Becoming Gentlemen: Women Writers, Masculinity, and War, 1778-1818.

In Letters to a Young Man (1801) Jane West states that “no character is so difficult to invent or support as that of a gentleman” (74). The invention of that character, determining what qualities, qualifications, and behaviour befits a gentleman, preoccupied writers and thinkers throughout the eighteenth century. This thesis traces the evolution of the masculine ideals – chivalry, republican virtue, professional merit – that informed what it meant to be a gentleman. Because gentlemanliness had implications for citizenship and political rights, Defoe, Richardson, Rousseau, and the other men who sought to define gentlemanliness increasingly connected it and citizenship to gendered virtue rather than socio-economic status. Women writers were equally concerned with the developing gentlemanly ideal and, as I will show, its political implications. This thesis brings together masculinity studies and feminist literary history, but also combines the gendered social history that often frames studies of women’s writing with the political and military history traditionally associated with men. Doody (1988) suggests that novels are influenced by three separate histories: “the life of the individual, the cultural life of the surrounding society, and the tradition of the chosen art” (9). With the feminocentric novel, however, the historical context is often circumscribed by a concern for what is ‘feminine’ and what polite lady novelists might be responding to. With the exception of women’s participation in the 1790s debates, eighteenth-century women writers have been seen as shying away from divisive political topics, including war. However, I will show that masculinity is central to re-evaluating the ways in which women writers engaged with politics through the courtship plot, because, as McCormack (2005) stresses, “politics and the family were inseparable in Georgian England” (13). Furthermore, as Russell (1995) observes, war is a cultural event that affects and alters “the textures of thought, feeling, and behaviour” (2-3). Focusing on late-eighteenth-century wars, this thesis will explore how political and military events influenced masculine ideals – particularly independence – and how these changes were negotiated in women's novels. Beginning with Frances Burney, this thesis explores the ways in which women writers offered solutions to the problem of masculinity while promoting a (proto)feminist project of equality. By rejecting chivalry and creating a model of manliness that builds on republican virtue and adopts the emerging professional ethic, women writers created heroes defined by personal merit, not accidents of birth. Burney begins this process in Evelina (1778) before problematising the lack of manly independence in Cecilia (1782). Charlotte Smith and Jane West take the problems Burney’s work exposes and offer alternatives to chivalric masculinity amidst the heightened concerns about liberty and citizenship surrounding the French revolution. Finally, Maria Edgeworth’s and Jane Austen’s Napoleonic-era novels promote professionalism as a path to gentility but also as a meritocratic alternative to landed and aristocratic social models. Though the solutions offered by these writers differ, in their opposition to chivalric masculinity they demonstrate that liberating men from the shackles of feudal dependence is essential to freeing women from patriarchal tyranny

Evaluation of four environmental sampling methods for the recovery of multidrug-resistant organisms

Background: Environmental contamination is a major risk factor for multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) exposure and transmission in the healthcare setting. Sponge-stick sampling methods have been developed and validated for MDRO epidemiological investigations, leading to their recommendation by public health agencies. However, similar bacteriological yields with more readily available methods that require less processing time or specialized equipment have also been reported. We compared the ability of 4 sampling methods to recover a variety of MDRO taxa from a simulated contaminated surface. Methods: We assessed the ability of (1) cotton swabs moistened with phosphate buffer solution (PBS), (2) e-swabs moistened with e-swab solution, (3) cellulose-containing sponge sticks (CSS), and (4) non–cellulose-containing sponge sticks (NCS) to recover extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Escherichia coli, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), and a mixture that contained VRE, MRSA, and ESBL organisms. A solution of known bacterial inoculum (~105 CFU/mL) was made for each MDRO. Then, 1 mL solution was pipetted on a stainless-steel surface (8 × 12 inch) in 5 µL dots and allowed to dry for 1 hour. All samples were collected by 1 individual to minimize variation in technique. Sponge sticks were expressed in PBS containing 0.02% Tween 80 using a stomacher, were centrifuged, and were then resuspended in PBS. Cotton and e-swabs were spun in a vortexer. Then, 1 mL of fluid from each method was plated to selective and nonselective media in duplicate and incubated at 35°C for 24 hours (MRSA plates, 48 hours) (Fig. 1). CFU per square inch and percentage recovery were calculated. Results: Table 1 shows the CFU per square inch and percentage recovery for each sampling method–MDRO taxa combination. The percentage recovery varied across MDRO taxa. Across all methods, the lowest rate of recovery was for CRPA and the highest was for VRE. Regardless of MDRO taxa, the percentage recovery was highest for the sponge stick (CSS and NCS) compared to swab (cotton and E-swab) methods across all taxa (Table 1 and Fig. 2)

