Surreal Time and Ultratasks

This paper suggests that time could have a much richer mathematical structure than that of the real numbers. Clark & Read (1984) argue that a hypertask (uncountably many tasks done in a finite length of time) cannot be performed. Assuming that time takes values in the real numbers, we give a trivial proof of this. If we instead take the surreal numbers as a model of time, then not only are hypertasks possible but so is an ultratask (a sequence which includes one task done for each ordinal number—thus a proper class of them). We argue that the surreal numbers are in some respects a better model of the temporal continuum than the real numbers as defined in mainstream mathematics, and that surreal time and hypertasks are mathematically possible

Anomalous dielectric response of very small quantities of virgin, aged and failed silicone oil

A technique is described for making dielectric spectroscopy measurements of very small quantities (<1μl) of oil. The technique utilises surface tension to hold the oil between the plates of a capacitor, the inter-electrode distance being controlled by a micrometer. Breakdown strength can also be estimated using this technique. Three samples of silicone oil, used in cable sealing ends, were tested: virgin, used and failed. A major component in the frequency dependent impedance had the form Z(ω)=B(1-b)(iω)/sup.1-p/). This component was interpreted in terms of a fractal percolation model, and the anomalous thickness dependence predicted by the model verified by varying the inter-electrode distance. The difference observed for the three different samples indicate that conducting contaminants are responsible for the percolation system

Common micronutrient deficiencies among food aid beneficiaries: Evidence from refugees in Ethiopia

Background: Ethiopia is amongst the African countries that have received significant food aid. Nonetheless, the common micronutrient deficiencies among food aid beneficiaries are not well documented.Objective: To find out the common micronutrient deficiencies among food aid beneficiaries in the country based on available data.Methods: Literature search was made from the Internet, peer-reviewed journals, various agency reports, national survey data, books, handouts and Masters in Public Health (MPH) theses since the year 2000.  Micronutrient status information for food aid beneficiaries came mainly from studies in refugee/emergency settings, with very few published studies found documenting the nutritional status of non-emergency situations. The information obtained from the above mentioned sources was grouped under the major common micronutrient deficiencies in tabular forms that included the site where the study was conducted, subjects included in the assessment, sample size used, indicators used (clinical, biochemical and dietary) and the findings.Results: Vitamin A and iron deficiencies were the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies among food aid beneficiaries. Other probable deficiencies prevailing were zinc, vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin folate, cyano-cobalamine, ascorbic acid vitamin D and calcium because of the low intake of dairy products and meat. In some cases, food aid rations provided insufficient quantity and quality of micronutrients, particularly when food aid was a major food source. Some logistic and budgetary constraints were reported as an impediment to assess the micronutrient status of the beneficiaries in field settings.Conclusion: Although the most important deficiencies are identified, the information cannot be generalized to all beneficiaries as their conditions and the types of food donated in emergencies could vary from place to place and therefore the findings should be interpreted contextually. The logistic problem documented underlines the need for seeking collaboration with research institutes and other government agencies whose interests fall in such undertakings. Furthermore, simple dietary assessment, anthropometric measurements and examination of clinical signs need to be considered in the future to assess the major micronutrient deficiencies. [Ethiop J Health Dev. 2011;25(3):222-229

Infant feeding practice of HIV positive mothers and its determinants in selected health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Avoidance of all breast-feeding by HIV infected mothers is recommended when replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe. Whereas for women whose HIV status is unknown or negative, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is the single infant feeding option recommended. Objective: To assess the infant feeding practice of HIV positive mothers and its determinants.Methods: A cross sectional study with analytical component was conducted in 13 purposively selected health institutions with ART and PMTCT facilities in Addis Ababa during March, 2008. A total of 327 HIV positive motherswith their young infants visiting the respective health institutions were recruited in order of arrival, and assessed for their infant feeding practices.Results: Exclusive replacement feeding (ERF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and mixed feeding (MF) were 46.8%, 30.6%, and 15.3% respectively. The predictors for choosing ERF were mode of delivery (

Applicability of the theory of planned behavior in predicting intended use of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing services among teachers of Harari Region, Ethiopia

