bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P1-S3.07 Relation between female infertility and sexually transmitted genital infections
Authors: Almanza C , Ricardo M , González A 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundSexually transmitted genital infections can bring about severe consequences, among them the leading cause of pelvic inflammatory desease (PID), which can lead to infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the relation between female infertility and sexually transmitted genital infections.MethodsAn analytic study of cases and controls was carried out in Ramón González Coro Gyneco-obstetric Hospital, Cuba, 2009. The studied cases were 89 infertile women with tube obstruction who were assessed in infertility consultations, and the controls were carried out in 100 pregnant women who were about to give birth. Vaginal and endocervical secretion samples were taken. Genital micoplasma was present; it was determined through bacteriological culture techniques.Trichomonas vaginalis,Candidaspp, Bacterial vaginosis,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Chlamydia trachomatis, as well as the presence of other genital pathologicals; were investigated. The test of exact probabilities of Fisher was carried out. A t student test was also done to determine significant defferencies among age averages. The RR was estimated by means of OR in tables 2×2, and its statistic meaning was determined through a CI at 95%, the aproximation of Woolf was used.ResultsThe age average in infertile women was of 30.4 years and in fertile woman 24.3 years. (4.486 -07), which is a highly significant difference. Bacterial vaginosis was detected in 72% of the infertile women and 30.9 % of pregnant women.Candidaspp in 20% of infertile women and 65.4% of the controlled group. The presence of a highly significant statistic difference was proved when Fisher Test was applied. This difference was related to the distribution of microrganisms in both groups (p<0.0001).Mycoplasma hominiswas isolated in 17% of infertile women and in 10% of fertile women. In the group of infertile women,Ureaplasma urealyticumwas obtained in 42.70% of positive cultures; while in pregnant women, 2% was obtained.U urealyticumwas not isolated in 57.30% of the infertile woman and in 98% of the pregnant ones. OR 83.92. CL for OR at 95% (17.37 to 397.05) statistically significant. In 54.30% of the infertile women and 98% of the pregnant ones,Chlamydia trachomatiswas not isolated.ConclusionsThe presence of bacterial vaginosis,U urealyticum,C trachomatisresulted to be a risk factor of female infertility.
O3-S3.04 Self-administeredNeisseria gonorrheaeandChlamydia trachomatistesting in the pharynx and rectum among men who have sex with men in Washington, DC
Authors: Sexton M , Baker J , Perkins R , Nakagawa K , Jucha B , Baker D , Slack R , Arora S , Plankey M 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundRecent studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of pharyngeal (P) and rectal (R)Neisseria gonorrheae(GC) andChlamydia trachomatis(CT) infections among men who have sex with men (MSM), which is concerning given the potential for harmful sequelae and their relationship to increased HIV transmission. CDC guidelines advocate testing MSM at least annually for these infections, but surveys of medical providers suggest that adherence to these guidelines is minimal. Because providers cite limited time and staff as common reasons for not following the guidelines, we evaluated the feasibility and accuracy of performing self-administered testing for GC and CT.Methods286 clients who attended Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, DC for HIV/STI testing participated in the study. Enrolled clients had a mean age of 36±11, represented a variety of racial/ethnic backgrounds with 52.8% identifying as Caucasian, and had an average of two male partners in the last 30 days. Clients performed screening using the GenProbe APTIMA 2 Combo (AC2) kit after viewing written and pictorial instructions. A trained provider also performed the testing with the order of client vs provider randomised to adjust for any training effect. This provider remained in the room while the client performed screening to observe, but did not provide assistance.ResultsThe overall prevalence of GC and CT in this sample was 8.9% for P-GC, 8.5% for R-GC, 1.77% for P- CT, and 13.3% for R-CT. McNemar tests were performed stratified by type of infection and anatomic site to evaluate concordance of the client vs provider results. Clients were found to be significantly better at identifying P-GC (91.3% vs 94.4%; 8.8% vs 5.6%; p=0.01) and R-GC (91.5% vs 94.3%; 8.5% vs 5.7%; p=0.03) and to have results equivalent to providers for P-CT (98.3% vs 98.9%; 1.8% vs 1.1%; p=0.50) and R-CT (88.7% vs 88.2%; 13.3% vs 11.9%, p=0.25) detection.ConclusionsThe positive predictive value of the AC2 test makes it unlikely that clients obtained false positives, and observation of subjects while they performed screening ruled out cross-contamination of samples. Therefore, the higher detection rate among the clients is most likely attributable to a more rigorous swabbing technique that sampled an increased surface area. These results suggest that individuals are capable of performing their own STI screening and that allowing them to do so may increase infection detection rates and treatment.
