Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decentralization of Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment in Five Sub-Saharan African Countries

Background:In resource-limited settings, decentralization of HIV care and treatment is a cornerstone of universal care and rapid scale-up. We compared trends in pediatric enrollment and outcomes at primary (PHFs) vs secondary/tertiary health facilities (SHFs). Methods:Using aggregate program data reported quarterly from 274 public facilities in Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Tanzania from January 2008 to March 2010, we examined trends in number of children younger than 15 years of age initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART) by facility type. We compared clinic-level lost to follow-up (LTFU) and mortality per 100 person-years (PYs) on ART during the period by facility type. Results:During the 2-year period, 17,155 children enrolled in HIV care and 8475 initiated ART in 182 (66%) PHFs and 92(34%) SHFs. PHFs increased from 56 to 182, whereas SHFs increased from 72 to 92 sites. SHFs accounted for 71% of children initiating ART; however, the proportion of children initiating ART each quarter at PHFs increased from 17% (129) to 44% (463) in conjunction with an increase in PHFs during observation period. The average LTFU and mortality rates for children on ART were 9.8/100 PYs and 5.2/100 PYs, respectively, at PHFs and 20.2/100 PYs and 6.0/100 PYs, respectively, at SHFs. Adjusted models show PHFs associated with lower LTFU (adjusted rate ratio = 0.55; P = 0.022) and lower mortality (adjusted rate ratio = 0.66; P = 0.028). Conclusions:The expansion of pediatric services to PHFs has resulted in increased numbers of children on ART. Early findings suggest lower rates of LTFU and mortality at PHFs. Successful scale-up will require further expansion of pediatric services within PHFs.
Eutherians experienced elevated evolutionary rates in the immediate aftermath of the Cretaceous–Palaeogene mass extinction

The effect of the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) mass extinction on the evolution of many groups, including placental mammals, has been hotly debated. The fossil record suggests a sudden adaptive radiation of placentals immediately after the event, but several recent quantitative analyses have reconstructed no significant increase in either clade origination rates or rates of character evolution in the Palaeocene. Here we use stochastic methods to date a recent phylogenetic analysis of Cretaceous and Palaeocene mammals and show that Placentalia likely originated in the Late Cretaceous, but that most intraordinal diversification occurred during the earliest Palaeocene. This analysis reconstructs fewer than 10 placental mammal lineages crossing the K–Pg boundary. Moreover, we show that rates of morphological evolution in the 5 Myr interval immediately after the K–Pg mass extinction are three times higher than background rates during the Cretaceous. These results suggest that the K–Pg mass extinction had a marked impact on placental mammal diversification, supporting the view that an evolutionary radiation occurred as placental lineages invaded new ecological niches during the Early Palaeocene.
Using robot fully assisted functional movements in upper-limb rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND Robotic rehabilitation is promising to promote function in stroke patients. The assist as needed training paradigm has shown to stimulate neuroplasticity but often cannot be used because stroke patients are too impaired to actively control the robot against gravity. AIM To verify whether a rehabilitation intervention based on robot fully assisted reaching against gravity (RCH) and hand-to-mouth (HTM) can promote upper-limb function in chronic stroke. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING Chronic stroke outpatients referring to the robotic rehabilitation lab of a rehabilitation centre. POPULATION Ten chronic stroke patients with mild to moderate upper-limb hemiparesis. METHODS Patients underwent 12 sessions (3 per week) of robotic treatment using an end-effector robot Every session consisted of 20 minutes each of RCH and HtM; movements were fully assisted, but patients were asked to try to actively participate. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was the primary outcome measure; Medical Research Council and Modified Ashworth Scale were the secondary outcome measures. RESULTS All patients, but one, show functional improvements (FMA section A-D, mean increment 7.2±3.9 points, P<0.008). CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study shows that a robotic intervention based on functional movements, fully assisted, can be effective in promoting function in chronic stroke patients. These results are promising considering the short time of the intervention (1 month) and the time from the stroke event, which was large (27±20 months). A larger study, comprehensive of objective instrumental measures, is necessary to confirm the results. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT This intervention could be extended even to subacute stroke and other neurological disorders.
Vitamin D status is associated with mortality, morbidity, and growth failure among a prospective cohort of HIV-infected and HIV-exposed Tanzanian infants.

