Temperature dependence of the near infrared absorption spectrum of single-wall carbon nanotubes dispersed by sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous solution: experiments and molecular dynamics study.

Context: Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) dispersed in water with the help of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants exhibit a temperature dependent near infrared (NIR) exciton spectrum. Due to their biocompatibility and NIR spectrum falling within the transparent window for biological tissue, SWCNTs hold potential for sensing temperature inside cells. Here, we seek to elucidate the mechanism responsible for this temperature dependence, focusing on changes in the water coverage of the SWCNT as the surfactant structure changes with temperature.

Assessing COVID-related concerns and their impact on antenatal and delivery care among pregnant women living with HIV in Kenya: a brief report.

Background: Some studies indicate that pregnant Kenyan women were concerned about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure during maternity care. We assessed concern regarding COVID-19 exposure and any impact on antenatal care (ANC) enrollment and/or hospital delivery among pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Kenya.

Methods: Data were collected from 1,478 pregnant women living with HIV enrolled in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) care at 12 Kenyan hospitals from October 2020 to July 2022.

Challenges with pediatric antiretroviral therapy administration: Qualitative perspectives from caregivers and HIV providers in Kenya.

Background: Current formulations of pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) for children with HIV present significant barriers to adherence, leading to drug resistance, ART ineffectiveness, and preventable child morbidity and mortality. Understanding these challenges and how they contribute to suboptimal adherence is an important step in improving outcomes. This qualitative study describes how regimen-related challenges create barriers to adherence and impact families.

Assessing user preferences for design characteristics of oral dissolvable strips for pediatric HIV medication: a qualitative study.

Background: Current infant antiretroviral therapy formulations pose barriers to daily adherence due to complex weight-based dosing, conspicuous preparation, and poor palatability. These adherence barriers jeopardize adherence, making patients vulnerable to virologic failure, development of drug resistance, and preventable mortality. Our team has previously established proof-of-principle for multi-drug oral dissolvable strips as alternative pediatric antiretroviral formulations with the potential to overcome these challenges and improve pediatric ART adherence and outcomes.

Advantages of Multidimensional Biasing in Accelerated Dynamics: Application to the Calculation of the Acid p for Acetic Acid.

The use of accelerated sampling methods such as metadynamics has shown a significant advantage in calculations that involve infrequent events, which would otherwise require sampling a prohibitive number of configurations to determine the difference in free energies between two or more chemically distinct states such as in the calculation of acid dissociation constants . In this case, the most common method is to bias the system via a single collective variable (CV) representing the coordination number of the proton donor group, which yields results in reasonable agreement with experiments. Here we study the deprotonation of acetic acid using the reactive force field ReaxFF and observe a significant dependence of on the simulation box size when biasing only the coordination number CV, which is due to incomplete sampling of the deprotonated state for small simulation systems and inefficient sampling for larger ones.

Incorporating the HIV Infant Tracking System into standard-of-care early infant diagnosis of HIV services in Kenya: a cost-effectiveness analysis of the HITSystem randomised trial.

Background: The HITSystem efficacy trial showed significant improvements in early infant diagnosis retention, return and notification of infant test results, and earlier antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation compared with standard-of-care early infant diagnosis services in Kenya. This study aimed to analyse data from the HITSystem trial to assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in Kenya.

Methods: In this analysis, we extrapolated results from the HITSystem cluster randomised controlled trial to model early infant diagnosis outcomes and cost-effectiveness if the HITSystem was scaled up nationally in Kenya, compared with standard-of-care outcomes.

Development and evaluation of a COVID tracking system to support provision of social service in Wyandotte County, Kansas.

Background: In addition to the state-mandated case investigation and contact tracing, the Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County, Kansas implemented social support services for COVID-19 cases and contacts; however, did not have the systems in place to document the provision of these services. Our team worked with the health department to develop and implement the COVID Tracking System (CTS), an eHealth system that linked multiple involved teams. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of the CTS.

Piloting a systems level intervention to improve cervical cancer screening, treatment and follow up in Kenya.

