Beliefs and intention of heterosexual couples about undertaking Couple's HIV Testing and Counselling (CHTC) services in Ethiopia

Background: Couples HIV Testing & Counselling (CHTC) service is an approach that may enable more people to be reached and tested for HIV. However, little is known about how couples may use this service and what they think about CHTC as an approach to finding out their HIV status. This study aimed to understand how individuals who had ever been in an ongoing heterosexual relationship for 6 months or more intended to use CHTC in Ethiopia and their beliefs about its benefits and potential harms. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, in 2017. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with individuals who had ever been in an ongoing heterosexual relationship (n = 21) and key-informants (n = 11) including religious leaders, health care providers, and case managers. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and an inductive thematic analysis was conducted. The data were coded to look for concepts and patterns across the interviews and relevant themes identified which captured key aspects related to the individual's views on undertaking HIV testing with a sexual partner. Results: Most participants regarded CHTC as an important HIV testing approach for people who are in an ongoing heterosexual relationship and expressed the view that there was "nothing like testing together". However, many of the individual participants revealed they would prefer first to get tested alone to find out their own HIV status. They feared the consequences if they were HIV-positive, including accusations of infidelity, relationship break-up, and being exposed in the community. Many also reported being pressured to undertake CHTC before marriage by a third party, including religious institutions. Key informant interviews also discussed the requirements for CHTC before marriage. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that people may be concerned about undertaking couples HIV testing without prior individual HIV testing. The intention of many to first test alone has policy and cost implications and underscores the possible harms of the implementation of CHTC in Ethiopia. Future research should examine whether the views identified in this qualitative study are reflected more broadly among couples in the community

Determination of Local Barley (Hordeum Vulgare) Crop Coefficient and Comparative Assessment of Water Productivity for Crops Grown Under the Present Pond Water in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

An experiment was carried out in 2010 at Mekelle, in northern Ethiopia, to measure the evapotranspiration, to estimate barley crop coefficient (kc), and to evaluate the water productivity taking into account the major crops grown under the present pond irrigation system. Four locally made lysimters were installed in the middle of barley field to measure barley evapotranspiration. The single crop coefficient approach was used to estimate barley crop coefficient. The average seasonal evapotranspiration of barley was 375 mm which is similar to many other cereal crops in the region. The single crop coefficient values for early, vegetative, mid and late crop stages were 0.6 – 0.8, 0.6 – 1.0; 1.0 – 1.05 and 0.3 - 0.4 respectively. The result showed that these crop coefficient values obtained in this experiment were similar to the crop coefficient values obtained in the past except for kc initial. Therefore, the assumption that local barley crop coefficient values differ from that of the documented values was incorrect. Furthermore, the major reason for mismanagement of irrigation water in barley fields was not due to use of wrong crop coefficient values but could be due to inadequate irrigation technical skill and knowledge of the farmer. The average economic water productivity (EWP) of barley for the very wet, wet, normal, dry and very dry seasons scenario were 0.99, 0.7, 0.65, 0.57, and 0.44 USD m-3, respectively, whereas the corresponding crop water productivity (CWP) values for grain were 1.53, 1.08, 1.0, 0.88 and 0.68 kg m-3, respectively. The EWP and CWP of barley were compared with onion and tomato under pond water irrigation at the five climatic scenarios. The crop water productivity for tomato and onion were 85 – 87% and 76 – 78% higher than that of barley, respectively. The corresponding economic water productivity for tomato and onion were 87 – 89% and 81 – 82% higher than that of barley, respectively. We concluded that growing tomato and onion would bring more income or yield per m3 of pond water supplied than growing barley. The implication is that as supply and demand determines the price of products, farmers and extension workers need to balance the crop area coverage per irrigation scheme so that undesirable price falls and rises could be avoided. Evaluation of crops based on their water productivity would improve the productivity of irrigation schemes and ultimately improve food security in the arid and semi-arid areas where water scarcity is critical problem and irrigation is a necessity for crop production. Key Words: Barley, Evapotranspiration, Crop coefficient, Water productivity

Measurement of serum haptoglobin as an indicator of the efficacy of malaria intervention trials

Serum haptoglobin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in Gambian children who participated in 3 malaria intervention trials with untreated or impregnated bed nets. In one study, in which a significant effect on clinical malaria was observed, the mean serum haptoglobin level was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group. In the other 2 studies, in which no significant protection was observed, mean haptoglobin levels were similar in intervention and control groups. Measurement of serum haptoglobin may provide a useful indirect measure of the effectiveness of malaria control programme

