81 research outputs found
Looking back, moving forward: Access to antiretroviral therapy for HIV infected adults and children in developing countries: Horizons Studies, 2002 to 2008
In 1997, the Population Council initiated the Horizons Programâa decade-long USAID-funded collaboration with the International Center for Research on Women, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, PATH, Tulane University, Family Health International, and Johns Hopkins Universityâdesigning, implementing, evaluating, and expanding innovative strategies for HIV prevention and care. Horizons developed and tested ways to optimize HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; worked to reduce stigma and improve gender-biased behaviors; and greatly expanded knowledge about the best ways to support, protect, and treat children affected by HIV and AIDS. In all its projects, Horizons strengthened the capacity of local institutions by providing support and training to colleagues. This synthesis paper presents lessons learned and best practices on one of the key topics that Horizons investigated: access to antiretroviral therapy
Family centred approach for HIV services: Pilot study in South Africa
In 2003, UNICEF estimated that nearly 250,000 children were infected with HIV in South Africa. While scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs has improved testing and care for perinatally infected infants, uptake of these services remains low in much of sub-Saharan Africa and few HIV infected children are diagnosed and receive services through PMTCT programs. With support from USAID/PEPFAR, the Horizons Program adapted a family-centered model for children and families in need of broader-reaching HIV diagnostic services in South Africa. The Family Centered Approach (FCA) pilot intervention was designed to expand access to HIV testing for family members with children ages 0â14 years in their care. This approach gives health-care providers a method for encouraging HIV-positive individuals to refer family members for HIV testing, with the aim of identifying HIV-positive children ages 0â14 years who may have been missed through PMTCT early infant diagnosis programs. This research summary describes the FCA pilot intervention
Looking back, moving forward: Understanding the HIV risk and sexual health needs of men who have sex with men, Horizons studies 2001 to 2008
In 1997, the Population Council initiated the Horizons Programâa decade-long USAID-funded collaboration with the International Center for Research on Women, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, PATH, Tulane University, Family Health International, and Johns Hopkins Universityâdesigning, implementing, evaluating, and expanding innovative strategies for HIV prevention and care. Horizons developed and tested ways to optimize HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; worked to reduce stigma and improve gender-biased behaviors; and greatly expanded knowledge about the best ways to support, protect, and treat children affected by HIV and AIDS. In all its projects, Horizons strengthened the capacity of local institutions by providing support and training to colleagues. This synthesis paper presents lessons learned and best practices on one of the key topics that Horizons investigated: understanding the HIV risk and sexual health needs of men who have sex with men
An algorithm to discover the k-clique cover in networks
In social network analysis, a k-clique is a relaxed clique, i.e., a k-clique is a quasi-complete sub-graph. A k-clique in a graph is a sub-graph where the distance between any two vertices is no greater than k. The
visualization of a small number of vertices can be easily performed in a graph.
However, when the number of vertices and edges increases the visualization
becomes incomprehensible. In this paper, we propose a new graph mining approach based on k-cliques. The concept of relaxed clique is extended to the whole graph, to achieve a general view, by covering the network with k-cliques.
The sequence of k-clique covers is presented, combining small world concepts
with community structure components. Computational results and examples are
presented
Blazar 3C 454.3 in Outburst and Quiescence During 2005-2007: Two Variable Synchrotron Emission Peaks
We monitored the flaring blazar 3C 454.3 during 2005 June-July with the
Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS: 15 epochs), Infrared Array Camera (IRAC: 12
epochs) and Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS: 2 epochs). We also made Spitzer
IRS, IRAC, and MIPS observations from 2006 December-2007 January when the
source was in a low state, the latter simultaneous with a single Chandra X-ray
observation. In addition, we present optical and sub-mm monitoring data. The
2005-2007 period saw 3 major outbursts. We present evidence that the
radio-optical SED actually consists of two variable synchrotron peaks, the
primary at IR and the secondary at sub-mm wavelengths. The lag between the
optical and sub-mm outbursts may indicate that these two peaks arise from two
distinct regions along the jet separated by a distance of 0.07-5 pc. The flux
at 5-35 microns varied by a factor of 40 and the IR peak varied in frequency
from <1E13 Hz to 4E13 Hz between the highest and lowest states in 2005 and
2006, respectively. Variability was well correlated across the mid-IR band,
with no measurable lag. Flares that doubled in flux occurred on a time scale of
3 days. The IR SED peak moved to higher frequency as a flare brightened, then
returned to lower frequency as it decayed. The fractional variability amplitude
increased with frequency, which we attribute to decreasing synchrotron-self
absorption optical depth. Mid-IR flares may signal the re-energization of a
shock that runs into inhomogeneities along the pre-existing jet or in the
external medium. The synchrotron peak frequencies during each major outburst
may depend upon both the distance from the jet apex and the physical conditions
in the shocks. Variation of the Doppler parameter along a curved or helical jet
is another possibility. Frequency variability of the IR synchrotron peak may
have important consequences for the interpretation of the blazar sequence, and
the presence of a secondary peak may give insight into jet structure.Comment: 38 pages, 15 figures, submitted to ApJS, comments welcom
Heterogeneity of emergency treatment practices in wheezing preschool children
Aim Our aim was to survey treatment practices used for preschool children with wheezing in emergency rooms (ER) focussing on inhalation device choice and handling, face mask use, salbutamol dosing and written instructions. We sought to assess whether current protocols are in line with published evidence and guidelines. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey done in paediatric ER units located in Finnish municipalities with more than 10 000 inhabitants. Results Of the 100 units contacted, 50% responded. More than 50% of the units used nebulisers. Only 13% of the units administered salbutamol in single puffs. More than 30% of the units lacked criteria on face mask use. Poor co-operation had no effect on the dose of salbutamol in 62% of the units. Ensuring tight mask-to-face seal was included in the training in 20% of the units. A written action plan was provided to the caregivers in 28% of the units. Conclusion ER treatment guidelines for preschool children with wheezing are poorly endorsed. Research is needed to identify approaches to guideline implementation that are specific for primary care. Clinical research should focus on strengthening recommendations that are currently not embraced. ER treatment protocols need to be updated and adherence to guidelines should be re-evaluated.Peer reviewe
The effectiveness of recruitment strategies on general practitionerâs survey response rates â a systematic review
Photosensitisation of livestock grazing <i>Narthecium ossifragum</i>: current knowledge and future directions
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