Although preventable, Cervical Cancer (CC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest incidence in East Africa. Kenyan guidelines recommend an immediate screen and treat approach using either Pap smear or visual screening methods. However, system (e.

Evaluating the efficacy of the HITSystem 2.1 to improve PMTCT retention and maternal viral suppression in Kenya: Study protocol of a cluster-randomized trial.

Background: Gaps in the provision of guideline-adherent prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services and maternal retention in care contribute to nearly 8000 Kenyan infants becoming infected with HIV annually. Interventions that routinize evidence-based PMTCT service delivery and foster consistent patient engagement are essential to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The HITSystem 2.

Adsorption-Induced Expansion of Graphene Oxide Frameworks with Covalently Bonded Benzene-1,4-diboronic Acid: Numerical Studies.

Graphene oxide frameworks (GOFs) are interesting adsorbent materials with well-defined slit-shaped pores of almost monodisperse separation of ∼1 nm between graphene-like layers; however, the exact nature of the structure has remained undetermined. Recently, GOFs were observed to swell monotonically upon the adsorption of methane and xenon under supercritical conditions. Here, we present the results of molecular dynamics simulations of the adsorption of methane and xenon for various proposed GOF structures based upon force fields based on B3LYP density functional theory calculations.

HIV Drug Resistance in Kenyan Infants Diagnosed With HIV and Their Mothers.

The presence and type of HIV drug resistance mutations among 5 infants diagnosed with HIV were assessed and compared with their mothers' viral mutations. Mother and infant blood samples were sequenced and screened for HIV drug resistance mutations using the Stanford HIV Sequence Database. Three of 5 (60%) mother-infant pairs harbored HIV drug resistance mutations.

Implementing at-birth, point-of-care HIV testing in Kenya: a qualitative study using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Background: At-birth and point-of-care (POC) testing can expedite early infant diagnosis of HIV and improve infant outcomes. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study describes the implementation of an at-birth POC testing pilot from the perspective of implementing providers and identifies the factors that might support and hinder the scale up of these promising interventions.

Methods: We conducted 28 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 48 providers across 4 study sites throughout the course of a pilot study assessing the feasibility and impact of at-birth POC testing.

"Friendly reminder: hi! It is that time again ☺": understanding PMTCT care text message design preferences amongst pre- and post-partum women and their male partners.

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) services in Kenya can be strengthened through the delivery of relevant and culturally appropriate SMS messages.

Methods: This study reports on the results of focus groups conducted with pre and postnatal women living with HIV (5 groups, n = 40) and their male partners (3 groups, n = 33) to elicit feedback and develop messages to support HIV+ women's adherence to ART medication, ANC appointments and a facility-based birth. The principles of message design informed message development.

Piloting the Feasibility and Preliminary Impact of Adding Birth HIV Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing to the Early Infant Diagnosis Guidelines in Kenya.

Background: In Kenya, standard early infant diagnosis (EID) with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at 6-week postnatal achieves early treatment initiation (<12 weeks) in <20% of HIV+ infants. Kenya's new early infant diagnosis guidelines tentatively proposed adding PCR testing at birth, pending results from pilot studies.

Methods: We piloted birth testing at 4 Kenyan hospitals between November 2017 and November 2018.

A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Impact of the HIV Infant Tracking System (HITSystem 2.0) on Priority Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Outcomes.

We assessed the preliminary impact of the adapted HIV Infant Tracking System (HITSystem v2.0) intervention on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) outcomes using a matched cluster randomized design in two Kenyan government hospitals. Between November 2017 and June 2019, n = 157 pregnant women with HIV were enrolled and followed from their first PMTCT appointment until 12-weeks postpartum.

ART Initiation for Infants Diagnosed With HIV Through Point of Care and Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Kenya: A Case Series.

We sought to understand the sequence of testing and treatment among nine infants offered both conventional and point-of-care testing and diagnosed as HIV-positive by 6 months of age in Kenya. One infant received per protocol testing and treatment. Patient-level (late presentation and disengagement), provider-level (reluctance and error/oversight) and system-level (stock outs, errors) challenges delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Women's preferences, expectations, and experiences with male partner support throughout prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV services: a mixed-methods study.

