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This study explored the impact of stakeholder engagement on curriculum implementation at Ethiopian Defense University (EDU). It focuses on examining the effects of partnerships, stakeholder motivation, and decisionmaking on curriculum implementation. As a result, a descriptive survey research design with a mixed research approach was employed. A total of 166 respondents (109 students, 51 instructors, and six college commandants) were the participants of the study. Commandants were selected by purposive sampling, and instructors and students were selected randomly. Questionnaires and interviews were tools or sources of data. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test), whereas the qualitative data were analyzed through verbal description. Findings revealed that instructors value stakeholders' support and commitment, while students appreciate the positive impact on their learning experience. The finding revealed that there is a strong positive correlation between stakeholder engagement and curriculum implementation effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of continuous interaction, feedback collection, and stakeholder knowledge for curriculum alignment. It also emphasizes the need for stakeholder engagement in decision-making processes and partnerships to improve curriculum implementation outcomes. The findings of the study may inspire further research and dialogue on stakeholder engagement in curriculum implementation, encouraging international audiences to explore innovative approaches and best practices that promote meaningful educational experiences for students in the field of pedagogy. The researcher suggested that EDU should prioritize stakeholder motivation, partnerships, and decision-making for effective curriculum implementation. This promotes ownership, engagement, and shared responsibility. Additionally, EDU should prioritize stakeholder engagement, support, understanding, commitment, and feedback to ensure the quality and effectiveness of curriculum implementation.

While computer animations have the potential to assist learners in understanding difficult concepts and eliminating misconceptions, studies supporting this claim are scarce. This study investigated how the 7E instructional model integrated with computer animations affected students' conceptual understanding and misconceptions about food making and plant growth. Experimental groups were taught the 7E learning cycle model [7E LCM], and 7E LCM with computer animation [CA] while the control group was taught the conventional instruction method. A two-tiered conceptual understanding multiple-choice test and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. ANOVA analysis revealed no significant differences between groups or genders in pre-food making and growth in plant conceptual understanding [pre-FMGPCU] and pre-misconceptions test scores [pre-MC]. There were, however, significant differences in post-FMGPCU and post-MC mean scores, with the 7E LCM with CA showing better results in improving conceptual understanding and minimizing misconceptions. MANOVA revealed no statistically significant difference between male and female students' post-FMGPCU and post-MC results. It was concluded that the 7E LCM with CA enhances students' conceptual understanding and minimizes misconceptions more effectively than other instructional approaches. It is recommended that similar designs be used in biology teaching.

The study evaluated the suitability of primary school teachers' professional development policy implementation conceptualization of targets, reflective contents, process, methods and contexts in which it occurs in Oromia. The researchers used a mixed method with concurrent triangulation design. The researchers selected a total of 618 samples of the study using different sampling techniques such as purposive, convenience, stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The data were collected from primary sources of data such as teachers, mentors, principals, supervisors, coordinating committees and parents using questionnaires, interview, focus group discussion, document examination and observation. Then, the researchers analyzed the data using mean, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA and post hock test, and thematic narration. The study showed that both veteran and novice teachers were less able to conceptualize and contextualize their professional development practices to the existing phenomena in the schools under investigation. Teachers' professional development practices were powerless to update professional competencies and improve professional and innovative pedagogical practices in classrooms. In addition, the professional development contents and activities were repetitive from time to time. Primary school teachers were not learning proficiently from continuous professional development practices to ensure basic and specific professional competencies required in classrooms. The implementations of reflective activities such as action researches, classroom observation, differentiate learning; collaborative learning, microteaching and lesson studies couldn't contribute to practical changes. Teachers weren't actively participating in professional development because of lack of conceptualization and contextualization of reflective activities to improve professional competencies although they are transformative intellectuals. Therefore, teachers, mentors, principals, and cluster supervisors should use face-to-face learning and digital learning strategies to improve instructional practices in classrooms, and values and prestige of teaching profession. Likewise, the study forecasts the requirement of context specific policy framework and practical toolkit for newly deployed and experienced teachers rather than focusing on the generic policy document.

