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Introduction In general, the model of decision making is discussed in the economic field. This model includes a five-step process that leads to a purchase. These steps include identifying the problem, seeking, evaluation of alternatives, selection and evaluation after the acquisition. Following the economic model of decision making, Mate selection can also be considered as a process. But for adapting the model of mate selection with the economic model of decision making, some theoretical modifications and adjustments has been done. Therefore, the mate selection process can be divided into three steps: 1- Seeking the potential partner 2- Searching information about a potential partner, and 3-Final decision and consultation about this decision. Sociology has been long faced with this problem that how can examine empirically the relationships between entities at different levels of society. In response to this problem, for the first time in 1940, the concept of “social network” was introduced by Radcliffe Brown in anthropology. The researchers have used the concept of “social network” as a metaphor to describe a complex set of relationships between people. There are several and almost similar definitions of the concept of “social network” that generally includes following points: 1-Social network includes social relations and social actors. 2- Social network is a set of social relations among the social actors. There are various types of social relations. Social actors can also be individuals, groups, and organizations. 3- In the network literature, “Tie” or “link” is the “social relation” and “node” is the “social actor”. Based on the points provided above and the subject of mate selection, the social network of mate selection is defined as “A set of social relations among the social actors who involve and play a role in the mate selection process including seeking the partner (introducing), Searching information about a partner (inquiry) and consulting with person about the final decision for marring with the target potential mate”. According to the Network theorists, social networks have different characteristics. One of the major categories of network characteristics has been carried out by Israel and Randers. According to him, these characteristics include structural characteristics of network (including size, diversity and composition of the network) and functional characteristics of network (social support). The following have been described each of these characteristics and its relationships to the subject of this research. Network size is the total number of people with whom one is connected or the total number of people who provide many different types of support for him. The larger the network size of mate selection, the person (respondent or “ego” in this study) will receive more support during the marital life. Since the chance of social support receiving from the network members of mate selection increases through the increasing the number of network members. The larger the network size of network, the chance of receiving support from one person among the set of persons increases. Network composition is determined by the percentage of certain relationships within the network; Percentage of relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues. The more the ratio of relatives’ relations in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that they provide for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. Network diversity is referred to the difference or similarity of network members with each other and central person (“ego”) according to the attributes such as sexuality, age, education and etc. The more the diversity in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that provided for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. 1- The larger the network size of network, the chance of receiving support from one person among the set of persons increases. 2- The more the ratio of relatives’ relationships in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that they provide for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. 3- The more the diversity in the social network of mate selection, because of the social support that provided for individuals throughout life, Leads to a more satisfaction in marital life. Material and Method The research conducted by survey method and data was collected by the interview technique. In this study, ego- centered network approach was used; meaning that the information about the characteristics of the social network mate selection were collected by the ego (the married men in this study); rather than of referring to all members of the network for information collecting. Statistical population of this study was “the all married men in Mashhad city in 1389”. The sampling method of this study was the combination of multi-stage clustering and stratified sampling. Cochran's formula is used to determine sample size that based on that formula, 180 married men has been estimated as a sample. Discussion of Results and Conclutions Descriptive findings showed that - The average size of social network of mate selection of each person was two (persons); meaning that on average two persons in the process of marriage, including the introduction of a marriage partner, and investigating about wife and counsel, had an active involvement. - Network composition of mate selection was more relatives; 80 percent of members of network had relative relationship with the ego and 80% of them are the family members. Overall, among the network of mate selection, the percentage of certain relationships with an order of preference, was relatives (80%, among which the 80 were the family members of ego), friends (7%), neighbors (4 %), colleagues (3%), and college classmates, acquaintances and in the last were strangers. - Members of social network of mate selection had a little diversity according to the economic - social status and it reflects the homogeneity of members of social network of mate selection. - Social network of mate selection provided more informational and advice support for ego at the mate selection process time and provide more social support during the marital life. - 66% of network mate selection members of married men were women and 33% were males. This point is quite consistent with Heidari's findings (1379).Therefore men get helped women more and women get helped men more. - Approximately, 80 percent of members of social network of mate selection had low and very low economic – social status, since the number of women in the social network of mate selection is more than men and women in the variables of economic – social status composed of education, job and salary had low rank. - On average, people's marital satisfaction is strong. Since the hypotheses of this research were there- variable, in order to check this hypotheses, structural equation modeling was used. Lisrel analysis showed that all three hypotheses were confirmed. Multiple regression results show that the size of social network of mate selection, has a large and significant effect on the diversity of social status of members of social network of mate selection (Beta coefficient of network size on social support was 0.71). The size of social network of mate selection has a positive impact on social support of social network of mate selection during the marital life; (Beta coefficient of network size on social support was 0.6). The social support of social network of mate selection has a positive effect on marital satisfaction during the marital life; it means that the more social support provided by social network of mate selection to ego, the marital satisfaction of ego increases. (Beta coefficient of support on marital satisfaction was 0.161.) The duration of marriage and the economic–social status of ego have positive effect on the marital satisfaction. Importantly, this research showed the important role of relative relationships on marriage. The presence of relatives in mate selection is a characteristic of Iranian culture as a collectivist culture. The relatives have longer familiar with the ego and have a greater knowing of personality and Morality of ego. The relatives who know the ego and also be involved in the mate selection process, supported him during his life, Therefore ego is more satisfied from his marital life, because of more supporting provided to him. Meanwhile, the more the number of people who involved in mate selection process – or the more the number of relatives involved in mate selection process - ego is more satisfied from marital life because of the more social support received.