Reduction of rhenium (V) oxo Schiff Base Complexes with triphenyl phosphine ligands

Abstract only availableOne approach to the treatment of cancer is to direct beta-emitting radionuclide to the cancer site where the radiation destroys the cancer cells. This can be achieved by coordinating the radioisotope in a very stable environment and linking it to a specific biological targeting molecule, which interacts specifically with particular cancer cells. It is necessary to have extremely stable in vivo radionuclide complexes so that limited amounts of radiation are released to other parts of the body before the radionuclide can reach the cancer cells. Isotopes of radioactive Rhenium are characteristic of such a nuclide. Our emphasis was to obtain a Rhenium (III) metal ligand complex since the lower oxidation state is more kinetically inert relative to Rhenium (V). The method employed was to first produce the ReV-ligand complex, [ReVOCl(Sal2phen)], by reacting a 1:2 molar ratio of TBA[ReVIIOCl4] to Sal2phen. Next, [ReVOCl(Sal2phen)] was reacted with three equivalents of triphenylphosphine to determine whether a mono-substituted ReV complex or a di-substituted ReIII complex was formed. After purifying the product by solvent extraction, the coordinated complex was reacted with ammonium hexaflurophoshate, NH4PF6, to induce crystallization of the target compound, [ReIII(PPh3)2(Sal2phen)][PF6]. Preliminary 1H NMR, and FT-IT spectra suggest formation of trans-[ReIII(PPh3)2(sal2phen)]PF6. The Re=O stretch at 951.36 cm-1 observed for [ReOCl(sal2phen)] in the IR spectrum is missing from our product, implying the Re (III) product has been formed.Stevens' Chemistry Progra

Reduction of rheniumV oxo Schiff base complexes with triethylphosphine

Abstract only availablePioneering techniques for therapeutic treatment of cancers involve targeting cancer sites with strong beta-emitting radionuclides, thereby destroying the cancer cells. This is achieved by coordinating the radioisotope to a very chemically stable environment and linking it to a specific biologically active targeting molecule, which interacts with particular cancer cells. Radioactive isotopes of rhenium possess characteristics of such a nuclide. The focus of our research is to investigate two possible pathways for the reaction of [ReOX(Schiff base)] with phosphine ligands, one a mono-substituted ReV complex and one a di-substituted ReIII complex. The preferred ReIII complex is lower in oxidation state and more kinetically inert or stable relative to ReV. For practical applications it is necessary to have an extremely stable in vivo radionuclide complex which can be conjugated to a suitable biological targeting agent. The rigid sal2phen ligand, where Sal2phen is a tetradentate Schiff base ligand, was investigated to determine if the ReIII could be synthesized from the ReV starting complex [ReVOCl(Sal2phen)]. [ReVOCl(Sal2phen)] was reacted with triethylphosphine (PEt3) in attempts to yield the ReIII complex trans-[ReIII(PEt3)2(Sal2phen)][X]. Previous work indicated that the strongly reducing and strongly nucleophilic PEt3 might yield the ReV product from [ReVOCl(Sal2phen)]. The synthesized coordinated complex was reacted with an quaternary ammonium salt, ammonium hexaflurophosphate (NH4PF6), to induce crystallization of target compound [ReIII(PEt3)2(Sal2phen)][PF6]. Preliminary 1H-NMR, 31P-NMR, and infrared spectroscopy spectra indicate the formation of cis-[ReVO(PPh3)(Sal2phen)][X]. FTIR shows the presence of the Rhenium oxo group; 31P-NMR and 1H-NMR indicate the presence of ReV and a 1:1 PEt3 : Sal2phen complex. Single crystal x-ray diffraction, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis are additional methods of characterization.NSF-REU/NIH Program in Radiochemistr

Labeling and purification studies on cancer targeting DOTA-TATE labeled with radiolanthanides

