 mg cabamiquine and 360 mg pyronaridine provides over 90% parasite killing in most of the simulated patients. The described methodology that combines a rapid, 3R-compliant in vitro method and modelling to set meaningful doses for new antimalarials could contribute to clinical drug development.

Abstract Background The Republic of Guinea, where malaria represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children, the seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is deployed only in areas with very seasonal modes of transmission. It should target children at the highest risk of serious illness. The objective of the study was to prevent uncomplicated and serious cases of malaria in the target population. This study aimed to analyse the monthly trends in malaria-related morbidity among children under the age of 5 in Guinea. Methods This was a quasi-experimental study with routine data from the National Health Information System (SNIS). The two districts Mamou (the SMC intervention site) and Kindia (the control site) were selected to compare the monthly trends in malaria cases among children under the age of 5, from July to October, covering the years from 2015 to 2020. The statistical analysis used interrupted time series to estimate the effects of the SMC. Results The SMC programme contributed to a significant average reduction in the number of malaria cases of 225 cases per month in the intervention district (95% CI − 362 to − 88; p = 0.002), compared to the control district. However, the study also revealed that the effect of SMC varied between cycles, presenting different monthly malaria cases. Conclusion The SMC contributed to a significant reduction in malaria cases among children under the age of 5 in the health district of Mamou from 2018 to 2020. However, this reduction varied by monthly SMC cycle. This study suggests extending the SMC in other areas with high perennial seasonal transmission respecting the World Health Organization SMC eligibility criteria, as a strategy in the dynamic of reducing malaria cases in children under the age of 5 in Guinea.

Abstract Background Civilian war and internal conflicts increase the incidences of mental health conditions among war survivors. It is crucial to assess war-related psychological consequences in war-affected areas in Ethiopia to intervene in the future. Thus, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of psychological distress and associated factors of psychological distress among war survivor women in Northern, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted, and 1596 war survivor women were recruited to participate using a face-to-face interviews with a census sampling technique from May 1–30, 2022. The psychological distress was assessed using a Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used, and variables with a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable analyses were considered statistically significant. Result In this study, the response rate was 100% and the prevalence of psychological distress was 44.90% at a 95% CI: (42.40, 47.40). Psychological distress was significantly associated with the education of ability to read and write (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 2.12, 4.01), primary education and above (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI: 2.09, 4.54), housewife (AOR = 5.07; 95%CI: 2.64, 9.74), farmer (AOR = 8.92; 95%CI: 4.03, 19.70), emotional violence (AOR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.05, 2.18), physical violence (AOR = 3.85; 95%CI: 2.37, 6.26) and sexual violence (AOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.98, 5.33) whereas being separate was protective for psychological distress (AOR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.92). Conclusion The prevalence of psychological distress was found to be high. Therefore, women who are housewives, married, farmers, educated, and who have experienced violence must be the focus of governmental and private collaborative interventions to prevent war-related psychological morbidity and mortality.

Background: In Guinea, despite women’s recourse to antenatal care (ANC), little remains known about the use of focused antenatal care (FANC), contained in the ANC package. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency and factors associated with FANC, using data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2018. Setting: This study was conducted in Guinea. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from the DHS conducted in 2018 in Guinea. It included all women who achieved at least one ANC visit in the last 2 years prior to the survey. Multivariate logistic regression was received to identify factors associated with FANC. Stata 16 software was used for the analysis. Results: This study shows that in Guinea, between 2016 and 2018 only 33% of women undergoing ANC received a FANC. The most commonly used service was blood pressure measurement (93%), while the least commonly used service was deworming (42%). Factors associated with FANC were living in the Kindia region (odds ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.04–2.97); not intending to become pregnant for this pregnancy; belonging to a poor household; and having made 3, 4 or more ANC visits. Conclusion: This study reports a low proportion of women receiving the full package of ANC. Contribution: In order to improve this indicator, greater efforts need to be made in certain regions of the country to target pregnant women who achieve fewer ANC visits, carry pregnancies that were not intentional or belong to poorer households.

