Modeling and Analysis of Ethiopian Banking Sector Performance using BSC and AHP Approaches

We live in a world of information superhighway where the physical world is frequently transforming into a virtual one and so is banking service. More often than not the banking business has replaced physical transaction and paper money with an online transaction and virtual money, leading to a cashless society. However, the same can’t be said about the Ethiopian banking sector as much of the aforementioned features represent its tomorrow; today the sector is faced with an urgent matter of attaining excellence in conventional banking service. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the performance of banking service in Ethiopia using the BSC and the AHP approaches considered arguably, more reliable measure as compared to conventional ratio analysis and the results indicated that CBE ranked first with the score of 34.47%, followed by AIB (19.82%) which performed slightly better than DB (19.49%) and standing fourth is OIB (14.87%) and occupying the last position was AdIB (11.36%) in terms of performance as rated by experts in contrast based on conventional ratio analysis AdIB stood first with a score of 78% followed by OIB at 63%, then AIB (58%) and the fourth place belonged to CBE (51%) and finally DB (50%). Thus, the most vital variable missing in financial ratio analysis were perhaps customers; not to mention the internal business processes and the learning and growth perspectives of the banking service. Consequently, in order to secure a fuller understanding of actual banking service performance a combination BSC and AHP was suggested

Unchecked Powers of the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service in the Prevention and Countering of Terrorist Crimes: Some Disquiets at a Glimpse

This article questions the supreme role of the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in the prevention and countering of alleged terrorist acts vis-à-vis its institutional legitimacy and operational integrity. With no exception to other states, Ethiopia also re-established the National Intelligence and Security Service in 2013 but as a sole and unique institution of its kind with multiplex mandates both on general and specific intelligence and security matters. Having in mind the more sensitive powers conferred to the institution and its unrivalled authority in masterminding all the preventive and punitive measures against alleged terrorist conducts as enshrined under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of the country, this article examines whether the establishing proclamation has set the required normative standards and watchdogging institutional platforms to ensure its functional accountability. After investigating the Service’s organizational structure, the public, judicial and political watchdogging apparatuses, the lack of administrative and financial transparency, as well as the alleged alliance of the institution to the regime in power, this article submits that the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service lacks the key attributes of a politically independent and functionally autonomous institution that strives to protect the nation’s politico-economic and security interests. As it stands, much of the Services’s mission rather appears to have been constricted to serving as an untouchable guardian of the party or the regime in power, or as a rising unique entity that roams on its own impervious orbit

Further evidence that gender matters for GHG mitigation in the dairy sector: Analysis of survey data from central Kenya highlights interactive effects of gender and farm management practices on milk yield and GHG emission intensity

Consumption of dairy products in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades. As production increases, there will be an increasing need to reduce the environmental impacts of dairy production. One way to reduce the carbon footprint of milk production is to increase productivity: more productive cows use a greater proportion of feed energy and protein intake for milk production than less productive cows. Because more milk is produced for a given level of feed intake, the carbon footprint of milk can be reduced. Productivity may be increased by a range of management practices, such as improved breeds, use of higher quality feeds, animal health interventions and more. Often these measures are implemented as technology packages. For example, stall-feeding often involves adoption of improved dairy breeds and changes in feed sources and feed quality. Adoption of more intensive management practices is commonly linked to increased commercialization so that intensive production remains profitable. While most smallholders sell to informal markets, linking smallholders to the formal market (e.g. cooperatives and processing firms) is also seen as one way to incentivize and enable increased milk production. Thus, Kenya’s proposed dairy NAMA intends to promote intensification of production practices on farm to increase milk yields, and link dairy farmers to cooperatives and formal sector milk processors to strengthen market-based incentives for increased milk production (SDL 2017)

Improving high school students’ conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism using scaffold analogy instructions

