bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Modern Politics of Sexual Assault Prosecution
Authors: Johnson Matthew Barry
Published: October 2020

This chapter presents and discusses the “rape law reform” movement that emerged in the 1970s. The movement sought reforms designed to encourage victims to make official reports and facilitate the successful prosecution of rape and sexual assault. The movement achieved legislative and practice reform, but there was no discernible increase in sexual assault convictions. The rape law reform movement solidified an alliance of concern that strengthened vigorous prosecution of “stranger rapes” but had little impact on the more common type of rape, “acquaintance rape.” Rape law reform advocacy produced dramatic and rapid legislative change, change that was clearly warranted not only for victims of sexual assault, but also reform that contributed to the integrity of the US legal process.
Rape and Wrongful Conviction
Authors: Johnson Matthew Barry
Published: October 2020

This chapter focuses on the concentration of rape cases among confirmed wrongful convictions. How stranger rape differs from date and acquaintance rape with regard to the risk of wrongful conviction is presented. Innocence Project and National Registry of Exonerations data are examined as well as case illustrations. The chapter examines the pressures on law enforcement authorities and the role of primary evidence, secondary evidence, black box investigation methods, the continuum of intentionality, and victim status in stranger rape. In addition, a stranger rape thesis is presented to distinguish the unique challenges faced in the investigation of “stranger rape. The moral outrage associated with stranger rape produces a great demand on police for arrests and convictions yet reliable identification of the perpetrator is compromised in stranger rape.
Child Sexual Abuse Hysteria
Authors: Johnson Matthew Barry
Published: October 2020

This chapter reviews the phenomenon of “child sexual abuse hysteria” and the series of day care child sexual abuse prosecutions that occurred in the United States from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. The charges often involved highly implausible accusations. Suggestive questioning of children, prosecutorial overcharging, and a prevailing social hysteria contributed to a substantial number of innocent defendants being convicted. Psychological research findings informed legal appeals that contributed to the exoneration of more than 50 defendants. The cases presented highlight common features among many child sexual abuse hysteria prosecutions. Considered together, the manufactured and sociogenic nature of the prosecution’s evidence is apparent.
Concepts, Processes, and Models in Wrongful Conviction
Authors: Johnson Matthew Barry
Published: October 2020

This chapter explores concepts and models used to describe and explain processes in wrongful criminal conviction, such as “tunnel vision,” “confirmation biases,” “misinformation effects,” and “escalation of commitment.” This chapter also considers the critique of the concept of tunnel vision that has emerged. Also, the chapter draws from several theoretical sources to introduce the notion of wrongful conviction as a consequence of “moral correction,” which results in emotional and cognitive factors that adversely affect the evaluation evidence and contribute to the risk of wrongful conviction. Moral correction is advanced as a broad framework that encompasses the more specific processes, such as tunnel vision.
Prospective and Future Directions
Authors: Johnson Matthew Barry
Published: October 2020

This chapter summarizes the findings from the various chapters and examines recommendations from other authors to outline directions for reform and further research. The value of various terms and concepts—variable distribution of wrongful conviction risk, “black box” investigation, the “continuum of intentionality,” victim status paths, moral outrage, and moral correction—in preventing and correcting wrongful conviction and for prospective research is presented. Obstacles faced in preventing and reducing wrongful conviction are also discussed. The chapter focuses on identifying common concerns and obstacles to reform that have been identified in the literature. It considers how the investigation of wrongful conviction in sexual assault, presented in this volume, contributes to the literature on reducing and preventing the conviction of innocents.
Child Anxiety
Authors: Lebowitz Eli R.
Published: October 2020

This chapter discusses the main types of childhood and adolescent anxiety. There is no limit to the variety of things that can cause a child anxiety, but some fears and worries are more common than others. The most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorders include separation anxiety; social anxiety (also called social phobia); generalized anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; agoraphobia; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); illness anxiety; and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, which is not an anxiety disorder per se, but is commonly associated with fear and anxiety. Of all the emotional and mental health problems that occur during childhood and adolescence, anxiety is the most treatable. Treatments for childhood and adolescent anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication for anxiety. Healthy habits can also help to keep anxiety under control.
Is Your Child’s Anxiety Taking Over Your Family?
Authors: Lebowitz Eli R.
Published: October 2020

This chapter addresses child anxiety in the family context, starting with the myth that parents cause anxiety problems in their children. The idea that parents are responsible for children’s emotional and behavioral problems stems in large part from inaccurate assumptions about human development; outdated psychological theories; misunderstandings of research on the links between parental behavior and childhood disorders; and an incorrect interpretation of family dynamics. On the other hand, a child’s anxiety problem is likely to have an impact on the parents and on the rest of the family. The reason that childhood anxiety, more than other problems, can have such a large impact on parents is that when a child is feeling anxious, they look to their parents to help them feel better. But why are anxious children so reliant on parents? The reason has to do with the very nature of anxiety in humans. The natural tendency of the child to look to the parents for protection and reassurance when feeling worried, scared, or stressed is essentially hardwired into the human brain.
Common Pitfalls in Parenting an Anxious Child
Authors: Lebowitz Eli R.
Published: October 2020

