Who Am I? A Qualitative Study Exploring Identities and Sense of Belonging of Black Migrant Women in South Africa

Post-apartheid South Africa experienced a massive migration flow of African migrant women due to the accommodative Constitution of the Republic of South Africa that was promulgated in 1996. Diversity, multiculturalism, and ethnic and social heterogeneity have been some of the features and challenges of modern South Africa blending national and non-national elements. Nevertheless, black migrant women experience significant levels of xenophobia and multiple layers of discrimination because of “being a woman”, “being Black” and “being a migrant”. The perennial problem of xenophobia in South Africa towards Black Africans is complex and multifaceted; the institutional side of xenophobia circumvents other explanations including socio-cultural and structural monopolizing of the negative attitude of the South African state, politicians, and civil servants towards Black foreigners and their unfavorable treatment. This paper critically examines how black migrant women negotiate their gendered, racialized, and ethnic identities within the identity-belonging realm and highlights the significance of belonging for foreign nationals on African terrain. By analysing the lived experiences of black, migrant women and their identity-related challenges, the paper addresses the implications of these challenges as they arise in a post-colonial, decolonized South Africa. The study contributes to theory in the field of black social psychology and invisible intersectional identity within a black majority context, with practical application for finding ways for supporting their inclusion in commerce. The author employed a qualitative methodology based on narrative interviews with black migrant women of African descent using a combination of purposeful and snowballing sampling techniques. The migrant respondents’ perceptions and lived experiences of exclusion and discrimination lend support to the argument that the intersection of gender, race, and migration status affects their inclusion, and that the invisible identity of migration contributes to a sense of belonging/ non-belonging in the host country. It further highlights how black migrant women utilize multiple mechanisms to negotiate their identity and how being black, migrant females predisposes them to racial discrimination, xenophobia, and workplace exclusion, which has implications for Black identity politics, and belonging discourses

Ancient sculptures lost at sea: stories of loss and discovery

This chapter explores stories of loss and discovery of ancient sculptures in the Mediterranean Sea from the period of Classical Antiquity until today. Through the study of archaeological evidence, literary sources, historical records, contemporary art and popular culture, this research demonstrates the continuity in the reception of sculptures from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea over the centuries. From the period of Classical Antiquity to Mediaeval times and from the shipwrecks of the ‘Grand Tour’ period to the most recent archaeological discoveries, incidents of underwater deposition, discovery or recovery of sculptures have instigated strong feelings of catastrophe, mystery and wonder in both pre-modern and modern narratives. These emotional and conceptual associations have shaped long-term attitudes towards sculptures from under water in the stories and traditions of multiple eras. Through the study of sculptures from under water, this chapter addresses issues of public perception and portrayal of underwater archaeology. The overarching aims of this research are to comprehend more fully human interconnections with the underwater environment and to advocate for greater care in conducting and presenting underwater archaeological research to the public today and in the future

The Contribution of Mental Health Nurse to Telepsychiatric Applications

The purpose of this study is to highlight new ways of delivering nursing care through technology aimed at the quality and effective care of health care users

A retrospective analysis of talent selection and progression within England’s Rugby Football Union Elite Player Performance Pathway

