HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine awareness and initiation among Hispanics: The role of language, information seeking, and information scanning

Background. Among Hispanics, the HPV vaccine has the potential to eliminate disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality but only if optimal rates of vaccination are achieved. Media can be an important information source for increasing HPV knowledge and awareness of the vaccine. Very little is known about how media use among Hispanics affects their HPV knowledge and vaccine awareness. Even less is known about what differences exist in media use and information processing among English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanics.^ Aims. Examine the relationships between three health communication variables (media exposure, HPV-specific information scanning and seeking) and three HPV outcomes (knowledge, vaccine awareness and initiation) among English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanics.^ Methods. Cross-sectional data from a survey administered to Hispanic mothers in Dallas, Texas was used for univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Sample used for analysis included 288 mothers of females aged 8-22 recruited from clinics and community events. Dependent variables of interest were HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine awareness and initiation. Independent variables were media exposure, HPV-specific information scanning and seeking. Language was tested as an effect modifier on the relationship between health communication variables and HPV outcomes.^ Results. English-speaking mothers reported more media exposure, HPV-specific information scanning and seeking than Spanish-speakers. Scanning for HPV information was associated with more HPV knowledge (OR = 4.26, 95% CI = 2.41 - 7.51), vaccine awareness (OR = 10.01, 95% CI = 5.43 - 18.47) and vaccine initiation (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.09 - 5.91). Seeking HPV-specific information was associated with more knowledge (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.23 - 4.16), awareness (OR = 6.60, 95% CI = 2.74 - 15.91) and initiation (OR = 4.93, 95% CI = 2.64 - 9.20). Language moderated the effect of information scanning and seeking on vaccine awareness.^ Discussion. Differences in information scanning and seeking behaviors among Hispanic subgroups have the potential to lead to disparities in vaccine awareness.^ Conclusion. Findings from this study underscore health communication differences among Hispanics and emphasize the need to target Spanish language media as well as English language media aimed at Hispanics to improve knowledge and awareness.^

ROLE OF SOX9 IN UTERINE GLAND DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE INITIATION

The female reproductive tract (FRT) develops midway through embryogenesis, and consists of oviducts, uterine horns, cervix and upper part of the vagina. The uterine horns are composed of an epithelial layer, luminal (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE), surrounded by a mesenchymal layer, the stroma and myometrium. Interestingly, in most mammals the GE forms after birth and it only becomes fully differentiated as the female reaches sexual maturity. Uterine glands (UG) are made up of GE and are present in all mammals. They secrete nutrients, cytokines and several other proteins, termed histotroph, that are necessary for embryo implantation and development. Experiments in ewes and mice have revealed that females who lack UGs are infertile mainly due to impaired implantation and early pregnancy loss, suggesting that UGs are essential for fertility. Fortunately for us, UGs develop after birth allowing us to peer into the genetic mechanism of tubulogenesis and branching morphogenesis; two processes that are disrupted in various adenocarcinomas (cancer derived from glands). We created 3D replicas of the epithelium lining the FRT using optical projection tomography and characterized UG development in mice using lineagetracing experiments. Our findings indicate that mouse UGs develop as simple tubular structures and later grow multiple secretory units that stem from the main duct. The main aim of this project was to study the role of SOX9 in the UGs. Preliminary studies revealed that Sox9 is mostly found in the nucleus of the GE. vii This observation led to the hypothesis that Sox9 plays a role in the formation and/or differentiation of the GE. To study the role of Sox9 in UGs differentiation, we conditionally knocked out and overexpressed Sox9 in both the LE and GE using the progesterone receptor (Pgr) promoter. Overexpressing Sox9 in the uterine epithelium, parts of the stroma, and myometrium led to formation of multiple cystic structures inside the endometrium. Histological analysis revealed that these structures appeared morphologically similar to structures present in histological tissue sections obtained from patients with endometrial polyps. We have accounted for the presence of simple and complex hyperplasia with atypia, metaplasia, thick-walled blood vessels, and stromal fibrosis; all “hallmarks” that indicate overexpressing Sox9 leads to development of a polyp-like morphology. Therefore, we can propose the use of Sox9-cOE mice to study development of endometrial cystic lesions and disease progression into hyperplastic lesions.