This chapter describes some common pitfalls in parenting an anxious child and ways to avoid them. Many of these traps and pitfalls can be loosely categorized as either “protective” or “demanding,” which are broad categories of beliefs and behaviors, and each can be expressed in many different ways. The first category is that of protection, which covers thoughts and behaviors that center on the goal of protecting the child from harm or distress. Taking on the role of protector for the child, when a danger is not present, can convey to the child that they are in need of protection, making them feel less safe and more vulnerable. The second category is that of demanding. Demanding is when the parents expect the child not to feel anxious, or to be able to act as though they are not, despite the very real anxiety they are feeling. Demanding has an important limitation that makes it almost entirely unhelpful when dealing with child anxiety. When a demand the parents make is not met, they often respond with frustration or anger because they feel helpless to enforce the demand or undermined by the lack of compliance. This can lead to conflict and hostility.
Working on Your Plan
Authors: Lebowitz Eli R.
Published: October 2020

This chapter addresses the process of working on the plan for reducing accommodation. It is important to keep a log and monitor progress. Writing down how it goes and what difficulties are encountered will help parents to figure out the challenges, troubleshoot and plan solutions, and identify changes that might be needed to make the plan more feasible. The chapter then gives parents an idea of what to expect as they begin to reduce the target accommodation. As parents continue to implement their plan, it is as important as ever to keep up their supportive responses. Parents can give the child a lot of praise and positive reinforcement for handling the change in accommodation. Parents can also use rewards to show that they are proud of the child for coping. The chapter also discusses the meaning of success in implementing the plan, both for the parents and for the child, at this stage.
Introduction
Authors: Mizock Lauren , Carr Erika
Published: October 2020

This introductory chapter offers an overview of the book. It describes the need for this book given the lack of focus on women with serious mental illness as a whole in research and clinical training. The authors discuss the inspiration for developing this book as part of an initiative developed at the American Psychological Association. Issues of terminology and challenges with medical model language are addressed. The introduction also highlights the problems faced by women with serious mental illness during treatment. This chapter offers summaries for each chapter. The framework of the book from a gender-sensitive and recovery-oriented perspective is proposed.
History of the Mistreatment of Women with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Mizock Lauren , Carr Erika
Published: October 2020

Chapter 2 reviews the history of psychiatric treatment of women with mental illness in the United States and Western Europe. The chapter covers ways in which labeling women as “mad’ has marginalized women, while those with actual psychiatric symptoms were mistreated or overlooked in mental health care. This chapter reviews relevant mental health trends in the treatment of women in the Western world for the past several centuries, from the mass hysteria of witch hunts, to gynecological surgeries believed to cure insanity. Critics of misogynistic treatments and their struggles for justice are highlighted. Themes in the mistreatment of women’s mental health that continue in the present day are also explored. Discussion questions and activities are included.
Motherhood, Family, and Relationships for Women with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Mizock Lauren , Carr Erika
Published: October 2020

This chapter discusses the impact of a serious mental illness on relationships for women, including motherhood, friendship, family, and dating. The chapter will explore the ways in which a serious mental illness can interfere with pursuit of these roles, impacting the woman’s sense of womanhood and personhood. Risk factors like intimate partner violence and custody loss will be examined. The chapter will discuss how motherhood and other relationships can serve as a context for recovery. The way in which women with serious mental illness navigate stigma and isolation to seek meaning in peer advocacy and other social roles will be presented. Case narratives, a clinical strategies list, discussion questions, activities, and a clinical worksheet (“Relationship Structuring Worksheet”) are included.
Cultural Factors Among Women with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Mizock Lauren , Carr Erika
Published: October 2020

This chapter covers intersectional stigma, the overlapping, multiple levels of stigma and discrimination faced by women of color with serious mental illness, particularly with regard to racism, mental illness stigma, and misogyny. This chapter contains several case narratives of women of color with serious mental illness in order to demonstrate the impact of compounded levels of discrimination on their lives. The strengths, resilience, spirituality, and empowerment manifested by women with serious mental illness in overcoming the challenges of mental illness, racism, sexism, and daily life are discussed. Clinical recommendations are provided to facilitate culturally competent care with this group. The chapter includes a clinical strategies list, discussion questions, activities, and a clinical worksheet (“Cultural Strengths and Stigma Worksheet”).
Women’s Empowerment and Recovery-Oriented Care
Authors: Mizock Lauren , Carr Erika
Published: October 2020

