Adapting an Evidence-Based Intervention Targeting HIV-Infected Prisoners in Malaysia

HIV-infected prisoners in Malaysia represent a critical target population for secondary HIV risk reduction interventions and care. We report on the process and outcome of our formative research aimed at systematically selecting and adapting an EBI designed to reduce secondary HIV risk and improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among soon-to-be-released HIV-infected prisoners. Our formative work involved a critical examination of established EBIs and associated published reports complemented by data elicited through structured interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders, members of the target population, and their family members. Based on all information, we adapted the Holistic Health Recovery Program targeting people living with HIV (HHRP+), an EBI, to consist of eight 2-hour sessions that cover a range of specified topics so that participants may individually apply intervention content as needed to accommodate their particular substance abuse, HIV risk, and antiretroviral adherence issues. This study provides a complete example of the process of selecting and adapting an EBI—taking into account both empirical evidence and input from target organization stakeholders and target population members and their families—for use in real world prison settings where high-risk populations are concentrated

The role of bromine in restoring superconductivity in YBa2Cu3Oy and weak link studies in YBa2Cu3Oy films

Studies of structures and materials used for the creation of weak links in the high temperature superconductor \rm YBa\sb2Cu\sb3O\sb{y} (YBCO) have led to the study of bromination of deoxygenated YBCO. The question of the location of the bromine after the deoxygenated superconductor has been brominated and its role in the restoration of superconductivity in the resulting material has been addressed.^ \sp{63,65}Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance and Br K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure are used to study the local structures of Cu and Br in \rm YBa\sb2Cu\sb3O\sb{y} which is almost fully oxygenated (y $\approx$ 6.9), deoxygenated \rm YBa\sb2Cu\sb3O\sb{y} ($\rm6 \leq y \leq 6.7$), and deoxygenated and brominated \rm YBa\sb2Cu\sb3O\sb{y}Br\sb{x}. The results answer the unresolved question of how Br restores superconductivity in deoxygenated YBCO. On the basis of the Cu nuclear quadrupole resonance experiments, it is concluded that the bromine does not occur as a substitutional or interstitial atom in the YBCO, but that nearly fully oxygenated YBCO is present after deoxygenation and bromination. The Br K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure data provides compelling evidence for the formation of nanoscale BaBr\sb2 precipitates resulting from local destruction of the YBCO phase. Combined with the nuclear quadrupole resonance results, this indicates that through this nanoscale decomposition reaction, oxygen is liberated which goes into the nearby chain sites of locally undecomposed YBCO, thus restoring superconductivity.