Scaling up Access to Misoprostol at the Community Level to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria

Over the past decade (2004–2014), the Population and Reproductive Health area of the MacArthur Foundation has focused on supporting projects aimed at reducing maternal mortality. In particular, it has supported efforts to use misoprostol to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, the anti-shock garment to aid in the treatment of hemorrhage, and magnesium sulfate to decrease deaths from eclampsia. In recent years, the Foundation has invested in a range of research and evaluation efforts to better understand these interventions, their effectiveness, and the extent to which successful pilot projects have been scaled up.In 2014, the Foundation commissioned the Public Health Institute to evaluate the grants it had made to increase community-based access to misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage prevention in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria. Specifically, the Foundation was interested in documenting the models and approaches used and the progress toward scaling up the respective models in the three countries. Between June and November 2014, the evaluation team reviewed grantee reports, proposals, and the literature; interviewed key informants and global, national, and local stakeholders; conducted focus group discussions with local stakeholders; and made observations during site-visits in each country. From this the team produced case study reports relating to misoprostol use in each country. This report is a synthesis of those three case studies, highlighting the common findings across the projects, identifying differences, and interpreting the lessons learned for broader use and scale up of misoprostol at the community level in Africa and globally

Testing and analysis of masonry arches subjected to impact loads

A prototype single span masonry arch was designed and its capacity was assessed both experimentally and numerically. The geometric design process was based on the dimensional-constraints of the laboratory. A quasi-static experimental test was conducted on the arch and the force deformation behaviour of the arch was obtained. Joint interface properties might play an important role in numerical assessment of masonry stone bridges; therefore the influence of these parameters is addressed. A sensitivity numerical analysis was carried out to figure out the range of values that gives similar global behaviour of the arch from both numerical and experimental simulations. Subsequently, the results of the impact test are given and a numerical simulation able to capture the main characteristics of the response is presented

Flow cytometry analysis of the microbiota associated with the midguts of vector mosquitoes

Background: The scientific interest to understand the function and structure of the microbiota associated with the midgut of mosquito disease vectors is increasing. The advancement of such a knowledge has encountered challenges and limitations associated with conventional culture-based and PCR techniques. Methods: Flow cytometry (FCM) combined with various cell marking dyes have been successfully applied in the field of ecological microbiology to circumvent the above shortcomings. Here, we describe FCM technique coupled with live/dead differential staining dyes SYBR Green I (SGI) and Propidium Iodide (PI) to quantify and study other essential characteristics of the mosquito gut microbiota. Results: A clear discrimination between cells and debris, as well as between live and dead cells was achieved when the midgut homogenate was subjected to staining with 5 x 103 dilution of the SGI and 30 mu M concentration of the PI. Reproducibly, FCM event collections produced discrete populations including non-fluorescent cells, SYBR positive cells, PI fluorescing cells and cells that fluoresce both in SYBR and PI, all these cell populations representing, respectively, background noise, live bacterial, dead cells and inactive cells with partial permeability to PI. The FCM produced a strong linear relationship between cell counts and their corresponding dilution factors (R-2 = 0.987), and the technique has a better precision compared to qRT-PCR. The FCM count of the microbiota reached a peak load at 18 h post-feeding and started declining at 24 h. The present FCM technique also successfully applied to quantify bacterial cells in fixed midgut samples that were homogenized in 4 % PFA. Conclusion: The FCM technique described here offers enormous potential and possibilities of integration with advanced molecular biochemical techniques for the study of the microbiota community in disease vector mosquitoes

The effect of silencing immunity related genes on longevity in a naturally occurring Anopheles arabiensis mosquito population from southwest Ethiopia

Background: Vector control remains the most important tool to prevent malaria transmission. However, it is now severely constrained by the appearance of physiological and behavioral insecticide resistance. Therefore, the development of new vector control tools is warranted. Such tools could include immunization of blood hosts of vector mosquitoes with mosquito proteins involved in midgut homeostasis (anti-mosquito vaccines) or genetic engineering of mosquitoes that can drive population-wide knockout of genes producing such proteins to reduce mosquito lifespan and malaria transmission probability. Methods: To achieve this, candidate genes related to midgut homeostasis regulation need to be assessed for their effect on mosquito survival. Here, different such candidate genes were silenced through dsRNA injection in the naturally occurring Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes and the effect on mosquito survival was evaluated. Results: Significantly higher mortality rates were observed in the mosquitoes silenced for FN3D1 (AARA003032), FN3D3 (AARA007751) and GPRGr9 (AARA003963) genes as compared to the control group injected with dsRNA against a non-related bacterial gene (LacZ). This observed difference in mortality rate between the candidate genes and the control disappeared when gene-silenced mosquitoes were treated with antibiotic mixtures, suggesting that gut microbiota play a key role in the observed reduction of mosquito survival. Conclusions: We demonstrated that interference with the expression of the FN3D1, FN3D3 or GPRGr9 genes causes a significant reduction of the longevity of An. arabiensis mosquito in the wild