Comparing Increasing Tryptophan:Lysine Ratios in DDGS-Based Diets with or without a DDGS Withdrawal Strategy on Growth Performance and Iodine Value of Growing-Finishing Pigs

A total of 6,240 pigs (DNA 600 × PIC 1050; initially 49.7 × 2.23 lb), divided into 2 groups, were used in a 119- or 120-d study to compare increasing the Trp:Lys ratio in diets with DDGS or a DDGS withdrawal strategy on growth performance and carcass fat iodine value of grow-finish pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 7 dietary treatments with 30 to 36 pigs per pen and 26 replications per treatment. Diets were fed in 4 phases (approximately 50 to 96, 96 to 157, 157 to 220, and 220 lb to market). Diets included a control corn-soybean meal-based diet formulated to a 19% SID Trp:Lys ratio; 4 diets with 30% DDGS fed in all four phases and formulated to achieve a 16%, 19%, 22%, or 25% SID Trp:Lys ratio, respectively; and 2 DDGS withdrawal strategy diets: 19% SID Trp:Lys with 30% DDGS in phases 1 through 3 and then 0% DDGS in phase 4 with either a 19 or 25% Trp:Lys ratio. Overall, BW, ADG, ADFI, and F/G improved (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as the SID Trp:Lys ratio increased in diets with 30% DDGS fed in all 4 phases. Hot carcass weight and carcass yield increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) as the Trp:Lys ratio increased along with backfat depth (linear, P = 0.040). Pigs fed diets containing a SID Trp:Lys ratio of 19% and 30% DDGS from phases 1 through 3 and 0% DDGS in phase 4 had the greatest numeric ADG and ADFI for the overall study, but were not different than pigs fed the control, the 25% Trp:Lys withdrawal treatment, or the 30% DDGS diets with 25% Trp:Lys ratio throughout the study. Pigs fed the control diet had decreased (P \u3c 0.05) carcass fat iodine value compared to pigs fed DDGS throughout the study, with pigs fed the two DDGS withdrawal strategies having lower (P \u3c 0.05) iodine values compared to pigs fed 30% DDGS in all 4 phases. No significant differences (P \u3e 0.05) in revenue per pen or IOFC per pen were observed, however, feed cost per lb of gain (quadratic, P = 0.001) and feed cost per pig placed (linear, P = 0.002) increased and revenue per pig placed tended to increase (P = 0.064) as the Trp:Lys ratio increased. In summary, increasing the SID Trp:Lys ratio in diets with 30% DDGS resulted in a linear improvement in ADG, ADFI, F/G, and BW but did not influence iodine values. Removing DDGS from the diet in the last period reduced carcass fat iodine value and increased growth rate during the withdrawal period compared to pigs fed 30% DDGS throughout, indicating value in a withdrawal strategy

Critical Evaluation of the Case for Pausing California's School-based Fitness Testing.

ObjectiveWe undertook a literature review to evaluate the evidence for an association among school-based fitness testing and bullying, weight-based teasing (WBT), and/or gender discrimination.MethodsWe searched the peer-reviewed literature using PubMed, ERIC and GOOGLE Scholar to identify articles related to school-based physical fitness testing (K-12) on the one hand and bullying, WBT, and/or gender discrimination on the other.ResultsWe identified 12 studies on the impact of school-based physical fitness testing (PFT) on bullying and WBT. These studies do not support the assertion that PFT places students at elevated risk for bullying and/or WBT as compared to other school settings. There is a dearth of studies investigating an association between PFT and gender discrimination.ConclusionsThe concerns about PFT as a widespread cause of bullying and WBT are not supported by the evidence. It is likely that school climate is a stronger determinant overall of these negative student interactions and that more rigorous teacher training would ameliorate student concerns about fitness testing. Nevertheless, more rigorous research is warranted to determine with confidence that PFT does not elevate students' risks for bullying and WBT and to examine the risks for students with non-binary gender

Critical Evaluation of the Case for Pausing California's School-based Fitness Testing.

