Artists' books

A group exhibition, organised and selected by the curator of the Riverside gallery, Mark DeNovellis. To coincide with the annual literature festival, this exhibition showcased contemporary artists' books – artwork in book form – from unique examples to limited edition works

Risk, vulnerability and environmental hazards in the village of Darkot, northern Pakistan

Conventional approaches to studying environmental risks and hazards have focused on the physical parameters of geomorphic, hydrologic and climatic events—magnitude, duration and frequency—without adequately accounting for the role of human agency in averting disaster and distributing loss. Secondly, where human intervention was recognized it was often in an incriminating way, particularly in work dealing with the developing world or peripheral regions such as mountain areas. Here, humans were portrayed as helpless victims; unable to successfully adapt to their environment or else they were viewed as having played an unwitting role in their own downfall through ‘short-sighted’ agricultural practices such as overgrazing or deforestation. Since the late-1970s there has been an emerging sub-field in hazards research that has sought to place greater emphasis on the social, economic and environmental conditions that create a state of vulnerability, whereby communities, regions, ethnic groups, classes and nations are more likely to be exposed to hazardous processes and less able to recover from them. This research, based on fieldwork conducted in the village of Darkot in the Darakoram Mountains, Northern Pakistan, seeks to utilise this ‘vulnerability’ perspective to study risk and responses to risk by members of the community. In it I argue that losses from environmental hazards—while closely related to the magnitude of the event itself—must also be interpreted with regard to changes in environmental conditions unrelated to hazard events, socio-economic constraints that constrain household responses to risk and slow recovery and the constraints on settlement within and around the community, such that people have little choice but to settle in unsafe locations. This first section of this work deals with the various theoretical approaches to the study of risks and hazards, with particular references to the work of Hewitt (1983, 1997) and Blaikie et al. (1994, 2001) on the social construction of vulnerability. Physical conditions in the Karakoram and the Yasin Valley are discussed and the various ways in which human activity has modified the landscape. I argue that these mountain communities have developed a variety of ‘techniques’ that have—for the most part—been successful in managing the risks and hazards associated with such a dynamic environment. Traditional responses to risk, indeed the traditional economy, is being altered however with recent intervention by local and national government, in particular through the work of the AKRSP. To account for the totality of risk in the community, I have sought to address a number of interrelated elements including the hazards to which households in the community are exposed to, the intervening conditions that exacerbate or avert losses, the methods with which households adapt and cope with danger and loss and the extent to which various households in the community are more vulnerable than others to damaging events. To account for the formation of vulnerability at the community and household level, I have employed a version of Blaikie et al.’s (1994, 2001) ‘disaster and release model’ in which vulnerability is shown to be influenced by events and conditions far removed from what is considered a peripheral mountain valley. The research was carried out over a period of two months, during which time a number of interviews were carried out within the village, hazard sites and settlement patterns were identified and mapped, and data collected on land-use, population, cropping patterns and agricultural practices within the community

Political Economy

Few subjects are so generally misunderstood as political economy; and not only among the masses is ignorance of its simplest principles found, but even among those who aspire to be the leaders of public opinion. And yet, no branch of knowledge is more necessary for that large class of men whose province it is to direct or to influence the destinies of States by wielding the Executive and Legislative powers, by instructing the people, and by ministering in the way of commerce, to its wants. Our educational systems are much to blame for this defect

Everyday Cookery : a Recipe Supplement to Woman\u27s Hour Talks

A BBC Publication, published as a recipe supplement to Woman\u27s Hour radio show. Contributors Freda Cowell, Fanny Cradock, Muriel Downes, Pauline Chamont, Ruth Morgan and Katie Stewart. Contains recipes for casseroles, steak and kidney Pie etc. plus advice on home baking

An extended investigation of the similarity between privacy policies of social networking sites as a precursor for standardization

