| WoS | WOS:000272445000006 | The Developmental Impact of Asian Drivers on Ethiopia with Emphasis on Small-scale Footwear Producers | Gebre-Egziabher, Tegegne | 2009 | WORLD ECONOMY | 32 | 11 | 10.1111/j.1467-9701.2009.01252.x | Addis Ababa University | None | (1252) Tegegne Gebre-Egziabher
This paper examines the developmental impact of China and India on Ethiopia by examining macro-level trade, investment and aid relation, and micro-level impacts on local micro and small-scale footwear producers. Both secondary and primary data were used. At macro level there are clear evidences of an increase in trade between Ethiopia on the one hand and China and India on the other, though the trade balance disfavours Ethiopia. China has displaced other countries as export destinations for Ethiopia. Similarly, the presence of China and India is also felt in the areas of investment and aid. At local level, Chinese imports of footwear have forced local enterprises to downsize their activity and lose assets and money. At the same time, however, firms have followed both the high road of competition (design and quality improvement, investment in machinery, product specialisation) and the low road of competition (lowering price and profit, reducing raw materials and inputs, and joining the informal sector) to withstand the impact of Chinese imports. The long-term effect of Chinese imports is to crowd out local efforts of using the sector as the basis for industrialisation. Government, non-government organisations and local producers should work together in order to withstand the negative impacts of footwear imports by raising the competitiveness of the local producers. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000292102000011 | How has Government policy post-Global Strategy for Plant Conservation impacted on science? The Ethiopian perspective | Demissew, Sebsebe | 2011 | BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY | 166 | 3 | 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2011.01154.x | Addis Ababa University | None | In this paper, existing relevant Ethiopian government biodiversity-related policies and strategies, and mandates of various institutions prior to GSPC targets, are reviewed. Response to whether or not institutions responded to GSPC targets as the result of new policies or rebranded their work to fit within the context of existing policies and adjust their outcomes to fit into the GSPC targets is provided. The Ethiopian national report of 2009 submitted to the Convention of Biological Diversity Secretariat is reviewed and gaps analysed. The policies of the Federal government (and implementing institutions) post-GSPC so far have had only a limited impact on science, but research institutions have aligned their outputs to fit with the GSPC targets. Suggestions, conclusions and recommendations are made in order to work effectively towards the realization of the GSPC targets beyond 2010 in Ethiopia. (C) 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 166, 310-325. | ETHIOPIA,"government biodiversity policies","GSPC targets" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000295110800006 | Long-Term Impact of Residual Symptoms in Treatment-Resistant Depression | Cleare, Anthony J.,Fekadu, Abebaw,Markopoulou, Kalypso,Poon, Lucia,Rane, Lena J.,Wooderson, Sarah C. | 2011 | CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE | 56 | 9 | None | Addis Ababa University, Kings College London, University of London, S London & Maudsley Natl Hlth Serv Trust, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust | None | Objective: Although commonly encountered, little work has defined the longitudinal course of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and the influence of residual posttreatment symptoms on longer-term outcome. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of posttreatment clinical states on longer-term outcome.
Method: Patients (n = 118) with TRD received specialist inpatient treatment and were followed-up for a median of 3 years. Longitudinal outcome dichotomized into good and poor outcome was used as the primary outcome and functional measures were used as secondary outcomes.
Results: Among 118 treated patients, 40 (34%) entered clinical remission, 36 (31%) entered partial remission, and 42 (37%) remained in episode at discharge. At follow-up, 35% had longitudinally defined poor outcome. Posttreatment clinical status was the main predictor of both poor and good outcome. Nearly 50% of patients achieved postdischarge recovery, and subsequently had longer-term outcome, comparable with patients discharged in remission. Patients who remained in episode posttreatment were more symptomatically and functionally impaired.
Conclusion: Posttreatment clinical states are a useful guide to clinicians for projecting the longer-term outcome of patients with TRD. The persistence of residual or syndromal symptoms predicts a poorer longer-term outcome, whereas treatment to remission is associated with better outcomes. | COURSE,"FOLLOW-UP STUDY",OUTCOME,"treatment-refractory depression","treatment-resistant depression",FOLLOW-UP,IMIPRAMINE,ISSUES,"MAJOR DEPRESSION",OUTCOMES,"PARTIAL REMISSION",RATING-SCALE,RECURRENCE,RELAPSE,STAR-ASTERISK-D | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000305234200008 | The impact of NERICA adoption on productivity and poverty of the small-scale rice farmers in the Gambia | Diagne, Aliou,Dibba, Lamin,Fialor, Simon C.,Nimoh, Fred | 2012 | FOOD SECURITY | 4 | 2 | 10.1007/s12571-012-0180-5 | Africa Rice Ctr AfricaRice, KNUST, Kwame Nkrumah University Science & Technology, NARI | None | The study assessed the causal effects of NERICA adoption on rice yields and income, using country-wide data of 600 rice farmers in The Gambia. To control for differences in socio-demographic and environmental characteristics of adopters and non-adopters and enable a causal interpretation of NERICA adoption on the variables of interest, the study used the counterfactual outcome framework to control for such differences. The results, based on observed sample estimates, showed significant differences in rice yields and income between the NERICA adopters and non-adopters. Further, the results of the framework, based on the Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) estimates, which allowed a causal interpretation, showed that NERICA adoption significantly increased average rice yields and annual income of small-scale rice farmers by 157 kg per hectare and $148, respectively. | "causal effects",HETEROGENEITY,IMPACT,NERICA,"potential outcomes","THE GAMBIA","AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY",MODELS,PROPENSITY-SCORE,WEST-AFRICA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000344612400016 | An Evaluation of Community Perspectives and Contributing Factors to Missed Children During an Oral Polio Vaccination Campaign - Katsina State, Nigeria | Achari, Panchanan,Ashenafi, Samra,Biya, Oladayo,Bwaka, Ado,Corkum, Melissa,Mackay, Susan,Mahoney, Frank,Michael, Charles A.,Newberry, David,Nguku, Patrick,Ogbuanu, Ikechukwu U.,Ohuabunwo, Chima,OPV Campaign Missed Children Study,Storms, Aaron D.,Sule, Ada | 2014 | JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES | 210 | None | 10.1093/infdis/jiu288 | African Field Epidemiol Network AFENET, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, United Nations Children Fund UNICEF, US Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, WHO | None | Background. Unvaccinated children contribute to accumulation of susceptible persons and the continued transmission of wild poliovirus in Nigeria. In September 2012, the Expert Review Committee (ERC) on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization in Nigeria recommended that social research be conducted to better understand why children are missed during supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), also known as "immunization plus days (IPDs)" in Nigeria.
Methods.aEuro integral Immediately following the SIA in October 2012, polio eradication partners and the government of Nigeria conducted a study to assess why children are missed. We used semistructured questionnaires and focus group discussions in 1 rural and 1 urban local government area (LGA) of Katsina State.
Results.aEuro integral Participants reported that 61% of the children were not vaccinated because of poor vaccination team performance: either the teams did not visit the homes (25%) or the children were reported absent and not revisited (36%). This lack of access to vaccine was more frequently reported by respondents from scattered/nomadic communities (85%). In 1 out of 4 respondents (25%), refusal was the main reason their child was not vaccinated. The majority of respondents reported they would have consented to their children being vaccinated if the vaccine had been offered.
Conclusions.aEuro integral Poor vaccination team performance is a major contributor to missed children during IPD campaigns. Addressing such operational deficiencies will help close the polio immunity gap and eradicate polio from Nigeria. | "missed children",non-compliance,OPV,"ORAL POLIO VACCINE","vaccine coverage" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000208106500007 | The cost and impact of male circumcision on HIV/AIDS in Botswana | Bollinger, Lori A.,Busang, Lesego,Fidzani, Boga,Moeti, Themba,Musuka, Godfrey,Stover, John | 2009 | JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY | 12 | None | 10.1186/1758-2652-12-7 | African Comprehens HIV AIDS Partnership, Futures Inst, Natl AIDS Coordinating Agcy | None | The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a major issue facing Botswana, with overall adult HIV prevalence estimated to be 25.7 percent in 2007. This paper estimates the cost and impact of the draft Ministry of Health male circumcision strategy using the UNAIDS/WHO Decision-Makers' Programme Planning Tool (DMPPT). Demographic data and HIV prevalence estimates from the recent National AIDS Coordinating Agency estimations are used as input to the DMPPT to estimate the impact of scaling-up male circumcision on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These data are supplemented by programmatic information from the draft Botswana National Strategy for Safe Male Circumcision, including information on unit cost and program goals. Alternative scenarios were developed in consultation with stakeholders. Results suggest that scaling-up adult and neonatal circumcision to reach 80% coverage by 2012 would result in averting almost 70,000 new HIV infections through 2025, at a total net cost of US$47 million across that same period. This results in an average cost per HIV infection averted of US$689. Changing the target year to 2015 and the scale-up pattern to a linear pattern results in a more evenly-distributed number of MCs required, and averts approximately 60,000 new HIV infections through 2025. Other scenarios explored include the effect of risk compensation and the impact of increasing coverage of general prevention interventions. Scaling-up safe male circumcision has the potential to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in Botswana significantly; program design elements such as feasible patterns of scale-up and inclusion of counselling are important in evaluating the overall success of the program. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000207805600007 | How Insecurity Impacts on School Attendance and School Dropout among Urban Slum Children in Nairobi | Izugbara, Chimaraoke,Mudege, Netsayi N.,Zulu, Eliya M. | 2008 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE | 2 | 1 | None | African Populat & Hlth Res Ctr | None | This paper discusses how perceptions of personal security can impact on school enrolment and attendance. It mainly focuses on threats of physical harm, crime, and community and domestic violence. These security fears can include insecurity that children suffer from as they go to school, maybe through the use of unsafe routes; insecurity that children feel at school; and the insecurity they suffer from in their homes. Although poverty can be a source and/or an indicator of insecurity, this paper does not focus solely on poverty as it is well covered elsewhere in the literature. The paper relies on qualitative data collected in Korogocho and Viwandani slum areas in Nairobi, Kenya between October and November 2004. The paper analyses data from individual interviews and focus group interviews and focuses on the narrative of slum dwellers on how insecurity impacts on educational attainment. The conclusion in this paper is that insecure neighbourhoods may have a negative impact on schooling. As a result policies that address insecurity in slum neighbourhoods can also improve school attendance and performance. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000263321100001 | The impact of female employment on fertility in Dakar (Senegal) and Lome (Togo) | Beguy, Donatien | 2009 | DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH | 20 | None | 10.4054/DemRes.2009.20.7 | African Populat & Hlth Res Ctr | None | This paper investigates the impact of female employment on fertility in two urban contexts in sub-Saharan Africa: Dakar ( Senegal) and Lome ( Togo). The hypothesis that wage employment and maternal obligations are incompatible seems to be corroborated in Lome, where women are likely to consider work as a legitimate alternative to their role as a mother or spouse. Being involved in economic activity is a real option and can therefore impact upon their reproductive life. By contrast, in Dakar working does not seem to hinder family formation. Greater involvement of women in the labour force is not the main reason for fertility decline in Dakar. These findings illustrate how important it is to consider social gender-specific roles in order to accurately determine the influence of female employment on reproductive life. | ,MODELS,"WOMENS EMPLOYMENT",WORK | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000265567000026 | The univariate and bivariate impact of HIV/AIDS on the quality of life: A cross sectional study in the Hubei Province-Central China | Bapumiia, Mustaafa,Jackson, Felicia Williams,Kobelo, Theresia M.,Liu, LI,Mkangara, Ommari Baaliy,Mweri, Saumu Tobbi,Nie, Shaofa,Wang, Chongjian,Xiang, Hao,Xu, Yihua | 2009 | JOURNAL OF HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-MEDICAL SCIENCES | 29 | 2 | 10.1007/s11596-009-0226-x | Agakhan Hosp, Hondros Coll, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol | None | This study is aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) for individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Hubei province-central China by using WHOQOL-BREF instrument (Chinese version). One hundred and thirty six respondents (HIV/AIDS individuals) attending out-patient department of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese CDC) were administered a structured questionnaire developed by investigators. QOL was evaluated by using WHOQOL-BREF instrument (Chinese version). The results showed that the mean score of overall QOL on a scale of 0-100 was 25.8. The mean scores in 4 domains of QOL on a scale of 0-100 were 82.9 (social domain), 27.5 (psychological domain), 17.7 (physical domain) and 11.65 (environmental domain). The significant difference of QOL was noted in the score of physical domain between asymptomatic (14.6) and early symptomatic individuals (12) (P=0.014), and between patients with early symptoms (12) and those with AIDS (10.43) (P < 0.001). QOL in psychological domain was significantly lower in early symptomatic (12.1) (P < 0.05) and AIDS patients (12.4) (P < 0.006) than in asymptomatic individuals (14.2). The difference in QOL scores in the psychological domain was significant with respect to the income of patients (P < 0.048) and educational status (P < 0.037). Significantly better QOL scores in the physical domain (P < 0.040) and environmental domain (P < 0.017) were noted with respect to the occupation of the patients. Patients with family support had better QOL scores in environmental domain. In our research, QOL for HIV/AIDS individuals was associated with education, occupation, income, family support and clinical categories of the patients. It was concluded that WHOQOL-BREF Chinese version was successfully used in the evaluation of QOL of HIV/AIDS individuals in Chinese population and proved to be a reliable and useful tool. | AIDS,BIVARIATE,"CENTRAL CHINA",HIV,IMPACT,univariate,"WHOQOL-Bref Chinese version",DISEASE,"SOCIAL SUPPORT" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000208237600006 | An Evaluative Study of a Distance Teacher Education Program in a University in Ghana | Sampong, Kwasi Addo | 2009 | INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF RESEARCH IN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING | 10 | 4 | None | Cent Univ Coll | None | The study used an adaptation of Provus' discrepancy evaluation model to evaluate a distance teacher education program in the University of Cape Coast, the premier teacher education institution in Ghana. The study involved comparing performance data of the program as perceived by students and faculty/administrators to standards prepared from the program's design. Performance data was obtained by administering two survey instruments to a random sample of students and faculty/administrators. Discrepancies between performance and standards were reported. The study concluded that although there were some discrepancies between program standards and performance the program is fulfilling its purpose of upgrading the professional and academic performance of a large number of teachers in the public K-8 schools in Ghana. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000242694600004 | Development of a participatory monitoring and evaluation strategy | Forde, Sarah,Holte-McKenzie, Merydth,Theobald, Sally | 2006 | EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING | 29 | 4 | 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2006.08.007 | Agriteam Canada Consulting Ltd, Moving Goalposts Kilifi, Univ Liverpool Liverpool Sch Trop Med | None | This paper describes the process of developing a participatory monitoring and evaluation strategy for a Kenyan youth-based NGO. The iterative nature of the study including the process of narrowing down indicators to measure and methods to monitor/evaluate these is well documented. A discussion on the extent to which the process achieved participation and was empowering for the participants reflects on existing power relationships and cultural context of Kenya and points to the need to create opportunities for youth where they engage with the broader community. Lessons that emerge out of the study focus on the importance of prioritizing monitoring and evaluation, the potential of youth to carry out effective monitoring and evaluation, and the need for researchers to engage respectfully with communities and participants. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd. | "capacity building",EMPOWERMENT,evaluation,MONITORING,participatory,YOUTH,HEALTH-CARE,"WOMENS EMPOWERMENT" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000268766900003 | Do the socioeconomic impacts of antiretroviral therapy vary by gender? A longitudinal study of Kenyan agricultural worker employment outcomes | Bii, Margret,Fox, Mathew P.,Larson, Bruce A.,McCoy, Kelly,Rosen, Sydney,Sawe, Fredrick,Shaffer, Douglas,Sigei, Carolyne,Simon, Jonathan L.,Wasunna, Monique | 2009 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 9 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-9-240 | Boston University, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr, Walter Reed Project | None | Background: As access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has grown in Africa, attention has turned to evaluating the socio-economic impacts of ART. One key issue is the extent to which improvements in health resulting from ART allows individuals to return to work and earn income. Improvements in health from ART may also be associated with reduced impaired presenteeism, which is the loss of productivity when an ill or disabled individual attends work but accomplishes less at his or her usual tasks or shifts to other, possibly less valuable, tasks.
Methods: Longitudinal data for this analysis come from company payroll records for 97 HIV-infected tea estate workers (the index group, 56 women, 41 men) and a comparison group of all workers assigned to the same work teams (n = 2485, 1691 men, 794 women) for a 37-month period covering two years before and one year after initiating ART. We used nearest neighbour matching methods to estimate the impacts of HIV/AIDS and ART on three monthly employment outcomes for tea estate workers in Kenya - days plucking tea, days assigned to non-plucking assignments, and kilograms harvested when plucking.
Results: The female index group worked 30% fewer days plucking tea monthly than the matched female comparison group during the final 9 months pre-ART. They also worked 87% more days on non-plucking assignments. While the monthly gap between the two groups narrowed after beginning ART, the female index group worked 30% fewer days plucking tea and about 100% more days on non-plucking tasks than the comparison group after one year on ART. The male index group was able to maintain a similar pattern of work as their comparison group except during the initial five months on therapy.
Conclusion: Significant impaired presenteeism continued to exist among the female index group after one year on ART. Future research needs to explore further the socio-economic implications of HIV-infected female workers on ART being less productive than the general female workforce over sustained periods of time. | ,ADULTS,HIV/AIDS,HIV-INFECTION,ILLNESS,PERFORMANCE,PRESENTEEISM,PREVALENCE,SECTOR,SICK,SOUTH-AFRICA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000327280400014 | Evaluation of an External Quality Assessment Program for HIV Testing in Haiti, 2006-2011 | Anselme, Renette,Balajee, S. Arunmozhi,Boncy, Jacques,Buteau, Josiane,Dahourou, Georges,Louis, Frantz Jean,Marston, Barbara,Ndongmo, Clement,Vertefeuille, John | 2013 | AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY | 140 | 6 | 10.1309/AJCPYWX49IZSQKFS | Assoc Publ Hlth Labs, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent | None | Objectives: To evaluate an external quality assessment (EQA) program for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid diagnostics testing by the Haitian National Public Health Laboratory (French acronym: LNSP). Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score more than 80%.
Methods: The PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 242 laboratories participated in the EQA program from 2006 through 2011; participation increased from 70 laboratories in 2006 to 159 in 2011.
Results: In 2006, 49 (70%) laboratories had a PT score of 80% or above; by 2011, 145 (97.5%) laboratories were proficient (P < .05).
Conclusions: The EQA program for HIV testing ensures quality of testing and allowed the LNSP to document improvements in the quality of HIV rapid testing over time. (C) American Society for Clinical Pathology | "EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT","HIV rapid tests","PROFICIENCY TESTING",DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,PROFICIENCY,SETTINGS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000306406400015 | The impact of peer outreach on HIV knowledge and prevention behaviours of male sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya | Geibel, Scott,King'ola, Nzioki,Luchters, Stanley,Temmerman, Marleen | 2012 | SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS | 88 | 5 | 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050224 | Austin Research Institute, Ghent University, Burnet Inst, ICRH | None | Introduction Targeting most at-risk populations is an essential component of HIV prevention strategies. Peer education programmes have been found to increase HIV knowledge, condom use and safer sex behaviours among female sex workers in Africa and men who have sex with men elsewhere. The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of a peer-driven intervention on male sex workers who sell sex to men in Mombasa, Kenya.
Methods Using time-venue sampling, a baseline survey of 425 male sex workers was conducted in late 2006, after which, 40 peer educators were trained in HIV prevention, basic counselling skills and distribution of condoms and lubricants. A follow-up time-venue survey of 442 male sex workers was conducted in early 2008, and pre- and post-intervention changes were examined. The impact of peer educator exposure on HIV knowledge and condom use was analysed.
Results Positive changes in HIV prevention behaviours were observed, including increases in consistent use of condoms with both male clients (35.9%-50.2%, p<0.001) and non-paying male partners (27.4%-39.5%, p=0.008). Exposure to peer educators (AOR=1.97, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.02) and ever having been counselled or tested for HIV (AOR=1.71, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.66) were associated with consistent condom use in multivariate analysis. Peer educator contact was also associated with improved HIV knowledge and use of water-based lubricants.
Conclusions Peer outreach programming reached highly stigmatised male sex workers in Mombasa, resulting in significant, but limited, improvements in HIV knowledge and prevention behaviours. Improved peer coverage and additional prevention initiatives are needed to sufficiently mitigate HIV transmission. | ,MEN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000326315200005 | Feasibility of adaptation of open source ILS for libraries in Kenya: a practical evaluation | Amollo, Beatrice Adera | 2013 | ELECTRONIC LIBRARY | 31 | 5 | 10.1108/EL-12-2011-0171 | Australian Studies Inst Lib | None | Purpose-Despite its fast growth and penetration in all sectors, it has been noted that open source software (OSS) is yet to find its optimal place in libraries, particularly libraries in the developing countries. Lack of documented information on the experiences and use of open source integrated library system (ILS) is a major drawback, and so the need for this study. The proposed study aims to help to investigate and test usability and cost effectiveness of a typical OSS for ILS. It will involve deploying the software from installation, configuration to creating customized user interfaces and structures that are specific to the requirements of the library's parent organization. The cost and performance of the OSS will then be compared with that of a typical commercial based software with the same functionalities.
Design/methodology/approach-A preliminary study has been conducted to collect data from libraries in the country through distribution of questionnaires to provide data for accurate analysis that will form the basis for recommendations. The target group includes library and IT personnel in the various institutions and the end-users within sample group. A case study is proposed to help establish OSS effectiveness in libraries. To test a typical OSS, parameters are to be drawn from two models open source maturity model and business readiness rating.
Findings-A casual observation of the Kenyan situation reveals that the majority of academic, public and research libraries depend on commercial, free or locally developed systems. This scenario may be attributed to lack of knowledge (or interest) in OSS alternatives and lack of sufficient technical expertise to support them. While there are quite a number of libraries and librarians worldwide that have shown a great interest in OSS, few library administrators have actually implemented OSS. Could this be due to fear of taking on the risks that may come with reliance on open source library automation systems? Is the low uptake due to lack of sufficient technical expertise in the libraries? The research outcomes will help formulate a model and guidelines to be used by systems librarians considering the use of OSS for library processes. Factors to be considered when deciding on OSS will be outlined.
Research limitations/implications-This paper is of importance to library personnel in Kenya as it establishes the effectiveness of OSS, with the aim of empowering the library staff who have for a long time relied on their IT departments and vendors for systems installation and implementation.
Originality/value-The study will result in a comprehensive evaluation of the economic and functional advantages of OSS as an alternative for the library in Kenya. Librarians involved in selection of software for their libraries will find this helpful when deciding on the type of software to select for their libraries. It will help to enlighten library professional about the value of OSS and how they can participate in the development of their own systems, instead of always relying on vendors. | "information systems","integrated software",KENYA,LIBRARIES,"LIBRARY AUTOMATION","LIBRARY SYSTEMS","OPEN SYSTEMS",RESEARCH,"OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000340956400001 | Impact of health education intervention on knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and cervical screening uptake among adult women in rural communities in Nigeria | Abiodun, Olumide A.,Olu-Abiodun, Oluwatosin O.,Oluwole, Francis A.,Sotunsa, John O. | 2014 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 14 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-14-814 | Babcock Univ, Olabisi Onabanjo Univ, Sch Nursing | None | Background: Cervical cancer is a disease of public health importance affecting many women and contributing to avoidably high levels of cancer deaths in Nigeria. In spite of the relative ease of prevention, the incidence is on the increase. This study aimed to determine the effect of health education on the awareness, knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and screening among women in rural Nigerian communities.
Methods: The study design was quasi-experimental. The study was carried out among adult women in Odogbolu (intervention) and Ikenne (control) local government areas (LGA) of Ogun state. Three hundred and fifty (350) women were selected per group by multistage random sampling technique. Data was collected by semi structured interviews with the aid of questionnaire. The intervention consisted of structured health education based on a movie.
Result: The intervention raised the level of awareness of cervical cancer and screening to 100% (p < 0.0001). The proportion of women with very good knowledge of cervical cancer and screening rose from 2% to 70.5% (X-2 = 503.7, p < 0.0001) while the proportion of those with good perception rose from 5.1% to 95.1% (p < 0.0001). The mean knowledge and mean perception scores were also increased (p < 0.0001). There was increase in the proportion of women who had undertaken cervical screening from 4.3% to 8.3% (p = 0.038). The major reason stated by the women for not having had cervical screening done was lack of awareness about cervical cancer and screening. There was statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups concerning their knowledge attitude and practice towards cervical and screening (p < 0.05) after the intervention.
Conclusion: Multiple media health education based on a movie is effective in creating awareness for and improving the knowledge and perception of adult women about cervical cancer and screening. It also improves the uptake of cervical cancer screening. The creation of awareness is very crucial to the success of a cervical cancer prevention programme. | AWARENESS,"CERVICAL CANCER","CERVICAL SCREENING",KNOWLEDGE,movie,"Participatory health education",PERCEPTION,BREAST | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000284282200007 | Impact of occupational health and safety on worker productivity: A case of Zimbabwe food industry | Gadzirayi, C. T.,Katsuro, P.,Mupararano, Suzanna,Taruwona, M. | 2010 | AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | 4 | 13 | None | Bindura Univ Sci Educ | None | This research sought to assess the impact of occupational health safety ( OHS) on productivity in the commercial food industry. The objective of the study was to explore OHS problems of different work areas and their impact on productivity. The research targeted production supervisors, shop floor employees and industrial clinic nurses. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used as research instruments to collect data. The study found out that OHS related problems negatively affect workers' productive capacity in the food industry resulting in reduced worker output. Workers develop a negative attitude and low morale towards work. High incidents of accidents at work also occur. The study recommends that food industry factories should upgrade their OHS through training programmes and use up-to-date equipment. | "Food factory","OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH",productivity.,SAFETY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000306670300012 | The adult population impact of HIV care and antiretroviral therapy in a resource poor setting, 2003-2008 | Ackers, Marta,Adamu-Zeh, Mirabelle,Broz, Dita,Gargano, Julia W.,Laserson, Kayla,Marston, Barbara,Muttai, Hellen,Nyabiage, Lennah,Odhiambo, Frank,Orimba, Vincent,Owuor, Karen,Sewe, Maquins,Williamson, John | 2012 | AIDS | 26 | 12 | 10.1097/QAD.0b013e328353b7b9 | CDC Res & Publ Hlth Collaborat, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Minist Hlth | None | Objective: To describe the population uptake of HIV care including antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its impact on adult mortality in a rural area of western Kenya with high HIV prevalence during a period of rapid HIV services scale-up.
Design: Adult medical chart data were abstracted at health facilities providing HIV care/ART to residents of a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) and linked with HDSS demographic and mortality data.
Methods: We evaluated secular trends in patient characteristics across enrollment years and estimated proportions of HIV-positive adult residents receiving care. We evaluated adult (18-64 years) population mortality trends using verbal autopsy findings.
Results: From 2003 to 2008, 5421 HDSS-resident adults enrolled in HIV care; 61.4% (n = 3331) were linked to HDSS follow-up data. As the number of facilities expanded from 1 (2003) to 17 (2008), receipt of HIV services by HIV-positive residents increased from less than 1 to 29.5%, and ART coverage reached 64.0% of adults with CD4 cell count less than 250 cells/mu l. The proportion of patients with WHO stage 4 at enrollment decreased from 20.4 to 1.9%, and CD4 cell count testing at enrollment increased from 1.0 to 53.4%. Population-level mortality rates for adults declined 34% for all causes, 26% for AIDS/tuberculosis, and 47% for other infectious diseases; noninfectious disease mortality rates remained constant.
Conclusion: The initial years of rapid HIV service expansion coincided with a drop in adult mortality by a third. Continued expansion of population access to HIV clinical services, including ART, and program quality improvements will be necessary to achieve further progress in reducing HIV-related morbidity and mortality. (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins | AIDS/HIV,"ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY",MORTALITY,"POPULATION SURVEILLANCE","COTRIMOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS",HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS,INFECTIOUS-DISEASES,MORTALITY,"PROSPECTIVE COHORT","RURAL WESTERN KENYA",SOUTH-AFRICA,TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE,UGANDA,"VERB | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000262517900008 | The impact of distance of residence from a peripheral health facility on pediatric health utilisation in rural western Kenya | Adazu, Kubaje,Audi, Allan,Feikin, Daniel R.,Lindblade, Kim A.,Nguyen, Ly Minh,Ombok, Maurice,Slutsker, Laurence | 2009 | TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH | 14 | 1 | 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02193.x | CDC, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr | None | To explore the impact of distance on utilisation of peripheral health facilities for sick child visits in Asembo, rural western Kenya.
As part of a demographic surveillance system (DSS), censuses of all households in the Asembo population of 55 000 are conducted three times a year, data are collected at all outpatient pediatric visits in seven DSS clinics in Asembo, and all households are GIS-mapped and linkable to a child's unique DSS identification number. Between May 1, 2003 and April 30, 2004, 3501 clinic visits were linked to 2432 children among 10 973 DSS-resident children < 5 years of age.
Younger children and children with more severe illnesses travelled further for clinic visits. The median distance travelled varied by clinic. The rate of clinic visits decreased linearly at 0.5 km intervals up to 4 km, after which the rate stabilised. Using Poisson regression, controlling for the nearest DSS clinic for each child, socio-economic status and maternal education, and accounting for household clustering of children, for every 1 km increase in distance of residence from a DSS clinic, the rate of clinic visits decreased by 34% (95% CI, 31-37%) from the previous kilometer.
Achieving equity in access to health care for children in rural Kenya will require creative strategies to address a significant distance-decay effect in health care utilisation. | "access to care",DISTANCE,"health care utilisation",KENYA,ATTENDANCE,CHILDREN,DISTRICT,FEVERS,MALARIA,MORTALITY,SERVICES | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000238591500004 | An evaluation of e-readiness assessment tools with respect to information access: Towards an integrated information rich tool | Mutula, SM,van Brakel, P | 2006 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT | 26 | 3 | 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2006.02.004 | Cape Peninsula University of Technology | None | This paper is an offshoot of the findings of a doctoral thesis carried out at the University of Johannesburg (formerly Rand Afrikaans University) in South Africa on the assessment of e-readiness tools with respect to information access. The paper argues that information is a key component in the e-readiness equation and yet it is not given much emphasis in the e-readiness extant tools, but is instead subsumed under Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The paper notes that the various major segments of e-readiness as synthesised from existing tools are scattered in different tools making their use painstakingly cumbersome. The paper proposes a new e-readiness integrated tool that emphasises information access and also collocates the various segments of organizational, ICT, human resources, and external readiness into one single tool. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | "digital divide",e-readiness,ICTS,"INFORMATION ACCESS","INFORMATION MANAGEMENT","COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION",SYSTEMS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000276219700027 | Evaluation of the Role of School Children in the Promotion of Point-of-Use Water Treatment and Handwashing in Schools and Households-Nyanza Province, Western Kenya, 2007 | Blanton, Elizabeth,Mwaki, Alex,Oluoch, Gordon Otieno,Ombeki, Sam,Quick, Rob,Wannemuehler, Kathleen | 2010 | AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE | 82 | 4 | 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0422 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Cooperat Assistance & Relief Everywhere Inc, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent | None | We installed drinking water and handwashing stations in 17 rural schools and trained teachers to promote water treatment and hygiene to pupils. We gave schools flocculent-disinfectant powder and hypochlorite solution for water treatment. We conducted a baseline water handling survey of pupils' parents from 17 schools and tested stored water for chlorine. We trained teachers and students about hygiene, installed water stations, and distributed instructional comic books to students. We conducted follow-up surveys and chlorine testing at 3 and 13 months. From baseline to 3-month follow-up, parental awareness of the flocculent-disinfectant increased (49-91%, P < 0.0001), awareness of hypochlorite remained high (93-92%), and household use of flocculent-disinfectant (1-7%, P < 0.0001) and hypochlorite (6-13%, P < 0.0001) increased, and were maintained after 13 months. Pupil absentee rates decreased after implementation by 26%. This school-based program resulted in pupil-to-parent knowledge transfer and significant increases in household water treatment practices that were sustained over 1 year. | ,"DIARRHEA PREVENTION",DRINKING-WATER,FLOCCULANT-DISINFECTANT,INTERVENTION,KNOWLEDGE,PROGRAM,"RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL","RURAL GUATEMALA","SAFE WATER" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000280743400005 | EVALUATION OF A U.S. EVIDENCE-BASED PARENTING INTERVENTION IN RURAL WESTERN KENYA: FROM PARENTS MATTER! TO FAMILIES MATTER! | Buve, Anne,Marum, Elizabeth,Menten, Joris,Miller, Kim S.,Obong'o, Christopher O.,Ochura, Juliet,Otwoma, Nelson J.,Poulsen, Melissa N.,Vandenhoudt, Hilde,Wyckoff, Sarah C. | 2010 | AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION | 22 | 4 | None | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Inst Trop Med, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr | None | We evaluated Families Matter! Program (FMP), an intervention designed to improve parent-child communication about sexual risk reduction and parenting skills. Parents of 10- to 12-year-olds were recruited in western Kenya. We aimed to assess community acceptability and FMP's effect on parenting practices and effective parent-child communication. Data were collected from parents and their children at baseline and 1 year postintervention. The intervention's effect was measured on six parenting and parent-child communication composite scores reported separately for parents and children. Of 375 parents, 351 (94%) attended all five intervention sessions. Parents' attitudes regarding sexuality education changed positively. Five of the six composite parenting scores reported by parents, and six of six reported by children, increased significantly at 1 year postintervention. Through careful adaptation of this U.S. intervention, FMP was well accepted in rural Kenya and enhanced parenting skills and parent-child sexuality communication. Parents are in a unique position to deliver primary prevention to youth before their sexual debut as shown in this Kenyan program. | ,"ADOLESCENT DRUG-ABUSE",AFRICAN-AMERICAN,BEHAVIOR,COMMUNICATION,"CONDOM USE",EDUCATION,HIV,"PRIMARY PREVENTION",SEXUAL-RISK,TRIAL | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000303700600013 | Evaluation of integrated registers for tuberculosis and HIV surveillance in children, Ethiopia, 2007-2009 | Assefa, D.,Cain, K.,Click, E. S.,Fantu, R.,Feleke, B.,Gadisa, T.,Melaku, Z.,Menzies, H.,Pevzner, E. | 2012 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE | 16 | 5 | 10.5588/ijtld.11.0655 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Int Ctr AIDS Care & Treatment Programs | None | In 2008, Ethiopia implemented tuberculosis (TB) treatment registers that included columns for recording human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test results (integrated registers) to replace the previous system of separate TB and HIV registers (pre-integration registers). We compared the proportion of children with documented HIV rapid test results at eight hospitals before and after adopting the integrated registers. HIV status was more consistently documented in the integrated registers; however, HIV status for infants aged <18 months could not be assessed, as the registers did not capture results from polymerase chain reaction-based testing. Recording procedures should be revised to document age-appropriate HIV diagnostic results and ensure referral for appropriate care. | HIV,PEDIATRIC,TB,TUBERCULOSIS,"CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000331009000027 | Assessment of Quality of Life as a Tool for Measuring Morbidity Due to Schistosoma mansoni Infection and the Impact of Treatment | Abudho, Bernard,Blackstock, Anna J.,Foo, Karen T.,Hightower, Allen W.,Karanja, Diana M. S.,Kennedy, Erin D.,Montgomery, Susan P.,Mwinzi, Pauline N. M.,Ochola, Elizabeth A.,Person, Bobbie,Secor, W. Evan,Won, Kimberly Y. | 2014 | AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE | 90 | 2 | 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0361 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr | None | Recently, health measurements have broadened to include the assessment of quality of life (QOL). This study was conducted to assess whether the short form of the World Health Organization (WHO) QOL questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was an effective tool for measuring morbidity due to Schistosoma mansoni infection and whether it could detect an impact of treatment with praziquantel. A total of 724 adults 18-85 years of age were enrolled. At baseline, S. mansoni prevalence was 73.2% by stool examination and 75.4% by circulating cathodic antigen, and there was no association between infection status and WHOQOL-BREF scores. Six months after treatment, S. mansoni prevalence was lower and the proportion of persons with higher WHOQOL-BREF scores significantly increased among persons who were infected at baseline. However, a similar increase was observed in persons not infected at baseline. In areas of high prevalence, the WHOQOL-BREF may not be able to detect the benefits of schistosomiasis control programs. | ,"AGED CHILDREN",ANEMIA,CHEMOTHERAPY,DIAGNOSIS,"MASS TREATMENT",PRAZIQUANTEL,PREVALENCE,SCHOOLCHILDREN,"SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS","WESTERN KENYA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000339283500001 | The impact of home-based HIV counseling and testing on care-seeking and incidence of common infectious disease syndromes in rural western Kenya | Ackers, Marta,Amolloh, Manase,Audi, Allan,Aura, Barrack,Bigogo, Godfrey,Breiman, Robert F.,Burton, Deron,Dalal, Warren,Feikin, Daniel R.,Laserson, Kayla F. | 2014 | BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES | 14 | None | 10.1186/1471-2334-14-376 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr | None | Background: In much of Africa, most individuals living with HIV do not know their status. Home-based counseling and testing (HBCT) leads to more HIV-infected people learning their HIV status. However, there is little data on whether knowing one's HIV-positive status necessarily leads to uptake of HIV care, which could in turn, lead to a reduction in the prevalence of common infectious disease syndromes.
Methods: In 2008, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offered HBCT to individuals (aged >= 13 years) under active surveillance for infectious disease syndromes in Lwak in rural western Kenya. HIV test results were linked to morbidity and healthcare-seeking data collected by field workers through bi-weekly home visits. We analyzed changes in healthcare seeking behaviors using proportions, and incidence (expressed as episodes per person-year) of acute respiratory illness (ARI), severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), acute febrile illness (AFI) and diarrhea among first-time HIV testers in the year before and after HBCT, stratified by their test result and if HIV-positive, whether they sought care at HIV Patient Support Centers (PSCs).
Results: Of 9,613 individuals offered HBCT, 6,366 (66%) were first-time testers, 698 (11%) of whom were HIV-infected. One year after HBCT, 50% of HIV-infected persons had enrolled at PSCs - 92% of whom had started cotrimoxazole and 37% of those eligible for antiretroviral treatment had initiated therapy. Among HIV-infected persons enrolled in PSCs, AFI and diarrhea incidence decreased in the year after HBCT (rate ratio [RR] 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77 - 0.91 and RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 - 0.98, respectively). Among HIV-infected persons not attending PSCs and among HIV-uninfected persons, decreases in incidence were significantly lower. While decreases also occurred in rates of respiratory illnesses among HIV-positive persons in care, there were similar decreases in the other two groups.
Conclusions: Large scale HBCT enabled a large number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons to know their HIV status, leading to a change in care seeking behavior and ultimately a decrease in incidence of common infectious disease syndromes through appropriate treatment and care. | "healthcare seeking","Home based HIV counseling and testing","Infectious disease incidence",AFRICA,"ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY",COTRIMOXAZOLE,FOLLOW-UP,HEALTH,"MORBIDITY SURVEILLANCE",MORTALITY,PROPHYLAXIS,TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE,"UGANDAN ADULTS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000324777300033 | A Qualitative Evaluation of Hand Drying Practices among Kenyans | Ogange, Lorraine,Owuor, Mercy,Person, Bobbie,Quick, Rob,Schilling, Katharine | 2013 | PLOS ONE | 8 | 9 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0074370 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr | None | Background: Recommended disease prevention behaviors of hand washing, hygienic hand drying, and covering one's mouth and nose in a hygienic manner when coughing and sneezing appear to be simple behaviors but continue to be a challenge to successfully promote and sustain worldwide. We conducted a qualitative inquiry to better understand current hand drying behaviors associated with activities of daily living, and mouth and nose covering practices, among Kenyans.
Methods and Findings: We conducted 7 focus group discussions; 30 in-depth interviews; 10 structured household observations; and 75 structured observations in public venues in the urban area of Kisumu; rural communities surrounding Kisumu; and a peri-urban area outside Nairobi, Kenya. Using a grounded theory approach, we transcribed and coded the narrative data followed by thematic analysis of the emergent themes. Hand drying, specifically on a clean towel, was not a common practice among our participants. Most women dried their hands on their waist cloth, called a leso, or their clothes whether they were cooking, eating or cleaning the nose of a young child. If men dried their hands, they used their trousers or a handkerchief. Children rarely dried their hands; they usually just wiped them on their clothes, shook them, or left them wet as they continued with their activities. Many people sneezed into their hands and wiped them on their clothes. Men and women used a handkerchief fairly often when they had a runny nose, cold, or the flu. Most people coughed into the air or their hand.
Conclusions: Drying hands on dirty clothes, rags and lesos can compromise the benefits of handwashing. Coughing and sneezing in to an open hand can contribute to spread of disease as well. Understanding these practices can inform health promotion activities and campaigns for the prevention and control of diarrheal disease and influenza. | ,DISEASE,HYGIENE,RISK,"SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000309795000003 | Impact of a Hygiene Curriculum and the Installation of Simple Handwashing and Drinking Water Stations in Rural Kenyan Primary Schools on Student Health and Hygiene Practices | Faith, Sitnah Hamidah,Harris, Julie R.,Hoekstra, Robert M.,Juliao, Patricia,Kola, Steve,Nygren, Benjamin,Obure, Alfredo,Otieno, Ronald,Patel, Minal K.,Quick, Robert,Sadumah, Ibrahim,Were, Vincent | 2012 | AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE | 87 | 4 | 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0494 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr, NICHE Project | None | School-based hygiene and water treatment programs increase student knowledge, improve hygiene, and decrease absenteeism, however health impact studies of these programs are lacking. We collected baseline information from students in 42 schools in Kenya. We then instituted a curriculum on safe water and hand hygiene and installed water stations in half ("intervention schools"). One year later, we implemented the intervention in remaining schools. Through biweekly student household visits and two annual surveys, we compared the effect of the intervention on hygiene practices and reported student illness. We saw improvement in proper handwashing techniques after the school program was introduced. We observed a decrease in the median percentage of students with acute respiratory illness among those exposed to the program; no decrease in acute diarrhea was seen. Students in this school program exhibited sustained improvement in hygiene knowledge and a decreased risk of respiratory infections after the intervention. | ,CHILDREN,DIFFICULTIES,GUATEMALA,INTERVENTION,"NYANZA PROVINCE",PREVENTION,PROGRAM,PROMOTION,"SAFE WATER","WESTERN KENYA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000323584700015 | Kenya's Health Workforce Information System: A model of impact on strategic human resources policy, planning and management | Kimani, Francis M.,Kiriinya, Rose N.,Oluoch, Tom,Riley, Patricia L.,Waters, Keith P.,Waudo, Agnes N.,Willy, Rankesh M.,Zuber, Alexandra | 2013 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS | 82 | 9 | 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2013.06.004 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Kenya Hlth Work Force Project, Minist Med Serv | None | Objective: Countries worldwide are challenged by health worker shortages, skill mix imbalances, and maldistribution. Human resources information systems (HRIS) are used to monitor and address these health workforce issues, but global understanding of such systems is minimal and baseline information regarding their scope and capability is practically non-existent. The Kenya Health Workforce Information System (KHWIS) has been identified as a promising example of a functioning HRIS. The objective of this paper is to document the impact of KHWIS data on human resources policy, planning and management.
Methods: Sources for this study included semi-structured interviews with senior officials at Kenya's Ministry of Medical Services (MOMS), Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS), the Department of Nursing within MOMS, the Nursing Council of Kenya, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, Kenya's Clinical Officers Council, and Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board. Additionally, quantitative data were extracted from KHWIS databases to supplement the interviews. Health sector policy documents were retrieved from MOMS and MOPHS websites, and reviewed to assess whether they documented any changes to policy and practice as having been impacted by KHWIS data.
Results: Interviews with Kenyan government and regulatory officials cited health workforce data provided by KHWIS influenced policy, regulation, and management. Policy changes include extension of Kenya's age of mandatory civil service retirement from 55 to 60 years. Data retrieved from KHWIS document increased relicensing of professional nurses, midwives, medical practitioners and dentists, and interviewees reported this improved compliance raised professional regulatory body revenues. The review of Government records revealed few references to KHWIS; however, documentation specifically cited the KHWIS as having improved the availability of human resources for health information regarding workforce planning, management, and development.
Conclusion: KHWIS data have impacted a range of improvements in health worker regulation, human resources management, and workforce policy and planning at Kenya's ministries of health. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd | "global health","Human resources for health (HRH)","Human resources information system (HRIS)","MEDICAL INFORMATICS","nursing informatics","Workforce surveillance" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000300245500017 | Economic Evaluation of a Child Health Days Strategy to Deliver Multiple Maternal and Child Health Interventions in Somalia | Durry, Elias,Everard, Marthe,Kamadjeu, Raoul,Mirza, Imran Raza,Nandy, Robin,Vijayaraghavan, Maya,Wallace, Aaron | 2012 | JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES | 205 | None | 10.1093/infdis/jir772 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, United Nations Childrens Fund, World Hlth Org Somalia Liaison Off | None | Introduction. Child Health Days (CHDs) are increasingly used by countries to periodically deliver multiple maternal and child health interventions as time-limited events, particularly to populations not reached by routine health services. In countries with a weak health infrastructure, this strategy could be used to reach many underserved populations with an integrated package of services. In this study, we estimate the incremental costs, impact, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment of 2 rounds of CHDs that were conducted in Somalia in 2009 and 2010.
Methods. We use program costs and population estimates reported by the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund to estimate the average cost per beneficiary for each of 9 interventions delivered during 2 rounds of CHDs implemented during the periods of December 2008 to May 2009 and August 2009 to April 2010. Because unstable areas were unreachable, we calculated costs for targeted and accessible beneficiaries. We model the impact of the CHDs on child mortality using the Lives Saved Tool, convert these estimates of mortality reduction to life years saved, and derive the cost-effectiveness ratio and the return on investment.
Results. The estimated average incremental cost per intervention for each targeted beneficiary was $0.63, with the cost increasing to $0.77 per accessible beneficiary. The CHDs were estimated to save the lives of at least 10 000, or 500 000 life years for both rounds combined. The CHDs were cost-effective at $34.00/life year saved. For every $1 million invested in the strategy, an estimated 615 children's lives, or 29 500 life years, were saved. If the pentavalent vaccine had been delivered during the CHDs instead of diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, an additional 5000 children's lives could have been saved.
Conclusions. Despite high operational costs, CHDs are a very cost-effective service delivery strategy for addressing the leading causes of child mortality in a conflict setting like Somalia and compare favorably with other interventions rated as health sector "best buys" in sub-Saharan Africa. | ,COST,EPIDEMIOLOGY,MORTALITY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000282408400001 | Bed net ownership in Kenya: the impact of 3.4 million free bed nets | Akhwale, Willis,Buluma, Robert,Hamel, Mary,Hightower, Allen,Kiptui, Rebecca,Laserson, Kayla,Manya, Ayub,Noor, Abdisalan,Sharif, Shahnaz K.,Slutsker, Laurence,Vanden Eng, Jodi Leigh,Vulule, John,Wolkon, Adam | 2010 | MALARIA JOURNAL | 9 | None | 10.1186/1475-2875-9-183 | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr, Kenya Natl Bur Stat, KNH Grounds, Off Director Publ Hlth & Sanitat | None | Background: In July and September 2006, 3.4 million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) were distributed free in a campaign targeting children 0-59 months old (CU5s) in the 46 districts with malaria in Kenya. A survey was conducted one month after the distribution to evaluate who received campaign LLINs, who owned insecticide-treated bed nets and other bed nets received through other channels, and how these nets were being used. The feasibility of a distribution strategy aimed at a high-risk target group to meet bed net ownership and usage targets is evaluated.
Methods: A stratified, two-stage cluster survey sampled districts and enumeration areas with probability proportional to size. Handheld computers (PDAs) with attached global positioning systems (GPS) were used to develop the sampling frame, guide interviewers back to chosen households, and collect survey data.
Results: In targeted areas, 67.5% (95% CI: 64.6, 70.3%) of all households with CU5s received campaign LLINs. Including previously owned nets, 74.4% (95% CI: 71.8, 77.0%) of all households with CU5s had an ITN. Over half of CU5s (51.7%, 95% CI: 48.8, 54.7%) slept under an ITN during the previous evening. Nearly forty percent (39.1%) of all households received a campaign net, elevating overall household ownership of ITNs to 50.7% (95% CI: 48.4, 52.9%).
Conclusions: The campaign was successful in reaching the target population, families with CU5s, the risk group most vulnerable to malaria. Targeted distribution strategies will help Kenya approach indicator targets, but will need to be combined with other strategies to achieve desired population coverage levels. | ,CHILD-MORTALITY,COVERAGE,"INSECTICIDE-TREATED BEDNETS",MALARIA,MORBIDITY,PROGRAM,"WESTERN KENYA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000303928900011 | Impact of a hospital improvement initiative in Bangladesh on patient experiences and satisfaction with services: two cross-sectional studies | Andersson, Neil,Cockcroft, Anne,Omer, Khalid | 2011 | BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH | 11 | None | 10.1186/1472-6963-11-S2-S10 | CIET Pakistan, CIET Trust Botswana, Univ Autonoma Guerrero | None | Background: The Bangladesh government implemented a pilot Hospital Improvement Initiative (HII) in five hospitals in Sylhet division between 1998 and 2003. This included management and behaviour change training for staff, waste disposal and procurement, and referral arrangements. Two linked cross-sectional surveys in 2000 and 2003 assessed the impact of the HII, assessing both patients' experience and satisfaction and public views and use of the hospitals.
Methods: In each survey we asked 300 consecutive outpatients and a stratified random sample of 300 inpatients in the five hospitals about waiting and consultation time, use of an agent for admission, and satisfaction with privacy, cleanliness, and staff behaviour. The field teams observed cleanliness and privacy arrangements, and visited a sample of households in communities near the hospitals to ask about their opinions and use of the hospital services. Analysis examined changes over time in patients' experience and views. Multivariate analysis took account of other variables potentially associated with the outcomes. Survey managers discussed the survey findings with gender stratified focus groups in each sample community.
Results: Compared with 2000, an outpatient in three of the hospitals in 2003 was more likely to be seen within 10 minutes and for at least five minutes by the doctor, but outpatients were less likely to report receiving all the prescribed medicines from the hospital. In 2003, inpatients were more likely to have secured admission without using an agent. Although patients' satisfaction with several aspects of care improved, most changes were not statistically significant. Households in 2003 were significantly more likely to rate the hospitals as good than in 2000. Use of the hospitals did not change, except that more households used the medical college hospital for inpatient care in 2003. Focus groups confirmed criticisms of services and suggested improvements.
Conclusion: Improvements in some aspects of patients' experience may have been due to the programme, but the decreased availability of medicines in government facilities across the country over the period also occurred in these hospitals. Monitoring patients' experience and satisfaction as well as public views and use of hospital services is feasible and useful for assessing service interventions. | ,CARE,FRAMEWORK,NATIONAL-SURVEY,PERFORMANCE,"PRIVATE HOSPITALS",QUALITY,QUESTIONNAIRE,RELIABILITY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000283087500005 | Approaches to the Evaluation and Assessment of Students in Clothing Practical Work in Colleges of Agriculture in Northern Nigeria | Usman, V. A. | 2010 | JOURNAL OF HOME ECONOMICS RESEARCH | 12 | None | None | Coll Agr | None | This study was carried out in Northern Nigeria to determine the general clothing construction skills and processes to be evaluated and evaluation procedures and techniques used by teachers of clothing. Six out of thirteen Colleges of Agriculture were randomly selected for the study. The entire 52 clothing teachers in the department of Home and Rural Economics were involved in the study. This consists of 32 lecturers and 18 instructors. Structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. Data were analyzed using mean scores and t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The major findings include 13 clothing construction skills and processes always evaluated and 11 evaluation procedures and techniques always used by the teachers of clothing in Colleges of Agriculture in Northern Nigeria. Based on these findings, recommendations were made. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000239414300012 | Design and evaluation of a drama-based intervention to promote voluntary counseling and HIV testing in a south African community | Bekker, Linda-Gail,Middelkoop, Keren,Myer, Landon,Smit, Joalida,Wood, Robin | 2006 | SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES | 33 | 8 | None | Columbia University, University of Cape Town | None | Background. Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services are a major component of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. We developed a drama-based intervention to promote VCT services in a peri-urban community in South Africa.
Methods: Young adults from the community received training in HIV/AIDS and drama, and developed sketches to address perceived barriers to VCT. Over 12 months, 80 performances were held in busy community settings. The intervention was evaluated through changes in VCT uptake at the local clinic compared with comparable communities nearby.
Results: After the start of the intervention in August 2003, a 172% increase in the uptake of VCT services was observed in the intervention community. This was significantly greater than demand for VCT in either of the control communities during the same period (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: A structured, community-based education program based on drama can lead to substantial increases in the demand for VCT services in resource-limited settings. | ,BEHAVIOR,UGANDA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000234123500003 | Context matters: interpreting impact findings in child survival evaluations | Amaral, J,Bryce, J,El Arifeen, S,HABICHT, JP,HUICHO, L,Manzi, F,Pariyo, G,SCHELLENBERG, JA,Scherpbier, RW,VICTORA, CG | 2005 | HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING | 20 | SUPPL. 1 | 10.1093/heapol/czi050 | Cornell University, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Makerere University, National University of San Marcos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Universidade Federal do Ceara, University of Geneva, University of London, World Health Organization, Ifakara Hlth Res & Dev Ctr, Inst Salud Nino, London Sch Hyg & Trop Med, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine | None | Appropriate consideration of contextual factors is essential for ensuring internal and external validity of randomized and non-randomized evaluations. Contextual factors may confound the association between delivery of the intervention and its potential health impact. They may also modify the effect of the intervention or programme, thus affecting the generalizability of results. This is particularly true for large-scale health programmes, for which impact may vary substantially from one context to another. Understanding the nature and role of contextual factors may improve the validity of study results, as well as help predict programme impact across sites.
This paper describes the experience acquired in measuring and accounting for contextual factors in the Multi-Country Evaluation of the IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) strategy in five countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Uganda and Tanzania. Two main types of contextual factors were identified. Implementation-related factors include the characteristics of the health systems where IMCI was implemented, such as utilization rates, basic skills of health workers, and availability of drugs, supervision and referral. Impact-related factors include baseline levels and patterns of child mortality and nutritional status, which affect the scope for programme impact.
We describe the strategies used in the IMCI evaluation in order to obtain data on relevant contextual factors and to incorporate them in the analyses. Two case studies - from Tanzania and Peru - show how appropriate consideration of contextual factors may help explain apparently conflicting evaluation results. | ,CARE,ILLNESS,"INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT",INTERVENTIONS,PUBLIC-HEALTH,TANZANIA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000204015300006 | The impact of Internet usage: A case study of Delta State (Nigeria) tertiary institutions | Ekruyota, G. O.,Oroke, G. U.,Ureigho, R. J. | 2006 | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ESSAYS | 1 | 2 | None | Delta State Polytechn | None | The Internet is one of the greatest recent advancement in the world of information technology and has become a useful instrument that has fostered the process of making the world a global village. However, despite the added benefits of the Internet to learning, teaching and research, there is no provision of effective Internet services in most of the tertiary institutions in Delta State. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Internet for learning, teaching and research in institutions of higher learning in Delta State. Questionnaires were administered to students and staff in four tertiary institutions within the State. The results from the analysis of the responses showed that students and staff use Internet mainly for on-line chatting (24.89%) and e-mail (24.16%). The use of Internet as a source of research materials ranked third (23.21%). This study concludes that research would significantly improve through proper enlightenment, formal training on the use of Internet and provision of effective Internet services in tertiary institutions in Delta State. | E-MAIL,INSTITUTIONS,INTERNET,RESEARCH | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000244888900007 | Economics, adoption determinants, and impacts of micro-irrigation technologies: empirical results from India | Nagar, R. K.,Namara, R. E.,Upadhyay, B. | 2007 | IRRIGATION SCIENCE | 25 | 3 | 10.1007/s00271-007-0065-0 | Elecon, Int Water Management Inst | None | Micro-irrigation technologies are promoted for various reasons in India. Despite the reported significant economic advantages, and the concerted support of the government and NGOs, the current micro-irrigation area in India remains an insignificant proportion of its potential. This paper analyzes: (1) the economics of alternative micro-irrigation technologies, (2) the determinants of adoption, (3) the poverty outreach of the different micro-irrigation systems, and (4) the sustainability implications of micro-irrigation adoption. In line with the findings of other studies, this study indicates that micro-irrigation technologies result in a significant productivity and economic gains. The most important determinants of micro-irrigation adoption include access to groundwater, cropping pattern, availability of cash, and level of education, the social status and poverty status of the farmer. Contrary to the expectations, the majority of the current adopters of low-cost micro-irrigation systems are the better-off farmers. The study indicates that the impact of micro-irrigation systems on the sustainability of groundwater resources depends upon the magnitude of the overall productivity gain following the shift from traditional irrigation method to micro-irrigation system, the pattern of use of the saved water, and the type and potential number of adopters. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000331797900011 | An Evaluation of Equitable Access to a Community- Based Maternal and Newborn Health Program in Rural Ethiopia | Barry, Danika,Sibley, Lynn,Spangler, Sydney A. | 2014 | JOURNAL OF MIDWIFERY & WOMENS HEALTH | 59 | None | 10.1111/jmwh.12133 | Emory University, MaNHEP, Maternal & Newborn Hlth Ethiopia Partnership MaNH | None | IntroductionThe Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP) aimed to promote equitable access to safe childbirth and postnatal care through a community-based educational intervention. This study evaluates the extent to which MaNHEP reached women who are socially and materially disadvantaged and, thus, at high risk for inadequate access to care.
MethodsThe data used in this analysis are from MaNHEP's cross-sectional 2010 baseline and 2012 endline surveys of women who gave birth in the prior year. A logistic regression model was fit to examine the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on participation in the MaNHEP program. Descriptive statistics of select characteristics by birth and postnatal care provider were also calculated to explore trends in services use.
ResultsUsing data from the endline survey (N = 1019), the regression model showed that age, parity, education, and geographic residence were not significantly associated with MaNHEP exposure. However, women who were materially disadvantaged were still less likely to have participated in the program than their better-off counterparts. From the baseline survey (N = 1027) to the endline survey, women's use of skilled and semiskilled providers for birth care and postnatal care increased substantially, while use of untrained providers or no provider decreased. These shifts were greater for women with less personal wealth than for women with more personal wealth.
DiscussionMaNHEP appears to have succeeded in meeting its equity goals to a degree. However, this study also supports the intractable relationship between wealth inequality and access to maternal and newborn health services. Strategies targeting the poor in diverse contexts may eventually prove consistently effective in equitable services delivery. Until that time, a critical step that all maternal and newborn health programs can take is to monitor and evaluate to what extent they are reaching disadvantaged groups within the populations they serve. | "access to services","community-based interventions",ETHIOPIA,"Maternal and newborn health","socioeconomic inequalities and inequities",CARE,"CHILD HEALTH",COUNTDOWN,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,INEQUALITIES,INTERVENTIONS,"NATIONAL SURVEYS",REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH,SE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000270372300005 | Participatory forest management and its impacts on livelihoods and forest status: the case of Bonga forest in Ethiopia | Bekele, M.,Gobeze, T.,Kassa, H.,Lemenih, M. | 2009 | INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY REVIEW | 11 | 3 | None | Ethiopia Off, Wondo Genet Coll Forestry & Nat Resources | None | The forest resources in Ethiopia have suffered decades of mismanagement due mainly to loosely defined property relations over these resources. As one of the solutions, Participatory Forest Management (PFM) scheme was introduced during the early 1990s by some NGOs. Nearly two decades of experience now exists in the country. However systematic assessments of the performance of the scheme are scanty. This study reports the experience from Bonga PFM project, which is one of the oldest pilot sites. Forest inventory and socio-economic survey were conducted to collect data. The study was conducted during a transition from NGO - Community to State - Community based management of the PFM project. PFM is shown to have positive impacts both on the state of the forest and living condition of participant households at least within the project life time. Forest conditions such as seedling and sapling densities improved. PFM also (i) promoted awareness about forest, (ii) capacitated locals to form new institutional arrangement that increased their participation in forest management, helped to reduce open access and assisted a regulated forest use, and (iii) contributed towards social equity in terms of gender and minority ethnic groups. When accompanied with complementary non-forest based livelihood activities. PFM helped to diversify income sources, increase household income level, and build household assets. This reduced dependence of communities on forests for livelihoods. A challenge threatening the sustainability of the PFM program in Ethiopia is the weak government support for the scheme. PFM is still far from being mainstreamed in the forest management system of the country. Thus, it will be appropriate to assess how the PFM programs would perform few years after the support of the NGOs terminates. | "COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION",INCOME,livelihoods,NGOS,Regeneration | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000344519500001 | Evaluation of a Communication Campaign To Improve Continuation Among First-Time Injectable Contraceptive Users in Nyando District, Kenya | Ambasa-Shisanya, Constance,Burke, Holly McClain | 2014 | INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | 40 | 2 | 10.1363/4005614 | Exceed Consultancy Serv | None | CONTEXT: Communication campaigns might be a viable means of improving contraceptive continuation; however, few such interventions aimed at reducing contraceptive discontinuation have been evaluated.
METHODS: Data were collected from independent samples of new injectable users in Nyando District, Kenya site of a communication campaign to increase contraceptive continuation and in a comparison district, nine months before and nine months after intervention implementation. Survival analysis was used to compare the intervention and comparison groups with respect to the distribution of time until first discontinuation of modern method use among women still in need of family planning.
RESULTS: Exposure to family planning information was high in both the treatment and the comparison district before (97% and 85%, respectively) and after the intervention (99% and 78%). Postintervention, 5% of women in the comparison district discontinued by 98 days, 8% by 196 days and 23% by 294 days; the proportions in the treatment district were 4%, 6% and 16%, respectively. No significant difference between the districts was found in the nine-month postintervention contraceptive continuation rates. Having method-related side effects or health concerns was the reason most consistently associated with discontinuation. Other factors associated with discontinuation differed between the districts.
CONCLUSIONS: Addressing method-related side effects and health concerns will be critical in improving continuation of the injectable. | ,"6 DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES","DEPOT-MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE",DETERMINANTS,DISCONTINUATION,QUALITY-OF-CARE,RATES,WOMEN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000272135900011 | The use of routine monitoring and evaluation systems to assess a referral model of family planning and HIV service integration in Nigeria | Abubakar, Zubaida,Awi, Dorka D.,Chabikuli, Nzapfurundi O.,Chukwujekwu, Ogo,Gwarzo, Usman,Hamelmann, Christoph,Ibrahim, Mohammed,Merrigan, Mike | 2009 | AIDS | 23 | None | None | Family Hlth Int | None | Objective: To measure changes in service utilization of a model integrating family planning with HIV Counselling and testing (HCT), antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in the Nigerian public health facilities.
Design: It is a retrospective survey of attendance and family planning commodity uptake in 71 health facilities in Nigeria that analyzes the preintegration and postintegration periods between March 2007 and January 2009.
Methods: A prepost retrospective comparison of mean attendance at family planning clinics and couple-years of protection (CYP) compared 6 months preintegration with 9 months postintegration period. An analysis of service ratios was conducted, relating completed referrals at family planning clinics to service utilization at the referring HIV clinics.
Results: Mean attendance at family planning clinics increased significantly from 67.6 in preintegration to 87.0 in postintegration. The mean CYP increased significantly from 32.3 preintegration to 38.2 postintegration. Service ratio of referrals from each of the HIV clinics was low but increased in the postintegration period by 4, 34 and 42 per 1000 clients from HCT, ART and PMTCT clinics, respectively. Service ratios were higher in primary healthcare settings than in secondary or tertiary hospitals. Attendance by men at family planning clinics was significantly higher among clients referred from HIV clinics.
Conclusion: Family planning-HIV integration using the referral model improved family planning service utilization by clients accessing HIV services, but further improvement is possible. Male utilization of family planning services also improved. The government of Nigeria should review the family planning User fee policy and scale up the integration in primary healthcare facilities. (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins | CONTRACEPTION,"health services evaluation",HIV,INTEGRATION,NIGERIA,"ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY","CONTRACEPTIVE USE","HEALTH-CARE NEEDS",INTENTIONS,PREGNANCY,"PROSPECTIVE COHORT","REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH","RURAL UGANDA",SOUTH-AFRICA,WOMEN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000302023400006 | Do peer educators make a difference? An evaluation of a youth-led HIV prevention model in Zambian Schools | Bratt, J.,Denison, J. A.,Kabaso, M.,Torpey, K.,Tsui, S.,Weaver, M. A. | 2012 | HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH | 27 | 2 | 10.1093/her/cyr093 | Family Hlth Int | None | Restless Development's youth-led model places trained Volunteer Peer Educators (VPEs), aged 18-25 years, in schools to teach HIV prevention and reproductive health (RH). VPEs also run youth centers, extracurricular and community-based activities. This evaluation assesses (i) program effects on students' HIV/RH knowledge, attitudes and behaviors using a non-randomized quasi-experimental design among 2133 eighth and ninth grade students in 13 intervention versus 13 matched comparison schools and (ii) program costs. Intervention students had significantly higher levels of knowledge related to HIV [odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-2.19; P < 0.01] and RH (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.21-2.49; P < 0.01), more positive attitudes toward people living with HIV and greater self-efficacy to refuse unwanted sex and access condoms. No evidence of differences in ever having had sex was found (28% in the intervention; 29% in the comparison schools). However, intervention students were more likely not to have had sex in the previous year (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.56; P < 0.05) and to have had only one sex partner ever (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.00-2.03; P < 0.05). The average annual cost of the program was US$21 per beneficiary. In conclusion, the youth-led model is associated with increased HIV and RH knowledge and self-efficacy and lowered levels of stigma and sexual risk-taking behaviors. | ,ADOLESCENTS,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,"HIV/AIDS PREVENTION",INTERVENTIONS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000309891600011 | Evaluation of scaling-up should take into account financial access Comment on: Evaluating the scale-up for maternal and child survival: a common framework | Assefa, Yibeltal,Bermejo, Raoul,Hercot, David,Van Damme, Wim | 2012 | INTERNATIONAL HEALTH | 4 | 1 | 10.1016/j.inhe.2011.11.002 | Fed HIV AIDS Prevent & Control Off, Inst Trop Med | None | None | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000313929000021 | Evaluating feasibility, reach and potential impact of a text message family planning information service in Tanzania | Lasway, Christine,L'Engle, Kelly L.,Ndakidemi, Elizabeth,Vandat, Heather L.,Zan, Trinity | 2013 | CONTRACEPTION | 87 | 2 | 10.1016/j.contraception.2012.07.009 | FHI 360 | None | Background: The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility, reach and potential behavioral impact of providing automated family planning information via mobile phones to the general public in Tanzania.
Study Design: Data from users of the Mobile for Reproductive Health (m4RH) program were collected during the 10-month pilot period. First, contraceptive methods queried by each user were electronically logged by the mobile phone system. Second, four text questions assessing gender, age, promotion point and potential family planning impact were sent to every user.
Results: During the pilot period, 2870 unique users accessed m4RH in Tanzania, resulting in 4813 queries about specific contraceptive methods. Among those responding to text questions, 56% were female and approximately 60% were 29 or younger years in age. A variety of changes in family planning use were mentioned after using m4RH, with reported changes consistent with where users are in their reproductive life cycle.
Conclusions: Reaching younger people, women and men of reproductive age with family planning information delivered via mobile phone is recommended. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | "FAMILY PLANNING",MEN,"MOBILE PHONES",Tanzania,YOUTH,COMMUNICATION,KENYA,MEN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000250391300001 | The reliability and validity of self-report measures used to evaluate adolescent HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Sub-saharan Africa | Aastrom, Anne N.,Klepp, Knut-Inge,Komro, Kelli A.,Kugler, Karl C.,Masatu, Melkiory,Mnyika, Kagoma S.,Stigler, Melissa H. | 2007 | AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION | 19 | 5 | None | Florida State University System, University of Bergen, University of Florida, University of Minnesota System, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Oslo, Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota | None | The use of reliable and valid tools to evaluate theory-based health interventions is widely accepted as critical to the behavioral sciences. However, quite often the psychometric properties of survey instruments used to evaluate behavioral interventions are not published, limiting our understanding of how the theory works. The purpose of this study was to present the results of psychometric analyses on measures used to evaluate an HIV/AIDS prevention program for youth in Tanzania. We first began by pilot-testing a self-administered questionnaire with sixth-and seventh-grade students in nine schools in 11 villages throughout the Kahe ward of Tanzania (n = 524). Theory-based scales tapped into intrapersonal, social and attitudinal factors. Reliability was evaluated by examining internal consistency, while validity was determined by examining content, construct and discriminant validities. The results indicate that the scales constructed are reasonably reliable and valid measures. Use of these measures should be considered when designing, implementing, and analyzing interventions targeting youth in sub-Saharan Africa. | ,"AIDS EDUCATION","CONDOM USE",HIV,INTENTIONS,PREDICTORS,"PRIMARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN",RISK,SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR,TANZANIA,YOUTH | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000248879800001 | Predicted impact of HIV/AIDS on improved fallow adoption and rural household food security in Malawi | Hildebrand, P. E.,Kwesigal, F.,Thangata, P. H. | 2007 | SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | 15 | 4 | 10.1002/sd.323 | Florida State University System, University of Florida, Forum Agr Res Agr Res Africa FARA, SADC Secretariat | None | Research was conducted to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on improved fallow adoption and rural household food security in Malawi. An ethnographic linear programming model was created for a representative household with three scenarios: no illness, adult female illness and adult male illness. Results show that the impact of HIV/AIDS on food production depends on the patient's gender. If a male head of household is sick and later dies, available field labour is reduced as family members are expected to care for him and, consequently, less food and cash crops are produced, which creates a food insecure household. However, when a woman is sick and later dies, the effect on male labour is not as great, as males are not care-givers. We conclude that in an HIV/AIDS environment, agroforestry adoption is more feasible in households in which available labour is undisrupted for longer periods of time. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. | Africa,AGROFORESTRY,HIV/AIDS,"IMPROVED FALLOWS",MALAWI,"Rural food security",SMALLHOLDER,AGROFORESTRY,CONSERVATION,FARMERS,HIGHLANDS,PROGRAMS,SOIL,TANZANIA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000322531600001 | Views from the global south: exploring how student volunteers from the global north can achieve sustainable impact in global health | Dimaras, Helen,Ouma, Brian D. O. | 2013 | GLOBALIZATION AND HEALTH | 9 | None | 10.1186/1744-8603-9-32 | Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), University College London, University of London, University of Toronto, Daisys Eye Canc Fund Canada, Daisys Eye Canc Fund Kenya, Toronto Western Res Inst | None | Background: The body of research and practice regarding student volunteer abroad experiences largely focuses on ensuring the optimal learning experience for the student from the Global North, without equivalent attention to the benefits, if any, to the host institution in the Global South. In this debate article, we examine an often overlooked component of global student volunteer programs: the views of the local partner on what makes for a mutually beneficial partnership between volunteers from the Global North and institutions in the Global South.
Discussion: To guide our discussion, we drew upon the experiences of a Kenyan NGO with a Canadian student volunteer in the summer of 2012, organized via a formalized partnership with a Canadian university. We found that the approach of the NGO to hosting the student mirrored the organizational behaviour theories of Margaret J. Wheatley, who emphasized a disorderly or 'chaotic' approach to acquiring impactful change, coupled with a focus on building solid human relationships. Rather than following a set of rigid goals or tasks, the student was encouraged to critically engage and participate in all aspects of the culture of the organization and country, to naturally discover an area where his priorities aligned with the needs of the NGO. Solid networks and interpersonal connections resulted in a process useful for the organization long after the student's short-term placement ended.
Summary: Our discussion reveals key features of successful academic volunteer abroad placements: equal partnership in the design phase between organizations in the Global North and Global South; the absence of rigid structures or preplanned tasks during the student's placement; participatory observation and critical engagement of the student volunteer; and a willingness of the partners to measure impact by the resultant process instead of tangible outcomes. | "critical engagement","global health","MEDICAL EDUCATION","student volunteers","study abroad","volunteer tourism",ABROAD,EDUCATION,ELECTIVES,EXPERIENCES,PROGRAM,RESIDENTS,WORK | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000337685400006 | Single-Arm Evaluation of the AccuCirc Device for Early Infant Male Circumcision in Botswana | Abdullahi, Rasak,Lesetedi, Chiapo,Lockman, Shahin,Makhema, Joseph,Mmalane, Mompati,Ndubuka, Nnamdi O.,Nkgau, Maggie,Plank, Rebeca M.,Powis, Kathleen M.,Shapiro, Roger,Wirth, Kathleen E. | 2014 | JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES | 66 | 1 | None | Harvard University, Beth Israel Deaconess Med Ctr, Botswana Harvard Sch Publ Hlth AIDS Initiat Partn, Botswana Minist Hlth, Brigham & Womens Hosp, Massachusetts Gen Hosp, Northern InterTribal Hlth Author | None | Existing devices for early infant male circumcision (EIMC) have inherent limitations. We evaluated the newly developed AccuCirc device by circumcising 151 clinically well, full-term male infants with birth weight >= 2.5 kg within the first 10 days of life from a convenience sample in 2 hospitals in Botswana. No major adverse events were observed. There was 1 local infection, 5 cases of minor bleeding, and 1 case of moderate bleeding. In 3 cases, the device made only partial incisions that were completed immediately by the provider without complications. Parental satisfaction was high: >96% of mothers stated that they would circumcise a future son. The pre-assembled, sterile AccuCirc kit has the potential to overcome obstacles related to supply chain management and on-site instrument disinfection that can pose challenges in resource-limited settings. In our study, the AccuCirc was safe and it should be considered for programmatic EIMC in resource-limited settings. | AccuCirc,BOTSWANA,"early infant male circumcision",HIV,NEONATAL,PREVENTION,AFRICA,CLAMP,COMPLICATIONS,"HIV PREVENTION",INJURIES,MEN,"NEONATAL MALE CIRCUMCISION",NEWBORN,PLASTIBELL,RANDOMIZED-TRIAL | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000323978800001 | Using electronic technology to improve clinical care - results from a before-after cluster trial to evaluate assessment and classification of sick children according to Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) protocol in Tanzania | Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany L.,Lesh, Neal,Mitchell, Marc,Msellemu, Daniel,Nkaka, Melania | 2013 | BMC MEDICAL INFORMATICS AND DECISION MAKING | 13 | None | 10.1186/1472-6947-13-95 | Harvard University, Dimagi Inc, D Tree Int, Ifakara Hlth Inst | None | Background: Poor adherence to the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) protocol reduces the potential impact on under-five morbidity and mortality. Electronic technology could improve adherence; however there are few studies demonstrating the benefits of such technology in a resource-poor settings. This study estimates the impact of electronic technology on adherence to the IMCI protocols as compared to the current paper-based protocols in Tanzania.
Methods: In four districts in Tanzania, 18 clinics were randomly selected for inclusion. At each site, observers documented critical parts of the clinical assessment of children aged 2 months to 5 years. The first set of observations occurred during examination of children using paper-based IMCI (pIMCI) and the next set of observations occurred during examination using the electronic IMCI (eIMCI). Children were re-examined by an IMCI expert and the diagnoses were compared. A total of 1221 children (671 paper, 550 electronic) were observed.
Results: For all ten critical IMCI items included in both systems, adherence to the protocol was greater for eIMCI than for pIMCI. The proportion assessed under pIMCI ranged from 61% to 98% compared to 92% to 100% under eIMCI (p < 0.05 for each of the ten assessment items).
Conclusions: Use of electronic systems improved the completeness of assessment of children with acute illness in Tanzania. With the before-after nature of the design, potential for temporal confounding is the primary limitation. However, the data collection for both phases occurred over a short period (one month) and so temporal confounding was expected to be minimal. The results suggest that the use of electronic IMCI protocols can improve the completeness and consistency of clinical assessments and future studies will examine the long-term health and health systems impact of eIMCI. | ,GUIDELINES,HEALTH-WORKERS,IMPLEMENTATION,"MULTICOUNTRY EVALUATION",STRATEGY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000260974800015 | Evaluating a school-based trachoma curriculum in Tanzania | Courtright, Paul,Geneau, Robert,Lewallen, Susan,MacArthur, Chad,Massae, Patrick,Somba, Margareth,Tharaney, Manisha | 2008 | HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH | 23 | 6 | 10.1093/her/cym097 | Helen Keller Int, Tumaini Univ KCMC | None | Trachoma remains a public health problem in a number of sub-Saharan Africa countries; behavioral change and environmental improvements are cornerstones of prevention efforts. Evidence of successful health education are few in Africa. Health education efforts through primary schools have recently been developed and adopted in Tanzania. We evaluated changes from 2004 to 2005 in knowledge and reported behavioral change as well as nasal and ocular discharge and clean faces in selected schools in central Tanzania. This was a mixed-methods study involving both schoolchildren and schoolteachers. We found a significant reduction in nasal discharge (from 4.5% to 0.5%) and dirty faces (from 3.6% to 0.9%) and improvements in some knowledge- and behavior-related indices by primary schoolchildren in the intervention villages. The teachers viewed the trachoma curriculum positively but reported that the lack of water at the schools limited application of the health education messages. The disparity between health education messages and environmental capacities for implementing these messages (no wells at the schools and minimal latrine facilities at the schools and homes) limited usefulness of the curriculum. | ,"ACTIVE TRACHOMA","BLINDING TRACHOMA",IMPACT,STRATEGY,VIETNAM | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000322310400001 | Protocol for the evaluation of a pay for performance programme in Pwani region in Tanzania: A controlled before and after study | Abdulla, Salim,Binyaruka, Peter,Borghi, Josephine,Maestad, Ottar,Mamdani, Masuma,Mashasi, Irene,Mayumana, Iddy,Njau, Ikunda,Patouillard, Edith | 2013 | IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE | 8 | None | 10.1186/1748-5908-8-80 | University of London, Ifakara Hlth Inst | None | Background: The use of supply-side incentives to increase health service utilisation and enhance service quality is gaining momentum in many low- and middle-income countries. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the impact of such schemes, their cost-effectiveness, and the process of implementation and potential unintended consequences in these settings. A pay for performance (P4P) programme was introduced in Pwani region of Tanzania in 2011.
Methods/design: An evaluation of the programme will be carried out to inform a potential national rollout. A controlled before and after study will examine the effect of the P4P programme on quality, coverage, and cost of targeted maternal and newborn healthcare services and selected non-targeted services at facilities in Tanzania. Data will be collected from a survey of 75 facilities, 750 patients exiting consultations, over 75 health workers, and 1,500 households of women who delivered in the previous year, in all seven intervention districts. Data will be collected from the same number of respondents in four control districts. A process evaluation will examine: whether the P4P programme was implemented as planned; stakeholder response to the programme and its acceptability; and implementation bottlenecks and facilitating factors. Three rounds of process data collection will be conducted including a review of available P4P documents, individual interviews and focus group discussions with key informants working at facility and district level in five of the intervention districts, and at the regional and national levels. An economic evaluation will measure the cost-effectiveness of P4P relative to current practice from a societal perspective.
Discussion: This evaluation will contribute robust evidence on the impact and cost-effectiveness of P4P in a low income setting, as well as generate a better understanding of the feasibility of integrating complex intervention packages like P4P within health systems in resource poor settings. | "ECONOMIC EVALUATION","impact evaluation","pay for performance","process evaluation",PROTOCOL,Tanzania,"CHILD HEALTH",COUNTRIES,DISTRICT,HEALTH-CARE,PAYMENT,QUALITY,REFORM,RWANDA,SYSTEM | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267176400007 | Challenges in implementing a participatory evaluation approach: A case study of the Limpopo Literacy Teaching Evaluation Project | Makgamatha, Matthews Matome | 2009 | EDUCATION AS CHANGE | 13 | 1 | 10.1080/16823200902940730 | Human Sciences Research Council-South Africa | None | The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in collaboration with the University of Limpopo, was commissioned by the Limpopo Department of Education (LDoE) in South Africa to evaluate literacy teaching materials and practices in Limpopo primary schools. The research followed a participatory evaluation approach involving key education stakeholders in the province. The article examines the formation of the Research Reference Group (RRG) as a mechanism through which stakeholders were enabled to participate in the evaluation. It reviews the challenges encountered during the process of establishing the RRG and how they were addressed by the evaluation team. These challenges included conflicts of interest among stakeholders; determining the size of the RRG and the number of stakeholder representatives, and the knowledge imbalance between the evaluation team and the stakeholder representatives. It also highlights lessons learnt from the Limpopo literacy evaluation case study. | "EVALUATION TEAM",LITERACY,"participatory evaluation",stakeholder | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267176400006 | Enhancing teacher assessment practices in South African schools: Evaluation of the assessment resource banks | Kanjee, Anil | 2009 | EDUCATION AS CHANGE | 13 | 1 | 10.1080/16823200902940599 | Human Sciences Research Council-South Africa | None | The effective use of assessment by teachers can have a significant impact on improving learning. However, teachers require adequate support and appropriate resources to enhance their classroom assessment practices. This article reports on the results of a study which evaluated the effectiveness of Assessment Resource Banks (ARBs) for supporting teachers in rural primary schools to improve their classroom assessment practices. These ARBs are teacher booklets that comprise sets of Literacy and Numeracy tasks for use in assessing learner performance against the national Assessment Standards. The ARBs were piloted in 450 rural schools across four provinces. Data for the evaluation was obtained from classroom observations and interviews conducted in a sample of pilot schools and teacher and principal surveys administered in all pilot schools. The results of the evaluation indicate that providing teachers with relevant assessment resources can improve their classroom assessment practice. Most teachers reported that they found the ARBs to be extremely useful for conducting classroom assessments, and used them on a regular basis. In addition, the ARBs also provided a valuable resource for the planning and presentation of lessons as well as for assigning class work and homework exercises. The article concludes by highlighting future development and research needs in the deployment of ARBs in South African schools. | "assessment resource banks","classroom assessment","teacher assessment" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000208053300005 | Evaluate experiences: a qualitative technique to complement quantitative impact assessments | Carter, Jonathan | 2009 | JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT EFFECTIVENESS | 1 | 1 | 10.1080/19439340902727628 | Human Sciences Research Council-South Africa | None | Impact evaluations, whether of aid, development interventions or policy interventions, help hold donors and policy makers accountable for promises made and provide a means to legitimise recommendations for future interventions. Quantitative approaches are the order of the day but do not fully capture the complex and nuanced characteristics of communities important to understand the full effects of interventions and/or identify required interventions. This article describes a cost-effective approach to capturing large volumes of qualitative data in anecdotal form that can help inform interventions and approaches to research. Data collected by using the technique in a poor, urban, mixed race settlement in South Africa are reviewed and used to provide recommendations on research in poverty. For reasons consistent with the theoretical framework explained, recommendations are limited to three: consider carefully intergenerational dynamics when researching poor areas; be responsible about differences in value scales; and be conscious of how differently the researched see the world. A discussion using the method in mixed methods research is provided. | "anecdote circles",COST-EFFECTIVE,"IMPACT ASSESSMENT","QUALITATIVE EVALUATION",AFRICA,DYNAMICS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000257576500004 | Evaluation of a safer male circumcision training programme for traditional surgeons and nurses in the Eastern Cape, South Africa | Kanta, Xola,Nqeketo, Ayanda,Peltzer, Karl,Petros, George | 2008 | AFRICAN JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES | 5 | 4 | None | Human Sciences Research Council-South Africa, University of the Free State, Impilo Ya Bantu Hlth | None | Training designed to improve circumcision knowledge, attitude and practice was delivered over 5 days to 34 traditional surgeons and 49 traditional nurses in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Training included the following topics: initiation rites; statutory regulation of traditional male circumcision and initiation into Manhood (TCIM); structure and function of the male sex organs; procedure of safe circumcision, infection control; sexually transmitted infections (STIs); HIV/AIDS; infection control measures; aftercare of the initiate including after care of the circumcision wound and initiate as a whole; detection and early management of common complications of circumcision; nutrition and fluid management; code of conduct and ethics; and sexual health education. The evaluation of the training consisted of a prospective assessment of knowledge and attitude immediately prior to and after training. Significant improvement in knowledge and/or attitudes was observed in legal aspects, STI, HIV and environmental aspects, attitudes in terms of improved collaboration with biomedical health care providers, normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology, sexually transmitted infections and including HIV, circumcision practice and aftercare of initiates. We concluded that safer circumcision training can be successfully delivered to traditional surgeons and nurses. | ATTITUDES,"EASTERN CAPE",evaluation,KNOWLEDGE,"safer male circumcision","SOUTH AFRICA","traditional nurses","traditional surgeons","training programme",HEALERS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000273689800002 | Impact of rural development projects on agricultural productivity in selected regions of Benin | Afari-Sefa, Victor,Yabi, Jacob A. | 2009 | AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH | 4 | 11 | None | IITA, Univ Parakou | None | In this study, data collected from 120 rural households located in two distinct socio-cultural locales of Benin was used to assess the impact of 20 development projects on agricultural productivity. A 'withwithout' approach of impact evaluation is followed using ANOVA and econometric regressions. Results reveal no significant differences of projects on agricultural productivity between participants in the two study zones. Econometric regression estimates show significantly positive impacts on agricultural productivity for two selected project indicators in the two study zones. However, the goal achievement index was more remarked in the Adja area, where the projects were found to have better addressed development problems and provided higher impact. The results suggest the need to improve management of agricultural projects to enhance their impact. Likewise, objectives and activities of the projects should be oriented to deal better with development problems of rural people, in particular those of the poorest and marginalized communities. | BENIN,IMPACT,productivity,"rural projects" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000246162900008 | Voluntary counselling and testing: uptake, impact on sexual behaviour, and HIV incidence in a rural Zimbabwean cohort | Chawira, Godwin,Cremin, Ide,Dube, Sabada,Gregson, Simon,Kakowa, Memory,Lopman, Ben,Nyamukapa, Constance,Oberzaucher, Nicole,Sherr, Lorraine | 2007 | AIDS | 21 | 7 | None | Imperial College London, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, UCL Medical School, University College London, University of London, Biomed Res & Training Inst, European Ctr Social Welf Policy & Res | None | Objectives: To examine the determinants of uptake of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services, to assess changes in sexual risk behaviour following VCT, and to compare HIV incidence amongst testers and non-testers.
Methods: Prospective population-based cohort study of adult men and women in the Manicaland province of eastern Zimbabwe. Demographic, socioeconomic, sexual behaviour and VCT utilization data were collected at baseline (1998-2000) and follow-up (3 years later). HIV status was determined by HIV-1 antibody detection. In addition to services provided by the government and non-governmental organizations, a mobile VCT clinic was available at study sites.
Results: Lifetime uptake of VCT increased from under 6% to 11% at follow-up. Age, increasing education and knowledge of HIV were associated with VCT uptake. Women who took a test were more likely to be HIV positive and to have greater HIV knowledge and fewer total lifetime partners. After controlling for demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour was not independently associated with VCT uptake. Women who tested positive reported increased consistent condom use in their regular partnerships. However, individuals who tested negative were more likely to adopt more risky behaviours in terms of numbers of partnerships in the last month, the last year and in concurrent partnerships. HIV incidence during follow-up did not differ between testers and non-testers.
