Assessment of the Toxicity of Legacy and Next-Generation Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Early-Life Stages of Freshwater and Marine Fish

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of synthetic surfactants that have utilized for several decades in a wide range of industrial and manufacturing applications. Owing to their high chemical stability, PFAS are widespread and persistent in the environment, and have been shown to be bioaccumulative in diverse organisms including plants, wildlife, and humans. Exposure to PFASs has been linked to a range of documented toxic and/or adverse effects in relation to human and animal health. The potential environmental health and ecotoxicity of next-generation PFAS remain unclear. In the present study, toxicity, and bioconcentration potential, of several perfluoroether carboxylic acids (PFECA), as emerging pollutants of concern, in early life stages of marine (Mahi-Mahi and Olive Flounder) and freshwater fish (zebrafish) was assessed. Toxicity including lethality, behavioral and developmental effects of PFECA, and the legacy PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), was assessed in embryonic stages of zebrafish, alongside high-resolution magic angle spin nuclear magnetic resonance (HRMAS NMR) metabolomics techniques to elucidate metabolic pathways affected by PFAS. These studies identified acute embryotoxicity (i.e., lethality), as well behavioral and developmental effects, in the nominal micromolar range for all PFAS tested, which was correlated with fluoroalkyl chain length (and relative lipophilicity, i.e., log P), and suggested quantitatively comparable toxicity for next-generation (i.e, PFECA) and legacy (i.e., PFOA) variants. Metabolomic studies indicated targeting of liver, and specifically mitochondria, and associated metabolic pathways. Subsequently, toxicity assays were developed and applied to early life stages of mahi-mahi to assess toxicity of PFECA and PFOA. Mahi-mahi embryos were significantly more sensitive to PFAS with lethal concentrations extending into the environmentally relevant (e.g., parts-per-billion) concentration range. Finally, bioconcentration of PFECA and PFOA were comparatively assessed in embryos of zebrafish and flounder. These studies measured bioconcentration factors (BCF) ranging from 83 to 226-fold and 22 to 329-fold bioconcentration (relative to measured concentration in water) in embryos of zebrafish and flounder, respectively, with BCF values significantly correlated with fluoroalkyl chain length and log P values, in both cases. These findings raise concerns regarding PFECA as environmental toxicants, and specifically, as next generation replacements to legacy PFAS

Assessment of Constraints and Opportunities of Small- Scale Irrigation Practices in South Tigray, Ethiopia

Improper irrigation management practices play a vital role in decreament of agricultural productivity. The findings of this paper were focused on technical performane assessment of small scale irrigation systems. The technical performance of the small scale irrigation schemes in relation to the water harvesting structures and delivery canals of all schemes were assessed technically in order to check whether they meet their objective and to distinguish their problems. Survey were undertaken to investigate the technical performance of the water harvesting structures and challenges on irrigation water utilization and management. Farmers, professional experts and other stakeholders were participated on the investigation of the technical performance of small scale irrigation schemes. Sedimentation, structural failure, untreated upper watershed, poor irrigation water management, lack of knowledge, lack of technical training, free grazing, lack of market access and transport problems are the bottlenack problems to the small scale irrigation schemes.  57.4 % of the small scale irrigation scheme beneficiaries are practicing both full and supplementary irrigation systems. The irrigation rounds per year are 24.6%, 55.7 % and 19.7% for three, tw and one times respectively. The irrigation intervals for cabbage, onion and maize are 12, 15 and 24 days respectively. Problems related to crop productions are shortage of technical training on irrigation water management, recurrent drought, free grazing, lack of market access, transport problems, flood hazard and disease and pest. These problems are getting beyond the beneficiaries capacity and they cannot able to maintain. Any concerned governmental and non-governmental body has to support the farmers by making maintenance and provision of neccessary trainings and accesses. Keywords: irrigation, irrigation structure, performance indicators schemes, water managemen

Ethiopian universal electrification development strategies

This results brief provides an overall picture of the renewable energy potential for power generation in Ethiopia and demonstrates to which extent renewable energy technologies can be integrated into the Ethiopian power sector. The results suggest that it would be attractive for the country to move forward on diversified, targeted renewable energy production, including solar PV and wind energy, to achieve universal electrification goals while also improving energy security

Prevalence and determinants of RH alloimmunization in Rh-negative women in teaching hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite the implementation of immunization with an anti-D antigen for pregnant women, adverse pregnancy outcomes continue to occur in Ethiopia and most Sub-Saharan African countries. Consequently, the woman's obstetric care is compromised, and there is an increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, the burden of the disease is not well understood, and no research has been conducted in the study area. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence and determinants of Rh alloimmunization in Rh-negative women receiving care at Addis Ababa teaching hospitals.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 5 October 2020 to 5 May 2021, among 328 Rh-negative pregnant women who received antenatal care and delivery services at Teaching Hospitals under Addis Ababa University. Face-to-face interviews were used to gather data using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and a chart review was performed using a checklist. The data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Multivariable analysis and logistic regression were used to evaluate the predictors, and the results were presented as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05.ResultsAmong Rh-D negative individuals, 56(17.1%) were alloimunized with 95% CI (15.1%, 19.23%). The prevalence of Rh-D negative was 2.1% with 95% CI (1.56%, 2.76%). Factors such as unemployment [AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.28], failure to use anti-D prophylaxis in previous pregnancy [AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.10, 3.92), and the presence of sensitizing events [AOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.84] were statistically significant with the outcome variables.ConclusionsThis study pointed out that the prevalence of Rh was relatively large and that almost one in every five pregnant women was alloimunized. Factors such as unemployment and failure to use anti-D prophylaxis in a previous pregnancy were found to be associated with outcome variables. Therefore, all stakeholders and concerned entities should prioritize enhancing access and affordability to anti-D prophylaxis to prevent the occurrence of Rh alloimmunization and its associated adverse outcomes