This chapter introduces the Women’s Empowerment and Recovery-Oriented Care (WE-ROC) intervention, a model that integrates gender-sensitive and recovery-oriented approaches to clinical care for women with serious mental illness. The model focuses on the unique experiences that women with serious mental illness may encounter as a result of gender oppression and intersectional stigma. The origin of the model, the findings of a pilot study, and applications to clinical work with men with serious mental illness are presented. This chapter also includes a clinical strategies list, discussion questions, activities, and an evaluation worksheet that was used to elicit feedback from participants in the intervention.
Radiative association for the formation of MgO
Authors: Bai Tianrui , Qin Zhi , Liu Linhua
Published: October 2020

The radiative association process for the formation of magnesium oxide (MgO) may be of great importance due to its frequent occurrence in the low-density and dust-poor astrochemical environments. In this work, the cross-sections and rate coefficients for the A1Π → X1Σ+, ${\rm X}^1\Sigma ^+\, \rightarrow \, {\rm A}^1\Pi$, D1Δ → A1Π, a3Π → e3Σ−, ${\rm X}^1\Sigma ^+\, \rightarrow \, {\rm X}^1\Sigma ^+$, and A1Π → A1Π radiative association processes of forming MgO are theoretically estimated. The cross-sections for the transitions between the different states are obtained by using the semiclassical method for direct contributions and the Breit–Wigner theory as a complement for resonance contributions. For the transitions between the same states, the quantum mechanical method is used. The rate coefficients are then obtained from the cross-sections for the temperatures in the range of 10–10 000 K and the results are found to vary from 4.69 $\times \, 10^{-16}$ to 6.27 $\times \, 10^{-14}$ cm3 s−1. For temperatures lower than around 693 K, the rate coefficients for the A1Π → X1Σ+ process are dominant, which indicates this process is the most efficient way of producing MgO at low temperatures. However, the rate coefficients for the D1Δ → A1Π process go through a rapid increase with increasing temperature and become dominant at higher temperatures. For other processes, their rate coefficients are several orders of magnitude lower than those for the two processes mentioned above. The results can be used to further investigate the formation and evolution of MgO in low density and hot gas close to the photosphere of evolved oxygen-rich stars.
The intrinsic gamma-ray spectrum of TXS 0506+056: intergalactic propagation effects
Authors: Saveliev Andrey , Alves Batista Rafael
Published: October 2020

The recent observation of high-energy neutrinos from the 2017 flare of the blazar TXS 0506+056, together with counterparts across the whole electromagnetic spectrum, opens up new possibilities for investigating the properties of this class of objects as well as the traversed medium. Propagation effects such as the attenuation of the very-high-energy gamma-ray component by the extragalactic background light are well known, and usually taken into account when fitting spectral energy distributions of objects. Other effects such as those of intergalactic magnetic fields are, however, often neglected. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the influence of these fields and the extragalactic background light on the determination of the intrinsic gamma-ray spectrum of this blazar.
Tobacco Retail Environment and Smoking: A Systematic Review of Geographic Exposure Measures and Implications for Future Studies
Authors: Valiente Roberto , Escobar Francisco , Urtasun María , Franco Manuel , Shortt Niamh K , Sureda Xisca
Published: October 2020

Introduction

To review the geographic exposure measures used to characterize the tobacco environment in terms of density of tobacco outlets and proximity to tobacco outlets, and its association with smoking-related outcomes.

Methods

We used PubMed and Google Scholar to find articles published until December 2019. The search was restricted to studies that (1) measured the density of and/or proximity to tobacco outlets and (2) included associations with smoking outcomes. The extraction was coordinated by several observers. We gathered data on the place of exposure, methodological approaches, and smoking outcomes.

Results

Forty articles were eligible out of 3002 screened papers. Different density and proximity measures were described. 47.4% density calculations were based on simple counts (number of outlets within an area). Kernel density estimations and other measures weighted by the size of the area (outlets per square kilometer), population, and road length were identified. 81.3% of the articles which assessed proximity to tobacco outlets used length distances estimated through the street network. Higher density values were mostly associated with higher smoking prevalence (76.2%), greater tobacco use and smoking initiation (64.3%), and lower cessation outcomes (84.6%). Proximity measures were not associated with any smoking outcome except with cessation (62.5%).

Conclusion

Associations between the density of tobacco outlets and smoking outcomes were found regardless of the exposure measure applied. Further research is warranted to better understand how proximity to tobacco outlets may influence the smoking outcomes. This systematic review discusses methodological gaps in the literature and provides insights for future studies exploring the tobacco environment.