Simulated analogical teaching model has a novel contribution in enhancing students’ learning. This study aims to analyze effect of simulated analogies scaffold by group discussion model in improving students’ conceptual understanding of some selected contents of electricity and magnetism at high school level. The study involved 75 grade 10th students from two different high schools, namely Dagmawi Twodros and Fert high schools found in Debre Tabor Town, South Gondar, Amhara region, Ethiopia. A quasi-experimental method with pretest posttest design was used in the study. An adapted standardized test of electricity and magnetism conceptual understanding test (EMCUT) was used to collect data. The reliability of EMCUT was checked using KR-20 and found to be at about .81. After checking all necessary assumptions, an independent sample t-test was used to analyze the mean difference on students EMCUT scores between groups.  From the result analysis, we found that experimental group who used simulated analogies scaffold by group discussion method in learning of electricity and magnetism showed a higher mean score of EMCUT than the control group. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of simulated analogies scaffold by group discussion model improved high school students’ conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism

Application of Artificial Intelligence for Surface Roughness Prediction of Additively Manufactured Components

Additive manufacturing has gained significant popularity from a manufacturing perspective due to its potential for improving production efficiency. However, ensuring consistent product quality within predetermined equipment, cost, and time constraints remains a persistent challenge. Surface roughness, a crucial quality parameter, presents difficulties in meeting the required standards, posing significant challenges in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, energy, optics, and electronics manufacturing, where surface quality directly impacts performance and functionality. As a result, researchers have given great attention to improving the quality of manufactured parts, particularly by predicting surface roughness using different parameters related to the manufactured parts. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the methods used by researchers to predict the surface quality of additively fabricated parts. Numerous research studies have developed models utilizing AI methods, including recent deep learning and machine learning approaches, which are effective in cost reduction and saving time, and are emerging as a promising technique. This paper presents the recent advancements in machine learning and AI deep learning techniques employed by researchers. Additionally, the paper discusses the limitations, challenges, and future directions for applying AI in surface roughness prediction for additively manufactured components. Through this review paper, it becomes evident that integrating AI methodologies holds great potential to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the additive manufacturing process. This integration minimizes the need for re-processing machined components and ensures compliance with technical specifications. By leveraging AI, the industry can enhance efficiency and overcome the challenges associated with achieving consistent product quality in additive manufacturing.publishedVersio

Split calvarial graft and titanium mesh for reconstruction of post-craniotomy frontal bone defect

Background: The goal of cranioplasty is to achieve a lifelong, stable and structural reconstruction of the cranium covered by a healthy skin and scalp flap. We present two cases of large frontal bone defect following a accident..Cases: We describe the utilization of autogenous local split calvarial graft and titanium mesh for the reconstruction of the post trauma frontal bone defect.Conclusion: Cranioplasty using split calvarial bone grafting for restoring large cranial defects resulting from a trauma is a useful technique, and allows the surgeon to reconstruct a moderate to large cranial defect without rifting the inner cortical plate.Keywords: Bone Graft; Calvarial Splitting; Cranioplast

Prevalence of topical corticosteroids related adverse drug events and associated factors in selected community pharmacies and cosmetic shops of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Introduction: Inappropriate use of topical corticosteroids was found to cause different dermatological complications. Despite its complex adverse effects, misuse of topical corticosteroids has been a common practice throughout the world. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of misuse of topical corticosteroids and its associated factors in selected community pharmacies and cosmetics shops of AddisAbaba. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from February to April in twelve community pharmacies and six cosmetics shops in Addis Ababa. A topical corticosteroids use pattern and related adverse events. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the nature and frequency of cosmetic use while binary and multinomial logistic regression was employed to test associated factors. Statisticalsignificance was set at p<0.05. Result: From a total of 286 participants, more than two third obtained the topical corticosteroids as over the counter. Among these, majority (59.8%) used for beautification purpose. More than half of the users faced adverse drug events and the most common affected site was face. Educational status was found to be associated with OTC use of corticosteroids. Age, reading of label, frequency of application, recommendation by friends and, mixing with other cosmetics and water have shown statistically significant association with occurrence of adverse drug events. Conclusion: Majority of the topical corticosteroids were obtained without prescription for the purpose of beautification rather than treatment. A higher proportion of cosmetic users reported to have experienced at least one adverse event. There needs to consider safety concerns related to topical corticosteroids use in the city