O3-S5.03 High-dose valacyclovir decreases plasma HIV-1 levels more than standard dose acyclovir in HIV-1, HSV-2 positive persons: a randomised, crossover trial
Authors: Perti T , Baeten J , Johnston C , Diem K , Ochbamichael N , Huang Meei-Li , Selke S , Magaret A , Corey L , Wald A 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundStandard doses of HSV suppressive therapy reduce plasma HIV-1 levels (0.25-0.5 log10 copies/mL) among HIV-1/HSV-2 co-infected persons, and modestly slow disease progression. Putative mechanisms for this effect include direct inhibition of HIV-1 by acyclovir or indirect reduction by decreasing HSV-associated inflammation. We hypothesised that higher-dose anti-HSV therapy would result in greater reduction in plasma HIV-1 RNA, and that the effect would be mediated by greater suppression of HSV shedding.Methods34 participants with HIV-1 and HSV-2 who were not on antiretroviral therapy were enrolled into a randomised, open-label cross-over trial with valacyclovir 1000 mg twice daily or acyclovir 400 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. After a 2 week wash-out, they were crossed over to the alternate treatment arm for 12 weeks. HSV PCR was performed on self-collected genital swabs obtained daily during the first 4 weeks of each treatment period. Plasma HIV-1 RNA was measured weekly throughout the study.ResultsAmong the 26 participants who completed both arms of the study, the mean age was 44; 21 were men. At entry, mean CD4 count was 525 cells/mm3 (range, 242–1055) and mean plasma HIV-1 RNA 3.9 log10 copies/ml (range 1.2–5.5). The mean plasma HIV RNA was 3.86 log10 copies/ml during acyclovir administration compared with 3.57 log10 copies/ml on valacyclovir; a 0.29 log10 copies/ml reduction (p=0.002). One week after initiation of valacyclovir, plasma HIV RNA decreased by a mean of 0.40 log10 copies/ml. Valacyclovir reduced HIV-1 RNA by ≥0.25 log10 copies/ml in 14 (54%) participants, compared with 3 (12%) on acyclovir. Neither the HSV shedding rate (8.92% vs 8.98% of days, p=0.94), nor the genital lesion rate (4.3% vs 1.1%; p=0.18) differed on acyclovir vs valacyclovir.ConclusionsHigh-dose valacyclovir reduces plasma HIV-1 RNA levels more effectively than standard dose acyclovir in HIV-1, HSV-2 seropositive persons not receiving antiretroviral therapy. High dose valacyclovir does not provide more potent suppression of HSV reactivation in HIV-1 infected persons than acyclovir, suggesting that the effect of valacyclovir on HIV-1 RNA may not be mediated via HSV suppression.
An Investigation of Sea Surface Temperature Influence on Microwave Refractivity: The Wallops-2000 Experiment
Authors: Thompson William T. , Haack Tracy 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe Wallops-2000 experiment took place in April and May 2000 in the vicinity of Wallops Island, Virginia, to collect high-resolution measurements of microwave propagation and coincident meteorological parameters in a complex coastal environment. These data are used in conjunction with a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model to examine the impact of sea surface temperature (SST) on microwave ducting. Analysis of time series of meteorological fields at the location of an instrumented buoy indicates reliable forecast skill. Statistics from vertical profiles and of derived ducting characteristics (duct frequency, duct strength, duct-base height, and duct thickness) show that the model reproduced observed duct characteristics with modest accuracy, allowing for a 3–6-h error in synoptic airmass transitions. In addition to the control run, two experiments are conducted to examine the impact of SST on ducting. In one experiment a climatological SST field is used, and in the other a diurnal variation in SST is imposed. The higher SST in the diurnally varying simulations promotes stronger turbulent mixing, deep boundary layers, and small vertical gradients in mixing ratio in comparison with the control, which lead to reduced duct frequency and strength in many cases. The study further reveals that, while advection of large-scale air masses (vertical and horizontal) plays a crucial role in determining whether an environment is favorable for microwave ducting, diurnal variations in SST can be influential in determining the onset of ducting and the frequency of surface-based ducting in coastal regions.
Proteome-wide evidence for enhanced positive Darwinian selection within intrinsically disordered regions in proteins
Authors: Nilsson Johan , Grahn Mats , Wright Anthony PH 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Background
Understanding the adaptive changes that alter the function of proteins during evolution is an important question for biology and medicine. The increasing number of completely sequenced genomes from closely related organisms, as well as individuals within species, facilitates systematic detection of recent selection events by means of comparative genomics.