Implications

Our findings pose some methodological lessons to improve the exposure measures on the tobacco outlet environment. Solving these methodological gaps is crucial to understand the influence of the tobacco environment on the smoking outcomes. Activity spaces should be considered in further analyses because individuals are exposed to tobacco beyond their residence or school neighborhood. Further studies in this research area demand density estimations weighted by the size of the area, population, or road length, or measured using Kernel density estimations. Proximity calculations should be measured through the street network and should consider travel times apart from the length distance.
The Referendum in the UK’s Constitution: From Parliamentary to Popular Sovereignty?
Authors: White Stuart G
Published: October 2020

The 2016 referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU has led to much questioning of the place of the referendum in the UK’s constitution with a particular emphasis on the status of Parliamentary and popular sovereignty. Some commentary suggests that the UK has shifted from a constitution of Parliamentary sovereignty to one of the popular sovereignty. Drawing on A.V. Dicey’s discussion of the UK constitution in his Introduction to the Law of the Constitution, this article sets out the case that the referendum is the site of a change in the UK’s constitution. However, according to this case, the change is not accurately described as a shift from Parliamentary to popular sovereignty. It is better understood in terms of the emergence of a new constitutional convention which has altered the manner by which Parliament, as the legal sovereign, is kept subordinate to the ‘people’ as the political sovereign. The article offers some preliminary empirical assessment of this case for constitutional change and indicates areas for future research. These include considering the possible influence of democratic constitutionalist thinking in the UK’s use of referendums and the desirability and implications of a full transition to democratic constitutionalism.
Unpacking Normative Resonance: The Attitudinal Panopticon and the Implementation Gap of LGBT Rights in Serbia
Authors: Slootmaeckers Koen
Published: October 2020

Although equality policies have been promoted by the European Union in its enlargement process, their implementation often remains weak. While normative resonance is considered as a key factor for their proper implementation, why it matters remains theoretically underexplored. Addressing this gap, the article develops the notion of the attitudinal panopticon. Through the analysis of the implementation gap of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Serbia, I demonstrate how the lack of normative resonance and social change becomes a disciplining environment that prevents people from using equality measures out of fear of further and more severe violations of their rights.
Dissemination of a Universally Delivered Brief Alcohol Intervention in United States Air Force Technical Training
Authors: Talcott Gerald Wayne , McMurry Timothy , Ebbert Jon , Fahey Margaret C. , Wang Xin Qun , Murphy James G. , McDevitt-Murphy Meghan , Little Melissa A. , Klesges Robert C.
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Heavy alcohol use is a particular problem in the US military, prompting the Institute of Medicine to identify it as a public health crisis. Developing prevention programs aimed at reducing problematic drinking during military service would be useful. Thus, the purpose of the current study, was to broadly disseminate and assess the effectiveness of a brief alcohol intervention (BAI) + random breathalyzer (RB) intervention to reduce alcohol related incidents (ARIs), to all incoming Air Force trainees.

Methods:

The BAI was administered to all incoming Airmen (N = 15,898) across 4 major training Air Force bases. Additionally, underage Airmen were subject to RB tests. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design compared the rate of ARIs, per 100,000 training days, during the year prior and the year after the intervention was delivered.

Results:

A Poisson model indicated that the BAI + RB intervention was associated with a decrease in ARIs across all bases. Overall, the intervention lowered the ARI rate by 16% (β = −0.178, standard error  = 0.0742, P = 0.016). For every 100,000 training days, annual ARIs decreased from 30.8 to 25.5 after implementation.

Conclusions:

A universally administered brief alcohol intervention, coupled with RB targeting underage drinkers, was associated with a reduction in the rate of ARIs. Results of this large-scale prevention study indicate that a brief alcohol intervention can be widely disseminated during US Air Force training and can perhaps reduce costs and make a public health contribution by decreasing alcohol related incidents.
Sit Less and Move More—A Multicomponent Intervention With and Without Height-Adjustable Workstations in Contact Center Call Agents
Authors: Morris Abigail S. , Murphy Rebecca C. , Hopkins Nicola D. , Low David A. , Healy Genevieve N. , Edwardson Charlotte L. , Collins Brendan , Timpson Hannah , Shepherd Sam O. , Cochrane Madeleine , Gavin David , Graves Lee E.F.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To pilot a multicomponent intervention to sit less and move more, with (SLAMM+) and without (SLAMM) height-adjustable workstations, in contact center call agents.

Methods:

Agents were individually randomized to SLAMM or SLAMM+ in this 10-month, parallel, open-label, pilot trial. Mixed-methods assessed response, recruitment, retention, attrition and completion rates, adverse effects, trial feasibility and acceptability, preliminary effectiveness on worktime sitting, and described secondary outcomes.

Results:

The participant recruitment rate, and randomization, data collection, and interventions were mostly acceptable. Refinements to organization recruitment were identified. High staff turnover negatively impacted retention and completion rates. The multicomponent intervention with height-adjustable workstations has potential to reduce sitting time at work.

