Representation of masculinities and race in South African television advertising: A content analysis

This paper examines how masculinities and race are co-constructed in South African television advertising. A sample of 5803 advertisements was collected that included 876 primary visual male actors. These were coded and analysed by means of traditional content analysis. A coding scheme was developed which was partly based on existing research. Coding categories included advertisement setting and products; race, social class, age and portrayal of primary visual actor; as well as sexuality, toughness, independence, status, responsibility and homophobia norms of traditional masculinity as related to the primary visual male actor. Hypotheses predicted that men would be represented significantly differently in television advertisements depending upon their race. These differences in representation reflect an intersection between traditional gender and race relations in South Africa that are marked by longstanding inequalities.The findings largely supported these hypotheses. White men are represented as exemplars of hegemonic masculinity whilst black men are marginalised. It is argued that these representations serve to maintain hierarchical social relations between men in South Africa.This study provides a foundation upon which further work may be undertaken. Avenues for future research are outlined

The social psychology of citizenship: engagement with citizenship studies and future research

In this article we review the argument outlined in the opening article in this special thematic section: that the current social psychology of citizenship can be understood as the development of longstanding conceptualisations of the concept within the discipline. These conceptualisations have contributed to the current social psychological study of the constructive, active and collective (but often exclusive) understandings of citizenship in people’s everyday lives, as evidenced by contributions to this thematic section. We consider how this emerging body of work might fit with current citizenship studies and in particular how it may contribute to the current trend towards conceiving citizenship as an active practice embedded in everyday social life. Specifically, we highlight three areas of future research that we think are particularly promising: citizenship and recognition; displays and enactments of citizenship in public space; citizenship and lived coexistence. Although this is far from an exhaustive list of possibilities, we propose that research in these areas could enable the way for social psychology to articulate a distinct, recognisable and valuable contribution to citizenship studies

Regulation of glutamate transport and neuroinflammation in a term newborn rat model of hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury

In the newborn brain, moderate-severe hypoxia–ischaemia induces glutamate excitotoxicity and inflammation, possibly via dysregulation of candidate astrocytic glutamate transporter (Glt1) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. Tnfα, Il1β, Il6). Epigenetic mechanisms may mediate dysregulation. Hypotheses: (1) hypoxia–ischaemia dysregulates mRNA expression of these candidate genes; (2) expression changes in Glt1 are mediated by DNA methylation changes; and (3) methylation values in brain and blood are correlated. Seven-day-old rat pups (n = 42) were assigned to nine groups based on treatment (for each timepoint: naïve (n = 3), sham (n = 3), hypoxia–ischaemia (n = 8) and timepoint for tissue collection (6, 12 and 24 h post-hypoxia). Moderate hypoxic–ischemic brain injury was induced via ligation of the left common carotid artery followed by 100 min hypoxia (8% O2, 36°C). mRNA was quantified in cortex and hippocampus for the candidate genes, myelin (Mbp), astrocytic (Gfap) and neuronal (Map2) markers (qPCR). DNA methylation was measured for Glt1 in cortex and blood (bisulphite pyrosequencing). Hypoxia–ischaemia induced pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation in both brain regions at 6 h. This was accompanied by gene expression changes potentially indicating onset of astrogliosis and myelin injury. There were no significant changes in expression or promoter DNA methylation of Glt1. This pilot study supports accumulating evidence that hypoxia–ischaemia causes neuroinflammation in the newborn brain and prioritises further expression and DNA methylation analyses focusing on this pathway. Epigenetic blood biomarkers may facilitate identification of high-risk newborns at birth, maximising chances of neuroprotective interventions

Evaluation of Anisole-Substituted Boron Difluoride Formazanate Complexes for Fluorescence Cell Imaging

