Working to Feel Better or Feeling Better to Work? Discourses of Wellbeing in Austerity Reality TV

By focusing on discourses within the ‘cultural economy’ of reality TV, the following considers the wider positioning of waged labor as essential for mental health during a period of austerity. The findings suggest that discourses of mental health and wellbeing construct figures of a ‘good’ welfare-recipient as one who achieves wellbeing through distancing themselves from the welfare state and progress toward waged work. Framed within the landscape of ‘psycho-politics’, wellbeing and unemployment are arguably entangled to legitimize current welfare policy, placing responsibility on individuals for economic and health security and dissolving concerns over austerity’s systemic impact

Women and alcohol: Contemporary discourses around femininity and leisure in the UK.

The thesis examines discourses around femininity and drinking in the United Kingdom in the current historical context. The research was comprised of two major studies. The first, a media text study, involved collecting articles, commentaries and visual material pertaining to women and alcohol from a range of national newspapers over nearly a three year period (January 1998 - December 2000). The second research study entailed the conduction of focus group interviews with women from diverse social backgrounds from South and West Yorkshire around the subject area of femininity and drinking. All texts and data collected were then subjected, predominantly, to a Foucauldian style of discourse analysis (e.g. Burman & Parker, 1993).The texts largely constructed drinking as problematic for women. Such meanings are informed by the construction of alcohol consumption as an essentially masculine activity (e.g. Kaminer & Dixon, 1995) and women as responsible carers who should not indulge in such male vices (e.g. Cooke & Allan, 1984). For example, drinking women are not only regarded as damaging their health but also as emasculating. The increasing presence of women within traditionally male domains (e.g. the pub) has also been met with moral panic and 'backlash' discourse (Faludi, 1992), particularly evident in recent media output. Further, drinking women were positioned as vulnerable and at risk from predatory and aggressive men (e.g. Lindqvist, 1991), but at the same time, partially responsible for any harm they may suffer by virtue of their 'unfeminine' conduct. This raises important issues around the attribution of responsibility for abusive male behaviour, which may be of concern to feminists, thus indicating such discourses as a site for intervention. Yet these operated alongside competing contemporary discourses which positioned drinking women in more powerful ways, for instance, as active sexual predators and aggressors, thus subverting a form of 'victim feminism' which has been heavily criticised in recent years (e.g. Roiphe, 1993; Paglia, 1992). Finally, the thesis further contributes to the postmodern deconstruction of the category 'women' as a unitary one (e.g. Wilkinson, 1996) by using alcohol consumption as a site for investigating the construction and negotiation of multiple forms of femininity. In sum, the thesis hopes to make a valuable contribution to feminist social psychological work around gender, as to date, analyses of women's drinking per se appear to be largely absent from this literature (Day et al, 2001a)

Neutron star-axion star collisions in the light of multimessenger astronomy

Axions are increasingly favoured as a candidate particle for the dark matter in galaxies, since they satisfy the observational requirements for cold dark matter and are theoretically well mo- tivated. Fluctuations in the axion field give rise to stable localised overdensities known as ax- ion stars, which, for the most massive, compact cases, are potential neutron star mimickers. In principle, there are no fundamental arguments against the multi-messenger observations of GW170817/GRB170817A/AT2017gfo arising from the merger of a neutron star with a neutron star mimicker, rather than from a binary neutron star. To constrain this possibility and better un- derstand the astrophysical signatures of a neutron star–axion star (NSAS) merger, we present in this work a detailed example case of a NSAS merger based on full 3D numerical relativity simula- tions, and give an overview of the many potential observables - ranging from gravitational waves, to optical and near-infrared electromagnetic signals, radio flares, fast radio bursts, gamma ray bursts, and neutrino emission. We discuss the individual channels and estimate to which distances current and future observatories might be able to detect such a NSAS merger. Such signals could con- strain the unknown axion mass and its couplings to standard baryonic matter, thus enhancing our understanding of the dark matter sector of the Universe

Old Jokes, New Media – Online Sexism and Constructions of Gender in Internet Memes

The Internet is a space where the harassment of women and marginalised groups online has attracted the attention of both academic and popular press. Feminist research has found that instances of online sexism and harassment are often reframed as “acceptable” by constructing them as a form of humour. Following this earlier research, this present paper explores a uniquely technologically-bound type of humour by adopting a feminist, social-constructionist approach to examine the content of popular Internet memes. Using thematic analysis on a sample of 240 image macro Internet memes (those featuring an image with a text caption overlaid), we identified two broad, overarching themes – Technological Privilege and Others. Within the analysis presented here, complex and troubling constructions of gendered identity in online humour are explored, illustrating the potential for the othering and exclusion of women through humour in technological spaces. We argue that this new iteration of heteronormative, hegemonic masculinity in online sexism, couched in “irony” and “joking”, serves to police, regulate and create rightful occupants and owners of such spaces