Background: Systemic risk studies in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period focus mostly on the banking sector. Regulators however, yearn for data on the contribution of shadow banking to systemic risk during the pandemic. Aim: The primary goal of the study is to determine the contribution of shadow banking to systemic risk during the COVID-19 period in South Africa. Setting: The study focussed on shadow banking, non-bank financial institutions involved in credit intermediation outside the traditional banking system in South Africa. Method: Systemic risk is measured by conditional value-at-risk methodology using monthly market returns of fixed-income funds, funds-of-funds, money market funds and multi-asset funds from January 2015 to December 2021. Results: Shadow banking contributed to systemic risk during COVID-19, and systemic risk reached an all-time high during the onset of the pandemic. Money market funds exhibited higher systemic risk because of the COVID-19 shock. However, multi-asset funds and funds-of-funds are the classes that contributed more to systemic risk during the COVID-19 period. Furthermore, systemic risk trends of multi-asset funds and funds-of-funds increased with the rise in COVID-19 infections, except in the third wave when systemic risk peaked months after the surge in COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: Shadow banking contributes to systemic risk in South Africa and systemic risk peaked during the COVID-19 period. Contribution: There is growing evidence on systemic risk during COVID-19, and this study extends the focus to shadow banking. It draws attention of regulators to credit intermediation outside traditional banks.

Abstract Contaminated lake water and fish can be sources of bacterial pathogens of public health concern, including pathogenic E. coli. Within Ethiopia, specifically, Central Oromia, raw fish consumption is a common practice. Although there are few reports on occurrence of E. coli O157 in fish destined for human consumption and children under five years, information on the transmission pathways of E. coli O157 and other sorbitol non-fermenting (SN-F) E. coli from water-to-fish-to-human, and their virulence factors and antimicrobial resistant determinants along the fish supply chain is lacking. The study aimed to investigate the occurrence, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli O157 and other SN-F E. coli strains in fish, lake water and humans in central Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 750 samples (450 fish samples, 150 water samples, 150 human stool samples) were collected from five lakes and three health facilities. The samples were processed following the standard protocol recommended by European Food Safety Authority and Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method for detection of the bacteria, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests, respectively. Molecular characterization of presumptive isolates was performed using Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) for serotyping, determination of virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance traits, and genetic linkage of the isolates. Overall, 3.9% (29/750) of the samples had SN-F E. coli; of which 6.7% (n = 10), 1.8% (n = 8) and 7.3% (n = 11) were retrieved from water, fish, and diarrheic human patients, respectively. The WGS confirmed that all the isolates were SN-F non-O157: H7 E. coli strains. We reported two new E. coli strains with unknown O-antigen from fish and human samples. All the strains have multiple virulence factors and one or more genes encoding for them. Genetic relatedness was observed among strains from the same sources (water, fish, and humans). Most isolates were resistant to ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (100%), cefotaxime (100%), ceftazidime (100%), meropenem (100%), nalidixic acid (93.1%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (79.3%). Majority of the strains were resistant to chloramphenicol (58.6%) and ciprofloxacin (48.3%), while small fraction showed resistance to azithromycin (3.45%). Isolates had an overall MDR profile of 87.5%. Majority, (62.1%; n = 18) of the strains had acquired MDR traits. Genes encoding for mutational resistance and Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were also detected. In conclusion, our study revealed the occurrence of virulent and MDR SN-F E. coli strains in water, fish, and humans. Although no genetic relatedness was observed among strains from various sources, the genomic clustering among strains from the same sources strongly suggests the potential risk of transmission along the supply chain at the human–fish-environment interface if strict hygienic fish production is not in place. Further robust genetic study of the new strains with unknown O-antigens, and the epidemiology of SN-F E. coli is required to elucidate the molecular profile and public health implications of the pathogens.

