Background: Heart failure is a leading cause of hospital readmissions in the Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia.Aim: This study aimed to determine the number of readmissions and identify the determinants among patients with heartfailure at referral hospitals in the Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2023.Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 663 heart failure patients in Amhara region referral hospitals fromSeptember 2022 to February 2023. Simple random sampling was used for patient selection, and data were collected throughchart reviews and interviewer‐administered questionnaires. Zero‐inflated negative binomial models were applied for dataanalysis. Data collection tools were pre‐tested for reliability and validity.Results: Among 663 patients, 237 (35.7%) were readmitted at least once. An increased respiratory rate (IRR = 1.015; 95%CI: 1.0004, 1.031; p < 0.044) and longer medication duration (IRR = 1.011; 95% CI: 1.016, 1.051; p < 0.0001) were asso-ciated with more readmissions. Patients with poor social support had 59.4% fewer readmissions compared to those withgood social support (IRR = −1.595; 95% CI: −0.02, −0.005; p < 0.041). A higher body mass index (IRR = 0.115; 95% CI:0.035, 0.196; p < 0.004) was linked with a higher likelihood of remaining in the “always‐zero” group, while an increasedpulse rate reduced the odds (IRR = −0.013; 95% CI: −0.025, −0.008; p < 0.036). The mortality rate among readmittedpatients was 11.39%.Conclusion: This study found significant readmission rates among HF patients. Factors such as respiratory rate andmedication duration were linked to increased readmissions, while poor social support was associated with fewerreadmissions, this likely reflects limited healthcare access in low‐ and middle‐income countries among individuals withlower social support. The high mortality rate underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve patientoutcomes.

Background
Anemia is a critical complication among hemodialysis patients, often leading to poor outcomes. This study aimed to assess anemia prevalence and identify predictors among hemodialysis patients at Felege Hiote Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.


Research design and methods
A retrospective cohort study analyzed 410 hemodialysis patients from January 2018 to February 2022. Data was collected from medical records, entered using Epi-data Version 4.1, and analyzed with STATA Version 14. Kaplan-Meier survival curves assessed survival time, while Cox regression identified anemia predictors.


Results
Of 410 patients, 66 (16.1%) developed anemia, with an incidence rate of 7.9 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 3.1–13.5). Significant predictors included female sex (IRR: 1.5, p = 0.04), rural residence (IRR: 2.5, p = 0.01), low body mass index (IRR: 1.6, p = 0.02), and congestive heart failure (IRR: 6.9, p = 0.02).


Conclusions
Anemia prevalence among hemodialysis patients is high, with key predictors including gender, residence, body mass index, and comorbidities. Interventions targeting these factors, especially in rural areas, could reduce anemia incidence. Study limitations include single-center data, incomplete variables, and lack of causality.





KEYWORDS: Anemia, incidence, predictors of anemia, end stage kidney disease, hemodialysis

This study examines the commitment and compliance of two key rebel groups in the Ethiopian Civil War—theTigray People’s Liberation Front and the Oromo Liberation Front—to international human rights norms, utilizingthe Jo and Bryant framework of human rights commitment and compliance for non-state actors as an analyticaltool. A systematic secondary document analysis was conducted, with data sourced from national and interna-tional media outlets, as well as reports from humanitarian organizations. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front ischaracterized by a more centralized and disciplined organizational structure, which has facilitated greateraccountability for its actions. In contrast, the Oromo Liberation Front has faced significant internal fragmentationand weak command, complicating the attribution of responsibility. Despite these organizational differences, bothgroups share a record of serious human rights violations, including the mistreatment of prisoners of war, masscivilian killings, forced displacements, and the use of child soldiers. While neither group fully adheres to humanrights standards, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front has demonstrated a relatively greater capacity to facilitatehumanitarian aid, although this aid is frequently diverted for military purposes, undermining its intendedsupport for civilians. This diversion reflects a troubling pattern of aid misappropriation that compromises theeffectiveness of humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. Conversely, the Oromo Liberation Front’s lack of coop-eration with humanitarian agencies further exacerbates the suffering of affected populations, underscoring theneed for both groups to reassess their commitment to humanitarian principles and the protection of civilianrights. The study calls for international actors to exert pressure on both groups to ensure compliance with at leasta minimum standard of human rights norms.
Keywords: Ethiopia, Civil war, Human rights compliance, Rebel groups

