Previous reproductive history and post-natal family planning among HIV-infected women in Ukraine

BACKGROUND: Ukraine has the highest antenatal HIV prevalence in Europe. The national prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) programme has reduced the MTCT rate, but less attention has been given to the prevention of unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive women. Our objectives were to describe the reproductive health, condom use and family planning (FP) practices of HIV-positive childbearing Ukrainian women and to identify factors associated with different methods of post-natal contraception. METHODS: HIV-infected childbearing women, diagnosed before or during pregnancy, were enrolled prospectively in a post-natal cohort study in four regional HIV/AIDS centres in Ukraine from December 2007. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with post-natal FP practices. RESULTS: Data were available for 371 women enrolled by March 2009; 82% (n = 303) were married or cohabiting, 27% (97 of 363) reported a current HIV-negative sexual partner and 69% were diagnosed with HIV during their most recent pregnancy. Overall, 21% (75 of 349) of women were not using contraception post-natally (of whom 80% reported no current sexual activity), 50% (174 of 349) used condoms, 20% (74 of 349) relied solely/partially on coitus interruptus and 4% used hormonal methods or intrauterine device. Among married/cohabiting women, consistent use of condoms in the previous pregnancy [AOR 1.96 (95%CI 1.06–3.62)], having an HIV-positive partner [AOR 0.42 (0.20–0.87)], current sexual activity [AOR 4.53 (1.19–17.3)] and study site were significantly associated with post-natal condom use; 16% of those with HIV-negative partners did not use condoms. Risk factors for non-use of FP were lack of affordability [AOR 6.34 (1.73–23.2)] and inconsistent use of condoms in the previous pregnancy [AOR 7.25 (1.41–37.2)]. CONCLUSIONS: More than 40% of HIV-positive women in this population are at risk of unintended pregnancy and the one in six women in HIV-discordant couples not using barrier methods risk transmitting HIV to their partners. Our study results are limited by the observational nature of the data and the potential for both measured and unmeasured confounding

Las cooperativas agroindustriales de la provincia de Misiones en relación al mercado globalizado. 16H255

Se propone realizar un análisis de la situación económica y social de las cooperativas agroindustriales, frente a las transformaciones del proceso de globalización, en la región de la cual forma parte la provincia de Misiones. Los emprendimientos asociativos de la economía social, entre los que se destacan las cooperativas, enfrentaron los problemas generados por las políticas neoliberales implementadas en las últimas décadas. A partir de la recuperación del crecimiento económico las cooperativas encuentran nuevos desafíos: incorporar nuevos socios, aumentar su capacidad de producción, mejorar la calidad de los productos, y encontrar canales de comercialización que les permitan mejorar su inserción en los mercados. Es por ello que creemos pertinente investigar los sistemas de producción y comercialización y las formas de organización cooperativas, evaluando la relación que esta situación guarda con el impacto que han producido las condiciones impuestas por los mercados globalizados. A partir de la recolección de datos secundarios, se analizara la importancia relativa de las cooperativas agroindustriales en la producción y en las exportaciones de la Provincia de Misiones y a partir de la aplicación de una metodología cualitativa se relevarán las estrategias establecidas por aquellas cooperativas que logran exportar

Learning about Actions and Events in Shared NeMuS

The categorization process of information from pure data or learned in unsuper- vised artificial neural networks is still manual, especially in the labeling phase. Such a process is fundamental to knowledge representation [6], especially for symbol-based systems like logic, natural language processing and textual infor- mation retrieval. Unfortunately, applying categorization theory in large volumes of data does not lead to good results mainly because there is no generic and systematic way of categorizing such data processed by artificial neural networks and joining investigated conceptual structures. Connectionist approaches are capable of extracting information from arti- ficial neural networks, but categorizing them as symbolic knowledge have been little explored. The obstacle lies on the difficulty to find logical justification from response patterns of these networks [2]. This gets worse when considering induc- tive learning from dynamic data which is very important to Cognitive Sciences that considers categorization as a mental operation of classifying objects, actions and events [1]. We shall address the discoveries of our on-going investigation on the problem of inductively learning (IL) from dynamic data by applying a novel framework for neural-symbolic representation and reasoning called share Neural Multi-Space (NeMuS) used in the Amao system[4]. Instead of woking like traditional ap- proaches for ILP, e.g. [5], Amao uses a shared NeMuS of a give background knowledge (BK) and uses inverse unification as the generalization mechanism of a set of logically connected expressions from the Herbrand Base (HB) of BK that defines positive examples