Conclusion: Motivation for VCT uptake was driven by knowledge and education rather than sexual risk. Increased sexual risk following receipt of a negative result may be a serious unintended consequence of VCT. It should be minimized with appropriate pre- and post-test counselling. (c) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | counselling,"HIV INCIDENCE","sexual behaviour",VCT,ZIMBABWE,AFRICA,COUPLES,EFFICACY,KENYA,MEN,PREVENTION,RANDOMIZED-TRIAL,"RISK BEHAVIOR",TANZANIA,TRANSMISSION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000208160600018 | Monitoring the millennium development goals: the potential role of the INDEPTH Network | Bangha, Martin,Bawah, Ayaga,Diagne, Alioune,Sankoh, Osman | 2010 | GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION | 3 | None | 10.3402/gha.v3i0.5517 | INDEPTH Network | None | The Millennium Declaration, adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 2000, set a series of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as priorities for UN member countries, committing governments to realising eight major MDGs and 18 associated targets by 2015. Progress towards these goals is being assessed by tracking a series of 48 technical indicators that have since been unanimously adopted by experts. This concept paper outlines the role member Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSSs) of the INDEPTH Network could play in monitoring progress towards achieving the MDGs. The unique qualities of the data generated by HDSSs lie in the fact that they provide an opportunity to measure or evaluate interventions longitudinally, through the long-term follow-up of defined populations. | "health and demographic surveillance systems","LONGITUDINAL DATA","millennium development goals","monitoring MDG progress" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000298383700020 | What Is the Impact of Home-Based HIV Counseling and Testing on the Clinical Status of Newly Enrolled Adults in a Large HIV Care Program in Western Kenya? | Braitstein, Paula,Kimaiyo, Sylvester,Mamlin, Joseph,Ndege, Samson,Wachira, Juddy | 2012 | CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES | 54 | 2 | 10.1093/cid/cir789 | Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana University System, Moi University, Regenstrief Institute Inc, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), University of Toronto, USAID AMPATH | None | Background. This article describes the effect point of entry into the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care program had on the clinical status of adults presenting for the first time to USAID-AMPATH (US Agency for International Development-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare) Partnership clinics for HIV care.
Methods. All patients aged >= 14 years enrolled between August 2008 and April 2010 were included. Points of entry to USAID-AMPATH clinics were home-based counseling and testing (HBCT), provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC), HIV testing in the tuberculosis clinic, and voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). Tests for trend were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the effect of HBCT versus other points of entry on primary outcomes controlling for age and sex.
Results. There were 19 552 eligible individuals. Of these, 946 tested in HBCT, 10 261 in VCT, 8073 in PITC, and 272 in the tuberculosis clinic. The median (interquartile range) enrollment CD4 cell counts among those who tested HIV positive was 323 (194-491), 217 (87-404), 190 (70-371), and 136 cells/mm(3) (59-266) for HBCT, VCT, PITC, and the tuberculosis clinic, respectively (P < .001). Compared with those patients whose HIV infection was diagnosed in the tuberculosis clinic, those who tested positive in HBCT were, controlling for age and sex, less likely to have to have World Health Organization stage III or IV HIV infection at enrollment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], .03-.06), less likely to enroll with a CD4 cell count of < 200 cells/mm(3) (AOR, 0.20; 95% CI, .14-.28), and less likely to enroll into care with a chief complaint (AOR, 0.08; 95% CI, .05-.12).
Conclusions. HBCT is effective at getting HIV-infected persons enrolled in HIV care before they become ill. | ,"ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY",DISCORDANCE,GENDER,INFECTION,PREVALENCE,PREVENTION,SCALE-UP,SELF-DISCLOSURE,SEROSTATUS,"SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000275305700001 | A realist evaluation of the management of a well-performing regional hospital in Ghana | Dedzo, McDamien,Kegels, Guy,Marchal, Bruno | 2010 | BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH | 10 | None | 10.1186/1472-6963-10-24 | Inst Trop Med, Volta Reg Hlth Directorate | None | Background: Realist evaluation offers an interesting approach to evaluation of interventions in complex settings, but has been little applied in health care. We report on a realist case study of a well performing hospital in Ghana and show how such a realist evaluation design can help to overcome the limited external validity of a traditional case study.
Methods: We developed a realist evaluation framework for hypothesis formulation, data collection, data analysis and synthesis of the findings. Focusing on the role of human resource management in hospital performance, we formulated our hypothesis around the high commitment management concept. Mixed methods were used in data collection, including individual and group interviews, observations and document reviews.
Results: We found that the human resource management approach (the actual intervention) included induction of new staff, training and personal development, good communication and information sharing, and decentralised decision-making. We identified 3 additional practices: ensuring optimal physical working conditions, access to top managers and managers' involvement on the work floor. Teamwork, recognition and trust emerged as key elements of the organisational climate. Interviewees reported high levels of organisational commitment. The analysis unearthed perceived organisational support and reciprocity as underlying mechanisms that link the management practices with commitment. Methodologically, we found that realist evaluation can be fruitfully used to develop detailed case studies that analyse how management interventions work and in which conditions. Analysing the links between intervention, mechanism and outcome increases the explaining power, while identification of essential context elements improves the usefulness of the findings for decision-makers in other settings (external validity). We also identified a number of practical difficulties and priorities for further methodological development.
Conclusion: This case suggests that a well-balanced HRM bundle can stimulate organisational commitment of health workers. Such practices can be implemented even with narrow decision spaces. Realist evaluation provides an appropriate approach to increase the usefulness of case studies to managers and policymakers. | ,ATTITUDES,COMMITMENT,CULTURE,HEALTH-SERVICES,"HUMAN-RESOURCE MANAGEMENT",MODELS,"PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT","THEORY-DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE",VALIDITY,"WORK SYSTEMS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000293025900002 | 12-month mortality and loss-to-program in antiretroviral-treated children: The IeDEA pediatric West African Database to evaluate AIDS (pWADA), 2000-2008 | Azondekon, Alain,Dabis, Francois,Dicko, Fatoumata,Eboua, Francois T.,Ekouevi, Didier K.,IeDEA Pediat W Africa Working Grp,Kouadio, Kouakou,Leroy, Valeriane,Malateste, Karen,Peterson, Kevin,Renner, Lorna,Sy, Haby Signate,Toure, Pety | 2011 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 11 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-11-519 | Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (Inserm), Universite de Bordeaux, ACONDA, CHU Treichville, CHU Yopougon, CIRBA, Hop Enfants Albert Royer, Hop Instruct Armees St Anne, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (Inserm), Korlebu Hosp, MRC | None | Background: The IeDEA West Africa Pediatric Working Group (pWADA) was established in January 2007 to study the care and treatment of HIV-infected children in this region. We describe here the characteristics at antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation and study the 12-month mortality and loss-to-program of HIV-infected children followed in ART programs in West Africa.
Methods: Standardized data from HIV-infected children followed-up in ART programs were included. Nine clinical centers from six countries contributed to the dataset (Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mali and Senegal). Inclusion criteria were the followings: age 0-15 years and initiated triple antiretroviral drug regimens. Baseline time was the date of ART initiation. WHO criteria was used to define severe immunosuppression based on CD4 count by age or CD4 percent < 15%. We estimated the 12-month Kaplan-Meier probabilities of mortality and loss-to-program (death or loss to follow-up > 6 months) after ART initiation and factors associated with these two outcomes.
Results: Between June 2000 and December 2007, 2170 children were included. Characteristics at ART initiation were the following: median age of 5 years (Interquartile range (IQR: 2-9) and median CD4 percentage of 13% (IQR: 7-19). The most frequent drug regimen consisted of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (62%). During the first 12 months, 169 (7.8%) children died and 461 (21.2%) were lost-to-program. Overall, in HIV-infected children on ART, the 12-month probability of death was 8.3% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 7.2-9.6%), and of loss-to-program was 23.1% (95% CI: 21.3-25.0%). Both mortality and loss-to program were associated with advanced clinical stage, CD4 percentage < 15% at ART initiation and year (> 2005) of ART initiation.
Conclusion: Innovative and sustainable approaches are needed to better document causes of death and increase retention in HIV pediatric clinics in West Africa. | ,COTE-DIVOIRE,DIAGNOSIS,FOLLOW-UP,"HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES","HIV-1-INFECTED CHILDREN",INFANTS,OUTCOMES,SURVIVAL,THERAPY,TRANSMISSION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000304290300010 | Impact of modern agricultural technologies on smallholder welfare: Evidence from Tanzania and Ethiopia | Asfaw, Solomon,Lipper, Leslie,Shiferaw, Bekele,Simtowe, Franklin | 2012 | FOOD POLICY | 37 | 3 | 10.1016/j.foodpol.2012.02.013 | Int Crops Res Inst Semi Arid Trop, Int Maize & Wheat Improvement Ctr CIMMYT, UN | None | This paper evaluates the potential impact of adoption of improved legume technologies on rural household welfare measured by consumption expenditure in rural Ethiopia and Tanzania. The study utilizes cross-sectional farm household level data collected in 2008 from a randomly selected sample of 1313 households (700 in Ethiopia and 613 in Tanzania). The causal impact of technology adoption is estimated by utilizing endogenous switching regression. This helps us estimate the true welfare effect of technology adoption by controlling for the role of selection problem on production and adoption decisions. Our analysis reveals that adoption of improved agricultural technologies has a significant positive impact consumption expenditure (in per adult equivalent terms) in rural Ethiopia and Tanzania. This confirms the potential role of technology adoption in improving rural household welfare as higher consumption expenditure from improved technologies translate into lower poverty, higher food security and greater ability to withstand risk. An analysis of the determinants of adoption highlighted inadequate local supply of seed, access to information and perception about the new cultivars as key constraints for technology adoption. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | "endogenous switching",ETHIOPIA,"household welfare","IMPACT ASSESSMENT","SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA",Tanzania,"technology adoption",ADOPTION,ALLEVIATION,NIGERIA,PIGEONPEA,"POVERTY REDUCTION",PRODUCTIVITY,SERVICES,UGANDA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000280501500030 | An evaluation of a national intervention to improve the postabortion care content of midwifery education in Nigeria | Akiode, Akinsewa,Daroda, Ramatu,Fetters, Tamara,Oji, Ejike,Okeke, Bridget | 2010 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS | 110 | 2 | 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.05.003 | Ipas, Ipas Nigeria | None | Objective: To examine the impact of a national intervention to improve the postabortion care (PAC) content of midwifery education in Nigeria. Methods: A 3-part quantitative assessment was carried out during and post-intervention. The first baseline component developed and examined the intervention to improve teaching capacity and improve the PAC curriculum among 6 midwifery schools that were to become regional training centers. The second survey was a pre- and post-assessment conducted among midwifery instructors from all schools of midwifery schools were interviewed once 3-9 months after graduation to evaluate whether the intervention had improved their knowledge of PAC and clinical practice, and the likelihood that they would provide PAC after graduation. Results: Data from 6 schools of midwifery in 2003 showed that none offered PAC or had educators trained in PAC prior to the intervention. Incorporation of PAC content and teaching capacity increased in all 6 study schools during the 3 years after a national intervention. Midwifery instructors demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge of and exposure to PAC and manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) after the intervention. A follow-up interview with 149 student midwives post graduation showed increased knowledge, exposure to, and use of MVA in the workplace. Conclusion: Significant changes in graduate midwives' exposure, practice, and provision of PAC services resulted from a national intervention to improve the training environment and skills of midwifery instructors and students in the 6 schools of midwifery selected for evaluation. (C) 2010 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. | "MANUAL VACUUM ASPIRATION","midwifery education","postabortion care",pre-service,COMPLICATIONS,INDUCED-ABORTION,"UNSAFE ABORTION","UNWANTED PREGNANCY" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000270679700008 | Evaluation of HIV/AIDS clinical care quality: the case of a referral hospital in North West Ethiopia | Alemayehu, Yibeltal Kiflie,Bushen, Oluma Yoseph,Muluneh, Ayalew Tegegn | 2009 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE | 21 | 5 | 10.1093/intqhc/mzp030 | Jimma Univ, Tulane Univ | None | Objective. To assess the quality of clinical care provided to patients with HIV in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital.
Approach and design. Normative evaluation based on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model of health care quality Cross-sectional study design was employed to gather data in September 2007.
Setting. Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital is a government hospital in North West Ethiopia. The hospital is providing clinical care for patients infected with HIV free of patient charge since 2005.
Measures. The evaluation used 10 process and 5 outcome indicators of quality measured by reviewing 351 randomly selected patient records and interview with 368 patients. Resource inventory was conducted to assess the availability of trained staff, laboratory facilities and drugs required for provision of HFV care.
Results. All resources recommended by the national antiretroviral therapy (ARI) Implementation Guideline including trained staff, laboratory facilities and drugs were continuously available, except for a shortage of cotritnoxazole. Despite this, important components of care and treatment recommended by national treatment guidelines were not delivered for significant portion of patients. The study showed that only 45.9% of patients eligible for cotrimoxazole prophylactic therapy (CPT) and 76.8% of patients eligible for ART were actually taking CPT and ART, respectively. Compliance with national guidelines to monitor patients was also found to be a major problem.
Conclusion. Availability of resources alone does not ensure the quality of HIV care and treatment. The study results indicate a need for regular monitoring and improvement of processes and outcomes of care in the Ethiopian Health System. | "QUALITY IMPROVEMENT","QUALITY INDICATORS","quality measurement","ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY",BASE-LINE,"CD4 CELL COUNT","COTRIMOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS",HEALTH-CARE,HIV-INFECTION,MEDICAL-CARE,MORTALITY,UNITED-STATES,"VIRAL LOAD" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000240681100014 | Impact of a communication programme on female genital cutting in eastern Nigeria | Agbasimalo, Ada,Babalola, Stella,Brasington, Angela,Helland, Anna,Nwanguma, Edith,Onah, Nkechi | 2006 | TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH | 11 | 10 | 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01701.x | Johns Hopkins University, HCP FGC, Natl Assoc Women Journalists, Save Children, Women Act Res Org | None | This study describes a female genital cutting (FGC) elimination communication programme in Enugu State and assesses its impact in changing relevant knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions.
The FGC programme combined a community mobilization component with targeted advocacy and mass media activities. Data for assessing the impact of the programme derived from baseline and follow-up surveys in three intervention local government areas (LGA) in Enugu State and three comparison LGAs in Ebonyi State. An ideation model of behaviour change guided the analyses of the impact of the programme on personal advocacy for FGC, perceived self-efficacy to refuse pressure to perform FGC, perceived social support for FGC discontinuation, perceived benefits of FGC, perceived health complications of FGC and intention not to perform FGC on daughters. The analytical methods include comparing change in pertinent outcome variables from baseline to follow-up in the two study states and using logistic regression on follow-up data for the intervention state to assess the link between programme exposure and the relevant outcome indicators.
The data show that while the pertinent ideational factors and the intention not to perform FGC either worsened or remained stagnant in Ebonyi State, they improved significantly in Enugu State. The logistic regression results show that programme exposure is associated with the expected improvements in all the pertinent indicators.
The multimedia communication programme has been effective in changing FGC-related attitudes and promoting the intention not to perform FGC. | COMMUNICATION,"community action cycle","female genital cutting",ideation,NIGERIA,BEHAVIOR,BURKINA-FASO,CIRCUMCISION,IDEATION,"LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS",MUTILATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000228149500054 | An education and counseling program for preventing breast-feeding-associated HIV transmission in Zimbabwe: Design and impact on maternal knowledge and behavior | Gavin, L,HUMPHREY, JH,ILIFF, PJ,Lunney, K,Marinda, E,Nathoo, KJ,Piwoz, EG,Tavengwa, N,Zunguza, C,ZVITAMBO Study Grp | 2005 | JOURNAL OF NUTRITION | 135 | 4 | None | Johns Hopkins University, University of Zimbabwe | None | International guidance on HIV and infant feeding has evolved over the last decade. In response to these changes, we designed, implemented, and evaluated an education and counseling program for new mothers in Harare, Zimbabwe. The program was implemented within the ZVITAMBO trial, in which 14,1110 mother-baby pairs were enrolled within 96 h of delivery and were followed at 6 wk, 3 mo, and 3-mo intervals. Mothers were tested for HIV at delivery but were not required to learn their test results. Infant feeding patterns were determined using data provided up to 3 mo. Formative research was undertaken to guide the design of the program that included group education, individual counseling, videos, and brochures. The program was introduced over a 2-mo period: 11,362, 1311, and 1437 women were enrolled into the trial before, during, and after this period. Exclusive breast-feeding was recommended for mothers of unknown or negative HIV status, and for HIV-positive mothers who chose to breast-feed. A questionnaire assessing HIV knowledge and exposure to the program was administered to 1996 mothers enrolling after the program was initiated. HIV knowledge improved with increasing exposure to the program. Mothers who enrolled when the program was being fully implemented were 70% more likely to learn their HIV status early (< 3 mo) and 8.4 times more likely to exclusively breast-feed than mothers who enrolled before the program began. Formative research aided in the design of a culturally sensitive intervention. The intervention increased relevant knowledge and improved feeding practices among women who primarily did not know their HIV status. | BREAST-FEEDING,"EXCLUSIVE BREAST-FEEDING",HIV,"MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION",ZIMBABWE,"TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000315865700003 | Unintended Impacts and the Gendered Consequences of Peacekeeping Economies in Liberia | Aning, Kwesi,Edu-Afful, Fiifi | 2013 | INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING | 20 | 1 | 10.1080/13533312.2013.761828 | KAIPTC | None | Despite increased international attention to managing the potential impacts of peacekeeping on host countries, unintended consequences continue to emerge. This article focuses particularly on the alternative economies that peacekeeping operations generate and the differential economic impacts on individuals who come into contact with peacekeepers. Based on empirical evidence derived from fieldwork in Liberia, the article highlights the everyday lives of women whose livelihoods have been affected by the presence of peacekeeping missions. It also discusses how such economies adjust during the peacekeeping drawdown phase, and explores the dynamics that such economies have on specific segments of the Liberian population. The argument is that, while peacekeeping economies are critical in stimulating the local economy and providing livelihoods during and in the immediate aftermath of war, they have negative unintended impacts that need mitigation. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000316158800004 | Review: Impact, Challenges, and Future Projections of Vaccine Trials in Africa | Agbenyega, Tsiri E.,Idoko, Olubukola T.,Kochhar, Sonali,Ogutu, Bernhards,Ota, Martin O. C. | 2013 | AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE | 88 | 3 | 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0576 | Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr, Kwame Nkurma Univ Sci & Technol, MRC Unit, PATH | None | Immunization remains the most cost effective method for the control of infectious diseases. Therefore, there is a global effort to deploy new vaccines for disease control and eradication. These new vaccines must be tested in the settings in which they will be used. This necessity has required the conduct of many vaccine trials in Africa, where several infectious diseases with significant public health impact are prevalent. However, these areas have peculiarities and are just beginning to gain expertise in the conduct of such trials. The vaccine developers and sponsors of these trials may also not be conversant with some issues unique to the trial site. The understanding gap from both partners can result in challenges if not addressed during the planning phase of the trial. This review seeks to highlight the issues surrounding the conduct of clinical trials in resource-constrained settings and suggests some ways of circumventing them. | ,CLINICAL-TRIALS,"CONJUGATE VACCINE",DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,GAMBIA,HEALTH,INFORMED-CONSENT | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000247094100002 | Impact of small arms insecurity on the public health of pastoralists in the Kenya-Uganda border regions | Mkutu, Kennedy Agade | 2007 | CRIME LAW AND SOCIAL CHANGE | 47 | 1 | 10.1007/s10611-007-9056-6 | Kenya Inst Adm | None | Small arms must be considered as a public health problem, but quantifying the public health impact of small arms is difficult and studies are sparse in areas of conflict. This study considers the remote cross border area between Kenya and Uganda where pastoral conflict in the form of cattle raiding with the use of small arms has escalated in recent years, and where health facilities are scarce. Hospitals and clinics in Karamoja, Uganda, and West Pokot, Kenya were visited by the author, to collect any available data on small arms injuries. Interviews with hospital staff helped to provide further insight into the statistics. Statistics showed that most injuries were sustained during raiding, though worrying incidences of injury among noncombatants and young children were found. Many serious injuries and limb fractures were documented, likely to have some long-term implications for pain, growth, disability, and livelihood. Deaths and injuries are likely to be significantly underestimated by the statistics, due to problems of transport, insecurity, deaths prior to arrival, admission fees for some facilities, and fear of reporting injuries due to the criminal element. Police statistics support this conclusion. The situation appeared to be worse in Uganda as opposed to Kenya, but cooperation between the two countries is needed since pastoralists readily cross the borders both to raid and to attend clinics and hospitals. | ,CONFLICT,POLITICS,STATE,SUNGUSUNGU,TANZANIA,"VILLAGE VIGILANTE GROUPS",VIOLENCE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000239722100005 | Post-project analysis: The use of a network diagram for environmental evaluation of the Barekese Dam, Kumasi, Ghana | Awuah, Esi,Frempong, Emmanuel,Tetteh, Isaac Kow | 2006 | ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING & ASSESSMENT | 11 | 3 | 10.1007/s10666-005-9021-7 | Kwame Nkrumah University Science & Technology, Kwame Nkrumah Univ Sci & Technol | None | The paper presents an evaluation of post-project impacts of the Barekese Dam on three riparian communities downstream about 30 years after its construction. A network diagram, which incorporated a mathematical model, was used for impact identification and analysis. The expected environmental impacts, expressed as quantitative weighted impact scores, showed that the dam appeared to have exerted adverse impacts on the environmental quality of the communities. The impacts in the communities, however, increased with relative distances away from the dam and the river suggestive of cumulative impacts transmitted downstream. Strategic measures for improving environmental quality of the communities have been given. | DAM,"environmental evaluation","expected environmental impacts","post-project impacts","riparian communities",IMPACT | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000296467100001 | Maternal health interventions in resource limited countries: a systematic review of packages, impacts and factors for change | Nyamtema, Angelo S.,Urassa, David P.,van Roosmalen, Jos | 2011 | BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH | 11 | None | 10.1186/1471-2393-11-30 | Leiden University, VU University Amsterdam, Sch Publ Hlth & Social Sci, Tanzanian Training Ctr Int Hlth | None | Background: The burden of maternal mortality in resource limited countries is still huge despite being at the top of the global public health agenda for over the last 20 years. We systematically reviewed the impacts of interventions on maternal health and factors for change in these countries.
Methods: A systematic review was carried out using the guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Articles published in the English language reporting on implementation of interventions, their impacts and underlying factors for maternal health in resource limited countries in the past 23 years were searched from PubMed, Popline, African Index Medicus, internet sources including reproductive health gateway and Google, hand-searching, reference lists and grey literature.
Results: Out of a total of 5084 articles resulting from the search only 58 qualified for systematic review. Programs integrating multiple interventions were more likely to have significant positive impacts on maternal outcomes. Training in emergency obstetric care (EmOC), placement of care providers, refurbishment of existing health facility infrastructure and improved supply of drugs, consumables and equipment for obstetric care were the most frequent interventions integrated in 52% - 65% of all 54 reviewed programs. Statistically significant reduction of maternal mortality ratio and case fatality rate were reported in 55% and 40% of the programs respectively. Births in EmOC facilities and caesarean section rates increased significantly in 71% - 75% of programs using these indicators. Insufficient implementation of evidence-based interventions in resources limited countries was closely linked to a lack of national resources, leadership skills and end-users factors.
Conclusions: This article presents a list of evidenced-based packages of interventions for maternal health, their impacts and factors for change in resource limited countries. It indicates that no single magic bullet intervention exists for reduction of maternal mortality and that all interventional programs should be integrated in order to bring significant changes. State leaders and key actors in the health sectors in these countries and the international community are proposed to translate the lessons learnt into actions and intensify efforts in order to achieve the goals set for maternal health. | ,"ANTENATAL CARE","EMERGENCY OBSTETRIC CARE","EMOC SERVICES",MORTALITY,NEPAL,PROGRAM,"RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL",SUPPLEMENTATION,"TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS",VITAMIN-A | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000259647600011 | The impact of health education on attitudes towards female genital mutilation (FGM) in a rural Nigerian community | Amusan, Oluwatoyin A.,Asekun-Olarinmoye, Esther O. | 2008 | EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CONTRACEPTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE | 13 | 3 | 10.1080/13625180802075174 | Ladoke Akintola Univ Technol | None | Objectives To determine the level of practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and the impact of a health education intervention in Shao community.
Materials and methods Intervention study using a multistage sampling technique. The instrument was a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. The survey was supplemented by an in-depth interview of the traditional excisors.
Results Most respondents (88.0%) cited traditional excisors as operators of the procedure, while 7.8% mentioned health workers. Factors found to be statistically significantly associated with the practice of FGM are age, gender and educational status of respondents (p < 0.05). The age at which FGM is usually performed was put at under one year old by 60.3% of respondents. All respondents cited type II FGM as the type practised in the community. Most (88.0%) of the female respondents were excised. A greater proportion of men than women did not want the practice of FGM stopped in the pre-intervention stage; however, there was a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of males who did not want the practice of FGM stopped in the post-intervention stage. Also, there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of respondents who had no intention to excise future female children in the post-intervention stage (p < 0.05). Legislation, female literacy and empowerment, educating men and provision of alternative vocation for excisors were means suggested by respondents for stopping the practice.
Conclusion and recommendations The health education intervention had a positive impact on the attitude of respondents towards FGM. However, for sustainable behavioural changes that will lead to elimination of FGM practice, we recommend placing FGM elimination efforts within a comprehensive development strategy and the larger context of reproductive health and gender education in Nigeria. | "female genital mutilation","HEALTH EDUCATION",NIGERIA,"RURAL COMMUNITY",CIRCUMCISION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000259850000007 | The negative impacts of adolescent sexuality problems among secondary school students in Oworonshoki Lagos | Ajayi, G.,Ashiru, O. A.,Izegbu, M. C.,Oguntola, J. A.,Shittu, L. A. J.,Zachariah, M. P. | 2007 | SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ESSAYS | 2 | 1 | None | Lagos State Univ, Med Assisted Reprod Ctr MART | None | This study was conducted to focus on the negative health outcomes related to sexual behaviour in adolescents and young adults attending public school in the Oworonshoki region of Lagos, Nigeria, Africa. Since, there is a relative dearth of knowledge on adolescents who face unique and challenging economics, health and education problems in our society. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and knowledge towards STD including HIV/AIDS, prevalence of sexual abuse practice/sexual behaviour, family planning awareness and acceptance including abortion practice were sorted out using self structured questionnaires and administered to 60% of student's population using a stratified random sampling technique. 55.8% lived with both parents. While, 50.3% of the mothers had basic secondary school qualifications, 72.4% of them are traders. 61.5% had sex education were from misinformed friends/peers while 51% had no basic knowledge about sexual behavioral practice and attitude towards STDs/AIDS (HIV). STD has a prevalence of 34 and 41% of boys used condoms for preventing STI/HIV transmission and unwanted pregnancies. One out of every five sexually active teenagers has experienced forced sex, especially among the circumcised girls who were more sexually active than the uncircumcised girls. 60% of girls between ages of 12 and 18 years had more than one unsafe abortion with severe vaginal bleeding (haemorrhage) as the chief complication. However, 65% of the girls did abortion for fear of leaving school and financial hardship as the reasons. | ADOLESCENT,ATTITUDE,KNOWLEDGE,LAGOS,LEGISLATION,SEXUALITY,ABUSE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000296940900003 | Mentoring and its Impact on the Publication Output of Librarians in Selected Academic Libraries in South-West Nigeria | Yusuf, Felicia | 2011 | AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIBRARY ARCHIVES AND INFORMATION SCIENCE | 21 | 2 | None | Landmark Univ Lib | None | The paper examined the possible role of mentoring in explaining the publication output of librarians in selected academic libraries. The paper sought to find out the number of papers that the academic librarians published annually, whether they are required to publish the same number of papers for promotion to particular grades as required of mainstream academics in their universities, whether they had mentors, and their perceptions of the impact of mentoring on their publication output. Data were collected from 66 academic librarians in four purposively selected universities in South-West Nigeria. Mentoring was perceived by the librarians to have a positive impact on their publication output, and that the major constraints on their publication efforts were their routine jobs and inability to conceptualise research topics. The study recommends that upcoming academic librarians should have mentors and collaborate with their senior colleagues until they are able to acquire the necessary skills to conceptualise research and publish quality papers. They should also transfer some of their routine duties to para-professionals in their libraries in order to be able to concentrate more on research-related activities such as reading extensively other peoples' works. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000308717900019 | An evaluation of an operations research project to reduce childhood stunting in a food-insecure area in Ethiopia | Bulti, Assaye T.,Duffield, Arabella,Fenn, Bridget,Nduna, Themba,Watson, Fiona | 2012 | PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION | 15 | 9 | 10.1017/S1368980012001115 | Le Rocher, Save Children | None | Objective: To determine which interventions can reduce linear growth retardation (stunting) in children aged 6-36 months over a 5-year period in a food-insecure population in Ethiopia.
Design: We used data collected through an operations research project run by Save the Children UK: the Child Caring Practices (CCP) project. Eleven neighbouring villages were purposefully selected to receive one of four interventions: (i) health; (iii) nutrition education; (iii) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); or (iv) integrated comprising all interventions. A comparison group of three villages did not receive any interventions. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted at baseline (2004) and for impact evaluation (2009) using the same quantitative and qualitative tools. The primary outcome was stunted growth in children aged 6-36 months measured as height (or length)-for-age Z-scores (mean and prevalence). Secondary outcomes were knowledge of health seeking, infant and young child feeding and preventive practices.
Setting: Amhara, Ethiopia.
Subjects: Children aged 6-36 months.
Results: The WASH intervention group was the only group to show a significant increase in mean height-for-age Z-score (+0.33, P = 0.02), with a 12.1% decrease in the prevalence of stunting, compared with the baseline group. This group also showed significant improvements in mothers' knowledge of causes of diarrhoea and hygiene practices. The other intervention groups saw non-significant impacts for childhood stunting but improvements in knowledge relating to specific intervention education messages given.
Conclusions: The study suggests that an improvement in hygiene practices had a significant impact on stunting levels. However, there may be alternative explanations for this and further evidence is required. | ETHIOPIA,"food insecure","impact evaluation","OPERATIONS RESEARCH",STUNTING,CHILDREN,GROWTH,INFECTION,INTERVENTIONS,"INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY",NUTRITION,UNDERNUTRITION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000250834900004 | Adherence to HAART therapy measured by electronic monitoring in newly diagnosed HIV patients in Botswana | Anand, Bene,Cohen, Adam,Iwebor, Henry Uchechukwaka,Kristanto, Paulus,Rakesh, Pande,Stiekema, Jacobus,Vriesendorp, Reinout,Vrijens, Bernard | 2007 | EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY | 63 | 12 | 10.1007/s00228-007-0369-2 | Leiden University, VU University Amsterdam, Ardex Ltd, CHDR, Nyangabgwe Hosp, Pharmion Syst Ltd | None | Aims This pilot study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of electronic adherence monitoring of antiretroviral medications in HIV patients who recently started Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in Francistown, Botswana and to compare this with self-reporting.
Methods Dosing histories were compiled electronically using Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) monitors to evaluate adherence to prescribed therapies. Thirty patients enrolled in the antiretroviral treatment program were monitored over 6 weeks. These patients were all antiretroviral (ARV) naive. After each visit (mean three times) to the pharmacy, the data compiled by the monitors were downloaded. Electronic monitoring of adherence was compared to patient self-reports of adherence.
Results The mean individual medication adherence level measured with the electronic device was 85% (range 21-100%). The mean adherence level measured by means of self-reporting was 98% (range 70-100%). Medication prescribed on a once-a-day dose base was associated with a higher adherence level (97.9% for efavirenz) compared with a twice-a-day regimen (88.4% for Lamivudine/Zidovudine).
Conclusions It is feasible to assess treatment adherence of patients living in a low resource setting on HAART by using electronic monitors. Adherence, even in the early stages of treatment, appears to be insufficient in some patients and may be below the level required for continuous inhibition of viral replication. This approach may lead to improved targeting of counselling about their medication intake of such patients in order to prevent occurrence of resistant viral strains due to inadequate inhibition of viral replication. In this pilot study a significant difference between the data recorded through the electronic monitors and those provided by self-reporting was observed. | ADHERENCE,HAART,"MEMS caps","ANTIRETROVIRAL ADHERENCE",CLINICAL-PRACTICE,COMBINATIONS,DIDANOSINE,DRUG-RESISTANCE,"INFECTED PATIENTS",NEVIRAPINE,"PROTEASE INHIBITORS",SELF-REPORT,ZIDOVUDINE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000240696300003 | Process evaluation of the teacher training for an AIDS prevention programme | Ahmed, Nazeema,Flisher, Alan J.,Jansen, Shahieda,Mathews, Catherine,Mukoma, Wanjiru,Schaalma, Herman | 2006 | HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH | 21 | 5 | 10.1093/her/cyl031 | Maastricht University, South African Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town | None | This paper provides a process evaluation of a 6-day teacher training programme which forms part of a sexuality education project. The training aimed at providing teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach a 16-lesson Grade 8 (14 year olds) life skills curriculum consisting of participatory exercises on sexual reproductive health, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexual decision-making, abstinence, consequences of sexual activity, safe sex practices, substance abuse and sexual violence. Questionnaires administered prior to the training, on completion of the training and at two follow-up time periods were analysed as well as participant observation notes. Findings indicate that teachers reported increased confidence and comfort in teaching the sexuality curriculum. However, many struggled with the transfer of sexual reproductive knowledge and facilitative teaching methods into the classroom context. This highlights the need for HIV education to form part of teacher trainee programmes. Ongoing support and engagement with teachers is needed to encourage alternative teaching practices. | ,CURRICULUM,DIFFUSION,HEALTH,"HIGH-SCHOOL TEACHERS","HIV PREVENTION",IMPLEMENTATION,INTERVENTION,"SEX-EDUCATION PROGRAM","SEXUALITY EDUCATION",SOUTH-AFRICA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267828800005 | Process evaluation of a school-based HIV/AIDS intervention in South Africa | Ahmed, Nazeema,Flisher, Alan J.,Jansen, Shahieda,Klepp, Knut-Inge,Mathews, Catherine,Mukoma, Wanjiru,Schaalma, Herman | 2009 | SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH | 37 | None | 10.1177/1403494808090631 | Maastricht University, University of Cape Town, University of Oslo | None | Aims: This paper presents a process evaluation that assessed the fidelity and quality of implementation, as well as the acceptability and subjective evaluations of a HIV/AIDS intervention among students and teachers. Methods: The process evaluation was conducted as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial of a theory- and evidence-based school HIV/AIDS intervention in Cape Town. The intervention was designed for grade 8 high school students and delivered by teachers over a six-month period. Twenty-six schools participated in the trial, 13 in the intervention group and 13 in the control group. Results: The success of implementation was varied within and across the schools, with some teachers implementing the intervention with more fidelity than others. This was influenced by a combination of individual characteristics and institutional factors. The factors that aided implementation included compliance with the current outcomes-based education approach; provision of teacher training; provision of teacher manuals with detailed information and instructions about the lessons and activities; continued monitoring and support for teachers; and student enthusiasm for the lessons. Proper implementation was hindered by large class sizes; too many activities in the intervention; teacher resistance to and inexperience in using participatory methods; teacher turnover; the low status of life orientation compared to other subjects; and a general disregard for life orientation among students. Conclusions: These findings are important for improving the intervention and contextualizing the results of the outcome evaluation; and to better plan for further large scale dissemination of school-based HIV/AIDS intervention programmes. | ADOLESCENTS,HIV/AIDS,"process evaluation",SCHOOL,"SOUTH AFRICA","AIDS EDUCATION","DELIVERED SEX-EDUCATION",HEALTH,"HIV PREVENTION",IMPLEMENTATION,PROGRAM,TEACHERS,YOUTH | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000317444800005 | School feeding and educational access in rural Ghana: Is poor targeting and delivery limiting impact? | Bosumtwi-Sam, Cynthia,Essuman, Ato | 2013 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 33 | 3 | 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.09.011 | Management Consulting & Educ Res | None | In an effort to address social imbalances and equity in Ghana's education delivery and to achieve her Education for All (EFA) agenda, some pro-poor programmes have been introduced. Among these is the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) that aims among others, at providing safety nets for the poor, increasing school enrolment in addition to boosting domestic food production. While this programme has been implemented since 2005, there is paucity of information on the experiences of beneficiaries and implementers. The GSFP has been designed as a national programme to feed children in public kindergarten and primary schools, based on a single implementation framework. This single implementation framework does not make room for contextualization of programme implementation and allow the tapping into the knowledge base of both the school and the community in making judgments about who is really needy and who is not. Thus, the study sought to explore the experiences of beneficiaries and implementers of the programme within three rural communities in Ghana, using interviews and observations. Challenges of programme delivery, which include prolonged time spent on serving, eating and cleaning up, counter effective teaching and learning and pose a threat to education quality. There are policy conflicts, funding challenges and issues about targeting and sustainability of the programme. These give credence to the need to understand the local dynamics of poverty and how they affect demand for educational access in rural contexts. The paper finally proffers ways in which insights gained from these experiences can contribute to the current discourse on School Feeding Programmes in the context of developing economies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | "educational access",POVERTY,"school feeding","social safety nets",TARGETING,OUTCOMES,POVERTY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000251053500027 | The impact of lexicographical work on language use: The case of shona monolingual dictionaries in Zimbabwe | Mapara, J.,Nyota, S. | 2007 | LEXIKOS | 17 | None | None | Masvingo State Univ | None | This article examines the impact of current lexicographical work in Zimbabwe on some sectors of Shona language use, namely education, media, medicine and local government. It looks specifically at Shona monolingual lexicographical projects completed by the African Languages Research Institute (ALRI),. successor to the African Languages Lexical Project (ALLEX). It analyses how users of Shona in these particular sectors are responding to the different lexicographical products published by ALRI. The article maintains that Shona monolingual lexicography has resulted in language raising and awareness. It has also led to term creation and has contributed towards standardisation of the language. Shona has furthermore gained the abstractive power it needs to explain its own and other concepts. All these have caused diglossia leakage from Low (L) Shona to High (H) Shona in some areas of Shona language usage. The overall effect is that Shona is now used in some formal sectors such as the above-mentioned ones which previously were the preserve of English in Zimbabwe. | ALLEX,ALRI,DICTIONARIES,"GENERAL DICTIONARIES","language awareness","language raising","LANGUAGE USE","monolingual lexicography",SLCA,Specialised,standardisation | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000257863300008 | Southern African AIDS Trust - An evaluation of the process and outcomes of community-based partner graduation | Ismail, Hamida,Simon, Lisa D. | 2008 | CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH-REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE | 99 | None | None | McMaster University, University of Toronto, So African AIDS Trust | None | Objectives: To assess the partner graduation process used by SAT, the barriers partners face to graduation, and the outcomes following graduation, as well as to recommend directions for formalizing the graduation process into a more efficient and effective strategy.
Methods: The quantitative component of this evaluation described existing data on graduated partners. The qualitative component collected data through semi-structured interviews with SAT regional and national staff, and both current long-term and graduated partners, with an emphasis on SAT's operations in Zambia and Zimbabwe. A participatory staff workshop allowed for the review of findings and recommendations.
Results: SAT has graduated 31 implementing partners in its 5 core programming countries, after an average partnership duration of 6.5 years each. The graduation process has generally operated in accordance with SAT's guidelines regarding criteria and timeline, but has also involved considerable judgement, as SAT does not form explicit graduation strategies with partners. Key barriers to graduation included partners' challenges with resource mobilization and high staff turnover, as well as the reduced clarity around the graduation process itself for both SAT staff and partners. The outcomes of the graduated partners interviewed revealed strong sustainability of organizational systems, but mixed sustainability of financial resources and resource-dependent features. SAT staff provided many recommendations for addressing partners' challenges, and for improving and formalizing the graduation process.
Discussion: The efficiency and sustainability of SAT's work could be improved with the development of an explicit and individualized graduation strategy with each partner. An enhanced and earlier focus on fundraising, sustainability, and human resources would also remove barriers to graduation and help improve outcomes. | Africa,"EVALUATION STUDIES",HIV,ORGANIZATIONS,SOUTHERN,"World health" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000305644400001 | Social impact of HIV/AIDS on clients attending a teaching hospital in Southern Nigeria | Johnson, Ofonime E. | 2012 | SAHARA J-JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ASPECTS OF HIV-AIDS | 9 | 2 | 10.1080/17290376.2012.683578 | Med Coll Publ Hlth FMCPH, Univ Uyo, W African Coll Phys FWACP | None | People living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA) face numerous social challenges. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of self-disclosure of status by PLWHA, to describe the level and patterns of stigma and discrimination, if any, experienced by the PLWHA and to assess the effect of sero-positivity on the attitude of friends, family members, health workers, colleagues and community. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among PLWHA attending the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Southern Nigeria. Information was obtained using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire, which was analysed using the Epi 6 software. A total of 331 respondents were interviewed. A majority, 256 (77.3%), of the respondents were within the age range of 25-44 years. A total of 121 (36.6%) PLWHA were single and 151 (46.6%) were married, while the rest were widowed, divorced or separated. A majority, 129 (85.4%), of the married respondents disclosed their status to their spouses and 65 (50.4%) were supportive. Apart from spouses, disclosure to mothers (39.9%) was highest. Most clients (57.7%) did not disclose their status to people outside their immediate families for fear of stigmatization. Up to 111 (80.4%) of the respondents working for others did not disclose their status to their employers. Among those whose status was known, discrimination was reported to be highest among friends (23.2%) and at the workplace (20.2%). Attitudes such as hostility (14.5%), withdrawal (11.7%) and neglect (6.8%) were reported from the private hospitals. Apart from disclosure to spouses, the level of disclosure to others was very low. Those whose status was known mainly received acceptance from their families but faced discriminatory attitudes such as hostility, neglect and withdrawal from friends, colleagues and hospital workers. There is a need for more enlightenment campaigns on HIV/AIDS by stakeholders to reduce stigma and discrimination and ensure adequate integration of PLWHA into the society. | DISCLOSURE,DISCRIMINATION,"enlightenment campaigns",sero-positivity,STIGMA,workplaces,"DISCRIMINATORY ATTITUDES" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000226574200004 | Evaluation criteria for district health management information systems: lessons from the Ministry of Health, Kenya | Odhiambo-Otieno, GW | 2005 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS | 74 | 1 | 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2004.09.003 | Moi University | None | Introduction: There has been no comprehensive evaluation of the district health management information systems (DHMISs) since the establishment of these systems by the Ministry of Health (MoH), in Kenya. This is partly due to lack of defined criteria for evaluating the systems. The objective of this study is to design evaluation criteria for assessing the viability, sustainability and ultimate contribution of DHMIS in the management of the district health system (DHS) in Kenya.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in three DHSs in Kenya. Empirical evidence was collected through interviews, complemented by a comprehensive review of relevant literature, reports and operational manuals of various health information systems in Kenya.
Results: A set of evaluation criteria for DHMISs in Kenya was designed for each of the three phases of implementation: phase one-pre-implementation evaluation criteria (categorized as policy and objectives, technical feasibility.. financial viability, political viability and administrative operability) to be applied at the design stage; phase two-concurrent (operational) implementation evaluation criteria to be applied during implementation of the new system; phase three post-implementation evaluation criteria (classified as internal-quality of information; external-resources and managerial support; ultimate-systems impact) to be applied after operating the implemented system for at least 3 years.
Conclusions: In designing a DHMIS model there is need to have built-in these three sets of evaluation criteria which should be used in a phased manner. Preimplementation evaluation criteria should be used to evaluate the system's viability before more resources are committed to its implementation; concurrent (operational) implementation evaluation criteria should be used to ascertain the status of the on-going implementation with the view to either fine-tune or abandon it altogether before more resources are used on it; and post-implementation evaluation criteria should be used to assess its overall effectiveness (if it has achieved its hypothesized benefits) towards the management of DHS. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. | "DISTRICT HEALTH MANAGEMENT","district health system","evaluation criteria","INFORMATION SYSTEM" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000288998900005 | Community resource centres in Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma regions in Tanzania: an evaluation of their development needs, usefulness, and the way forward | Charbonneau, DH,Mcharazo, Alli A. S. | 2008 | GLOBAL INFORMATION INEQUALITIES: BRIDGING THE INFORMATION GAP | None | None | None | Muhimbili Univ Hlth & Allied Sci | None | None | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000305821500007 | The impact of a psychiatry clinical rotation on the attitude of Nigerian medical students to psychiatry | Abayomi, O.,Adebowale, T. O.,Adelufosi, A. O.,Ogunwale, A.,Ojo, T. M. | 2012 | AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY | 15 | 3 | 10.4314/ajpsy.v15i3.24 | Neuropsychiat Hosp | None | Objective: Undergraduate medical students have ingrained and often negative attitudes towards psychiatry as a field and as a career. This in turn has affected recruitment of graduate medical students into the specialty Little is known about the impact of psychiatry rotations during undergraduate medical training on students' attitudes about psychiatry and eventual specialty choice in developing countries. This study examined the impact of a psychiatry clinical rotation on medical students' attitudes to psychiatry and possible career choice. Method: Eighty-one and one hundred and six fifth year medical students completed the ATP-30, socio-demographic and career choice questionnaires at the beginning and the end of a four week clinical rotation respectively Results: The overall attitude of the students to psychiatry was favourable at the beginning of the rotation with significant improvement following the rotation (p=0.003). Significant improvement in attitude was observed among female and younger students. Students who indicated preference for specialties other than psychiatry showed a greater improvement in their attitude to psychiatry following the rotation (p=0.011). The rotation however did not enhance students' preference for psychiatry as a future career. Conclusion: The four-week clinical rotation in psychiatry resulted in increased mean attitudinal score, but not in enhanced preference for psychiatry as a career. | ATTITUDE,"MEDICAL STUDENTS",NIGERIA,PSYCHIATRY,CAREER,CHOICE,SCHOOL | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000306624400004 | Job rotation program evaluation: the Niger Delta University Library | Baro, Emmanuel E. | 2012 | ASLIB PROCEEDINGS | 64 | 4 | 10.1108/00012531211244743 | Niger Delta Univ | None | Purpose - Since 2004 the Niger Delta University Library has adopted a job rotation program to help solve manpower and skills acquisition problems. The study reported in this paper aimed to evaluate the Niger Delta University job rotation program, including the impact of the program on newly employed librarians and their job performance, and the university library.
Design/methodology/approach - The study has two parts. Firstly, the paper reports results from focus group interviews with Niger Delta University librarians who participated in the job rotation program. Secondly, an interview was conducted with the Niger Delta University librarian who adopted the job rotation program to elicit insights into the impact and challenges of the library job rotation program. The Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick four-level evaluation framework was chosen to use as a framework for the evaluation of the responses.
Findings- The study revealed that the job rotation program is an important program for allowing librarians to acquire new skills, enhance staff productivity, develop new relationships across the university library and gain skills needed for gain skills needed for future career advancement. The participants in the career advancement. The participants in the job rotation program who were interviewed showed a high level of satisfaction with the program.
Practical implications - The findings of this study will inform library administrators or management about the adoption of job rotation programs in their libraries. Many university libraries have problems with a lack of skills experienced by new librarians and also as a staff development tool in the workplace.
Originality/value - The paper calls for proactive effort by university libraries to adopt new strategies to enhance skills development for efficient productivity. | "ACADEMIC LIBRARIES","JOB MOBILITY","job rotation","library management",NIGERIA,"skills acquisition","skills flexibility" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000209023900007 | Beyond Smiling: The Evaluation of a Positive Psychological Intervention Aimed at Student Happiness | Rothmann, Sebastiaan,Van Zyl, Llewellyn Ellardus | 2012 | JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA | 22 | 3 | 10.1080/14330237.2012.10820541 | North West Univ VTC | None | The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a positive psychological intervention (PPI) aimed at increasing happiness of students in a tertiary educational institution. A convenience sample (n = 20) was drawn from the entire population of academic third year students in the field of Industrial/Organisational psychology (n = 109). The majority of the participants were Sesotho speaking (45%), black (95%), female (90%), and 21 years of age (45%). A single group pre-, post-, and post-post-test design was used. The PPI stretched across eight months and was presented in two phases: (a) a three day self-development workshop and (b) six sessions of individual coaching. The intervention focused on facilitating development on two levels, namely a psychological (engagement, meaning, person-environment fit, autonomy, competence, relatedness and authenticity), and emotional (pleasure, affect balance and life satisfaction) level. Data were collected using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Orientations to Happiness Questionnaire, Basic Psychological Needs Scale, the Authentic Self Inventory and Person-Environment Fit scale. The results indicated that the overall happiness of a student increased through developing individuals on both an emotional and psychological level. The PPI affected all the aspects conceptualised in this study, except for two components of authenticity. Therefore, a multi-dimensional approach towards PPIs aimed at happiness of students in a tertiary educational environment may contribute to happy students. | COACHING,HAPPINESS,"Positive psychological intervention","positive psychology","TERTIARY EDUCATION" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000242174400002 | The implementation and evaluation of a behaviour-based safety intervention at an iron ore mine | Moller, G. P.,Rothmann, S. | 2006 | SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES | 9 | 3 | None | North West University - South Africa | None | It is estimated that workers worldwide suffer 250 million accidents each year, with 330000 fatalities. This is despite the implementation of traditional safety interventions like safety engineering. Little emphasis has thus far been placed on behavioural interventions to improve safety culture and performance in the workplace. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent the safety culture and safety performance in an iron ore mine were affected by the implementation of a behaviour-based safety intervention. A longitudinal design was used. The sample consisted of 562 employees of an iron ore mine. The results showed that the implementation of the safety intervention brought about an improvement in the safety culture at the mine, and positively impacted on the number of lost-time injuries. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000243641700005 | A performance evaluation of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) processes within the South African context | Retief, Francois | 2007 | ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW | 27 | 1 | 10.1016/j.eiar.2006.08.002 | North West University - South Africa | None | SEA has been described as being more about process than about product. Yet very little research has been conducted to gain a better understanding of how SEA processes perform within developing country contexts. To address this gap in knowledge the research underlying this paper aimed to evaluate the quality of SEA processes within the South African context against specifically designed key performance indicators. Comparison of the different data patterns revealed general SEA process features as well as three broad models, namely the 'stand alone', 'central to decision making' and 'integrated' models. The research results suggest a particularly poor performance in terms of process quality for the SEA case studies investigated. Moreover, it shows that there is no one understanding of SEA process within the South African context. The main limitations related to a weak understanding of the decision making processes SEA aimed to inform, as well as an inability to incorporate flexibility into process design. To take the debate forward it is proposed that SEA follow-up and effectiveness research be explored to determine which of these models (if any) ultimately contributed to influencing decision making and promote sustainability. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | "key performance indicators","PERFORMANCE EVALUATION","process quality","STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000278488800003 | Evaluation of the Cummins theoretical framework for higher education in South Africa | Coetzee-Van Rooy, Susan | 2010 | SOUTHERN AFRICAN LINGUISTICS AND APPLIED LANGUAGE STUDIES | 28 | 1 | 10.2989/16073614.2010.488443 | North West University - South Africa | None | In the context of the successful bilingual education of children, the value of the theoretical framework of Jim Cummins is acknowledged by educators and researchers worldwide. This framework is also used extensively in South Africa to provide a structure for educators and researchers that are interested in the relationships between bi- and/or multilingualism and academic success in schools.
Cummins consistently describes the context (types of learners, educational and political system, language landscape) within which his theoretical framework is operational and is careful not to extrapolate findings and implications to other contexts. Despite this sensitive approach to context, the framework is extended to the higher-education context in South Africa regularly. The extension of this framework beyond its original context to the higher-education context in South Africa attests to the engagement of higher-education practitioners to understand the relationship between language (specifically medium of instruction) and academic success in South Africa, as well as to the 'face validity' of the framework.
In this article, the appropriateness of applying the Cummins theoretical framework to the higher-education context in South Africa is evaluated. Implications for the use of the framework in this context are explored. | ,LANGUAGE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267888500001 | Evaluation of HIV/AIDS secondary school peer education in rural Nigeria | Otte, Willem M.,van der Maas, Frank | 2009 | HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH | 24 | 4 | 10.1093/her/cyn056 | Nwofe Iseke | None | In this study, we assessed whether peer education is an effective method of HIV/AIDS awareness, in terms of knowledge, misconception and behavior, among adolescents in the rural area of Nigeria. A comparative case series (n = 250), cross-sectional structured survey (n = 135) and focus group discussions (n = 80) were undertaken among adolescents. In both the case series and structured survey, a questionnaire was used which addresses the following issues: socio-demography, knowledge on transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, accessibility to different sources of HIV/AIDS information, stigmatization and sexual behavior. Binary logistic regression was applied to compare responses from the peer-educated and not peer-educated populations. The model was adjusted for confounders. We demonstrated increased knowledge and decreased misconception and sexual risk behavior in adolescents receiving peer education as compared to adolescents not receiving peer education. These differences are apparent both over time (2005-2007) and cross-sectional (2007). In conclusion, peer education in rural areas can be effective in HIV/AIDS prevention. Knowledge and behavior can be influenced positively. | ,"AFRICAN YOUTH",AIDS,"HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMS",KNOWLEDGE,PEOPLE,RISK | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000285526700005 | The impact of internet use on teaching, learning and research activities in Nigerian universities A case study of Obafemi Awolowo University | Nwezeh, Chinwe M. T. | 2010 | ELECTRONIC LIBRARY | 28 | 5 | 10.1108/02640471011081960 | Obafemi Awolowo University | None | Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of internet resources and the evaluation of their usefulness on teaching, learning and research in Nigerian universities with particular emphasis on Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on a descriptive survey using questionnaires for data collection. The respondents constitute students (750) and academic staff (115) from OAU. Descriptive statistics (frequency counts and percentages) were used to analyze the data.
Findings - The results from the paper reveal that a majority of the surveyed academic staff and the students found the internet to be very useful. Internet resources mostly used by both groups were e-mail and the world wide web (WWW). Search interfaces were used for looking for research information. It was discovered that the users were not given adequate user education to enable them make use of the internet resources available.
Originality/value - That the internet is widely used is not a surprise, but the paper points to the fact that more conscious efforts must be made in the introduction of user education and information literacy programmes, as well as in staff training on information and communication technology resources in the library. | "INFORMATION LITERACY",INTERNET,NIGERIA,"university libraries","USER STUDIES",INFORMATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000317797800002 | Impact of health informatics on nurses' computer skills and the role of the library | Ajayi, N. A. | 2013 | ELECTRONIC LIBRARY | 31 | 2 | 10.1108/02640471311312357 | Obafemi Awolowo University | None | Purpose - The concept of the paper is how the library can be a useful framework for designing nurses' computer skills. The overarching aim of the research is to focus on how the computer skills involved in nurses' increasing access to health informatics can be used to improve nursing practice, consequently leading to better health care delivery. The objectives involved in achieving this aim include: finding out the level of nurses' computer literacy; finding out nurses' quest for electronic information for problem-based nursing practice; investigating nurses' level of awareness of research-based nursing practice; and finding out areas of desirability of informatics in nursing practice.
Design/methodology/approach - The measuring instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire to senior nursing cadres in the Teaching Hospitals Complex, lie-He, Nigeria. There were 230 nurses in these categories, of whom 180 were given questionnaires to fill in. The questionnaire was pre-tested and validated. A total of 167 copies were returned and found to be usable. Simple percentages and a summation weighted index were used to analyse the data.
Findings - The paper provides empirical insight into nurses' computer skills and the library's role. The majority of the respondents did not have knowledge of computers; in the School of Nursing they learned it through various means while practising, while a few could access and retrieve information from the available databases. Some difficulties were expressed, such as workload, lack of skills, location of the library with regard to the hospital, etc. The desirability of the introduction of health informatics to the profession is high.
Research limitations/implications - The study is limited to a teaching hospital and the results may not be generalisable to non-teaching hospitals, hence the need for further studies. Practical implications - The impact of health informatics on nurses' computer skills and the library's role will save nurses from routine work, enhance their productivity, and will equip them better for the challenges that information technology presents for health professionals.
Originality/value - This paper fulfils and identifies the need to introduce health informatics to nursing practice in order to improve patient care. | "ACADEMIC LIBRARIES","ELECTRONIC LIBRARIES",HOSPITALS,LIBRARIES,NIGERIA,NURSES,"SKILLS TRAINING",ATTITUDES | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000306206800001 | Livelihoods of fringe communities and the impacts on the management of conservation area: the case of Kakum National Park in Ghana | Amoah, M.,Wiafe, E. D. | 2012 | INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY REVIEW | 14 | 2 | None | Presbyterian Univ Coll, Univ Educ Winneba | None | In the developing countries most of the rural communities depend on forest resources for their livelihood. The establishment of protected areas and national parks however deprive them of having access to these resources. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study assessed the NTFPs collection situation of the fringe communities after the establishment of Kakum National Park, the extent to which the livelihood of the communities has been improved, and how the presence or absence of livelihood improvement strategies has shaped the attitudes and perceptions of the fringe communities toward the national park. The results showed that about 17% of the household leaders were unemployed. Livelihood support strategies such as livelihood alternatives and enhancement, social capital and sociological tourism were found to be absent. Opinion leaders of the communities reported that no member is involved in the management of the park. In spite of restrictions, majority (88.4%) of the household members enter the national park for NTFP collection. Hunting was found to be third highest activity. The households reported that majority of the NTFPs they collect were not processed indicating that their capacities to add value to the resource have not been developed. They believe that value addition to NTFPs could increase their income levels but did not support the theory that it could safeguard the future availability of forest resources and contribute to their sustainability. The respondents believed that once the resources are in abundance they must be exploited to meet their socio-economic needs, suggesting the nexus between illegal entry to conservation area and unsustainable exploitation of forest resources. The paper concludes that when restrictions are placed on access to forest resources and no alternative sources of income are made, illegal entry becomes the norm. The illegal NTFPs collectors would not view the resources as "their own" and would exploit them in an unsustainable way to meet their needs. | "Forest resources","multi-dimensional approach",RESTRICTIONS,"social capital","Sociological tourism","BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION",CAMEROON,DEVELOPMENT-PROJECTS,ELEPHANTS,FOREST-PRODUCTS,"INTEGRATED CONSERVATION",WILDLIFE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000294754600003 | Potential sociological impacts of unfair treatment of seafarers | Manuel, Michael Ekow | 2011 | MARITIME POLICY & MANAGEMENT | 38 | 1 | 10.1080/03088839.2010.533714 | Reg Maritime Univ | None | World trade is dependent on shipping. The ships which facilitate this trade are crewed by thousands of men and women from many different nations. In light of recent incidents/accidents which have drawn adverse media attention to the industry, there has been increased focus on international shipping via various legislative and administrative measures. One consequence of the adverse attention seems to be the way that individuals who crew the ships are being treated in various jurisdictions. This paper discusses some potential sociological impacts of what is often perceived to be the unfair treatment of seafarers and how such sociological impacts may have more technical consequences (impacts) related to risk. It generates some hypothetical positions for the purposes of discussion and is not based on empirical findings. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000281700300008 | A REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS TO MONITOR, EVALUATE AND ASSESS THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES | Gumbi, Sibongile | 2010 | SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE | 106 | 42924 | 10.4102/sajs.v106i7/8.323 | Smart Innovat | None | The conversion of scientific discoveries to new products and processes and their launch onto the market can be a lengthy process. Similarly, it takes many years before the impact of scientific research on society and the economy is realised and a further length of time before its performance can be measured. Higher education and research institutions, and their governments, often make significant investments into intellectual property management and technology transfer activities through legislative and policy development, human resource development, financial allocation and infrastructure improvement. Since returns on such investments are not immediately apparent, it is important to establish a means by which the impact of their efforts can be determined. In this paper, I examined the measures and indicators that could be developed by institutions and their stakeholders in order to monitor, evaluate and determine the impact of research output and outcomes on the market. | "higher education and research institutions","IMPACT ASSESSMENT","INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY","monitoring and evaluation","PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT","RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT","TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000305201600009 | Measuring and monitoring energy access: Decision-support tools for policymakers in Africa | Hailu, Yohannes G. | 2012 | ENERGY POLICY | 47 | None | 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.03.065 | United Nations Econ Commiss Africa ECA | None | A significant number of African States have adapted energy access targets. In evaluating progress towards these goals, measuring and monitoring energy access becomes relevant. This paper reviews energy access indicators and identifies their utility and challenges in their application. By focusing on Africa, a broader framework for energy access measurement and monitoring is discussed. along with implementation barriers and potential solutions. To demonstrate the utility of energy access decision-support tool in Africa, a scenario analysis in five regional energy pools is conducted using the Energy Spending Model tool. Institutionalizing monitoring and decision-support tools can provide valuable feedback to policymakers aiming to design and implement effective energy access programs serving a growing population in Africa. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | "DECISION SUPPORT","energy access","policy targets",URBAN-POOR | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000340988400006 | Priority setting for evaluation: Developing a strategic evaluation portfolio | Battaglino, C.,Norgbey, S.,Spilsbury, M. J. | 2014 | EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING | 46 | None | 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.05.008 | United Nations Headquarters Nairobi | None | Resources for evaluation are frequently scarce and best use should be made of them to deliver against the typical purposes of an evaluation function to (i) enhance accountability and (ii) promote operational improvement and learning. This paper presents a method for analyzing and prioritizing potential evaluations to improve the selection of a portfolio of activities that give the greatest pay-off. The method establishes the relative priority of 'evaluation opportunities' against criteria that relate to the usual primary purposes of an evaluation function. The method was developed in the context of a multilateral organization but is of general utility to the wider evaluation community and, with suitable adaptation can be applied to help ensure that scarce evaluation resources are used to their best advantage.
A range of benefits are expected to accrue to an organization from adopting a more thorough, analytical priority setting process. These include:
Enhancing the relevance of evaluations to the wider organizational agenda
Providing structured justification for allocating funds to evaluation activities
More transparent, predictable decision-making
Enabling realignment of evaluation priorities with changing needs and circumstances
Improved credibility with stakeholders
Providing a clear direction and sense of purpose to evaluation staff
Documenting a clear framework for the development of an organization's evaluation portfolio.
The paper describes a priority setting method, including the key criteria that are used to assess 'evaluation opportunities', and presents different analyses of an evaluation portfolio. Examples from a practical application of the approach to the preparation of an evaluation work plan in a multilateral environmental agency are given. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000277528100007 | THE IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON LEVELS AND TRENDS OF HIV-RELATED STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION IN NIGERIA: TOOLS FOR ENHANCING EFFECTIVE HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMMES | Adebayo, S. B.,Ankomah, A.,Anyanti, J.,Fakolade, R. | 2010 | JOURNAL OF BIOSOCIAL SCIENCE | 42 | 3 | 10.1017/S0021932009990538 | Soc Family Hlth | None | People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) often face stigma and discrimination, especially in developing countries. HIV-related stigma is expressed through social ostracism, personal rejection, direct and indirect discrimination, and denial from families and friends. Consequently, it is associated with reduced adoption of preventive and care behaviours, including condom use, seeking for HIV test and care-seeking behaviour subsequent to diagnosis. Ignorance about the epidemiology of the disease on modes of transmission and prevention aggravates HI V-related stigma in Nigeria. Behaviour change communication activities through mass media have been shown to be an effective approach in improving people's knowledge about the disease. This paper monitors trends in the level of accepting attitudes towards PLWHAs in Nigeria between 2003 and 2007. It also evaluates the impact of exposure to mass media and social support on the levels of accepting attitudes towards PLWHAs. A significant and positive trend was evident between 2003 and 2007 (p<0.0001). Furthermore, exposure to mass media communications on HIV and AIDS issues and social support were significantly related to the reduced stigma and discrimination against PLWHAs (p<0.0001). | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000293559000014 | Evaluating Agricultural Research and Extension in Tanzania: the Production Function Approach | Anandajayasekeram, P,Babu, S,Isinika, A. C.,Keswani, CL,Liebenberg, F,Rukuni, M | 2007 | IMPACT OF SCIENCE ON AFRICAN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY | None | None | None | Sokoine University of Agriculture | None | Agricultural research in Tanzania began in 1923 on sorghum and cotton. Since then, the number of research stations and institutions involved in agricultural research has increased. However, there are very few evaluations of the performance of agricultural research. This study uses the production function approach to assess the efficiency of investments in agricultural research and extension from 1971 to 1992. Results of the regression analysis showed that the total factor productivity for crop production in Tanzania is responsive to expenditures on research while it is not responsive to expenditure on agricultural extension. The model also shows that total factor productivity for crop production was not significantly responsive to the literacy rate of farmers, rainfall and lagged export earnings. The study concludes that since the marginal rate of return of investment in agricultural research is greater than the social rate of return, continued funding of agricultural research by both government and private sector is encouraged. The marginal rate of return was found to be low. This calls for efforts to improve extension and enhance the linkages between agricultural research and extension. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000226560400004 | The impact of adult mortality and parental deaths on primary schooling in north-western Tanzania | Ainsworth, M,Beegle, K,Koda, G | 2005 | JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES | 41 | 3 | 10.1080/0022038042000313318 | The World Bank, University of Dar es Salaam | None | Mortality of parents and other adults due to the African AIDS epidemic could reduce children's primary schooling by reducing households' ability to pay fees, raising the opportunity cost of children's time, and leaving orphaned children with guardians who care less about their education than would their parents. This study measures the impact of adult deaths and orphan status on primary school attendance and hours spent at school using a panel household survey from north-western Tanzania, an area hard-hit by the AIDS epidemic. Attendance was delayed for maternal orphans and children in poor households with a recent adult death; there was no evidence that children 7-14 dropped out of primary school due to orphan status or adult deaths. However, among children already attending, school hours were significantly lower in the months prior to an adult death in the household and seemed to recover following the death. In addition, girls sharply reduced their hours in school immediately after losing a parent.
Improvements in school quality and better access to secondary education would improve outcomes for all children, including those affected by adult AIDS mortality. Beyond that, public policy needs to focus on the special schooling constraints faced by children affected by adult deaths, both in terms of increased opportunity costs of their time and the psychological impacts, with an eye to how they might be mitigated and at what cost. | ,AIDS,COUNTRIES,"HIV-1 INFECTION","KAGERA REGION",PREVALENCE,"RURAL TANZANIA","SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000301791400094 | The impact of microcredit programmes on survivalist women entrepreneurs in The Gambia and Senegal | Casier, Bart,Chant, S | 2010 | INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK OF GENDER AND POVERTY: CONCEPTS, RESEARCH, POLICY | None | None | None | TRIAS Reg Off | None | None | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000304472900001 | The Moral Case for Restorative Justice as a Corollary of the Responsibility to Protect: A Rwandan Case Study of the Insufficiency of Impact of Retributive Justice on the Rights and Well-Being of Genocide Survivors | Schimmel, Noam | 2012 | JOURNAL OF HUMAN RIGHTS | 11 | 2 | 10.1080/14754835.2012.674454 | UN Int Criminal Tribunal Rwanda | None | This article analyzes how the current framework of retributive justice pursued by the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda fails to respect the human rights and to enable the well-being of Rwandan genocide survivors. Rwandan genocide survivors currently suffer from widespread poverty, lack of access to health care and housing, inadequate educational opportunity, and food insecurity and malnutrition. It calls for the application of restorative justice as an extension of the principle of the Responsibility to Protect for genocide survivors to be included in the remit of the Tribunal and UN humanitarian and development programs in Rwanda. It examines current and past restorative justice programs in various countries around the world to provide tangible examples of ways in which restorative justice can be implemented. It critically questions the moral logic of exclusive reliance on retributive justice that ignores the consequences of genocide by punishing the guilty without simultaneously assisting the victims. Finally, it urges that the Declaration of Basic Principles on Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Human Rights Violations and Article 75 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court be applied to the work of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. | ,REPARATIONS,TRAUMA,VICTIMS,VIOLENCE,WOMEN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000344435700005 | How effective are countercyclical policy tools in mitigating the impact of financial and economic crises in Africa? | Bandara, Amarakoon | 2014 | JOURNAL OF POLICY MODELING | 36 | 5 | 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2014.08.003 | United Nations Dev Programme | None | Using panel vector auto regression (PVAR) and GMM estimates we provide evidence for the transmission of financial crises to African economies through foreign direct investments and exports. Although many countries resort to stimulus packages to mitigate the impacts of financial crises, we find no evidence for fiscal policy to be considered an effective countercyclical policy tool in the African context. Monetary policy could be an effective tool in mitigating the impact in non-resource rich SSA countries, but not in others. Limited policy space calls for African economies to reconsider their policies towards trade, investment, finance and macroeconomic management. (C) 2014 Society for Policy Modeling. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | "financial crisis","fiscal stimulus","MONETARY POLICY",TRANSMISSION,"DYNAMIC HETEROGENEOUS PANELS",MARKETS,TIME | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000344366200005 | Impact of cost sharing on utilization of primary health care Services: providers versus household perspectives | Mushi, D. P. | 2014 | MALAWI MEDICAL JOURNAL | 26 | 3 | None | Univ Dar Es Salaam Tanzania | None | This study is set to match and compare results of the analysis of impacts of cost sharing on households with those on health-care providers in two selected districts in Tanzania. The setting is intended to establish and compare concurrently the impact of cost sharing on health-care utilization as viewed from both the providers and beneficiary households.
The findings of the study indicate that quality of primary health care has improved as a result of the introduction of cost sharing. Attendance and hence utilization in health facilities has also increased. Mortality rate, at least for one district has not worsened. By implication then, cost sharing appears to have a positive impact on the provision of primary health care, except for a few cases that fail to consult because of the fees. An appropriately managed exemption facility is likely to eliminate the negative impact. | ,FEES,KENYA,"USER CHARGES" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000259280900015 | The design and evaluation of a hope enhancement programme for adults | Pretorius, Charl,Temane, Michael,Venter, Chris,Wissing, Marie | 2008 | JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA | 18 | 2 | None | Univ NW | None | The study evaluated the effectiveness of a hope enhancement programme for a group of adults and its impact on general psychological well-being. The intervention programme focused on participants' abilities to set feasible goals, planning ways to reach those goals (pathways) and increase determination and motivation (agency) to reach these goals. The workshop-format programme, consisted of six two-hour sessions conducted over five days. A pre and post-test design included an experimental group (n = 8), control group (n = 8) and 'chat group' (n = 8). Findings indicated that the programme increased hope levels of the experimental group as indicated by the Hope Scale and the Hopefulness Subscale of the Hunter Opinions and Personal Expectations Scale. Well-being also improved as indicated by a significant increase in sense of coherence along with a positive change in satisfaction with life. Recommendations for future research were made. | HOPE,"hope enhancement","programme evaluation","psychological well-being","SATISFACTION WITH LIFE","SENSE OF COHERENCE","COHERENCE SCALE",HAPPINESS,"LIFE SCALE",MENTAL-HEALTH,OPTIMISM,SATISFACTION,SELF-EFFICACY,SENSE,STRENGTH,VALIDATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000234123500009 | Impact of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness on inequalities in child health in rural Tanzania | de Savigny, D,Masanja, H,MSHINDA, H,SCHELLENBERG, JA,VICTORA, CG | 2005 | HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING | 20 | None | 10.1093/heapol/czi054 | Universidade Federal de Pelotas, University of Basel, University of London, Ifakara Hlth Res & Dev Ctr, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute, Swiss Trop Inst, Tanzania Essential Hlth Intervent Project | None | We examined the impact of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy on the equality of health outcomes and access across socioeconomic gradients in rural Tanzania, by comparing changes in inequities between 1999 and 2002 in two districts with IMCI (Morogoro Rural and Rufiji) and two without (Kilombero and Ulanga).
Equity differentials for six child health indicators (underweight, stunting, measles immunization, access to treated and untreated nets, treatment of fever with antimalarial) improved significantly in IMCI districts compared with comparison districts (p < 0.05), while four indicators (wasting, DPT coverage, caretakers' knowledge of danger signs and appropriate careseeking) improved significantly in comparison districts compared with IMCI districts (p < 0.05). The largest improvements were observed for stunting among children between 24-59 months of age. The concentration index improved from -0.102 in 1999 to -0.032 in 2002 for IMCI, while it remained almost unchanged -0.122 to -0.133 in comparison districts. IMCI was associated with improved equity for measles vaccine coverage, whereas the opposite was observed for DPT antigens.
This study has shown how equity assessments can be incorporated in impact evaluation at relatively little additional cost, and how this may point to specific interventions that need to be reinforced. The introduction of IMCI led to improvements in child health that did not occur at the expense of equity. | "CHILD HEALTH","CHILD SURVIVAL",EQUITY,IMCI,"SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS",CARE,INEQUITIES,MORTALITY,POOR | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267930900003 | Nutritional monitoring of preschool-age children by community volunteers during armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Bisimwa, Ghislain,Donnen, Philippe,Dramaix, Michele,Mambo, Thierry,Mitangala, Prudence,Porignon, Denis,Schirvel, Carole | 2009 | FOOD AND NUTRITION BULLETIN | 30 | 2 | None | Universite Libre de Bruxelles | None | Background. The coverage of preschool preventive medical visits in developing countries is still low. Consequently, very few children benefit from continuous monitoring during the first 5 years of life.
Objective. To assess community volunteers' effectiveness in monitoring the growth of preschool-age children in a context of endemic malnutrition and armed conflict.
Methods. Community volunteers were selected by village committees and trained to monitor children growth in their respective villages. Community volunteers monitored 5,479 children under 5 years of age in the Lwiro Health Sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from January 2004 to December 2005 under the supervision of the district health office. Children weight was interpreted according to weight-for-age curves drawn on the growth sheet proposed by the World Health Organization and adopted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Results. During the 2-year program, the volunteers weighed children under 5 years of age monthly. The median percentage of children weighed per village varied between 80% and 90% for children of 12-59 months, and 80% and 100% for children of less than 12 months even during the conflict period. The median percentage of children between 12 and 59 months of age per village ranked as highly susceptible to malnutrition by the volunteers decreased from 4.2% (range, 0% to 35.3%) in 2004 to 2.8% (range, 0.0% to 18.9%) in 2005.
Conclusions. The decentralization of weighing of children to the community level could be an alternative for improving growth monitoring of preschool-age children in situations of armed conflict or political instability. This option also offers an opportunity to involve the community in malnutrition care and can be an entry point for other public health activities. | "armed conflict",COMMUNITY,"GROWTH MONITORING",MALNUTRITION,VOLUNTEERS,MALNUTRITION,RISK | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000305336100002 | Allocating Scarce Resources Strategically - An Evaluation and Discussion of the Global Fund's Pattern of Disbursements | Kinyua, Kelvin,McCoy, David | 2012 | PLOS ONE | 7 | 5 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0034749 | University College London, University of London, Aidspan | None | Background: The Global Fund is under pressure to improve its rationing of financial support. This study describes the GF's pattern of disbursements in relation to total health expenditure (THE), government health expenditure (GHE), income status and the burden of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. It also examines the potential for recipient countries to increase domestic public financing for health.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 104 countries that received Global Fund disbursements in 2009. It analyses data on Global Fund disbursements; health financing indicators; government revenue and expenditure; and burden of disease.
Findings: Global Fund disbursements made up 0.37% of THE across all 104 countries; but with considerable country variation ranging from 0.002% to 53.4%. Global Fund disbursements to government amounted to 0.47% of GHE across the 104 countries, but again with considerable variation (in three countries more than half of GHE was based on Global Fund support). Although the Global Fund provides progressively more funding for lower income countries on average, there is much variation at the country such that here was no correlation between per capita GF disbursements and per capita THE, nor between per capita GF disbursement to government and per capita GHE. There was only a slight positive correlation between per capita GF disbursement and burden of disease. Several countries with a high degree of 'financial dependency' upon the Fund have the potential to increase levels of domestic financing for health.
Discussion: The Global Fund can improve its targeting of resources so that it better matches the pattern of global need. To do this it needs to: a) reduce the extent to which funds are allocated on a demand-driven basis; and b) align its funding model to broader health systems financing and patterns of health expenditure beyond the three diseases. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000248904000009 | Setting priorities for safe motherhood programme evaluation: A participatory process in three developing countries | Achadi, Endang,Arhinful, Daniel Kojo,D'Ambruoso, Lucia,Hounton, Sennen,Hussein, Julia,Madi, Banyana Cecilia | 2007 | HEALTH POLICY | 83 | 1 | 10.1016/j.healthpol.2007.01.006 | University of Aberdeen, University of Ghana, IMMPACT Ctr Muraz | None | A participatory approach to priority setting in programme evaluation may help improve the allocation and more efficient use of scarce resources especially in low-income countries. Research agendas that are the result of collaboration between researchers, programme managers, policy makers and other stakeholders have the potential to ensure rigorous studies are conducted on matters of local priority, based on local, expert knowledge.
This paper describes a process involving key stakeholders to elicit and prioritise evaluation needs for safe motherhood in three developing countries. A series of reiterative consultations with safe motherhood stakeholders from each country was conducted over a period of 36 months. In each country, the consultation process consisted of a series of participatory workshops; firstly, stakeholder's views on evaluation were elicited with parallel descriptive work on the contexts. Secondly, priorities for evaluation were identified from stakeholders; thirdly, the evaluation-priorities were refined; and finally, the evaluation research questions, reflecting the identified priorities, were agreed and finalised. Three evaluation-questions were identified in each country, and one selected, on which a full scale evaluation was undertaken.
While there is a great deal written about the importance of transparent and participatory priority setting in evaluation; few examples of how such processes could be implemented exist, particularly for maternal health programmes. Our experience demonstrates that the investment in a participatory priority-setting effort is high but the process undertaken resulted in both globally and contextually-relevant priorities for evaluation. This experience provides useful lessons for public health practitioners committed to bridging the research-policy interface. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. | "participatory priority setting","programme evaluation","safe motherhood",REFORMS,"REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH-SERVICES" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000242756600009 | IT projects performance indices and evaluation | Akinyokun, O. C.,Chiemeke, S. C. | 2006 | JOURNAL OF TESTING AND EVALUATION | 34 | 6 | None | University of Benin, Bells Univ Technol | None | Information Technology (IT) is the fastest growing technology in the world today. Investment on IT projects in all the sectors of the world economy has been on the increase in the past ten years. This paper proposes 50 performance indices of IT projects and a tool for evaluating them. Some popular IT projects in Nigeria were surveyed by administering questionnaires and holding meetings with their principal actors. The performance indices were subjected to factor analysis by principal components using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Eleven factors were extracted and the percentage contribution of each factor to the success of IT projects was estimated. The total sum of the percentage contributions of all the factors was found to be less than 100. This revealed that there were some extraneous factors whose related performance indices were not considered in the administered questionnaire which were liable to play a significant role in the success of IT projects. Moreover, a factor scores coefficient matrix that can be used to estimate and rank the assessment of each Assessor of IT projects was generated. | EIGENVALUE,FACTOR,INDEX,ORTHOGONAL,PERFORMANCE,TRANSFORMATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000253427900007 | Evaluation of TB and HIV services prior to introducing TB-HIV activities in two rural districts in western Kenya | Agaya, J.,Akeche, G.,Lodenyo, W.,Marston, B. J.,Odero, G.,Onyango, J.,van't Hoog, A. H. | 2008 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE | 12 | 3 | None | University of Amsterdam, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr, Kenya Minist Hlth, US Ctr Dis Control & Prevent | None | SETTING: Health facilities providing tuberculosis (TB) treatment in two districts in rural western Kenya with a high TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate TB and HIV/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) services at the facilities and identify barriers to providing quality diagnostic HIV testing and counseling (DTC) and HIV treatment for TB patients in anticipation of the introduction of TB-HIV collaborative services.
METHODS: We performed a standard interview with health workers responsible for TB care, inspected the facilities and collected service delivery data. A self-administered questionnaire on training attended was given to all health workers. Results were shared with stakeholders and plans for implementation were developed.
RESULTS: Of the 59 facilities, 58 (98%) provided TB treatment, 19 (32%) offered sputum microscopy and 24 (41%) HIV testing. Most facilities (72%) advised HIV testing only if TB patients were suspected of having AIDS. Barriers identified included unaccommodating TB clinic schedules and lack of space, which was an obstacle to holding confidential discussions. The need to refer for HIV testing and/or HIV care was a perceived barrier to recommending these services. Activities implemented following the assessment aimed 1) to provide HIV testing and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis at all TB treatment clinics, 2) to increase availability of HIV treatment services, and 3) to address structural needs at each facility.
CONCLUSION: This evaluation identified barriers to the implementation of HIV testing and care services within facilities providing TB treatment. | "HEALTH CARE DELIVERY",HIV,KENYA,TUBERCULOSIS,TUBERCULOSIS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000273850100001 | Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection: its impact on quality of life | Apers, Ludwig,Belachew, Tefera,Colebunders, Robert,Daba, Shallo,Deribew, Amare,Hailmichael, Yohannes,Negussu, Nebiyu,Tesfaye, Markos,Wogi, Ajeme | 2009 | HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES | 7 | None | 10.1186/1477-7525-7-105 | University of Antwerp, Inst Trop Med, Jimma Univ, Oromiya Reg Hlth Bur, Somali Reg Hlth Bur | None | Background-: Very little is known about the quality of life of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infected patients. In this study in Ethiopia, we compared the quality of life HIV positive patients with and without TB.
Methods-: A cross sectional study was conducted from February to April, 2009 in selected hospitals in Oromiya Regional state, Ethiopia. The study population consisted of 467 HIV patients and 124 TB/HIV co-infected patients. Data on quality of life was collected by trained nurses through face to face interviews using the short Amharic version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument for HIV clients (WHOQOL HIV). Depression was assessed using a validated version of the Kessler scale. Data was collected by trained nurses and analyzed using SPSS 15.0 statistical software.
Results: TB/HIV co-infected patients had a lower quality of life in all domains as compared to HIV infected patients without active TB. Depression, having a source of income and family support were strongly associated with most of the Quality of life domains. In co-infected patients, individuals who had depression were 8.8 times more likely to have poor physical health as compared to individuals who had no depression, OR = 8.8(95%CI: 3.2, 23). Self-stigma was associated with a poor quality of life in the psychological domain.
Conclusion-: The TB control program should design strategies to improve the quality of life of TB/HIV co-infected patients. Depression and self-stigma should be targeted for intervention to improve the quality of life of patients. | ,DISTRESS,HEALTH,INFECTION,INSTRUMENT,VERSION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000307437900011 | Prioritizing Child Health Interventions in Ethiopia: Modeling Impact on Child Mortality, Life Expectancy and Inequality in Age at Death | Eide, Kristiane Tislevoll,Johansson, Kjell Arne,Miljeteig, Ingrid,Norheim, Ole Frithjof,Onarheim, Kristine Husoy,Tessema, Solomon | 2012 | PLOS ONE | 7 | 8 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0041521 | University of Bergen, Int Ctr AIDS Care & Treatment Programs ICAP Ethio | None | Background: The fourth Millennium Development Goal calls for a two-thirds reduction in under-5 mortality between 1990 and 2015. Under-5 mortality rate is declining, but many countries are still far from achieving the goal. Effective child health interventions that could reduce child mortality exist, but national decision-makers lack contextual information for priority setting in their respective resource-constrained settings. We estimate the potential health impact of increasing coverage of 14 selected health interventions on child mortality in Ethiopia (2011-2015). We also explore the impact on life expectancy and inequality in the age of death (Gini(health)).
Methods and Findings: We used the Lives Saved Tool to estimate potential impact of scaling-up 14 health interventions in Ethiopia (2011-2015). Interventions are scaled-up to 1) government target levels, 2) 90% coverage and 3) 90% coverage of the five interventions with the highest impact. Under-5 mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate and deaths averted are primary outcome measures. We used modified life tables to estimate impact on life expectancy at birth and inequality in the age of death (Gini(health)). Under-5 mortality rate declines from 101.0 in 2011 to 68.8, 42.1 and 56.7 per 1000 live births under these three scenarios. Prioritizing child health would also increase life expectancy at birth from expected 60.5 years in 2015 to 62.5, 64.2 and 63.4 years and reduce inequality in age of death (Gini(health)) substantially from 0.24 to 0.21, 0.18 and 0.19.
Conclusions: The Millennium Development Goal for child health is reachable in Ethiopia. Prioritizing child health would also increase total life expectancy at birth and reduce inequality in age of death substantially (Gini(health)). | ,AFRICA,"COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS",COUNTDOWN,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,"LIVES SAVED TOOL","MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS",NEWBORN,PUBLIC-HEALTH,SURVIVAL,"SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000251095400016 | Monitoring maternity mortality in Botswana | Bowelo, Motsholathebe,Mogobe, Keitshokile Dintle,Tshiamo, Wananani | 2007 | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS | 15 | 30 | None | University of Botswana, Minist Hlth | None | This paper describes the maternity monitoring system in Botswana, developed in 1998, and the main methods used: maternal death and morbidity reviews at service delivery level, analysis by the National Maternal Mortality Audit Committee of data from the reviews as reported on two forms, perinatal reviews and surveys using process indicators. We carried out a study of these findings to examine whether the system was working well. Surveys using process indicators in 2001 and 2006 were analysed. Other data examined were from 2004-2006 and early 2007. The Maternal Death Notification Form was found to be comprehensive but not all health facilities were submitting them and some gave incomplete information. In 2001, 70% of pregnant women attended antenatal care but access to emergency obstetric care was uneven. In 2006, 28 facilities with Maternity services surveyed were providing 24-hour delivery care, but laboratory theatre and blood supplies were more limited, and only 50% of doctors and 67% of midwives had life-saving skills. Antibiotics were widely available, but there were shortages of magnesium sulphate, diazepam, oxytocics and manual vacuum aspiration kits. Recommendations for improvements have been made, training for skilled attendants is ongoing and a medical school has just opened at the University of Botswana. (c) 2007 Reproductive Health Matters. All rights reserved. | BOTSWANA,EMERGENCY,"MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY","maternal mortality monitoring systems","OBSTETRIC CARE","training of service providers" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000342599000001 | Strengthening monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and building sustainable health information systems in resource limited countries: lessons learned from an M&E task-shifting initiative in Botswana | Grignon, Jessica,Lebelonyane, Refeletswe,Ledikwe, Jenny H.,Ludick, Steven,Matshediso, Ellah,Mpofu, Mulamuli,Semo, Bazghina-werq,Sento, Baraedi | 2014 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 14 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1032 | University of Botswana, University of Washington, University of Washington Seattle, Botswana Minist Hlth, Botswana Minist Local Govt, Int Training & Educ Ctr Hlth I TECH | None | Background: The demand for quality data and the interest in health information systems has increased due to the need for country-level progress reporting towards attainment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and global health initiatives. To improve monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of health programs in Botswana, 51 recent university graduates with no experience in M&E were recruited and provided with on-the-job training and mentoring to develop a new cadre of health worker: the district M&E officer. Three years after establishment of the cadre, an assessment was conducted to document achievements and lessons learnt.
Methods: This qualitative assessment included in-depth interviews at the national level (n = 12) with officers from government institutions, donor agencies, and technical organizations; and six focus group discussions separately with district M&E officers, district managers, and program officers coordinating different district health programs.
Results: Reported achievements of the cadre included improved health worker capacity to monitor and evaluate programs within the districts; improved data quality, management, and reporting; increased use of health data for disease surveillance, operational research, and planning purposes; and increased availability of time for nurses and other health workers to concentrate on core clinical duties. Lessons learnt from the assessment included: the importance of clarifying roles for newly established cadres, aligning resources and equipment to expectations, importance of stakeholder collaboration in implementation of sustainable programs, and ensuring retention of new cadres.
