59 research outputs found
Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine, 9.1 (April 2016)
No full textFlash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine is a biannual literary periodical, published as an A5 book. Since the inaugural issue of October 2008, Flash has established itself as the world’s leading publisher of quality short-short stories and serious reviews of flash-fiction anthologies, collections, guidebooks, and critical studies. It also publishes occasional essays on flash fiction. The journal Geist has described Flash as ‘one of the best current venues’ for ‘high-quality’ flashes and the scholar Dr Michael A. Chaney (Dartmouth College, New Hampshire) rates it as one of the top ten literary magazines to send short-short stories.The sixteenth issue of Flash, which features new stories from Argentina, Britain, France, Hungary, and the USA, and boasts many of the world’s leading flash-fiction authors. It also includes the 2016 winner of the UK’s National Flash Fiction Youth Competition, ‘Silver Linings’ by Charlotte Rhodes, a talented A-level student at Winstanley College, Wigan. The competition was organized by Flash and the Department of English, University of Chester; it was judged by the editors and leading flash author and critic Holly Howitt. We are honoured to publish a final piece by the late Ihab Hassan (1925–2015), a brilliant literary critic and flash-fiction author. (Other stories by Hassan appeared in Flash, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, and 7.2.) In ‘Flash Reviews’, Christine Simon admires the ‘philosophical weight’ of the flashes in influential Brazilian author Clarice Lispector’s first collected short stories in English translation. Tony Williams enjoys Robert Scotellaro’s What We Know So Far, while Alex Tankard reflects on how what she knows affects her reception of Rosie Forrest’s Ghost Box Evolution in Cadillac, Michigan. Other reviewers feast their eyes on two beautifully illustrated collections: Caroline Jones is charmed by Vanessa Gebbie’s Ed’s Wife and Other Creatures, illustrated by Lynn Roberts; and Jude Piesse explores the story wood created by Nik Perring’s Beautiful Trees, illustrated by Miranda Sofroniou. Ian Seed meanwhile scrutinizes the flashes and craft essays in Family Resemblance: An Anthology and Exploration of 8 Hybrid Genres, edited by Marcela Sulak and Jacqueline Kolosov. Copies of the issue are available through the magazine’s website: http://www.chester.ac.uk/flash.magazin
Exploring experiences and meanings of self harm in South Asian women in the UK
No full textEpidemiological studies have reported significantly higher rates of self harm in South Asian women than South Asian men or White British women, particularly within the 16-24 age group (Cooper et al., 2006). Furthermore, findings of qualitative studies indicate that South Asian women do not feel able to access mainstream support services (Chew-Graham, Bashir, Chantler, Burman, & Batsleer, 2002). As a result researchers have emphasised the importance of developing services which are appropriate to South Asian women’s needs and that achieving this will require understanding of self harm from the women’s own frame of reference (Husain, Waheed, & Husain, 2006).
The present study aimed to explore the experiences and meanings of South Asian women who self harm; and their experiences and perceptions of support services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six women of South Asian ethnicity who have experience of self harm, five of which were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Individual and group level analyses were conducted and three superordinate themes of control, identity and communication emerged, although the interrelations between them were also important in understanding the women’s experiences and meanings of self harm.
The meanings of self harm offered by the women in this study are similar to those described in other studies with South Asian women (Bhardwaj, 2001; Chantler, Burman, Batsleer, & Bashir, 2001; Marshall & Yazdani, 1999) and white western women (Babiker & Arnold, 1997); however, the participants’ ambivalence regarding their self harm was more apparent. Qualitative methodology allowed exploration of the complexities and ambiguities in the women’s experiences and meanings, including how they both endorsed and rejected concepts such as ‘culture clash’ and self harm as ’attention seeking’.
Participants simultaneously described both positive and negative experiences and perceptions of support services, including valuing a confidential forum within which to talk and feel understood. Themes which emerged included service responses inadvertently exacerbating distress; fear of judgment and the impact of ethnicity.
These findings are discussed in relation to the wider research and the extent to which the women’s accounts speak to psychological models of self harm is also considered.