Architecture of Ancestral Genomic Components in the Sicilian Mastiff

The Sicilian Mastiff (or Mannara dog), is an indigenous Sicilian livestock guardian dog (LGD) breed with approximately 700 registered individuals. Formal recognition as a distinct breed was conferred by the Italian Kennel Club in 2023 and efforts to attain international recognition are ongoing. Previous studies have identified the Maremma and the Abruzzes sheepdog as the closest relative of the Sicilian Mastiff, highlighting a shared history and overlapping functional characteristics typical of LGDs. Thus, investigating the genetic makeup of the Sicilian Mastiff becomes essential to safeguarding and enhancing its cultural heritage and role in Sicilian pastoralism. In this study, the genetic investigation of 12 Sicilian Mastiffs revealed significant divergence from other breeds, while also confirming a close genetic relationship with the Maremma sheepdog. Therefore, local ancestry inference analyses were performed to identify genomic regions potentially influenced by the Maremma sheepdog, in comparison with other European and Mediterranean LGD breeds. Several genomic regions exhibited strong introgression with the Maremma sheepdog. Among the genes within highly introgressed (99th percentile) regions identified in at least three of these comparisons, several were associated with traits characteristic of LGD. These traits included behavioral attributes such as aggression towards strangers, morphological features such as drop ears, and physical attributes enhancing their guarding abilities. These findings support the hypothesis that centuries of selective pressures shaped the Sicilian Mastiff, highlighting its genetic and cultural value for pastoral communities. To explore the Sicilian Mastiff’s genetic evolution and adaptability, extensive sampling is being conducted to assess changes in its genetic variability and structure over the past decade. During this period, breeders have been encouraged to adopt more stringent and informed selection practices. This longitudinal approach aims to provide valuable insights into the impact of modern management practices on the genetic profile of the breed

Organizaciones Agrarias y Cooperativas: Transformaciones en trabajo, producción, y acceso a la tierra en Misiones. 16H351

Las actividades agropecuarias en Misiones, vienen sufriendo profundas transformaciones que impactan de manera diferencial sobre los trabajadores y sobre los productores agrarios, pero también en el proceso manufacturero y de comercialización. Con el objetivo de identificar y analizar éstas transformaciones recientes, intentaremos generar conocimiento sobre cambios productivos y en la organización del trabajo en encadenamientos agroindustriales del té y la yerba mate, relevar las estrategias económicas de las cooperativas agroindustriales, identificando sus particularidades respecto a la organización del trabajo, a las modalidades de incorporación de tecnologías y normas de calidad, y en relación con las políticas públicas. También investigaremos la incidencia de organizaciones de productores agrarios sobre los cambios en la implementación de políticas agropecuarias, en especial respecto a la producción, comercialización de alimentos y acceso a la tierra. Considerando las interacciones complejas en las transformaciones en curso, al mismo tiempo las limitaciones contextuales y las estrategias de los actores, exploraremos canales de circulación de insumos y de productos, mecanismos de fijación de precios, para analizar relaciones económicas y de poder, así como transferencias entre los distintos sectores. Desde una perspectiva metodológica cualitativa, tomaremos algunas experiencias de producción y comercialización, por parte de pequeños productores en forma asociativa, como referencia empírica para reflexionar sobre las posibilidades y dificultades de las organizaciones agrarias

From Tradition to Recognition: Characterizing the Maltese Hunting Dog (Kelb tal-Kaċċa ta’ Malta) in Support of Its Preservation

