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Teklemariam Gultie,1 Minichil Genet,2 Girum Sebsibie31Department of Midwifery, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia, Ethiopia; 2Department of Nursing, Debre Tabor Health Science College, Amhara Region, Ethiopia; 3Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaPurpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the disclosure of HIV-positive status and its associated factors to sexual partners among patients attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic follow-up at Mekelle Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia.Patients and methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Mekelle hospital. Samples of 324 individuals were selected by using systematic random sampling techniques from July 1 until July 30, 2013. The data were collected by trained data collectors through a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were cleaned, coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 Windows program. Descriptive statistics and binary and multivariable regression analysis with 95% confidence interval was carried out and P-value less than 0.05 used to determine the significant association.Results: A total of 324 people on ART care follow-up were interviewed with 100% response rate. The overall HIV status disclosure to sexual partner was 57.4%. Among those who disclosed their HIV status, 58% of them told their partner after 1 month after diagnosis. The study showed that there is significant association between knowing HIV status of sexual partner (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =16.69, 95% CI: 5.4, 51.65), duration of HIV-related care follow-up (AOR =5.48, 95% CI =2.17, 13.80), and discussion before HIV testing (AOR =4.33, 95% CI =1.43, 13.08), with HIV-positive status disclosure to sexual partner.Conclusion: An HIV-positive status disclosure to a sexual partner in this study was lower than what was reported in other studies in Ethiopia. The duration of HIV-related care follow-up, knowing partner's HIV status, and prior discussion were the main factors that affected the practice of HIV-positive status disclosure to their sexual partners.Keywords: cross sectional, institution based, systematic sampling, multivariate analysis

Even when entirely unloaded, biological structures are not stress-free, as shown by Y.C. Fung׳s seminal opening angle experiment on arteries and the left ventricle. As a result of this prestrain, subject-specific geometries extracted from medical imaging do not represent an unloaded reference configuration necessary for mechanical analysis, even if the structure is externally unloaded. Here we propose a new computational method to create physiological residual stress fields in subject-specific left ventricular geometries using the continuum theory of fictitious configurations combined with a fixed-point iteration. We also reproduced the opening angle experiment on four swine models, to characterize the range of normal opening angle values. The proposed method generates residual stress fields which can reliably reproduce the range of opening angles between 8.7±1.8 and 16.6±13.7 as measured experimentally. We demonstrate that including the effects of prestrain reduces the left ventricular stiffness by up to 40%, thus facilitating the ventricular filling, which has a significant impact on cardiac function. This method can improve the fidelity of subject-specific models to improve our understanding of cardiac diseases and to optimize treatment options.

Ventricular growth is widely considered to be an important feature in the adverse progression of heart diseases, whereas reverse ventricular growth (or reverse remodeling) is often considered to be a favorable response to clinical intervention. In recent years, a number of theoretical models have been proposed to model the process of ventricular growth while little has been done to model its reverse. Based on the framework of volumetric strain-driven finite growth with a homeostatic equilibrium range for the elastic myofiber stretch, we propose here a reversible growth model capable of describing both ventricular growth and its reversal. We used this model to construct a semi-analytical solution based on an idealized cylindrical tube model, as well as numerical solutions based on a truncated ellipsoidal model and a human left ventricular model that was reconstructed from magnetic resonance images. We show that our model is able to predict key features in the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship that were observed experimentally and clinically during ventricular growth and reverse growth. We also show that the residual stress fields generated as a result of differential growth in the cylindrical tube model are similar to those in other nonidentical models utilizing the same geometry.

