2,039 research outputs found
Examining 'window dressing' : the views of black police associations on recruitment and training
In a previous issue of this journal, Ellis Cashmore (2002 Cashmore, E. 2002. ‘Behind the window dressing: minority ethnic police perspectives on cultural diversity’. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 28(2): 327–41.
[Taylor & Francis Online], [CSA], [Google Scholar]
) discussed two key issues currently confronting police constabularies in England and Wales: the recruitment of minority ethnic officers and civilian staff, and the impact of diversity training now in place for all police officers. Cashmore argued that not only are these policies ineffective in enhancing cultural diversity within constabularies, but that they are harmful, presenting a false outward image of effective action. This article examines Cashmore's arguments and develops them in light of findings from recent research on Black Police Associations (BPAs) in England and Wales. Our findings firstly suggest that, because of heavy involvement with these initiatives and the close relationship BPAs have developed with senior management (in comparison to non-BPA members), they must be considered in any discussion of minority ethnic recruitment and diversity training. In addition, the majority of the officers we interviewed were supportive of current recruitment and training programmes. Secondly, we argue that BPAs are helping to change the nature of the overall police culture to a certain extent. Many minority ethnic officers no longer feel they must downplay their ethnicity as members of constabularies
Increasing smoking intensity is associated with increased disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis.
A history of ever-smoking appears to be associated with a more severe disease phenotype in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, evidence is sparse for the effect of increased smoking exposure on disease outcomes or whether smoking reduction or cessation improves outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore whether a dose-response relationship exists between pack-years and disease activity and functional impairment in axSpA. Consecutive patients meeting ASAS criteria for axial SpA were recruited from a spondyloarthritis service. The associations between pack-years of smoking and: (1) disease activity (BASDAI/ASDAS), (2) spinal pain, (3) functional impairment (BASFI) and (4) inflammatory markers were explored using multivariable linear models, adjusted for age, gender and use of TNF inhibition (TNFi) therapy. Pack-years were categorised into four groups (40) and analysed with light smoking (40, β = 2.6 (0.54, 3.56)), higher BASFI (21-40, β = 2.1 (0.42, 4.80); >40, β = 3.2 (0.76, 5.71)), and higher ASDAS (21-40, β = 0.82 (0.14, 1.51)). This cross-sectional study demonstrated that smoking is associated with increased axSpA severity markers in a dose-response manner. Particular effort should be made to restrict smoking exposure early before accruing a significant number of pack-years
Two-Photon Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Imaging of 4-Dimethylaminonaphthalimide Peptide and Protein Conjugates
We report detailed photophysical studies on the two-photon fluorescence processes of the solvatochromic fluorophore 4-DMN as a conjugate of the calmodulin (CaM) and the associated CaM-binding peptide M13. Strong two-photon fluorescence enhancement has been observed which is associated with calcium binding. It is found that the two-photon absorption cross-section is strongly dependent on the local environment surrounding the 4-DMN fluorophore in the CaM conjugates, providing sensitivity between sites of fluorophore attachment. Utilizing time-resolved measurements, the emission dynamics of 4-DMN under various environmental (solvent) conditions are analyzed. In addition, anisotropy measurements reveal that the 4-DMN–S38C–CaM system has restricted rotation in the calcium-bound calmodulin. To establish the utility for cellular imaging, two-photon fluorescence microscopy studies were also carried out with the 4-DMN-modified M13 peptide in cells. Together, these studies provide strong evidence that 4-DMN is a useful probe in two-photon imaging, with advantageous properties for cellular experiments.German Science Foundation (SO 1100/1-1
The Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope, VIII: The MIRI Focal Plane System
We describe the layout and unique features of the focal plane system for
MIRI. We begin with the detector array and its readout integrated circuit
(combining the amplifier unit cells and the multiplexer), the electronics, and
the steps by which the data collection is controlled and the output signals are
digitized and delivered to the JWST spacecraft electronics system. We then
discuss the operation of this MIRI data system, including detector readout
patterns, operation of subarrays, and data formats. Finally, we summarize the
performance of the system, including remaining anomalies that need to be
corrected in the data pipeline
Conceptualising examinable physical education in the Irish context: Leaving Certificate Physical Education
peer-reviewedA Physical Education Development Group (PEDG) was responsible for constructing a new school subject curriculum, Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE), in Ireland. This paper provides an insight into this development group and explores the process of curriculum development, and the influence of roles and power-ratios within the group, in the construction of the LCPE curriculum. Figurational sociology concepts (Elias, 1978) were drawn on to make sense of the curriculum makers’ experiences. Interviews were conducted with 10 PEDG members. The findings suggest that the members’ roles had very little, if any, influence on the curriculum development process. Findings also revolved around the unbalanced power-ratios which existed in the PEDG and highlighted the socially powerful position of ‘strong, well-established’ (in the academic field of curriculum development – participant's words) members and the other members (predominantly representing practicing teachers). We express concern for the role of teachers in the curriculum process and argue that they play a crucial and significant role in the school subject curriculum development process. This paper supports Goodson’s (1983) and Penney’s (2006) conceptualisation of the contested and socially constructed nature of the curriculum development process.peer-reviewe