The evaluation of three subclasses of boron difluoride formazanate complexes bearing o-, m-, and p-anisole N-aryl substituents (Ar) as readily accessible alternatives to boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes for cell imaging applications is described. While the wavelengths of maximum absorption (lmax) and emission (lem) observed for each subclass of complexes, which differed by their carbon-bound substituents (R), were similar, the emission quantum yields for 7a-c (R = cyano) were enhanced relative to 8a-c (R = nitro) and 9a-c (R = phenyl). Complexes 7a-c and 8a-c were also significantly easier to reduce electrochemically to their radical anion and dianion forms compared to 9a-c. Within each subclass, the o-substituted derivatives were more difficult to reduce, had shorter lmax and lem, and lower emission quantum yields than the p-substituted analogs as a result of sterically-driven twisting of the N-aryl substituents and a decrease in the degree of p conjugation. The m-substituted complexes were the least difficult to reduce and possessed intermediate lmax,lem,and quantum yields. The complexes studied also exhibited large Stokes shifts (82-152 nm, 2143-5483 cm-1). Finally, the utility of complex 7c (Ar = p-anisole, R = cyano), which can be prepared for just a few dollars per gram, for fluorescence cell imaging was demonstrated. The use of 7c and 4\u27,6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) allowed for simultaneous imaging of the cytoplasm and nucleus of mouse fibroblast cells

Halogen-free flame-retardant compounds. Thermal decomposition and flammability behavior for alternative polyethylene grades

The effect of six halogen-free flame retardant (FR) formulations was investigated on the thermal stability of two low-density polyethylenes (LDPE) and one linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen and air atmosphere. The relative data were combined with flammability properties and the overall performance of the FRs was correlated with the type of branching in the polyethylene grades and to their processing behavior. The thermal degradation kinetics was further determined based on the Kissinger and Coats-Redfern methods. In terms of flammability, the addition of a triazine derivative and ammonium polyphosphate at a loading of 35 wt. %. was found to be the most efficient, leading to UL 94 V0 ranking in the case of the LDPE grade produced in an autoclave reactor. - 2019 by the authors.Funding: This publication was made possible by the NPRP award [NPRP 9-161-1-030] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the author(s)

Beyond traditional understanding of gender measurement: the gender (re)presentation approach

This paper considers different approaches to measuring gender. It critically reviews gender role theorising and describes how this has informed two approaches to measuring gender as an individual phenomenon: gender orientation (the assessment of individual traits) and gender ideology (assessing individual endorsement, and internalisation, of social norms). It is argued here that social constructionist perspectives offer a viable alternative to gender role theory and that these inform an alternative approach to measuring gender as a social phenomenon: gender (re)presentation. This approach assesses group level endorsement of dominant gender representations. Endorsement is not seen to reflect individual traits or internalised social norms. Rather, it is understood as a social practice, made meaningful through shared understanding of dominant gender representation. This approach is introduced through a critique of the traditional concept of attitudes and a reformulation thereof. The practical measurement implications and benefit of this reformulation are outlined

Surgical-PEARL protocol:a multicentre prospective cohort study exploring aetiology, management and outcomes for patients with congenital anomalies potentially requiring surgical intervention

INTRODUCTION: Congenital anomalies affect over 2% of pregnancies. Surgical advances have reduced mortality and improved survival for patients with congenital anomalies potentially requiring surgical (CAPRS) intervention. However, our understanding of aetiology, diagnostic methods, optimal management, outcomes and prognostication is limited. Existing birth cohorts have low numbers of individual heterogenous CAPRS. The Surgical Paediatric congEnital Anomalies Registry with Long term follow-up (Surgical-PEARL) study aims to establish a multicentre prospective fetal, child and biological parent cohort of CAPRS. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: From 2022 to 2027, Surgical-PEARL aims to recruit 2500 patients with CAPRS alongside their biological mothers and fathers from up to 15 UK centres. Recruitment will be antenatal or postnatal dependent on diagnosis timing and presentation to a recruitment site. Routine clinical data including antenatal scans and records, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) records, diagnostic and surgical data and hospital episode statistics will be collected. A detailed biobank of samples will include: parents’ blood and urine samples; amniotic fluid if available; children’s blood and urine samples on admission to NICU, perioperatively or if the child has care withdrawn or is transferred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; stool samples; and surplus surgical tissue. Parents will complete questionnaires including sociodemographic and health data. Follow-up outcome and questionnaire data will be collected for 5 years. Once established we will explore the potential of comparing findings in Surgical-PEARL to general population cohorts born in the same years and centres. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical and health research authority approvals have been granted (IRAS Project ID: 302251; REC reference number 22/SS/0004). Surgical-PEARL is adopted onto the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network portfolio. Findings will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and through patient organisations and newsletters. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN12557586

Dietary elimination of children with food protein induced gastrointestinal allergy – micronutrient adequacy with and without a hypoallergenic formula?

