10 research outputs found
Short-Term Outcome in Subaxial Spine Injury Patients Operated on in a Resource-Limited Setting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No full textClinical predictors and surgical outcomes following surgical treatment in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A prospective study
No full textBackground: CSM is the most common cause of spinal dysfunction in adults older than 55 years of age and surgery is the mainstay of treatment for patients with CSM.The objective of our study was to assess the outcome of patients operated for CSM by using m-JOA and Recovery rate using Hirabayashi formula and evaluate clinical factors predicting surgical outcomes in patients undergoing decompressive surgeries. Methodology: Adult CSM patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at two hospitals. Patients were followed prospectively for a minimum of 06 month, with mJOA score, recovery rate (using Hirabayashi formula) and Postoperative complications assessments. Possible clinical predictive factors were also assessed. Results: There were 38 men and 19 women (mean age, 50.63 yr) enrolled in our study. 48 patients had anterior cervical procedure, 9 patients had posterior procedures.The mean mJOA scores at 6 months (13.33) and 1 year(14.74) after surgery were significantly higher than the mean preoperative mJOA (10.44) (P value = 0.01). 42(73.4 %)patients had recovery, 7 patients (11.9 %) remained the same while 8 (13.6 %) patients worsened. Average recovery rate was 36.59 ± 37.12 % in younger patients( 1 year(39.11 % vs 15.54 %) with p-value = 0.035. Six patients had new neurologic deficit in the immediate postoperative period. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of CSM was associated with significant improvement in mJOA and recovery rate at 6 and 12 months. Age and duration of symptom were highly predictive of surgical. Our study showed a high rate of immediate post op neurologic deterioration but other complications in our study were comparable with those in previously reported CSM series
Sulfur ylides generated from the reaction of adamantylidene and phenylcarbene with sulfur substrates
No full textReaction of adamantylidene and phenylcarbene with ethylthiol, ethylene dithiol, allylethylsulfide, allylphenylsulfide, and trimethylenesulfide involves the formation of a sulfur ylide intermediate, followed by H-migration, 2,3-sigmatropic shift, or ring opening to give sulfides. The sulfur ylide formed in the reaction of phenylcarbene with trimethylenesulfide is directly observed by laser flash photolytic techniques. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.PT: J; CR: ADMASU A, 1997, J PHYS CHEM A, V101, P3832 ADMASU A, 1997, J PHYS ORG CHEM, V10, P207 ANDO W, 1977, ACCOUNTS CHEM RES, V10, P179 ANDO W, 1978, CHEM DIAZONIUM DIAZO, CH9 DOYLE MP, 1986, CHEM REV, V86, P919 DOYLE MP, 1998, CHEM REV, V98, P911 ISAEV SD, 1973, ZH ORG KHIM+, V9, P724 PADWA A, 1991, CHEM REV, V91, P263 PADWA A, 1996, CHEM REV, V96, P223 ROMASHIN YN, 2001, TETRAHEDRON LETT, V42, P207 SMITH RAG, 1975, J CHEM SOC P2, P686 TROST BM, 1975, SULPHUR YLIDES; NR: 12; TC: 2; J9: TETRAHEDRON LETT; PG: 3; GA: 709GZSource type: Electronic(1
Heterogeneity in Attitudes Underlying Preferences for Genomic Technology Producing Hybrid Poplars on Public Land
No full textWe investigate the public preference heterogeneity of planting genetically improved poplar tree on public land for biofuel production in Western Canada. Using a sample of the public from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, respondents were asked to vote in a series of hypothetical referenda comparing the new proposed forest policies to the current policy. Proposed policies varied based on poplar breeding method (traditional, genomics, or genetic modification) and whether poplars may be used for biofuel production. A respondentsâ segmentation framework with cluster analysis and probit model was applied to data of respondents to uncover the heterogeneity of publicâ s perception. The results of this study reveal that positive and negative perceptions about planting genetically improved poplar tree in the region create a division of respondents of environmentalists, knowledgeable, challengers and supporters. British Colombians and Manitobans are identified as environmentalists and challengers, respectively, of the new policy of planting genetically improved poplar trees on public land. Conversely, Saskatchewanians and Albertans are identified as supporters and knowledgeable, respectively, of the new policy.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
The Lively Practice of Dérsanä Rufaýel (Homily of Raphael) in Ethiopian Healing Tradition
No full textThis article focuses on the living practice of Dérsanä Rufaýel in the Ethiopian healing tradition. Homily of Raphael is one of the earliest religious books in the EOTC tradition. The study examines use of Dérsanä Rufaýel in the healing tradition of Ethiopia in liturgical and spiritual practice. Major aim of the study is to identify the applicability of manuscripts of Raphael's homilies in alleviating ailments and other problems and to examine their significance in the Ethiopian tradition. It will be studied based on a critical edition prepared by the author from the main part of his doctoral dissertation. The content analysis of the critical edition of Dérsanä Rufaýel will, together with inter-textually related texts, show its significant impact on the Ethiopian tradition. The study also includes indirect observation of healing services in some of St. Raphael's churches in some parts of Ethiopia. The research shows that the Homily of Raphael is one of the available liturgical books on the motif of healing in the Ethiopian Orthodox Täwahédo Church as well as illustrated in Mäséhäfä Sénksar and in the annual and monthly celebrations. Healing is thus particularly associated with the devotion to the glorious archangel Rufaýel, whereby the faithful followers of the EOTC celebrate this day and use the holy water to cure themselves from their ailments and other problems