Frequency and Correlates of Mycoplasma genitalium Antimicrobial Resistance Mutations and Their Association With Treatment Outcomes: Findings From a National Sentinel Surveillance Pilot in England

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma genitalium infection is a public health concern due to extensive antimicrobial resistance. Using data from a pilot of M. genitalium antimicrobial resistance surveillance, we determined the prevalence and risk factors for resistance among specimens from sexual health clinic attendees and assessed treatment outcomes. METHODS: Seventeen sexual health clinics in England sent consecutive M. genitalium-positive specimens to the national reference laboratory from January to March 2019. Regions of the 23S rRNA, parC, and gyrA genes associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance, respectively, were amplified and sequenced where appropriate. Fisher exact tests, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations between demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors and resistance-associated mutations. RESULTS: More than two-thirds (173 of 249 [69%]) of M. genitalium specimens had mutations associated with macrolide resistance, whereas predicted fluoroquinolone (21 of 251 [8%]) and dual-drug (12 of 237 [5%]) resistance were less prevalent. No specimens had both gyrA and parC resistance-associated mutations. Macrolide resistance was more common in specimens from men who have sex with men compared with heterosexual men (adjusted odds ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-6.38; P = 0.03). There was an association between both macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance and having a previous sexually transmitted infection (P = 0.06).Only 19% of individuals returned for a test of cure. Of those infected with a macrolide-resistant genotype who were given azithromycin, 57 of 78 (73%) were known or assumed to be clinically cured; however, 43 of these 57 (75%) also received doxycycline. Of the 21 with a macrolide-resistant genotype who failed treatment, 18 of 21 (86%) also received doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS: Although macrolide resistance was widespread, particularly among specimens from men who have sex with men and those with a previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis in the past year, resistance-associated mutations in M. genitalium did not seem to be unequivocally predictive of treatment failure

Eradicating Sexual Violence in Tertiary Education: A report from UCU’s sexual violence task group

This report represents the work of 13 UCU members who were convened in September 2020 to examine sexual violence in tertiary education across the UK and inform the union’s campaigning and representation of members affected by the issue. The report reinforces previous research about the worryingly high levels of prevalence of sexual violence in the sector, with a focus on the past five years. As well as highlighting the severity of the problem in general terms, some of the report’s most important findings are about the disproportionate prevalence of sexual violence against groups that are marginalised by employment status or protected characteristics. Precariously employed staff and postgraduate researchers, disabled staff, trans and non-binary staff, and staff whose sexual orientation is not heterosexual are all significantly more likely to have directly experienced sexual violence in the past five years. The report presents a number of recommendations for employers, alongside recommendations for UCU to implement to enhance its campaigning against sexual violence, as well as its support for and representation of survivors. Selected recommendations include: Employers should abandon the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with perpetrators, disclose outcomes of complaints to survivors, and include information about disciplinary proceedings in references provided for perpetrators. Employers should recognise that casualisation exacerbates gender-based violence and work with UCU to end it through collective agreements and lobbying for wider policy change. Employers should develop policies to allow proceedings against alleged perpetrators to continue after they have left the institution, where necessary and in accordance with the wishes of the complainant. UCU should consider withholding at least some forms of representation from perpetrators. UCU should provide guidance and support for survivors and union representatives against retaliatory defamation proceedings by perpetrators. The findings and recommendations presented are based on a wide range of sources and methods, including: A survey of UCU members which received nearly 4,000 responses. A survey of UCU reps which received 100 responses. A survey of professionals whose work covers this area, including officials in UCU and other campus trade unions, lawyers, and other professionals. Follow-up interviews with a number of respondents from the survey of professionals. One-on-one conversations with survivors. Creative submissions from Survivors Create! Online portal. Written submissions from four of UCU’s national elected committees. Other interviews and meetings with UCU committees, representatives and officials

Psychological and psychosocial interventions for cannabis cessation in adults: A systematic review