Background: The cornerstone for management of Food protein-induced gastrointestinal allergy (FPGIA) is dietary exclusion; however the micronutrient intake of this population has been poorly studied. We set out to determine the dietary intake of children on an elimination diet for this food allergy and hypothesised that the type of elimination diet and the presence of a hypoallergenic formula (HF) significantly impacts on micronutrient intake. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted on children diagnosed with FPIGA on an exclusion diet who completed a 3 day semi-quantitative food diary 4 weeks after commencing the diet. Nutritional intake where HF was used was compared to those without HF, with or without a vitamin and mineral supplement (VMS). Results: One-hundred-and-five food diaries were included in the data analysis: 70 boys (66.7%) with median age of 21.8 months [IQR: 10 - 67.7]. Fifty-three children (50.5%) consumed a HF and the volume of consumption was correlated to micronutrient intake. Significantly (p <0.05) more children reached their micronutrient requirements if a HF was consumed. In those without a HF, some continued not to achieve requirements in particular for vitamin D and zinc, in spite of VMS. Conclusion: This study points towards the important micronutrient contribution of a HF in children with FPIGA. Children, who are not on a HF and without a VMS, are at increased risk of low intakes in particular vitamin D and zinc. Further studies need to be performed, to assess whether dietary intake translates into actual biological deficiencies

Ambivalence toward men: comparing sexism among Polish, South African and British university students

This study extends the literature on attitudes toward gender roles by exploring whether the nature of sexism (i.e., benevolence and hostility directed at men) differs among university students from two under-researched countries, Poland (n = 190) and South Africa (n = 188), in a comparison with students in the United Kingdom (n = 166). Based on empirical literature applying Ambivalent Sexism Theory, and in the light of the socio-political context, it was hypothesized that: (1) both hostile and benevolent attitudes toward men in Poland would be more liberal than in South Africa and more conservative than in the United Kingdom, and (2), women would exhibit more hostile but less benevolent attitudes than men in relatively more conservative South Africa. The Ambivalence to Men Inventory was used to measure the two types of sexist attitudes about men. Findings supported the first hypothesis for hostile attitudes and partially for benevolent attitudes. South African and Polish students were more benevolent and hostile to men than British students, and students from South Africa were more hostile than those from Poland. Moreover, as predicted, a significant country-by-gender interaction revealed that South African women had more hostile and less benevolent attitudes to men than South African men. No such gender gap was present in the case of hostile attitudes in Poland and benevolent attitudes in the United Kingdom. Findings are discussed in terms of Ambivalent Sexism Theory and the countries’ socio-cultural context

Computational studies for the effective electrical conductivity of Copper powder filled LDPE/LLDPE composites

486-493The effective electrical conductivity (EEC) of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) polymer composites filled with copper has been studied. The nonlinear behavior has been observed for effective electrical conductivity versus filler content. Several approaches have been described to predict the electrical conductivities of polymer composites. EEC is described by artificial neural network (ANN) and it demonstrates the accurate match of experimental data for EEC with different training functions (TRAINOSS, TRAINLM, TRAINBR, TRAINSCG, TRAINBFG, and TRAINRP). The ANN approach satisfied the experimental data for EEC of polymer composites reasonably well. The complex structure encountered in LDPE/Cu and LLDPE/Cu, along with the difference in the EEC of the components, make it difficult to estimate the EEC exactly. This is the reason for which artificial neural network has been employed here. By using ANN approach experimental results indicate that EEC of polymer composites increases with increasing filler content at the same concentration