Methodological approaches of health policy analysis in developing countries

Background: Policy analysis is the process of identifying problem, defining and analyzing process, qualitative and quantitative analysis, evaluation, recommendation, aiming to inform choices leading to an improved healthcare system. In developing country, the analysis of health policy has been given limited attention. As health is influenced by many external sectors and the dynamic in healthcare system, it is a challenging task in health policies analyses. The aim of this manuscript is focusing on health policy analysis in developing countries using the methodological approaches of theories, frameworks and study designs. Materials and Methods: Scoping systematic review was used for this manuscript writing. Recent ten year articles were searched from public domains with keywords of “health policy”, “developing countries”, “theory”, “framework” and “study design”. A total of 18 articles were finalized to be included, six for each methodological approaches. Result: Theories such as Group Theory, Multiple Implementation Theory, and Kingdon Multiple Stream Theory are among the commonest theories used in policy analysis. In translating framework approach into health policy analysis, Policy Triangle Framework, 3-i Framework (idea, interest and institution) and Social Determinant of Health Framework are also widely used. The mixed method of qualitative and secondary data based quantitative; and cross-country comparative case study are frequently adopted for study design approach. Conclusion: A common methodological approaches in health policy analyses were used an established theoretical approach, a feasible approach of study design and a comprehensive framework. However evidenced based approach is also use as a fundamental approach in health policy analysis especially in developing countries with limited resources

The efficacy of four gametocides for induction of pollen sterility in Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter

Effective chemical hybridizing agents (CHAs) or male gametocides enhance cross pollination in plant breeding and genetic analysis of traits. The present study examined the efficacy and optimum concentration of four CHAs, namely: 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid (Ethrel), ethyl 4'-fluorooxanilate (E4FO), 2, 4-dichlorphenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) and Promalin® (1.8% GA47 – gibberellins A4+A7 and 1.8% 6-BA–benzyladenine) on pollen sterility and seeding of a tef line (DZ-01-3186). Seed-derived and individually grown tef plants were treated with foliar applications of the four CHAs (at four levels each) sprayed once at the early booting stage, and bagged to control cross pollination. Female fertility was assessed by recording seed set following controlled  pollinations. Although all the CHAs caused some pollen sterility, their efficacy levels varied from 9.77 to 99.50% in treated plants compared to the control (6.68 +/- 1.04%). Pollen sterility increased with increasing CHA concentration. Near-complete pollen sterility (99.50 ± 0.50%) was achieved by the application of E4FO at rates of 1500 to 3000 ppm, and Ethrel at 5000 ppm. All the CHAs significantly reduced seed yield, with E4FO, Ethrel and Promalin® at 5000 ppm causing the highest reduction, essentially yielding no seed. In the period following the application of the CHAs, plants treated with E4FO (1000 – 1500 ppm) exhibited stigmas that remained fertile. Hence, it is recommended that E4FO (at 1000 – 1500 ppm) can be used as a chemical emasculation agent for tef, with the least phytotoxicity and the highest female fertility.   Key words: Eragrostis tef, Ethrel, ethyl4-florooxanilate, female fertility, gametocides, pollen sterility.

Smoke Solutions and Temperature Influence the Germination and Seedling Growth of South African Mesic Grassland Species

Fire, natural or of anthropologic origin, is a recurrent phenomenon in South African mesic grassland. The species composition of these grasslands is sensitive to fire, particularly fire frequency. However, the mechanisms involved in influencing species composition are not fully understood. Currently there is a general suggestion that plant-derived smoke and smoke-isolated biologically active butenolide compound provide an important germination cue for a range of Poaceae species. Studies also show that these smoke solutions play a role in vegetative growth of many plants. We examined if this fire-response syndrome is related to the effect of plant-derived smoke-water (1:500 v/v) and smoke-derived butenolide compound (1028 M) on seed germination and seedling growth of six major constituent species of the grassland. In addition, the interaction of the smoke solutions with temperature was examined by incubating seeds at a range of temperatures. Treating seeds with smoke-water and butenolide, the germination rate and final germination percentage were greater in three of the six species. Themeda triandra Forssk. and Tristachya leucothrix Trin. ex Nees showed the greatest response, with final germination increased from 43% to 67% and 35% to 63%, respectively. With increasing temperature (> 30 degreesC), Aristida junciformis Trin. Rupr., Hyparrhenia hirta (L.) Staph, and Panicum maximum Jacq. responded positively to the test solutions. In nearly all the species tested, smoke- water-treated seeds produced significantly longer shoots or roots. However, the degree of response varied from species to species and across different temperatures. Findings from this study suggest that plant-derived smoke and its interaction with temperature may significantly influence the germination and seedling growth of the South African mesic grassland species, which can further alter the grassland composition. The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Response of Grass Seedlings to Smoke-Water and Smoke-Derived Butenolide in the Absence of Macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium)