Objective: Many psychological and psychosocial interventions have been developed to treat regular users of cannabis, but it is unclear which intervention(s) are the most effective. This article aims to assess the effectiveness of psychological and psychosocial interventions for cannabis cessation, and to outline priorities for future research. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature. Eleven databases were searched in February 2014. Results: Twenty-six RCTs were identified; the majority were considered to be at a high risk of bias. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) significantly improved outcomes compared with wait-list in five studies post-treatment, maintained at 9 months in the one study with later follow-up. Studies of motivational interviewing (MI) or motivational enhancement therapy (MET) gave mixed results, with some improvements over wait-list while some comparisons were not significant. Four studies comparing CBT against MI/MET gave mixed results; longer courses of CBT provided some improvements over shorter MI. Courses of other types of therapy (social support groups and case management) gave similar improvements to CBT. Vouchers for abstinence (contingency management) gave promising results in the short-term and at follow-up. Conclusion: Studies were heterogeneous, covering a range of interventions, comparators, populations and outcomes. CBT improved short-term outcomes in a clinically dependent self-selected population of cannabis users. Brief MI improved short-term outcomes at post-treatment in a younger non-clinically dependent population. There is some evidence that CBT may be more effective than briefer MI interventions although results were mixed. Contingency management may enhance long-term outcomes in combination with CBT in clinically dependent individuals

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Best Practices for Queer Metadata

This document is the result of two years of work by a group of nearly one hundred knowledge organisers, cataloguers, librarians, archivists, scholars, and information professionals with a concerted interest in improving the metadata treatment of queer people, communities, and items in GLAMS (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Special Collections) and other informational institutions. Their work has been supported by over 800 peer reviewers; combined, these groups make up the Queer Metadata Collective (QMDC). The QMDC builds upon earlier work done by the Trans Metadata Collective (TMDC), a similarly-organised group of metadata workers and information professionals with a concerted interest in improving the metadata representation of trans and gender-diverse people. The work of the TMDC culminated in Metadata Best Practices for Trans and Gender Diverse Resources, focusing on the description, cataloguing, and classification of information resources as well as the creation of metadata about trans and gender-diverse people, including authors, communities, and other creators. Following the publication of the Best Practices, several TMDC members founded and developed the QMDC over the summer of 2022. This document focuses on metadata by and about queer people, communities, and resources. While there is significant overlap between queer metadata and trans and gender diverse metadata, QMDC’s recommendations should not be seen as excluding or superseding TMDC’s, as trans and gender diverse people, communities, and resources have specific needs. For best practices and recommendations about trans and gender-diverse resources, please consult the TMDC document. If the TMDC and QMDC recommendations conflict (we are not aware of any instances in which they do), prefer the TMDC document for trans and gender diverse resources and the QMDC for other types of queer resources.UT Librarie

Consensus-based care recommendations for adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Purpose of review Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe, progressive genetic disease that affects between 1 in 3,000 and 8,000 individuals globally. No evidence-based guideline exists to inform the care of these patients, and most do not have access to multidisciplinary care centers staffed by experienced professionals, creating a clinical care deficit. Recent findings The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) recruited 66 international clinicians experienced in DM1 patient care to develop consensus-based care recommendations. MDF created a 2-step methodology for the project using elements of the Single Text Procedure and the Nominal Group Technique. The process generated a 4-page Quick Reference Guide and a comprehensive, 55-page document that provides clinical care recommendations for 19 discrete body systems and/or care considerations. Summary The resulting recommendations are intended to help standardize and elevate care for this patient population and reduce variability in clinical trial and study environments. Described as “one of the more variable diseases found in medicine,” myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant, triplet-repeat expansion disorder that affects somewhere between 1:3,000 and 1:8,000 individuals worldwide.1 There is a modest association between increased repeat expansion and disease severity, as evidenced by the average age of onset and overall morbidity of the condition. An expansion of over 35 repeats typically indicates an unstable and expanding mutation. An expansion of 50 repeats or higher is consistent with a diagnosis of DM1. DM1 is a multisystem and heterogeneous disease characterized by distal weakness, atrophy, and myotonia, as well as symptoms in the heart, brain, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine, and respiratory systems. Symptoms may occur at any age. The severity of the condition varies widely among affected individuals, even among members of the same family. Comprehensive evidence-based guidelines do not currently exist to guide the treatment of DM1 patients. As a result, the international patient community reports varied levels of care and care quality, and difficulty accessing care adequate to manage their symptoms, unless they have access to multidisciplinary neuromuscular clinics. Consensus-based care recommendations can help standardize and improve the quality of care received by DM1 patients and assist clinicians who may not be familiar with the significant variability, range of symptoms, and severity of the disease. Care recommendations can also improve the landscape for clinical trial success by eliminating some of the inconsistencies in patient care to allow more accurate understanding of the benefit of potential therapies