Sex, Dishonesty, and Psychotherapy

Purpose: Honest disclosure about salient information is at the heart of the therapy process but sexual material has been found to be among the most frequently concealed types of content. Understanding why clients choose to be avoidant or explicitly dishonest about sexual topics may attune therapists to the types of concerns clients have when deciding whether or not to disclose this material, how non-disclosure or dishonesty about sex impacts therapy, and what would help clients be more honest about such material. This study directly queried clients who had been dishonest about four types of sexual content in order to learn how therapists can better promote honest disclosure about different domains of sex and sexuality. Method: As part of a comprehensive study of client “secrets and lies,” a sample of 798 outpatient therapy clients rated their dishonesty or honesty about four sexually related topics (“details of my sex life,” “my sexual desires or fantasies,” “my sexual orientation,” and “times I have cheated on a partner”) and completed measures about attitudes toward disclosure along with ratings of the therapeutic alliance. Follow-up samples of clients who stated that a sexual topic had been hardest to talk about in therapy answered multiple-choice and open-text questions about their motivations for being dishonest with the therapist, how it impacted them in terms of therapy progress and feelings about the decision, and what they believed the therapist could do to help them be more honest about this topic. Results: Two types of sexual content – “details of my sex life” and “my sexual desires and fantasies” – were the most common topics of dishonesty across the whole sample. Dishonesty about sex tended to manifest in total avoidance of the topic in therapy. Approximately 80% of clients indicated that their motivation for dishonesty was to avoid shame or embarrassment, while smaller numbers reported concerns about how the therapist would react to the disclosure. These clients cited worries about being stigmatized or judged, or felt unsure that the therapist would understand or be able to help; some referred to their belief that the therapy relationship could be jeopardized if they were more disclosing, a particularly salient theme for those who had been dishonest about sexual orientation and sexual fantasies. Based on a multiple choice format, a majority stated that their dishonesty about sexual issues had “no effect” but in an open-text format, a majority described more negative impacts, mainly the inability to address a relevant topic. A significant number of clients felt conflicted, guilty, or regretful about being dishonest, though some felt largely neutral; very few had positive feelings. When asked what would help facilitate honesty, about 80% of clients stated their wish for the therapist to “ask directly.” Some differences occurred in terms of specific facilitators based on topic. For instance, clients who had concealed a more overtly sexual topic (e.g., “details of my sex life” and “my sexual desires or fantasies”) wanted the therapist to normalize or provide a rationale for why it would be helpful to disclose; clients who concealed their sexual orientation wished for the therapist to display cultural competence and to ensure the safety of the relationship; and clients concealing infidelity were unsure if there was anything the therapist could do. Limitations: The findings of this study may be limited in its generalizability due to a few key factors. First, the sample contained a majority of highly educated Caucasian female clients, which mirrors the therapy-seeking population but may not accurately reflect the concerns of male or minority clients. Second, it was comprised solely of individuals who were willing to speak more about their experience in therapy, while the follow-up samples contained respondents who identified that a sexual topic had been hardest to talk about in therapy. Finally, self-report data is by its very nature limited by the willingness of clients to answer accurately. As such, it is unclear how these data extend to the general or clinical population more broadly. Conclusions: The concerns expressed by clients suggest that shame and the anticipation of a negative therapist reaction primarily motivate sexual dishonesty, and that direct inquiry by the therapist can help alleviate both of these interconnected worries by signaling that sex is a welcomed topic of disclosure. These findings also indicate the high prevalence of dishonesty about a spectrum of sexual topics and highlight the way that clients tend to avoid these discussions, which further supports the need for more active therapist intervention to frame the rationale and normalize honest discussion about clinically relevant sexual material

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of response to aflatoxin and secondary traits in maize

