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Food addiction (FA), emerging as a potential behavioral addiction, has prompted public concerns due to its increasing prevalence, adverse health consequences, and healthcare costs. Based on self-determination theory, this study aimed to test the expected negative associations between one’s pursuit of an ideal life (IL) and FA. This study first examined the correlations between FA with the three IL pursuits (i.e., happiness, meaningfulness, and psychological richness). Then, network analysis was utilized to identify item-level nodes that connect the network of IL pursuit and FA. A probability sample of 1010 Chinese adult residents in Macao, China voluntarily participated in an anonymous telephone survey. The sample was between 18 and 88 years old (Mage = 38.52, SD = 14.53), and 55.2% of them were females. FA were significantly and negatively correlated with the three IL pursuits (r = –0.11 to –0.15, p < 0.001). Further correlational analysis revealed a gender difference, with FA being significantly associated with the pursuit of happiness in males but not in females. Network analysis identified that pursuing “fulfillment” (an indicator of meaningfulness) and “full of surprise” (an indicator of psychological richness) were salient correlates of FA, with no significant gender differences in this network. This study revealed the negative associations between the three IL pursuits and FA in general. Fostering individuals’ motives to pursue their IL is thus recommended as a helpful strategy for preventing FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess effectiveness on pain, quality of life and late adverse events of percutaneous fixation with internal cemented screw (FICS) among patients with iliac lytic bone metastases with or without pathological fractures. Materials and Methods: This retrospective exploratory study analyzed FICS procedures on iliac osteolytic bone lesions with and without pathological fracture performed from July 2019 to January 2022 in one tertiary level university hospital. The procedure were performed under general anesthesia, and were CT and fluoroscopically guided. Numerical Pain Rate Score (NPRS), mean EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ VAS), morphine consumption, walking ability, walking perimeter and presence of walking aids and the appearance of complications were evaluated. Results: Nineteen procedures among 18 patients were carried out with a mean follow up time of 243.3 ± 243.2 days. The mean of the maximum NPRS decreased from 8.4 ± 1.3 to 2.2 ± 3.1 at 1 month (p < 0.01) and remained between 1.3 and 4.1 during a follow-up consultation period of 3–24 months. The mean EQ VAS rose from 42.0 ± 12.5 to 57.3 ± 13.9 at 1 month (p < 0.01) follow-up and remained between 55.8 and 62.5 thereafter. No patient scores returned to pre-procedure levels during follow-up. Mean morphine use decreased from 111.1 ± 118.1 to 57.8 ± 70.3 mg/d at 1 month (p > 0.05) follow-up. No late adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Percutaneous FICS is a safe procedure with fast and long-standing effect on pain, mobility and quality of life. It can be used as a complement to the known analgesic therapeutic arsenal for bone metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyber-slacking interrupts classroom teaching and learning activities and is associated with poor academic performance. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study aimed to investigate whether both cognitive (i.e., attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control) and affective (i.e., fear of missing out [FoMO]) factors contribute to classroom cyber-slacking intention and behavior among Chinese university students. We recruited a convenience sample of 431 undergraduate students (M = 19.34, SD = 1.08; 66.4% female; 33.6% male) from mainland China who completed an online survey (i.e., items measured cognitive factors of cyber-slacking, cyber-slacking behavior, FoMO, and demographic information). The findings of correlational, hierarchical multiple regression, and path analysis with bootstrapping approach showed that both cognitive and affective factors were positive correlates of cyber-slacking intention and behavior and explained the variance in cyber-slacking intention. Moreover, attitudes, perceived norms, perceived behavioral control, and FoMO had statistically significant indirect effects (via intention) on cyber-slacking behaviors, whereas perceived behavioral control alone has a direct impact on cyber-slacking behaviors. The findings not only lend more credence to TPB, suggesting that cognitive factors are reliable correlates of both classroom cyber-slacking intention and behavior, but also showed affective factors, such as FoMO, can be used to reduce students' cyber-slacking intention and, subsequently, their behavior. Based on these findings, interventions for reducing classroom cyber-slacking are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the interactive components of digital micro and small medium enterprise (MSMEs) ecosystem for inclusive digital economy, more specifically found ways to put the digital MSMEs ecosystem to work for accelerating the MSMEs digitalization. The multiple cases studies' findings and discussion supported the model building. The model of digital MSMEs ecosystem was formulated as the surrounding interactive components of ecosystem, enabling digital MSMEs to realize and accelerate toward the digital economy. The novelty of model represented the reality of digital MSMEs ecosystem in Indonesia. There were three main constraints of digital MSMEs ecosystem to work: (i) human capital in digital talent, (ii) socio-technical adaptation, and (iii) government support for MSMEs going digital. Putting the digital MSMEs ecosystem to work needs three ecosystem resolutions: (i) building the MSMEs human capital in digital talent; (ii) acceleration of