An accurate and fast behavior modeling procedure is presented for codesign of active optical device with circuitry. The developed method is based upon defining partial elements (PEs) and their measurement-based partial element equivalent circuits (M-PEEC), associating design rules with them, and characterizing them through the use of test structures. The test structures are designed such that they can include only sensitive combinations of predefined building blocks, and they are measured over a wide band of frequencies using network analysis techniques. Measurement-based partial element equivalent circuits of the building blocks are derived from the measured s-parameters of the test structures by nonlinear optimization methods. The method has been experimentally verified using metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors. The method has also been verified with circuits using simulations, with good results obtained.

Since 2007, the number of prevalent HIV cases in the Philippines has been growing exponentially each year. In 2014, 84% of the new cases were attributed to sexual transmission by men who have sex with men (MSM). To provide insight on this rising epidemic, social determinants of HIV infection among MSM were analyzed using a social ecological model, consisting of individual, network, community, and public policy levels. The following determinants were found most relevant to MSM in the Philippines: (1) individual: genital ulcer disease, number of male partners, injection drug use (IDU) and non-IDU substance abuse; (2) network: receptive and unprotected anal sex, and social media usage; (3) community: the lack of access to preventive services, VCT and ART, and stigma; (4) public policy: homophobia, condom availability, and sexual health education. Stigma was found to interact with multiple determinants at every level. Condom use was found to be a key determinant to target for expansion. Using health belief model constructs, barriers to self-efficacious behavior might be identified for future interventions. Lastly, individual, network, and community levels might be the most feasible in HIV prevention for MSM until attitudes toward MSM and condom use change at the societal level.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) initially emerged in the 1980s and ever since, a battle has been underway with regard to understanding some of the root issues attributed to behavior and HIV/AIDS. AIDS is prevalent in the men sleeping with men (MSM) community. There is lack of studies evaluating the quality and quantity of communication between MSM and medical professionals, which can be a catalyst to help reduce HIV/AIDS within this community. The aim of this quantitative study was to evaluate the relationship between quantity and quality of medical professionals' communication and regular HIV screening and testing, as well as modifying high-risk behaviors attributing to HIV/AIDS MSM behaviors, controlled for race/ethnicity, educational level, and income. Universal precautions theory and health belief model were the theoretical framework of this study. A total of 126 MSM were evaluated via survey research. Chi-square analysis revealed that MSM who have ever visited a medical professional about HIV/AIDS were tested in significantly higher frequency compared with those that did not visit medical professional for this reason (51.5% vs. 18.5%, respectively, p < .001). Also, significantly more participants changed their sexual behavior during the last 5 years and considered that the approach of the medical professional contributed in this change, compared with those who changed their sexual behavior but did not consider this approach helpful (73.7% vs. 26.7%, p < .001). This research can provide positive social change to the MSM community as well as medical professionals, by encouraging MSM to seek more information pertaining to safe sexual health practices, prevention, and awareness.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infections among African American men who have sex with men (MSM) is alarming. There has been a challenge in reducing HIV/AIDS among the African American MSM population due to internal and external factors that affect their decision making. The theory of social support and reasoned action were applied to gain knowledge on the lived experiences and perceptions of African American MSM as related to social support and seeking health care, which can help fight the heavy impact HIV/AIDS has placed on this population. Data was collected from 14 African American men who openly identified as MSM. Following the in-depth face-to-face interviews, themes were developed using Miles and Huberman's 6-step analytical process to gather a better understanding from this population's perspective. The participants' responses yielded that, although they felt support should come from family, most judgement came daily from family. Participants indicated that judgement tended to cause them to shy away and hide their sexuality from family and turn to people who were more like themselves whom they could trust. Social support has an impact on positive behaviors and choices as related to health among the African American MSM population. Social support can encourage regular testing among this population as well as provide comfort in discussing risky behaviors to ones' health. Knowing ones' health status helps promote HIV/AIDS awareness which helps decrease the prevalence of HIV/AIDS within the African American MSM population as a whole.

