The Rhetorics and Polemics of Humor in Addis Abäba, 2005–2019

Dissertation abstrac

Elleni Centime Zeleke, Ethiopia in Theory: Revolution and Knowledge Production, 1964–2016

Revie

Nadia Nurhussein, Black Land: Imperial Ethiopianism and African America

Book review

Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes, Native Colonialism: Education and the Economy of Violence Against Traditions in Ethiopia

Revie

Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Diabetic Patients Served in Primary Healthcare Centers

Background: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), such as food, transportation, housing, and financial status, plays a significant role in a diabetic patient’s health care outcome. However, primary healthcare centers lack a systematic method of identifying patients with unmet social needs in order to provide appropriate referrals to community resources. Objective: This project seeks to improve the screening methods of SDOH in a midwestern federally qualified primary healthcare center by incorporating an evidence based SDOH screening tool. This SDOH screening tool is tailored towards diabetic patients. Method: Kotter’s Eight Step Change model guided the implementation process of this quality improvement project. Results: There was no significant increase in the referral rates made to community services in relation to social needs, such as transportation, food, housing, and financial issues. This finding is related to (a) stakeholder’s limited time and resources to distribute the SDOH screening tool, (b) frequent modifications made to workflow, (c) patients having previous established community resources, and (d) patient-provider schedule fluctuations. Conclusions: Although no significant increase in the referral rates to community resources were seen, this project assisted the site in assessing the limitations and strengths of implementing a SDOH screening tool. Some of the recommendations presented after the project evaluation are incorporating an annual SDOH screening tool for all patients and track patient referrals through the Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Analysis of differentially expressed genes induced by drought stress in tef (Eragrostistef) root

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which induces root growth in tef. Molecular mechanisms underlying the elongation of roots under drought stress are not known. Therefore, we aimed to study the tef root system to uncover the expression profiles for drought stress using Agilent gene chip of rice. One hundred seventy-five expressed genes were found to be differentially expressed after eight days of drought stress with Eragrostis tef- resistant genotype, Kaye Murri. The drought-responsive genes were isolated and classified into nine categories according to the functional roles in plant metabolic pathways, such as defense, signal transduction, cell wall fortification, oxidative stress, photosynthesis,  development, cell maintenance, RNA binding, and unknown functions. The profiles of tef root genes, responsive to drought stress shared common identities with other expression profiles known to be elicited by diverse stresses, including pathogenesis, abiotic stress, and wounding. Well-known drought-related transcription factor-like, WRKY and bHLH were up-regulated. Cell transport-related regulators such as potassium transporter 22-like, auxin transporter-like protein 1, and wall-associated receptor kinase were also involved in the expression profile of tef root under drought stress. Their expression had enhanced the drought-responsive genes, which, have a direct role to maintain root growth under drought stress. Key words: Drought, Genome, Microarray, Root, Te

Osteopathic Medical Student Administered Smoking Cessation Counseling Is An Effective Tool

Background: Physician counseling on the risks of tobacco smoking and the benefits of cessation has been shown to be an effective method of increasing the rate of smoking cessation. Using the “Help Your Patients Quit Smoking: A Coaching Guide” also referred to as the “7A’s of Smoking Cessation” guideline from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is thought to be effective to convey the importance of smoking cessation. Aim: To study the efficacy of the “7A’s of Smoking Cessation” guideline counseling conducted by osteopathic medical students. Materials and Methods: Osteopathic medical students were trained to counsel smokers for 3–10 min based on New York City Department of Health’s “7A’s of Smoking Cessation” guidelines by a licensed physician. Students then counseled health fair participants who were cigarette smokers for 3–10 min. Postcounseling, participants were administered an 4 question survey to evaluate the effect counseling had on their desire to quit smoking. Survey data were collected and analyzed. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this study. Results: A total of 13 anonymous health fair participants who were also smokers were administered both counseling sessions and surveys. 11/13 (84.6%) participants stated that the session motivated them to quit smoking. 9/13 (69.2%) participants responded that they were now motivated to discuss smoking cessation with their doctor after being counseled. Of these participants 12/13 (92.3%) had previously attempted to quit smoking without success. Conclusion: Participants reported an increased willingness to stop smoking after being counseled by osteopathic medical students. Participants also reported an increased motivation to discuss smoking cessation with their physician. These findings indicate that smoking cessation counseling administered by osteopathic medical students effectively in encouraging smokers to consider reduction or cessation of tobacco use

