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Research Identifies Blind Spots That Affect Quality of Life Among People with HIV in Singapore

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Dedicated mobile app to encourage proactive management of physical health, mental well-being and chronic disease

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With the advancements in medical sciences, there is now very little difference between the life expectancy of people with HIV (PWH) and the general population. The increase in life expectancy has raised interest and discussion regarding the quality of life of PWH and the management of chronic diseases. Gilead Sciences, with the support of a number of Singapore and Hong Kong community-based organizations, conducted research on PWH’s perceptions of health management and quality of life. The research identified three blind spots that affect the quality of life among PWH to improve their overall health, including 1) most PWH prioritize short-term physical health over mental and psychosocial health, 2) PWH have low awareness of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and other conditions, 3) PWH are relatively passive when communicating with healthcare professionals. These blind spots could lead to negative impacts on the overall HIV treatment outcomes, affecting the physical and mental health of PWH.

While the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets (which call for 95% of PWH to know their HIV status, 95% of PWH to be on antiretroviral therapy, and 95% PWH on antiretroviral therapy to have suppressed viral loads [see note]) aim to end AIDS as a public health threat, experts have also proposed the fourth ’90’ which brings attention to PWH’s long-term health management and quality of life[2,3]. In light of this, Gilead Sciences’ in-depth qualitative research was conducted between February and May 2022 in Singapore and Hong Kong. In Singapore, a total of 30 respondents who were receiving HIV treatment and have an undetectable HIV viral load, were interviewed.

The three key blind spots that affect the quality of life among PWH in Singapore, include:

1)  PWH prioritize short-term physical health over mental and psychosocial health
Consultation sessions between PWH in Singapore and their healthcare professionals center mainly around behaviors that will impact short-term health issues due to HIV, and few recognize that mental stressors such as external stigma and social anxiety can impact their immediate well-being. Notably, when being asked about the top five most important well-being indicators, the PWH interviewed ranked, in sequence, is 1) impact of symptoms and side effects of drugs, followed by 2) mood, 3) sleep, 4) body changes, and 5) energy, and agree that their mood impacts their social motivation and daily functioning. Even so, Singaporean patients highlighted that physicians placed the greatest emphasis on physical health and were less likely to focus on mental and social health in their discussions with patients.

2)  PWH have limited awareness of the appropriate care strategies on HIV-related comorbidities such as cardiovascular and other conditions
While PWH are aware of the importance of achieving holistic well-being by adopting healthier lifestyles, they generally have limited awareness of comorbidities risk associated with HIV, such as cardiovascular and other conditions. Inadequate communication between PWH and healthcare professionals can potentially compromise the effective management of their HIV. This is particularly evident when PWH lack awareness of specific symptoms and side effects. For example, some antiretroviral drugs used in HIV treatment may elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and other conditions, thereby affecting the long-term health of PWH[1,2].

3)  PWH were relatively passive during communications with healthcare professionals
Research found that doctors are taking a leading role during consultation sessions, focusing on the physical conditions of the PWH, like viral load control and immune index. PWH are often passive recipients of information from healthcare professionals, and they tend to refrain from asking questions or raising concerns about HIV-related comorbidities, mental health, and psychosocial well-being. This limits communication effectiveness during consultation sessions and as a result, will impact treatment outcomes.

Dedicated mobile app to assist PWH with proactive health management

To order to assist PWH to communicate more effectively with their healthcare professionals, Gilead Sciences has recently launched the My Care Diary educational mobile app for PWH in Singapore. As a trusted source of disease awareness materials for PWH, the app deploys gamification features with animated avatars to increase engagement of interactive educational content which helps them plan conversations with healthcare professionals prior to medical appointments and reinforce the value of self-care and quality of life [see Note 2]. 

“The outlook for PWH has significantly improved and they can lead long and healthy lives. The research findings have demonstrated that more can be done to raise awareness of the long-term quality of life of PWH. Moreover, prioritizing psychosocial health well-being is an important aspect of the overall health management of PWH, as it could impact the treatment outcome, quality of life, and physical well-being,” said Dr. Asok Kurup, Infectious Disease Specialist from Mount Elizabeth.

