A phenomenological inquiry into heterosexual men’s experience of gender identity in couples therapy as client

Forty-two per cent of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce (ONS, 2016) and the heterosexual couple continues to be the largest relationship type in 2017 (Relate, 2017). This research presents an in-depth, phenomenological exploration illuminating the experiences of being a heterosexual male in relationship therapy. The literature review describes the dearth of research into this demographic, with no prior research being found based on the experience of such men in therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve men and the resulting transcripts subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six major themes are presented that widely challenge societal and therapeutic perspectives on men in couples therapy. The findings present a picture of men who feel unloved, uncherished, misunderstood and lonely, who deeply care about their relationship, partner and loved ones. Aware of societal changes in terms of gender roles, the participants describe key influencers on them in terms of being a man and as a man in relationship with a woman. The active consideration of the effect of the gender of the couples therapist on therapy is also revealed by participants who allude to differences in communication style between them and women. The discussion compares the experiences of the participants with five published articles written from the perspective of expert as well as with the general therapeutic literature, which is explored in the background literature section. The thesis concludes with a recommendation that all genders are actively considered in therapy and therapeutic research rather than the current trend to focus only on gender in relation to minorities or disadvantaged groups, and to acknowledge the embeddedness of gender and gender constructs for clients irrespective of the therapeutic approach or philosophical beliefs of the therapist

Local Manipulation of Nuclear Spin in a Semiconductor Quantum Well

The shaping of nuclear spin polarization profiles and the induction of nuclear resonances are demonstrated within a parabolic quantum well using an externally applied gate voltage. Voltage control of the electron and hole wave functions results in nanometer-scale sheets of polarized nuclei positioned along the growth direction of the well. RF voltages across the gates induce resonant spin transitions of selected isotopes. This depolarizing effect depends strongly on the separation of electrons and holes, suggesting that a highly localized mechanism accounts for the observed behavior.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure

Can mutation and selection explain virulence in human P. falciparum infections?

BACKGROUND: Parasites incur periodic mutations which must ultimately be eliminated to maintain their genetic integrity. METHODS: It is hypothesised that these mutations are eliminated not by the conventional mechanisms of competition between parasites in different hosts but primarily by competition between parasites within the same infection. RESULTS: This process is enhanced by the production of a large number of parasites within individual infections, and this may significantly contribute to parasitic virulence. CONCLUSIONS: Several features of the most virulent human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can usefully be re-interpreted in this light and lend support to this interpretation. More generally, it constitutes a novel explanation for the evolution of virulence in a wider range of microparasites

Genomics knowledge and attitudes among European public health professionals. Results of a cross-sectional survey

Background The international public health (PH) community is debating the opportunity to incorporate genomic technologies into PH practice. A survey was conducted to assess attitudes of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) members towards their role in the implementation of public health genomics (PHG), and their knowledge and attitudes towards genetic testing and the delivery of genetic services. Methods EUPHA members were invited via monthly newsletter and e-mail to take part in an online survey from February 2017 to January 2018. A descriptive analysis of knowledge and attitudes was conducted, along with a univariate and multivariate analysis of their determinants. Results Five hundred and two people completed the questionnaire, 17.9% were involved in PHG activities. Only 28.9% correctly identified all medical conditions for which there is (or not) evidence for implementing genetic testing; over 60% thought that investing in genomics may divert economic resources from social and environmental determinants of health. The majority agreed that PH professionals may play different roles in incorporating genomics into their activities. Better knowledge was associated with positive attitudes towards the use of genetic testing and the delivery of genetic services in PH (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.01–2.18). Conclusions Our study revealed quite positive attitudes, but also a need to increase awareness on genomics among European PH professionals. Those directly involved in PHG activities tend to have a more positive attitude and better knowledge; however, gaps are also evident in this group, suggesting the need to harmonize practice and encourage greater exchange of knowledge among professionals

Single-chain factor XII exhibits activity when complexed to polyphosphate

© 2014 The Authors. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Niche inheritance: a cooperative pathway to enhance cancer cell fitness though ecosystem engineering

Cancer cells can be described as an invasive species that is able to establish itself in a new environment. The concept of niche construction can be utilized to describe the process by which cancer cells terraform their environment, thereby engineering an ecosystem that promotes the genetic fitness of the species. Ecological dispersion theory can then be utilized to describe and model the steps and barriers involved in a successful diaspora as the cancer cells leave the original host organ and migrate to new host organs to successfully establish a new metastatic community. These ecological concepts can be further utilized to define new diagnostic and therapeutic areas for lethal cancers.Comment: 8 pages, 1 Table, 4 Figure

An assessment of anxiety levels in dyslexic students in higher education

Background: It has long been hypothesized that children with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, may be highly vulnerable to emotional consequences such as anxiety. However, research has centred on school aged children. Aims: The present study aimed to clarify these findings with dyslexic students in higher education. Samples: 16 students with dyslexia were compared to 16 students with no history of learning difficulties. Methods: Students were asked to complete a verbal questionnaire concerning trait anxiety levels. They were then told that they would be given a timed reading test and their state anxiety levels were measured using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1983). Finally their reading was assessed using the Test of Word Reading Efficiency (Torgesen, Wagner & Rashotte, 1999). Results: Dyslexic students showed slower reading speeds than controls. They also had higher levels of state anxiety and elevated levels of academic and social, but not appearance anxiety. Conclusions: Dyslexic students in higher education show anxiety levels that are well above what is shown by students without learning difficulties. This anxiety is not limited to academic tasks but extends to many social situations. It is proposed that assessment of emotional well‐being should form part of the assessment of need for dyslexic students entering higher education

Public Health Innovation and Research in Europe: introduction to the supplement

PHIRE (Public Health Innovation and Research in Europe) was developed for the national member associations and individual researchers of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) to engage collectively with the health research agenda in Europe. It was co-funded by the European Commission's Directorate for Health and Consumers within the EU Health Programme. It was coordinated by EUPHA in a partnership of eight organizations. This article introduces the Supplement in the European Journal of Public Health presenting the results of PHIRE