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The article reports on the number of cases of black men who have sex with men (MSM) that have contracted HIV in Jackson, Mississippi from 2006 to 2008. More cases of AIDS were reportedly seen in 2006 in the South as compared to any other U.S. census region. It was reported in November 2007 by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) that there is an increase in the diagnoses of HIV infection among young black MSM.

Background The number of teenagers engaging in sexual intercourse has consistently changed over the past several years. This can become a major challenge when trying to determine why teens continue to have sex. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationship between youth assets and sexual intercourse among 13- to 14-year-olds. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected using in-person at-home interviews from a random sample of inner-city neighbourhood 13- to 14-year-old teenagers ( n = 64 matched pairs; 36% 13-year-olds, 53% female, 45% white, 28% African-American, 16% Hispanic and 11% Native American). Nine individual youth assets were analysed using conditional logistic regression (matching for several demographic variables) to assess the association between assets and abstinence in younger teens. Results Conditional logistic regression analyses showed that two assets, positive Peer Role Models [odds ratios (OR) = 4.67, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.93, 11.27] and Use of Time (Religion) (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.04, 4.65), were significantly related ( P < 0.05) to younger teens never having engaged in sexual activity. Conclusion These findings suggest, when considering abstinence behaviour, involvement in religious activities and having positive peer role models appear to be protective factors related to delaying sexual intercourse among teens aged 13–14 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that thermally stimulated luminescence is an important method for detecting insulating impurity phases that commonly occur in high Tc superconductors. The technique is sensitive to impurity phases at <1% level with a probe depth of ∼ 1 μm, which is the region of interest for many superconductor applications. Samples of Y2O3, Y2BaCuO5, YBa2Cu3O6.2, BaCO3, Ba3CuO4, BaCuO2, and YBa2Cu3Ox (x≊7) were investigated. All but the high quality sintered pellets of YBa2Cu3Ox exhibited relatively intense luminescence. The absence of luminescence, and thus of insulating phases, is correlated with low values of rf surface resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncontact eddy-current techniques for characterizing superconductors between 5 MHz and 1 GHz are described. Both a transmission and a frequency-modulation technique rely on modification of the mutual inductance between a pair of coupled inductors. The sample is placed between the inductive sensors; the magnitude of eddy currents induced in the sample, a function of conductivity, modifies the mutual inductance. The frequency-modulation method (where the sensors are the inductive section of a series-resonant LC circuit in an oscillator) is particularly useful for determining the critical temperature (T[sub c]) and transition width for superconducting samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of oral cancer has evolved throughout the past decades which has led to the introduction of the multi-disciplinary team approach (MDT). The MDT concept has been endorsed as the main approach to ensure holistic care for oral cancer patients worldwide. In Malaysia, the MDT concept has been introduced in few hospitals throughout the country. According to the available literature, the MDT approach has improved coordination of care for oral cancer patients, communication between the different disciplines, decision making to obtain the best treatment plan, provided educational opportunities for development of the members, and improved staff and patient well-being. However, little evidence is available to support the fact that the MDT approach has improved patient survival and outcome. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the MDT approach in the management of oral cancer patients. To our knowledge this is the first study on head and neck MDTs in Malaysia. Methods: The study was conducted at University of Malaya. A mixed-method study was commenced including both quantitative and qualitative designs. The quantitative part assessed the MDT members' attitude toward the role and use of the MDT approach in oral cancer patient management, while the qualitative part assessed the perception of the MDT members regarding the MDT approach in terms of: team structure, team process, decision making, barriers and suggestions for improvement of the MDT approach. The quantitative study was conducted through a structured self-administered questionnaire which were both content and face validated, and distributed to the members of the head and neck MDT. The qualitative study was commenced through two focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted separately. Results: The study was conducted among the head and neck MDT members at University Malaya which received a 100% response rate. The majority of the MDT members showed positive attitudes toward the MDT approach, with the seniors being more positive than the juniors. The MDT approach has improved team dynamics in terms of communication, care coordination and decision making. However, there were a few issues of miscommunication as well as long waiting lists for oncological radiotherapy machines and radiologic scanning. Conclusion: The MDT approach is certainly the preferable mode of care for oral cancer patients in University of Malaya. However, there is a need for further improvement with regards to communication between the team members, expansion of the current team composition, training of the MDT members with regards to clinical and nonclinical skills, guidelines, protocols and certain facilities. Teamwork is a fundamental perspective which is crucial for an effective MDT. As such, a better understanding of each other's roles and responsibilities within the team is essential to ensure optimum patient care and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the results of a survey which was conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mississippi State Department of Health between January of 2006 and April of 2008. The survey was conducted in an effort to characterize risk behavior and HIV testing behavior among 29 HIV positive black men who had sex with men in Jackson, Mississippi. The survey found that during the 12 months before receiving their HIV infection diagnosis, 69% of the men had unprotected anal intercourse, but only 10% thought that they were likely or very likely to acquire HIV infections in their lifetime.