“Our focus on patient-centricity is key to the delivery of quality care, which we strongly believe unlocks better health outcomes for all. This research helps us to understand PWH’s perception of health management, knowledge about chronic diseases, and the challenges they face so that we can further strengthen patient education through different channels. This not only improves the health management of PWH but also encourages them to play a more proactive role when communicating with healthcare professionals. Through this, PWH will be able to identify the most appropriate care strategies which can improve their physical and psychosocial health ultimately,” said Ms. Christina Yip, Senior Director, Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences.

Mr. Chronos Kwok, Executive Director, Action for AIDS Singapore agreed that “Managing health and overall well-being can be sometimes overwhelming for PWH, especially those newly diagnosed. It is therefore important for community-based organizations to provide resources such as communication tools, and activities that can help foster effective engagement between PWH and their healthcare professionals. This can contribute to enhancing the confidence of PWH, especially on topics around HIV care, mental health, and social support, thus improving their overall quality of life in the long run.”

[Note] UNAIDS released its target of ’90-90-90′ in 2018 and the target was updated to ’95-95-95′ in 2021.

[Note 2] No personal identifiable information will be collected from users to protect the privacy of PWH. All contents on the App are disease awareness materials only and do not constitute medical advice. Users of the App are reminded to seek medical advice from their healthcare professionals.

[1] So-Armah K, et al. Lancet HIV. 2020 Apr;7(4):e279-e293

[2] Islam FM, et al. BMC Public Health. 2012 Mar 23;12:234.

About Gilead Sciences in HIV

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Gilead is committed to continued scientific innovation to provide solutions for the evolving needs of people affected by HIV around the world. Through partnerships, collaborations and charitable giving, the company also aims to improve education, expand access and address barriers to care, with the goal of ending the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere. Gilead was recognized as the number one philanthropic funder of HIV-related programs in a report released by Funders Concerned About AIDS.

Learn more about Gilead’s unique collaborations worldwide and the work to help end the global HIV epidemic.

Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. 

For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on X (@GileadSciences)  and  LinkedIn or contact Gilead Public Affairs Asia 5 team at mediaasia@gilead.com. 

 

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Driving Certainty Through Uncertainty: eclicktech’s Engineering Approach to Agentic AI

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XI’AN, China, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As generative AI moves from experimentation to enterprise deployment, the industry focus is shifting from model capability to operational reliability. The challenge is no longer simply building smarter AI, but ensuring AI systems can operate safely and consistently inside complex production environments.

eclicktech recently shared its internal engineering practices around Agentic AI, highlighting how the company is applying context engineering, multi-cloud infrastructure, and layered security frameworks to support enterprise-scale AI deployment.

To support global operations across more than 230 countries and regions, eclicktech built its Cycor platform around a multi-cloud architecture integrating AWS, Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, Huawei Cloud, and other providers. According to the company, this approach improves infrastructure flexibility, reduces vendor lock-in risk, and enables more efficient orchestration of large-scale Kubernetes clusters and AI workloads.

eclicktech stated that one of the key lessons from early Agent development was that prompt engineering alone was insufficient for enterprise deployment. The company therefore shifted toward context engineering — an approach focused on delivering the right information, at the right time, while optimizing limited token resources.

Its engineering framework includes six layers of context management covering active sessions, short-term memory, long-term semantic storage, knowledge graphs, operational experience, and reusable organizational skills. The system also supports proactive context injection, allowing relevant operational history and risk information to be surfaced automatically before sensitive actions are executed.

To improve inference efficiency, eclicktech introduced layered token governance and progressive tool-loading mechanisms, dynamically loading tools and information only when required. The company said this approach helped improve tool selection accuracy and reduce unnecessary token consumption during complex operational workflows.

Security remains a core requirement throughout the architecture. eclicktech’s governance framework includes namespace isolation, dry-run verification, human approval workflows, rule-based validation, and rollback mechanisms designed to reduce operational risks associated with AI-driven automation.