The England Rugby Football Union (RFU) Elite Player Performance Pathway (EPPP) is a player development system, structured into five playing squads (Under 18 [U18], Under 20 [U20], National academy [NA, age: 18-23 years], Saxons [Saxon, age: 18+ years] and Senior National Squad [SNS, age: 18+ years]), which attempts to develop players to play within the SNS. Despite its importance however, there is yet to be any scientific appraisal of its efficacy in successfully producing SNS players. Appraising the performances of 396 players enrolled on to the EPPP between 2008 and 2014, the purpose of this programme of research was therefore to investigate the nature of player transition and determine the key features associated with match performance between respective squads of the EPPP. To achieve this, the progression rates to subsequent squads, and the anthropometrical and position-specific technical performance data was quantified in conjunction with individual player progression within the EPPP system. Of the 396 players assessed within the thesis, 121 reached the SNS. Involvement in the EPPP was defined by high rates of de-selection during progression to subsequent squads and this was most apparent within the U18, U20 and NA squads. Analyses revealed the proportion of selected players for higher squads was 48.70%, 37%, 57.10% and 61% for U18-U20, U20-NA, NA-Saxon and Saxon-SNS squads, respectively. Within the SNS (n = 121), only 5.80% experienced a linear development (U18-U20-NA-Saxons-SNS) whereas all other players displayed variability with respect to squad pathway trajectories (NA-SNS 0.82%, Saxon-SNS: 50.4%, U20-Saxon-SNS 4.95%, NA-Saxon-SNS 12.39%, U18-U20-NA SNS:2.57%, U18-U20-Saxon-SNS 3.30%, U20-NA-Saxon-SNS 2.47%, side entries [selection from outside the EPPP system] 17.35%) within the EPPP. Thus, progression within the talent development (TDE) system was typified by variable patterns of sequential selection and de-selection processes throughout U18 to senior squads. The prerequisite level of technical performance indicators (TPI), related to generic and position-specific performance characteristics, and anthropometrical features (body mass and stature) specific to six predefined positional groups (front row [FR], second row [SR], Back row [BR], scrumhalf [SH], inside backs [IB], outside backs [OB]), were examined. The SNS revealed similar TPIs to the Saxon squad in all positional groups, only SNS FR were heavier (p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.18) and taller (p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.25) than Saxons FR. Likewise, the results demonstrate that anthropometrical characteristics consistently differentiated respective squads though, on occasion, there were aspects of TPIs that discriminated youth (U18) adult (U20, NA) and senior (Saxons, SNS) age international squads for the six positional groups within the EPPP. Used in isolation therefore, TPIs might offer benchmarks across the respective squads, however the extent of the observed differences between younger (U18 and U20) and older (NA, Saxons & SNS) squads suggests they could be used in conjunction with coach intuition to improve the objectivity of player selection to future squads. Where the performances of progressed and non-progressed players were considered results revealed that taller and heavier players, competing within a higher number of matches, for an increased period of time, were the most important variables influencing progression or deselection from the programme. Where the match TPIs were considered, there were stochastic differences between groups though it appeared as though selected players typically outperformed the non-selected group albeit by small margins and there were fewer differences between progressed and non-progressed in older age squads. Finally, in players selected to progress and those deselected, there was notable within-group variation in the technical demands. Such variation was typified by overlapping IQRs when groups were compared meaning selected players could perform more, or less, effectively than deselected players in any given match. Clearly, such an issue suggests that the technical performance during competition cannot be used to determine talent in such instances. Collectively, the results provide insight to the key requirements of the EPPP, which could be used to develop future coaching, scouting methods, player TDE systems by providing normative levels of attainment for aspiring players, both enrolled or not, within the elite player developmental system

The synthesis of an analogue of the locust CRF-like diuretic peptide, and the biological activities of this and some C-terminal fragments.

The synthesis is described of an analogue of the locust CRF-like diuretic peptide in which methionine in positions 1,3, and 13 is replaced by isosteric methyl-homoserine residues. This analogue has been tested for biological activity on Malpighian tubules in vitro, and feeding behavior in vivo. It is highly active in stimulating fluid secretion and accumulation of cAMP in tubules, and on increasing the latency to feed and reducing meal duration. A 15 residue fragment from the C-terminus of the CRF-like peptide, Locmi-DP32–46, is fully active in the feeding assay, but has only weak ability to stimulate the accumulation of cAMP in tubules. Two smaller fragments, Locmi-DP32–37 and Locmi-DP41–46, were tested but neither had consistent biological activity in any of the assays used here. None of the peptides tested have any substantive activity in increasing cGMP in tubules

Efficiency, ownership and financial structure in European banking

Purpose – This paper aims to compare the cost efficiencies across bank-and market-based EU countries for the different groups of commercial, savings and co-operative banks; and between listed and non-listed banking institutions. In addition, it attempts to determine any potential implications for bank efficiency originating from differences in financial structure. Design/methodology/approach – Efficiency scores are estimated using the Battese and Coelli's time-varying stochastic frontier approach. The classification of bank- and market-based financial systems is based on the World Bank's Financial Structure Database. Findings – On the whole the results reject the agency theory hypothesis that managers of privately-owned banks are more cost efficient than those of mutual banking institutions because of capital market devices as it is found that mutual banks operating in EU-15 countries are significantly more cost efficient than commercial banks. Furthermore, results are mixed concerning the financial structure hypothesis that in developed financial systems bank efficiency should not be statistically different across bank-vs market-based economies. Research limitations/implications – The analysis suggests that differences in cost efficiency across bank types can often be explained by the prevailing financial system in each economy. Practical implications – The evidence illustrates the national diversity of corporate governance systems in Europe and can be important to policy makers who are concerned with the full integration of the European financial system. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are no previous similar empirical works for the EU banking sector. Such a study has important policy implications especially due to the fact that the EU banking sector is experiencing profound structural changes and a full integration has not yet been achieved