Privacy policies are unsatisfactory in communicating information to users. Social networking sites (SNS) exemplify this, attracting growing concerns regarding their use of personal data, whilst lacking incentives to improve their policies. Standardization addresses many of these issues, but is only possible if policies share attributes that can be standardized. This investigation assessed the similarity of two attributes (the clauses and the coverage of forty recommendations made by the UK Information Commissioner) between the privacy policies of the six most frequently visited SNS globally. Similarity was also investigated by looking at whether any recommendations were not addressed by all SNS and if there were any themes of information discussed in the policies, but not included in the ICO Code. We found that similarity in the clauses was low, yet similarity in the recommendations covered was high. This indicates that SNS use different clauses, but to convey similar information. There were a number of recommendations which none of the SNS addressed. There were also four themes of information which all six SNS addressed, which were not recommended in the ICO Code. This paper proposes the policies of SNS already share attributes, indicating the feasibility of standardization at a thematic level currently. Five recommendations are made to begin facilitating this

Dietary intake and food sources of protein among adolescent females aged 15-18 years living in New Zealand

Background: Adolescence is a life stage characterised by rapid physical growth and development. These rapid changes increase the requirement for protein and energy (1). Protein has a functional and structural role in the body where it makes up a large proportion of skeletal muscle and many other body cells. Protein is, therefore, an important macronutrient during this period of considerable growth. Recent data regarding the dietary protein intake and major protein food sources among this population group is scarce. The aim of this thesis, is to investigate the dietary intake and major food sources of protein for adolescent females aged 15-18 years of age living in New Zealand. Design: This cross-sectional, clustered study collected information regarding demographics (age, sex, and ethnicity) and nutritional supplement use via online questionnaires. Dietary intakes of all food and beverages were assessed by two non-consecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Data from these diet recalls were entered into FoodWorks and were matched to nutrient lines from the 2016 New Zealand FOODfiles to calculate dietary protein intake. Usual dietary protein intake was calculated using the multiple source method. Height and weight was measured using standard protocols and used to calculate body mass index z-scores. Results: Data was available for 145 adolescent females aged 15-18 years, who were enrolled in one of the eight secondary schools visited throughout New Zealand. The mean daily intake of protein for adolescent females aged 15-18 years was 73.7g (95% CI 70.1, 77.3). The mean intake of protein expressed per kilogram of body weight per day was 1.2g/kg/d (95% CI 1.1,1.2). Both the mean daily intake and g/kg/d were adequate in meeting the EAR of 45g/d and 0.62g/kg/day respectively. Eleven (8.5%) participants had an inadequate intake of protein defined as <0.62g/kg/d. Protein intake contributed on average 15 % (95% CI 14.9,16.0) of the total energy intake, which was at the lower end of the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (15-25%). No significant association was observed between protein intake and ethnicity; however, the prevalence of inadequate protein intakes was significantly greater in participants who were classified as overweight or obese. Poultry was the single largest contributor of dietary protein (12.5%), followed by, bread-based dishes (9.7%), bread (8.5%) and grains and pasta (8.4%). Conclusion: These findings show that the usual dietary protein intakes of healthy adolescent females aged 15-18 years living in New Zealand are adequate. This, along with the confirmation that both animal and plant-based foods contribute to protein intake in this population, will assist the review of dietary guidelines and recommendations for this age group. Further work is required to confirm the preliminary finding that overweight and obese adolescent females are more likely to have inadequate protein intakes

Dietary intake and food sources of protein among adolescent females aged 15-18 years living in New Zealand