Synthesis of complex oxides,optimized for the study of novel structural and magnetic properties
No full textIn this dissertation, we synthesize and characterize complex materials using old and new techniques and uncover new candidates for novel physical phenomena. From an experimental standpoint, in chapter 1, we will briefly introduce general methods of bulk crystal growth and then delve into recent advances in specific methods and complex materials including the Laser-diode heated floating zone (L-FZ) and use of chemical vapor transport and flux methods for the growth of large single crystals with physically interesting properties (e.g spin-ice) as well as less studied class of materials. Then in chapter 2, we review on the origin and interesting properties of the stuffed tridymite structure, with the specific case of the incongruently melting stuffed tridymite BaCoSiO4, which will motivate the study to reveal its structural properties following the first single crystal growth by L-FZ. In chapter 3, discuss the magnetic properties and low temperature neutron powder diffraction resolved magnetic structure enabling to further investigate possible magnetism induced anti-polar state. In chapter 4, we report on the first single crystal growth and magnetic ground state characterization of a previously less studied class of complex oxides RE2SrAl2O7 for RE = Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb,Dy and RE2SrSc2O7 for RE = Gd,Tb. In particular, we investigate the structure and magnetism in Tb2SrAl2O7 for new magnetic phenomena. In chapter 5, we conclude this dissertation with a summary of the results and future research directions, which will open access into the synthesis and characterization of previously unstudied class of materials such as refractory oxides.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) for climate-smart water management practices: the case of Upper Awash River Basin of Wollo and Lower Awash River Basin of Afar in Ethiopia. Synthesis report prepared by the Prioritization of Climate-smart Water Management Practices project
No full textThis research study on gender and water resources management, led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and its partners in Ethiopia, was designed to collect primary and secondary data on how smallholder agricultural producer communities in selected catchments are impacted by and cope with climate change. Our focus was on exploring opportunities and barriers for designing and implementing gender-responsive and climate resilient water resources planning and management interventions that are contextually relevant. The research findings will be further translated into actionable recommendations for gender-responsive decision support tools for climate-smart water resources management. The study, informed by the Gender Empowerment Framework and a qualitative research methodology, analyzed soil and water conservation initiatives and small-scale irrigation (SSI) interventions in four districts of the Awash River Basin. These locations were the Kalu and Habru districts from the Upper Awash Catchment in Wollo, and the Ewa and Afambo districts from the Lower Awash Catchment in Afar. These four districts were chosen for their diversity of conservation initiatives and livelihoods. Data were collected from a total sample size of 309 individuals – 288 of whom were smallholder farmers (160 women and 128 men) and 21 were key informants from local government offices – by conducting 96 in-depth interviews, 24 focus group discussions and 21 key informant interviews. The data were analyzed to assess the gender dynamics of productivity, production and practices, and SSI practices, focusing on three key dimensions: resources, agency and institutions. The three key results and recommendations are as follows: First, climate impacts result in diverse outcomes for women (and men). It causes malnutrition in persons with special needs and increases the workload of women and girls, who are predominantly responsible for domestic work. This requires interventions that focus on the needs, priorities, barriers and challenges of these groups, and ensure targeted opportunities in decision-making, access to resources and services, and benefits. Second, deep-rooted sociocultural norms and barriers impact outreach efforts for women and marginalized groups; this includes the effective engagement of these groups in capacity building training programs, and their access to relevant information, entrepreneurial opportunities and linkages across the value chains. Without addressing these barriers, making a sustained impact in terms of gender equality and social inclusion will not be possible. We recommend adopting interventions that address the structural barriers to women’s participation in leadership positions, promoting gender-responsive practices