Distance based indices of generalized transformation graphs

In this paper, the expressions for the Wiener index, Gutman index, degree distance, eccentric connectivity index and eccentric distance sum of the generalized transformation graphs G+-and G -+ are obtained in terms of the parameters of underline graphs

Occupational Self-Direction, Intellectual Functioning, and Self-Directed Orientation in Older Workers: Findings and Implications for Individuals and Societies

Using data from 1994-95 third-wave interviews, this study tests whether Kohn and Schooler\u27s findings ( based on 1964 and 1974 interviews) that self-directed occupational conditions increase intellectual functioning and self-directed orientations hold when the respondents are 20 years older. Results confirm that even late in life self-directedness of work continues to affect intellectual functioning and self-directedness of orientation. These psychological characteristics, in turn, affect social-structural position in ways that increase disparities between the advantaged and disadvantaged. From a historical and societal perspective, the findings suggest that the occupational self-directedness of a society\u27s workers may affect its social norms, values, and modes of production

Predictors of Neonatal mortality among Neonates who admitted in Neonatal intensive Care Unit at Arba Minch General Hospital

Introduction: The neonatal period refers to the first 28 days of life. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to death. The predictors associated with neonatal mortality need to be addressed, as identifying the predictors will contribute to reducing the rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality.Method: A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted of 332 records of neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Arba Minch General Hospital. Data were collected from randomly selected neonate records using computer-generated random numbers. Data were entered into Epi-info version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS v.23 for analysis. Crude hazard ratios, adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of association and statistical significance. The incidence density rate of death with respect to ‘person time at risk’ was calculated. Variables which had a p-value of ≤ 0.25 in bivariate analysis were considered as candidates for multivariate regression analysis; variables that had a p-value of ≤0.05 in the multivariate analysis were considered as independent predictors of neonatal mortality in the final Cox regression analysis.Result: The incidence density rate of neonatal mortality was 31.6 per 1,000 neonate days. The neonatal mortality predictors were 5th-minute APGAR score ≤5 (AHR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.02,3.54); 2nd to 4th birth order (AHR:13; 95%CI: 5.1,33.4); 5th birth order (AHR:24; 95%CI: 10.5,55.2); history of two to four live births(AHR: 0.16; 95%CI: 1.07,3.63); history of ≥5 live births (AHR: 0.18; 95%CI: 0.06,0.51); and not initiating exclusive breastfeeding within the first hour of delivery (AHR: 1.8: 95%CI: 1.03,3.18).Conclusion: The incidence density rate of neonatal mortality was 31.6 per 1,000 neonate days, and maternal age, APGAR score, birth order, parity, and exclusive breastfeeding initiation were independent predictors of neonatal mortality. [Ethiop.J. Health Dev. 2019; 33(1):46-52]Key words: Neonatal mortality; Predictors; Arba Minch General hospita

Utilization of antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia between February and December 2006: spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2003, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) started to implement a national antiretroviral treatment (ART) program. Using data in the monthly HIV/AIDS Updates issued by the MOH, this paper examines the spatial and temporal distribution of ART on a population basis for Ethiopian towns and administrative zones and regions for the period February to December 2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 101 public ART hospitals treated 44,446 patients and the 91 ART health centers treated 1,599 patients in December 2006. The number of patients currently receiving ART doubled between February and December 2006 and the number of female patients aged 15 years and older surpassed male patients, apparently due to increased awareness and provision of free ART. Of 58,405 patients who ever started ART in December 2006, 46,045 (78.8%) were adhering to treatment during that month. Population coverage of ART was highest in the three urban administrative regions of Addis Ababa, Harari and Dire Dawa, in regional centers with referral hospitals, and in several small road side towns that had former mission or other NGO-operated hospitals. Hospitals in Addis Ababa had the largest patient loads (on average 850 patients) and those in SNNPR (Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Republic) (212 patients) and Somali (130 patients) regions the fewest patients. In bivariate tests, number of patients receiving treatment was significantly correlated with population size of towns, urban population per zone, number of hospitals per zone, and duration of ART services in 2006 (all p < 0.001). The stronger relationship with urban than total zonal populations (p < 0.001 versus p = 0.014) and the positive correlation between distance from 44 health centers to the nearest ART hospital and patients receiving treatment at these health centers may be due to a combination of differential accessibility of ART sites, patient knowledge and health-seeking behavior.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The sharp increase in ART uptake in 2006 is largely due to the rapid increase in the provision of free treatment at more sites. The marked variation in ART utilization patterns between urban and rural communities and among zones and regions requires further studies. Recommendations are made for further expansion and sustainability of the ART scale-up.</p

Postpartum anemia and its determinant factors among postnatal women in two selected health institutes in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A facility-based, cross-sectional study

BackgroundAnemia is highly prevalent globally and disproportionately affects postnatal women. It is a significant cause of maternal mortality and morbidity globally.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to determine the extent of postpartum anemia and associated factors among postnatal women in two selected health facilities in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 282 postnatal women from March to May 2021. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit study participants from each institute. Sociodemographic, obstetric, and clinical data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. A venous blood sample was collected to determine the red blood cell parameters. A thin blood smear preparation was performed to examine blood morphology. In addition, direct wet mount and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques were used for stool examination to identify intestinal parasites. Data were entered into EpiData and exported to Stata 14 for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were presented in text, tables, and figures. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with postpartum anemia. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe proportion of postpartum anemia was 47.16%; 95% CI; 41.30–53.03 with moderate, mild, and severe anemia accounting for 45.11, 42.86, and 12.03%, respectively. The majority of the anemia (94%) was of the normocytic normochromic type. It was associated with postpartum hemorrhage (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.24–4.01), cesarean section (AOR = 4.10; 95% CI: 2.11–7.78), lack of iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.17–4.02), and low diet diversity level (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.05–3.18).ConclusionThe prevalence of anemia was found to be a major public health concern. Iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy, improved management of PPH, an effective cesarean section with post-operative care, and taking a diversified diet will reduce the burden. Therefore, identified factors should be considered to prevent and control postpartum anemia

