Women of colour vs ink: racism, sexism and white feminism in modern British tattoo culture

There has been, and continues to be, a rise of feminist subject matter within mainstream media and popular literature. Within, there is an area of literature that explores feminism and women within tattoo culture; the most popular being Margot Mifflin’s ‘Bodies of Subversion: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo’. However, this media is often American–centric, and ignores an intersectional approach or doesn’t acknowledge matters of race and racism, and the experiences of women of colour. LGBTQ+ women of colour are especially ignored, as is the cultural implication of being a tattooed woman of colour, or a woman of colour tattooist, within the United Kingdom. Using a practice–based, research–through–design approach, the aim of this thesis is to investigate and challenge the idea that women of colour don’t partake in modern tattoo culture, to highlight the experiences of tattooed women of colour within the UK, and to respond to the current UK tattoo culture from the point of view of tattooed women of colour. Additionally, semi–structured interviews and a literature review are used to contribute to the argument that while there is a rise in visible tattooed women of colour and women of colour tattooists within the United Kingdom, there is a long way to go to reach the same representation and treatment as experienced by white men and women within UK tattoo culture, and that Eurocentric beauty standards, racism and the experiences of being a woman of colour greatly impacts our relationship with tattoos, both positively and negatively

Whole Body MRI in Multiple Myeloma: Optimising Image Acquisition and Read Times

Objective: To identify the whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) image type(s) with the highest value for assessment of multiple myeloma, in order to optimise acquisition protocols and read times. Methods: Thirty patients with clinically-suspected MM underwent WB-MRI at 3 Tesla. Unenhanced Dixon images [fat-only (FO) and water-only (WO)], post contrast Dixon [fat-only plus contrast (FOC) and water-only plus contrast (WOC)] and diffusion weighted images (DWI) of the pelvis from all 30 patients were randomised and read by three experienced readers. For each image type, each reader identified and labelled all visible myeloma lesions. Each identified lesion was compared with a composite reference standard achieved by review of a complete imaging dataset by a further experienced consultant radiologist to determine truly positive lesions. Lesion count, true positives, sensitivity, and positive predictive value were determined. Time to read each scan set was recorded. Confidence for a diagnosis of myeloma was scored using a Likert scale. Conspicuity of focal lesions was assessed in terms of percent contrast and contrast to noise ratio (CNR). Results: Lesion count, true positives, sensitivity and confidence scores were significantly higher when compared to other image types for DWI (P<0.0001 to 0.003), followed by WOC (significant for sensitivity (P<0.0001 to 0.004), true positives (P = 0.003 to 0.049) and positive predictive value (P< 0.0001 to 0.006)). There was no statistically significant difference in these metrics between FO and FOC. Percent contrast was highest for WOC (P = 0.001 to 0.005) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was highest for DWI (P = 0.03 to 0.05). Reading times were fastest for DWI across all observers (P< 0.0001 to 0.014). Discussion: Observers detected more myeloma lesions on DWI images and WOC images when compared to other image types. We suggest that these image types should be read preferentially by radiologists to improve diagnostic accuracy and reporting efficiency

Predation on epigeic, endogeic and anecic earthworms by carabids active in spring and autumn

Background and purpose:Generalist predatory carabid beetles have an important role in controlling the abundance of various prey species within ecosystems, including certain pests. In terms of bio-control, these unspecialised predators may be sustained in the field when pest populations are low by predating on other animals such as earthworms. The aim of this study was to reveal patterns in predation by beetles, represented by the carabid community in the field, on different earthworm species with respect to anecic, endogeic and epigeic earthworm ecotypes.Materials and methods:We utilised DNA extracted from the gut content of 23 carabid species to reveal predation on earthworms directly in the field, considering spring and autumn aspects. The extracted DNA from each carabid species collected in the field was then screened using PCR with earthworm species-specific primers.Results and discussion:After screening the carabids using five earthworm species-specific primer pairs, 20 species, including 53% of all tested individual beetles, were positive for earthworms, with similar proportions in the spring and autumn samples and between the sexes. Earthworms from all three ecotypes were confirmed within the predator guts and were widely consumed within the carabid community.Conclusions:These results suggest that predation on earthworms might be an important mechanism sustaining populations of generalist predatory carabids in the field, which can be advantageous for biological control. Therefore, non-conventional management should be improved to maintain the three ecotypes of the earthworm community as prey for beneficial predatory carabids.</p