Parental influence on adolescent smoking initiation among Mexican origin youth

Smoking is often initiated in adolescence through trying or experimenting with cigarettes. Smoking initiation is the beginning critical stage in the smoking trajectory often resulting in addiction. This dissertation examined the effect of parenting variables on smoking initiation behavior among 11–14 year old Mexican origin adolescents, a largely understudied group. The participants in this study were part of a population-based cohort of Mexican origin adolescents residing in Houston, Texas. ^ Aim 1 of this study assessed the appropriateness of the Family Life Questionnaire (FLQ) among Mexican origin adolescents. Second order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the factor structure of the FLQ and measurement invariance testing was conducted to evaluate the cross-cultural validity of this scale. Aim 2 analyzed cross-sectional associations between parenting variables and adolescent ever tried smoking behavior while aim 3 focused on prospective examination of changes in parenting variables from baseline to final follow-up on ever tried smoking behavior among never smokers. ^ Overall, the results of the CFA indicated that the original factor structure of the FLQ, with alterations, was a good fit for the Mexican origin adolescents. The measurement invariance analysis of the modified FLQ scale indicated adequate measurement invariance. The aim 2 cross-sectional analyses indicated that family cohesion was significantly associated with lower odds of ever tried smoking. Authoritarian parenting was significantly associated with smoking initiation only at the baseline while family conflict was significantly associated with smoking initiation only at the two-year final home visit. The findings from the aim 3 prospective analysis indicated that changes in levels of family cohesion and conflict are important predictors of smoking initiation among those who have never tried smoking. Specifically, perceiving low levels of family cohesion and a decrease in the family cohesion over two years, as well as perceiving high levels of family conflict and an increase in conflict over two years was associated with smoking initiation among never smokers. ^ In general, the findings of this study provide important insights on the links between parenting and adolescent smoking and assist in designing prevention and intervention programs that emphasize the role of family bonding to prevent adolescent smoking behavior. Family education programs for Mexican culture could also highlight the positive effects of authoritarian practices and good family communication to prevent family conflict and subsequent smoking behavior.^

Culminating experience: Initiation of cholinesterase inhibitors in an inpatient setting

We examined the practice of initiating Cholinesterase Inhibitors (ChEI) in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients hospitalized in FY 2008 and prescribed ChEI were identified. We reviewed electronic medical records, comparing those started on ChEI during hospitalization with those continuing ChEI from outpatient status. Of 282 patients receiving ChEI during hospitalization, 15.6% (44) were new-starts and 84.3% (238) were continuing medication. Median length of stay was 16 days in new-starts vs. 6 days in continuation patients (P<0.05). 38.6% new-starts were also treated for infection, which is a delirium risk factor. Chart review also suggested possible treatment for delirium by initiation of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics in 11.4% and 22.7% new-starts respectively. We observed a substantive practice of initiating ChEIs in hospitalized elderly who were at risk of delirium. Though there was no difference in 30-day mortality and readmission rates, new-starts were more likely to have a prolonged hospital stay than continuation patients.^

Correlates of prenatal care initiation among low -income Hispanic women

Because Hispanic women are even less likely than women of other ethnic groups to receive early prenatal care, the purpose of this study was to identify factors that may influence these women to initiate care. After giving consent, 300 Hispanic women (100 who initiated first trimester care, 100 who initiated second trimester care, and 100 who initiated third trimester care or received no care) were interviewed in the post partum unit of a local public hospital. The interview included recollection of events leading to the first prenatal appointment, including first physical indicators of pregnancy, confirmation of pregnancy, feelings about the pregnancy, appointment making behavior, and system barriers encountered. The Health Belief Model was used as the theoretical framework for determining psychosocial variables. Using this model, perceived susceptibility to problems during pregnancy, perceived seriousness of possible problems, perceived benefits of prenatal care, perceived barriers to care, and cues to action were assessed. Time of entry into prenatal care was assessed by interview.^ In this sample of low-income Hispanic women, a higher perception of barriers to care was associated with later initiation of care and non-use of care, higher perceived benefits of care for the baby were associated with earlier care, especially in women without a card to access hospital district services, and having a card to access hospital district services was associated with earlier care. Several barriers to care were mentioned by women on open-ended questioning including long waiting times, embarrassment, and lack of transportation.^ Recommendations for practice included decreasing the number of visits for low-risk women while increasing the time spent with the provider, decreasing the number of vaginal exams for low-risk women, increasing the use of midwives, training lay workers to do risk assessment, giving specific messages about benefits of care to baby, and increasing general health motivation through community intervention methods. More research on the psychosocial and cultural factors associated with initiation of care is needed. In the meantime, the recommendations for practice can be implemented now to increase the use of prenatal care by low-income Hispanic women. ^

