Effects of Wave Action on the Structure of Fish Assemblages Across an Exposure Gradient

Disturbance affects the function and diversity of ecosystems. Increased wave exposure to salt marsh can disturb sediments and cause a loss of habitat. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of increased wave exposure on diversity, abundance, and functional ecology of estuarine fishes. If increased wave exposure is acting as a disturbance to these habitats, ecological theory (Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis) predicts that diversity will peak at intermediate frequencies and intensities of disturbance. Fish were sampled from 10 sites monthly for 6 years. The sites were assigned to different exposure categories (Open, Intermediate, and Sheltered) using an exposure assessment method. My results did not support the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. Abundance was highest at the most open sites. No significance functionality difference was found between groups. I used geometric morphometrics to determine if the increased exposure had an effect on the body shape of 4 abundant species. In freshwater studies, patterns of flow have plastic and evolutionary effects on body shape in fishes with individuals caught in faster flow having more streamline bodies and larger fin area. I was curious if the same trends would be observed in estuaries. The shape analysis yielded significant differences between exposure groups; however, not in the way expected when compared to the results from other studies. In conclusion, diversity, abundance, and shape differences were found when comparing exposure groups. However, increased wave action alone is not the driving factor; therefore I deduce the presences of other stressors and factors in this habitat affecting the dispersal and shape of individuals

Child contact problems and family court issues are related to chronic mental health problems for men following family breakdown

It is known that family breakdown and divorce are stressful for all parties. There is evidence these can even lead to suicide, especially in men. However it is not known how much various factors – such as child access restrictions and family court issues – cause stress, and whether the levels of stress change over time. The present study surveyed the experiences of 29 men who had separated from their partners. Participants submitted multiple reports (n = 408 for the whole sample) over a 12-month period. It was found that these reports included 358 stressful experiences related to child access problems, and 229 stressful experiences related to family court issues. Men’s mental well-being, measured using the Positive Mindset Index, was continuously low – just above clinical levels on average – throughout the 12-month period. Mental well-being was strongly negatively correlated to problems with child access (rs = –.571) and family court issues (rs = –.448). These correlations can be interpreted in the context of free text responses, which indicate that child access issues and family court issues had a negative impact on men’s mental well-being. Physical health problems were frequently reported too. Implications of these findings for the long-term mental health and physical health of men experiencing family breakdown are discussed in relation to the need for the family courts, and associated services, to recognise the chronic stress experienced by many men who find themselves in this predicament, and to ensure that court processes are resolved as swiftly as possible

The versatile chemistry of azidoalkyl enol ethers and their equivalents

This thesis describes the synthesis and intramolecular cycloaddition products of azides tethered to olefins bearing a heteroatom in an attempt to access a proposed triazolium intermediate 77. Chapter 1 covers the synthesis and reactivity of simple di- and trisubstituted azidoalkyl enol ethers. These substrates were found to provide isolable 1,2,3-triazoline products, but displayed a propensity to aromatise to 1,2,3-triazoles upon ionisation. Difficulties in synthesising fully-substituted azidoalkyl enol ethers have precluded a detailed study in this project, though a bias towards α-alkoxy imine formation was suggested. Chapter 2 covers the chemistry of azidoalkyl vinyl bromides. Simple vinyl bromide substrates were found to yield 1-azadienes upon thermolysis, presumably via the dehydrobromination of an α-bromo imine intermediate in situ. In Chapter 3, a brief diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) campaign was undertaken to demonstrate the potent reactivity of 1-azadiene substrates. 1-Azadienes were found to be versatile intermediates, and a small DOS library was built by exploiting several key reactivity modes. In Chapter 4, two miscellaneous routes towards the desired triazolium intermediate are discussed, and finally an Appendix chapter deals with an attempted total synthesis of salinosporamide C

How therapists work with men is related to their views on masculinity, patriarchy, and politics

