Measurement of the cosmic microwave background polarization lensing power spectrum with the POLARBEAR experiment.

Gravitational lensing due to the large-scale distribution of matter in the cosmos distorts the primordial cosmic microwave background (CMB) and thereby induces new, small-scale B-mode polarization. This signal carries detailed information about the distribution of all the gravitating matter between the observer and CMB last scattering surface. We report the first direct evidence for polarization lensing based on purely CMB information, from using the four-point correlations of even- and odd-parity E- and B-mode polarization mapped over ∼30 square degrees of the sky measured by the POLARBEAR experiment. These data were analyzed using a blind analysis framework and checked for spurious systematic contamination using null tests and simulations. Evidence for the signal of polarization lensing and lensing B modes is found at 4.2σ (stat+sys) significance. The amplitude of matter fluctuations is measured with a precision of 27%, and is found to be consistent with the Lambda cold dark matter cosmological model. This measurement demonstrates a new technique, capable of mapping all gravitating matter in the Universe, sensitive to the sum of neutrino masses, and essential for cleaning the lensing B-mode signal in searches for primordial gravitational waves.

Evidence for gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background polarization from cross-correlation with the cosmic infrared background.

We reconstruct the gravitational lensing convergence signal from cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization data taken by the Polarbear experiment and cross-correlate it with cosmic infrared background maps from the Herschel satellite. From the cross spectra, we obtain evidence for gravitational lensing of the CMB polarization at a statistical significance of 4.0σ and indication of the presence of a lensing B-mode signal at a significance of 2.3σ. We demonstrate that our results are not biased by instrumental and astrophysical systematic errors by performing null tests, checks with simulated and real data, and analytical calculations. This measurement of polarization lensing, made via the robust cross-correlation channel, not only reinforces POLARBEAR auto-correlation measurements, but also represents one of the early steps towards establishing CMB polarization lensing as a powerful new probe of cosmology and astrophysics.

Sexting in adolescence: what are the reasons? An empirical study.

Objectives: This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis on the phenomenon of sexting through the investigation of the motivations that lead adolescents to such practice. We took account of gender differences and the more used varieties of sexting behaviors. Recent studies have pointed out that sexual purposes, instrumental motivations and body image reinforcement, as well as the pressure exerted by partners and friends, seem to be the reasons that push teenager to resort to sexting. The aim of our research is to evaluate which of these motivations are mainly associated to sexting behaviors. Method: Our sample involved 157 teenagers aged from 13 and 20 years (M=17,39), among which 110 were female. We administered the sample the Questionnaire on Sexting Behaviors and the Questionnaire on Sexting Motivations. Results: Our results found that 69,4% of participants (n=109) reported having done sexting at least once. Statistically relevant differences emerged in favor of the male group as concerns the subdimension of received sexts and that of sent own sexts. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found in relation to gender and concerning the three sexting motivations, even if the results of a multivariate linear regression model have indicated that only Instrumental/aggravate reasons (p < .001) and Sexting forced by partner (p = 0.15) significantly predicted sexting. Conclusions: The role played by Instrumental motivations is a worrying wake-up call, since such behaviors can prelude to violent actions like dating violence and cyberbullying. Therefore, more in-cisive and early preventive measures are needed.

Developing a portable field unit to improve well-child care.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric growth tracking has been identified as a top priority by international health agencies to assess the severity of malnutrition and stunting. However, remote low-resource settings often lack the necessary infrastructure for longitudinal analysis of growth for the purposes of early identification and immediate intervention of stunting. METHODS: To address this gap, we developed a portable field unit (PFU) capable of identifying a child over the course of multiple visits, each time adding new anthropomorphic measurements. We conducted a preliminary field evaluation of the PFU by using the unit on two distinct visits to three schools in the area surrounding a medical clinic in rural San Jose, Honduras. The unit was used to assess children at each school as part of the community outreach. RESULTS: Community outreaches to three schools were conducted by two distinct teams, where they used the device to assess 210 children. Of the 180 children registered during the first visit, 112 were re-identified and assessed on the subsequent visit. Twenty-four instances of moderate-to-severe malnutrition were identified and referred for further evaluation to the central clinic. CONCLUSION: This initial assessment suggests that the PFU could be an effective means of identifying at-risk children.

