PLUS Foundation

To increase HIV status awareness among men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSWs), a community-based HIV testing program was implemented for the first time in Haiti. We aimed to assess 1) the effectiveness of the program to reach HIV-exposed populations over time and 2) the characteristics, HIV exposure, and testing profile of program participants. Rapid diagnostic HIV testing (RDT) was offered to all individuals present in several community-based settings across Haiti. Trends in the number of tested individuals, first-time tested, and HIV positive tested per intervention were described using linear regression. Characteristics and factors related to the first-time test were described. Between July 2015 and April 2018, 445 interventions in 91 community-based venues resulted in 3,998 rapid tests performed. A median of eight individuals was tested per intervention, with 18% first-time testers and 6% with HIV-positive results. The overall numbers of tests and positive test results increased over the intervention program period. Within 1,572 first-time RDT testers (1,216 MSM, 235 FSWs, and 121 nonkey population), 31% (n = 489) were first-time HIV testers. First-time tested individuals reported HIV exposure, such as lack of condom use at last intercourse (33%), transactional sex (35%), and recent (≤12 months) sexually transmitted infection (12%). The community-based HIV testing program effectively reached HIV-positive and previously untested individuals over a 3-year period. Continued community-based testing in conjunction with other HIV testing services is recommended for Haiti.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the acceptability by gay men, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) of French public health information and prevention measures implemented during the 2022 Mpox outbreak.MethodsANRS-MPX-SHS "Mpox: perception of risks, health measures and vaccination" is a cross-sectional survey conducted in GBMSM between July and September 2022. Online questionnaires collected information about Mpox-related awareness, perceptions and prevention behaviours. Multiple correspondence analysis identified participant profiles according to their level of acceptability of the information and prevention measures implemented during the 2022 outbreak. The study outcome was a variable grouping participants into three profiles: ‘strong endorsers’, ‘uninformed hesitant endorsers’ and ‘indifferent objectors’. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate factors associated with each profile.ResultsOf the 5688 participants, 5320 (93.5%) had available data for the outcome. The latter were mostly cisgender men (98%), aged between 35 and 54 years (54.5%), with tertiary education (82%); 44% were living in the Greater Paris region. Strong endorsers, uninformed hesitant endorsers and indifferent objectors accounted for 77.8%, 14.4% and 7.8% of the sample, respectively. Participants with tertiary education, those who had sex exclusively with men, those taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (ie, HIV-negative participants), HIV-positive participants and individuals living in the Greater Paris region, were all less likely to be uninformed hesitant endorsers or indifferent objectors. Participants with no lifetime HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and those with infrequent screening were, respectively, more likely to belong to these two profiles.ConclusionsParticipants’ acceptability of the information and prevention measures implemented during the 2022 Mpox outbreak in France depended on the perceived capability of public health authorities to effectively diversify information targets, representations and communication channels. In order to prevent the transmission of Mpox (and other STIs) in the general population in future outbreaks, information and measures adopted must take into account the needs, perceptions and experiences of persons never or not regularly screened for HIV/STIs.

This study aims to analyze the application of the scaffolding method in improving the understanding and practice of commendable moral material towards oneself in grade IX students at MTs SA Tanjung Kemuning. The scaffolding method is applied by providing gradual guidance that is adjusted to the needs of students until they are able to understand and apply commendable moral values ​​independently. This research approach uses a qualitative method with observation, interview, and documentation techniques. The subjects of the study were 30 grade IX students of MTs SA Tanjung Kemuning and teachers who teach the subject of aqidah akhlak. The results of the study showed that the scaffolding method was effective in improving students' understanding of the concept of commendable morals towards themselves, as well as encouraging them to apply these values ​​in their daily lives

The dairy industry faces significant challenges in data integration and analysis, which are critical for informed decision-making, operational optimization, and sustainability. Data integration-combining data from diverse sources, such as herd management systems, sensors, and diagnostics-remains difficult due to the lack of standardization, infrastructure barriers, and proprietary concerns. This commentary explores these issues based on insights from a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders, including industry experts, researchers, and practitioners. Key challenges discussed include the absence of a national animal identification system in the US, high IT resource costs, reluctance to share data due to competitive disadvantages, and differences in global data handling practices. Proposed pathways forward include developing comprehensive data integration guidelines, enhancing farmer awareness through training programs, and fostering collaboration across industry, academia, and technology providers. Additional recommendations involve improving data exchange standards, addressing interoperability issues, and leveraging advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Emphasis is placed on localized data integration solutions for farm-level benefits and broader research applications to advance sustainability, traceability, and profitability within the dairy supply chain. These outcomes provide a foundation for achieving streamlined data systems, enabling actionable insights, and fostering innovation in the dairy industry.

Today, thermoablative techniques represent, in accordance with international guidelines, the most used methods in the treatment of varicose veins (Great Saphenous Vein, Small Saphenous Vein, Anterior Accessory Saphenous Vein). In endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) permanent vein occlusion is caused by energy-induced thermal damage of the endothelium, followed by subsequent fibrosis. The main wavelengths used in the field of venous insufficiency are included in the spectrum between 500 nm and 2000 nm. The advantage of the new generation lasers (>1900 nm diode lasers) is that allow to obtain a complete damage to the vein wall using a lower Power Watts (PW) and a lower linear energy density (LEED, J/cm) due to the greater absorption coefficient. Over the years, also different types of laser fibers have been developed to perform laser ablation treatment. Among the different types we can include the following: Bare fibers, Tulip fibers, NeverTouch “jacket” fibers, Mono-Ring fibers, Double Ring fibers and the new Infinite Fibers. Actually, the major varicose tributaries as well as the saphenous veins can be treated by EVLA. In our experience total-EVLA technique has proven to be safe and effective. It can therefore be a weapon to add in the ablative treatment of varicose veins.

Little is known about the adaption of community-based organizations (CBOs) during the COVID-19 crisis. This study aimed to study how HIV CBOs and their community health workers (CHWs) faced the COVID-19 outbreak. Semi-structured interviews (n = 53) were conducted among CHWs in Burundi, Mauritania, and Lebanon in 2021. A thematic content analysis was performed. Results showed that CBOs had succeeded in maintaining HIV services and integrated COVID-19 prevention and awareness in their activities. COVID-19 led to innovation in terms of HIV services (eg, telemedicine and online psychosocial support) and to opportunities to try new modalities of antiretroviral therapy dispensation. Field workers (a specific group among CHWs) were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and showed resilience in their adaptation to ensure the continuity of their activities. Considering the essential role of field workers during the crisis, their status and the sustainability of their activities should be clearly supported by health policies and programs.

A set of semiconductor lasers with different stripe widths is fabricated based on the AlGaInAs/InP heterostructure with an ultra-narrow waveguide. The key characteristics of the lasers (light-current curves (L-I), current-voltage curves (I-V), and spectral and spatial characteristics) are measured, and their dependence on the stripe width is shown. The operating optical power increases from 1.4 W to 4.3 W; however, the lateral brightness decreases from 1.09 W/(mm*mrad) to 0.65 W/(mm*mrad) as the stripe width increases from 20 to 150 μm.