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

Determination of IL-6 and CRP in Patients with Type Two - Diabetes Mellitus in Baghdad/ Iraq

يعد داء السكري ((DM Diabetes mellitus المعروف عالميا كمشكلة صحية الذي يؤدي الى الاعتلال و الموت . تتضمن الاضطرابات المناعية للمرض الاستجابة المناعية الخلوية للخلايا اللمفية T- cells التي تساهم في المسار الفسيولوجيPath physiological l لمرض السكري من النوع الثاني (Two- DM)  Diabetes   mellitus . شملت الدراسة (50) فرد تتراوح اعمارهم بين (15-85) سنة الذين حضروا الى مستشفى الكاظمية التعليمي في بغداد وقسمت الافراد الى مجموعتين الاولى تضمنت  (35) مريض  (20 انثى و 15 رجل) والمجموعة الثانية (15) فرد من الاصحاء  كسيطرة . تم فحص انترلوكين 6 - IL و البروتين الفعال C- ((CRP  لكل من مرضى السكري والاصحاء. فقد اشارت الدراسة بعدم وجود اختلاف معنوي(p≥0.05)  بين كل من CRP (-ve-) و CRP (+ve) في الدم السكري وكذلك بوجود اختلاف معنوي (p≥0.05)   في مستويات  الانترلوكين IL 6 - في المرضى السكري والأصحاء. لقد هدفت الدراسة تقييم ومقارنة انترلوكين 6-  ILو البروتين الفعال C- (CRP) في مرضى السكري في المرضى العراقيين في مدينة بغداد.Diabetes mellitus (DM) type Two is a major worldwide health problem leading to an increase mortality and serious morbidity. Immunological disturbances involving the cell mediated immune system and improper-lymphocyte function contributes to the path physiological of type Two- DM. The study consist of 50 subjects, ages ranging between (15-85) years who attended to Al-kazimaih medical hospital in Baghdad/Iraq which divided in to two groups; the first group consists 35 patient  (20 females and 15 male) and the second 15 (5 female and 10 males) normal healthy as a control. The patients with type Two -DM were detected for IL-6 and CRP markers so as for control by ELISA test and agglutination test respectively. The results revealed that’s no significant differences (p≥0.05) between the level of CRP in patients type Two- DM and level of CRP in control. So as there were significant differences (p≤0.05) between the levels of IL-6 concentrations in type Two- DM and control represented by increase of IL- 6 in control than in patients. This study aimed to assess and compare the level of serum IL-6 and CRP in patient of type Two- DM in Iraqi patients in Baghdad city

Astrophysical and electromagnetic emissivity properties of black holes surrounded by a quintessence type exotic fluid in the Scalar-Vector-Tensor Modified Gravity

The astrophysical consequences of the presence of a quintessence scalar field on the evolution of the horizon and on the accretion disk surrounding a static black hole, in the Scalar-Vector-Tensor version of Modified Gravity (MOG), are investigated. The positions of the stable circular orbits of the massive test particles, moving around the central object, are obtained from the extremum of the effective potential. Detailed calculations are also presented to investigate the light deflection, shadow and Shapiro effect for such a black hole. The electromagnetic properties of the accretion disks that form around such black holes are considered in detail. The energy flux and efficiency parameter are estimated analytically and numerically. A comparison with the disk properties in Schwarzschild geometry is also performed. The quantum properties of the black hole are also considered, and the Hawking temperature and the mass loss rate due to the Hawking radiation are considered. The obtained results may lead to the possibility of direct astrophysical tests of black hole type objects in modified gravity theories.Comment: 30 pages, including diagrams and table

Composition and Temperature Dependence of Excess Volume of Heavy Oil-Stocks Mixtures + (Gas oil or Toluene or Reformate)