Two-part alkali-activated materials are typically comprised of powders rich in aluminosilicates combined with solutions containing alkali silicates as activators, exhibiting properties akin to cement. However, the use of highly alkaline solutions poses health, safety, and environmental risks during field operations, making the one-part concept a better alternative for in-site applications. This paper aims to investigate the influence of precursor combinations on the development of one-part alkali-activated binders. To achieve this, silico manganese slag (SiMn) was partially replaced by various aluminosilicate precursor powders, including granite powder, crystalline silica flour (SF), amorphous micro silica (MS), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBBFS). A potassium silicate powder with a molar ratio of 3.9 was used as the alkaline activator in all mixes. Compressive strength test results indicated that the materials gained strength over time. The highest compressive strength among the binary combinations corresponds to 90 % SiMn and 10 % GGBFS yielding an average compressive strength of 47.8 MPa at 28 days. The presence of a high content of calcium and magnesium aluminosilicates from the slags enhanced the activation reaction, resulting in elevated compressive strength. However, the binary combination with MS provided the lowest strength, reaching about 20 MPa after 28 days. The samples substituting 50 % of SiMn with MS were not practical due to the high specific surface area of MS. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images also confirmed denser and well-bonded structures for the slag mixes which, are in accordance with the compressive strength results.

Improper mechanical threshing can lead to fissuring and breakage of rice grains, resulting in lower milling quality and increased quantity losses, especially in locally produced rice in Africa due to poor post-harvest practices. This study examined the effects of moisture content (MC), drum peripheral speed (DS) and spike spacing (SS) on grain damage during threshing of three locally grown rice varieties: Shaga, Ediget and Nerica-4. Hand threshing served as the control group. Fissured and broken grain varied significantly by variety, MC, DS, SS and interaction effects. Ediget variety had the highest percentage of fissured grain, while Nerica-4 had the highest percentage of broken grain. As MC increased from 11.44% to 24.01%, fissured and broken grains decreased significantly for all varieties. As DS increased from 17.3 to 24.6 m/s, fissured and broken grain also increased. As SS decreased from 80 to 60 mm, fissured and broken grain increased. Furthermore, the interaction effects also affect grain fissuring and breakage significantly. In general, lower grain fissuring and breakage was observed at highest MC (23.43–24%), lower tip DS (17.3 m/s) and wider SS (80 mm) for all studied varieties. Pre-threshing grain fissuring and breakage had a greater contribution to overall grain damage at lower MC levels. Harvest MC was found to be the most influential factor affecting fissured and broken grain, followed by DS and SS. Overall, these results highlight the importance of proper threshing techniques and highlight areas where improvements can be made to reduce post-harvest losses and improve rice quality.

AbstractThe traditional cooking of dry maize grain for preparing either boiled maize (nifro) or roasted maize (qollo) in Ethiopia is preceded by soaking dry maize in water for a certain time. This study aimed to assess the practice of soaking dry maize grain and determine the effect of soaking water volume (0, 200 or 300 ml per 100 g), soaking time (12 or 48 h), soaking water temperature (warm or cold water) and type of cooking method (boiling and roasting) on the aflatoxin content of traditional Ethiopian cooked maize, nifro and qollo. The survey and laboratory experiments used semi-structured interview questionnaire and fractional factorial design, respectively. Aflatoxins were extracted from aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus spores inoculated onto raw maize, soaked in water and finally cooked by boiling or roasting of the soaked maize grain. Cleanup was done using Immuno Affinity Column and analyzed using Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography with fluorescence detector. Soaking dry maize grain in excess water (300 ml water/100 g maize) varying the soaking water temperature and duration before boiling and roasting had resulted in significant total aflatoxin reduction (p

