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HIV transmission is increased during acute and early HIV (AEH). Rapid antiretroviral therapy may shorten the duration of infectivity. We show rapid antiretroviral therapy in AEH is acceptable and effective, with 69.0% of participants starting ART within 7 days of HIV diagnosis disclosure, and 88.1% achieving suppression by 48 weeks.

Biometric registration may improve services associated with HIV research. A cross-sectional, observational survey was used to evaluate biometric fingerprint scanning for identification (ID) verification in the setting of an HIV prevention study. Survey outcomes were dichotomized (discouraged or not discouraged) by biometric scanning and statistical analyses were used to determine if participation decreased by greater than 10% overall and after stratifying by demographic variables and risk behaviors. 206 participants were recruited from a community-based HIV and sexual health research screening program. Participants completed a quantitative survey to assess their perceptions of biometric scanning for ID verification. The majority of participants (n = 160; 77.7%) indicated no deterrence from testing due to biometric scanning, yet a significant number (n = 45; 23.3%, P

Growing evidence supports the use of reflective writing activities centered around the human cadaveric dissection experience to support and assess elements of medical student wellness. Dissection may promote personal and professional development, increase resilience, and foster a sense of connection and community. This study employed a qualitative analysis of a reflective writing exercise to explore the question: "What is the impact of the cadaveric dissection anatomy experience on the personal and professional development of medical students?" This cross-sectional study was conducted at the conclusion of the first-year anatomy module. A total of 117 United States allopathic medical students were given a questionnaire designed to elicit the students' experiences and introspection. The exercise included four reflective questions that were provided to 20 groups of six students. Grounded theory analysis was used to explore themes that arose in students' responses. Participants exhibited several common reactions to cadaveric dissection. After analyzing all responses, 266 unique open codes were identified for all four questions. These open codes were sorted into ten distinct axial codes, which are broader categorical themes of open codes. The aims of our study were to identify themes that emerged as students reflected on the impact of their dissection experience using reflective writing as a tool to capture these themes and to gather information to inform pedagogical methodologies. The researchers observed that the educational effects of dissection captured in the reflective writing resembled those found in other areas of medical education that emphasize professional identity formation and important humanistic qualities.

Estradiol (E2) action in the nervous system is the result of both direct nuclear and membrane-initiated signaling (EMS). E2 regulates membrane estrogen receptor-α (ERα) levels through opposing mechanisms of EMS-mediated trafficking and internalization. While ß-arrestin-mediated mERα internalization has been described in the cortex, a role of ß-arrestin in EMS, which underlies multiple physiological processes, remains undefined. In the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH), membrane-initiated E2 signaling modulates lordosis behavior, a measure of female sexually receptivity. To better understand EMS and regulation of ERα membrane levels, we examined the role of ß-arrestin, a molecule associated with internalization following agonist stimulation. In the present study, we used an immortalized neuronal cell line derived from embryonic hypothalamic neurons, the N-38 line, to examine whether ß-arrestins mediate internalization of mERα. β-arrestin-1 (Arrb1) was found in the ARH and in N-38 neurons. In vitro, E2 increased trafficking and internalization of full-length ERα and ERαΔ4, an alternatively spliced isoform of ERα, which predominates in the membrane. Treatment with E2 also increased phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in N-38 neurons. Arrb1 siRNA knockdown prevented E2-induced ERαΔ4 internalization and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In vivo, microinfusions of Arrb1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) into female rat ARH knocked down Arrb1 and prevented estradiol benzoate-induced lordosis behavior compared with nonsense scrambled ODN (lordosis quotient: 3 ± 2.1 vs. 85.0 ± 6.0; p < 0.0001). These results indicate a role for Arrb1 in both EMS and internalization of mERα, which are required for the E2-induction of female sexual receptivity.

Prior research using a 167-item measure of career indecision (Career Indecision Profile-167 [CIP-167]) has suggested that career choice difficulties may be associated with four major sources of career indecision: neuroticism/negative affectivity, choice/commitment anxiety, lack of readiness, and interpersonal conflicts. The purpose of this study was to develop a shorter and more efficient measure of these four major sources of indecision for future use in research and counseling. The development of the measure (CIP-65) is described and the results of a confirmatory factor analytic study of its structure are presented along with initial reliability and validity data. We conclude by discussing implications for future research on the CIP-65 and its potential use in counseling individuals with choice-making difficulties. (Contains 3 tables.)