Results
We have used genome-wide strain-specific single nucleotide polymorphism data from 64 strains of budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Saccharomyces paradoxus) to determine whether adaptive positive selection is correlated with protein regions showing propensity for different classes of structure conformation. Data from phylogenetic and population genetic analysis of 3,746 gene alignments consistently shows a significantly higher degree of positive Darwinian selection in intrinsically disordered regions of proteins compared to regions of alpha helix, beta sheet or tertiary structure. Evidence of positive selection is significantly enriched in classes of proteins whose functions and molecular mechanisms can be coupled to adaptive processes and these classes tend to have a higher average content of intrinsically unstructured protein regions.

Conclusions
We suggest that intrinsically disordered protein regions may be important for the production and maintenance of genetic variation with adaptive potential and that they may thus be of central significance for the evolvability of the organism or cell in which they occur.
Gravure contact printing of flexible, high-performance polymer light emitting diodes for large-area displays and lighting
Authors: Campbell Alasdair J. , Chung Dae-Young , Huang Jingsong , Leem Dong-Seok , Bradley Donal D. C. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTGravure contact printing is the highest volume, large area printing technique known. It is ideally suited for the fabrication of large-area polymer light emitting diode (PLED) based lighting, backlights and displays. Here we show how gravure can be used to fabricate the poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) : poly(styrene sulfonate) hole injection layer and the light emitting polymer emissive layer in a conventional PLED, as well as the cesium carbonate electron injection layer in an inverted PLED. The performance equals or exceeds that of devices where these layers are deposited by conventional spin-coating.
Nano-TiO2 for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Optimization, Production and Market
Authors: Baraton Marie-Isabelle 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTSince the beginning of the 20th century, titanium dioxide (titania, TiO2) has essentially been commercialized as white powder pigment. But, titania, as one of the most efficient photocatalysts, is also used in many other applications, such as photodegradation of pollutants and photocatalytic water splitting. Moreover, titania is a semiconductor and is used as gas sensing material. Nanosized titania particles (nano-TiO2) are preferred over conventional particles in applications where greater surface area, higher reactivity, and quantum confinement effects matter. For example, in the field of clean energy, acceptable energy conversion efficiencies for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) can only be achieved with nanostructured semiconductors, and particularly with nanostructured titania. Research on DSSCs based on nano-TiO2 has been extensively pursued, and the number of papers and patents published in this area has grown exponentially over the last ten years. However, at present, commercial devices are produced in limited quantities and small sizes, and address niche markets. Research efforts have largely focused on the optimization of the dye, but recently the TiO2 electrode itself has attracted more attention. It has been shown that particle size and shape, crystallinity, surface morphology and chemistry of the TiO2 material are key parameters to be controlled for optimized performance of the solar cell. After an overview of the state-of-the-art on nano-TiO2 for application in DSSCs and the commercial potential of these devices, our approach to the control of the nano-TiO2 surface chemistry for improvement of the DSSC performance is briefly introduced.
Characterization of Specific Antibody Deficiency in Adults with Medically Refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Carr Tara F. , Koterba Alan P. , Chandra Rakesh , Grammer Leslie C. , Conley David B. , Harris Kathleen E. , Kern Robert , Schleimer Robert P. , Peters Anju T. 
Published: July 2011