Despite progress, 2-year pancreatic cancer survival remains dismal. We evaluated a biomarker-driven, combination/N-of-one strategy in 18 patients (advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer) (from Molecular Tumor Board). Targeted agents administered/patient = 2.5 (median) (range, 1-4); first-line therapy (N = 5); second line, (N = 13). Comparing patients (high versus low degrees of matching) (matching score ≥50% versus

Previous studies have revealed the microbial quality of Awaze paste. However, limited reports describe the effect of individual spices on Awaze paste quality. A mixture design approach was used to determine the appropriate proportions, with 15 experimental points for independent variables including RP (60–90 %), GA (10–30 %), RO (5–20 %), and GI (5–10 %). The techno-functional properties, particle size, antioxidant activity (DDPH radical assay), proximate composition, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) content, viscosity, hardness, and microbiological quality of Awaze paste were assessed. The prepared Awaze paste showed a range of characteristics, with antioxidant activity (DDPH radical assay) ranging from 11.86 % to 62.5 %, crude protein content from 6.18 % to 16.22 %, crude fat from 5.7 % to 12.6 %, crude fiber from 16.86 % to 29.06 %, total ash content from 6.32 % to 9.94 %, total carbohydrate from 41.79 % to 60.61 %, energy from 264.3 to 329.2 k cal. , iron (Fe) content from 35.59 to 108.82 mg/100g, zinc (Zn) content from 1.72 to 26.93 mg/100g, viscosity from 65.5 to 125.5 cps, hardness from 8.48 to 55.09 g, yeast and mold count from 0.83 to 2.04 log cfu/g, and total bacterial count from 1.53 to 2.61 log cfu/g. Significant differences (p

Objective Diarrhoea remains a leading cause of morbidity and death among under-5 children in Kenya, despite multipronged policy and programme initiatives to increase access to treatment. This study interrogates the comprehensiveness and adequacy of Kenya’s policies, frameworks and action plans for diarrheal management and prevention. The study seeks to identify policy and practice gaps that need to be filled to strengthen diarrhoea treatment and prevention among under-5 children in Kenya.Design Our study is a landscape analysis, which seeks to identify the gaps in the current Kenya diarrheal policy, frameworks and action plans. The critical questions included their comprehensiveness, the availability of elaborate treatment, management and prevention solutions, together with updatedness, building on evidence from extant literature on key pathways to infection relating to man-animal environmental interaction, which are critical in enteric infection prevention initiatives.Data sources We conducted an internet search of databases of Government of Kenya’s Ministry of Health; relevant websites/publications of international organisations and groups (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and WHO) and published and grey literature (Google searches, Google Scholar and PubMed).Eligibility criteria Included are publicly available key national diarrheal policy frameworks, plans, strategies, laws, institutional frameworks and operational guidelines that inform pertinent questions on the adequacy of policy and practice and preventive policy updates and actions. Further, peer-reviewed and grey literature on diarrheal morbidity and mortality and diarrheal prevention and management are included. The analysis excluded any information that was not referenced on the internet nor obtained from the internet.Data extraction and synthesis The review team extracted the key provisions of the policy guidelines guided by a checklist and questions around the adequacy of existing national policies in addressing the determinants, prevention and treatment interventions of enteric infections and diarrhoea among under-5 children in the country. The checklist covered Kenyan background and diarrhoea situation analysis, policy objectives, policy strategies and policy implementation.Results The analysis identified a corpus of strategies for the management of diarrhoea at multiple levels: health facilities, communities and households. The policies highlighted advocacy, health communication and social mobilisation, as well as logistics management and prevention strategies. However, the triangulation of evidence from the policy provisions and extant literature identified critical policy gaps in diarrhoea prevention and management in Kenya, particularly the lack of focus on zoonotic pathways to enteric infection, environment-pathogen linkages and operationalisation of the roles of social determinants of health and related services. The policy documents had limited focus on rapid diagnosis, vaccine development and deployment, together with weak funding commitment towards implementation and unclear pathways to funding responsibilities.Conclusion Policies are central to guiding programmatic actions towards effective enteric and diarrhoea prevention and management measures in Kenya. This study shows the need for policy updates to reflect pathways to enteric infections not covered in the current policy guidelines. Further, there is a need to strengthen the treatment and management of infection through rapid diagnosis, vaccine development and deployment, and strong funding commitment towards implementation together with clear funding responsibilities. Together, these will be vital in strengthening the current policy provisions and addressing other pathways to the prevention of enteric infections relating to zoonotic, environment-pathogen linkages and social determinants of health in Kenya and other low-income and middle-income countries.Trial registration number NCT05322655.

