65 research outputs found

    A critical analysis of the plays of Sarah Daniels.

    No full text
    As one of the forerunners of 'second wave' feminist playwriting, Sarah Daniels has for the past fifteen years been one of Britain's most prolific writers for the stage. This thesis is the first to offer a detailed critical analysis of all her published plays along with a developmental account of her career. My approach throughout is text-based and non-prescriptive, although I do at certain points indicate where Daniels reflects or voices differing feminist perspectives. I also consider, beginning in Chapter Three, the critical reception and 'gendered' reviewing the playwright has received over the years. The thesis is organised into five chapters with an Afterword. Chapter One, the Introduction, offers an overview of Daniels' career as well as certain key characteristics of her work. In Chapter Two I analyse the early plays, Ripen Our Darkness, The Devil's Gateway and Neaptide, and consider in particular how they reflect, along with other women's playwriting at the time, certain ideals of the Women's Liberation Movement. Chapter Three is devoted entirely to Masterpieces, Daniels' most controversial and, on many levels, successful play to date. Chapter Four is an analysis of the 'history plays', Byrthrite and The Gut Girls. In addition to giving voice to women traditionally silenced in and by history, these plays (especially Byrthrite) also echo particular strands of modern feminist debate. Chapter Five examines Daniels' plays of the 1990s (Beside Herself, Head- Rot Holiday and The Madness of Esme and Shaz) with their central theme of 'women and madness'. This is also a fitting theme with which to conclude the thesis as it brings together and expands on the most significant motif running throughout the playwright's work. In the Afterword I consider the effect of Esme and Shaz's critical reception on Daniels, as well as her current 'work in progress'. Finally, the two Appendices provide a chronological table of Daniels' productions and a list of subsequent professional productions as well as awards

    Older Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Limitations: Immigration and Other Factors Associated with Institutionalization

    No full text
    This study determined the national prevalence and profile of Asian Americans with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) limitations and identified factors associated with institutionalization. Data were obtained from 2006 American Community Survey, which replaced the long-form of the US Census. The data are nationally representative of both institutionalized and community-dwelling older adults. Respondents were Vietnamese (n =203), Korean (n = 131), Japanese (n = 193), Filipino (n = 309), Asian Indian (n = 169), Chinese (n = 404), Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n = 54), and non-Hispanic whites (n = 55,040) aged 55 and over who all had ADL limitations. The prevalence of institutionalized among those with ADL limitations varies substantially from 4.7% of Asian Indians to 18.8% of Korean Americans with ADL limitations. Every AAPI group had a lower prevalence of institutionalization than disabled Non-Hispanic whites older adults (23.8%) (p < 0.001). After adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, Asian Indians, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipino, and Chinese had significantly lower odds of institutionalization than non-Hispanic whites (OR = 0.29, 0.31, 0.58, 0.51, 0.70, respectively). When the sample was restricted to AAPIs, the odds of institutionalization were higher among those who were older, unmarried, cognitively impaired and those who spoke English at home. This variation suggests that aggregating data across the AAPI groups obscures meaningful differences among these subpopulations and substantial inter-group differences may have important implications in the long-term care setting.The first author (Esme Fuller-Thomson) would like to gratefully acknowledge support received from the Sandra Rotman Endowed Chair in Social Work

    Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with cancer

    No full text
    Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its corresponding disease (COVID-19) has been shown to impose a higher burden on cancer patients than on the general population. Approved vaccines for use include new technology mRNA vaccines such as BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and nonreplicating viral vector vaccines such as Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson) and AZD1222 (AstraZeneca). Impaired or delayed humoral and diminished T-cell responses are evident in patients with cancer, especially in patients with haematological cancers or those under active chemotherapy. Herein we review the current data on vaccine immunogenicity in cancer patients, including recommendations for current practice and future research

    Three-Dimensional Laser Imaging as a Valuable Tool for Specifying Changes in Breast Shape After Augmentation Mammaplasty

    No full text
    Background Three-dimensional (3D) terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is a valuable method for measuring shapes of objects and for obtaining quantitative measurements. These qualities of the 3D laser scanner have proved to be useful in reconstructive breast surgery. This study investigated various 3D parameters to obtain an optimal objective visualization of the breast after cosmetic augmentation mammaplasty. Methods The objects are represented in a point cloud, which comprises millions of x, y, and z coordinates representing a virtual image. The quantification of 3D points shows changes in height (z coordinate) at any chosen point on the augmented breast (x and y coordinates). To give visual feedback on the change in dimensions, a color elevation scheme was applied on the reconstructed surface of the breast. As a quantifying description, a sagittal B-spline was chosen in a plane through the nipple to obtain the breast shape via the lateral profile. Results Pre- and postoperative clear images were obtained. The color elevation model showed an increased projection and upper pole fullness after augmentation. The B-spline showed the gain in projection in a sagittal plane through the nipple. Conclusions Three-dimensional TLS is capable of objectifying changes in shape after augmentation mammaplasty. This imaging technique represents superior visualization of the breast shape and can serve as a valuable tool to determine the changing dimensions of the breasts after augmentation mammaplasty.Earth Observation and Space SystemsAerospace Engineerin

    Exploring Wave Energy Potential in the UK Using a Whole Systems Modelling Approach

    No full text
    This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from EWTEC via the link in this record.The key market drivers for marine energy are to reduce carbon emissions, and improve security and sustainability of supply. There are other technologies that also meet these requirements, and therefore the marine energy market is dependent on the technology being cost effective, and competitive. The potential UK wave energy market is assessed using ETI’s Energy Systems Modelling Environment (ESME) which uses a multi-vector approach including energy generation, demand, heat, transport, and infrastructure. This will be used to identify scenarios where wave energy forms part of the least-cost energy system for the UK by 2050, and will assess what LCOE reductions are required to improve the commercialisation rate.The author gratefully acknowledges funding support from ETI and the EPSRC RCUK Energy program for the Industrial Doctoral Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE)