One major problem facing maize producers in the southern US is contamination with the mycotoxin aflatoxin, produced by Aspergillus flavus (Link:fr). Aflatoxin is a serious threat to human and animal health, with no resistant commercial hybrid available. Development of resistance to aflatoxin production has several major limitations. Aflatoxin is highly variable both across and within environments, even under inoculation, requiring several locations and replications for breeding. Additionally, there is no screening method that is reliable, rapid, inexpensive, and allows for high throughput. Several secondary traits, such as kernel texture, kernel integrity, husk cover, and visible ear rot, have previously shown to be related to aflatoxin accumulation. These traits are easily characterized in the field and are candidates for indirect selection if they are correlated to aflatoxin concentration. Root lodging, a plantÂ’s inability to maintain upright stature, is another complex characteristic of root related traits that traditionally is selected for indirectly. It can greatly reduce harvestable yield. It is affected by morphological traits and environmental conditions, but its genetic components are little understood. This dissertation comprises three studies presented in chapters II, III, and IV. Chapter II involved white and yellow hybrid maize trials as well as quality protein maize trials from several years across Texas environments. Data was analyzed both per and across location to determine repeatability of response to aflatoxin. Additionally, aflatoxin levels were correlated to several secondary characteristics (female flowering, endosperm texture, husk cover, and ear rot ratings) to determine usefulness in indirect selection. Chapter III was a phenotypic evaluation of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population, which was derived from divergent parental inbreds Tx811 and CML176. The trials were conducted in two Texas locations, and phenotypic data for aflatoxin concentration, kernel integrity, endosperm texture, female flowering date, and root lodging was collected. Variance components for these traits and genetic and phenotypic correlations were determined. Chapter IV was a genotypic evaluation of the Tx811/CML176 mapping population using simple sequence repeat markers. Genotypic and phenotypic data were combined to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and epistatic interactions for response to aflatoxin and for root lodging

Nuclear and chloroplast diversity of Pacific Northwest wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding germplasm

Wheat breeders must effectively maintain and manage existing genetic diversity in order to continue the development of superior genotypes. It is therefore fundamental that the genetic relationships and diversity within the germplasm pools be thoroughly characterized and understood. Recently, DNA-based markers have provided powerful tools for genetic diversity analysis. This study investigates the usefulness of nuclear and chloroplast simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in characterizing Pacific Northwest wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding germplasm, and explores the patterns of genetic relatedness revealed by these markers. The 15 chloroplast SSRs were effective in differentiating between B-type, D-type, and barley (Hordeum vulgare) cytoplasms. Genetic distance estimates were determined for each pair of lines studied and analyzed using UPGMA clustering. The markers revealed five plastomic types within the B-type cytoplasm studied. Several lines of wheat in this germplasm, including important PNW cultivars like Madsen, were found to contain D-type cytoplasm rather than the B cytoplasm of wheat. Nuclear SSR assays using 24 markers revealed three major clusters of germplasms: PNW soft white winter wheat, Western European-derived lines, and Great Plains accessions, as well as two clusters of more distantly related lines and genetic stocks. The primary defining characteristic of these clusters was regional adaptation. Subgroups of these major groups often clustered together on the basis of pedigree and market class. When nuclear and chloroplast SSR data was combined in analysis, the primary defining characteristic of the dendrogram became the type of cytoplasm rather than regional adaptation, with secondary divisions based on pedigree relationships. Cultivars released prior to 1950 were found to have a minimum of 20% of alleles in common for nuclear and chloroplast data combined, despite being unrelated via pedigree information. Heterogeneity was 2.3% for all marker/variety combinations. Overall, these sets of markers were found to be effective in characterizing the genetic relatedness of PNW wheat breeding germplasm

Blood Chemistry of Free-Ranging and Captive White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Texas

Blood samples were collected from 602 white-tailed deer (WTD) (Odocoileus virginianus) between October 2008 – October 2009, from 15 different counties throughout Texas. White-tailed deer were evaluated for serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, calcium serum, phosphorus, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, globulins, albumins to globulins ratio, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and magnesium) and the following variables were recorded: age, gender, county of collection, season, capture method, and status based on captive or free-ranging. The 14 biochemical parameters were compared for WTD among age groups fawns (<12 months), yearlings (≥12 months - <24 months) and adults (≥24 months), gender, season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter), status (captive or free-ranging) and capture method (physical restraint, anesthetized using physical restraint method of drug administration, anesthetized using dart gun method of drug administration, drop-netted, net-gunned, or hunter harvested). The data collected for these parameters was used to establish normal ranges for a comprehensive metabolic panel (serum chemistry panel) for WTD in Texas. These reference ranges will be used for both captive and free-ranging WTD to improve diagnostic screening and disease monitoring. Captive vs. free-ranging status was statistically significant in WTD for 7 of the 14 physiological parameters. Significant differences and trends were observed among the three age groups. Calcium and phosphorus had an inverse relationship with age, while glucose had a direct relationship with age. Gender was statistically significant for 7 of 14 parameters. Anesthetized WTD vs. non-anesthetized had the greatest impact on mean blood chemistry values. Values for total serum protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and globulins were higher for non-anesthetized WTD. Glucose, BUN, and AST mean values for higher for anesthetized WTD