Summary: Human genetic studies of critical COVID-19 pneumonia have revealed the essential role of type I interferon-dependent innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conversely, an association between the HLA-B∗15:01 allele and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated individuals was recently reported, suggesting a contribution of pre-existing T cell-dependent adaptive immunity. We report a lack of association of classical HLA alleles, including HLA-B∗15:01, with pre-omicron asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated participants in a prospective population-based study in the United States (191 asymptomatic vs. 945 symptomatic COVID-19 cases). Moreover, we found no such association in the international COVID Human Genetic Effort cohort (206 asymptomatic vs. 574 mild or moderate COVID-19 cases and 1,625 severe or critical COVID-19 cases). Finally, in the Human Challenge Characterisation study, the three HLA-B∗15:01 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed symptoms. As with other acute primary infections studied, no classical HLA alleles favoring an asymptomatic course of SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified.

Sequencing batch moving bed biofilm reactors have been widely used in commercial wastewater treatment facilities for organic carbon and nitrogen removal. However, these reactors can remove low phosphorus (P) levels. Therefore, this study investigated the potential of SB-MBBRs for maximizing simultaneous nitrification-denitrification and P removal (SNDPR) potential from P-rich municipal wastewater impacted by industrial discharges. A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of external volatile fatty acid (VFA) dosing, airflow rate, and temperature on SNDPR using pilot-scale SBMBBRs. Stable and robust SNDPR was achieved with an optimum acetic acid supply of 150 mg SCOD/L, at 20 oC and 2.5 L air/min. A low airflow rate (AFR) and high-temperature conditions affected P release and uptake kinetics. Efficient PHA storage, dissolved oxygen (DO) transfer (outer layer), DO diffusion limitation (inner layer) of biofilm, and conversion of NH4-N to NO2-N/NO3-N enhanced SNDPR in the two pilot SB-MBBRs.

Land degradation is a major issue in Ethiopia and has a significant impact on agriculture and subsistence. Community-based land restoration projects are essential to address this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a community-based land restoration programs and its impact on livelihoods in the Offa District of south Ethiopia. Four Kebeles were randomly selected for the study and 133 household heads (52 program participants and 81 non-participants) were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data was collected by using an interview schedule, focus-group discussions, and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using a binary logistic regression model, propensity score matching, participation index (PI), t-test, and chi-square test. The results showed that the implemented land rehabilitation measures had higher crop production and farm income for most adopter households compared to their counterparts. The logistic regression model revealed that the slope of farmland, gender of household heads, family size, perception of rehabilitation, access to training, and farm experience positively influenced household participation in the community-based land rehabilitation programme (CBLRP) in the study area. However, the age of the respondents, access to education, size of farmland, frequency of extension contact positively and ownership of livestock negatively influenced household participation. Propensity score matching revealed that CBLRP resulted in higher crop output and farm revenue for most participating families than counterparts. Based on these findings, it is recommended that agricultural and rural development offices, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders should consider the factors that influence household participation in rehabilitation programs in the study area to effectively address the issue of the households’ participation at various levels of rehabilitation programs.