Background: The predictive validity and applicability of Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) may be a promising model for understanding and predicting intended behaviors to use VCT services. The need for theory based study would thus be essential in designing evidence based HIV-related interventions in the future. Objectives: To examine the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the additional predictive role of perceived risk in predicting intended use of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) services. Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted among 20 randomly selected schools in Harari Region between March and April 2009. Four hundred ninety seven randomly selected teachers consented to participate in the study giving a response rate of 87.8%. Self administered questionnaire, adopted from the TPB was used for data collection. Multiple linear regression models were used to predict the role of important variables that can influence the intention to use VCT among teachers using SPSS version 15.Result: More than half (53.7%) who had never used VCT service were considered in the analysis for the intended VCT service use. All the modal variables correlated significantly with behavioral intention. Subjective norm (r=0.45,

The utility of theory of planned behavior in predicting consistent condom use intention of HIV patients on ART in North Shoa Zone health facilities, Ethiopia, 2011

Background: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) explains behavioral intention and it is a better theoretical model helping predict intentions for consistent condom use, which is believed to reduce the long term impacts of HIV disease.Objective: To examine the utility of theory of planned behavior in predicting consistent condom use intention of HIV patients who are currently on antiretroviral treatment.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 337 HIV/AIDS patients taking ART from 3 Hospitals and 4 health centers between March and April 2011 in North Shoa Zone of Ethiopia. Data were collected using the theory of planned behavior construct and socio-demographic characteristics. Analysis was done using Cronbach’s alpha reliability test, partial correlation, and linear regressions in order to know the predictors of intention to consistent condom use.Results: 56% of the respondents were females with the median age of 32.00±9.66 years. All components of the theory of planned behavior model, attitude (r=0.31: p≤0.001), subjective norm (r=0.39: P≤0.001), perceived behavioral control (r= 0.36: P≤0.001) were correlated significantly and positively with intention to consistent condom use. All components of the model were significant predictors of consistent condom use intentions. Based on multiple linear regression, the standardized regression coefficient was (ßattitude=0.21: P≤0.005), (ßsubjective norm= 0.26: P≤0.001) and (ßperceived behavioral control =0.28: P≤0.001).Conclusion: The study showed that the theory of planned behavior as explaining 29.1% of variation in intentions for consistent condom use of HIV/AIDS patients taking ART, suggesting that the model is applicable and effective in the prevention of new infections, re-infection as well as drug resistance

VCT uptake and associated factors among teachers from Harari Administrative Region

sector which is vital to the creation of human capital is also equally affected. The loss of skilled and experienced teachers due to the problem is increasingly compromising the provision of quality education in most African countries and thus, needs appropriate intervention measures that reverse the current trend. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and determining factors of VCT uptake among teachers of Harari Administrative Region. Methods: A cross sectional study design with analytic component was conducted among 566 teachers drawn from 20 randomly selected schools of Harari Administrative Region from March to April 2009. Self administered questionnaire, adapted from previous relevant studies was used to estimate the prevalence of VCT uptake and the various socio-demographic and psychological factors. Data were entered and analyzed using bi-variate and multivariate models. Results: A total number of 497 teachers responded to the questionnaire adequately making the response rate of 87.8%. The mean age of the participants was 34.68 ranging from 18 – 61 years. There were more teachers from urban areas (72.0%) and most of them were males (62.2%). About half (54.1%) were married and few (5.2%) were divorced. The vast majority (98.6%) heard about the confidential VCT service and their major sources of information were mass media (85.3%) and health workers (56.2%). The prevalence of VCT uptake was 46.3%. The odds of utilizing VCT significantly increased with being younger age group, female and first and second cycle teachers’category. Conclusions: The major factors identified for increased uptake of VCT are gender, age and salary category. Actions targeting the males, non-youth age group and low grade teachers’ are necessary to follow their peer groups to utilize the VCT service in order to achieve the goal of education set for 2015

