Mismatched Identities: Experiencing White Womanhood and White Motherhood as an Exotic Dancer

In this paper I examine the work of exotic dancers in the Rocky Mountain West, focusing on their identities, identity conflict, identity threat, and overcompensation. In over twelve hours of recorded interviews, I asked ten exotic dancers working in Montana about their work, families, and communities as well as their perceptions of themselves and their work. I found that this marginalized group that resides in places that have rural characteristics, often face identity threat because their identities are known within their communities. The identity threat arises as a result of expectations and stereotypes of dancers, and in order to deal with this threat, the informants relied on overcompensation. The informants overcompensated in a myriad of ways that included costuming, exhibiting anger, creating a tough outer exterior, and drug and alcohol use

Résistants & Résistantes

This paper explores men and women "Résistants" in France during the Second World War. Six fighters are profiled in order to distinguish both the defining elements of a resistance fighter and the differences between male and female roles in the movement

Social Cues, Social Bonds, and Digitally Mediated Platforms

This study examined social relationships, digital communication, and the identity processes involved in developing social bonds with strangers. Utilizing identity theory, social exchange theory, I theorized, tested, and formulated a model for the development of social bonds. I focused on critical social psychological mechanisms involved in identity processes, identity verification, role-taking, certainty, and positive emotions. The cumulation of this model generates social solidarity between interaction partners. At issue, however, is how this model may be affected when access to social cues is digitally mediated in the interaction. To address this aim, I conduct an experiment in which two strangers interact as “co-workers” in a workplace setting across a computer network as well as in person. There are, however, debates regarding the impact of social technologies on social bonds. These arguments often contain a discussion of social cues, such as eye contact, facial expressions, and body language, with some arguing that the reduction of social cues available in the interaction negatively impacts our ability to form meaningful relationships. To test these competing perspectives, I develop counter hypotheses with contrasting outcomes. On the one hand, I hypothesize that more social cues compared to less social cues will increase social bonds (H1a), transitioning into an interaction with more social cues will increase social bonds (H2a), and the effects of role-taking, identity verification, certainty, and positive emotions on social bonds will be stronger with more social cues compared to less social cues (H3a). On the other hand, I hypothesize that fewer social cues will increase bonds (H1b), transitioning into an interaction with fewer cues will increase social bonds (H2b), and that the processes leading up to social bonds will be stronger during interactions with fewer social cues (H3b). However, results do not support either sets of hypotheses. I did not find that decreasing or increasing access to social cues through digital interaction significantly affects the model depicted in Figure 1. Instead, I offer a third alternative perspective: people are adapting to fluctuations in the availability of social cues while technology is developing to bridge the absence of such cues

Absenteeism amongst nursing students in a Limpopo college of nursing

MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015Globally, student absenteeism is seen as a period of time when students do not attend classes. This is a serious concern for lecturers at institutions of higher learning (Lipscomb & Snelling, 2010:573). In South Africa, student absenteeism is rampant amongst university and college students (Wadesango & Machingambi, 2011:89), and it is also a problem in the Limpopo Province (Ramodike, 2008:2). The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the reasons for nursing students to be absent from class in a college of nursing in the Limpopo Province, and to formulate strategies to reduce student absenteeism in a college of nursing in the Limpopo Province. The research design in this study was quantitative, descriptive, exploratory and cross sectional in nature. The sample included nursing students, from level I to level IV of their studies (n=209), registered at a college of nursing in the Limpopo Province. The data was collected using the Factors influencing Absenteeism Questionnaire (FIAQ) (Fayombo, 2012). EpiData and SPSS statistical programmes were used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that nursing students absent themselves from class due to aspects of student-centred factors, for instance when they want to prepare for examination (53.1%; n=111); and home-related factors, most nursing students reported that they are absent from class when there is death of a family member (63.2%; n=132). Regarding school-related factors, most nursing students indicated that poor infrastructural facilities in school provide reasons for students’ absenteeism (39.2%; n=82). However, the results revealed that there is no relation between social factors and students’ absenteeism, as most of the respondents (48.3%; n=100) disagreed that the unavailability of entertainment like malls or movies around the campus is a cause of student absenteeism. With regard to measures to reduce students’ absenteeism, most of the respondents (73.7%, n=154) indicated that they need a prize giving ceremony for students that are never absent from class. A further 54.1% (n=113) reported that they want a motivating program that will emphasise the benefits of attending classes, and 47.8% (n=100) indicated that they need a program that teaches friendly and mutual lecturer-student relationships. Recommendations for nursing education, practice, future research and a policy were made.Master

A Content Analysis of Top Selling Video Games and Their Production Staff

Previous research on video games in the United States has repeated the same mantra: women are sexualized, minimized, or just absent. This study evaluates the position and role of women, particularly women of color, in video games. Employing symbolic annihilation, standpoint epistemology, and tokenism, this study assesses characters and their connection to the production team (writers, producers, and directors). Current research on video games has not previously made a first-order linkage of this kind. I analyzed, using a structured content analysis, the extent to which women are present and what type of roles they occupy in forty-one top selling video games (2008 to 2012). The study found that women, particularly women of color, were often tokens or minorities, were more sexualized than men, less violent than men, less likely to possess a weapon, and occupy less active and meaningful roles. Women were often positioned as a commodity or a motivating factor for male character narratives. The research found that production teams consist predominately of white males and that there is no significant correlation between production staff members and the final product. The thesis explores the social implications of such dismal character representation in video games.Sociology, Department o

