A Thesis using Content Analysis to Examine the Relationship between Advertising Values and Beauty Types in Boots No.7 Print Advertisements

As a prominent form of media, advertising offers a distinctive opportunity to examine how values and beauty types are constructed to portray certain beauty ideals. For this thesis, advertising values and beauty types were analysed to examine whether combined, they conveyed specific beauty ideals. The advertisements were analysed using a content analysis. This thesis uses the value framework by Pollay (1983) and the Beauty Match Up Hypothesis by Solomon, Ashmore and Congo (1992) to determine the relationship. Values form the heart of advertisements given their ability to influence consumer behaviour and beliefs. By investigating this relationship the motivations of advertisers in terms of whether they attempt to capture attainable ideals of beauty, or standardised ideals that women feel pressurised to conform to can be better understood. Findings across the longitudinal timeframe suggest that advertisers for Boots No.7 have depicted beauty ideals both realistically and unrealistically. This thesis suggests that when advertisements use ideals that pertain to values such as modernity or distinctiveness when paired with beauty types such as ‘Trendy’, the notion that women must conform to stay on trend is reinforced. In doing so, advertisers support unattainable ideals of beauty. These findings are interpreted as a possible repercussion of changes to the social construct in the latter half of the 1980s, whereby make-up was used to help women look good for themselves not for the opposite sex. In addressing the relationships between beauty types and advertising values, there is a need to consider the conceptions of the target audience as opposed to the cultural gatekeepers of the fashion and beauty industry

Survival, movements, and resource selection of female white-tailed deer in Missouri

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Missouri are a socially and economically important game species generating annual revenue in excess of $1 billion. The last comprehensive deer study in Missouri was conducted in the 1980s – 1990s when deer populations were rapidly expanding. Since this time there has been a reduction in deer population size, declining growth rates, changes in harvest strategies, and the emergence and spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). These changes have rendered prior survival estimates outdated, and the presence of CWD requires a deeper understanding of movement patterns and space use. We were interested in providing updated deer survival rates, and quantifying how deer altered their movements and resource selection during two critical time periods in the Glaciated Plains (GP) and Ozarks (OZ) eco-regions. Two contrasting study areas allowed us to understand how land use and ownership, harvest regulations, and habitat composition and fragmentation affected deer survival and behavior. In Chapter 1 we estimated neonate (≤ 16 weeks old) survival rates and determined how habitat characteristics influenced neonate survival. In Chapter 2 we investigated how pregnancy, parturition, and lactation affected deer movement behaviors and resource selection. In Chapter 3 we estimated annual female fawn (\u3e 6 months, but \u3c 1 year old), yearling (1 year old), and adult (≥ 2 years old) survival rates, and investigated how the hunting season affected female movement behaviors and resource selection. Survival rates of all age classes were similar between the two eco-regions, with neonate survival rates between 0.40 – 0.50, and survival rates for females \u3e 6 months old between 0.80 – 0.90. Females in both study areas altered their movements similarly in response to parturition, and selected for conservation reserve program grasslands in the GP, and forest habitat in the OZ during pregnancy and lactation. Females in both study areas increased their movements during the hunting season, and altered their resource selection after the hunting season, suggesting that breeding behaviors and resource availability were influencing deer behavior during this time period

The Physiology and Biochemistry of Archaeal Ammonia Oxidisers

Archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidisers (AOA and AOB) initiate nitrification by oxidising ammonia (NH3) to hydroxylamine, catalysed by ammonia monooxygenase (AMO). Archaeal ammonia oxidation was first confirmed 16 years ago with the cultivation of Nitrosopumilus maritimus SCM1. Since then, environmental gene surveys have revealed AOA are ubiquitous and often outnumber their bacterial counterparts in many nitrifying environments. Whilst ecological studies have demonstrated that AOA play a significant role in the global N cycle, little is known about the underpinning physiology and biochemistry. Here, culture-dependent research was conducted using phylogenetically distinct AOA isolates to gain insights about AOA energy metabolism. This began with exploring the structure and function of the archaeal AMO enzyme, which is not yet amenable to purification. By characterising the inhibition of archaeal AMOs to specific inhibitors and comparing with other members of the copper-dependent membrane monooxygenase (CuMMO) family, this study provided insights into the structure of the archaeal AMO active site(s) and its potential substrate range. Specifically, archaeal AMO has a narrower hydrocarbon substrate range compared to bacterial AMO and is restricted to oxidising short-chain-length hydrocarbons based on 1-alkynes inhibition profiles. Phenylacetylene inhibited the archaeal and bacterial AMO at different thresholds and by different mechanisms, highlighting structural differences between the two monooxygenases. Further work explored the oxidation and metabolism of methane and methanol by AOA using 13C-tracer experiments. Results suggested that methane and methanol were oxidised and metabolised, but this was dependent on the concentration of ammonia present. Ammonia competes with methane/methanol for the same AMO binding site and provides the only source of reductant for AMO activity. Subsequently, hydrazine was tested as an external source of reductant for AMO driven oxidations. These findings prompted an exploration into the similarities and differences between the archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidation pathways, principally the role of nitric oxide (NO)

Cover crop biomass production is more important than diversity for weed suppression

