Patient Satisfaction and Associated Factors with Services Provided at Outpatient Departments

Asking patients what they think how they feel about the health service they have received is an important step towards improving the quality of care and, ensuring that local health services are meeting clients needs and expectations. Facility- based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1-7, 2019 in randomly selected primary hospitals found in Guraghe zone. There were 266 randomly selected patients who attended the primary hospitals were participated in the study. Data was collected using a interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Multiple logistic regression analysis used to identify predictors of patient satisfaction. The overall of patient satisfaction level with the health service provided at the outpatient departments of the primary hospitals was 66.5% (95% C.I. 60.8%-72.2%). waiting time (AOR 3.65), informing patients about cause of illness (AOR, 2.46) and waiting area cleanliness (AOR 2.33) were among the significant predictors of patients satisfaction. Acknowledging the limitation of the cross-sectional study design findings of this study indicate that waiting time, telling the cause of illness, cleanliness of the waiting area are important predictors of patient satisfaction

Trends and Variability of Precipitation: Implications for Water Resources in Lake Ziway Watershed, Central Ethiopian Rift

Precipitation is the significant climatic variable that governs the availability of water resources in the country, Ethiopia, but it is highly erratic and variable in spatial-temporal scales. The purpose of this paper was to analyse trends and variability of rainfall at seasonal to annual sales in the Ziway Lake Watershed. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall (MK) and Sen’s Slope (SS) estimation were used to detect the trends and compute the magnitudes of slopes respectively. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) was employed to reveal the variations in rainfall. The spatial interpolations mapping was made by using IDW (Inverse Distance Weighting). The results revealed that the western Ziway Lake watershed had experienced more rainfall variability than the eastern Ziway Lake watershed. The results also indicated that the annual and summer rainfall did not exhibit significant evidence of a monotonic trend. On the other hand, almost all rainfall stations in the spring season revealed decreasing trends (significant and non-significant), for instance, there are three stations (Ogalcho, Butajira, and Koshe) showed significantly decreasing trends at 5% of significant level and the two stations (Kulumsa and Meki) indicates significantly decreasing trends at 10% significant level. Moreover, the magnitudes of slope (changes in mm/year) estimated by SS for stations in the spring season that display significantly decreasing trends were as follows: -8.702, - 6.58, -4.018, and -3.681,-3.667 for Butajira, Koshe, Kulumsa, Ogalcho, and Meki respectively. Droughts can be expected to increase if the decline precipitation trend continues. This could lead to over-exploitation of the water resources. The similarities in patterns of the intra-annual variability of precipitation and river discharges imply that any changes in rainfall pattern would have effects on water availability. The results of this investigation can significantly contribute to guiding water managers and decision-makers for more efficient water resources planning and management. Keywords: Central Ethiopian Rift,, Ziway Lake Watershed, Precipitation, Variability, Trends DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-10-03 Publication date:October 31st 2020

Analysis of Determinants and Opportunities of Group Work Implementation in EFL Speaking Classroom: The Case of Kambata Tambaro Zone,Ethiopia

The main purpose of this study was to assess determinants  of teacher’s implementation of group work in EFL speaking classroom In Angacha General secondary school. The study aimed at revealing factors that hamper the implementation of group work in EFL speaking class room. To attain the set objective 174 students of the school and 4 EFL teachers of the school were selected as participants of the study. In addition, questionnaire, interview, and classroom observation were used to collect data from the selected participants of the study. To analyze the collected data both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Thus data collected through close –ended questionnaire, classroom observation were interpreted using number and percentages. On the other hand the data collected through open-ended items of questionnaire and interview were described and discussed. From the analysis of data different findings were achieved. The study reveals that teachers had little understanding of group work in EFL speaking classroom, teachers were not using group work in EFL speaking classroom as a result of less attention & lack of awareness. The study also sought that the lack of resources, bulkiness of textbooks, inhibitions of learners, fear and students background are the result of the study that factors impede the implementation of group work in EFL speaking class room. It is hoped that the result of this study could help EFL teachers, school supervisors, materials designers, and other concerned bodies Based on the finding of data analysis conclusion are made and recommendation are forwarded Keywords: Group works: determinants, opportunities Kambata  Tambaro Zon