CONTEXTE: Les organismes internationaux de santé ont identifié le suivi de la croissance des enfants comme une priorité absolue pour évaluer la gravité de la malnutrition et les retards de croissance. Cependant, les zones reculées à faibles ressources n'ont souvent pas les infrastructures nécessaires à l'analyse longitudinale de la croissance à des fins d'identification précoce et d'intervention immédiate de lutte contre les retards de croissance. MÉTHODES: Pour combler ces lacunes, nous avons développé un appareil portatif de terrain (PFU) capable d'identifier un même enfant lors de plusieurs visites et d'ajouter les nouvelles mesures anthropomorphiques de chaque visite. Nous avons réalisé une évaluation de terrain préliminaire du PFU en utilisant l'appareil lors de deux visites différentes dans trois écoles de la zone rurale aux alentours d'une clinique médicale de San Jose, Honduras. L'appareil a été utilisé pour évaluer les enfants de chaque école dans le cadre d'un programme de sensibilisation communautaire. RÉSULTATS: Des programmes de sensibilisation communautaire ont été menés dans trois écoles par deux équipes différentes, qui ont utilisé l'appareil pour évaluer 210 enfants. Sur les 180 enfants enregistrés lors de la première visite, 112 ont été de nouveau identifiés et évalués lors de la visite suivante. Vingt-quatre cas de malnutrition modérée à sévère ont été identifiés et adressés pour examen complémentaire à la clinique centrale. CONCLUSION: Cette évaluation initiale suggère que le PFU pourrait être un moyen efficace d'identification des enfants à risque.

HIV testing coverage of family members of adult antiretroviral therapy patients in Malawi.

Many children in sub-Saharan Africa die from AIDS, not having accessed HIV testing and care. Children of adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients are a target group for HIV testing in order to increase access to care, but the HIV test coverage of this group in Malawi is unknown. In a cross-sectional survey of 832 patients at a large urban ART clinic in Blantyre, we found that 81.2% of 1223 children and 37.7% of 488 spouses of adult ART patients were reportedly not HIV tested. Wives of male patients were significantly less frequently HIV tested than husbands of female patients (53.0% vs. 72.4%, p<0.0001). Children under the age of 8 years (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 2.76), children of female patients (aOR 2.53) and of patients whose partner had been HIV tested (aOR 2.87) were significantly more likely to have been tested for HIV. More attention needs to be given to provider initiated testing of children and spouses of ART patients.

Contributi scientifici in memoria di Antonio Fusco.

Come si leggerà nell'Introduzione della sezione propriamente scientifica del Volume, il presente testo nasce dalla volontà e, soprattutto, dall'esigenza culturale di omaggiare il fu Prof. Antonio Fusco. Un debito scientifico ed umano che trova il suo locus naturale in questa prima parte del testo stesso, cui farà poi seguito la parte propriamente scientifica. In siffatta parentesi dovuta per le ragioni appena menzionate, il lettore, l'amico o l'allievo dell'opera del Prof. Fusco potranno trovare un suo sintetico Curriculum Vitae, correlato da una specifica ed accurata prosa, svolta dal già Magnifico Rettore Carlo Cipolli; il quale, oltre che evidenziare, ricordando, i meriti del collega oramai scomparso, aggiunge alsuo scritto un elemento che sarebbe imprescindibile a non trasformare lo stesso in una mera sequenza di parole: l'amicizia e l'affetto per un amico che, oramai, non c'è più. A fine lettura, evidente risuonerà il fatto che la vita di ognuno, se mossa dalla passione per ciò per cui si è predisposti cognitivamente e psicologicamente, può essere ricca di riconoscimenti, riconoscenze e soddisfazioni che, lungi dal divenire un cuscino di allori su cui adagiarsi, per una mente creativa come quella del Prof. Fusco hanno funto solo da motivazioni ad agire instancabilmente guardando sempre al futuro. Il lavoro di una vita che, materialmente, è sancito da un supporto poco più di cm 25x15: una targa. Una materialità evidente che, con grande commozione e riconoscenza, è stata affissa il 25 ottobre 2019 sull'aula fronte l'Aula Magna del Campus "La Folcara", a testimonianza che quello spirito creativo in continua evoluzione non si ferma; non si arresta neppure con la fine biologica di chi lo ha "posseduto". Rimangono le opere ed il pensiero del Prof. Fusco e restano gli affetti. A tal proposito, il lettore troverà una breve e sentita sezione su Testimonianze; coloro i quali hanno avuto modo, nell'arco della vita accademica ed umana, personale, di Fusco di conoscerlo. Ecco, allora, che i ricordi saranno i veri protagonisti di questa parentesi. Dopo di ciò, prima dei contributi prettamente scientifici dei lavori, tenutisi in occasione del Convegno Internazionale Psicologia, Arte, Letteratura. Antiche e Nuove Tendenze, seguiranno i saluti delle autorità che in quei due giorni si sono succedute a rappresentare non solo l'istituzione affiliata, ma anche la relazione di stima e di affetto che le legava al compianto Professore. Si passerà, infine, al volume tradizionalmente inteso.

Viral load, tissue distribution and histopathological lesions in goats naturally and experimentally infected with the Small Ruminant Lentivirus Genotype E (subtype E1 Roccaverano strain).