By the age of 35, Black Men who have Sex with Men (MSM’s) have a one in two chance of HIV infection. Black MSM’s, which represent less than one percent of the US population, is home to nearly a quarter of existing HIV cases, AIDS deaths as well as new HIV diagnosis. As early as 1987 studies were published revealing a paradoxical reality, that although Black MSM’s had no significant difference in risk behavior, there is a much larger HIV Prevalence among this group as nearly one in three Black MSM’s are HIV positive. Consistently and repeatedly, studies have shown Black MSM’s have fewer sexual partners than their White counterparts, and fewer occurrences of unprotected anal intercourse, yet significantly higher rates of HIV Incidence. The theoretical basis for this analysis is the concept Intersectionality, originated by Kimberlé Crenshaw, which states that cohorts comprised of multiple statuses of historic discrimination are qualitatively different from individual cohorts of component status. This qualitative difference requires the analysis of the composite cohort as an independent and unique entity as opposed to only looking at the components that it is made of. Therefore, Black MSM’s are a unique group and cannot be fully understood by looking at Black Men or MSM separately. This is particularly applicable for Black MSM’s because of the: history of oppression as Black Men, history of marginalization as MSM, isolation of Blacks within MSM community, isolation of MSM within the Black community and the history of HIV among Black MSM’s which dates back at least to 1969 (predating the publicly acknowledged epidemic in the White MSM community by 12 years) . This traditional policy analysis evaluated the 2010 National HIV/AIDS Strategy for its effectiveness in addressing HIV/AIDS among Black MSM’s. To accomplish this, a convergence of evidence approach was implemented, utilizing a key document review, qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, as well as quantitative surveys of 300 Black MSM’s. These methods were then applied to each of the four stages of Policy Analysis: agenda setting, formulation, implementation and evaluation. This analysis revealed a landmark policy that has comprehensively improved the Federal response to HIV in the US. Innovations developed and instituted because of this policy included the Community Listening Sessions of the formulation stage, and even more importantly the new metrics that better equip agencies to understand the nature of the epidemic. Further, the results of this study were compared with the August 2014 Kaiser Family Foundation study, which produced a nationally representative survey of Gay and Bisexual men (sampling error ±7%). The findings of this study paralleled and/or magnified those of Kaiser in several key areas. Kaiser found that Men of Color were more likely to know someone with HIV/AIDS and those that do are more likely to say it is a significant personal issue. The results of this study of Black MSM’s expose a sample where 97% knew someone who has/had HIV/AIDS and almost all considered this to be a significant personal issue. Both studies also confirmed the continuing presence of stigma and perceived discrimination by the general public. In both studies, evidence also indicates the opportunity for increasing frequency of HIV testing and the widespread lack of knowledge of PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). Several key recommendations should also be taken from this analysis to improve the policy moving forward. The first is that Black MSM’s should be an independent category for policy targeting. The next is that as Black MSM’s are the only group that is at high risk of infection and also makes up a large portion of the disease, Black MSM’s are a significant hotspot that should be a primary focus of the intervention. Finally, the greatest advances in fighting HIV have come through biomedical progress. Therefore, educating and implementing biomedical innovations such as PrEP should compliment behavioral change as intervention objectives. / 1 / Paul T. Winfield