Background Specific antibody deficiency may predispose patients to recurrent respiratory tract infections. There is limited literature assessing specific antibody deficiency in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study evaluated the role of specific antibody deficiency in patients with CRS who have failed medical therapy. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with CRS who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and had prior assessment for humoral immunodeficiency. Each patient's record was reviewed for serum quantitative immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA and anti–Streptococcus pneumoniae antibody titers measured at baseline and 6 weeks postvaccination with the 23-valent unconjugated pneumococcal vaccine. Clinical characteristics, including asthma, atopy, and nasal polyps, were recorded. Results Of the 129 CRS patients who met inclusion criteria, 93 (72%) had low baseline antipneumococcal titers. Fifteen (11.6%) patients were diagnosed with specific antibody deficiency based on an inadequate response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The group of patients with specific antibody deficiency had significantly lower serum IgA levels when compared with those patients with normal preimmunization titers (138 ± 67.3 versus 330 ± 356; p < 0.05). Patients with specific antibody deficiency had a significantly lower number of preimmunization protective antipneumococcal titers when compared with vaccine responders (1.41 versus 2.72; p < 0.0005. Conclusion This retrospective study indicates that patients with medically refractory CRS may have a high prevalence of low preimmunization antipneumococcal titers and specific antibody deficiency. Furthermore, lower serum IgA levels identified in these specific antibody deficiency patients suggests that a prospective study to further characterize this relationship is warranted.
Risk Factors for Suicide Within a Year of Discharge from Psychiatric Hospital: A Systematic Meta-Analysis
Authors: Large Matthew , Sharma Swapnil , Cannon Elisabeth , Ryan Christopher , Nielssen Olav 
Published: July 2011

Background: The increased risk of suicide in the period after discharge from a psychiatric hospital is a well-recognized and serious problem. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the risk factors for suicide in the year after discharge from psychiatric hospitals and their usefulness in categorizing patients as high or low risk for suicide in the year following discharge. Method: A systematic meta-analysis of controlled studies of suicide within a year of discharge from psychiatric hospitals. Results: There was a moderately strong association between both a history of self-harm (OR = 3.15) and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.70) and post-discharge suicide. Factors weakly associated with post-discharge suicide were reports of suicidal ideas (OR = 2.47), an unplanned discharge (OR = 2.44), recent social difficulty (OR = 2.23), a diagnosis of major depression (OR = 1.91) and male sex (OR = 1.58). Patients who had less contact with services after discharge were significantly less likely to commit suicide (OR = 0.69). High risk patients were more likely to commit suicide than other discharged patients, but the strength of this association was not much greater than the association with some individual risk factors (OR = 3.94, sensitivity = 0.40, specificity = 0.87). Conclusions: No factor, or combination of factors, was strongly associated with suicide in the year after discharge. About 3% of patients categorized as being at high risk can be expected to commit suicide in the year after discharge. However, about 60% of the patients who commit suicide are likely to be categorized as low risk. Risk categorization is of no value in attempts to decrease the numbers of patients who will commit suicide after discharge.
Figurations rupestres sahariennes de chars à chevaux. [Recherches expérimentales sur les véhicules à timons multiples]
Authors: Spruytte Jean 
Published: July 2011

Recherche expérimentale sur les véhicules à timons multiples figurés dans certaines représentations rupestres sahariennes.
Cette étude a pour point de départ de nouvelles découvertes de peintures rupestres d'attelages et de véhicules au Sahara central. L'analyse technique des figurations et les résultats expérimentaux obtenus permettent de faire apparaître l'utilité réelle d'un type d'attelage particulier qui correspond, non pas à un mode de traction, mais à un procédé de dressage à l'attelage de plusieurs chevaux ensemble.
Les réalités pratiques en matière d'attelage dégagées par cette étude apportent une confirmation concrète au texte d'Hérodote sur les quadriges libyens et mettent en évidence les contingences matérielles qu'il est toujours nécessaire de prendre en considération dans les recherches sur l'attelage dans les temps passés.
Les forums de Tingitane [Observations sur l'influence de l'architecture militaire sur les constructions civiles de l'Occident romain]
Authors: Euzennat Maurice , Hallier Gilbert 
Published: July 2011