Lithic Inclusions in the Taupo Pumice Formation

The Taupo Pumice Formation is a product of the Taupo eruption of about 1800a, and consists of three phreatomagmatic ash deposits, two plinian pumice deposits and a major low-aspect ratio and low grade (unwelded) ignimbrite which covered most part of the central North Island of New Zealand. The vent area for the eruption is located at Horomatangi Reefs in Lake Taupo. Lithics in the phreatoplinian ash deposits are negligible in quantity, but the plinian pumice deposits contain 5-10% lithics by volume in most near-vent sections. Lithics in the plinian pumice deposits are dominantly banded and spherulitic rhyolite with minor welded tuff, dacite and andesite. The ground layer which forms the base of the ignimbrite unit consists of dominantly lithics and crystals and is formed by the gravitational sedimentation of the 'heavies' from the strongly fluidized head of the pyroclastic flow. Lithic blocks in the ground layer are dominantly banded and spherulitic phenocryst-poor rhyolite, welded tuff with minor dacite and andesite. Near-vent exposures of the ground layer contain boulders upto 2 m in diameter. Friable blocks of hydrothermally altered rhyolite, welded tuff and lake sediments are found fractured but are preserved intact after transportation. This shows that the fluid/pyroclastic particle mixture provided enough support to carry such blocks upto a distance of 10 km from the vent. The rhyolite blocks are subdivided into hypersthene rhyolite, hypersthene-hornblende rhyolite and biotite-bearing rhyolite on the basis of the dominant ferromagnesian phenocryst assamblage. Hypersthene is the dominant ferromagnesian phenocryst in most of the rhyolite blocks in the ground layer and forms the major ferromagnesian crystal of the Taupo Sub-group tephra. The rhyolite blocks have similar whole rock chemistry to the Taupo Sub-group tephra and are probably derived from lava extrusions associated with the tephra eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Centre in the last 10 ka. Older rhyolite domes and flows in the area are probably represented by the intensely hydrothermally altered rhyolite blocks in the ground layer. The dacite blocks contain hypersthene and augite as a major ferromagnesian phenocryst. Whole rock major and trace element analyses shows that the dacite blocks are distinct from the Tauhara dacites and from the dacites of Tongariro Volcanic Centre. The occurrence of dacite inclusions in significant quantity in the Taupo Pumice Formation indicates the presence of other dacite flows near the vent area. Four types of andesite blocks; hornblende andesite, plagioclase-pyroxene andesite, pyroxene andesite and olivine andesite occur as lithic blocks in the ground layer. The andesites are petrographically distinct from those encountered in deep drillholes at Wairakei (Waiora Valley Andesites), and are different from the Rolles Peak andesite in having lower Sr content. The andesite blocks show similar major and trace element content to those from the Tongariro Volcanic Centre. The roundness of the andesite blocks indicates that the blocks were transported as alluvium or lahars in to the lake basin before being incorporated into the pyroclastic flow. Two types of welded ignimbrite blocks are described. The lithic-crystal rich ignimbrite is correlated with a post-Whakamaru Group Ignimbrite (ca. 100 ka ignimbrite erupted from Taupo Volcanic Centre) which crops out to the north of Lake Taupo. The crystal rich ignimbrite is tentatively correlated with the Whakamaru Group Ignimbrites. The lake sediment boulders, pumiceous mudstone and siltstone in the ground layer probably correlate to the Huka Group sediments or younger Holocene sediments in the lake basin. A comparative mineral chemistry study of the lithic blocks was done. A change in chemistry of individual mineral species was found to accompany the variation in wholerock major element constituents in the different types of lithics. The large quantity of lithic blocks in the ground layer suggests extensive vent widening at the begining of the ignimbrite eruption. A simple model of flaring and collapse of the vent area caused by the down ward movement of the fragmentation surface is presented to explain the origin of the lithic blocks in the ground layer. The lithics in the Taupo Pumice Formation are therfore produced by the disruption of the country rock around the vent during the explosion and primary xenoliths from depths of magma generation were not found. Stratigraphic relations suggest that the most important depth of incorporation of lithics is within the post-Whakamaru Group Ignimbrite volcanics and volcaniclastic sedimentary units

The expression, purification and characterization of recombinant human lung surfactant protein-B