This study investigates the impact of Medicaid expansions, including those implementedas part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), on reducing Black-White inequalities in augmentedincome poverty in the United States from 2009 to 2019. Utilizing bi-annual individual-levelpanel data for approximately 8,100 Black and White individuals under age 65, the study employsa method of monetizing Medicaid and Medicare benefits to recalculate household income,adjusting for taxes, transfers, tax credits, and household size. This recalculated "augmented"income provides a basis for assessing relative and anchored poverty levels. Despite initialconcerns that Medicaid expansions might exacerbate Black-White poverty disparities—givenWhite individuals' growing advantage in residing in states that expanded Medicaid—the studyprovides evidence to the contrary. Descriptive analyses indicate a decline in Black-Whiteinequalities in augmented relative poverty over the study period, with both Black and Whitepoverty rates decreasing. This reduction is attributed partly to the ACA's role in expandingMedicaid and health insurance coverage more broadly, which led to significant decreases in theuninsured rates among both Black and White populations. Further analysis reveals that Medicaidexpansion significantly increased the value of health insurance for Black individuals compared toWhite individuals, contributing to the reduction in poverty inequalities. The study concludes thatwhile Medicaid expansions reduced Black-White inequalities in poverty, they did notsignificantly reduce overall poverty for all individuals, underscoring the targeted impact of thesepolicy interventions on reducing racial disparities in poverty.

Although primary studies have reported the safety and efficacy of LITT as a primary treatment in glioma, they are limited by sample sizes and institutional variation in stereotactic parameters such as temperature and laser power. The current literature has yet to provide pooled statistics on outcomes solely for primary brain tumors according to the 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (WHO CNS5). In the present study, we identify recent articles on primary CNS neoplasms treated with LITT without prior intervention, focusing on relationships with molecular profile, PFS, and OS. This meta-analysis includes the extraction of data from primary sources across four databases using the Covidence systematic review manager. The pooled data suggest LITT may be a safe primary management option with tumor ablation rates of 94.8% and 84.6% in IDH-wildtype glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and IDH-mutant astrocytoma, respectively. For IDH-wildtype GBM, the pooled PFS and OS were 5.0 and 9.0 months, respectively. Similar to rates reported in the prior literature, the neurologic and non-neurologic complication rates for IDH-wildtype GBM were 10.3% and 4.8%, respectively. The neurologic and non-neurologic complication rates were somewhat higher in the IDH-mutant astrocytoma cohort at 33% and 8.3%, likely due to a smaller cohort size.

BACKGROUND: Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) is a dehiscence of the otic capsule which normally lies over the superior semicircular canal. This database constitutes the largest series of SSCD patients to date. OBJECTIVE: To determine what preoperative factors, if any, contribute to postoperative outcomes and evaluate symptom resolution in a large SSCD patient cohort. METHODS: A single-institution, retrospective chart review collected patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and pre-and postoperative symptoms. Fishers exact t-test was performed for unpaired categorical variables, with a significance level of p

To delineate a clear process for learning to teach and set a standard for effective teaching, detecting the link between teacher educators' views and their practices on facilitating learning to teach becomes imperative. This study examined this link by employing a qual[right arrow]quan (exploratory sequential) mixed-methods design. By the instruments of questionnaires (234) and unstructured interviews (five), a total of 239 teacher educators teaching in three colleges participated in the study. Data were analyzed using thematic approaches, descriptive, and inferential techniques. The results revealed that in addition to the teacher educators' comparable views on learner-centered and teacher-led approaches, they heavily utilized the conventional teacher-led techniques. Furthermore, the significant and positive correlation between the teacher educators' views and practices were also found. Supplemental recommendations that were meant to aid in the execution of better teacher education pedagogy were made based on the views held and the practices of learning to teach that prevailed.