Conclusion: The development of a dedicated M&E cadre at the district level contributed positively to health information systems in Botswana by helping build M&E capacity and improving data quality, management, and data use. This assessment has shown that such cadres can be developed sustainably if the initiative is country-led, focusing on recruitment and capacity-development of local counterparts, with a clear government retention plan. | "DATA QUALITY","HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS","monitoring and evaluation",task-shifting,CHALLENGES,"DATA QUALITY",HIV,INTERVENTIONS,MALAWI,MANAGEMENT,"MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES",SETTINGS,SOUTH-AFRICA,"SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000277591100005 | Residents' perceptions of the environmental impacts of tourism in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin, Ghana | Amuquandoh, Francis Eric | 2010 | JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM | 18 | 2 | 10.1080/09669580903298531 | University of Cape Coast | None | This study investigates residents' perceptions of tourism's physical impacts in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin in Ghana. Data were based on a resident survey conducted in the basin in January 2006. Residents perceived both positive and negative impacts of tourism development, but were more inclined to the positive side. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the district assemblies in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism should start managing the impacts, and also educate the local population on the dangers of underestimating the negative impacts of tourism on the environment. | "Bosomtwe Basin","ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS","Ghana tourism","residents' perceptions",ATTITUDES | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000232555300005 | Globalization: Its impact on scientific research in Nigeria | Ani, OE,Biao, EP | 2005 | JOURNAL OF LIBRARIANSHIP AND INFORMATION SCIENCE | 37 | 3 | 10.1177/0961000605057482 | University of Calabar | None | This article reports on a study which investigated the impact of globalization on scientific research in Nigeria. The research data were collected using a questionnaire survey which was administered to academics in science-based disciplines in four Nigerian universities: University of Calabar, University of Uyo, University of Lagos and University of lbadan. The results of the study show that ease of scientific communication, an increased access to current scientific books/journals and improvements in the quality of research were considered the main effects of globalization on scientific research in Nigeria. The findings of the study also show that the major factors considered to impede globalization of science in the country were frequent power cuts, a poor maintenance culture of ICT infrastructures/ facilities, and an inadequate knowledge/awareness of the potential and capabilities of ICT by Nigerian scientists. Relevant recommendations based on these findings are made. | GLOBALIZATION,NIGERIA,"RESEARCH SCIENTISTS","SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH",UNIVERSITIES | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000226082700001 | Knowledge base system for human resource evaluation in a university environment | Akinyokun, OC,Uzoka, FME | 2005 | JOURNAL OF TESTING AND EVALUATION | 33 | 1 | None | University of Calgary, Fed Univ Technol Akure | None | The statutory objectives of a university include teaching. research. and community development. The major assets employed in the attainment of these objectives include mail, money, materials, and time, Man, who serves as the major driver of the other assets, has three components, namely academic staff, administrative staff, and technical staff. An essential management function is the evaluation of the academic staff of the university in order to determine their contributions to the aims and objectives of the university. In this study, a knowledge base system has been developed for the evaluation of the performance of human resources in a university environment, with emphasis on the academic staff component. The system, christened HURES. is developed in a Microsoft Access and Visual Basic 6.0 environment. A case study of the academic staff of a university community is carried out in order to demonstrate the practicality of the system. | "ACADEMIC STAFF","cognitive filter","emotional filter",evaluation,"HUMAN RESOURCES","INFERENCE ENGINE","KNOWLEDGE BASE",UNIVERSITY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000246542000007 | A multivariate evaluation of mainstream and academic development courses in first-year microeconomics | Edwards, Lawrence,Smith, Leonard | 2007 | SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS | 75 | 1 | None | University of Cape Town | None | This paper analyses the impact of the University of Cape Town's first-year microeconomics academic development course on performance in examinations. The paper makes two advances to existing empirical literature in this area. Firstly, we compare performance with a control group drawn from the mainstream economic course. Secondly, we evaluate performance in subsequent courses in first-year macroeconomics and second-year microeconomics. The results suggest that the academic development course has a major impact on students' performance in the structured/essay questions, relative to the control group, in first- and second-year microeconomics, and for the multiple-choice questions in first-year macroeconomics.
Matriculation results, mathematics, English first language, physical science and gender are also important determinants of performance. | "ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT","economic education","SOUTH AFRICA","student performance",ACHIEVEMENT,"COLLEGE PRINCIPLES",DETERMINANTS,EDUCATION,GENDER,"HIGH-SCHOOL ECONOMICS",IMPACT,"MALE-FEMALE DIFFERENCES","STUDENT PERFORMANCE" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000228804800024 | Evaluation of an HlV/AlDS peer education programme in a South African workplace | MYERS, JE,Sloan, NM | 2005 | SAMJ SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL | 95 | 4 | None | University of Cape Town | None | Objectives. To evaluate a South African workplace HIV/AIDS peer-education programme running since 1997.
Methods. In 2001 a cross-sectional study was done of 900 retail-section. employees in three geographical areas. The study measured HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, belief about self-risk of infection, and condom use as a practice indicator. The impact of an HIV/AIDS peer-education programme on these outcomes was examined.
Results. Training by peer educators had no significant impact on any outcome. Fifty-nine per cent of subjects had a good knowledge score, 62% had a positive attitude towards people with HIV/AIDS, 34% used condoms frequently, and the majority of participants (73%) believed they were at low risk of infection. Logistical regression showed that a very small proportion of the variance in the four outcomes was.. explained by potential determinants of interest,(8% for knowledge, 6% for attitude, 7% for risk and 17% for condom use).
Conclusions. The HIV peer-education programme was found to be ineffective and may have involved an opportunity cost. The programme contrasts with more costly comprehensive, care that includes antiretrovirals. The private sector appears to have been as tardy as the public sector in addressing them epidemic effectively. | ,HIV,HIV/AIDS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000296348200001 | Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi | Bemelmans, Marielle,Chiomba, Harriet,Ford, Nathan,Hermann, Katharina,Jalasi, Winnie,Mwagomba, Beatrice,Pasulani, Olesi,Philips, Mit,Tayub, Nabila Saddiq,van den Akker, Thomas | 2011 | JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY | 14 | None | 10.1186/1758-2652-14-1 | University of Cape Town, Inst Trop Med, Med Sans Frontieres, Minist Hlth & Populat, Natl Org Nurses & Midwives | None | Background: In Malawi, the dramatic shortage of human resources for health is negatively impacted by HIV-related morbidity and mortality among health workers and their relatives. Many staff find it difficult to access HIV care through regular channels due to fear of stigma and discrimination. In 2006, two workplace initiatives were implemented in Thyolo District: a clinic at the district hospital dedicated to all district health staff and their first-degree relatives, providing medical services, including HIV care; and a support group for HIV-positive staff.
Methods: Using routine programme data, we evaluated the following outcomes up to the end of 2009: uptake and outcome of HIV testing and counselling among health staff and their dependents; uptake and outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among health staff; and membership and activities of the support group. In addition, we included information from staff interviews and a job satisfaction survey to describe health workers' opinions of the initiatives.
Results: Almost two-thirds (91 of 144, 63%) of health workers and their dependents undergoing HIV testing and counselling at the staff clinic tested HIV positive. Sixty-four health workers had accessed ART through the staff clinic, approximately the number of health workers estimated to be in need of ART. Of these, 60 had joined the support group. Cumulative ART outcomes were satisfactory, with more than 90% alive on treatment as of June 2009 (the end of the study observation period). The availability, confidentiality and quality of care in the staff clinic were considered adequate by beneficiaries.
Conclusions: Staff clinic and support group services successfully provided care and support to HIV-positive health workers. Similar initiatives should be considered in other settings with a high HIV prevalence. | ,"ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY","CARE WORKERS",IMPACT,SCALE-UP,ZAMBIA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000282002900019 | Better Antiretroviral Therapy Outcomes at Primary Healthcare Facilities: An Evaluation of Three Tiers of ART Services in Four South African Provinces | Bock, Peter,Fatti, Geoffrey,Grimwood, Ashraf | 2010 | PLOS ONE | 5 | 9 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0012888 | University of Cape Town, Kheth Impilo | None | Background: There are conflicting reports of antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectiveness comparisons between primary healthcare (PHC) facilities and hospitals in low-income settings. This comparison has not been evaluated on a broad scale in South Africa.
Methodology/Principal Findings: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including ART-naive adults from 59 facilities in four provinces in South Africa, enrolled between 2004 and 2007. Kaplan-Meier estimates, competing-risks Cox regression, generalised estimating equation population-averaged models and logistic regression were used to compare death, loss to follow-up (LTFU) and virological suppression (VS) between PHC, district and regional hospitals. 29 203 adults from 47 PHC facilities, nine district hospitals and three regional hospitals were included. Patients at PHC facilities had more advanced WHO stage disease when starting ART. Retention in care was 80.1% (95% CI: 79.3%-80.8%), 71.5% (95% CI: 69.1%-73.8%) and 68.7% (95% CI: 67.0%-69.7%) at PHC, district and regional hospitals respectively, after 24 months of treatment (P<0.0001). In adjusted regression analyses, LTFU was independently increased at regional hospitals (aHR 2.19; 95% CI: 1.94-2.47) and mortality was independently elevated at district hospitals (aHR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.30-1.99) compared to PHC facilities after 12 months of ART. District and regional hospital patients had independently reduced probabilities of VS, aOR 0.76 (95% CI: 0.59-0.97) and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.56-0.75) respectively compared to PHC facilities over 24 months of treatment.
Conclusions/Significance: ART outcomes were superior at PHC facilities, despite PHC patients having more advanced clinical stage disease when starting ART, suggesting that ART can be adequately provided at this level and supporting the South African government's call for rapid up-scaling of ART at the primary level of care. Further prospective research is required to determine the degree to which outcome differences are attributable to either facility level characteristics or patient co-morbidity at hospital level. | ,ACCESS,BARRIERS,CHILDREN,FOLLOW-UP,"INCOME COUNTRIES",MORTALITY,"RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTINGS","SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA",SURVIVAL,"TREATMENT PROGRAM" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000307245700001 | Exploring the effectiveness of the output-based aid voucher program to increase uptake of gender-based violence recovery services in Kenya: A qualitative evaluation | Abuya, Timothy,Askew, Ian,Bellows, Ben,Kanya, Lucy,Njuki, Rebecca,Obare, Francis,Okal, Jerry,Undie, Chi-Chi,Warren, Charlotte E. | 2012 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 12 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-12-426 | None | None | Background: Few studies in Africa have explored in detail the ability of output-based aid (OBA) voucher programs to increase access to gender-based violence recovery (GBVR) services.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in 2010 and involved: (i) in-depth interviews (IDIs) with health managers, service providers, voucher management agency (VMA) managers and (ii) focus group discussions (FGDs) with voucher users, voucher non-users, voucher distributors and opinion leaders drawn from five program sites in Kenya.
Results: The findings showed promising prospects for the uptake of OBA GBVR services among target population. However, a number of factors affect the uptake of the services. These include lack of general awareness of the GBVR services vouchers, lack of understanding of the benefit package, immediate financial needs of survivors, as well as stigma and cultural beliefs that undermine reporting of cases or seeking essential medical services. Moreover, accreditation of only hospitals to offer GBVR services undermines access to the services in rural areas. Poor responsiveness from law enforcement agencies and fear of reprisal from perpetrators also undermine treatment options and access to medical services. Low provider knowledge on GBVR services and lack of supplies also affect effective provision and management of GBVR services.
Conclusions: The above findings suggest that there is a need to build the capacity of health care providers and police officers, strengthen the community strategy component of the OBA program to promote the GBVR services voucher, and conduct widespread community education programs aimed at prevention, ensuring survivors know how and where to access services and addressing stigma and cultural barriers. | "Gender-based violence recovery services","health service utilization",KENYA,"Voucher program",CARE,COMMUNITY,COUNTRIES,"DOMESTIC VIOLENCE",INTERVENTIONS,"INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE",PREVALENCE,"REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH-SERVICES",RISK-FACTORS,WOMEN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000315631600006 | Community-level impact of the reproductive health vouchers programme on service utilization in Kenya | Abuya, Timothy,Askew, Ian,Bellows, Ben,Njuki, Rebecca,Obare, Francis,Sunday, Joseph,Warren, Charlotte | 2013 | HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING | 28 | 2 | 10.1093/heapol/czs033 | None | None | This paper examines community-level association between exposure to the reproductive health vouchers programme in Kenya and utilization of services. The data are from a household survey conducted among 2527 women (15-49 years) from voucher and comparable non-voucher sites. Analysis entails cross-tabulations with Chi-square tests and significant tests of proportions as well as estimation of multi-level logit models to predict service utilization by exposure to the programme. The results show that for births occurring after the voucher programme began, women from communities that had been exposed to the programme since 2006 were significantly more likely to have delivered at a health facility and to have received skilled care during delivery compared with those from communities that had not been exposed to the programme at all. There were, however, no significant differences in the timing of first trimester utilization of antenatal care (ANC) and making four or more ANC visits by exposure to the programme. In addition, poor women were significantly less likely to have used safe motherhood services (health facility delivery, skilled delivery care and postnatal care) compared with their non-poor counterparts regardless of exposure to the programme. Nonetheless, a significantly higher proportion of poor women from communities that had been exposed to the programme since 2006 used the services compared with their poor counterparts from communities that had not been exposed to the programme at all. The findings suggest that the programme is associated with increased health facility deliveries and skilled delivery care especially among poor women. However, it has had limited community-level impact on the first trimester timing of antenatal care use and making four or more visits, which remain a challenge despite the high proportion of women in the country that make at least one antenatal care visit during pregnancy. | "Community-level impact",KENYA,"REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH","SERVICE UTILIZATION","voucher programme",ACCESS,AFRICA,CARE,DEMAND-SIDE,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,INEQUALITIES,OF-THE-LITERATURE,PRIVATE-SECTOR | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000242431900008 | Accelerating reproductive and child health programme impact with community-based services: the Navrongo experiment in Ghana | Bawah, Ayaga A.,Binka, Fred N.,Phillips, James F. | 2006 | BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION | 84 | 12 | None | University of Ghana | None | Objective To determine the demographic and health impact of deploying health service nurses and volunteers to village locations with a view to scaling up results.
Methods. A four-celled plausibility trial was used for testing the impact of aligning community health services with the traditional social institutions that organize village life, Data from the Navrongo Demographic Surveillance System that tracks fertility and mortality events over time were used to estimate impact on fertility and mortality.
Results. Assigning nurses to community locations reduced childhood mortality rates by over half in 3 years and accelerated the time taken for attainment of the child survival Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in the study areas to 8 years. Fertility was also reduced by 15%, representing a decline of one birth in the total fertility rate. Programme costs added US$ 1.92 per capita to the US$ 6.80 per capita primary health care budget.
Conclusion. Assigning nurses to community locations where they provide basic curative and preventive care substantially reduces childhood mortality and accelerates progress towards attainment of the child survival MDG. Approaches using community volunteers, however, have no impact on mortality. The results also demonstrate that increasing access to contraceptive supplies alone fails to address the social costs of fertility regulation. Effective deployment of volunteers and community mobilization strategies offsets the social constraints on the adoption of contraception. The research in Navrongo thus demonstrates that affordable and sustainable means of combining nurse services with volunteer action can accelerate attainment of both the International Conference on Population and Development agenda and the MDGs. | ,AFRICA,FERTILITY,INNOVATION,KASSENA-NANKANA,MORTALITY,"NORTHERN GHANA",PROJECT,PUBLIC-HEALTH | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000321917200007 | Public Hearing or 'Hearing Public'? An Evaluation of the Participation of Local Stakeholders in Environmental Impact Assessment of Ghana's Jubilee Oil Fields | Bawole, Justice Nyigmah | 2013 | ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT | 52 | 2 | 10.1007/s00267-013-0086-9 | University of Ghana | None | This article investigates the involvement of local stakeholders in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes of Ghana's first off-shore oil fields (the Jubilee fields). Adopting key informants interviews and documentary reviews, the article argues that the public hearings and the other stakeholder engagement processes were cosmetic and rhetoric with the view to meeting legal requirements rather than a purposeful interest in eliciting inputs from local stakeholders. It further argues that the operators appear to lack the social legitimacy and social license that will make them acceptable in the project communities. A rigorous community engagement along with a commitment to actively involving local stakeholders in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes of the partners may enhance the image of the partners and improve their social legitimacy. Local government agencies should be capacitated to actively engage project organisers; and government must mitigate the impact of the oil projects through well-structured social support programmes. | "ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT",GHANA,"public hearing","public participation","Social legitimacy and license",stakeholder,"APPLIED LINGUISTICS",COMMUNITY,EIA,INDIA,MANAGEMENT,"QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000235591700004 | Developing a performance measurement framework to enhance the impact orientation of the Food Research Institute, Ghana | Amoa-Awua, WWK,Noamesi, SK,Smith, DR,Sutherland, AJ,Yawson, RM | 2006 | R & D MANAGEMENT | 36 | 2 | None | University of Greenwich, Food Res Inst, UNDP | None | Research institutions in Ghana are facing various challenges. It is the contention that viable research and development institutions are needed for achieving sustainable change in areas of national importance. A key aspect of institutional viability is strong performance management. This implies clear and workable approaches to performance measurement. This paper looks at the initial experiences in a collaborative effort to develop a performance measurement framework for the Food Research Institute (FRI) and the application of the Balanced Score Card (BSC) at institutional level. The process of diagnosing and analysing institutional monitoring and evaluation capacity and systems is described using a mix of diagnostic tools. Stages in applying the BSC approach are documented and the added value of the scorecard perspectives in highlighting focal areas for performance measurement and management within FRI. These are placed in the context of ongoing changes in the external environment posing both threats and opportunities. Changes implied by the introduction of the concept are discussed in the context of current constraints and the way forward is mapped out in terms of enhancing FRIs' impact orientation through the application of improved performance measurement and management. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000228730200006 | Evaluating the sexual behaviour, barriers to condom use and its actual use by university students in Nigeria | SUNMOLA, AM | 2005 | AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV | 17 | 4 | 10.1080/09540120412331319732 | University of Ibadan | None | This research quantified the barriers to condom use of a sample of university students in Nigeria. It further analyzed association between condom use at last intercourse and the barriers, in addition to HIV risk sexual practices. A total of 96 women and 128 men were randomly selected, and they completed a survey. Results indicated both men and women reported that condoms hindered their sexual satisfaction, caused health problems for them and reduced their sexual interest. The findings also showed that obtaining condoms from clinics and perception that condoms do not cause health problems predicted the likelihood of condom use for both sexes. In addition, the results indicated that obtaining first time information from family members or relatives predicted the likelihood of condom use for women. It was recommended that intervention efforts should make condoms freely available in tertiary institutions, and such interventions should be tailored to overcome the relevant barriers that interfere with condom use for both the women and men. | ,DETERMINANTS,RISK | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000232529400007 | Communicating HIV and AIDS, what works? A report on the impact evaluation of Soul City's fourth series | GOLDSTEIN, S,Japhet, G,Scheepers, E,Usdin, S | 2005 | JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION | 10 | 5 | 10.1080/10810730591009853 | University of Witwatersrand | None | This article describes the evaluation of the HIV/AIDS communication aspect of the multi media Soul City, health promotion intervention in South Africa. The intervention consists of a television and radio drama and print material. The evaluation was multifaceted with a before and after national survey and a national qualitative study. M the before and after survey, change it-as measured and then multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the variables associated with the change.
The qualitative study consisted of focus group discussions, which were analysed thematically. The studies shalt, that there are numerous instances of community change and how, the change is mediated at the community level. The studies also describe the change at a number of levels of the described behaviour change model for individuals. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000230838900003 | Evaluation of automated services in Nigerian universities | SANI, A,TIAMIYU, M | 2005 | ELECTRONIC LIBRARY | 23 | 3 | 10.1108/02640470510603679 | University of Ibadan, Natl Univ Commis | None | Purpose - To evaluate the status of automated information services in selected Nigerian universities with a view to identifying progress and prospects of, and constraints to, the technological transformation of Nigerian universities as the basis of strategic recommendations to the different stakeholders in Nigerian university education.
Design/methodology/approach - The study assessed the status of automated information systems and services in Nigerian universities in mid-2002 through site visits, and questionnaire and interview surveys of the views of administrators, teaching/non-teaching staff, students and researchers in the universities.
Findings - It was found that automated services were far from adequate and that, out of the 29 different automated services that one would expect in a modem university, only about 40 per cent were available and utilized. Federal universities that had enjoyed higher levels of funding for automated systems had higher output of automated services than the non-federal universities. Major obstacles militating against the automated services in the universities include inadequate funds, electricity supply and telecommunications connectivity, as well as inadequate human resources for the automated systems. Respondents were marginally satisfied with the services of the computerized accounting system and the MIS-related databases, but were very dissatisfied with the level of automated library services.
Originality/value - Clearly presents the challenges facing the Nigerian university system and individual Nigerian universities in the process of automating their operations. | "INFORMATION SERVICES","LIBRARY AUTOMATION",NIGERIA,UNIVERSITIES | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000314371300020 | 'Acquisitive Culture' and its Impact on Nigeria's Socio-Economic Development | Ademakinwa, Adebisi,COLLIER, G | 2012 | FOCUS ON NIGERIA: LITERATURE AND CULTURE | 40 | None | None | University of Ibadan, University of Lagos | None | This is an interdisciplinary study of the role of culture in the development of Nigeria as a nation. The essay raises questions, among which are: what are the externalized and internalized aspects of Nigerian national culture? Which innate concepts of this culture do contemporary Nigerians understand and which concepts are grasped or misunderstood by foreigners? Russian and Nigerian literary works - Nikolai Gogol's and Chinua Achebe's, to mention but two - are utilized to determine similarity and dissimilarity of the pervasive nature of materialism in two different cultures. The essay finds philistine the platitude of Nigerian cultural managers inherent in such externalized cultural fiestas as FESTAC '77 and Nigerian Carnivals, while the more beneficial one, the internalized aspects which we call the fundamental culture, are merely mulled over, wholly misjudged, and mostly left unexplored. The essay finds, furthermore, that development can only be strengthened when the internalized aspects of Nigerian traditional societies are understood and synthesized with modern hybrid cultures before human development can take place. The essay makes no pretence to being a specialist study; rather, it crosses the borders of fiction, the social sciences, cultural anthropology, and history. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000244468900009 | The evaluation of an intervention programme for reception learners who experience barriers to learning and development | Rossi, June,Stuart, Anita | 2007 | SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | 27 | 1 | None | University of Johannesburg | None | It is believed that learners who experience barriers to learning and development are at risk for formal education and that stimulation can offset these barriers, ensuring that learners are able to actualise their potential. An intervention programme was designed with the aim of improving abilities in learners who had not yet attained the learning outcomes in the areas of fine-motor and/or language development. Although many research studies support educational intervention, to date insufficient attention has been paid to researching programmes of this kind. This programme of intervention was effective in improving the Eye and Hand Co-ordination and Personal-Social subscales of the Griffiths Scales and the Draw-a-Person test scores of all the learners who experienced barriers in their fine-motor and/or language development. In male learners, improved scores on the Eye and Hand Co-ordination and Hearing and Speech subscales of the Griffiths Scales and the Draw-a-Person test were shown. The female learners improved on the Eye and Hand Co-ordination subscale of the Griffiths Scales and the Draw-a-Person test. | DEVELOPMENT,INTERVENTION,LEARNING,"reception learners" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000302027500004 | Climate Change Impacts in the Developing World: Implications for Sustainable Development | Brainard, L,Jones, A,Nyong, Anthony,Purvis, N | 2009 | CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL POVERTY: A BILLION LIVES IN THE BALANCE | None | None | None | University of Jos, Int Dev Res Ctr | None | None | ,AFRICA,"HEALTH SECTOR",MODEL,RISK,VARIABILITY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000230393700002 | Major factors influencing HIV/AIDS project evaluation | Green, JM,Niba, MB | 2005 | EVALUATION REVIEW | 29 | 4 | 10.1177/0193841X05276654 | University of Kwazulu Natal | None | This article aimed at finding out if participatory processes (group discussions, enactments, and others) do make a valuable contribution in communication-based project implementation/evaluation and the fight against HIV/AIDS. A case study backed by documentary analysis of evaluation reports and occasional insights from interviews stood as the main methods. To identify values, the state of beneficiaries prior to and after project implementation/evaluation was compared. Participatory processes were noted to have created an enabling environment for project beneficiaries to become activists for social change, leading to the limiting of the spread of HIV/AIDS through sexual behavior and a change of attitude-the essence required for successful intervention. Group participatory processes were also noted to have contributed in overriding, to a great extent, limitations arising from sociodemographic differences in the attainment of project objectives and limitations arising from differences informs of evaluation (internal versus external evaluators). | EMPOWERMENT,EVALUATIONS,HIV/AIDS,INTERVENTIONS,PARTICIPATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000248626000010 | Evaluation of a workplace HIV treatment programme in South Africa | Charalambous, Salome,Churchyard, Gavin J.,Fielding, Katherine,Grant, Alison,Hamilton, Robin,Innes, Craig,Kumaranayake, Lilani,Muirhead, Debbie,Pemba, Lindiwe | 2007 | AIDS | 21 | None | None | University of Kwazulu Natal, University of London, Aurum Inst Hlth Res | None | Objective: To review the experience of implementing a workplace HIV care programme in South Africa and describe treatment outcomes in sequential cohorts of individuals starting antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Design: A review of an industrial HIV care and treatment programme. Between October 2002 and December 2005, 2262 patients enrolled in the HIV care programme.
Results: CD4 cell counts increased by a median of 90, 113 and 164cells/mu l by 6, 12 and 24 months on treatment, respectively. The viral load was suppressed below 400 copies/ml in 75, 72 and 72% of patients at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively, at an average cost of US$1654, 3567 and 7883 per patient virally suppressed, respectively. Treatment outcomes in sequential cohorts of patients were consistent overtime. A total of 93.6% of patients at 14752 clinic visits reported missing no tablets over the previous 3 days. Almost half the patients (46.8%) experienced one or more adverse events, although most were mild (78.7%). By the end of December 2005, 30% of patients were no longer on ART, mostly because of defaulted or stopped treatment (12.8%), termination of employment (8.2%), or death (4.9%). Conclusion: This large workplace programme achieved virological results among individuals retained in the programme comparable to those reported for developed countries; more work is needed to improve retention. Monitoring treatment outcomes in sequential cohorts is a useful way of monitoring programme performance. As the programme has matured, the costs of programme implementation have reduced.
Counselling is a central component of an ART programme. Challenges in implementing a workplace ART programme are similar to the challenges of public-sector programmes. (c) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | "ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY",COHORT,HIV,INDUSTRIAL,programmes,"VIRAL LOAD","ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY",MALAWI,"VIROLOGICAL RESPONSE" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000271954100006 | "The Uprooted Emigrant": The Impact of Brain Drain, Brain Gain, and Brain Circulation on Africa's Development | Afolabi, N,Falola, T,Okeke, Godwin S. M. | 2007 | TRANS-ATLANTIC MIGRATION: THE PARADOXES OF EXILE | None | None | None | University of Lagos | None | Worsening economic conditions in many African countries have uprooted many of its people from their home countries, voluntarily and involuntarily, in search of the "golden fleece" abroad. This has led to brain drain, brain gain and brain circulation. Brain drain is synonymous with knowledge loss or drain. Brain gain is the reverse side of brain drain, in which Africans in the diaspora return to their various countries with high skills to contribute to their countries' development. Brain circulation entails a continuous and counter-balancing in-flow of highly skilled personnel. The nature of most economies in Africa today has warranted this jigsaw puzzle. The outcome of bad management of the economy and the generalized violent conflict on the continent has not helped matters. Some survivors in war-torn countries, both skilled and unskilled, look outside of their countries for a better life. In some African countries people run away from economic hardship to improve their lives abroad where things are expectedly better. This phenomenon cuts across all manners of people, including professionals and other skilled labor.
This situation is true of many countries in Africa, including Nigeria, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, to mention just a few. Some of those who are not well educated travel and get educated and develop and acquire better skills and make positive contributions to those societies. These movements do not take place only outside Africa, but also within Africa.
The consequences of these developments are many and varied. Aside from the image problem it creates for Africa, it portrays Africans as people who are not serious and their governments as irresponsible and corrupt, especially Africa south of the Sahara. There are also those who have made Africa proud in various fields of human endeavor. But the problem remains that the recipe which made them succeed abroad never works at home. Against this background, this chapter investigates the impact of this type of crisscrossing migration on Africa's development, and how far the benefits or otherwise can go to assist in the sustainable development of Africa. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000248543300004 | A process evaluation of a school-based adolescent sexual health intervention in rural Tanzania: the MEMA kwa Vijana programme | Hayes, R. J.,Makokha, A.,Mazige, B. C.,Mshana, G.,Obasi, A. I. N.,Plummer, Mary L.,Ross, D. A.,Todd, J.,Wamoyi, J.,Wight, D. | 2007 | HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH | 22 | 4 | 10.1093/her/cyl103 | University of London, MRC, NIMR AMREF LSHTM Collaborat Projects | None | This study is a process evaluation of the school component of the adolescent sexual health programme MEMA kwa Vijana (MkV), which was implemented in 62 primary schools in rural Mwanza, Tanzania from 1999 to 2001. The MkV curriculum was a teacher-led and peer-assisted programme based on the Social Learning Theory. Process evaluation included observation of training sessions, monitoring and supervision, annual surveys of implementers, group discussions and 158 person-weeks of participant observation. Most teachers taught curriculum content well, but sometimes had difficulty adopting new teaching styles. Peer educators performed scripted dramas well, but were limited as informal educators and behavioural models. The intervention appeared successful in addressing some cognitions, e.g. knowledge of risks and benefits of behaviours, but not others, e.g. perceived susceptibility to risk. MkV shared the characteristics of other African school-based programmes found to be successful, and similarly found significant improvements in self-reported behaviour in surveys. However, a substantial proportion of MkV survey self-reports were inconsistent, there was no consistent impact on biological markers and extensive process evaluation found little impact on several key theoretical determinants of behaviour. Improvements in self-reported survey data alone may provide only a very limited-and perhaps invalid-indication of adolescent sexual health programme success. | ,"ABUSE PREVENTION","AFRICAN YOUTH","AIDS EDUCATION-PROGRAM",COMMUNITY,FIDELITY,HIV/AIDS,"HIV PREVENTION",IMPLEMENTATION,"NORTHERN TANZANIA","PEER EDUCATION" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000249645000014 | Biological and behavioural impact of an adolescent sexual health intervention in Tanzania: a community-randomized trial | Anemona, Alessandra,Balira, Rebecca,Changalucha, John,Cleophas-Mazige, Bernadette,Everett, Dean,Gavyole, Awene,Grosskurth, Heiner,Hayes, Richard J.,Mabey, David C.,Makokha, Maende J.,Mosha, Frank,Obasi, Angela I. N.,Parry, John V.,Plummer, Mary L.,Ross, D | 2007 | AIDS | 21 | 14 | None | University of London, Mwanza Ctr | None | Objective: The impact of a multicomponent intervention programme on the sexual health of adolescents was assessed in rural Tanzania.
Design: A community-randomized trial.
Methods: Twenty communities were randomly allocated to receive either a specially designed programme of interventions (intervention group) or standard activities (comparison group). The intervention had four components: community activities; teacher-led, peer-assisted sexual health education in years 5-7 of primary school; training and supervision of health workers to provide 'youth-friendly' sexual health services; and peer condom social marketing. Impacts on HIV incidence, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) and other sexual health outcomes were evaluated over approximately 3 years in 9645 adolescents recruited in late 1998 before entering years 5, 6 or 7 of primary school.
Results: The intervention had a significant impact on knowledge and reported attitudes, reported sexually transmitted infection symptoms, and several behavioural outcomes. Only five HIV seroconversions occurred in boys, whereas in girls the adjusted rate ratio (intervention versus comparison) was 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34, 1.66]. Overall HSV2 prevalences at follow-up were 11.9% in male and 21.1% in female participants, with adjusted prevalence ratios of 0.92 (CI 0.69, 1.22) and 1.05 (CI 0.83, 1.32), respectively. There was no consistent beneficial or adverse impact on other biological outcomes. The beneficial impact on knowledge and reported attitudes was confirmed by results of a school examination in a separate group of students in mid-2002.
Conclusion: The intervention substantially improved knowledge, reported attitudes and some reported sexual behaviours, especially in boys, but had no consistent impact on biological outcomes within the 3-year trial period. (C) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | ADOLESCENTS,HIV,"PREGNANCY PREVENTION","SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS",Tanzania,"AIDS EDUCATION",HIV,IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS,PREGNANCIES,"REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH","RISK REDUCTION","RURAL TANZANIA",SELF-REPORT,"TRANSMITTED DISEASES",TRICHOMONAS-VAGINALIS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000230897200004 | Sexually transmitted infections in pregnancy: prevalence, impact on pregnancy outcomes, and approach to treatment in developing countries | Beksinska, M,Mabey, D,MULLICK, S,Watson-Jones, D | 2005 | SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS | 81 | 4 | 10.1136/sti.2002.004077 | University of London, Reprod Hlth Res Unit | None | Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in the developing world. Management of STIs in pregnancy in many developing countries has, however, been complicated by the lack of simple and affordable diagnostic tests. This review examines the prevalence and impact on pregnancy outcome of STIs in developing countries and recommends approaches to management of STIs in pregnancy for resource poor settings. | ,"CERVICAL CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS","GENITAL-TRACT INFECTIONS","GONOCOCCAL OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM",HERPES-SIMPLEX-VIRUS,HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS,LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT,"PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL","RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL","RURAL SOUTH-AFRICA","TO-CHILD TRAN | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000274138000015 | Evaluating Different Dimensions of Programme Effectiveness for Private Medicine Retailer Malaria Control Interventions in Kenya | Abuya, Timothy O.,Akhwale, Willis S.,Amin, Abdinasir A.,Fegan, Greg,Marsh, Vicki,Noor, Abdisalan M.,Snow, Robert W. | 2010 | PLOS ONE | 5 | 1 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0008937 | University of London, University of Oxford, Kenya Govt Med Res Ctr, Minist Hlth | None | Background: Private medicine retailers (PMRs) are key partners in the home management of fevers in many settings. Current evidence on effectiveness for PMR interventions at scale is limited. This study presents evaluation findings of two different programs implemented at moderate scale targeting PMRs for malaria control in the Kisii and Kwale districts of Kenya. Key components of this evaluation were measurement of program performance, including coverage, PMR knowledge, practices, and utilization based on spatial analysis.
Methodology/Principal Findings: The study utilized mixed quantitative methods including retail audits and surrogate client surveys based on post-intervention cross-sectional surveys in intervention and control areas and mapping of intervention outlets. There was a large and significant impact on PMR knowledge and practices of the program in Kisii, with 60.5% of trained PMRs selling amodiaquine medicines in adequate doses compared to 2.8% of untrained ones (OR; 53.5: 95% CI 6.7, 428.3), a program coverage of 69.7% targeted outlets, and a potential utilization of about 30,000 children under five. The evaluation in Kwale also indicates a significant impact with 18.8% and 2.3% intervention and control PMRs selling amodiaquine with correct advice, respectively (OR; 9.4: 95% CI 1.1, 83.7), a program coverage of 25.3% targeted outlets, and a potential utilization of about 48,000 children under five. A provisional benchmark of 7.5 km was a reasonable threshold distance for households to access PMR services.
Conclusions/Significance: This evaluation show that PMR interventions operationalized in the district level settings are likely to impact PMR knowledge and practices and lead to increased coverage of appropriate treatment to target populations. There is value of evaluating different dimensions of public health programs, including quality, spatial access, and implementation practice. This approach strengthens the potential contribution of pragmatic study designs to evaluating public health programs in the real world. | ,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,DISTRICTS,DRUG,"HOME TREATMENT",KNOWLEDGE,MANAGEMENT,PUBLIC-HEALTH,"RURAL KENYA",SERVICES,"SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000266645800007 | Impact of Ministry of Health Interventions on Private Medicine Retailer Knowledge and Practices on Anti-Malarial Treatment in Kenya | Abuya, Timothy,Fegan, Greg,Karisa, Baya,Marsh, Vicki,Mutemi, Wilfred,Ochola, Sam,Rowa, Yvone | 2009 | AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE | 80 | 6 | None | University of London, University of Oxford, Kilifi Dist Hosp, Wellcome Trust Ctr Geog Med Res Coast | None | Small-scale interventions oil training medicine retailers on malaria treatment improve over-the-counter medicine use, but there is little evidence oil effectiveness when scaled up. This study evaluated the impact of Ministry of Health (MoH) training programs on the knowledge and practices of medicine retailers in three districts in Kenya. A cluster randomized trial was planned across 10 administrative divisions. Findings indicated that 30.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.3, 39.0) and 5.2% (95% Cl: 2.1, 10.3) of program and control retailers, respectively, sold MoH amodiaquine with correct advice on use to surrogate clients (OR = 8.8; 95% Cl: 2.9, 26.9 P < 0.001). Similarly, 61.8% (950% CI: 54.2 69.1) and 6.3% (95% CI: 2.7, 12.1) of program and control retailers, respectively, reported correct knowledge on dosing with amodiaquine (OR = 29.8; 95% Cl: 8.2, 108.8). Large-scale retailer training programs within the national malaria control framework led to significant improvements in retailers' practices across three districts. | ,"CHILDHOOD ILLNESS",CHILDREN,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,"HOME TREATMENT","MALARIA TREATMENT",MANAGEMENT,PUBLIC-HEALTH,RANDOMIZED-TRIALS,"RURAL TANZANIA",SELF-TREATMENT | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000271602100001 | The use of schools for malaria surveillance and programme evaluation in Africa | Brooker, Simon,Gitonga, Carol W.,Kolaczinski, Jan H.,Noor, Abdisalan M.,Snow, Robert W. | 2009 | MALARIA JOURNAL | 8 | None | 10.1186/1475-2875-8-231 | University of London, University of Oxford, Malaria Consortium, Wellcome Trust Res Programme | None | Effective malaria control requires information on both the geographical distribution of malaria risk and the effectiveness of malaria interventions. The current standard for estimating malaria infection and impact indicators are household cluster surveys, but their complexity and expense preclude frequent and decentralized monitoring. This paper reviews the historical experience and current rationale for the use of schools and school children as a complementary, inexpensive framework for planning, monitoring and evaluating malaria control in Africa. Consideration is given to (i) the selection of schools; (ii) diagnosis of infection in schools; (iii) the representativeness of schools as a proxy of the communities they serve; and (iv) the increasing need to evaluate interventions delivered through schools. Finally, areas requiring further investigation are highlighted. | ,COMBINATION,"COMMUNITY COVERAGE",MORBIDITY,"PARASITE DENSITY","PEDIATRIC MALARIA",PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM,SOUTH-AFRICA,"SPOROZOITE SURFACE-ANTIGENS","SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA","TRANSMISSION INTENSITY" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000299789600002 | Cell Phone-Based and Internet-Based Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Antiretroviral Treatment Program During Rapid Scale-Up in Rwanda: TRACnet, 2004-2010 | Binagwaho, Agnes,Cishahayo, Shabani,Karema, Corine,Lowrance, David W.,Muhayimpundu, Ribakare,Nsanzimana, Sabin,Nyemazi, Jean Pierre,Raghunathan, Pratima L.,Riedel, David J.,Ruton, Hinda | 2012 | JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES | 59 | 2 | 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31823e2278 | University of Maryland Baltimore, University System of Maryland, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Minist Hlth, US Ctr Dis Control & Prevent | None | Background: Monitoring and evaluation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) scale-up has been challenging in resource-limited settings. We describe an innovative cell-phone-based and internet-based reporting system (TRACnet) utilized in Rwanda.
Methods: From January 2004 to June 30, 2010, all health facilities with ART services submitted standardized monthly aggregate reports of key indicators. National cohort data were analyzed to examine trends in characteristics of patients initiating ART and cumulative cohort outcomes. Estimates of HIV-infected patients eligible for ART were obtained from Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (Estimation and Projection Package-Spectrum, 2010).
Results: By June 30, 2010, 295 (65%) of 451 health centers, District and referral hospitals provided ART services; of these, 255 (86%) were located outside Kigali, the capital. Cell phone-based and internet-based reporting was used by 253 (86%) and 42 (14%), respectively. As of June 30, 2010, 83,041 patients were alive on ART, 6171 (6%) had died, and 9621 (10%) were lost-to-follow-up. Of those alive on ART, 7111 (8.6%) were children, 50,971 (61.4%) were female, and 1823 (2.2%) were on a second-line regimen. The proportion of all patients initiating ART at World Health Organization clinical stages 3 and 4 declined from 65% in 2005 to 27% in 2010. National ART coverage of eligible patients increased from 13% in 2005 to 79% in 2010.
Conclusions: Rwanda has successfully expanded ART access and achieved high national ART coverage among eligible patients. TRACnet captured essential data about the ART program during rapid scale-up. Cell phone-based and internet-based reporting may be useful for monitoring and evaluation of similar public health initiatives in other resource-limited settings. | "antiretroviral treatment","monitoring and evaluation",RWANDA,SCALE-UP,TRACnet,ADULTS,AIDS,"COLLABORATIVE ANALYSIS",HAITI,HIV,MALAWI,MORTALITY,OUTCOMES,SOUTH-AFRICA,THERAPY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000313980800008 | Impact of Parental Socioeconomic Status on Child Health Outcomes in Kenya** | Mugo, Mercy G. | 2012 | AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT REVIEW-REVUE AFRICAINE DE DEVELOPPEMENT | 24 | 4 | 10.1111/1467-8268.12003 | University of Nairobi | None | It is widely acknowledged that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Most developing countries such as Kenya record unfavourable indicators of population health. Existing literature recognizes the bidirectional causality between health and economic growth and development, though credible information on the causal links is scarce. Various studies show that parental characteristics have important influences on early child health. Such studies are few and report mixed findings. This study aimed to understand and demonstrate the impact of parental socioeconomic status on child health outcomes in Kenya using data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey 2005/2006, focusing on maternal labour force participation. We used two-stage least squares instrumental variable methods and the control function approach to cater for endogeneity, unobserved heterogeneity and non-linear interactions to estimate the causal links between child health outcomes and parental socioeconomic status. Diagnostic tests for relevance, validity and strength of instruments for endogenous regressors showed instruments were relevant, valid but weak. Our findings showed that maternal labour force participation has a positive but insignificant effect on child stunting and a combined indicator of stunting and wasting. We recommend policy that supports the provision of work opportunities for mothers will enhance child health outcomes in Kenya. | ,"EARLY MATERNAL EMPLOYMENT",ECONOMICS,EDUCATION,FERTILITY,IDENTIFICATION,"LABOR-FORCE PARTICIPATION",LEAVE,VARIABLES,"WEAK INSTRUMENTS" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000250115500017 | The impact of health education on reproductive health knowledge among adolescents in a rural Nigerian community | Mba, C. I.,Obi, S. N.,Ozumba, B. C. | 2007 | JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY | 27 | 5 | 10.1080/01443610701478991 | University of Nigeria | None | This intervention study was to evaluate the impact of reproductive health education on the knowledge and attitude of adolescents in a rural Nigerian community to reproductive health issues. It compared adolescents in a secondary school (study group), which received health education on reproductive health with another secondary school (control group), which did not receive any. The impact of the programme was evaluated with a pre-test baseline knowledge and post-test gain in the knowledge 6 weeks later, using the same questionnaire. A total of 180 students selected by systematic sampling from each of the two randomly selected schools in Item, a rural community in south-east Nigeria participated in the programme. While all the respondents have heard of reproductive health and could identify at least one of its components, their knowledge of it prior to the health education were defective and were obtained mainly from peers and the mass media. Such information was incomplete and often coloured with cultural and religious bias. However, there was a significant (p < 0.05) gain in correct knowledge following the health education. The students in the study group showed a positive and permissive attitude towards reproductive health education and there was a drop in risky sexual behaviour following the intervention. Pre-marital sex (94.3%), pregnancy prevention and abortion (88.5%) and sexually transmitted infections (82.8%) were common reproductive health problems raised by the students. Reproductive health education as part of the school curriculum will provide an effective means of improving knowledge and reducing reproductive health problems among adolescents in developing countries. | ADOLESCENTS,EDUCATION,NIGERIA,"REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000325501000001 | Impact evaluation of a quality improvement intervention on maternal and child health outcomes in Northern Ghana: early assessment of a national scale-up project | Atinbire, Solomon,Barker, Pierre M.,Boadu, Richard O.,Handa, Sudhanshu,Singh, Kavita,Speizer, Ilene,Twum-Danso, Nana A. Y. | 2013 | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR QUALITY IN HEALTH CARE | 25 | 5 | 10.1093/intqhc/mzt054 | University of North Carolina, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, IHI, NCHS | None | To evaluate the influence of the early phase of Project Fives Alive!, a national child survival improvement project, on key maternal and child health outcomes.
The evaluation used multivariable interrupted time series analyses to determine whether change categories tested were associated with improvements in the outcomes of interest.
The evaluation used program and outcome data from interventions focused on health-care staff in 27 facilities.
Northern Ghana.
The project uses a quality improvement (QI) approach whereby process failures are identified by health staff and process changes are tested in the health facilities and corresponding communities to address those failures.
The maternal health outcomes were early antenatal care attendance and skilled delivery, and the child health outcomes were underweight infants attending child wellness clinics, facility-level neonatal mortality and facility-level infant mortality.
Postnatal care changes for the first 12 days of life ( 0.10, P 0.07) and the first 67 days of life ( 0.10, P 0.07) were associated with a higher rate of visits by underweight infants to child wellness clinics. There was an association between the early pregnancy identification change category with increased skilled delivery ( 1.36 P 0.07). In addition, a greater number of change categories tested was associated with increased skilled delivery ( 0.05, P 0.01).
The QI approach of testing and implementing simple and low cost locally inspired changes has the potential to lead to improved health outcomes at scale both in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. | GHANA,"impact evaluation","maternal and child health",MORTALITY,"QUALITY IMPROVEMENT","TIME SERIES ANALYSIS",CARE,COUNTRIES,PROGRAM,SOUTH-AFRICA,STRATEGIES | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000235531800004 | The social interaction of an adolescent who uses AAC: The evaluation of a peer-training program | Alant, E,Lilienfeld, M | 2005 | AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION | 21 | 4 | 10.1080/07434610500103467 | University of Pretoria | None | Challenges relating to social interactions of children who use AAC in school settings have been well documented. In this study, a peer-training program was designed and implemented with the Grade 8 peers of an adolescent who had severe physical disabilities and who used AAC. Interactions between the adolescent who used AAC and his classroom peers were investigated before and after implementation of the peer-training program, using a descriptive single case study. An analytical model to describe the interactions and potential changes in the interactions of adolescents who use AAC was developed. The model also included various measures to evaluate pertinent psychosocial factors of the interactions of a person using AAC with peers. Results of the observational data reflected an increase in the frequency of interactions as indicated by the number of messages per hour and the extent of the interactions as signified by an increase in the number of messages per interchange. Changes were also noted in terms of the discourse structures and communication functions achieved by the interactions, the modes of communication used by the adolescent who used AAC and the responses of his peer partners. | ADOLESCENCE,"Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)","communication competence","communication partners","PEER TRAINING",SELF-CONCEPT,"SOCIAL INTERACTION","voice output",COMMUNICATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000300690500004 | Looking beyond impact assessment to social sustainability | Aucamp, Ilse,Aucamp, San-Marie,Bron, Anita,Esteves, AM,Perold, Jan,Vanclay, F,Woodborne, Stephan | 2011 | NEW DIRECTIONS IN SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ADVANCES | None | None | None | University of Pretoria, University of Witwatersrand, Environm Div Aurecon, Equispect Res & Consulting Serv, Ptersa Environm Management Consultants, SIA Working Grp | None | None | ,"ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000281682300025 | An impact assessment of a prototype financial literacy flagship programme in a rural South African setting | Tustin, Deon Harold | 2010 | AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | 4 | 9 | None | University of South Africa | None | This article applies experimental research to investigate the impact of the Bubomi financial literacy flagship programme developed by Absa Group Limited, one of South Africa's largest financial service organizations. The programme aims to improve essential financial literacy skills, habits and behaviour of South Africans. The impact of the programme is measured by comparing the level of financial knowledge, confidence, attitude and accountable management practices of statistically representative experimental (people exposed to the Absa training) and control (people not exposed to Absa training) groups residing in village areas surrounding the Giyani town in the Limpopo province located in the north-eastern parts South Africa. By accepting the test hypotheses that the financial knowledge, confidence, attitudes and accountable management of the experimental group exceed that of the control group at a statistically significant level, the article investigates the immediate and intermediate impact of a prototype training programme that can effectively improve the basic financial skills, habits and behaviours of consumers. The research findings is even more pertinent when considering that a prototype skills development programme has been evaluated and found to be most applicable to skills improvement in poor village communities where financial literacy are at acute low levels. The programme evaluation research represents the first of its kind in a rural setting and outlines unique elements of a prototype training programme that indisputably contributes to the urgent need for improved money management skills in South Africa. | "Financial behavior","Financial literacy","money management" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000238161000006 | Psychology and the art of programme evaluation | Potter, C | 2006 | SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY | 36 | 1 | None | University of Witwatersrand | None | This article suggests that psychologists may find value in the literature on programme evaluation, both theoretically and methodologically. Programme evaluation is an eclectic and diverse field and its literature reflects the contributions of persons trained within a variety of disciplines. It draws on a number of fields, which include management and organisational theory, policy analysis, education, sociology, social anthropology and the literature on social change. As such, the literature on programme evaluation may have value for psychologists planning evaluations of social programmes, in providing access to evaluation approaches and models developed within these different traditions. In terms of the breadth of perspectives and research traditions on which the evaluation literature draws, different forms of evaluation research can contribute to a psychology in South Africa which deals with multiple values and issues. On a theoretical level, this article suggests that the issues and debates reflected in the evaluation literature (e.g., those on empowerment) mirror debates that have occurred within the mainstream of psychology over the past 20 years. For this reason, the issues raised in the evaluation literature are relevant to the development of psychology as a discipline. The approaches and models proposed for the evaluation of social programmes are also potentially useful on a methodological level, particularly to those psychologists who work in community settings. | "COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY",EMPOWERMENT,methodology,"programme evaluation","PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY","social programmes",ADVOCACY,SCIENCE,"THEORY-DRIVEN APPROACH",VALIDITY | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000299627900003 | Revisiting monitoring and evaluation strategies for applied drama and theatre practice in African contexts | Chinyowa, Kennedy C. | 2011 | RIDE-THE JOURNAL OF APPLIED THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE | 16 | 3 | 10.1080/13569783.2011.589994 | University of Witwatersrand | None | Most of the applied drama and theatre projects being carried out in African contexts tend to be one-off events with limited follow-up in terms of building the capacity of target communities and organising them for action. Besides bringing people together for workshops, performances and post-performance discussions, such projects simply pass by with little or no impact. The few that have been given attention remain trapped within a modernising paradigm that seeks to create external blueprints for monitoring and evaluation (M & E). This article focuses on the current drive among international donor agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in adopting more participatory strategies in M & E practice. The article argues for the adoption of a Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) framework where stakeholders at different levels share control over the form and content of the monitoring and evaluation process. While conventional M & E strategies mainly involve outside experts coming in to measure the impact of projects against prescribed social science-based indicators, PM&E seeks to engage all the stakeholders in planning, designing, implementing and assessing the outcome of projects. | "folk media",knowing-in-action,"local knowledge systems","modernization framework","participatory monitoring and evaluation",REFLECTION-IN-ACTION,"social science models" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000261307600008 | School monitoring and change: a critical examination of Whole School-Evaluation | De Clercq, Francine | 2007 | EDUCATION AS CHANGE | 11 | 2 | None | University of Witwatersrand | None | This article engages with the challenges of school change, and the conceptual framework and assumptions of using accountability and support as improvement tools. It looks at lessons from various conceptual and empirical analyses and evaluation studies of school change interventions to critically examine the Whole-School Evaluation (WSE) policy introduced in South African education in 2001. It analyses the content, form and underlying assumptions that schools can be improved through monitoring/evaluation and development. This article argues that the WSE policy, in its present form, will not be able to achieve its intended outcomes. A different form of school monitoring and evaluation system, which is more appropriate to the context of South African schools, is needed to achieve the desired outcomes. | DEVELOPMENT,evaluation,"School Monitoring",ACCOUNTABILITY,ENGLAND,LESSONS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000300690500018 | Conflict-sensitive impact assessment | Esteves, AM,Kapelus, Paul,Richards, Emily,Sherwin, Hope,Vanclay, F | 2011 | NEW DIRECTIONS IN SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ADVANCES | None | None | None | University of Witwatersrand, African Inst Corp Citizenship, AICC, Buyani Trust, ClimateCare Trust, Natl Human Rights Commiss, Oxfam, Synergy Global Consulting, World Econ Forum | None | None | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000233072000017 | Achieving social change on gender-based violence: A report on the impact evaluation of Soul City's fourth series | GOLDSTEIN, S,Japhet, G,Scheepers, E,Usdin, S | 2005 | SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE | 61 | 11 | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.04.035 | University of Witwatersrand, Soul City Inst & Dev Commun | None | The Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication-a South African multi-media health promotion project-together with the National Network on Violence Against Women, formulated an intervention to address domestic violence. Recognising that behavioural change interventions aimed solely at individuals have limited impact, the intervention was designed to impact at multiple mutually reinforcing levels; individual, community and socio-political environment. The intervention and its evaluation results are presented. Soul City successfully reached 86%, 25% and 65% of audiences through television, print booklets and radio, respectively. On an individual level there was a shift in knowledge around domestic violence including 41% of respondents hearing about the helpline. Attitude shifts were also associated with the intervention, with a 10% increase in respondents disagreeing that domestic violence was a private affair. There was also a 22% shift in perceptions of social norms on this issue. Qualitative data analysis suggests the intervention played a role in enhancing women's and communities' sense of efficacy, enabling women to make more effective decisions around their health and facilitating community action. The evaluation concluded that implementation of the Domestic Violence Act can largely be attributed to the intervention. While demonstrating actual reductions in levels of domestic violence was not possible, the evaluation shows a strong association between exposure to intervention components and a range of intermediary factors indicative of, and necessary to bring about social change. This paper reports on the evaluation, discusses its limitations and challenges as well as lessons learned regarding multi-level interventions on domestic violence. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | "behaviour change","DOMESTIC VIOLENCE",enter-educate,"health/development communication","soul city","SOUTH AFRICA","DOMESTIC VIOLENCE" | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000248813700009 | An evaluation of infant immunization in Africa: is a transformation in progress? | Arevshatian, L.,Clements, C. J.,Lwanga, S. K.,Misore, A. O.,Ndumbe, P.,Seward, J. F.,Taylor, P. | 2007 | BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION | 85 | 6 | 10.2471/BLT.06.031526 | University of Yaounde I, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA, Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, IMMUNIZATIONbasics, Macfarlane Burnet Inst Med Res & Publ Hlth, Minist Hlth | None | Objective To assess the progress made towards meeting the goals of the African Regional Strategic Plan of the Expanded Programme on Immunization between 2001 and 2005.
Methods We reviewed data from national infant immunization programmes in the 46 countries of WHO's African Region, reviewed the literature and analysed existing data sources. We carried out face-to-face and telephone interviews with relevant staff members at regional and subregional levels.
Findings The African Region fell short of the target for 80% of countries to achieve at least 80% immunization coverage by 2005. However, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-3 coverage increased by 15%, from 54% in 2000 to 69% in 2004. As a result, we estimate that the number of nonimmunized children declined from 1.4 million in 2002 to 900 000 in 2004. In 2004, four of seven countries with endemic or re-established wild polio virus had coverage of 50% or less, and some neighbouring countries at high risk of importation did not meet the 80% vaccination target. Reported measles cases dropped from 520 000 in 2000 to 316 000 in 2005, and mortality was reduced by approximately 60% when compared to 1999 baseline levels. A network of measles and yellow fever laboratories had been established in 29 countries by July 2005.
Conclusions Rates of immunization coverage are improving dramatically in the WHO African Region. The huge increases in spending on immunization and the related improvements in programme performance are linked predominantly to increases in donor funding. | ,IMPACT,VACCINATION | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000242192600012 | Using qualitative methods for course evaluation - A case study from Botswana | Brown, Marie Scott,Mogobe, Keitshokile D.,Ntsayagae, Esther,Sabone, Motshedisi,Sebego, Miriam,Seboni, Naomi | 2006 | NURSE EDUCATOR | 31 | 6 | None | Washington State University, Univ Botswana & Swaziland | None | This article is a report of a qualitative evaluation of a course on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome carried out jointly by faculty from Botswana and the United States at a University in Botswana. It demonstrates the importance of both international nurse educator expertise in impacting a major pandemic and the use of qualitative methods for course evaluation. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000327308500102 | Evaluation of the Ethiopian Millennium Rural Initiative: Impact on Mortality and Cost-Effectiveness | Abebe, Yigeremu,Andersson, Kyeen M.,Bradley, Elizabeth H.,Byam, Patrick,Curry, Leslie A.,Linnander, Erika,Thompson, Jennifer W.,Zerihun, Abraham | 2013 | PLOS ONE | 8 | 11 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0079847 | Yale University, Clinton Hlth Access Initiat, Futures Inst, Global Hlth Leadership Inst | None | Main Objective: Few studies have examined the long-term, impact of large-scale interventions to strengthen primary care services for women and children in rural, low-income settings. We evaluated the impact of the Ethiopian Millennium Rural Initiative (EMRI), an 18-month systems-based intervention to improve the performance of 30 primary health care units in rural areas of Ethiopia.
Methods: We assessed the impact of EMRI on maternal and child survival using The Lives Saved Tool (LiST), Demography (DemProj) and AIDS Impact Model (AIM) tools in Spectrum software, inputting monthly data on 6 indicators 1) antenatal coverage (ANC), 2) skilled birth attendance coverage (SBA), 3) post-natal coverage (PNC), 4) HIV testing during ANC, 5) measles vaccination coverage, and 6) pentavalent 3 vaccination coverages. We calculated a cost-benefit ratio of the EMRI program including lives saved during implementation and lives saved during implementation and 5 year follow-up.
Results: A total of 134 lives (all children) were estimated to have been saved due to the EMRI interventions during the 18-month intervention in 30 health centers and their catchment areas, with an estimated additional 852 lives (820 children and 2 adults) saved during the 5-year post-EMRI period. For the 18-month intervention period, EMRI cost $37,313 per life saved ($42,366 per life if evaluation costs are included). Calculated over the 18-month intervention plus 5 years post-intervention, EMRI cost $5,875 per life saved ($6,671 per life if evaluation costs are included). The cost effectiveness of EMRI improves substantially if the performance achieved during the 18 months of the EMRI intervention is sustained for 5 years. Scaling up EMRI to operate for 5 years across the 4 major regions of Ethiopia could save as many as 34,908 lives.
Significance: A systems-based approach to improving primary care in low-income settings can have transformational impact on lives saved and be cost-effective. | ,CHALLENGES,INTERVENTION,MOTHERHOOD,PMTCT,PREVENTION,PRIMARY-HEALTH-CARE,PROJECT,QUALITY,RANDOMIZED-TRIAL,TANZANIA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000289424600001 | Evaluation of the impact of the voucher and accreditation approach on improving reproductive health behaviors and status in Kenya | Abuya, Timothy,Askew, Ian,Bellows, Ben,Njue, Rebecca,Obare, Francis,Sunday, Joseph,Warren, Charlotte | 2011 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 11 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-11-177 | None | None | Background: Alternatives to the traditional 'supply-side' approach to financing service delivery are being explored. These strategies are termed results-based finance, demand-side health financing or output-based aid which includes a range of interventions that channel government or donor subsidies to the user rather than the provider. Initial pilot assessments of reproductive health voucher programs suggest that, they can increase access and use, reducing inequities and enhancing program efficiency and service quality. However, there is a paucity of evidence describing how the programs function in different settings, for various reproductive health services. Population Council, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, intends to generate evidence around the 'voucher and accreditation' approaches to improving the reproductive health of low income women in Kenya.
Methods/Design: A quasi-experimental study will investigate the impact of the voucher approach on improving reproductive health behaviors, reproductive health status and reducing inequities at the population level; and assessing the effect of vouchers on increasing access to, and quality of, and reducing inequities in the use of selected reproductive health services. The study comprises of four populations: facilities, providers, women of reproductive health age using facilities and women and men who have been pregnant and/or used family planning within the previous 12 months. The study will be carried out in samples of health facilities - public, private and faith-based in: three districts; Kisumu, Kiambu, Kitui and two informal settlements in Nairobi which are accredited to provide maternal and newborn health and family planning services to women holding vouchers for the services; and compared with a matched sample of non-accredited facilities. Health facility assessments (HFA) will be conducted at two stages to track temporal changes in quality of care and utilization. Facility inventories, structured observations, and client exit interviews will be used to collect comparable data across facilities. Health providers will also be interviewed and observed providing care. A population survey of about 3000 respondents will also be carried out in areas where vouchers are distributed and similar locations where vouchers are not distributed. | "Out-put based approach",vouchers | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267029700010 | An Evaluation of the Quality of IMCI Assessments among IMCI Trained Health Workers in South Africa | Haskins, Lyn,Horwood, Christiane,Nkosi, Phumla,Qazi, Shamim,Rollins, Nigel,Vermaak, Kerry | 2009 | PLOS ONE | 4 | 6 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0005937 | None | None | Background: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is a strategy to reduce mortality and morbidity in children under 5 years by improving case management of common and serious illnesses at primary health care level, and was adopted in South Africa in 1997. We report an evaluation of IMCI implementation in two provinces of South Africa.
Methodology/Principal Findings: Seventy-seven IMCI trained health workers were randomly selected and observed in 74 health facilities; 1357 consultations were observed between May 2006 and January 2007. Each health worker was observed for up to 20 consultations with sick children presenting consecutively to the facility, each child was then reassessed by an IMCI expert to determine the correct findings. Observed health workers had been trained in IMCI for an average of 32.2 months, and were observed for a mean of 17.7 consultations; 50/77(65%) HW's had received a follow up visit after training. In most cases health workers used IMCI to assess presenting symptoms but did not implement IMCI comprehensively. All but one health worker referred to IMCI guidelines during the period of observation. 9(12%) observed health workers checked general danger signs in every child, and 14(18%) assessed all the main symptoms in every child. 51/109(46.8%) children with severe classifications were correctly identified. Nutritional status was not classified in 567/1357(47.5%) children.
Conclusion/Significance: Health workers are implementing IMCI, but assessments were frequently incomplete, and children requiring urgent referral were missed. If coverage of key child survival interventions is to be improved, interventions are required to ensure competency in identifying specific signs and to encourage comprehensive assessments of children by IMCI practitioners. The role of supervision in maintaining health worker skills needs further investigation. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000232495400004 | Methodological issues in measuring the impact of interventions against female genital cutting | ASKEW, I | 2005 | CULTURE HEALTH & SEXUALITY | 7 | 5 | 10.1080/13691050410001701939 | None | None | With increasing efforts being made to introduce systematic interventions for encouraging abandonment of female genital cutting (FGC) comes the need to better understand how such interventions work and what effects they have. Many interventions are based on theoretical models of behaviour change and so studies to evaluate them should develop indicators appropriate to the type of behaviour change anticipated. Systematic evaluations need also to use some form of quasiexperimental design to be able to attribute change to the intervention and not to any 'natural' change in FGC behaviour or other activities that may be concurrent. A sustained change in the prevalence of FGC is the ultimate indicator and there are several ways this can be measured, although with many limitations given the intimate nature of the practice. Moreover, appropriate sample sizes must be calculated and used to be able to draw valid conclusions. Many of those implementing FGC interventions are not familiar with such basic research principles and so there is an urgent need to ensure that projects are well designed so that valid conclusions concerning their effectiveness can be drawn. | ,CIRCUMCISION,CONSEQUENCES,DECLINE | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000333785400022 | Assessing the population-level impact of vouchers on access to health facility delivery for women in Kenya | Abuya, Timothy,Askew, Ian,Bellows, Ben,Obare, Francis,Warren, Charlotte | 2014 | SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE | 102 | None | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.12.007 | None | None | Although available evidence indicates that vouchers improve service utilization among the target populations, we do not know whether increased utilization results from improved access (new clients who would not have used services without the voucher) or from shifting clients from non-accredited to contracted service providers. This paper examines whether the safe motherhood voucher program in Kenya is associated with improved access to health facility delivery using information on births within two years preceding the survey in voucher and comparison sites. Data were collected in 2010-2011 and in 2012 among 2933 and 3094 women aged 15-49 years reporting 962 and 1494 births within two years before the respective surveys. Analysis entails cross-tabulations and estimation of multilevel random-intercept logit models. The results show that the proportion of births occurring at home declined by more than 10 percentage points while the proportion of births delivered in health facilities increased by a similar margin over time in voucher sites. The increase in facility-based births occurred in both public and private health facilities. There was also a significant increase in the likelihood of facility-based delivery (odds ratios [OR]: 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-2.98 in the 2006 voucher arm; OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.22-2.43 in the 2010-2011 voucher arm) in voucher sites over time. In contrast, there were no significant changes in the likelihood of facility-based delivery in the comparison arm over time. These findings suggest that the voucher program contributed to improved access to institutional delivery by shifting births from home to health facilities. However, available evidence from qualitative data shows that some women who purchased the vouchers did not use them because of high transportation costs to accredited facilities. The implication is that substantial improvements in service uptake could be achieved if the program subsidized transportation costs as well. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | "Health facility delivery","improving access",KENYA,"REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH","Voucher program",CARE,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,INCREASE,PROGRAM,SERVICES,SYSTEM | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000291050000001 | Evaluation of the impact of the voucher and accreditation approach on improving reproductive behaviors and RH status: Bangladesh | Bellows, Benjamin,Rahman, Moshiur,Rob, Ubaidur | 2011 | BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | 11 | None | 10.1186/1471-2458-11-257 | None | None | Background: Cost of delivering reproductive health services to low-income populations will always require total or partial subsidization by the government and/or development partners. Broadly termed "Demand-Side Financing" or "Output-Based Aid", includes a range of interventions that channel government or donor subsidies to the service user rather than the service provider. Initial findings from the few assessments of reproductive health voucher-and accreditation programs suggest that, if implemented well, these programs have great potential for achieving the policy objectives of increasing access and use, reducing inequities and enhancing program efficiency and service quality. At this point in time, however, there is a paucity of evidence describing how the various voucher programs function in different settings, for various reproductive health services.
Methods/Design: Population Council-Nairobi, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, intends to address the lack of evidence around the pros and cons of 'voucher and accreditation' approaches to improving the reproductive health of low income women in five developing countries. In Bangladesh, the activities will be conducted in 11 accredited health facilities where Demand Side Financing program is being implemented and compared with populations drawn from areas served by similar non-accredited facilities. Facility inventories, client exit interviews and service provider interviews will be used to collect comparable data across each facility for assessing readiness and quality of care. In-depth interviews with key stakeholders will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding about the program. A population-based survey will also be carried out in two types of locations: areas where vouchers are distributed and similar locations where vouchers are not distributed.