Two studies were designed to explore whether a meta-analytically derived four-factor model of career indecision (Brown & Rector, 2008) could be replicated at the primary and secondary data levels. In the first study, an initial pool of 167 items was written based on 35 different instruments whose scores had loaded saliently on at least one factor in the Brown and Rector meta-analysis. These items were then administered to a sample of undergraduate college students and the resultant inter-item correlation matrix was subjected to principal axis factoring with oblique rotations. A four-factor solution was uncovered that resembled the four-factor meta-analytically derived solution but with a few theoretically and practically interesting exceptions. A second study used two existing correlation matrices derived from Gati and colleagues' cognitive and personality/emotional models of career indecision. Exploratory factor analyses of these matrices revealed that the current four-factor model could, in part, be uncovered from these matrices as well. The theoretical and counseling implications of the results are discussed and future research directions are articulated. (Contains 4 tables.)

Residual stresses play an important role in controlling fracture behavior in ion-exchanged glass. In this work, the internal tensile stress resulting from ion exchange is measured using conventional birefringence methods. By progressively etching thin layers from the glass surface, the compressive stress in the removed layer can then be determined from the change in the compensating internal tensile stress, producing a stress profile as a function of depth. Specimen geometry, surface roughness, and configuration of the optical system are examined in order to improve the accuracy of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment (N = 98) investigated the moderating effect of ingroup identification on reactions to deviant ingroup members. We measured psychology students' level of identification with the group ‘psychologists’ and presented them with information about either a normative or deviant psychologist. Participants completed an ingroup stereotype measure either before or after reading about and evaluating the target psychologist. High identifiers expressed a more positive stereotype of the ingroup after, compared to before, reading about a deviant ingroup member. High identifiers also expressed a more positive stereotype of the ingroup after reading about a deviant than after reading about a normative ingroup member. By contrast, low identifiers' stereotype judgements were relatively unaffected by the target information. The target evaluation ratings indicate that high identifiers were more positive than low identifiers towards the normative ingroup member, but were more negative than low identifiers towards the deviant. The results point to the greater motivational demands on high identifiers to maintain a positive image of the group. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite significant progress in HIV treatment and prevention, the US remains far from its goal of 'Ending the HIV Epidemic' by 2030. Economic models using local data can synthesise the evidence to help policymakers allocate HIV resources efficiently, but persistent research-to-practice gaps remain. Little is known about how to facilitate the use of economic modelling data among local public health policymakers in real-world settings., Aims and Objectives: To explore the dissemination of results from a locally-calibrated economic model for HIV prevention and treatment and identify the factors influencing potential uptake of the model for public health decision making at the local level., Methods: Four virtual focus groups with 26 local health department policymakers in Baltimore, Miami, Seattle, and New York City were held between July 2020 and May 2021. Qualitative content analysis of transcripts identified key themes around using the localised economic model in policy decisions., Results: Participants were interested in using local data in their decisions to allocate resources for HIV prevention/treatment. Six themes emerged: 1) importance of understanding local policy context; 2) health equity considerations; 3) using evidence to support current priorities; 4) difficulty of changing strategies, even incrementally; 5) bang for the incremental buck (efficiency) vs. previous impact; and 6) community values., Conclusion and Relevance: To optimise acceptance and use of results from economic models, researchers should engage with local community members and public health decision makers early to understand budgetary and community priorities. Participants prioritised evidence that supports their existing strategies, considers budgets and funding streams, and improves health equity; however, real-world budget constraints and conflicting interests serve as barriers to implementing model recommendations and reaching national goals., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

The Association of American Medical Colleges declared it essential that medical students receive instruction on the health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI + ) individuals. The integration of LGBTQI + health and instruction in medical curricula, however, is scant. A pre-post confidential survey study was completed by first-year medical students (N = 103; 85% response rate) in the context of classroom instruction. The California State University Northbridge instrument assessed students' perspectives on LGBTQI + Patient-Care, Comfort with LGBTQI + Patient Interactions, Gender and Sexuality, Civil Rights, and LGBTQI + Education. Post-instruction, students reported a significant increase in understanding of bisexuality ( p = .02), being transgender ( p = .006), and LGBTQI + couples' adoption rights ( p = .003). The findings support the incorporation of LGBTQI + instruction into medical curricula and suggest that educators may consider consulting pre-intervention data before teaching LGBTQI + health content, which would allow material to be tailored toward learner-specific needs.