Synthesis, Structure, and Activity of Enhanced Initiators for Olefin Metathesis

A series of ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts of the general structure (H_2IMes)(PR_3)(Cl)_2Ru CHPh (H_2IMes = 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) have been prepared; these complexes are readily accessible in two steps from commercially available (H_2IMes)(PCy_3)(Cl)_2Ru CHPh. Their phosphine dissociation rate constants (k_1), relative rates of phosphine reassociation, and relative reaction rates in ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) have been investigated. The rates of phosphine dissociation (initiation) from these complexes increase with decreasing phosphine donor strength. Complexes containing a triarylphosphine exhibit dramatically improved initiation relative to (H_2IMes)(PCy_3)(Cl)_2Ru CHPh. Conversely, phosphine reassociation shows no direct correlation with phosphine electronics. In general, increased phosphine dissociation leads to faster olefin metathesis reaction rates, which is of direct significance to both organic and polymer metathesis processes

Lipid biomarker and stable isotopic profiles through Early-Middle Ordovician carbonates from Spitsbergen, Norway

One of the most dramatic episodes of sustained diversification of marine ecosystems in Earth history took place during the Early to Middle Ordovician Period. Changes in climate, oceanographic conditions, and trophic structure are hypothesised to have been major drivers of these biotic events, but relatively little is known about the composition and stability of marine microbial communities controlling biogeochemical cycles at the base of the food chain. This study examines well-preserved, carbonate-rich strata spanning the Tremadocian through Upper Dapingian stages from the Oslobreen Group in Spitsbergen, Norway. Abundant bacterial lipid markers (elevated hopane/sterane ratios, average = 4.8; maximum of 13.1), detection of Chlorobi markers in organic-rich strata, and bulk nitrogen isotopes (delta N-15(total)) averaging 0 to -1 parts per thousand for the open marine facies, suggest episodes of water column redox-stratification and that primary production was likely limited by fixed nitrogen availability in the photic zone. Near absence of the C-30 sterane marine algal biomarker, 24-n-propylcholestane (24-npc), in most samples supports and extends the previously observed hiatus of 24-npc in Early Paleozoic (Late Cambrian to Early Silurian) marine environments. Very high abundances of 3 beta-methylhopanes (average = 9.9%; maximum of 16.8%), extends this biomarker characteristic to Early Ordovician strata for the first time and may reflect enhanced and sustained marine methane cycling during this interval of fluctuating climatic and low sulfate marine conditions. Olenid trilobite fossils are prominent in strata deposited during an interval of marine transgression with biomarker evidence for episodic euxinia/anoxia extending into the photic zone of the water column. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

A Versatile Precursor for the Synthesis of New Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts

The ruthenium complex (IMesH_2)(Cl)_2(C_5H_5N)_2Ru═CHPh [IMesH_2 = 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene] (3) was prepared by the reaction of (IMesH_2)(PCy_3)(Cl)_2Ru═CHPh (2) with an excess of pyridine. Complex 3 contains substitutionally labile pyridine and chloride ligands and serves as a versatile starting material for the synthesis of new ruthenium benzylidenes

Mechanism and Activity of Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts

This report details the effects of ligand variation on the mechanism and activity of ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts. A series of ruthenium complexes of the general formula L(PR_3)(X)_2Ru ═ CHR^1 have been prepared, and the influence of the substituents L, X, R, and R^1 on the rates of phosphine dissociation and initiation as well as overall activity for olefin metathesis reactions was examined. In all cases, initiation proceeds by dissociative substitution of a phosphine ligand (PR_3) with an olefinic substrate. All of the ligands L, X, R, and R^1 have a significant impact on initiation rates and on catalyst activity. The origins of the observed substituent effects as well as the implications of these studies for the design and implementation of new olefin metathesis catalysts and substrates are discussed in detail