BACKGROUND Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator, but its impact on morbidity and mortality among infants remains unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to prospectively assess the association of vitamin D status with mortality, morbidity, and growth during the first 2 y of life. METHODS A prospective cohort of 253 HIV-infected and 948 HIV-exposed Tanzanian infants enrolled in a randomized trial of multivitamins (not including vitamin D) was studied. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured at 5-7 wk of age and infants were followed at monthly clinic visits until 24 mo. Physicians performed a clinical exam every 3 mo or when an illness was noted. RESULTS Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were (means ± SDs) 18.6 ± 10.3 ng/mL and 18.1 ± 9.2 ng/mL for HIV-infected and HIV-exposed infants, respectively. Unexpectedly, serum 25(OH)D concentrations ≥30 ng/mL were significantly associated with higher mortality as compared to the 20-29.9 ng/mL reference for HIV-infected (HR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.13, 5.44; P = 0.02) and HIV-exposed (HR: 4.00; 95% CI: 1.67, 9.58; P < 0.01) infants after multivariate adjustment. We found no statistically significant association between 25(OH)D concentrations <10 ng/mL and mortality for HIV-infected (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 0.74, 2.78; P = 0.29) and HIV-exposed (HR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.60, 4.03; P = 0.36) infants. Among HIV-exposed infants, 25(OH)D concentrations ≥30 ng/mL were significantly associated with clinical [incidence ratio rate (IRR): 1.34; 95% CI: 1.06,1.70; P = 0.02] and confirmed (IRR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.71; 1.15, 2.54; P < 0.01) malaria diagnoses, whereas concentrations of <10 ng/mL were associated with oral candidiasis (IRR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.00-2.15; P = 0.046) and wasting (HR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.43; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The observational design of this study does not allow for causal interpretation; however, the results indicate a strong need for additional studies of vitamin D among HIV-infected and -exposed children, particularly in malaria-endemic settings. The parent trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00197730.
Simulation of Crack Propagation in Concrete Based on Extended Finite Element Method

Fracture behaviors in concrete beam subjected to three-point bending was numerically simulated using extended finite element method (XFEM). The entire load-displacement curves and crack path obtained by numerical simulation were compared with that measured from experimental tests. Compared with the experimental results, the errors of numerical Pc and δc were smaller than 10% and the error of CMODc was lower than 2%, verifying the validity and accuracy of XFEM model. Whether a XFEM simulation or a test, the propagation direction of the main crack is toward to the upper loading point. At the peak load, the crack lengths measured by ESPI and XFEM were 93 μm and 97 μm respectively.
Is Sweet Taste Perception Associated with Sweet Food Liking and Intake?

A range of psychophysical taste measurements are used to characterize an individual’s sweet taste perception and to assess links between taste perception and dietary intake. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between four different psychophysical measurements of sweet taste perception, and to explore which measures of sweet taste perception relate to sweet food intake. Forty-four women aged 20–40 years were recruited for the study. Four measures of sweet taste perception (detection and recognition thresholds, and sweet taste intensity and hedonic liking of suprathreshold concentrations) were assessed using glucose as the tastant. Dietary measurements included a four-day weighed food record, a sweet food-food frequency questionnaire and a sweet beverage liking questionnaire. Glucose detection and recognition thresholds showed no correlation with suprathreshold taste measurements or any dietary intake measurement. Importantly, sweet taste intensity correlated negatively with total energy and carbohydrate (starch, total sugar, fructose, glucose) intakes, frequency of sweet food intake and sweet beverage liking. Furthermore, sweet hedonic liking correlated positively with total energy and carbohydrate (total sugar, fructose, glucose) intakes. The present study shows a clear link between sweet taste intensity and hedonic liking with sweet food liking, and total energy, carbohydrate and sugar intake.
Small Cell In-Band Wireless Backhaul in Massive MIMO Systems: A Cooperation of Next-Generation Techniques