Biotic resistance theory suggests that diverse cover crop mixes may be more effective at weed suppression than a cover crop monoculture. However, evidence for this has so far been inconsistent. To investigate, we designed a trial to explicitly test the role of cover crop diversity in weed suppression by comparing eight cover crop mixes that varied in species diversity, functional diversity, and composition. Mixes contained either one, four, or eight species, in equal proportions. Three mixes contained only cereal species, three contained only legumes, and two contained a mix of cereals, legumes, and brassicas. Research was conducted on two farms in South Africa’s winter rainfall region, replicated over 2 yr. Indicators of resource uptake by each mix in terms of light, soil N, and water were measured at three time points throughout the season, approximately 50, 85, and 110 d after emergence (DAE). Aboveground biomass (dry weight) of cover crops and weeds within each mix was measured twice, at approximately 70 and 120 DAE. Regression analyses indicated that cover crop biomass was key to resource uptake and weed suppression, and that early-season N and later-season light availability had the strongest influence on weed biomass. Neither species diversity nor functional diversity affected resource uptake or weed suppression by cover crops. These results indicate that it is important to consider the competitiveness of individual species when designing cover crop mixes. Diverse mixes remain valuable to perform multiple functions but may contribute to weed problems if composed of poorly competitive species

Predicting hedgehog mortality risks on British roads using habitat suitability modelling

Road vehicle collisions are likely to be an important contributory factor in the decline of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Britain. Here, a collaborative roadkill dataset collected from multiple projects across Britain was used to assess when, where and why hedgehog roadkill are more likely to occur. Seasonal trends were assessed using a Generalized Additive Model. There were few casualties in winter—the hibernation season for hedgehogs—with a gradual increase from February that reached a peak in July before declining thereafter. A sequential multi-level Habitat Suitability Modelling (HSM) framework was then used to identify areas showing a high probability of hedgehog roadkill occurrence throughout the entire British road network (∼400,000 km) based on multi-scale environmental determinants. The HSM predicted that grassland and urban habitat coverage were important in predicting the probability of roadkill at a national scale. Probabilities peaked at approximately 50% urban cover at a one km scale and increased linearly with grassland cover (improved and rough grassland). Areas predicted to experience high probabilities of hedgehog roadkill occurrence were therefore in urban and suburban environments, that is, where a mix of urban and grassland habitats occur. These areas covered 9% of the total British road network. In combination with information on the frequency with which particular locations have hedgehog road casualties, the framework can help to identify priority areas for mitigation measures

A comparison of the Doppler ultrasound interpretation by student and registered podiatrists

BACKGROUND: Hand held Doppler ultrasound machines are routinely used by podiatrists to assess the arterial perfusion of the lower limb. They are practical, painless and effective as a screening tool, and the available general evidence would suggest that interpretation by practitioners is reliable. This study compared the abilities of student and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered podiatrists to identify correctly Doppler ultrasound outputs. METHOD: A prospective single blind comparative study design was utilised. Fifteen Doppler recordings of the blood flow in the posterior tibial artery, five each of monophasic, biphasic and triphasic blood flow, were used to compare the interpretation abilities of 30 undergraduate podiatry students and 30 HCPC registered podiatrists. Chi-squared analysis of the results was undertaken. RESULTS: Chi-squared analysis found that there was no statistically significant difference between the overall abilities of student podiatrists and HCPC registered podiatrists to identify correctly Doppler ultrasound recordings (p = 0.285). No significant difference was found in their ability to identify Doppler ultrasound recordings of monophasic, biphasic or triphasic blood flow (p > 0.050). CONCLUSION: The results of this relatively small study suggest that both student and HCPC registered podiatrists are in general able to identify the nature of blood flow based on the output of handheld Doppler ultrasound units. However, the results raise an issue regarding professional development of practitioners who might have been expected to have enhanced their skills of Doppler ultrasound sound identification since professional registration

Building a model of navigational strategies for queer undergraduate students in STEM

IntroductionThere is a critical need to foster inclusive educational spaces for Queer identifying students and to resist oppressive structures that seek to marginalize and inflict trauma on students because of their gender or sexual identity.MethodsDrawing on thematic analysis and Queer theory, we interviewed 11 Queer identifying STEM students to understand the navigational strategies they leveraged within higher education environments related to their Queer identity.ResultsWe developed a cyclical model of navigational strategies employed by Queer STEM students that involved evaluating the environments, performing psychological identity calculations, and engaging in behavioral actions. Students evaluated the environment by attending to the diversity of gender representation, presence of other Queer individuals, and contextual factors conveyed based on disciplinary expectations. Students engaged in psychological identity calculations whereby they assessed beliefs about the relevance, importance, and fears related to their Queer identity, with few perceiving any benefits. Behavioral actions resulted in students building a chosen community, disclosing or shelving their queer identity, and advocating for representation.DiscussionIn order to support Queer students to thrive in educational contexts, researchers and practitioners should examine ways to increase representation, use inclusive pedagogical strategies, and understand the relevance of Queerness within disciplinary fields. Questioning the relevance or presence of Queerness in higher education environments only further serves to oppress, inflict trauma, and marginalize Queer students

Ethics, rigour and agility of research and evaluation methods in a changing social and clinical context : Reflections from a psychosocial research centre on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Centre for Psychosocial Research in Cancer conducts world-leading research and service evaluations to support well-being and quality of life amongst those affected by cancer. This paper reflects on how we adapted our research management and study methods during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implications for ongoing research practice. We use four case studies to consider the benefits and challenges of adapting to remote approaches to research and evaluation delivery: maintaining high ethical standards and data security in evaluation projects with remote approvals; recruiting for and running online discussion groups to inform intervention development; designing and delivering an in-person intervention via video conferencing; and adapting a longitudinal qualitative study to focus on newly emerging issues. We reflect on how we can maintain quality and rigour when conducting remote research and evaluation, and how this can affect our experience as researchers. We also consider possible implications of the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic for the funding and design of future research and evaluations