Binary mixtures of three, heavy oil-stocks was subjected to density measurements at temperatures of 30, 35 and 40 °C. and precise data was acquired on the volumetric behavior of these systems. The results are reported in terms of equations for excess specific volumes of mixtures. The heavy oil-stocks used were of good varity, namely 40 stock, 60 stock, and 150 stock. The lightest one is 40 stock with API gravity 33.69 while 60 stock is a middle type and 150 stock is a heavy one, with API gravity 27.74 and 23.79 respectively. Temperatures in the range of 30-40 °C have a minor effect on excess volume of heavy oil-stock binary mixture thus, insignificant expansion or shrinkage is observed by increasing the temperature this effect becomes more significant although the heavy oil-stocks is spiked with hydrocarbons like (gas oil, toluene and reformate). Blending of Heavy oil-stocks with hydrocarbons spikes (gas oil, toluene and reformate) form non-ideal mixtures, for which excess volume can be positive or negative depending on nature species. Spiking of Heavy oil-stocks with either gas oil or reformate resulted in negative excess volume. This shrinkage is greater for the lowest boiling point spike as in the case of reformate, While, the presence of methyl groups in aromatic rings results in a positive excess volume, as shown in toluene when blended with 40 stock but a negative excess volume was found when blended with 60 stock and 150 stock. The API gravity of heavy oil-stocks has an effect on excess volume when the oil-stocks spiked with hydrocarbons like (gas oil, toluene and reformate). This 40 stocks as a typical light types resulted in minimum negative excess volume of -0.47 at 30 °C, when it was spiked with the gas oil; while the spiked heavy oil-stock with kerosene shows a maximum excess volume of -15.56 at 40 °C

Proactivity in the workplace: the role of flow in the relationship between proactivity and subjective well-being

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Psychological SciencesClive J. FullagarIn the constantly changing world of work, employees are expected to be proactive by taking initiative and being self-starting, future focused, and change oriented. Consequently, research around proactivity has grown exponentially over the last two decades. However, the relationship with employee well-being has been widely neglected. This research addressed this gap by investigating the dynamics between employee proactivity and subjective well-being, while taking work-related flow into account. With the use of a diary method, this study provided support that proactivity is not necessarily a burden on psychological well-being. Instead, proactivity in its dispositional and behavioral form of task crafting, was found to have a direct impact on optimal work experiences and well-being outcomes such as subjective vitality and positive affect. Acknowledging the complexity of the relationships, this study also tested mediated and moderated paths and provided several theoretical and practical contributions

New proposed spherical slotted antenna covered by the layers of dielectric material and plasma

The operation of the new proposed spherical slotted antenna covered by layers of dielectric material and plasma was analyzed numerically in this paper. By utilizing the Integra-functional equations method, the optimum thickness of dielectric material layer and suitable conditions which improve the operation of this antenna are analyzed here by MATHCAD. The thickness of dielectric layer must not be less or more than λ/6. Furthermore, the authors propose manipulating the operation frequency to enable such antenna to work in most circumstances

BK Virus Load Associated with Serum Levels of sCD30 in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background. Rejection is the main drawback facing the renal transplant operations. Complicated and overlapping factors, mainly related to the immune system, are responsible for this rejection. Elevated serum levels of sCD30 were frequently recorded as an indicator for renal allograft rejection, while BV virus is considered as one of the most serious consequences for immunosuppressive treatment of renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Aims. This study aimed to determine the association of BK virus load with serum levels of sCD30 in RTRs suffering from nephropathy. Patients and Methods. A total of 50 RTRs with nephropathy and 30 age-matched apparently healthy individuals were recruited for this study. Serum samples were obtained from each participant. Real-time PCR was used to quantify BK virus load in RTRs serum, while ELISA technique was employed to estimate serum levels of sCD30. Results. Twenty-two percent of RTRs had detectable BKV with mean viral load of 1.094E + 06 ± 2.291E + 06. RTRs showed higher mean serum level of sCD30 (20.669±18.713 U/mL) than that of controls (5.517±5.304 U/mL) with significant difference. BK virus load had significant positive correlation with the serum levels of sCD30 in RTRs group. Conclusion. These results suggest that serum levels of sCD30 could be used as an indicator of BK viremia, and accordingly the immunosuppressive regime should be adjusted