Structural and magnetic properties of isovalently substituted multiferroic BiFeO3: Insights from Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectra, supplemented by powder x-ray diffraction and magnetization data of isovalently A- and B-site substituted BiFeO3 in the Bi1−xLaxFeO3 (0≤x≤1), Bi1−xTbxFeO3 (0≤x≤0.2), and Bi0.9Sm0.1Fe1−xMnxO3 (0≤x≤0.3) series, are presented. A good agreement between the structural transitions observed by x-ray diffraction and the vibrational modes observed in the Raman spectra is found over the whole substitutional ranges, and in particular we find spectroscopic signatures of a PbZrO3-type structure for Bi0.8La0.2FeO3. Mode assignments in the substituted materials are made based on Raman spectra of the end-members BiFeO3 and LaFeO3. Moreover, by comparing spectra from all samples with R3c structure, the phonon assignment in BiFeO3 is revisited. A close connection between the degree of octahedral tilt and the Raman shift of the A1 oxygen a−a−a− tilt mode is established. An explanation for the strong second-order scattering observed in Bi1−xLaxFeO3 and Bi1−xTbxFeO3 is suggested, including the assignment of the previously mysterious BiFeO3 mode at 620 cm−1. Finally, the magnetization data indicates a transition from a cycloidal modulated state towards a canted antiferromagnet with increasing A-site substitution, while Bi0.9Sm0.1Fe1−xMnxO3 with x=0 and 0.15 exhibit an anomalous closing of the hysteresis loop at low temperatures. For low A-site substitution levels (x≤0.1) the decreasing Raman intensity of the Fe derived modes correlates with the partial destruction of the spin cycloid as the substitution level increases

Surgical robotics beyond enhanced dexterity instrumentation: a survey of machine learning techniques and their role in intelligent and autonomous surgical actions

PURPOSE: Advances in technology and computing play an increasingly important role in the evolution of modern surgical techniques and paradigms. This article reviews the current role of machine learning (ML) techniques in the context of surgery with a focus on surgical robotics (SR). Also, we provide a perspective on the future possibilities for enhancing the effectiveness of procedures by integrating ML in the operating room. METHODS: The review is focused on ML techniques directly applied to surgery, surgical robotics, surgical training and assessment. The widespread use of ML methods in diagnosis and medical image computing is beyond the scope of the review. Searches were performed on PubMed and IEEE Explore using combinations of keywords: ML, surgery, robotics, surgical and medical robotics, skill learning, skill analysis and learning to perceive. RESULTS: Studies making use of ML methods in the context of surgery are increasingly being reported. In particular, there is an increasing interest in using ML for developing tools to understand and model surgical skill and competence or to extract surgical workflow. Many researchers begin to integrate this understanding into the control of recent surgical robots and devices. CONCLUSION: ML is an expanding field. It is popular as it allows efficient processing of vast amounts of data for interpreting and real-time decision making. Already widely used in imaging and diagnosis, it is believed that ML will also play an important role in surgery and interventional treatments. In particular, ML could become a game changer into the conception of cognitive surgical robots. Such robots endowed with cognitive skills would assist the surgical team also on a cognitive level, such as possibly lowering the mental load of the team. For example, ML could help extracting surgical skill, learned through demonstration by human experts, and could transfer this to robotic skills. Such intelligent surgical assistance would significantly surpass the state of the art in surgical robotics. Current devices possess no intelligence whatsoever and are merely advanced and expensive instruments