Conclusions:

The demonstrated findings will help prepare for a future randomized controlled trial designed to assess the effect of the interventions.
Rasburicase-induced Methemoglobinemia: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Pirrone Ilaria , Farruggia Piero , Cacciatore Francesca , Giambona Antonino , Guarina Angela , Marcello Anna Paola , Mosa Clara , Scalzo Simona , D’Angelo Paolo
Published: October 2020

Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme indicated for tumor lysis syndrome, a potential life-threatening oncologic emergency that occurs most commonly during initial chemotherapy for hematological malignancies. As a result of the defects in the physiological antioxidant pathway, erythrocytes of patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency are not protected against the oxidizing stress exerted by hydrogen peroxide generated with the administration of rasburicase. The authors report a 14-year-old patient, diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia with low oxygen saturation after starting steroids, hyperhydratation, and rasburicase administration. The complications resolved with supportive therapy only.
One-week test-retest reliability of nine binocular tests and saccades used in concussion
Authors: Long Stephanie , Schuster Tibor , Steele Russell , Leclerc Suzanne , Shrier Ian
Published: October 2020

Background

Tests of binocular vision (BVTs) and ocular motility are used in concussion assessment and management.

Purpose

To determine the one-week test-retest reliability of 9 binocular vision tests (BVTs) and a test of saccades proposed for use in concussion management.

Study Design

Prospective test-retest.

Methods

We examined the one-week test-retest reliability of 9 BVTs in healthy participants: 3D vision (gross stereoscopic acuity), phoria at 30cm and 3m, ability of eyes to move/fixate in-sync (positive and negative fusional vergence at 30cm and 3m, near point of convergence and near point of convergence – break [i.e. double vision]) and 1 ocular motor test, saccades.

Results

We tested 10 males and 10 females without concussion and a mean age of 25.5 (4.1) years. The intraclass correlations suggest good reliability for phoria 3m (0.88) and gross stereoscopic acuity (0.86), and moderate reliability for phoria 30cm (0.69), near point of convergence (0.54), positive fusional vergence (0.54) and negative fusional vergence (0.66) at 30cm, and near point of convergence - break (0.64). There was poor reliability for saccades (0.34), and both positive and negative fusional vergence (0.49 and 0.43, respectively) at 3m. Limits of agreement (LoA) were best for saccade (±34%) and worst for phoria 30 cm (±121%) and ranged from ±58% to ±70% for 7 of the 8 other tests. The LoA for phoria at 3m were uninformative because measurements for 18 of 20 participants were identical.

Conclusion

We found test-retest reliability of the BVTs and saccades ranging from poor to good in healthy participants, with the majority being moderate.

Clinical Relevance

For these vision tests to be clinically useful, the effect of concussion must have a moderate to large effect on the scores of most of the tests.

What is known about the subject

Concussions may affect some parts of visual function

1-week test-retest reliability for most visual tests is under-studied

What this study adds to existing knowledge

We provide intra-class coefficients and limits of agreement for 10 different visual function tests commonly conducted by clinicians in patients with concussion.
Regulation of retinal amacrine cell generation by miR-216b and Foxn3
Authors: Zhang Huanqing , Zhuang Pei , Welchko Ryan M. , Dai Manhong , Meng Fan , Turner David L.
Published: October 2020

The mammalian retina contains a complex mixture of different types of neurons. We find that the microRNA miR-216b is preferentially expressed in postmitotic retinal amacrine cells in the mouse retina, and expression of miR-216a/b and miR-217 in the retina depend in part on Ptf1a, a transcription factor required for amacrine cell differentiation. Surprisingly, ectopic expression of miR-216b, or the related miR-216a, can direct the formation of additional amacrine cells in the developing retina. In addition, we observe the loss of bipolar neurons in the retina after miR-216b expression. We identify the mRNA for the transcriptional regulator Foxn3 as a retinal target of miR-216b by Argonaute PAR-CLIP and reporter analysis. Inhibition of Foxn3 in the postnatal developing retina by RNAi also increases the formation of amacrine cells and reduces bipolar cell formation, while overexpression of Foxn3 inhibits amacrine cell formation prior to the expression of Ptf1a. Disruption of Foxn3 by CRISPR in embryonic retinal explants also reduces amacrine cell formation. Co-expression of Foxn3 can partially reverse the effects of ectopic miR-216b on retinal cell type formation. Our results identify Foxn3 as a novel regulator of interneuron formation in the developing retina and suggest that miR-216b likely regulates expression of Foxn3 and other genes in amacrine cells.
Chromatin dynamics associated with sexual differentiation in a UV sex determination system
Authors: Gueno Josselin , Bourdareau Simon , Cossard Guillaume , Godfroy Olivier , Lipinska Agnieszka , Tirichine Leila , Cock J. Mark , Coelho Susana M.
Published: October 2020