According to eclicktech, the next stage of enterprise AI competition will depend not only on model capability, but also on engineering reliability, infrastructure orchestration, context management, and organizational knowledge systems.

Note: Certain technical information referenced in this article is derived from eclicktech’s internal engineering practices and is provided for industry reference purposes only.

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SOURCE eclicktech

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How a Unified Monetization Solution Is Driving eCPM and Revenue Growth for Casual Games Worldwide

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SINGAPORE, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casual, hyper-casual, and hybrid-casual games have become dominant categories in the global mobile market, making in-app advertising (IAA) a key driver of monetization success. However, many developers continue to face major challenges, including unstable fill rates, fluctuating eCPMs, difficulties balancing multiple regional markets, and the ongoing tradeoff between user experience and revenue growth.

To address these issues, zMaticoo has compiled a series of monetization case studies from leading game publishers and studios across China, Vietnam, Europe, and North America. These teams span hyper-casual, puzzle, board, card, and light-casual game categories, with DAUs ranging from millions to tens of millions. By adopting the same monetization framework, they achieved simultaneous growth in fill rate, eCPM, and ad revenue while maintaining stable user experience.

A common challenge among these teams was the shrinking monetization margin across global markets, creating an urgent need for sustainable revenue growth. At the same time, developers were cautious about over-monetization negatively impacting retention and player engagement.

To solve these challenges, zMaticoo introduced an AI-driven monetization system with full-funnel optimization capabilities. The platform connects developers directly to premium global advertiser budgets across both performance and brand advertising. AI models identify high-value traffic in real time based on region, audience, and usage scenarios, prioritizing high-eCPM demand sources. Separate bidding strategies are applied for mature and emerging markets to avoid revenue loss caused by one-size-fits-all pricing models.

The platform also provides refined ad format optimization:

Banner Ads: optimized display share and loading timing to improve SOV and stabilize eCPM;Interstitial Ads: precisely triggered during high-value moments such as level completion or pause screens, with especially strong premiums in emerging markets;Rewarded Video: deeply integrated into gameplay loops, delivering high user acceptance and conversion performance.

On the technical side, zMaticoo optimized SDK infrastructure to improve fill stability under weak network conditions. Ad loading time was reduced from five seconds to under two seconds through a rebuilt loading architecture. Progressive asset loading further minimized timeout-related drop-offs. AI-powered ad templates dynamically generated personalized creatives, improving both CTR and conversion performance.

The zMaticoo team also provides one-stop operational and analytics support. Developers can monitor fill rate, impressions, eCPM, and revenue through a unified dashboard, while dedicated optimization specialists provide 7×12 support for A/B testing, strategy iteration, and scaling guidance. The platform is deeply integrated with major mediation solutions, enabling one-time integration and multi-scenario deployment while reducing development and maintenance costs.

According to zMaticoo platform data:

In mature markets including the United States, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, banner eCPMs increased by 5%–10%, while interstitial premiums improved by over 5%;In emerging markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Southeast Asia, interstitial eCPMs increased by more than 10%.

The monetization framework has demonstrated effectiveness across hyper-casual, puzzle, board/card, and utility app categories, supporting both rapid scale-up and long-term monetization stability.

Partner feedback includes:

“We are highly satisfied with the revenue uplift after integration. Our core products’ banner performance now ranks among the top tier.””Revenue recovered significantly after A/B testing, and we are expanding testing across more products.””One solution now supports multiple global markets without requiring separate monetization strategies for each region.””Interstitial monetization performance has been especially strong, with SOV reaching 10%–20% for several partners.”

zMaticoo believes successful monetization today is not about stacking more ad platforms, but about leveraging AI, technology, and refined operations to unlock long-term traffic value. Whether for hyper-casual publishers, puzzle game studios, or global mobile app companies, this AI-powered monetization framework is designed to deliver sustainable revenue growth while preserving user experience.