Magnetische Formgedächtnislegierungen (MSM-Legierungen) weisen im Vergleich zu anderen Festkörperwandlern und konventionellen elektromagnetischen Wandlerprinzipien unikale Kopplungseigenschaften auf. Dies motiviert ihre Anwendung in kompakten und schnellschaltenden Antrieben. Aufgrund der Kompliziertheit ihres Kopplungsverhaltens ist jedoch ein modellbasierter Entwurf unumgänglich. Die vorliegende Arbeit widmet sich der Beschreibung einer Unterklasse von MSM-Antrieben mit eisenbehafteten Magnetkreisen und engen Luftspalten durch eine Kombination von Messung und Modell. Ziel ist dabei die Beantwortung anwendungsrelevanter Fragestellungen im Antriebsentwurf. Die Grundlage dafür bildet die heuristische Definition eines auf verallgemeinerten Kirchhoffschen Netzwerken (Netzwerkmodellen) basierenden Ersatzmodells des MSM-Elements samt umgebendem Luftspalt. Die das Verhalten des Ersatzmodells beschreibenden magnetischen Größen werden durch ein neuartiges und im Rahmen der Arbeit entwickeltes Messverfahren ermittelt. Ein Prüfstand setzt dieses Messverfahren um und ermöglicht eine simultane magnetische und magnetomechanische Charakterisierung von MSM-Elementen unter Kraft- oder Wegvorgabe. Eine empirische Validierung der gemessenen Zusammenhänge, auch anhand thermodynamischer Gesichtspunkte, weist die Plausibilität der das Ersatzmodell beschreibenden Zusammenhänge nach. Diese Ergebnisse motivieren die Entwicklung eines Netzwerkmodells, das die hysteresebehaftete magnetomechanische Kopplung innerhalb des Ersatzmodells thermodynamisch korrekt berücksichtigt. Mithilfe des Modells gelingt es, das experimentell bestimmte integrale magnetomechanische Verhalten des MSM-Elements samt umgebendem Luftspalt in wesentlichen Aspekten vorherzusagen. / Magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloys are considered promising active materials for compact electromagnetic drives due to their strong magneto-mechanical coupling. However, the latter is associated with a strong nonlinearity and a distinct hysteresis making a model-based design indispensable. The present work describes the behavior of a subclass of MSM drives with iron-core and small air gaps by means of a combination of model and experiment. Heuristically, an equivalent lumped-element model considering the MSM element and the surrounding air gap is proposed. An associated novel magnetic measurement procedure determines the quantities describing the behavior of this equivalent model. A test setup implements the measurement procedure and allows for a simultaneous magnetic and magneto-mechanical characterization either under constant load or under constant displacement. An empiric validation, also with regard to thermodynamic aspects, indicates the plausibility of the collected data describing the simplified equivalent model. These results motivate the development of a novel lumped-element model considering the hysteretic magneto-mechanical coupling of the equivalent model in a thermodynamically consistent way. Its validation by means of various magneto-mechanical experiments shows that the model is able to predict the essential magnetic and magneto-mechanical behavior of the MSM element and the surrounding air gap with sufficient accuracy, making it appropriate for system design.

ABSTRACT In the HIV/AIDS literature, a perspective that has not received a great amount of attention concerning blood donation per se and the duties and obligations of Blood Transfusion Services (BTS)i when held to the question of fairness raised by socially marginalised persons (or groups) who altruistically wish to donate blood in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is addressed in this research report. The represented marginalised group I use is Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)ii Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly called AIDS first came to the attention of the public in the 1980s. From an unknown unnamed emerging infectious diseaseiii ,it has grown into a pandemic familiar to all. Primarily transmitted either sexually or via contaminated needles, the HIV infected individual is initially an asymptomatic carrier. Once an individual Once an individual is infected with the virus, he or she can pass it on to others by way of body fluids, e.g. blood and semen. HIV, whether treated or not, will eventually develop into AIDS for which there is currently no known cure. AIDS is uniformly mortal. i In this research report, I will refer to the industry as “Blood Transfusion Services” although in some countries it is referred to as “Blood Bank Services” ii Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) according to the London-based PANOS Institute include men who have sex with both men and women, men who have sex with only other men, men who have sex with boys and men, male sex workers and their clients, male transvestites and transsexuals, male street children and men in prison (McKenna 1999:1) iii As defined by Lashley, F, (2006) Emerging Infectious Diseases are ‘diseases of infectious origin whose incidence in humans has increased within the past two decades or threatens to increase in the near future’ The media abounds with literature concerning HIV/AIDS looking at it from various perspectives. iv Moreover, and correctly, in South Africa we are knowledgeable that what once was considered as a threat only to homosexualsv or IV drug users – individuals marginalised by their nonconformance to society’s