Core Collection Formation in Guatemalan Wild Avocado Germplasm with Phenotypic and SSR Data

Guatemala's wild avocado germplasm holds vital genetic value, but lacking conservation strategies imperils it. Studying its diversity is pivotal for conservation and breeding. The study aimed to comprehensively assess the wild avocado germplasm in Guatemala by combining phenotypic and genotypic data and to create a core collection for conservation and future breeding programs. A total of 189 mature avocado trees were sampled across Guatemala's northern, southern, and western regions. Morphological characteristics were documented, and genetic diversity was assessed using 12 SSR loci. The investigated germplasm revealed three distinct genetic clusters, exhibiting an average gene diversity of 0.796 and a 7.74% molecular variation among them. The samples showed various morphological characteristics that indicate the presence of three avocado races in Guatemala. The weak correlation between phenotypic and genotypic distances highlighted their independence and complementary nature. The joint matrix effectively integrated and captured genotypic and phenotypic data for comprehensive genetic diversity analysis. A core collection comprising 20% of total accessions that captured maximum genetic diversity was formed. This study exposed wild Guatemalan avocados' genetic diversity, morphological traits, and conservation significance. Integrated data capture via clustering validates holistic genetic insight for conservation and breeding strategies

Study on the damage law of coal rock affected by different alternating periods of cold and heat

Temperature is an important factor affecting the physical properties of coal and rock, and as a solid medium, coal and rock have the properties of thermal expansion and contraction. The alternation of cold and heat will cause irreversible damage to the coal rock due to deformation, which will eventually lead to the damage and destruction of the original fracture structure of the coal rock. In order to study the damage law of coal and rock affected by different alternating cycles of cold and heat, the long-flame coal in Fuxin area of Liaoning Province was selected to make a cube specimen with a size of 100 mm×100 mm×100 mm. The mechanical parameters and surface dimensions of the coal samples before and after the experiment were measured by using the research method of reciprocating the application of temperature loads in a low temperature storage box(–15 °C) and room temperature(20 °C). Furthermore, the expansion law and damage mechanism of the coal sample fracture structure with the alternating cycle of cooling and heating are revealed. The results show ① The coal sample cracks expand and expand under the alternating action of cold and heat, and the expansion amount and expansion rate of the cracks on the surface of the coal sample gradually increase with the cycle of the alternating cycle of cold and heat. ② The mechanical properties of coal samples are weakened under the action of multi-cycle temperature loads, the damage is serious, and the compressive strength of coal samples gradually decreases with the cycle of alternating cycles of cold and heat. ③ The damage mechanics model of coal sample structure is established by ABAQUS software, and the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. The overall structural damage degree of the coal sample is aggravated, indicating that the alternating action of cold and heat is an important factor for the structural damage of the coal sample

HIV Screening and Awareness Survey for Pregnant Women in a Remote Area in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China

Objective: The number of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China has increased in recent years. HIV screening for pregnant women was performed in a remote area in Xinjiang, as an effort to promote universal HIV screening in pregnant women and to help prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Methods: Pregnant women in Burqin and Jeminay Counties in Xinjiang were offered free voluntary HIV screening. Local mid-level medical workers were trained to use Determine® HIV-1/2 kit for HIV screening. All the tested pregnant women signed a consent form, received HIV education material, and participated in an HIV knowledge survey. Results: All the 890 pregnant women receiving HIV test had negative result. Among these women, 67.6% were Kazakh and 40.9% were farmers. Survey of HIV knowledge showed that these women's awareness about mother-to-child transmission was limited. The levels of HIV knowledge were related with ethnic background, age, education and profession of the pregnant women. Conclusion: The results suggested that HIV infection had not become a significant problem among the pregnant women in this remote area of Xinjiang, but continued efforts to improve the awareness of HIV, especially the knowledge about mother-to-child transmission of HIV, in pregnant women were needed