Bibliography on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the Diaspora: The 2015 Update

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Review of Ethiopian onchocerciasis elimination programme

Onchocerciasis is a severe parasitic infection which causes disabling skin and subcutaneous tissue changes. The disease is endemic in many African countries including Ethiopia. In 2013, Ethiopia launched Onchocerciasis elimination program with the goal of attaining interruption of onchocerciasis transmission nationwide by 2020. The country has successfully scaled up interventions and achieved 100% geographic coverage in all known endemic districts. The main strategy for interrupting the disease is mass drug administration (MDA) delivered two times per year. The treatment coverage for the last five years has been maintained at more than 80%. Despite many years of ivermectin MDA the transmission of onchocerciasis in many districts remained unabated. To achieve the 2020 goal, sustained high geographic and therapeutic coverage is required which is validated by coverage surveys. The programme should aim to improve the knowledge and attitude of the community towards the programme in order to improve drug compliance. The partnership between the relevant stakeholders should be strengthened to facilitate open discussions regarding the programme implementation and any challenges that may arise in the control and elimination of the disease. It is also important to consider intensified vector control

Transcript profiling of two alfalfa genotypes with contrasting cell wall composition in stems using a cross-species platform: optimizing analysis by masking biased probes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The GeneChip^®<it>Medicago </it>Genome Array, developed for <it>Medicago truncatula</it>, is a suitable platform for transcript profiling in tetraploid alfalfa [<it>Medicago sativa </it>(L.) subsp. <it>sativa</it>]. However, previous research involving cross-species hybridization (CSH) has shown that sequence variation between two species can bias transcript profiling by decreasing sensitivity (number of expressed genes detected) and the accuracy of measuring fold-differences in gene expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transcript profiling using the <it>Medicago </it>GeneChip^®was conducted with elongating stem (ES) and post-elongation stem (PES) internodes from alfalfa genotypes 252 and 1283 that differ in stem cell wall concentrations of cellulose and lignin. A protocol was developed that masked probes targeting inter-species variable (ISV) regions of alfalfa transcripts. A probe signal intensity threshold was selected that optimized both sensitivity and accuracy. After masking for both ISV regions and previously identified single-feature polymorphisms (SFPs), the number of differentially expressed genes between the two genotypes in both ES and PES internodes was approximately 2-fold greater than the number detected prior to masking. Regulatory genes, including transcription factor and receptor kinase genes that may play a role in development of secondary xylem, were significantly over-represented among genes up-regulated in 252 PES internodes compared to 1283 PES internodes. Several cell wall-related genes were also up-regulated in genotype 252 PES internodes. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR of differentially expressed regulatory and cell wall-related genes demonstrated increased sensitivity and accuracy after masking for both ISV regions and SFPs. Over 1,000 genes that were differentially expressed in ES and PES internodes of genotypes 252 and 1283 were mapped onto putative orthologous loci on <it>M. truncatula </it>chromosomes. Clustering simulation analysis of the differentially expressed genes suggested co-expression of some neighbouring genes on <it>Medicago </it>chromosomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The problems associated with transcript profiling in alfalfa stems using the <it>Medicago </it>GeneChip as a CSH platform were mitigated by masking probes targeting ISV regions and SFPs. Using this masking protocol resulted in the identification of numerous candidate genes that may contribute to differences in cell wall concentration and composition of stems of two alfalfa genotypes.</p

Linking soil adsorption-desorption characteristics with grain zinc concentrations and uptake by teff, wheat and maize in different landscape positions in Ethiopia

AimZinc deficiencies are widespread in many soils, limiting crop growth and contributing to Zn deficiencies in human diets. This study aimed at understanding soil factors influencing grain Zn concentrations and uptake of crops grown in different landscape positions in West Amhara, Ethiopia.MethodsOn-farm experiments were conducted in three landscape positions, with five farmers’ fields as replicates in each landscape position, and at three sites. Available Zn from the soil (Mehlich 3, M3, Zn) and applied fertilizer (NET_FERT Zn, estimated based on adsorption/desorption characteristics and applied Zn) were related to the actual grain Zn concentration and uptake of teff, wheat, and maize. Zinc fertilizer treatments tested were Zn applied at planting (basal), basal plus side dressing and a control with no Zn applied.ResultsZn treatments had a significant effect on grain Zn concentration (increase by up to 10%) but the effect on grain yield was variable. Differences in crop Zn concentrations along the landscape positions were observed but not at all sites and crops. Trial results showed that soils with higher soil pH and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) (typical of footslope landscape positions) tended to adsorb more applied Zn (reduce NET_FERT Zn) than soils with lower soil pH and SOC (typical of upslope landscape positions). Zn availability indicators (M3, NET_FERT Zn, clay%) explained 14-52% of the observed variation in grain Zn concentrations, whereas macronutrient indicators (Total N, exchangeable K) together with M3 Zn were better in predicting grain Zn uptake (16 to 32% explained variability). Maize had the lowest grain Zn concentrations but the highest grain Zn uptake due to high yields.ConclusionWe found that the sum of indigenous and fertilizer Zn significantly affects grain Zn loadings of cereals and that the associated soil parameters differ between and within landscape positions. Therefore, knowledge of soil properties and crop characteristics helps to understand where agronomic biofortification can be effective