Background: Adolescence is a life stage characterised by rapid physical growth and development. These rapid changes increase the requirement for protein and energy (1). Protein has a functional and structural role in the body where it makes up a large proportion of skeletal muscle and many other body cells. Protein is, therefore, an important macronutrient during this period of considerable growth. Recent data regarding the dietary protein intake and major protein food sources among this population group is scarce. The aim of this thesis, is to investigate the dietary intake and major food sources of protein for adolescent females aged 15-18 years of age living in New Zealand. Design: This cross-sectional, clustered study collected information regarding demographics (age, sex, and ethnicity) and nutritional supplement use via online questionnaires. Dietary intakes of all food and beverages were assessed by two non-consecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Data from these diet recalls were entered into FoodWorks and were matched to nutrient lines from the 2016 New Zealand FOODfiles to calculate dietary protein intake. Usual dietary protein intake was calculated using the multiple source method. Height and weight was measured using standard protocols and used to calculate body mass index z-scores. Results: Data was available for 145 adolescent females aged 15-18 years, who were enrolled in one of the eight secondary schools visited throughout New Zealand. The mean daily intake of protein for adolescent females aged 15-18 years was 73.7g (95% CI 70.1, 77.3). The mean intake of protein expressed per kilogram of body weight per day was 1.2g/kg/d (95% CI 1.1,1.2). Both the mean daily intake and g/kg/d were adequate in meeting the EAR of 45g/d and 0.62g/kg/day respectively. Eleven (8.5%) participants had an inadequate intake of protein defined as <0.62g/kg/d. Protein intake contributed on average 15 % (95% CI 14.9,16.0) of the total energy intake, which was at the lower end of the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (15-25%). No significant association was observed between protein intake and ethnicity; however, the prevalence of inadequate protein intakes was significantly greater in participants who were classified as overweight or obese. Poultry was the single largest contributor of dietary protein (12.5%), followed by, bread-based dishes (9.7%), bread (8.5%) and grains and pasta (8.4%). Conclusion: These findings show that the usual dietary protein intakes of healthy adolescent females aged 15-18 years living in New Zealand are adequate. This, along with the confirmation that both animal and plant-based foods contribute to protein intake in this population, will assist the review of dietary guidelines and recommendations for this age group. Further work is required to confirm the preliminary finding that overweight and obese adolescent females are more likely to have inadequate protein intakes

Control of insect-transmitted viruses in cucurbit crops in KwaZulu- Natal.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.The production of cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) in KwaZulu-Natal faces the constant threat of viral diseases. These can be so severe as to severely limit or prevent production in the latter part of the growing season (December-April). The important viruses in this regard are zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV), watermelon mosaic 2 potyvirus (WMV2), watermelon mosaic potyvirus - Morocco strain (WMV-M), papaya ringspot potyvirus - type W (PRSV-W), cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), and squash mosaic comovirus (SqMV). The potyviruses and CMV are vectored by aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) and SqMV is vectored by cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae). PRSV and SqMV were found to be absent from the region, while CMV was found not to be a serious threat to cucurbit production. ZYMV, WMV2 (now confirmed to occur in South Africa) and WMV-M are the major viral pathogens of cucurbits in KwaZulu-Natal. The distribution of these viruses and methods for their control were investigated. Investigations of aphid morphology using the scanning electron microscope were undertaken to determine if taxonomic studies could be conducted using this form of microscopy. The best form of specimen preparation was the cryo-fixation technique, which resulted in less collapse of the body wall and general damage to the specimen when compared to the critical point drying technique. Due to the lack of mobility of the specimen while viewing, this form of microscopy is rejected as a means of identifying aphids to the species level. ZYMV was found to occur in a number of weed species (Galinsoga parviflora, Malva parviflora, Amaranthus sp., Solarium spp.), which could serve as reservoirs of virus. WMV-M and CMV were also found in some weed species. All tests for the potyviruses and SqMV were done using the double-antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA technique. CMV was tested for using indirect ELISA tests. A third of the plants tested were found to be infected with more than one virus which could have implications for disease severity. Disease severity was found to increase at about midway through the growing season (December- January). This was concurrent with a massive increase in the general aphid population in the experimental area. As no aphids were seen on the cucurbits in the fields, these vectors are believed to be transient inhabitants of the crop at first testing and then rejecting the plants as a food source. All control measures applied in the trial were aimed at reducing the numbers of aphids in the plots. Aphids were trapped using yellow sticky traps. Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) was used in the trials due to its bush growth habit and good virus symptom expression. The success of the treatments was determined by monitoring the numbers of aphids present in the plots, and the use of a rating scale which assessed the severity of virus disease in the plots. The two best treatments were the white reflective mulch and the straw mulch. In the cultivar trial which assessed ten different cultivars for their virus resistance/tolerance. The best three cultivars were 'SQ 229', 'Puma', and 'SQ 228'. 'SQ 229' and 'SQ 228' were withdrawn from the market by the seed company for unknown reasons. From the results obtained from these investigations, a disease management programme can be suggested. All cucurbit crops should be grown over a white reflective mulch, drip irrigation should be used to reduce agitation of the plants which could unnecessarily disturb feeding aphids, and a resistant or tolerant cultivar should be used in the latter half of the growing season. The effectiveness of any treatment can be assessed by comparing the number of aphids caught with the number caught in the control plots