ObjectiveWe undertook a literature review to evaluate the evidence for an association among school-based fitness testing and bullying, weight-based teasing (WBT), and/or gender discrimination.MethodsWe searched the peer-reviewed literature using PubMed, ERIC and GOOGLE Scholar to identify articles related to school-based physical fitness testing (K-12) on the one hand and bullying, WBT, and/or gender discrimination on the other.ResultsWe identified 12 studies on the impact of school-based physical fitness testing (PFT) on bullying and WBT. These studies do not support the assertion that PFT places students at elevated risk for bullying and/or WBT as compared to other school settings. There is a dearth of studies investigating an association between PFT and gender discrimination.ConclusionsThe concerns about PFT as a widespread cause of bullying and WBT are not supported by the evidence. It is likely that school climate is a stronger determinant overall of these negative student interactions and that more rigorous teacher training would ameliorate student concerns about fitness testing. Nevertheless, more rigorous research is warranted to determine with confidence that PFT does not elevate students' risks for bullying and WBT and to examine the risks for students with non-binary gender

174 Validating a Coding Tool for Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) Data: Delphi Methodology

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To develop and validate a tool to systematically identify benefits accruing to research within the Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) framework. We used a Delphi panel to reach consensus among a group of experts on criteria required for a clinical, community, economic, or policy benefit to be verified as coming from research. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A coding tool with proposed criteria to verify each of the 30 benefits was created at UCI to confirm the TSBM benefits resulting from funded research. We convened 11 experts from 8 CTSA hubs, who consisted of evaluators (faculty and staff) with experience using the TSBM. A web-based survey was used for Round 1, followed by a panel discussion of remaining unvalidated criteria, and a Round 2 survey as the final decision for inclusion of items in the tool. Response options for each criterion were “yes, required” or “no, not required”. Criteria that reached consensus (>70% agreement) were considered validated for inclusion in the final version. Panelist suggested criteria in Round 1 were also incorporated in the Round 2 survey for consideration by the experts. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In the web-based survey for Round 1, all 11 experts participated and 92% of criteria reached the determined consensus level (N = 157). The remaining 8% of the criteria (N = 13) were discussed during the panel meeting. The discussion, in which 8 experts participated, was moderated by UCI and took place virtually via Zoom. All experts were sent a recording of the discussion and given the opportunity to post comments online about the remaining criteria before, during, and for a day after the discussion. Round 2 will include 50 newly proposed criteria from panelists and the 13 criteria that did not reach consensus in Round 1. Based on the results of Round 2, the criteria that reach consensus will be included in the final version of the coding tool that can be used across all TSBM benefits. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Using the Delphi Methodology, we will have a standardized set of criteria that may be applied to determine whether a TSBM benefit has resulted from a specific research project or program. This standardization will allow for aggregation and comparison of data across CTSA hubs and further multi-level evaluation of impact

The Relationship Between Exercise Habits and Stress Among Individuals With Access to Internet-Connected Home Fitness Equipment: Single-Group Prospective Analysis

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) confers numerous benefits to health and health care costs, yet most adults are not meeting recommended PA guidelines. Stress may be a factor that influences PA behavior. Research investigating the impact of stress on PA has yielded inconsistent findings. Most studies find that stress negatively impacts PA, but there is some evidence that habitual exercising buffers this association.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the relationship between stress and exercise habits among habitual exercisers with internet-connected home fitness equipment (Peloton Bike) during the COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsParticipants were recruited through Facebook (N=146) and asked to complete an internet-based survey that assessed COVID-19-related stressors, perceived stress associated with those stressors, and general perceived stress. Self-reported exercise was assessed on the survey using the Godin Leisure-time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Participants were also asked for consent to access their Peloton usage data through the Peloton platform. From their usage data, the frequency and duration of cycling classes was calculated for 4 weeks prior to and 12 weeks following the survey. Hierarchical regression equations tested the association between stress reported on the survey and subsequent exercise participation. Exercise participation was quantified both as the frequency and duration of Peloton cycling over the 12 weeks following the survey and as self-reported moderate to vigorous activity on a second survey completed by a subset of participants 12 weeks after the initial survey.ResultsThere were 146 participants in our Peloton analysis sample and 66 in the self-reported exercise analysis. Peloton user data showed that study participants cycled frequently (mean 5.9 times per week) in the month prior to the initial survey, and that presurvey Peloton use was a strong predictor of exercise frequency (R2=0.57; F2,143=95.27; P<.001) and duration (R2=0.58; F2,143=102.58; P<.001) for the 12 subsequent weeks. Self-reported overall exercise likewise showed that this sample was very active, with an average of more than 8 times per week of moderate to vigorous exercise at the initial survey. Self-reported exercise on the initial survey was a strong predictor of self-reported exercise 12 weeks later (R2=0.31; F1,64=29.03; P<.001). Perceived stress did not impact Peloton cycling duration or frequency (P=.81 and .76, respectively) or self-reported exercise (P=.28).ConclusionsThe results suggest that stress did not negatively impact exercise participation among habitually active adults with access to internet-connected home fitness equipment. Habitual exercise may buffer the impact of stress on participation in regular moderate to vigorous activity. Future research should examine the role that the availability of home-based internet-connected exercise equipment may play in this buffering