Συγκριτική αποτύπωση εγκεκριμένων εκπαιδευτικών προτάσεων για το HIV/AIDS

Η παρούσα εργασία διερευνά τις διαφορές στις γνώσεις και τις στάσεις που είχαμε στο παρελθόν και σήμερα σχετικά με τον ιό HIV και το AIDS, αλλά και πώς αυτές οι διαφορές αποτυπώνονται σε εγκεκριμένα από το Υπουργείο Παιδείας και Θρησκευμάτων εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα για τη δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση. Για το σκοπό αυτό χρησιμοποιείται η Κριτική Ανάλυση Λόγου ή οποία αναδεικνύει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο οι διάφορες γλωσσικές επιλογές επηρεάζουν κοινωνικές πρακτικές, κοινωνικές σχέσεις, στάσεις, αλλά και πώς διαμορφώνουν την ίδια τη γνώση. Από τη σύγκριση των εκπαιδευτικών υλικών προκύπτει ότι η πιο σύγχρονη παρέμβαση χρησιμοποιεί τον λόγο με τέτοιο τρόπο ώστε να προάγει αφενός πιο υπεύθυνες συμπεριφορές για τον περιορισμό της εξάπλωσης του HIV, αφετέρου να καταρρίψει στερεότυπα που συνδέονται με τον HIV και το AIDS αλλά και με τα άτομα που είναι οροθετικά.This paper explores the differences in knowledge and attitudes we had in the past and nowadays regarding HIV and AIDS. More specifically, we will examine the way these differences are reflected in the secondary educational material approved of the Ministry of Education. Critical Discourse Analysis is used for this purpose. This method highlights the way different language choices affect social practices, social relationships, and attitudes. The comparison of the past and the modern educational material shows that modern one, uses discourse in such a way that promotes more responsible behavior to reduce the spread of HIV. Moreover, modern intervention tries to eliminate bias associated with HIV and AIDS and people who live with HIV/AIDS

Ερμηνευτικό υπόμνημα στα Εφεσιακά του Ξενοφώντα Εφέσιου

Τα Εφεσιακά του Ξενοφώντα ανήκουν στα πέντε ακέραια σωζόμενα αρχαία ελληνικά μυθιστορήματα, ωστόσο παρουσιάζουν μια ιδιάζουσα λογοτεχνική φυσιογνωμία, καθώς συνδυάζουν στοιχεία τόσο των υπόλοιπων τεσσάρων μυθιστορημάτων, όσο και λαϊκότροπων αφηγημάτων. Η μονάδικότητά τους αυτή καθιστά ενδιαφέρουσα τη μελέτη του έργου, επειδή ενδέχεται να αποτελεί αντιπροσωπευτικότατο δείγμα ενός είδους που χαρακτηρίζεται από τον μικρό αριθμό ακέραια διατηρημένων κειμένων. Στόχος του παρόντος ερμηνευτικού υπομνήματος είναι η ανάδειξη της ιδιαίτερης θέσης που έχει το μυθιστόρημα του Ξενοφώντα Εφέσιου στην αρχαία ελληνική λογοτεχνία. Στο πρώτο μέρος της διδακτορικής διατριβής υπάρχει μία εισαγωγή, όπου γίνεται πραγμάτευση των βασικότερων προβλημάτων του μυθιστορήματος, δηλαδή της ταυτότητας του συγγραφέα, του χρόνου συγγραφής και του ζητήματος της επιτομής. Επιπλέον, γίνεται σύντομη εξέταση της γλώσσας, του ύφους, των ρητορικών τεχνικών, αλλά πιο εκτενής μελέτη των λαϊκών και λογοτεχνικών μοτίβων, των επίμαχων θεματικών ομοιοτήτων και σχέσεων με άλλα έργα, όπως και των τραγικών αποχρώσεων στο μυθιστόρημα αυτό. Στην εισαγωγή διερευνάται επίσης ο ρόλος της θρησκείας στα Εφεσιακά και ο συσχετισμός της λογοτεχνικής αυτής σύμβασης με τις προσδοκίες του ευσεβούς αναγνωστικού κοινού του δευτέρου αι. μ.Χ. Το δεύτερο μέρος της παρούσας εργασίας είναι το ερμηνευτικό υπόμνημα, η συγγραφή του οποίου βασίζεται στους προαναφερθέντες άξονες της εισαγωγής, στους οποίους προστίθενται τα απαραίτητα για την ερμηνεία realia και τα βασικότερα στοιχεία κριτικής κειμένου.Although the Ephesiaca of Xenophon of Ephesus is a work that belongs to the canon of the five ancient Greek extant novels, it is characterized by a different literary texture. This novel combines features both from the other four sophistic novels, and from popular narratives. Its unique quality makes the study of Xenophon’s work interesting, as this novel might be representative of a genre with a scanty number of fully presented texts. The aim of the present commentary is to explore the position of Xenophon’s text in ancient Greek fiction. In the first part of this doctoral thesis there is an introduction, in which are discussed some problematic points of the text, such as the author, the date of composition and the epitome theory. Furthermore, there is a brief examination of this novel’s language, style and aspects of rhetorical features. Special emphasis is placed on the study of folk and literary motifs, thematic similarities or connections with other works, as well as on the tragic nuances in the romance. In the introduction it is also analyzed the role of religion in the novel’s plot as a literary tool and its relation to the expectations of the pious readers of the second century. The second part of the present thesis includes the commentary, which focuses mainly on the points discussed in the introduction, the necessary realia for the interpretation and some critical remarks