In many eukaryotes, such as dioicous mosses and many algae, sex is determined by UV sex chromosomes and is expressed during the haploid phase of the life cycle. In these species, the male and female developmental programs are initiated by the presence of the U- or V-specific regions of the sex chromosomes but, as in XY and ZW systems, phenotypic differentiation is largely driven by autosomal sex-biased gene expression. The mechanisms underlying sex-biased transcription in XY, ZW or UV sexual systems currently remain elusive. Here, we set out to understand the extent and nature of epigenomic changes associated with sexual differentiation in the brown algaEctocarpus, which has a well described UV system. Five histone modifications, H3K4me3, H3K27Ac, H3K9Ac, H3K36me3, H4K20me3, were quantified in near-isogenic male and female lines, leading to the identification of 13 different chromatin states across theEctocarpusgenome that showed different patterns of enrichment at transcribed, silent, housekeeping or narrowly-expressed genes. Chromatin states were strongly correlated with levels of gene expression indicating a relationship between the assayed marks and gene transcription. The relative proportion of each chromatin state across the genome remained stable in males and females, but a subset of genes exhibited different chromatin states in the two sexes. In particular, males and females displayed distinct patterns of histone modifications at sex-biased genes, indicating that chromatin state transitions occur preferentially at genes involved in sex-specific pathways. Finally, our results reveal a unique chromatin landscape of the U and V sex chromosomes compared to autosomes. Taken together, our observations reveal a role for histone modifications in sex determination and sexual differentiation in a UV sexual system, and suggest that the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of genes on the UV sex chromosomes may differ from those operating on autosomal genes.
The impact of dietary protein and carbohydrates on gene expression in a generalist insect herbivore
Authors: Deans Carrie A. , Sword Greg , Vogel Heiko , Behmer Spencer
Published: October 2020

Nutrition fuels all of the physiological processes that animals rely on for survival and reproduction. Of all the nutrients that are required, dietary protein (p) and carbohydrates (c) have a primary role. Insect herbivores are capable of detecting amino acid and sugar concentrations in plant tissue via chemoreception and regulate their intake of these two macronutrients to reach an optimal protein:carbohydrate, or p:c, ratio, termed an intake target. A multitude of studies have shown that the two nutritional factors that have the strongest impact on insect survival and performance are dietary p:c ratio and total macronutrient content, which is the proportion of the diet made up by p and c and a proxy for energy content. Variations in these two dietary traits have strong unique and interactive effects on many insect life history traits, yet the mechanisms that mediate these effects are not well understood. While many studies have documented the effect of host plant usage on gene expression, differences in plant secondary compounds between plant species and tissue types have confounded efforts to understand nutritional contributions to transcriptional changes. This study is the first to document the transcriptional effects of dietary p:c ratio and total macronutrient content in a phytophagous insect, the polyphagous moth speciesHelicoverpa zea. Our results show that changes in dietary p:c ratio produced a rather limited transcriptional response, while total macronutrient content had more dramatic effects on gene expression. The invariable expression of many metabolic genes across diets also suggests thatH. zealarvae employ a strategy of constitutive expression to deal with nutritional imbalances rather than diet-associated changes in expression. We also observed many similarities in the transcriptional response to diets that varied from the intake target diet in different ways (c-biased, p-biased, increased energy content). This indicates that similar mechanisms are used to deal with nutritional imbalances regardless of the direction of the imbalance, and further supports the importance of nutrient regulation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Variations in plant macronutrients can have strong impacts on herbivore fitness

Despite a wealth of studies documenting the physiological effects of macronutrient nutrition, underlying mechanisms are still ambiguous

Diet protein-to-carbohydrate ratio had an unexpectedly small impact on overall transcription, while total macronutrient content had a stronger effect

The transcriptional response to dietary variations away from an optimal diet was similar across diets that varied in different ways (carbohydrate-biased, protein-biased, more concentrated)

Maintaining consistent consumption and constitutive expression of digestive enzymes across diets that varied in macronutrient profiles led to compensation for the most limiting dietary macronutrient
A framework for the performance assessment of construction contractors in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Tuffaha Firas M. , Assaf Sadi , Zaben Yasar Zakaria , Hadidi Laith A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In this work, a framework for assessing construction contractors' performance in Saudi Arabia is developed. Usually, a contractor's assessment is based on financial aspects, which are lagging indicators in nature, and can ignore other nonfinancial aspects. Hence, a more detailed contractors' assessment framework is needed for the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. A framework that integrates financial and nonfinancial aspects in one model will enable contractors to better benchmark their performance to the rest of Saudi Arabia's construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, the literature is reviewed and the most commonly used key performance indicators (KPIs) are identified and surveyed through contractors’ feedback to ensure their proper alignment with Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. The adopted set of KPIs will be further prioritized through the relative importance index (RII) method based on the surveyed contractors’ perceptions. Furthermore, the important set of KPIs will be factored into various groups using principle component analysis (PCA). Finally, the findings are validated through expert judgment.

