I will analyze the transcript from the 2000 BPAC meeting on the reevaluation of the MSM deferral policy and will elucidate the role that scientific data, specifically the data associated with NAT, plays in the 2000 deliberations surrounding the MSM deferral. This examination reveals that while scientific data did play a significant role in the decision making process of the BPAC there were also a number of other factors that influenced their deliberations as well. Ultimately what I will argue is that there were two different platforms present in the meeting and that each platform performs and enacts the body and blood of the donor differently. One platform is all about the inclusionary principles of blood donation and is most concerned by the potential for discrimination toward the body of the donor. The other platform is all about risk regulation and economics and is most concerned about how the body and blood of the donor will affect the safety and integrity of the blood supply. These platforms are not perspectival or dependent on view; this is not an epistemological argument but rather, an ontological one that concerns the reality and materiality of the situation, not the perspective. Thinking about these two platforms gives a handle to the nature of this controversy and contextualizes the committee’s decision to continue with the MSM deferral.

In Ghana, prevalence of HIV among MSM is significantly higher than that of the general population. Substance use and transactional sex in the urban settings of Ghana have been identified as risk behaviors that exacerbate chances of transmission for this vulnerable group. This thesis draws upon the findings of two companion studies that were conducted in Kumasi, Ghana by Boston University researchers in 2012. The objectives of the studies were to gain a deeper understanding of the behaviors and attitudes regarding substance use and transactional sex among younger and older MSM in Kumasi, Ghana. In the first study 99 MSM between the ages of 15 to 29 years old participated, of whom 55 attended focus group discussions (FGDs) and 44 participated in in-depth interviews (IDIs). In the second study 44 participants aged 30 years or older participated including 20 in IDIs and 24 in FGDs. Condom use was found to be inconsistent across all ages and most commonly attributed to reduced caution while drinking alcohol. Transactional sex was high among both young and older MSM, but younger MSM were more likely to be on the ‘receiving’ end of the transaction with the older men providing money and gifts. For both groups the internet was identified as a key method to contact prospective sexual partners suggesting the need to include social media in future HIV prevention interventions.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-02T11:33:16Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Andreia Alves de Andrade - 2016.pdf: 1386895 bytes, checksum: 6f80be3c2d79383a9a1b2a10381fbac7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-02T11:36:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Andreia Alves de Andrade - 2016.pdf: 1386895 bytes, checksum: 6f80be3c2d79383a9a1b2a10381fbac7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T11:36:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Andreia Alves de Andrade - 2016.pdf: 1386895 bytes, checksum: 6f80be3c2d79383a9a1b2a10381fbac7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Men who have sex with men (MSM) may be at increased risk of acquiring infections transmitted by parenteral and sexual routes, such as hepatitis C. Despite the relevance of this subject, only one investigation regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in MSM was conducted in Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HCV infection and risk practices among men who have sex with men in the City of Goiânia, Goiás. Cross-sectional study conducted in 522 MSM in Goiania, recruited by respondent-method