A way to produce surfactant protein B (SP-B) in the laboratory is highly sought both for basic research on SP-B, as well as for use as a component of surfactant for treatment of patients in respiratory distress. Herein, I hypothesize that SP-B can be expressed in bacteria in its functional form. In the long run, I also anticipate that recombinant SP-B could alleviate the financial burden incurred by the health care system during the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome patients. Moreover, I envisage, recombinant surfactant protein B variants with an improved capability to resist surfactant dysfunction. In the first part of the study, recombinant DNA technology was used to overexpress the near full-length human SP-B variant, Δ7NTΔM-SP-B- 6xHis, in BL21 Escherichia coli , strain C43 cells. The results show that recombinant surfactant protein B expresses as inclusion bodies but can be renatured carefully using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Importantly, the thesis work has established a protocol for the production of recombinant surfactant protein B that is amenable to scale up. In the next part of the study, circular dichroism was used to assess the conformation of recombinant SP-B suspensions in different membrane mimetic environments. Likewise, dynamic light scattering was used to characterize sample homogeneity and aggregation propensity of the protein suspension in these conditions. It was found that dodecyl phosphocholine/sodium dodecyl sulfate binary micelles and methanol support native-like secondary structure of recombinant SP-B comparable to animal derived surfactant protein B. In the last portion of the study, the function of recombinant SP-B was tested in lipid environments using the Langmuir-Wilhelmey surface balance. The results indicate that recombinant SP-B possesses the necessary biophysical features to promote the large-scale organization of lipid monolayers that are thought to be critical to SP-B function. In conclusion this work supports the use of recombinant SP-B in a surfactant therapeutic as a potential future alternative to animal derived SP-B

Maedi-Visna: Sero-prevalence and risk factors in sheep population of South Wollo and North Shewa Zones, Ethiopia

Maedi-Visna (MV) is a chronic disease of adult sheep characterised by progressive interstitial pneumonia and other syndromes such as meningo-encephalitis, indurative mastitis, and arthritis. The study was conducted to determine the serological epidemiology and associated risk factors of Maedi-Visna in the highland of the North Shewa and South Wollo zones of the Amhara region, Ethiopia. A total of 807 serum samples were collected randomly from purposely selected areas and examined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to screen specific antibodies against Maedi-Visna. The data were analysed using logistic regression. The overall seroprevalence of Maedi-Visna was 11.7%. The highest and lowest seroprevalence were in Basona-Werena (19.2) and Legambo (6.1%) districts, respectively. As per peasant associations, the highest and lowest seroprevalence were in the Agricultural Research Centre (63.5%) and Kormargefya (0.8 %), respectively. Despite the variation in prevalence level, the disease was insidiously disseminated to all the other study districts and peasant associations. The final multivariable logistic model identified age OR = 5.04 (95% CI: 1.19–21.43), production system OR = 6.96 (95% CI: 3.79–12.78) and body condition score OR = 10.12 (95% CI: 3.63–28.19) as the most important risk factors in relation to MV seroprevalence. This finding showed a higher prevalence of Maedi-Visna in research centre and ranches, which can be a source of Maedi-Visna virus infection in other parts of sheep producing areas. Therefore, strict and regular screening tests should be carried out during the introduction of new flocks and before the distribution of crossbreed rams, particularly from ranches and research centres to smallholder farmers

Evaluation of immune response of small ruminant flocks to ovine Pasteurellosis and Peste Des Petits Ruminants vaccines in North Shewa, Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to evaluate the flock immune response of small ruminants to ovine pasteurellosis Bio type A and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccines and to determine their effects on the morbidity and mortality of animals due to ovine pasteurellosis and PPR from October 2017 to November 2019 in selected districts of the north Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 553 serum samples were collected and examined by using the Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and an indirect haemagglutination inhibition test for PPR and ovine pasteurellosis antibodies, respectively. Based on the results, the number of animals with an antibody titer of 1:10 after 28 days and six months of vaccinations of P. multocida Biotype A was 161 (93.1%) and 152 (81.7%), respectively. Also, the positive antibody level (i.e., percent of colour inhibition PI > 50) after 28 days and 12 months of PPRV vaccinations was 82 (86.3%) and 69 (69.7%), respectively. There was a statistical difference (p < 0.001) between the antibody levels after 28 days and six months of vaccination against ovine pasteurellosis and after 28 days and 12 months of vaccination (p <0.01) for PPRV vaccines. During three consecutive years of intervention, out of a total of 2350 study animals, 500 cases (21.3%) showed respiratory signs, out of which 45 (1.9%) died. The PPR and ovine pasteurellosis vaccines applied in the field were effective in developing antibodies above the threshold herd immunity level of 80% and 70% respectively.Periodic vaccination against ovine pasteurellosis and PPR according to the epidemiology of the diseases results in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality of small ruminants. Therefore, the current ongoing efforts to control ovine pasteurellosis and PPR of small ruminants through vaccination should be encouraged and strict sero-surveillance and monitoring of these diseases should be done side by side