Positionality statements as a function of coloniality : interrogating reflexive methodologies

Declaration of positionality and the confession of privilege as a way of revealing unequal power dynamics in knowledge production has become an increasingly encouraged reflexive practice in international relations and other disciplines. However, we interrogate the potentially negative implications of this methodology, occurring through a reification of material, assumed, and imagined hierarchies between people, which then is advertised and (re)produced by its utterance. We further query the modernist origins of reflexive methodology, which has inspired the practice of declaring positionality, and argue that its underpinning coloniality has bearings for its use today. We then explore how this coloniality manifests: Thus, first, we consider the extent to which publicly acknowledging privilege paradoxically acts as a means of centering whiteness through the narcissistic gaze and an assertion of legitimacy. Second, we argue positionality statements offer a redemption of guilt for the hegemonic researcher. And lastly, rather than ameliorating unequal power dynamics in the production of knowledge, we contend positionality statements may constitute hidden power moves in which one is able to signal and reinstate one’s authority vis-à-vis people, but especially women, of color. We end with a call for a reparative scholarship that acknowledges these limitations in positionality statements.Peer reviewe

Information systems deployment in Libyan oil companies: two case studies

This article assesses information systems deployment in two oil companies in Libya and thereby helps address the general shortage of information on the implementation of information systems in Libyan companies. It explores the information systems strategies of these two companies and explores and analyses how these have been implemented in recent years. One company has pursued an in-house/best of breed approach, whilst the other is in the process of migrating to an integrated ERP software solution. The study uses a number of analytical models developed in a western context in recent years to assess the status and nature of IS deployment, and concludes that a combination of these models is of value in an IS industry context in developing world countries

Wireless Rotating Disk Electrode (wRDE) for assessing Heterogeneous Water Oxidation Catalysts (WOCs)

A novel method for assessing the activity of a powdered water oxidation catalyst (WOC) is described, utilising an easily-prepared wireless rotating disc electrode of the WOC, thereby allowing its activity to be probed, via the observed kinetics of water oxidation by Ce(iv) ions, and so provide invaluable electrochemical information.</p

The emergent organisation:the case of public sector private enterprise

This thesis is concerned with organisation design (OD) and a specific case study relating to the emerging worlds of a wholly owned company (WOC) of a public sector organisation. In particular, the researcher investigates the nature of conditions for organising, utilising the information processing view - IPV (Galbraith, 1974) along with Parrish’s (2010) perspective on purpose driven enterprises. This is nested in bounded rationality within a whole systems theoretical framework of thinking (Lewin & Volberda,1999; Tushman, Newman & Romanelli, 1986). The research draws on previous discussions in the literature related to implicit theories of organising (Brief, 1983), and framing them within the structural design of the organisation (Chandler, 1962). In doing so, the researcher demonstrates the contradictory and reinforcing mechanisms of former organisational realities connected to organisational culture (Schein, 1983, 1990) as part of the design narrative and implications on explicit managerial intention of the organisation (Hinrichs, 2009; Lewin & Volberda, 1999; Rashman, Withers, & Hartley, 2009). The research draws out wider issues of interest related to public sector OD and the current and emerging contexts (Butler & Allen, 2008), particularly, the nature of organising in the post 2008 world. Ultimately this research makes contributions towards the fields of OD and IPV within a UK public sector context (Galbraith, 1974) and provides a new OD model reflective of these issues. These contributions relate specifically to the nature of organisation purpose as well as the sub-constructs of slack resource,self-contained tasks, vertical systems and lateral relationships of IPV. In addition, the work builds towards adding habitation realities to the OD debate as well as drawing out dual realities of organising, which has not been previously noted in the OD academic literature. The study adopts a qualitative design using a combination of 32 two hour long semi-structured interviews, documentation review and observations for data collection. This design enables investigation of meaning creation and reality making of the participants with conflicting realities of the past, present and possible futures adding to understanding of the design of the organisation. The analysis adopts a modified grounded theory in conjunction with organisational transactional analysis producing findings along three institutional levels of macro, meso and micro relationship dynamics (Berne, 2010; Bowen & Nath, 1975). The findings relate to bounded rationality and psychological frames of theoretical thinking, for example organisation structure and the IPV perspective as well as how managerial intentionality is exercised against organisational cultural memory, OD system incongruence (drawing out the TRODM - Tripartite Realities OD Model, from this research) and the implications of this on organising. The final outcome of this research is the development of a new OD model for viewing/investigating organisational design issues