Male involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) care improves maternal and child outcomes. We conducted a mixed-methods study at two Kenyan government hospitals. We quantitatively assessed women's expectations and preferences for male partner involvement in PMTCT and male partner attendance at PMTCT appointments.

Implementation planning for community-based point-of-care HIV testing for infants: Recommendations from community leaders in Kenya.

Background: Early infant diagnosis (EID) establishes the presence of HIV infection in HIV-exposed infants and children younger than 18 months of age. EID services are hospital-based, and thus fail to capture HIV-exposed infants who are not brought to the hospital for care. Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic systems deployed in the community could increase the proportion tested and linked to treatment, but little feasibility and acceptability data is available.

Programmatic evaluation of feasibility and efficiency of at birth and 6-week, point of care HIV testing in Kenyan infant.

Background: Testing infants at birth and with more efficient point of care (POC) HIV diagnostic can streamline EID and expedite infant ART initiation. We evaluated the implementation of at birth and 6-week POC testing to assess the effectiveness and feasibility when implemented by existing hospital staff in Kenya.

Methods: Four government hospitals were randomly assigned to receive a GeneXpert HIV-1 Qual (n = 2) or Alere m-PIMA (n = 2) machine for POC testing.

Maternal viral load monitoring: Coverage and clinical action at 4 Kenyan hospitals.

Background: Kenya's guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) recommend routine viral load (VL) monitoring for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Method: We assessed PMTCT VL monitoring and clinical action occurring between last menstrual period (LMP) and 6 months postpartum at 4 Kenyan government hospitals. Pregnant women enrolled in the HIV Infant Tracking System from May 2016-March 2018 were included.

Predictors of Early ART Initiation Among HIV + Infants in Kenya: A Retrospective Review of HITSystem Data from 2013 to 2017.

Objective: Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART, before 12 weeks of age) among infants living with HIV reduces infant mortality and slows disease progression. However, inefficiencies in early infant diagnosis processes prevents timely ART initiation among infants living with HIV in Kenya. This study assesses predictors of early ART initiation among infants living with HIV in Kenya.

Adsorption of Natural Gas Mixtures of Methane, Ethane, and Propane in Nanoporous Carbon: Fully Atomistic Numerical Studies.

Natural gas (NG) is an interesting primary fuel; its larger-scale use is hindered by the difficulties of storing it under high pressures or low temperatures; a viable alternative is its storage via physisorption in porous materials. Most NG adsorption studies have focused on adsorption of pure methane, its primary component. Here we investigate the influence of heavier alkanes commonly found in NG (propane, ethane) on the adsorption process.

Self-Assembled Two-Dimensional Nanoporous Crystals as Molecular Sieves: Molecular Dynamics Studies of 1,3,5-Tristyrilbenzene-C Superstructures.

Due to their unique geometry complex, self-assembled nanoporous 2D molecular crystals offer a broad landscape of potential applications, ranging from adsorption and catalysis to optoelectronics, substrate processes, and future nanomachine applications. Here we report and discuss the results of extensive all-atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) investigations of self-assembled organic monolayers (SAOM) of interdigitated 1,3,5-tristyrilbenzene (TSB) molecules terminated by alkoxy peripheral chains C containing carbon atoms (TSB3,5-C) deposited onto highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). structural and electronic properties of the TSB3,5-C molecules were initially determined using second order Møller-Plesset (MP2) calculations.

"It was my obligation as mother": 18-Month completion of Early Infant Diagnosis as identity control for mothers living with HIV in Kenya.

Rationale: Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) is critical to timely identification of HIV and rapid treatment initiation for infants found to be infected. Completing the EID cascade involves a series of age-specific tests between birth and 18 months and can be challenging for mother- infant pairs in low-resource settings. Even prior to recent increases in Kenya's testing recommendations, approximately 22% of mother-infant pairs enrolled in EID were lost to follow-up.