In this paper, by using an integral representation of Ismail and Kelker for the quotient of Tricomi hypergeometric functions, we investigate the infinite divisibility and self-decomposability of the recently defined four-parameter lifetime Whittaker distribution, which is a natural extension of the classical gamma, exponential, chi-square, generalized Lindley, Lindley, beta prime, and Lomax distributions. We also show that the Whittaker distribution belongs to the class of hyperbolically completely monotone distributions and generalized gamma convolutions, and it is a super-Gaussian distribution. By using some results for the moments of the Whittaker distribution, we also deduce some Turán type inequalities for the Whittaker functions of the second kind and as an application we show that the effective variance of the Whittaker distribution is bounded from below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some well-known results of Grönwall on logarithmic derivative of modified Bessel functions of the first kind concerning exponential bounds are extended to Whittaker functions of the first and second kind M_{\kappa,\mu } and W_{\kappa,\mu }. Moreover, a complete monotonicity result is proved for the logarithmic derivative of the Whittaker function W_{\kappa,\mu }, and some monotonicity results with respect to the parameters and argument are shown for the logarithmic derivative of M_{\kappa,\mu }. The results extend and complement the known results in the literature about modified Bessel functions of the first and second kind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEarned value analysis is an important tool to measure the performance of a project to indicate what will happen to the work in the future. This study focuses on developing a fuzzy-based earned value analysis model for estimating the performance of projects. The model provides to make estimations getting closer and reduces the errors in calculations through the fuzzy linguistic terms. The data for this study were taken from projects which were done between 2020 and 2023 for the six sets of building projects. The data has been analyzed through a fuzzy-based earned value analysis model by using Microsoft Excel as a basic tool. It was found that the fuzzy-based SPI value for all projects was in Scenario 1, which implies that T(([Formula: see text])≥1) = 0 and T(([Formula: see text]) ≤ 1) = 1, So the work package is behind the schedule. Similarly, the value of fuzzy-based CPI for all projects except one were in Scenario 1, implies that T(([Formula: see text]) ≥1) = 0 and T(([Formula: see text]) ≤ 1) = 1, so the work package is behind the budget. Finally, it can be recommended that it needs to properly monitor, and control the project time, and cost to recover deviation in the remaining periods.

AbstractThe construction industry has a significant multiplier effect on the economy as a whole. It provides the basis upon which other sectors can grow by constructing the physical facilities required for the production and distribution of goods and services. Building construction projects is one of the major development constraints in developing countries since their development highly depends on the growth of their physical infrastructures. Developing countries allocate a considerable amount of their scarce financial resources towards the development of their infrastructure needs. However, most of these infrastructure projects in developing countries encounter considerable quality management controlling problems, especially in public building construction projects. These results in decreasing customer satisfaction, lower productivity, and decreased service delivery times. Thus, the study focuses on exploring fuzzy AHP approaches for quality management control practices in public building construction projects. The data analysis for this study was carried out by using fuzzy AHP methods. This method is used to determine the preference weights of the input variables and for ranking. To achieve the objective, the data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Microsoft Excel was used as an analysis tool. The study revealed that quality management plans and quality management control tools are identified as mostly practiced quality management control systems in public building construction projects. Finally, it can be recommended that the project participants implement and communicate the organization’s mission, vision, strategy, policies, and processes throughout the organization to enhance the productivity of the projects.

BackgroundTyphoid fever is one of the major public health concerns in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Understanding the burden and factors contributing to the transmission and development of the disease is crucial to applying appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of typhoid fever and its associated factors among febrile patients visiting Arerti Primary Hospital from 1 March to 30 May 2022.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was employed among 326 febrile patients visiting Arerti Primary Hospital for health services. The data were collected using laboratory procedures (widal test) and a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between variables. P-value < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to measure the presence and strength of associations.ResultsIn this study, of the total 317 cases that participated, the majority (64.4%) of them were males with age ranges from 13 to 63 years. The overall prevalence of positive antigen tests for typhoid infection was 30.0% (95% CI: 25.0%−35.3%). About 66.9% of the study participants had good knowledge, 75.7% had favorable perception, and 42.3% had good infection prevention practice. Being unemployed [AOR = 7.57, 95% CI (1.98, 28.93)], being a farmer [AOR = 2.73, 95% CI (1.01, 7.41)], and having a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 kg/m2 [AOR = 5.12, 95%CI (2.45, 10.68)] were significantly associated with typhoid fever infection.ConclusionThe prevalence of typhoid fever among febrile patients was high. Typhoid fever infection was significantly associated with occupational status (being unemployed and being a farmer) and lower BMI. The level of knowledge, perception, and practice of typhoid fever infection prevention were found inadequate. Therefore, behavioral change interventions are needed at the community level.

Spacer oligonucleotide (spoligotyping) analysis is a rapid polymerase chain reaction-based method of DNA fingerprinting the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. We examined spoligotype data using a bioinformatic tool (sequence logo analysis) to [...]

Design and manufacture of high-current superconducting bus-bars for interconnecting the magnetic elements of the main dipoles, the main quadrupoles of the arcs and the dispersion suppressors of CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are discussed.