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, dense small-cells (SCs), and full duplex are three candidate techniques for next-generation communication systems. The cooperation of next-generation techniques could offer more benefits, e.g., SC in-band wireless backhaul in massive MIMO systems. In this paper, three strategies of SC in-band wireless backhaul in massive MIMO systems are introduced and compared, i.e., complete time-division duplex (CTDD), zero-division duplex (ZDD), and ZDD with interference rejection (ZDD-IR). Simulation results demonstrate that SC in-band wireless backhaul has the potential to improve the throughput for massive MIMO systems. Specifically, among the three strategies, CTDD is the simplest one and could achieve decent throughput improvement. Depending on conditions, with the self-interference cancellation capability at SCs, ZDD could achieve better throughput than CTDD, even with residual self-interference. Moreover, ZDD-IR requires the additional interference rejection process at the BS compared to ZDD, but it could generally achieve better throughput than CTDD and ZDD.
LTP requires postsynaptic PDZ-domain interactions with glutamate receptor/auxiliary protein complexes

Significance Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the most compelling cellular and molecular model for learning and memory. Both AMPARs and KARs, two separate classes of glutamate receptor with very limited homology, express normal LTP in pyramidal neurons. However, the general underlying molecular mechanism remains a mystery. Here, with the strategy of single-cell molecular replacement we show that the PDZ-binding domains of AMPAR/TARP and KAR/Neto receptor complexes are essential for basal synaptic transmission and LTP. Our work suggests that the glutamate receptors share the same postsynaptic requirement for LTP. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a persistent strengthening of synaptic transmission in the brain and is arguably the most compelling cellular and molecular model for learning and memory. Previous work found that both AMPA receptors and exogenously expressed kainate receptors are equally capable of expressing LTP, despite their limited homology and their association with distinct auxiliary subunits, indicating that LTP is far more promiscuous than previously thought. What might these two subtypes of glutamate receptor have in common? Using a single-cell molecular replacement strategy, we demonstrate that the AMPA receptor auxiliary subunit TARP γ-8, via its PDZ-binding motif, is indispensable for both basal synaptic transmission and LTP. Remarkably, kainate receptors and their auxiliary subunits Neto proteins share the same requirement of PDZ-binding domains for synaptic trafficking and LTP. Together, these results suggest that a minimal postsynaptic requirement for LTP is the PDZ binding of glutamate receptors/auxiliary subunits to PSD scaffolding proteins.
[Surveillance of multi-resistant bacteria in Lorraine: a three-year multicentre incidence study].

OBJECTIVE Controlling outbreaks of nosocomial infections is a priority for public healthcare in France. This study concerned the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in Lorraine and the impact of the national guidelines for the prevention of MDRB. METHODS A multicenter incidence study was conducted for 5 months, in volunteer hospitals. Samples collected for the clinical diagnostic were included. The bacteria studied were: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella sp. , Enterobacter sp. , and other Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and vancomycin resistant Enterococci sp. RESULTS A total of 30 hospitals were included in the surveillance of MDRB. During the study period (2001-2003), 17874 strains were identified. MRSA reached 29.3% of the 4038 strains of S. aureus, 20.9%, 1.23% and 1.21% of ESBL, respectively, for Enterobacter sp. , Klebsiella sp. , and other Enterobacteriaceae (for 895, 1061 and 9419 strains). Overall, the incidence of MRSA reached 0.55 per 1000 hospital-days and 0.087 for Enterobacter sp. The incidence increased during the 3 years, from 3.36 to 4.84 per 1000 new patients for MRSA, and from 0.43 to 0.90 for Enterobacter sp. CONCLUSION Despite guidelines on isolation, MRSA remains poorly controlled and requires more efficient measures. Surveillance of ESBL should be improved.
Partitioning of the primate intraparietal cortex based on connectivity pattern and immunohistochemistry for Cat‐301 and SMI‐32

