Why gendered deodorants work – particularly for unmanly men

First paragraph: Adverts for male deodorants – such as Old Spice or Axe/Lynx – typically promise a boost in manliness and romantic success for those discerning enough to try the products. But can artificial fragrances, mixed with our natural body odours, really make us appear more masculine or feminine? Ourlatest researchreveals this may indeed be the case. We found that men who are perceived as not being particularly masculine benefit the most from using deodorant.  Access the article on The Conversation website: https://theconversation.com/why-gendered-deodorants-work-particularly-for-some-men-6035

The artificially scented ape: Investigating the role of fragrances and body odours in human interactions

It was long believed that humans were unable to utilise the odours of conspecifics to co-ordinate social interactions in ways in which other species appear to be capable. However, a surge in interest in human social olfaction has recently challenged this view. The numerous studies conducted in this area have found that multiple state and trait related cues can be detected in body odour. Furthermore, many studies indicate that women are often more sensitive to these cues, and that sensitivity can be associated with fertility, findings that are consistent with sex differences in reproductive effort and benefits of choosiness in mate-searching. Since previous studies in this area have usually addressed the potential for humans to use olfactory communication in a comparable manner to other mammals, they typically involve collection and assessment of ‘natural’ odour. That is, they explicitly exclude the possibility of ‘contamination’ of odour samples by artificial fragrances. However, humans have used artificial fragrances for millennia, across many different cultures. This raises the question of whether widespread fragrance use may affect or disrupt the detection of this information in modern humans. The first aim of this thesis was to address this question by investigating how fragrance use may mediate the detection of olfactory information in humans. As well as providing further evidence for sex differences in the assessment of olfactory cues, and for the role of olfaction in real world partner choice, the findings herein suggest that fragrance may act differently on different information being assessed, potentially masking accurate assessment of certain traits (such as masculinity), while fragrance choice and preferences may be important in complementing other olfactory information (such as the general distinguishability of an individuals’ odour profile). A second aim of the thesis was to develop a scale in order to more accurately describe the varying perceptual qualities of human body odour – in other words to map human body odours. This work was conducted alongside perfumers in order to benefit from their expertise in olfactory perception and semantic labelling of odours. The development of such a scale could enable improved understanding of the perceptual qualities of human odour, making it possible to link specific perceptual qualities to specific cues (e.g. symmetry, masculinity, sex) or to manipulate odours based on perceptual qualities in experimental settings, and has direct practical implications for fragrance designers and for improving the ability of individuals to choose fragrance products that suit their odour profile. The second section of the thesis focuses on the effects of odours on the individual wearer as well as on perceivers in the environment. One study is presented which investigates the role of malodour reduction compared to the addition of fragrances in perceptions of confidence and attractiveness, finding that both the reduction of malodour and the addition of fragrance appear to be important for confidence as rated by others in the environment. The final study presented in the thesis examines a hitherto un-investigated role of olfaction during human pregnancy. The rationale for the study is based on evidence suggesting that in certain non-human species, which also show bi-parental care of offspring, there may be a role for chemical, or odour based, communication which underpins behavioural and endocrinological changes related to infant care behaviours in males. The study found little evidence to support the presence of analogous olfactory signalling during human pregnancy, though the findings are discussed in light of methodological changes which, if made in future studies, may result in different outcomes. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the importance of continuing to investigate various forms of olfactory communication, as well as improving our understanding of odours through the mapping of their perceptual qualities, and finally further examining the ways in which various fragranced products, which are widely used in society, may affect all of this. Future directions for this area of research are discussed. This line of investigation will, I argue, enable us to finally establish the true role of olfaction in contemporary social environments

Iggy Azalea’s Dialectal Disguise: A pursuit of power through speech and privilege

White Australian hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea has been the subject of recent criticism forher use of African American English (AAE). Eberhardt and Freeman (2015) demonstratethat Iggy, a native speaker of Australian English who uses Australian English in all of herpublic speech, makes consistent and context-sensitive use of AAE throughout her entirediscography. In order to account for this unique behavior, Eberhardt and Freeman use thetheoretical notion of linguistic appropriation (Hill 2008) which describes the powerimbalance evident when outgroup members (e.g. Iggy) benefit from the use of certainvarieties of speech that ingroup members (e.g. speakers of AAE) are stigmatized forusing. Drawing on their research, this study explores Iggy’s linguistic patterns, examiningthem through the lens of Communication Accommodation Theory, or CAT (Giles et al.1991). CAT explains speech adaptations made by individuals in varying contexts,particularly with regard to power dynamics and prestige in social settings. CAT arguesthat in any given speech interaction, individuals make choices designed to maximize,minimize, or maintain social distance between conversation participants, or interlocutors.This is achieved by communication techniques referred to as convergence and divergence.Convergence occurs when a speaker alters their speech to be more similar to that of aninterlocutor. In divergence, a speaker uses a different speech variety or style than that ofan interlocutor. This project expands the study of Iggy’s language use by analyzing it inthe theoretical framework of CAT as it interacts with linguistic appropriation. The projectadditionally takes into account data collected from a short survey taken by 30 UMstudents about their impressions of Iggy and AAE. Through an examination of Iggy’s language use, I hope not only to enhance our understandings of CommunicationAccommodation Theory and linguistic appropriation, but by doing so, to contribute tonational conversations of racial justice

Abundance analysis of normal and mercury-manganase type late-B stars from optical spectra