Bacterial Hyaluronidase Promotes Ascending GBS Infection and Preterm Birth

Preterm birth increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes and is the leading cause of neonatal mortality. A significant cause of preterm birth is in utero infection with vaginal microorganisms. These vaginal microorganisms are often recovered from the amniotic fluid of preterm birth cases. A vaginal microorganism frequently associated with preterm birth is group B streptococcus (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying GBS ascension are poorly understood. Here, we describe the role of the GBS hyaluronidase in ascending infection and preterm birth. We show that clinical GBS strains associated with preterm labor or neonatal infections have increased hyaluronidase activity compared to commensal strains obtained from rectovaginal swabs of healthy women. Using a murine model of ascending infection, we show that hyaluronidase activity was associated with increased ascending GBS infection, preterm birth, and fetal demise. Interestingly, hyaluronidase activity reduced uterine inflammation but did not impact placental or fetal inflammation. Our study shows that hyaluronidase activity enables GBS to subvert uterine immune responses, leading to increased rates of ascending infection and preterm birth. These findings have important implications for the development of therapies to prevent in utero infection and preterm birth

A Recombinant Alpha-Like Protein Subunit Vaccine (GBS-NN) Provides Protection in Murine Models of Group B Streptococcus Infection

BACKGROUND: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) transmission during pregnancy causes preterm labor, stillbirths, fetal injury, or neonatal infections. Rates of adult infections are also rising. The GBS-NN vaccine, engineered by fusing N-terminal domains of GBS Alpha C and Rib proteins, is safe in healthy, nonpregnant women, but further assessment is needed for use during pregnancy. Here, we tested GBS-NN vaccine efficacy using mouse models that recapitulate human GBS infection outcomes. METHODS: Following administration of GBS-NN vaccine or adjuvant, antibody profiles were compared by ELISA. Vaccine efficacy was examined by comparing infection outcomes in GBS-NN vaccinated versus adjuvant controls during systemic and pregnancy-associated infections, and during intranasal infection of neonatal mice following maternal vaccination. RESULTS: Vaccinated mice had higher GBS-NN-specific IgG titers versus controls. These antibodies bound alpha C and Rib on GBS clinical isolates. Fewer GBS were recovered from systemically challenged vaccinated mice versus controls. Although vaccination did not eliminate GBS during ascending infection in pregnancy, vaccinated dams experienced fewer in utero fetal deaths. Additionally, maternal vaccination prolonged neonatal survival following intranasal GBS challenge. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate GBS-NN vaccine efficacy in murine systemic and perinatal GBS infections and suggest that maternal vaccination facilitates the transfer of protective antibodies to neonates

Group B Streptococcal Hemolytic Pigment Impairs Platelet Function in a Two-Step Process

Group B streptococci (GBS) cause a range of invasive maternal–fetal diseases during pregnancy and post-partum. However, invasive infections in non-pregnant adults are constantly increasing. These include sepsis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, which are often complicated by systemic coagulation and thrombocytopenia. GBS express a hyper-hemolytic ornithine rhamnolipid pigment toxin with cytolytic and coagulatory activity. Here, we investigated the effects of GBS pigment on human platelets. Infections of platelets with pigmented GBS resulted initially in platelet activation, followed by necrotic cell death. Thus, this study shows that GBS pigment kills human platelets

GBS hyaluronidase mediates immune suppression in a TLR2/4- and IL-10-dependent manner during pregnancy-associated infection

ABSTRACT Bacterial infections remain a significant cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Ascending infection of group B streptococcus (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae from the lower genital tract to the amniotic cavity leads to fetal injury, preterm births, or stillbirths. Factors increasing the invasive potential of bacteria at the maternal-fetal interface are poorly understood. Previous studies have indicated that the GBS hyaluronidase (HylB) can enhance systemic infection by breaking down host hyaluronan into disaccharides that dampen protective TLR2 and TLR4 signaling. Here, we examined the importance of hyaluronan receptors such as TLR2, TLR4, and CD44 in defense against GBS infections during pregnancy. While HylB promoted ascending GBS infection in wild-type (WT) and CD44-deficient mice, surprisingly, mice lacking both TLR2 and TLR4 (TLR2/4) were able to curtail these infections. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-10-expressing macrophages were significantly increased in the uterine tissues of WT mice during infection with HylB-proficient GBS compared with those of TLR2/4-deficient mice, and this likely promotes immune suppression and GBS dissemination. Consistent with these observations, pregnant IL-10-deficient mice exhibited diminished GBS ascension and dissemination. Similarly, the administration of a blocking antibody against the IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) in WT mice diminished ascending GBS infection. Collectively, these observations indicate that HylB promotes immune suppression in a TLR2/4- and IL-10-dependent manner to enhance the invasive potential of GBS during pregnancy-associated infections. IMPORTANCE Bacteria such as GBS can cause infections during pregnancy leading to preterm births, stillbirths, and neonatal infections. The interaction between host and bacterial factors during infections in the placenta is not fully understood. GBS secretes a hyaluronidase enzyme that is thought to digest host hyaluronan into immunosuppressive disaccharides that dampen TLR2/4 signaling, leading to increased bacterial dissemination and adverse outcomes. In this study, we show that GBS HylB mediates immune suppression and promotes bacterial infection during pregnancy that requires TLR2, TLR4, and IL-10. Understanding the interaction between host and bacterial factors can inform future therapeutic strategies to mitigate GBS infections