driven sampling (RDS), from March to November 2014. After signing the informed consent, participants were interviewed about sociodemographic and risk behaviors/practices for HCV infection and then blood samples collected. All samples were subjected to determine the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST) and anti-HCV marker detection. Samples that had high levels of ALT/AST and/or were anti-HCV positive were tested for HCV RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the positive samples were genotyped by a line probe assay (LiPA). Of 522 samples, four were anti-HCV positive and 14 had high levels of ALT/AST. Of these, only two (Y-421/anti-HCV positive and Y-180/anti-HCV negative/elevated ALT and AST) were HCV RNA positive, and then were genotyped by LiPA as genotype 1, subtypes 1a and 1b. Thus, five samples were anti-HCV and/or HCV RNA positive, resulting in an adjusted prevalence of 1.71% (95% CI: 0.32-8.55) for HCV infection among MSM in Goiânia-GO. Despite it is a low prevalence, many risk behaviors/practices were reported by the studied individuals (tattoo/piercing, sharing of personal hygiene tools, illicit drug use, multiple sexual partners in lifetime, sex with more than one partner in the same relationship, sex with a drug user partner, non-use or occasional condom use during anal sex, alcohol/drug use during sex, among others), which may characterize the target population as potentially vulnerable to infectious diseases transmitted by parenteral and sexual routes. / A hepatite C é a causa mais frequente de doença hepática crônica. Homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) podem apresentar risco aumentado em adquirir infecções transmitidas pelas vias parenteral e sexual, como a hepatite C. Apesar da relevância desse tema, apenas uma investigação sobre a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (HCV) foi conduzida no Brasil em HSH. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a prevalência da infecção pelo HCV e práticas de risco em homens que fazem sexo com homens na cidade de Goiânia, Goiás. Estudo de corte transversal conduzido em 522 HSH em Goiânia, recrutados pelo método respondent-driven sampling (RDS), de março a novembro de 2014. Após assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido, os participantes foram entrevistados sobre dados sociodemográficos e comportamentos/práticas de risco para infecção pelo HCV e, em seguida, amostras sanguíneas coletadas. Todas as amostras foram submetidas à dosagem dos níveis de alanina aminotransferase e aspartato aminotransferase (ALT e AST) e à detecção do marcador anti-HCV. As amostras que apresentaram níveis de ALT/AST elevados e/ou anti-HCV positivas foram testadas para detecção do RNA viral pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase pós-transcrição reversa (RT-PCR), sendo as positivas genotipadas pelo line probe assay (LiPA). Das 522 amostras, quatro foram anti-HCV positivas e 14 apresentaram níveis elevados de ALT/AST. Destas, apenas duas (Y-421/anti-HCV positiva e Y-180/anti-HCV negativa/ALT e AST elevadas) foram RNA HCV positivas, sendo genotipadas pelo LiPA como do genótipo 1, subtipos 1a e 1b. Portanto, cinco amostras foram anti-HCV e/ou RNA HCV positivas, resultando em uma prevalência ajustada de 1,71% (IC 95%: 0,32-8,55) para infecção pelo HCV em HSH em Goiânia-GO. Apesar desta prevalência ser baixa, vários comportamentos/práticas de riscos foram relatados pelos individuos estudados (tatuagem/piercing, compartilhamento de objetos cortantes de higiene pessoal, uso de drogas ilícitas, múltiplos parceiros sexuais ao longo da vida, sexo com mais de um parceiro na mesma relação, sexo com parceiro usuário de drogas, não uso/uso ocasional de preservativo no sexo anal, relação sexual sob efeito de álcool/drogas, dentre outros), caracterizando a população-alvo como potencialmente vulnerável às doenças infecciosas transmitidas pelas vias parenteral e/ou sexual.