Discussion: This is a quasi-experimental study which will investigate the impact of the voucher approach on improving maternal health behaviors and status and reducing inequities at the population level. We expect a significant increase in the utilization of maternal health care services by the accredited health facilities in the experimental areas compared to the control areas as a direct result of the interventions. If the voucher scheme in Bangladesh is found effective, it may help other countries to adopt this approach for improving utilization of maternity care services for reducing maternal mortality. | ,HEALTH,MALARIA,SCHEME,SYSTEM,TANZANIA | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000266192600134 | The impact of oil exploration on the inhabitants of the oil producing areas of Nigeria | Omotor, Douglason G. | 2009 | JOURNAL OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT | 7 | 2 | None | None | None | This study modestly assails to measure the impact of the oil industry on the inhabitants of the oil producing areas of Nigeria by adopting an analysis of variance (ANOVA) methodology to test various hypotheses using six socio-economic indicators (education, health, housing, power, roads and water supply). The results revealed that the overall impact of oil on the selected socio-economic fundamentals was only significant during the oil boom era. The oil industry significantly impacted more on the development of these indicators in non-oil producing areas than in oil producing areas. This might had awoken the consciousness of inhabitants of oil producing area; therefore triggering the crisis now ravaging the Niger Delta. The study suggests community participation in equity holding; what is more, a sum equal to 50 percent of proceeds of royalty or rent from extraction of natural resources be paid to the host region. | "natural resource curse","NIGER DELTA",NIGERIA,"OIL EXPLORATION",socio-economic | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000267953700006 | Keloids: Assessment of effects and psychosocial- impacts on subjects in a black African population | Olaitan, P. B. | 2009 | INDIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY VENEREOLOGY & LEPROLOGY | 75 | 4 | 10.4103/0378-6323.53132 | None | None | Background: Keloids are vexatious swelling on the skin or the conjuctiva. The effects and impacts of these lesions have not been assessed in a keloid endemic environment like Nigeria. Aims: The purpose of this study is to assess the psychosocial impact as well as effects of keloids on the subjects in a black African population where lesions are commonly seen. Methods: This is a prospective study which assesses the impacts of keloid on keloid patients. Consented patients who presented to the Plastic Surgery Clinic of the Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria were recruited into the study. A set of questionnaires were administered to all consented patients. The administered questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 10. Results: One hundred and thirty one patients were involved in this study. They comprised of 61 males and 70 females. Most (96.8) of them had the keloid lesion for more than one year. Sixteen (12.2) of the patients felt that keloids negatively affect their works, 64 (48.9) of the patients felt stigmatized by keloids, 28 (56.0) of them who had lesions in conspicuous parts while 24 (46.2) had lesions in non-conspicuous parts. Females (59.1) felt stigmatized than males. Only 47 (35.8) of the patients believed that keloid swelling limit their social interaction. Conclusion: Keloids do not appear to have significant negative impacts on keloid patients in a keloid-endemic community like a black African population. | BLACK,IMPACT,KELOID,PSYCHOSOCIAL,MANAGEMENT,SCARS | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000264910100004 | An ethnographic exploration of the impacts of HIV/AIDS on soil fertility management among smallholders in Butula, western Kenya | Misiko, M. | 2008 | NJAS-WAGENINGEN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES | 56 | 3 | None | None | None | This paper shows how HIV/AIDS negatively affects soil fertility management strategies among Kenyan smallholders. The paper examines this relationship, using ethnographic interviews of purposively selected affected households in Butula Division, Busia District, Kenya. Soil fertility management was given low priority in the face of high HIV/AIDS prevalence although it is a critical resource for meeting basic needs. Findings show that HIV/AIDS poses a significant and complex threat to the already deficient soil fertility management practices among smallholders. The disease's synergistic relation with poverty increases the stress on soil fertility management. It destructs local social structures and households by taking away resource persons, overburdening traditional insurance systems, and obliterating any modest capital and labour useful for soil fertility management that has been accumulated by the household. There is need for robust soil fertility policy-action frameworks that can be sustained tinder the limiting conditions of affected households and that can mitigate HIV/AIDS impacts amidst high poverty. | CAPITAL,"HIV/AIDS prevalence",HOUSEHOLD,labour,POVERTY | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84905924294 | Outcome and impact of Master of Public Health programs across six countries: Education for change | Zwanikken P.A.C., Huong N.T., Ying X.H., Alexander L., Wadidi M.S.E.A., Magan&tild;a-Valladares L., Gonzalez-Robledo M.C., Qian X., Linh N.N., Tahir H., Leppink J., Scherpbier A. | 2014 | Human Resources for Health | 12 | 1 | 10.1186/1478-4491-12-40 | Royal Tropical Institute, PO Box 95001, HA Amsterdam, Netherlands; Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Viet Nam; School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Box 175, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, South Africa; Human Resource Development, Federal Ministry of Health, PO Box 303, Khartoum, Sudan; National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa Mari´a Ahuacatitla´n, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; Research Centre in Health Systems, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa Mari´a Ahuacatitla´n, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; MPH Programme, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, PO Box 12810, Khartoum, Sudan; Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands | Zwanikken, P.A.C., Royal Tropical Institute, PO Box 95001, HA Amsterdam, Netherlands; Huong, N.T., Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Ying, X.H., School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Box 175, Shanghai, China; Alexander, L., School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, South Africa; Wadidi, M.S.E.A., Human Resource Development, Federal Ministry of Health, PO Box 303, Khartoum, Sudan; Magan&tild;a-Valladares, L., National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa Mari´a Ahuacatitla´n, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; Gonzalez-Robledo, M.C., Research Centre in Health Systems, National Institute of Public Health, Universidad No. 655 Colonia Santa Mari´a Ahuacatitla´n, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP 62100 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; Qian, X., School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Box 175, Shanghai, China; Linh, N.N., Hanoi School of Public Health, 138 Giang Vo, Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Tahir, H., MPH Programme, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, PO Box 12810, Khartoum, Sudan; Leppink, J., Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands; Scherpbier, A., Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands | Background: The human resources for health crisis has highlighted the need for high-level public health education to add specific capacities to the workforce. Recently, it was questioned whether Master of Public Health (MPH) training prepared graduates with competencies relevant to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to examine the influence of the MPH programs geared towards LMICs offered in Vietnam, China, South Africa, Mexico, Sudan, and the Netherlands on graduates' careers, application of acquired competencies, performance at the workplace, and their professional contribution to society.Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to graduates from six MPH programs. Frequency distributions of the answers were calculated, and a bivariate analysis and logistic regression of certain variables was performed.Results: The response rate was 37.5%. Graduates reported change in leadership (69%), in technical position (69%), acquiring new responsibilities (80%), and increased remuneration (63%); they asserted that MPH programs contributed significantly to this. Graduates' attribution of their application of 7 key competencies 'substantially to the MPH program' ranged from 33% to 48%. Of the 26 impact variables, graduates attributed the effect they had on their workplace substantially to the MPH program; the highest rated variable ranged from 31% to 73% and the lowest ranged from 9% to 43%. Of the 10 impact variables on society, graduates attributed the effect they had on society substantially to the MPH program; for the highest rated variable (13% to 71%); for the lowest rated variable (4% to 42%). Candidates' attribution of their application of acquired competencies as well as their impact at the workplace varied significantly according to institution of study and educational background.Conclusions: This study concludes that these MPH programs contribute to improving graduates' careers and to building leadership in public health. The MPH programs contribute to graduates' application of competencies. MPH programs contribute substantially towards impact variables on the workplace, such as development of research proposals and reporting on population health needs, and less substantially to their impact on society, such as contributing equitable access to quality services. Differences reported between MPH programs merit further study. The results can be used for curriculum reform. © 2014 Zwanikken et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | Evaluation; Graduate; Impact; Low-and middle-income countries; Master of public health; Outcome | adult; developing country; education; female; human; income; international cooperation; leadership; male; medical education; middle aged; multivariate analysis; professional competence; public health; questionnaire; salary and fringe benefit; statistical model; Adult; Developing Countries; Education, Public Health Professional; Female; Humans; Income; Internationality; Leadership; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Professional Competence; Public Health; Questionnaires; Salaries and Fringe Benefits | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84892454034 | Validation of public health competencies and impact variables for low- and middle-income countries | Zwanikken P.A.C., Alexander L., Huong N.T., Qian X., Valladares L.M., Mohamed N.A., Ying X.H., Gonzalez-Robledo M.C., Linh L.C., Wadidi M.S.E.A., Tahir H., Neupane S., Scherpbier A. | 2014 | BMC Public Health | 14 | 1 | 10.1186/1471-2458-14-55 | Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands; School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Capetown, South Africa; Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, Viet Nam; School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan; Department of Demography, Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Human Resource Development, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan; University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan; Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands | Zwanikken, P.A.C., Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Alexander, L., School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Capetown, South Africa; Huong, N.T., Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Qian, X., School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Valladares, L.M., National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Mohamed, N.A., Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan; Ying, X.H., School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Gonzalez-Robledo, M.C., National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Linh, L.C., Department of Demography, Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Wadidi, M.S.E.A., Human Resource Development, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan; Tahir, H., University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan; Neupane, S., School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Capetown, South Africa; Scherpbier, A., Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands | Background: The number of Master of Public Health (MPH) programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is increasing, but questions have been raised regarding the relevance of their outcomes and impacts on context. Although processes for validating public health competencies have taken place in recent years in many high-income countries, validation in LMICs is needed. Furthermore, impact variables of MPH programmes in the workplace and in society have not been developed. Method. A set of public health competencies and impact variables in the workplace and in society was designed using the competencies and learning objectives of six participating institutions offering MPH programmes in or for LMICs, and the set of competencies of the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice as a reference. The resulting competencies and impact variables differ from those of the Council on Linkages in scope and emphasis on social determinants of health, context specificity and intersectoral competencies. A modified Delphi method was used in this study to validate the public health competencies and impact variables; experts and MPH alumni from China, Vietnam, South Africa, Sudan, Mexico and the Netherlands reviewed them and made recommendations. Results: The competencies and variables were validated across two Delphi rounds, first with public health experts (N = 31) from the six countries, then with MPH alumni (N = 30). After the first expert round, competencies and impact variables were refined based on the quantitative results and qualitative comments. Both rounds showed high consensus, more so for the competencies than the impact variables. The response rate was 100%. Conclusion: This is the first time that public health competencies have been validated in LMICs across continents. It is also the first time that impact variables of MPH programmes have been proposed and validated in LMICs across continents. The high degree of consensus between experts and alumni suggests that these public health competencies and impact variables can be used to design and evaluate MPH programmes, as well as for individual and team assessment and continuous professional development in LMICs. © 2014 Zwanikken et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | Impact; Low- and middle-income countries; Master of Public Health; Public health competencies | article; China; Delphi study; developing country; education; human; Mexico; professional competence; program evaluation; public health; public health service; South Africa; standard; Sudan; validation study; Viet Nam; China; Delphi Technique; Developing Countries; Humans; Mexico; Professional Competence; Program Evaluation; Public Health; Public Health Administration; South Africa; Sudan; Vietnam | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33748902038 | Managing the impact of gold panning activities within the context of integrated water resources management planning in the Lower Manyame Sub-Catchment, Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe | Zwane N., Love D., Hoko Z., Shoko D. | 2006 | Physics and Chemistry of the Earth | 31 | None | 10.1016/j.pce.2006.08.024 | Africa Management and Development Institute, P.O. Box 6146, Mbabane, Swaziland; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe; Department of Geology, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe; WaterNet, P.O. Box MP600, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe; United Nations Industrial Development Organization, P.O. Box 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe | Zwane, N., Africa Management and Development Institute, P.O. Box 6146, Mbabane, Swaziland, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe; Love, D., Department of Geology, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe, WaterNet, P.O. Box MP600, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe; Hoko, Z., Department of Civil Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe; Shoko, D., Department of Geology, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt . Pleasant Harare,, Zimbabwe, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, P.O. Box 4775, Harare, Zimbabwe | Riverbed alluvial gold panning activities are a cause for degradation of river channels and banks as well as water resources, particularly through accelerated erosion and siltation, in many areas of Zimbabwe. The lower Manyame sub-catchment located in the Northern part of the country is one such area. This study analysed the implications of cross-sectoral coordination of the management of panning and its impacts. This is within the context of conflicts of interests and responsibilities. A situational analysis of different stakeholders from sectors that included mining, environment, water, local government and water users who were located next to identified panning sites, as well as panners was carried out. Selected sites along the Dande River were observed to assess the environmental effects. The study determined that all stakeholder groups perceived siltation and river bank degradation as the most severe effect of panning on water resources, yet there were divergent views with regards to coordination of panning management. The Water Act of 1998 does not give enough power to management institutions including the Lower Manyame Sub-catchment Council to protect water resources from the impacts of panning, despite the fact that the activities affect the water resource base. The Mines and Minerals Act of 1996 remains the most powerful legislation, while mining sector activities adversely affect environmental resources. Furthermore, complexities were caused by differences in the definition of water resources management boundaries as compared to the overall environmental resources management boundaries according to the Environmental Management Act (EMA) of 2000, and by separate yet parallel water and environmental planning processes. Environmental sector institutions according to the EMA are well linked to local government functions and resource management is administrative, enhancing efficient coordination. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Conflict resolution; Consensus building; Environment; Gold panning; Integrated water resources management; Small-scale mining | Degradation; Environmental impact; Erosion; Management; Rivers; Concensus building; Conflict resolution; Gold panning; Integrated water resources management; Small-scale mining; Water resources; catchment; environmental effect; gold mine; river channel; water management; water resource; Africa; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Zambezi Belt; Zimbabwe | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33748122168 | Mortality and morbidity among postpartum HIV-positive and HIV-negative women in Zimbabwe: Risk factors, causes, and impact of single-dose postpartum vitamin A supplementation | Zvandasara P., Hargrove J.W., Ntozini R., Chidawanyika H., Mutasa K., Iliff P.J., Moulton L.H., Mzengeza F., Malaba L.C., Ward B.J., Nathoo K.J., Zijenah L.S., Mbizvo M., Zunguza C., Humphrey J.H., Mahomva A., Majo F., Marinda E., Ndhlovu M., Piwoz E., Pr | 2006 | Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes | 43 | 1 | 10.1097/01.qai.0000229015.77569.c7 | Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; College of Science, Institute of Nutrition and Family Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Que., Canada; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Harare City Health Department, Harare, Zimbabwe; WHO, Switzerland; ZVITAMBO Project, 1 Borrowdale Road, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe | Zvandasara, P., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe, ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; Hargrove, J.W., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; Ntozini, R., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; Chidawanyika, H., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; Mutasa, K., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; Iliff, P.J., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Moulton, L.H., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; Mzengeza, F., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, College of Science, Institute of Nutrition and Family Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Malaba, L.C., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, College of Science, Institute of Nutrition and Family Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Ward, B.J., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Que., Canada; Nathoo, K.J., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Zijenah, L.S., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Mbizvo, M., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, WHO, Switzerland; Zunguza, C., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Harare City Health Department, Harare, Zimbabwe; Humphrey, J.H., ZVITAMBO Project, Harare, Zimbabwe, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, MD, United States, ZVITAMBO Project, 1 Borrowdale Road, Borrowdale, Harare, Zimbabwe; Mahomva, A., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Majo, F., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Marinda, E., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Ndhlovu, M., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Piwoz, E., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Propper, L., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Rambanepasi, P., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Ruff, A., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; Tavengwa, N., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe | BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency is common among women in resource-poor countries and is associated with greater mortality during HIV. METHODS: Fourteen thousand one hundred ten mothers were tested for HIV and randomly administered 400,000 IU vitamin A or placebo at less than 96 hours postpartum. The effects of vitamin A and HIV status on mortality, health care utilization, and serum retinol were evaluated. RESULTS: Four thousand four hundred ninety-five (31.9%) mothers tested HIV positive. Mortality at 24 months was 2.3 per 1000 person-years and 38.3 per 1000 person-years in HIV-negative and HIV-positive women, respectively. Vitamin A had no effect on mortality. Tuberculosis was the most common cause of death, and nearly all tuberculosis-associated deaths were among HIV-positive women. Among HIV-positive women, vitamin A had no effect on rates of hospitalization or overall sick clinic visits, but did reduce clinic visits for malaria, cracked and bleeding nipples, pelvic inflammatory disease, and vaginal infection. Among HIV-negative women, serum retinol was responsive to vitamin A, but low serum retinol was rare. Among HIV-positive women, serum retinol was largely unresponsive to vitamin A, and regardless of treatment group, the entire serum retinol distribution was shifted 25% less than that of HIV-negative women 6 weeks after dosing. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose postpartum vitamin A supplementation had no effect on maternal mortality, perhaps because vitamin A status was adequate in HIV-negative women and apparently unresponsive to supplementation in HIV-positive women. Copyright © 2006 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | HIV; Morbidity; Mortality; Mothers; Serum retinol; Tuberculosis; Vitamin A; Zimbabwe | placebo; retinol; adult; article; controlled study; female; health care utilization; hospitalization; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; major clinical study; malaria; morbidity; mortality; pelvic inflammatory disease; priority journal; puerperium; retinol deficiency; risk factor; tuberculosis; vaginitis; vitamin blood level; vitamin supplementation; Zimbabwe; Adult; Cause of Death; Dietary Supplements; Female; HIV Infections; HIV Seronegativity; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Morbidity; Pregnancy; Puerperal Disorders; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Tuberculosis; Vitamin A; Zimbabwe | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33646161233 | Modelled surface ozone over southern Africa during the Cross Border Air Pollution Impact Assessment Project | Zunckel M., Koosailee A., Yarwood G., Maure G., Venjonoka K., van Tienhoven A.M., Otter L. | 2006 | Environmental Modelling and Software | 21 | 7 | 10.1016/j.envsoft.2005.04.004 | CSIR Environmentek, P.O. Box 17001, Congella 4013 Durban, South Africa; ENVIRON International Corporation, 101 Rowland Way, Novato, CA 94945, United States; Department of Physics, Eduardo Mondlane University, Box 257, Maputo, Mozambique; Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Private Bag BR132, Gaborone, Botswana; Climatology Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa; Sasol Synfuels, Private Bag X1000, Secunda, 2302, South Africa | Zunckel, M., CSIR Environmentek, P.O. Box 17001, Congella 4013 Durban, South Africa; Koosailee, A., CSIR Environmentek, P.O. Box 17001, Congella 4013 Durban, South Africa, Sasol Synfuels, Private Bag X1000, Secunda, 2302, South Africa; Yarwood, G., ENVIRON International Corporation, 101 Rowland Way, Novato, CA 94945, United States; Maure, G., Department of Physics, Eduardo Mondlane University, Box 257, Maputo, Mozambique; Venjonoka, K., Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Private Bag BR132, Gaborone, Botswana; van Tienhoven, A.M., CSIR Environmentek, P.O. Box 17001, Congella 4013 Durban, South Africa; Otter, L., Climatology Research Group, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa | Monitoring of surface ozone over southern Africa has shown that ambient concentrations often exceed a threshold of 40 ppb at which damage to vegetation by ozone could be expected. The Cross Border Air Pollution Assessment Project (CAPIA) was therefore established to assess the potential impacts of ozone on maize, a staple food crop, in five southern African countries. Measured surface ozone data are scare in the region so it was necessary to complement the monitoring with regional-scale photochemical modelling to achieve the objective. The Pennsylvania State and NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) is used to produce gridded meteorological data for 5 days in each month of the maize growing season, October to April, as input to the photochemical model, CAMx. Gridded anthropogenic emissions from industry, transport and domestic burning and gridded biogenic emissions from soils and vegetation are input to CAMx. The model estimations indicate large areas on the sub-continent where surface ozone concentrations exceed 40 ppb for up to 10 h per day. Maximum concentrations may exceed 80 ppb, particularly in the winter when mean ozone concentrations are higher. The areas where the 40 ppb threshold is exceeded coincide with maize growing areas in South Africa and Zimbabwe. It appears that neither anthropogenic emissions nor biogenic emissions are dominant in the production of surface ozone over southern Africa. Rather the formation of surface ozone over the region is attributed to the combined contribution of precursors from anthropogenic and biogenic origin. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Anthropogenic emissions; Biogenic emissions; Botswana; CAMx; CAPIA; Maize; MM5; Mozambique; Photochemical modelling; South Africa; Zambia; Zimbabwe | Condition monitoring; Environmental impact; Ozone; Project management; Regional planning; Vegetation; Anthropogenic emissions; Biogenic emissions; CAMx; Cross Border Air Pollution Assessment Project (CAPIA); MM5; Photochemical modeling; Air pollution; anthropogenic effect; atmospheric pollution; biogenic emission; maize; Meteosat; ozone; Africa; Botswana; Mozambique; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Zambia; Zimbabwe; Zea mays | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-64649091129 | Mulch tower treatment system Part I: Overall performance in greywater treatment | Zuma B.M., Tandlich R., Whittington-Jones K.J., Burgess J.E. | 2009 | Desalination | 242 | 42372 | 10.1016/j.desal.2008.03.030 | Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa | Zuma, B.M., Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Tandlich, R., Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa, Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Whittington-Jones, K.J., Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Burgess, J.E., Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa | A mulch tower (MT) system for greywater treatment is introduced in this paper. Materials used to assemble the MT system included mulch, coarse sand, fine and coarse gravel. Limited removal efficiency of the MT system was demonstrated for alkalinity, total hardness, pH, Cl-, PO43-, NH4+, and SO42-, with the estimated cumulative removals ranging from 7 to 12%. Intermediate removal efficiency was observed for chemical oxygen demand (COD), NO3-, and S2- with the estimated cumulative removals ranging from 24 to 28%. The highest removal efficiency was observed for the total suspended solids (TSS) with the estimated cumulative removal equal to 52%. Given the minute residence time in the MT system, the results obtained were promising and justify scale-up studies for potential on-site applications. The MT effluent did not meet hygienic norms with respect to the faecal coliform concentration (FC) and the total coliform concentration (TC), and further effluent treatment is required before any discharge or reuse of the treated greywater. Further research should focus on characterisation of the microbial community of the MT, and the fate of Cl-, PO43-, NH4+, and SO42-. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | Greywater; Mulch tower; On-site treatment | Characterisation; Chemical-oxygen demands; Coarse gravels; Coliform concentrations; Greywater; Greywater treatments; Microbial communities; Mulch tower; On-site treatment; Removal efficiencies; Residence time; Scale-Up; Site applications; Total suspended solids; Treatment systems; Alkalinity; Buildings; Chemical oxygen demand; Effluent treatment; Effluents; Oxygen; Range finding; Removal; Telluric prospecting; Towers; Wastewater treatment; Water recycling; chemical oxygen demand; estimation method; fecal coliform; microbial community; mulch; removal experiment | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84924286466 | Comparison of effective population size, rate and level of inbreeding and its potential impact on village chicken populations of Southern Africa | Zulu S.G., Muchadeyi F.C., Dzomba E.F. | 2015 | International Journal of Poultry Science | 14 | 1 | None | Discipline of Genetics, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort, South Africa | Zulu, S.G., Discipline of Genetics, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Muchadeyi, F.C., Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort, South Africa; Dzomba, E.F., Discipline of Genetics, University of KwaZulu Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | The term village chicken best describes the scavenging chickens because of the effect of the village socio-economic and biophysical environment on the production and health status of the chicken. These chickens are predominantly farmed in African villages by small holder farmers. The purpose of this study was to compare rates and levels of inbreeding in village (free range) chickens in Southern Africa. In addition the study sought to investigate the major economic traits that could be negatively affected by inbreeding. The study was carried out in 2007 and 2009 by sampling households in five agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in Zimbabwe and three farming regions in South Africa. Data was captured in the form of surveys conducted using pre-tested questionnaires and included farmer socio-demographic information and household chicken flock sizes and composition. Data was also captured on traits that chicken farmers target when selecting or culling the flocks by ranking traits in order of importance, one being most important and eight being the least important. Three parameters i.e. effective population size (Ne), rate of inbreeding (AF) and the level of inbreeding (F) were estimated using different mathematical formulas. Statistical analysis of the effect of agro-ecological zone and country on each of the three parameters was done using Generalized Linear Models procedure in SAS. Results showed that Limpopo province of South Africa and AEZ III of Zimbabwe had highest and lowest Ne, respectively. Consequently, Limpopo and AEZ III had the lowest and the highest AF respectively. Both effective population size and rate of inbreeding varied significantly (p<0.05) between farming regions/agro ecological zones within countries. It was observed that chicken body size, reproductive performance, mothering ability and health were ranked high while body conformation and morphological traits (plumage color and comb shape) were ranked the least important traits for choosing animals for breeding and for culling chickens from the flock. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2015. | Effective population size; Farming region; Inbreeding; Village chicken | Animalia; Gallus gallus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84931395794 | Evaluation of cross-protection of bluetongue virus serotype 4 with other serotypes in sheep | Zulu G.B., Venter E.H. | 2014 | Journal of the South African Veterinary Association | 85 | 1 | 10.4102/jsava.v85i1.1041 | Experimental Animals: Onderstepoort Biological Products, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa | Zulu, G.B., Experimental Animals: Onderstepoort Biological Products, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Venter, E.H., Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa | Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious disease of sheep and other domestic and wild ruminants caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV). Currently 26 serotypes of the virus have been identified. In South Africa, 22 serotypes have been identified and BT is controlled mainly by annual vaccinations using a freeze-dried live attenuated polyvalent BTV vaccine. The vaccine is constituted of 15 BTV serotypes divided into three separate bottles and the aim is to develop a vaccine using fewer serotypes without compromising the immunity against the disease. This study is based on previously reported cross-neutralisation of specific BTV serotypes in in vitro studies. Bluetongue virus serotype 4 was selected for this trial and was tested for cross-protection against serotype 4 (control), 1 (unrelated serotype), 9, 10 and 11 in sheep using the serum neutralisation test. The purpose of the study was to determine possible cross-protection of different serotypes in sheep. Of those vaccinated with BTV-4 and challenged with BTV-1, which is not directly related to BTV-4, 20% were completely protected and 80% showed clinical signs, but the reaction was not as severe as amongst the unvaccinated animals. In the group challenged with BTV-10, some showed good protection and some became very sick. Those challenged with BTV-9 and BTV-11 had good protection. The results showed that BTV-4 does not only elicit a specific immune response but can also protect against other serotypes. © 2014. The Authors. | None | bluetongue vaccine; core protein; live vaccine; neutralizing antibody; nonstructural protein 1; unclassified drug; virus vaccine; virus antibody; virus vaccine; animal experiment; antigen antibody reaction; Article; bleeding; bluetongue; Bluetongue orbivirus; Bluetongue orbivirus serotype 1; Bluetongue orbivirus serotype 11; Bluetongue orbivirus serotype 4; Bluetongue orbivirus serotype 9; cellular immunity; controlled study; cross protection; depression; dyspnea; humoral immunity; immunogenicity; in vitro study; nonhuman; sheep; vaccination; virus neutralization; animal; blood; bluetongue; Bluetongue orbivirus; classification; immunology; serotype; sheep; virology; Animalia; Bluetongue virus; Ovis aries; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Bluetongue; Bluetongue virus; Serogroup; Sheep; Viral Vaccines | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78650664477 | Evaluation of the oxytocic activity of the ethanol extract of the roots of Alchornea cordifolia | Zuleikha N.A.M., Omonkhelin O.J., Buniyamin A.A., Paul I.O. | 2010 | International Journal of Green Pharmacy | 4 | 4 | 10.4103/0973-8258.74133 | Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria | Zuleikha, N.A.M., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Omonkhelin, O.J., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Buniyamin, A.A., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Paul, I.O., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria | Alchornea cordifolia has been used traditionally for the induction of labour as an abortifacient. This study is aimed at verifying the folkloric use of the plant by investigating the effect of ethanolic extract of the root bark on the isolated stilboestrol pretreated uteri of non-pregnant female rats. The extract (1, 10, 50 g/l), oxytocin (4105 to 8103 g/l), acetylcholine (4106 to 8104 g/l), atropine (410 3 g/l), phenoxybenzamine (4103 g/l), diphenhydramine(2101 g/l), and verapamil (12102 g/l) were used. Log concentration response curves were plotted and EC 50 and Emax were obtained. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Dunnet corrections using Graph pad Instat version 2.05a was used for statistical analysis. The extract produced dose-dependent contraction of the uterus. Its potency was less than that of oxytocin and acetylcholine (P<0.05), but the Emax showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The E max values of the extract in the presence of all antagonists were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The EC 50 in the presence of atropine showed no significant increase (P>0.05); however, in the presence of phenoxybenzamine, the increase was significant (P<0.05). The presence of diphenhydramine and verapamil produced an inhibition such that the EC 50 was unattainable. A. cordifolia stimulates the uterus possibly by binding to alpha-adrenergic or histaminergic receptors or both. This indicates the existence of active principles in the plant, which may be responsible for some of the applications in traditional medicines as an abortifacient and in the induction of labour. | Folkloric medicine; root bark; smooth muscles; uterine contraction | acetylcholine; alchornea cordifolia extract; alcohol; atropine; diphenhydramine; oxytocic agent; oxytocin; phenoxybenzamine; plant extract; unclassified drug; verapamil; alchornea cordifolia; animal experiment; animal tissue; article; drug antagonism; drug potency; Euphorbia; female; nonhuman; plant root; rat; uterus contraction | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84872360882 | Echocardiographic screening for subclinical rheumatic heart disease remains a research tool pending studies of impact on prognosis | Zühlke L., Mayosi B.M. | 2013 | Current Cardiology Reports | 15 | 3 | 10.1007/s11886-012-0343-1 | Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Medicine, Old Groote Schuur Hospital, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, 7945, Cape Town, South Africa | Zühlke, L., Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of Medicine, Old Groote Schuur Hospital, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, 7945, Cape Town, South Africa; Mayosi, B.M., Department of Medicine, Old Groote Schuur Hospital, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, 7945, Cape Town, South Africa | The application of portable echocardiography to the screening of asymptomatic children and young adults for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in developing countries indicates that the disease may affect 62 million to 78 million individuals worldwide, which could potentially result in 1.4 million deaths per year from RHD and its complications. The World Heart Federation has developed a guideline for the echocardiographic diagnosis of RHD in asymptomatic individuals without a history of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in order to ensure the reliability, comparability, and reproducibility of findings of the echocardiographic screening studies. Early studies suggest that a third of individuals with asymptomatic subclinical RHD revert to normal echocardiographic findings on repeat testing after 6-12 months, suggesting that repeat echocardiography may be necessary to confirm the findings prior to consideration of interventions such as antibiotic prophylaxis. It is not known, however, whether echocardiographic screening for asymptomatic subclinical RHD or the introduction of antibiotic prophylaxis for affected individuals improves the prognosis of RHD. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of this screening method has not been established in the vast majority of affected countries. Therefore, echocardiographic screening for asymptomatic subclinical RHD remains a research tool until studies of impact on prognosis and cost-effectiveness are conducted. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013. | Echocardiographic screening; Rheumatic heart disease; Subclinical carditis; World Heart Federation guidelines | antibiotic prophylaxis; article; asymptomatic disease; clinical protocol; comparative effectiveness; cost effectiveness analysis; developing country; disease activity; disease classification; disease course; disease surveillance; echocardiography; health care cost; human; practice guideline; prognosis; reliability; repeat procedure; reproducibility; rheumatic heart disease | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33750579636 | Synthesis and pesticidal evaluation of novel quin-8- oxytetramethyldiphenyldioxaphosphonine analogue | Zubair M.F., Oladosu I.A. | 2006 | South African Journal of Chemistry | 59 | None | None | Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria; Department of Chemistry, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria | Zubair, M.F., Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria; Oladosu, I.A., Department of Chemistry, Bayero University Kano, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria | Although a great deal of success has been achieved in the synthesis of dibenzodioxaphosphepin derivatives during the last few decades with the introduction of hundreds of its six-, and seven-membered ring systems, the search for more practical agronomic pesticides that is readily available and of good activity, remains attractive and important to an agronomic chemist. During the course of the development of synthetic routes to a promising pesticide, a facile preparation for a nine-membered heterocyclic dibenzodioxaphosphonine compound was discovered. Previously reported compounds consist of six- and seven-membered ring systems. The pure product was fully characterized by spectroscopic [IR, NMR (1H, 13C, 31P) and Mass] analyses. The pure compound possesses a LC50 value of 19.3 μg cm-3 in a brine shrimp lethality assay (BST). The preliminary field study on the cowpea weevil bioassay shows 51% success. Details of the synthetic route as well as bioassay results are reported herein. | BST; Candidate; Dibenzodioxaphosphonine; LC50 | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84892798175 | Impact of the 2010 FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup on pediatric injury and mortality in Cape Town, South Africa | Zroback C., Levin D., Manlhiot C., Alexander A., Van As A.B., Azzie G. | 2014 | Journal of Pediatrics | 164 | 2 | 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.10.009 | Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada; Department of General Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Labatt Family Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Trauma Unit, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; ChildSafe (Formerly Known As the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa), Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada | Zroback, C., Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Department of General Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Levin, D., Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Manlhiot, C., Labatt Family Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Alexander, A., Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada, Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Van As, A.B., Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, Trauma Unit, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, ChildSafe (Formerly Known As the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa), Cape Town, South Africa; Azzie, G., Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada | Objective To examine how a mass-gathering event (the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup, 2010, South Africa) impacts trauma and mortality in the pediatric (≤18 years) population. Study design We investigated pediatric emergency visits at Cape Town's 3 largest public trauma centers and 3 private hospital groups, as well as deaths investigated by the 3 city mortuaries. We compared the 31 days of World Cup with equivalent periods from 2007-2009, and with the 2 weeks before and after the event. We also looked at the World Cup period in isolation and compared days with and without games in Cape Town. Results There was significantly decreased pediatric trauma volume during the World Cup, approximately 2/100â€̂000 (37%) fewer injuries per day, compared with 2009 and to both pre- and post-World Cup control periods (P <.001). This decrease occurred within a majority of injury subtypes, but did not change mortality. There were temporal fluctuations in emergency visits corresponding with local match start time, with fewer all-cause emergency visits during the 5 hours surrounding this time (-16.4%, P =.01), followed by a subsequent spike (+26.2%, P =.02). There was an increase in trauma 12 hours following matches (+15.6%, P =.06). Conclusions In Cape Town, during the 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup, there were fewer emergency department visits for traumatic injury. Furthermore, there were fewer all-cause pediatric emergency department visits during hometown matches. These results will assist in planning for future mass-gathering events. | Federation Internationale de Football Association; FIFA; ICD-10; International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision | adolescent; adult; article; child; childhood injury; clinical examination; consultation; controlled study; cross-sectional study; emergency health service; emergency ward; female; football; human; infant; male; mortality; multicenter study; newborn; pediatrics; preschool child; priority journal; private hospital; school child; South Africa; sport; sport injury; young adult; Article; childhood injury; contusion; death; emergency care; football; intoxication; major clinical study; wound; Federation Internationale de Football Association; FIFA; ICD-10; International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Soccer; South Africa; Survival Rate; Wounds and Injuries | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84927799281 | Drafting's improvement of 3000-m running performance in elite athletes: Is it a placebo effect? | Zouhal H., BenAbderrahman A., Prioux J., Knechtle B., Bouguerra L., Kebsi W., Noakes T.D. | 2015 | International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance | 10 | 2 | 10.1123/ijspp.2013-0498 | Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, France; Higher Inst of Sport and Physical Education of Tunis, University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia; Inst of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa | Zouhal, H., Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, France; BenAbderrahman, A., Higher Inst of Sport and Physical Education of Tunis, University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia; Prioux, J., Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, France; Knechtle, B., Inst of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Bouguerra, L., Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, France; Kebsi, W., Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, France; Noakes, T.D., MRC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa | Purpose: To determine the effect of drafting on running time, physiological response, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during 3000-m track running. Methods: Ten elite middle- and long-distance runners performed 3 track-running sessions. The 1st session determined maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic speed using a lightweight ambulatory respiratory gas-exchange system (K4B<inf>2</inf>). The 2nd and the 3rd tests consisted of nondrafting 3000-m running (3000-mND) and 3000-m running with drafting for the 1st 2000 m (3000-mD) performed on the track in a randomized counterbalanced order. Results: Performance during the 3000-mND (553.59 ± 22.15 s) was significantly slower (P < .05) than during the 3000-mD (544.74 ± 18.72 s). Cardiorespiratory responses were not significantly different between the trials. However, blood lactate concentration was significantly higher (P < .05) after the 3000-mND (16.4 ± 2.3 mmol/L) than after the 3000-mD (13.2 ± 5.6 mmol/L). Athletes perceived the 3000-mND as more strenuous than the 3000-mD (P < .05) (RPE = 16.1 ± 0.8 vs 13.1 ± 1.3). Results demonstrate that drafting has a significant effect on performance in highly trained runners. Conclusion: This effect could not be explained by a reduced energy expenditure or cardiorespiratory effort as a result of drafting. This raises the possibility that drafting may aid running performance by both physiological and nonphysiological (ie, psychological) effects. © 2015 Human Kinetics, Inc. | Endurance; Highly trained; Pacing; Rating of perceived exertion; Track running | lactic acid; adult; biomechanics; blood; endurance; energy metabolism; exercise; heart rate; human; lung ventilation; male; oxygen consumption; perception; physiology; placebo effect; psychology; running; Adult; Biomechanical Phenomena; Energy Metabolism; Heart Rate; Humans; Lactic Acid; Male; Oxygen Consumption; Perception; Physical Endurance; Physical Exertion; Placebo Effect; Pulmonary Ventilation; Running | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34548169083 | Evaluation of global clustering patterns and strain variation over an extended ORF26 gene locus from Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus | Zong J.-C., Kajumbula H., Boto W., Hayward G.S. | 2007 | Journal of Clinical Virology | 40 | 1 | 10.1016/j.jcv.2007.06.013 | Viral Oncology Program, Department of Oncology, Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Blunting Blaustein Cancer Research Bldg. 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231-1000, United States; Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda | Zong, J.-C., Viral Oncology Program, Department of Oncology, Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Blunting Blaustein Cancer Research Bldg. 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231-1000, United States; Kajumbula, H., Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda; Boto, W., Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda; Hayward, G.S., Viral Oncology Program, Department of Oncology, Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Blunting Blaustein Cancer Research Bldg. 1650 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231-1000, United States | Background: Small 233-bp or 330-bp DNA fragments of the ORF26 gene of human Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) have been used extensively to identify KSHV by PCR in clinical samples; to associate KSHV with novel diseases and to correlate KSHV strain differences with pathogenicity. Objectives: We evaluated the nature, extent and source of nucleotide sequence variability among a large and diverse set of known KSHV-positive DNA samples. Study design: Direct DNA PCR sequencing was carried out on 136 distinct Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma-related samples from different geographic locations. Results: The presence of 26 diagnostic nucleotide polymorphisms across an expanded 965-bp PCR locus define eight distinct ORF26E genotypes, three being of Eurasian origin, one from the Pacific Rim, and five from Sub-Saharan Africa. Previous ambiguities between some genotype patterns in the 330-bp locus data are fully resolved. Conclusions: This analysis provides an expanded database for understanding and evaluating ORF26 polymorphisms. In particular, the eight genotype clusters correlated with specific ethnic and geographic origins of the patients. Furthermore, the very low level of additional sporadic nucleotide variation found permits detection of spurious sequence errors or contamination present in some published data. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | Direct PCR sequencing; Multiple KSHV genotypes; Subtype discrimination | article; controlled study; correlation analysis; data base; diagnostic test; DNA polymorphism; DNA sequence; ethnicity; gene cluster; gene deletion; gene locus; gene sequence; genetic analysis; genetic variability; genotype; geography; Herpes virus; human; human cell; Kaposi sarcoma; lymphoma; nucleotide sequence; open reading frame; polymerase chain reaction; priority journal; virus strain; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Base Sequence; Cluster Analysis; Demography; Genome, Viral; Genotype; Herpesviridae Infections; Herpesvirus 8, Human; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Open Reading Frames; Polymorphism, Genetic; Sarcoma, Kaposi | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84931057849 | Managerial ownership and firm performance on selected jse listed firms | Zondi S., Sibanda M. | 2015 | Corporate Ownership and Control | 12 | 3CONT2 | None | School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | Zondi, S., School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Sibanda, M., School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | This paper investigates if there is a relationship between managerial ownership and firm performance in selected firms listed on the JSE, and if so, what that relationship is. The study conducts regression analyses over a sample of 23 retail sector firms, observing data stretching from 2010 to 2013. The results are found to be robust. The results suggest that the hypothesis that a positive relationship exists between managerial ownership and performance be rejected as a negative relationship is found. Instead, the results of a two-stage least squares (2SLS) analysis find that managerial ownership does not impact firm performance in any direction. Overall the results of the study do not support the agency theory, as aligning the interests of managers and shareholders does not improve firm performance, at least within the retail sector. © 2015, Virtus Interpress. All rights reserved. | Corporate governance; Endogeneity; Firm performance; Managerial ownership; South Africa | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-38649129788 | Land area eligible for afforestation and reforestation within the clean development mechanism: A global analysis of the impact of forest definition | Zomer R.J., Trabucco A., Verchot L.V., Muys B. | 2008 | Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change | 13 | 3 | 10.1007/s11027-007-9087-4 | International Water Management Institute (IWMI), P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka; World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya; Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; c/o IWMI, P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka | Zomer, R.J., International Water Management Institute (IWMI), P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka, c/o IWMI, P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Trabucco, A., International Water Management Institute (IWMI), P.O. Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Verchot, L.V., World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya; Muys, B., Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001 Leuven, Belgium | Within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Kyoto Protocol, countries have significant latitude to define a forest. The most important parameter affecting area designated as forest is the minimum crown cover which can be set between 10 and 30%. The choice will have implications for the amount of land available in a country for afforestation and reforestation activities within the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM-AR). In this paper, we present an analysis of the regional differences in land availability for CDM-AR projects. We then examine how the choice of a high or low threshold value for crown cover will affect the area available for CDM activities and how the limitations imposed by this element of the definition compares to other factors that are likely to limit CDM activities. Results represent a global analysis that included all countries not included in Annex I of the Kyoto Protocol, and examined the effect on land availability of a range of crown cover thresholds ranging from 10-30%. Of the 140 Non-Annex One countries, 107 countries were found to have a potential for CDM-AR projects. Asia had the largest amount of combined area suitable for CDM-AR at the 10% crown cover threshold level. However, at 30%, South America had the greatest amount of land available, and a large change in available land area, which increased by almost five times compared to what was available at the 10% threshold. The area available in Africa increased by a factor of 5.5. Central America showed the largest increase, to almost 10 times more at the 30% threshold. By contrast, within Asia, the area increase was comparatively less, but still the area nearly doubled. Globally, a low threshold of 10% crown cover excluded almost 2/3 of the land identified that was eligible at 30%, over 5 million km2. The spatial analyses showed not only the effects of the choice of the crown cover criterion, but also where the land was available for CDM activities within each country at different thresholds. Protected areas account for 10-20% of the CDM-AR eligible area in most countries. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, B.V. | Afforestation/Reforestation; Carbon sequestration; CDM-AR; Clean development mechanism; Climate change mitigation; Forest definition; Global spatial analysis; Land suitability modeling; Land use land cover and forestry (LULUCF) | afforestation; clean development mechanism; comparative study; environmental impact assessment; forest cover; reforestation; spatial analysis | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79958150855 | Electrical performance results of an energy efficient building with an integrated photovoltaic system | Ziuku S., Meyer E.L. | 2010 | Journal of Energy in Southern Africa | 21 | 3 | None | Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa | Ziuku, S., Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa; Meyer, E.L., Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa | A 3.8 kW rooftop photovoltaic generator has been installed on an energy efficient house built at the University of Fort Hare, Alice campus, South Africa. The system, located on the north facing roof, started generating electrical power in February 2009. In addition to providing electrical energy, the photovoltaic panels also act as the building roofing material. An instrumentation and data acquisition system was installed to record the indoor and outdoor ambient temperature, indoor and outdoor relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar irradiance, electrical energy produced by the solar panels and the household energy consumption. This paper presents the initial results of the electrical performance of the building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) generator and energy consumption patterns in the energy efficient house. | Building integrated photovoltaics; Energy consumption; Energy demand; Energy efficiency | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84877583730 | HIV-associated lipodystrophy in South Africa: The impact on the patient and the impact on the plastic surgeon | Zinn R.J., Serrurier C., Takuva S., Sanne I., Menezes C.N. | 2013 | Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery | 66 | 6 | 10.1016/j.bjps.2013.02.032 | Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa | Zinn, R.J., Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Serrurier, C., Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Takuva, S., Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Sanne, I., Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Menezes, C.N., Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa | SummaryBackground With 67% of the world's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population existing in sub-Saharan Africa and recent access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the demand for plastic surgical intervention in addressing lipodystrophy has expanded dramatically. We assessed the rate of lipodystrophy in a random clinic cohort, the demand for surgical correction and risk of treatment non-compliance. Method Questionnaire and database cross-sectional review of 554 patients over a 3-month period at the Themba Lethu Clinic, Johannesburg, South Africa. Results A total of 479 patients completed the questionnaire, 83% were female. Nearly 90% of patients were on, or had been on, stavudine (d4T). The prevalence of lipodystrophy was 11.7%. Nearly 5.9% of patients had considered stopping treatment due to the development of lipodystrophy; 47% would consider surgery to correct unwanted physical changes. Male patients were satisfied by the changes they noted in their physical features following treatment (pre-treatment satisfaction 38% vs. post-treatment satisfaction of 94%). Female patients had 6.5 times more breast hypertrophy-related symptoms than in their pre-treatment state. Conclusion We identify a prevalence of 11.7% of patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy, of whom 5.9% would consider non-compliance on the basis of this side effect alone. The demand for surgical correction is significant and needs to be addressed. © 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Keywords Lipodystrophy Compliance Stigma Highly-active antiretroviral therapy Stavudine | stavudine; adult; article; breast hypertrophy; cross-sectional study; female; HIV associated lipodystrophy; human; major clinical study; male; patient compliance; patient satisfaction; plastic surgery; priority journal; sex difference; South Africa; surgery; Adult; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Services Needs and Demand; HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Proportional Hazards Models; Questionnaires; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; Risk Factors; South Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84941746539 | Assessment of adoption and impact of rainwater harvesting technologies on rural farm household income: the case of rainwater harvesting ponds in Rwanda | Zingiro A., Okello J.J., Guthiga P.M. | 2014 | Environment, Development and Sustainability | 16 | 6 | 10.1007/s10668-014-9527-8 | University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya | Zingiro, A., University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya; Okello, J.J., University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya; Guthiga, P.M., International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya | Rainwater harvesting is increasingly viewed as a major strategy for enhancing agricultural productivity and boosting farm income in many drought-prone areas. While this technology is being promoted in many developing countries, there is conflicting evidence in the literature about its impact on welfare of farm households. This study uses propensity score matching and discrete choice regression techniques to assess the impact of rainwater harvesting ponds on farm household income and factors that influence adoption of such technologies in Rwanda. It finds that households with rainwater harvesting ponds have significantly higher income than their counterparts of comparable observable characteristics. It further finds evidence that increase in farm income occurs via increased input use and that household size, asset endowments and participation in farmer organizations condition adoption of rainwater harvesting ponds. The study concludes that adoption of rainwater harvesting technologies has positive benefits on farm households. It discusses the policy implications that adoption of rainwater harvesting ponds presents a pathway for reducing rural poverty. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. | Adoption and impact; Propensity score matching; Rainwater harvesting ponds; Rwanda | adoption constraint; agricultural production; cost-benefit analysis; developing world; drought; environmental impact assessment; farmers attitude; harvesting; household income; literature review; policy approach; pond; poverty; rainwater; rural area; social conflict; sustainability; welfare impact; Rwanda | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84880042718 | Effects of within-litter birth weight variation of piglets on performance at 3 weeks of age and at weaning in a Large White×Landrace sow herd | Zindove T.J., Dzomba E.F., Kanengoni A.T., Chimonyo M. | 2013 | Livestock Science | 155 | 42403 | 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.04.013 | Animal and Poultry Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Genetics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Animal Production Institute, ARC, P. Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa | Zindove, T.J., Animal and Poultry Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Dzomba, E.F., Genetics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Kanengoni, A.T., Animal Production Institute, ARC, P. Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa; Chimonyo, M., Animal and Poultry Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | The effect of piglet birth weight variation on subsequent weight variations and litter performance in Large White×Landrace sows is not well understood. The objective of the current study was to determine the relationship between within-litter birth weight coefficient of variation (CVB) and performance of piglets at 3 weeks and at weaning. A total of 1836 litter records, collected between January 1998 and September 2010 at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Irene, were used. The CVB had a linear relationship with survival at 3 weeks (SURV3) (b=-0.20; P<0.05) and within-litter weight coefficient of variation at 3 weeks (CV3) (b=0.50; P<0.05). Litters with high CVB had more deaths at 3 weeks (P<0.05). Increase of CV3 with CVB varied with parity (P<0.05). The rate of increase of CV3 with CVB was highest in Parity 1 (b=0.41) followed by Parity 2 (b=0.36) then middle aged (Parity 3-5) sows (b=0.32). There was no significant relationship between CVB and litter weight at 3 weeks (LWt3) or mean litter weight at 3 weeks (MWt3) (P>0.05). Weight variation at weaning was positively skewed (skewness value of 0.81). The survival to 3 weeks (SURV3) ranged from 13.3% to 100% with a mean of 87.6%. The CVB had a linear relationship with both within-litter weaning weight coefficient of variation (CVW) (b=0.50; P<0.05) and percent survival to weaning (SURVW) (b=-0.04; P<0.05). There was an unfavorable positive relationship between CVB with both CVW and SURVW. It can be concluded that litter performance at weaning is related to CVB. © 2013. | Coefficient of variation; Parity; Piglets; Survivability | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84906253269 | Climate change impacts and adaptation in South Africa | Ziervogel G., New M., Archer van Garderen E., Midgley G., Taylor A., Hamann R., Stuart-Hill S., Myers J., Warburton M. | 2014 | Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change | 5 | 5 | 10.1002/wcc.295 | Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; CSIR/School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, South Africa; South African National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa; African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa | Ziervogel, G., Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; New, M., African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Archer van Garderen, E., CSIR/School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Pretoria, South Africa; Midgley, G., South African National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Cape Town, South Africa; Taylor, A., African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Hamann, R., Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Stuart-Hill, S., School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa; Myers, J., School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Warburton, M., School for Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa | In this paper we review current approaches and recent advances in research on climate impacts and adaptation in South Africa. South Africa has a well-developed earth system science research program that underpins the climate change scenarios developed for the southern African region. Established research on the biophysical impacts of climate change on key sectors (water, agriculture, and biodiversity) integrates the climate change scenarios but further research is needed in a number of areas, such as the climate impacts on cities and the built environment. National government has developed a National Climate Change Response White Paper, but this has yet to translate into policy that mainstreams adaptation in everyday practice and longer-term planning in all spheres and levels of government. A national process to scope long-term adaptation scenarios is underway, focusing on cross-sectoral linkages in adaptation responses at a national level. Adaptation responses are emerging in certain sectors. Some notable city-scale and project-based adaptation responses have been implemented, but institutional challenges persist. In addition, a number of knowledge gaps remain in relation to the biophysical and socio-economic impacts of climate change. A particular need is to develop South Africa's capacity to undertake integrated assessments of climate change that can support climate-resilient development planning. © 2014 The Authors. WIREs Climate Change published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. | None | adaptive management; climate change; environmental planning; environmental policy; socioeconomic impact; South Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33750290855 | Impact of repeated mass treatment on human Oesophagostomum and hookworm infections in northern Ghana | Ziem J.B., Magnussen P., Olsen A., Horton J., Asigri V.L.L., Polderman A.M. | 2006 | Tropical Medicine and International Health | 11 | 11 | 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01729.x | Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana; DBL-Institute for Health Research and Development, Charlottenlund, Denmark; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Liverpool University, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Parasitic Diseases Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, Ghana; Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands | Ziem, J.B., Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana; Magnussen, P., DBL-Institute for Health Research and Development, Charlottenlund, Denmark; Olsen, A., DBL-Institute for Health Research and Development, Charlottenlund, Denmark; Horton, J., Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Liverpool University, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Asigri, V.L.L., Parasitic Diseases Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Tamale, Ghana; Polderman, A.M., Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, Netherlands | Oesophagostomum bifurcum is a common parasite of humans causing disease in parts of northern Ghana and northern Togo. The impact of repeated mass treatment with albendazole on infection with O. bifurcum and hookworm is analysed and the results compared with those in a control area where no treatment was given. At baseline, O. bifurcum and hookworm prevalences were 53.0% and 86.9%, respectively (n = 1011). After 12 months, following two rounds of albendazole treatment, prevalences decreased significantly to 5.4% for O. bifurcum and 36.8% for hookworm (n = 535). Twenty-four months after the baseline survey and following a total of four rounds of treatment, prevalences were further reduced to 0.8% and 23.4% for O. bifurcum and hookworm, respectively (n = 478). Overall, there was a significant decrease in the larval counts, measured as geometric mean larval count per 4 g of stool of O. bifurcum from 3.0 to 0.1 and of hookworm from 47.2 to 1.8. The fourth mass treatment was carried out in April 2003 by the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme. Overall, compliance to treatment varied from 70% to 80%. In the control area, Oesophagostomum prevalence increased from 18.5% to 37.0% and the intensity from 0.4 to 1.4. For hookworm, both prevalence (86.1-91.3%) and intensity (54.8-74.3) increased but not to a significant level. The prospects of eliminating human oesophagostomiasis from the intervention area, while simultaneously achieving an important reduction of hookworm prevalences by albendazole mass treatment, are discussed. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. | Control; Ghana; Hookworm; Mass treatment; Oesophagostomum bifurcum | albendazole; disease treatment; drug; filariasis; infectious disease; parasite prevalence; parasitic disease; adolescent; adult; aged; article; child; controlled study; feces analysis; female; geometry; Ghana; health program; health survey; hookworm infection; human; larval development; major clinical study; male; measurement; nematodiasis; patient compliance; prevalence; statistical significance; Strongyloidea; treatment outcome; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Albendazole; Anthelmintics; Child; Child, Preschool; Endemic Diseases; Female; Ghana; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Oesophagostomiasis; Parasite Egg Count; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Rural Health; Sex Distribution; Treatment Outcome; Africa; Ghana; Sub-Saharan Africa; Togo; West Africa; Ancylostomatoidea; Oesophagostomum; Oesophagostomum bifurcum | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-48349091332 | Influence of different morphologies on electrochemical performance of spinel LiMn2O4 | Zhu H.-L., Chen Z.-Y., Ji S., Linkov Vladimir. | 2008 | Solid State Ionics | 179 | 27-32 | 10.1016/j.ssi.2008.01.058 | Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, 410076, China; SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa | Zhu, H.-L., Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, 410076, China; Chen, Z.-Y., Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, 410076, China, SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; Ji, S., SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; Linkov, Vladimir., SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa | A controlled crystallization method was adopted to synthesize spherical MnCO3, then it was mixed uniformly with Li2CO3 in agate mortar, followed by calcinations at 600 °C and 800 °C for 10 and 24 h respectively, and as a result the spherical or sphere-like spinel LiMn2O4 was formed. The electrochemical performances of LiMn2O4 prepared by normal solid-state reaction and controlled crystallization method respectively were compared. It showed that the stoichiometric spherical LiMn2O4 had obviously excellent electrochemical performance, whose initial reversible capacity was 129.40 mAh/g with the high capacity retention of 95.28% after 100 cycles, than those of the polyhedral LiMn2O4 synthesized by the solid-state reaction, whose initial reversible capacity was 129.12 mAh/g with the capacity retention of 77.38% after 100 cycles. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | Cathode materials; LiMn2O4; Lithium ion batteries; Polyhedral; Spherical | Controlled crystallization; Electrochemical performances; Spherical(pivot) | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-82555193672 | Gold nanoparticles show electroactivity: Counting and sorting nanoparticles upon impact with electrodes | Zhou Y.-G., Rees N.V., Pillay J., Tshikhudo R., Vilakazi S., Compton R.G. | 2012 | Chemical Communications | 48 | 2 | 10.1039/c1cc16407d | Dept. of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom; Mintek, 200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg 2125, South Africa | Zhou, Y.-G., Dept. of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom; Rees, N.V., Dept. of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom; Pillay, J., Mintek, 200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg 2125, South Africa; Tshikhudo, R., Mintek, 200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg 2125, South Africa; Vilakazi, S., Mintek, 200 Malibongwe Drive, Randburg 2125, South Africa; Compton, R.G., Dept. of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom | Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in aqueous 0.10 M HCl are shown to be electroactive at oxidising potentials greater than 1.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) by means of voltammetric monitoring of AuNP-electrode collisions. The method promises the use of anodic particle coulometry for the detection and characterisation of the AuNPs. | None | chloride; gold nanoparticle; aqueous solution; article; coulometry; electrode; potentiometry | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77954635387 | Performance of solar chimney power plant in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau | Zhou X., Wang F., Fan J., Ochieng R.M. | 2010 | Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews | 14 | 8 | 10.1016/j.rser.2010.04.017 | Department of Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Hubei Key Laboratory for Engineering Structural Analysis and Safety Assessment, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Department of Physics and Materials Science, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya | Zhou, X., Department of Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China, Hubei Key Laboratory for Engineering Structural Analysis and Safety Assessment, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Wang, F., Department of Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China, Hubei Key Laboratory for Engineering Structural Analysis and Safety Assessment, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Fan, J., Hubei Key Laboratory for Engineering Structural Analysis and Safety Assessment, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; Ochieng, R.M., Department of Physics and Materials Science, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya | A solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is proposed to be built in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau where there is abundant solar radiation, high direct solar radiation low atmospheric temperature, large diurnal temperature range, and lots of salt lakes working as heat storage system, which can help to improve the power output of SCPP. The plant is expected to power local railway traffic lines and act as a solar power base to supply power for national development. The performance of the SCPP that will be built in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is analyzed and power potential estimated by developing a simple mathematical model. It is found that SCPP if built in the plateau can produce twice more power than an SCPP built on the same latitude of other regions. The yearly power potential for SCPP in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is estimated to be 86.8 million TJ. When 10-20% of the plateau land is used for the SCPP, the yearly power output may reach 8.7 million TJ to 17.4 million TJ, accounting for 10.7-21.3% of China's energy consumption in 2008 which stood at 81.6 million TJ. It is found that the SCPP in the plateau can support local and national development together with other renewable energy resources such as hydroelectric power and wind power. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. | Power generation; Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; Solar chimney; Solar collector | Direct solar radiation; Diurnal temperature ranges; Energy consumption; Heat storage systems; National development; Power out put; Power potential; Qinghai Tibet plateau; Railway traffic; Salt lakes; Solar chimney; Solar chimney power plant; Solar power; Energy resources; Heat storage; Hydroelectric power; Mathematical models; Power plants; Solar collectors; Solar heating; Solar radiation; Sun; Wind power; Solar chimneys | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84901371918 | Family evaluation for quality traits in South African sugarcane breeding programmes | Zhou M., Lichakane M., Joshi S.V. | 2013 | International Sugar Journal | 115 | 1374 | None | South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa | Zhou, M., South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa; Lichakane, M., South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa; Joshi, S.V., South African Sugarcane Research Institute, P/Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa | Family evaluation involves the selection or rejection of entire families of seedlings based on information derived from replicated family plots, and is widely practised in sugarcane breeding programmes. After family evaluation, individual seedling selection is restricted to the selected elite families. Family evaluation data is also used to determine breeding values of parent populations. The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of family evaluation and determine potential selection gains over time for quality traits across South African Sugarcane Research Institute regional breeding and selection programmes. Data for various quality traits were collected from Stage I (Single Stools) of all the regional breeding programmes and analysed using the Mixed Procedure of the Statistical Analysis System. There were highly significant (P<0.001) differences between families for the effectiveness of family selection. There were increasing family effects differences with advancing series, indicating the cumulative benefits of family selection. Estimated recoverable crystal (ERC) % cane, Pol % cane and Brix % cane produced the largest gains from family selection, indicating that the current approach is effective. Brix % cane, a trait that can be easily measured with a hand held refractometer, could be used to evaluate within-family variability, an important parameter for family evaluation. The 12-month programmes produced larger gains from family selection than the longer cycle programmes. Future studies should determine the breeding values of parent populations. | Broad sense heritability; Covariance parameters; Plant breeding; Selection gains; Sugarcane | Population statistics; Sugar cane; Breeding programmes; Broad-sense heritability; Covariance parameters; Cumulative benefits; Plant breeding; Research institutes; Selection gains; Statistical analysis systems; Quality control | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84901322224 | Family Evaluation for Sugarcane Yield Using Data Estimated from Stalk Number, Height, and Diameter | Zhou M. | 2014 | Journal of Crop Improvement | 28 | 3 | 10.1080/15427528.2014.906528 | South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa; University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa | Zhou, M., South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa | Family selection in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), as practiced in Australia, was difficult to implement in South Africa because of the non-availability of mechanical harvesting and automatic weighing machines. This study explored the potential of evaluating cane yield of sugarcane families estimated using stalk number, stalk height, and stalk diameter as compared to individual seedling selection. Data for stalk number, stalk height, and stalk diameter were collected from Bruyns Hill and irrigated populations and analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) to estimate variance components and best linear unbiased predictors (BLUP). A sample of 500 seedlings produced a significant association (r = 89, P < 0.0001) between actual and estimated cane yield. The results showed significant differences for cane yield among families. Family estimates of broad-sense heritability (H) and percent predicted gains (%Gs) were larger than for individual seedling selection. Elite families within populations were identified using BLUP. Data from four replications and 10 seedlings per plot were adequate for family evaluation. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. | Best linear unbiased prediction; broad-sense heritability; cane yield component; family selection; predicted gains from selection | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79954439764 | Evaluation of genetic manipulation strategies on d-lactate production by Escherichia coli | Zhou L., Zuo Z.-R., Chen X.-Z., Niu D.-D., Tian K.-M., Prior B.A., Shen W., Shi G.-Y., Singh S., Wang Z.-X. | 2011 | Current Microbiology | 62 | 3 | 10.1007/s00284-010-9817-9 | Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4001, South Africa | Zhou, L., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Zuo, Z.-R., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Chen, X.-Z., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China, Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Niu, D.-D., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Tian, K.-M., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Prior, B.A., Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Shen, W., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China, Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Shi, G.-Y., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China, Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China; Singh, S., Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4001, South Africa; Wang, Z.-X., Center for Bioresource and Bioenergy, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China, Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, China | In order to rationally manipulate the cellular metabolism of Escherichia coli for d-lactate production, single-gene and multiple-gene deletions with mutations in acetate kinase (ackA), phosphotransacetylase (pta), phosphoenolpyruvate synthase (pps), pyruvate formate lyase (pflB), FAD-binding d-lactate dehydrogenase (dld), pyruvate oxidase (poxB), alcohol dehydrogenase (adhE), and fumarate reductase (frdA) were tested for their effects in two-phase fermentations (aerobic growth and oxygen-limited production). Lactate yield and productivity could be improved by single-gene deletions of ackA, pta, pflB, dld, poxB, and frdA in the wild type E. coli strain but were unfavorably affected by deletions of pps and adhE. However, fermentation experiments with multiple-gene mutant strains showed that deletion of pps in addition to ackA-pta deletions had no effect on lactate production, whereas the additional deletion of adhE in E. coli B0013-050 (ackA-pta pps pflB dld poxB) increased lactate yield. Deletion of all eight genes in E. coli B0013 to produce B0013-070 (ackA-pta pps pflB dld poxB adhE frdA) increased lactate yield and productivity by twofold and reduced yields of acetate, succinate, formate, and ethanol by 95, 89, 100, and 93%, respectively. When tested in a bioreactor, E. coli B0013-070 produced 125 g/l d-lactate with an increased oxygen-limited lactate productivity of 0.61 g/g h (2.1-fold greater than E. coli B0013). These kinetic properties of d-lactate production are among the highest reported and the results have revealed which genetic manipulations improved d-lactate production by E. coli. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. | None | acetate kinase; acetic acid; alcohol; alcohol dehydrogenase; formic acid; fumarate reductase; lactate dehydrogenase; lactic acid; phosphate acetyltransferase; pyruvate oxidase; pyruvate water dikinase; succinic acid; synthetase; unclassified drug; ackA gene; adhE gene; aerobic fermentation; article; bacterial gene; bacterial growth; bacterial metabolism; bacterial strain; controlled study; dld gene; Escherichia coli; frda gene; gene deletion; gene mutation; genetic manipulation; nonhuman; pflB gene; poxb gene; pps gene; priority journal; pta gene; wild type; Aerobiosis; Anaerobiosis; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Proteins; Fermentation; Gene Deletion; Genetic Engineering; Lactic Acid; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Mutation; Organisms, Genetically Modified; Escherichia coli | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84942279418 | Impact of pairing correlations on the orientation of the nuclear spin | Zhao P.W., Zhang S.Q., Meng J. | 2015 | Physical Review C - Nuclear Physics | 92 | 3 | 10.1103/PhysRevC.92.034319 | Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, United States; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Physics and Nuclear Energy Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China; Department of Physics, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa | Zhao, P.W., Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, United States, State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China; Zhang, S.Q., State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China; Meng, J., State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China, School of Physics and Nuclear Energy Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China, Department of Physics, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa | For the first time, the tilted axis cranking covariant density functional theory with pairing correlations has been formulated and implemented in a fully self-consistent and microscopic way to investigate the evolution of the spin axis and the pairing effects in rotating triaxial nuclei. The measured energy spectrum and transition probabilities for the Nd135 yrast band are reproduced well without any ad hoc renormalization factors when pairing effects are taken into account. A transition from collective to chiral rotation has been demonstrated. It is found that pairing correlations introduce additional admixtures in the single-particle orbitals, and, thus, influence the structure of tilted axis rotating nuclei by reducing the magnitude of the proton and neutron angular momenta while merging their direction. © 2015 American Physical Society. | None | None | DOE, National Natural Science Foundation of China; 11105005, NSFC, National Natural Science Foundation of China; 11175002, NSFC, National Natural Science Foundation of China; 11335002, NSFC, National Natural Science Foundation of China; 11375015, NSFC, Na |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-35348913706 | Parasitological impact of 2-year preventive chemotherapy on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Uganda | Zhang Y., Koukounari A., Kabatereine N., Fleming F., Kazibwe F., Tukahebwa E., Stothard J.R., Webster J.P., Fenwick A. | 2007 | BMC Medicine | 5 | None | 10.1186/1741-7015-5-27 | Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom | Zhang, Y., Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Koukounari, A., Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Kabatereine, N., Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda; Fleming, F., Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Kazibwe, F., Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda; Tukahebwa, E., Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda; Stothard, J.R., Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Webster, J.P., Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Fenwick, A., Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom | Background: Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are among the neglected tropical diseases in Africa. A national control program for these diseases was initiated in Uganda during March 2003. Annual treatment with praziquantel and albendazole was given to schoolchildren in endemic areas and to adults in selected communities where local prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in schoolchildren was high. Methods: The impact of the treatment program was monitored through cohorts of schoolchildren and adults. Their infection status with S. mansoni and STH was determined by parasitological examinations at baseline and at annual follow-ups. The prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni and STH before and after treatment were analyzed. Results: Two rounds of treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of S. mansoni infection in schoolchildren across three regions in the country from 33.4-49.3% to 9.7-29.6%, and intensity of infection from 105.7-386.8 eggs per gram of faeces (epg) to 11.6-84.1 epg. The prevalence of hookworm infection was reduced from 41.2-57.9% to 5.5-16.1%, and intensity of infection from 186.9-416.8 epg to 3.7-36.9 epg. The proportion of children with heavy S. mansoni infection was significantly reduced from 15% (95% CI 13.4-16.8%) to 2.3% (95% CI 1.6-3.0%). In adults, significant reduction in the prevalence and intensity of S. mansoni and hookworm infections was also observed. More importantly, the prevalence and intensity of both S. mansoni and hookworm infections in the cohorts of newly-recruited 6-year-olds who had never previously received treatment decreased significantly over 2 years: 34.9% (95% CI 31.9-37.8%) to 22.6% (95% CI 19.9-25.2%) and 171.1 epg (95% CI 141.5-200.7) to 72.0 epg (95% CI 50.9-93.1) for S. mansoni; and 48.4% (95% CI 45.4-51.5) to 15.9% (95% CI 13.6-18.2) and 232.7 epg (95% CI 188.4-276.9) to 51.4 epg (95% CI 33.4-69.5) for hookworms, suggesting a general decline in environmental transmission levels. Conclusion: Annual anthelminthic treatment delivered to schoolchildren and to adults at high risk in Uganda can significantly reduce the prevalence and intensity of infection for schistosomiasis and STH, and potentially also significantly reduce levels of environmental transmission of infection. © 2007 Zhang et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | None | albendazole; praziquantel; antineoplastic agent; adult; article; ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; child; cohort analysis; confidence interval; controlled study; endemic disease; female; follow up; helminthiasis; high risk population; hookworm infection; human; infection prevention; infection risk; major clinical study; male; parasite control; parasite prevalence; parasite transmission; Schistosoma mansoni; schistosomiasis; treatment duration; trichuriasis; Trichuris; Uganda; animal; comparative study; disease transmission; helminthiasis; parasitology; Schistosoma mansoni; soil; Uganda; Adult; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Child; Cohort Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Helminthiasis; Humans; Male; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Soil; Uganda | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33845674189 | Impact of utilizing p16INK4A immunohistochemistry on estimated performance of three cervical cancer screening tests | Zhang Q., Kuhn L., Denny L.A., De Souza M., Taylor S., Wright Jr. T.C. | 2007 | International Journal of Cancer | 120 | 2 | 10.1002/ijc.22172 | Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Obstetrics, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Pathology, P and S Building, 630 W. 168th St, New York, NY 10032, United States | Zhang, Q., Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Kuhn, L., Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Denny, L.A., Department of Obstetrics, University of Cape Town, South Africa; De Souza, M., Department of Obstetrics, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Taylor, S., Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Wright Jr., T.C., Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States, Department of Pathology, P and S Building, 630 W. 168th St, New York, NY 10032, United States | The histopathological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2,3 (CIN 2,3) is subjective and prone to variability. In our study, we analyzed the impact of utilizing a biomarker (p16INK4A) together with histopathology to refine the "gold standard" utilized for evaluating the performance of 3 different cervical cancer screening tests: cervical cytology, human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). Cervical biopsies from 2 South African cervical cancer screening studies originally diagnosed by a single pathologist were reevaluated by a second pathologist and a consensus pathology diagnosis obtained. Immunohistochemical staining for p16INK4A was then performed. The estimated sensitivity of some cervical cancer screening tests was markedly impacted by the criteria utilized to define CIN 2,3. Use of routine histopathology markedly underestimated the sensitivity of both conventional cytology and HPV DNA testing compared to an improved gold standard of consensus pathology and p16INK4A positivity. In contrast, routine histopathology overestimated the sensitivity of VIA. Our results demonstrate that refining the diagnosis of CIN 2,3 through the use of consensus pathology and immunohistochemical staining for p16INK4A has an important impact on measurement of the performance of cervical cancer screening tests. The sensitivity of screening tests such as HPV DNA testing and conventional cytology may be underestimated when an imperfect gold standard (routine histopathology) is used. In contrast, the sensitivity of other tests, such as VIA, may be overestimated with an imperfect gold standard. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. | Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; p16 immunohistochemistry | acetic acid; protein p16INK4a; virus DNA; protein p16INK4a; adult; aged; article; cancer classification; cancer grading; cancer screening; consensus; diagnostic accuracy; disease marker; DNA determination; female; histopathology; human; immunohistochemistry; intermethod comparison; major clinical study; priority journal; uterine cervix biopsy; uterine cervix cancer; uterine cervix cytology; visual analog scale; Wart virus; evaluation; immunohistochemistry; mass screening; methodology; pathology; uterine cervix carcinoma in situ; uterine cervix tumor; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mass Screening; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84882932531 | Use of APSDM and EM_press inversion to impact evaluation of a west africa deepwater discovery | Zhang M., Lazaratos S., Yu Y., Lee J.J., Boorman S., Anderson K., Illo O. | 2009 | SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts | 28 | 1 | None | ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Houston, United States; ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, United States; ExxonMobil Development Company, United States; Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Deepwater West Limited, Nigeria | Zhang, M., ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Houston, United States; Lazaratos, S., ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Houston, United States; Yu, Y., ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, United States; Lee, J.J., ExxonMobil Development Company, United States; Boorman, S., ExxonMobil Development Company, United States; Anderson, K., ExxonMobil Development Company, United States; Illo, O., Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Deepwater West Limited, Nigeria | Summary: In this paper we discuss the impact of APSDM and EM_PreSS inversion technology on the evaluation of a West Africa deepwater field. The field is located in an ExxonMobil operated block. The trap was defined as a distributary channel complex (DCC) on the flank of a faulted anticline. The hydrocarbon bearing sands have a class III AVO response for gas and a class III or II AVO response for oil. An exploration well and its side track discovered multiple oil reservoirs in Miocene sands. Using pre-stack time migrated (PSTM) data, dual fluid contacts were observed and interpreted for multiple reservoirs in several fault blocks. In general, oil-water-contacts (OWC's) observed on the PSTM data conform better to the depth structure maps than the gas-oil-contacts (GOC's). The GOC's are inconsistent across the fault blocks. The imaging of the GOC's was improved by anisotropic pre-stack depth migration (APSDM) and further sharpened by additional EM_PreSS inversion processing. An appraisal well and its side track confirmed the GOC determined from seismic interpretation. Use of the APSDM and EM_PreSS inversion favorably impacted business decisions during field appraisal and development planning, increasing our confidence to pursue development without drilling more appraisal wells. | None | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84901811985 | Receding horizon trajectory optimization with terminal impact specifications | Zhang L., Sun M., Chen Z., Wang Z., Wang Y. | 2014 | Mathematical Problems in Engineering | 2014 | None | 10.1155/2014/604705 | Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics, College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China; Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering, University of South Africa, Florida 1710, South Africa | Zhang, L., Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics, College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China, School of Mechanical Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin, Liaoning 123000, China; Sun, M., Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics, College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Chen, Z., Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics, College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Wang, Z., Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering, University of South Africa, Florida 1710, South Africa; Wang, Y., Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics, College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China | The trajectory optimization problem subject to terminal impact time and angle specifications can be reformulated as a nonlinear programming problem using the Gauss pseudospectral method. The cost function of the trajectory optimization problem is modified to reduce the terminal control energy. A receding horizon optimization strategy is implemented to reject the errors caused by the motion of a surface target. Several simulations were performed to validate the proposed method via the C programming language. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and that the real-time requirement can be easily achieved if the C programming language is used to realize it. © 2014 Limin Zhang et al. | None | Aerodynamics; Computer programming languages; Nonlinear programming; Optimization; Specifications; Trajectories; Gauss pseudo-spectral methods; Nonlinear programming problem; Real time requirement; Receding horizon; Receding horizon optimization; Surface target; Terminal control; Trajectory optimization; Problem oriented languages | 78673, National Research Foundation; 81705, National Research Foundation |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84938526082 | Use of the MSCR test to characterize the asphalt binder properties relative to HMA rutting performance - A laboratory study | Zhang J., Walubita L.F., Faruk A.N.M., Karki P., Simate G.S. | 2015 | Construction and Building Materials | 94 | None | 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.06.044 | Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, United States; Texas AandM Transportation Institute, Texas AandM University System, College Station, TX, United States; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa | Zhang, J., Texas AandM University, College Station, TX, United States; Walubita, L.F., Texas AandM Transportation Institute, Texas AandM University System, College Station, TX, United States; Faruk, A.N.M., Texas AandM Transportation Institute, Texas AandM University System, College Station, TX, United States; Karki, P., Texas AandM Transportation Institute, Texas AandM University System, College Station, TX, United States; Simate, G.S., School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa | Abstract Permanent deformation (or rutting) is one of the common distresses occurring in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. HMA is predominantly composed of aggregates and asphalt binder; and the asphalt binder plays a significant role in the HMA performance including permanent deformation and rutting resistance. In order to characterize the properties of the asphalt binder related to HMA rutting, the Superpave performance grade system uses the high-temperature grade, which is determined based on the complex shear modulus (|G∗|) and phase angle (δ) parameter (G∗/sinδ) that is measured from the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) test. However, G∗/sinδ is not a performance-based parameter. Therefore, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed a performance-based PG binder test, the Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR) test, to supplement the conventional DSR high temperature test. The primary objective of this laboratory study was to compare the two asphalt binder tests (the MSCR and the DSR high-temperature grade) and two HMA rutting related performance tests (the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test [HWTT] and the Repeated Loading Permanent Deformation [RLPD] Test) for characterizing the asphalt binder high temperature properties relative to HMA permanent deformation and rutting performance. For the asphalt binders and HMA evaluated, the MSCR showed a better correlation with the two rutting related performance tests (HWTT and RLPD) than the DSR high temperature grade. Thus, the MSCR test results shows promise to supplement or serve as a surrogate to the existing DSR test in characterizing the asphalt binder high temperature properties that are related to HMA rutting. However, more lab testing and field validation is still warranted to complement the results and findings reported herein. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. | Asphalt binder; DSR; G∗; HWTT; J<inf>nr</inf>; MSCR; Permanent deformation; RLPD; Rutting | Asphalt; Asphalt pavements; Creep; Deformation; High temperature properties; Highway administration; Asphalt binders; DSR; HWTT; MSCR; Permanent deformations; RLPD; Rutting; Binders | TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-67649920810 | Product development strategy, product innovation performance, and the mediating role of knowledge utilization: Evidence from subsidiaries in China | Zhang J., Di Benedetto C.A., Hoenig S. | 2009 | Journal of International Marketing | 17 | 2 | 10.1509/jimk.17.2.42 | Department of Marketing, Hong Kong Baptist University, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Marketing and Senior Washburn Reserch Fellow, Fox School of Business, Temple University, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Marketing, School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of Witwater-srand, Johannesburg, South Africa | Zhang, J., Department of Marketing, Hong Kong Baptist University, Johannesburg, South Africa; Di Benedetto, C.A., Department of Marketing and Senior Washburn Reserch Fellow, Fox School of Business, Temple University, Johannesburg, South Africa; Hoenig, S., Department of Marketing, School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of Witwater-srand, Johannesburg, South Africa | This study examines the interplay of product development strategy, knowledge utilization, and product innovation performance in the context of Chinese subsidiaries of multinational companies. When firms strive to develop highly innovative products (breakthrough focus), the amount of resources allocated has a U-shaped relationship to subsequent product innovation performance (i.e., market rewards of new products). When the aim of product development activity is to reinforce and maintain moderately innovative products (platform focus), increased resource allocation shows a positive relationship to product innovation performance. The amount of resources allocated to minor revisions (incremental focus) shows no significant relationship to product innovation performance. Knowledge utilization is an important predictor of the benefits of developing highly and moderately innovative products. Moreover, it helps to mitigate the drawbacks of a breakthrough focus and strengthens the positive impact of a platform focus. © 2009, American Marketing Association. | China; Knowledge utilization; Product development strategy; Product innovation performance; Subsidiaries | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-61449107995 | What contributes to the enhanced use of customer, competition and technology knowledge for product innovation performance?. A survey of multinational industrial companies' subsidiaries operating in China | Zhang J., Hoenig S., Di Benedetto A., Lancioni R.A., Phatak A. | 2009 | Industrial Marketing Management | 38 | 2 | 10.1016/j.indmarman.2008.12.007 | Department of Marketing, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Marketing, Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University, 523 Alter Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States | Zhang, J., Department of Marketing, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Hoenig, S., School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Di Benedetto, A., Department of Marketing, Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University, 523 Alter Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States; Lancioni, R.A., Department of Marketing, Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University, 523 Alter Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States; Phatak, A., Department of Marketing, Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University, 523 Alter Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States | This study extends an emerging research area in knowledge management to new product development by empirically examining the factors associated with the use of different types of knowledge flows from various sources and product innovation performance (i.e., market success of new products) in the multinational companies' subsidiaries in China. The findings seem to indicate the vitality of considering a broad spectrum of knowledge management related variables such as a subsidiary's product development strategy, market conditions it faces, its knowledge capacity and knowledge support structure. Furthermore, we found that subsidiaries with better performance are generally excel in the use of competition knowledge flow, the development of moderate innovative products, communication among different functional departments or product development groups, the codification of knowledge, and a supportive culture. © 2008. | China; Knowledge flow; Knowledge management; Product innovation performance | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84919837780 | Impact of culture on perceptions of landscape names | Zhang C., Gursoy D., Deng Z., Gao J. | 2015 | Tourism Geographies | 17 | 1 | 10.1080/14616688.2014.959991 | School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; School of Hospitality Business Management, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States; School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, South Africa | Zhang, C., School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Gursoy, D., School of Hospitality Business Management, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Deng, Z., School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Gao, J., School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China | This study examines the impact of culture on landscape-name perceptions of tourists from China, United States, and Europe utilizing both Hofstede's and Hall's cultural typologies. Data for this study were collected from visitors to two national parks in China. Culture is found to have a significant impact on both sub-dimensions of understanding (legibility and coherence) and involvement (mystery and diversity). Findings suggest that tourists from different cultures are likely to interpret landscape names differently. Those from cultures with a high power distance and low individualism would prefer landscape names that are mystical, dreamy, fictive, ingenious, original, and poetic, while those from cultures with a lower power distance and high individualism would prefer names that simply describe the landscape. © 2014, © 2014 Taylor & Francis. | cultural difference; destination branding; destination image; high context vs. low context; landscape naming; landscape perceptions; landscape preferences | culture; landscape; perception; tourist destination; China; Europe; United States | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84863838354 | Population pharmacokinetic model for adherence evaluation using lamivudine concentration monitoring | Zhang C., Denti P., Van Der Walt J.-S., Ren Y., Smith P., Karlsson M.O., McIlleron H. | 2012 | Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | 34 | 4 | 10.1097/FTD.0b013e31825c6067 | Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden | Zhang, C., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Denti, P., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Van Der Walt, J.-S., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Ren, Y., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Smith, P., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Karlsson, M.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; McIlleron, H., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa | BACKGROUND: Interpretation of antiretroviral drug concentration measurements could be aided by information about adherence to recent doses. We developed a population pharmacokinetic model of lamivudine in young children to propose reference lamivudine concentrations for evaluation of adherence to recent treatment doses. METHODS: The steady state pharmacokinetics of lamivudine were evaluated in 68 young HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral treatment twice daily. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using NONMEM 7. RESULTS: A 2-compartment model with transit absorption best described lamivudine pharmacokinetics. After adjustment for maturation and body weight (using allometric scaling), the variability of clearance was small, hence simulations could accurately predict lamivudine concentrations. Higher lamivudine trough concentrations were detected before the morning dose, possibly owing to slower overnight clearance. Reference values for lamivudine concentrations that can be used to evaluate adherence to recent doses are proposed. CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine concentration measurement can be used to assess recent treatment adherence. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | lamivudine; NONMEM; population pharmacokinetics | lamivudine; lopinavir plus ritonavir; allometry; article; body weight; child; compartment model; drug absorption; drug blood level; drug clearance; drug monitoring; highly active antiretroviral therapy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; infant; major clinical study; patient compliance; preschool child; priority journal; steady state; Absorption; Anti-HIV Agents; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Area Under Curve; Child, Preschool; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Lamivudine; Models, Biological | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84886911648 | Model-based evaluation of the pharmacokinetic differences between adults and children for lopinavir and ritonavir in combination with rifampicin | Zhang C., Denti P., Decloedt E.H., Ren Y., Karlsson M.O., Mcilleron H. | 2013 | British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology | 76 | 5 | 10.1111/bcp.12101 | Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden | Zhang, C., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Denti, P., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Decloedt, E.H., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Ren, Y., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Karlsson, M.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Mcilleron, H., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Aims: Rifampicin profoundly reduces lopinavir concentrations. Doubled doses of lopinavir/ritonavir compensate for the effect of rifampicin in adults, but fail to provide adequate lopinavir concentrations in young children on rifampicin-based antituberculosis therapy. The objective of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model describing the pharmacokinetic differences of lopinavir and ritonavir, with and without rifampicin, between children and adults. Methods: An integrated population pharmacokinetic model developed in nonmem 7 was used to describe the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir and ritonavir in 21 HIV infected adults, 39 HIV infected children and 35 HIV infected children with tuberculosis, who were established on lopinavir/ritonavir-based antiretroviral therapy with and without rifampicin-containing antituberculosis therapy. Results: The bioavailability of lopinavir was reduced by 25% in adults whereas children on antituberculosis treatment experienced a 59% reduction, an effect that was moderated by the dose of ritonavir. Conversely, rifampicin increased oral clearance of both lopinavir and ritonavir to a lesser extent in children than in adults. Rifampicin therapy in administered doses increased CL of lopinavir by 58% in adults and 48% in children, and CL of ritonavir by 34% and 22% for adults and children, respectively. In children, the absorption half-life of lopinavir and the mean transit time of ritonavir were lengthened, compared with those in adults. Conclusions: The model characterized important differences between adults and children in the effect of rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir and ritonavir. As adult studies cannot reliably predict their magnitude in children, drug-drug interactions should be evaluated in paediatric patient populations. © 2013 The British Pharmacological Society. | Adults; Children; Lopinavir/ritonavir; nonmem; Population pharmacokinetics; Rifampicin | isoniazid; lopinavir; lopinavir plus ritonavir; rifampicin; ritonavir; adult; article; child; clinical evaluation; controlled study; drug absorption; drug bioavailability; drug blood level; drug clearance; drug dose reduction; drug effect; drug half life; drug interaction; female; highly active antiretroviral therapy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; infant; major clinical study; male; multiple cycle treatment; outcome assessment; population model; preschool child; priority journal; school child; tuberculosis; adults; children; lopinavir/ritonavir; nonmem; population pharmacokinetics; rifampicin; Adult; Age Factors; Anti-HIV Agents; Antitubercular Agents; Biological Availability; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Drug Interactions; Female; Half-Life; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Lopinavir; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Nonlinear Dynamics; Rifampin; Ritonavir; Tuberculosis | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33745076331 | Evaluation of linear mixed model case deletion diagnostic tools by monte carlo simulation | Zewotir T., Galpin J.S. | 2006 | Communications in Statistics: Simulation and Computation | 35 | 3 | 10.1080/03610910600716795 | School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Scottsville, South Africa; School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits, South Africa; School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa | Zewotir, T., School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Scottsville, South Africa, School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa; Galpin, J.S., School of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits, South Africa | A large number of statistics have been proposed to study the influence of individual observations in the linear mixed model. An extensive Monte Carlo simulation study is used to evaluate the appropriateness of these influence diagnostic measures. The sensitivity of the diagnostic measures to outliers and leverages is examined, and helpful results are obtained. | Case deletion; Influential observations; Leverages; Monte Carlo simulation; Outliers | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84859880383 | On employees' performance appraisal: The impact and treatment of the raters' effect | Zewotir T. | 2012 | South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences | 15 | 1 | None | School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | Zewotir, T., School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | By putting in place a performance appraisal scheme, employees who improve their work efficiency can then be rewarded, whereas corrective action can be taken against those who don't. The aim of this paper is to develop a technique that helps to measure the subjective effect that a given rater's assessment will have on the performance appraisal of a given employee, assuming that an assessment of one's work performance will have to be undertaken by a rater and that this rating is essentially a subjective one. In particular, a linear mixed modelling approach will be applied to data that comes from a South African company which has 214 employees and where an annual performance evaluation has been run. One of the main conclusions that will be drawn from this study, is that there is a very significant rater's effect that needs to be properly accounted for when rewarding employees. Without this adjustment being done, any incentive scheme, whether its motive is reward based or penalty based, will ultimately fail in its intended purpose of improving employees' overall performance. | Best linear unbiased predictor; Fixed effect; Mixed model; Model diagnostics; Performance appraisal; Raters' effect | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-80051611450 | Conceptions and practices in teaching and learning: Implications for the evaluation of teaching quality | Zerihun Z., Beishuizen J., van Willem O.S. | 2011 | Quality in Higher Education | 17 | 2 | 10.1080/13538322.2011.582793 | Department of Psychology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia; Center for Educational Training, Assessment and Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Zerihun, Z., Department of Psychology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia; Beishuizen, J., Department of Psychology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia; van Willem, O.S., Center for Educational Training, Assessment and Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands | This study was conducted in two public universities in Ethiopia to assess the impact of conceptions of teaching and learning on the evaluation of teaching quality. Students' and teachers' approaches to teaching and learning and their conceptions of the meaning of teaching have been examined. Results indicated that both teachers and students predominantly perceive teaching as transmitting knowledge and assessment as recall of factual knowledge. For the students, the mean values for teaching as transmitting knowledge and assessment as recall of facts were significantly correlated. The experiences and conceptions of both teachers and students reflect a teacher-focused approach to teaching and learning. The teaching evaluation questionnaire also reflects teacher performance as indicator of effectiveness. Improving the measure should be considered as a means of changing teachers' and students' conceptions of teaching and learning. © 2011 Taylor & Francis. | Feedback from students; Feedback to students; Higher education; Quality; Teaching and learning conceptions; Teaching evaluation | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79960154650 | Fluoride in black and green tea (Camellia sinensis) infusions in Ethiopia: Measurement and safety evaluation | Zerabruk S., Chandravanshi B.S., Zewge F. | 2010 | Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia | 24 | 3 | None | Department of Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Zerabruk, S., Department of Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Chandravanshi, B.S., Department of Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Zewge, F., Department of Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | The fluoride contents in the infusions of 21 commercially available Ethiopian and imported black and green tea brands; in leaf and bag forms was determined by a fluoride ion-selective electrode method. Of the samples analyzed twelve were products from Ethiopia and the remaining nine were imported tea brands. The effect of brewing time on fluoride release from tea was assessed. Results showed that fluoride release increased with increasing brewing time (3, 5 and 10 min). Fluoride level after 5 min brewing for black tea leaves, green tea bags, and black tea bags was in the range of 117-682 mg/kg, 111-190 mg/kg and 141-246 mg/kg, respectively. The WHO guideline for daily fluoride intake is 2 mg for children and 4 mg for adults. Assuming that one consumes 4 cups of tea everyday (400 mL) and each cup uses 2.5 g of tea leaves, the daily fluoride intake from black tea leaves may be in the range between 1.11 and 6.82 mg. For the same condition, if consumption of one green tea bag is considered, the fluoride intake can be in the range between 1.00 and 1.38 mg. Similarly, intake from the black tea bags may range from 0.86 to 1.81 mg. Considering the Ethiopian black tea alone, the daily fluoride intake may range from 2.48 to 6.82 mg. Thus according to the WHO recommendation for daily fluoride intake and ignoring other possible sources; the black and green tea bags and imported black tea leaves are safe for all age groups. None of the 10 Ethiopian black tea leaf brands are safe for children but 30% of the analyzed samples are safe for adults. © 2010 Chemical Society of Ethiopia. | Black tea infusion; Brewing time; Fluoride intake; Green tea infusion; Safety evaluation | None | None |
| None | None | Evaluation of four modelling techniques to predict the potential distribution of ticks using indigenous cattle infestations as calibration data | Zeman P., Lynen G. | 2006 | Experimental and Applied Acarology | 39 | 2 | 10.1007/s10493-006-9001-x | Medical Laboratories, Konevova 205, 130 00 Prague-3, Czech Republic; Veterinary Investigation Centre, 1068, Arusha, Tanzania | Zeman, P., Medical Laboratories, Konevova 205, 130 00 Prague-3, Czech Republic; Lynen, G., Veterinary Investigation Centre, 1068, Arusha, Tanzania | Efficient tick and tick-borne disease control is a major goal in the efforts to improve the livestock industry in developing countries. To gain a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of livestock ticks under changing environmental conditions, a country-wide field survey of tick infestations on indigenous cattle was recently carried out in Tanzania. This paper evaluates four models to generate tick predictive maps including areas between the localities that were surveyed. Four techniques were compared: (1) linear discriminant analysis, (2) quadratic discriminant analysis, (3) generalised regression analysis, and (4) the weights-of-evidence method. Inter-model comparison was accomplished with a data-set of adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks and a set of predictor variables covering monthly mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). The data-set of tick records was divided into two equal subsets one of which was utilised for model fitting and the other for evaluation, and vice versa, in two independent experiments. For each locality the probability of tick occurrence was predicted and compared with the proportion of infested animals observed in the field; overall predictive success was measured with mean squared difference (MSD). All models exhibited a relatively good performance in configurations with optimised sets of predictors. The linear discriminant model had the least predictive success (MSD≥0.210), whereas the accuracy increased in the quadratic discriminant (MSD≥0.197) and generalised regression models (MSD≥0.173). The best predictions were gained with the weights-of-evidence model (MSD≥0.141). Theoretical as well as practical aspects of all models were taken into account. In summary, the weights-of-evidence model was considered to be the best option for the purpose of predictive mapping of the risk of infestation of Tanzanian indigenous cattle. A detailed description of the implementation of this model is provided in an annex to this paper. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006. | GIS; Rhipicephalus appendiculatus; Statistical prediction; Tanzanian indigenous cattle; Tick distribution maps; Weights of evidence | abundance; calibration; cattle; comparative study; discriminant analysis; disease control; distribution system; ecological modeling; environmental conditions; livestock farming; NDVI; regression analysis; tick; animal; animal disease; article; biological model; cattle; cattle disease; discriminant analysis; evaluation; parasitology; regression analysis; Rhipicephalus; statistical model; Tanzania; tick infestation; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Discriminant Analysis; Models, Biological; Models, Statistical; Regression Analysis; Rhipicephalus; Tanzania; Tick Infestations; Africa; East Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Tanzania; Acari; Animalia; Bos taurus; Ixodida; Rhipicephalus; Rhipicephalus appendiculatus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84908032494 | Evaluation of the Effects of Reduced Personal and Corporate Tax Rates on the Growth Rates of the U.S. Economy | Zellner A., Ngoie J.K. | 2015 | Econometric Reviews | 34 | None | 10.1080/07474938.2014.944468 | Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Economics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa | Zellner, A., Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Ngoie, J.K., Department of Economics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa | Using several variants of a Marshallian Macroeconomic Model (MMM), see Zellner and Israilevich (2005) and Ngoie and Zellner (2010), this paper investigates how various tax rate reductions may help stimulate the U.S. economy while not adversely affecting aggregate U.S. debt. Variants of our MMM that are shown to fit past data and to perform well in forecasting experiments are employed to evaluate the effects of alternative tax policies. Using quarterly data, our one-sector MMM has been able to predict the 2008 downturn and the 2009Q3 upturn of the U.S. economy. Among other results, this study, using transfer and impulse response functions associated with our MMM, finds that permanent 5 percentage points cut in the personal income and corporate profits tax rates will cause the U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to rise by 3.0 percentage points with a standard error of 0.6 percentage points. Also, while this policy change leads to positive growth of the government sector, its share of total real GDP is slightly reduced. This is understandable since short run effects of tax cuts include the transfer of tax revenue from the government to the private sector. The private sector is allowed to manage a larger portion of its revenue, while government is forced to cut public spending on social programs with little growth enhancing effects. This broadens private economic activities overall. Further, these tax rate policy changes stimulate the growth of the federal tax base considerably, which helps to reduce annual budget deficits and the federal debt. © 2015, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. | Disaggregation; Impulse response functions; Marshallian macroeconomic model; Transfer functions; U.S. fiscal policy analysis | None | NSF, National Science Foundation |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-37349029400 | Environmental influences on pre-weaning growth performances and mortality rates of extensively managed Somali goats in Eastern Ethiopia | Zeleke Z.M. | 2007 | Livestock Research for Rural Development | 19 | 12 | None | Bahir Dar University, PO Box 1866, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Zeleke, Z.M., Bahir Dar University, PO Box 1866, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Records of 326 Somali goats born from 1994 to 2004 in eastern Ethiopia were used to assess effects of major environmental factors on growth and survival traits. Year of birth had significant effect (P<0.01) on birth weight, pre-weaning daily weight gain and weaning weight of kids. Male kids had higher (P<0.01) birth weight (3.35±0.18kg vs. 3.04±0.18kg), pre-weaning daily weight gain (61.60±7.06g vs. 55.87±7.15g) and weaning weight (12.27±0.89kg vs. 11.10±0.91kg) than female kids. Kids born from fifth parity dams had the least birth weight (2.98±0.23kg) and the highest pre-weaning mortality rate (33.33%) than those born from dams younger than fifth parity. Similarly, single born kids had heavier birth weight (3.17±0.06kg vs. 2.30± 0.20kg), higher pre-weaning daily weight gain (55.80±2.22g vs. 47.31±7.92g), higher weaning weight (11.47±0.28kg vs. 9.50±1.00kg) and less pre-weaning mortality rate (8.78 vs. 42.86%) than twin born kids. Similarly, mortality rate was found to be the highest (75%) in kids weighing <1.5kg. Improving feeding management for pregnant and lactating dams to assure moderate birth weight and adequate quantity of milk for twin born kids, and stringent culling practice of dams beyond fourth parity can be suggested to improve the productivity of Somali goats. | Birth type; Birth weight; Parity; Season; Sex; Weaning weight | Capra hircus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84871690641 | Impact of timing of antiretroviral therapy initiation on survival of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions: A cohort analysis from South Africa | Zeier M.D., Nachega J.B., Van Der Merwe F.H., Eshun-Wilson I., Van Schalkwyk M., La Grange M., Mason D., Louw M., Botha M.H. | 2012 | International Journal of STD and AIDS | 23 | 12 | 10.1258/ijsa.2012.012040 | Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of International Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Anatomical Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa | Zeier, M.D., Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Nachega, J.B., Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of International Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, United States; Van Der Merwe, F.H., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Eshun-Wilson, I., Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Van Schalkwyk, M., Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; La Grange, M., Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Mason, D., Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Louw, M., Department of Anatomical Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Botha, M.H., Department of International Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa | To determine factors that influence excision treatment outcome and recurrence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in women living with HIV infection, we analysed 1848 women who underwent excision treatment of cervical SIL at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. We compared treatment failure defined as presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (presence of CIN I or higher at first follow-up after excision treatment) and post-excision recurrence of lesions (at one year or later) between women of HIV-positive, -negative or unknown status and examined factors associated with excision treatment outcome and recurrence. HIV-infected women experienced higher treatment failure than uninfected women (53.8% versus 26.9%, P < 0.001). At treatment failure, more HIV-infected women had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) compared with uninfected women (64.9% versus 37.3%, P < 0.001). Treatment failure did not differ with the type of excision used in HIV-infected women. HIV-infected women were more likely to experience recurrence of lesions after excision treatment than uninfected women (hazard ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-2.39; P < 0.001). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiated before excision biopsy had a strong protective effect against recurrence (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.55-0.89; P = 0.006). Our data suggest that women with cervical SIL initiated on ART earlier may be expected to have better long-term excision treatment outcome. Close follow-up should be maintained after cervical excision treatment, especially in a setting of high HIV prevalence. © SAGE Publications Ltd, 2012. | AIDS; Antiretroviral treatment; CIN; Excision treatment outcome; HIV; HPV; Recurrence; SIL; Squamous intraepithelial lesions; Women | antiretrovirus agent; article; cancer grading; cancer recurrence; female; follow up; hazard ratio; highly active antiretroviral therapy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; major clinical study; priority journal; South Africa; survival; treatment failure; treatment outcome; uterine cervix carcinoma in situ; Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia; Cohort Studies; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; South Africa; Statistics, Nonparametric; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79960573679 | Performance of six commercial enzyme immunoassays and two alternative HIV-testing algorithms for the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in Kisumu, Western Kenya | Zeh C., Oyaro B., Vandenhoudt H., Amornkul P., Kasembeli A., Bondo P., Mwaengo D., Thomas T.K., Hart C., Laserson K.F., Ondoa P., Nkengasong J.N. | 2011 | Journal of Virological Methods | 176 | 02-Jan | 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.05.021 | US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kisumu, Kenya; Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States; Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Global AIDS Program, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States; US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, United States; Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Poverty-related Communicable Diseases (CPCD), Center for Infection and Immunity (CINIMA), Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Netherlands | Zeh, C., US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kisumu, Kenya; Oyaro, B., Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Vandenhoudt, H., Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Amornkul, P., US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kisumu, Kenya; Kasembeli, A., Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Bondo, P., Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Mwaengo, D., Kenya Medical Research Institute, Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Thomas, T.K., US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kisumu, Kenya; Hart, C., Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States; Laserson, K.F., US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kisumu, Kenya, US-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, United States; Ondoa, P., Center for Poverty-related Communicable Diseases (CPCD), Center for Infection and Immunity (CINIMA), Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD), Netherlands; Nkengasong, J.N., Global AIDS Program, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States | Performances of serological parallel and serial testing algorithms were analyzed using a combination of three ELISA and three rapid tests for the confirmation of HIV infection. Each was assessed individually for their sensitivity and specificity on a blinded panel of 769 retrospective sera of known HIV status. Western blot was used as a confirmatory assay for discordant results. Subsequently, one parallel and one serial testing algorithm were assessed on a new panel of 912 HIV-positive and negative samples. Individual evaluation of the ELISAs and rapid tests indicated a sensitivity of 100% for all assays except Uni-Gold with 99.7%. The specificities ranged from 99.1% to 99.4% for rapid assays and from 97.5% to 99.1% for ELISAs. A parallel and serial testing algorithms using Enzygnost and Vironostika, and Determine followed by Uni-Gold respectively, showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. The cost for testing 912 samples was US$4.74 and US$ 1.9 per sample in parallel and serial testing respectively. Parallel or serial testing algorithm yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. This alternative algorithm is reliable and reduces the occurrence of both false negatives and positives. The serial testing algorithm was more cost effective for diagnosing HIV infections in this population. © 2011. | Algorithm; Alternative; Diagnosis; HIV-1; Immunoassay; Sensitivity; Specificity | antigen p24; glycoprotein gp 41; Human immunodeficiency virus antigen; immunoglobulin G antibody; immunoglobulin M antibody; recombinant protein; adolescent; adult; agglutination test; algorithm; analytical error; article; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; cost control; cost effectiveness analysis; diagnostic accuracy; diagnostic test; diagnostic test accuracy study; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; false positive result; human; Human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection; immunoaffinity chromatography; intermethod comparison; Kenya; major clinical study; parallel testing algorithm; predictive value; priority journal; sensitivity and specificity; serial testing algorithm; serodiagnosis; Western blotting; AIDS Serodiagnosis; Algorithms; Blotting, Western; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; HIV Antibodies; HIV Infections; HIV-1; HIV-2; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Kenya; Predictive Value of Tests; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Human immunodeficiency virus 1 | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77951854168 | The impact of a 10-week physical activity intervention programme on selective metabolic syndrome markers in black adolescents | Zeelie A., Moss S.J., Kruger H.S., Van Rooyen J.M. | 2009 | South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation | 31 | 1 | None | School for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa | Zeelie, A., School for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; Moss, S.J., School for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; Kruger, H.S., School for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa; Van Rooyen, J.M., School for Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa | The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 10-week physical activity (PA) intervention on selective metabolic syndrome markers in black adolescents. All available adolescents (194 subjects), boys and girls, in the grade 9 class (15-19 years) attending a secondary school were recruited for the experimental group. A control group consisting of 57 adolescents from grade 9 of another secondary school in the same area was also recruited. The experimental group participated in a 10-week PA intervention. Body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin, fasting glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Windkessel arterial compliance (Cw), total peripheral resistance (TPR) and waist circumference were measured. After the 10-week PA intervention, adolescents from the control group had a significantly lower DBP compared to the intervention group (p=0.00005) and adolescents from the intervention group had a significantly lower SBP compared to the control group (p=0.000061). There was also a tendency towards a higher Cw and lower HOMA-IR in the intervention group compared to the control group. The findings of this study suggest that black adolescents had significantly lower SBP and a trend of lower HOMA-IR after a 10-week PA intervention. | Adolescents; Metabolic syndrome; Physical activity | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84857867903 | Physiological response of broiler chickens to neem (Azadirachta indica) and akakapenpen (Rauvolfia vomitoria) decoctions: Performance and carcass characteristics | Zanu H.K., Kagya-Agyemang J.K., Kwenin W.K.J., Bonsu F.R.K., Antwi E., Ateni S. | 2011 | International Journal of Poultry Science | 10 | 9 | 10.3923/ijps.2011.730.733 | Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana | Zanu, H.K., Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana; Kagya-Agyemang, J.K., Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana; Kwenin, W.K.J., Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana; Bonsu, F.R.K., Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana; Antwi, E., Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana; Ateni, S., Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana | A 6-week feeding trial was conducted on One hundred and eighty (180) Cobb broilers to evaluate the effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) decoction (AID) and Akakapenpen (Rauvolfia vomitoria) decoction (RVD) on body weight gain, carcass and organ characteristics and haematological values of broiler chickens. The leaves of Azadirachta indica and Rauvolfia vomitoria were harvested and dried in the sun until they became crispy but still greenish in coloration. They were washed and then boiled (40 g of chopped leaves in 9L of water). The decoctions were placed in separate sterilized bottles ready for use and were offered ad libitum. The birds were randomly distributed to the treatments with twenty (20) birds per replicate, with each treatment replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The total replacement of antibiotics and coccidiostat resulted in non-significant depression (p<0.05) in final body weight and weight gain in experimental birds. However, feed intake was slightly affected (p<0.05) by administration of RVD to broilers. There was no significant effect of decoctions on water intake, feed conversion efficiency and mortality. Decoction had no significant influence on the dressing percentage, weights of crop (full), heart, proventriculus (full), intestines (full), feet and head. Decoction however, significantly affected gizzard (both full and empty), crop (empty), liver, kidney and proventriculus (empty). Liver and gizzard weights significantly increased with the inclusion of AID and RVD in water. Apart from WBC and Lymphocytes which were significantly influenced by decoction, the other blood parameters did not show any significant difference. This study suggests that AID and RVD replacement to antibiotics and coccidiostat may have beneficial effects on body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Total comparative profit derived from replacing antibiotics + coccidiostat with AID and RVD resulted in economic gains. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011. | Azadirachta indica; Broiler chickens; Decoctions; Rauvolfia vomitoria | Aves; Azadirachta indica; Gallus gallus; Rauvolfia; Rauvolfia vomitoria | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78650304104 | Impact of tuberculosis cotreatment on viral suppression rates among HIV-positive children initiating HAART | Zanoni B.C., Phungula T., Zanoni H.M., France H., Feeney M.E. | 2011 | AIDS | 25 | 1 | 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32833f9e04 | Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Charlestown, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Sinikithemba Clinic and Philani Program, McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa; Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States | Zanoni, B.C., Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Charlestown, United States, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, Sinikithemba Clinic and Philani Program, McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa; Phungula, T., Sinikithemba Clinic and Philani Program, McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa; Zanoni, H.M., Sinikithemba Clinic and Philani Program, McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa; France, H., Sinikithemba Clinic and Philani Program, McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa; Feeney, M.E., Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Charlestown, United States, Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States | Objective: To evaluate the association between treatment of HIV-tuberculosis (TB) coinfection and primary virologic failure among children initiating antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. Design: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1029 children initiating antiretroviral therapy at two medical centers in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, a region of very high TB incidence. Methods: Data were extracted from electronic medical records and charts and the impact of TB cotreatment on viral suppression at 6 and 12 months was assessed using logistic regression. Results: The overall rate of virologic suppression (<400 HIV RNA copies/ml) was 85% at 6 months and 87% at 12 months. Children who received concurrent treatment for TB had a significantly lower rate of virologic suppression at 6 months (79 vs. 88%; P = 0.003). Those who received nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based HAART had similar rates of viral suppression regardless of whether they received concurrent TB therapy. In contrast, children who received protease inhibitor-based HAART had significantly lower viral suppression rates at both 6 and 12 months if treated concurrently for TB (P = 0.02 and 0.03). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age at initiation, protease inhibitor therapy, and TB coinfection were each independently associated with primary virologic failure. Conclusion: Concurrent treatment for TB is associated with lower rates of viral suppression among children receiving protease inhibitor-based HAART, but not among those receiving nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based HAART. Guidelines for the care of young HIV-TB coinfected infants should be continually evaluated, as protease inhibitor-based antiviral therapy may not provide optimal viral suppression in this population. © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | children; HAART; HIV; resource-limited setting; tuberculosis | antiretrovirus agent; ethionamide; isoniazid; lamivudine; lopinavir plus ritonavir; proteinase inhibitor; pyrazinamide; rifampicin; RNA directed DNA polymerase inhibitor; stavudine; virus RNA; article; child; cohort analysis; extrapulmonary tuberculosis; female; highly active antiretroviral therapy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; incidence; major clinical study; male; mixed infection; nonhuman; patient care; priority journal; recommended drug dose; retrospective study; South Africa; tuberculosis; tuberculous meningitis; virus inhibition; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Antitubercular Agents; Female; HIV Protease Inhibitors; HIV-1; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; RNA, Viral; South Africa; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Viral Load | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84942255924 | Impact of fibrinolytics on the outcome of empyema in South African children | Zampoli M., Kappos A., Verwey C., Mamathuba R., Zar H.J. | 2015 | South African Medical Journal | 105 | 7 | 10.7196/SAMJnew.7796 | Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa | Zampoli, M., Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Kappos, A., Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Verwey, C., Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Mamathuba, R., Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Zar, H.J., Division of Paediatric Pulmonology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa | Background. Childhood pneumonia is common in all countries, and empyema is one of the commonest complications. The role of routine intrapleural fibrinolytics in the management of childhood empyema is not well established in low- and middle-income countries. Methods. We did a prospective observational study of children sequentially hospitalised with empyema between December 2006 and December 2011 in South Africa (SA). Intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), administered according to a standard protocol, was introduced in September 2009. Outcomes in children treated with TPA after 2009 were compared with the historical cohort not treated with TPA who met the treatment criteria. Results. One hundred and forty-two children with empyema, median age 17 months (interquartile range 8 - 43), were admitted during the study period. Excluding children who did not have a chest tube inserted and those in whom fibrinolysis was contraindicated, there were 99 patients, 52 of whom received fibrinolytics. Clinical characteristics and empyema aetiology were similar in those who received fibrinolysis and those who did not. Eighteen children (38.3%) not treated with TPA required surgery v. 5 (9.6%) treated with TPA (relative risk 0.25; 95% confidence interval 0.1 - 0.6). The median duration of hospitalisation was similar in both groups. Complications occurred rarely and with a similar incidence in both groups. In-hospital mortality was low, with two deaths in each group. Conclusion. Intrapleural TPA resulted in a four-fold reduction in surgery. Fibrinolytics should be used for management of empyema in children in SA. © 2015, South African Medical Association. All rights reserved. | None | cloxacillin; fibrinolytic agent; gentamicin; tissue plasminogen activator; fibrinolytic agent; tissue plasminogen activator; Article; child; empyema; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; HIV test; hospitalization; human; length of stay; major clinical study; male; mortality; observational study; preschool child; prospective study; chest tube; complication; devices; drug effects; Empyema, Pleural; fibrinolytic therapy; infant; isolation and purification; microbiology; pathophysiology; pleura cavity; pneumonia; procedures; South Africa; Staphylococcus aureus; treatment outcome; Chest Tubes; Child, Preschool; Empyema, Pleural; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Infant; Male; Pleural Cavity; Pneumonia; South Africa; Staphylococcus aureus; Thrombolytic Therapy; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Treatment Outcome | None |
| WoS | WOS:000285692100003 | Google Scholar as a source for citation and impact analysis for a non-ISI indexed medical journal | Sanni, S. A.,Zainab, A. N. | 2010 | MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE | 15 | 3 | None | Universiti Malaya | "Zainab, A. N.: Universiti Malaya" | It is difficult to determine the influence and impact of journals which are not covered by the ISI databases and Journal Citation Report. However, with the availability of databases such as MyAIS (Malaysian Abstracting and Indexing System), which offers sufficient information to support bibliometric analysis as well as being indexed by Google Scholar which provides citation information, it has become possible to obtain productivity, citation and impact information for non-ISI indexed journals. The bibliometric tool Harzing's Publish and Perish was used to collate citation information from Google scholar. The study examines article productivity, the citations obtained by articles and calculates the impact factor of Medical Journal of Malaysia (MJM) published between 2004 and 2008. MJM is the oldest medical journal in Malaysia and the unit of analysis is 580 articles. The results indicate that once a journal is covered by MyAIS it becomes visible and accessible on the Web because Google Scholarindexes MyAIS. The results show that contributors to MJM were mainly Malaysian (91%) and the number of Malaysian-Foreign collaborated papers were very small (28 articles, 4.8%). However, citation information from Google scholar indicates that out of the 580 articles, 76.8% (446) have been cited over the 5-year period. The citations were received from both mainstrean foreign as well as Malaysian journals and the top three citors were from China, Malaysia and the United States. In general more citations were received from East Asian countries, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The 2-yearly impact factor calculated for MJM is 0.378 in 2009, 0.367 in 2008, 0.616 in 2007 and 0.456 in 2006. The 5-year impact factor is calculated as 0.577. The results show that although MJM is a Malaysian journal and not ISI indexed its contents have some international significance based on the citations and impact score it receives, indicating the importance of being visible especially in Google scholar. | "CITATION ANALYSIS","impact factor","Indexation Status","Medical Journal of Malaysia",MJM,MyAIS,"publication productivity","BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS",INTERNATIONALIZATION,PATTERNS,PUBLICATION,SCIENCE,SCIENTOMETRICS,WEB | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77950156137 | Evaluation and potential of cocoyam as carbohydrate source in catfish, (Clarias gariepinus [Burchell, 1822]) juvenile diets | Zaid A.A., Sogbesan O.A. | 2010 | African Journal of Agricultural Research | 5 | 6 | None | Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria; Deparment of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Technology Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria | Zaid, A.A., Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria; Sogbesan, O.A., Deparment of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University of Technology Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria | The cost of feeding fish is about 60% of the total recurrent cost of fish farming, hence a need for non-conventional and cheaper ingredients to substitute the expensive ones. Seventy five juvenile of Clarias gariepinus mean weight 9.86 g were randomly stocked at 5 juveniles per tank of dimension 40 × 56 × 31 cm and fed five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing graded levels of cocoyam at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% substituted for maize meal over a period of 70 days. The result of the experiment showed that diet 1 had the highest specific growth rate (SGR), 1.47%/day and diet 4 had the lowest of 0.89%/day. The best food conversion ratio (FCR), 1.81 was from diet 2 while the worst of 2.91 was from diet 4. Highest mean yield, net profit, benefit cost ratio and profit index of 26.58, 4.93, 1.23 and $16.11 respectively, were from diet 2 while the lowest of 22.91, 0.49, 1.02 and $9.47 were from diet 4. All indices considered were significantly different (p<0.05) between ≤50% cocoyam and ≥75% cocoyam treatments. The study showed that 25% replacement of cocoyam for maize is recommended for growth and economic benefit for sustainable aquaculture. © 2010 Academic Journals. | Clarias gariepinus; Cocoyam; Cost benefits; Feed utilization; Growth; Maize | Clarias gariepinus; Colocasia esculenta; Zea mays | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-36448936420 | Evaluation of some factors affecting milk composition of indigenous goats in Nigeria | Zahraddeen D., Butswat I.S.R., Mbap S.T. | 2007 | Livestock Research for Rural Development | 19 | 11 | None | Animal Production Programme, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B.0248, Bauchi, Nigeria | Zahraddeen, D., Animal Production Programme, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B.0248, Bauchi, Nigeria; Butswat, I.S.R., Animal Production Programme, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B.0248, Bauchi, Nigeria; Mbap, S.T., Animal Production Programme, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B.0248, Bauchi, Nigeria | This study was carried out at the Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria (October 2003 - May 2006) to evaluate some factors (breed, season, stage of lactation and parity) affecting goat milk composition. The results showed that per cent crude protein, fat, lactose and total solid contents were significantly (P<0.05) affected by breed; with pH and ash contents differed non-significantly in the three breeds. The percentages of crude protein, fat and lactose contents were significantly (P<0.001) different in the four stages of lactation (colostrum, early, mid and late), while the differences in the total solid, pH and ash contents were not affected by the lactation stages. There were seasonal (P<0.001) variations in the per cent fat and lactose contents; with crude protein, total solid, pH and ash contents being not influenced by the two seasons (dry and wet). Similarly, fat and lactose contents showed significant (P<0.001) parity effects; with the crude protein, total solid, pH and ash values differed non-significantly in the three parities (first, second and third). It is therefore concluded that the goat milk composition studied is comparable to the levels obtained in improved goats reported elsewhere. It is therefore suggested that improvement in the goat milk composition of the local breeds can be made through improved management and cross-breeding with higher-yielding local or exotic goats. | Breed; Lactation stage; Parity; Season | Capra hircus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77954552890 | Investigating the global impacts of the agulhas current | Zahn R., Lutjeharms J., Biastoch A., Hall I., Knorr G., Park W., Reason C. | 2010 | Eos | 91 | 12 | None | Institució Catalana de Recerca, Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Departament de Geología, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR), Kiel, Germany; School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar-und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany; IFM-GEOMAR, Germany; Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, South Africa | Zahn, R., Institució Catalana de Recerca, Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain, Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Departament de Geología, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Lutjeharms, J., Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Biastoch, A., Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften (IFM-GEOMAR), Kiel, Germany; Hall, I., School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Knorr, G., Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar-und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany; Park, W., IFM-GEOMAR, Germany; Reason, C., Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, South Africa | [No abstract available] | None | climate variation; paleoceanography; western boundary current | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84879254256 | Evaluation of complementary food Prepared from sorghum, African yam bean (sphenostylis stenocarpa) and mango mesocarp flour blends | Yusufu P.A., Egbunu F.A., Egwujeh S.I.D., Opega G.L., Adikwu M.O. | 2013 | Pakistan Journal of Nutrition | 12 | 2 | None | Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria | Yusufu, P.A., Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria; Egbunu, F.A., Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria; Egwujeh, S.I.D., Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria; Opega, G.L., Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria; Adikwu, M.O., Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria | The use of Sorghum, African yam bean (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa) and Mango mesocarp (Mangifera indica) flour blends in the formulation of complementary food was studied. Traditional Weaning Food (TWF) obtained from 100% sorghum was used as the control sample. The sorghum, African yam bean and mango mesocarp flour were blended in the ratio of 5:3:2 respectively and used to formulate complementary food (SAM). The sample of complementary foods produced were subjected to chemical, functional and sensory properties analyses. The result of the chemical composition showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the protein and fat level of the formulated complementary food (8.9±1.09 to 17.4±1.19% and 1.5±0.11 to 3.50±0.31%, respectively. However, a significant p<0.65) decrease in the carbohydrate level (78±1.00 to 67.59±1.35) was observed vitamins A composition of formulated food was 3.54μg/mg. Functional properties evaluated showed no significant (p<0.05) difference in the bulk density but a high water absorption (70.6±3.3%), Emulsion (6.00±0.30%) capacities and reconstitution index (85±1.0%) were noticed. The sensory panelists rated the formulated complimentary food highly for taste, colour, flavour, texture and the overall acceptability. The formulated complementary food is a protein-rich product with good functional and sensory properties. Use of plant protein sources in local food formulations appeared to be vital in upgrading their nutritional, functional and sensory properties. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2013. | Chemical properties; Complementary food; Functional; Sensory | carbohydrate; retinol; vegetable oil; vegetable protein; African yam-bean; article; baby food; bulk density; complementary food; concentration (parameters); controlled study; emulsion; flour; food analysis; food color; food composition; food processing; food texture; mango; nonhuman; physical chemistry; sorghum; taste; water absorption; Mangifera indica; Sphenostylis stenocarpa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79960161803 | The evaluation of the analgesic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha curcas (Linn) in experimental animals | Yusuf O.S., Maxwell E.I. | 2011 | International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology | 6 | 2 | 10.1504/IJBET.2011.041124 | Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria; Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umu | Yusuf, O.S., Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria; Maxwell, E.I., Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria | This study evaluated the analgesic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha curcas (Linn) in-vivo using analgesic models viz. hot plate method in mice, tail flick or immersion method in rats and the acetic acid-induced writhing reflex model in mice. In all the models, Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) was used as the reference drug. In the hot plate and tail flick models, the oral administration of J. curcas extract at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and the reference drug ASA (400 mg/kg) showed potent analgesic effects by significantly (P < 0.001) increasing the Pain Reaction Time (PRT) dose dependently in mice and rats. Also the reference drug and the extract of J. curcas significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased the number of the abdominal Keywords: Jatropha curcas; hot plate; tail flick; writhing reflex; ASA; acetylsalicylic acid. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Yusuf, O.S. and Maxwell, E.I. (2011) 'The evaluation of the analgesic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha curcas (Linn) in experimental animals', Int. J. Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp.200-207. Biographical notes: Omeh S. Yusuf is a Lecturer in Biochemistry and has BSc and MSc degrees, with specialisation in Medical/Plant Biochemistry. He is pursuing his PhD in Lipid Biochemistry, which is nearing completion. He is involved in research concerning medicinal plants. contortions in the acetic acid-induced writhing reflex in mice and increased the percentage protection in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, this study indicates that the methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha curcas has significant analgesic properties and may be acting through both peripheral and central pain mechanisms. © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. | Acetylsalicylic acid; ASA; Hot plate; Jatropha curcas; Tail flick; Writhing reflex | Acetyl salicylic acid; ASA; Hot plates; Jatropha curcas; Tail flick; Writhing reflex; Acetic acid; Biochemistry; Biomedical engineering; Drug dosage; pH; Rats; Animals | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-55849126193 | Effect of decorticated fermented prosopis seed meal (Prosopis africana) on growth performance of broiler chicken | Yusuf N.D., Ogah D.M., Hassan D.I., Musa M.M., Doma U.D. | 2008 | International Journal of Poultry Science | 7 | 11 | 10.3923/ijps.2008.1054.1057 | Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 033, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Animal Production Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B. 0248, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria | Yusuf, N.D., Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 033, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Ogah, D.M., Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 033, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Hassan, D.I., Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 033, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Musa, M.M., Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture, P.M.B. 033, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Doma, U.D., Animal Production Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B. 0248, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria | Two hundred and forty 7 days old Anak 2000 broiler chicks were used to determine the growth rate and economic of broiler fed decorticated fermented Prosopis africana seed meal (DFPSM). Five experimental diets containing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% DFPSM replacement levels for full fat soybean meal were fed to broiler for 8 weeks. The experiments were in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments, each replicated four times with 48 birds per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. The average live weight of broiler ranged from 2500-2850g in each dietary group and were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary treatment, similarly the growth rate and feed conversion ratio were also significantly affected by the dietary treatment (P < 0.05). The study indicate that 20% inclusion of DFPSM with soybean meal could be used in a broiler diet. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2008. | Animal protein; Broiler diet; Developing countries; Fermented Prosopis africana seed meal | Animalia; Aves; Glycine max; Prosopis; Prosopis africana | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-76449105471 | Effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) on secondary school students' performance in biology | Yusuf M.O., Afolabi A.O. | 2010 | Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology | 9 | 1 | None | Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; Centre for Educational Technology, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Nigeria | Yusuf, M.O., Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; Afolabi, A.O., Centre for Educational Technology, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Nigeria | This study investigated the effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) on secondary school students' performance in biology. Also, the influence of gender on the performance of students exposed to CAI in individualised or cooperative learning settings package was examined. The research was a quasi experimental involving a 3 x 2 factorial design. The sample for the study comprised 120 first year senior secondary school students (SSS I) sampled from three private secondary schools, in Oyo State, Nigeria. The students' pre-test and post test scores were subjected to Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The findings of the study showed that the performance of students exposed to CAI either individually or cooperatively were better than their counterparts exposed to the conventional classroom instruction. However, no significant difference existed in the performance of male and female students exposed to CAI in either individual or cooperative settings. Based on the research findings recommendations were made on the need to develop relevant CAI packages for teaching biology in Nigerian secondary schools. Copyright © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. | None | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34948858900 | Evaluation of the three-stage BCR (European community bureau of reference) sequential extraction procedure to assess the potential mobility and toxicity of heavy metals in roadside soils | Yusuf K.A. | 2006 | Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research | 49 | 3 | None | Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University, Ojo, PMB 1087, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria | Yusuf, K.A., Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University, Ojo, PMB 1087, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria | The geochemical properties of roadside soils, specifically the association of metals with operationally defined solid fractions, were characterised. The new optimised four-step (acid extractable, reducible, oxidizable, and residual) sequential extraction procedure was applied to five roadside soils from an urban city, Lagos, Nigeria. Three elements were examined (Pb, Cu and Zn) in the < 250-μm fraction. Data so obtained indicated that more than 50% of the metals were associated with the residual fraction, reflecting lithogenic-pedogenic control. Zinc had one-sixth of its quantity in the most mobile and/or bioavailable fraction, which is susceptible to release into solution with the decrease in pH. The amount of lead associated with the reducible fraction was significant, while an appreciable amount of copper was associated with oxidizable fraction (19%). | Heavy metals; Metal mobility; Metal toxicity; Roadside soils; Sequential extraction | copper; lead; mobility; roadside environment; soil analysis; soil chemistry; toxicity; urban region; zinc; Africa; Lagos [Nigeria]; Nigeria; Sub-Saharan Africa; West Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34748814296 | Evaluation of groundwater quality characteristics in Lagos-City | Yusuf K.A. | 2007 | Journal of Applied Sciences | 7 | 13 | None | Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University Ojo, P.M.B. 1087, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria | Yusuf, K.A., Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University Ojo, P.M.B. 1087, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria | Most of the water requirement for Lagos is met from surface and ground water supplies. Lagos an industrial and highly populated city located in the Southwest Nigeria has urban migration problems and resource limitations. However, as found in many cities, a certain proportion of the population is forced to rely on the well water as sources of drinking water, a poor drinking water quality that may have health consequences. A study was therefore carried out to gain an idea of the inorganic quality of the water in the wells penetrating the shallow (< 20 m thick) alluvial aquifer in the city. Results from this study revealed that some of the ground water quality constituents exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water irrespective of the sources of pollution: the total dissolved solids limit in 50%, the conductivity limit in 27.8%, the lead limit in 38.9%, the pH limit in 44.4% and the sodium and calcium limits in 11.1% of the samples. Thus, ground water from some of these wells requires further purification to ensure its fitness for human consumption. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information. | Aquifer; Ground water; Water quality constituents; Wells | Conductivity limit; Ground-water qualities; Health consequences; Resource limitations; Surface and ground waters; Total dissolved solids; Water requirements; World Health Organization; Aquifers; Groundwater; Groundwater pollution; Health; Water quality; Water supply; Wells; Groundwater resources | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84915749577 | Availability modelling and evaluation of a repairable system subject to minor deterioration under imperfect repairs | Yusuf I. | 2015 | International Journal of Mathematics in Operational Research | 7 | 1 | 10.1504/IJMOR.2015.065955 | Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria | Yusuf, I., Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria | Many engineering systems are subjected to deterioration, meaning that during the course of time their conditions fall to failure levels. Such systems and their components are either repaired at failure or replaced before or after failure. However not every deterioration can bring about sudden failure of the system. Some deterioration can slightly reduce the strength of the system until at some point failure occurs. Such deterioration is said to be minor deterioration. This paper deals with the modelling and evaluation of availability of a system subjected to minor deterioration under imperfect repair. In this paper, we developed the explicit expression of system availability using probabilistic approach and determine the effect of failure, repair rate and number of states on system availability. The optimal availability level the system can attain is also determined. The results of this paper will enhance the system performance and useful for timely execution of proper maintenance improvement, decision, planning and optimisation. Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. | Availability; Deterioration; Imperfect repair; Number of states | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84957538919 | Enhancing students’ reading comprehension performance through think and search questions. A study of selected secondary schools in Kaduna, Nigeria | Yusuf H. | 2015 | Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology | 2015 | None | None | Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria | Yusuf, H., Department of Educational Foundations and Curriculum, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria | This study focused on using “think and search” questions to enhance student’s performance in reading comprehension. A sample of sixty (60) senior secondary schools from Kaduna metropolis was used for the study. Quasi experimental research design was used for the study. Government Secondary School, Kigo Road was used as the experimental school, while Government Secondary School Ungwan Muazu was used as the control school. Senior secondary two (i.e SS2) students were used for the study. Thirty (30) students (intact class) from each of the schools were used for the study. Both groups were exposed to six (6) weeks of teaching. Prior to teaching, both groups were exposed to pretest to establish the homogeneity of the two groups of students. Both groups were assessed after six (6) weeks of teaching using reading comprehension test. T-test was used to test the hypothesis raised in the study. The findings revealed significant differences in the performance of students taught reading comprehension using “think and search” questions. Teachers are encouraged to enhance students’ performance in reading comprehension by engaging students in “think and search” questions during reading comprehension lessons. Curriculum planners and text book writers are equally encouraged to provide think and search questions for students before during and after every reading comprehension passage as a means of evaluating each reading task. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. | Enhance student’s | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84889633821 | Planning practices, strategy types and firm performance in the Arabian Gulf region | Yusuf A., Saffu K. | 2009 | Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues | 2 | 3 | 10.1108/17537980910981778 | Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Abuja, Nigeria; Brock University, St Catherines, Canada | Yusuf, A., Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Abuja, Nigeria; Saffu, K., Brock University, St Catherines, Canada | Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate planning practices, strategy types, and the performance of indigenous firms in Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected from cheif executive officers (CEOs) and top management of 95 local companies sampled from Chamber of Commerce and Industry databases in Bahrain and UAE using face-to-face interviews. Analysis of variance and univariate logistic regression are employed in analyzing the data. Findings: Although most of the firms are long-term planners, many of them do not have a planning process. Majority of the firms are Prospectors and Analyzers. Prospectors perform considerably better than all the other strategy types. Nevertheless, the firms that are included in this paper appear to be cautious and not aggressive in entering new markets or in taking the lead in introducing and marketing new products. Research limitations/implications: The paper suffers from selection bias by focusing on indigenous-owned companies. Also, the data originate from self-reported responses from business leaders and executives. The results do not establish causality. Finally, only broad demographic links are considered. Other individual and firm variables may influence performance in different ways than indicated here. Practical implications: Managers must pay heed to the usefulness of planning and ensure that their companies have a planning process in place. Given the performance of Prospectors, managers must adopt some prospector strategies. Experience and high level of education as essential ingredients to successful planning and performance require management consideration. Originality/value: The paper provides empirical support for Miles and Snow typology and corroborates the existing understanding that planning is beneficial to firms from an under-researched part of the world. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited. | Bahrain; Business performance; Business planning; Corporate strategy; United Arab Emirates | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77956083220 | Evaluation of the feeding potentials of Vitellaria paradoxa, Nauclea latifolia and Terminalia macroptera foliage as supplements to concentrate feed for grower rabbits | Yusuf A.M., Garba M.H., Olafadehan O.A. | 2010 | Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry | 9 | 2 | None | Department of Animal Production Technology, Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria | Yusuf, A.M., Department of Animal Production Technology, Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria; Garba, M.H., Department of Animal Production Technology, Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria; Olafadehan, O.A., Department of Animal Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria | The feeding potentials of Vitallaria paradoxa, Nauclea latifolia and Terminalia macroptera foliage as supplements to concentrate diets for grower rabbits were studied over a 13-week period. A total of 18 crossbred growing rabbits of equal sexes, aged between 6-8 weeks with an average weight of 515g were randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments consisting of three replicates of two rabbits each in a completely randomized design. Nauclea latifolia had the highest and least crude protein and crude fibre, respectively, which were intermediate in Vitallaria paradoxa but lowest and highest, respectively, in Terminalia macroptera. Organic matter was highest in Vitallaria paradoxa and lowest in Nauclea latifolia. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gains were best in Nauclea latifolia followed by Vitallaria paradoxa and least in Terminalia macroptera (all (P<0.05)). However, feed conversion ratio was similar (P>0.05) among the treatments. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Nauclea latifolia than in Vitallaria paradoxa and Terminalia macroptera. Average daily gain was significantly (R2 = 0.9998) influenced by ADFI and DMD. The forages have potentials to support growth of grower rabbits, with Nauclea latifolia forage having the best potential, followed by Vitallaria paradoxa and then Terminalia macroptera. | Feeding potential; Grower rabbit; Nauclea latifolia; Terminalia macroptera; Vitallaria paradoxum | Nauclea latifolia; Oryctolagus cuniculus; Terminalia; Terminalia macroptera; Vitellaria paradoxa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33646193106 | Planning and performance of small and medium enterprise operators in a country in transition | Yusuf A., Saffu K. | 2005 | Journal of Small Business Management | 43 | 4 | 10.1111/j.1540-627X.2005.00148.x | Corporate Planning and Development Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria; Department of Entrepreneurship, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ont., Canada | Yusuf, A., Corporate Planning and Development Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria; Saffu, K., Department of Entrepreneurship, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ont., Canada | This paper examines the relationship between planning and performance of small and medium enterprise operators in a country in economic transition. The literature on planning-performance relationship reports mixed findings. In a period of uncertainty, as exemplified by conditions of economic difficulties, one would expect firms to do more planning. On the contrary, our study shows that economic difficulties do not encourage firms to plan seriously. Our study also shows that firms that plan do not necessarily experience increased performance, with the exception of the manufacturing sector. Other findings of the study include a significant gender difference in the planning sophistication of small firms in Ghana, with firms managed or owned by males having sophisticated planning compared with female managed or female-owned businesses. Size did not moderate planning performance in our study. Planning affected performance equally in both large and small firms in our study. We found no difference among the planning clusters for education. Firms with the highest growth in sales had low-planning sophistication. This study contributes to our understanding and appreciation of situations in which planning does not necessarily add significant value to organizations (by way of increased performance). | None | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84928411834 | Performance evaluation of rain attenuation models in a tropical station | Yussuff A.I.O., Khamis N.H.B.H., Yahya A. | 2014 | International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering | 4 | 5 | None | Department of Communications Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia; Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Lagos State University, Nigeria | Yussuff, A.I.O., Department of Communications Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Lagos State University, Nigeria; Khamis, N.H.B.H., Department of Communications Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia; Yahya, A., Department of Communications Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia | The non-uniformity of rainfall in both the horizontal and vertical directions makes the estimation of slant path attenuation complex. At frequencies above 10 GHz, the effects of attenuation and noise induced by rain are quite significant. One year satellite attenuation data were sourced from Malaysia East Asia Satellite at Ku frequency band; using ASTRO beacon signals to monitor and measure the slant path rain rate and attenuation at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai. Four years' one minute rain rate ground data at 0.01% of time exceeded were collected using rain gauge. The attenuation exceeded for other percentages of the time was obtained using statistical methods. Different rain attenuation prediction models were investigated and their performances compared. The validation results clearly suggested that the Breakpoint attenuation prediction model produced better results when compared with other models of interest. Copyright © 2014 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved. | Attenuation predictions; Breakpoint attenuations; Convective rains; Specific attenuations; Stratiform rains | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-75649107822 | Good optical limiting performance of indium and gallium phthalocyanines in a solution and co-polymer host | Yüksek M., Elmali A., Durmu M., Gul Yaglioglu H., Nver H., Nyokong T. | 2010 | Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics | 12 | 1 | 10.1088/2040-8978/12/1/015208 | Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, 06100 Beevler, Ankara, Turkey; Department of Chemistry, Gebze Institute of Technology, Gebze, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, 06100 Beevler, Ankara, Turkey; Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa | Yüksek, M., Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, 06100 Beevler, Ankara, Turkey; Elmali, A., Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, 06100 Beevler, Ankara, Turkey; Durmu, M., Department of Chemistry, Gebze Institute of Technology, Gebze, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey; Gul Yaglioglu, H., Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, 06100 Beevler, Ankara, Turkey; Nver, H., Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, 06100 Beevler, Ankara, Turkey; Nyokong, T., Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa | The optical limiting characteristics of tetra-and octasubstituted gallium and indium phthalocyanine complexes have been studied by means of the open-aperture Z-scan technique with nanosecond pulses at 532nm. The nonlinear response demonstrated that all investigated compounds exhibited strong reverse saturable absorption for both solution and solid-state-based experiments. The results showed that the ratio of the excited to ground state absorption cross section κ and effective nonlinear absorption coefficient βeff are largely dependent on the linear absorption coefficient. All compounds in chloroform exhibited almost the same optical limiting performance at the same linear absorption coefficient. Pc/PMMA composite films display a much larger effective nonlinear absorption coefficient, lower ratio of the excited to ground state absorption cross section and lower saturation fluence for optical limiting when compared to the same Pc molecules in solution. All gallium and indium complexes of phthalocyanines are good candidates for optical limiting applications. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd. | Nonlinear absorption; Optical limiting; Phthalocyanine; Polymer film; Z-scan | Ground state absorption; Indium complexes; Linear absorption coefficient; Nanosecond pulse; Non-linear response; Nonlinear absorption coefficient; Nonlinear absorptions; Octasubstituted; Optical limiting; Optical limiting applications; Phthalocyanine complexes; Reverse saturable absorption; Saturation fluence; State-based; Z-scan technique; Composite films; Gallium; Ground state; Indium; Nitrogen compounds; Plastic films; Polymer films; Polymers; Absorption | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84904390959 | Evaluation of standard magnetic resonance characteristics used to differentiate neoplastic, inflammatory, and vascular brain lesions in dogs | Young B.D., Fosgate G.T., Holmes S.P., Wolff C.A., Chen-Allen A.V., Kent M., Platt S.R., Savage M.Y., Schatzberg S.J., Levine J.M. | 2014 | Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound | 55 | 4 | 10.1111/vru.12137 | Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States; Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States; Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0002, South Africa; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; Department of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; North Houston Veterinary Specialists, Houston, TX 77388, United States; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, United States; Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States; Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States | Young, B.D., Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States; Fosgate, G.T., Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort 0002, South Africa, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; Holmes, S.P., Department of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; Wolff, C.A., North Houston Veterinary Specialists, Houston, TX 77388, United States; Chen-Allen, A.V., Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6610, United States; Kent, M., Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; Platt, S.R., Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7382, United States; Savage, M.Y., Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States; Schatzberg, S.J., Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States; Levine, J.M., Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States | Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics are commonly used to help predict intracranial disease categories in dogs, however, few large studies have objectively evaluated these characteristics. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate MR characteristics that have been used to differentiate neoplastic, inflammatory, and vascular intracranial diseases in a large, multi-institutional population of dogs. Medical records from three veterinary teaching hospitals were searched over a 6-year period for dogs that had diagnostic quality brain MR scans and histologically confirmed intracranial disease. Three examiners who were unaware of histologic diagnosis independently evaluated 19 MR lesion characteristics totaling 57 possible responses. A total of 75 dogs with histologically confirmed intracranial disease were included in analyses: 51 with neoplasia, 18 with inflammatory disease, and six with cerebrovascular disease. Only strong contrast enhancement was more common in neoplasia than other disease categories. A multivariable statistical model suggested that extra-axial origin, T2-FLAIR mixed intensity, and defined lesion margins were also predictive of neoplasia. Meningeal enhancement, irregular lesion shape, and multifocal location distinguished inflammatory diseases from the other disease categories. No MR characteristics distinguished vascular lesions and these appeared most similar to neoplasia. These results differed from a previous report describing seven MR characteristics that were predictive of neoplasia in dogs and cats. Findings from the current study indicated that the high performance of MR for diagnosing canine intracranial diseases might be due to evaluator recognition of combinations of MR characteristics vs. relying on any one MR characteristic alone. © 2014 American College of Veterinary Radiology. | Brain; Dog; Inflammation; MR imaging; Neoplasia | contrast medium; animal; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebrovascular Disorders; diagnostic use; differential diagnosis; dog; Dog Diseases; encephalitis; female; male; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; retrospective study; veterinary; Animals; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Contrast Media; Diagnosis, Differential; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Encephalitis; Female; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Retrospective Studies | None |
| WoS | WOS:000300869600003 | How Can Micro and Small Enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa Become More Productive? The Impacts of Experimental Basic Managerial Training | Iddrisu, Alhassan,Mano, Yukichi,Sonobe, Tetsushi,Yoshino, Yutaka | 2012 | WORLD DEVELOPMENT | 40 | 3 | 10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.09.013 | The World Bank, FASID, Minist Finance & Econ Planning, Natl Grad Inst Policy Studies GRIPS | "Yoshino, Yutaka: The World Bank", | The vast majority of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries are located in industrial clusters, and the majority of such clusters have yet to see their growth take off. The performance of MSE clusters is especially low in Sub-Saharan Africa. While existing studies often attribute the poor performance to factors outside firms, problems within firms are seldom scrutinized. In fact, entrepreneurs in these clusters are unfamiliar with standard business practices. Based on a randomized experiment in Ghana, this study demonstrates that basic-level management training improves business practices and performance. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Africa,GHANA,"INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT","management training","RANDOMIZED EXPERIMENT","survival clusters",CLUSTER,DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES,FAILURE,FIRMS,INDUSTRIALIZATION,INDUSTRY,MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES,PERFORMANCE,VALLEY | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84870751723 | Impact of the HIV infection on the evolution of tuberculosis among adult patient in Yaounde, Cameroon [Impact de l'infection à VIH sur l'évolution de la tuberculose de l'adulte à Yaoundé, Cameroun] | Yone É.W.P., Kuaban C., Kengne A.P. | 2012 | Revue de Pneumologie Clinique | 68 | 6 | 10.1016/j.pneumo.2012.10.001 | Département de médecine interne et spécialités, Faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Service de pneumologie, Hôpital Jamot de Yaoundé, BP 4021, Yaoundé, Cameroon; South African Medical research Council, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Yone, É.W.P., Département de médecine interne et spécialités, Faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Service de pneumologie, Hôpital Jamot de Yaoundé, BP 4021, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Kuaban, C., Département de médecine interne et spécialités, Faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Service de pneumologie, Hôpital Jamot de Yaoundé, BP 4021, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Kengne, A.P., South African Medical research Council, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Background: Tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection are two major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in all clinical forms of TB and investigate the effects of HIV status on the evolution of tuberculosis. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study relating to the 1647 adult's tuberculous patients, HIV status was known in 1419 cases which were followed-up at the diagnosis and treatment center for tuberculosis of the Yaounde Jamot Hospital in 2009. Results: The prevalence of HIV infection was of 35% as a whole and 31.3%, 43.3% and 47.7% respectively for the smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Compared to HIV negative patients, HIV positive patients were older (36years versus 30years, P<0.0001) and included more women (57.1% versus 37.3%, P=0.001). The treatment success rate was 79% in HIV negative patients and 69% among HIV positive ones. The equivalent for mortality rate was respectively 1.9% and 10.5% (both P<0.001). In HIV positive patients, the death rate was 3.7% among those with CD4 above 200/mm3 and 13% among those with CD4 below 200/mm3 (P<0.02). Conclusions: The HIV infection is frequent among adult patients with tuberculosis in this setting, particularly among patients with smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis or extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It is associated with a high mortality rate especially on patient with severe immunodeficiency in spite of the antiretroviral treatment and prophylaxis with the cotrimoxazole. © 2012. | Antituberculosis treatment; HIV infection; Outcome; Tuberculosis | antiretrovirus agent; CD4 antigen; cotrimoxazole; adult; age distribution; antibiotic prophylaxis; article; Cameroon; controlled study; disease association; disease severity; extrapulmonary tuberculosis; female; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; immune deficiency; infection prevention; lung tuberculosis; major clinical study; male; mortality; prevalence; retrospective study; sex difference; smear; tuberculosis; Adult; Antitubercular Agents; Cameroon; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis; Young Adult | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84874853623 | Comparative evaluation of the Rose Bengal plate test, standard tube agglutination test and complement fixation test for the diagnosis of human brucellosis | Yohannesw M., Gill J.P.S., Ghatak S., Singh D.K., Tolosa T. | 2012 | OIE Revue Scientifique et Technique | 31 | 3 | None | School of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, PO. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Department of Veterinary Public Health, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, PIN 141004, Ludhiana, India; Division of Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, 243 122, Izatanagar, India | Yohannesw, M., School of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, PO. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Gill, J.P.S., Department of Veterinary Public Health, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, PIN 141004, Ludhiana, India; Ghatak, S., Department of Veterinary Public Health, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, PIN 141004, Ludhiana, India; Singh, D.K., Division of Public Health, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, 243 122, Izatanagar, India; Tolosa, T., School of Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, PO. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia | In this study, 241 serum samples from individuals exposed to brucellosis were subjected to the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT); the titre was estimated by standard tube agglutination test (STAT), with positive > 80 IU/ml. Randomly selected sera (n = 81) were analysed by complement fixation test (CFT): titre > 1:4 was considered positive. Of 241 sera subjected to RBPT and STAT, 177 were negative in both tests; 5 samples tested negative by RBPT but positive by STAT. None was positive by RBPT and negative by STAT. Of 81 sera subjected to CFT, 23 (28.4%) were positive. Both RBPT and CFT found 18 samples positive; 5 samples were positive by CFT and negative by RBPT. Comparison of STAT with CFT showed 13 samples positive by STAT but negative by CFT, and 4 positive by CFT but negative by STAT. The sensitivity and specificity of STAT were 82.6% and 77.6%, respectively, with CFT as gold standard. No test is perfect, and the clinical history coupled with a combination of two or more tests will reduce diagnostic errors. | Comparative evaluation; Complement fixation test; Human brucellosis; Rose Bengal plate test; Standard tube agglutination test | bacterium antibody; diagnostic agent; fluorescent dye; rose bengal; agglutination test; article; blood; Brucella; brucellosis; comparative study; complement fixation test; cross-sectional study; evaluation study; human; immunology; sensitivity and specificity; standard; Agglutination Tests; Antibodies, Bacterial; Brucella; Brucellosis; Complement Fixation Tests; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Rose Bengal; Sensitivity and Specificity | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84857031403 | Long-term impact of the kenya postelection crisis on clinic attendance and medication adherence for HIV-infected children in Western Kenya | Yoder R.B., Nyandiko W.M., Vreeman R.C., Ayaya S.O., Gisore P.O., Braitstein P., Wiehe S.E. | 2012 | Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes | 59 | 2 | 10.1097/QAI.0b013e31823b4448 | Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya; Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya; Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States | Yoder, R.B., Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Nyandiko, W.M., USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya, Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya; Vreeman, R.C., Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States, USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Ayaya, S.O., USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya, Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya; Gisore, P.O., USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya, Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya; Braitstein, P., USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Wiehe, S.E., Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States, USAID-Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Partnership, Eldoret, Kenya, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis, IN, United States | Background: Kenya experienced a political and humanitarian crisis after presidential elections on December 27, 2007. We sought to describe both the immediate and long-term impact of this conflict for HIV-infected children in western Kenya. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of a cohort of these children for 3 periods: period 1, before the election (October 26, 2007, to December 25, 2007); period 2, immediately after the election (December 26, 2007, to April 15, 2008); and period 3, long-term postelection (April 16, 2008, to December 31, 2008). Two outcome variables of loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) were assessed: initial LTFU and complete LTFU. We assessed clinic adherence by evaluating the difference between actual visits and expected visits. Among children on antiretroviral therapy (ART), we assessed overall medication adherence and changes in medication adherence. Results: Two thousand five hundred forty-nine HIV-infected children ,14 years were seen in period 1. Children on ART had less initial LTFU (3.0% compared with 5.1%, P < 0.01) and less complete LTFU (2.6% compared with 6.8%, P < 0.001) than children not on ART. For children not on ART, clinic adherence improved in period 3 compared with period 2. For children on ART with a more strict measure of clinic adherence, clinic adherence declined over time. Orphans had better clinic adherence than nonorphans. Among children on ART, there were few demographic differences when comparing medication adherence between time. Conclusions: HIV-infected children are at risk for disruptions in clinic follow-up and medication adherence after a humanitarian crisis. Individual and contextual factors moderate the effects of these disruptions. Copyright © 2012 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | HIV; Medication adherence; Pediatrics; Postcrisis | antiretrovirus agent; adolescent; article; child; child health care; female; follow up; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; Kenya; long term care; major clinical study; male; patient compliance; politics; priority journal; retrospective study; treatment outcome; Adolescent; Anti-HIV Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Kenya; Male; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Politics; Retrospective Studies | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-70449413684 | Effects of single and dual applications of selected trichoderma and bacillus isolates on performance of dry bean seedlings grown in composted pine bark growth medium under shadehouse conditions | Yobo K.S., Laing M.D., Hunter C.H. | 2009 | Journal of Plant Nutrition | 32 | 8 | 10.1080/01904160903005996 | Discipline of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Discipline of Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | Yobo, K.S., Discipline of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Laing, M.D., Discipline of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Hunter, C.H., Discipline of Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | A shadehouse pot trial was conducted to study the efficiency of single and dual inoculations with selected Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates on performance of dry bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in composted pine bark (CPB) potting medium. All the plant treatments inoculated with Trichoderma spp. and/or Bacillus spp. had higher photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm values). Of the treatments, only B. subtilis B69 showed a significant increase (P = 0.02) in Fv/Fm values over the growth period. The Trichoderma and Bacillus treated plants showed increase in dry shoot biomass. The greatest degree of nodulation was observed in Trichoderma and/or Bacillus treated plants. Increase in nitrogen concentrations were observed in leaves of plants inoculated with Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates. Only T. atroviride SY3A significantly increased phosphorus concentrations in leaves. These results depict and highlight the role these organisms can play in plant root-plant growth promoting rhizobacteria or plant growth promoting fungi (PGPR/PGPF) interaction in a nutrient-poor growth medium. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. | Bacillus; Dry bean; Mineral uptake; Nodulation; Photosynthetic efficiency; Trichoderma | Bacillus subtilis; Fungi; Phaseolus vulgaris; Rhizobiales; Trichoderma; Trichoderma atroviride | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84869748833 | Imidazopyridine-based inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3: Synthesis and evaluation of amide isostere replacements of the carboxamide scaffold | Yngve U., Söderman P., Svensson M., Rosqvist S., Arvidsson P.I. | 2012 | Chemistry and Biodiversity | 9 | 11 | 10.1002/cbdv.201200308 | Medicinal Chemistry IScience, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Neuroscience IScience, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Project Management, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa | Yngve, U., Medicinal Chemistry IScience, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Söderman, P., Medicinal Chemistry IScience, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Svensson, M., Medicinal Chemistry IScience, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Rosqvist, S., Neuroscience IScience, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden; Arvidsson, P.I., Project Management, CNSP IMed, AstraZeneca RandD Södertälje, SE-151 85 Södertälje, Sweden, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa | In this study, we explored the effect of bioisostere replacement in a series of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibitors based on the imidazopyridine core. The synthesis and biological evaluation of a number of novel sulfonamide, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, and thiazole derivates as amide bioisosteres, as well as a computational rationalization of the obtained results are reported. © 2012 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich. | 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles; Bioisosteres; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3); Imidazopyridine; Inhibitors; Sulfonamides; Thiazoles | 1,2,4 oxadiazole derivative; 2 [4 (morpholin 4 ylmethyl)phenyl] 7 [2 (piperidin 1 yl) 1,3 thiazol 4 yl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine hydrochloride; 2 [4 (morpholin 4 ylmethyl)phenyl] 7 [3 (propan 2 yl) 1,2,4 oxadiazol 5 yl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine hydrochloride; 2 [4 (morpholin 4 ylmethyl)phenyl] 7 [3 (pyridin 3 yl) 1,2,4 oxadiazol 5 yl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine hydrochloride; 3 [4[[2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridin 7 yl]sulfonyl]piperazin 1 yl]propanenitrile; 7 [2 (morpholin 4 yl) 1,3 thiazol 4 yl] 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine hydrochloride; 7 [2 (piperidin 1 yl) 1,3 thiazol 4 yl] 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine hydrochloride; 7 [3 (2 methoxyethyl) 1,2,4 oxadiazol 5 yl] 2 [4 (morpholin 4 ylmethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine hydrochloride; amide; glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor; imidazopyridine derivative; n (2 hydroxy 1 phenylethyl) 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine 7 sulfonamide hydrochloride; n (2 methoxyethyl) n methyl 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine 7 sulfonamide hydrochloride; n (3 methoxypropyl) 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine 7 sulfonamide hydrochloride; n [3 (1h imidazol 1 yl)propyl] 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine 7 sulfonamide hydrochloride; n cyclopentyl 2 [4 (trifluoromethyl)phenyl] 3h imidazo[4,5 b]pyridine 7 sulfonamide hydrochloride; thiazole derivative; unclassified drug; article; drug design; drug potency; drug screening; drug stability; drug structure; drug synthesis; drug transformation; human; human cell; Drug Design; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Oxadiazoles; Pyridines; Sulfonamides; Thiazoles | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-80155187752 | Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides root bark extracts | Ynalvez R.A., Cardenas C., Addo J.K., Adukpo G.E., Dadson B.A., Addo-Mensah A. | 2012 | Research Journal of Medicinal Plant | 6 | 2 | 10.3923/rjmp.2012.149.159 | Texas A and M International University, Laredo, TX 78041, United States; University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana | Ynalvez, R.A., Texas A and M International University, Laredo, TX 78041, United States; Cardenas, C., Texas A and M International University, Laredo, TX 78041, United States; Addo, J.K., University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Adukpo, G.E., University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Dadson, B.A., University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Addo-Mensah, A., Texas A and M International University, Laredo, TX 78041, United States | The development of resistance to antibiotics by infectious agents has been a continuous challenge. Thus, in this study, the aim was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, a potential plant source for novel antibiotics. Toward this end, dried powdered samples of the root barks of Z. zanthoxyloides were extracted successively to obtain Crude Petroleum Ether (CPE), Defatted Ethanol Ether (DEE) and Defatted Ethanol Chloroform (DEC) extracts. The antimicrobial activities indicated by the size of the Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) of each extract at concentrations 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 μg μL -1 were evaluated against Escherichia coli (E. coli), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) using disc diffusion method. Two sets of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were performed. The first set comprised separate ANOVAs for each microorganism because the positive controls were different for each microorganism, although the negative control (DMSO) was the same for all. The second set was a single combined ANOVA with all microorganisms included with their positive controls excluded. The first set of analysis showed that DEE had significantly (p<0.001) higher antimicrobial activity than DMSO, CPE, or DEC. No significant interaction between extract and concentration was detected. The second set indicated a significant (p<0.01) interaction effect between extract and microorganism. Although no significant differences in ZOI were observed for microorganisms exposed to DMSO, CPE and DEC; one particular microorganism VREF was found to be the most susceptible to DEE. In addition, findings of this study show the potential of Z. zanthoxyloides as a source of broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc. | Antimicrobial; Extracts; Methicillin; Vancomycin; Zanthoxylum | alcohol; antiinfective agent; chloramphenicol; chloroform; kanamycin; linezolid; novobiocin; penicillin G; petroleum ether; plant extract; streptomycin; unclassified drug; Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extract; antibacterial activity; article; bark; concentration response; controlled study; disk diffusion; Enterococcus faecium; Escherichia coli; medicinal plant; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection; methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; nonhuman; solvent extraction; Soxhlet extraction; vancomycin resistant Enterococcus; zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides; Enterococcus faecium; Escherichia coli; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus; Zanthoxylum; Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-82955168328 | Evaluation of soil expansion index from routinely determined geotechnical parameters | Yitagesu F.A., Van DerMeer F., Van DerWerff H., Seged H. | 2011 | Soil Science Society of America Journal | 75 | 5 | 10.2136/sssaj2010.0420 | Faculty of Geo-information Science, Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 99 Hengelosestraat, 7500AA Enschede, Netherlands; Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA), P.O. Box 7129, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Addis Ababa Univ. (AAU), Faculty of Technology, Dep. of Civil Engineering, P.O. Box 385, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Yitagesu, F.A., Faculty of Geo-information Science, Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 99 Hengelosestraat, 7500AA Enschede, Netherlands, Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA), P.O. Box 7129, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Van DerMeer, F., Faculty of Geo-information Science, Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 99 Hengelosestraat, 7500AA Enschede, Netherlands; Van DerWerff, H., Faculty of Geo-information Science, Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, 99 Hengelosestraat, 7500AA Enschede, Netherlands; Seged, H., Addis Ababa Univ. (AAU), Faculty of Technology, Dep. of Civil Engineering, P.O. Box 385, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Correlations are essential to obtain information on soil geotechnical parameters, which are costly and time consuming to measure directly, such as expansion potential. A common procedure for evaluating and rating soil expansion potential is the expansion index (EI) test. The purpose in this study was to establish a multivariate regression model to predict soil EI, thereby classify and rate soil expansiveness. Soil samples were collected from the newly planned expressway connecting the city of Addis Ababa with the town of Nazret in Ethiopia. A regression equation was established from liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), and soil fine fraction (percentage of material passing the ASTM 0.075-mm sieve aperture), using a partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibration method. A coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.92 accompanied with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 9.87, standard error of performance (SEP) of 9.91, offset of 5.31 and bias of 0.04 was obtained. Response surface models showing three-way relationships among the predictors (Atterberg limits and fine fraction) and response variable (EI) may serve as classification systems for evaluating soil expansion potential. Apart from its basic scientific value as a simple method for estimating and rating soil expansiveness, the approach has the advantage of employing easily and routinely determined soil properties, to get information on soil expansion potential at minimal cost and time requirements. © Soil Science Society of America. | None | A-coefficient; Atterberg limits; Classification system; Ethiopia; Expansion index; Fine fraction; Geotechnical parameters; Liquid limits; Minimal cost; Multivariate calibration methods; Multivariate regression models; Partial least squares; Plasticity indices; Regression equation; Response surface models; Root-mean-square error of predictions; Scientific values; SIMPLE method; Soil property; Soil sample; Standard errors; Time requirements; Expansion; Least squares approximations; Mean square error; Regression analysis; Soil testing; Soils; Geologic models; calibration; correlation; expansion; geotechnical mapping; liquid limit; multivariate analysis; rating curve; regression analysis; Addis Ababa; Ethiopia | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79958070455 | Evaluation of nutritive value of albizia gummifera foliages as fodder source for livestock in agrisilvipastoral system | Yisehak K., Belay D. | 2011 | International Journal of Agricultural Research | 6 | 5 | 10.3923/ijar.2011.389.399 | Department of Animal Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia | Yisehak, K., Department of Animal Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Belay, D., Department of Animal Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia | The study was conducted to assess nutritional quality of Albizia gummifera (J.F. Gmel) C.A.Sm., a multipurpose tree indigenous to Ethiopia, influenced to altitude and season at hot humid tropical climatic condition. SAS version 9.1 was used for data analysis. Albizia gummifera leaf was examined for their chemical components, in vitro organic matter digestibility, digestible nutrients and dietary energy values. On DM basis, analytical results ranged between 108 to 308gCPkg-\ 367 to 396 gNDF kg 1, 283 to 313 g ADF kg 1, 68 to 72 g CT kg 1 DM, 379.8 to 430 g IVDMD kg 1, 492.5 to 683.5 g CHO kg 1, 6.1 to 6.9 MJ ME kg 1, 9.4 to 28.3 g DCP kg 1 7.02 to 8.2 g DE kg 1 and 400.4 to 460.3 g TDN kg 1. Effects of altitudes and seasons had showed a wide significant variation among many nutritive value parameters studied (p<0.05). Significantly higher CP, IVDMD and DCP contents were recorded for the higher altitude region and wet season (p<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between CT and CP, IVDMD energy values and TDN. The altitude-seas on interaction had a significant effect on most of the parameters (p<0.01). The nutrient concentrations already suggest that A. gummifera have a clear potential for being used as sustainable feed resources in wide locations on top of seasons that can maintain normal rumen microbial metabolism and to supply the quantities and balances of nutrients for different productive states in the tropics. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc. | Condensed tannin; Digestible nutrients; Fodder tree; In vitro dm digestibility; Nutritive value | Albizia gummifera; Animalia | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84874675805 | Evaluation of nutritive value of leaves of tropical tanniferous trees and shrubs | Yisehak K., Janssens G.P.J. | 2013 | Livestock Research for Rural Development | 25 | 2 | None | Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium | Yisehak, K., Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P. O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Janssens, G.P.J., Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium | This study was conducted to compare the nutritive value of indigenous fodder trees and shrubs (IFTS) and assess the relationship between farmers' IFTS preference, the perception of their characteristics, and analyzed nutritional value at two distinct altitudes within the same area (high altitude and low altitude). Results were based on laboratory analyses of plant samples and a diagnostic survey of randomly selected 360 livestock farmers. Fifty IFTS were identified and examined for proximate and fibre components, in vitro digestibility, digestible nutrients, energy and condensed tannins (CT). Farmers scored the identified IFTS on a scale of 1 to 4 on nutritive value, growth rate, biomass, compatibility and multifunctionality. Nutritive value ranged widely among IFTS from 66 to 242 g CP/kg dry matter (DM), 185 to 502 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF)/kg DM, 0.1 to 228 g CT/kg DM, 478 to 745 g total carbohydrate (CHO)/kg DM, 332 to 963 g total digestible nutrients (TDN)/kg DM and 5 to 15 MJ ME/kg DM. Trees showed higher CP contents than shrubs though CHO was higher for shrubs, especially at high altitude (P<0.05). Farmers' scores for nutritive value were positively correlated with CP content of IFTS (r = 0.36; P<0.05). Even though the association was negative for CHO content (P<0.01; r = -0.32), these scores were higher at high altitude (P<0.05). A negative relationship was observed between CT and TA, CP, DMD, OMD, ME and TDN (P<0.05). It was concluded that although variation within shrubs and within trees was high - CP was higher in trees than in shrubs and lower CHO in trees than shrubs, therefore warranting further research in the added value for ranging ruminants' nutritional status of providing fodder tree material instead of only access to pasture and shrubs. Farmers' perception of nutritive value of IFTS was partly associated with protein content, but other unidentified factors were contributing to their preference. Geographical differences exert shifts in the perceived and analyzed nutritive value of IFTS, thus care should be taken when developing recommendations for the use of IFTS in an entire region. | Fodder trees and shrubs; In vitro digestibility; Nutritive value; Tannin; Total digestible nutrients | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84899993796 | The effect of supplementing leaves of four tannin-rich plant species with polyethylene glycol on digestibility and zootechnical performance of zebu bulls (Bos indicus) | Yisehak K., De Boever J.L., Janssens G.P.J. | 2014 | Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition | 98 | 3 | 10.1111/jpn.12068 | Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia; Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Scheldeweg, Melle, Belgium | Yisehak, K., Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; De Boever, J.L., Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Scheldeweg, Melle, Belgium; Janssens, G.P.J., Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium | The effect of supplementing leaves of four tannin-rich plant species with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) on nutrient intake and digestibility as well as on weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and N retention of zebu bulls (Bos indicus) was studied. Leaves of Albizia gummifera, Grewia ferruginea, Prunus africana and Syzygium guineense, containing, respectively, 85, 55, 76 and 172 g condensed tannins (CT) per kg dry matter (DM), were combined with natural pasture hay in a ratio of 40:60 on DM basis. The four diets were fed both without and with addition of PEG, at a dose of 40 g per kg DM, to eight zebu bulls during trials of 25 days in an 8 × 8 randomized crossover design. Supplementation with PEG increased nutrient intake, digestibility, FCR, N retention and average daily gain (p < 0.01). A diet × PEG interaction was observed for nutrient intake as well as for crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre digestibility (p < 0.05), but the effect size of PEG addition could not be attributed to the CT content as such, and also digestibility without PEG was not related to CT content of the diets. The reason why the efficacy of PEG addition did not relate to the CT content pointed the need to evaluate other factors that can help to predict the efficacy of PEG, for example, tannin type or interaction with other nutrients. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH. | Digestibility; N retention; Nutrient intake; Polyethylene glycol; Tannin; Zebu cattle | macrogol derivative; tannin derivative; analysis; animal; animal food; animal food; Bovinae; chemistry; controlled study; crossover procedure; diet; diet supplementation; digestion; drug effects; male; metabolism; physiology; plant leaf; randomized controlled trial; veterinary; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Cattle; Cross-Over Studies; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Digestion; Male; Plant Leaves; Polyethylene Glycols; Tannins | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84883514870 | Impact of soil erosion associated factors on available feed resources for free-ranging cattle at three altitude regions: Measurements and perceptions | Yisehak K., Belay D., Taye T., Janssens G.P.J. | 2013 | Journal of Arid Environments | 98 | None | 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2013.07.012 | College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heide Straat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium | Yisehak, K., College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Belay, D., College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Taye, T., College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, P.O. Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia; Janssens, G.P.J., Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heide Straat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium | The study was conducted to assess the status and trends of soil erosion and relate the perceptions of farmers on cattle productivity and botanical indicators to measured ecological conditions of rangelands in three altitude regions of southwest Ethiopia. A total of 342 farmers were interviewed. In addition, the ecological condition of rangelands was assessed. Severe soil erosion, ranked as the primary restriction to free-ranging livestock, occurred predominantly in the lower altitude region (LAR) (. P<0.05). More farmers in LAR witnessed an inadequacy of palatable plant biomass, grazable pasture as well as increased gully formation and expansion, which are strong indicators of soil erosion (. P<0.001). In addition to a decrease in grass cover and productivity of cattle, botanical composition, species richness and grazing capacity of herbaceous plants, less fodder trees and shrubs were observed (. P<0.05). There was a corresponding increase in the percentage of bare ground and soil erosion status along the degradation gradients (. P<0.05). The reported shift in botanical composition, and especially encroachment of invading plant species, can be attributed to soil erosion (. P<0.001). The results suggest that erosion is associated with reduced availability of feed resources and is related to altitude variation. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. | Botanical composition; Cattle; Feed resources; Gilgel Gibe; Overgrazing; Soil erosion | altitude; biomass; cattle; community dynamics; farmers attitude; food availability; nature-society relations; overgrazing; palatability; pasture; perception; productivity; rangeland; soil erosion; Ethiopia; Gilgel Gibe River | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84877978898 | Effect of graded levels of toasted pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) millsp] seed meal diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) | Yisa A.G., Yakubu B., Edache J.A., Danjuma M.N., Deme H.I. | 2013 | International Journal of Poultry Science | 12 | 2 | None | National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B. 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria | Yisa, A.G., National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B. 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Yakubu, B., Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria; Edache, J.A., National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B. 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Danjuma, M.N., National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B. 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Deme, H.I., National Veterinary Research Institute, P.M.B. 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria | A five week study was conducted to determine the effect of graded levels of toasted pigeon pea on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail chicks. In a completely randomized design, three hundred unsexed, seven day old Japanese quails used for the study were divided into four groups of seventy five birds each. Each group was divided into three replicates of twenty five birds. Four isonitrogenous (24%CP) diets incorporating graded levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%) of toasted pigeon pea were evaluated. Average daily feed intake (18.62, 19.68, 19.58 and 20.29 g), Feed conversion ratio (4.87, 5.13, 5.36 and 5.38) and feed cost (Naira) per bird (38.34, 40.86, 41.46 and 43.57) increased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of dietary toasted pigeon pea inclusion. However, average daily weight gain (3.82, 3.83, 3.65 and 3.77 g) and dressing percentages (59.53, 61.91, 58.89 and 61.92) and percentage of breast to live weight were statistically similar (p>0.05) for all the treatments respectively. The back, wings, thighs and drumsticks were affected (p<0.05) by levels of toasted pigeon pea inclusion. By this study, pigeon pea may be included in diets of Japanese quails by not more than 10% for optimum growth and cost effective feeding. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2013. | Carcass characteristics; Growth performance; Japanese quails; Toasted pigeon pea | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84877987870 | Growth performance and carcass yield of broiler finishers fed diets having partially or wholly withdrawn fish meal | Yisa A.G., Edache J.A., Udokainyang A.D., Iloama C.N. | 2013 | International Journal of Poultry Science | 12 | 2 | None | Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria | Yisa, A.G., Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Edache, J.A., Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Udokainyang, A.D., Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria; Iloama, C.N., Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria | A four-week study was conducted to investigate the effect of partially or completely withdrawing fish meal from broiler finisher diets on growth performance and carcass yield. In a completely randomized design, ninety six (96) four-week-old Marshall Breed of broilers were allotted to four dietary treatments having 0, 50, 75 and 100% of their fishmeal content withdrawn. Each dietary treatment had 24 birds with 3 replicates of 8 birds. Results show that initial weights, final weights, average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kilogram gain were not negatively affected (P>0.05) by levels of fish meal withdrawal. Dressing percentages were also not significantly different (P>0.05) between treatment means. However, the percent carcass cut-up parts of breast, wings, thighs and drumsticks to live weight of birds fed diets with fish meal totally withdrawn were significantly less (P<0.05) than those of birds fed diets containing fish meal. From this study, it can be concluded that withdrawing fish meal from broiler finisher diets may not have any adverse effect on their growth performance provided protein is obtained from non-animal sources. However, total withdrawal of fish meal negatively affects optimum development of the cut-up parts and as such 0.5-1% fish meal may be included in broiler finisher diets for full development of carcass components. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2013. | Carcass yield; Fish meal; Growth performance | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84897500506 | Urban cities and waste generation in developing countries: A GIS evaluation of two cities in Burkina Faso | Yiougo L.S.A., Oyedotun T.D.T., Some C.Y.C., Da E.C.D. | 2013 | Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering | 7 | 2 | 10.4090/juee.2013.v7n2.280285 | International Institute for Water and Environment Engineering, 01 BP 594, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Department of Geography and Planning Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, P. M. B. 001, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria; Department of Geography, Univ | Yiougo, L.S.A., International Institute for Water and Environment Engineering, 01 BP 594, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Oyedotun, T.D.T., Department of Geography and Planning Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, P. M. B. 001, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria; Some, C.Y.C., International Institute for Water and Environment Engineering, 01 BP 594, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Da, E.C.D., Department of Geography, University of Ouagadougou, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | Cities in developing countries are faced waste management challenges in terms of quantity and quality. Most of the time, solid and liquid wastes are dumped on street and open spaces. Uncontrolled waste dumped has led to diverse kind of health problems. The purpose of this article is to characterize urban cities and evaluate their waste generation using the Geographical Information System (GIS). The focus is on two cities in Burkina Faso. Specific variables which were considered during the survey include urban fabric, grey water outlets and household garbage dumps sites/techniques. The study shows that in the two cities, the most dominant urban fabric is low standard of living (about 64% of housing in Fada and 62% of housing in Pouytenga). The urban fabric is also characterized by the existence of empty spaces. Overall, the average density of grey water discharge points is 0.85 points and 5.7 points per ha of street in Fada N'Gourma and Pouytenga respectively. The average density of solid waste dumps is 1.45 waste dumps per ha street and 7 waste dumps per ha street in Fada N'Gourma and Pouytenga respectively. In case of urgent waste management intervention, the priority areas for speedy intervention are area 10 in Fada N'Gourma, areas 2 and 5 in Pouytenga. GIS applied to waste management can be a decision making tool for urban planners in developing country. © 2013 Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering (JUEE). All rights reserved. | Developing countries; Discharges; Fada N'Gourma; GIS; Pouytenga; Wastes | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84931572586 | Laboratory evaluation of three dual rapid diagnostic tests for HIV and syphilis in China and Nigeria | Yin Y.-P., Ngige E., Anyaike C., Ijaodola G., Oyelade T.A., Vaz R.G., Newman L.M., Chen X.-S. | 2015 | International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics | 130 | S1 | 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.04.004 | National Center for STD Control, Institute of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing, China; National AIDS and STIs Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria; World Health Organization, Abuja, Nigeria | Yin, Y.-P., National Center for STD Control, Institute of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing, China; Ngige, E., National AIDS and STIs Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria; Anyaike, C., National AIDS and STIs Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria; Ijaodola, G., National AIDS and STIs Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria; Oyelade, T.A., World Health Organization, Abuja, Nigeria; Vaz, R.G., World Health Organization, Abuja, Nigeria; Newman, L.M., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Chen, X.-S., National Center for STD Control, Institute of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College, 12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing, China | Abstract Objective To determine the laboratory-based performance and operational characteristics of three dual rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for testing HIV and syphilis. Methods Three dual RDTs (SD Bioline, Chembio, and MedMira) were evaluated using 1514 serum specimens archived at laboratories or collected from clinics in China and Nigeria to determine sensitivity and specificity, with 95% confidence intervals. Concordance of testing results read by two technicians, stability of testing results read at two time points, and test operation characteristics were also assessed. Results All three of the evaluated RDTs gave excellent performance with a combined sensitivity ranging from 99.0%-99.6% for HIV and 98.3%-99.0% for syphilis, and a combined specificity ranging from 97.9%-99.0% for HIV and 97.2%-99.6% for syphilis. Concordance of testing results between two technicians and stability of testing results read within and one hour past the recommended reading period showed excellent agreement, with Kappa greater than or equal to 0.98. Conclusions All the tests were found to be very or fairly easy to use and easy to interpret the results. Further evaluations of these dual RDTs with whole blood in field settings, and more studies on the implication of introduction of these tests in HIV and syphilis control programs are needed. © 2015 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. | HIV; Rapid tests; Sensitivity; Specificity; Syphilis | Human immunodeficiency virus antibody; Article; China; diagnostic test accuracy study; evaluation study; HIV rapid test; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; intermethod comparison; laboratory; Nigeria; performance; priority journal; sensitivity and specificity; syphilis; syphilis rapid test | World Health Organization; UNFPA, World Health Organization; WHO, World Health Organization |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84856730758 | Effects of supplementing Erythrina brucei leaf as a substitute for cotton seed meal on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Sidama goats fed basal diet of natural grass hay | Yinnesu A., Nurfeta A. | 2012 | Tropical Animal Health and Production | 44 | 3 | 10.1007/s11250-011-9916-z | Dilla Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training College, P.O. Box 334, Dilla, Ethiopia; Department of Animal and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 222, Hawassa, Ethiopia | Yinnesu, A., Dilla Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training College, P.O. Box 334, Dilla, Ethiopia; Nurfeta, A., Department of Animal and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 222, Hawassa, Ethiopia | The replacement value of dried Erythrina brucei leaf for cotton seed meal (CSM) on growth performance and carcass characteristics was evaluated. Twenty-five yearling buck goats (15.8 ± 1.4 kg) were assigned into five treatments in a randomized complete block design: natural grass hay alone (T1) or supplemented with 100% CSM (T2), 67% CSM + 33% E. brucei (T3), 33% CSM + 67% E. brucei (T4), and 100% E. brucei (T5) on dry matter (DM) basis. Supplemented goats consumed more (P < 0.05) total DM and organic matter (OM) than the non-supplemented group, but the intakes were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the proportion of the supplements. The highest (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP) intake was observed in goats supplemented with CSM alone, whereas the lowest intake was observed in the non-supplemented group. Total CP intake decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of E. brucei in the supplement mixture. The supplemented goats gained more (P < 0.05) weight than the control group. Apparent DM and OM digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented goats than in the non-supplemented ones, but similar (P > 0.05) among the supplemented group. The digestibility of CP was higher (P < 0.05) for supplemented goats, except in those goats fed E. brucei alone, than the non-supplemented group. Slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib eye muscle area, and total edible offals were higher (P < 0.05) for supplemented goats than for the non-supplemented ones. It could be concluded that E. brucei could be used as a substitute to CSM under smallholder production systems. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. | Carcass characteristics; Cotton seed meal; Erythrina brucei; Feed intake; Goats; Growth performance | cotton seed oil; animal; animal food; article; clinical trial; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; diet supplementation; dose response; Erythrina; goat; growth, development and aging; male; meat; metabolism; nutritional value; physiology; plant leaf; randomization; randomized controlled trial; standard; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Cottonseed Oil; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythrina; Goats; Male; Meat; Nutritive Value; Plant Leaves; Random Allocation; Capra hircus; Erythrina brucei; Gossypium hirsutum | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84867679067 | Fecal progestin extraction and analysis for non-invasive monitoring of ovarian cycle in beef cows | Yimer N., Rosnina Y., Wahid H., Bukar M.M., Malik A., Yap K.C., Fahmi M., Ganesamurthi P., Saharee A.A. | 2012 | Pakistan Veterinary Journal | 32 | 4 | None | Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, 196 Gondar, Ethiopia | Yimer, N., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, 196 Gondar, Ethiopia; Rosnina, Y., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Wahid, H., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Bukar, M.M., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Malik, A., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Yap, K.C., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Fahmi, M., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Ganesamurthi, P., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia; Saharee, A.A., Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia | The aims of the present study were to determine presence of immunoreactive progestins in feces, correlate fecal progestins with plasma progesterone (P 4) concentrations and subsequently assess the role of fecal progestins in monitoring estrous cycle in Kedah Kelantan (KK) beef cows. A total of 12 cycling cows were subjected to blood and matched fecal sampling twice a week for 9 weeks. The concentrations of plasma P 4 and fecal progestins extracted using a modified technique, were determined by a P 4 radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit. There was a significant positive correlation between the concentrations of fecal progestins and plasma P 4 (r = 0.6, P<0.01), as tested for the whole group except one animal. High performance liquid chromatographic separation of fecal extracts and subsequent radioimmunoassay revealed presence of four immunoreactive progestins against the P 4 antibodies. These results imply that the non-invasive measure of fecal progestins using a DSL-3900 RIA kit can be used to monitor the ovarian activity in beef cows. © 2012 PVJ. | Feces; Kedah Kelantan cows; Ovarian cycle; Plasma; Progesterone; Progestin | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84951266195 | Evaluation performance of diagnostic methods of intestinal parasitosis in school age children in Ethiopia | Yimer M., Hailu T., Mulu W., Abera B. | 2015 | BMC Research Notes | 8 | 1 | 10.1186/s13104-015-1822-4 | Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Yimer, M., Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Hailu, T., Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Mulu, W., Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Abera, B., Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Background: Although the sensitivity of Wet mount technique is questionable, it is the major diagnostic technique for routine diagnosis of intestinal parasitosis in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation performance of diagnostic methods of intestinal parasitosis in school age children in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May to June 2013. Single stool sample was processed for direct, Formol ether concentration (FEC) and Kato Katz methods. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of diagnostic tests were calculated in terms of the "Gold" standard method (the combined result of the three methods altogether). Results: A total of 422 school age children were participated in this study. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was high (74.6 %) with Kato Katz technique. The sensitivity of Wet mount, FEC and Kato Katz tests against the Gold standard test was 48.9, 63.1 and 93.7 %, respectively. Kato Katz technique revealed a better NPV 80.4 (80.1-80.6) as compared to the Wet mount (33.7 %) and FEC techniques (41.3 %). Conclusion: In this study, the Kato Katz technique outperformed the other two methods but the true values for sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic values are not known. Moreover, it is labor intensive and not easily accessible. Hence, it is preferable to use FEC technique to complement the Wet mount test. © 2015 Yimer et al. | Ethiopia; FEC; Kato Katz; NPV; Sensitivity; Wet mount | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84899424490 | Evaluation of patterns of liver toxicity in patients on antiretroviral and anti-tuberculosis drugs: A prospective four arm observational study in Ethiopian patients | Yimer G., Gry M., Amogne W., Makonnen E., Habtewold A., Petros Z., Aderaye G., Schuppe-Koistinen I., Lindquist L., Aklillu E. | 2014 | PLoS ONE | 9 | 4 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0094271 | Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge C1:68, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; AstraZeneca R and D, Global Safety Assessment, Molecular Toxicology, Södertälje, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; AstraZeneca Innovative Medicines Personalised Healthcare and Biomarkers, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge I:73, Stockholm, Sweden | Yimer, G., Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge C1:68, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Gry, M., AstraZeneca R and D, Global Safety Assessment, Molecular Toxicology, Södertälje, Sweden; Amogne, W., Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge I:73, Stockholm, Sweden; Makonnen, E., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Habtewold, A., Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge C1:68, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Petros, Z., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Aderaye, G., Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Schuppe-Koistinen, I., AstraZeneca Innovative Medicines Personalised Healthcare and Biomarkers, Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden; Lindquist, L., Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge I:73, Stockholm, Sweden; Aklillu, E., Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge C1:68, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden | Objectives: To evaluate the incidence, type, severity and predictors of antiretroviral and/or anti-tuberculosis drugs induced liver injury (DILI). Methods: A total of 1,060 treatment naive patients were prospectively enrolled into four treatment groups: HIV patients receiving efavirenz based HAART alone (Arm-1); TB-HIV co-infected patients with CD4≤200 cells/μL, receiving concomitant rifampicin based anti-TB and efavirenz based HAART (Arm-2); TB-HIV co-infected patients with CD4>200 cells/μL, receiving anti-TB alone (Arm-3); TB patients taking rifampicin based anti-TB alone (Arm-4). Liver enzyme levels were monitored at baseline, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th and 24th weeks during treatment. CD4 and HIV viral load was measured at baseline, 24th and 48th weeks. Data were analyzed using multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Model. Results: A total of 159 patients (15%) developed DILI with severity grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 of 53.5%, 32.7%, 11.3% and 2.5% respectively. The incidence of cholestatic, hepatocellular or mixed pattern was 61%, 15% and 24%, respectively. Incidence of DILI was highest in Arm-2 (24.2%)>Arm-3 (10.8%)>Arm-1 (8.8%)>Arm-4 (2.9%). Concomitant anti-TB-HIV therapy increased the risk of DILI by 10-fold than anti-TB alone (p<0.0001). HIV co-infection increased the risk of anti-TB DILI by 4-fold (p = 0.004). HAART associated DILI was 3-fold higher than anti-TB alone, (p = 0.02). HAART was associated with cholestatic and grade 1 DILI whereas anti-TB therapy was associated with hepatocellular and grade ≥ 2. Treatment type, lower CD4, platelet, hemoglobin, higher serum AST and direct bilirubin levels at baseline were significant DILI predictors. There was no effect of DILI on immunologic recovery or virologic suppression rate of HAART. Conclusion: HAART associated DILI is mainly cholestatic and mild whereas hepatocellular or mixed pattern with high severity grade is more common in anti-tuberculosis DILI. TB-HIV co-infection, disease severity and concomitant treatment exacerbates the risk of DILI. © 2014 Yimer et al. | None | alanine aminotransferase; albumin; alkaline phosphatase; antiretrovirus agent; aspartate aminotransferase; cotrimoxazole; creatinine; efavirenz; ethambutol; hepatitis B surface antigen; hepatitis C antibody; isoniazid; lamivudine; liver enzyme; pyrazinamide; rifampicin; stavudine; tenofovir; tuberculostatic agent; zidovudine; antiretrovirus agent; tuberculostatic agent; adult; alanine aminotransferase blood level; alkaline phosphatase blood level; article; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; CD4 lymphocyte count; cholestatic hepatitis; clinical evaluation; comorbidity; controlled study; disease classification; disease course; disease exacerbation; disease severity; Ethiopia; female; hemoglobin blood level; highly active antiretroviral therapy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; incidence; liver cell damage; major clinical study; male; mixed infection; observational study; prospective study; thrombocyte count; toxic hepatitis; treatment duration; tuberculosis; virus load; complication; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; HIV Infections; Kaplan Meier method; prognosis; severity of illness index; treatment outcome; young adult; Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Antitubercular Agents; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; Ethiopia; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Incidence; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84939634484 | Health risk and insurance: Impact of ethiopia's community based health insurance on household economic welfare | Yilma Z., Mebratie A., Sparrow R., Dekker M., Alemu G., Bedi A.S. | 2015 | World Bank Economic Review | 29 | None | 10.1093/wber/lhv009 | International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands; Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Australia; African Studies Centre, Leiden University, Netherlands; Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, School of Foreign Service-Qatar, Georgetown University, Netherlands | Yilma, Z., International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands; Mebratie, A., International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands; Sparrow, R., Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, Australia; Dekker, M., African Studies Centre, Leiden University, Netherlands; Alemu, G., Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; Bedi, A.S., International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, School of Foreign Service-Qatar, Georgetown University, Netherlands | In 2011, in an attempt to increase access to health care and reduce household vulnerability to out-of-pocket health expenditure, the Government of Ethiopia launched a Community- Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHI). This paper uses three rounds of household survey data, collected before and after the introduction of the CBHI pilot, to assess the impact of the scheme on household consumption, income, indebtedness, and livestock holdings.We find that enrollment leads to a 5 percentage point-or 13%-decline in the probability of borrowing and is associated with an increase in household income. There is no evidence that enrolling in the scheme affects consumption or livestock holdings. Our results show that the scheme reduces reliance on potentially harmful coping responses such as borrowing. This paper adds to the relatively small body of work that rigorously evaluates the impact of CBHI schemes on economic welfare. © The Author 2015. | None | health care; health insurance; health risk; household income; welfare economics; Ethiopia | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33646706087 | Milk production level and calf-rearing system affecting Boran, Ethiopian zebu cattle breed, cow-calf performance | Yilma Z., Gojjam Y., Shumye M. | 2006 | Livestock Research for Rural Development | 18 | 5 | None | Dairy Technology, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 31, Holetta, Ethiopia | Yilma, Z., Dairy Technology, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 31, Holetta, Ethiopia; Gojjam, Y., Dairy Technology, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 31, Holetta, Ethiopia; Shumye, M., Dairy Technology, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 31, Holetta, Ethiopia | Milk yield, reproductive performance, dry matter intake, milk composition and calf growth were studied for Boran (Ethiopian zebu breed) cows under different milk production levels and calf rearing methods. 