Εννοιολογήσεις της αξιοπρέπειας από τη ρωμαϊκή περίοδο ως την πρώιμη νεοτερικότητα

Στην παρούσα εργασία γίνεται μια προσπάθεια προσέγγισης της έννοιας της αξιοπρέπειας από τους ρωμαϊκούς χρόνους ως την πρώιμη νεοτερικότητα. Αρχικά, παρατίθενται οι εννοιολογήσεις του όρου στην ηθική φιλοσοφία, το δίκαιο και την πολιτική φιλοσοφία και διαπιστώνεται η δυσκολία εξεύρεσης ενός ορισμού που να καλύπτει κάθε πιθανή (τουλάχιστον ως τη στιγμή που μιλάμε) έννοια του όρου “αξιοπρέπεια”, αφού πρόκειται για έναν πολυσήμαντο όρο. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζεται η νοηματοδότηση του όρου από παλαιότερους και νεότερους μελετητές και φιλοσόφους και διαπιστώνονται κοινά στοιχεία και διαφορές. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, αναπτύσσονται οι εννοιολογήσεις του όρου, όπως αυτές προκύπτουν μέσα από το έργο του Κικέρωνα “Περί Καθηκόντων”, το έργο του Pico della Mirandola “Λόγος περί της Αξιοπρέπειας του Ανθρώπου”, και το έργο του Kant “Θεμέλια της Μεταφυσικής των Ηθών”, πάντα σε συνάρτηση με τις γενικότερες κοινωνικές, πολιτιστικές, πνευματικές, πολιτικές και λοιπές συνθήκες της εποχής και του τόπου δημιουργίας των παραπάνω έργων. Τέλος, επιχειρείται μια συγκριτική θεώρηση και προκύπτουν συμπεράσματα χρήσιμα αφενός για την προσέγγιση της έννοιας της αξιοπρέπειας τη σημερινή εποχή σε θεωρητικό και πρακτικό επίπεδο και αφετέρου για τη συνέχιση της σχετικής έρευνας, καθώς πρόκειται για ένα ευρύ και ανοιχτό θέμα.In this dissertation an attempt is made to approach the concept of dignity (dignitas) from Roman times to early modernity. First, the meanings of the term “dignity” in moral philosophy, law and political philosophy are presented, where is ascertained the difficulty to find till now a clear definition that covers any possible meaning of this polysemous term. Consecutively, the most important traditional and modern philosophical and scholarly theories about “dignity” are presented, and similarities and differences are identified. More specifically, the dissertation analyses the development of the term from Cicero's work "On Duties" (De Officiis), Pico della Mirandola's "Speech on the Dignity of Man", to Kant's work "Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals". This analysis considers the social, political, intellectual and cultural environment of these works. Finally, a comparative presentation and conclusions are attempted on, firstly, the concept of dignity today in theoretical and practical level and, secondly, on the continuation of the relevant research about such a broad and multilayered issue