Strengths and limitations of the study, clinical recommendations and further research possibilities are outlined
Determinants of body composition changes over 5.5 years and the associated cardio-metabolic risk factors in free-living black South African women
No full textIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.Research from both developed and developing countries, including South Africa (SA), has shown that black women experience a disproportionately high burden of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases compared to their white counterparts. To our knowledge, there are no longitudinal studies that have examined the determinants of obesity and the associated cardio-metabolic risk factors in black SA women. The overall aim of this thesis was to examine the determinants of the changes in body composition and the associations with cardio-metabolic risk factors over a 5.5-year follow-up period in a cohort of free-living black SA women. These aims were addressed in two separate chapters with the following specific aims: Chapter 1: To examine changes in body weight, body composition and body fat distribution over 5.5-years in relation to changes in cardio-metabolic risk factors; Chapter 2: To examine the modifiable and non-modifiable determinants of the changes in body weight and body fat distribution over the follow-up period. A convenience sample of 64 apparently healthy black SA women (26±7 years) were tested at baseline and again after approximately 5.5-years. Testing included measuresof body composition and body fat distribution (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computerised tomography), blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations.An oral glucose tolerance test was performed at follow-up only, from which insulin sensitivity(Matsuda index) and secretion (insulinogenic index) were calculated. In addition, participants completed questionnaires to assess socio-economic status (SES) and lifestyle factors including reproductive health at baseline and follow-up. Physical activity (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) and dietary intake (Quantified Food Frequency questionnaire) were reported at baseline only. Chapter 1: There was a significant increase in body weight (8.8±12.5%) and total fat mass (16.4±26.9%), and all other measures of body fat distribution (range: 1.4–35.1%). When expressed relative to total fat mass (%FM), there was an increase in trunk fat mass with a concomitant decrease in peripheral fat mass, which was associated with increased fasting glucose concentrations and reduced insulin sensitivity, and a compensatory increase in insulin secretion at follow-up. Chapter 2: The increase in body weight was associated with a lower baseline body mass index (BMI), being nulliparous at baseline, and not having children over the follow-up period. Sanitation at baseline and change in sanitation over time had opposing effects on body weight, with smaller increases in weight in those women who had access to sanitation at baseline and larger increases in weight seen in those who improved sanitation over the follow-up period. Centralisation of body fat was associated with a lower BMI and being nulliparous at baseline only. Being younger at baseline was also associated with larger increases in body weight and centralisation of fat mass, but was not independent of the other variables. In a sample of free-living black SA women, body weight (~9%) and fat mass (~17%) increased significantly over a 5.5-year follow-up period. These increases, and specifically the increase in central fat mass, were associated with increased fasting glucose concentrations and reduced insulin sensitivity. When examining the determinants of weight gain and increasing centralisation of fat mass, younger women without children, with a lower BMI, were at greatest risk of increased weight gain, and should be the target of future interventions in this population. The risk of weight gain was further mediated by changes in SES, which should be examined further
Author Guidelines for the British Machine Vision Conference
No full textAbstract In a study of 51 computational features sets Dong et al. We provide results of an experiment with 334 textures that shows that contour data is more important than local image patches, or 2nd-order global data, to human observers. We also propose a contour-based feature set that exploits the long-range HOS encoded in the spatial distribution and orientation of contour segments. We compare it against the 51 feature sets tested by Dong et al
Why illuminant direction is fundamental to texture analysis
No full textThe author shows that directed illumination used in the image acquisition process can act as a directional filter of three-dimensional texture. An image model of texture is presented which, given the illuminant vector, may be used to predict the directional characteristics of image texture. Simulations and the results of laboratory experiments are presented that confirm the predicted directional filtering effects. The image model is used to predict the output of a directional texture measure: Laws' L5E5 operator (K.I. Laws, 1980). Empirical results using four samples of isotropic texture confirm that the operator's output is significantly affected by changes in the angle of tilt of the illuminant. They also show that the model provides a good basis for predicting the behaviour of such operators. Finally the effect of changes in illuminant tilt on the distributions of the operator for two isotropic textures are presented. These results show that considerable misclassification would result in using an L5E5-based classifier if the illuminant tilt angle were changed between training and classification sessions.</p
Does clinical management improve outcomes following self-Harm? Results from the multicentre study of self-harm in England
No full textBackground
Evidence to guide clinical management of self-harm is sparse, trials have recruited selected samples, and psychological treatments that are suggested in guidelines may not be available in routine practice.