This paper presents a novel approach to modeling and controlling a solar photovoltaic conversionsystem(SPCS) that operates under real-time weather conditions. The primary contribution is theintroduction of an uncertain model, which has not been published before, simulating the SPCS’sactual functioning. The proposed robust control strategy involves two stages: first, modifying thestandard Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm to generate an optimal reference voltage usingreal-time measurements of temperature, solar irradiance, and wind speed. This modification leadsto determining and linearizing the nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the photovoltaic(PV) array near standard test conditions (STC), resulting in an uncertain equivalent resistance used tosynthesize an overall model. In the second stage, a robust fixed-order H∞ controller is designed basedon this uncertain model, with frequency-domain specifications framed as a weighted-mixed sensitivityproblem. The optimal solution provides the controller parameters, ensuring good reference trackingdynamics, noise suppression, and attenuation of model uncertainties. Performance assessments atSTC compare the standard and robust P&O-MPPT strategies, demonstrating the proposed method’ssuperiority in performance and robustness, especially under sudden meteorological changes andvarying loads. Experiment results confirm the new control strategy’s effectiveness over the standardapproach.

This paper introduces the Efficient Metaheuristic BitTorrent (EM-BT) algorithm, aimed at optimizingthe placement and sizing of photovoltaic renewable energy sources (PVRES) and capacitor banks(CBs) in electric distribution networks. The main goal is to minimize energy losses and enhance voltagestability over 24 h, taking into account varying load profiles, solar irradiance, and temperature effects.The algorithm is rigorously tested on standard distribution networks, including the IEEE 33, IEEE69, and ZB-ALG-Hassi Sida 157-bus systems. The results reveal that EM-BT outperforms establishedmethods like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), and Whale OptimizationAlgorithm (WOA), demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing energy losses and maintaining stablevoltage profiles. By effectively combining PVRES and CBs, this research highlights a robust approach toenhancing both technical performance and operational reliability in distribution systems. Additionally,the consideration of temperature effects on PVRES efficiency adds depth to the study, making it avaluable contribution to the field of power system optimization.Keywords: Efficient Metaheuristic BitTorrent (EM-BT) algorithm, Photovoltaic renewable energy sources(PVRES), Capacitor banks (CBs), Energy loss minimization, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Grey WolfOptimizer (GWO), Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Operational reliability

Knowledge of domestic dog ecology and demography has been recognized as central to the designof an effective rabies control program. The study was conducted to assess owned dogs’ ecologyand demography and to identify predictors associated with dog ownership and rabies occurrencein the Amhara region, Ethiopia.Method: ology: The study employed dog census and questionnaire surveys of 907 householdsselected using a multistage sampling technique from six rural and six urban districts of theAmhara region, Ethiopia. The ecology and demography of owned dogs in the selected areas wererecorded and described using descriptive statistics. Mixed-effect logistic regression models wereused to identify factors associated with dog ownership and rabies occurrence.Results: A total of 6609 dogs were estimated from 42 kebeles in the 12 study districts. The male-to-female ratio of dogs was 1.7:1.0, and the mean age of dogs was 3.2 years. The proportion ofhouseholds who owned at least one dog was 5.9 %. The average number of dogs per dog-ownedhousehold was 1.3. Dog to household ratio was 1.0:13.0, and dog to human ratio was 1.0:48.5.The majority of the dog owners (97 %) keep dogs for home guard and livestock herding. Only 57% of the dogs were confined, and 16 % of them were vaccinated. Ninety-one percent of the dogowners did not practice neutering and spaying for dog population control. Religion, livestockownership pattern, and occupation were associated with dog ownership (p < 0.05). Communityresidence and age of respondents were associated with rabies occurrence (p < 0.05), while zonewas associated with both dog ownership and rabies occurrence at p-value

Eucalyptus camaldulensis is commonly planted on farmland in highland Ethiopia because of its high economic proftability.However, the expansion of woodlot plantations has led to a decline in crop growth and yield, which negatively afects foodsecurity. To address this issue, this study aimed to examine the efects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodlot expansion on cropproduction and food security in South Achefer. Data were collected from 180 respondents using a three-stage sampling techniquefor the four kebeles in the district. Te survey data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and a binary logitregression model using SPSS software version 24. Tis study found that most households (87%) perceived a rapid increase inEucalyptus woodlot expansion. Te allocation of more land for Eucalyptus woodlot expansion was positively and signifcantlyafected by family size, landholding size, total annual income, and availability of unproductive land. Additionally, the studyrevealed that Eucalyptus woodlots highly compete with nearly all grown crops for nutrients and moisture. Tis causes a reductionin yield from one to four quintals compared to the normal crop grown far from the Eucalyptus tree. Approximately three-fourths(71%) of the sampled farmers did not obtain stable food annually and were considered food insecure. To alleviate food insecurity,this study suggests that stakeholders should focus on improving livelihood alternatives rather than expanding Eucalyptuswoodlots.Keywords: access; availability; binary logistic regression; stability; utilization; woodlot

