SILENCING VICTIMS: CHANGING THE SOCIAL LANDSCAPE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

In the #MeToo era, victims of sexual harassment are expected to speak up for themselves and speak out about their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault. And yet, despite the social expectation that they can and should confront their harassers, it remains that case that overwhelmingly women do not, in fact, do so. Given that there are sometimes quite serious social consequences for women who do not confront their harassers, it’s worth theorizing about why victims of sexual harassment often don’t speak up for themselves when they face sexual harassment. In this paper I will argue that sexist social norms, supported by sexist ideology, can change the options available for victims of sexual harassment. I’ll argue that sexual harassment is a mechanism by which harassers can manipulate the social landscape in such a way that their victims might be intimidated into silence without even realizing it is happening.Master of Art

Regulator of G-Protein Signalling-14 (RGS14) Regulates the Activation of αMβ2 Integrin during Phagocytosis

Integrin-mediated phagocytosis, an important physiological activity undertaken by professional phagocytes, requires bidirectional signalling to/from αMβ2 integrin and involves Rap1 and Rho GTPases. The action of Rap1 and the cytoskeletal protein talin in activating αMβ2 integrins, in a RIAM-independent manner, has been previously shown to be critical during phagocytosis in mammalian phagocytes. However, the events downstream of Rap1 are not clearly understood. Our data demonstrate that one potential Rap1 effector, Regulator of G-Protein Signalling-14 (RGS14), is involved in activating αMβ2. Exogenous expression of RGS14 in COS-7 cells expressing αMβ2 results in increased binding of C3bi-opsonised sheep red blood cells. Consistent with this, knock-down of RGS14 in J774.A1 macrophages results in decreased association with C3bi-opsonised sheep red blood cells. Regulation of αMβ2 function occurs through the R333 residue of the RGS14 Ras/Rap binding domain (RBD) and the F754 residue of β2, residues previously shown to be involved in binding of H-Ras and talin1 head binding prior to αMβ2 activation, respectively. Surprisingly, overexpression of talin2 or RAPL had no effect on αMβ2 regulation. Our results establish for the first time a role for RGS14 in the mechanism of Rap1/talin1 activation of αMβ2 during phagocytosis

Two distinct cytoplasmic regions of the β2 integrin chain regulate RhoA function during phagocytosis

αMβ2 integrins mediate phagocytosis of opsonized particles in a process controlled by RhoA, Rho kinase, myosin II, Arp2/3, and actin polymerization. αMβ2, Rho, Arp2/3, and F-actin accumulate underneath bound particles; however, the mechanism regulating Rho function during αMβ2-mediated phagocytosis is poorly understood. We report that the binding of C3bi-opsonized sheep red blood cells (RBCs) to αMβ2 increases Rho-GTP, but not Rac-GTP, levels. Deletion of the cytoplasmic domain of β2, but not of αM, abolished Rho recruitment and activation, as well as phagocytic uptake. Interestingly, a 16–amino acid (aa) region in the membrane-proximal half of the β2 cytoplasmic domain was necessary for activating Rho. Three COOH-terminal residues (aa 758–760) were essential for β2-induced accumulation of Rho at complement receptor 3 (CR3) phagosomes. Activation of Rho was necessary, but not sufficient, for its stable recruitment underneath bound particles or for uptake. However, recruitment of active Rho was sufficient for phagocytosis. Our data shed light on the mechanism of outside-in signaling, from ligated integrins to the activation of Rho GTPase signaling

Defective phagocyte association during infection of Galleria mellonella with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is detrimental to both insect host and microbe

Adhesins facilitate bacterial colonization and invasion of host tissues and are considered virulence factors, but their impact on immune-mediated damage as a driver of pathogenesis remains unclear. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis encodes for a multivalent adhesion molecule (MAM), a mammalian cell entry (MCE) family protein and adhesin. MAMs are widespread in Gram-negative bacteria and enable enteric bacteria to colonize epithelial tissues. Their role in bacterial interactions with the host innate immune system and contribution to pathogenicity remains unclear. Here, we investigated how Y. pseudotuberculosis MAM contributes to pathogenesis during infection of the Galleria mellonella insect model. We show that Y. pseudotuberculosis MAM is required for efficient bacterial binding and uptake by hemocytes, the host phagocytes. Y. pseudotuberculosis interactions with insect and mammalian phagocytes are determined by bacterial and host factors. Loss of MAM, and deficient microbe–phagocyte interaction, increased pathogenesis in G. mellonella. Diminished phagocyte association also led to increased bacterial clearance. Furthermore, Y. pseudotuberculosis that failed to engage phagocytes hyperactivated humoral immune responses, most notably melanin production. Despite clearing the pathogen, excessive melanization also increased phagocyte death and host mortality. Our findings provide a basis for further studies investigating how microbe- and host-factors integrate to drive pathogenesis in a tractable experimental system

Smart Cities: Towards a New Citizenship Regime? A Discourse Analysis of the British Smart City Standard

Growing practice interest in smart cities has led to calls for a less technology-oriented and more citizen-centric approach. In response, this articles investigates the citizenship mode promulgated by the smart city standard of the British Standards Institution. The analysis uses the concept of citizenship regime and a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods to discern key discursive frames defining the smart city and the particular citizenship dimensions brought into play. The results confirm an explicit citizenship rationale guiding the smart city (standard), although this displays some substantive shortcomings and contradictions. The article concludes with recommendations for both further theory and practice development

Reporting radiographers within the European Federation of Radiographer Society (EFRS) member countries - motivation for becoming a reporting radiographer

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordIntroduction: Radiographer-led reporting originated in the United Kingdom as a strategy to reduce reporting backlog and time taken to report images. The effectiveness of reporting radiographers has been demonstrated, but their motivational factors have not been thoroughly explored. This survey aims to understand the incentives for radiographers to pursue postgraduate education in reporting radiography across Europe. Methods: An online survey was conducted, collecting data across a range of topics such as demographic information, professional role, and job satisfaction. Questions assessing the influence of motivational factors on the decision to become a reporting radiographer are presented in this study. Descriptive statistics characterized the respondents' demographics. The motivational aspects were analysed quantitatively by regression analyses. Thematic analyses were performed for the free text responses on motivational aspects. Results: 239 respondents from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ireland, and Malta completed the survey's motivation section. Increased knowledge and new challenges were the most motivating factors for becoming a reporting radiographer, while less exposure to radiation and less patient contact were the least motivating factors. Job satisfaction was a significant motivator. Gender significantly correlated with the importance of social connections for female reporting radiographers. A cross-country comparison showed that title and position and job security were more important for reporting radiographers from the UK. Conclusion: Taking in consideration that a sample of 239 is not generalisable for the role, this survey does provides insights into the motivation behind being a reporting radiographer in Europe. Factors such as increased knowledge, new challenges, and job satisfaction play significant roles. Hindrances experienced by reporting radiographers included lack of time, support, and standards, while aspirations for further professional development were expressed. Implications for practice: A thorough understanding of the motivation behind pursuing postgraduate studies in reporting radiography is a valuable tool for managers, aiding in fostering a positive work environment and attracting/keeping qualified personnel. The findings of this study can be employed in the development of strategies to support and enhance the practice of reporting radiographers