Field Redefinitions at Finite Density

The apparent dependence of nuclear matter observables on off-shell properties of the two-nucleon potential is re-examined in the context of the effective field theory (EFT) approach. Finite density (thermodynamic) observables are invariant under field redefinitions, which extends the well-known theorem about the invariance of S-matrix elements. Simple examples demonstrate how field redefinitions can shift contributions between purely off-shell two-body interactions and many-body forces, leaving both scattering and finite-density observables unchanged. If only the transformed two-body potentials are kept, however, the nuclear matter binding curves will depend on the off-shell part (generating ``Coester bands''). The correspondence between field redefinitions and unitary transformations, which have traditionally been used to generate ``phase-equivalent'' nucleon-nucleon potentials, is also demonstrated.Comment: 23 pages, RevTex, 9 ps figures, included with epsf.tex, minor change

Assessment of alcohol advertising practices in Ethiopia

Background: Alcohol advertising should be prepared with an appropriate sense of responsibility to the consumer public. In Ethiopia, some aspects of alcohol advertising practices contravene with standards.Objectives: To document alcohol advertising practices and explore perceptions about them in Ethiopia.Methods: A qualitative study was carried out in 2010, in the relevant institutions selected purposively from Addis Ababa: private media/advertising agencies, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH)/ Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority, Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA), Ethiopian Medical Association (EMA), the Ethiopian Youth and Sports Ministry (MYS), Addis Ababa University (AAU), Addis Continental Institute of Public Health (ACIPH), the Ethiopian Broadcast Authority (EBA) and a brewery. Data were generated using indepth, face-to-face interviews with 18 professionals from the nine institutions. Slightly differing interview guides were used according to nature of institutions; thematic analysis of the data on transcribed interviews was performed.Results: Alcohol advertising practices in Ethiopia contravene with fundamental principles of marketing for alcoholic beverages. Advertisers use misleading information about alcoholic drinks, employ people with questionable legal age and use imagery that could be particularly appealing to young audiences. Lack of audience segmenting mechanisms in the media coupled with other forms of promotion such as sponsorships expose, even the very young, to alcohol advertisements.Conclusions: The existing practice of alcohol advertising in the country is against the interest of the public. All concerned stakeholders should be considered in alcohol related policy formulation, implementation and monitoring

Determination of reference physiological values for working donkeys of Ethiopia

This study was undertaken with the aim of determining reference physiological values for working Ethiopian donkeys in four districts of Oromiya regional state by taking vital signs (body temperature, pulse and respiration rate) and gut sounds from a total of 130 apparently healthy donkeys. The mean values of body temperature obtained in this study for young, adult, and old donkeys were 37.90±0.74oC, 37.80±0.78oC and 37.70±0.63oC, respectively. For female and male donkeys it was 37.88±0.79oC and 37.83±0.73oC, respectively. The mean values of pulse rate per minute for young, adult and old donkeys were 55.40±9.93, 47.60±5.47 and 47.60±5.47, respectively. For female and male donkeys it was 51.62±11.32 and 49.69±8.59, respectively. Pulse rate and heart rate had strong correlation (r=0.824; p0.05) difference in nostril movement, abdominal movement and tracheal sound between daytime (morning Vs noon), age group and sex. However, strong and positive correlation (r=0.80;

Study on the epidemiology of foot and mouth disease in Ethiopia

Summary This study was designed to describe the status of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Ethiopia, through analysis of FMD outbreak reports and the detection of antibodies, to address the possibility of establishing a disease-free zone. The serum samples were tested using the 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, to identify antibodies against FMD. From a total of 4,465 sera, 10.5% (n = 467) tested positive. The highest seroprevalence was detected in samples from the Eastern zone of Tigray with 41.5%; followed by the Guji zone of Oromia and Yeka district of the city of Addis Ababa, with 32.7% and 30%, respectively. Antibodies specific to FMD virus were not detected in Gambella or Benishangul. The effects of cattle, sheep and goat density, both separately and together, were analysed with a spatial regression model, but did not have a significant effect on seroprevalence. This indicates that other factors, such as farming systems and livestock movement, play a significant role in the occurrence of FMD. Based on these study findings, it might be appropriate to establish disease-free zones in Gambella and Benishangul

Validation of AIDS-related mortality in Botswana

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Preparing for and executing a randomised controlled trial of podoconiosis treatment in Northern Ethiopia: the utility of rapid ethical assessment