The chemistry and saturation states of subsurface fluids during the in situ mineralisation of CO2 and H2S at the CarbFix site in SW-Iceland

In situ carbonation of basaltic rocks could provide a long-term carbon storage solution, which is essential for the success and public acceptance of carbon storage. To demonstrate the viability of this carbon storage solution, 175 tonnes (t) of pure CO2 and 73 tonnes (t) of a 75% CO2-24% H2S-1% H2-gas mixture were sequentially injected into basaltic rocks at the CarbFix site at Hellisheidi, SW-Iceland from January to August 2012. This paper reports the chemistry and saturation states with respect to potential secondary minerals of sub-surface fluids sampled prior to, during, and after the injections. All gases were dissolved in water during their injection into permeable basalts located at 500–800 m depth with temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 °C. A pH decrease and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) increase was observed in the first monitoring well, HN-04, about two weeks after each injection began. At storage reservoir target depth, this diverted monitoring well is located ∼125 m downstream from the injection well. A significant increase in H2S concentration, however, was not observed after the second injection. Sampled fluids from the HN-04 well show a rapid increase in Ca, Mg, and Fe concentration during the injections with a gradual decline in the following months. Calculations indicate that the sampled fluids are saturated with respect to siderite about four weeks after the injections began, and these fluids attained calcite saturation about three months after each injection. Pyrite is supersaturated prior to and during the mixed gas injection and in the following months. In July 2013, the HN-04 fluid sampling pump broke down due to calcite precipitation, verifying the carbonation of the injected CO2. Mass balance calculations, based on the recovery of non-reactive tracers co-injected into the subsurface together with the acid-gases, confirm that more than 95% of the CO2 injected into the subsurface was mineralised within a year, and essentially all of the injected H2S was mineralised within four months of its injection. These results demonstrate the viability of the in situ mineralisation of these gases in basaltic rocks as a long-term and safe storage solution for CO2 and H2S

Routine health management information system data in Ethiopia: consistency, trends, and challenges.

Background: Ethiopia is investing in the routine Health Management Information System. Improved routine data are needed for decision-making in the health sector. Objective: To analyse the quality of the routine Health Management Information System data and triangulate with other sources, such as the Demographic and Health Surveys. Methods: We analysed national Health Management Information System data on 19 indicators of maternal health, neonatal survival, immunization, child nutrition, malaria, and tuberculosis over the 2012-2018 time period. The analyses were conducted by 38 analysts from the Ministry of Health, Ethiopia, and two government agencies who participated in the Operational Research and Coaching for Analysts (ORCA) project between June 2018 and June 2020. Using a World Health Organization Data Quality Review toolkit, we assessed indicator definitions, completeness, internal consistency over time and between related indicators, and external consistency compared with other data sources. Results: Several services reported coverage of above 100%. For many indicators, denominators were based on poor-quality population data estimates. Data on individual vaccinations had relatively good internal consistency. In contrast, there was low external consistency for data on fully vaccinated children, with the routine Health Management Information System showing 89% coverage but the Demographic and Health Survey estimate at 39%. Maternal health indicators displayed increasing coverage over time. Indicators on child nutrition, malaria, and tuberculosis were less consistent. Data on neonatal mortality were incomplete and operationalised as mortality on day 0-6. Our comparisons with survey and population projections indicated that one in eight early neonatal deaths were reported in the routine Health Management Information System. Data quality varied between regions. Conclusions: The quality of routine data gathered in the health system needs further attention. We suggest regular triangulation with data from other sources. We recommend addressing the denominator issues, reducing the complexity of indicators, and aligning indicators to international definitions

Sustainable digitization of valuable collections owned by the Eritrean Research Documentation Centre

This piece of work reflects on the state of digitization at the Eritrean Research and Documentation Centre (ERDC) which manages several valuable heritage collections. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the current selection process followed when digitizing these collections and to advise on the sustainability of a digitization programme. The recommendations captured as part of the research will be used to prepare a digitization policy as well as to develop essential guidelines and manuals necessary at the start of a sustainable digitization initiative. The research followed a qualitative approach and a case study research design was adopted. A thorough literature study was conducted to identify appropriate procedures for digitizing valuable collections, the associated challenges and to find solutions to these problems. The core purpose of the literature was to inform the research on how an institution can sustainably digitize its collections. In-depth interviews were then conducted with ERDC managers and the current operations staff. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the ERDC employees. Seven managers and operations staff of the digitization program were purposively selected for interviews. During the interviews the following were addressed: the policy, selection criteria, processes, challenges and solutions for digitization constraints. The main goal of the interviews was to understand the current digitization progress at the ERDC and to then compare these findings with the available literature. The research data were analysed to identify themes/ related issues that would need to be addressed. These themes were used to develop recommendations to share with ERDC. The recommendations specifically address the digitization policy, critical challenges, required resources, selection issues, standards and formats, workflow, quality control, access to users and evaluation of the digitization programme.Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2015.Information ScienceMITUnrestricte