Findings

All key performance indicators (KPIs) have proven to be significant, except for the environmental factor, which happens to be nonsignificant and hence has been omitted from further consideration. The remaining KPIs have been factored through the principle component analysis method. Five generic dimensions were identified: Performance, Satisfaction, Actual Metrics, Estimated Metrics and Compliance. The model has been validated by expert feedback, and it was found to be reliable.

Originality/value

The proposed model establishes an assessment framework to aid building construction contractors in assessing their performance in real time, in addition to postconstruction assessment for business development and retrofitting purposes.
The interplay of psychological contract breach, stress and job outcomes during organizational restructuring
Authors: Arunachalam Thiruchelvi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of psychological contract breach and employee stress on job outcomes such as job involvement and organizational citizenship behaviour in the Indian banking sector, with special reference to State Bank of India.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered. Data was collected from employees of a bank, which has undergone a merger. Validity tests were carried out to confirm the accuracy of the measurement variables. Regression analysis was used to test the stated hypotheses. A paired t-test was used to compare the level of job outcomes experienced by the employees before and after the merger.

Findings

The study has shown that psychological contract breach has an impact on job stress. Results also show that the merger has made a positive impact on the employees. Job involvement and engagement were found to be improved after the merger. Employees were also found to be more committed to the organization and exhibit high organizational citizenship behaviour.

Practical implications

The organizational restructuring has been long thought to play a crucial role in affecting the job outcomes of employees. This study reconfirms those concepts and provides implications for researchers and managers.

Originality/value

This study makes a significant theoretical contribution to the literature as this is one of the very few studies to deal with the impact of organizational restructuring on employee stress and job outcomes in the Indian Scenario.
Predictors of e-trust for Web-based travel intermediaries: a survey on Istanbul visitors
Authors: Çiftçi Şükrü Fırat , Çizel Beykan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting e-trust perception of tourists using Web-based travel intermediaries (WBTIs). Cognitive and affective attitude components are believed to be important in assessing the e-trust perception of tourists. However, this paper aims to investigate if self-efficacy would be an important predictor for e-trust in the context of WBTIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research method is used in this study. Data were collected by the survey method from the tourists who visited Istanbul/Turkey and made their bookings via Web-based travel intermediaries. Hierarchical linear regression analysis is used to investigate to which extent age/gender/years of usage, self-efficacy, cognitive and affective components are affecting tourists’ e-trust perception.

Findings

According to the study results, self-efficacy, the attitude components, in addition to the demographic variables, predict a significant amount of variance (45%) in e-trust for Web-based travel intermediaries. Besides attitude components, self-efficacy is put forward as significantly important in the perception of e-trust.

Originality/value

The novelty of the current study is that it uses hierarchical regression to test if self-efficacy would be an important predictor for e-trust while examining the effect of various predictive variables in sequential order. Therefore, the relative importance of this e-trust predictor can be evaluated based on how much it contributes to the prediction over and above other important antecedents of e-trust according to the literature. This study provides evidence that the social cognitive theory may be useful in understanding e-trust in online tourist behavior.
Study of sustainability issues in an Indian logistics service provider: SAP-LAP approach
Authors: Gupta Anchal , Singh Rajesh Kumar
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze sustainability issues in the context of logistics service providers (LSPs) and to evaluate the sustainability index of an LSP in the Indian scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study method is used to understand the sustainability issues of an Indian LSP. The situation–actor–process (SAP) and learning–action–performance (LAP) framework has been applied to critically examine the sustainability issues of the case organization. The information about the case study is collected from both primary and secondary sources, and a detailed analysis of different sustainability issues in the context of an Indian case has been done. The sustainability index for the case organization has been also evaluated.

Findings

It can be observed from the in-depth case analysis that LSPs have started making use of green practices for long-term sustainability, but adoption is very slow in developing countries such as India. Based on SAP-LAP analysis of an Indian LSP, suitable actions are recommended for improving the performance of LSPs.