The Script and text of Ibn Quzmān’s Dīwān: some giveaway secrets

Depending wholly on internal evidence, this study sets out to show that the unique manuscript of Ibn Quzmān's Dīwān, published in facsimile by David de Gunzburg in 1896, is a dictated copy. It tries to show also that the copyist, who has often been blamed for corrections or classicizing emendations of the popular Andalusian text, was not qualified for such a "role". While he seems to have been a first class calligrapher, evidence is provided here that his knowledge of Arabic was not at all on a level with the standard of his calligraphy. He is shown to be responsible for the wide range of textual problems which have puzzled successive editors of the Dīwān. In sharp contrast with all this, Ibn Quzmān is shown to be an unrivalled master of Arabic and classical Arabic lore. He also seems to have had a remarkable "acculturation" in the Romance language. Apart from citing the evidence for these findings, this paper amounts to an illustration of how they can help towards a better reading and understanding of Ibn Quzmān's Dīwān.Basado enteramente en pruebas internas, este estudio se propone mostrar que el manuscrito único del Dīwān de Ibn Quzmān, publicado en edición facsímil por David de Gunzburg en 1896, es una copia dictada. Se indica también que el copista, a quien con frecuencia se ha culpado de introducir en el texto popular andaluz correcciones o clasicismos, no estaba bien equipado para desempeñar tal papel. Si bien era un calígrafo de primera categoría, se aducen pruebas de que su conocimiento del árabe no estaba a la altura de la calidad de su caligrafía. El estudio muestra que él fue el responsable de una amplia gama de problemas textuales que ha dejado perplejos a sucesivos editores del Dīwān. En marcado contraste, se muestra que Ibn Quzmān poseía un dominio magistral de la lengua árabe y de las tradiciones-árabes clásicas. Al parecer también había adquirido un alto grado de 'aculturación' en la lengua romance. Además de ofrecer las pruebas en que se basan estos asertos, el estudio constituye un ejemplo ilustrativo de cómo estas pruebas pueden ayudar a una mejor lectura e interpretación del Dīwān de Ibn Quzmān

A Brief Overview of Issues Addressed by EJHD Publications (Including Index)

Background: The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development (EJHD) has been in print for twenty five years now. On the occasion of its silver jubilee anniversary, it may be of interest to reflect on its activities and the possible impacts it has made on health development of the country.Objective: To highlight the major issues that have been addressed by the Ethiopian Journal of Health Development during its publication in the last 25 yearsMethods: Going through the index of articles published during the 25 years of the Journal’s existence and comparing them with the original objectives of the Journal and achievements made in the major health policy and programs of the country.Results: A total of 704 articles were published in the EJHD between its first issue in July 1984 and Volume 22 No3 of 2008. Among these 577 are original articles, 14 are review articles and the rest include: brief reports, special reports, updates, opinions, news, book reviews, letters to the editor and editorials. In addition, the Journal has published abstracts of papers presented at the third (38) and fourth (46) annual conferences of the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA) in 1992 and 1993.Conclusions: Overall, publications in the EJHD seem to reflect issues that are relevant to the Ethiopian health sector and its programs. However, the extent to which the publications have addressed health sector issues as well as the original objectives of the journal needs to be revisited for strengthened future action that meaningfully impact policies and programs

Assessment of the prevalence and factors influencing adherence to exclusive breast feeding among HIV positive mothers in selected health institution of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) offers an affordable, culturally accepatable and effective means of reducing mother to child transmission of HIV while maintaining the benfits of breastfeeding. Despite its benefits, the practice of EBF among HIV positive mothers is low in Ethiopia.Objective: This study is intended to assess factors influencing adherence to exclusively breast feeding among HIV positive mothers in selected health institutions of Addis Ababa.Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study design supplemented by a qualitative method was conducted among 384 HIV positive mothers drawn from purposively selected 3 hospitals and 10 health centers with ART and PMTCT service in Addis Ababa City from January 1 to February 30, 2012. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and entered into a computer and analyzed using the SPSS software version 16.Results: The prevalence of EBF adherence and non-adherence were (73.0%) and (27.0%) respectively. Among mothers who did not adhere to EBF, the commonest reasons mentioned were family opposition and infant illness in 44.0% and 19.0% of mothers respectively. The major determinants identified were inadequate ANC follow up, negative attitude towards EBF and maternal illnesses. Accordingly mothers who attended more than or equal to four ANC follow-ups were 1.9 times more likely to adhere to EBF than those who attended less (AOR=1.04; 95% CI=1.043.4). Likewise, mothers who experienced illnesses were 74% less likely to adhere to EBF than those who had no illnesses (AOR=0.26; 95%CI, 0.13-0.53) and those mothers who had negative attitudes towards EBF were 68% less likely to adhere to EBF than their counterparts (AOR=0.32; 95%CI= 0.16-0.63).Conclusions: Although the majority of mothers adhered to EBF, still more actions that focus on the importance of ANC follow-up and strengthening of the mother support group in each health facility are necessary. Other important actions are to change the negative attitudes of mothers towards EBF through BCC and continuously advising them to get timely treatment whenever they experience illnesses