We propose a partitioning of the primate intraparietal sulcus (IPS) using immunoarchitectural and connectivity criteria. We studied the immunoarchitecture of the IPS areas in the capuchin monkey using Cat‐301 and SMI‐32 immunohistochemistry. In addition, we investigated the IPS projections to areas V4, TEO, PO, and MT using retrograde tracer injections in nine hemispheres of seven animals. The pattern and distribution of Cat‐301 and SMI‐32 immunostaining revealed multiple areas in the IPS, in the adjoining PO cleft and in the annectant gyrus, with differential staining patterns found for areas V3d, DM, V3A, DI, PO, POd, CIP‐1, CIP‐2, VIPa, VIPp, LIPva, LIPvp, LIPda, LIPdp, PIPv, PIPd, MIPv, MIPd, AIPda, AIPdp, and AIPv. Areas V4, TEO, PO, MT, which belong to different cortical streams of visual information processing, receive projections from at least twenty different areas within the IPS and adjoining regions. In six animals, we analyzed the distribution of retrogradely labeled cells in tangential sections of flat‐mount IPS preparations. The lateral bank of the IPS projects to regions belonging both to the ventral (V4 and TEO) and dorsal (PO and MT) streams. The region on the floor of the IPS (i.e., VIP) projects predominantly to dorsal stream areas. Finally, the medial bank of the IPS (i.e., MIP) projects solely to the dorsalmedial stream (PO). Therefore, our data suggest that ventral and dorsal streams remain segregated within the IPS, and that its projections to the dorsal stream can be further segregated based on those targeting the dorsolateral versus the dorsomedial subdivisions.
Journalists’ Occupational Stress: A Comparative Study between Reporting Critical Events and Domestic News

Abstract Nowadays, journalism is considered a stressful occupation, not only due to the stress perceived in journalists’ daily work but also due to the critical, potentially traumatic events they report. However, research on journalists’ occupational stress in both these professional settings is still scarce. This study aims to characterize and compare occupational stress variables perceived by journalists in their daily work and in critical scenarios. Taking the Holistic Model of Occupational Stress by Nelson and Simmons (2003) as a framework, 25 Portuguese journalists, all with experience in reporting critical events, were interviewed on their perceptions of some core variables of the model: occupational stressors, distress and eustress emotional reactions, and the consequences of these experiences on their well-being. Differences among these core variables, according to the number of deployments to a critical event, were statistically analysed in order to ascertain whether repeated exposure to trauma influenced journalists’ occupational stress perceptions. The data content analysis showed that occupational stressors and emotional reactions differed across settings, while the consequences associated with journalists’ experiences were perceived as being mainly negative in both occupational contexts. Significant differences were identified in some of these variables according to the number of deployments to a critical event (p < .05). These findings may contribute to a reflection on the role of media organizations in preparing and supporting journalists in their work performance, and on the promotion of occupational health within the scope of journalists’ daily work and critical events. The article closes with considerations for future studies.
Adaptive Engagement of Cognitive Control in Context‐Dependent Decision Making

Abstract Many decisions require a context‐dependent mapping from sensory evidence to action. The capacity for flexible information processing of this sort is thought to depend on a cognitive control system in frontoparietal cortex, but the costs and limitations of control entail that its engagement should be minimized. Here, we show that humans reduce demands on control by exploiting statistical structure in their environment. Using a context‐dependent perceptual discrimination task and model‐based analyses of behavioral and neuroimaging data, we found that predictions about task context facilitated decision making and that a quantitative measure of context prediction error accounted for graded engagement of the frontoparietal control network. Within this network, multivariate analyses further showed that context prediction error enhanced the representation of task context. These results indicate that decision making is adaptively tuned by experience to minimize costs while maintaining flexibility.
Flow Wars: Systemizing the Attack Surface and Defenses in Software-Defined Networks