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Fox ESS Celebrates Strong Momentum with Integrated Solar Storage & Charging Solutions at Smart Energy 2026

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SYDNEY, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fox ESS, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, attended Smart Energy 2026 during 6-7 May as a platinum sponsor. At the event, Fox ESS showcased its next-generation approach to solar storage and EV charging solution, delivering a seamless, future-ready energy experience for homeowners and installers across Australia.

Integrated Solutions Tailored for Aussie Homes

At Smart Energy 2026, Fox ESS highlighted its storage-to-charging solution, designed to make everyday energy use more convenient for local residents. With performance-led products and proven market traction, Fox ESS is set to play its part in building a more resilient energy future for Australia.

Battery Systems

Fox ESS continues to build momentum in the battery market. Sunwiz, an Australian solar consultancy, recently reported that Fox ESS ranked No.1 in March for installation capacity. And the company also revealed it has installed more than 25,000 systems in April. During the exhibition, Sunwiz presented Fox ESS with an award, recognising the company as Top Solar Company for Fastest Growing Battery.

CQ7 V6+ High Voltage Battery (42kWh and above)
Building on Fox ESS’ proven strengths, compact design and high capacity, CQ7 V6+ is well suited to medium-sized households and ensure the free use of electricity and maximize the self-consumption.EQ4800 High Voltage Battery (28kWh)
A reliable choice for smaller households, designed for efficient day-to-day energy storage.

Alongside its battery range, Fox ESS showcased all-in-one systems, including Stackable AIO and EVO, designed to simplify installation while maintaining a high standard of design and presentation.

Inverters

Fox ESS offers a range of inverters to suit local requirements, supported by up to 200% PV oversizing and a 10-year product warranty.

Single-phase: H1‑G2 (3–6kW); KH series (7–10.5kW)Three-phase: H3 Smart (5–15kW); H3 Pro (15–29.9kW); H3 Plus (50–125kW)

EV Chargers

With EV adoption accelerating, Fox ESS also offers EV charging solutions with solar linkage, designed to work across its inverter portfolio. The chargers provide robust, smart energy management, including dynamic load balancing to help protect home circuits.

A Series (7.3kW / 11kW / 22kW): IP65 and IK08 protection, OCPP-compliant.L Series (7.3kW / 11kW): straightforward installation with multiple colour options.

Big Battery Still Takes Centre Stage

As the Cheaper Home Battery Program moves into a new phase under an updated rebate policy, interest in larger battery systems continues to grow, particularly as more households consider EV upgrades amid rising fuel costs. More EVs typically mean households need greater energy availability, making higher-capacity storage an increasingly attractive option.

Looking ahead, from 1 July 2026, the Australian Government’s Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) will provide eligible households with three hours of free daily electricity to align with peak solar generation. Households with larger batteries will be well placed to make the most of this opportunity.

Fox ESS is also working with local VPP partners, including Amber Electric and Origin Loop VPP, helping homeowners unlock maximum value while supporting greater grid stability.

Maimai Comes Alive at the Exhibition

Visitors to the Fox ESS stand experienced a full programme of brand activations across the event. Following the online announcement, Sydney served as Maimai’s first physical stop, bringing the community together for face-to-face engagement. Attendees queued to take photos with the brand’s friendly and recognisable mascot.

Long-Term Commitment to Australia

Fox ESS has opened two local offices in Melbourne and Sydney, with more than 30 dedicated specialists supporting local customer needs. The company is also looking to play a wider role in Australia’s energy transition.

Notably, Ian Thorpe made his first in-person appearance at Fox Night, where he presented partners with awards. At the event party, Fox ESS also hosted a battery installation challenge, featuring eight rounds of competition, with the final winners receiving a range of prizes.

“We’re delighted to see such a strong result following the rollout of local policy. With nearly 400,000 Australian households now installing batteries, Fox ESS has played a key role, but this is only the beginning. We’re committed to keeping momentum and helping make a smarter, more reliable energy future a reality for more homes.” said Brooks Richard Geng, APAC & Middle East Managing Director, Fox ESS.

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