Whole transcriptome analysis of the coral Acropora millepora reveals complex responses to CO2-driven acidification during the initiation of calcification

The impact of ocean acidification (OA) on coral calcification, a subject of intense current interest, is poorly understood in part because of the presence of symbionts in adult corals. Early life history stages of Acropora spp. provide an opportunity to study the effects of elevated CO(2) on coral calcification without the complication of symbiont metabolism. Therefore, we used the Illumina RNAseq approach to study the effects of acute exposure to elevated CO(2) on gene expression in primary polyps of Acropora millepora, using as reference a novel comprehensive transcriptome assembly developed for this study. Gene ontology analysis of this whole transcriptome data set indicated that CO(2) -driven acidification strongly suppressed metabolism but enhanced extracellular organic matrix synthesis, whereas targeted analyses revealed complex effects on genes implicated in calcification. Unexpectedly, expression of most ion transport proteins was unaffected, while many membrane-associated or secreted carbonic anhydrases were expressed at lower levels. The most dramatic effect of CO(2) -driven acidification, however, was on genes encoding candidate and known components of the skeletal organic matrix that controls CaCO(3) deposition. The skeletal organic matrix effects included elevated expression of adult-type galaxins and some secreted acidic proteins, but down-regulation of other galaxins, secreted acidic proteins, SCRiPs and other coral-specific genes, suggesting specialized roles for the members of these protein families and complex impacts of OA on mineral deposition. This study is the first exhaustive exploration of the transcriptomic response of a scleractinian coral to acidification and provides an unbiased perspective on its effects during the early stages of calcification.

Contribution To Signalling Of 3d Video Streams In Communication Systems Using The Session Initiation Protocol

Las tecnologías de vídeo en 3D han estado al alza en los últimos años, con abundantes avances en investigación unidos a una adopción generalizada por parte de la industria del cine, y una importancia creciente en la electrónica de consumo. Relacionado con esto, está el concepto de vídeo multivista, que abarca el vídeo 3D, y puede definirse como un flujo de vídeo compuesto de dos o más vistas. El vídeo multivista permite prestaciones avanzadas de vídeo, como el vídeo estereoscópico, el “free viewpoint video”, contacto visual mejorado mediante vistas virtuales, o entornos virtuales compartidos. El propósito de esta tesis es salvar un obstáculo considerable de cara al uso de vídeo multivista en sistemas de comunicación: la falta de soporte para esta tecnología por parte de los protocolos de señalización existentes, que hace imposible configurar una sesión con vídeo multivista mediante mecanismos estándar. Así pues, nuestro principal objetivo es la extensión del Protocolo de Inicio de Sesión (SIP) para soportar la negociación de sesiones multimedia con flujos de vídeo multivista. Nuestro trabajo se puede resumir en tres contribuciones principales. En primer lugar, hemos definido una extensión de señalización para configurar sesiones SIP con vídeo 3D. Esta extensión modifica el Protocolo de Descripción de Sesión (SDP) para introducir un nuevo atributo de nivel de medios, y un nuevo tipo de dependencia de descodificación, que contribuyen a describir los formatos de vídeo 3D que pueden emplearse en una sesión, así como la relación entre los flujos de vídeo que componen un flujo de vídeo 3D. La segunda contribución consiste en una extensión a SIP para manejar la señalización de videoconferencias con flujos de vídeo multivista. Se definen dos nuevos paquetes de eventos SIP para describir las capacidades y topología de los terminales de conferencia, por un lado, y la configuración espacial y mapeo de flujos de una conferencia, por el otro. También se describe un mecanismo para integrar el intercambio de esta información en el proceso de inicio de una conferencia SIP. Como tercera y última contribución, introducimos el concepto de espacio virtual de una conferencia, o un sistema de coordenadas que incluye todos los objetos relevantes de la conferencia (como dispositivos de captura, pantallas, y usuarios). Explicamos cómo el espacio virtual se relaciona con prestaciones de conferencia como el contacto visual, la escala de vídeo y la fidelidad espacial, y proporcionamos reglas para determinar las prestaciones de una conferencia a partir del análisis de su espacio virtual, y para generar espacios virtuales durante la configuración de conferencias.