norms – is now epidemiologically a disease spread in our society primarily by non-drug using heterosexuals. The tension between promoting the public good in the face of an pandemic while simultaneously protecting against unjust discrimination against individuals or groups represents an ethical dilemma faced by all public health organisations including BTS. Principally contextualised in iv e.g. clinical research in, guidelines pertaining to, ethical issues about, legal precedents concerning, duties of medial personnel towards, epidemiological analysis, psychological monitoring …and so on. v At the end of the 19th century, homosexuality was profiled as a mental illness by the German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing in his reference book Psychopathis Sexualis.v In the absence of scientific evidence to prove otherwise, this view became widely accepted . Eventually, many different societies perceived homosexuals including MSM as unstable and this reinforced discriminatory practices against them. v Even today, the harmful consequences of homophobia impact on MSM in many different ways. Meyers describes three negative conditions or practices common to the experience of MSM. They are: the internalisation of homophobia to the extent that they accept rejection from society; the experience of social stigmatisation; and overt discrimination and violence.v From some religious aspects, homosexuality is considered a “sin against nature” and is often seen as a link to AIDS, which is again seen as God’s punishment for a “life against nature”.v The Koran suggests punishment for those involved in homosexual acts on the basis of harm to society, and Sharia law admits no tolerance towards homosexuality.v. Predominantly Catholic Latin American countries enforce socio-cultural and legal restrictions to prohibit homosexuality. (Mckenna 1999:11) From Buddhist perspective, homosexuals are not permitted to become a monk and to practice through monk-hood the ultimate goal of attaining the highest level of enlightenment (Nirvana) (Ven Chanmyay Sayadaw Janakabhivamsa 1997:9 ). However, they are as equal as are others when following the paths taken that may lead them to attain Nirvana (Personal communication with Ven Ashin Manijoti, Theravada Buddhist Dhammodaya Monastery, Pietermaritzburg). the milieu of South Africa but practiced globally, the responsibility of BTS’s may broadly be grouped into two areas: 1) the provision of blood & its products to a given population based upon their estimated need; and 2) the assurance of blood and blood-product safety. While these may be considered only technical issues, they are not so clear-cut. Rather, they include conflicts of values and social-political agendas. Historically, BTSs have used discriminatory practices to exclude certain groups from blood donation. Independent of country or nation and in spite of advancements in blood screening science, the existent social-political order has influence on the policies and practices of BTSs such as the separation of groups into “high-risk” and ”low risk” blood donor categories. On the surface, such separations may appear to be straightforward scientific and prudential public health policy. However, when one considers the most common manner of HIV transmission - as occurring during intimate sexual acts which take place within society’s emphasis on private and individual rights but when such acts are considered by society to be ‘deviant ‘ - one might ask how the terms high- and low- risk are influenced by societal perceptions of the group in question. In other words, I suggest that societal (including political, religious, and economic) perceptions of a marginalised group’s private sexual acts influence public health policy; private acts have social consequences. Weighing the pros and cons of ethical arguments, this research report concludes that because of advanced blood transfusion science, it is morally justifiable to accept blood from all altruistic competent adult individuals volunteering to donate. Moreover, in this regard, it is the duty of BTS to safeguard the national blood supply by means other than excluding marginalised groups. To do otherwise is ethically unwarranted and constitutes unfair discrimination. In addition, through identifying that the act of blood donation is based on altruism or the “gift relationship,” the exclusion of marginalised groups from altruistic blood donation, serves only to further excludes them from an act, which is in essence humanitybinding. That being said, to achieve this end, all altruistic competent adults who wish to donate blood are obliged to understand the purpose, nature, and duties BTS’s have and adopt a renewed sense of social responsibility broadening our vision of the public good..