Shelter in Place : Pandemic Prudentialism and Park Space in Toronto/Tkaronto

In this article, we interrogate the representation and construction of public park space in a settler colonial city: Toronto/Tkaronto. First, we draw on the relationship between urban neoliberalism and prudentialism to demonstrate the way public health authorities in Toronto/Tkaronto promoted a neoliberal ideology of prudentialism that emphasized individual action (e.g., social distancing, personal hygiene, sheltering in place) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, we consider the extent to which this response congealed and combined with broader anxieties that were used to manage more than the virus. We focus specifically on the way these anxieties took hold in public park space, and in particular the response to encampment communities. We theorize prudentialism, as an instrument of the white settler state, to interrogate the twin processes of organized abandonment and organized violence (Gilmore 2022), which were made visible in the treatment of unhoused people amidst the pandemic in an affluent and seemingly progressive city in a nation now known as Canada. Recognizing that COVID-19 has afflicted global cities marred by real estate speculation and the continual reliance on the commodification of Indigenous Land, which has made homelessness and urban displacement a lived condition for some, we argue that public health crises result not from—and thereby cannot be solved by—prudential responsibilization, but from the willful ignorance of the neoliberal, capitalist white settler [real estate] state (Stein 2019)

Development of a tool for quantifying need-supportive coaching in technology-mediated exercise classes.

Technology-mediated interventions to promote physical activity are growing in popularity and appear to be effective for supporting continued adherence for some people. Some of this efficacy may be related to the cultivation of motivation that is self-determined (i.e., autonomous), which is posited to arise from the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy. We developed an observational coding tool for quantifying the frequency of needs-supportive and needs-indifferent coaching during technology-mediated exercise classes. The Peloton Instructor Needs-Supportive Coaching (PINC) tool shows evidence of reliability (average kappa = .91). We also demonstrated the utility of the PINC for characterizing needs-supportive coaching profiles across 4 different types of classes (Beginner, Power Zone, Groove, and High-Intensity Interval Training) and the construct validity of the PINC with respect to examining the relationship of needs-supportive coaching to intrinsic motivation. The PINC offers a useful tool with which future studies could evaluate whether and how instructor coaching impacts self-determined motivation to exercise within a technology-mediated context

Pilot Trial of an Acceptance-Based Behavioral Intervention to Promote Physical Activity Among Adolescents

Prior interventions have shown limited efficacy in increasing the number of adolescents engaging in adequate physical activity (PA). Preliminary evidence suggests acceptance-based behavioral treatments (ABTs) may increase PA; however, this approach has not been tested in adolescents. This was a nonrandomized experimental pilot study that examined feasibility, acceptability, and treatment outcomes of a school-based, acceptance-based behavioral intervention for PA. Adolescents (n = 20) with low activity received a PA tracking device and were allocated to device use only or device use plus 10-weeks of ABT. PA, cardiovascular fitness, and physiological outcomes were measured pre- and postintervention. The intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable. PA, cardiovascular fitness, and physiological outcomes improved over time in the intervention group, but not in the comparison condition. This study demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary treatment efficacy based on effect sizes for an acceptance-based behavioral intervention to increase PA in adolescents