Background Community-based randomized controlled trials are often complex pieces of research with significant challenges around the approach to the community, information provision, and decision-making, all of which are fundamental to the informed consent process. We conducted a rapid ethical assessment to guide the preparation for and conduct of a randomized controlled trial of podoconiosis treatment in northern Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was carried out in Aneded woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State from August to September, 2013. A total of 14 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with researchers, experts, and leaders, and 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving 80 participants (people of both gender, with and without podoconiosis), were conducted. Interviews were carried out in Amharic. Data analysis was started alongside collection. Final data analysis used a thematic approach based on themes identified a priori and those that emerged during the analysis. Results Respondents made a range of specific suggestions, including that sensitisation meetings were called by woreda or kebele leaders or the police; that Health Extension Workers were asked to accompany the research team to patients’ houses; that detailed trial information was explained by someone with deep local knowledge; that analogies from agriculture and local social organisations be used to explain randomisation; that participants in the ‘delayed’ intervention arm be given small incentives to continue in the trial; and that key community members be asked to quell rumours arising in the course of the trial. Conclusion Many of these recommendations were incorporated into the preparatory phases of the trial, or were used during the course of the trial itself. This demonstrates the utility of rapid ethical assessment preceding a complex piece of research in a relatively research-naive setting

Genetic parameters for cow-specific digestibility predicted by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Digestibility traits included in this study were dry matter digestibility (DMD, g/kg), which was calculated based on the indigestible neutral detergent fibre (iNDF, g/kg of dry matter) content in faeces (iNDFf) and in diet (iNDFd), and iNDFf predicted directly from faecal samples by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). The data set was collected at three research herds in Finland and one in Norway including in total 931 records from 328 lactating Nordic Red Cattle and Holstein cows. Observations were associated with different accuracy, due to the differences in sampling protocols used for collecting faecal samples. Heritability estimates varied between different sampling protocols and ranged from 0.14 ± 0.06 to 0.51 ± 0.24 for DMD and from 0.13 ± 0.05 to 0.48 ± 0.18 for iNDFf. Estimated genetic standard deviations were 10.5 g/kg and 6.2 g/kg dry matter for DMD and iNDFf, respectively. Results of our study indicated that recording only the iNDF content in the faeces is sufficient to determine genetic variation in cows’ ability to digest feed. The coefficient of genetic variation for DMD was rather small (1.7%), but could be utilized if it is supported by a positive analysis of benefits over costs.Peer reviewe

MRI robot for prostate focal laser ablation : An ex vivo study in human prostate

Purpose: A novel grid-template-mimicking MR-compatible robot was developed for in-gantry MRI-guided focal laser ablation of prostate cancer. Method: A substantially compact robot was designed and prototyped to meet in-gantry lithotomy ergonomics and allow for accommodation in the perineum. The controller software was reconfigured and integrated with the custom-designed navigation and multi-focal ablation software. Three experiments were conducted: (1) free space accuracy test; (2) phantom study under computed tomography (CT) guidance for image-guided accuracy test and overall workflow; and (3) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focal laser ablation of an ex vivo prostate. The free space accuracy study included five targets that were selected across the workspace. The robot was then commanded five times to each target. The phantom study used a gel phantom made with color changing thermos-chromic ink, and four spherical metal fiducials were deployed with the robot. Then, laser ablation was applied, and the phantom was sliced for gross observation. For an MR-guided ex vivo test, a prostate from a donor who died of prostate cancer was obtained and multi-focally ablated using the system within the MRI gantry. The tissue was sliced after ablation for validation. Results: free-space accuracy was 0.38 ± 0.27 mm. The overall system targeting accuracy under CT guidance (including robot, registration, and insertion error) was 2.17 ± 0.47 mm. The planned ablation zone was successfully covered in both acrylamide gel phantom and in human prostate tissue. Conclusions: The new robot can accurately facilitate fiber targeting for MR-guided focal laser ablation of targetable prostate cancer

Enhancing wind erosion monitoring and assessment for U.S. rangelands

Wind erosion is a major resource concern for rangeland managers because it can impact soil health, ecosystem structure and function, hydrologic processes, agricultural production, and air quality. Despite its significance, little is known about which landscapes are eroding, by how much, and when. The National Wind Erosion Research Network was established in 2014 to develop tools for monitoring and assessing wind erosion and dust emissions across the United States. The Network, currently consisting of 13 sites, creates opportunities to enhance existing rangeland soil, vegetation, and air quality monitoring programs. Decision-support tools developed by the Network will improve the prediction and management of wind erosion across rangeland ecosystems. © 2017 The Author(s)The Rangelands archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information