Abstract only availableMolecular imaging and targeted radiotherapy are emerging fields for cancer treatment. DOTA-Tyr (3)-Thr(9)-octreotate (DOTA-TATE) is used for peptide receptor-mediated radionuclide therapy (PRMRT) in neuroendocrine tumours. These biomolecules can be radiolabeled with an appropriated radioisotope to produce radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The DOTA-TATE molecule is comprised of a bifunctional chelate (DOTA) that is capable of stably binding a radiolanthanide as well as being covalently attached to a targeting biomolecule (e.g.,octreotate). Among the radiolanthanides, Ho-166, Tb-161 and Lu-177, that were used to label the peptide, Lu-177 was used to obtain optimum conditions. Direct neutron capture on Lu-176 produces Lu-177. The indirect production of Lu-177 proceeds by neutron capture on Yb-176 producing Yb-177, which beta decays to Lu-177. Chromatographic separation yields high specific activity Lu-177 that minimizes the presence of cold Lu-176. Lanthanides have similar chemical properties that allow further studies to apply similar conditions as those developed for Lu-177. In addition, longevity of half-life of Lu-177 enables longer periods of dose delivery to targeted tumors. This research focused on identifying appropriate buffer solutions and volumes that could neutralize the acidic radioisotope to appropriate pH levels to label the peptide in high yield. The sample was purified from the unlabeled peptide by using HPLC separations methods and adding stabilizing agents (ascorbic and gentisic acid) to prevent radiolysis of the radiolabeled peptide. The results for the labeled peptide with various radioisotopes shows that 0.4 M NH4OAc, 0.4 M NaOAc, and 0.01 M HEPES buffer solution in 500 µL yields 99% labeling at pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. The labeled ligand at equimolar ratio with the metal yields 3 mCi/µg of the ligand, whereas as high specific activity sample can label up to 6.68 mCi/µg of the ligand. Carrier free Lu-177-DOTA-TATE was labeled using 0.01 M HEPES buffer at pH 6.0 and remains stable after using ascorbic acid; gentisic acid shows interference on HPLC which may cause some purification problems. (Ho- holmium, Tb- terbium Lu- lutetium)U.S. Dept. of Energy Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure and Education Summer MURR Undergraduate Research Scholarshi

Imaging findings and management of paediatric pulmonary hydatidiosis in an Ethiopian Referral Hospital

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How applicable is geospatial analysis in maternal and neonatal health in sub-Saharan Africa?:A systematic review

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the world's highest maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and has shown the slowest progress in reducing them. In addition, there is substantial inequality in terms of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the region. Geospatial studies can help prioritize scarce resources by pinpointing priority areas for implementation. This systematic review was conducted to explore the application of geospatial analysis to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in SSA. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was performed. All observational and qualitative studies that reported on maternal or neonatal health outcomes were included if they used a spatial analysis technique and were conducted in a SSA country. After removing duplicates, two reviewers independently reviewed each study's abstract and full text for inclusion. Furthermore, the quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. Finally, due to the heterogeneity of studies, narrative synthesis was used to summarize the main findings, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was strictly followed to report the review results. A total of 56 studies were included in the review. Results: We found that geospatial analysis was used to identify inequalities in maternal and neonatal morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization and to identify gaps in the availability and geographic accessibility of maternal health facilities. In addition, we identified a few studies that used geospatial analysis for modelling intervention areas. We also detected challenges and shortcomings, such as unrealistic assumptions used by geospatial models and a shortage of reliable, up-to-date, small-scale georeferenced data. Conclusions: The use of geospatial analysis for maternal and neonatal health in SSA is still limited, and more detailed spatial data are required to exploit the potential of geospatial technologies fully

Dominicans in the United States: A Socioeconomic Profile 2022

This research report presents the first detailed study of the socioeconomic status of the Dominican population of the United States as we enter the second decade of the 2000s, including a discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Deep Learning Model on Energy Management in Grid-Connected Solar Systems

Because of increased electricity consumption and the inherent limitations of fossil fuel ability to replenish themselves in the future, a shift to renewable energy sources is unavoidable. Although renewable energy sources are afflicted by intermittency, this problem can be alleviated by combining them with other sources of electricity. As a result of the above situation, the secondary source will take over if the primary source is unable to match the load demand. In this paper, we develop a hybrid renewable source that is connected with grids in an optimal way for the prediction of energy using an energy management system (EMS). The study is aimed at optimal handling of energy production, grid interaction, and the storage system, all of which must be accomplished simultaneously. The current state information from the battery, as well as control objectives, is used in this study to design control actions that maximise the amount of electricity injected into the grid. During the prediction window, it is assumed that the control inputs received at the start of the window will remain consistent throughout the duration of the window. The results of RMSE show errors lesser than 0.3% that shows improved rate of accuracy using EMS