Men procuring sexual services from women: everyman or peculiar man?

Objective: To explore characteristics of men procuring sexual services from women. Design: Quantitative study using questionnaires and purposive sampling. Setting: New South Wales, Australia including brothels and outreach organisations where sex worker is decriminalised. Participants: 309 men who reported procuring sexual services with women. Results: Primary motivations for procurement included thrill/excitement and attractiveness of the sex worker. Cluster analysis identified five groups, the most frequent being those with a drive for exciting, thrill-seeking sex with an attractive partner and those with the same drive but not wanting investment. High proportions of men were married, in professional employment and did not present with a criminal history. Sexual experiences procured were conventional. Procurement presented as an enduring behaviour maintained across decades, commencing at a young age. Involvement in procurement preceded decriminalisation. Conclusion: The results do not support men’s procurement as primarily ‘deviant’. Commonality of procurement and similarities across motivations lends support to the ‘everyman’ perspective. Professionals may need to explicitly enquire about such behaviour where relevant to do so (e.g. in discussing sexual health) and in doing so ensure procurement is discussed as normative and not as unusual behaviour

Multi-wavelength holography with a single spatial light modulator for ultracold atom experiments

The authors acknowledge funding from the Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant RPG-2013-074 and from the EPSRC grant GR/T08272/01.We demonstrate a method to independently and arbitrarily tailor the spatial profile of light of multiple wavelengths and we show possible applications to ultracold atoms experiments. A single spatial light modulator is programmed to create a pattern containing multiple spatially separated structures in the Fourier plane when illuminated with a single wavelength. When the modulator is illuminated with overlapped laser beams of different wavelengths, the position of the structures is wavelength-dependent. Hence, by designing their separations appropriately, a desired overlap of different structures at different wavelengths is obtained. We employ regional phase calculation algorithms and demonstrate several possible experimental scenarios by generating light patterns with 670 nm, 780 nm and 1064 nm laser light which are accurate to the level of a few percent. This technique is easily integrated into cold atom experiments, requiring little optical access.PostprintPeer reviewe

Portable and versatile cold atom experiments

This thesis describes the progress achieved towards two goals. One is the construction of a compact magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus, used both as a standalone undergraduate laboratory experiment and as part of a public engagement demonstration of cold atom physics. The setup, which utilises a dichroic atomic vapour laser lock (DAVLL) system plus homemade sideband generation electronics, is capable of trapping and cooling up to 8x10⁷ ⁸⁵Rb atoms in a standard six-beam laser cooling scheme. The second goal is the loading of an ultracold ensemble of ⁸⁷Rb atoms into novel optical trap geometries using a phase-only liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LC SLM) for applications to atomtronics and quantum simulation. Details of a double vacuum chamber apparatus, designed to produce the first Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) at St Andrews, are provided. The setup incorporates a hybrid trap evaporative cooling scheme towards quantum degeneracy and reliably produces BECs of 1.9 10⁵ ⁸⁷Rb atoms. Two computational techniques, developed during the course of this project, are presented with the aim of creating flexible, smooth holographic optical traps. The first method illuminates a single SLM with overlapped, co-propagating light beams of different wavelengths to create a composite optical pattern for atom manipulation. The second uses conjugate gradient minimisation to create exceptionally high fidelity light patterns in both amplitude and phase for light in the output plane. These techniques, combined with the implementation of a light sheet into the experimental setup, are used to trap atoms in both a ring profile and in a set of narrow waveguides connected with a tunnelling barrier

Examining the portrayal of homophobic and non-homophobic aggression in print media through an integrated grounded behavioural linguistic inquiry (IGBLI) approach

The role of the media in supporting an understanding of the social world is well documented. The representation of homosexuals in the media can therefore impact on homophobia within society. This chapter examines how homosexuals are portrayed in the media generally, before examining and comparing newspaper reports of homosexual aggression with heterosexual aggression. Utilising a new and innovative research methodology, an Integrated Grounded Behavioural Linguistic Inquiry (IGBLI) approach, a sample of articles from daily newspapers in circulation within the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia are examined. The similarities and differences in the way print media report on these aggressive incidents are considered

Partner abuse and its association with emotional distress: A study exploring LGBTI relationships

This study examines partner abuse in LBGTI relationships, with focus on the associations with emotional distress and protective factors. Two hundred and eighty-seven participants took part. Partner abuse (victimisation) comprised three factors; conflict orientated aggression; hostile ignorance and control of communication; and social control and possessiveness (including threats to possessions). Perpetration factors were similar. Significant differences across sexuality or gender were limited to the perpetration of abuse relating to suspicion and possessiveness, where men were more likely to report this than the other gender groups, and women were less likely to report this. Of those reporting abuse in their current relationship, over half reported experiencing abuse in a primary relationship previously, with 60 per cent reporting exposure to abuse as a child. Partner abuse in their current relationship predicted current levels of increased emotional distress, with reduced satisfaction with the current relationship having an indirect impact on this association. Resilience traits were not a predictor or mediator. The results demonstrate the similarity in abuse across LGB communities despite the diversity of genders, sexualities and experiences within these groups. The results are discussed with regards to directions for future research and implications for practic