AbstractProject performance is a critical issue for the construction industry. The construction industry is complex in its nature because it contains a large number of parties involved in the planning, execution, and monitoring of all types of civil works. Moreover, construction industries are always unique and heterogeneous; they will always encounter many unforeseen events that will negatively affect the construction everywhere, and the construction projects suffer from many problems and complex issues in the performance of building projects. Therefore, the study was focused on assessing the factors affecting the performance of building projects. The study would employ an integrated methodology of factor analysis and fuzzy AHP methods. First, the factor analysis is used to classify and reduce the input variables and their variable coefficients are determined. Second, fuzzy AHP is used to determine the preference weights of the input variables, and for ranking. To achieve this objective, data were collected from primary and secondary sources. This study used an integrated methodology as a data analysis method, and SPSS software version 23 and Microsoft Excel were used as analysis tools. The study pointed out that project location (0.083), changes in design (0.068), market fluctuation (0.067), financial difficulties (0.066), and size of the project (0.064) are identified as the most significant factors that affect the performance of building construction projects. Finally, it can be recommended that the practitioners take appropriate actions in improving the performance of building projects, and the methodologies can be implemented to demonstrate its practicality.

AbstractThe construction industry is the sector involved with the repair of buildings and civil engineering structures in an economy. Public building construction projects are constructed repeatedly, and also it becomes difficult to complete projects in the stated period and the estimated cost of the project. Thus, the study was focused on regression modeling for the prediction of earned value indexes in public building construction projects. The regression model was used as a data analysis method to increase the accuracy of the standard earned value analysis method for the evaluation of project performance. The regression model was built on ten sets of building projects database gathering between 2019 and 2022 through the case study method as a data collection instrument from cities, the Ministry of Construction and Housing, consultants, and contractors. The analysis method was made by using a statistical package for social science and Microsoft excels as an analysis tool. It was found that the regression model can predict earned value indexes with the excellent rank of accuracy for the correlation coefficient (R) of the cost performance index model, schedule performance index model, to complete cost performance index model, and to complete schedule performance index model was 88.80%, 95.90%, 96.60%, and 91.40%, respectively, and also for the coefficient of determination (R2) was 78.90%, 91.90%, 93.20%, and 83.40%, respectively. Finally, it can be recommended that the regression analysis method was conducted for its practicality in predicting earned value indexes.

Watermelon productivity in the Arba Minch irrigation scheme has been hampered by water scarcity, with only the Lady Bells watermelon variety being cultivated in the area. This challenge can be mitigated by adopting water-saving irrigation techniques and selecting water stress-resistant varieties. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the combined impact of soil mulching and deficit irrigation on the productivity of various watermelon varieties and validate the AquaCrop model. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with two levels of water application (100 % SMD and 50 % SMD), two mulching practices (non-mulching and mulching), and four watermelon varieties: Lady Bells (V1), Green Pearl (V2), Kaolack (V3), and Koloss (V4). Soil physical properties and crop-related data were used to calibrate the AquaCrop model. Straw mulching, on average, conserved 64.50 mm and 262.75 mm of water under 100 % and 50 % water application levels, respectively. The minimum and maximum land productivity averages were 6.2 tonsha−1 (T13) and 17.6 tonsha−1 (T2), while water productivity ranged from 5.2 kgm−3 (T1) to 12.4 kgm−3 (T10). Lady Bell watermelon varieties displayed high sensitivity to water stress, with a 1.27 yield response factor under non-soil mulching treatment with 50 % water application. The mean benefit-cost ratio varied from 1.52 (T13) to 2.90 (T10). The average values of RMSE, NSE, and R2 for the AquaCrop model were 0.70, 0.65, and 0.80, respectively, indicating the model's acceptability in predicting the effects of mulching and deficit irrigation on watermelon productivity. Overall, the use of straw mulching combined with 50 % deficit irrigation, particularly for Green Pearl varieties, emerged as the most productive watermelon cultivation method in the Arba Minch region when facing limited irrigation water. Future research will focus on assessing the impact of deficit irrigation during various watermelon growth stages.

To allow the measurements of the superconducting LHC magnets up to their nominal field with well-proven, standard techniques, easy access into the apertures is required at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. A warm bore anti-cryostat is inserted into the cold bore vacuum pipe of the magnet, where the evacuated radial gap between these two parts serves as thermal insulation. To allow for maximum accessible cross-section during the measurements, the small radial gap of 3.5 mm has to accommodate superinsulation, support spacers and electrical heaters for the thermalization. Design aspects, related to the high magnetic fields, quenches, mechanical loads, vacuum, reliability and ease of handling have to be addressed. The design of the anti-cryostat and the cryogenic test of a prototype model are described. The heat load on the cold mass of the magnet by this prototype was below one watt per meter.