Halesowen College

This study investigates the understanding of teenage boys, who do not identify as heterosexual, as they reflect on the intent and risks associated with sending and receiving self-generated sexual images (sexting). Questions within the research surrounded the prevalence of adolescent sexting practice, the relationship between behaviour and sexual identity and the motivations specifically in the gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/undecided participants (GBTQ). This questionnaire based study surveyed 2198 14–18 year old males, of which 2034 returned the questionnaire, 5.9% of these self-identifying as GBTQ. The study showed that overall sexting practice increases with age, from 37.8% at 14-years to 52.7% among 17-year olds. The average percentage of sexting in those who reported as heterosexual was 43.9% contrasted with 63% for those who identified as GBTQ. Whilst each episode of sexting, particularly images sent to a stranger, presents a potential risk to the individual, this study shows those young men who identify as GBTQ place themselves at increased vulnerability, with 33.3% of these young men admitting to sending images to people they did not really know, compared to 16.8% of heterosexual sexters. The arising themes and dependent connections within the study support the conclusion that, whilst sexting may be associated with risk taking behaviours such as early initiation of sexual activity, unsafe sex, bullying and access to alcohol and illegal drugs, participants did report a degree of positive impact. Sexting was reported to support relationships, allow access to similar peers and increase self-confidence.

This paper presents the experimental characterization of a load modulated balanced amplifier for base station applications using a single input configuration. An off-the-shelf power splitter is used with coaxial cables of different length to divide the input power between the branches. The effect of the phase offset is assessed experimentally by CW single tone and modulated signal measurements, and the results are discussed. With a proper selection of cable length, the amplifier achieves a CW output power of 48 dBm and a 6 dB back-off efficiency of 44 % at 1.9 GHz, while it maintains an output power higher than 47.5 dBm and a back-off efficiency higher than 32% between 1.8 and 2.3 GHz. The amplifier, tested with a Long Term Evolution signal, can be linearized with a digital predistorter to comply with spectral regrowth requirements.

SummaryBackgroundVisual loss (blindness) caused by injection of soft tissue fillers is a rare but devastating issue to both patient and practitioner. There is a lack of any structured protocol in the management of this problemAimsTo produce a pathway for the management of hyaluronic acid aesthetic interventional induced visual loss that was based on the current available literature and guidelines. evidence proposed guidance for the practical management of this problem. was evaluated and a pathway has been developed for patient management and specialist adviceMethodA consensus group experts involved in aesthetic intervention, visual loss research and with experience in dealing with visual loss assessed the current literature and proposed guidelines available. Using the protocols available a pathway for the treatment of aesthetic interventional induced visual loss was proposed.ResultsThe group produce a set of guidelines for the practitioner to use as an emergency situation and for use in a delayed presentation. The group also produced guidelines for specialists to use in a secondary care setting.ConclusionsThese recommendations are based on current publications and or consensus view as there is still a lack of robust Level I data to support any particular intervention therapy.

This paper reports on a study which investigates patterns of subject choice and explores some of the factors which overtly influence boys and girls when selecting subjects for A‐level study. Girls in the cohort showed inferior scientific achievements at O‐level, and were under‐represented in science at A‐level; this being most marked in the physical sciences. The interest value of subjects was a major factor in subject choice, particularly for girls. Previous performance and the career value of subjects were important to students of both sexes. Aspirations for higher education were more evident amongst girls than boys, but a larger proportion of girls intended to pursue vocational courses. Such results indicate an urgent need for greater understanding of those factors directly affecting subject choice if we wish to be successful in encouraging more girls to continue with science.