39 Boran cows in their 2 nd and 3 rd parities were used for the study in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with main factors being suckling (partial suckling Vs non-suckling) and milk yield (low- and high-yielding). Suckling has resulted in increased total milk yield as compared to non-suckling in both milk yield groups: 793 Vs 369 kg for low-yielders and 1142 Vs 819 kg for high-yielders. Suckling and high-yielding cows consumed 0.6 kg and 0.8 kg more concentrate and total dry matter daily than non-suckling and low-yielding cows, respectively. Non-suckling and high-yielding cows produced 52 kg and 31 kg, respectively more hand-milked milk monthly (P<0.05) than suckling and low yielding cows. Although partial suckling resulted in reduced fat percentage in milk obtained through hand milking, total milk yield was increased. Partial suckling, however, prolonged calving to first heat, days open and cycling compared with non-suckling. Suckling also resulted in higher (P<0.01) average daily weight gain to weaning. Smallholder dairy enterprises in Ethiopia that are based on local cows need to consider the importance of suckling for increased productivity of the farm particularly in terms of milk yield and calf growth rate. As suckling resulted in increased milk yield, this practice should be accompanied by improved feeding. Further studies are needed in this line to address the economic implications of such practice. The need for similar studies under different production systems is also imperative to determine and implement the most appropriate strategy to improve overall life time productivity of local cows that include reproduction traits, milk production, calf growth and survival with suckling practices. | Boran; Feed intake; Growth; Milk production; Partial-suckling; Reproduction | Bos indicus; Bos taurus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84907402126 | The impact of cooperative social organization on reducing the prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasite infections in Awramba, a rural community in South Gondar, Ethiopia | Yihenew G., Adamu H., Petros B. | 2014 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases | 2014 | None | 10.1155/2014/378780 | Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 42524, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Yihenew, G., Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Adamu, H., Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 42524, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Petros, B., Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Introduction. Parasitic diseases are the major causes of human health problem in Ethiopia. The high prevalence of parasitic infections is closely correlated with poverty, poor environmental hygiene, and impoverished health services. Objective. The study was conducted to assess the impact of health-conscious Awramba cooperative community and its neighboring communities on the prevalence of parasitic infections in South Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods. Single stool specimens were collected from 392 individuals from Awramba and the neighboring communities. Specimens were examined microscopically for the presence of parasites using microscopy. Questionnaire was administered to determine the knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of study participants. Results. Of the total 392 study participants examined, 58(14.8%) were positive for malaria and 173 (44.1%) for intestinal parasites. The prevalence of malaria in Awramba community (5.1%) was less than that in neighboring communities (24.5%). The prevalence of parasitic infections in Awramba (18.8%) was less than that of the neighboring communities (69.4%). Conclusion. This study showed that good household and environmental hygiene, good toilet construction and usage, and proper utilization of ITN in Awramba cooperative community have significantly contributed to the reduction of the burden of parasitic infections. Thus, the positive achievement in reducing parasitic infections in Awramba cooperative community could be used as a model for affordable health intervention in the neighboring communities, in particular, and the whole country in general. Copyright © 2014 Gebeyehu Yihenew et al. | None | adolescent; Article; Ascaris lumbricoides; attitude; child; Cryptosporidium; Entamoeba histolytica; Enterobius vermicularis; environmental sanitation; Ethiopia; feces; female; Giardia lamblia; health care practice; hookworm; household; human; Hymenolepis nana; intestine parasite; knowledge; major clinical study; malaria; male; parasitosis; prevalence; rural population; Schistosoma mansoni; social structure; Strongyloidea | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-69249096975 | Study on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cattle under smallholder conditions in and around Zeway, Ethiopia | Yifat D., Kelay B., Bekana M., Lobago F., Gustafsson H., Kindahl H. | 2009 | Livestock Research for Rural Development | 21 | 6 | None | Hawassa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7039, SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden | Yifat, D., Hawassa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Kelay, B., Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Bekana, M., Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Lobago, F., Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Gustafsson, H., Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7039, SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden; Kindahl, H., Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Box 7039, SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden | A study was conducted to assess the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows in urban and rural smallholder dairy farms in Zeway Ethiopia and its surrounding. A total of 287 (141 rural and 146 urban) smallholder dairy farms that owned 2-5 crossbred dairy cows were visited and reproductive performance of 503 (244 rural and 259 urban) crossbred dairy cows were studied. The overall mean values (n=503) for age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), gestation length (GL) and number of services per conception (NSPC) were 32.1 months, 412 days, 135 days, 278 days and 1.67, respectively. The mean values of CI and DO were significantly shorter in the urban than in the rural area. Parity number significantly influenced DO and NSPC. While, season of previous calving had significant effect on CI, DO and NSPC of smallholder crossbred dairy cows. In general, the smallholder crossbred dairy cows in the urban area had better reproductive performance than in the rural area. The overall observed reproductive performance of smallholder crossbred dairy cattle in this study was good. Thus, the ongoing activities to improve and expand crossbred dairy cattle production at smallholder level in the region should be encouraged. | Calving interval; Gestation; Holstein; Urban; Zebu | Bos; Bos indicus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-41749084182 | Groundwater quality evaluation for productive uses - The afram plains area, Ghana | Yidana S.M., Ophori D., Banoeng-Yakubo B. | 2008 | Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering | 134 | 2 | 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(2008)134:2(222) | Dept. of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State Univ., Montclair, NJ 07043, United States; Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Ghana, Legon, Ghana | Yidana, S.M., Dept. of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State Univ., Montclair, NJ 07043, United States; Ophori, D., Dept. of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State Univ., Montclair, NJ 07043, United States; Banoeng-Yakubo, B., Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Ghana, Legon, Ghana | Groundwater is the most widely used water resource in the Afram Plains area, Ghana. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of fluoride, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and salinity (EC) in groundwater from the different aquifers in the Afram Plains area. The distribution of these parameters would enable a determination of the quality of groundwater from the different aquifer units for use in households and irrigation purposes. The inverse distance weighting, interpolator with a power of 2 was applied to 143 data points of each parameter to generate prediction maps for fluoride, SAR, and EC in the area. The distribution maps from this study show that the shale aquifers that underlie the southwestern sections of the area have the highest levels of fluoride, SAR, and EC. A narrow strip of the shale aquifer in the southwestern region produces groundwater whose fluoride level (2.2 mg/L) is higher than the World Health Organization minimum allowable fluoride concentration of 1.5 mg/L in drinking water. The feldsparthic sandstone, arkose, siltstone, and mudstone aquifers in the northeastern sections of the area produce groundwater with fluoride concentration in the range of 0.0-0.3 mg/L, which fall outside the minimum range of 0.7-1.2 mg/L required in drinking water for normal bone and dental health. The highest SAR and EC are also associated with the shale aquifers to the southwestern section of the area. Using the World Food and Agriculture Organization's guidelines for irrigation water quality, it was determined that groundwater from the Afram Plains area will generally have a mild to moderate effect on the hydraulic properties of soils when used as irrigation water. © 2008 ASCE. | Adsorption; Developing Countries; Electrical conductivity; Fluoridation; Ghana; Potable water; Sodium | Adsorption; Aquifers; Electric conductivity; Fluorine compounds; Irrigation; Potable water; Salinity measurement; Sodium; Groundwater quality; Sodium adsoprtion ratio; Water quality; Adsorption; Aquifers; Electric conductivity; Fluorine compounds; Irrigation; Potable water; Salinity measurement; Sodium; Water quality; adsorption; aquifer; developing world; drinking water; electrical conductivity; fluoride; groundwater resource; irrigation; salinity; sodium; water quality; Africa; Ghana; Sub-Saharan Africa; West Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84891698724 | Simulation of groundwater flow in a crystalline rock aquifer system in Southern Ghana - An evaluation of the effects of increased groundwater abstraction on the aquifers using a transient groundwater flow model | Yidana S.M., Alfa B., Banoeng-Yakubo B., Obeng Addai M. | 2014 | Hydrological Processes | 28 | 3 | 10.1002/hyp.9644 | Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Ghana Water Resources Commission, Accra, Ghana | Yidana, S.M., Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Alfa, B., Ghana Water Resources Commission, Accra, Ghana; Banoeng-Yakubo, B., Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Obeng Addai, M., Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana | Monitored groundwater level data, well logs, and aquifer data as well as the relevant surface hydrological data were used to conceptualise the hydrogeological system of the Densu Basin in Southern Ghana. The objective was to numerically derive the hydraulic conductivity field for better characterization of the aquifer system and for simulating the effects of increasing groundwater abstraction on the aquifer system in the basin. The hydraulic conductivity field has been generated in this study through model calibration. This study finds that hydraulic conductivity ranges between a low of 2m/d in the middle sections of the basin and about 40m/d in the south. Clear differences in the underlying geology have been indicated in the distribution of aquifer hydraulic conductivities. This is in consonance with the general assertion that the hydrogeological properties of the aquifers in the crystalline basement terrains are controlled by the degree of fracturing and/or weathering of the country rock. The transient model suggest aquifer specific storage values to range between 6.0×10-5m-1 and 2.1×10-4m-1 which are within acceptable range of values normally quoted for similar lithologies in the literature. There is an apparent subtle decrease in groundwater recharge from about 13% of the annual precipitation in 2005 to about 10.3% of the precipitation in 2008. The transient model was used to simulate responses of the system to annual increment of groundwater abstraction by 20% at the 2008 recharge rates for the period 2009 - 2024. The results suggest that the system will not be able to sustain this level of abstraction as it would lead to a basin wide drawdown in the hydraulic head by 4m by the end of the prediction period. It further suggests a safe annual increment in groundwater abstraction by 5% under business as usual recharge conditions. Identification and protection of groundwater recharge areas in the basin are recommended in order to safeguard the integrity of the resource under the scenario of increased abstraction for commercial activities in the basin. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. | Densu Basin; Groundwater abstraction; Hydraulic conductivity; Recharge | Densu Basin; Ground water recharge; Groundwater abstraction; Hydrogeological properties; Level of abstraction; Protection of groundwater; Recharge; Transient groundwater flow; Abstracting; Aquifers; Computer simulation; Crystalline rocks; Digital storage; Groundwater flow; Groundwater resources; Hydraulic conductivity; Hydrogeology; Weathering; Well logging; Recharging (underground waters); aquifer; computer simulation; country rock; crystalline rock; groundwater abstraction; groundwater flow; hydraulic conductivity; hydraulic head; hydrogeology; lithology; precipitation (climatology); recharge; terrain; water level; well logging; Densu Basin; Ghana | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-47249129999 | Hydrochemical evaluation of the Voltaian system-The Afram Plains area, Ghana | Yidana S.M., Ophori D., Banoeng-Yakubo B. | 2008 | Journal of Environmental Management | 88 | 4 | 10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.03.037 | Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, NJ 07043, United States; Department of Geology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 58, Legon, Ghana | Yidana, S.M., Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, NJ 07043, United States; Ophori, D., Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, NJ 07043, United States; Banoeng-Yakubo, B., Department of Geology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 58, Legon, Ghana | Inverse geochemical modeling from PHREEQC, and multivariate statistical methods were jointly used to define the genetic origin of chemical parameters of groundwater from the Voltaian aquifers in the Afram Plains area. The study finds, from hierarchical cluster analysis that there are two main hydrochemical facies namely the calcium-sodium-chloride-bicarbonate waters and the magnesium-potassium-sulfate-nitrate waters in the northern and southern sections, respectively, of the Afram Plains area. This facies differentiation is confirmed by the distribution of the SO42-/Cl- ratio, which associates groundwater from the northern and southern sections to areas influenced by contact with evaporites and seawater, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation using the Kaiser criterion identifies four principal sources of variation in the hydrochemistry. Mineral saturation indices calculated from both major ions and trace elements, indicate saturation-supersaturation with respect to calcite, aragonite, k-mica, chlorite, rhodochrosite, kaolinite, sepiolite, and talc, and undersaturation with respect to albite, anorthite, and gypsum in the area. Inverse geochemical modeling along groundwater flowpaths indicates the dissolution of albite, anorthite and gypsum and the precipitation of kaolinite, k-mica, talc, and quartz. Both the PCA and inverse geochemical modeling identify the incongruent weathering of feldspars as the principal factors controlling the hydrochemistry in the Afram Plains area. General phase transfer equations have been developed to characterize the geochemical evolution of groundwater in the area. A very good relationship has been established between calcite and aragonite saturation indices in the Afram Plains area, with R2=1.00. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Afram plains; Hierarchical cluster analysis; Inverse modeling; PHREEQC; Principal component analysis | aluminum silicate; bicarbonate; calcium; calcium carbonate; calcium sulfate; chloride; ground water; magnesium; magnesium trisilicate; mineral; nitrate; potassium; sea water; silicon dioxide; sodium; sulfate; talc; trace element; aquifer; aragonite; bicarbonate; calcite; calcium; chloride; cluster analysis; feldspar; geochemistry; groundwater; hydrochemistry; magnesium; modeling; multivariate analysis; nitrate; potassium; principal component analysis; sodium; sulfate; article; calculation; evolution; geochemistry; Ghana; hydrology; model; multivariate analysis; precipitation; principal component analysis; Cluster Analysis; Ghana; Models, Theoretical; Multivariate Analysis; Water; Africa; Ghana; Sub-Saharan Africa; West Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-39749093887 | Evaluation on potential of wild hosts as trap plants for managing gramineous stemborers in maize based-agroecosystem | Yewhalaw D., Getu E., Seyoum E. | 2008 | Journal of Economic Entomology | 101 | 1 | 10.1603/0022-0493(2008)101[50:EOPOWH]2.0.CO;2 | Department of Biology, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia; Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Yewhalaw, D., Department of Biology, Jimma University, P.O. Box 378, Jimma, Ethiopia; Getu, E., Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Seyoum, E., Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | As part of habitat management system to control cereal stemborers, various wild hosts used as trap plants were studied during the dry season from November 2003 to March 2004 at Melkassa, central Ethiopia. Five wild hosts of the family Poaceae [Pennisetum purpurum (Schumach), Sorghum vulgare variety sudanense (Pers.), Panicum coloratura L., Sorghum arundi-naceum Stapf, and Hyperrhania rufa (Nees)] were evaluated as trap plants in maize, Zea mays L.,-based agroecosystem. The results of the study showed that maize plots surrounded by all tested wild hosts had significantly lower mean percentage of foliage damage and stemborer density than maize monocrop plots 15 m away from the treatment blocks. Interestingly, mean foliar damage and stemborer density between maize plots surrounded by wild hosts and maize monocrop plots within the treatment blocks was not significant. Percentage of tunneled stalks was significantly greater in maize monocrop plots 15 m away from the treatment blocks than in maize plots surrounded by all tested wild host plant species. Moreover, the highest mean percentage of parasitism (62%) of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) by Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) was recorded in maize plots surrounded by P. purpureum. Therefore, the findings revealed that these wild hosts have considerable merit to be used as trap plants in the development of strategies for managing cereal stemborers in maize crops. © 2008 Entomological Society of America. | Cotesia flavipes; Maize; Stemborer; Trap plants; Wild hosts | animal; article; biological pest control; crop; ecosystem; Ethiopia; evaluation; growth, development and aging; Hymenoptera; Lepidoptera; maize; parasitology; physiology; Poaceae; population density; population dynamics; randomization; season; Animals; Crops, Agricultural; Ecosystem; Ethiopia; Hymenoptera; Lepidoptera; Pest Control, Biological; Poaceae; Population Density; Population Dynamics; Random Allocation; Seasons; Zea mays; Chilo partellus; Cotesia flavipes; Panicum; Pennisetum; Pennisetum glaucum; Pennisetum purpureum; Poaceae; Sorghum bicolor; Zea mays | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84876694087 | Large herbivores favour species diversity but have mixed impacts on phylogenetic community structure in an African savanna ecosystem | Yessoufou K., Davies T.J., Maurin O., Kuzmina M., Schaefer H., van der Bank M., Savolainen V. | 2013 | Journal of Ecology | 101 | 3 | 10.1111/1365-2745.12059 | African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, APK Campus 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, Montreal, QC, Canada; Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada; Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Biodiversitaet der Pflanzen, Maximus-von-Imhof Forum 2, Freising, 85354, Germany; Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7PY, United Kingdom; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, TW9 3DS, United Kingdom | Yessoufou, K., African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, APK Campus 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa; Davies, T.J., Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, Montreal, QC, Canada; Maurin, O., African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, APK Campus 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa; Kuzmina, M., Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada; Schaefer, H., Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Biodiversitaet der Pflanzen, Maximus-von-Imhof Forum 2, Freising, 85354, Germany; van der Bank, M., African Centre for DNA Barcoding, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, APK Campus 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa; Savolainen, V., Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7PY, United Kingdom, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, TW9 3DS, United Kingdom | There has been much debate on the impact of large herbivores on biodiversity, especially given that large mammals are becoming locally extinct in many places. The use of evolutionary information on community structure has typically been limited to evaluating assembly processes, for example, competition or habitat filtering, whereas a lack of long-term experiments has precluded the test of predictions considering more complex biotic interactions. Reconstructing the complete phylogeny of the trees and shrubs of the Kruger National Park from DNA data, we tested for phylogenetic signal in antiherbivory traits and compared the phylogenetic structure of communities under various degrees of herbivore pressure using experimental plots spanning several decades. We show that all antiherbivory traits examined demonstrated weak but significant phylogenetic signal, and that exclusion of large herbivores results in impoverished species diversity in restructured communities. Surprisingly, we also show that reduction in species diversity coupled with community reorganization does not necessarily result in a decrease in phylogenetic diversity, and that community responses to herbivore exclusion depend on initial structure. Synthesis. Extinction of large mammal herbivores will have cascading effects on plant diversity; however, impacts on plant community structure are contingent on initial conditions. This research has implications for best practice when managing large herbivores and natural habitats. Extinction of large mammal herbivores will have cascading effects on plant diversity; however, impacts on plant community structure are contingent on initial conditions. This research has implications for best practice when managing large herbivores and natural habitats. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Ecology © 2013 British Ecological Society. | Determinants of plant community diversity and structure; Extinction; Functional diversity; Kruger National Park; Phylogenetics | biodiversity; community structure; evolutionary biology; extinction; herbivory; interspecific competition; mammal; phylogenetics; phylogeny; plant community; plant-herbivore interaction; savanna; shrub; species diversity; Kruger National Park; South Africa; Mammalia | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84926147254 | Evaluation of major causes of road accidents along north–east highway, nigeria | Yero A.S., Ahmed T.Y., Hainin M.R. | 2015 | Jurnal Teknologi | 73 | 4 | None | Department of Civil Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria; Department of Geotechnics and Transportation, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Yero, A.S., Department of Civil Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria; Ahmed, T.Y., Department of Civil Engineering, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria; Hainin, M.R., Department of Geotechnics and Transportation, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | A major road link in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria is the Bauchi – Maiduguri highway that is a 425 km road that links a section of the north east region to other regions of Nigeria. The goods and services to the region are basically transported by road. This has increased vehicular traffic that resulted in increased road accident rates over the years. It is paramount to investigate the major causes of vehicle accidents on this highway as much has not been done to investigate accident cases on the route. The five year accident record on that route was obtained from the Federal Road Safety Corp of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police traffic unit, and the Nigeria union of road traffic workers. The study indicated that speed violation by drivers and bad road conditions contributes greatly in the rate of accidents along the route. Hence the study recommends better road maintenance culture and more sensitization of the road users and enforcement of speed limits. © 2015 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved. | Accident; Highway; Traffic; Vehicles and road safety | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-58449129069 | Evaluation of antiasthmatic and anticough effects of a medicinal plant used in ivorian pharmacopoeia: Combretum molle [Évaluation de l'activité antiasthmatique et antitussive de Combretum molle, plante médicinale de la pharmacopée ivoirienne] | Yeo D., N'Guessan J.D., Sea T., Coulibaly Y.A., Djaman A.J., Tako N.A., Yavo J.C., Guede-Guina F. | 2008 | Phytotherapie | 6 | 6 | 10.1007/s10298-008-0347-6 | Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Laboratoire de Neurosciences, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Clinique, UFR des Sciences Médicales, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa | Yeo, D., Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; N'Guessan, J.D., Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Sea, T., Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Coulibaly, Y.A., Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Djaman, A.J., Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Tako, N.A., Laboratoire de Neurosciences, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Yavo, J.C., Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Clinique, UFR des Sciences Médicales, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa; Guede-Guina, F., Laboratoire de Pharmacodynamie Biochimique, UFR Biosciences, Université de Cocody-Abidjan, Cocody-Abidjan, South Africa | In this work, we studied the inhibitory effects of Combretum molle extract on respiratory disturbances and coughs. Injection of 3.33 mg/kg and 7.14 mg/kg of Combretum molle had no effect on a rabbit's breathing. Injection of acetylcholine (0.2 ml; 714.10-3 mg/kg) induced a percentage estimated at -100%. But a combined injection of acetylcholine and increasing doses of Combretum molle reduced this percentage from -100% to -20 ± 0.5%. We also studied the inhibitory effects of the crude extract on coughs. Guinea pigs which were not treated produced 10.25 ± 0.95 in 10 minutes. But treating the guinea-pigs with 3 mg/kg of crude extract resulted in 8.25 ± 0.45 coughs for 10 min. With 30 mg/kg, however, coughing was reduced to 4.5 ± 0.25. We could therefore conclude that the extract presents some inhibitory effects on coughing and bronchial contraction induced by acetylcholine. © 2008 Springer Verlag. | Bronchial contraction; Combretum molle; Cough; Inhibition and breathing | acetylcholine; antiasthmatic agent; antitussive agent; combretum molle extract; plant extract; unclassified drug; animal experiment; animal model; article; breathing; bronchospasm; Combretum molle; coughing; dose response; drug dose increase; drug effect; drug screening; guinea pig; medical literature; medicinal plant; nonhuman; rabbit; respiratory failure | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78149497773 | Impact of prolonged rainy seasons on food crop production in Cameroon | Yengoh G.T., Tchuinte A., Armah F.A., Odoi J.O. | 2010 | Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change | 15 | 8 | 10.1007/s11027-010-9241-2 | Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Division of Physical Geography and Ecosystems Analysis, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden; National Service of Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yaounde, Cameroon; Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Nature Today, A 25 Standard Estates, Sakumono, Osu, P.O. Box OS 1455, Accra, Ghana | Yengoh, G.T., Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Division of Physical Geography and Ecosystems Analysis, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden; Tchuinte, A., National Service of Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Yaounde, Cameroon; Armah, F.A., Department of Environmental Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Odoi, J.O., Nature Today, A 25 Standard Estates, Sakumono, Osu, P.O. Box OS 1455, Accra, Ghana | This study set out to examine why agricultural production in differing agro-ecological zones of the same country responds differently to a common environmental event (an extension of the rainy season). We find that the heavy reliance of farmers in the drier agro-ecological zones on seasonal cycles make them more vulnerable to an extension of the rainy season than those in regions where rainfall is less relied on. Effects in these vulnerable regions include significant damage to crops as well as a shortage in local markets, which raises prices of basic food commodities. The difference between prices in low and high food producing periods is low for crops that can easily be preserved during rains (such as cassava at 58% from an average of 20% in previous years and yams at 82% from 65%). Crops that depend on sunshine for preservation experience greater differences between low and high periods (maize at 92% from an average of 31% in previous years, sorghum at 180% from 53%, and beans at 68% from 42%). In zones with a history of unreliable dry seasons, farmers are more adapted to coping with an extension of the rainy season and possess technology and skills which can be made available to others in vulnerable zones through inter-regional knowledge transfer of knowledge and skills. This study further reinforces the understanding that isolated climate shocks could be important in understanding and managing vulnerability. Also, vulnerability is quite variable even among communities in the same country, in which people practice the same economic activity and are exposed to the same shock. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. | Agriculture; Agro-ecological zones; Effects; Rainfall; Seasons; Small-scale farming | commodity; crop damage; crop production; ecological impact; economic analysis; farming system; legume; maize; market system; rainfall; season; sorghum; vulnerability; Cameroon; Manihot esculenta; Zea mays | None |
| None | None | Establishing sustainable performance-based incentive schemes: Views of rural health workers from qualitative research in three sub-Saharan African countries | Ye´ M., Aninanya G.A., Sie´ A., Kakoko D.C.V., Chatio S., Kagone´ M., Loukanova S., Williams J.E., Sauerborn R. | 2014 | Rural and Remote Health | 14 | 3 | None | Nouna Health Research Centre, Nouna, Burkina Faso; Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana; Department of Medical Anthropology, Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania; Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany | Ye´, M., Nouna Health Research Centre, Nouna, Burkina Faso; Aninanya, G.A., Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana; Sie´, A., Nouna Health Research Centre, Nouna, Burkina Faso; Kakoko, D.C.V., Department of Medical Anthropology, Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania; Chatio, S., Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana; Kagone´, M., Nouna Health Research Centre, Nouna, Burkina Faso; Loukanova, S., Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Williams, J.E., Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana; Sauerborn, R., Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany | Introduction: Performance-based incentives (PBIs) are currently receiving attention as a strategy for improving the quality of care that health providers deliver. Experiences from several African countries have shown that PBIs can trigger improvements, particularly in the area of maternal and neonatal health. The involvement of health workers in deciding how their performance should be measured is recommended. Only limited information is available about how such schemes can be made sustainable. This study explored the types of PBIs that rural health workers suggested, their ideas regarding the management and sustainability of such schemes, and their views on which indicators best lend themselves to the monitoring of performance. In this article the authors reported the findings from a cross-country survey conducted in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania. Methods: The study was exploratory with qualitative methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 maternal and neonatal healthcare providers, four district health managers and two policy makers (total 35 respondents) from one district in each of the three countries. The respondents were purposively selected from six peripheral health facilities. Care was taken to include providers who had a management role. By also including respondents from district and policy level a comparison of perspectives from different levels of the health system was facilitated. The data that was collected was coded and analysed with support of NVivo v8 software. Results: The most frequently suggested PBIs amongst the respondents in Burkina Faso were training with per-diems, bonuses and recognition of work done. The respondents in Tanzania favoured training with per-diems, as well as payment of overtime, and timely promotion. The respondents in Ghana also called for training, including paid study leave, payment of overtime and recognition schemes for health workers or facilities. Respondents in the three countries supported the mobilisation of local resources to make incentive schemes more sustainable. There was a general view that it was easier to integrate the cost of non-financial incentives in local budgets. There were concerns about the fairness of such schemes from the provider level in all three countries. District managers were worried about the workload that would be required to manage the schemes. The providers themselves were less clear about which indicators best lent themselves to the purpose of performance monitoring. District managers and policy makers most commonly suggested indicators that were in line with national maternal and neonatal healthcare indicators. Conclusions: The study showed that health workers have considerable interest in performance-based incentive schemes and are concerned about their sustainability. There is a need to further explore the use of non-financial incentives in PBI schemes, as such incentives were considered to stand a greater chance of being integrated into local budgets. Ensuring participation of healthcare providers in the design of such schemes is likely to achieve buy-in and endorsement from the health workers involved. However, input from managers and policy makers is essential to keep expectations realistic and to ensure the indicators selected fit the purpose and are part of routine reporting systems. © M Ye´, GA Aninanya, A Sie´, DCV Kakoko, S Chatio, M Kagone´, S Loukanova, JE Williams, R Sauerborn, 2014. | Burkina Faso; Developing countries; Ghana; Incentives; Pay-for-performance; Performance-based financing; Performance-based incentives; Sub-Saharan African; Tanzania | adult; Africa south of the Sahara; female; health care personnel; health care quality; health personnel attitude; health service; human; in service training; male; middle aged; motivation; organization and management; psychology; qualitative research; salary and fringe benefit; Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; Attitude of Health Personnel; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Inservice Training; Male; Maternal Health Services; Middle Aged; Motivation; Qualitative Research; Quality of Health Care; Salaries and Fringe Benefits | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84881534643 | The impact of climatic change on nigerian landcover during the el-nino southern oscillations (ENSO), event of 1997 to 1998 | Yelwa S.A., Dangulla M. | 2013 | Research Journal of Applied Sciences | 8 | 1 | 10.3923/rjasci.2013.33.41 | Department of Environmental Sciences, Federal University, P.M.B. 7156, Dutse Jigawa State, Nigeria; Department of Geography, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria | Yelwa, S.A., Department of Environmental Sciences, Federal University, P.M.B. 7156, Dutse Jigawa State, Nigeria; Dangulla, M., Department of Geography, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria | Seventytwo dekadal NDVI dataset derived from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer-Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (AVHRR-NDVI) on board the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration-National Aeronautics Space Administration (NOAA-NASA) meteorological satellites were recomposed into a 24 time-series monthly Maximum Value Composite (MVC) images covering the El-Nino Southern Oscillations (ENSO) event of 1997 to 1998 and analysed within a Geographical Information System (GIS) environment using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with the standardised principal components and supplemented with coefficient of variation derived images. The purpose is to assess the impact of such event on landcover across Nigeria and in particular, vegetation patterns across the country. Results from this analysis produced 24 standardised principal component imageries with another corresponding 24 individual loading scores presented in graphs. Others include inter-seasonal coefficient of variation change images for 1997 and 1998 as well as an annual mean NDVI image of the total 24 time-series dataset; temporal profiles of sites observed with distinct changes and a coefficient of variation graph through the monthly time-series were presented. The resultant component one image shows an overall 96.5% of the variation in the total time-series dataset while the succeeding imageries illustrated change elements in the order of the component loadings (which are weighted). In comparison with the mean imagery of the total 24 time-series dataset, the first component image showed a considerable similarity indicating a typical characteristic of landcover (particularly vegetation NDVI) pattern over the whole country during the 1997 to 1998 ENSO event with positive and negative anomalies in certain locations across some states but more distinct in locations around the Kainji and Lake Chad basins, Niger delta area, Bayelsa, Lagos, Taraba, Plateau, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara Adamawa, Yobe and Bomo states. Thus, results from this study highlighted specific locations across the country with anomalies of climatic impact as a result of the 1997 to 1998 ENSO event. © Medwell Journals, 2013. | AVHRR-NDVI; Climatic impact; ENSO; Environment; NOAA; PCA; Sea surface temperature | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84931843490 | Thermodynamic analysis and performance optimization of organic rankine cycles for the conversion of low-to-moderate grade geothermal heat | Yekoladio P.J., Bello-Ochende T., Meyer J.P. | 2015 | International Journal of Energy Research | 39 | 9 | 10.1002/er.3326 | Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, South Africa; Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa | Yekoladio, P.J., Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, South Africa; Bello-Ochende, T., Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, South Africa; Meyer, J.P., Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa | The present study considers a thermodynamic analysis and performance optimization of geothermal power cycles. The proposed binary-cycles operate with moderately low temperature and liquid-dominated geothermal resources in the range of 110°C to 160°C, and cooling air at ambient conditions of 25°C and 101.3kPa reference temperature and atmospheric pressure, respectively. A thermodynamic optimization process and an irreversibility analysis were performed to maximize the power output while minimizing the overall exergy destruction and improving the First-law and Second-law efficiencies of the cycle. Maximum net power output was observed to increase exponentially with the geothermal resource temperature to yield 16-49kW per unit mass flow rate of the geothermal fluid for the non-regenerative organic Rankine cycles (ORCs), as compared with 8-34kW for the regenerative cycles. The cycle First-law efficiency was determined in the range of 8-15% for the investigated geothermal binary power cycles. Maximum Second-law efficiency of approximately 56% was achieved by the ORC with an internal heat exchanger. In addition, a performance analysis of selected pure organic fluids such as R123, R152a, isobutane and n-pentane, with boiling points in the range of -24°C to 36°C, was conducted under saturation temperature and subcritical pressure operating conditions of the turbine. Organic fluids with higher boiling point temperature, such as n-pentane, were recommended for non-regenerative cycles. The regenerative ORCs, however, require organic fluids with lower vapour specific heat capacity (i.e. isobutane) for an optimal operation of the binary-cycle. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. | Exergy; Geothermal energy; Irreversibility analysis; Optimization; Organic rankine cycle | Atmospheric pressure; Atmospheric temperature; Bins; Boiling point; Exergy; Geothermal fields; Optimization; Paraffins; Rankine cycle; Specific heat; Thermoanalysis; Thermodynamic properties; Thermodynamics; Boiling-point temperature; Internal heat exchanger; Irreversibility analysis; Organic Rankine cycles; Organic rankine cycles (ORCs); Performance optimizations; Thermo dynamic analysis; Thermodynamic optimization; Geothermal energy | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84900523563 | Performance practice of bata ensemble of the awori people in Lagos state, Nigeria | Yekini-Ajenifuja I.A. | 2014 | Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences | 5 | 9 | 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n9p620 | Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria | Yekini-Ajenifuja, I.A., Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria | Performance as a major means of expression of African music cannot be overemphasized because of its usage as a means of communication, education, entertainment, among others. The heterogeneous nature of African society creates divergent practices in its music. In Yoruba land, some musical practices are strictly practiced in certain locality while others are generally practiced across the land. Those that are generally practiced are not strictly the same as a result of human interaction, as such; every community has its own unique value added to its performance of music. The Bata ensemble music is one of the strictly practiced music in Yoruba land by the egungun and sango devotees that is gradually turning general. This paper examines the performance practice of Bata ensemble in Awori community. Its organization and musical style were also investigated. Library and field work was used in this paper to explore its empirical nature. It was discovered that composition of instruments, their names and its performance style is unique and slightly different from other localities. | Drum; Ensemble; Instrument and bata; Performance | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84877739095 | Evaluation of toxic effects of lambdacyhalothrin on the haematology and selected biochemical parameters of African catfish Clarias gariepinus | Yekeen T.A., Fawole O.O., Bakare A.A. | 2013 | Zoology and Ecology | 23 | 1 | 10.1080/21658005.2013.767613 | Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P. M. B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria; Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Yekeen, T.A., Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P. M. B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria; Fawole, O.O., Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P. M. B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Nigeria; Bakare, A.A., Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | The potential acute and chronic toxic effects of lambdacyhalothrin (LCT) on African catfish Clarias gariepinus were evaluated. Lethal concentrations (LC) were determined using 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 ppm of LCT. Haematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated on fish treated with 0.001, 0.005, 0.010 and 0.025 ppm of LCT. Blood samples were collected on the 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th day of exposure and 60th day of recovery. Fish treated with LCT showed behavioural abnormalities compared to the control, which included reduced swimming activity, loss of equilibrium, vertical hanging and air gulping. The LC50 values of LCT were 0.571, 0.380, 0.337 and 0.325 ppm at the exposure time of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. Significant reductions (p≤0.05) were observed in the packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration values in exposed fish. Initial increase in the value of the white blood cell count was observed, which later declined. Serum glucose increased significantly (p≤0.05), while globulin decreased significantly. Albumin did not show any significant difference among tested concentrations. The results revealed that the emulsifiable concentrate form of LCT caused reduction in haematological and biochemical parameters of C. gariepinus. The data obtained in this study provide more information on the potential impacts of LCT on non-target organisms and thus will assist in future ecotoxicological evaluations. Copyright © 2013 Nature Research Centre. | Biochemical; Clarias gariepinus; Haematology; Lambdacyhalothrin; Protein | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-68049089781 | The rooting performance of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn) cuttings leached in water and application of rooting hormone in different media | Yeboah J., Lowor S.T., Amoah F.M. | 2009 | Journal of Plant Sciences | 4 | 1 | 10.3923/jps.2009.10.14 | Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana | Yeboah, J., Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana; Lowor, S.T., Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana; Amoah, F.M., Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana | In order to improve the rooting performance of shea stem cuttings to enhance the establislunent of shea plantation, an investigation was carried out in 2003/2004 at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana Substation, Bole in a polythene propagator. The propagating structures for the experiment were kept under a shade net (50% shade) to create a microclimate for the cuttings. The treatments employed were leaching, different growth media and hormone application. Rejuvenated (coppiced cuttings) shoots that were not leached (not dipped in water) gave significantly higher rooting than the leached cuttings while Seradix 3 powder applied cuttings produced significantly higher (p<0.05) rooting than the control. Significantly high in number, more developed and longer roots per cutting were recorded for the rice husk medium than the sand and sand-top soil (1: 1) media. The biochemical analysis significantly recorded high levels of sugar and phenol for cuttings that were not leached in water. The results of this study demonstrated that rice husk medium was the best for rooting shea cuttings. © 2009 Academic Journals Inc. | Phenol; Rice husk medium; Sand; Sand+top soil; Sugar | Theobroma cacao; Vitellaria paradoxa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-70349130706 | The rooting performance of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa gaertn) stem cuttings as influenced by wood type, sucrose and rooting hormone | Yeboah J., Lowor S.T., Amoah F.M. | 2009 | Scientific Research and Essays | 4 | 5 | None | Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana | Yeboah, J., Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana; Lowor, S.T., Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana; Amoah, F.M., Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana | Vegetative propagation of stem cuttings of different physiological woodtypes of Vitellaria paradoxa was studied in a polythene propagator. The treatments included combinations of wood type (soft, semi-hard and rejuvenated (coppiced) shoots), sucrose application at 0, 15 and 25%, and Seradix '3' powder hormone (active ingredient- indolebutyricacid) at 0 and 8000 ppm. Cuttings of rejuvenated shoots dipped in 15% sucrose solution gave significantly higher rooting and longer roots than both softwood and semihardwood. High levels (P < 0.05) of soluble sugars and total free phenols were recorded for coppiced cuttings which resulted in better rooting performance than the other wood types. Cuttings dipped in Seradix '3' powder hormone significantly recorded higher rooting than the control (no hormone). © 2009 Academic Journals. | Cuttings; Rooting; Rooting hormone; Sucrose; Vitellaria paradoxa gaertn | Vitellaria paradoxa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-56249111360 | Feeding Acacia etbaica and Dichrostachys cinerea fruits to smallholder goats in northern Ethiopia improves their performance during the dry season | Yayneshet T., Eik L.O., Moe S.R. | 2008 | Livestock Science | 119 | 42372 | 10.1016/j.livsci.2008.02.007 | Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway; Department of Animal, Rangeland, and Wildlife Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia; Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway | Yayneshet, T., Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway, Department of Animal, Rangeland, and Wildlife Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 231, Mekelle, Ethiopia; Eik, L.O., Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway; Moe, S.R., Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway | Acacia etbaica Schweinf. and Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight et Arn. are among the common woody browse plants that naturally grow in many arid and semi-arid rangelands in sub Saharan Africa. An experiment was conducted to compare the voluntary dry matter intake, body weight gain, nitrogen balance, carcass composition and sensory attributes of goats supplemented with different levels of A. etbaica and D. cinerea fruits. Average initial body weight of the goats was 20.4 kg (± 0.8SE) and received one of the following fruit supplementation regimes for 120 days (on body weight basis, n = 4 goats per group): (1) Control, no supplement; (2) 0.5% of A. etbaica; (3) 0.5% of D. cinerea; (4) 1.0% of A. etbaica; (5) 1.0% of D. cinerea; (6) 1.5% of A. etbaica; (7) 1.5% of D. cinerea. All groups were allowed to graze/browse during the day. Compared to A. etbaica, D. cinerea fruits contained higher amounts of crude protein (182 vs 135 g/kg DM), metabolizable energy (11 vs 8.4 MJ/kg DM), and in vitro dry matter digestibility coefficient (0.7 vs 0.6). The concentrations of acid detergent fiber (ADF), sulphuric acid solubulized lignin, and tannin (soluble and condensed) were lower (P < 0.05) in D. cinerea than in A. etbaica fruits. A. etbaica fruits, however, contained higher amounts of Na, K, Fe, and Zn concentrations than D. cinerea fruits. Dry matter intake was markedly higher in supplemented groups than in the control group without supplement. Similarly, body weight gain in the control group was negative and lower (P < 0.05) than any of the supplemented groups. During the course of the experimental period (120 days) the group placed in the 1.5% D. cinerea fruit diet gained 2.6 kg whereas the control group lost 2.0 kg. Thus, the difference between these two groups was 4.6 kg, which suggests about 22.5% increment of the goats' initial body weight. N retention was negative for the control group and varied little among the remaining treatment groups. Dressing percent increased with increased level of either type of fruit supplement, the highest (51.8%) being achieved at the 1.5% D. cinerea level. There was no difference in bone tissue across treatment groups. D. cinerea fruit intake also resulted in juicy/watery flavor and tender carcass. D. cinerea fruits appeared to have no adverse effects when included at the highest level (1.5%) and could be collected and stored as dry season supplement to smallholder goats. This study shows that poor farmers can increase goat performance substantially through supplement feeding with wild fruits. Areas in Ethiopia originally set aside for provision of ecological services and biodiversity protection can also be used for wild fruit production and feeding of small stock. The effect of increasing D. cinerea fruits above the 1.5% body weight level should be a focus of future investigation. Further work on deactivation mechanism of tannins is required for A. etbaica fruits included at levels higher than 1.0%. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | Body weight; Dry matter intake; Exclosure; Supplement; Tigray | Acacia; Acacia etbaica; Capra hircus; Dichrostachys cinerea | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33646246162 | Impact assessment of Mtera and Kidatu reservoirs on the annual maximum floods at Stiegler's Gorge of the Rufiji River in Tanzania | Yawson D.K., Kongo V.M., Kachroo R.K. | 2006 | Water International | 31 | 1 | 10.1080/02508060608691919 | International Water Management Institute, Pretoria, South Africa; University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; IUCN-West Africa Regional Office Project, Komadugu Yobe Basin, Nigeria; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Keny | Yawson, D.K., International Water Management Institute, Pretoria, South Africa, IUCN-West Africa Regional Office Project, Komadugu Yobe Basin, Nigeria; Kongo, V.M., University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya, School of Bioresources Engineering and Environmental Hydrology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering Division, Soil and Water Conservation, Irrigation, Land Use Planning and Mechanization Services, South Africa; Kachroo, R.K. | The impoundment of any river causes changes in the downstream flow regime. The effect of a dam on flow regime depends on both the storage capacity of the reservoir relative to the volume of river flow and the way the dam is operated. The most common attribute of flow regulation is a decrease in the magnitude of the flood peaks and an increase in low flows. This paper reports the findings of a study to assess the cumulative impact of two dams on the Great Ruaha River in Tanzania (the Mtera and Kidatu Reservoir System) on flood flows. The method used was to compare the observed annual maximum flows at downstream locations after the construction of the dams with mathematically modeled estimates of the annual maximum flows at the same locations, assuming that the dams were not built (i.e. generating naturalized flows). Contrary to expectations, the study found that annual maximum peaks were supposed to be less than those actually observed. For instance, in 1989, annual maximum peak flow of 1,400 m 3/s was recorded at Kidatu, but the estimated uncontrolled peak flow should have been 800 m 3/s, signifying an artificially-induced flood wave. Although, there was a significant impact on the peak flows at Kidatu owing to the dams, the impact was found to be minimal on the flow peaks at Steigler's Gorge. © 2006 International Water Resources Association. | Annual maximum floods; Impact assessment; Linear transfer function; Mathematical modeling; Mtera-Kidatu Reservoir System; Rufiji River Basin | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-74549172109 | Assessing the impacts of climate change and land transformation on Banksia in the South West Australian Floristic Region | Yates C.J., McNeill A., Elith J., Midgley G.F. | 2010 | Diversity and Distributions | 16 | 1 | 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2009.00623.x | Science Division, Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, Bentley Delivery Centre, LMB 104, WA 6983, Australia; School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; South African National Biodiversity Institute, P/Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa | Yates, C.J., Science Division, Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, Bentley Delivery Centre, LMB 104, WA 6983, Australia; McNeill, A., Science Division, Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, Bentley Delivery Centre, LMB 104, WA 6983, Australia; Elith, J., School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Midgley, G.F., South African National Biodiversity Institute, P/Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South Africa | Aim To determine the potential combined effects of climate change and land transformation on the modelled geographic ranges of Banksia. Location Mediterranean climate South West Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR). Methods We used the species distribution modelling software Maxent to relate current environmental conditions to occurrence data for 18 Banksia species, and subsequently made spatial predictions using two simple dispersal scenarios (zero and universal), for three climate-severity scenarios at 2070, taking the impacts of land transformation on species' ranges into account. The species were chosen to reflect the biogeography of Banksia in the SWAFR. Results Climate-severity scenario, dispersal scenario, biogeographic distribution and land transformation all influenced the direction and magnitude of the modelled range change responses for the 18 species. The predominant response of species to all climate change scenarios was range contraction, with exceptions for some northern and widespread species. Including land transformation in estimates of modelled geographic range size for the three climate-severity scenarios generally resulted in smaller gains and larger declines in species ranges across both dispersal scenarios. Including land transformation and assuming zero dispersal resulted, as expected, in the greatest declines in projected range size across all species. Increasing climate change severity greatly increased the risk of decline in the 18 Banksia species, indicating the critical role of mitigating future emissions. Main conclusions The combined effects of climate change and land transformation may have significant adverse impacts on endemic Proteaceae in the SWAFR, especially under high emissions scenarios and if, as expected, natural migration is limiting. Although these results need cautious interpretation in light of the many assumptions underlying the techniques used, the impacts identified warrant a clear focus on monitoring across species ranges to detect early signs of change, and experiments that determine physiological thresholds for species in order to validate and refine the models. © 2009 Western Australian Government. | Biodiversity hotspot; Climate change; Habitat fragmentation; Maxent; Mediterranean-type ecosystem; Species distribution model | biodiversity; climate change; climate effect; dispersal; evergreen tree; floristics; habitat fragmentation; landscape change; physiology; phytogeography; population distribution; range size; software; Australia; Banksia; Proteaceae | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84858207345 | Performance determinants of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in mathematics of secondary schools in Nyamaiya Division, Kenya | Yara P.O., Catherine W.W. | 2011 | Asian Social Science | 7 | 2 | None | Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda | Yara, P.O., Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda; Catherine, W.W. | The study found the performance determinants of students' performance in mathematics Kenya certificate of secondary education (KCSE) in Nyamaiya division of Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey design of the ex-post facto type with a total student population of 151 and 12 teachers. Four validated research instrument developed for the study were Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) (r = 0.67), Students Questionnaire (SQ) (r = 0.75), Teachers Questionnaire (TQ) (r = 0.60 and Head teachers Questionnaire (HQ) (r = 0.70). Three research questions were answered. The data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. There was a positive correlation among the six independent variables and the dependent measure - mathematics performance(R= 0.238; F (6,151)=1.53843; p<0.05). The six variables accounted for 45.6% of the total variance in the independent measure (R 2 = 0.564). Teachers' experience (B=0.972, t=2.080; p<0.05), teachers' qualification (B=0.182, t=2.390; p<0.05), teachers/students' attitude (B=0.215, t= 2.821; p<0.05) and school category (B=0.064, t=0.352; p<0.05) could be used to predict students' academic performance in mathematics. It is therefore recommended that adequate attention should paid to these variables that can predict students' performance by the government and other stakeholders of education in Kenya. | Kenya certificate of education; Performance determinants; Secondary school mathematics; Students performance | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84898971133 | Investigation of the impact of demand elasticity on electricity market using extended Cournot approach | Yan J., Folly K. | 2014 | International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems | 60 | None | 10.1016/j.ijepes.2014.03.037 | Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Yan, J., Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Folly, K., Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | The impact of demand elasticity on electricity market is investigated in this paper. An extended Cournot model is derived from the classical Cournot model by including the consideration of demand elasticity. Simulation results show that, the demand elasticity can effectively influence the market outcomes, i.e. market clearing price, load payment, generation companies' (GENCOs) individual output and profit. Furthermore, comparison of results using the extended Cournot model with those obtained using an industrial-grade software package (Plexos) shows a good agreement. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Cournot competition; Demand elasticity; Electricity market | Commerce; Electric industry; Cournot; Cournot competition; Cournot model; Demand elasticities; Electricity market; Generation companies; Market Clearing Price; Market outcomes; Elasticity | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33745178484 | Effects of impeller speed and aeration rate on flotation performance of sulphide ore | Yang X.-S., Aldrich C. | 2006 | Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (English Edition) | 16 | 1 | 10.1016/S1003-6326(06)60033-2 | Institute of Mineral Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110004, China; Department of Process Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa | Yang, X.-S., Institute of Mineral Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110004, China; Aldrich, C., Department of Process Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa | The effects of aeration rate and impeller speed on the concentrate sulfur grade and recovery for batch flotation of a complex sulphide ore were investigated. The relationships between the water recovery and solid entrainment were discussed. It is found that the solid entrainment is linearly related to the water recovery regardless of aeration rate and impeller speed, and the higher sulfur recovery at the aeration rate of 2 and 4 L/min for the impeller speed of 1500 r/min is considered to be the contribution of true flotation. Finally, the sulfur recovery flux is correlated with the bubble surface area flux based on the froth image at the different aeration rates and impeller speeds. | Aeration rate; Impeller speed; Solid entrainment; Water recovery | Bubbles (in fluids); Froth flotation; Impellers; Ore treatment; Recovery; Sulfur deposits; Aeration rate; Bubble surface area flux; Impeller speed; Solid entrainment; Sulfur recovery flux; Sulphide ore; Water recovery; Sulfide minerals | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-55949105775 | Integrating DEA-oriented performance assessment and target setting using interactive MOLP methods | Yang J.-B., Wong B.Y.H., Xu D.-L., Stewart T.J. | 2009 | European Journal of Operational Research | 195 | 1 | 10.1016/j.ejor.2008.01.013 | Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M15 6PB, United Kingdom; Management School, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa | Yang, J.-B., Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M15 6PB, United Kingdom, Management School, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, China; Wong, B.Y.H., Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M15 6PB, United Kingdom; Xu, D.-L., Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M15 6PB, United Kingdom; Stewart, T.J., Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa | Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and multiple objective linear programming (MOLP) are tools that can be used in management control and planning. Whilst these two types of model are similar in structure, DEA is directed to assessing past performances as part of management control function and MOLP to planning future performance targets. This paper is devoted to investigating equivalence models and interactive tradeoff analysis procedures in MOLP, such that DEA-oriented performance assessment and target setting can be integrated in a way that the decision makers' preferences can be taken into account in an interactive fashion. Three equivalence models are investigated between the output-oriented dual DEA model and the minimax reference point formulations, namely the super-ideal point model, the ideal point model and the shortest distance model. These models can be used to support efficiency analysis in the same way as the conventional DEA model does and also support tradeoff analysis for setting target values by individuals or groups. A case study is conducted to illustrate how DEA-oriented efficiency analysis can be conducted using the MOLP methods and how such performance assessment can be integrated into an interactive procedure for setting realistic target values. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | Data envelopment analysis; Minimax method; Multiple objective linear programming; Performance assessment; Tradeoff analysis | Communication channels (information theory); Data envelopment analysis; Decision theory; Dynamic programming; Industrial management; Linear programming; Linearization; Particle size analysis; Planning; Targets; Case studies; Dea models; Decision makers; Efficiency analysis; Equivalence models; Future performances; Ideal points; Management controls; MiniMax; Minimax method; Multiple objective linear programming; Multiple objective linear programmings; Performance assessment; Performance assessments; Reference points; Shortest distances; Target settings; Target values; Tradeoff analysis; Two types; Modal analysis | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84928940092 | Tracing shadows: How gendered power relations shape the impacts of maternal death on living children in sub Saharan Africa | Yamin A.E., Bazile J., Knight L., Molla M., Maistrellis E., Leaning J. | 2015 | Social Science and Medicine | 135 | None | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.04.033 | Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States; Partners In Health-Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, Malawi; HIV/AIDS, STI and TB Unit, Human Sciences Research Council, Durban, South Africa; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States | Yamin, A.E., Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States, Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States; Bazile, J., Partners In Health-Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, Malawi; Knight, L., HIV/AIDS, STI and TB Unit, Human Sciences Research Council, Durban, South Africa; Molla, M., Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Maistrellis, E., Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States, Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Leaning, J., Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States, Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States | Driven by the need to better understand the full and intergenerational toll of maternal mortality (MM), a mixed-methods study was conducted in four countries in sub-Saharan Africa to investigate the impacts of maternal death on families and children. The present analysis identifies gender as a fundamental driver not only of maternal, but also child health, through manifestations of gender inequity in household decision making, labor and caregiving, and social norms dictating the status of women. Focus group discussions were conducted with community members, and in depth qualitative interviews with key-informants and stakeholders, in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, and South Africa between April 2012 and October 2013. Findings highlight that socially constructed gender roles, which define mothers as caregivers and fathers as wage earners, and which limit women's agency regarding childcare decisions, among other things, create considerable gaps when it comes to meeting child nutrition, education, and health care needs following a maternal death. Additionally, our findings show that maternal deaths have differential effects on boy and girl children, and exacerbate specific risks for girl children, including early marriage, early pregnancy, and school drop-out. To combat both MM, and to mitigate impacts on children, investment in health services interventions should be complemented by broader interventions regarding social protection, as well as aimed at shifting social norms and opportunity structures regarding gendered divisions of labor and power at household, community, and society levels. © 2015 . | Child health; Ethiopia; Gender roles; Malawi; Masculinities; Maternal mortality; South Africa; Tanzania | child care; child health; gender relations; gender role; health services; maternal mortality; womens status; adult; Africa south of the Sahara; Article; attitude to death; child; child health care; child nutrition; education; Ethiopia; father; female; health care access; human; Malawi; male; masculinity; maternal mortality; mother; orphaned child; sex difference; sex role; sexism; social norm; social status; socioeconomics; South Africa; Tanzania; wellbeing; Africa south of the Sahara; child health; developing country; gender identity; health service; information processing; maternal mortality; orphaned child; pregnancy; qualitative research; social norm; supply and distribution; Ethiopia; Malawi; South Africa; Tanzania; Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; Child; Child Health; Child, Orphaned; Developing Countries; Fathers; Female; Focus Groups; Gender Identity; Health Services; Humans; Male; Maternal Death; Maternal Mortality; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research; Social Norms; Socioeconomic Factors | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-43049132214 | Impacts of prime-age adult mortality on labour supply: Evidence from adolescents and women in South Africa | Yamauchi F., Buthelezi T., Velia M. | 2008 | Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics | 70 | 3 | 10.1111/j.1468-0084.2008.00504.x | International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States; Department of Social Development, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Pretoria, South Africa; School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa | Yamauchi, F., International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States; Buthelezi, T., Department of Social Development, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, Pretoria, South Africa, School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Velia, M., School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa | This paper examines the impact of prime-age adult mortality on the transition made by adolescents from school to the labour market and on female adult labour force participation decisions in South Africa. We find, first, that deaths of prime-age adults significantly increase both male and female adolescents' labour force participation as they stop their schooling. Secondly, the death of prime-age adults in general also decreases school enrolment ex ante. Thirdly, female adults tend to join the labour force following the death of prime-age adult males. These findings imply that prime-age adult mortality increases labour supply and disrupts human capital formation. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the Department of Economics, University of Oxford, 2008. | None | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33646161927 | Ecosystem approach to mitigate impacts of sedimentation on the hydrological cycle and aquatic ecosystem | Yamashiki Y., Nakamura T., Kurosawa M., Matsui S. | 2006 | Hydrological Processes | 20 | 6 | 10.1002/hyp.6089 | Department of Civil Engineering, College of Science and Technology, 1-8 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan; Division of GEF Coordination, United Nations Environment Programme, PO Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya; Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Global Environment Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan | Yamashiki, Y., Department of Civil Engineering, College of Science and Technology, 1-8 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8308, Japan; Nakamura, T., Division of GEF Coordination, United Nations Environment Programme, PO Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya; Kurosawa, M., Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Matsui, S., Graduate School of Global Environment Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan | This study illustrates the importance of sedimentation control on a global scale by introducing general concepts developed locally through field observations in eutrophic bay in Lake Biwa in Japan, and in Dongting Lake in China. The phosphorus concentration of suspended solids in water columns and in the bottom sediment during soil puddling before the transplanting of rice seedlings have been measured analytically. We have estimated the gross phosphorus loads and the economical loss of losing fertilizer from rice paddy fields in the whole Lake Biwa basin during the same period. Additionally, the discussions and conclusions made in the session 'Ecosystem approach to water monitoring and management' organized during the Third World Water Forum held in Kyoto, are introduced. The importance of sediment control in carrying out overall water quality programmes has been emphasized not only for watersheds with severe land degradation, but also for basins where the sedimentation impacts are considered rather small, and there is a need to reverse the long-term water quality trend in shallow reservoirs in international river basins, such as La Plata River basin in South America. Establishing international standards and regulations for controlling fine sediments, making an effective economic evaluation of the impacts induced by sedimentation applicable to local farmers, as well as developing an effective project focusing on treating sedimentation to improve nutrient control should be initiated on a global scale, as with the Global Environmental Facility project. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. | Eutrophication; Lake Biwa; Sedimentation; WWF3 | Economics; Environmental impact; Hydrology; Lakes; Management; Rivers; Sediments; Water quality; Watersheds; Aquatic ecosystems; Hydrological cycle; Sedimentation control; Water management; Water monitoring; Ecosystems; Economics; Ecosystems; Environmental impact; Hydrology; Lakes; Management; Rivers; Sediments; Water quality; Watersheds; aquatic ecosystem; ecosystem approach; hydrological cycle; phosphorus; sedimentation; water quality; Asia; Biwa Lake; China; Dongting Lake; Eurasia; Far East; Honshu; Hunan; Japan; Kinki; Shiga | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-80155133371 | Stereological evaluation of the effects of momordica charantia, antioxidants and testosterone on seminiferous tubules of rat [Evaluación estereológica de los efectos de momordica charantia, antioxidantes y testosterona sobre los túbulos seminíferos de rat | Yama O.E., Duru F.I., Oremosu A.A., Noronha C.C., Okanlawon A. | 2011 | International Journal of Morphology | 29 | 3 | None | Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria | Yama, O.E., Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria; Duru, F.I., Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria; Oremosu, A.A., Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria; Noronha, C.C., Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria; Okanlawon, A., Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria | Ubiquitous consumption of Momordica charantia is hinged on credence of its potency in alleviating ailments. Almost no data exist on its quantitative relationship to the testes. The aim was to study the histomorphometric effect of Momordica charantia seed extract (MC), ascorbic acid (C), alpha-tocopherol (E) and testosterone (T) on the testes of rats. Ninety five mature 6-8 week-old male Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats allotted randomly into six groups. Group I: fed MC for 16 weeks. Group II: administered MC for 8 weeks, later distilled water for another 8 weeks. Group III: administered C, E, T and a combination of all three test solutions (CET) for 8 weeks and later fed MC for another 8 weeks. Group IV: received MC initially for 8 weeks and later administered C, E, T and CET for another 8 weeks. Group V: fed concurrently the extract, C, E, T and CET for 8 weeks. Group VI (control): administered C, E, T, CET and distilled water for 16 weeks. The doses for MC, C, E and T were 50 mg/100 g b.w/oral/day, 0.01, 20.0 and 0.05 mg/kg. The animals were sacrificed; testes estimated for volume. Diameter, cross sectional area (AC), number of profiles per unit area (NA), length density (LV) and numerical density (NV) of the seminiferous tubules determined. The mean testicular volumes, tubular diameters and AC showed significant decline (p ≤ 0.05) in Groups I and III compared to controls. On cessation of MC values recovered to baseline control value. Groups IV and V, were not significantly (p £ 0.05) different from controls. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in NA, LV and NV of seminiferous tubules in Groups I and III compared to controls. Histomorphometric data supports a reversible deleterious effect of MC on testes. | Histomorphometric; Momordica charantia; Sprague-dawley; Testes | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77953236502 | The association of 20M shuttle run performance with a substantial increase in waist circumference in japanese middle-aged adults | Yamamoto N., Kojo K., Shimura M., Hagi Y. | 2010 | Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine | 59 | 2 | None | Department of Fisheries Distribution and Management, National Fisheries University, United States; Graduate School of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports, Kanoya, Nigeria; Citizen's Health Plaza, Health Promotion Center, United St | Yamamoto, N., Department of Fisheries Distribution and Management, National Fisheries University, United States, Graduate School of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports, Kanoya, Nigeria; Kojo, K., Citizen's Health Plaza, Health Promotion Center, United States; Shimura, M., Department for Interdisciplinary Studies of Lifelong Sport and Physical Activity, National Institute of Fitness and Sports, Kanoya, Nigeria; Hagi, Y., Department of Sport and Leisure Management, TOKAI University, Japan | Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between 20m shuttle run (20mSRT) performance and a substantial increase in waist circumference (WC) with aging in Japanese middle-aged adults. Methods: One hundred and fifty-six Japanese middle-aged adults (40-64 yrs; 40 males, 116 females) participated in this study. Baseline data on 20mSRT, height, weight, WC, alcohol habit, smoking habit and the use of medication were collected from 2003 to 2004. Follow-up data on height, weight and WC were collected in 2008. The 20mSRT results were divided into gender-specific quartiles. A logistic regression analysis was used to predict a substantial increase in the WC (5 cm or more) during the follow-up. Results: During the follow-up, 44 people had a substantial increase in the WC. Independently from sex, age, height (baseline), weight (baseline), WC (baseline), alcohol habit, smoking habit and the use of medication, the highest quartile of 20m SRT was significantly associated with significantly lower odds ratio of a substantial increase in WC (OR: 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01-0.36) in comparison to the lowest quartile of 20mSRT. Furthermore, after additional adjustment for change in weight during follow-up, the highest quartile remained significantly predictive of a substantial increase in the WC, with odds ratio of 0.07 (95%CI: 0.01-0.39). Conclusions: These results indicate that the 20mSRT performance is a significant predictor of a substantial increase in the WC with aging in Japanese middle-aged adults. | 20m shuttle run; Aging; Increase in waist circumference; Prospective study | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78650995038 | Calf survival and reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian cows in central Ethiopia | Yalew B., Lobago F., Goshu G. | 2011 | Tropical Animal Health and Production | 43 | 2 | 10.1007/s11250-010-9697-9 | Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34 Debre Zeit, Ethiopia | Yalew, B., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34 Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Lobago, F., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34 Debre Zeit, Ethiopia; Goshu, G., Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34 Debre Zeit, Ethiopia | This study was carried out to evaluate the reproductive performance and calves survival rate of Holstein-Friesian (HF) herd in Holeta, central highland of Ethiopia. A retrospective analysis of 26 years data was carried out, from which records of 724 age at first calving (AFC), 2,022 calving intervals (CI), 2,971 breeding efficiencies (BE), 260 abortions, 111 stillbirths were derived from 795 cows. Moreover, 738 female calves' records were also included for survival rate study. The overall least squares means of AFC, CI, and BE were 40.9 ± 0.33 months, 475 ± 2.84 days, 81.9 ± 0.26%, respectively, while the incidence rates of abortion, stillbirth, and female calves survival rate for this herd were 8.0%, 3.4%, and 77.5%, respectively. The effects of parity number and year of birth/calving on CI and BE were significant (P<0.001). Moreover, birth year had significant (P<0.001) effect on AFC and calves survival rate, while calving season had significant effect on BE. The reproductive performance found in this study was lower than the performance reported in many tropical regions and the genetic potential of HF breed in their origins. Moreover, higher loss due to calf mortality was observed. Thus, the centre should consider appropriate measures to improve its herd reproductive performance and calves survival rate for attaining its aspired objectives. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. | Calf survival; Ethiopia; Holstein-Friesian herd; Reproductive performance | animal; animal disease; animal husbandry; article; cattle; cattle disease; Ethiopia; female; male; mortality; physiology; reproduction; retrospective study; stillbirth; veterinary abortion; Abortion, Veterinary; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Ethiopia; Female; Male; Mortality; Reproduction; Retrospective Studies; Stillbirth; Friesia | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84904743148 | Carpolobia lutea roots restore sexual arousal and performance in paroxetine-induced sexually impaired male rats | Yakubu M.T., Jimoh R.O. | 2014 | Revista Internacional de Andrologia | 12 | 3 | 10.1016/j.androl.2014.02.002 | Phytomedicine, Toxicology and Reproductive Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria | Yakubu, M.T., Phytomedicine, Toxicology and Reproductive Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; Jimoh, R.O., Phytomedicine, Toxicology and Reproductive Biochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria | Objective: This study aimed at investigating the aphrodisiac effects of aqueous extract of Carpolobia lutea root at the doses of 47, 94 and 141. mg/kg body weight in paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in male rats. Materials and methods: Thirty sexually active male rats (148.20. ±. 3.22. g) were assigned into six groups (A-F) of five animals each. Rats in group A received 0.5. ml of distilled water once daily for 7 days while those in groups B, C, D, E and F which were induced with sexual dysfunction (oral administration of 10. mg/kg of paroxetine suspension, once daily for 21 days) received 0.5. ml corresponding to 7.14. mg/kg body weight of PowmaxM, 47, 94 and 141. mg/kg body weight of the extract and distilled water, respectively. Sexual behaviour parameters (frequencies of mount (ML), intromission (IF), ejaculation (EL), latencies of mount (ML), intromission (IL), ejaculation (EL) and post ejaculation interval (PEI)) were monitored 30. min post administration by pairing (1:1) with receptive female rats (114.01. ±. 2.64. g) on days 1, 4 and 7. The concentrations of serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined after 7 days of administration using standard methods. Results: The study revealed that the extract contained saponins (21.02. mg/L), anthraquinones (5.11. mg/L), alkaloids (2.93. mg/L), flavonoids (1.82. mg/L), tannins (0.91. mg/L) and cardiac glycosides (0.09. mg/L) whereas terpenes, phlobatannins and steroids were not detected. Paroxetine significantly (p<. 0.05) decreased mount frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation frequency and ejaculation latency whereas it increased mount latency, intromission latency and post-ejaculatory interval for more than the baseline of 25% in each case. In contrast, all the doses of the extract significantly (p<. 0.05) attenuated the parameters of sexual behaviour displayed by the sexual dysfunction animals, with the 141. mg/kg body weight comparing favourably (p>. 0.05) with the sexual dysfunction animals treated with Powmax. In addition, the extract significantly (p<. 0.05) elevated the levels of serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone which were hitherto reduced by paroxetine. Conclusion: The study concludes that the aqueous extract of C. lutea root especially the doses of 94 and 141. mg/kg body weight restored various components of sexual arousal and performance as well as the reproductive hormones in the sexually sluggish male rats with the highest dose being the most effective. Present findings provide experimental evidence to support the folkloric claim of the plant in the management of sexual inadequacies in males. © 2014 Asociación Española de Andrología, Medicina Sexual y Reproductiva. | Aphrodisiac; Carpolobia lutea; Paroxetine; Polygalaceae; Sexual dysfunction; Sexual function | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-67649429201 | Reproductive toxicologic evaluations of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract in albino rats | Yakubu M.T., Afolayan A.J. | 2009 | Theriogenology | 72 | 3 | 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.01.026 | Phytomedicine Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa | Yakubu, M.T., Phytomedicine Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa; Afolayan, A.J., Phytomedicine Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa | The effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem at daily doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight on the reproductive function of Wistar rats were evaluated. The indices of mating and fertility success as well as quantal frequency increased after 7 days of treatment in all the dose groups except the 100 mg/kg body weight group. The number of litters was not statistically different (P > 0.05) from the control. Whereas the absolute weights of the epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate were not affected, that of the testes was significantly increased. The epididymal sperm count, motility, morphology, and viscosity were not different from the control after 7 days of treatment. The male rat serum testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone significantly increased in the 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight groups, whereas the estradiol concentration decreased significantly at all the doses. The extract dose of 100 mg/kg body weight decreased the serum testosterone and progesterone levels in male rats. The prolactin concentration was not affected by all the doses. All the indices of reproduction, maternal, embryo/fetotoxic, teratogenic, and reproductive hormones in the female rats were not statistically different from that of their control except the resorption index, which increased at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Histologic examination of the cross section of rat testes that received the extract at all the doses investigated revealed well-preserved seminiferous tubules with normal amount of stroma, normal population of spermatogenic and supporting cells, as well as normal spermatocytes within the lumen. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis stem at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight enhanced the success rate of mating and fertility due to increased libido as well as the levels of reproductive hormones in male rats. The absence of alterations in the reproductive parameters of female rats at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of Bulbine natalensis stem extract suggest that the extract is "safe" for use at these doses by females during the organogenic period of pregnancy, whereas the extract dose of 100 mg/kg body weight portends a negative effect on some reproductive functions of male and female rats. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | Bulbine natalensis; Embryo; Fertility; Pregnancy; Reproductive functions; Reproductive hormones | plant extract; angiosperm; animal; article; chemistry; drug effect; drug screening; female; fertility; fetal well being; male; plant stem; pregnancy; rat; reproduction; spermatozoon; toxicity testing; Wistar rat; Animals; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Female; Fertility; Fetal Viability; Liliaceae; Male; Plant Extracts; Plant Stems; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reproduction; Spermatozoa; Toxicity Tests; Bulbine; Rattus; Rattus norvegicus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-55949130986 | Genotype x environment interactions: Survival performance of six internationally sourced provenances of Azadirachta indica A. Juss in a degraded land in Kano, Nigeria | Yakubu I. | 2008 | Environmentalist | 28 | 4 | 10.1007/s10669-007-9150-4 | Geography Department, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria | Yakubu, I., Geography Department, Bayero University, PMB 3011, Kano, Nigeria | In order to prevent 'an impending neem failure', from the incidence of the twin problems of the neem scale insect infestations and neem dieback, six authenticated provenances (Allahabad, Karnataka, Jodphur, Madinipur, Mukkambu and Annur), from the natural range of the species in India, were collected and appraised for survival in a degraded land in Kano, Nigeria. Established in a completely randomised block design with four replications, the trial was conducted with a view to restrengthening and/or replacing the already weakened Local Land Race of the species in the study area. There was a statistically significant difference in the survival of the seven provenances. The established differences are between Allahabad 83% (6.40 SEM), Mukkambu 83% (6.40 SEM), Annur 76% (4.90 SEM), Jodphur 63% (15.09 SEM) and Madinipur 56% (6.73 SEM), on the one hand, and Karnataka 17% (1.91SEM) and the Local Land Race, with 13% (0.13 SEM), on the other hand. The research recommends Allahabad and Mukkambu 83% (6.40 SEM) based on this outstanding performance. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. | Azadirachta indica; Genotype; Kano; Land race; Provenance | dicotyledon; genotype-environment interaction; land degradation; performance assessment; pest outbreak; provenance; restoration ecology; survival; Africa; Asia; Eurasia; India; Kano [Nigeria]; Nigeria; South Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; West Africa; Azadirachta indica; Hemiptera; Hexapoda | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78650246691 | Climate change impact on the density of Faidherbia albida on smallholder farms in the degraded lands of Kano, northern Nigeria | Yakubu I. | 2010 | Environmentalist | 30 | 4 | 10.1007/s10669-010-9279-4 | Department of Geography, Bayero University, PMB 3011 Kano, Nigeria | Yakubu, I., Department of Geography, Bayero University, PMB 3011 Kano, Nigeria | Nigeria's vegetation in general and some important tree species in particular are under increasing threats from several factors. Worsening climate and environmental conditions, enhanced by a huge population pressure on limited resources, are some of the dominant issues of discourse among scientists. This study investigated the density of Faidherbia albida, a nitrogen-fixing tree, that has been an important component of the farming systems of the smallholder farms in the degraded lands of Kano, Nigeria. Results indicate a 55% decrease in the density of the tree in the study area. The overall diversity of trees on the smallholder farms has also declined by 38%. The study concludes that while climate change may be a catalyst, woodfuel extraction and disease are the immediate factors for the decline of F. indica in the area. It recommends (1) the inclusion of this species in the list of endangered species for deliberate regeneration and protection by all stakeholders (2) an extended study that could lead to determining the specific role of climate change on the density of the tree in the study area. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. | Climate change; Faidherbia albida; Nitrogen fixing; Smallholder | catalyst; climate change; dicotyledon; fuelwood; land degradation; nitrogen fixation; population decline; population density; smallholder; Kano [Nigeria]; Nigeria; Faidherbia albida | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34548476044 | Effects of genotype and housing system on the laying performance of chickens in different seasons in the semi-humid tropics | Yakubu A., Salako A.E., Ige A.O. | 2007 | International Journal of Poultry Science | 6 | 6 | None | Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, P.M.B. 135, Lafia, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke, Akintola University of | Yakubu, A., Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, P.M.B. 135, Lafia, Nigeria; Salako, A.E., Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Ige, A.O., Department of Animal Production and Health, Ladoke, Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria | An experiment was designed to study the effects of genotype and housing system on the performance of two commercial layers, Bovans Brown and Lohmann Brown in the hot-dry and wet seasons in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Six hundred, 27 week-old layers were used. One hundred and fifty birds of each strain were randomly assigned to the battery cage system, while another one hundred and fifty birds of each strain were managed on deep litter. The observation for the hot-dry and wet seasons lasted 2 months each respectively in the year 2004. Body weight, hen-housed egg production, egg weight and mortality rate were significantly better in Lohmann Brown than Bovans Brown (1.75±0.01kg vs. 1.69±0.01kg, 74.50±0.84% vs. 68.72±0.86%, 53.70±0.24g vs. 52.43±0.26g, 0.58±0.09% vs. 1.20±0.15%; p<0.05). Birds in cages were superior to those on deep litter in terms of hen-housed egg production, egg weight and mortality (74.06±0.75% vs. 69.16±1.02%, 53.40±0.24g vs. 52.73±0.29g, 0.68±0.10% vs. 1.10±0.15%; p<0.05). Generally, birds performed better in the wet than hot-dry season in body weight, hen-housed egg production, feed intake, egg weight, egg cracks and mortality (1.76±0.01kg vs. 1.68±0.01kg, 74.92±0.74% vs. 68.30±0.86%, 98.51±0.50g vs. 90.90±0.23g, 53.92±0.18g vs. 52.22±0.27g, 1.99±0.23% vs.5.12±0.39%, 0.55±0.08% vs. 1.22±0.15%; p<0.05). The interactions between genotypexhousing system, genotypexseason and housing systemxseason produced significant results. Proper housing design, provision of quality and adequate feeds and proper timing of the laying period were recommended. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2007. | Exotic strains; Interaction; Management system; Performance parameters; Season | Aves; Gallus gallus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84894287984 | Evaluation of three mathematical functions to describe the relationship between body weight, body condition and testicular dimensions in yankasa sheep [Evaluación de tres funciones matemáticas para describir la relación entre peso corporal, condición corp | Yakubu A., Musa-Azara I.S. | 2013 | International Journal of Morphology | 31 | 4 | 10.4067/S0717-95022013000400036 | Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria | Yakubu, A., Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Musa-Azara, I.S., Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria | Body size and testicular measurements have been found to be important parameters utilized in breeding soundness evaluation. The present study therefore, aimed at determining the relationship between body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), testicular length (TL), testicular diameter (TD) and scrotal circumference (SC) in 120 extensively reared Yankasa rams (approximately 30 months old) using linear, quadratic and cubic predictive models. Coefficient of determination (R2), Adjusted R2, the estimate of Mallows' Cp, RMSE (Root mean squares error) and the parsimony principle (p=number of parameters) were used to compare the efficiency of the different models. Strong Pearson's correlation coefficients (r = 0.83-0.94; P<0.01) were found between BW, TL, TD and SC. Spearman correlations between BCS and other variables were also highly significant (r = 0.78-0.85; P<0.01). SC was the sole variable of utmost importance in estimating BW, which was best predicted using the cubic model. However, the optimal model for BW prediction comprised TD, SC and BCS with p, R2, Adjusted R2, RMSE and Cp values of 4, 0.948, 0.946, 1.673 and 4.85, respectively. The present findings could be exploited in husbandry and selection of breeding stock for sustainable sheep production especially within the resource-poor farming system under tropical and subtropical conditions. | Body condition; Body size; Rams; Regression models; Testicular measurements | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34250209823 | Effects of feed restriction on performance, carcass yield, relative organ weights and some linear body measurements of weaner rabbits | Yakubu A., Salako A.E., Ladokun A.O., Adua M.M., Bature T.U.K. | 2007 | Pakistan Journal of Nutrition | 6 | 4 | None | Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria | Yakubu, A., Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria; Salako, A.E., Department of Animal Science, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Ladokun, A.O., Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria; Adua, M.M., Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria; Bature, T.U.K., Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Shabu-Lafia Campus, Lafia, Nigeria | Effects of feed restriction on performance, carcass yield, relative organ weights and some linear body measurements were investigated in weaner rabbits in a sub-humid environment in north central Nigeria. Twenty four weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes with an average initial weight of 804.17±71.20g were used for the study which lasted six weeks. There were three dietary treatments consisting of diet A, ad libitum (24 hrs) feeding (control), diet B, 8 hrs per day feeding (7.00 a.m-3.00 p.m) and diet C, skip-a-day feeding. This feeding arrangement was carried out within the first five weeks of the experiment, after which all the animals in the three treatment groups were fed ad libitum for one week. Animals were fed pelletized commercial grower's feed supplemented with Centrosema pubescens. Drinking water was also supplied ad libitum throughout the duration of the experiment. Each treatment group was replicated four times while each replicate comprised two rabbits housed in the same cage. The initial and final body weights, feed conversion ratio, mortality, fasted weight, slaughter weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by feed restriction. However, average weekly feed intake (454.94, 356.36 and 331.48g) and average weekly body weight gains (1137.50, 1127.50 and 1007.50g) were significantly (p<0.05) influenced; with higher values recorded among rabbits fed ad libitum compared to those on 8 hrs feeding per day and skip-a-day feeding respectively. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in relative weights of liver, kidneys, spleen and heart among the treatment groups. Significant difference (p<0.05) was found in the relative weight of lungs, with rabbits on 8 hrs feeding per day and those on skip-a-day feeding having an edge over those fed ad libitum (0.61 versus 0.50). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in heart girth, body length, face length and ear length among the dietary treatments studied. The present results have indicated that feed restriction could be exploited in the feeding regimen of rabbits, especially in periods of inadequate supply of concentrates and forages. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2007. | Body measurements; Carcass characteristics; Feed restriction; Performance; Weaner rabbits | drinking water; animal food; animal housing; animal tissue; anthropometry; article; body height; body weight; carcass; controlled study; diet restriction; diet supplementation; facies; feeding behavior; female; fluid intake; food availability; forage; heart volume; heart weight; humidity; kidney mass; liver weight; lung weight; male; mortality; Nigeria; nonhuman; organ weight; physical performance; rabbit; sex difference; spleen weight; weight gain; Animalia; Centrosema pubescens; Oryctolagus cuniculus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84930826059 | Cosmological performance of SKA HI galaxy surveys | Yahya S., Bull P., Santos M.G., Silva M., Maartens R., Okouma P., Bassett B. | 2015 | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society | 450 | 3 | 10.1093/mnras/stv695 | Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, PO Box 1029 Blindern, Oslo, Norway; SKA South Africa, The Park, Park Road, Cape Town, South Africa; CENTRA, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom; African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Astronomical Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa | Yahya, S., Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; Bull, P., Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, PO Box 1029 Blindern, Oslo, Norway; Santos, M.G., Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, SKA South Africa, The Park, Park Road, Cape Town, South Africa, CENTRA, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Silva, M., Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, CENTRA, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Maartens, R., Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom; Okouma, P., Physics Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Bassett, B., African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, South African Astronomical Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa | The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will conduct the biggest spectroscopic galaxy survey ever, by detecting the 21 cm emission line of neutral hydrogen (H I) from around a billion galaxies over 3/4 of the sky, out to a redshift of z ~ 2. This will allow the redshift-space matter power spectrum, and corresponding dark energy observables, to be measured with unprecedented precision. In this paper, we present an improved model of the HI galaxy number counts and bias from semi-analytic simulations, and use it to calculate the expected yield of HI galaxies from surveys with a variety of Phase 1 and 2 SKA configurations. We illustrate the relative performance of the different surveys by forecasting errors on the radial and transverse scales of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature, finding that the full 'billion galaxy survey' with SKA2 will deliver the largest dark energy Figure of Merit of any current or future large-scale structure survey. © 2015 The Authors. | Dark energy | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-73949140661 | Impact of silica on hydrometallurgical and mechanical properties of RIP grade resins for uranium recovery | Yahorava V., Scheepers J., Kotze M.H., Auerswald D. | 2009 | Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy | 109 | 10 | None | Bateman Engineering, South Africa | Yahorava, V.; Scheepers, J.; Kotze, M.H.; Auerswald, D., Bateman Engineering, South Africa | Resin-in-pulp (RIP) technology has recently often been considered for the direct recovery of base metals and uranium from dense pulps. Implementation of RIP will eliminate the requirement for any solid-liquid separation downstream of leaching and has the potential to combine the recovery and purification steps, hence reducing both capital and operating costs. The recovery of the valuable metal is expected to be higher when RIP is used, especially where the leached solids are difficult to settle or filter, and to wash. The main concerns about the use of RIP for uranium recovery from dense pulps are the impact of silica on the resin's metallurgical performance and the operating costs that would be associated with resin loss. Although a number of resin manufacturers have been developing much improved RIP-grade resins, it is critical that the most cost-effective resin be selected. Mintek currently is doing a significant amount of work on silica fouling of RIP-grade strongbase resins in acidic leach liquors and the effect it has on the performance of the resin, including its durability. This paper describes the results of the test work done on silica fouling and its impact on plant design input data. Resin durability test work was done using various laboratory techniques, but durability was also evaluated on a relatively large scale using actual pumps, screens, and mechanical agitation. Based on the results generated, a preliminary economical evaluation was done to estimate the impact of resin loss on the overall economic viability of a specific application. Keywords: resin-in-pulp, silica fouling, resin loss, equilibrium, kinetics, elution, durability, mechanical strength, resistance to attrition. © The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2009. | None | Base metals; Capital and operating costs; Durability test; Economic viability; Economical evaluation; Laboratory techniques; Leach liquors; Mechanical agitation; Mechanical strength; Metallurgical performance; Plant designs; Solid-liquid separation; Cost reduction; Durability; Leaching; Mechanical properties; Metal refining; Operating costs; Resins; Silica; Transuranium elements; Uranium; Metal recovery | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84902517279 | Evaluation of different adsorbents for copper removal from cobalt electrolyte | Yahorava V., Kotze M., Auerswald D. | 2014 | Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy | 114 | 5 | None | Mintek, South Africa; TENOVA Bateman Africa, South Africa | Yahorava, V., Mintek, South Africa; Kotze, M., Mintek, South Africa; Auerswald, D., TENOVA Bateman Africa, South Africa | Ion exchange is considered to be an effective technology for the removal of various impurities from cobalt advance electrolytes. With the correct choice of resin, ion exchange can consistently remove the required impurities to the levels for the production of high-grade cobalt metal. Although ion exchange was in the past used primarily for nickel removal, more recently it has been also considered for the removal of copper, zinc, and cadmium. Generally, granular ion exchange products are used, but Mintek is currently evaluating ion exchange fibres for a number of applications, including the removal of copper from cobalt advance electrolytes. Fibrous ion exchangers have major advantages compared to granular resins in that they have significantly higher reaction rates, and wash water volumes could be limited. Granular and fibrous ion exchangers were evaluated and compared for the removal of copper from cobalt advance electrolyte. A synthetic electrolyte containing 50 g/L cobalt and 50 mg/L copper was used for the test work. Equilibrium isotherms, mini-column tests, and split elution tests were done. The results were used to size a full-scale operation to treat 100 m3/h of electrolyte. The potential cobalt losses or recycle requirements were estimated, and data to calculate indicative operating costs for each adsorbent was generated. This information was used for a techno-economic comparison of granular and fibrous ion exchange systems for the removal of copper from cobalt advance electrolyte. © The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2014. | Cobalt electrolyte; Copper; Impurity removal; Ion exchange | Adsorbents; Cobalt; Copper; Electrolytes; Impurities; Ion exchange; Ion exchangers; Resins; Copper removal; Equilibrium isotherms; Fibrous ion exchangers; Full-scale operation; Granular resins; Impurity removal; Ion exchange systems; Techno-economic comparisons; Removal | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78649989738 | Evaluation of water poverty index in Ondo State, Nigeria | Yahaya O., Akinro A.O., Mogaji Kehinde O., Ologunagba B. | 2009 | Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences | 4 | 10 | None | Right Foundation Academy, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria; Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Civil Engineering, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria; Department of Agricultural Enginee | Yahaya, O., Right Foundation Academy, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria; Akinro, A.O., Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Mogaji Kehinde, O., Department of Civil Engineering, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria; Ologunagba, B., Department of Agricultural Engineering, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria | An increasing world population exerts a continually growing demand on usable freshwater resource and matching the demand with supply of safe drinking water has resulted to serious social-economic constraints. Time and drudgery involved to access safe drinking resulted to loss of human capital, thus affects nearly every household activity. This paper focuses on the evaluation of Water Poverty Index (WPI) as an integrated tool veritable for all the local government areas in Ondo State of Nigeria to address their water sector. Simple time analysis and composite index approaches were employed to compute WPI values in all the sampled areas. Variables such as water resource, access to safe water, use of water and environmental impacts were considered. The ranking of WPI values from the two approaches shows that Ese-Odo is the most water-stressed with least WPI values of 10.1 points (composite index) and highest value of 1.4 minsl-1 (simple time analysis), while Owo, Ondo-West and Ose local government areas are less water stressed with WPI values of 0.55 minsl-1, 17.8; 0.53 minsl-1, 16.2; and 0.5 minsl-1, 17.1 respectively. The results obtained indicate that constructive investment in water and sanitation improves Human Development Index (HDI). However, this paper concludes that to prevent the occurrence of virtual water situation and improve water supply, researches of this nature should be conducted from time to time and government at all levels should holistically address the problem. © 2006-2009 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). | Access; Dry; Ese-Odo; Freshwater; Household; Season; Water poverty index; Water stress; Wet | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84940577071 | Evaluation of residual stress in stainless steel 316L and Ti6Al4V samples produced by selective laser melting | Yadroitsev I., Yadroitsava I. | 2015 | Virtual and Physical Prototyping | 10 | 2 | 10.1080/17452759.2015.1026045 | Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa | Yadroitsev, I., Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa; Yadroitsava, I., Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa | Selective laser melting (SLM) has great potential in additive manufacturing because it enables the production of full-density complex parts with the desired inner structure and surface morphology. High temperature gradients as a result of the locally concentrated energy input lead to residual stresses, crack formation and part deformation during processing or after separation from the supports and the substrate. In this study, an X-ray diffraction technique and numerical simulation were used for investigating the residual stress in SLM samples fabricated from stainless steel 316L and Ti6Al4V alloy. Conclusions regarding directions and values of stresses in SLM objects are given. © 2015 Taylor & Francis. | numerical simulation; residual stress; selective laser melting; stainless steel; titanium alloy | 3D printers; Alloy steel; Computer simulation; Melting; Numerical models; Residual stresses; Titanium alloys; X ray diffraction; Additive Manufacturing; Energy inputs; High temperature gradient; Inner structure; Selective laser melting; Stainless steel 316L; Ti-6Al-4V alloy; X-ray diffraction techniques; Stainless steel | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84904599779 | Electrochemical and quantum chemical studies on adsorption and corrosion inhibition performance of quinoline-thiazole derivatives on mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution | Yadav M., Kumar S., Behera D., Bahadur I., Ramjugernath D. | 2014 | International Journal of Electrochemical Science | 9 | 9 | None | Department of Applied Chemistry, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, 826004, India; Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa | Yadav, M., Department of Applied Chemistry, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, 826004, India; Kumar, S., Department of Applied Chemistry, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, 826004, India; Behera, D., Department of Applied Chemistry, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, 826004, India; Bahadur, I., Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa; Ramjugernath, D., Thermodynamics Research Unit, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, King George V Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa | In the present study two quinoline-thiazole derivatives namely, {4-[1-aza-2-(phenyl)vinyl]-3-phenyl-2-thioxo(1,3-thiazoline-5-yl)}-N-[1-aza-2-(2-chloro(3-quinolyl))vinyl] (Inh I) and {4-[1-aza-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)vinyl]-3-phenyl-2-thioxo(1,3-thiazoline-5-yl)}-N-[1-aza-2-(2 chloro (3-quinolyl))vinyl] (Inh II) were synthesized and investigated as an inhibitor for mild steel corrosion in 15% HCl solution by using weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The inhibitors Inh I and Inh II show corrosion inhibition efficiencies of 81.5% and 84.0% at a 20 ppm concentration and 95.0% and 96.3% at a 200 ppm concentration, respectively, at 333 K. It was found that the inhibition efficiency of both the inhibitors increases with an increase in temperature and concentration of inhibitors. Polarization studies show that both the studied inhibitors are of mixed type in nature. The adsorption of inhibitors on the mild steel surface obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were performed for the surface study of uninhibited and inhibited mild steel samples. The semi-empirical AM1 method was employed for theoretical calculations. © 2014 The Authors. | Corrosion inhibition; EIS; Hydrochloric acid; Mild steel; Quantum chemical studies; Quinoline-thiazole derivatives | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-80053928593 | Field evaluation of Ugandan sweetpotato germplasm for yield, dry matter and disease resistance | Yada B., Tukamuhabwa P., Alajo A., Mwanga R.O.M. | 2011 | South African Journal of Plant and Soil | 28 | 2 | None | National Agricultural Research Organization, National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, P.O. Box, 7084 Kampala, Uganda; Department of Crop Science, Makerere University, P.O. Box, 7062, Kampala, Uganda | Yada, B., National Agricultural Research Organization, National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, P.O. Box, 7084 Kampala, Uganda, Department of Crop Science, Makerere University, P.O. Box, 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Tukamuhabwa, P., Department of Crop Science, Makerere University, P.O. Box, 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Alajo, A., National Agricultural Research Organization, National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, P.O. Box, 7084 Kampala, Uganda; Mwanga, R.O.M., National Agricultural Research Organization, National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, P.O. Box, 7084 Kampala, Uganda | A total of 946 morphologically distinct accessions of sweetpotato {Ipomoea batatas [L] Lam) germplasm collected from Uganda were evaluated along with four released cultivars for root yield, dry matter, sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD) and Alternaria bataticola blight disease resistance for two seasons; 2005B (September 2005 to January 2006) and 2006A (April to August 2006) at three sites for selection of superior genotypes. The genotypes differed significantly in yield, dry matter content, SPVD and Alternaria blight resistance (p=0.05). Genotype SPVD severity ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 with an overall mean of 2.6. Alternaria severity scores ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 with an overall mean of 2.2. Total root yields ranged from 0.0 to 52.5 t ha -1 with an overall average of 20.3 t ha -1. Most genotypes had mean total root yields of less than 15.0 t ha -1, low specific gravity values of less than 2.0, and low disease resistance. A positive correlation was observed between SPVD and Alternaria blight (r=0.33), while both diseases were negatively correlated with yield traits. A total of 192 superior genotypes were selected for further evaluation and use for variety development in hybridization schemes. | Alternaria bataticola; Blight; Ipomoea batatas; Specific gravity; SPVD | crop yield; cultivar; disease resistance; disease severity; dry matter; fieldwork; fungal disease; genotype; germplasm; hybridization; morphology; seasonality; yam; Uganda; Alternaria; Alternaria bataticola; Ipomoea batatas | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-40549098988 | Evaluation of the performance of HIV1 & 2 one-step self-test kit for detection of HIV infection in whole human blood, serum or plasma samples | Ya'aba Y., Mohammed S.B., Oladepo D.K., Odama L.E., Ibrahim K., Izebe K.S., Abdulrahim M.E., Isu N.R., Onoja A.J., Matur M.B., Balogun O.O., Usoroh M., Inyang U.S. | 2007 | Journal of Phytomedicine and Therapeutics | 12 | None | None | Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Nigeria; African Health Project, Abuja, Niger | Ya'aba, Y., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Mohammed, S.B., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Oladepo, D.K., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Odama, L.E., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Ibrahim, K., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Izebe, K.S., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Abdulrahim, M.E., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Isu, N.R., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Nigeria; Onoja, A.J., African Health Project, Abuja, Nigeria; Matur, M.B., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Nigeria; Balogun, O.O., HIV Vaccine Trial Unit, Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria; Usoroh, M., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria; Inyang, U.S., Department of Microbiology, Human Virology and Biotechnology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Abuja, Nigeria | Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is cause by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is an enveloped RNA virus belonging to the family of retroviruses responsible for destroying the human immune defence system. HIV antibody testing is critical for the diagnosis and counselling of HIV-infected persons, monitoring of trends in HIV prevalence, and evaluation of the effectiveness of HIV prevention programmes. Serological tests to detect antibodies to HIV became available in 1985, and since then more kits for this test are still being produced. A total of 500 positive and 500 negative samples were screened for HIV antibodies using Genie II HIV 1 & 2(BIO-RAD; 3, Boulevard Raymond Poincare 92430 MARNES LA COQUETTE- FRANCE) and SeroCard™ HIV 1 & 2 Rapid (Trinity Biotech PLC; IDA Business Park Bray Co. Wicklow Ireland.) and were further confirmed using New Lav Blot 1 western blot kit (BIO-RAD; 3, Boulevard Raymond Poincare 92430 MARNES LA COQUETTE- FRANCE). These samples were screened using the HIV1 & 2 one-step self-test kit (Bremancos Diagnostics Inc. BDI with lot Number 0141503) to evaluate its performance. Whole blood, serum or plasma was used for the evaluation. Sensitivity of 99.2% and specificity of 99.8% were observed from the three sets of tests conducted while positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.99 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.99 each were calculated. The HIV 1 & 2 one-step-self test kit compared well with Genie II HIV1 & 2 kit and western blot kit for detecting HIV antibodies in patient's samples. Whole blood, plasma or serum can be used for the screening and easy for self test. | AIDS; Genie II HIV1 &2; HIV; HIV1 & 2 one-step-self test; New Lav blot 1; SeroCard™ HIV 1&2 rapid | Human immunodeficiency virus antibody; article; blood analysis; controlled study; counseling; diagnostic kit; diagnostic procedure; human; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; nonhuman; plasma; self evaluation; sensitivity and specificity; serology; serum; Western blotting | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-30644458223 | Understanding the impact of eliminating user fees: Utilization and catastrophic health expenditures in Uganda | Xu K., Evans D.B., Kadama P., Nabyonga J., Ogwal P.O., Nabukhonzo P., Aguilar A.M. | 2006 | Social Science and Medicine | 62 | 4 | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.07.004 | World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; WHO Office, Uganda; Ministry of Health, Uganda; Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Uganda | Xu, K., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Evans, D.B., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Kadama, P., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Nabyonga, J., WHO Office, Uganda; Ogwal, P.O., Ministry of Health, Uganda; Nabukhonzo, P., Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Uganda; Aguilar, A.M., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland | There is currently considerable discussion between governments, international agencies, bilateral donors and advocacy groups on whether user fees levied at government health facilities in poor countries should be abolished. It is claimed that this would lead to greater access for the poor and reduce the risks of catastrophic health expenditures if all other factors remained constant, though other factors rarely remain constant in practice. Accordingly, it is important to understand what has actually happened when user fees have been abolished, and why. All fees at first level government health facilities in Uganda were removed in March 2001. This study explores the impact on health service utilization and catastrophic health expenditures using data from National Household Surveys undertaken in 1997, 2000 and 2003. Utilization increased for the non-poor, but at a lower rate than it had in the period immediately before fees were abolished. Utilization among the poor increased much more rapidly after the abolition of fees than beforehand. Unexpectedly, the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure among the poor did not fall. The most likely explanation is that frequent unavailability of drugs at government facilities after 2001 forced patients to purchase from private pharmacies. Informal payments to health workers may also have increased to offset the lost revenue from fees. Countries thinking of removing user charges should first examine what types of activities and inputs at the facility level are funded from the revenue collected by fees, and then develop mechanisms to ensure that these activities can be sustained subsequently. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Catastrophic expenditure; Service utilization; Uganda; User charges | health and disease; article; clinical pharmacy; health care cost; health care facility; health care personnel; health care utilization; incidence; mathematical analysis; risk reduction; Uganda; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Catastrophic Illness; Child; Child, Preschool; Community Health Centers; Developing Countries; Fees and Charges; Female; Health Care Surveys; Health Expenditures; Health Policy; Health Services Research; Hospitals, Public; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Poverty; Uganda | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79961169658 | Impact of temperature and precipitation on propagation of intestinal schistosomiasis in an irrigated region in Ethiopia: Suitability of satellite datasets | Xue Z., Gebremichael M., Ahmad R., Weldu M.L., Bagtzoglou A.C. | 2011 | Tropical Medicine and International Health | 16 | 9 | 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02820.x | Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States; Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xue, Z., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States; Gebremichael, M., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States; Ahmad, R., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States; Weldu, M.L., Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Bagtzoglou, A.C., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States | Objective To assess the suitability of satellite temperature and precipitation datasets for investigating the dependence of Schistosoma mansoni disease transmission on meteorological conditions in an irrigated agricultural region in Ethiopia. Methods Data used were monthly number of patients infected with S. mansoni and seeking treatment at the local hospital, monthly maximum air temperature from a local weather station, monthly average land surface temperature from MODIS satellite data, monthly total precipitation from a local rain gauge and precipitation estimates from four widely used satellite products, namely, TMPA 3B42RT, TMPA 3B42, CMORPH and PERSIANN. The number of patients was used as proxy for vector abundance. Results Temperature and precipitation play a role in the transmission of S. mansoni disease. There is a weak but significant positive correlation between monthly maximum air temperature derived from a meteorological station (or average land surface temperature derived from MODIS satellite product) and the number of patients in the same month. There is a significant negative correlation between monthly precipitation volume (derived from rain gauge or satellite data) and number of patients at lags of 1 and 2 months. Conclusion Satellite temperature and precipitation products provide useful information to understand and infer the relationship between meteorological conditions and S. mansoni prevalence. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. | Precipitation; Satellite; Schistosomiasis; Temperature | agricultural land; air temperature; data set; disease transmission; health impact; land surface; MODIS; precipitation (climatology); raingauge; satellite data; schistosomiasis; surface temperature; temperature effect; volume; weather station; adolescent; air temperature; article; child; correlation analysis; disease transmission; enteropathy; Ethiopia; female; human; irrigation (agriculture); major clinical study; male; meteorology; precipitation; preschool child; Schistosoma mansoni; schistosomiasis; school child; telecommunication; weather; Adult; Agricultural Irrigation; Animals; Climate; Ethiopia; Female; Fresh Water; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Male; Rain; Rural Population; Satellite Communications; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Statistics, Nonparametric; Temperature; Topography, Medical; Ethiopia; Schistosoma mansoni | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77957979922 | Autoreduction and Catalytic Performance of a Cobalt Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Spheres | Xiong H., Moyo M., Rayner M.K., Jewell L.L., Billing D.G., Coville N.J. | 2010 | ChemCatChem | 2 | 5 | 10.1002/cctc.200900309 | DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa | Xiong, H., DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Moyo, M., School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Rayner, M.K., School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Jewell, L.L., School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Billing, D.G., DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Coville, N.J., DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa | [No abstract available] | Autoreduction; Carbon; Cobalt; Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; Supported catalysts | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79551502528 | Correlating the preparation and performance of cobalt catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes and carbon spheres in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis | Xiong H., Motchelaho M.A.M., Moyo M., Jewell L.L., Coville N.J. | 2011 | Journal of Catalysis | 278 | 1 | 10.1016/j.jcat.2010.11.010 | DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa | Xiong, H., DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Motchelaho, M.A.M., Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Moyo, M., Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Jewell, L.L., School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Coville, N.J., DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa | A series of Co catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon spheres (CSs) with different cobalt particle sizes (3-45 nm) were prepared by different methods and using different cobalt precursors. The Co/CNTs and Co/CSs can be autoreduced by the supports in N2 at ca. 480 °C; they show better Fischer-Tropsch performance than those reduced in H2 when the reduction T > 400 °C. The turnover frequency (TOF) value for both Co/CNT and Co/CS was constant for cobalt particles above 10 nm and decreased sharply for the cobalt catalysts with smaller cobalt particles. Remarkably, the TOF for 11 catalysts prepared using different precursors and preparation methods on two different carbon supports depends only on particle size. Finally, a positive relationship was observed between cobalt particle size and C5+ selectivity for both Co/CNT and Co/CS catalysts. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | Autoreduction; Carbon nanotubes; Carbon spheres; Cobalt catalysts; Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; Particle size; Selectivity; Turnover frequency | Autoreduction; Carbon spheres; Cobalt catalysts; Selectivity; Turnover frequency; Carbon nanotubes; Catalyst selectivity; Cobalt; Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; Particle size; Spheres; Catalyst supports | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84958550682 | Novel computational intelligence for optimizing cyber physical pre-evaluation system | Xing B. | 2014 | Studies in Computational Intelligence | 540 | None | 10.1007/978-981-4585-36-1_15 | Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa | Xing, B., Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa | Owing to the quality heterogeneity of returned used products, firms engaged in re-manufacturing activities are obliged to employ 100 % inspection of these products to evaluate their quality and suitability for re-manufacturing. In addition to visual inspection, a recent tendency is to use data recorded in electronic devices (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) implanted in the products. In this way, information is obtained quickly without the need for complete (and expensive) product disassembly. Nevertheless, making sense of RFID data in a complex cyber physical system (CPS) environment (which involves such as cloud computing for used product life cycle information retrieval and physically used products scanning) is a complex task. For instance, if an RFID readers fails, there may be missing values exist. The purpose of this chapter is to employ two computational intelligence (CI) optimization methods which can improve the reliability of such inspection process. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore. | Cyber physical pre-evaluation system; Firefly algorithm; Radio frequency identification; Re-manufacturability; Reliability-redundancy allocation problem; Teaching-learning- based optimization | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84877351763 | Effects of creatine monohydrate on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of yellow-feathered broilers | Xia W.G., Abdullahi A.Y., Zuo J.J., Chen L., Feng D.Y. | 2012 | Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances | 11 | 23 | 10.3923/javaa.2012.4382.4388 | College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China; Department of Animal Science, Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano, Nigeria | Xia, W.G., College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China; Abdullahi, A.Y., College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China, Department of Animal Science, Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil, P.M.B. 3244, Kano, Nigeria; Zuo, J.J., College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China; Chen, L., College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China; Feng, D.Y., College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, China | Nine hundred, 42 days old male yellow-feathered broilers were used to evaluate the effects of Creatine Monohydrate (CMH) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The birds received either a no-CMH diet (0 mg kg"1) a low (250 mg kg"1), a moderate (500 mg kg"1) or a high-CMH diet (1000 mg kg"1) for 21 days. CMH supplementation did not affect the average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake or feed efficiency. Additionally no significant differences were discovered in the dressing, eviscerated, breast muscle or thigh muscle percentage. However, there was a decreasing trend in the pH values of the pectoralis major at 24 h postmortem and of the thigh muscle at 45 mm postmortem as the level of CMH supplementation increased. No significant difference was observed in cooking loss, shear force value, moisture or crude protein percentages. However, supplementing with CMH increased the slow-twitch red and the fast-twitch white fiber ratio in the gastrocnemius muscles. The results suggested that CMH supplementation has no effect on growth performance or carcass characteristics but it potentially triggered a transition from fast-twitch red muscle fibers to slow-twitch red and fast-twitch white muscle fibers. © Medwell Journals, 2012. | Broiler; Carcass characteristics; Creatine; Growth performance; Meat quality | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000295735200015 | Evaluation of a Peer Network-Based Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for Men in Beer Halls in Zimbabwe: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial | Chasakara, Charles,Chirowodza, Admire,Fritz, Katherine,Kellogg, Timothy,Makumbe, Knox,Mashoko, Chamunorwa,McFarland, Willi,Woelk, Godfrey,Wyrod, Robert | 2011 | AIDS AND BEHAVIOR | 15 | 8 | 10.1007/s10461-011-9922-1 | Research Triangle Institute, University of California San Francisco, University of California System, University of Michigan, University of Michigan System, University of Zimbabwe, Harare Beer Hall Intervent, Int Ctr Res Women, RTI Int, San Francisco Dept Publ Hlth | "Wyrod, Robert: University of Michigan","Wyrod, Robert: University of Michigan System", | While much emphasis has been placed on involving men in AIDS prevention in sub-Saharan Africa, there remain few rigorously evaluated interventions in this area. A particularly appealing point of intervention is the sexual risk behavior associated with men's alcohol consumption. This article reports the outcomes of The Sahwira HIV Prevention Program, a male-focused, peer-based intervention promoting the idea that men can assist their friends in avoiding high-risk sexual encounters associated with alcohol drinking. The intervention was evaluated in a randomized, controlled trial (RCT) implemented in 24 beer halls in Harare, Zimbabwe. A cadre of 413 male beer hall patrons (similar to 20% of the patronage) was trained to assist their male peers within their friendship networks. Activities included one-on-one interactions, small group discussions, and educational events centering on the theme of men helping their male friends avoid risk. Venues were randomized into 12 control versus 12 intervention beer halls with little cross-contamination between study arms. The penetration and impact of the intervention were assessed by pre- and post-intervention cross-sectional surveys of the beer hall patronage. The intervention was implemented with a high degree of fidelity to the protocol, with exposure to the intervention activities significantly higher among intervention patrons compared to control. While we found generally declining levels of risk behavior in both study arms from baseline to post-intervention, we found no evidence of an impact of the intervention on our primary outcome measure: episodes of unprotected sex with non-wife partners in the preceding 6 months (median 5.4 episodes for men at intervention beer halls vs. 5.1 among controls, P = 0.98). There was also no evidence that the intervention reduced other risks for HIV. It remains an imperative to find ways to productively engage men in AIDS prevention, especially in those venues where male bonding, alcohol consumption, and sexual risk behavior are intertwined. | ALCOHOL,"Beer halls",HIV,MEN,ZIMBABWE,AIDS,BEHAVIOR,"DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS","GAY MEN",HIV/AIDS,"HIV-PREVENTION INTERVENTION","OPINION LEADERS","PARTNER VIOLENCE","SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA",WOMEN | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84935875127 | A program evaluation report of a rapid scale-up of a high-volume medical male circumcision site, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2010-2013 Health systems and services in low and middle income settings | Wynn A., Bristow C.C., Ross D., Schenker I., Klausner J.D. | 2015 | BMC Health Services Research | 15 | 1 | 10.1186/s12913-015-0904-2 | Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; St Mary's Hospital, Mariannhill KZN, Johannesburg, South Africa; Operation Abraham Collaborative, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Epidemiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 9911 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States | Wynn, A., Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Bristow, C.C., Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Ross, D., St Mary's Hospital, Mariannhill KZN, Johannesburg, South Africa; Schenker, I., Operation Abraham Collaborative, Jerusalem, Israel; Klausner, J.D., Department of Epidemiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 9911 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States | Background: Male circumcision can provide life-long reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV infection. In South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health committed to rolling out circumcision programs to address the HIV epidemic. The Department of Health enlisted the help of St. Mary's Hospital in Mariannhill and the Operation Abraham Collaborative. Methods: St. Mary's Hospital and the Operation Abraham Collaborative partnered to establish a voluntary medical male circumcision facility, called Asiphile, and to train surgeons, nurses and health clinic staff to serve KwaZulu-Natal. Results: Over the course of the implementation period, 9,980 circumcisions were conducted at the Asiphile facility. The uptake numbers increased throughout 2010 and 2011 and began to level off as the demand of early adopters may have been met. Uptake spiked during school vacations and staff training sessions. Additionally, 92 % of clients returned for post-operation follow-up and only 2 % of clients experienced any adverse event. Conclusion: St. Mary's Hospital and the Operation Abraham Collaborative were able to cooperate and successfully implement a voluntary medical male circumcision facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Although uptake was lower than projected, lessons learned from efforts to overcome challenges in recruitment, transportation, and coordination can help inform and improve new and existing population-based male circumcision programs. © 2015 Wynn et al. | AIDS; HIV; Male circumcision; South Africa; Uptake | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84939442407 | Impact of mathematics and physical science on the success of South African engineering technology students | Wyk B.V., Hofman W., Louw I. | 2015 | International Journal of Engineering Education | 31 | 4 | None | Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa; Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Education Innovation, University of Pretoria, South Africa | Wyk, B.V., Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa; Hofman, W., Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Louw, I., Department of Education Innovation, University of Pretoria, South Africa | The general conclusion arrived at in the literature is that the South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) is not a reliable predictor of academic success at traditional universities. By sharing research undertaken at a South African University of Technology (UoT) on the impact of individual cognitive factors and NSCresults on study success, this paper shows that this conclusion is not necessarily true for South African UoT Engineering students. To assess this impact and determine the readiness of students for UoT Engineering curricula, the relationship between pre-university academic factors and the success of engineering students was investigated. An ex post facto study was carried out on a sample of 416 students drawn from first-time-entering National Diploma engineering student cohorts of 2009 and 2010 to determine a possible correlation between their NSC results, additional pre-admission test results and the number of subjects passed after one year and four years of study, respectively. The findings indicated thatNSC Mathematics and Physical Science are statistically the most significant predictors of success in the first year. Despite the pre-admission tests used in this study not revealing significantly more about a student's potential than only the final NSC results, the conclusion reached by the researchers was that such tests might be useful when student application data is unreliable, i.e. when students apply with Grade 11 or interim Grade 12 results. © 2015 TEMPUS Publications. | Admission testing; Cognitive factors; Engineering curricula; First-year success; National Senior Certificate; Student dropout | Curricula; Education; Professional aspects; Students; Application data; Cognitive factors; Engineering curriculum; Engineering technology students; First year; National Senior Certificate; Physical science; Traditional universities; Engineering education | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-22944465096 | Snow impact on groundwater recharge in Table Mountain Group aquifer systems with a case study of the Kommissiekraal River catchment South Africa | Wu Y., Xu Y. | 2005 | Water SA | 31 | 3 | None | Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa | Wu, Y., Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa; Xu, Y., Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa | Snowmelt in the mountainous areas of the Table Mountain Group (TMG) in South Africa is believed to be one of sources of groundwater recharge in some winter seasons. This paper provides a scientific assessment of snow impact on groundwater recharge in Table Mountain Group Aquifer Systems for the first time. Snowfall periodically occurs on the highest mountain ranges of about 1 000 to 1 200 m above mean sea level (a.m.s.l) in the TMG area. Snow over the mountainous catchments is often observed on the gentle side of the slope, which is substantially affected by wind and vegetation. Based on climatic analysis, recharge processes and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) images, the recharge areas influenced by snowmelt in the TMG are identified as those catchments that are located above 1 000 m a.m.s.l. Physical processes within the snowpack are very complex involving mass and energy balances as well as heat and mass transport. Snowmelt rate was calculated using a variable degree-day melt factor determined as a function of snowpack density and vegetation cover. The hourly snowmelt rates estimated with different new snow density models. Groundwater recharge from snowmelt is affected by snowmelt mechanisms and local recharge conditions. The recharge rate is constrained by characteristics of the fractures rather than snowmelt rate. Recharge is also discounted due to prevailing interflow occurring in favourite geomorphological locations. This hypothesis is confirmed by an infiltration experiment in which up to 13.6% of the infiltrating water can recharge the aquifer. The estimated snowmelt recharge in the Kommissiekraal River catchment in the Villiersdorp of South Africa ranges from 14.1 ℓ·s-1 to 15.0 ℓ·s -1. | ETM image; Kommissiekraal River catchment; Recharge; Snowmelt; TMG | Aquifers; Geomorphology; Heat transfer; Mass transfer; Rivers; Snow; Vegetation; Wind; Enhanced thematic mapper (ETM) images; Snow density; South Africa; Table mountain group (TMG); Groundwater; groundwater; infiltration; recharge; snowmelt; Africa; Eastern Hemisphere; South Africa; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; World | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84881296638 | The performance of mixture refrigerant R134a/R152a in a novel gas engine-driven heat pump system | Wu X., Yang Z., Liu H., Huan Z., Wang W. | 2014 | International Journal of Green Energy | 11 | 1 | 10.1080/15435075.2013.769877 | School of Mechanical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin,300072, China; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pretoria Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa | Wu, X., School of Mechanical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin,300072, China; Yang, Z., School of Mechanical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin,300072, China; Liu, H., School of Mechanical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin,300072, China; Huan, Z., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pretoria Campus, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa; Wang, W., School of Mechanical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin,300072, China | In the present article, a novel gas engine-driven heat pump (GEHP) which could independently provide heating, cooling, and hot water for the buildings with its autonomous power supply system was presented, and the cooling performance characteristics of GEHP using mixture refrigerant R134a/R152a were investigated experimentally. The thermophysical properties and flammability of this proposed mixture refrigerant were analyzed and experimented to approve that it could be used safely in GEHP. The experimental results indicated that the cooling capacity, waste heat recovered from cylinder jacket and exhaust gas, gas engine energy consumption, and compressor power increased with the increase of the gas engine speeds and evaporator water inlet flow rate, but changed in a small range with the increase of the evaporator water inlet temperature except cooling capacity. The generator power remained about 4.90 kW in different operating conditions. Furthermore, the coefficient of performance (COP) and the primary energy ratio (PER) of GEHP also increased with the increase of the evaporator water inlet flow rate and temperature, but decreased with the increase of gas engine speeds. Finally, maximum COP and PER with mixture refrigerant R134a/R152a has been estimated with 8.88 and 1.69 in the aforementioned conditions. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. | Flammability limits; Gas engine-driven heat pump; Operating characteristics; Primary energy ratio; R134a/R152a | Flammability limits; Gas engine driven heat pumps; Operating characteristics; Primary energy ratios; R134a/R152a; Cooling; Cooling systems; Electric power systems; Energy utilization; Evaporators; Flow rate; Gas engines; Inlet flow; Mixtures; Refrigerants; Speed; Thermodynamic properties; Waste heat; Heat pump systems; cooling; electronic equipment; energy use; performance assessment | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33846467223 | Comparison of the direct enzyme assay method with the membrane filtration technique in the quantification and monitoring of microbial indicator organisms - Seasonal variations in the activities of coliforms and E. coli, temperature and pH | Wutor V.C., Togo C.A., Pletschke B.I. | 2007 | Water SA | 33 | 1 | None | Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa | Wutor, V.C., Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Togo, C.A., Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Pletschke, B.I., Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa | The aim of this project was to monitor variations and relationships between coliform and E. coli counts, the activities of their marker enzymes GAL and GUD, and temperature and pH over a period of 12 months in river samples obtained from the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Several polluted water samples were collected for direct coliform β-D-galactosidase (B-GAL) and Escherichia coli β-D-glucuronidase (B-GUD) assays and the membrane filtration technique. While all the samples showed enzyme activities, not all exhibited growth on CM1046 media. Variation in B-GAL activity (40%) was observed between November (highest activity month) and May (lowest activity month). The highest and lowest B-GUD activities were observed in the months of September and May/June, respectively. The sensitivity of the spectrophotometric assay method was indicated by a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 coliform forming unit (CFU)/100 mℓ and 2 CFU/100 mℓ for coliforms and E. coli, respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between E. coli counts and GUD activity (R2 = 0.8909). A correlation of R2 = 0.9151 was also observed between total coliforms and B-GAL activity, even though the CFUs were not evenly distributed. Direct enzyme assays were also shown to be more sensitive than the membrane filtration (MF) technique. | Chlorophenol red β-D-galactopyranoside (CPRG); Chlorophenol red (CPR); Coliforms; E. coli; p-nitrophenyl (PNP); p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucuronide (PNPG) | Correlation methods; Enzymes; Escherichia coli; Filtration; pH effects; Chlorophenol red β-D-galactopyranoside (CPRG); Chlorophenol red (CPR); P-nitrophenyl (PNP); p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucuronide (PNPG); Biomarkers; Biomarkers; Correlation methods; Enzymes; Escherichia coli; Filtration; pH effects; bacterium; bioassay; bioindicator; comparative study; enzyme activity; monitoring; river pollution; seasonal variation; Africa; Eastern Cape; South Africa; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Escherichia coli | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-76149107192 | Evaluation of embedded discontinuity method for finite element analysis of cracking of hot-mix asphalt concrete | Wu R., Denneman E., Harvey J. | 2009 | Transportation Research Record | None | 2127 | 10.3141/2127-10 | University of California, Pavement Research Center, Building 452, 1353 South 46th Street, Richmond, CA 94804, United States; CSIR, Built Environment, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Pavement Research Center, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States | Wu, R., University of California, Pavement Research Center, Building 452, 1353 South 46th Street, Richmond, CA 94804, United States; Denneman, E., CSIR, Built Environment, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Harvey, J., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Pavement Research Center, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States | Cracking is a major source of distress in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. Various approaches have been proposed to describe crack initiation and propagation in HMA. This paper evaluates a finite element analysis technique that uses the embedded discontinuity method (EDM) for model cracking. The purpose of this study is to identify the strengths and potential weaknesses of the approach and investigate its applicability in general crack simulation for HMA pavements. An alternative formulation of EDM is adopted to make the approach easier to understand. The cohesive-crack model is used to describe development of HMA cracking. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the ability of EDM to simulate uniaxial-tension, three-point bending, and semicircular beam bending tests. It is shown that EDM is a promising finite element analysis technique, but additional research is needed to make it more robust. | None | Beam bending; Crack initiation and propagation; Crack model; Embedded discontinuity; Finite element analysis; Hot mix asphalt; Hot-mix asphalt concretes; Numerical example; Three point bending; Asphalt; Bending tests; Crack initiation; Cracking (chemical); Cracks; Electric dipole moments; Electric discharge machining; Micromachining; Pavements; Finite element method | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77955328501 | Building a palliative care program in ethiopia: The impact on HIV and AIDS patients and their families | Wube M., Horne C.J., Stuer F. | 2010 | Journal of Pain and Symptom Management | 40 | 1 | 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2010.04.003 | Family Health International, Ethiopia; Family Health International, 339 Hilda Street, Pretoria, Gauteng 0083, South Africa | Wube, M., Family Health International, Ethiopia; Horne, C.J., Family Health International, 339 Hilda Street, Pretoria, Gauteng 0083, South Africa; Stuer, F., Family Health International, Ethiopia | Home- and community-based care in Ethiopia implements palliative care through the continuum of care in 14 major cities with links to local health facilities. Community support through traditional burial societies (idirs) makes it possible for the program to provide holistic care to people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their family members. The program has been shown to 1) reduce stigma and discrimination of PLHIV and vulnerable children, 2) increase acceptance and use of voluntary testing and counseling for HIV, 3) improve PLHIV health and well-being, 4) improve household economic conditions of PLHIV, orphans and vulnerable children, and other beneficiaries, and 5) increase community support by idirs. © 2010 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. | Community care; Ethiopia; HIV and AIDS; Home-based care; Idirs; Palliative care | antiretrovirus agent; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS patient; article; community care; economic aspect; Ethiopia; family assessment; family centered care; health care access; health care facility; health care planning; health program; holistic care; home care; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; nursing care; orphaned child; outcome assessment; palliative therapy; patient attitude; patient compliance; patient counseling; patient education; quality of life; social discrimination; social support; stigma; wellbeing; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; family; HIV Infections; palliative therapy; patient; treatment outcome; trends; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Ethiopia; Family; Health Plan Implementation; HIV Infections; Humans; Palliative Care; Patients; Treatment Outcome | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84922810556 | Impact of contextualized pediatric resuscitation training on pediatric healthcare providers in Botswana | Wright S.W., Steenhoff A.P., Elci O., Wolfe H.A., Ralston M., Kgosiesele T., Makone I., Mazhani L., Nadkarni V.M., Meaney P.A. | 2015 | Resuscitation | 88 | None | 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.12.007 | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Botswana-UPenn Partnership, 214 Independence Ave, Gaborone, Botswana; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Naval Hospital, 3475N Saratoga St, Oak Harbor, WA, United States; Clinical Services, Botswana Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana; Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana; University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana | Wright, S.W., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Steenhoff, A.P., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Botswana-UPenn Partnership, 214 Independence Ave, Gaborone, Botswana, University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana; Elci, O., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Wolfe, H.A., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Ralston, M., Naval Hospital, 3475N Saratoga St, Oak Harbor, WA, United States; Kgosiesele, T., Clinical Services, Botswana Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana; Makone, I., Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana; Mazhani, L., University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana; Nadkarni, V.M., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Meaney, P.A., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Botswana-UPenn Partnership, 214 Independence Ave, Gaborone, Botswana | Background: Worldwide, 6.6 million children die each year, partly due to a failure to recognize and treat acutely ill children. Programs that improve provider recognition and treatment initiation may improve child survival. Objectives: Describe provider characteristics and hospital resources during a contextualized pediatric resuscitation training program in Botswana and determine if training impacts provider knowledge retention. Design/methods: The American Heart Association's Pediatric Emergency Assessment Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) course was contextualized to Botswana resources and practice guidelines in this observational study. A cohort of facility-based nurses (FBN) was assessed prior to and 1-month following training. Survey tools assessed provider characteristics, cognitive knowledge and confidence and hospital pediatric resources. Data analysis utilized Fisher's exact, Chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum and linear regression where appropriate. Results: 61 healthcare providers (89% FBNs, 11% physicians) successfully completed PEARS training. Referral facilities had more pediatric specific equipment and high-flow oxygen. Median frequency of pediatric resuscitation was higher in referral compared to district level FBN's (5 [3,10] vs. 2 [1,3] p=. 0.007). While 50% of FBN's had previous resuscitation training, none was pediatric specific. Median provider confidence improved significantly after training (3.8/5 vs. 4.7/5, p < 0.001), as did knowledge of correct management of acute pneumonia and diarrhea (44% vs. 100%, p < 0.001, 6% vs. 67%, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: FBN's in Botswana report frequent resuscitation of ill children but low baseline training. Provider knowledge for recognition and initial treatment of respiratory distress and shock is low. Contextualized training significantly increased FBN provider confidence and knowledge retention 1-month after training. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. | Developing countries; Emergency training, pediatric emergency training; PEARS; Pediatric emergency assessment recognition and stabilization; Resource-limited setting; Resuscitation education | Article; Botswana; child health care; diarrhea; health care facility; health care personnel; human; lobar pneumonia; medical education; medical society; observational study; patient referral; pediatric hospital; pediatric ward; practice guideline; priority journal; public hospital; respiratory distress; resuscitation; shock; tertiary care center; child; education; emergency; medical education; pediatrics; resuscitation; standards; Botswana; Child; Education, Medical; Emergencies; Health Personnel; Humans; Pediatrics; Resuscitation | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84865742272 | The impact of mothers' knowledge on the immunisation of children younger than five in ga-rankuwa, South Africa | Wright S.C.D., Maja T.M.M., Furaha S.A. | 2011 | Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | 13 | 2 | None | Tshwane University of Technology, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing, South Africa | Wright, S.C.D., Tshwane University of Technology, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing, South Africa; Maja, T.M.M., Tshwane University of Technology, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing, South Africa; Furaha, S.A., Tshwane University of Technology, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing, South Africa | Routine immunisation at an appropriate age is the best means of averting vaccine-preventable diseases. Though the immunisation coverage rates for all nine provinces in South Africa are available, these are not available for smaller locations, such as Ga-Rankuwa, in the Gauteng province of South Africa (hereafter Gauteng). The main problem addressed by this study was the unavailability of immunisation coverage rate for Ga-Rankuwa, based on the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). Information was also lacking about mothers' knowledge regarding immunisation and barriers they encountered to immunise their children younger than five. Data were gathered by direct observation of the Road-to-Health charts (n = 926) of children in Ga-Rankuwa. The mothers' knowledge levels were estimated by using structured interview schedules. Of the children, 46.1% (n = 426) missed one or more immunisations according to the schedule. The 60 month coverage rate was only 19.0%. Some mothers (59.8%) only used the Road-to-Health chart for the child's weight and 31.4% were unable to interpret the chart. Community-specific interventions, based on the evidence generated by the study, are urgently required to enhance the immunisation coverage in Ga-Rankuwa. © ISSN 1682-5055. | Children younger than five; Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI); Ga-Rankuwa; Immunisation coverage; Mothers' immunisation knowledge; Primary Health Care (PHC) | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84857936999 | Impact of HLA-B*81-Associated Mutations in HIV-1 Gag on Viral Replication Capacity | Wright J.K., Naidoo V.L., Brumme Z.L., Prince J.L., Claiborne D.T., Goulder P.J.R., Brockman M.A., Hunter E., Ndung'u T. | 2012 | Journal of Virology | 86 | 6 | 10.1128/JVI.06682-11 | HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada; BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Paediatrics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom | Wright, J.K., HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Naidoo, V.L., HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Brumme, Z.L., Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Prince, J.L., Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Claiborne, D.T., Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Goulder, P.J.R., HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States, Department of Paediatrics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Brockman, M.A., Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada; Hunter, E., Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Ndung'u, T., HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States | HIV-1 attenuation resulting from immune escape mutations selected in Gag may contribute to slower disease progression in HIV-1-infected individuals expressing certain HLA class I alleles. We previously showed that the protective allele HLA-B*81 and the HLA-B*81-selected Gag T186S mutation are strongly associated with a lower viral replication capacity of recombinant viruses encoding Gag-protease derived from individuals chronically infected with HIV-1 subtype C. In the present study, we directly tested the effect of this mutation on viral replication capacity. In addition, we investigated potential compensatory effects of various polymorphisms, including other HLA-B*81-associated mutations that significantly covary with the T186S mutation. Mutations were introduced into a reference subtype B backbone and into patient-derived subtype C sequences in subtype B and C backbones by site-directed mutagenesis. The exponential-phase growth of mutant and wild-type viruses was assayed by flow cytometry of a green fluorescent protein reporter T cell line or by measurement of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity in culture supernatants. Engineering of the T186S mutation alone into all patient-derived subtype C sequences failed to yield replicationcompetent viruses, while in the subtype B sequence, the T186S mutation resulted in impaired replication capacity. Only the T186S mutation in combination with the T190I mutation yielded replication-competent viruses for all virus backbones tested; however, these constructs replicated slower than the wild type, suggesting that only partial compensation is mediated by the T190I mutation. Constructs encoding the T186S mutation in combination with other putative compensatory mutations were attenuated or defective. These results suggest that the T186S mutation is deleterious to HIV-1 subtype C replication and likely requires complex compensatory pathways, which may contribute to the clinical benefit associated with HLA-B*81. © 2012, American Society for Microbiology. | None | Gag protein; green fluorescent protein; HLA B antigen; RNA directed DNA polymerase; article; carboxy terminal sequence; codon; flow cytometry; gene construct; gene frequency; gene mutation; genetic association; genetic polymorphism; human; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; mutational analysis; nonhuman; nucleotide sequence; priority journal; protein function; site directed mutagenesis; virus mutant; virus replication; wild type; Amino Acid Motifs; Cell Line; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; HIV Infections; HIV-1; HLA-B Antigens; Humans; Mutation, Missense; Virus Replication; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Replication competent viruses | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-74949138582 | Geologic columns for the ICDP-USGS Eyreville B core, Chesapeake Bay impact structure: Impactites and crystalline rocks, 1766 to 1096 m depth | Wright Horton Jr. J., Gibson R.L., Reimold W.U., Wittmann A., Gohn G.S., Edwards L.E. | 2009 | Special Paper of the Geological Society of America | 458 | None | 10.1130/2009.2458(02) | U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192, United States; Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Museum für Naturkunde-Leibniz Institute, Humboldt University Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, TX 77058-1113, United States | Wright Horton Jr., J., U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192, United States; Gibson, R.L., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; Reimold, W.U., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa, Museum für Naturkunde-Leibniz Institute, Humboldt University Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Wittmann, A., Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, TX 77058-1113, United States; Gohn, G.S., U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192, United States; Edwards, L.E., U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192, United States | The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)-U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Eyreville drill cores from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure provide one of the most complete geologic sections ever obtained from an impact structure. This paper presents a series of geologic columns and descriptive lithologic information for the lower impactite and crystalline-rock sections in the cores. The lowermost cored section (1766-1551 m depth) is a complex assemblage of mica schists that commonly contain graphite and fibrolitic sillimanite, intrusive granite pegmatites that grade into coarse granite, and local zones of mylonitic deformation. This basement-derived section is variably overprinted by brittle cataclastic fabrics and locally cut by dikes of polymict impact breccia, including several suevite dikes. An overlying succession of suevites and lithic impact breccias (1551-1397 m) includes a lower section dominated by polymict lithic impact breccia with blocks (up to 17 m) and boulders of cataclastic gneiss and an upper section (above 1474 m) of suevites and clast-rich impact melt rocks. The uppermost suevite is overlain by 26 m (1397-1371 m) of gravelly quartz sand that contains an amphibolite block and boulders of cataclasite and suevite. Above the sand, a 275-m-thick allochthonous granite slab (1371-1096 m) includes gneissic biotite granite, fine- and medium-to-coarse-grained biotite granites, and red altered granite near the base. The granite slab is overlain by more gravelly sand, and both are attributed to debris-avalanche and/or rockslide deposition that slightly preceded or accompanied seawater-resurge into the collapsing transient crater. © 2009 The Geological Society of America. | None | crater; crystalline rock; deformation; impact structure; impactite; lithology; pegmatite; Chesapeake Bay; United States | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84959234942 | Malaria control at a gold mine in Sadiola District, Mali, and impact on transmission over 10 years | Wragge S.-E., Toure D., Coetzee M., Gilbert A., Christian R., Segoea G., Hunt R.H., Coetzee M. | 2015 | Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | 109 | 12 | 10.1093/trstmh/trv089 | SEMOS Gold Mine, Health Department, Sadiola, Hamdallaye ACI 2000 pres' des Assurance LAFIA, B.P.E-1194, Bamako, Mali; Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa | Wragge, S.-E., SEMOS Gold Mine, Health Department, Sadiola, Hamdallaye ACI 2000 pres' des Assurance LAFIA, B.P.E-1194, Bamako, Mali; Toure, D., SEMOS Gold Mine, Health Department, Sadiola, Hamdallaye ACI 2000 pres' des Assurance LAFIA, B.P.E-1194, Bamako, Mali; Coetzee, M., SEMOS Gold Mine, Health Department, Sadiola, Hamdallaye ACI 2000 pres' des Assurance LAFIA, B.P.E-1194, Bamako, Mali; Gilbert, A., Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa; Christian, R., Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa; Segoea, G., Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa; Hunt, R.H., Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa; Coetzee, M., Wits Research Institute for Malaria, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for Opportunistic, Tropical and Hospital Infections, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, South Africa | Background: The SEMOS gold mine's malaria vector control programme forms part of the company's community responsibilities with the programme being managed by the mine's health department since 2005. Methods: Data from approximately 10 years of malaria vector control for the Sadiola District are given: namely malaria vector control methods used by the control programme, positive malaria case data and entomological surveys from 2006, 2011 and 2014. Results: Distribution of pyrethroid-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS) with deltamethrin were implemented by the programme from 2005-2011. No IRS was done in 2012. Spraying with the organophosphate, pirimiphos-methyl resumed in 2013 and 2014 and was followed by a 70% drop in malaria cases in 2014. Anopheles arabiensis was the major vector present in 2006 and was susceptible to deltamethrin. In 2011 and 2014, An. gambiae s.s. was the most abundant vector with deltamethrin 24 h mortality of 68% and 19%, respectively. Conclusions: Resistance to the pyrethroid deltamethrin has increased in An. gambiae s.s. since 2011, possibly due to the scale-up in distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets. Resistance management strategies are recommended using different classes of insecticides for IRS, and including the distribution of new-generation bed nets. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved. | Anopheles gambiae complex; Insecticide resistance; Malaria transmission; Mali; Vector control | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84879437145 | Evaluation of CareStart™ malaria Pf/Pv combo test for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria diagnosis in Butajira area, south-central Ethiopia | Woyessa A., Deressa W., Ali A., Lindtjørn B. | 2013 | Malaria Journal | 12 | 1 | 10.1186/1475-2875-12-218 | Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, P. O. Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway | Woyessa, A., Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, P. O. Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Deressa, W., School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Ali, A., School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Lindtjørn, B., Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway | Malaria is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax co-exist and malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDTs) is vital in rendering parasite-confirmed treatment especially in areas where microscopy from 2008 to 2010 is not available. CareStartTM Malaria Pf/Pv combo test was evaluated compared to microscopy in Butajira area, south-central Ethiopia. This RDT detects histidine-rich protein-2 (HRP2) found in P. falciparum, and Plasmodium enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) for diagnosis of P. vivax. The standard for the reporting of diagnostic accuracy studies was complied. Among 2,394 participants enrolled, 10.9% (n=87) were Plasmodium infected (household survey) and 24.5% (n=392) health facility-based using microscopy. In the household surveys, the highest positivity was caused by P. vivax (83.9%, n=73), P. falciparum (15.0%, n=13), and the rest due to mixed infections of both (1.1%, n=1). In health facility, P. vivax caused 78.6% (n=308), P. falciparum caused 20.4% (n=80), and the rest caused by mixed infections 1.0% (n=4). RDT missed 9.1% (n=8) in household and 4.3% (n=17) in health facility-based surveys among Plasmodium positive confirmed by microscopy while 3.3% (n=24) in household and 17.2% (n=208) in health facility-based surveys were detected false positive. RDT showed agreement with microscopy in detecting 79 positives in household surveys (n=796) and 375 positives in health centre survey (n=1,598).RDT performance varied in both survey settings, lowest PPV (64.3%) for Plasmodium and P. falciparum (77.2%) in health centres; and Plasmodium (76.7%) and P. falciparum (87.5%) in household surveys. NPV was low in P. vivax in health centres (77.2%) and household (87.5%) surveys. Seasonally varying RDT precision of as low as 14.3% PPV (Dec. 2009), and 38.5% NPV (Nov. 2008) in health centre surveys; and 40-63.6% PPV was observed in household surveys. But the influence of age and parasite density on RDT performance was not ascertained. Establishing quality control of malaria RDT in the health system in areas with low endemic and where P. falciparum and P. vivax co-exist is recommendable. CareStartTM RDT might be employed for epidemiological studies that require interpreting the results cautiously. Future RDT field evaluation against microscopy should be PCR corrected. © 2013 Woyessa et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | Butajira; CareStartTM RDT; Ethiopia; Highland; Microscopy; Precision; Season | histidine; histidine rich protein 2; lactate dehydrogenase; unclassified drug; adolescent; adult; aged; article; child; controlled study; density; diagnostic accuracy; diagnostic test accuracy study; Ethiopia; female; health care facility; health center; health survey; household; human; infant; major clinical study; malaria falciparum; malaria rapid test; male; microscopy; mixed infection; nonhuman; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Plasmodium vivax malaria; predictive value; preschool child; quality control; school child; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, Protozoan; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coinfection; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Infant; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria, Vivax; Male; Middle Aged; Parasitology; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Point-of-Care Systems; Prospective Studies; Young Adult | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-57349188909 | Impact of baseline health and community support on antiretroviral treatment outcomes in HIV patients in South Africa | Wouters E., Van Damme W., Van Rensburg D., Meulemans H. | 2008 | AIDS | 22 | 18 | 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32831c5562 | Department of Sociology and Research, Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, BE-2000 Antwerp, Belgium | Wouters, E., Department of Sociology and Research, Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium, Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, BE-2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Van Damme, W., Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Van Rensburg, D., Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, BE-2000 Antwerp, Belgium; Meulemans, H., Department of Sociology and Research, Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium | The importance of community support when scaling-up antiretroviral treatment (ART) in resource-limited settings is poorly understood. We assessed the impact of baseline health, patient characteristics and community support on ART outcomes at 6 and 12 months in a representative sample of 268 patients enrolled in the Free State public sector ART program (South Africa). Delayed ART initiation reduced ART response, whereas support from treatment buddies, community health workers and support groups significantly improved treatment outcomes. | None | antiretrovirus agent; adult; article; community; community care; drug response; female; health auxiliary; health program; highly active antiretroviral therapy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; major clinical study; male; priority journal; social support; South Africa; treatment outcome; Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Community Health Services; Female; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Male; Rural Health; Social Support; South Africa; Treatment Outcome; Viral Load | None |
| None | None | The impact of endemic and epidemic malaria on the risk of stillbirth in two areas of Tanzania with different malaria transmission patterns | Wort U.U., Hastings I., Mutabingwa T.K., Brabin B.J. | 2006 | Malaria Journal | 5 | None | 10.1186/1475-2875-5-89 | Division of International Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Child and Reproductive Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom; Gates Malaria Partnership, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; National Institute of Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Emma Kinderziekenhuis, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust, Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom | Wort, U.U., Division of International Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Hastings, I., Child and Reproductive Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom; Mutabingwa, T.K., Gates Malaria Partnership, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, National Institute of Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Brabin, B.J., Child and Reproductive Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom, Emma Kinderziekenhuis, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust, Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom | Background: The impact of malaria on the risk of stillbirth is still under debate. The aim of the present analysis was to determine comparative changes in stillbirth prevalence between two areas of Tanzania with different malaria transmission patterns in order to estimate the malaria attributable component. Methods: A retrospective analysis was completed of stillbirth differences between primigravidae and multigravidae in relation to malaria cases and transmission patterns for two different areas of Tanzania with a focus on the effects of the El Niño southern climatic oscillation (ENSO). One area, Kagera, experiences outbreaks of malaria, and the other area, Morogoro, is holoendemic. Delivery and malaria data were collected over a six year period from records of the two district hospitals in these locations. Results: There was a significantly higher prevalence of low birthweight in primigravidae compared to multigravidae for both data sets. Low birthweight and stillbirth prevalence (17.5% and 4.8%) were significantly higher in Kilosa compared to Ndolage (11.9% and 2.4%). There was a significant difference in stillbirth prevalence between Ndolage and Kilosa between malaria seasons (2.4% and 5.6% respectively, p < 0.001) and during malaria seasons (1.9% and 5.9% respectively, p < 0.001). During ENSO there was no difference (4.1% and 4.9%, respectively). There was a significant difference in low birthweight prevalence between Ndolage and Kilosa between malaria seasons (14.4% and 23.0% respectively, p < 0.001) and in relation to malaria seasons (13.9% and 25.2% respectively, p < 0.001). During ENSO there was no difference (22.2% and 19.8%, respectively). Increased low birthweight risk occurred approximately five months following peak malaria prevalence, but stillbirth risk increased at the time of malaria peaks. Conclusion: Malaria exposure during pregnancy has a delayed effect on birthweight outcomes, but a more acute effect on stillbirth risk. © 2006 Wort et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | None | article; birth weight; controlled study; endemic disease; epidemic; human; major clinical study; malaria; medical record; prevalence; primigravida; risk factor; stillbirth; Tanzania; virus transmission; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Malaria; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Rain; Retrospective Studies; Seasons; Stillbirth; Tanzania; Time Factors | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-68749099502 | Evaluation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes of diverse growth habit under sole and intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.) in Southern Ethiopia | Worku W. | 2008 | Journal of Agronomy | 7 | 4 | 10.3923/ja.2008.306.313 | College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Awassa, Ethiopia | Worku, W., College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Awassa, Ethiopia | Seven released, one local and two potential, totally 10, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes representing three growth habit groups were tested under sole cropping and in association with hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). The experiments were conducted during the 2005 and 2006 cropping seasons in southern Ethiopia to compare genotypes and growth habit groups of common bean and to identify genotypes that give maximum intercropping advantage. A split-plot design with three replications was used with cropping system and genotype as main and sub plot factors, respectively. The bean genotypes varied significantly in productivity under both cropping systems. Determinate and bush types performed better than indeterminate and semi-climbing types, respectively. The mean yield from all bean genotypes was used for standardizing and specific genotype combinations showed a mean land equivalent ratio as high as 1.34. Grain yields and ranks of the bean genotypes were positively correlated between the two cropping systems. Furthermore, there was no significant genotype by cropping systems interactions indicating that genotypes selected for performance under sole cropping could perform well in association with hybrid maize. Using improved bush bean cultivars such as DOR-554 and AFR-772 in association with hybrid maize could enhance intercropping advantage. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information. | Growth habit; Maize; Phaseolus vulgaris; Yield; Yield components | Phaseolus vulgaris; Zea mays | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84886439252 | The effect of dietary inclusion of jatropha curcas kernel meal on growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and survival rate of juvenile nile tilapia | Workagegn K.B., Ababbo E.D., Tossa B.T. | 2013 | Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development | 4 | 5 | 10.4172/2155-9546.1000193 | Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia | Workagegn, K.B., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Ababbo, E.D., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Tossa, B.T., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia | The study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of different proportion of heat treated and heat untreated Jatropha curcas kernel meal (JCKM) on growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and survival rate of juvenile Nile tilapia. Ten fish with an average body weight of 2.36 g fish-1 were randomly distributed in each experimental aquarium in triplicates, and fed with experimental diets for 65 days. The results revealed that the highest growth performance in terms of final body weight and specific growth rate was observed on the fish fed with heat treated control diet followed by heat untreated control diet and 10% heat treated JCKM with same survival rate. Similarly, the best feed utilization efficiency in terms of feed conversion ratio and feeding efficiency was observed on the fish fed with heat treated control diet followed by 10% heat treated JCKM and heat untreated control diet. All fish fed the above three diets had higher growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and survival rate without significant (P>0.05) variation to each other. However, fish fed with the rest of the experimental diets had significantly (P<0.05) lower. Thus, the inclusion of excess dietary JCKM (above 10% heat treated dietary JCKM and at any level of heat untreated dietary JCKM) depressed growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and survival rate of the fish. This implies that heat treatment has an effect on reduction of some of anti-nutritional factors and toxicants in JCKM. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of heat treated JCKM in fish diet increases growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of the fish without increasing mortality rare, and thus, it is a future promising feed ingredient for fish feed production. © 2013 Workagegn KB, et al. | Alternative feed source; Feed ingredient; Oreochromis niloticus; Performance | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84904263662 | Growth performance of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed different types of diets formulated from varieties of feed ingredients | Workagegn K.B., Ababboa E.D., Yimer G.T., Amare T.A. | 2014 | Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development | 5 | 3 | 10.4172/2155-9546.1000235 | Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia | Workagegn, K.B., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Ababboa, E.D., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Yimer, G.T., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia; Amare, T.A., Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia | This research was designed to investigate the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. fed different types of diets formulated from varieties of feed ingredients. For this purpose, six experimental diets were prepared. All the six experimental diets had soybean, bone meal and groundnut as basal feed ingredients which accounted as 60% of the total amount of ingredients. The rest 40% of each diet was 1Maiz:1Sorghumfor control diet or diet "A", coffee husk/pulp for diet "B", wheat bran for diet "C", beer sludge for diet "D", potato scrap for diet "E" and 2JCKM:1Wheat:1Rice for diet "F". After diet preparation, one hundred eighty fish having an average body weight of 3.27 g were randomly distributed into 18 aquaria (80 cm×30 cm×35 cm) in triplicates. During the experiment, the fish were fed three times a day at the rate of 10% of their body weight for 10 weeks. The results revealed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) on the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of the fish that fed different types of experimental diets. The highest growth performance in terms of final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate, and feed utilization efficiency were observed on the fish fed diet "A" followed by the fish fed diet "F", while the fish fed diet "B" had the lowest. The lower growth performance and feed utilization efficiency observed on the fish fed diet "B" might be due to high dietary fiber levels together with the presence of relatively higher anti-nutritional factors in coffee husk/pulp diet. However, all the fish had similar survival rate. As conclusion, except diet "B" all the tested diets are potential fish feed. However, further study should be done to evaluate the potential of those diets at later stage of the fish in different culture systems. © 2014 Workagegn KB, et al. | Aquarium; Feed ingredients; Growth performance; Oreochromis niloticus | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84873736578 | A capability perspective on performance deficiencies in utility firms | Worch H., Truffer B., Kabinga M., Eberhard A., Markard J. | 2013 | Utilities Policy | 25 | None | 10.1016/j.jup.2012.12.001 | Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Environmental Social Sciences (ESS), Cirus - Innovation Research in Utility Sectors, Überlandstrasse 133, P.O. Box 611, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business, Management Programme in Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Breakwater Campus, Portswood Road, Cape Town, South Africa; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Department of Management, Technology and Economics, Chair of Sustainability and Technology, Weinbergstrasse 56/58, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland | Worch, H., Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Environmental Social Sciences (ESS), Cirus - Innovation Research in Utility Sectors, Überlandstrasse 133, P.O. Box 611, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Truffer, B., Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Environmental Social Sciences (ESS), Cirus - Innovation Research in Utility Sectors, Überlandstrasse 133, P.O. Box 611, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Kabinga, M., University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business, Management Programme in Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Breakwater Campus, Portswood Road, Cape Town, South Africa; Eberhard, A., University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business, Management Programme in Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Breakwater Campus, Portswood Road, Cape Town, South Africa; Markard, J., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Department of Management, Technology and Economics, Chair of Sustainability and Technology, Weinbergstrasse 56/58, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland | This paper proposes a capability-based framework to explain performance deficiencies in utility firms as a result of policy and regulatory changes. The framework complements conventional explanations such as transaction cost and agency approaches, which suggest that appropriate incentives and regulations increase the performance of public utilities after relatively short adaptation processes. In contrast, we argue that capability gaps - understood as an inadequate availability of competences, skills and experiences - tend to have long-lasting effects on firm performance. A crucial implication of the capability perspective is that regulatory interventions that create capability gaps at the firm level may affect utility performance - and the ability of infrastructure sectors to provide adequate services - more severely than expected by traditional approaches. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. | Capabilities; Performance; Regulation; Utilities | incentive; industrial performance; industrial policy; regulatory framework; transaction cost; utility sector | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84887746789 | Effects of soil surface management practices on soil and tree parameters in a Cripps Pink/M7 apple orchard 2. Tree performance and root distribution | Wooldridge J., Fourie J., Joubert M.E. | 2013 | South African Journal of Plant and Soil | 30 | 3 | 10.1080/02571862.2013.854416 | Soil and Water Science, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa | Wooldridge, J., Soil and Water Science, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa; Fourie, J., Soil and Water Science, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa; Joubert, M.E., Soil and Water Science, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa | Effects of integrated production (IP) and organic-acceptable soil surface management practices were investigated in a Cripps Pink/M7 apple orchard in the Elgin area, South Africa. Work row treatments included cover crops, weeds and straw mulch. In the IP tree rows, weeds were controlled with herbicide and nitrogen (N) was supplied in inorganic form. Tree rows in the organic treatments received mineral nutrients in compost, and a straw mulch was used to control weeds. Tree and soil parameters were determined over a seven-year period. Compost usage in the organic treatments led to high soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations, but less acidity, than in the IP treatments. Stem circumferences, pruning weights and root numbers were generally greater in the organic than the IP treatments. Conversely, yields and yields per cm2 stem area were mostly lower in the organic, than in the IP, treatments. To improve yields in organic apple orchards the balance between vegetative growth and flowering and bearing structures must be improved, mainly through better control over orchard nutrition. Such control will be facilitated if composts are standardised with regard to mineral nutrient contents, ratios between N, P and K, and delivery rates. © 2013 Combined Congress Continuing Committee. | Compost; Cover crops; Integrated production; Organic; Straw mulch | acidity; compost; cover crop; flowering; herbicide; mineral; mulch; nitrogen; nutrition; orchard; phosphorus; potassium; root system; soil surface; straw; tree; South Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77956526884 | Effects of rootstock on grapevine performance, petiole and must composition, and overall wine score of Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay and pinot noir | Wooldridge J., Louw P.J.E., Conradie W.J. | 2010 | South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture | 31 | 1 | None | ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa; Sapex Exports (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 1000, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa | Wooldridge, J., ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa; Louw, P.J.E., Sapex Exports (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 1000, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa; Conradie, W.J., ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa | Characteristics of Chardonnay and Pinot noir vines on Richter 99 (99R), Richter 110 (110R), Ruggeri 140 (140Ru) and SO4 rootstocks were assessed over six consecutive seasons in a factorial field trial on an Avalon soil in Stellenbosch that had been limed to pH 5.75 (1M KCl). Ruggeri 140 promoted the highest cane mass (vigour), highest petiole and must nitrogen (N), lowest ratio of yield to cane mass, and lowest overall wine quality. The lowest cane mass and highest wine quality were produced by vines on 110R. Petiole N, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and must N and Ca, were also lower for vines on 110R than for those on 140Ru. | Cane mass; Chardonnay; Must; Petiole; Pinot noir; Yield | Vitaceae; Vitis; Vitis vinifera | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78651314444 | Truck productivity, efficiency, energy use, and carbon dioxide output: Benchmarking of international performance | Woodrooffe J., Glaeser K.-P., Nordengen P. | 2010 | Transportation Research Record | None | 2162 | 10.3141/2162-08 | Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150, United States; Bundesanstalt für Strassenwesen (BASt), Brüderstraße 53, Bergisch Gladbach, D-51427, Germany; CSIR, South Africa, Meiring Naudé Road, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa | Woodrooffe, J., Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, 2901 Baxter Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150, United States; Glaeser, K.-P., Bundesanstalt für Strassenwesen (BASt), Brüderstraße 53, Bergisch Gladbach, D-51427, Germany; Nordengen, P., CSIR, South Africa, Meiring Naudé Road, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa | The Joint Transport Research Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Transport Forum recently conducted a benchmarking study of the safety and productivity of typical highway transport trucks from various countries. This paper focuses on vehicle productivity and efficiency in regard to the movement of freight. Forty vehicles from 10 countries were examined. The vehicles were designed for longer-haul applications and were classified in three separate categories: workhorse vehicles, which are the most common and can travel on most roads; high-capacity vehicles, which may be restricted to a certain class of road; and very high-capacity vehicles, which may be restricted to specific highways or routes. The metrics used in the analysis include maximum cargo mass and volume capacity, optimum cargo density, fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide output as a function of the freight task. The study found that size and weight regulations have a significant effect on the productivity and efficiency of heavy vehicles, including fuel consumption and vehicle emissions per unit of cargo transported. Significant variations were found among the vehicles from participating countries as well as within vehicle classes. It was also apparent that, in general, higher-productivity vehicles are correlated more strongly with increased cargo volume than with increased cargo mass and that larger trucks are better suited to lower-density freight than are workhorse vehicles. The study also found that it is important to consider the freight task when evaluating vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. | None | Cargo volume; Energy use; Heavy vehicle; High-capacity; International transport; Organisation for economic co-operation and development; Per unit; Transport research; Vehicle emission; Volume capacity; Automobiles; Benchmarking; Carbon dioxide; Fuels; International cooperation; Lead acid batteries; Productivity; Roads and streets; Steel metallurgy; Trucks; Vehicles | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-48249126815 | The utility of pharmacy dispensing data for ART programme evaluation and early identification of patient loss to follow-up | Wood R., Kaplan R., Bekker L.-G., Brown S., Rivett U. | 2008 | Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine | None | 30 | None | Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Cell-Life, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Wood, R., Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Kaplan, R., Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Bekker, L.-G., Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Brown, S., Cell-Life, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Rivett, U., Cell-Life, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | [No abstract available] | None | antiretrovirus agent; article; community care; electronic medical record; follow up; health care access; health care delivery; health program; health service; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; information processing; information technology; patient care; patient compliance; patient counseling; patient identification; patient information; pharmacy; South Africa; virus resistance | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-67249140561 | HIV evolution in early infection: Selection pressures, patterns of insertion and deletion, and the impact of APOBEC | Wood N., Bhattacharya T., Keele B.F., Giorgi E., Liu M., Gaschen B., Daniels M., Ferrari G., Haynes B.F., McMichael A., Shaw G.M., Hahn B.H., Korber B., Seoighe C. | 2009 | PLoS Pathogens | 5 | 5 | 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000414 | Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for High-Performance Computing, CSIR Campus, Rosebank, Cape Town, South Africa; Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States; Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, United States; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; Duke University, Durham, NC, United States; School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland | Wood, N., Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa, Centre for High-Performance Computing, CSIR Campus, Rosebank, Cape Town, South Africa; Bhattacharya, T., Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States, Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, United States; Keele, B.F., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States; Giorgi, E., Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States; Liu, M., Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; Gaschen, B., Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States; Daniels, M., Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States; Ferrari, G., Duke University, Durham, NC, United States; Haynes, B.F., Duke University, Durham, NC, United States; McMichael, A., Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; Shaw, G.M., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States; Hahn, B.H., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States; Korber, B., Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States, Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, United States; Seoighe, C., Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa, Centre for High-Performance Computing, CSIR Campus, Rosebank, Cape Town, South Africa, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland | The pattern of viral diversification in newly infected individuals provides information about the host environment and immune responses typically experienced by the newly transmitted virus. For example, sites that tend to evolve rapidly across multiple early-infection patients could be involved in enabling escape from common early immune responses, could represent adaptation for rapid growth in a newly infected host, or could represent reversion from less fit forms of the virus that were selected for immune escape in previous hosts. Here we investigated the diversification of HIV-1 env coding sequences in 81 very early B subtype infections previously shown to have resulted from transmission or expansion of single viruses (n = 78) or two closely related viruses (n = 3). In these cases, the sequence of the infecting virus can be estimated accurately, enabling inference of both the direction of substitutions as well as distinction between insertion and deletion events. By integrating information across multiple acutely infected hosts, we find evidence of adaptive evolution of HIV-1 env and identify a subset of codon sites that diversified more rapidly than can be explained by a model of neutral evolution. Of 24 such rapidly diversifying sites, 14 were either i) clustered and embedded in CTL epitopes that were verified experimentally or predicted based on the individual's HLA or ii) in a nucleotide context indicative of APOBEC-mediated G-to-A substitutions, despite having excluded heavily hypermutated sequences prior to the analysis. In several cases, a rapidly evolving site was embedded both in an APOBEC motif and in a CTL epitope, suggesting that APOBEC may facilitate early immune escape. Ten rapidly diversifying sites could not be explained by CTL escape or APOBEC hypermutation, including the most frequently mutated site, in the fusion peptide of gp41. We also examined the distribution, extent, and sequence context of insertions and deletions, and we provide evidence that the length variation seen in hypervariable loop regions of the envelope glycoprotein is a consequence of selection and not of mutational hotspots. Our results provide a detailed view of the process of diversification of HIV-1 following transmission, highlighting the role of CTL escape and hypermutation in shaping viral evolution during the establishment of new infections. | None | apolipoprotein; apolipoprotein B messenger RNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide; envelope glycoprotein; epitope; glycoprotein gp 41; nucleotide; unclassified drug; virus glycoprotein; cytidine deaminase; virus envelope protein; article; codon; controlled study; cytotoxic T lymphocyte; gene deletion; gene insertion; HLA system; host; human; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; immune system; information; major clinical study; molecular evolution; mutation; prediction; protein motif; virus transmission; biological model; cross-sectional study; genetics; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; indel mutation; metabolism; molecular genetics; nucleotide sequence; phylogeny; physiology; virology; virus gene; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Base Sequence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cytidine Deaminase; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Evolution, Molecular; Genes, Viral; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; INDEL Mutation; Models, Genetic; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84884530599 | Immediate impact of piscicide operations on a Cape Floristic Region aquatic insect assemblage: A lesser of two evils? | Woodford D.J., Barber-James H.M., Bellingan T.A., Day J.A., de Moor F.C., Gouws J., Weyl O.L.F. | 2013 | Journal of Insect Conservation | 17 | 5 | 10.1007/s10841-013-9578-4 | South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa; Centre for Invasion Biology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa; Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Scientific Services, CapeNature, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, South Africa | Woodford, D.J., South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa, Centre for Invasion Biology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa; Barber-James, H.M., Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa; Bellingan, T.A., Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa; Day, J.A., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; de Moor, F.C., Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa; Gouws, J., Scientific Services, CapeNature, Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Weyl, O.L.F., South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa, Centre for Invasion Biology, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa | The piscicide rotenone is used as a conservation tool to remove alien fishes from rivers, though there is controversy over its effects on aquatic insects. An alien fish removal operation in the Rondegat River, Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, allowed the immediate impact of rotenone on an aquatic insect community in a region with high conservation values to be quantified. The insect community within the treated river was sampled in February 2011 (1 year before rotenone operations), February 2012 (1 week before) and March 2012 (1 week after). Insects were collected using kick sampling across multiple biotopes, together with samples from individual stones. We considered rotenone-precipitated losses to be those taxa captured a week before treatment but absent after, and assessed the endemism of lost species to determine the conservation impact of the rotenone. Species richness decreased significantly following treatment, even though many rare taxa were not recorded immediately prior to treatment. Of the 85 taxa identified, 18 were lost including five endemic to the mountain range which the river drains. Ephemeroptera were most severely affected, with a significant loss of density on stones post-rotenone and six out of 20 species missing. Since half the missing taxa were recorded upstream of the treatment area, recovery of diversity is likely to be relatively rapid. Given that alien invasive fish negatively affect both fish and aquatic insect communities in South Africa, the long-term positive conservation impact of removing these fish is likely to outweigh the short-term negative effects of the piscicide. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. | Collateral impacts; Conservation intervention; Endemism; Rotenone; Species diversity | aquatic community; Cape Floristic Region; conservation management; endemism; insect; species diversity; species richness; Rondegat River; South Africa; Western Cape; Arthropoda; Ephemeroptera; Hexapoda; Pisces | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77957292294 | Innovation and performance improvement in the South African wine industry | Wood E., Kaplan D. | 2005 | International Journal of Technology and Globalisation | 1 | 42433 | None | Graduate School of Business University of Cape Town, Portswood Road, Greenpoint, 8000, South Africa | Wood, E., Graduate School of Business University of Cape Town, Portswood Road, Greenpoint, 8000, South Africa; Kaplan, D., Graduate School of Business University of Cape Town, Portswood Road, Greenpoint, 8000, South Africa | South Africa’s wine industry was ill-prepared for the highly competitive, brand-conscious consumer markets it encountered on re-entry into international markets. The bulk of production was basic quality wine. Wine marketing expertise was concentrated among smaller independent wine producers and a few large wholesalers. The paper examines innovation in different segments of the industry and the extent to which it is being effectively supported by networking and knowledge exchange. Most producers have significantly improved quality and product ranges. But many producers are weak in the area of marketing, though some segments have achieved considerable success in this area. Respected institutions to support marketing and brand development and knowledge exchange between producers contribute to ongoing improvement in this area. © 2005 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. | industry networks; innovation; performance improvement; South Africa; wine industry | None | None |
| None | None | Standardizing operational vector sampling techniques for measuring malaria transmission intensity: Evaluation of six mosquito collection methods in western Kenya | Wong J., Bayoh N., Olang G., Killeen G.F., Hamel M.J., Vulule J.M., Gimnig J.E. | 2013 | Malaria Journal | 12 | 1 | 10.1186/1475-2875-12-143 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, United States; Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Vector Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Sciences Thematic Group, Ifakara, Tanzania | Wong, J., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, United States; Bayoh, N., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, United States, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Olang, G., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, United States, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Killeen, G.F., Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Vector Group, Liverpool, United Kingdom, Ifakara Health Institute, Environmental Sciences Thematic Group, Ifakara, Tanzania; Hamel, M.J., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, United States, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Vulule, J.M., Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya; Gimnig, J.E., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, United States | Background: Operational vector sampling methods lack standardization, making quantitative comparisons of malaria transmission across different settings difficult. Human landing catch (HLC) is considered the research gold standard for measuring human-mosquito contact, but is unsuitable for large-scale sampling. This study assessed mosquito catch rates of CDC light trap (CDC-LT), Ifakara tent trap (ITT), window exit trap (WET), pot resting trap (PRT), and box resting trap (BRT) relative to HLC in western Kenya to 1) identify appropriate methods for operational sampling in this region, and 2) contribute to a larger, overarching project comparing standardized evaluations of vector trapping methods across multiple countries. Methods. Mosquitoes were collected from June to July 2009 in four districts: Rarieda, Kisumu West, Nyando, and Rachuonyo. In each district, all trapping methods were rotated 10 times through three houses in a 3 × 3 Latin Square design. Anophelines were identified by morphology and females classified as fed or non-fed. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were further identified as Anopheles gambiae s.s. or Anopheles arabiensis by PCR. Relative catch rates were estimated by negative binomial regression. Results: When data were pooled across all four districts, catch rates (relative to HLC indoor) for An. gambiae s.l (95.6% An. arabiensis, 4.4% An. gambiae s.s) were high for HLC outdoor (RR = 1.01), CDC-LT (RR = 1.18), and ITT (RR = 1.39); moderate for WET (RR = 0.52) and PRT outdoor (RR = 0.32); and low for all remaining types of resting traps (PRT indoor, BRT indoor, and BRT outdoor; RR < 0.08 for all). For Anopheles funestus, relative catch rates were high for ITT (RR = 1.21); moderate for HLC outdoor (RR = 0.47), CDC-LT (RR = 0.69), and WET (RR = 0.49); and low for all resting traps (RR < 0.02 for all). At finer geographic scales, however, efficacy of each trap type varied from district to district. Conclusions: ITT, CDC-LT, and WET appear to be effective methods for large-scale vector sampling in western Kenya. Ultimately, choice of collection method for operational surveillance should be driven by trap efficacy and scalability, rather than fine-scale precision with respect to HLC. When compared with recent, similar trap evaluations in Tanzania and Zambia, these data suggest that traps which actively lure host-seeking females will be most useful for surveillance in the face of declining vector densities. © 2013 Wong et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | Anopheles arabiensis; Anopheles funestus; Anopheles gambiae; CDC light trap; Human biting rate; Human landing catch; Ifakara tent trap; Mosquito sampling; Window exit trap | adult; Anopheles arabiensis; Anopheles funestus; Anopheles gambiae; article; box resting trap; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature light trap; disease transmission; female; human; human landing catch; Ifakara tent trap; Kenya; malaria; male; morphology; nonhuman; parasite vector; polymerase chain reaction; pot resting trap; rural area; sampling; standardization; window exit trap; Adult; Animals; Child, Preschool; Culicidae; Disease Vectors; Entomology; Female; Humans; Infant; Kenya; Malaria; Male; Population Density | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84869425858 | The Psychometric Properties of the Amharic Version of the Children's Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-Revised: A Study on Child Sexual Abuse Survivors in Ethiopia | Wondie Y., Zemene W., Reschke K., Schröder H. | 2012 | Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma | 5 | 4 | 10.1080/19361521.2012.728099 | Department of Psychology, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia; University of Leipzig, Germany | Wondie, Y., Department of Psychology, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia, University of Leipzig, Germany; Zemene, W., Department of Psychology, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia; Reschke, K., University of Leipzig, Germany; Schröder, H., University of Leipzig, Germany | The study assessed the internal consistency and construct validity of the Amharic version of the Children's Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-Revised (CITES-R). Data was collected from 318 female children. With few exceptions, the result revealed that the internal consistency and the construct validity of the scale were found to be in the expected directions. The mean alpha value for all the scales was 0.71. Social support and empowerment were significantly correlated with the positive self-worth component of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Moreover, intercorrelations between the PTSD symptoms and abuse attributions demonstrated significant positive associations. In conclusion, the Amharic version of the CITES-R was found to be comparable with the original scale and previous studies that employed this instrument. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. | child sexual abuse; children's impacts of traumatic events scale; construct validity; Ethiopia; internal consistency | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-77955604859 | Predicting invasive alien plant distributions: How geographical bias in occurrence records influences model performance | Wolmarans R., Robertson M.P., van Rensburg B.J. | 2010 | Journal of Biogeography | 37 | 9 | 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02325.x | Department of Zoology and Entomology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa | Wolmarans, R., Department of Zoology and Entomology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; Robertson, M.P., Department of Zoology and Entomology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa; van Rensburg, B.J., Department of Zoology and Entomology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa | Aim: To investigate the impact of geographical bias on the performance of ecological niche models for invasive plant species. Location: South Africa and Australia. Methods: We selected 10 Australian plants invasive in South Africa and nine South African plants invasive in Australia. Geographical bias was simulated in occurrence records obtained from the native range of a species to represent two scenarios. For the first scenario (A, worst-case) a proportion of records were excluded from a specific region of a species' range and for the second scenario (B, less extreme) only some records were excluded from that specific region of the range. Introduced range predictions were produced with the M. axent modelling algorithm where models were calibrated with datasets from these biased occurrence records and 19 bioclimatic variables. Models were evaluated with independent test data obtained from the introduced range of the species. Geographical bias was quantified as the proportional difference between the occurrence records from a control and a biased dataset, and environmental bias was expressed as either the difference in marginality or tolerance between these datasets. Model performance [assessed using the conventional and modified AUC (area under the curve of receiver-operating characteristic plots) and the maximum true skill statistic] was compared between models calibrated with occurrence records from a biased dataset and a control dataset. Results: We found considerable variation in the relationship between geographical and environmental bias. Environmental bias, expressed as the difference in marginality, differed significantly across treatments. Model performance did not differ significantly among treatments. Regions predicted as suitable for most of the species were very similar when compared between a biased and control dataset, with only a few exceptions. Main conclusions: The geographical bias simulated in this study was sufficient to result in significant environmental bias across treatments, but despite this we did not find a significant effect on model performance. Differences in the environmental spaces occupied by the species in their native and invaded ranges may explain why we did not find a significant effect on model performance. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. | Australia; Ecological niche modelling; Environmental bias; Geographical bias; Invasive alien plants; Marginality; Maxent; Model performance; South Africa; Tolerance | bioclimatology; cohort analysis; data set; invasive species; model validation; niche partitioning; plant; spatial distribution; species occurrence; tolerance; Australia; South Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84857807799 | The international impact of education research done and published in South Africa | Wolhuter C. | 2011 | South African Journal of Education | 31 | 4 | None | Department of Comparative Education, North-West University, South Africa | Wolhuter, C., Department of Comparative Education, North-West University, South Africa | The aim of this article was to determine the international impact of Education research in South Africa, through a citation analysis of articles published in the South African Journal of Education from 2000 to 2010 The citation impact (nationally as well as internationally) was found to be low. The international impact has been particularly poor, both quantitatively (in terms of the number of citations) and qualitatively (in terms of the standing of the publications in which this research does get cited, seen in the context of the hierarchy of scholarly publications). The article shows that certain topics of research in South Africa fail to break through to the international arena at all, such as research on the current restructuring of education in South Africa. Research that was cited most often in international journals dealt with research methodology, creativity and entrepreneurship education, beliefs and perception studies, and language-in-education in South Africa. In conclusion, a number of recommendations are made for raising the international profile of Education research that is done in South Africa and for further research in pursuance of that objective. © 2011 EASA. | Education research; Impact; Internationalisation; South African journal of education | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84941281127 | The scholarly impact of doctoral research conducted in the field of education in south africa | Wolhuter C.C. | 2015 | South African Journal of Education | 35 | 3 | 10.15700/saje.v35n3a1090 | School for Education Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa | Wolhuter, C.C., School for Education Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa | The aim of this study is to investigate the scholarly impact of knowledge generated as part of doctoral studies in the field of education in South Africa. The transition rate of the 97 doctoral theses completed in the various fields of education in South Africa in 2008 into peer-reviewed articles and chapters in scholarly books, as well as the citation impact of these theses, were studied. It was found that the transition rates of these theses to journal articles and book chapters were low, as was their citation impact. Eighty three of the 97 theses did not transfer into any kind of publication, 70 out of the 97 made no citation impact, and 65 theses neither transferred to an article/a book chapter, nor did they receive any citation. The low scholarly impact of doctoral research in education in South Africa is related to a number of contextual and field-specific factors, identified in the survey of literature. The main recommendation made is the mapping of fields of education scholarship, making possible the identification of lacuna for research with high impact potential. © 2015, Foundation for Education Science and Technology. All rights reserved. | Citation impact; Doctoral education; Doctoral education in South Africa; Educational research; Educational research in South Africa; Mapping of fields of education scholarship; Quality of doctoral education | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84903540002 | Systematic review: Assessing the impact of drinking water and sanitation on diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income settings: Systematic review and meta-regression | Wolf J., Prüss-Ustün A., Cumming O., Bartram J., Bonjour S., Cairncross S., Clasen T., Colford J.M., Curtis V., De France J., Fewtrell L., Freeman M.C., Gordon B., Hunter P.R., Jeandron A., Johnston R.B., Mäusezahl D., Mathers C., Neira M., Higgins J.P.T. | 2014 | Tropical Medicine and International Health | 19 | 8 | 10.1111/tmi.12331 | Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States; Centre for Research into Environment and Health, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom; Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom; Department of Environmental Health, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa; EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Health Statistics and Information Systems, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, United Kingdom | Wolf, J., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Prüss-Ustün, A., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Cumming, O., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Bartram, J., Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Bonjour, S., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Cairncross, S., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Clasen, T., Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Colford, J.M., School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States; Curtis, V., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; De France, J., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Fewtrell, L., Centre for Research into Environment and Health, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom; Freeman, M.C., Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Gordon, B., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Hunter, P.R., Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, Department of Environmental Health, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa; Jeandron, A., London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Johnston, R.B., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Mäusezahl, D., Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Mathers, C., Department of Health Statistics and Information Systems, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Neira, M., Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Higgins, J.P.T., School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, United Kingdom | Objective: To assess the impact of inadequate water and sanitation on diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income settings. Methods: The search strategy used Cochrane Library, MEDLINE & PubMed, Global Health, Embase and BIOSIS supplemented by screening of reference lists from previously published systematic reviews, to identify studies reporting on interventions examining the effect of drinking water and sanitation improvements in low- and middle-income settings published between 1970 and May 2013. Studies including randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised trials with control group, observational studies using matching techniques and observational studies with a control group where the intervention was well defined were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Ottawa-Newcastle scale. Study results were combined using meta-analysis and meta-regression to derive overall and intervention-specific risk estimates. Results: Of 6819 records identified for drinking water, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria, and of 12 515 records identified for sanitation, 11 studies were included. Overall, improvements in drinking water and sanitation were associated with decreased risks of diarrhoea. Specific improvements, such as the use of water filters, provision of high-quality piped water and sewer connections, were associated with greater reductions in diarrhoea compared with other interventions. Conclusions: The results show that inadequate water and sanitation are associated with considerable risks of diarrhoeal disease and that there are notable differences in illness reduction according to the type of improved water and sanitation implemented. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd The World Health Organization retains copyright and all other rights in the manuscript of this article as submitted for publication. | Diarrhoea; Global burden of disease; Risk estimates; Sanitation; Water | chlorine; drinking water; water; diarrheal disease; drinking water; health risk; income distribution; meta-analysis; risk assessment; sanitation; water supply; World Health Organization; article; cohort analysis; diarrhea; environmental impact assessment; environmental sanitation; human; indoor air pollution; loose feces; lowest income group; meta analysis; morbidity; observational study; outcome assessment; risk factor; systematic review; time series analysis; total quality management; water quality; water supply; water treatment; agua; assainissement; carga global de enfermedad; cálculo de riesgo; cálculos de riesgo; charge mondiale des maladies; developing country; Diarrea; diarrhea; diarrhée; eau; estimations du risque; global burden of disease; income; review; risk estimates; saneamiento; sanitation; standard; water quality; water supply; agua; assainissement; carga global de enfermedad; cálculo de riesgo; cálculos de riesgo; charge mondiale des maladies; diarrea; diarrhée; diarrhoea; eau; estimations du risque; global burden of disease; risk estimates; saneamiento; sanitation; water; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Drinking Water; Humans; Income; Sanitation; Water Quality; Water Supply | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-15444380490 | Evaluation of a home-based voluntary counselling and testing intervention in rural Uganda | Wolff B., Nyanzi B., Katongole G., Ssesanga D., Ruberantwari A., Whitworth J. | 2005 | Health Policy and Planning | 20 | 2 | 10.1093/heapol/czi013 | Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda; MRC; Intl. Activities the Wellcome Trust; Medical Research Council, P.O. 49, Entebbe, Uganda | Wolff, B., Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda, Medical Research Council, P.O. 49, Entebbe, Uganda; Nyanzi, B., Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda, MRC; Katongole, G., Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda; Ssesanga, D., Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda, MRC; Ruberantwari, A., Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda, MRC; Whitworth, J., Medical Research Council, Entebbe, Uganda, Intl. Activities the Wellcome Trust | Background: Uptake of HIV test results from an annual serosurvey of a population study cohort in rural southwestern Uganda had never exceeded 10% in any given year since inception in 1989. An intervention offering counselling and HIV results at home was conducted in four study villages following the 2001 serosurvey round, and followed by a qualitative evaluation exploring nature of demand and barriers to knowing HIV status. Methods: Data from annual serosurveys and counsellor records are analyzed to estimate the impact of the intervention on uptake of HIV test results. Textual data are analyzed from 21 focus group discussions among counsellors, and men and women who had received HIV test results, requested but not yet received, and never requested; and 34 in-depth interviews equally divided among those who had received test results either from counselling offices and homes. Results: Offering HIV results at home significantly increased uptake of results from 10 to 37% for all adults aged 15 (p < 0.001), and 46% of those age 25 to 54. Previous male advantage in uptake of test results was effectively eliminated. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews highlight substantial non-monetary costs of getting HIV results from high-visibility public facilities prior to intervention. Inconvenience, fear of stigmatization, and emotional vulnerability of receiving results from public facilities were the most common explanations for the relative popularity of home-based voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). It is seen as less appropriate for youth and couples with conflicting attitudes toward testing. Conclusions: Home delivery of results revealed significantly higher demand to know HIV status than stubbornly low uptake figures from the past would suggest. Integrating VCT into other services, locating testing centres in less visible surroundings, or directly confronting stigma surrounding testing may be less expensive ways to reproduce increased uptake with home VCT. © Oxford University Press, 2005; all rights reserved. | Clients; HIV; Home care; Providers; Qualitative; Stigma; VCT uptake | adolescent; adult; article; attitude; cohort analysis; data analysis; emotion; evaluation; fear; female; health care facility; health survey; home care; human; Human immunodeficiency virus; interview; male; medical record; patient counseling; population research; qualitative analysis; reproducibility; rural health care; Uganda; Adult; AIDS Serodiagnosis; Cohort Studies; Counseling; Fear; Female; Focus Groups; HIV Infections; Home Care Services; Humans; Interviews; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Rural Population; Uganda | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84905967088 | Development and evaluation of low cost evaporative cooling systems to minimise postharvest losses of tomatoes (Roma vf) around Woreta, Ethiopia | Woldemariam H.W., Abera B.D. | 2014 | International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation | 4 | 1 | 10.1504/IJPTI.2014.064165 | Food Technology and Process Engineering, Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 26, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Woldemariam, H.W., Food Technology and Process Engineering, Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 26, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Abera, B.D., Food Technology and Process Engineering, Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 26, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | Low cost evaporative cooling systems were developed and investigated for their cooling efficiency to improve the shelf life of tomatoes. Average cooling efficiencies of bamboo jute and pot in pot coolers before being loaded with tomatoes were 82% and 79% and after being loaded were 67.6% and 61.6%, respectively. Physiological weight losses were 1.03%, 1.32% and 1.42% for bamboo jute, pot in pot coolers and ambient storage, respectively. The sensory results revealed that the shelf life of tomatoes were 5, 19 and 21 days for ambient, pot in pot and bamboo jute coolers, respectively. Storage type has significant difference on cooling efficiency but not on physiological weight loss, physical damage, freshness and rot incidence at p < 0.05. Thus, both evaporative coolers were found to be energy efficient, environmentally sound and can be used in areas where there is no electricity to improve the shelf life of tomatoes. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. | Cooling efficiency; Evaporative cooling; Postharvest loss; Shelf life; Tomatoes. | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84947241341 | Friends or enemies? An evaluation of the relationship between rising hegemonies and established hegemonies in international relations | Wogu I.A.P., Chidozie F. | 2015 | Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Research | 2 | 3 | None | Department of Political Science and International Relations, School of Human Resource Development, College of Leadership Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria | Wogu, I.A.P., Department of Political Science and International Relations, School of Human Resource Development, College of Leadership Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria; Chidozie, F., Department of Political Science and International Relations, School of Human Resource Development, College of Leadership Development Studies, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria | There are some who see China's sudden rise to the position of power and influence on the globe as a threat to their position and place in world economy. Current trends in world politics however reveals that the quest to rise to the place of hegemony and the need to sustain once position as the dominant hegemony in international politics have set into motion, series of actions leading to various kinds of espionage campaign between the countries involved. This study is a critical evaluation of the intrigues and politics of power which raises the ultimate question of ?who is a friends or an enemy in the emerging global system"? The paper adopts the traditional methods of critical analysis in philosophy to evaluate data collected from secondary sources with a view to evaluate and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the propositions and assumptions arising from the situation. The paper identifies some degree of exaggeration in the fears which Americans are nursing presently. The paper recommends that the countries under review need adopt the complex independent theory of international relations which has the capacity to synthesize elements of the realist and the liberal thoughts among the countries under review. | Complex independent theory; Espionage campaign; Friends or enemy; Hegemony; International relations | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-82855169392 | Performance of growing grasscutters on different fibre sources | Wogar G.S.I. | 2012 | Pakistan Journal of Nutrition | 11 | 1 | None | Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria | Wogar, G.S.I., Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria | Grasscutter meat constitutes an important source of much-needed animal protein. The grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a wild herbivorous rodent found in the grasslands of Sub-Sahara Africa. It subsists mainly on grass and can digest almost any form of edible greenstuff. Intensive grasscutter production aims at achieving higher levels of DM intake through various vegetative and concentrate supplements to basal diet. The 15 weeks experiment evaluated the performance of twenty four (24) 13 weeks old growing grasscutters, allotted to four treatment groups of six animals each, which were fed diets containing four different fibre sources namely; wheat offal, palm kernel cake, maize sievates and a combination of equal amounts of all the fibre feedstuffs. The experiment involved two replicates per treatment and three growing grasscutters per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. All the data was subjected to the analysis of variance. The performance of grasscutters, in respect of forage intake, concentrate intake, total feed intake and cost of feeding, was significantly (p<0.05) higher on the maize sievates than on other diets, while the rate of attainment of puberty was significantly (p<0.05) higher on the palm kernel cake than on other diets. These findings suggest that the performance of growing grasscutters was best on the palm kernel cake diet. Palm kernel cake can, therefore, be used as the preferred source of fibre for feeding growing grasscutters. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2012. | Different fibre sources; Fed; Growing grasscutters; Performance | Africa south of the Sahara; analysis of variance; animal experiment; animal food; article; controlled study; dietary fiber; digestion; food composition; foraging behavior; fruit; grass; grasscutter; herbivore; maize; nonhuman; palm; physical performance; puberty; rodent; weight gain; wheat | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84857803790 | Interpreting foucault: An evaluation of a foucauldian critique of education | Woermann M. | 2012 | South African Journal of Education | 32 | 1 | None | Department of Philosophy, Stellenbosch University, South Africa | Woermann, M., Department of Philosophy, Stellenbosch University, South Africa | The potential strengths and weaknesses of a Foucauldian critique of education are discussed and evaluated. The article focuses specifically on the value of Foucault's work for critiquing social and political ideologies prevalent in education, which is understood as a societal institution, and hence, as a modern regime of institutional power. In terms of strengths, the ability to raise issues of knowledge, power and contestation that are traditionally ignored in educational theory is addressed. In terms of weaknesses, Foucault's problematic use and understanding of power and his apparent rejection of objective truth are investigated. The critique develops at the hand of influential, but competing, interpretations of Foucault's contribution to the field of education in particular, and philosophy in general. It is argued that these influential readings of Foucault gain traction within specific discourses (such as education), and should thus be subjected to critical scrutiny. © 2012 EASA. | Critique; Education; Foucault; Institution; Power; Truth | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84863903220 | Impact of demographic variables on voluntary labour turnover in South Africa | Wöcke A., Heymann M. | 2012 | International Journal of Human Resource Management | 23 | 16 | 10.1080/09585192.2011.639028 | Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Sandton, South Africa | Wöcke, A., Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Sandton, South Africa; Heymann, M., Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Sandton, South Africa | This paper demonstrates the relevance of employee demographic variables as extended factors in the voluntary turnover process since these models currently do not sufficiently explain the factors impacting the turnover decision. Over 1000 managers and knowledge workers were surveyed using a cross-sectional questionnaire to identify potential similarities in demographic variables in the decision to leave the organisation. Findings indicate that various demographic variables (age, race and gender) influence whether pull or push factors are cited in the turnover process. In addition, it is found that the level of education has a stronger relationship to employee mobility than race, which contradicts the current sentiment in the South African labour market. Furthermore, it is concluded that demographic variables of employees should be considered in the extension of contemporary turnover models. The findings have implications for human resource management practices in organisations that are more dependent on knowledge workers. Consequently, the findings have implications for current prevailing theory on voluntary turnover research. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. | employee mobility; retention; turnover | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-43149126334 | The impact of employment equity regulations on psychological contracts in South Africa | Wöcke A., Sutherland M. | 2008 | International Journal of Human Resource Management | 19 | 4 | 10.1080/09585190801953525 | Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa | Wöcke, A., Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Sutherland, M., Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa | This article will show the impact of employment equity legislation on the psychological employment contracts of the three main employee groupings in South African society. This study is important in that it fills the gap in the literature that identifies labour market regulations as an important shaping influence on the psychological contract. More than 500 managers from across South African industry and from all ethnic groups were surveyed to identify differences in psychological contracts and attitudes towards the social transformation regulations. We found that the legislation has impacted differentially on the three groupings mainly in terms of their loyalty to stay with their organizations, the focus on their career development in terms of the external labour market and the degree to which they felt they had been affected by the legislation. Additionally we find that the perceived linkage between job satisfaction and labour turnover is significantly weakened by labour market legislation in the case of the beneficiaries of the legislation, but that this may not be the case for those negatively affected by the legislation. The findings have significant implications for the HRM practices of multinationals operating in societies with significant labour market regulatory interventions. | Diversity management; Employment equity; Psychological contract; South Africa | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84897401138 | The impact of leadership styles on employee organisational commitment in higher learning institutions | Wiza M., Hlanganipai N. | 2014 | Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences | 5 | 4 | 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n4p135 | Department of Business Management, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Private Bag 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa | Wiza, M., Department of Business Management, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Private Bag 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa; Hlanganipai, N., Department of Business Management, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, Private Bag 1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa | The current study seeks to determine the impact of leadership styles on employees' organisational commitment constructs among University academic staff at a selected South African institution. A quantitative methodology, using self-administered surveys comprised of the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) and the Multi Factor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was used to collect data from 160 respondents. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0. Spearman correlation analysis was used to test for relationships between the independent variable (leadership style) and the dependant variable (organizational commitment. The findings of the study revealed that transformational leadership style has a significant and positive relationship with affective and continuance employee commitment while transactional leadership style has significant and positive relationship with only normative commitment. Based on the findings of this study, it is worth noting that leadership styles plays an important role to an employees' organizational commitment and it is very important for organizational policy makers to take this into consideration in order to meet organizational goals. This study contributes to the bank of findings relating to the development of leadership and organisational commitment, not only in South Africa, but within the institutions of higher learning in particular. | Academics; Impact; Organisational commitment; Transactional leadership; Transformational leadership | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84855823346 | Evaluation of risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve with classical sagittal split osteotomy technique and proposed alternative surgical techniques using computer-assisted surgery | Wittwer G., Adeyemo W.L., Beinemann J., Juergens P. | 2012 | International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 41 | 1 | 10.1016/j.ijom.2011.08.001 | Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria; Facharzt Kiefer-Gesichtschirurgie Pla | Wittwer, G., Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Facharzt Kiefer-Gesichtschirurgie Plastische und Ästhetische Operationen, Bahnhofplatz 11, CH-4410 Liestal, Switzerland; Adeyemo, W.L., Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria; Beinemann, J., Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Juergens, P., Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland | Neurosensory disturbance after sagittal split osteotomy is a common complication. This study evaluated the course of the mandibular canal at three positions using computed tomography (CT), assessed the risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve in classical sagittal split osteotomy, based on the proximity of the mandibular canal to the external cortical bone, and proposed alternative surgical techniques using computer-assisted surgery. CT data from 102 mandibular rami were evaluated. At each position, the distance between the mandibular canal and the inner surface of the cortical bone was measured; if less than 1 mm or if the canal contacted the external cortical bone it was registered as a possible neurosensory compromising proximity. The course of each mandibular canal was allocated to a neurosensory risk or a non-neurosensory risk group. The mandibular canal was in contact with, or within 1 mm of, the lingual cortex in most positions along its course. Neurosensory compromising proximity of the mandibular canal was observed in about 60% of sagittal split ramus osteotomy sites examined. For this group, modified classic osteotomy or complete individualized osteotomy is proposed, depending on the position at which the mandibular canal was at risk; they may be accomplished with computer-assisted navigation. © 2011 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. | computer-assisted surgery; deficiency; intra-operative navigation; neurosensory; ramus osteotomy | adult; article; clinical evaluation; computer assisted surgery; computer assisted tomography; cortical bone; female; human; inferior alveolar injury; major clinical study; male; mandible; nerve injury; osteotomy; sagittal split osteotomy; surgical technique; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Male; Mandible; Mandibular Nerve; Osteotomy; Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus; Patient Care Planning; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Somatosensory Disorders; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Trigeminal Nerve Injuries; User-Computer Interface | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34447633889 | Evaluation of different growth media for the recovery of the species of Alicyclobacillus | Witthuhn R.C., Duvenage W., Gouws P.A. | 2007 | Letters in Applied Microbiology | 45 | 2 | 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02182.x | Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa; Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa | Witthuhn, R.C., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa; Duvenage, W., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Gouws, P.A., Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa | Aims: Five different isolation media, namely potato dextrose agar (PDA), orange serum agar (OSA), K agar, yeast-starch-glucose agar and Bacillus acidocaldarius medium were evaluated for the recovery of Alicyclobacillus spp. from inoculated diluted and undiluted fruit-juice concentrates. Methods and Results: Plates of PDA (pH 3.7), spread with vegetative cells (3.9 × 106 CFU ml-1) of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris from single-strength pear juice, recovered 2.9 × 106CFU ml -1 after 5 days at 50°C (74% recovery). The recovery of endospores from single-strength pear juice, after a heat treatment at 80°C for 10 min, was higher on spread plates of OSA (pH 5.5) at 50°C for 5 days (97% recovery). Conclusions: PDA (pH 3.7) and OSA (pH 5.5) at 50°C for 3-5 days recovered the highest numbers of vegative cells and endospores of Alicyclobacillus spp. from sterilized fruit juices and concentrates. Significance and Impact of the Study: The most appropriate synthetic media for the recovery of Alicyclobacillus species from inoculated fruit juices and concentrates are shown. © 2007 The Authors. | Alicyclobacillus; Endospores; Fruit juice; Isolation media; Spoilage; Vegetative cells | Bacteria; Cells; Fruit juices; Glucose; Heat treatment; pH effects; agar; bacterium; dilution; glucose; inoculation; sporulation; yeast; Alicyclobacillus; article; bacterial endospore; bacterial growth; bacterial strain; culture medium; heat treatment; nonhuman; vegetative growth; Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Beverages; Culture Media; Gram-Positive Endospore-Forming Bacteria; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Species Specificity; Temperature; Vitis; Alicyclobacillus; Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius; Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris; Pyrus; Solanum tuberosum | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-10644291886 | Impact of preservation and different packaging conditions on the microbial community and activity of Kefir grains | Witthuhn R.C., Schoeman T., Cilliers A., Britz T.J. | 2005 | Food Microbiology | 22 | 4 | 10.1016/j.fm.2004.09.001 | Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Priv. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, S. A., South Africa | Witthuhn, R.C., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Priv. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, S. A., South Africa; Schoeman, T., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Priv. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, S. A., South Africa; Cilliers, A., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Priv. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, S. A., South Africa; Britz, T.J., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Priv. Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, S. A., South Africa | Kefir is a cultured milk product that is produced by a mixed acidic and alcoholic fermentation by microbes found within Kefir grains. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different packaging materials in their ability to retain the viability and activity of the grains over an extended storage period. The impact of the different packaging and storage conditions on the microbial community of the grains was also determined. Kefir grains were lyophilized, packaged in three different packaging materials, including low-density polyethylene film (LDPE), oriented polyester film (OPET), and methallized oriented polyester film (MOPET) and stored for 3 months at room temperature. Activity tests, including pH, titratable acidity (%TA), lactose and lactic acid content over a 10 and 18 h fermentation period were used to evaluate the acidification activity of the lyophilized grains. Selective media, morphology and physiological characteristics were used to obtain the enumeration values and to identify the microbes present in the packaged and stored grains. Overall, the best retention of the fermentation activity was found for the MOPET film. The OPET packaging film provided the best preservation of the microbial composition. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Fermentation; Kefir grains; Lactic acid bacteria; Packaging; Preservation | Bacteria (microorganisms) | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-13944250383 | Evaluation of different preservation techniques on the storage potential of Kefir grains | Witthuhn R.C., Cilliers A., Britz T.J. | 2005 | Journal of Dairy Research | 72 | 1 | 10.1017/S0022029904000652 | Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa | Witthuhn, R.C., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa; Cilliers, A., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa; Britz, T.J., Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa | [No abstract available] | Air-dried; Freezing; Kefir grains; Lyophilisation; Microbial activity; Refrigeration | alcoholic beverage; animal; article; cattle; cereal; dairying; fermentation; food preservation; methodology; milk; South Africa; Alcoholic Beverages; Animals; Cattle; Cereals; Dairying; Fermentation; Food Preservation; Milk; South Africa; Kefir | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33846786760 | Working practices and incomes of health workers: Evidence from an evaluation of a delivery fee exemption scheme in Ghana | Witter S., Kusi A., Aikins M. | 2007 | Human Resources for Health | 5 | None | 10.1186/1478-4491-5-2 | Immpact, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom; Immpact, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana | Witter, S., Immpact, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom; Kusi, A., Immpact, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Aikins, M., Immpact, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana | Background: This article describes a survey of health workers and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) which was carried out in 2005 in two regions of Ghana. The objective of the survey was to ascertain the impact of the introduction of a delivery fee exemption scheme on both health workers and those providers who were excluded from the scheme (TBAs). This formed part of an overall evaluation of the delivery fee exemption scheme. The results shed light not only on the scheme itself but also on the general productivity of a range of health workers in Ghana. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed, covering individual and household characteristics, working hours and practices, sources of income, and views of the exemptions scheme and general motivation. After field testing, this was administered to 374 respondents in 12 districts of Central and Volta regions. The respondents included doctors, medical assistants (MAs), public and private midwives, nurses, community health nurses (CHNs), and traditional birth attendants, both trained and untrained. Results: Health workers were well informed about the delivery fee exemptions scheme and their responses on its impact suggest a realistic view that it was a good scheme, but one that faces serious challenges regarding financial sustainability. Concerning its impact on their morale and working conditions, the responses were broadly neutral. Most public sector workers have seen an increased workload, but counterbalanced by increased pay. TBAs have suffered, in terms of client numbers and income, while the picture for private midwives is mixed. The survey also sheds light on pay and productivity. The respondents report long working hours, with a mean of 54 hours per week for community nurses and up to 129 hours per week for MAs. Weekly reported client loads in the public sector range from a mean of 86 for nurses to 269 for doctors. Over the past two years, reported working hours have been increasing, but so have pay and allowances (for doctors, allowances now make up 66% of their total pay). The lowest paid public health worker now earns almost ten times the average gross national income (GNI) per capita, while the doctors earn 38.5 times GNI per capita. This compares well with average government pay of four times GNI per capita. Comparing pay with outputs, the relatively high number of clients reported by doctors reduces their pay differential, so that the cost per client - $ 1.09 - is similar to a nurse's (and lower than a private midwife's). Conclusion: These findings show that a scheme which increases demand for public health services while also sustaining health worker income and morale, is workable, if well managed, even within the relatively constrained human resources environment of countries like Ghana. This may be linked to the fact that internal comparisons reveal Ghana's health workers to be well paid from public sector sources. © 2007 Witter et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | None | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78649773344 | Estimating expenditure impacts without expenditure data using asset proxies | Wittenberg M. | 2011 | Economics Letters | 110 | 2 | 10.1016/j.econlet.2010.11.009 | School of Economics, University of Cape Town, South Africa | Wittenberg, M., School of Economics, University of Cape Town, South Africa | When asset indices are used in regressions the coefficients obtained are typically difficult to interpret. We show how lower bounds on expenditure effects can be extracted, if the relationship between the assets and expenditure can be calibrated on an auxiliary data set. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. | Asset index; Attenuation; Obesity; Proxy variables | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33847633972 | The impact of ecological variability on the reproductive endocrinology of wild female African elephants | Wittemyer G., Ganswindt A., Hodges K. | 2007 | Hormones and Behavior | 51 | 3 | 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.12.013 | Save the Elephants, P.O. Box 54667, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California at Berkeley, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States; Department of Reproductive Biology, German Primate Centre, 37077 Goettingen, Germany; Section of Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, 0110 Onderstepoort, South Africa | Wittemyer, G., Save the Elephants, P.O. Box 54667, Nairobi, Kenya, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California at Berkeley, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States; Ganswindt, A., Department of Reproductive Biology, German Primate Centre, 37077 Goettingen, Germany, Section of Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, 0110 Onderstepoort, South Africa; Hodges, K., Department of Reproductive Biology, German Primate Centre, 37077 Goettingen, Germany | Non-invasive endocrine methods enable investigation of the relationship between ecological variation and ovarian activity and how this impacts on demographic processes. The underlying physiological factors driving high variation in inter-calving intervals among multi-parous African elephants offer an interesting system for such an investigation. This study investigates the relationship between Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI), an ecosystem surrogate measure of primary productivity, and fecal progestin concentrations among wild female elephants. Matched fecal samples and behavioral data on reproductive activity were collected from 37 focal individuals during the two-year study. Linear mixed models were used to explore the relationship between fecal 5α-pregnane-3-ol-20-one concentrations and the independent variables of NDVI, calf sex, female age, gestation day, and time since last parturition. Among both non-pregnant and pregnant females, fecal 5α-pregnane-3-ol-20-one concentrations were significantly correlated with time-specific NDVI indicating a strong relationship between ecological conditions and endocrine activity regulating reproduction. In addition, the age of a female and time since her last parturition impacted hormone concentrations. These results indicate that the identification of an individual's reproductive status from a single hormone sample is possible, but difficult to achieve in practice since numerous independent factors, particularly season, impact fecal hormone concentrations. Regardless of season, however, fecal 5α-pregnane-3-ol-20-one concentrations below 1 μg/g were exclusively collected from non-pregnant females, which could be used as a threshold value to identify non-pregnant individuals. Collectively the information generated contributes to a better understanding of environmental regulation of reproductive endocrinology in wild elephant populations, information salient to the management and manipulation of population dynamics in this species. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. | African elephant; Demography; Ecology; Feces; Hormone; NDVI; Non-invasive; Population management; Progestogens; Reproduction | 3beta hydroxy 5alpha pregnan 20 one; animal experiment; article; behavior; birth; controlled study; demography; ecosystem restoration; elephant; endocrine function; evolutionary adaptation; feces analysis; female; genital system; gestation period; groups by age; hormone blood level; independent variable; multipara; nonhuman; ovary function; priority journal; productivity; reproduction; seasonal variation; sex ratio; statistical model; vegetation dynamics; 5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; Animals; Animals, Wild; Ecosystem; Elephants; Feces; Female; Gestational Age; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Reproduction; Seasons | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84924346211 | Impact of NERICA adoption on incomes of rice-producing households in Northern Ghana | Wiredu A.N., Asante B.O., Martey E., Diagne A., Dogbe W. | 2014 | Journal of Sustainable Development | 7 | 1 | 10.5539/jsd.v7n1p167 | CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Nyankpala, Ghana; Rural Development Theory and Policy, Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana; UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia; Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice), Cotonou, Benin | Wiredu, A.N., CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Nyankpala, Ghana, Rural Development Theory and Policy, Institute of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; Asante, B.O., CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana, UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia; Martey, E., CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Nyankpala, Ghana; Diagne, A., Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice), Cotonou, Benin; Dogbe, W., CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Nyankpala, Ghana | The Multinational NERICA Rice Dissemination Project in Ghana promoted the adoption of NERICA varieties and complementary technologies. NERICA adoption was expected to increase rice production and the incomes of beneficiary households. This study assessed the impact of NERICA adoption on the incomes of rice-producing households in northern Ghana. With data from a cross-section of 150 systematically selected rice-producing households, the study revealed 36.7% adoption rate. Agriculture and rice production were the most important livelihood activities as they contributed 80% and 55.09% of total household income respectively. To control for endogeneity, the study used the local average treatment effect (LATE) estimation methodology and showed that NERICA adoption significantly increased rice income, agricultural income, per-capita income and total annual income by $196.52, $446.37, $0.44 and $498.44, respectively. The major recommendation from this study is the need to continue the promotion of the NERICA varieties by creating access to seeds of the varieties together with other productivity enhancing technologies. Efforts should be focused on the provision of marketing and roads infrastructure to induce access to input and product markets. | Adoption; Ghana; Impact; Income; Late; Nerica | None | CSIR, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79955690695 | Toxicological evaluation of aqueous extract of Aloe ferox Mill. in loperamide-induced constipated rats | Wintola O.A., Sunmonu T.O., Afolayan A.J. | 2011 | Human and Experimental Toxicology | 30 | 5 | 10.1177/0960327110372647 | Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa | Wintola, O.A., Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa; Sunmonu, T.O., Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa; Afolayan, A.J., Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa | Aloe ferox Mill. is a widely used medicinal plant in South Africa for the treatment of many ailments including constipation. The present study evaluated the toxicological effect of aqueous leaf extract of the herb at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days on the haematological parameters as well as liver and kidney function indices in loperamide-induced constipated rats. The extract did not cause any significant (p > 0.05) effect on the kidney and liver-body weight ratio as well as the kidney function indices including serum levels of creatinine, uric acid, urea, calcium and potassium ions at all the dosages investigated. Whereas the serum levels of total protein, albumin, bilirubin and gamma glutamyl trasferase (GGT) were not affected, the elevated activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the untreated constipated animals were normalized following treatment with extract. The data obtained with respect to the haematological analysis indicated that the extracts had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the haematological parameters with the exception of lymphocyte count which was increased in the untreated constipated rats. This was however attenuated after administering the herb. The available evidence in this study suggests that A. ferox may be safe as an oral remedy for constipation. Generally, the effect of the extract compared favourably well with senokot, a recommended drug for the treatment of constipation. © The Author(s) 2010. | Aloe ferox; function indices; haematological parameters; marker enzymes | alanine aminotransferase; albumin; alkaline phosphatase; Aloe ferox extract; aspartate aminotransferase; bilirubin; calcium ion; creatinine; gamma glutamyltransferase; loperamide; plant extract; potassium ion; senokot; unclassified drug; urea; uric acid; alanine aminotransferase blood level; albumin blood level; alkaline phosphatase blood level; Aloe; Aloe ferox; animal experiment; animal model; aqueous solution; article; aspartate aminotransferase blood level; body weight; calcium blood level; constipation; controlled study; creatinine blood level; drug safety; enzyme activity; gamma glutamyl transferase blood level; hematological parameters; kidney function; kidney mass; liver function; liver weight; lymphocyte count; male; nonhuman; plant leaf; potassium blood level; priority journal; protein blood level; rat; toxicity testing; urea blood level; uric acid blood level; Aloe; Animals; Body Weight; Constipation; Disease Models, Animal; Kidney; Kidney Function Tests; Liver; Liver Function Tests; Loperamide; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Organ Size; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Toxicity Tests; Aloe ferox; Animalia; Rattus | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84877022912 | Untapped potential of health impact assessment [Un potentiel inexploité de l'évaluation de l'impact sanitaire] | Winkler M.S., Krieger G.R., Divall M.J., Cissé G., Wielga M., Singer B.H., Tannera M., Utzingera J. | 2013 | Bulletin of the World Health Organization | 91 | 4 | 10.2471/BLT.12.112318 | Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; New Fields, Denver, United States; SHAPE Consulting Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa; Temkin Wielga and Hardt LLP, Denver, United States; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States | Winkler, M.S., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; Krieger, G.R., New Fields, Denver, United States; Divall, M.J., SHAPE Consulting Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa; Cissé, G., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; Wielga, M., Temkin Wielga and Hardt LLP, Denver, United States; Singer, B.H., Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States; Tannera, M., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland; Utzingera, J., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland | The World Health Organization has promoted health impact assessment (HIA) for over 20 years. At the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), HIA was discussed as a critical method for linking health to "green economy" and "institutional framework" strategies for sustainable development. In countries having a high human development index (HDI), HIA has been added to the overall assessment suite that typically includes potential environmental and social impacts, but it is rarely required as part of the environmental and social impact assessment for large development projects. When they are performed, project-driven HIAs are governed by a combination of project proponent and multilateral lender performance standards rather than host country requirements. Not surprisingly, in low-HDI countries HIA is missing from the programme and policy arena in the absence of an external project driver. Major drivers of global change (e.g. population growth and urbanization, growing pressure on natural resources and climate change) inordinately affect low- and medium-HDI countries; however, in such countries HIA is conspicuously absent. If the cloak of HIA invisibility is to be removed, it must be shown that HIA is useful and beneficial and, hence, an essential component of the 21st century's sustainable development agenda. We analyse where and how HIA can become fully integrated into the impact assessment suite and argue that the impact of HIA must not remain obscure. | None | health impact; human development index; population growth; public health; sustainable development; urbanization; World Health Organization; article; climate change; economic aspect; environmental impact assessment; environmental protection; health care policy; health impact assessment; health program; human; human development; population growth; social aspect; sustainable development; United Nations; urbanization; world health organization; Conservation of Natural Resources; Decision Making; Developing Countries; Environment; Health Impact Assessment; Humans; Policy; Population Dynamics; World Health; World Health Organization | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84860993299 | Health impact assessment of industrial development projects: A spatio-temporal visualization | Winkler M.S., Krieger G.R., Divall M.J., Singer B.H., Utzinger J. | 2012 | Geospatial Health | 6 | 2 | None | Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland; NewFields, LLC, Denver, CO 80202, United States; SHAPE Consulting Ltd., Pretoria 0062, South Africa; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States | Winkler, M.S., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland; Krieger, G.R., NewFields, LLC, Denver, CO 80202, United States; Divall, M.J., SHAPE Consulting Ltd., Pretoria 0062, South Africa; Singer, B.H., Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Utzinger, J., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland | Development and implementation of large-scale industrial projects in complex eco-epidemiological settings typically require combined environmental, social and health impact assessments. We present a generic, spatio-temporal health impact assessment (HIA) visualization, which can be readily adapted to specific projects and key stakeholders, including poorly literate communities that might be affected by consequences of a project. We illustrate how the occurrence of a variety of complex events can be utilized for stakeholder communication, awareness creation, interactive learning as well as formulating HIA research and implementation questions. Methodological features are highlighted in the context of an iron ore development in a rural part of Africa. | Developing country; Health impact assessment; Industrial development project; Spatio-temporal visualization | iron derivative; Africa south of the Sahara; article; developing country; environment; geographic information system; geography; health; health care policy; health care quality; human; industry; instrumentation; methodology; mining; public health; rural population; statistics; time; visual field; Africa South of the Sahara; Developing Countries; Environment; Geographic Information Systems; Geography; Health Policy; Humans; Industry; Iron Compounds; Mining; Program Evaluation; Public Health; Rural Population; Time Factors; Visual Fields; World Health | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84907567195 | Baseline health conditions in selected communities of northern Sierra Leone as revealed by the health impact assessment of a biofuel project | Winkler M.S., Knoblauch A.M., Righetti A.A., Divall M.J., Koroma M.M., Fofanah I., Turay H., Hodges M.H., Utzinger J. | 2014 | International Health | 6 | 3 | 10.1093/inthealth/ihu031 | Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland; SHAPE Consulting Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa; Northern Polytechnic, P.O. Box 32, Makeni, Sierra Leone; Helen Keller International, P.O. Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone | Winkler, M.S., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland; Knoblauch, A.M., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland; Righetti, A.A., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland; Divall, M.J., SHAPE Consulting Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa; Koroma, M.M., Northern Polytechnic, P.O. Box 32, Makeni, Sierra Leone; Fofanah, I., Helen Keller International, P.O. Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Turay, H., Helen Keller International, P.O. Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Hodges, M.H., Helen Keller International, P.O. Box 369, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Utzinger, J., Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland | Background: As biofuel projects may be associated with positive and negative effects on people's health and wellbeing, a health impact assessment was performed for the Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone (ABSL) project. We present data from the baseline health survey, which will provide a point of departure for future monitoring and evaluation activities. Methods: In December 2010, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in eight potentially affected communities. A broad set of clinical and parasitological indicators were assessed using standardised, quality-controlled procedures, including anthropometry and prevalence of anaemia, Plasmodium falciparum and helminth infections. Results: Complete datasets were obtained from 1221 individuals of 194 households and eight schools. Of children aged <5 years (n=586), 41.8% were stunted, 23.2% were underweight and 4.8% were wasted. Very high prevalences of anaemia and P. falciparum were found in children aged 6-59 months (n=571; 86.1% and 74.0%, respectively). Overall, 73.7% of women of reproductive age (n=395) were anaemic. In school-aged children (n=240), 27.9% had light- to moderate-intensity hookworm infections, whereas Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Schistosoma mansoni were rare (<3% each). Conclusions: The detailed description of the baseline health conditions, in combination with future health surveys, will deepen the understanding of how a biofuel project impacts on community health in a rural setting in sub-Saharan Africa. © The Author 2014. | Anaemia; Health impact assessment; Helminth infection; Malaria; Nutritional status; Sierra Leone | albendazole; amodiaquine; artemether; praziquantel; biofuel; adolescent; adult; anemia; anthropometry; Article; Ascaris lumbricoides; child; cross-sectional study; female; health impact assessment; health survey; helminthiasis; hookworm infection; human; major clinical study; malaria falciparum; male; Plasmodium falciparum; prevalence; public health; Schistosoma mansoni; schistosomiasis; Sierra Leone; Trichuris trichiura; underweight; anemia; animal; ascariasis; Child Nutrition Disorders; health impact assessment; health status; infant; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Malaria, Falciparum; malnutrition; middle aged; nutritional status; preschool child; procedures; regression analysis; rural population; schistosomiasis mansoni; statistics and numerical data; young adult; Adolescent; Adult; Anemia; Animals; Ascariasis; Biofuels; Child; Child Nutrition Disorders; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Impact Assessment; Health Status; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Malaria, Falciparum; Male; Malnutrition; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Regression Analysis; Rural Population; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Sierra Leone; Young Adult | None |
| None | None | Parkinsonism in a population of northern Tanzania: A community-based door-to-door study in combination with a prospective hospital-based evaluation | Winkler A.S., Tütüncü E., Trendafilova A., Meindl M., Kaaya J., Schmutzhard E., Kassubek J. | 2010 | Journal of Neurology | 257 | 5 | 10.1007/s00415-009-5420-z | Palliative Medicine and Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Mbulu, Manyara, Tanzania; Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; District General Hospital, Babati, Manyara, Tanzania | Winkler, A.S., Palliative Medicine and Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany, Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Mbulu, Manyara, Tanzania; Tütüncü, E., Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Trendafilova, A., Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Meindl, M., Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Kaaya, J., District General Hospital, Babati, Manyara, Tanzania; Schmutzhard, E., Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Kassubek, J., Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany | The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in sub-Saharan Africa is still a matter of debate. The few studies that have been conducted have shown prevalences lower than those in the western world. Whether this represents a genuine finding is unclear to date. In northern Tanzania, we have conducted a hospital-based evaluation and a community-based door-to-door study to assess the prevalence of Parkinsonism, including that of PD. Over a period of 8 months, all patients admitted to a mid-size rural hospital were screened for PD. In parallel, 1,569 people aged ≥50 years were recruited from the communities and assessed for PD with standard questions. Sampling was performed according to the method of "multistage cluster sampling." The questions had previously been tested in a pilot study prior to the survey. People who screened positive were examined by a specialist neurologist. In the hospital, eight of 740 people with neurological diagnoses had Parkinsonism, of whom three patients had a diagnosis of PD. In the community-based study, 18 people answered positively to least one of the 12 screening questions. However, the diagnosis of PD could not be confirmed by further examination in any of them. The prevalence of PD in northern Tanzania was found to be very low. This result would need confirmation in studies with larger populations, ideally of different African ethnicities. © 2009 Springer-Verlag. | Community-based study; Hospital-based study; Parkinson's disease; Prevalence; Tanzania | adult; Africa; aged; article; clinical article; community; ethnicity; evaluation; extrapyramidal syndrome; female; health survey; hospital; hospital admission; human; male; medical specialist; Parkinson disease; parkinsonism; physical examination; pilot study; population; prevalence; priority journal; screening; Tanzania; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Rural Population; Tanzania | None |
| None | None | Lethal aggression in Pan is better explained by adaptive strategies than human impacts | Wilson M.L., Boesch C., Fruth B., Furuichi T., Gilby I.C., Hashimoto C., Hobaiter C.L., Hohmann G., Itoh N., Koops K., Lloyd J.N., Matsuzawa T., Mitani J.C., Mjungu D.C., Morgan D., Muller M.N., Mundry R., Nakamura M., Pruetz J., Pusey A.E., Riedel J., Sa | 2014 | Nature | 513 | 7518 | 10.1038/nature13727 | Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, 395 Humphrey Center, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN, United States; Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Division of Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitaet Muenchen, Germany; Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Belgium; Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan; Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 104 Biological Sciences Building, Box 90383, Durham, NC, United States; School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ, United States; School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, Westburn Lane, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom; Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2-24 Tanaka-Sekiden-Cho, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan; Division of Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Henry Wellcome Building, Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Zoology Department, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Japan Monkey Center, 26 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan; Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, 101 West Hall, 1085 S. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Gombe Stream Research Centre, Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, P.O. Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania; Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Anthropology, MSC01-1040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Anthropology, Iowa State University, 324 Curtiss, Ames, IA, United States; Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Mailbox 1114, One Brookings Drive, St Louis, MO, United States; University of York, Department of Psychology, Heslington, York, United Kingdom; Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States; Department of Anthropology, Yale University, 10 Sachem Street, New Haven, CT, United States; Université de Neuchâtel, Institut de Biologie, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States | Wilson, M.L., Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, 395 Humphrey Center, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, United States, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St Paul, MN, United States; Boesch, C., Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Fruth, B., Division of Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitaet Muenchen, Germany, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Belgium; Furuichi, T., Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan; Gilby, I.C., Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 104 Biological Sciences Building, Box 90383, Durham, NC, United States, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ, United States; Hashimoto, C., Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan; Hobaiter, C.L., School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, Westburn Lane, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom; Hohmann, G., Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Itoh, N., Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2-24 Tanaka-Sekiden-Cho, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan; Koops, K., Division of Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Henry Wellcome Building, Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Lloyd, J.N., Zoology Department, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Matsuzawa, T., Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan, Japan Monkey Center, 26 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan; Mitani, J.C., Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, 101 West Hall, 1085 S. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Mjungu, D.C., Gombe Stream Research Centre, Jane Goodall Institute - Tanzania, P.O. Box 1182, Kigoma, Tanzania; Morgan, D., Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, United States; Muller, M.N., Department of Anthropology, MSC01-1040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States; Mundry, R., Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Nakamura, M., Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2-24 Tanaka-Sekiden-Cho, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan; Pruetz, J., Department of Anthropology, Iowa State University, 324 Curtiss, Ames, IA, United States; Pusey, A.E., Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, 104 Biological Sciences Building, Box 90383, Durham, NC, United States; Riedel, J., Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Sanz, C., Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Mailbox 1114, One Brookings Drive, St Louis, MO, United States; Schel, A.M., University of York, Department of Psychology, Heslington, York, United Kingdom; Simmons, N., Zoology Department, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Waller, M., Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States; Watts, D.P., Department of Anthropology, Yale University, 10 Sachem Street, New Haven, CT, United States; White, F., Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States; Wittig, R.M., Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, Germany; Zuberbühler, K., School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, Westburn Lane, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom, Université de Neuchâtel, Institut de Biologie, Rue Emile-Argand 11, Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Wrangham, R.W., Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States | Observations of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) provide valuable comparative data for understanding the significance of conspecific killing. Two kinds of hypothesis have been proposed. Lethal violence is sometimes concluded to be the result of adaptive strategies, such that killers ultimately gain fitness benefits by increasing their access to resources such as food or mates. Alternatively, it could be a non-adaptive result of human impacts, such as habitat change or food provisioning. To discriminate between these hypotheses we compiled information from 18 chimpanzee communities and 4 bonobo communities studied over five decades. Our data include 152 killings (n = 58 observed, 41 inferred, and 53 suspected killings) by chimpanzees in 15 communities and one suspected killing by bonobos. We found that males were the most frequent attackers (92% of participants) and victims (73%); most killings (66%) involved intercommunity attacks; and attackers greatly outnumbered their victims (median 8:1 ratio). Variation in killing rates was unrelated to measures of human impacts. Our results are compatible with previously proposed adaptive explanations for killing by chimpanzees, whereas the human impact hypothesis is not supported. ©2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved. | None | adaptation; aggression; anthropogenic effect; conspecific; data acquisition; fitness; hominid; hunting; male; resource availability; species conservation; violence; adaptive behavior; aggression; Article; female; fighting; male; nonhuman; Pan paniscus; Pan troglodytes; population density; priority journal; victim; violence; Africa; animal; animal behavior; article; biological model; food; human; human activities; meta analysis; physiology; psychological aspect; sexual behavior; wild animal; Pan; Pan paniscus; Pan troglodytes; Africa; Aggression; Animals; Animals, Wild; Behavior, Animal; Female; Food; Human Activities; Humans; Male; Models, Biological; Pan paniscus; Pan troglodytes; Population Density; Sexual Behavior, Animal | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84879605246 | Causes of variable reproductive performance by Southern Ground-hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri and implications for management | Wilson G., Hockey P.A.R. | 2013 | Ibis | 155 | 3 | 10.1111/ibi.12042 | Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa | Wilson, G., Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Hockey, P.A.R., Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa | Range occupancy of the cooperatively breeding Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri in South Africa has decreased by 65% in the last three generations and the effective management of the remaining populations is hampered by a lack of fundamental understanding of the factors determining reproductive performance. We examined the influence of social and environmental factors on the species' reproductive success in South Africa using data gathered from 23 groups over eight breeding seasons. Some groups had access to artificial nest-sites, others did not. High rainfall (> 500 mm) over the breeding season led to a decrease in reproductive success, with groups being most successful in years when rain in the vicinity of the nest ranged from 300 to 500 mm. Groups breeding in natural nests were successful only when the proportion of open woodland surrounding the nest-site was high. Those that bred in artificial nests, where overall breeding success was more than twice as high as those in natural nests, were less dependent on the availability of open woodland. Large groups (more than three birds) bred more successfully than groups comprising only two to three individuals. Group size, helper effects and rainfall cannot be managed to increase the productivity of Ground-Hornbills but the fact that the availability of artificial nest-sites and the amount of open woodland around the nest-site both contribute positively to breeding performance identifies practical and simple management options for increasing the reproductive output of Southern Ground-Hornbill populations. © 2013 British Ornithologists' Union. | Artificial nest-sites; Breeding success; Conservation; Cooperative breeding; Rainfall; Social effects | artificial nest; bird; breeding season; cooperative breeding; environmental factor; fecundity; group size; habitat availability; nest site; precipitation (climatology); range size; reproductive productivity; reproductive success; social organization; species conservation; South Africa; Aves; Bucorvus leadbeateri | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84892546519 | The politics of youth violence in Rumuekpe and its impact on Rumuekpe community development, 2004-2010 | Wilson G. | 2013 | Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences | 4 | 6 | 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n6p73 | Department of Political Science, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumini, Port Harcourt, Nigeria | Wilson, G., Department of Political Science, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumini, Port Harcourt, Nigeria | The study centered on politics of youth violence and its impact on Rumuekpe community development, within the period of 2004 - 2010. Rumuekpe is one of the oil producing communities in Niger Delta region of Nigeria and is noted for their peaceful coexisted and friendly relationship with their guests and neighbours. Suddenly, the communities were thrown into violence due to the inability of the community youth leadership to ensure the accountability of their government and operate all inclusive government, and insincerity in activities of the oil companies operating in Rumuekpe to effectively enforce community development programme in Rumuekpe. The unsatisfactory activities of the youth leadership resulted to agitation by some factions of the youths for a change of the youth leadership, coupled with the ill activities of the oil multinationals, the aggrieved youths were left with no option than to embark on intensive agitation for a change of youth leadership, and community development by oil multinationals. Unfortunately, the agitation graduated to youth violence in Rumuekpe. To that effect, the study is aimed at identifying the causes and effects of the violence on Rumuekpe people and community development. Secondary and primary data were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Our findings proved that the violence was caused by agitation for change in youth leadership and poor activities of Shell in Rumuekpe community. The study showed that the violence had negative impact on Rumuekpe people, community development, oil multinationals and Nigerian state. Based on that, the study made some recommendations on the modalities to avoid future youth violence and achieve community development in Rumuekpe in particular, and Niger Delta Region at large. | And oil multinationals; Community development; Politics; Youth leadership; Youth violence | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84903559734 | The lover and another: A consideration of the efficacy of utilizing a performance poetry competition as vehicle for HIV/AIDS education among young adults | Wilson D., Suter K. | 2013 | Matatu | 43 | 1 | None | University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | Wilson, D., University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Suter, K., University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | [No abstract available] | None | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79251585957 | Performance of serum c-reactive protein as a screening test for smear-negative tuberculosis in an ambulatory high HIV prevalence population | Wilson D., Badri M., Maartens G. | 2011 | PLoS ONE | 6 | 1 | 10.1371/journal.pone.0015248 | Department of Medicine, Edendale Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Wilson, D., Department of Medicine, Edendale Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Badri, M., Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Maartens, G., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Background: Delayed diagnosis has contributed to the high mortality of sputum smear-negative tuberculosis (SNTB) in high HIV prevalence countries. New diagnostic strategies for SNTB are urgently needed. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific inflammatory protein that is usually elevated in patients with tuberculosis, but its role in the diagnosis of tuberculosis is uncertain. Methodology/Principal Findings: To determine the diagnostic utility of CRP we prospectively evaluated the performance of CRP as a screening test for SNTB in symptomatic ambulatory tuberculosis suspects followed up for 8 weeks in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. Confirmed tuberculosis was defined as positive culture or acid-fast bacilli with granulomata on histology, and possible tuberculosis as documented response to antitubercular therapy. The CRP quotient was defined as a multiple of the upper limit of normal of the serum CRP result. Three hundred and sixty four participants fulfilled entry criteria: 135 (37%) with confirmed tuberculosis, 114 (39%) with possible tuberculosis, and 115 (24%) without tuberculosis. The median CRP quotient was 15.4 (IQR 7.2; 23.3) in the confirmed tuberculosis group, 5.8 (IQR 1.4; 16.0) in the group with possible tuberculosis, and 0.7 (IQR 0.2; 2.2) in the group without tuberculosis (p<0.0001). The CRP quotient above the upper limit of normal had sensitivity 0.98 (95% CI 0.94; 0.99), specificity 0.59 (95% CI 0.50; 0.68), positive predictive value 0.74 (95% CI 0.67; 0.80), negative predictive value 0.96 (95% CI 0.88; 0.99), and diagnostic odds ratio 63.7 (95% CI 19.1; 212.0) in the confirmed tuberculosis group compared with the group without tuberculosis. Higher CRP quotients improved specificity at the expense of sensitivity. Significance: In high HIV prevalence settings a normal CRP could be a useful test in combination with clinical evaluation to rule out tuberculosis in ambulatory patients. Point-of-care CRP should be further evaluated in primary care clinics. © 2011 Wilson et al. | None | C reactive protein; tuberculostatic agent; C reactive protein; acid fast bacterium; adult; article; bacterium culture; controlled clinical trial; diagnostic test accuracy study; diagnostic value; drug response; female; follow up; granuloma; histopathology; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; human tissue; major clinical study; male; predictive value; prevalence; primary health care; prospective study; protein analysis; protein blood level; screening test; sensitivity and specificity; South Africa; sputum smear; tuberculosis; AIDS related complex; evaluation; hospital information system; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; mass screening; methodology; standard; tuberculosis; Bacilli (class); Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; C-Reactive Protein; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Point-of-Care Systems; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Sensitivity and Specificity; South Africa; Tuberculosis | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79958726865 | Evaluation of the World Health Organization algorithm for the diagnosis of HIV-associated sputum smear-negative tuberculosis | Wilson D., Mbhele L., Badri M., Morroni C., Nachega J., Chaisson R.E., Maartens G. | 2011 | International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease | 15 | 7 | 10.5588/ijtld.10.0440 | Department of Medicine, Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, 3216, South Africa; Department of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of International Health and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of International Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | Wilson, D., Department of Medicine, Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, 3216, South Africa, Department of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pretoria, South Africa; Mbhele, L., Department of Medicine, Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, 3216, South Africa; Badri, M., Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Morroni, C., Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Nachega, J., Department of International Health and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of International Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Chaisson, R.E., Department of International Health and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of International Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Maartens, G., Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | BACKGROUND: Outcomes from the World Health Organization's (WHO's) recommendations for the diagnosis of smear-negative tuberculosis (SNTB) in high human immunodeficiency virus prevalence settings are unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively applied the WHO algorithm for SNTB without danger signs to a prospectively enrolled cohort of ambulatory adult SNTB suspects in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Participants fulfilling specified criteria for SNTB started empiric anti-tuberculosis treatment; the rest of the cohort was observed. All were followed for 8 weeks. Confirmed TB was defined as positive culture or granulomata plus acid-fast bacilli on histology. RESULTS: In total, 221 participants retrospectively fulfilled the WHO ambulatory SNTB algorithm entry criteria. The diagnostic performance of the WHO algorithm was: positive predictive value 0.34 (95%CI 0.26-0.43), negative predictive value 0.86 (95%CI 0.76-0.92), positive likelihood ratio 1.43 (95%CI 1.34-1.48), negative likelihood ratio 0.46 (95%CI 0.38-0.56) and diagnostic odds 3.1 (95%CI 1.52-6.34). Losses to follow-up (n = 4), hospitalisations (n = 6) and deaths (n = 5) did not differ significantly in those who were and were not diagnosed with SNTB. CONCLUSIONS: The WHO ambulatory SNTB algorithm had a reasonably high negative predictive value but low positive predictive value. Mortality over an 8-week period was low in participants who met the entry criteria for the WHO algorithm. © 2011 The Union. | HIV; Performance; Smear-negative tuberculosis; WHO recommendations | adult; article; cohort analysis; female; follow up; hospitalization; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; major clinical study; male; mortality; practice guideline; predictive value; priority journal; retrospective study; smear negative tuberculosis; sputum smear; tuberculosis; world health organization; Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Algorithms; Female; Follow-Up Studies; HIV Infections; Humans; Likelihood Functions; Male; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Retrospective Studies; South Africa; Sputum; Tuberculosis; World Health Organization | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84921693102 | Battling the Race: Stylizing Language and Coproducing Whiteness and Colouredness in a Freestyle Rap Performance | Williams Q.E., Stroud C. | 2014 | Journal of Linguistic Anthropology | 24 | 3 | 10.1111/jola.12064 | Linguistics Department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa | Williams, Q.E., Linguistics Department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa; Stroud, C., Linguistics Department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa | In the last 19 years of post-apartheid South African democracy, race remains an enduring and familiar trope, a point of certainty amid the messy ambiguities of transformation. In the present article, we explore the malleable, permeable, and unstable racializations of contemporary South Arica, specifically the way in which coloured and white racializations are negotiated and interactionally accomplished in the context of Capetonian hip-hop. The analysis reveals the complex ways in which racialized bodies are figured semiotically through reference to historical time and contemporary (translocal) social space. But also the way iconic features of blackness are reindexicalized to stand for a transnational whiteness. © 2015 by the American Anthropological Association. | Colouredness; Hip-hop; Performance; Race; Stylization; Whiteness | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-61849180910 | Contaminated land clean-up using composted wastes and impacts of VOCs on land | Williamson J.C., Akinola M., Nason M.A., Tandy S., Healey J.R., Jones D.L. | 2009 | Waste Management | 29 | 5 | 10.1016/j.wasman.2008.11.015 | School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales, United Kingdom; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria | Williamson, J.C., School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales, United Kingdom; Akinola, M., Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria; Nason, M.A., School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales, United Kingdom; Tandy, S., School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales, United Kingdom; Healey, J.R., School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales, United Kingdom; Jones, D.L., School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW Wales, United Kingdom | This paper describes experiments that demonstrate the effects and potential for remediation of a former steelworks site in Wales polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Under field conditions, PAH-contaminated soil was composted in-vessel, with or without organic feedstocks, receiving forced aeration for 80 days followed by 4 months maturation. Treatments compared PAH removal in contaminated soil to contaminated soil mixed with three different organic waste mixes after composting and after composts were spread to land. After composting, PAH concentrations declined in all treatments, by up to 38%. Sixteen months after the composts were landspread and vegetation was established, only those containing contaminated soil with organic additions exhibited further PAH removal, by up to 29%. Composting resulted in a decline in the relative concentration of small PAHs, whereas the landspreading-vegetation phase saw a decline in the relative concentration of medium PAHs in two of the three composts exhibiting PAH removal. Under controlled glasshouse conditions, vegetated soil columns of differing depths were exposed to VOCs from beneath. VOC vapour affected both shoot and root growth and soil microbial activity; effects varied with distance from the VOC source. This work demonstrated that on-site remediation of aged PAH-contaminated land can be successfully initiated by in-vessel co-composting followed by land spreading and vegetation, within a practical timeframe. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | None | Co-composting; Composted wastes; Contaminated lands; Contaminated soils; Field conditions; Forced aerations; Glasshouse conditions; In vessels; Landspreading; Organic feedstocks; Organic wastes; Relative concentrations; Root growths; Site remediations; Soil columns; Soil microbial activities; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Composting; Contamination; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Sewage; Soil pollution; Soil structure interactions; Soils; Vegetation; Volatile organic compounds; Waste treatment; Remediation; compost; contaminated land; PAH; soil pollution; volatile organic compound; waste management; Environmental Pollution; Environmental Remediation; Metallurgy; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Soil; Volatile Organic Compounds; Wales | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79953252394 | Monitoring solar home systems with pulse width modulation charge control | Williams N.J., Van Dyk E.E., Vorster F.J. | 2011 | Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Transactions of the ASME | 133 | 2 | 10.1115/1.4003586 | Centre for Energy Research, Department of Physics, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa | Williams, N.J., Centre for Energy Research, Department of Physics, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa; Van Dyk, E.E., Centre for Energy Research, Department of Physics, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa; Vorster, F.J., Centre for Energy Research, Department of Physics, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa | With the high cost of grid extension and approximately 1.6 billion people still living without electrical services, the solar home system is an important technology in the alleviation of rural energy poverty across the developing world. The performance monitoring and analysis of these systems provide insights leading to improvements in system design and implementation in order to ensure high quality and robust energy supply in remote locations. Most small solar home systems now use charge controllers using pulse width modulation (PWM) to regulate the charge current to the battery. A rapid variation in current and voltage resulting from PWM creates monitoring challenges, which, if not carefully considered in the design of the monitoring system, can result in the erroneous measurement of photovoltaic (PV) power. In order to characterize and clarify the measurement process during PWM, a mathematical model was developed to reproduce and simulate measured data. The effects of matched scan and PWM frequency were studied with the model, and an algorithm was devised to select appropriate scan rates to ensure that a representative sample of measurements is acquired. Furthermore, estimation methods were developed to correct for measurement errors due to factors such as nonzero "short circuit" voltage and current/voltage peak mismatches. A more sophisticated algorithm is then discussed to more accurately measure PV power using highly programmable data loggers. The results produced by the various methods are compared and reveal a significant error in the measurement of PV power without corrective action. Estimation methods prove to be effective in certain cases but are susceptible to error during conditions of variable irradiance. The effect of the measurement error has been found to depend strongly on the duty cycle of PWM as well as the relationship between scan rate and PWM frequency. The energy measurement error over 1 day depends on insolation and system conditions as well as on system design. On a sunny day, under a daily load of about 20 A h, the net error in PV energy is found to be 1%, whereas a system with a high initial battery state of charge under similar conditions and no load produced an error of 47.6%. This study shows the importance of data logger selection and programming in monitoring accurately the energy provided by solar home systems. When appropriately considered, measurement errors can be avoided or reduced without investment in more expensive measurement equipment. © 2011 American Society of Mechanical Engineers. | measuring errors; monitoring; pulse width modulation; solar home system | Battery state of charge; Charge control; Charge controllers; Charge current; Corrective actions; Data logger; Developing world; Duty cycles; Electrical services; Energy measurements; Estimation methods; Grid extension; High costs; High quality; Measured data; Measurement equipment; Measurement process; Measuring errors; Monitoring system; No load; Performance monitoring and analysis; Pulse width; PV energy; Rapid variation; Remote location; Representative sample; Robust energy; Rural energy; Scan rates; Short circuit; solar home system; System conditions; System design; Algorithms; Design; Developing countries; Energy utilization; Estimation; Instruments; Investments; Lead acid batteries; Mathematical models; Measurement errors; Modulation; Potential flow; Pulse width modulation; Solar buildings; Solar energy; Systems analysis; Monitoring | None |
| WoS | WOS:000332072800013 | School-based intervention: evaluating the role of water, latrines and hygiene education on trachoma and intestinal parasitic infections in Ethiopia | Aboset, Nigusu,Berhane, Yemane,Gelaye, Bizu,Kumie, Abera,Williams, Michelle A. | 2014 | JOURNAL OF WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE FOR DEVELOPMENT | 4 | 1 | 10.2166/washdev.2013.060 | Addis Ababa University, Harvard University, University of Washington, University of Washington Seattle, Addis Continental Inst Publ Hlth, Family Hlth Int | "Williams, Michelle A.: Harvard University", | We sought to evaluate the impact of a hygiene and sanitation intervention program among school-children to control active trachoma and intestinal parasitic infections. This longitudinal epidemiologic study was conducted among 630 students in rural Ethiopia. Baseline and follow-up surveys were conducted to evaluate the impact of a three-pronged intervention program: (i) construction of ventilated improved pit latrines; (ii) provision of clean drinking water; and (iii) hygiene education. Socio-demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Presence of trachoma and intestinal parasitic infections were evaluated using standard procedures. At baseline, 15% of students had active trachoma, while 6.7% of them were found to have active trachoma post-intervention (p < 0.001). Similar improvements were noted for parasitic infections. At baseline, 7% of students were reported to have helminthic infections and 30.2% protozoa infections. However, only 4% of students had any helminthic infection and 13.4% (p < 0.001) of them were found to have any protozoa infection during follow-up surveys. Improvements were also noted in students' knowledge and attitudes towards hygiene and sanitation. In summary, the results of our study demonstrated that provision of a comprehensive and targeted sanitation intervention program was successful in reducing the burden of trachoma and intestinal parasitic infection among schoolchildren. | ETHIOPIA,INTERVENTION,"PARASITIC INFECTION",SANITATION,SCHOOL,TRACHOMA,"ACTIVE TRACHOMA",ALBENDAZOLE,CHILDREN,DISTRICT,EFFICACY,PREVALENCE,PROMOTION,RISK-FACTORS,"SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS",TANZANIA | None | None |
| None | None | Dispensary level pilot implementation of rapid diagnostic tests: An evaluation of RDT acceptance and usage by providers and patients - Tanzania, 2005 | Williams H.A., Causer L., Metta E., Malila A., O'Reilly T., Abdulla S., Kachur S.P., Bloland P.B. | 2008 | Malaria Journal | 7 | None | 10.1186/1475-2875-7-239 | International Emergency and Refugee Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mail Stop F-60, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States; National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Australia; Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre (IHRDC), Tanzania; Malaria Branch, CDC, United States | Williams, H.A., International Emergency and Refugee Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mail Stop F-60, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States; Causer, L., National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Australia; Metta, E., Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre (IHRDC), Tanzania; Malila, A., Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre (IHRDC), Tanzania; O'Reilly, T., Malaria Branch, CDC, United States; Abdulla, S., National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Australia; Kachur, S.P., Malaria Branch, CDC, United States; Bloland, P.B., Malaria Branch, CDC, United States | Background. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) may assist in diagnosis, improve prescribing practices and reduce potential drug resistance development. Without understanding operational issues or acceptance and usage by providers and patients, the costs of these tests may not be justified. Objectives. To evaluate the impact of RDTs on prescribing behaviours, assess prescribers' and patients' perceptions, and identify operational issues during implementation. Methods. Baseline data were collected at six Tanzanian public dispensaries. RDTs were implemented for eight weeks and data collected on frequency of RDT use, results, malaria diagnoses and the prescription of antimalarials. Patients referred for RDTs completed a standardised exit interview. Qualitative methods assessed attitudes toward and satisfaction with RDTs, perceptions about the test and operational issues related to implementation. Results. Of 595 patients at baseline, 200 (33%) were diagnosed clinically with malaria but had a negative RDT. Among the 2519 RDTs performed during implementation, 289 (11.5%) had a negative result and antimalarials prescribed. The proportion of "over-prescriptions" at baseline was 54.8% (198/365). At weeks four and eight this decreased to 16.1% (27/168) and 16.4% (42/256) respectively. A total of 355 patient or parent/caregiver and 21 prescriber individual interviews and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Patients, caregivers and providers trusted RDT results, agreed that use of RDTs was feasible at dispensary level, and perceived that RDTs improved clinical diagnosis. Negative concerns included community suspicion and fear that RDTs were HIV tests, the need for additional supervision in interpreting the results, and increased work loads without added compensation. Conclusion. Overprescriptions decreased over the study period. There was a high degree of patient/caregiver and provider acceptance of and satisfaction with RDTs. Implementation should include community education, sufficient levels of training and supervision and consideration of the need for additional staff. © 2008 Williams et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | None | antimalarial agent; ambulatory care; article; caregiver; clinical evaluation; diagnostic test; diagnostic value; health care personnel; health care utilization; human; Human immunodeficiency virus; information processing; interview; major clinical study; malaria; parental attitude; patient attitude; patient referral; perception; prescription; preventive health service; Tanzania; workload; attitude to health; health center; malaria; pilot study; psychological aspect; sensitivity and specificity; standard; statistics; Tanzania; Community Health Centers; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Humans; Malaria; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Pilot Projects; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tanzania | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-78650392878 | Drying of organic solvents: Quantitative evaluation of the efficiency of several desiccants | Williams D.B.G., Lawton M. | 2010 | Journal of Organic Chemistry | 75 | 24 | 10.1021/jo101589h | Research Centre for Synthesis and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa | Williams, D.B.G., Research Centre for Synthesis and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; Lawton, M., Research Centre for Synthesis and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa | Various commonly used organic solvents were dried with several different drying agents. A glovebox-bound coulometric Karl Fischer apparatus with a two-compartment measuring cell was used to determine the efficiency of the drying process. Recommendations are made relating to optimum drying agents/conditions that can be used to rapidly and reliably generate solvents with low residual water content by means of commonly available materials found in most synthesis laboratories. The practical method provides for safer handling and drying of solvents than methods calling for the use of reactive metals, metal hydrides, or solvent distillation. © 2010 American Chemical Society. | None | Commonly used; Drying agent; Drying process; Gloveboxes; Karl Fischer; Measuring cells; Metal hydrides; Practical method; Quantitative evaluation; Reactive metals; Residual water content; Curing; Distillation; Driers (materials); Hydrides; Organic solvents; Water content; Drying; desiccant; metal; organic solvent; water; article; cell assay; coulometry; distillation; drying; high temperature procedures; quantitative analysis; reliability; synthesis | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-40849123775 | Synthesis and evaluation of phosphine-N ligands in transition metal-catalysed C{single bond}C bond forming reactions | Williams D.B.G., Pretorius M. | 2008 | Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical | 284 | 42371 | 10.1016/j.molcata.2008.01.007 | Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa | Williams, D.B.G., Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa; Pretorius, M., Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa | A series of phosphino-imine and the corresponding phosphino-amine P,NR ligands (R = alkyl, aryl) was synthesised from the commercially available starting material 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde, including P,N bi-, tri- and tetradentate imine ligands, their secondary amine analogues, and also the methylated tertiary amine equivalents. As an extension, some P,NPPh2 and P,NPCy2 derivatives were also prepared from the same starting material. All of these ligands were successfully applied in catalytic reactions (Heck, cross-coupling and hydroformylation), and benchmarked against traditional ligands with satisfying results. While providing catalyst systems that were stable and generally acceptably active in comparison with the benchmarks, the Pd-ligand catalyst systems of this study were found to be especially active in Stille reactions. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. | Catalysis; Ligands; Palladium; Rhodium | Catalysis; Crosslinking; Ligands; Reaction rates; Synthesis (chemical); Catalyst systems; Catalytic reactions; Secondary amines; Tetradentate imine ligands; Transition metal compounds | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84938590827 | Evaluation of Fingerstick Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay in HIV-Infected Persons: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study | Williams D.A., Kiiza T., Kwizera R., Kiggundu R., Velamakanni S., Meya D.B., Rhein J., Boulware D.R. | 2015 | Clinical Infectious Diseases | 61 | 3 | 10.1093/cid/civ263 | University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States; Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda; College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda | Williams, D.A., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States, Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda; Kiiza, T., Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda; Kwizera, R., Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda; Kiggundu, R., Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda; Velamakanni, S., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States; Meya, D.B., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States, Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda, College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; Rhein, J., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States, Infectious Diseases Institute, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda, Uganda; Boulware, D.R., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, United States | Background. Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common cause of adult meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa. The cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) lateral flow assay (LFA) has simplified diagnosis as a point-of-care test approved for serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We evaluated the accuracy of the CRAG LFA using fingerstick whole blood compared with serum/plasma and CSF for diagnosing meningitis. Methods. From August 2013 to August 2014, CRAG LFA (IMMY, Norman, Oklahoma) tests were performed on fingerstick whole blood, plasma/serum, and CSF in 207 HIV-infected adults with suspected meningitis in Kampala, Uganda. Venous blood was also collected and centrifuged to obtain serum and/or plasma. CSF was tested after lumbar puncture. Results. Of 207 participants, 149 (72%) had fingerstick CRAG-positive results. There was 100% agreement between fingerstick whole blood and serum/plasma. Of the 149 fingerstick CRAG-positive participants, 138 (93%) had evidence of cryptococcal meningitis with a positive CSF CRAG. Eleven participants (5%) had isolated cryptococcal antigenemia with a negative CSF CRAG and culture, of whom 8 had CSF abnormalities (n = 3 lymphocytic pleocytosis, n = 5 elevated protein, n = 4 increased opening pressure). No persons with cryptococcal meningitis had negative fingersticks. Conclusions. The 100% agreement between whole blood, serum, and plasma CRAG LFA results demonstrates that fingerstick CRAG is a reliable bedside diagnostic test. Using point-of-care CRAG testing simplifies screening large numbers of patients and enables physicians to prioritize on whom to measure CSF opening pressure using manometers. © 2015 The Author 2015. | cryptococcal meningitis; cryptococcus; HIV; lateral flow assay; point-of-care systems | adult; Article; cerebrospinal fluid; clinical evaluation; clinical trial; cost effectiveness analysis; cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay; cryptococcal meningitis; diagnostic accuracy; diagnostic test accuracy study; evidence based practice; female; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; immunology test kit; lumbar puncture; major clinical study; male; molecular diagnostics; plasma; point of care testing; priority journal; prospective study; serum; Uganda; venous blood | K24AI096925, NIAID, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; R01NS086312, NIAID, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; R25TW009345, NIAID, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; T32AI055433, NIAID, National I |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-46749110693 | "Coming to town": The impact of urbanicity, cigarette advertising, and network norms on the smoking attitudes of black women in Cape Town, South Africa | Williams C.T., Grier S.A., Marks A.S. | 2008 | Journal of Urban Health | 85 | 4 | 10.1007/s11524-008-9286-7 | School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; American University, Washington, DC, United States; University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Kogod School of Business, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8044, United States | Williams, C.T., School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Grier, S.A., American University, Washington, DC, United States, Kogod School of Business, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8044, United States; Marks, A.S., University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa | This study was conducted to examine the effect of urban living on smoking attitudes among black African women in South Africa. We examine how urbanicity affects attitudes toward smoking and how it moderates the relationship between both advertising exposure and network norms on black women's smoking attitudes. Respondents were 975 black women currently living in Cape Town townships, some of which were raised in rural villages or small towns. Respondents completed a cross-sectional survey, which included data on smoking attitudes, norms, and exposure to cigarette advertising. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed with smoking attitudes as the response variable, and urbanicity, cigarette advertising exposure, and network smoking norms as primary explanatory variables. Interactions were tested to determine whether urbanicity modified the effect of advertising exposure and network norms on smoking attitudes. Independent effects of urbanicity, exposure to cigarette advertising, and greater smoking prevalence within women's networks were associated with more favorable smoking attitudes. In addition, urbanicity moderated the relationship between network smoking norms and smoking attitudes, but not cigarette advertising exposure and smoking attitudes. Urbanicity, cigarette advertising, and networks play important roles in women's attitudes toward smoking, and potentially, smoking behavior. Overall, our results suggest that strong and creative anti-smoking efforts are needed to combat the potential for a smoking epidemic among an increasingly urbanized population of black women in South Africa and similar emerging markets. Additional research is warranted. © 2008 The New York Academy of Medicine. | Cigarette advertising; Smoking attitudes; South Africa; Urbanicity; Women's health | adolescent; adult; advertizing; article; attitude to health; cigarette smoking; female; human; major clinical study; prevalence; priority journal; smoking habit; social network; South Africa; urban population; urban rural difference; Adolescent; Adult; Advertising as Topic; African Continental Ancestry Group; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Linear Models; Middle Aged; Questionnaires; Smoking; South Africa; Urban Population; Women's Health | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33746456905 | The potential impact of male circumcision on HIV in sub-Saharan Africa | Williams B.G., Lloyd-Smith J.O., Gouws E., Hankins C., Getz W.M., Hargrove J., De Zoysa I., Dye C., Auvert B. | 2006 | PLoS Medicine | 3 | 7 | 10.1371/journal.pmed.0030262 | World Health Organization, Stop TB Department, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States; Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Policy, Evidence, and Partnerships Department, Geneva, Switzerland; South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Stellenbosch, South Africa; World Health Organization, Family and Community Health, Geneva, Switzerland; INSERM, Saint Maurice, France; University of Versailles-Saint Quentin, Faculté de Médecine, Paris-Ile-de-France-Ouest, Saint Maurice, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Ambroise Pare, Boulogne, France | Williams, B.G., World Health Organization, Stop TB Department, Geneva, Switzerland; Lloyd-Smith, J.O., Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States; Gouws, E., Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Policy, Evidence, and Partnerships Department, Geneva, Switzerland; Hankins, C., Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States; Getz, W.M., Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States; Hargrove, J., South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Stellenbosch, South Africa; De Zoysa, I., World Health Organization, Family and Community Health, Geneva, Switzerland; Dye, C., World Health Organization, Stop TB Department, Geneva, Switzerland; Auvert, B., INSERM, Saint Maurice, France, University of Versailles-Saint Quentin, Faculté de Médecine, Paris-Ile-de-France-Ouest, Saint Maurice, France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Ambroise Pare, Boulogne, France | Background: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) has shown that male circumcision (MC) reduces sexual transmission of HIV from women to men by 60% (32%-76%; 95% CI) offering an intervention of proven efficacy for reducing the sexual spread of HIV. We explore the implications of this finding for the promotion of MC as a public health intervention to control HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods and Findings: Using dynamical simulation models we consider the impact of MC on the relative prevalence of HIV in men and women and in circumcised and uncircumcised men. Using country level data on HIV prevalence and MC, we estimate the impact of increasing MC coverage on HIV incidence, HIV prevalence, and HIV-related deaths over the next ten, twenty, and thirty years in sub-Saharan Africa. Assuming that full coverage of MC is achieved over the next ten years, we consider three scenarios in which the reduction in transmission is given by the best estimate and the upper and lower 95% confidence limits of the reduction in transmission observed in the RCT. MC could avert 2.0 (1.1-3.8) million new HIV infections and 0.3 (0.1-0.5) million deaths over the next ten years in sub-Saharan Africa. In the ten years after that, it could avert a further 3.7 (1.9-7.5) million new HIV infections and 2.7 (1.5-5.3) million deaths, with about one quarter of all the incident cases prevented and the deaths averted occurring in South Africa. We show that a) MC will increase the proportion of infected people who are women from about 52% to 58%; b) where there is homogenous mixing but not all men are circumcised, the prevalence of infection in circumcised men is likely to be about 80% of that in uncircumcised men; c) MC is equivalent to an intervention, such as a vaccine or increased condom use, that reduces transmission in both directions by 37%. Conclusions: This analysis is based on the result of just one RCT, but if the results of that trial are confirmed we suggest that MC could substantially reduce the burden of HIV in Africa, especially in southern Africa where the prevalence of MC is low and the prevalence of HIV is high. While the protective benefit to HIV-negative men will be immediate, the full impact of MC on HIV-related illness and death will only be apparent in ten to twenty years. © 2006 Williams et al. | None | Africa; article; circumcision; condom; health care; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; incidence; infection control; mathematical analysis; mortality; prevalence; public health service; sexual behavior; sexual transmission; vaccination; Africa south of the Sahara; circumcision; cultural anthropology; disease transmission; female; forecasting; male; randomized controlled trial (topic); South Africa; statistics; theoretical model; utilization review; Africa South of the Sahara; Circumcision, Male; Culture; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Female; Forecasting; HIV Infections; Humans; Incidence; Male; Models, Theoretical; Prevalence; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sexual Behavior; South Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-80052962337 | Epidemiological impact of tenofovir gel on the HIV epidemic in South Africa | Williams B.G., Abdool Karim S.S., Karim Q.A., Gouws E. | 2011 | Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes | 58 | 2 | 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3182253c19 | South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), 19 Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch, South Africa; South Africa and Department of Epidemiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Columbia University, NY, United States; Strategic Intelligence and Analysis Division, UNAIDS-Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland | Williams, B.G., South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), 19 Jonkershoek Road, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Abdool Karim, S.S., South Africa and Department of Epidemiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Columbia University, NY, United States; Karim, Q.A., South Africa and Department of Epidemiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Columbia University, NY, United States; Gouws, E., Strategic Intelligence and Analysis Division, UNAIDS-Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland | Background: Tenofovir gel, an antiretroviral-based vaginal microbicide, reduced HIV acquisition by 39% in women in a recent randomized controlled clinical trial in South Africa. Methods: To inform policy, we used a dynamical model of HIV transmission, calibrated to the epidemic in South Africa, to determine the population-level impact of this microbicide on HIV incidence, prevalence, and deaths and to evaluate its cost-effectiveness. Results: If women use tenofovir gel in 80% or more of sexual encounters (high coverage), it could avert 2.33 (0.12 to 4.63) million new infections and save 1.30 (0.07 to 2.42) million lives and if used in 25% of sexual encounters (low coverage), it could avert 0.50 (0.04 to 0.77) million new infections and save 0.29 (0.02 to 0.44) million deaths, over the next 20 years. At US $0.50 per application, the cost per infection averted at low coverage is US $2392 (US $562 to US $4222) and the cost per disability-adjusted life year saved is US $104 (US $27 to US $181); at high coverage the costs are about 30% less. Conclusions: Over 20 years, the use of tenofovir gel in South Africa could avert up to 2 million new infections and 1 million AIDS deaths. Even with low rates of gel use, it is highly cost-effective and compares favorably with other control methods. This female-controlled prevention method could have a significant impact on the epidemic of HIV in South Africa. Programs should aim to achieve gel use in more than 25% of sexual encounters to significantly alter the course of the epidemic. © 2011 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. | cost effectiveness; HIV prevention; microbicide gel; South Africa; tenofovir | microbicide; tenofovir; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; article; cost effectiveness analysis; disability; epidemic; female; gel; health care cost; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; incidence; mortality; prevalence; priority journal; sexual intercourse; South Africa; virus transmission; Adenine; Anti-HIV Agents; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Incidence; Models, Biological; Phosphonic Acids; Prevalence; South Africa; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79953797150 | Evaluation and pharmacovigilance of projects promoting cultivation and local use of Artemisia annua for malaria | Willcox M.L., Burton S., Oyweka R., Namyalo R., Challand S., Lindsey K. | 2011 | Malaria Journal | 10 | None | 10.1186/1475-2875-10-84 | Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Research Initiative for Traditional Antimalarial Methods, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Medical Anthropology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Rural Extension for Africa's Poor (REAP), PO Box 6173, Kondele, Kisumu, Kenya; Anamed Uganda, Masaka, Uganda; Anamed International, Winnenden, Germany | Willcox, M.L., Department of Primary Health Care, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, Research Initiative for Traditional Antimalarial Methods, Oxford, United Kingdom; Burton, S., Research Initiative for Traditional Antimalarial Methods, Oxford, United Kingdom, Department of Medical Anthropology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Oyweka, R., Rural Extension for Africa's Poor (REAP), PO Box 6173, Kondele, Kisumu, Kenya; Namyalo, R., Anamed Uganda, Masaka, Uganda; Challand, S., Research Initiative for Traditional Antimalarial Methods, Oxford, United Kingdom, Anamed International, Winnenden, Germany; Lindsey, K., Research Initiative for Traditional Antimalarial Methods, Oxford, United Kingdom, Anamed International, Winnenden, Germany | Background: Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are promoting the use of Artemisia annua teas as a home-based treatment for malaria in situations where conventional treatments are not available. There has been controversy about the effectiveness and safety of this approach, but no pharmacovigilance studies or evaluations have been published to date. Method. A questionnaire about the cultivation of A. annua, treatment of patients, and side-effects observed, was sent to partners of the NGO Anamed in Kenya and Uganda. Some of the respondents were then selected purposively for more in-depth semi-structured interviews. Results: Eighteen partners in Kenya and 21 in Uganda responded. 49% reported difficulties in growing the plant, mainly due to drought. Overall about 3,000 cases of presumed malaria had been treated with A. annua teas in the previous year, of which about 250 were in children and 54 were in women in the first trimester of pregnancy. The commonest problem observed in children was poor compliance due to the bitter taste, which was improved by the addition of sugar or honey. Two miscarriages were reported in pregnant patients. Only four respondents reported side-effects in other patients, the commonest of which was vomiting. 51% of respondents had started using A. annua tea to treat illnesses other than malaria. Conclusions: Local cultivation and preparation of A. annua are feasible where growing conditions are appropriate. Few adverse events were reported even in children and pregnant women. Where ACT is in short supply, it would make sense to save it for young children, while using A. annua infusions to treat older patients who are at lower risk. An ongoing pharmacovigilance system is needed to facilitate reporting of any adverse events. © 2011 Willcox et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | None | antimalarial agent; sugar; Artemisia annua; article; bitter taste; child; diarrhea; drought; drug eruption; drug induced headache; drug surveillance program; feasibility study; female; first trimester pregnancy; health promotion; honey; human; interview; Kenya; malaria; male; plant breeding; pruritus; questionnaire; risk; spontaneous abortion; tea; Uganda; vomiting | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33746298345 | The design of an ERT system for 3D data acquisition and a quantitative evaluation of its performance | Wilkinson A.J., Randall E.W., Long T.M., Collins A. | 2006 | Measurement Science and Technology | 17 | 8 | 10.1088/0957-0233/17/8/006 | Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa | Wilkinson, A.J., Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Randall, E.W., Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Long, T.M., Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Collins, A., Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa | This paper describes a multi-plane implementation of a current-pulse electrical resistance tomography (ERT) data capture system. This is achieved by extending a single plane system, with 16 electrodes and 16 parallel measurement channels, to a one capable of acquiring data in a specified sequence across multiple planes (up to eight) by inserting multiplexer modules in parallel between the instrument and the electrode array. This approach allows high-speed capture systems to be configured for applications such as dual plane cross-correlation velocity measurements or more complex current injection and measurement sequences yielding 3D data sets. The measurement timing and multiplexer measurement sequences are implemented by an embedded processor. Both the executable code and the measurement sequence tables are downloaded to the instrument at start-up. This allows flexibility in specifying the data acquisition sequences and timing required for specific applications without modification of the hardware or embedded code. The effect of measurement noise on the estimated conductivity is quantified and spatial resolution discussed for the case of a 2D online imaging algorithm. Example reconstructions from recorded data sets are presented which verify the operation of the instrument. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd. | 3D; Current pulse; Electrical resistance tomography; ERT; Multiplexing; Noise; Resolution | Acoustic noise; Data acquisition; Electrodes; Multiplexing; Optical resolving power; Tomography; Current pulse; Electrical resistance tomography (ERT); High-speed capture systems; Multiplexer modules; Electric resistance; Acoustic noise; Data acquisition; Electric resistance; Electrodes; Multiplexing; Optical resolving power; Tomography | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84920278542 | Kathu Pan 1 points and the assemblage-scale, probabilistic approach: A response to Rots and Plisson, "Projectiles and the abuse of the use-wear method in a search for impact" | Wilkins J., Schoville B.J., Brown K.S., Chazan M. | 2015 | Journal of Archaeological Science | 54 | None | 10.1016/j.jas.2014.12.003 | Institute of Human Origins, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ, United States; Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada | Wilkins, J., Institute of Human Origins, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ, United States; Schoville, B.J., Institute of Human Origins, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ, United States; Brown, K.S., Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa; Chazan, M., Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, 19 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada | Rots and Plisson (2014) question our conclusion that 500,000-year-old points from Kathu Pan 1, South Africa were used as spear tips (Wilkins etal., 2012). However, their reinterpretation of the fractures we identify as diagnostic impact fractures are incorrect. Despite the assertion, knapping processes alone do not explain the basal modifications on the KP1 points. Although Rots and Plisson are critical of the edge damage distribution method, it provides objective, quantitative and statistical comparisons of experimental and archaeological datasets. The data we present stand as reliable evidence for early hafted hunting technology. We suggest that the disagreement stems from a differing perspective on how lithic functional studies should deal with equifinality and the challenge of confidently assessing stone tool function. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. | Diagnostic impact fractures; Edge damage distribution; Functional analysis; Hafting; Hunting technology; Lithic analysis; Middle stone age; Points; Spears; Use-wear | archaeological evidence; hunting; Mesolithic; probability; tool use; South Africa | BCS-0524087, NSF, National Science Foundation; BCS-1138073, NSF, National Science Foundation |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84867747561 | The effect of frother type and dosage on flotation performance in the presence of high depressant concentrations | Wiese J., Harris P. | 2012 | Minerals Engineering | None | None | 10.1016/j.mineng.2012.03.028 | Centre for Minerals Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa | Wiese, J., Centre for Minerals Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Harris, P., Centre for Minerals Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa | The use of high dosages of polysaccharide depressants in order to depress the undesired naturally floatable gangue (NFG) present in ores beneficiated from the Bushveld Complex, South Africa, results in a significant decrease in the stability of flotation froths. These unstable froths can result in restricted mass pull and decreased valuable mineral recovery. Previous work using a single polyglycol ether type frother, DOW 200, has shown that an increase in frother dosage could be used to overcome the destabilisation of the froth to a certain extent and improve valuable mineral recovery. This resulted in an increase in water recovery and dilution of the concentrate by entrained material. This work extends this study to examine the effect of using a stronger frother, DOW 250, on the recovery of sulphide minerals and floatable gangue from a Merensky ore at different dosages of guar gum and CMC, which are typically used as depressants in the processing of Merensky ore. Results indicate that an increase in the strength of the frother resulted in a more robust froth. Depressant type also had an influence on results obtained. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. | Flotation depressants; Flotation frothers; Froth flotation; Precious metal ores | Bushveld Complex; Floatable gangue; Flotation depressants; Flotation frothers; Flotation froths; Flotation performance; Frothers; Guar gums; Merensky ore; Mineral recovery; Polyglycol ethers; Precious metal ores; South Africa; Water recovery; Ethers; Froth flotation; Ores; Precious metals; Recovery; Ore treatment | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-33751367681 | New observations on shatter cones in the Vredefort impact structure, South Africa, and evaluation of current hypotheses for shatter cone formation | Wieland F., Reimold W.U., Gibson R.L. | 2006 | Meteoritics and Planetary Science | 41 | 11 | None | Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa; Museum for Natural History (Mineralogy), Humboldt University, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany | Wieland, F., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa; Reimold, W.U., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa, Museum for Natural History (Mineralogy), Humboldt University, Invalidenstrasse 43, D-10115 Berlin, Germany; Gibson, R.L., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa | Shatter cones have been described from many meteorite impact structures and are widely regarded as a diagnostic macroscopic recognition feature for impact. However, the origin of this meso- to macroscopic striated fracture phenomenon has not yet been satisfactorily resolved, and the timing of shatter cone formation in the cratering process still remains enigmatic. Here, previous results from studies of shatter cones from the Vredefort impact structure and other impact structures are discussed in the light of new field observations made in the Vredefort Dome. Contrary to earlier claims, Vredefort cone fractures do not show uniform apex orientations at any given outcrop, nor do small cones show a pattern consistent with the previously postulated "master cone" concept. Simple back-rotation of impact-rotated strata to a horizontal pre-impact position also does not lead to a uniform centripetal-upward orientation of the cone apices. Striation patterns on the cone surfaces are variable, ranging from the typically diverging pattern branching off the cone apex to subparallel-to-parallel patterns on almost flat surfaces. Striation angles on shatter cones do not increase with distance from the center of the dome, as alleged in the literature. Instead, a range of striation angles is measured on individual shatter cones from a specific outcrop. New observations on small-scale structures in the collar around the Vredefort Dome confirm the relationship of shatter cones with subparallel sets of curviplanar fractures (so-called multipli-striated joint sets, MSJS). Pervasive, meter-scale tensile fractures cross-cut shatter cones and appear to have formed after the closely spaced MSJ-type fractures. The results of this study indicate that none of the existing hypotheses for the formation of shatter cones are currently able to adequately explain all characteristics of this fracturing phenomenon. Therefore, we favor a combination of aspects of different hypotheses that includes the interaction of elastic waves, as supported by numerical modeling results and which reasonably explains the variety of shatter cone shapes, the range of striation geometries and angles, and the relationship of closely spaced fracture systems with the striated surfaces. In the light of the currently available theoretical basis for the formation of shatter cones, the results of this investigation lead to the conclusion that shatter cones are tensile fractures and might have formed during shock unloading, after the passage of the shock wave through the target rocks. © The Meteoritical Society, 2006. | None | cratering; impact structure; meteorite; numerical model; shatter cone; striation; Africa; South Africa; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-29244457231 | Structural analysis of the collar of the Vredefort Dome, South Africa - Significance for impact-related deformation and central uplift formation | Wieland F., Gibson R.L., Reimold W.U. | 2005 | Meteoritics and Planetary Science | 40 | 42623 | None | Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P.O. Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa | Wieland, F., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P.O. Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa; Gibson, R.L., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P.O. Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa; Reimold, W.U., Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P.O. Wits 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa | Landsat TM, aerial photograph image analysis, and field mapping of Witwatersrand supergroup meta-sedimentary strata in the collar of the Vredefort Dome reveals a highly heterogeneous internal structure involving folds, faults, fractures, and melt breccias that are interpreted as the product of shock deformation and central uplift formation during the 2.02 Ga Vredefort impact event. Broadly radially oriented symmetric and asymmetric folds with wavelengths ranging from tens of meters to kilometers and conjugate radial to oblique faults with strike-slip displacements of, typically, tens to hundreds of meters accommodated tangential shortening of the collar of the dome that decreased from ∼17% at a radius from the dome center of 21 km to <5% at a radius of 29 km. Ubiquitous shear fractures containing pseudotachylitic breccia, particularly in the metapelitic units, display local slip senses consistent with either tangential shortening or tangential extension; however, it is uncertain whether they formed at the same time as the larger faults or earlier, during the shock pulse. In addition to shatter cones, quartzite units show two fracture types - a cm-spaced rhomboidal to orthogonal type that may be the product of shock-induced deformation and later joints accomplishing tangential and radial extension. The occurrence of pseudotachylitic breccia within some of these later joints, and the presence of radial and tangential dikes of impact melt rock, confirm the impact timing of these features and are suggestive of late-stage collapse of the central uplift. © The Meteoritical Society, 2005. | None | deformation; impact structure; structural geology; uplift; Africa; Free State; South Africa; Southern Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Vredefort Dome | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84955308397 | Socio-economic impacts of the deployment of improved fuel efficient stoves: The ILF uganda commercialization program | Wiedmer D., Jouslin-de-Noray P., Graveaud F., Jahangiri V. | 2015 | Field Actions Science Report | 8 | None | None | ENEA Consulting, 89 rue Réaumur, Paris, France; International Lifeline Fund, P.O. Box 70, Adol Palino Road, Lira, Uganda | Wiedmer, D., ENEA Consulting, 89 rue Réaumur, Paris, France; Jouslin-de-Noray, P., ENEA Consulting, 89 rue Réaumur, Paris, France; Graveaud, F., ENEA Consulting, 89 rue Réaumur, Paris, France; Jahangiri, V., International Lifeline Fund, P.O. Box 70, Adol Palino Road, Lira, Uganda | Biomass accounts for 91% of the total energy used in Uganda, but is often used unsustainably: if deforestation continues at the present rate, it could lead to the destruction of all Ugandan forests by 2050. As a consequence, wood and charcoal are becoming scarce and their price is increasing. Fuel Efficient Stoves are a way to tackle these issues by decreasing the amount of biomass used for cooking. International Lifeline Fund (ILF) has launched in 2008 the cookstove Uganda Commercialization Program in the region of Lira. The program consists in the local production of improved Fuel Efficient Stoves and their selling to households by local vendors. The socio-economic impacts of this program, both on end users and on the local economy, have been studied during a field mission conducted by ENEA Consulting in 2012. The ILF Fuel Efficient Stoves reduce the domestic consumption of charcoal and energetic expenditures. Interviews of end users confirmed that they feel safer with ILF Fuel Efficient Stoves than with previous devices. They also perceive a reduction of health problems linked to domestic air pollution and an increase in women’s free time. Users also report a positive impact on domestic life as the use of the cookstove reduces the quarrels between husbands and wives by keeping meals warm and ready. Finally, the main local economic benefit along the value chain of the project appears to be the direct creation of several long-term full-time jobs. Possible improvements of the business model will be suggested, in particular to ensure its long-term economic viability. © Author(s) 2015. | Biomass; Charcoal; Cookstoves; Economic impacts; FES; Fuel efficient stoves; Social impacts; Uganda | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84911449292 | Evaluation of a low-tech method, pepper–grease, for combatting elephant crop-raiding activities in Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana | Wiafe E.D., Sam M.K. | 2014 | Pachyderm | 55 | None | None | Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Presbyterian University College, PO Box 393, Akropong, Akuapem, Ghana; Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission, Western Regional Office, Takoradi, Ghana | Wiafe, E.D., Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, Presbyterian University College, PO Box 393, Akropong, Akuapem, Ghana; Sam, M.K., Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission, Western Regional Office, Takoradi, Ghana | Alow-tech method for preventing elephants from destroying farms around Kakum Conservation Area in Ghana was assessed to evaluate its efficacy in warding off marauding elephants. Sixty fenced and 60 unfenced farms located at the peripheries of the protected area were selected and each inspected regularly for 12 months. One hundred twenty farmers were interviewed on the use of the pepper–grease fence to determine their level of knowledge of the efficacy of the method. In 75% of the fenced farms, elephants came close to the fence but never crossed it; they never visited 20% of these farms and only 5% attempted to break through or enter. Of the farms that were not fenced at all, elephants raided 75% completely. Most of the respondents (76.7%) had good knowledge of the pepper fence. Their major sources of information were the staff of the Wildlife Division and agricultural extension agents (54.5%); 31.1% had heard about it from other farmers. Only 14.4% got their knowledge from observing other farmers. In practice, 26.7% said they used it effectively, 22.2% partially, and 51.1% did not practise the method at all. Cost and difficulty of acquiring materials were the main issues affecting lack of adoption. The results support the recommendation that government and non-governmental agencies supply inputs to farmers consistently. © 2014, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. All rights reserved. | None | None | None |
| WoS | WOS:000302143600011 | Continuous EEG monitoring in Kenyan children with non-traumatic coma | Chengo, Edwin,Fegan, Gregory,Garrashi, Harrun,Gwer, Samson,Idro, Richard,Kirkham, Fenella J.,Newton, Charles R.,White, Steve | 2012 | ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD | 97 | 4 | 10.1136/archdischild-2011-300935 | Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Makerere University, University College London, University of London, University of Oxford, University of Southampton, Afya Res Africa, Southampton Gen Hosp, Wellcome Trust Res Programme | "White, Steve: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust","White, Steve: University College London","White, Steve: University of London", | Background The aim of this study was to describe the EEG and clinical profile of seizures in children with non-traumatic coma, compare seizure detection by clinical observations with that by continuous EEG, and relate EEG features to outcome.
Methods This prospective observational study was conducted at the paediatric high dependency unit of Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya. Children aged 9 months to 13 years presenting with acute coma were monitored by EEG for 72 h or until they regained consciousness or died. Poor outcome was defined as death or gross motor deficits at discharge.
Results 82 children (median age 2.8 (IQR 2.0-3.9) years) were recruited. An initial medium EEG amplitude (100-300 mV) was associated with less risk of poor outcome compared to low amplitude (<= 100 mV) (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.7; p<0.01). 363 seizures in 28 (34%) children were observed: 240 (66%) were electrographic and 112 (31%) electroclinical. In 16 (20%) children, electrographic seizures were the only seizure types detected. The majority (63%) of electroclinical seizures had focal clinical features but appeared as generalised (79%) or focal with secondary generalisation (14%) on EEG. Occurrence of any seizure or status epilepticus during monitoring was associated with poor outcome (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 8.7; p=0.02 and OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 15.3; p<0.01, respectively).
Conclusion Initial EEG background amplitude is prognostic in paediatric non-traumatic coma. Clinical observations do not detect two out of three seizures. Seizures and status epilepticus after admission are associated with poor outcome. | ,BACTERIAL-MENINGITIS,"CEREBRAL MALARIA",CHILDHOOD,CLINICAL-FEATURES,ENCEPHALOPATHY,INTENSIVE-CARE-UNIT,"NONCONVULSIVE STATUS EPILEPTICUS",RISK-FACTORS,SEIZURES,"SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA" | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-79958784557 | The impact of HIV and AIDS research: A case study from Swaziland | Whiteside A., Henry F.E. | 2011 | Health Research Policy and Systems | 9 | SUPPL. 1 | 10.1186/1478-4505-9-S1-S9 | Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa | Whiteside, A., Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Henry, F.E., Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa | Background: Swaziland is experiencing the world's worst HIV and AIDS epidemic. Prevalence rose from four percent of antenatal clinic attendees in 1992 to 42.6 percent in 2004. The Report 'Reviewing 'Emergencies' for Swaziland: Shifting the Paradigm in a New Era' published in 2007 bought together social and economic indicators. It built a picture of the epidemic as a humanitarian emergency, requiring urgent action from international organisations, donors, and governments. Following a targeted communications effort, the report was believed to have raised the profile of the issue and Swaziland - a success story for HIV and AIDS research.Methods: Keen to understand how, where and why the report had an impact, Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division commissioned an assessment to track and evaluate the influence of the research. This tapped into literature on the significance of understanding the research-to-policy interface. This paper outlines the report and its impact. It explores key findings from the assessment and suggests lessons for future research projects.Results: The paper demonstrates that, although complex, and not without methodological issues, impact assessment of research can be of real value to researchers in understanding the research-to-policy interface.Conclusion: Only by gaining insight into this process can researchers move forward in delivering effective research. © 2011 Whiteside and Henry; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. | None | acquired immune deficiency syndrome; article; epidemic; health care policy; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; medical research; Swaziland | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-82555194430 | Comparative cost and performance of light-emitting diode microscopy in HIV-tuberculosis-co-infected patients | Whitelaw A., Peter J., Sohn H., Viljoen D., Theron G., Badri M., Davids V., Pai M., Dheda K. | 2011 | European Respiratory Journal | 38 | 6 | 10.1183/09031936.00023211 | Division of Medical Microbiology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa; Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, Division of Pulmonology and Clinical Immunology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa; Clinical Research Support Unit, Dept. of Medicine, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Dept. of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Dept. of Infection, University College London Medical School, London, United Kingdom | Whitelaw, A., Division of Medical Microbiology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa, National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Peter, J., Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, Division of Pulmonology and Clinical Immunology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa; Sohn, H., Dept. of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Viljoen, D., Division of Medical Microbiology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa; Theron, G., Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, Division of Pulmonology and Clinical Immunology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa; Badri, M., Clinical Research Support Unit, Dept. of Medicine, South Africa; Davids, V., Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, Division of Pulmonology and Clinical Immunology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa; Pai, M., Dept. of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Dheda, K., Lung Infection and Immunity Unit, Division of Pulmonology and Clinical Immunology, UCT Lung Institute, South Africa, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Dept. of Infection, University College London Medical School, London, United Kingdom | Light-emitting diode (LED) microscopy has recently been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it is unclear whether LED is as accurate and cost-effective as Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopy or mercury vapour fluorescence microscopy (MVFM) in tuberculosis (TB)-HIV-co-infected subjects. Direct and concentrated sputum smears from TB suspects were evaluated using combinations of LED microscopy, ZN microscopy and MVFM. Median reading time per slide was recorded and a cost analysis performed. Mycobacterial culture served as the reference standard. 647 sputum samples were obtained from 354 patients (88 (29.8%) were HIV-infected and 161 (26%) were culture-positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Although overall sensitivity of LED compared with ZN microscopy or MVFM was similar, sensitivity of all three modalities was lower in HIV-infected patients. In the HIV-infected group, the sensitivity of LED microscopy was higher than ZN microscopy using samples that were not concentrated (46 versus 39%; p=0.25), and better than MVFM using concentrated samples (56 versus 44; p50.5). A similar trend was seen in the CD4 count <200 cells·mL -1 subgroup. Median (interquartile range) reading time was quicker with LED compared with ZN microscopy (1.8 (1.7-1.9) versus 2.5 (2.2-2.7) min; p≤0.001). Average cost per slide read was less for LED microscopy (US$1.63) compared with ZN microscopy (US$2.10). Among HIV-TB-co-infected patients, LED microscopy was cheaper and performed as well as ZN microscopy or MVFM independent of the staining (ZN or auramine O) or processing methods used. | HIV; Light-emitting diode microscopy; Smear microscopy; Tuberculosis | adult; article; bacterium culture; CD4 lymphocyte count; controlled study; cost effectiveness analysis; diagnostic accuracy; diagnostic test accuracy study; female; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; intermethod comparison; LED microscopy; light emitting diode; major clinical study; male; mercury vapor fluorescence microscopy; microscopy; mixed infection; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; priority journal; sensitivity analysis; sensitivity and specificity; sputum smear; standard; tuberculosis; Ziehl Neelsen microscopy; Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Coinfection; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Humans; Male; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sputum; Staining and Labeling; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-13244291492 | Performance analysis of the linearly constrained constant modulus algorithm-based multiuser detector | Whitehead J.B., Takawira F. | 2005 | IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing | 53 | 2 I | 10.1109/TSP.2004.840781 | Sch. Elec., Electron./Comp. Eng., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa | Whitehead, J.B., Sch. Elec., Electron./Comp. Eng., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; Takawira, F., Sch. Elec., Electron./Comp. Eng., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa | This paper quantifies the adaptive performance of a blind adaptive multiuser detector (MUD) based on the linearly constrained constant modulus algorithm (LCCMA) in both a stationary and nonstationary channel. A framework is developed to apply the feedback analysis method to analyzing adaptive MUD schemes. A closed-form expression for the excess mean square error (EMSE) of LCCMA blind adaptive MUD in a CDMA communications system is derived for both of the steady-state and tracking cases. The effects of additive noise and multiple access interference are considered. A transient analysis is performed that predicts the learning curve of the adaptive filter. Computer simulation is used to verify the accuracy of the analysis. © 2005 IEEE. | Blind adaptive multiuser detection; Code division multiple access; Constant modulus algorithm; Excess mean square error; Feedback analysis; Steady-state analysis; Tracking analysis | Adaptive algorithms; Adaptive filtering; Approximation theory; Code division multiple access; Communication channels (information theory); Computer simulation; Mathematical models; Signal interference; Signal receivers; Transmitters; Vectors; White noise; Adaptive filter; Additive white Gaussian noise; Blind adaptive multiuser detection; Constant modulus algorithm; Excess mean square error; Feedback analyis; Steady state analysis; Tracking analysis; Signal detection | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-67650113627 | South African Law of evidence as it applies to the child witness: A Critical evaluation | Whitear-Nei N. | 2009 | Journal of Psychology in Africa | 19 | 1 | None | University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Faculty of Law, Pietermaritzburg Campus, P.O. Box X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | Whitear-Nei, N., University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Faculty of Law, Pietermaritzburg Campus, P.O. Box X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | This article examines aspects of the South African criminal justice system which are of particular relevance to the child witness, and the reception of testimony by the court. The author focuses on: 1) the need to prepare the child witness for the experience in court, 2) establishing the competence of the child witness, 3) the procedure for swearing In a child who does not understand the religious sanctity of the oath, 4) the use of an intermediary to convey the child's testimony to court, 5) circumstances in which the child does not have to enter the court room to testify, 6) the admissibility of pre recorded videotaped statements of the child witness, 7) the evaluation of the child's evidence, and 8) whether the adversarial model of criminal justice is appropriate In the context of the child witness. The article concludes by suggesting that reform is needed in these areas. Copyright © 2009 Journal of Psychology in Africa. | Child witness; Evaluation; Law of evidence; South africa | None | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-34547962470 | Evaluating the performance of sampling plans to detect fumonisin Bi in maize lots marketed in Nigeria | Whitaker T.B., Doko M., Maestroni B.M., Slate A.B., Ogunbanwo B.F. | 2007 | Journal of AOAC International | 90 | 4 | None | U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7625; International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Agrochemicals Unit, IAEA/FAO Biotechnology Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria; North Carolin | Whitaker, T.B., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7625; Doko, M., International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Agrochemicals Unit, IAEA/FAO Biotechnology Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria; Maestroni, B.M., International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Agrochemicals Unit, IAEA/FAO Biotechnology Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria; Slate, A.B., North Carolina State University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Box 7625, Raleigh, NC 27695-7625; Ogunbanwo, B.F., National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mycotoxin Unit, Oshodi Central Laboratories, Lagos, Nigeria | Fumonisins are toxic and carcinogenic compounds produced by fungi that can be readily found in maize. The establishment of maximum limits for fumonisins requires the development of scientifically based sampling plans to detect fumonisin in maize. As part of an International Atomic Energy Agency effort to assist developing countries to control mycotoxin contamination, a study was conducted to design sampling plans to detect fumonisin in maize produced and marketed in Nigeria. Eighty-six maize lots were sampled according to an experimental protocol in which an average of 17 test samples, 100 g each, were taken from each lot and analyzed for fumonisin B1 by using liquid chromatography. The total variability associated with the fumonisin test procedure was measured for each lot. Regression equations were developed to predict the total variance as a function of fumonisin concentration. The observed fumonisin distribution among the replicated-sample test results was compared with several theoretical distributions, and the negative binomial distribution was selected to model the fumonisin distribution among test results. A computer model was developed by using the variance and distribution information to predict the performance of sampling plan designs to detect fumonisin in maize shipments. The performance of several sampling plan designs was evaluated to demonstrate how to manipulate sample size and accept/reject limits to reduce misclassification of maize lots. | None | Contamination; Fungi; Liquid chromatography; Marketing; Mathematical models; Toxic materials; Binomial distribution; Computer models; Fumonisins; Maize; Theoretical distributions; Drug products; fumonisin; fumonisin B1; article; chemistry; dose response; food analysis; food contamination; high performance liquid chromatography; liquid chromatography; maize; metabolism; methodology; Nigeria; plant; regression analysis; reproducibility; sample size; statistical model; theoretical model; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Liquid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Food Analysis; Food Contamination; Fumonisins; Models, Statistical; Models, Theoretical; Nigeria; Plants; Regression Analysis; Reproducibility of Results; Research Design; Sample Size; Zea mays; Fungi; Zea mays | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-75149191449 | Development of a performance-rating scale for a nutrition knowledge test developed for adolescents | Whati L., Senekal M., Steyn N.P., Lombard C., Nel J. | 2009 | Public Health Nutrition | 12 | 10 | 10.1017/S1368980008004679 | CDL Unit, South African Medical Research Council, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa; Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Biostatistics, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Logistics, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa | Whati, L., CDL Unit, South African Medical Research Council, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa; Senekal, M., Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Steyn, N.P., CDL Unit, South African Medical Research Council, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa; Lombard, C., Biostatistics, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; Nel, J., Department of Logistics, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa | Objective The objectives of the present study were to (i) develop and validate a norm-referenced performance-rating scale to interpret a nutrition knowledge test developed for urban adolescents and (ii) develop a prototype for other researchers to follow when developing nutrition knowledge tests.Design For norm development the nutrition knowledge test (questionnaire) was administered to a sample representative of the questionnaire target group, referred to as the norm group. These included 512 adolescents in grades 8 (n 158), 10 (n 149) and 12 (n 205) at three randomly selected schools in Soweto and Johannesburg. The performance scores (in percentages) obtained by the norm group were transformed to Z-scores which were categorised into stanines using established Z-score cut-off points. For validation purposes the questionnaire was completed by 148 volunteers: sixty university dietetics students, nineteen non-nutrition university students and sixty-nine primary-school teachers.Results As required of an ideal norm group, the Z-scores formed a normal distribution (a bell-shaped curve). To facilitate interpretation of the results, the Z-score cut-off points for these categories were transformed back to performance scores (percentages) so that the performance of a testee could be interpreted directly from his/her performance in percentage. As is recommended, the nine stanine categories were reduced to five: very poor, fair/below average, good/average, very good/above average and excellent. The discriminatory validity of the norms was substantiated by showing that groups with known nutrition knowledge levels were rated appropriately and that the performance ratings of these groups differed significantly, with university dietetics students scoring 98.3 %, primary-school teachers 20.3 % and non-nutrition university students 31.6 %.Conclusions The norm-referenced performance-rating scale can be used with confidence to interpret the performance score achieved by a testee on the nutrition knowledge test developed for urban adolescents in South Africa. The methodology used in the study serves as a prototype for other researchers who are developing knowledge tests. | Adolescents; Knowledge questionnaire; Nutrition knowledge; Rating scale | adolescent; adult; article; attitude to health; human; normal distribution; nutrition; nutritional science; questionnaire; reference value; South Africa; urban population; validation study; Adolescent; Adult; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Normal Distribution; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Sciences; Questionnaires; Reference Values; South Africa; Urban Population; Young Adult | None |
| Scopus | 2-s2.0-84940943140 | Impact of soil moisture on extreme maximum temperatures in Europe | Whan K., Zscheischler J., Orth R., Shongwe M., Rahimi M., Asare E.O., Seneviratne S.I. | 2015 | Weather and Climate Extremes | 9 | None | 10.1016/j.wace.2015.05.001 | The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Department for Biogeochemical Integration, Jena, Germany; Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; South African Weather Service, Climate and Environment Research and Monitoring, Pretoria, South Africa; Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana | Whan, K., The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada; Zscheischler, J., Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Department for Biogeochemical Integration, Jena, Germany; Orth, R., Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Shongwe, M., South African Weather Service, Climate and Environment Research and Monitoring, Pretoria, South Africa; Rahimi, M., Faculty of Desert Studies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran; Asare, E.O., Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana; Seneviratne, S.I., Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland | Land-atmosphere interactions play an important role for hot temperature extremes in Europe. Dry soils may amplify such extremes through feedbacks with evapotranspiration. While previous observationa |