across institutions and building synergy among relevant stakeholders. Third, insufficient institutional capacities among implementing actors present key obstacles to the design and implementation of gender-responsive climate-smart water technologies and practices. Overcoming these challenges necessitates commitment from leaders and the allocation of sufficient resources to establish and enhance institutional systems such as mechanisms for accountability, monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, it entails evidence-based and data-driven research on gender to collate gender and social inclusion challenges. This report presents a synthesis focused on the methodology and key findings of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) study. For further information, the reader is advised to refer to the detailed report prepared as part of the study, which can be accessed by contacting the lead author
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) for climate-smart water management practices: the case of Upper Awash River Basin of Wollo and Lower Awash River Basin of Afar in Ethiopia
No full textThis research study on gender and water resources management, led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and its partners in Ethiopia, was designed to collect primary and secondary data on how smallholder agricultural producer communities in selected catchments are impacted by and cope with climate change. Our focus was on exploring opportunities and barriers for designing and implementing gender-responsive and climate resilient water resources planning and management interventions that are contextually relevant. The research findings will be further translated into actionable recommendations for gender-responsive decision support tools for climate-smart water resources management. The study, informed by the Gender Empowerment Framework and a qualitative research methodology, analyzed soil and water conservation initiatives and small-scale irrigation (SSI) interventions in four districts of the Awash River Basin. These locations were the Kalu and Habru districts from the Upper Awash Catchment in Wollo, and the Ewa and Afambo districts from the Lower Awash Catchment in Afar. These four districts were chosen for their diversity of conservation initiatives and livelihoods. Data were collected from a total sample size of 309 individuals – 288 of whom were smallholder farmers (160 women and 128 men) and 21 were key informants from local government offices – by conducting 96 in-depth interviews, 24 focus group discussions and 21 key informant interviews. The data were analyzed to assess the gender dynamics of productivity, production and practices, and SSI practices, focusing on three key dimensions: resources, agency and institutions. The three key results and recommendations are as follows:
First, climate impacts result in diverse outcomes for women (and men). It causes malnutrition in persons with special needs and increases the workload of women and girls, who are predominantly responsible for domestic work. This requires interventions that focus on the needs, priorities, barriers and challenges of these groups, and ensure targeted opportunities in decision-making, access to resources and services, and benefits.
Second, deep-rooted sociocultural norms and barriers impact outreach efforts for women and marginalized groups; this includes the effective engagement of these groups in capacity building training programs, and their access to relevant information, entrepreneurial opportunities and linkages across the value chains. Without addressing these barriers, making a sustained impact in terms of gender equality and social inclusion will not be possible. We recommend adopting interventions that address the structural barriers to women’s participation in leadership positions, promoting gender-responsive practices across institutions and building synergy among relevant stakeholders.
Third, insufficient institutional capacities among implementing actors present key obstacles to the design and implementation of gender-responsive climate-smart water technologies and practices. Overcoming these challenges necessitates commitment from leaders and the allocation of sufficient resources to establish and enhance institutional systems such as mechanisms for accountability, monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, it entails evidence-based and data-driven research on gender to collate gender and social inclusion challenges.
This report presents a synthesis focused on the methodology and key findings of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) study. For further information, the reader is advised to refer to the detailed report prepared as part of the study, which can be accessed by contacting the lead author
Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study
No full textWe aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05-1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4-7 days or >= 8 days of 1.25 (1.04-1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11-1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care
SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study
No full textBackground: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling.
Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty.
Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year.
Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population