This study investigated the contamination level and risk associated with toxic trace elements in springs’ water from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Toxic trace elements, including Hg, As, and Zn, were analyzed by metalyzer, HM 2000 serial no. MY-011-006, while elements such as Cr, Al, B, Ni, Cu, Mn, and Fe were analyzed using Metalometer HM 2000 serial no. MM005-007, the United Kingdom. The mean concentrations of TTEs in water samples from Skardu were ordered as, Mn < Cu < Fe < Zn < Al < Cr < As < Ni < Hg, in Gilgit, Mn < Cu < Zn < Ni < B < Cr < Fe < As < Hg, in Ghizer Cu < Mn < Zn < Ni < Cr < Fe < As < Hg, while in Nagar the concentration of TTEs in water samples were ordered as Cu < Mn < Fe < Ni < Al < Cr < Zn < As < Hg. Results obtained from this study showed that the concentrations of As, Hg, Ni, Cr, Al, and Mn in some water samples were higher than the limits recommended by WHO and Pak-NDWQS. However, the chronic daily intake indices (CDIs) and health risk index (HRI) in all samples were found below the US-EPA standards. The correlation analysis revealed a positive association among different elements, which revealed that the sources of TTES in water samples were mainly geological strata and anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aims to provide epidemiological features of the COVID-19 patients that admitted to Shahid Dr Hemin Teaching Hospital in Sulaimani city, Iraq. To carry out this work, cross-sectional method was used. A convenience sampling method was applied for data collection which started from 2nd October to 31th December 2020. The current study included only 371 patients who admitted for having COVID-19. The data were collected from patient’s medical record and a direct interview method was used for filling in the questionnaire forms. The collected data were statistically analysed by SPSS program with considering a p-value ≤ 0.05 as a significant interpretation. The findings show that the age of patients ranged from 19-95 years old and mean age of the participants was (63.69±12.73). The majority of patients 159 (42.9%) were between 65-79 years old and followed by 124 (33.4%) of them were between 50-64 years old. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Most of the patients were retired 119 (32.1%) in comparison to other occupations and illiterate patients 151(40.7%) were dominance over other patient’s education levels. In addition, majority of patients had hypertension 278(74.9%), diabetes 132 (35.6%) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) 130 (35.0%). On the other hand, regarding to condition of patients 230 (62.0%) and 141(38.0%) of them were in severe and moderate stage of disease respectively. Also, a. significant association were observed between the age group, occupation, education level, stage of the disease and patients’ outcome, while for gender, marital status and residency there were statistically non-significant. The presence of CVD, hypertension and diabetes increase the mortality rate among the patients. In conclusion, the age of COVID-19 patients has a great impact on increasing mortality rate and the presence of comorbidities among the COVID- 19patients significantly raise the mortality rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance phenomena among pathogenic bacteria considered as a major health problem and associated with increased mortality or long-term hospitalization, which lead to open a new era by using plant and herbal extracts as an alternative source of various chemotherapeutic drugs, also to increase antibiotic efficiency by combining with plant extract for obtaining a powerful and broad spectrum action. The current investigation aims to investigate antibacterial actions of fixed oils of (Olea europaea L., Ricinus communis L. and Linum usitatissimum) and volatile oil of (Nigella sativa, Curcuma longa L and Zingiber officinale) against both Staphylococcus aureus strain (6734151) and Escherichia coli strain (5344572). This study conducted on antibacterial effect of six different extracted oils from medical herbs. The findings revealed that the oil extracts have different antibacterial activities with efficacy. Bacterial inhibition zone was detected by using disk diffusion method. Furthermore, volatile oil of N. sativa showed a great inhibitory action against resistant S. aureus, which was (27.7± 1.2 mm). The antimicrobial effects of other fixed and volatile oils against S. aureu, the inhibition zone was (10 ± 1.0 mm) for (Zingiber officinale), (9 ± 1.0 mm) for Ricinus communis L., (7.7 ± 0.6 mm) for Olea europea L., (7.3 ± 0.6 mm) for Linum usitatissimum and for Curcuma longa L. was (6.7 ± 0.6mm). Moreover, antimicrobial effect of N. sativa against E. coli was more active in comparison with other oils, while other oils showed a slight antibacterial effect. In conclusion, volatile oil of N. sativa reveals great antibacterial activities in comparison with other extracted oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection that caused by an obligated intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii of many types of tissues, including nervous, muscular and intestinal epithelial tissue. Congenital toxoplasmosis is most severe condition when occurs in early period of pregnancy. The main aim of this study is to determine prevalence of toxoplasmosis among aborted women in Garmian region by using both Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The study was carried out in Kalar General Hospital to detect Toxoplasma antibodies among 350 samples, in which 250 samples were from aborted women and 100 samples were from normal birth women as a control. Participants' age was range from < 18 to > 35 years old. The data were collected form 15th January 2009 to 25th June 2010 by using a special questionnaire form to obtain full information from each participant. For statistical analysis of the data, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used. The study showed that (112) cases out of 250 were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii by using LAT, (65) cases for IgG and (50) cases for IgM by using ELISA. In the abortion group, it showed (87) cases out of 150 were seropositive by using LAT, (51) cases for IgG and (40) cases for IgM (26.6%), whereas in normal birth group (control), it showed (25) case out of 100 were seropositive by using LAT, (14) case for IgG and (10) case for IgM by using ELISA. A High seropositivity percentage was recorded among housewives (35.2%) than teachers and employees (29.4%), (28.5%) respectively. Furthermore, a higher percentage of Toxoplasma seropositivity was recorded in rural area than urban area. The aborted women who were in contact with soil showed the higher rate of Toxoplasma seropositivity (38.7%) than those were not in contact with soil (25%). This study concluded that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was higher in Garmian region and especially among those women who have lower education level and who live in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet (UV) and blue light are affecting eyes during the daily time and may cause many eye's problems and diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the awareness of patients with ophthalmological problems on UV/blue light protection measures and to evaluate their knowledge and protection measures about radiation that emits from sun light and other electronic devices. It comprised a cross-sectional survey on a representative target population with eye diseases who visited the Shahid Aso Eye Hospital at Sulaimani city (sample size = 500). A special designed cross-sectional questionnaire was performed on a random sampling for data collection from 9th September 2017 to 1st January 2018. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. There was an even distribution between male and female participants across the groups. The highest percentage of patients with light sensitivity was (79.6%) and the lowest percentage with eye injury was (7.8%). Most of participants had knowledge about the effects of UV/blue light on eye diseases by (52%), cataract (57.8%), glaucoma and red eye with percentage of (45.8%) and (43.4%) respectively. There was a significant difference for the males who were more game-player and using electronic devices like smartphone/tablet /iPad than females. There was a significant difference between male and female participants about the knowledge on harmful effects of radiation from electronic devices. Furthermore, only the patients with sun light sensitivity and cataract had a significant knowledge about harmful effects of radiation from electronic devices on human eyes. Finally, most of the patients with dry eyes, eye/lid infection and glaucoma and cataract had significantly more practices for taking visual breaks when using electronic devices. This study concluded that the patients with ophthalmological problems show a low level of knowledge and protection measurements on the harmful effects of UV/blue light on human eyes and radiation protection. Additionally, this study has discovered that sun protection measures are commonly inadequate among the participants and on a regular basis only a small portion of participants were used the sun protection requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge and practice of public, especially patients about eye diseases are important to reduce magnitude of human blindness. Vision and sight are very essential because they allow us to connect to each other's. In accordance to the recently published data; the estimation of 253 million people lives with vision impairment, 36 million are blind and 217 million suffer from moderate to severe vision impairment. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Shahid Dr. Aso Hospital in Sulaimani city-Iraq, from April to August 2017 by face-to-face interview through close ended questionnaire for data collecting. All data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 software. P-value of < 0.05 was considered as a statistically significant. A total of 430 patients were randomly chosen to participate in the study. They were 254 (59.1%) males and 176 (40.9%) females. 76.7% of respondents was worrying about vision loss, 0.7% was worrying about hair loss. Of the participants, 32.8% was with a good knowledge level and 40.5% was with a poor knowledge level, as well as 3.1% was in a good practice and 58.8% was in a poor practice level. Female knowledge mean score was 9.53±4.96 and male knowledge mean score was 8.42±5.45, the practice mean score of males was 4.33±1.96 and mean practice score of females was 4.13±1.93. The study data indicate the worrying of participates about vision loss is in the highest proportion and the awareness and practice of patients about eye diseases is unsatisfactory. Health education campaigns are needed to improve personal awareness about vision related problems and for better eye health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of clinical symptoms, laboratory indicators, and comorbidity status of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients on the severity of disease and the risk of death were investigated. Questionnaires and electronic medical records of 371 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were used for data collection (demographics, clinical manifestation, comorbidities, laboratory data). Association among categorical variables was determined using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (P-value ≤0.05). Median age of study population (249 males, 122 females) was 65 years. Roc curves analysis found that age ≥64 years and age ≥67 years are significant cut-offs identifying patients with more severe disease and mortality at 30 days. CRP values at cut-off ≥80.7 and ≥95.8 significantly identify patients with more severe disease and mortality. Patients with more severe disease and risk of death were significantly identified with platelet value at the cut-off ≤160,000, hemoglobin value at the cut-off ≤11.7, D-Dimer values ≥1383 and ≥1270, and with values of neutrophil granulocytes (≥8.2 and ≤2) and lymphocytes (≤2 and ≤2.4). Detailed clinical investigation suggests granulocytes together with lymphopenia may be a potential indicator for diagnosis. Older age, several comorbidities (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension) and more laboratory abnormalities (CRP, D-Dimer, platelets, hemoglobin) were associated with development of more severity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.