socio-technical adaptation to the digital application; and (iii) the sustainability of existing government support for MSMEs going digital to create inclusive digital economy. The recommendation for three digital MSMEs ecosystem resolutions needs to consider sectoral and regional characteristics in practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our behaviors are often inconsistent with our attitudes. In the current Study, we took a norm approach to understand why car owners continue to use private cars despite their support for environmentalism. In an experience sampling study, a large representative sample of 610 commuters from a megacity participated in a 2-part study. In the first part, they completed measures of their pro-environmental attitudes and their beliefs about society's perception of users using transportation types. After ten days, they recorded their commute behaviors on every trip they made over seven days (including a public holiday, four workdays, and a weekend). The results, which included recorded trips from 193 car owners, showed that car owners with strong pro-environmental attitudes used their cars more often when motivated by intersubjective norms. Interestingly, the results were reversed when car owners with strong pro-environmental attitudes were motivated by personal norms. The results concluded that pro-environmental attitudes alone could not predict pro-environment behaviors; instead, activating one's norms or changing one's perceived intersubjective norms are needed alongside strong pro-environmental attitudes to change one car driving behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large fire of 233 ha in Huascarán National Park in Peru provided an opportunity to compare plant and bird responses in burned and nearby unburned zones of the puna. Heights and live diameters of flagship Puya raimondii rosettes (assigned to four broad developmental phases), plant communities (66 species in 24 families and nine growth forms) and bird communities (77 species in six trophic guilds) were monitored after the fire. Although no mortality was observed, Puya raimondii plants were affected by the fire, losing approximately 60% of their photosynthetic area across all developmental phases, but recovered quickly during the first two years after fire. The comparison of Puya rosette recovery after fire was complicated by the changes in live rosette diameter for unburned plants, which showed plasticity of photosynthetic area linked to seasonal and annual fluctuations in precipitation in this relatively dry environment (decreased by 26% for mature adult plants over the study period). Fire caused an immediate change in the density, biomass and composition of vegetation. Although the species present remained similar, their abundances changed significantly immediately after the fire, with notable reductions in dominant tussock grasses. This provided opportunities for other plants, resulting in higher post-fire diversity of plant species, genera, families and growth forms. In turn, the changes in vegetation after fire affected the composition of birds according to their trophic guild. Granivores largely disappeared, generalists were mostly unaffected, and other guilds showed a more complex response. As the vegetation recovered, most displaced birds returned within approximately one year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The safety and efficacy of a microwave ablation (MWA) system for the liver with novel technologies in field control, antenna cooling through the inner part of the choke ring, and dual temperature monitoring were evaluated in this multicenter retrospective study. Material and Methods: Ablation characteristics and efficacy were assessed on follow-up imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). Safety was evaluated according to CTCAE classification. Results: Eighty-seven liver tumors (65 metastases and 22 hepatocellular carcinomas) measuring 17.8 ± 7.9 mm were treated in 68 patients. Ablation zones measured 35.6 ± 11 mm in longest diameter. The coefficients of variation of the longest and shortest ablation diameters were 30.1% and 26.4%, respectively. The mean sphericity index of the ablation zone was 0.78 ± 0.14. Seventy-one ablations (82%) had a sphericity index above 0.66. At 1 month, all tumors demonstrated complete ablation with margins of 0–5 mm, 5–10 mm, and greater than 10 mm achieved in 22%, 46%, and 31% of tumors, respectively. After a median follow-up of 10 months, local tumor control was achieved in 84.7% of treated tumors after a single ablation and in 86% after one patient received a second ablation. One grade 3 complication (stress ulcer) occurred, but was unrelated to the procedure. Ablation zone size and geometry in this clinical study were in accordance with previously reported in vivo preclinical findings. Conclusion: Promising results were reported for this MWA device. The high spherical index, reproducibility, and predictability of the resulting treatment zones translated to a high percentage of adequate safety margins, providing good local control rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorporating woody legumes, e.g. Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. in maize production systems can improve maize yield and increase quantity and quality of fodder (maize stover, browse). We compared sole maize with three maize-Sesbania alley cropping treatments: hedgerows cut at 75 cm aboveground to facilitate maize planting, and hedgerows cut biannually to 50 cm or 75 cm. Maize grain yield declined significantly (P < 0.05) with hedgerows (5.6 Mg ha−1 without vs 3.0 Mg ha−1 for biannual cutting and 1.9 Mg ha−1 for one cut). Browse (leaf, twig) yield increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 1.7 Mg ha−1 to 6 Mg ha−1 with biannual cutting. Total fodder yield increased significantly (P < 0.05) to 7.6 Mg ha−1 with biannual cutting vs 3.3 Mg ha−1 when cutting once and 3.1 Mg ha-1 without hedgerows. With increased fodder yield under biannual cutting, nutritional yields and crude protein content increased and fibre contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05), indicating improved nutritional value for livestock. Results indicated the importance of stored carbohydrates over current photosynthate for regrowth in plants cut severely. Maize-Sesbania alley cropping with biannual cutting to 75 cm appeared most parsimonious for producing maize grain and fodder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-factor model (DFM) of mental health conceptualizes complete mental health as both low levels of psychopathology and high levels of subjective well-being (SWB). Although middle adolescence (ages 14 to 18 years old) is associated with increases in symptoms of psychopathology and declines in SWB, further research is needed to understand how youths' membership in a DFM changes across multiple time points. This study analyzed the stability of a DFM for students enrolled in accelerated coursework, and the relationship between initial mental health status and immediate and distal academic outcomes (i.e., student engagement and grade point average). A sample of 328 students reported on well-being, symptoms of psychopathology, and engagement (affective, behavioral, and cognitive) during the 9th grade fall, 9th grade spring, and 10th grade spring. School records indicated grade point averages at the end of 9th and 10th grade. Findings indicated that approximately 53% of youth changed mental health status over time, frequently due to a simultaneous increase in psychopathology and decrease in SWB. Results from multilevel modeling indicated that, regardless of level of psychopathology, initial low levels of SWB significantly predicted lower academic performance and student engagement over time compared to complete mental health (i.e., high SWB in combination with low psychopathology). Given students' declining mental health across 9th and 10th grade, and the relationship between mental health and academic outcomes, educators should consider monitoring and fostering both positive and negative indicators of mental health during the start of high school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeology and heritage of South Sinai is rich and varied. Most research to date has focused on the High Mountains, specifically the area around the famous St Catherine's Monastery, placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002 (Saint Catherine Area, World Heritage Site 954). Recently, the Sinai Peninsula Research and the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa projects have focused on the landscape surrounding the St Catherine's Monastery. These projects highlighted the wealth of archaeological and heritage sites spanning the prehistoric to modern periods, including sites that are still in use by local communities today, as well as the environmental and anthropogenic factors that threaten their survival, such as climate change, tourism, and the impact of infrastructure developments. By contrast, the archaeology and heritage of the coastal areas was never surveyed systematically until the research presented in this paper. Remote sensing work by the Maritime Endangered Archaeology project revealed a coastal landscape that is likewise rich in archaeological and heritage sites. As in the High Mountains, many of the coastal sites are under significant threat, but they do not enjoy the same level of recognition and protection. This paper compares the coastal sites to those in the High Mountains, including their disturbances and threats, and demonstrates the need for a locally specific heritage management and protection strategy for different parts of South Sinai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nursing homes (NHs) are an ideal environment in which to implement interventions aimed at reducing inappropriate prescriptions. Quality indicators (QIs) may be useful to standardize practices, but it is unclear how they mediate change. In the framework of a quantitative study aimed at reducing the prescription of anticholinergic drugs among NH residents using QIs, we performed a qualitative study to describe the investigators' perception of the utility of QIs. Methods: Qualitative study using focus group methodology. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed, and analyzed by thematic analysis. Participants were purposefully recruited from among the medical directors of the NHs in the quantitative study. Results: Five medical directors participated in two focus group meetings. The main themes to emerge were: (1) communication is key to introducing new practices and achieving lasting uptake; (2) improved coordination and communication provided useful information to help interpret the quantitative results observed: e.g., participants reported that they were able to obtain contextual and patient-specific information that explained why some prescribers had consistently, but justifiably "poor" performance on the quantitative indicators; (3) negative aspects reported included reluctance to change among prescribers and the tendency to shirk responsibility. Conclusion: From the point of view of medical directors of NHs participating in an interventional program to reduce inappropriate prescriptions of anticholinergic drugs, the main factor driving the success of the program was communication, which is key to achieving adherence. Improved communication provides useful insights into the reasons why no quantitative reduction is observed in objective quality indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a meta-analytical study that examines the effectiveness of gamification in learning performance in educational settings (n = 29; year-span = 2011–2019). Specifically, it aimed to investigate (a) whether gamification could improve learning performance, and (b) whether peer interaction (i.e., peer