    Injury incidence according to athlete impairment type during the 2012 and 2016 summer paralympic games: a combined analysis of 101 108 athlete days

    No full text
    Objectives The relationship between sport-related injuries and Para athlete impairment type has not yet been comprehensively studied. This study aimed to describe injury incidence according to athlete impairment type during the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games, by sex, age, Games period, chronicity and anatomical area. Methods A combined analysis of 7222 athletes was conducted comprising 101 108 athlete days, using pooled data. Internet sources were used to identify impairments of registered athletes. Impairment types: brain disorders (BD), limb deficiency, neuromuscular disorders (NMD), spinal cord-related disorders, visual impairment (VI) and’all others’ (OTH: impaired passive range of movement, intellectual impairment, leg length difference, short stature and unknown impairments). Results by impairment type are reported as univariate unadjusted incidences (injuries/1000 athlete days; 95% CIs). Statistical significance between impairment types was determined when 95% CIs did not overlap. Results The overall crude unadjusted incidence of injury was 11.1 (95% CI 10.4 to 11.9), significantly higher in VI (13.7 (95% CI 11.0 to 15.7)) and NMD (13.3 (95% CI 11.1 to 16.1)) compared with BD (9.1 (95% CI 7.7 to 10.8)). Acute (sudden onset) (8.6 (95% CI 7.3 to 10.1)) and lower limb (6.6 (95% CI 5.4 to 8.1)) injuries were higher among athletes with VI, while athletes with NMD had a higher incidence of repetitive (gradual onset) (5.9 (95% CI 4.3 to 8.0)) and upper limb (6.9 (95% CI 5.2 to 9.0)) injuries compared with other impairments. Conclusions Incidence and type of injuries differed between athlete impairment types. Athletes with VI or NMD sustained the highest incidence of injury, and athletes with BD had the lowest. Findings of this study can inform the management of competition-related injuries in Para athletes. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)

    Behind Bars: The Subjugation of Women in Postcolonial African Literature

    No full text
    The objective of this paper is to examine writing as a revolutionary device used to challenge the subjugation of women in post-colonial, francophone Africa. Specifically, I will compare the non-linear, prison-narratives of Cameroonian author Calixthe Beyala and Algerian writer Assia Djebar in order to elucidate the perspective of women speaking "behind bars." While Beyala's Tu t'appelleras Tanga (Your Name Shall Be Tanga) is set in a West African prison cell, Djebar's Vaste est la prison (So Vast the Prison) weaves together tales of literal and figurative prisons. Both works were published in the late 1980s, during the decade when francophone African women writers were establishing themselves in the literary scene. Even though many influential African women successfully published their writing, laden with postcolonial and societal criticisms, they were given minimal attention in critical anthologies and articles on new African literature. Calixthe Beyala and Assia Djebar, though, wrote with insistence and verve, refusing to be relegated to the background of the male-centric African literary tradition. In this paper, I seek to examine Beyala's and Djebar's marginalized discourses individually and side by side, to reveal both the distinct and alienating nature of female oppression as well as the solidarity in oppressed female voices. My discussion of Calixthe Beyala and Assia Djebar offers insight into their complex explorations of what it means to be imprisoned and what it means to be free. Before delving into my analysis, I will 1) provide background on Calixthe Beyala and Assia Djebar; 2) briefly summarize and contextualize the novels at hand, Tu t'appelleras Tanga and Vaste est la prison; 3) discuss the postcolonial feminist theory that I use to analyze the female body in Beyala and Djebars' works; 4) introduce myself and the lens through which I interpret francophone African literature; 5) acknowledge the problematic tendencies of Western discourses about African women. Finally, the body of the analysis is separated into three sections: Chapter 1: Prisons in Tu t'appelleras Tanga, Chapter 2: Prisons in Vaste est la prison, Chapter 3: Liberation through Writing

    The rewards of caring for grandchildren: Black Canadian grandmothers who are custodial parents, co-parents, and extensive babysitters

    No full text
    From publisher: This grounded theory qualitative study of 16 Black Canadian grandmothers identified the rewards of caregiving. Variations in rewards emerged by caregiver type: custodial grandparent (n=7), co-parent grandparent (n=5) and extensive babysitter (n=4). Five major themes were identified: (1) grandmothers’ responsibilities and pride of caregiving; (2) grandmothers keeping the family close together and safe; (3) mutual respect between grandmothers and grandchildren; (4) caregiving provides grandmothers with a sense of purpose; and (5) grandchildren are fun. Implications of these findings for practice and further research are discussed.The first author gratefully acknowledges support from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC 410-2009-2133) and the Sandra Rotman Endowed Chair fund

    Onlining

    No full text
    Onlining, tackles the tangle of anxieties that arise from living in our contemporary connected society. Smartphone use, data gathering and performative social media pressures are examined by writer Timandra Harkness, author of Big Data: Does Size Matter? (2016), and historian Charlie Williams (Queen Mary University of London). The film also makes use of resources generated during the life of the Hidden Persuaders project: an interview filmed in 2015 with the late Zygmunt Bauman, in which the renowned philosopher and sociologist addressed the idea of brainwashing as a functional component of modern life, and a film made by Misty Scrimgeour and Esme Ramlal when they were Year 12 students as part of the project’s outreach programme with Camden schools in 2018
    corecore