IC 076 Guide to Sigma Xi Records, 1958-1999

The Sigma Xi collection comprises correspondence, newsletters, booklets, reports, manuals, directories, annual reports, meeting notes, bylaws, agendas, mailing list, applications for grants, science fair, awards, and other papers and printed materials from or related to Sigma Xi. See more at IC 076

Sexual health for all 2000: Identifying key obstacles to sexual health for lesbians, gay and bisexual people

Duration: March 2000 - May 2000 This was a short, joint investigation between the National AIDS Trust, The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (formerly Healthy Gay Manchester and Manchester Lesbian & Gay Switchboard) and Sigma Research. It was intended to inform the development of the English National Sexual Health Strategy (prior to its merger with the National HIV Strategy) by the Department of Health. The Department of Health commissioned this research on the sexual health needs of Gay men and Lesbians, and identified access to services and health promotion as two areas of special interest. A survey was developed to elicit the views of Lesbians, Gay men and Bisexuals on what the forthcoming strategy (a) should be trying to achieve and (b) how to achieve it. A short, self-completion questionnaire was used (two sides of a single sheet of A4), with a Freepost return facility. The questions covered: demographics; health concerns; obstacles to sexual health; and experiences of sexual health service. Respondents were recruited from Gay and Lesbian community groups, Lesbian & Gay pubs and bookstores in London and Manchester. Respondents were included if they were 16 years or older and resident in England and either: (i) homosexually active in last five year, and / or (ii) Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual identity. The final sample included 497 women and 417 men. The report to the Department of Health included twenty specific recommendations intended to inform the National Strategy

Keeping Confidence: HIV and the criminal law from service provider perspectives. Executive Summary

Keeping Confidence is a qualitative research study that explores the perceptions of criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission among those providing support, health and social care services for people with HIV. The main findings of the study are described in detail in four focussed reports, listed in the box above. This executive summary gives information about the background and methods of the project, and provides an overview of key themes and findings, concluding with recommendations relevant to those planning and delivering services for people with diagnosed HIV. Catherine Dodds, Matthew Weait, Adam Bourne, Siri Egede, Kathie Jessup and Peter Weatherburn. 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

Formic acid synthesis using CO₂ as raw material: Techno-economic and environmental evaluation and market potential

The future of carbon dioxide utilisation (CDU) processes, depend on (i) the future demand of synthesised products with CO₂, (ii) the availability of captured and anthropogenic CO₂, (iii) the overall CO₂ not emitted because of the use of the CDU process, and (iv) the economics of the plant. The current work analyses the mentioned statements through different technological, economic and environmental key performance indicators to produce formic acid from CO₂, along with their potential use and penetration in the European context. Formic acid is a well-known chemical that has potential as hydrogen carrier and as fuel for fuel cells. This work utilises process flow modelling, with simulations developed in CHEMCAD, to obtain the energy and mass balances, and the purchase equipment cost of the formic acid plant. Through a financial analysis, with the net present value as selected metric, the price of the tonne of formic acid and of CO₂ are varied to make the CDU project financially feasible. According to our research, the process saves CO₂ emissions when compared to its corresponding conventional process, under specific conditions. The success or effectiveness of the CDU process will also depend on other technologies and/or developments, like the availability of renewable electricity and steam

Towards condom skills: a cross-sectional study of the association between condom proficiency, condom problems and STI risk amongst MSM

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Condom use problems are common amongst Scotland’s men who have sex with men (MSM). To date condom errors have been associated with the likelihood of sexually transmitted infections in heterosexual sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic attendees but not in MSM and direct evidence of a link between condom problems and STI acquisition in MSM have been lacking. This study investigated the possibility of an independent association between condom proficiency, condom problems and STI acquisition in MSM in Scotland.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An exploratory observational design employed cross-sectional surveys in both STI clinic and community settings. Respondents completed self-report measures of socio-demographic variables, scales of condom proficiency and condom problems and numbers of different partners with whom men have had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI partners) in the preceding year. Self-report data was corroborated with clinical STI diagnosis where possible. Analysis included chi-squared and Mann–Whitney tests and multiple logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>792 respondents provided data with an overall response rate of 70% (n = 459 clinic sample, n = 333 community sample). Number of UAI partners was the strongest predictor of self-reported STI acquisition over the previous 12 months (p < 0.001 in both clinic and community samples). Demographic characteristics were not associated with self-reported STI diagnosis. However, condom proficiency score was associated with self-reported STI acquisition (p < 0.05 in both samples). Condom problem score was also associated with self-reported STI diagnosis in the clinic (p = 0.001) but not the community sample. Condom problem score remained associated with self-reported STI diagnosis in the clinic sample after adjusting for number of UAI partners with logistic regression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This exploratory study highlights the potential importance of targeted condom use skills interventions amongst MSM. It demands further research examining the utility of condom problem measures in wider populations, across prospective and experimental research designs, and a programme of research exploring their feasibility as a tool determining candidacy for brief interventions.</p

Project Nasah An investigation into the HIV treatment information and other needs of African people with HIV resident in England : original research report

Includes bibliographical referencesSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:m03/17064 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

How to be a healthy homosexual A study of CHAPS HIV health promotion with gay men: original research report

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m01/25319 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Distribution of free condom packs via gay commercial venues in London An evaluation of `Rubberstuffers' pilot scheme

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:98/12971 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Taking heart? The impact of combination therapy on the lives of people with HIV (phase 2)

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/19827 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The impact of combination therapy on the lives of people with HIV

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:99/11712 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo