Adversarialism in Italy: Using the concept of legal culture to understand resistance to legal modifications and its consequences

Based on the author’s empirical study on Italian prosecutors, this article uses legal culture to analyze the reasons why prosecutors are resisting certain legal modifications. In so doing, this paper tries to offer a fresh perspective over (comparative) global issues, such as: the meaning of inquisitorial and adversarial in modern criminal justice systems, the impact of legal transplants and legal translations and the centrality of prosecutors’ powers in contemporary criminal justice systems. In particular, the analysis of legal culture in a comparative perspective can stretch our imagination about what is the true extent of prosecutors’ powers, and how these can be related and balanced against the defendant’s rights

“Wide-Awake Drunk”: Observing the Combined Effects of Alcohol and Caffeine on Somatic Withdrawal Signs in C57BL/6J Mice

Caffeine is one of the most widely used psychoactive stimulants in the world and is often used in combination with other substances. The combination of caffeine and alcohol has been shown to induce a stimulated, rather than sedated state, which may result in increased alcohol-attributable accidents (e.g., drunk driving, unprotected sex, and over intoxication). Preclinical research has found mixed results regarding the co-consumption of caffeine and alcohol – some found that caffeine increases alcohol intake while others the opposite. The current study expanded on previous research by testing the effects of combined caffeine and alcohol exposure in a binge-like, mouse paradigm. It was anticipated that the mice would consume larger amounts of alcohol in combination with caffeine compared to consuming either alcohol or caffeine alone. The present study explored drinking behaviors in 24 adult C57BL/6J mice using an intermittent access 2-bottle choice paradigm. Singly-housed mice were presented with one bottle of tap water and one bottle of tap water with incrementally increasing concentrations of alcohol (3-20% v/v), caffeine (0.01-0.05% w/v), or a mixture of alcohol and caffeine every other day. The amount of liquid consumed from each bottle was recorded at the same time every day and, approximately 24 hours after the last drinking day, mice were videotaped to assess somatic signs of alcohol or caffeine withdrawal. We hypothesized that mice in the combined alcohol and caffeine condition would drink more than the other conditions and that their physical dependence, as evidenced by increased somatic signs, would be greater than after consuming either drug alone

Leveraging Components of MBSR to Minimize Stress and Maximize Performance

Mindfulness, a fairly new concept, is considered enhanced awareness and attention. This state of mind can result in decentering or reperceiving, a notion where an individual reframes how he or she evaluates experiences to view them as an external witness from an objective stance. A large branch of mindfulness research studies how mindfulness can be fostered and used to engender positive outcomes. Perhaps the most well-known mindfulness intervention is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an eight-week program comprised of three parts. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of each of these components, as well as identify the most effective component, in reducing stress and increasing performance within an academic setting. Since academic settings are, in some ways, similar to organizational settings, it is believed the results of this study could be utilized to develop a concise version of MBSR, able to be used by those who are generally limited in time and resources—employees and students alike. Additionally, companies and universities may be more willing to implement an abridged version of MBSR if it is shown to maximize performance and minimize stress without costing too much time and too many resources

Technology as tool to overcome barriers of using fitness facilities: A health behavioural perspective

Underlying health conditions have been highlighted throughout the literature preventing several populations from engaging in physical activity. There have been little to no attempts made in addressing these populations directly in fitness facilities or indirectly using information technology (IT). The current research aimed at exploring current barriers and practices regarding IT and technological support in a fitness facility environment, using health behaviour theories (HBT) to explain member experiences. The sample was composed of 66 participants selected from 5 fitness facilities in Manchester, UK, of which there were 60.6% males and 39.4% females aged from 18-59. The instrument used was a survey. Health motives were reported by 71.2% of the participants, while ‘injury’ (reported by 70.2%), ‘lack of knowledge about exercise and health’ (reported by 42.4%), and ‘illness’ (reported by 28.1%) as main barriers to use the facilities. The main support mechanisms provided by the facilities management were staff support (59%), with online and technological support only accounting for 38.6% of facility support. The use of personal IT within the facilities were utilised by over half the participants (50.2%). The study revealed the need of additional IT support by fitness facilities in the form of applications and digital platforms. The findings are discussed with HBT as the theoretical underpinnings and suggestions are made for future research regarding IT advancements as support mechanisms