Disk Formation by AGB Winds in Dipole Magnetic Fields
We present a simple, robust mechanism by which an isolated star can produce
an equatorial disk. The mechanism requires that the star have a simple dipole
magnetic field on the surface and an isotropic wind acceleration mechanism. The
wind couples to the field, stretching it until the field lines become mostly
radial and oppositely directed above and below the magnetic equator, as occurs
in the solar wind. The interaction between the wind plasma and magnetic field
near the star produces a steady outflow in which magnetic forces direct plasma
toward the equator, constructing a disk. In the context of a slow (10 km/s)
outflow (10^{-5} M_sun/yr) from an AGB star, MHD simulations demonstrate that a
dense equatorial disk will be produced for dipole field strengths of only a few
Gauss on the surface of the star. A disk formed by this model can be
dynamically important for the shaping of Planetary Nebulae.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, accepted by Ap
Furthering alternative cultures of valuation in higher education research
The value of higher education is often implicit or assumed in educational research. The underlying and antecedent premises that shape and influence debates about value remain unchallenged which perpetuates the dominant, but limiting, terms of the debate and fosters reductionism. I proceed on the premise that analyses of value are not self–supporting or self-referential but are embedded within prevailing cultures of valuation. I contend that challenging, and providing alternatives to, dominant narratives of higher education requires an appreciation of those cultures. I therefore highlight some of the existing cultures of valuation and their influence. I then propose Sayer’s concept of lay normativity as a culture of valuation and discuss how it translates into the practices of research into higher education, specifically the practice of analysis. I animate the discussion by detecting the presence of lay normativity in the evaluative space of the capability approach
Logarithmic perturbation theory for radial Klein-Gordon equation with screened Coulomb potentials via expansions
The explicit semiclassical treatment of logarithmic perturbation theory for
the bound-state problem within the framework of the radial Klein-Gordon
equation with attractive real-analytic screened Coulomb potentials, contained
time-component of a Lorentz four-vector and a Lorentz-scalar term, is
developed. Based upon -expansions and suitable quantization conditions a
new procedure for deriving perturbation expansions is offered. Avoiding
disadvantages of the standard approach, new handy recursion formulae with the
same simple form both for ground and excited states have been obtained. As an
example, the perturbation expansions for the energy eigenvalues for the
Hulth\'en potential containing the vector part as well as the scalar component
are considered.Comment: 14 pages, to be submitted to Journal of Physics
"From ‘What the hell is going on?’ to the ‘Mushy middle ground’ to ‘getting used to a new normal’: Young people’s biographical narratives around navigating parental dementia"
The number of young people who have a parent with dementia is rising as a result of improvements in diagnosis of young onset variants and demographic shifts. There has, however, been very little research focusing on this group. Accounts elicited as part of the Perceptions and Experiences of Young People With a Parent With Dementia described the period, usually some years, leading up to a diagnosis of a dementia and then the progress of the condition post diagnosis. These narratives were characterised by confusion, uncertainty, trauma and distress as the young people struggled to make sense of the significant and often extreme, behavioural and attitudinal changes that were symptoms of the illness. This paper describes and discusses how the young people experienced and navigated the temporal messiness and consequent biographical disruption arising from parental dementia
A statistical analysis of X-ray variability in pre-main sequence objects of the Taurus Molecular Cloud
This work is part of a systematic X-ray survey of the Taurus star forming
complex with XMM-Newton. We study the time series of all X-ray sources
associated with Taurus members, to statistically characterize their X-ray
variability, and compare the results to those for pre-main sequence stars in
the Orion Nebula Cluster and to expectations arising from a model where all the
X-ray emission is the result of a large number of stochastically occurring
flares. We find that roughly half of the detected X-ray sources show
variability above our sensitivity limit, and in ~ 26 % of the cases this
variability is recognized as flares. Variability is more frequently detected at
hard than at soft energies. The variability statistics of cTTS and wTTS are
undistinguishable, suggesting a common (coronal) origin for their X-ray
emission. We have for the first time applied a rigorous maximum likelihood
method in the analysis of the number distribution of flare energies on pre-main
sequence stars. In its differential form this distribution follows a power-law
with index alpha = 2.4 +- 0.5, in the range typically observed on late-type
stars and the Sun. The flare energy distribution is probably steep enough to
explain the heating of stellar coronae by nano-flares (alpha > 2), albeit
associated with a rather large uncertainty that leaves some doubt on this
conclusion.Comment: accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics; to appear in a
Special Section dedicated to the XMM-Newton Extended Survey of the Taurus
Molecular Cloud (XEST
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