The aim of this project was to perform an abundance analysis of a selection of mercury-manganese and normal A and B-type stars. Observations of thirteen stars were taken using the Hamilton Echelle Spectrograph and coude auxilliary telescope (CAT) situated at Lick Observatory. The high signal-to-noise optical spectra were reduced with the aid of the software packages FIGARO and VISTA. A technique for measuring the parasitic light parallel to the dispersion of the spectrum was devised; none was found (mean P = -1.0±0.8%), which implies that measured equivalent widths should be free of this important systematic error. Measurements were made of the wavelengths and equivalent widths of unblended spectral lines. The spectra were modelled using ATLAS-6 model atmospheres and the synthesis package UCLSYN. Effective temperatures and surface gravities for the programme stars were adopted from Smith and Dworetsky (1993). Abundances were generally determined by comparing synthetic equivalent widths to measured equivalent widths. Where line blends made this impossible, the observed spectra were compared to the synthetic spectra. The instrumental profile was determined from arc calibration lines and was found to be asymmetric; the profile was measured and was convolved with the synthetic spectra to allow a comparison with observations to be made. Microturbulence parameters for these stars were determined according to the method of Magain (1984); stars with effective temperatures below 11000K showed a positive value, but stars above this temperature yielded microturbulences consistent with zero. The abundances generally compare well with the literature and are in many cases an improvement on existing work. Phosphorus showed a positive correlation with effective temperature in HgMn stars and manganese also exhibits a strong correlation, in agreement with previous observations. The strong manganese line at λ4206.367 was found to exhibit a systematic discrepancy with respect to other manganese lines at high abundances; this is probably due to hyperfine structure and it is recommended that this line not be used for abundance analysis in the future unless its structure can be modelled explicitly

Patient Evaluation of Emotional Comfort Experienced (PEECE): Developing and testing a measurement instrument

Objectives: The Patient Evaluation of Emotional Comfort Experienced (PEECE) is a 12-item questionnaire which measures the mental well-being state of emotional comfort in patients. The instrument was developed using previous qualitative work and published literature. Design: Instrument development. Setting: Acute Care Public Hospital, Western Australia. Participants: Sample of 374 patients. Interventions: A multidisciplinary expert panel assessed the face and content validity of the instrument and following a pilot study, the psychometric properties of the instrument were explored. Main outcome measures: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis assessed the underlying dimensions of the PEECE instrument; Cronbach’s α was used to determine the reliability; κ was used for test–retest reliability of the ordinal items. Results: 2 factors were identified in the instrument and named ‘positive emotions’ and ‘perceived meaning’. A greater proportion of male patients were found to report positive emotions compared with female patients. The instrument was found to be feasible, reliable and valid for use with inpatients and outpatients. Conclusions: PEECE was found to be a feasible instrument for use with inpatient and outpatients, being easily understood and completed

ABC for people with HIV: responses to sexual behaviour recommendations among people receiving antiretroviral therapy in Jinja, Uganda.

People living with HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) are increasingly involved in 'positive prevention' initiatives. These are generally oriented to promoting abstinence, 'being faithful' (partner reduction) and condom use (ABC). We conducted a longitudinal qualitative study with people living with HIV using ART, who were provided with adherence education and counselling support by a Ugandan non-governmental organisation, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO). Forty people were selected sequentially as they started ART, stratified by sex, ART delivery mode (clinic- or home-based) and HIV progression stage (early or advanced) and interviewed at enrollment and at 3, 6, 18 and 30 months. At initiation of ART, participants agreed to follow TASO's positive-living recommendations. Initially poor health prevented sexual activity. As health improved, participants prioritised resuming economic production and support for their children. With further improvements, sexual desire resurfaced and people in relationships cemented these via sex. The findings highlight the limitations of HIV prevention based on medical care/personal counselling. As ART leads to health improvements, social norms, economic needs and sexual desires increasingly influence sexual behaviour. Positive prevention interventions need to seek to modify normative and economic influences on sexual behaviour, as well as to provide alternatives to condoms

Making a difference: Findings from Better Beginnings a family literacy intervention programme

Since 2005, Better Beginnings, an early intervention, statewide family literacy programme developed by The State Library of Western Australia, has provided thousands of families with strategies and resources to promote and support book-sharing from birth. This paper reports on the key findings of an independent longitudinal evaluation of the programme\u27s impact on parents / carers approximately one year after they were introduced to the Better Beginnings programme. Parents/carers were asked about their book sharing practices, beliefs about the importance of sharing books, and library membership and participation in related library activities. Responses from the participants strongly indicated that the programme was well received and had a significantly positive impact on the child, other family members and the participants. The evaluation also raised a number of issues, which have implications for further development of the programme

AGWEST Revegetation Monitoring Activity

This annual report summarises the landcare vegetation and revegetation projects that were completed at the end of 2000 in the Peel Harvey, Leschenault and Geographe Catchments, Western Australia. Revegetation activities included: streamlining, vegetation belts, alley farming, tree lots, revegetation, . Activity was recorded for Coolup, Harvey River, Dandalup Murray, Serpentine Jarrahdale Land Conservation District Committees

Snapshots of Maine’s Arts & Cultural Sector

The report has three main sections: (a) what we learned about artists; (b) what we learned about nonprofit arts and cultural organizations; and (c) what we learned about small businesses in the sector. The report ends with conclusions and recommendations

Size and polydispersity effect on the magnetization of densely packed magnetic nanoparticles

The magnetic properties of densely packed magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) assemblies are investigated from Monte Carlo simulations. The case of iron oxide nanoparticles is considered as a typical example of MNP. The main focus is put on particle size and size polydispersity influences on the magnetization curve. The particles are modeled as uniformly magnetized spheres isolated one from each other by a non magnetic layer representing the organic coating. A comparison with recent experimental results on $\gamma-$Fe$_2$O$_3$ powder samples differing by their size is given.Comment: To be published in the Journal of Applied Physics, to be found at http://jap.aip.org