Sero-prevalence of Border Disease Virus Antibodies in Recently Introduced Dorper Sheep Flocks at Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia

A study was conducted to investigate the serological prevalence of Border Disease Virus (BDV) antibodies in newly introduced Dorper sheep flocks at Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center (DBARC), Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 186 sheep in the research center and the serum was decanted and sent to the National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia for laboratory examination. All serum samples were examined using blocking ELISA test with a sensitivity of 94.3% and specificity of 93.7% to detect antibodies for BDV. Of these, 55 (29.57%) tested sero-positive and the rest 131 (70.43%) tested sero-negative for BDV antibodies. The sero-prevalence of sheep born in the research center was found at 23.97% (29/121) whereas the sero-prevalence of those sheep imported directly from abroad was found at 40% (26/65). In this research, a higher prevalence of BDV antibodies were recorded in the imported sheep than in the sheep which are born in the research center and the difference in prevalence between the two groups was found statistically significant (P<0.05). Therefore, it is of utmost importance to study the status of the disease from indigenous breeds of sheep and utilize more sensitive tests such as RT-PCR

Detection of Arc/Arg3.1 oligomers in rat brain: constitutive and synaptic activity-evoked dimer expression in vivo

The immediate early gene product activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc or Arg3.1) is a major regulator of long-term synaptic plasticity with critical roles in postnatal cortical development and memory formation. However, the molecular basis of Arc function is undefined. Arc is a hub protein with interaction partners in the postsynaptic neuronal compartment and nucleus. Previous in vitro biochemical and biophysical analysis of purified recombinant Arc showed formation of low-order oligomers and larger particles including retrovirus-like capsids. Here, we provide evidence for naturally occurring Arc oligomers in the mammalian brain. Using in situ protein crosslinking to trap weak Arc–Arc interactions, we identified in various preparations a prominent Arc immunoreactive band on SDS-PAGE of molecular mass corresponding to a dimer. While putative trimers, tetramers and heavier Arc species were detected, they were of lower abundance. Stimulus-evoked induction of Arc expression and dimer formation was first demonstrated in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated with the muscarinic cholinergic agonist, carbachol, and in primary cortical neuronal cultures treated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In the dentate gyrus (DG) of adult anesthetized rats, induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) by high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of medial perforant synapses or by brief intrahippocampal infusion of BDNF led to a massive increase in Arc dimer expression. Arc immunoprecipitation of crosslinked DG tissue showed enhanced dimer expression during 4 h of LTP maintenance. Mass spectrometric proteomic analysis of immunoprecipitated, gel-excised bands corroborated detection of Arc dimer. Furthermore, Arc dimer was constitutively expressed in naïve cortical, hippocampal and DG tissue, with the lowest levels in the DG. Taken together the results implicate Arc dimer as the predominant low-oligomeric form in mammalian brain, exhibiting regional differences in its constitutive expression and enhanced synaptic activity-evoked expression in LTP.publishedVersio

Crop commercialization in Ethiopia: Trends, drivers, and impact on well-being

Agricultural transformation refers to a series of changes in agriculture that both reflect and drive rising income and economic development more broadly. While the macroeconomic patterns of agricultural transformation are relatively well documented, less is known about how it is manifested at the household level. Ethiopia makes an excellent case study as it has had one of the fastest growing economies in the world. An important aspect of this process is agricultural commercialization, that is, the rising share of agricultural output is sold on the market rather than being consumed at home. Agricultural commercialization tends to rise with development with improved infrastructure and communications, the availability of inputs and know-how regarding commercial crop production, and farmers being willing to accept the risks associated with producing crops for the market. Agricultural commercialization is widely believed to allow farmers to earn higher income as they specialize in crops for which they have a comparative advantage. The analysis makes use of a data from three rural household surveys carried out in Ethiopia by IFPRI in 2012, 2016, and 2019. Each survey used a sample that was representative of the four main agricultural regions of the country (Tigre, Oromia, Amhara, and SNNP) with sample sizes of 3000 to 5000, including 1,900 households that were interviewed in all three rounds. In addition, we incorporate several weather variables based on CHIRPS rainfall data to estimate the effect of the level and variability of rainfall on agricultural commercialization