The Impact of Anaerobic Exercise Training on Some Selected Physical Fitness Components of U-17 Male Handballtrainees in Case of Injibara Town, Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of anaerobic training on speed, agility and anaerobic power on U-17 Handball trainees. All off twenty six (26) Handball players who was the only Handball training project team at Injibara town with age U-17 were conveniently selected and participated voluntarily in the research. Among those half of them were randomly selected as EG which specially prepared anaerobic training was applied and the rest were CG. Weight and height averages of U-17 EG and CG were similar which is 56.92 Kg and 57.77 Kg in weight and 1.68m and 1.71m in height respectively. Before training, PT of two groups of thirteen (13) players (IAT and TT of agility tests, VJ and SLJ tests of anaerobic power tests and 10m & 40m dash speed tests) were recorded. The anaerobic training were implemented on the EG twice a week, 35 to 40 min a day. Consequently after six weeks of anaerobic training, DT was taken in each parameter and a little improvement in each test results observed and training was continually given by increasing its intensity. After three months, posttest measurement on the same parameters was taken. The difference between the tests were analyzed statistically, with paired sample “t” test at P<0.05 Consequently it was observed that anaerobic training implemented on junior level players brought about significant improvements between pre and post test results of agility, in which duration to complete IAT and TT was decreased by a mean difference of 0.381 seconds at P=0.001 and 0.738 seconds at P=0.000. Speed in which duration of 10m and 40m dash speed test result was decreased by a mean difference of .1262seconds at P=.020 and .1293seconds at P=.010 respectively.. And power, in which height and length of VJ and SLJ test result were increased by a mean difference of .06m at P=.000 and 0.1161 m at P=0.000 respectively. As result the investigator recommended that adding anaerobic training on their Handball training program helps to improve players speed, agility and power. Keywords: agility, anaerobic exercise, performance enhancement, power, speed DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/46-01 Publication date: January 31st 2020

Participatory Evaluation of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.)Varieties, and Tuber Size Effect on Yield and Yield Traits in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate growth, yield and yield components of different Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varaties under three tuber sizes from March 2013 to July 2013 at Wolaita zone Sodo zuria wereda Dalbo kebele southern Ethiopia. The study consisted of four commercially released  varieties of Potato named as Gudene, Jalene, Guassa, Digemegn and one local variety as a check and three tuber sizes (large, medium, and small). Factorial experiment was conducted on farmers’ field using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Three model and volunteer farmers were involved. Each farmer’s field was considered as replication. Data were collected for growth, tuber yield and yield components. Analysis of variances (ANOVA) revealed that varieties differed significantly (P?0.05) in plant height, average tuber number per hill, mean tuber diameter, number of marketable potato tuber at net harvestable row, number of unmarketable potato tuber at net harvestable row, number of total potato tuber per net harvestable row at net harvestable row, there was no significant (P?0.05) effect for tuber size as well as interaction between variety and tuber size for all observed parameters.In this study, the highest tuber yield of 32.57 t ha-1 were obtained from Guasaa followed by  Guden (30.09) t ha-1 though the difference was statistically not significant but according to the  farmers field visit selection criteria, physical stand, disease and pest tolerance, and production of attractive and marketable tubers Gudene variety and use of  meduim sized tuber. Therefore, using Gudene  variety and use of medium size tube found to be advisable but incase shortage of medium sized planting material occurs large or small sized tubers can be used. However, further testing is required in different locations and on different soils. Keywords: Potato, Variety, Tuber size, Growth, Yield

Spatial-temporal structure and distribution of the solar photospheric magnetic field