Compositional transformation of South African semiarid grasslands and savannas owing to changes in soil nutrient status and fire-linked attributes is often reported. However, mechanisms of change are not fully understood. Currently, plant-derived smoke has attracted much attention as a fire-related cue responsible for stimulating germination and seedling growth. However, there is very little documentation on how these fire-linked factors, such as smoke, and soil macronutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), interact to effect seedling growth of grasses. In this study, smoke-responsive (Themedatriandra) and less smoke-responsive species (Eragrostis curvula and Panicum maximum) were tested with different concentrations and combinations of smoke-water and smoke-isolated butenolide with or without added N, P, or K under greenhouse conditions. In the absence of N, P, or K, smoke-water and butenolide treatments enhanced a number of seedling growth parameters of T. triandra. In contrast, exclusion of N from the nutrient solution significantly reduced shoot length, seedling weight, root volume, and vigor index of E. curvula at all tested concentrations of smoke-water and butenolide solutions compared to the control. In the presence of N, P, and K, smoke-water and butenolide suppressed seedling growth of P. maximum, whereas the absence of one of these macronutrients had a small promotory effect on some parameters. This study may assist in understanding the postfire seedling dynamics of grasses./La transformación de la composición de los pastizales y sabanas de la zona semiárida de Sud-África debido a cambios en el estado de nutrientes del suelo y atributos vinculados con el fuego, son reportados frecuentemente. Sin embargo, no se comprende plenamente los mecanismos de este cambio. Actualmente, el humo derivado de plantas ha atraído mucho la atención como un factor relacionado con el fuego siendo este responsable de estimular el crecimiento y germinación de las plántulas. Sin embargo, hay poca documentación en cómo estos factores relacionados con el fuego, tales como humo, y los macro-nutrientes del suelo, como el nitrógeno (N), el fósforo (P) y el potasio (K) interactúan afectando el crecimiento de las plántulas de las gramíneas. En este estudio, especies como (Themeda triandra) que responde al humo y especies con una respuesta menor al humo como (Eragrostis curvula y Panicum maximum) se probaron con diferentes concentraciones y combinaciones de agua-humo y humo con butenolide con o sin N, P, o K bajo condiciones de invernadero. En la ausencia de N, P, o K los tratamiento sde agua-humo y butenolide mejoran un gran número de parámetros del crecimiento de las plántulas de T. triandra. En cambio, la exclusión del N de la solución de nutrientes redujo significativamente la longitud del tallo, peso de la plántula, volumen de la raíz y el índice de vigor de E. curvula en todas las concentraciones probadas de las soluciones de agua-humo y butenolide comparadas con el control. En presencia de N, P y K, el humo-agua y el butenolide suprimieron el crecimiento de las plántulas de P. maximum, mientras que la ausencia de uno de estos macro-nutrientes tiene un pequeño efecto promotor en algunos parámetros. Este estudio puede ayudar al entendimiento de la dinámica de las plántulas después del fuego en las gramíneas.The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202

Health Care System in Sudan: Review and Analysis of Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats (SWOT Analysis)

Background: The Republic of the Sudan located in north-east of Africa and is considered to be a lower-middle income country. The country has well established healthcare system with many drawbacks mainly due to economic and managerial reasons followed by prolonged political instability and sanctions.Objective: The aim of this study is to give an insight over the health services system in Sudan and to analyze the strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).Materials and Methods: The search was done from two electronic databases: MEDLINE/Pubmed and from public search engines: Google Scholar and Google with key Search words used mainly as “Healthcare system in Sudan “. Additionally, SWOT analysis of healthcare system in Sudan was carried out based on the Roemer's model of health service system. Results: The Sudanese healthcare system was analyzed for different components of the system: The system in Sudan has full package of strategic plans and policies be it in a long term or short. Despite this there is poor implementation and organization along with frail health information system. The main external factors that drawback the system is the overall economic instability which resulted in cutting of the health expenditure.Conclusion: The Sudan is a rich country in terms of natural resources and population. Its health service system has strengths and weaknesses. It needs to build on its qualified human work force, stress on its well-designed short and long-term strategies on health care system and the partnership with external funding institutions, while overcoming the challenges on creating the proper health information system, economic support system and centralization of health service and professionals