Objectives: The association between thrombocytopenia and parasite density or disease severity is described in numerous studies. In recent years, several studies described the protective role of platelets in directly killing Plasmodium parasites, mediated by platelet factor 4 (PF4) binding to Duffy antigen. This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of platelets in young children who are Duffy antigen-negative, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A zero-inflated negative binomial model was used to relate platelet count and parasite density data collected in a longitudinal birth cohort. Platelet factors were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in samples collected from malaria-infected children who participated in a cross-sectional study. Results: We described that an increase of 10,000 platelets/μl was associated with a 2.76% reduction in parasite count. Increasing levels of PF4 and CXCL7 levels were also significantly associated with a reduction in parasite count. Conclusions: Platelets play a protective role in reducing parasite burden in Duffy-negative children, possibly mediated through activation of the innate immune system.

Cereal crops dominate crop production and human diet in Ethiopia. In the present study major cereal crops production data for Ethiopia was analyzed using time-series analysis. Major cereal crops production of years 2000/01 to 2020/21 at national level of private peasant holdings during “Meher” season in Ethiopia was used as input to forecast the cereal crops production up to the year 2020 to 2030. The non-parametric Mann Kendall trend test was used with PAST (Paleontological Statistics Software Package for Education and Data Analysis) software to conduct the trend test. The Box-Jenkins Aautoregressive Integrated Moving Average (or ARIMA) method was put into use to forecast the production. The result shows that grain production had a significant increasing trend. Despite the differences in magnitude, all crops showed an increasing trend in production over the years. Mann-Kendall trend test showed significant trend for all crops. ARIMA and any of the smoothing models were found good in terms of R2 and AIC. Predictions of cereal crops production using ARIMA between 2020 and 2030 years showed increasing trends in all crops. Teff was forecasted from 5.8 tons at the beginning (2020/1) to 7.8 tons at the end of the forecast period (2030). Similarly, maize was forecasted from about 11 to 14, wheat from 6 to 7.5, sorghum from 5 to 7, and barley from 2.3 to 2.7. Increments ranged in between about 20% to 40%.

Abstract Background Fetal birth weight (FBW) estimation involves predicting the weight of a fetus prior to delivery. This prediction serves as a crucial input for ensuring effective, accurate, and appropriate obstetric planning, management, and decision-making. Typically, there are two methods used to estimate FBW: the clinical method (which involves measuring fundal height and performing abdominal palpation) or sonographic evaluation. The accuracy of clinical method estimation relies heavily on the experience of the clinician. Sonographic evaluation involves utilizing various mathematical models to estimate FBW, primarily relying on fetal biometry. However, these models often demonstrate estimation errors that exceed acceptable levels, which can result in inadequate labor and delivery management planning. One source of this estimation error is sociodemographic variations between population groups in different countries. Additionally, inter- and intra-observer variability during fetal biometry measurement also contributes to errors in FBW estimation. Methods In this research, a novel mathematical model was proposed through multiple regression analysis to predict FBW with an accepted level of estimation error. To develop the model, population data consisting of fetal biometry, fetal ultrasound images, obstetric variables, and maternal sociodemographic factors (age, marital status, ethnicity, educational status, occupational status, income, etc.) of the mother were collected. Two approaches were used to develop the mathematical model. The first method was based on fetal biometry data measured by a physician and the second used fetal biometry data measured using an image processing algorithm. The image processing algorithm comprises preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction, and fetal biometry measurement. Results The model developed using the two approaches were tested to assess their performance in estimating FBW, and they achieved mean percentage errors of 7.53% and 5.89%, respectively. Based on these results, the second model was chosen as the final model. Conclusion The findings indicate that the developed model can estimate FBW with an acceptable level of error for the Ethiopian population. Furthermore, this model outperforms existing models for FBW estimation. The proposed approach has the potential to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates by providing accurate fetal birth weight estimates for informed obstetric planning.

