How Ya Mom \u27N Dem

A boujee bride-to-be must find a way to break a family curse meant to ruin the success of her marriage

The Possibility of Inflation in Asymptotically Safe Gravity

We examine the inflationary modes in the cubic curvature theories in the context of asymptotically safe gravity. On the phase space of the Hubble parameter, there exists a critical point which corresponds to the slow-roll inflation in Einstein frame. Most of the e-foldings are attained around the critical point for each inflationary trajectories. If the coupling constants $g_i$ have the parametric relations generated as the power of the relative energy scale of inflation $H_0$ to the ultraviolet cutoff $\Lambda$, a successful inflation with more than 60 e-foldings occurs near the critical point.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

The Relative Contribution of Proximal 5′ Flanking Sequence and Microsatellite Variation on Brain Vasopressin 1a Receptor (Avpr1a) Gene Expression and Behavior

Certain genes exhibit notable diversity in their expression patterns both within and between species. One such gene is the vasopressin receptor 1a gene (Avpr1a), which exhibits striking differences in neural expression patterns that are responsible for mediating differences in vasopressin-mediated social behaviors. The genomic mechanisms that contribute to these remarkable differences in expression are not well understood. Previous work has suggested that both the proximal 5′ flanking region and a polymorphic microsatellite element within that region of the vole Avpr1a gene are associated with variation in V1a receptor (V1aR) distribution and behavior, but neither has been causally linked. Using homologous recombination in mice, we reveal the modest contribution of proximal 5′ flanking sequences to species differences in V1aR distribution, and confirm that variation in V1aR distribution impacts stress-coping in the forced swim test. We also demonstrate that the vole Avpr1a microsatellite structure contributes to Avpr1a expression in the amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus, mirroring a subset of the inter- and intra-species differences observed in central V1aR patterns in voles. This is the first direct evidence that polymorphic microsatellite elements near behaviorally relevant genes can contribute to diversity in brain gene expression profiles, providing a mechanism for generating behavioral diversity both at the individual and species level. However, our results suggest that many features of species-specific expression patterns are mediated by elements outside of the immediate 5′ flanking region of the gene

Women in the middle: mothers’ experiences of transition to part-time and flexible work in professional and managerial occupations

This study explores the limits and potential of flexible working through the lived experience of women in professional and managerial jobs who adjust their employment because of their motherhood. A qualitative, longitudinal research strategy using repeat narrative interviews follows 30 mothers through a year of their lives as they go part-time, job-share, flex their schedules, and work from home. They typify Hakim’s (2000; 2006) ‘adaptive’ category of women, which Lewis and Simpson (2017) argue exemplifies a new ‘postfeminist subject’ (p128): women required to perform well simultaneously in both work and domestic domains. Anchored theoretically in debates about the relative influence of structure and agency in determining women’s employment participation and outcomes. This thesis critiques choice in relation to employment and motherhood. It contributes new explanations why professional women ‘choose’ different types of flexible working arrangements and how the experience of ‘doing’ flexible work tallies with expectation. The study finds women’s transitions into part-time and flexible work arrangements rarely reflect their ideal preference of job, working hours, schedules or locations. The working arrangement women arrive at is a complex and pragmatic settlement of competing practical and ideological pulls, constraints and incentives. Maternal responsibilities endure, irrespective of women’s working hours. Choices are neither clear nor unfettered, and are fraught with anxiety. Five narratives reflect the diverse range of personal intentions behind women’s work-life choices made at particular biographical moments in specific social circumstances. The narratives reveal that moves into part-time and flexible work can be tactical, restorative, professionally expansive, are morally potent, socially informed and often a compromise. This study advances understanding of how women working flexibly experience work and are incorporated into organisations. Their lived experience is characterised by trial and error, work intensification, work-life integration, and frequent further adjustments. Most women expected, demanded, and benefited from very little practical involvement of their employers in developing effective job-designs for flexibility. Over time many felt fatigued by their responsibility to manage their arrangements invisibly, minimising inconvenience to others at work and at home. This has implications for flexible working policy and workplace practice. This thesis makes clear that solutions to gender troubles at home and at work are collective and involve politicising the family as well as the workplace in order to achieve genuine choice for women in the occupations they pursue and the success they achieve

The efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for adults with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: To systematically review the literature on published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adult ADHD and to establish the effectiveness of CBT in reducing ADHD symptoms. Method: A systematic review of nine RCTs and two subsequent meta-analyses of eight of the studies were conducted. Results: Just nine studies were identified, of generally good quality but with some limitations. Four trials (total N = 160) compared CBT with waiting list controls, and three trials (total N = 191) compared CBT with appropriate active control groups. Meta-analyses showed that CBT was superior to waiting list with a moderate to large effect size (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.21, 1.31], p = .006) and superior to active control groups with a small to moderate effect size (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI [0.14, 0.71], p = .004). Conclusion: These results give support to the efficacy of CBT in reducing symptoms of ADHD post-intervention