Les forums de Banasa, de Volubilis et de Sala, les seuls qu'on connaisse jusqu'à présent au Maroc, ont entre eux une ressemblance certaine qui tient à l'existence, sur l'un des petits côtés de la place centrale, d'une série de pièces rectangulaires, six à Banasa, cinq à Sala, quatre à Volubilis, ouvrant sur une galerie commune et construites sur un podium surélevé. Ce dispositif distingue les forums maurétaniens de la plupart des autres forums connus en Afrique, aussi bien que du type classique des forums d'Occident.
On a proposé naguère de reconnaître dans les constructions sur podium de Sala et de Banasa des temples de tradition « maurétanienne ». Rien ne justifie cette hypothèse. A Banasa, on ne saurait imaginer que les colons de la colonia Iulia Valentia aient pu placer le centre de leur vie civique au pied d'un sanctuaire de type indigène et, de toute façon, le forum et les cellae n'ont pas été construits avant la fin du Ier siècle après J.-C, plus probablement au IIe. Le forum de Volubilis, qu'on ne peut pas séparer des deux autres, a été lui aussi construit après l'annexion de la Maurétanie. Quant à celui de Sala, la tentative de le faire remonter en totalité ou en partie à l'époque de Juba II se heurte à la stratigraphie, tandis que les arguments stylistiques invoqués sont loin d'être déterminants. A Lixus, où l'on a mis au jour plusieurs temples préromains, aucun ne semble d'ailleurs pouvoir appartenir à ce type « maurétanien ».
On est en revanche tenté, au moins à Banasa et à Volubilis, d'établir un parallèle avec les « Lagerfora » militaires, dont la plupart des archéologues et historiens anglais font aujourd'hui dériver les forums municipaux de Bretagne. Dans le cas des deux villes marocaines, le rapprochement paraît même beaucoup plus net qu'ailleurs, avec des principia à « Vorhalle » à Banasa et sans « Vorhalle » à Volubilis. La nécessité d'accueillir un nombre de citoyens très supérieur à celui des soldats d'une unité auxiliaire suffit à expliquer l'allongement de la place, et la surélévation des cellae est probablement liée à leur fonction, dont il y a tout lieu de croire qu'elle était religieuse.
Dans aucun des trois cas il ne s'agit d'un Capitole comme on l'a naguère supposé à Banasa. Peut-être faudrait-il y voir un monument du culte impérial, attesté très tôt en Tingitane où il paraît avoir tenu une place particulièrement importante dans la vie municipale.
Incertitude, concurrence entre grandes et petites firmes et altération de la relation structure-performance
Authors: Lecostey Sophie 
Published: July 2011

Incertitude, concurrence entre grandes et petites firmes et altération de la relation structure-performance,
par Sophie Lecostey.

L'incertitude de la demande peut conduire les grandes firmes confrontées à de petites firmes flexibles, à adopter de nouvelles stratégies. Le cadre d'analyse adopté est un modèle de marché à firmes dominantes, la variable stratégique étant le degré de concurrence entre firmes dominantes, supposé refléter l'intensité de la concurrence que livrent ces firmes, en réalité collusives, à leurs rivales concurrentielles. Le test empirique sur données françaises suggère que l'altération de la relation structure-performance observée est due aux industries à forte incertitude de la demande.
L'évolution de l'inégalité des salaires due aux différences de qualification : une étude d'entreprises françaises, de 1976 à 1987
Authors: Trannoy Alain , Lugand Chantal 
Published: July 2011

Evolución de la desigualdad de los asalariados debido a las diferencias de cualificación: estudio de las empresas francesas de 1976 a 1987,
por Alain Trannoy y Chantai Lugand.

En el presente artículo se analizan los datos de una encuesta relativa a los salarios practicados en 161 establecimientos. Los escalafones utilizados corresponden a aquellos de la tabla de cualificación de la Unión de industrias metalúrgicas y mineras. La evolución de la desigualdad es el resultado de la modif icación de la tabla de salarios por escalafones y de la modificación de la estmctura de efectivos por escalafones de cualificación. La indeterminación del efecto estructural permite entender por qué la reducción de la variedad de salarios no ha provocado una reducción de la desigualdad, en la gran mayoría de los establecimientos de la muestra.
Analyses du chômage de longue durée et du chômage récurrent le cas de la France
Authors: Challier Marie-Christine , Jellal Mohamed 
Published: July 2011

Analysis of Long-term and Recurring Unemployment - the Example of France,
by Marie-Christine Challier, Mohamed Jellal.

Examining the structure of long-term unemployment first reveals a number of effects, Le. the cohort effect, the seniority effect, the structure due to seniority effect. An empirical application is developed from data compiled by INSEE. An unemployment recurrence index is then constructed. The unemployment inflow rate is shown, rounding off the previous data which only gave the unemployment outflow rate.