Government and administration of Iraq: a study in political development

The aim of the thesis is to examine the forces which, since 1914, have operated in bringing 'Iraq from a neglected and maladministered portion of the Ottoman Empire to its present position as a political unit among the nations. The establishment and development of its political institutions are traced and evaluated from the standpoint of their contribution to this evolution and in their relation to British policy: the safeguarding of the frontiers of find the routes to India. This policy is conceived to have remained the same during the period under review, as in the previous 150 years, the history of which is briefly sketched. The early administration, 1914-1917, characterized by expediency and the application of Indian methods, is shown to have been dominated by military considerations and political motives which envisaged "Mesopotamia as an appendage of India." The divergence of opinion between the so-called "Indian" and "Sharifian" schools of Arab politics is revealed to have been, in reality, the more fundamental conflict between the traditional the ory of the duty of advanced nations to backwards peoples and the theory of self-determination, of nationalism and of democratic consent. The influence of this conflict is indicated on the creation of administration, particularly between 1917- 1920, and on the constitutional proposals put forward from Baghdad during that period. The growth of 'Iraqi nationalism is traced from hitherto unutilized sources. The influence of war-time promises and encouragement by the Allies, of the Arab movement elsewhere and of the impact of Western ideas is analysed. The view that it had no local origins is rejected. New light from official sources is given on the creation of Arab Government, the Provisional Council of State, the accession of King Faisal, the drafting of the Treaty of 1922 and the Organic, which are analysed, and on the passing of the Treaty by the Constituent Assembly. The positions of the King and of the British Advisers are examined. The evolution of King Faisal's position as a tool of British policy to that of a point of balance between the nationalists and the Mandatory Power is indicated. The development of administration is reviewed, and reasons suggested for the progressive curtailment of British responsibilities, The conclusion is reached that, in spite of the theoretical triumph of nationalism and democratic consent, Great Britain has achieved practical recognition of her special interests. While fundamental indigenous problems will long prevent Iraq from becoming the fully modern state she now claims to be, her national existence is assured as long as she facilitates the development of petroleum deposits, maintains the safety of international air communications and safeguards the Middle Eastern approach to India

Potential landscaping for ultracold atoms using holographic optical traps

The development of new laser beam shaping methods is important in a variety of fields within optics, atomic physics and biophotonics. Spatial light modulators offer a highly versatile method of time-dependent beam shaping, based on imprinting a phase profile onto an incident laser beam that determines the intensity in the trapping plane laser field. The calculation of the required phase is a well-known inverse problem, which can be tackled with different approaches. Our method based on conjugate gradient minimisation [1] not only allows the calculation of smooth and accurate intensity profiles suitable for trapping cold atoms, but can also be used to generate multi-wavelength traps [2] and for simultaneous control over both the intensity and the phase of the light [3], with exceptionally high reconstruction fidelity. References: [1] T Harte, et al., "Conjugate gradient minimisation approach to generating holographic traps for ultracold atoms" Opt. Express 22, 26548 (2014) [2] D Bowman, et al., "Multi-wavelength holography with a single spatial light modulator for ultracold atom experiments" Opt. Express 23, 8365 (2015) [3] D Bowman, et al., "High-fidelity phase and amplitude control of phase-only computer generated holograms using conjugate gradient minimisation" Opt. Express 25, 11692 (2017)PostprintNon peer reviewe

Animal abuse proclivity among women: Exploring callousness, sadism and psychopathy traits

Two studies examining adult women are presented. The first (n = 162) examines the relationship between proclivity (i.e. interest in, predisposition) to abuse animals and the link to aggression motivation, with psychopathy traits, sadism and general maladaptive personality explored. The second study (n = 159) extended to focus on callous-unemotional traits. We predicted that proclivity to abuse would be associated with increased proactive aggression, with the former also associated with higher levels of psychopathy, sadism and callousness. These traits were expected to mediate the relationship between proclivity to abuse and aggression. Results confirmed that between one to two thirds of women reported at least some proclivity to abuse animals. An association between proclivity and proactive aggression was demonstrated, with callousness-uncaring and sadism representing important traits to account for. Results are discussed with attention to the implications for developing a theoretical understanding of the proclivity to abuse animals

Access to non-violent pornography in a secure forensic hospital

The current research explores non-violent pornography within secure hospital settings. It includes a systematic review (n = 40 papers), followed by a qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews (n = 24, six patients and 18 staff) and staff focus groups (n = 22 staff). The systematic review identified six themes; (1) pornography is inconsistently defined, (2) pornography exposure can increase general aggression, (3) pornography exposure may increase the risk for sexual aggression, (4) pornography exposure can increase aggression supportive beliefs, (5) pornography exposure impacts negatively on those with a violent predisposition, and (6) pornography is educational for men not identifying as heterosexual. The semi-structured interviews and focus groups revealed four themes; (1) staff members hold diverse beliefs about pornographic material, (2) pornography is difficult to obtain and use for patients who do not identify as heterosexual, (3) pornography is used for specific functions, and (4) frequent exposure to pornography can have negative effects for staff members. Implementation of individualised and multi-disciplinary decision-making, continual monitoring of access and consideration of the functions of pornography are argued as beneficial, with suggestions for future research outlined

Prison gangs: Re-examining their existence, reframing their function

This chapter considers prison gangs by outlining definitional challenges that concern this social phenomenon before examining the importance of accounting for the specifics of prison environments. As a consequence, the chapter presents a social eco-system approach to understanding prison gangs, and in doing so, accounts for theories of importation, strain and deprivation, incorporating these into a proposed Gang Social-Ecosystem Model (G-SEM). Adopting the core principles of such theories, consideration is given to both ‘pull’ and ‘push’ variables and how these may apply to the G-SEM. In conclusion, the chapter draws to a close by challenging the more pejorative approach to defining and understanding gangs, particularly in prisons