Advocate Against Adversity

Our project is focused on the social determinants of maternal healthcare throughout urban areas in the United States and, more specifically, the different wards in DC. This project aims to shed light on how racial and ethnic disparities, in addition to other social determining factors, are contributing to high infant mortality rates in the DC area. It also proposes potential public health initiatives that seeks to address and combat these differences.https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/dchapp/1012/thumbnail.jp

Acute febrile illness in children in southern Ethiopia: diagnosis, management, outcomes, and health care seeking behaviour

Fever is a common presentation for which children in low-and middle-income countries seek health care. Enhancing caregivers’ health seeking practices and improving the diagnosis and management of common childhood illnesses are among key strategies to reduce child mortality related to infectious disease. So far there has been little research evidence from Ethiopia to support policy aimed at reducing the impact of febrile illness in children. The goal of this thesis was to present comprehensive information on common diagnoses, aetiologies, management practices, and clinical outcomes of acute febrile illness in children and health care seeking behaviour by their caregivers. Chapter 1 highlights background information on febrile illnesses and prior evidence on health workers’ antimicrobial (antibacterial and antimalarial) prescribing appropriateness, antibacterial resistance, causes of fever and outcome, timely health care seeking practice, and utilization of health care services in African countries. Chapter 2 presents data on aetiologies of acute febrile illness and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates in children presenting to a tertiary hospital in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. We observed that malaria and bloodstream infections were uncommon while urinary tract infections were prevalent. Within the same cohort, Chapter 3 describes commonly diagnosed conditions, appropriateness of prescribing antimicrobial agents, and outcomes. We identified over-prescription of antibacterial and antimalarial agents, and reported resolution of fever in 89.7% of children on day 7 follow-up. Chapter 4 describes the diagnoses, appropriateness of prescribing antimicrobials, and clinical outcomes in febrile children presenting to lower-level facilities (rural and urban health centres) compared to a tertiary hospital within the same region of Ethiopia. Pneumonia was a common diagnosis in the participating health facilities, particularly at the tertiary hospital. Malaria was prevalent at rural and urban health centres located near to Lake Hawassa. Chapter 5 presents findings about timely care seeking behaviour and utilization of care services for the same group of children. Half the children sought timely care, and three-fourths utilised a primary health care facility as first option. Overall, evidence from these studies can inform decision makers and health workers and support strengthened interventions to improve timely care seeking and appropriate case management and rational use of antimicrobials

Treatment Pattern and Factors Associated with Blood Pressure and Fasting Plasma Glucose Control among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Police Referral Hospital in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of T2DM in Ethiopia is on the rise according to certain studies. Appropriate management approaches are required to achieve desired goals of therapy in the clinical setup. This study was conducted to assess the treatment pattern and the factors associated with BP and FPG control among patients with T2DM in Federal Police Referral Hospital.METHOD: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted from 15th October 2016 to 15th January 2017. A Systematic random sampling technique was employed in selecting the study participants. Data was collected using semi-structured interview and visiting medication records. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.RESULTS: Out of a total of 414 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 361 were successfully interviewed and considered for further analysis. Target BP level was achieved in 206(57.1%) of the patients, whereas the proportion of hypertensive diabetics who attained the recommended BP target was 19.4% (n=40). Of the 361 participants who were checked about their current FPG level, only 142(39.3%) were found to be <130mg/dl. However, 87(24.1%) participants were found to control both BP and FPG levels. Gender, military status, comorbidity, type oftherapy and dietary adherence showed a statistically significant association with outcome variables.CONCLUSION: The proportion of participants with T2DM who achieved target BP, FPG or both was suboptimal. A comprehensiveapproach that involves targeted education on self-management strategies, individualized treatment plans, and continuous evaluation of treatment outcomes should be practiced.KEYWORDS: Blood pressure, Cross sectional study, Ethiopia, Fasting plasma glucose control, type 2 diabetes mellitu