INTRODUCTION: HIV disproportionately affects African Americans, Latinos, and gay and bisexual men of all racial and ethnicity groups. People living with HIV/AIDS experience stigma related to their disease. HIV/AIDS stigma can have detrimental effects on HIV prevention, testing and treatment. Entertainment-education is a health communication strategy that can be used to influence behavioral and social change in the population. AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a Motion Comic intervention, an EE strategy, can decrease H/A stigma in a sample of MSM adolescents aged 15-24. METHODS: Participants were recruited from GA, FL, NY and CA using convenience sampling. A sample of MSM adolescents aged 15-24 (n=24) was used for this study. The study design is a one-group pretest-posttest intervention. Participants were shown the Motion Comic episodes. Participants completed pre- and post-viewing surveys to assess HIV/AIDS stigma. A summed variable was used as the outcome for total HIV/AIDS stigma. A paired samples t-test was used to measure a statistically significant difference in HIV/AIDS stigma from pretest to posttest. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in HIV stigma from pre-viewing survey (M = 9.87, SD = 3.49) to post-viewing survey (M = 8.65, SD = 2.48), t (22) = 2.01, p < .0285 (one-tailed). The mean decrease in HIV stigma scores was 1.22 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.177 to 2.248. The eta squared statistic (.16) indicated a large effect size. DISCUSSION: Results from this study show that viewing the Motion Comic may reduce HIV/AIDS stigma related to casual transmission of HIV and values, such as blame, shame and judgment, in MSM adolescents.

As the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States nears the end of its third decade, stakeholders have begun to sift through the previous experiences in prevention in order to assess progress as well as plan the next steps in this fight. The purpose of this study is aimed at understanding the factors which may affect unprotected intercourse. It is hypothesized that for men who have sex with men (MSM) there is an association between having a discussion about their HIV status and high-risk sexual behaviors. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) System. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the degree of association of the dependent variables; unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) with a main partner, URAI with a non-main partner, unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI) with a main partner and UIAI with a non-main partner, with the independent variables of discussion of HIV status, age, race, educational attainment, number of partners and HIV status. When assessing the association between the discussion of HIV status with both URAI and UAIA it was found that discussion of HIV status was a non-significant factor. Despite the non-significant findings in relations to the hypotheses, being Black was found to be a significant predictor of URAI and UAIA with main partners in the logistic regression models. Having a positive serostatus and having 5 or more sexual partners proved to be significant risk factors for URAI and UIAI with a non-main partner, while being Black was found to be a protective factor.

I interviewed 60 rural, white, straight-identified men who have sex with men (MSM). I did so to answer three main research questions: How do rural, white, straight MSM understand their gender and sexual identity? How do their experiences with sexual flexibility relate to the ways in which they understand their gender and sexual identity? How do whiteness and rurality shape how they understand their gender and sexual identity? While participants shared a diversity of experiences, all aligned themselves with straight culture. Participants had varying levels of attractions to women and different sexual histories, but all identified as straight. Sexual identities are not simply descriptors for sexual orientation. They also indicate feelings of belonging in certain communities and cultures, and not belonging in others. My research shows that rural straight MSM are not closeted gay or bisexual men. They are straight men who occasionally enjoy sex with other men. Their narratives, I argue, highlight the difference between sexual orientation, sexual identity, and sexual culture. The ways participants had sex with other men—what I call bud-sex—both reinforced and reflected their alignment with straight culture. Enjoyment of straight culture, I argue, is the main reason the men I interviewed in this study identified as straight. None of them considered sex with men an important aspect of their identity. “Straight” was an identity that encompassed participants’ alignment with mainstream heterosexual institutions, such as marriage, and straight communities, to which they and most people they knew belonged. Collectively, these institutions and communities comprise straight culture. Participants considered straightness an identity, a way of life, and/or a community. Having sex with men was largely irrelevant to their sexual identity and how they understood their masculinity. Talking to them highlights how straightness is cultivated in a variety of institutions and contexts, and in numerous ways. Because participants grew up in and/or lived in white-majority rural areas, the rural straight culture to which they felt connected was by definition white. Their enjoyment of straight culture—and the institutions, communities, and ways of life attached to it—was central to their identification as straight and masculine. / 2021-01-11