The Maltese Hunting Dog (Kelb tal-Kaċċa ta’ Malta, KTKM) is deeply rooted in Malta’s hunting tradition, with historical records tracing its presence back to the 16th century. Despite the absence of official recognition, this breed has been preserved and selectively maintained over centuries, thanks to the dedication of breeders. This study aimed to characterize the phenotypic and genomic features of 24 KTKM individuals to support their official recognition and conservation. Morphological analyses defined the KTKM as a mesocephalic and mesomorphic breed, characterized by large pendulous ears, a ”Braque”-type face, and a short coat with white-patched pheomelanic colouration. Genomic comparisons with 46 dog breeds consistently revealed the KTKM’s unique genetic identity and high uniformity, placing it near pointing dogs while highlighting ancient connections with the Maltese Pharaoh Hound. Moreover, despite the small population size and geographic isolation, KTKM displayed relatively low levels of genomic inbreeding. Effective population size was 76, with a trend dropping 12 generations ago. To identify potential introgressed genomic regions, local ancestry inference was performed against nine historically, phenotypically, or genomically relevant breeds. Several emerged regions were associated with key morphological traits -e.g., coat color and length, ear shape, and size-, behaviour, and physical or cognitive abilities important for hunting tasks. In conclusion, the KTKM emerges as a genetically distinct and uniform population belonging to the pointing dog group. Its moderate inbreeding levels and unique genomic characteristics support the possibility of preserving the breed through dedicated conservation efforts. This study underscores the critical need to protect the KTKM’s genetic diversity and cultural heritage, providing a foundation for its official recognition and long-term preservation

The Partanna Project: A first of a kind plant based on molten salts in LFR collectors

Molten Salts are nowadays the preferred choice to store thermal energy in CSP plants, either using MS Power Towers and “direct” storage or using parabolic troughs with MS “indirect” storage, employing thermal oil as Heat Transfer Fluid in the solar field. The use of Molten Salts as Heat Transfer Fluid with “direct” storage in linear parabolic troughs has been proposed and studied since 2000. Starting in 2001, ENEA fully developed such concept in its “Solar Thermodynamic” project. Such effort led to the construction of full size 100 m. test plant in 2003 at the ENEA Test Field, and to a 5 MW demonstrative unit by the Italian Utility ENEL (Archimede) commissioned in 2010. As the Linear Fresnel technology became more mature, also such type of solar collector begun to be studied to adopt molten salts as HTF. The Italian company Sol.In.Par, specialized in renewable energy plants, recently decided to adopt the Fresnel technology with Molten Salts both as Heat Transfer Fluid and storage Medium for the development of a new power plant in Partanna (Sicily), that comprises a 5.6 MWe Photovoltaic section and a 4.26 MWe CSP section. Since no plants of this type are actually in operation, such plant will be therefore a First Of a Kind of such concept. The paper describes the design and operative main data, presently in the construction phase and expected to be commissioned not later than spring 2020

Post-COVID-19 Lung Transplantation Italian Pivotal Protocol: Some Ethical Considerations

SARS‐CoV‐2 mostly affects the respiratory system with clinical patterns ranging from the common cold to fatal pneumonia. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to the high number of patients who were infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and subsequently recovered, it has been shown that some patients with post-COVID-19 terminal respiratory failure need lung transplantation for survival. There is increasing evidence coming from worldwide observations that this procedure can be performed successfully in post-COVID-19 patients. However, owing to the scarcity of organs, there is a need to define the safety and efficacy of lung transplant for post-COVID-19 patients as compared to patients waiting for a lung transplant for other pre-existing conditions, in order to ensure that sound ethical criteria are applied in organ allocation. The Milan's Policlinic Lung Transplant Surgery Unit, with the revision of the National Second Opinion for Infectious Diseases and the contribution of the Italian Lung Transplant Centres and the Italian National Transplant Centre, set up a pivotal observational protocol for the lung transplant of patients infected and successively turned negative for SARS‐CoV‐2, albeit with lung consequences such as acute respiratory distress syndrome or some chronic interstitial lung disease. The protocol was revised and approved by the Italian National Institute of Health Ethics Committee. Description of the protocol and some ethical considerations are reported in this article