Emerging software defined network (SDN) stacks have introduced an entirely new attack surface that is exploitable from a wide range of launch points. Through an analysis of the various attack strategies reported in prior work, and through our own efforts to enumerate new and variant attack strategies, we have gained two insights. First, we observe that different SDN controller implementations, developed independently by different groups, seem to manifest common sets of pitfalls and design weakness that enable the extensive set of attacks compiled in this paper. Second, through a principled exploration of the underlying design and implementation weaknesses that enables these attacks, we introduce a taxonomy to offer insight into the common pitfalls that enable SDN stacks to be broken or destabilized when fielded within hostile computing environments. This paper first captures our understanding of the SDN attack surface through a comprehensive survey of existing SDN attack studies, which we extend by enumerating 12 new vectors for SDN abuse. We then organize these vulnerabilities within the well-known confidentiality, integrity, and availability model, assess the severity of these attacks by replicating them in a physical SDN testbed, and evaluate them against three popular SDN controllers. We also evaluate the impact of these attacks against published SDN defense solutions. Finally, we abstract our findings to offer the research and development communities with a deeper understanding of the common design and implementation pitfalls that are enabling the abuse of SDN networks.
Addiction‐related interactions of pregabalin with morphine in mice and humans: reinforcing and inhibiting effects

The gabapentinoid pregabalin is a rapid‐acting anxiolytic and analgesic, possibly suitable in supervised opioid detoxification. However, clinicians have been cautious in using it because of its unknown addictive risk and rising number of mortalities after pregabalin self‐medication in opioid abusers. Here, we studied interactions of pregabalin and morphine on reward functions of the dopamine system in mice and the efficacy of pregabalin on withdrawal in opioid addicts. After the treatment of mice with pregabalin and morphine, we used electrophysiology to study neuroplasticity in midbrain slices, self‐administration and conditioned place preference tests to investigate the rewarding potential of pregabalin and naloxone‐precipitated morphine withdrawal to evaluate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Further, we ran a pilot single‐blind, randomized, controlled trial (34 heroin addicts) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in the treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome. Pregabalin alone did not induce glutamate receptor neuroplasticity of dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area, but pre‐treatment with pregabalin suppressed morphine‐induced neuroplasticity, hyperlocomotion and morphine self‐administration. Pregabalin administration after chronic morphine exposure failed to induce any rewarding effects. Instead, pregabalin suppressed withdrawal symptoms in both morphine‐treated mice and opioid addicts and was well tolerated. Intriguingly, pregabalin administration after a low dose of morphine strongly facilitated ventral tegmental area neuroplasticity and led to increased conditioned place preference. Pregabalin appears to have the efficacy to counteract both reinforcing and withdrawal effects of opioids, but it also has a potentiating effect when given to mice with existing opioid levels.
Long‐term outcome of surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis. A 2‐11‐year retrospective study

OBJECTIVE To assess long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Files and radiographs from 50 patients who had received surgical treatment for peri-implantitis were analyzed. Data on clinical characteristics prior to surgical therapy and at latest follow-up were obtained. In each radiograph, the marginal bone level was assessed at the mesial and distal aspects of the affected implants. The treatment included oral hygiene instruction, professional supra-mucosal instrumentation, and surgical therapy aiming at pocket elimination. Following flap elevation and removal of inflamed tissue, the affected implant was cleaned using gauze soaked in saline. Calculus was removed. When indicated, osseous re-contouring was carried out to facilitate pocket elimination. Flaps were adjusted, sutured, and compressed to the crestal bone. Supportive therapy including oral hygiene control was provided with 4-month intervals. RESULTS Treatment was effective in resolving the inflammatory condition as documented by marked reduction in peri-implant probing depth and bleeding on probing scores together with crestal bone level preservation. Treatment outcome was significantly better at implants with non-modified surfaces than at implants with modified surfaces. The probability of an implant to exhibit no further bone loss or bone gain after treatment was high if the peri-implant mucosa at the site presented with shallow pockets and the absence of bleeding on probing at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study revealed that (i) surgical treatment of peri-implantitis was effective in the long-term, (ii) outcome was better at implants with non-modified than with modified surfaces, and (iii) preservation of crestal bone support was consistent with healthy peri-implant tissue conditions.