In recent years, guidelines have been issued encouraging therapists to see masculinity in relation to power, privilege, and other constructs related to patriarchy theory. An exploratory study took a snowball sample of psychological therapists (psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, etc) recruited through professional networks and social media platforms between September and November 2020. This anonymous online survey asked participants how they view masculinity in relation to therapy. A total of 107 therapists met the inclusion criteria, mean + SD age 47.1 + 12.5, 66% (71) male, and 12.1 + 9.9 years in practice. Sixty therapists also described their approach to therapy with men, and content analysis found three categories: male-orientated (i.e., being aware of male-typical preferences for therapy; n = 36); gender-neutral (i.e., treating male and female clients in the same way; n = 20); and anti-patriarchy (i.e., viewing men’s problems as a result of the influence of patriarchy on socialisation into masculinity; n = 4). Chi-square (χ2) analysis with Fisher’s exact correction found therapists with a male-friendly approach were significantly less likely than other therapists to believe that: the training they received was male-friendly (χ2 = 17.804, p < .01); patriarchy holds women back (χ2 = 17.542, p < .05); and masculinity is simply a social construct (χ2 = 17.476, p < .05). They also identified less as being feminist (χ2 = 16.787, p <. 05); and less as being left-wing politically (χ2 = 15.347, p <. 05). Therapists’ views about masculinity and patriarchy are significantly related to how they report treating male clients

Reactions to contemporary narratives about masculinity: A pilot study

Masculinity is frequently talked about in contemporary Western media as being in crisis, needing reform or even being ‘toxic’. However, no research to date has assessed the impact that this pervasive narrative might be having on people, particularly men themselves. This cross-sectional online pilot survey asked 203 men and 52 women (mean + SD age 46 + 13) their opinions about the terms toxic masculinity, traditional masculinity, and positive masculinity, and how they would feel if their gender was seen as the cause of their relationship or job problems. Most participants thought the term toxic masculinity insulting, probably harmful to boys, and unlikely to help men’s behaviour. Having feminist views, especially being anti-patriarchy, were correlated with more tolerance of the term toxic masculinity. Most participants said they would be unhappy if their masculinity or femininity were blamed for their work or relationship problems. Further analysis using multiple linear regression found that men’s self-esteem was significantly predicted by older age, more education, and a greater acceptance of traditional masculinity. Men’s mental positivity – which is known to be negatively correlated with suicidality – was significantly predicted by older age, a greater acceptance of traditional masculinity, and more education. Implications for the mental health of men and boys are discussed in relation to the narrative around masculinity in the media, social sciences, and in clinical psychology

Letter From A. Liddon Graham to Chapter Heads, September 27, 1941

A typed letter from A. Liddon Graham addressed to the chapter heads of the Fight for Freedom Committee, dated September 27, 1941. Within, Graham calls for every chapter head to get petitions signed to attempt to repeal the Neutrality Act.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/fmhw_secondworldwar_documents/1124/thumbnail.jp

Adults are expected to take responsibility for their problems, especially when those problems are congruent with traditional gender role expectations

Some research suggests that we attribute responsibility differently for men and women. For example, Reynolds et al. (2019) found women are more easily typecast as victims and men as perpetrators. The present study was a cross-sectional online survey of 408 male and female adults aged 18 to 65, stratified by UK region. Participants saw 14 vignettes depicting a wide variety of scenarios featuring either a male or female character (a man or woman, or a boy or girl), about which participants were asked to make attributions. The gender of the vignette character was randomly assigned for each vignette. There was no overall difference in total internal attribution of responsibility to boys compared to girls (Cohen’s d = –0.01, p < .862). For the vignettes about adults, there was a non-significant overall trend towards total internal attribution being higher for male characters (d = 0.061, p < .065). However, in terms of each vignette separately, participants agreed more strongly that: boys were more responsible for how depressed they feel (p < .013), and men were more responsibility for avoiding workplace accidents (p < .002) and finding work (p < .003). Girls were attributed as more responsible for being physically fit (p < .034), and women attributed as more responsible for making sure their children don’t have a playground accident (p < .034). Findings of this exploratory study are discussed about attributions of responsibility being based on traditional gender role expectations. Implications for social issues, for example, encouraging help-seeking for mental health problems by boys, are discussed

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