Literacy practices in the learning careers of childcare students

This paper draws from the Literacies for Learning in Further Education research project, funded through the Teaching and Learning Research Programme. Drawing on the empirical study of literacy practices in eight Childcare courses in Scotland and England, we seek to demonstrate that, integral to the learning careers of students are literacy careers through which their learning is mediated. In the process, by drawing upon the lens of literacy, we also challenge some of the common sense understandings of learning in childcare. In particular we suggest that the literacy practices of lower level courses can be more diverse than those of higher level courses, producing confusing literacy careers for the students involved. We also point to the complexity of the literacy careers in childcare, given that students are required to mediate different aspects of their experience through literacy. In particular there are the mediations made possible by the use of information technology and those entailed in relating work placements to classroom practice. We argue that students on vocational courses have complex literacy careers and that a literacies approach to learning helps to reveal this complexity

Psychological impact of an adult ADHD diagnosis

The study aimed to explore the processes people go through when diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood from a psychological perspective. ADHD has recently been recognised as affecting adults. Limitations exist in the breadth and depth of qualitative research into the experiences of those receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. Existing research is largely descriptive, with a prominent focus on pharmacological treatment. As such, psychological processes have not been sufficiently explored. Without ADHD-specific models of adjustment, the literature on identity, cognitive adaptation and stigma is examined. A qualitative methodology was employed taking a critical realist perspective. A purposive sample of twelve participants was recruited through adult mental health services. Each participant took part in one digitally recorded, semi-structured interview where experiences were explored. A mixed inductive-deductive thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews was conducted following the Braun and Clarke (2006) six-stage methodological process. Three master themes were identified with subthemes: (1) Looking back: different, faulty; relief and regret; reframing; (2) Looking inwards (with acceptance); and (3) Looking outwards: labelling: disability, stigma and social comparisons. The study highlighted participants’ attempts to make sense of their past experiences considering the diagnosis, reflect on the effect the diagnosis had on their sense of self and identity and consider the positives and negatives of sharing their diagnosis. Participants also compared themselves with others and some reflected on ADHD being a shared experience within families. The current research has highlighted the contradictory nature of the diagnosis; that an ADHD diagnosis was necessary to access support and acknowledge people’s experiences (and potentially attribute past behaviours and experiences to ADHD rather than personal failure) but there remains a struggle with the sense of self, the way people are viewed by others (e.g. feeling stigmatised) and the permanence of being or having ADHD forever. This highlights the importance of supporting people to understand their interpretation of the diagnosis and target intervention in the adjustment process. Pre- and post-diagnostic support and contact with others who have been through the process would be beneficial. The study also highlights the need for further anti-stigma campaigns. A number of methodological limitations is discussed. Future research is necessary to explore models of attribution and interventions about the interpretation of the diagnosis and self-concept. The thesis ends with a personal reflection about my research journey and a discussion about diagnosis

From SnappyApp to Screens in the Wild: gamifying an Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder continuous performance test for public engagement and awareness

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterised by three core behaviours: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is typically thought that around 3-5% of school aged children have ADHD, with lifetime persistence for the majority. A psychometric Continuous Performance Test (CPT) had recently been incorporated into an interactive smartphone application (App), SnappyApp, to allow the measurement of the three ADHD symptom domains. SnappyApp presents a sequence of letters of the alphabet in a pseudo-random manner with responses via the device’s touch screen. Following a pilot test in the general population where the CPT showed sensitivity to ADHD-related symptoms (self-reported impulsive behaviour related to CPT measures), a new project was begun to convert the App into a game Attention Grabber based on the functionality of the test, focussing on the attention and impulsivity domains. The Screens in the Wild (SITW) platform is in the process of being employed for public engagement in awareness about ADHD through interactive technology. SITW has deployed a network of four public touch-screens in urban places. Each of the four nodes has a large (46 inch) display, a camera, a microphone and a speaker. The SnappyApp web-app was translated for presentation on to the SITW platform. The browser-based App was redesigned, with the input of a commercial graphics design company, based on an initial proof-of-concept whereby the original App was reprogrammed to present sequences of graphical objects (fruit) and to introduce further engagement features including animations. A shortened video about Adult ADHD and a brief questionnaire were incorporated to form a stand-alone edutainment package. The earlier design and user testing of SnappyApp is briefly described and details are then provided of the process of gamification to produce Attention Grabber. An evaluation process is described whereby awareness of ADHD and its related symptoms are to be probed. In general, finding out whether and how people engage with interactive screen technology can help in the design of future public engagement and health promotion activities. Ethical considerations are discussed, since public access to this kind of game could potentially raise health anxiety related to self-interpretation of game performance. This risk is balanced with the need to provide health information

Women in the profession: an update on the gendered composition of the discipline and political science departments in the UK

This article updates and broadens research undertaken eight years ago on the status of women in UK political sciencei. As Bates et al. then argued (2012: 139-40), research on women in the discipline is important, not only because of issues of equality, justice and self-reflection within the discipline, but also because of the privileged role political scientists play in the creation and flow of knowledge about gender inequality and women’s underrepresentation in positions of power, as well as other important political issues more generally