Män som har sex med män (MSM) har i modern tid alltid sökt sig till specifika platser för att träffa varandra. Teknologins framsteg har gjort det möjligt att nå denna gemenskap genom ens smarttelefon, där den mest populära dejtingappen för MSM är Grindr. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka olika lingvistiska strategier för självrepresentation på appen. Materialet som undersöks är 100 Grindrprofiltexter vilka upphämtats från Uppsala, Mälardalsområdet samt Stockholms innerstad. Dessa har främst analyserats genom en kvalitativ metod med inslag av kvantitativa moment. Resultatet visar att texterna har gemensamma drag vilka identifieras som subjektslösa satser och strukna konditionalsatser, emojis, symbolspråk och engelska. Dessutom visar resultatet att det finns några dominerande språkliga strategier vad gäller självrepresentation, vilka är: platsindikation, personbeskrivning, sökande, avståndstagande samt sex. Dessa sammanfaller till stor del med tidigare studiers resultat. Resultatet visar även att det diskursivt framkommer en idealman, vilken också sammanfaller med tidigare studier om mansnormer.

This thesis has strived to analyze how institutionalized frames may affect how another topic is discussed in a political context. This presented framing strategy is referred to as frame bridging. The aim was to analyze whether the framing of homosexuality in Uganda has affected its HIV policy. It is based on the constructivist understanding of policy as something created in dynamic social processes, which can be strategically framed intentionally or have unintentional consequences. Uganda is a compelling case since its homophobia is institutionalized to a degree that makes it difficult for people in to express gay-positive sentiment. Dynamic frame analysis was chosen as method. The material analyzed consisted primarily of statements from key politicians and official policy documents from the Ugandan government between 2009 and 2017. Firstly, the frames that exist upon homosexuality and HIV in Uganda were distinguished. These frames, illustrated tensions between the West and Africa, conflicting roles on masculinity, HIV as consequence of immoral behavior. Secondly, the frames within HIV policy were scrutinized. These frames outlined HIV as a consequence of promiscuity, as a problem especially to those with ‘risky sexual behavior’ or it failed to at all acknowledge e.g. men having sex with men. This thesis demonstrates that a frame bridging is present although it is not overt but rather implicit. The HIV policy is heteronormative and renders sexual minorities invisible. A possible explanation is that the exclusion of men having sex with men in HIV policy is strategic and due to aid dependency from Western donors. Since actors are confined in their social realities, Ugandan politicians may not be explicitly homophobic in HIV policy since they must acknowledge the Western donors’ influence. This thesis has illustrated that the relationship between homophobia and HIV ultimately turns in to a discussion about tensions between an ‘open’ West and a ‘deprived’ Africa.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HIV in Nigeria. However, African countries like Nigeria, Botswana, Mali, and Mozambique have laws that prohibit homosexuality, making it a punishable crime in these countries. For example, the Nigerian government signed the anti-gay law in 2014. Laws like these affect the health status and outcomes among Nigerian MSM. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the influence criminalization of homosexuality has on the willingness to test for HIV among MSM in Abuja, Nigeria. Guided by the socio-political theory (SP) as the theoretical framework, a qualitative approach was designed to understand HIV testing perception among MSM since after the criminalization of homosexuality in Nigeria. Interviews were conducted among 15 MSM to understand how the law created factors that influence their decision to test for HIV and their quality of life. Data gathered from the face to face interview was coded based on the research questions. Further analysis was done using thematic to develop themes that addressed the research questions. Findings revealed that anti-gay law influenced MSM to avoid HIV testing and disclosure. Additional themes revealed respondents’ perceptions on homosexual criminalization’s impact on healthcare access, fear of imprisonment, relationships, and psychological and physical fears. The research findings will help address the discrimination, social injustice, violence and human right violation MSM face in Nigeria. Through dissemination of these findings, positive social change will be achieved through increased HIV testing among MSM and improve HIV prevention programs aimed at MSM.

Les orientations en matière de lutte contre le VIH/Sida s’accordent sur la nécessité de mettre en œuvre une offre de prévention plus diversifiée pour limiter les nouvelles infections auprès des populations les plus touchées par l’épidémie. En Afrique de l’Ouest, les hommes ayant des relations sexuelles avec les hommes (HSH) sont particulièrement vulnérables à l’infection par le VIH. Dans ce contexte, la réponse des programmes VIH repose principalement sur les services de santé offerts par les associations communautaires. Cependant, peu de données sont disponibles sur les HSH séronégatifs bénéficiant d’une offre diversifiée de prévention en Afrique de l’Ouest, aussi bien sur leurs motivations à être suivi dans des services communautaires que sur leurs comportements sexuels à risque. Ce travail s’appuie sur les données recueillies dans une cohorte interventionnelle (CohMSM) offrant aux HSH séronégatifs un suivi trimestriel préventif mise en œuvre par des associations communautaires (Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo). Les résultats montrent que les besoins de ces participants sont en faveur d’une offre de santé sexuelle globale. L’accès à la PrEP est également considéré par les HSH comme un besoin prioritaire au regard de leurs comportements sexuels à risque. Cette thèse a également permis de mieux identifier les HSH présentant un risque élevé d’exposition à l’infection par le VIH. Le suivi préventif offert semble aussi réduire les pratiques sexuelles à risque des HSH les plus exposés au risque d’infection. Ces résultats contribuent ainsi à mieux appréhender la mise en place d’une offre diversifiée de prévention auprès des HSH dans un cadre communautaire. / The new HIV/AIDS guidelines recommend a combined package consisting of multiple preventive strategies to limit new infections among the most affected populations. In West Africa, men who have sex with men (MSM) are especially vulnerable to HIV infection. In this context, the response of HIV programs primarily relies on healthcare services provided by community-based organizations. However, there is limited data regarding HIV-negative MSM accessing a combined preventive package in West Africa as well as on their motivations for being followed-up in community-based services and on their risky sexual behaviors. This work used the data collected from an interventional cohort (CohMSM) offering a quarterly preventive follow-up to HIV-negative MSM in community-based settings in four West African countries (Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo). The results demonstrate that the needs of the participants are in favor of a comprehensive sexual health offer. Access to PrEP is also considered by MSM as a priority need in view of their high-risk sexual behaviors. This also helps to better identify MSM who are at high-risk of exposure to HIV infection. Furthermore, the quarterly preventive follow-up also appears to reduce risky sexual practices in MSM most at risk. Thus, these results contribute to a better understanding of the implementation of a combined prevention package for MSM in a community setting.