Small Ruminant Lentivirus (SRLV) subtype E1, also known as Roccaverano strain, is considered a low pathogenic virus on the basis of natural genetic deletions, in vitro properties and on-farm observations. In order to gain more knowledge on this atypical lentivirus we investigated the in vivo tropism of Roccaverano strain in both, experimentally and naturally infected goats. Antibody responses were monitored as well as tissue distribution and viral load, evaluated by real time PCR on single spliced (gag/env) and multiple spliced (rev) RNA targets respectively, that were compared to histopathological lesions. Lymph nodes, spleen, alveolar macrophages and mammary gland turned out to be the main tissue reservoirs of genotype E1-provirus. Moreover, mammary gland and/or mammary lymph nodes acted as active replication sites in dairy goats, supporting the lactogenic transmission of this virus. Notably, a direct association between viral load and concomitant infection or inflammatory processes was evident within organs such as spleen, lung and testis. Our results validate the low pathogenicity designation of SRLV genotype E1 in vivo, and confirm the monocyte-macrophage cell lineage as the main virus reservoir of this genotype. Accordingly, SRLV genotype E displays a tropism towards all tissues characterized by an abundant presence of these cells, either for their own anatomical structure or for an occasional infectious/inflammatory status.

In vitro biocompatibility testing of some synthetic polymers used for the achievement of nervous conduits.

Biocompatible synthetic polymers are largely used in the bio-medical domain, tissue engineering and in controlled release of medicines. Polymers can be used in the achievement of cardiac and vascular devices, mammary implants, eye lenses, surgical threads, nervous conduits, adhesives, blood substitutes, etc. Our study was axed on the development of cytotoxicity tests for 3 synthetic polymers, namely polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl chloride. These tests targeted to determine the viability and morphology of cells (fibroblasts) that were in indirect contact with the studied polymers. Cell viability achieved for all the studied synthetic polymers allowed their frame in biocompatible material category. Cell morphology did not significantly change, thus accomplishing a new biocompatibility criterion. The degree of biocompatibility of the studied polymers varied. Polyvinyl alcohol presented the highest grade of biocompatibility and polyvinyl chloride placed itself at the lowest limit of biocompatibility. The results achieved allowed the selection of those polymers that (by enhancing their degrees of biocompatibility due to the association with various biopolymers) will be used in the development of new biocompatible materials, useful in nervous conduits manufacture.

Is transcription of data on antiretroviral treatment from electronic to paper-based registers reliable in Malawi?

SETTING: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinics at one central hospital, three district hospitals and one mission hospital in the central and southern regions of Malawi. OBJECTIVE: To measure the extent of inaccuracies in the transcription of case registration and recorded deaths between electronic medical data (EMR) and paper registers. This was done to inform the Ministry of Health on the reliability of the paper-based system as backup in case of EMR failure. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of routine programme data. RESULTS: A total of 31 763 registrations and 2922 deaths in the EMR were compared with those in the paper registers. In one hospital, up to 24% of overall case registrations were missing from the paper registers. At other sites, the differences were minor and included duplicate patients who should have been classified as 'transfer in' patients in the paper register. There were major differences in the number of registered deaths in two of the five facilities. CONCLUSION: There are varying degrees of agreement between the EMR and paper registers which compromise the use of the latter as a backup solution in case of EMR failure. The reasons for this unreliability and ways forward to address the problem are discussed.

The presence of complement fixing antibodies to Rous sarcoma virus (Schmidt-Ruppin strain) in patients with various forms of neoplasia.

The presence in men of antibodies to Rous sarcoma virus, an oncogenic virus of avian origin, was demonstrated. The highest antibody incidence was found in patients with various forms of cancer (34.4%, as against the value of 12% recorded in blood donors); these patients also showed an increased antibody level - 1/64 titers were detected in 43 out of 7 patients. The possibility of a human infection with animal oncogenic viruses is discussed, without excluding the hypothesis of a paraimmune reaction.

Studies on the presence of viral antibodies in patients with various forms of malignant neoplasia.

The study of viral antibodies in 6714 sera demonstrated that the level of antibodies to infectious viruses was the same in cancer patients as in controls. However, the patients with various forms of neoplasia showed a considerable percentage and high antibody levels to viruses with oncogenic potential for animals (adenovirus, SV40, Rous virus) or involved in human carcinogenesis (herpes virus).

Antifungal properties of lectin and new chitinases from potato tubers.

We have purified from potato tubers, the lectin STA devoid of chitinase activity and two chitinases devoid of lectin activity. Both enzymes are 16 kDa glycoproteins, and probably belong to a new family of plant chitinases. The respective antifungal properties of lectin and chitinases were studied by following their effects against early developmental stages of Fusarium oxysporum, a fungal potato pathogen. Here we demonstrate that: (1) lectin does not inhibit mycelial growth but irreversibly inhibits conidia germination and alters the germ tubes; and (2) chitinases block mycelial growth as well as conidia germination and lyse germ tubes.