Aims
To examine how the management that patients receive in hospital relates to subsequent outcome.
Methods
We identified episodes of self-harm presenting to three UK centres (Derby, Manchester, Oxford) over a 10 year period (2000 to 2009). We used established data collection systems to investigate the relationship between four aspects of management (psychosocial assessment, medical admission, psychiatric admission, referral for specialist mental health follow up) and repetition of self-harm within 12 months, adjusted for differences in baseline demographic and clinical characteristics.
Results
35,938 individuals presented with self-harm during the study period. In two of the three centres, receiving a psychosocial assessment was associated with a 40% lower risk of repetition, Hazard Ratios (95% CIs): Centre A 0.99 (0.90–1.09); Centre B 0.59 (0.48–0.74); Centre C 0.59 (0.52–0.68). There was little indication that the apparent protective effects were mediated through referral and follow up arrangements. The association between psychosocial assessment and a reduced risk of repetition appeared to be least evident in those from the most deprived areas.
Conclusion
These findings add to the growing body of evidence that thorough assessment is central to the management of self-harm, but further work is needed to elucidate the possible mechanisms and explore the effects in different clinical subgroups
Nutrition for Youth Rugby
No full textThe nutritional requirements of a youth rugby player are influenced by their biological growth and maturation, physical development and the demands of training and competition. This chapter reviews the current literature on nutrition of youth rugby players, including energy requirements, dietary intakes, hydration, micronutrients and supplements. In summary, the energy and macronutrient requirements of youth rugby players are dictated by their total energy expenditures which increase with age and body size. Whilst youth rugby players appear to meet their daily fat and protein intakes, many players fail to achieve optimal carbohydrate intakes. Furthermore, diet quality does not meet current recommendations, although it does appear to improve with age. The hydration requirements of youth players do not appear to differ from those of their adult counterparts; however, adolescent players may have a greater need for calcium and iron. Finally, although many players regularly consume dietary supplements, there is limited evidence to support their use within this population. Future research is required, particularly in youth female players, to establish nutritional requirements and enhance nutritional practices
Immunization against GnRF in adult cattle: a prospective field study
No full textAbstract Background Suppression of cyclic activity in cattle is often desired in alpine farming and for feedlot cattle, not intended for breeding. A cattle specific anti-GnRF vaccine (Bopriva™) is registered for use in heifers and bulls in different countries. In adult cows vaccinated with Bopriva™, the median period until recurrence of class III follicles was 78 days from the day of the 2nd vaccination and reversibility could be proven, as out of 11 experimental cows 10 cows became pregnant at first, and one cow at second insemination. In the present study, 76 healthy, cyclic Eringer heifers and cows were vaccinated twice with Bopriva™ 3-7 weeks apart, to prevent estrus during alpine pasturing. Blood samples were taken for progesterone and GnRF antibody titer analysis on the day of inclusion (7–9 d before the first vaccination) and at the first vaccination. At the same time, gynaecological examinations were performed. When estrus occurred in the course of the alpine pasturing season, a gynaecological examination was done including analysis of a blood sample (progesterone, anti-GnRF antibody titer). Cows were followed for fertility out to 26 months post second vaccination. Results Median duration of estrus suppression was 191 days after the second vaccination (when the 2 vaccinations were given 28–35 days apart). From n = 13 cows showing signs of estrus on the alpine pasture, n = 7 could not be confirmed in estrus (serum progesterone value >2 ng/ml, no class III follicles seen using ultrasonography). Median duration between second vaccination and next calving was 496 days (25%/75% quartiles: 478/532 days). Conclusion Bopriva™ induced a reliable and reversible suppression of estrus for more than 3 months in over 90% of the cows
Spatiotemporal phase-matching in capillary high-harmonic generation
No full textWe present a simple phase-matching model that takes into account the full spatiotemporal nature of capillary high-harmonic generation. Spectra predicted from the model are compared to experimental results for a number of gases and are shown to reproduce the spectral envelope of experimentally generated harmonics. The model demonstrates that an ionization-induced phase mismatch is limiting the energy of the generated harmonics in current capillary high-harmonic generation experiments. The success of this model shows that phase-matching processes play a dominant role in determining the emission from capillary high-harmonic generation
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