This project applies the management systems engineering methodology to the design and development of a management tool to be used in managing change of the Commercial-Off-The-Shelf [COTS] software, firmware, and hardware utilized within the Mapping Branch of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency [NIMA] (formerly known as the Defense Mapping Agency [DMA J). The management tool is used to support the management process overlaying the work process for changing COTS products. By using the management systems engineering methodology to understand how COTS products are changed, the functional requirements for a management tool can be derived in a clear and concise manner. Concurrently, the systems approach is applied in the development of the management tool, referred to as the COTS Management System. The COTS Management System is identified as required by NIMA due to the increasing number of COTS products being used within the Digital Production System [DPS]. The DPS is NIMA's conglomeration of segmented computer systems combined to provide the tools and functionality necessary to produce the myriad of mapping, charting, and geodesic products in both hard-copy and digital format. NIMA also desires to implement the COTS Management System in an effort to achieve the Software Engineering Institutes [SEI] Capability Maturity Model [CMM] Level 3. / Master of Science

Background: Binge drinking (BD) is common in Peru, but may not be routinely detected by standard assessments of hazardous drinking. Objectives: We describe prevalence and risk behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Peru who met criteria for BD as compared with those who met criteria for hazardous drinking. Methods: In a cross-sectional sample of MSM and TW from Lima (2012-2014), we calculated prevalence of BD (consuming ≥6 alcoholic drinks per occasion by AUDIT-3 criteria), conducted bivariate analyses of associations of BD with demographic and behavioral characteristics, and compared prevalence and behaviors of BD to those of hazardous drinkers (identified by AUDIT-10 criteria). Results: Of 1,520 MSM (n = 1,384) and TW (n = 137) with median age 27 years, 74.4% of MSM and 86.9% of TW met criteria for BD. Among MSM, BD was associated with a greater likelihood of using alcohol (41.6% vs. 13.8%; p <.01) or drugs (7.8% vs. 2.8%; p <.01) prior to a recent sexual contact. Among TW, BD was associated with greater frequency of alcohol use (44.9% vs. 11.1%; p <.01) or unprotected anal intercourse (58.8% vs. 33.3%; p =.04) during ≥1 of their three most recent sexual contacts. There was a higher prevalence of BD (75.5%) than hazardous drinking (53.2%) in our sample, with binge drinkers exhibiting similar sexual risk behaviors to hazardous drinkers. Conclusions: Binge drinking is common among MSM and TW in Lima, associated with risky sexual behavior, and may not be adequately captured by AUDIT-10 criteria. / Revisión por pares

Magnetische Formgedächtnsilegierungen haben die besondere Fähigkeit, sich im äußeren Magnetfeld zu verformen. Dies geschieht aufgrund von Zwillingsgrenzenbewegung in der martensitischen Tieftemperaturphase. Da der Effekt bislang an Einkristallen untersucht wurde, ist es das Ziel dieser Arbeit, den Effekt an polykristallinen Proben nachzuweisen. Dafür wurden Proben nach dem Prinzip der gerichteten Erstarrung präpariert. Deren Kristallstruktur wurde durch geeignete Zusammensetzung und Wärmebehandlung einphasig eingestellt. Mechanisches Training und weitere Wärmebehandlungen ermöglichten schließlich die Demonstration der magnetischen Dehnung von ca. 1 % an polykristallinen Proben. Durch zusätzliche Einkopplung akustischer Wellen konnte die Dehnung auf 2,2 % gesteigert werden.