Quantifying the temperature sensitivity of methane (CH4) production is crucial for predicting how wetland ecosystems will respond to climate warming. Typically, the temperature sensitivity (often quantified as a Q10 value) is derived from laboratory incubation studies and then used in biogeochemical models. However, studies report wide variation in incubation-inferred Q10 values, with a large portion of this variation remaining unexplained. Here we applied observations in a thawing permafrost peatland (Stordalen Mire) and a well-tested process-rich model (ecosys) to interpret incubation observations and investigate controls on inferred CH4 production temperature sensitivity. We developed a field-storage-incubation modeling approach to mimic the full incubation sequence, including field sampling at a particular time in the growing season, refrigerated storage, and laboratory incubation, followed by model evaluation. We found that CH4 production rates during incubation are regulated by substrate availability and active microbial biomass of key microbial functional groups, which are affected by soil storage duration and temperature. Seasonal variation in substrate availability and active microbial biomass of key microbial functional groups led to strong time-of-sampling impacts on CH4 production. CH4 production is higher with less perturbation post-sampling, i.e. shorter storage duration and lower storage temperature. We found a wide range of inferred Q10 values (1.2-3.5), which we attribute to incubation temperatures, incubation duration, storage duration, and sampling time. We also show that Q10 values of CH4 production are controlled by interacting biological, biochemical, and physical processes, which cause the inferred Q10 values to differ substantially from those of the component processes. Terrestrial ecosystem models that use a constant Q10 value to represent temperature responses may therefore predict biased soil carbon cycling under future climate scenarios.

School algebra serves as the language of mathematics and a foundational subject for learning advanced mathematics courses. This makes developing learners' proficiency in algebra the most desirable instructional goal of school mathematics. Despite having such importance emphasis, however, studies indicate that the vast majority of learners are characterised by inadequate mathematics proficiency levels in general and in the algebra syllabus topics in particular. Consequently, this quasi-experimental study attempted to investigate the efficacy of using discourse-based instruction as an instructional approach to developing proficiency in algebra unit topics. One hundred and six (N = 106) Grade 11 learners participated in the study and were randomly grouped into an experimental group (n = 52) and a control group (n = 54). Using a test instrument that consisted of 24 Rasch-validated items, both pre-test and post-test data were collected from both groups under similar conditions. The Mann-Whitney U statistical analysis of the pre-test data revealed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups. The Mann-Whitney U analysis performed on the post-test data demonstrated that the experimental group scored significantly higher in the post-test scores when compared to the control group after the intervention. The study findings provided evidence of the efficacy of discourse-based instruction over teacher-centred instruction for developing learners' algebra proficiency.

This study scrutinized the relationship between mentor and mentee; how this affects the roles mentors assume, the focus of mentors' feedback, and the factors that affect mentoring practice. The study employed a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with mentors and mentees. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, in which themes emerged from the identified data. The results revealed that the mentors exercised hierarchical relationships and took on the role of knowledge providers during mentoring. Mentors focused on tasks and individuals in their feedback. Mentors' lack of training, time, and space were the prevailing factors that dictated their relationship with their mentees and impacted feedback. The findings of this study illuminate the interconnectedness between mentoring relationships, roles of mentors, and the focus of feedback they provide. It highlights the importance of preparing mentors for their roles to enhance student teachers' learning from practicum.

A large amount of carbon is stored in global forests. However, the fraction of carbon stored as plant biomass versus soil organic carbon (SOC) varies among forest types, and potential changes over the 21st century are uncertain. Here, we used extensive data derived from inventories and remote sensing and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models to examine the current and 21st century dynamics in the proportion of biomass and SOC across global forests. We found that precipitation, elevation, soil, and wildfire were the primary controls of these differences in carbon pools. Under the SSP5–8.5 climate scenario, CMIP6 models project that the ratio of biomass to ecosystem carbon in global forests will increase across the 21st century, with the largest increases in boreal forests (95 ± 37%) compared to moist tropical forests (16 ± 15%). Changes in forest carbon pools resulting in greater biomass fraction will affect disturbance, and ecosystem carbon and energy balances, all of which interact with the climate system.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections are spreading silently with limited global surveillance in at least 89 countries and territories. There is a pressing need to develop an effective vaccine suitable for equitable distribution globally. Consequently, we previously developed a proprietary DNA vaccine encoding secreted non-structural protein 1 of ZIKV (pVAX-tpaNS1) to elicit rapid protection in a T cell-dependent manner in mice. In the current study, we evaluated the stability, efficacy, and immunogenicity of delivering this DNA vaccine into the skin using a clinically effective and proprietary high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP). Dry-coating of pVAX-tpaNS1 on the HD-MAP device resulted in no loss of vaccine stability at 40°C storage over the course of 28 days. Vaccination of mice (BALB/c) with the HD-MAP-coated pVAX-tpaNS1 elicited a robust anti-NS1 IgG response in both the cervicovaginal mucosa and systemically and afforded protection against live ZIKV challenge. Furthermore, the vaccination elicited a significantly higher magnitude and broader NS1-specific T helper and cytotoxic T cell response in vivo compared with traditional needle and syringe intradermal vaccination. Overall, the study highlights distinctive immunological advantages coupled with an excellent thermostability profile of using the HD-MAP device to deliver a novel ZIKV DNA vaccine.

Abstract Background Poor dietary choices and consumption of unhealthy foods are major determinants of malnutrition among adolescents in Ethiopia. The school food environment is a valuable setting for exploring adolescents’ eating habits. Teachers have an important role in understanding factors that impact students’ dietary choices. The aim of this study is to explore secondary school teachers’ perceptions towards adolescents’ dietary habits in Ethiopia. Methods The study employed a qualitative research design. Four focus group discussions, involving a total of 13 teachers, were conducted at governmental and private schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Additionally, observations of the food environment in these four schools. The transcripts from the focus group discussions and photographs from observations were analyzed using thematic analysis. Triangulation of data sources and persistent observation of the data were employed to enhance the study’s trustworthiness. The study was approved by the Norwegian Center for Research Data and the Addis Ababa Health Bureau, and all participants provided informed consent. Result Teachers perceived adolescents’ dietary habits as unhealthy, characterized by the consumption of unsafe foods, limited variety, and reliance on processed foods. Factors negatively influencing adolescents’ dietary habits include a lack of awareness about a healthy diet among both students and parents. Low familial income levels were also identified as a barrier to eating a healthy diet. The unavailability of healthy foods and the advertising of unhealthy and processed foods as well as peer influence were hindrances to a healthy diet both at school and home. Conclusion This study provides additional evidence of the nutrition transition which is linked to the double burden of malnutrition among adolescents in low-income countries. Factors affecting adolescent diets at school are multileveled. Incorporating nutrition education into the school curriculum will likely improve dietary awareness mitigating peer influence. Regulating the school food environment and enforcing advertisement laws targeting adolescents can promote healthier school food environments. Providing short term nutrition trainings for biology or science teachers and strengthen their role in delivering nutrition education to children and their families, along with implementing measures to address food insecurity and restricting availability of unhealthy food at school need to be regarded as priorities.

Abstract The issue of missed nursing care is a problem that affects the overall quality of nursing care in hospitals around the world. However, there is limited research about it in Ethiopia. This study assessed missed nursing care and factors among nurses. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 485 nurses at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital. The data were collected from May 15 to June 15, 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. The data was entered to EPI DATA version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed, and a summative score of missed nursing care was calculated. Then, multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors. A P-value of 0.05 was used to declare significant level. In this study, missed nursing care was 62.5% (95% CI 60.98–64.02). Documentation, vital signs assessment, intravenous care, and assessment as per hospital policy and patient education were the most frequently missed nursing care. Being single in marital status (B = −4.609, P = 0.004), adequacy of nursing staff (B = −2.458, P = 0.003), satisfaction with income (B = −8.753, P = 0.007), working in medical unit (B = −5.708, P = 0.002) and working in both day and night shift (B = 1.731, P = 0.027) were statistically associated factors. More than half of the participants missed basic nursing care. Most of the identified factors correlated with missed nursing care negatively. Efforts should be done to enhance communication between health team members, assign a manageable number of patients per nurse, and adjust shifts and units.

Abstract Background Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting goats and sheep, with clinical manifestations ranging from peracute disease to subclinical infection, particularly in atypical hosts such as cattle. The role of atypical hosts such as cattle to the spread of PPR remains controversial, with conflicting reports in the literature. Despite its worldwide significance, considerable knowledge gaps exist regarding the pathogenesis and clinical progression in both primary and atypical hosts. This study aimed to elucidate the tissue tropism, pathogenesis, virus shedding, clinical progression, and pathology associated with experimental PPR virus infection in indigenous goats and cattle. To this end, 32 animals—16 goats and 16 cattle—were intranasally inoculated with the Ethiopia/Habru/2014 Lineage-IV strain of the PPR virus followed by detailed clinical evaluations and systematic sampling at pre-established intervals to assess serological conversion, viral shedding, and the pathogenesis of the infection across both species. Results The results show that goats exhibited typical clinical signs 4 days post-inoculation, with seroconversion by day 6 and early detection of viral RNA in swabs and tissues by day 3 and virus isolation starting day 4. In contrast, cattle exhibited minimal clinical signs, with seroconversion occurring at day 8 with viral RNA detected in tissue samples at day 4 and virus isolation starting day 6 in tissues and in a single nasal swab at day 8. Clinical scores and tissue positivity rates significantly differed between goats and cattle (P = 0.007 and P