This paper presents a new optimization technique based on the hybridization of two meta-heuristic methods, Jellyfish Search (JS) and Moth Flame Optimizer (MFO), to solve the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem. The JS algorithm offers good exploration capacity but lacks performance in its exploitation mechanism. To improve its efficiency, we combined it with the Moth Flame Optimizer, which has proven its ability to exploit good solutions in the search area. This hybrid algorithm combines the advantages of both algorithms. The performance and precision of the hybrid optimization approach (JS-MFO) were investigated by minimizing well-known mathematical benchmark functions and by solving the complex OPF problem. The OPF problem was solved by optimizing non-convex objective functions such as total fuel cost, total active transmission losses, total gas emission, total voltage deviation, and the voltage stability index. Two test systems, the IEEE 30-bus network and the Mauritanian RIM 27-bus transmission network, were considered for implementing the JS-MFO approach. Experimental tests of the JS, MFO, and JS-MFO algorithms on eight well-known benchmark functions, the IEEE 30-bus, and the Mauritanian RIM 27-bus system were conducted. For the IEEE 30-bus test system, the proposed hybrid approach provides a percent cost saving of 11.4028%, a percent gas emission reduction of 14.38%, and a percent loss saving of 50.60% with respect to the base case. For the RIM 27-bus system, JS-MFO achieved a loss percent saving of 50.67% and percent voltage reduction of 62.44% with reference to the base case. The simulation results using JS-MFO and obtained with the MATLAB 2009b software were compared with those of JS, MFO, and other well-known meta-heuristics cited in the literature. The comparison report proves the superiority of the JS-MFO method over JS, MFO, and other competing meta-heuristics in solving difficult OPF problems.

This paper introduces an innovative approach that enables the automated and precise prediction of steel’s chemical composition based on the desired Jominy curve. The microstructure, and in fact the presence of martensite, is decisive for the hardness of the steel, so the study considered the occurrence of this phase at particular distances from the quenched end of the Jominy sample. Steels for quenching and tempering and case hardening were investigated. With the representative collected dataset of hardness values from the quenched end of the Jominy specimen, microstructure and chemical composition of steels, the complex regression model was made using supervised artificial neural networks. The balance between cost and required hardenability can be achieved through optimizing the chemical composition of steel. This model of designing steel with required hardenability can be of great benefit in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing industry. The model is verified experimentally.

While Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) originates from Africa and the list of producers is topped by African countries, it is not clear whether research is developed enough to support crop promotion in the continent. Thus, this systematic review of 180 articles presents a comprehensive summary of research on Bambara groundnut (BGN) in Africa. The paper addresses bibliographical metrics, the geographic distribution of the research and themes covered (viz., food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and livelihoods). The analysis shows that BGN can help address different challenges in Africa, such as food and nutrition insecurity and poverty. However, it also highlights gaps in the research from geographical and thematic standpoints. Geographically speaking, the most important producers of BGN in Africa are not sufficiently covered in the research; instead, it is mainly carried out in Nigeria and South Africa. Thematically speaking, the gaps are related to economics and social sciences, the use of BGN in animal production, processing and marketing, irrigation, contribution to climate resilience and livelihoods, and health benefits. Collaborative research and knowledge sharing, including among producing countries and those leading the research field, are highly needed to unlock the potential of BGN and boost its contribution to sustainable development in Africa.

Adequately addressing the needs of families who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) goes beyond the simple translation of materials and supports. Some researchers have suggested use of a cultural adaptation framework or process to help determine what adaptations should be made to an intervention to make it culturally responsive. The purpose of this article is to describe the cultural and linguistic adaptation process of a naturalistic, caregiver-implemented intervention for children with limited verbal communication skills where caregivers were primarily Spanish-speaking. Data were collected throughout the process from community partners and participants using multiple methods to understand caregivers' perceptions relative to the effectiveness of the cultural and linguistic adaptations in supporting their participation and use of the program strategies. This project provides the field with one example of how to utilize a cultural and linguistic adaptation process to successfully expand the use of evidence-based practice and interventions within diverse populations.