AbstractI have made a detailed study of the fundamental properties of the solar photospheric magnetic field, which helps in better understanding the Sun’s radiative and particle outputs that affect the Earth’s near-space environment, as well as the entire heliosphere. Photospheric magnetic field is an essential parameter for space weather and space climate. The photospheric magnetic field includes a wide range of large-scale and small-scale structures, but the contribution of weak, small-scale fields to the total flux on the solar surface is dominant.This thesis discusses the spatial-temporal structure and long-term evolution of the solar photospheric magnetic field. Particularly, the thesis presents, for the first time, the spatial distribution of the asymmetry of weak field values and its evolution in solar cycles 21–24. I found that the asymmetry (also called shift) of the distribution of positive and negative weak-field values is a real physical phenomenon. I also found that the shifts are most effectively produced at the supergranulation scale.I studied the asymmetry of the distribution of weak field values separately in the two solar hemispheres. My results show that the shifts of weak-field field distributions in the two solar hemispheres have always the same sign as the new polarity of the polar field in the respective hemisphere and solar cycle. I also found that the hemispheric shifts change their sign in the late ascending to maximum phase of the solar cycle and attain their maximum in the early to mid-declining phase. This evolution of the hemispheric weak-field gives a new signal of the solar magnetic cycle.We also studied the long-term spatial-temporal evolution of the weak-field shift and skewness of the distribution of photospheric magnetic field values during solar cycles 21–24 in order to clarify the role and relation of the weak field values to the overall magnetic field evolution. Our results give evidence for the preference of even the weakest field elements toward the prevailing magnetic polarity since the emergence of an active region, and for a systematic coalescence of stronger magnetic fields of opposite to produce weak fields during the poleward drift of the surge.Original papersOriginal papers are not included in the electronic version of the dissertation.Getachew, T., Virtanen, I., & Mursula, K. (2017). Structure of the Photospheric Magnetic Field During Sector Crossings of the Heliospheric Magnetic Field. Solar Physics, 292(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-017-1198-9Self-archived versionGetachew, T., Virtanen, I., & Mursula, K. (2019). Asymmetric Distribution of Weak Photospheric Magnetic Field Values. The Astrophysical Journal, 874(2), 116. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab0749 Self-archived versionGetachew, T., Virtanen, I., & Mursula, K. (2019). A New Signal of the Solar Magnetic Cycle: Opposite Shifts of Weak Magnetic Field Distributions in the Two Hemispheres. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(16), 9327–9333. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl083339 Self-archived version Mursula, K., Getachew, T., & Virtanen, I. (2019). Spatial-temporal evolution of photospheric weak-field shifts in solar cycles 21-24. Manuscript submitted for publication. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936917Self-archived versionOsajulkaisutOsajulkaisut eivät sisälly väitöskirjan elektroniseen versioon.Getachew, T., Virtanen, I., & Mursula, K. (2017). Structure of the Photospheric Magnetic Field During Sector Crossings of the Heliospheric Magnetic Field. Solar Physics, 292(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-017-1198-9Rinnakkaistallennettu versioGetachew, T., Virtanen, I., & Mursula, K. (2019). Asymmetric Distribution of Weak Photospheric Magnetic Field Values. The Astrophysical Journal, 874(2), 116. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab0749 Rinnakkaistallennettu versioGetachew, T., Virtanen, I., & Mursula, K. (2019). A New Signal of the Solar Magnetic Cycle: Opposite Shifts of Weak Magnetic Field Distributions in the Two Hemispheres. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(16), 9327–9333. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl083339 Rinnakkaistallennettu versio Mursula, K., Getachew, T., & Virtanen, I. (2019). Spatial-temporal evolution of photospheric weak-field shifts in solar cycles 21-24. Manuscript submitted for publication. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936917Rinnakkaistallennettu versioAcademic Dissertation to be presented with the assent of the Doctoral Training Committee of Technology and Natural Sciences of the University of Oulu for public discussion in the Auditorium L10, Linnanmaa, on November 8th, 2019, at 12 o’clock noon.Abstract I have made a detailed study of the fundamental properties of the solar photospheric magnetic field, which helps in better understanding the Sun’s radiative and particle outputs that affect the Earth’s near-space environment, as well as the entire heliosphere. Photospheric magnetic field is an essential parameter for space weather and space climate. The photospheric magnetic field includes a wide range of large-scale and small-scale structures, but the contribution of weak, small-scale fields to the total flux on the solar surface is dominant. This thesis discusses the spatial-temporal structure and long-term evolution of the solar photospheric magnetic field. Particularly, the thesis presents, for the first time, the spatial distribution of the asymmetry of weak field values and its evolution in solar cycles 21–24. I found that the asymmetry (also called shift) of the distribution of positive and negative weak-field values is a real physical phenomenon. I also found that the shifts are most effectively produced at the supergranulation scale. I studied the asymmetry of the distribution of weak field values separately in the two solar hemispheres. My results show that the shifts of weak-field field distributions in the two solar hemispheres have always the same sign as the new polarity of the polar field in the respective hemisphere and solar cycle. I also found that the hemispheric shifts change their sign in the late ascending to maximum phase of the solar cycle and attain their maximum in the early to mid-declining phase. This evolution of the hemispheric weak-field gives a new signal of the solar magnetic cycle. We also studied the long-term spatial-temporal evolution of the weak-field shift and skewness of the distribution of photospheric magnetic field values during solar cycles 21–24 in order to clarify the role and relation of the weak field values to the overall magnetic field evolution. Our results give evidence for the preference of even the weakest field elements toward the prevailing magnetic polarity since the emergence of an active region, and for a systematic coalescence of stronger magnetic fields of opposite to produce weak fields during the poleward drift of the surge

Optimizing amenity usage in residential complexes : a web-based system for booking and managing shared facilities

This thesis presents a web-based reservation system for managing shared apartment amenities such as laundry and sauna facilities. It replaces manual booking methods that often caused conflicts and limited access. The new system improves convenience and coordination by allowing real-time booking through a user-friendly calendar interface. Developed using React for the frontend and Firebase for authentication and real-time data management, the system disables past and reserved slots to prevent scheduling issues. Findings show that this web application improves the use and management of shared facilities, offering a practical solution for both residents and administrators