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) continues to rank among the regions in the world with the highest rates of maternal mortality and the lowest rates of utilization of maternal health care. The risk of death for women in sSA is 268 times higher than that of women in high-income nations. Adequate antenatal care (ANC) services utilization is essential to the mother's and the baby's survival and well-being. This study aimed to identify both individual and community-level factors associated with adequate antenatal care services utilization in sSA. Method We used data from the most recent Health and Demographic Surveys (DHS), which were carried out between 2012 and 2022 in 33 sSA countries. A total of 240,792 women were included in this study. The two-level mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to identify the individual and community-level factors associated with the use of adequate ANC service. Results The pooled prevalence of adequate ANC service utilization in sSA was 55.48% (95% CI: 55.28–55.68). The study showed that secondary and above-educated women (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI 2.07–2.19, secondary and above-educated husbands (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.51–1.60), rich women AOR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.24–1.29), women 35–49 years of age (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.32–1.41) and distance to a health facility is not a big problem (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.11–1.16) was significantly and positively correlated with the use of adequate ANC services. However, rural women (AOR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.78–0.82), not having mass media access (AOR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.72–0.75), 5 and above birth order (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.68–0.78) were significantly and negatively correlated with the use of adequate ANC services. Additionally, the random effects model showed that variables at the community and individual levels were responsible for approximately 62.60% of the variation in the use of adequate ANC services. Conclusion The sSA countries had a low prevalence of adequate utilization of ANC with a significant variation among countries. Moreover, public health initiatives should focus on rural women, poor women, and uneducated women to enhance maternal health services utilization. Furthermore, policies and programs that address cluster variations in the utilization of adequate ANC services must be developed, and their implementation must be vigorously pursued.

Abstract Background Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a pressing public health issue in Ethiopia, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and motorization. Despite efforts, escalating rates persist due to various factors like human behavior and road infrastructure deficiencies. This study addresses the need for comprehensive data on RTAs in Ethiopia, aiming to uncover socioeconomic and behavioral factors to inform evidence-based policies. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted from March to April 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Major databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were searched using specific keywords related to RTAs and Ethiopia. Studies conducted between 2014 and 2024 were included, with eligibility criteria. Data extraction followed a standardized Microsoft Excel format. Study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist, with high-quality articles included. Statistical analysis, conducted using STATA version 17, included descriptive analysis, forest plots for RTA prevalence, and examination of publication bias using Egger and Begs tests. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression explored moderating factors and sources of heterogeneity. Results The systematic review identified eight studies meeting inclusion criteria, conducted between 2014 and 2022. RTA prevalence was 36% (95% CI: 23; 49). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the estimated prevalence. Publication bias was detected via Egger’s test, though Begg’s test was non-significant. Meta-regression found no significant influence of publication year or sample size on RTA prevalence. Socioeconomic factors like income level and driving experience, alongside behavioral factors like traffic rule violations and substance use, were identified as key drivers of RTAs in Ethiopia. Conclusions The study highlights the significant burden of road traffic accidents in Ethiopia, influenced by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Socioeconomic factors such as income level and driving experience, along with behavioral factors like traffic rule violations and substance use, emerged as prominent determinants of RTAs. Policymakers should prioritize evidence-based interventions targeting these factors to improve road safety nationwide.

Abstract The parabolic convection-diffusion-reaction problem is examined in this work, where the diffusion and convection terms are multiplied by two small parameters, respectively. The proposed approach is based on a fitted operator finite difference method. The Crank-Nicolson method on uniform mesh is utilized to discretize the time variables in the first step. Two-point Gaussian quadrature rule is used for further discretizing these semi-discrete problems in space, and the second order interpolation of the first derivatives is utilized. The fitting factor’s value, which accounts for abrupt changes in the solution, is calculated using the theory of singular perturbations. The developed scheme is demonstrated to be second-order accurate and uniformly convergent. The proposed method’s applicability is validated by two examples, which yielded more accurate results than some other methods found in the literatures.