Practical implications

Adoption of sustainable practices by LSPs can lead to sustainable performance. Sustainability index can assist LSPs to benchmark their sustainability performance to meet the market requirements.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is to analyze the issues related to implementation of sustainable practices in an Indian LSP through SAP-LAP framework. It also illustrates the evaluation of sustainability index.
Identification of Functional Genetic Variants Associated With Alcohol Dependence and Related Phenotypes Using a High‐Throughput Assay
Authors: Thapa Kriti S. , Chen Andy B. , Lai Dongbing , Xuei Xiaoling , Wetherill Leah , Tischfield Jay A. , Liu Yunlong , Edenberg Howard J.
Published: October 2020

Background

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of alcohol dependence (AD) and related phenotypes have identified multiple loci, but the functional variants underlying the loci have in most cases not been identified. Noncoding variants can influence phenotype by affecting gene expression; for example, variants in the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTR) can affect gene expression posttranscriptionally.

Methods

We adapted a high‐throughput assay known as PASSPORT‐seq (parallel assessment of polymorphisms in miRNA target sites by sequencing) to identify among variants associated with AD and related phenotypes those that cause differential expression in neuronal cell lines. Based upon meta‐analyses of alcohol‐related traits in African American and European Americans in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism, we tested 296 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs with meta‐analysispvalues ≤ 0.001) that were located in 3′UTRs.

Results

We identified 60 SNPs that affected gene expression (false discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05) in SH‐SY5Y cells and 92 that affected expression in SK‐N‐BE(2) cells. Among these, 30 SNPs altered RNA levels in the same direction in both cell lines. Many of these SNPs reside in the binding sites of miRNAs and RNA‐binding proteins and are expression quantitative trait loci of genes includingKIF6,FRMD4A,CADM2,ADD2,PLK2, andGAS7.

Conclusion

The SNPs identified in the PASSPORT‐seq assay are functional variants that might affect the risk for AD and related phenotypes. Our study provides insights into gene regulation in AD and demonstrates the value of PASSPORT‐seq as a tool to screen genetic variants in GWAS loci for one potential mechanism of action.
Marking to weaning production aspects of lambs provided with NSAID analgesia compared with lambs receiving no analgesia at the time of elastrator ring marking
Authors: Small AH , Belson S , Brewer H , Schmoelzl SM
Published: October 2020

The provision of analgesia at the time of marking has been adopted by the Australian sheep industry, but data on production benefits are lacking. In the current study, alternate lambs were provided with either meloxicam (non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug [NSAID], n = 781) or no analgesia (NONE, n = 822) at the time of ring castration and tail docking. Six distinct management groups of lambs were studied. Lambs were weighed immediately before marking and then again at weaning. There was no significant effect of treatment on average daily gain between marking and weaning in cross‐bred lambs. In Merino lambs, average daily gain was 5 g/day lower (P < 0.005) in lambs receiving NSAID, but this may not be biologically significant. Lamb losses were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the NSAID group (1.1%) than in the NONE group (2.7%). This observation is worth validating in larger studies, particularly considering that lamb mortality is a significant cost to production and welfare concern.
Hemangiol in infantile haemangioma: A paediatric post‐marketing surveillance drug study
Authors: Socchi Floriane , Bigorre Michele , Normandin Marion , Captier Guillaume , Bessis Didier , Mondain Michel , Blanchet Catherine , Akkari Mohamed , Amedro Pascal , Gavotto Arthur
Published: October 2020

Aim

Infantile haemangioma (IH) is the most common benign tumour in children. Since 2014, propranolol has become the first‐choice therapy and currently Hemangiol is the only approved drug for complicated haemangioma. This post‐marketing study reports the use of Hemangiol for IH in paediatric practice.

Method and Results

From January 2014 to November 2018, 94 children (median age 4 [0; 21] months; 75% female) treated with Hemangiol for proliferative IH were enrolled in the study. The systematic paediatric cardiology consultation never contraindicated beta‐blockers. Two Hemangiol initiation protocols were used: a conventional ambulatory 3‐week titration phase protocol (n = 76, 80.9%), and a rapid initiation protocol with a 48‐hour dose escalation in conventional hospitalization for severe proliferative or ulcerated IH (n = 18, 19.1%). In both protocols, the haemodynamic tolerance was good. The mean maintenance dose of Hemangiol was 2.7 ± 0.8 mg/kg/day, with a median treatment duration of 7 [1.5; 19] months. Adverse events (AEs) have been found in 25 (26,6%) patients, including 8 (8.5%) patients with serious AEs (uncontrolled bronchial hyperreactivity, n = 5; serious hypoglycaemia, n = 3). Some patients had one or more AEs, a total of 24 nonserious AEs was reported in 19 patients (sleep disturbances, n = 9; respiratory disorders, n = 5; digestive disorders, n = 6). No cardiac adverse event was reported.

Conclusion

This post‐marketing surveillance drug study supports the good tolerance of Hemangiol in children with IH. A rapid initiation protocol is of interest when treatment is urgent. The pretherapeutic paediatric cardiology consultation should not be systematic but only indicated for specific patients.

ClinicalTrials.gov

NCT 04105517.