Coupled model of initiation and propagation of corrosion in reinforced concrete

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete due to chloride ingress is one of the main causes of the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures. Structures most affected by such a corrosion are marine zone buildings and structures exposed to de-icing salts like highways and bridges. Such process is accompanied by an increase in volume of the corrosión products on the rebarsconcrete interface. Depending on the level of oxidation, iron can expand as much as six times its original volume. This increase in volume exerts tensile stresses in the surrounding concrete which result in cracking and spalling of the concrete cover if the concrete tensile strength is exceeded. The mechanism by which steel embedded in concrete corrodes in presence of chloride is the local breakdown of the passive layer formed in the highly alkaline condition of the concrete. It is assumed that corrosion initiates when a critical chloride content reaches the rebar surface. The mathematical formulation idealized the corrosion sequence as a two-stage process: an initiation stage, during which chloride ions penetrate to the reinforcing steel surface and depassivate it, and a propagation stage, in which active corrosion takes place until cracking of the concrete cover has occurred. The aim of this research is to develop computer tools to evaluate the duration of the service life of reinforced concrete structures, considering both the initiation and propagation periods. Such tools must offer a friendly interface to facilitate its use by the researchers even though their background is not in numerical simulation. For the evaluation of the initiation period different tools have been developed: Program TavProbabilidade: provides means to carry out a probability analysis of a chloride ingress model. Such a tool is necessary due to the lack of data and general uncertainties associated with the phenomenon of the chloride diffusion. It differs from the deterministic approach because it computes not just a chloride profile at a certain age, but a range of chloride profiles for each probability or occurrence. Program TavProbabilidade_Fiabilidade: carries out reliability analyses of the initiation period. It takes into account the critical value of the chloride concentration on the steel that causes breakdown of the passive layer and the beginning of the propagation stage. It differs from the deterministic analysis in that it does not predict if the corrosion is going to begin or not, but to quantifies the probability of corrosion initiation. Program TavDif_1D: was created to do a one dimension deterministic analysis of the chloride diffusion process by the finite element method (FEM) which numerically solves Fick’second Law. Despite of the different FEM solver already developed in one dimension, the decision to create a new code (TavDif_1D) was taken because of the need to have a solver with friendly interface for pre- and post-process according to the need of IETCC. An innovative tool was also developed with a systematic method devised to compare the ability of the different 1D models to predict the actual evolution of chloride ingress based on experimental measurements, and also to quantify the degree of agreement of the models with each others. For the evaluation of the entire service life of the structure: a computer program has been developed using finite elements method to do the coupling of both service life periods: initiation and propagation. The program for 2D (TavDif_2D) allows the complementary use of two external programs in a unique friendly interface: • GMSH - an finite element mesh generator and post-processing viewer • OOFEM – a finite element solver. This program (TavDif_2D) is responsible to decide in each time step when and where to start applying the boundary conditions of fracture mechanics module in function of the amount of chloride concentration and corrosion parameters (Icorr, etc). This program is also responsible to verify the presence and the degree of fracture in each element to send the Information of diffusion coefficient variation with the crack width. • GMSH - an finite element mesh generator and post-processing viewer • OOFEM – a finite element solver. The advantages of the FEM with the interface provided by the tool are: • the flexibility to input the data such as material property and boundary conditions as time dependent function. • the flexibility to predict the chloride concentration profile for different geometries. • the possibility to couple chloride diffusion (initiation stage) with chemical and mechanical behavior (propagation stage). The OOFEM code had to be modified to accept temperature, humidity and the time dependent values for the material properties, which is necessary to adequately describe the environmental variations. A 3-D simulation has been performed to simulate the behavior of the beam on both, action of the external load and the internal load caused by the corrosion products, using elements of imbedded fracture in order to plot the curve of the deflection of the central region of the beam versus the external load to compare with the experimental data.

Brain structural and functional recovery following initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy

NeuroAIDS persists in the era of combination antiretroviral therapies. We describe here the recovery of brain structure and function following 6 months of therapy in a treatment-naive patient presenting with HIV-associated dementia. The patient’s neuropsychological test performance improved and his total brain volume increased by more than 5 %. Neuronal functional connectivity measured by magnetoencephalography changed from a pattern identical to that observed in other HIV-infected individuals to one that was indistinguishable from that of uninfected control subjects. These data suggest that at least some of the effects of HIV on the brain can be fully reversed with treatment.

