Quantitative methods and gender inequalities

This paper argues that concerns that the feminist agenda is better served by qualitative not quantitative methodology were based on a rather narrow definition of feminism and a somewhat misleading portrayal of quantitative research. Using exemplar studies undertaken as part of the ESRC Research Priority Network on Gender Inequalities in Production and Reproduction (GeNet), I show how quantitative analysis can forward our understanding of the processes that underlie gender inequalities. Quantitative approaches are essential to examine the processes of selection and exclusion that reflect and create gender inequalities as manifest in changing lives and structures. Quantitative analysis of longitudinal data is used for investigating dynamic processes and different patterns of gendered resource allocation in productive and reproductive activities; whereas in-depth qualitative analysis is used to unpick the different national policy contexts for work-family balance. This can help inform how quantitative researchers (some of whom are feminists) interpret what they coun

Introduction: what’s new about gender inequalities in the 21st century?

Both women and men strive to achieve a work and family balance, but does this imply more or less equality? Does the persistence of gender and class inequalities refute the notion that lives are becoming more individualised? This book documents how gender inequalities are changing and how many inequalities of earlier eras are being eradicated

The Concept of Consent under the Sexual Offences Act 2003

The concept of consent is fundamental in considering the crime of rape under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (SOA). Consent was placed on a statutory footing for the first time by the SOA which defines consent alongside evidential and conclusive presumptions under sections 74-76, respectively. This article explores the position that unfortunately, neither significant clarity nor enhanced protection appears to have been embraced or achieved by the incorporation of consent

A little more like water

“The waves broke on the shore.” These are the final words of Virginia Woolf’s 1931 novel, The Waves, which follows the passage of a day at the ocean’s shore. The book serves as a backdrop for the life of six characters: Bernard, Susan, Neville, Rhoda, Louis and Jinny. Interludes are interjected between the chorus of these characters, depicting the arc of life from early childhood to old age and death. The relentlessness of the rhythm of the tide, at first pulsing and hard to ignore, becomes ceaseless white noise that eventually falls to the background. The day’s initial drama—a spectacular sunrise, rays sparkling on the surface of the water, shore birds singing to each other and diving to catch breakfast—fades as time progresses. Eventually, as characters pass away and grow apart, we are left with the words of just one, meditating on the ceaselessness of the progression of life in the face of death. This thesis uses Woolf’s experimental work as a framework of sorts, following the experiences of six people close to me, exemplifying the relationship between grief, memory and the ocean. Using the ocean as its backdrop, this book and this collection lay bare the realities of grief. They bring those who have experienced grief together, eschewing the notion that talking about death in its aftermath is something to be avoided. These separate experiences collide with one another like waves, sometimes softly slipping into a unified palette, and sometimes into dissonance as a group of waves would crash up against a rock. This collection of textiles is inspired by and made for distinct individuals, layered playsuits, sweaters, and pants, made to be worn together in the landscape that they evoke. It is also a celebration of process, both in the making of the work and in moving forward with life after loss. By shedding light on the similarities and differences of individual experiences of grief, and by exposing this collection to the elements, this thesis hopes that we may let ourselves become softer, more willing to flow in and out with the tides, a little more like water

The Hetu'u Global Network: Measuring the Distance to the Sun Using the June 5th/6th Transit of Venus

In the spirit of historic astronomical endeavors, we invited school groups across the globe to collaborate in a solar distance measurement using the rare June 5/6th transit of Venus. In total, we recruited 19 school groups spread over 6 continents and 10 countries to participate in our Hetu'u Global Network. Applying the methods of French astronomer Joseph-Nicolas Delisle, we used individual second and third Venus-Sun contact times to calculate the distance to the Sun. Ten of the sites in our network had amiable weather; 8 of which measured second contact and 5 of which measured third contact leading to consistent solar distance measurements of 152+/-30 million km and 163+/-30 million km respectively. The distance to the Sun at the time of the transit was 152.25 million km; therefore, our measurements are also consistent within 1sigma of the known value. The goal of our international school group network was to inspire the next generation of scientists using the excitement and accessibility of a rare astronomical event. In the process, we connected hundreds of participating students representing a diverse, multi-cultural group with differing political, economic, and racial backgrounds.Comment: 19 pages; 7 Figures; 1 Table; Accepted for publication in Astronomy Education Review (AER) For more information see http://www.das.uchile.cl/~drodrigu/easter/index_en.htm