Factors Effecting Human Resource Practices on Employee Performance in Libya Oil & Gas Industry

The success of every organization depends highly on the human resources of the organizations. This is where the human resource has the skills, knowledge and competencies required for the execution of organizational strategy and planning. Many HRM studies have indicated positive effect of HR practices on employee performance, but there are some other studies that indicate the otherwise, indicating that the findings of the existing HRM studies are seemingly inconclusive. Equally, most studies are conducted in other contexts other in Libyan context, most especially in the context of Oil and Gas sector. Therefore, this study try to examine the effect of human resource practices (job design, training and development, compensation, performance appraisal and employee participation and communication) on employee performance in the Libyan oil and gas sector. Using the cross-sectional research approach, data were collected from a sample of 100 employees of Waha Oil Company (WOC). Multiple regression analysis technique will be used to test the study’s hypotheses. The results provided support for two out of the five hypotheses. The overall findings signified a positive effect of training development and performance appraisal on employee performance. This indicates that HR practices could have significant effect on performance, but the effect could be altered and modified by the contingent variables. The findings could also imply that the direct relationship between HR practices and performance could contain some mechanisms in-between. Lastly, the implications, limitations and suggestions for future research were discussed

Eco-Efficiency of the English and Welsh Water Companies: A Cross Performance Assessment

Analyzing costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could be of great importance for the water utilities to supply water services in a healthy and sustainable manner. In this study, we measured the eco-efficiency of several water utilities in England and Wales by incorporating GHG as an undesirable output. For the first time, we evaluated the eco-efficiency of the water production process using robust cross-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques. The further use of clustering and regression techniques allowed us to better understand the drivers of eco-efficiency. The results showed that the mean eco-efficiency of the water sector was 0.748, which indicates that costs and GHG emissions could be reduced by 25.2% to generate the same level of output. Large water companies with high energy costs and levels of GHG emissions belonged to the less eco-efficient group. Environmental factors related to density, topography, and treatment complexity further impacted eco-efficiency. Finally, we linked our results to the regulatory cycle and discuss some policy implications

Challenges and opportunities arising from self-regulated professionalisation processes: an analysis of a Swiss national sport federation

In recent decades, some governments (e.g. Canada, the UK, Australia) have imposed far-reaching professionalisation processes on national sport federations (NSFs), while others (e.g. Switzerland) have made only minor impositions and relied more on NSFs to self-regulate. As governments must decide on the extent to which sport policy imposes professionalisation processes on NSFs, understanding the challenges and opportunities arising from both policy-imposed and self-regulated professionalisation processes is relevant. However, extant literature has focused mostly on professionalisation processes imposed by sport policy. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the context, action, content and outcome of self-regulated professionalisation processes to identify the challenges and opportunities arising from these processes. A framework of professionalisation and a corresponding processual approach build the conceptual background of this study. A single-case study is applied to enable a holistic and long-term analysis of the proceedings of a Swiss NSF’s professionalisation processes. The results reveal the mechanisms of self-regulated professionalisation processes (i.e. how contexts and actions shape outcome), thus leading to a conceptualisation of these mechanisms and conclusions about challenges and opportunities arising from selfregulated professionalisation processes, which are useful for sport managers and policymakers