Criteria for Ballast Flight Initiation Induced by High Speed Trains

One of the phenomena that limit the velocity of trains in high speed lines is the so- called “ballast pick-up”. It is a ballast train-induced-wind erosion (or BATIWE) that can produce damage to the train under body and the infrastructure surrounding the tracks. The analysis of the measurements taken during several passes of the train allows for a criterion of ballast flight initiation to be obtained. The first rotation of a ballast stone occurs when the impulse given to the stone (arising from the aerodynamic loading produced by the wind gust genera ted by the passing train) overpasses a critical impulse. This impulse depends on the physical properties of the stone (mass, shape, moment of inertia, etc. ...) and its posture on the track bed. The aim of this paper is to report on the experimental results obtained in the ADIF’S Brihuega (Guadalajara) test station, in the Madrid to Barcelona high speed line, and the way they can be used to support the feasibility of the definition of a criterion to evaluate the BA TIWE capability of trains. The results obtained show the feasibility of the proposed method, and contribute to a method of BATIWE characterization, which can be relevant for the development of train interoperability standardization.

On the loading-rate dependence of the Al 7017-T73 fracture-initiation toughness

While static fracture toughness is a widely studied and standardised parameter, its dynamic counterpart has not been exhaustively examined. Therefore, in this research a series of quasi-static and different loading-rate dynamic tests were carried out to determine the evolution of fracture toughness with the velocity of the application of the load on aluminium 7017-T73 alloy. Three-point bending tests of pre-fatigued standard specimens (ASTM E399) at four loading-rates were carried out. The experiments were conducted by employing the subsequent apparatus ordered from lowest to highest load application velocity: a servo-hydraulic universal testing machine, a free-drop tower, a modified Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar and an explosive load testing device. In order to perform the dynamic fracture toughness tests, it was necessary to design and develop some experimental devices. The fracture-initiation toughness of the aluminium 7017-T73 alloy did not exhibit a significant variation for the studied cases. As a conclusion, the research showed that fracture-initiation toughness remained constant regardless of the velocity at which the load was applied.

A novel method for measuring the dynamic fracture-initiation toughness under impulsive loadings

The design and development of a new method for performing fracture toughness tests under impulsive loadings using explosives is presented. The experimental set-up was complemented with pressure transducers and strain gauges in order to measure, respectively, the blast wave that reached the specimen and the loading history. Fracture toughness tests on a 7017-T73 aluminium alloy were carried out by using this device under impulsive loadings. Previous studies reported that such aluminium alloy had very little strain rate sensitivity, which made it an ideal candidate for comparison at different loading rates. The fracture-initiation toughness values of the 7017-T73 aluminium alloy obtained at impulsive loadings did not exhibit a significant variation from the cases studied at lower loading rates. Therefore, the method and device developed for measuring the dynamic fracture-initiation toughness under impulsive loadings was considered suitable for such a purpose

Disruption of cellular translational control by a viral truncated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase homolog

Phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) is a common cellular mechanism to limit protein synthesis in stress conditions. Baculovirus PK2, which resembles the C-terminal half of a protein kinase domain, was found to inhibit both human and yeast eIF2α kinases. Insect cells infected with wild-type, but not pk2-deleted, baculovirus exhibited reduced eIF2α phosphorylation and increased translational activity. The negative regulatory effect of human protein kinase RNA-regulated (PKR), an eIF2α kinase, on virus production was counteracted by PK2, indicating that baculoviruses have evolved a unique strategy for disrupting a host stress response. PK2 was found in complex with PKR and blocked kinase autophosphorylation in vivo, suggesting a mechanism of kinase inhibition mediated by interaction between truncated and intact kinase domains.

The TOR (target of rapamycin) signal transduction pathway regulates the stability of translation initiation factor eIF4G in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Initiation factor eIF4G is an essential protein required for initiation of mRNA translation via the 5′ cap-dependent pathway. It interacts with eIF4E (the mRNA 5′ cap-binding protein) and serves as an anchor for the assembly of further initiation factors. With treatment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with rapamycin or with entry of cells into the diauxic phase, eIF4G is rapidly degraded, whereas initiation factors eIF4E and eIF4A remain stable. We propose that nutritional deprivation or interruption of the TOR signal transduction pathway induces eIF4G degradation.