First evaluation of prisma level 1 data for water applications

This study presents a first assessment of the Top-Of-Atmosphere (TOA) radiances measured in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) wavelengths from PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa), the new hyperspectral satellite sensor of the Italian Space Agency in orbit since March 2019. In particular, the radiometrically calibrated PRISMA Level 1 TOA radiances were compared to the TOA radiances simulated with a radiative transfer code, starting from in situ measurements of water reflectance. In situ data were obtained from a set of fixed position autonomous radiometers covering a wide range of water types, encompassing coastal and inland waters. A total of nine match-ups between PRISMA and in situ measurements distributed from July 2019 to June 2020 were analysed. Recognising the role of Sentinel-2 for inland and coastal waters applications, the TOA radiances measured from concurrent Sentinel-2 observations were added to the comparison. The results overall demonstrated that PRISMA VNIR sensor is providing TOA radiances with the same magnitude and shape of those in situ simulated (spectral angle difference, SA, between 0.80 and 3.39; root mean square difference, RMSD, between 0.98 and 4.76 [mW m−2 sr−1 nm−1 ]), with slightly larger differences at shorter wavelengths. The PRISMA TOA radiances were also found very similar to Sentinel-2 data (RMSD < 3.78 [mW m−2 sr−1 nm−1 ]), and encourage a synergic use of both sensors for aquatic applications. Further analyses with a higher number of match-ups between PRISMA, in situ and Sentinel-2 data are however recommended to fully characterize the on-orbit calibration of PRISMA for its exploitation in aquatic ecosystem mapping

Response of Grass Seedlings to Smoke-Water and Smoke-Derived Butenolide in the Absence of Macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium)

Compositional transformation of South African semiarid grasslands and savannas owing to changes in soil nutrient status and fire-linked attributes is often reported. However, mechanisms of change are not fully understood. Currently, plant-derived smoke has attracted much attention as a fire-related cue responsible for stimulating germination and seedling growth. However, there is very little documentation on how these fire-linked factors, such as smoke, and soil macronutrients, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), interact to effect seedling growth of grasses. In this study, smoke-responsive (Themedatriandra) and less smoke-responsive species (Eragrostis curvula and Panicum maximum) were tested with different concentrations and combinations of smoke-water and smoke-isolated butenolide with or without added N, P, or K under greenhouse conditions. In the absence of N, P, or K, smoke-water and butenolide treatments enhanced a number of seedling growth parameters of T. triandra. In contrast, exclusion of N from the nutrient solution significantly reduced shoot length, seedling weight, root volume, and vigor index of E. curvula at all tested concentrations of smoke-water and butenolide solutions compared to the control. In the presence of N, P, and K, smoke-water and butenolide suppressed seedling growth of P. maximum, whereas the absence of one of these macronutrients had a small promotory effect on some parameters. This study may assist in understanding the postfire seedling dynamics of grasses./La transformación de la composición de los pastizales y sabanas de la zona semiárida de Sud-África debido a cambios en el estado de nutrientes del suelo y atributos vinculados con el fuego, son reportados frecuentemente. Sin embargo, no se comprende plenamente los mecanismos de este cambio. Actualmente, el humo derivado de plantas ha atraído mucho la atención como un factor relacionado con el fuego siendo este responsable de estimular el crecimiento y germinación de las plántulas. Sin embargo, hay poca documentación en cómo estos factores relacionados con el fuego, tales como humo, y los macro-nutrientes del suelo, como el nitrógeno (N), el fósforo (P) y el potasio (K) interactúan afectando el crecimiento de las plántulas de las gramíneas. En este estudio, especies como (Themeda triandra) que responde al humo y especies con una respuesta menor al humo como (Eragrostis curvula y Panicum maximum) se probaron con diferentes concentraciones y combinaciones de agua-humo y humo con butenolide con o sin N, P, o K bajo condiciones de invernadero. En la ausencia de N, P, o K los tratamiento sde agua-humo y butenolide mejoran un gran número de parámetros del crecimiento de las plántulas de T. triandra. En cambio, la exclusión del N de la solución de nutrientes redujo significativamente la longitud del tallo, peso de la plántula, volumen de la raíz y el índice de vigor de E. curvula en todas las concentraciones probadas de las soluciones de agua-humo y butenolide comparadas con el control. En presencia de N, P y K, el humo-agua y el butenolide suprimieron el crecimiento de las plántulas de P. maximum, mientras que la ausencia de uno de estos macro-nutrientes tiene un pequeño efecto promotor en algunos parámetros. Este estudio puede ayudar al entendimiento de la dinámica de las plántulas después del fuego en las gramíneas.The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202