Supporting State Policymakers' Implementation of Federal Health Reform

Outlines the capacities states will need to implement federal healthcare reform in the areas of information and analysis, strategic implementation and planning, topic-specific technical assistance, communications, and coordination and integration

Using TPA to count linear extensions

A linear extension of a poset $P$ is a permutation of the elements of the set that respects the partial order. Let $L(P)$ denote the number of linear extensions. It is a #P complete problem to determine $L(P)$ exactly for an arbitrary poset, and so randomized approximation algorithms that draw randomly from the set of linear extensions are used. In this work, the set of linear extensions is embedded in a larger state space with a continuous parameter ?. The introduction of a continuous parameter allows for the use of a more efficient method for approximating $L(P)$ called TPA. Our primary result is that it is possible to sample from this continuous embedding in time that as fast or faster than the best known methods for sampling uniformly from linear extensions. For a poset containing $n$ elements, this means we can approximate $L(P)$ to within a factor of $1 + \epsilon$ with probability at least $1 - \delta$ using an expected number of random bits and comparisons in the poset which is at most $O(n^3(ln n)(ln L(P))\epsilon^{-2}\ln \delta^{-1}).$Comment: 12 pages, 4 algorithm

Medical computed tomography (CT) able to image the past: an investigation of diagnostic accuracy and image quality

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Johannesburg, South Africa, May 2018.The use of X-ray imaging in palaeoanthropology has a long history. Both plain X- rays as well as computed tomography have successfully imaged fossils that have been cleaned and prepared from any encasing materials. There has, however, been very little work done using radiological techniques to image fossils still enclosed in surrounding matrix. Most imaging modalities have been applied post preparation of the fossils. This body of work explores the use of medical computed tomography (XCT) in the pre-preparatory phase of fossil discovery in the South African context. Scanning of breccia blocks from the site of Malapa on XCT concluded that the resultant images were of sufficient quality to enable accurate fossil identification and characterization when measured against the standard of manual preparation. Breccia blocks from Malapa were scanned at high and lower energies using micro CT (μXCT) and XCT respectively. Images were analysed for image quality, artifact and certainty of diagnosis. Results show that lower energy images are deemed superior to higher energy images for this particular application. This finding, taken together with the limitations associated with the use of μXCT for the imaging of the large breccia from Malapa, shows that XCT is the better modality for this specific application. Pre-preparatory XCT scanning can focus both preparation and interpretation of findings. The importance of pre-preparatory XCT imaging is demonstrated by the fact that preparatory techniques and protocols need to be modified from traditional methods in order to minimize the risk of contamination of possible biomolecules. Revision is needed of the peri and post excavation treatment of fossil bones to better preserve the potential of genetic heritage of the past and this research demonstrates the role that XCT can play. None of the research covered by this body of work has been done before on fossil- bearing matrices. This research should significantly change the way fossil discovery, recovery and preparation is done in the South African context and has potential for application in other palaeontological situations.LG201

Introduction: changing lives and new challenges

How is women's employment shaped by family and domestic responsibilities? This book, written by leading experts in the field, examines twenty five years of change in women's employment and addresses the challenges facing women today. This book offers an innovative analysis of how global changes including new migration processes, educational expansion, transnational labour markets, technological advances, and the global economy affect women's labour market experiences. It tackles issues relevant for future change, including gender inequalities and ethnic diversities and confronts such contentious questions as what work-life balance means? This book provides new empirical research that advances our understanding of the challenges posed by women's employment in our changing society and draws out the policy lessons that could improve economic and social well-being