A ship-based methodology for high precision atmospheric oxygen measurements and its application in the Southern Ocean region

A method for achieving continuous high precision measurements of atmospheric O-2 is presented based on a commercially available fuel-cell instrument, (Sable Systems, Oxzilla FC-II) with a precision of 7 per meg (approximately equivalent to 1.2 ppm) for a 6-min measurement. The Oxzilla was deployed on two voyages in the Western Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean, in February 2003 and in April 2004, making these the second set of continuous O-2 measurements ever made from a ship. The results show significant temporal variation in O-2, in the order of +/- 10 per meg over 6-hourly time intervals, and substantial spatial variation. Data from both voyages show an O-2 maximum centred on 50 degrees S, which is most likely to be the result of biologically driven O-2 outgassing in the region of subtropical convergence around New Zealand, and a decreasing O-2 trend towards Antarctica. O-2 from the ship-based measurements is elevated compared with measurements from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography flask-sampling network, and the O-2 maximum is also not captured in the network observations. This preliminary study shows that ship-based continuous measurements are a valuable addition to current fixed site sampling programmes for the understanding of ocean-atmosphere O-2 exchange processes. [References: 39

The Long and Winding Road: Archiving and Re-Using Qualitative Data from 12 Research Projects Spanning 16 Years

We describe a pilot project designed to assess the feasibility of re-use across 12 diverse qualitative datasets related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the UK, from research projects undertaken between 1997 and 2013 – an approach which is chronically underused. First, we consider the sweeping biomedical changes and imperatives relating to HIV in this time frame, offering a rationale for data re-use at this point in the epidemic. We then reflexively situate the processes and procedures we devised for this study with reference to relevant methodological literature. Hammersley’s and Leonelli’s contributions have been particularly instructive through this process, and following their lead, we conclude with further considerations for those undertaking qualitative data re-use, reflecting on the extent to which qualitative data re-use as a practice requires attention to both the given and the constructed aspects of data when assembled as evidence

Grevious harm: Use of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 for sexual transmission of HIV

No abstract available

The growing challenge: a strategic review of HIV social care, support and information services across the UK

No abstract available

Transactional Sex: Supply and Demand Among European Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) in the Context of Local Laws.

Objectives: Transactional sex (TS) is generally defined as the trading of sex for material goods. Cast within the broader context of prostitution laws, we examined variations in the sociodemographic profile of men who have sex with men engaging in TS by payment direction (buying/selling). Methods: The data were collected as part of the 38-country European Men who have sex with men Internet Survey project, conducted in 2010. Results: About 12% of respondents reported engaging in TS in the past year. TS was associated with laws, age, education, employment, and residence. Conclusions: The striking sociodemographic differences in TS by payment direction suggest a power differential and a leading role of socioeconomic factors in TS

Keeping Confidence: Responsibility and public health

Keeping Confidence: HIV and the criminal law from service provider perspectives Duration: June 2012 - March 2013 The Monument Trust generously funded Sigma Research at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Birkbeck College to undertake a qualitative study on perceptions of criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission among HIV service providers. Five short reports outlining the key findings of the study focus on the main themes arising from our analysis of the focus group discussions. The findings and associated policy and practice recommendations will be of interest to: those who provide HIV health and social care and their professional bodies (for instance NHIVNA, CHIVA, BHIVA, BASHH, SSHA, BPS), police and others who play a role in criminal investigations and trials, and people with diagnosed HIV

The Relationship of Internalized Homonegativity to Sexual Health and Well-Being Among Men in 38 European Countries Who Have Sex With Men.

The objective of this article is to examine internalized homonegativity (IH) in relation to aspects of well-being and several measures of clinical importance among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in 38 countries. The data were collected as part of the EMIS project. The multivariable regression analysis identified independent associations with IH for nongay identity, younger age, being closeted, limited gay social affiliation, and sexual unhappiness. IH was also positively associated with loneliness, inability to decline unwanted sex, and being less knowledgeable about HIV and HIV testing. These results provide evidence that homonegative internalization merits consideration as a predisposing factor in several aspects of ill health. There are also several clinical implications of this project, including: (1) Treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons should address gay self-acceptance, as internalized homonegativity seems to be a predisposing factor in several aspects of ill health among this population, and (2) therapy that is used to help LGB persons accept and integrate a gay or lesbian identity seems particularly important for younger, nongay identified persons

Keeping Confidence: Understanding the Law

Keeping Confidence: HIV and the criminal law from service provider perspectives Duration: June 2012 - March 2013 The Monument Trust generously funded Sigma Research at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Birkbeck College to undertake a qualitative study on perceptions of criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission among HIV service providers. Five short reports outlining the key findings of the study focus on the main themes arising from our analysis of the focus group discussions. The findings and associated policy and practice recommendations will be of interest to: those who provide HIV health and social care and their professional bodies (for instance NHIVNA, CHIVA, BHIVA, BASHH, SSHA, BPS), police and others who play a role in criminal investigations and trials, and people with diagnosed HIV