Intercropping is an essential farming system that combines multiple crop speciessimultaneously. in ethiopia, pepper and Black cumin are interplanted with various crops,influenced by diverse environmental and agronomic factors. this review examines the impactof intercropping pepper and Black cumin on the performance of component crops andsystem productivity in ethiopia. Farmers in tropical regions practice intercropping widely toreduce dependence on monoculture, manage risks from pests, diseases, and climate variability,and enhance resilience. By integrating pepper and Black cumin with other crops, small‑scalefarmers in developing countries like ethiopia diversify crop production and improve yields.Most smallholder farmers in ethiopia cultivate plots smaller than one hectare. the landequivalent ratio is a key measure for evaluating intercropping efficiency. However, indicessuch as relative Yield total, Staple land equivalency ratio, Area time equivalency ratio, andArea Harvest equivalency ratio are also applied globally. these indices help assess the benefitsof intercropping in terms of land use and time management. to maximize productivity,farmers must carefully select crops that balance resource competition, resist pests anddiseases, and ensure yields with superior quality. promoting sustainable intercropping practicescan boost agricultural output and contribute to food security in ethiopia and similar regions.
KEYWORDS: indices; multiple cropping; sole cropping; spatial arrangement

This study suggests an enhanced version of the adaptive fuzzy fast terminal synergetic controller(AF-FTSC) for controlling the uncertain DC/DC buck converter based on the synergetic theory ofcontrol (STC) and newly developed terminal attractor technique (TAT). The benefits of the proposedSC algorithm involve the features of finite-time convergence, unaffected by parameter variations, andchattering-free phenomenon. A type-1 fuzzy logic system (T1-FLS) make the considered controllermore robust and is utilized to estimate the undefined converter nonlinear dynamics without resortingto the usual linearization and simplifications of the converter model. Taking a switching DC-DC buckconverter as a demonstration, the suggested AF-FTSC is thoroughly analyzed and executed on adSPACE ds1103 controller board. The outcomes of the experiment confirm the competence andapplicability of the suggested regulator.Keywords: Synergetic control, Fuzzy logic system, Fast terminal method, Finite-time convergence, DC/DCbuck converter

IntroductionLimited or shared sanitation services are considered improved sanitation facilities, but theyare shared between two or more households. Globally, 600 million people use shared toiletfacilities. Although shared facilities are not classified as improved sanitation due to potentialinfection risks, inaccessibility, and safety concerns, this is a significant issue in developingcountries like Ethiopia. Evidence on the distribution of shared sanitation services and theirdeterminants in Ethiopia is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the extent ofshared toilet facilities and their determinants among households in Ethiopia.MethodsThe 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) served as the basis for thecross-sectional secondary data analysis. The analysis included a total of 7,770 householdsfrom the weighted sample. STATA 14 software was used to clean, weigh, and analyze thedata. To explore the distribution and determine the factors associated with shared toilet facil-ities in Ethiopia, both spatial and mixed-effect analyses were utilized. A p-value of less than0.05 was used to display the relationships between the dependent and independent vari-ables, employing adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsThe magnitude of improved shared sanitation facilities among households in Ethiopia,according to the EDHS 2019, was 10.5% (95% CI: 9.88, 11.24). The prevalence was highestin Addis Ababa at 70.2% and lowest in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’Region at 2.4%. Individual-level variables significantly associated with the use of improvedshared toilet facilities included being a household head aged 55 years or older [AOR = 0.48;
95% CI: 0.33, 0.71], having secondary education or higher [AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.80,3.28], and belonging to middle or rich wealth status [middle: AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.35,3.96; rich: AOR = 6.23; 95% CI: 3.84, 10.11]. Community-level characteristics such as resid-ing in urban areas [AOR = 7.60; 95% CI: 3.47, 16.67], the metropolitan region [AOR =25.83; 95% CI: 10.1, 66.3], and periphery regions [AOR = 5.01; 95% CI: 2.40, 10.48] werealso associated with the use of shared toilet facilities.ConclusionThe usage of improved shared toilet facilities among households in Ethiopia is relatively low.Significant factors related to the use of shared toilet facilities were being 55 years of age orolder, possessing secondary or higher education, having a middle or rich wealth status, liv-ing in urban areas, and residing in metropolitan or peripheral regions. To improve access toand utilization of shared sanitation facilities, Ethiopian policy should emphasize user educa-tion and awareness.