competition and peer collaboration) moderated the effectiveness of gamification in learning performance. Results from random-effects models showed significant effects of gamification in learning performance (g =.595, 95% CI [.432,.758], N = 3515). This effect remained robust after excluding outliers and was stable in a sub-split analysis that excludes studies with low methodological rigor (i.e., studies with pre-post test design). Subgroup analyses revealed a moderating effect of peer competition in gamification in learning, suggesting that competitive games were better than non-competitive games for promoting learning performance in educational settings. However, this effect was not robust and no evidence of subgroup differences were found in the sub-split analysis. Peer collaboration did not moderate the effectiveness of gamification in learning as no subgroup differences were found between collaborative games and non-collaborative games. The effectiveness of games that were both competitive and collaborative did not differ from those that were only competitive. Other moderators such as education level and research design were also investigated. No subgroup differences were found for these two moderators. Educational implications and limitations were further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mokken scale analysis (MSA) is an attractive scaling procedure for ordinal data. MSA is frequently used in health-related quality of life research. Two of MSA's prime features are the scalability coefficients and the automated item selection procedure (AISP). The AISP partitions a (large) set of items into scales based on the observed item scores; the resulting scales can be used as measurement instruments. There exist two issues in MSA: First, point estimates, standard errors, and test statistics for scalability coefficients are inappropriate for clustered item scores, which are omnipresent in quality of life research data. Second, the AISP insufficiently takes sampling fluctuation of Mokken's scalability coefficients into account. Methods: We solved both issues by providing point estimates and standard errors for the scalability coefficients for clustered data and by implementing a Wald-based significance test in the AISP algorithm, resulting in a test-guided AISP (T-AISP), that is available for both nonclustered and clustered test scores. Results: We integrated the T-AISP into a two-step, test-guided MSA for scale construction, to guide the analysis for nonclustered and clustered data. The first step is performing a T-AISP and select the final scale(s). For clustered data, within-group dependency is investigated on the final scale(s). In the second step, the strength of the scale(s) is determined and further analyses are performed. The procedure was demonstrated on clustered item scores obtained from administering a questionnaire on quality of life in schools to 639 students nested in 30 classrooms. Conclusions: We developed a two-step, test-guided MSA for scale construction that takes into account sample fluctuation of all scalability coefficients and that can be applied to item scores obtained by a nonclustered or clustered sampling design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock production by smallholder farmers in southern Africa is often constrained by insufficient fodder during the dry season. The aim of this study was to determine if inclusion of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) hedgerows in Megathyrsus maximus 'Gatton' pastures could improve fodder production and nutritional yields, and to investigate effects of hedgerow cutting height on fodder production (including both browse and herbage). Treatments included three simulated silvopastoral systems with M. maximus planted between hedgerows, and one treatment that was M. maximus pasture alone. Hedgerows were cut at 60 or 90 cm above ground, or were uncut. Over the first two growing seasons, browse and grass fodder was harvested, dried and weighed four times. A portion of the fodder (comprising browse and herbage) was conserved in the second year and samples analysed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents (%) and CP, phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) yields (kg ha−1). Hedgerows decreased cumulative grass biomass by 18.5%, but increased 1.22-fold the cumulative total fodder biomass when hedgerows were cut to 90 cm, compared to no hedgerows. Hedgerows had no effect on conserved grass herbage biomass (2.7 Mg ha−1 on average), but doubled biomass of conserved total fodder (5.0 Mg ha−1 on average) if hedgerows were cut. Cutting hedgerows increased CP, P and Zn yields, and increased CP and ADF contents, compared to not cutting them or not including them, while NDF was unaffected. Cutting hedgerows to 90 cm increased total browse production, compared to cutting to 60 cm. Pigeon pea seed biomass was unaffected by hedgerow cutting height (870 kg ha−1 on average). In conclusion, pigeon pea hedgerows included into grass pastures increase the quantity and quality of total fodder for livestock feed supplementation during the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a compelling need to prepare our societies and healthcare systems to deal with the oncoming wave of population ageing. The majority of older persons maintain a desire to be valued and useful members of society and of their social networks. Aims: We sought to investigate the perception of usefulness among persons aged 65 years and over in four European countries. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of individuals aged 65 years or older from the population of retired persons (including recently retired persons and oldest-old individuals) from 4 European countries selected using quota sampling. In February 2016, an internet questionnaire was sent to all selected individuals. The characteristics used for the quota sampling method were sex, age, socio-professional category, region, city size, number of persons in household, autonomy, marital status, place of residence, income and educational status. The questionnaire contained 57 questions. Sociodemographic characteristics were recorded. Responses were analysed with principal components analysis (PCA). Results: A total of 4025 persons participated; 51% were males, and 70% were aged 65–75 years. PCA identified six classes of individuals, of which two classes (Classes 2 and 3) were characterized by more socially isolated individuals with little or no sense of usefulness, low self-esteem and a poor sense of well-being. These two classes accounted for almost 20% of the population. Younger and more autonomous classes reported a more salient sense of usefulness. Conclusions: The loss of the sense of usefulness is associated with dissatisfaction with life and a loss of pleasure, and persons with profiles corresponding to Classes 2 and 3 should, therefore, be targeted for interventions aimed at restoring social links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the applicability and acceptability of a selective intervention—Motivation, Assessment, and Planning (MAP)—for high school students that was developed based on the principles of motivational interviewing (MI) and tailored to the unique needs and strengths of students taking accelerated coursework, specifically Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. In addition to detailing the intervention in terms of MI spirit, processes, and relational and technical skills, we report applicability and acceptability data from a second iteration of MAP implementation in eight AP/IB programs in a Southeastern state during spring 2018. We analyzed quantitative and qualitative acceptability data from 121 high school freshmen (97 from AP and 24 from IB courses), as well as the seven MAP coaches who were trained using the Motivational Interview Training and Assessment System (Frey et al. 2017). To gain perspectives from the intended end users of the refined MAP, 12 school counselors and school psychologists who were not trained in MAP evaluated the intervention and provided qualitative and quantitative data on applicability and acceptability. All three stakeholder groups (students, coaches, and school mental health staff) rated and described the intervention as highly acceptable and appropriate for addressing the social-emotional needs of adolescents in AP/IB classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of airborne pollen concentrations provides an important source of information for the globally increasing number of hay fever patients. Airborne pollen is traditionally counted under the microscope, but with the latest developments in image recognition methods, automating this process has become feasible. A challenge that persists, however, is that many pollen grains cannot be distinguished beyond the genus or family level using a microscope. Here, we assess the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to increase taxonomic accuracy for airborne pollen. As a case study we use the nettle family (Urticaceae), which contains two main genera (Urtica and Parietaria) common in European landscapes which pollen cannot be separated by trained specialists. While pollen from Urtica species has very low allergenic relevance, pollen from several species of Parietaria is severely allergenic. We collect pollen from both fresh as well as from herbarium specimens and use these without the often used acetolysis step to train the CNN model. The models show that unacetolyzed Urticaceae pollen grains can be distinguished with > 98% accuracy. We then apply our model on before unseen Urticaceae pollen collected from aerobiological samples and show that the genera can be confidently distinguished, despite the more challenging input images that are often overlain by debris. Our method can also be applied to other pollen families in the future and will thus help to make allergenic pollen monitoring more specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate nutrition limits small-scale livestock production by smallholder farmers in South Africa but can be addressed by the introduction of woody fodder species. Cutting woody plants to harvest fodder affects their productivity and thus it is necessary to determine the optimum cutting height. Cutting affects the productivity and survival of woody plants because it alters concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates, which are used to support their recovery. Since pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is not widely grown in South Africa and is not managed as a pruned hedgerow, there was a need to investigate the effect of cutting height under local conditions, especially in areas that experience frost. The trial was established in November 2016, ran over two growing seasons (2016/2017 and 2017/2018) and concluded in August 2018. The treatments comprised three silvopastoral systems with Panicum maximum planted between pigeon pea hedgerows that were cut at 60 cm and 90 cm above the ground, or left uncut and sole P. maximum. Over the two year period, the pigeon pea plants cut at 90 cm above ground produced significantly more leaf, twig and total biomass than the plants cut at 60 cm. Cutting height also had a significant effect on the percentage twig, with pigeon pea plants cut at 90 cm having significantly higher percentage twig than those cut at 60 cm (P < 0.05). There was a significant effect of cutting height on stem sugar concentration and sugar: starch ratio but not for starch and total non-structural carbohydrate concentration (P > 0.05). In July 2018 there were a number of days with temperatures below 0 °C. Prior to this no mortalities had been observed, but the frost events resulted in die-off. The mortality rates were determined in August 2018 when it was clear which of the shrubs had clearly died. The shrub mortality rates were higher for pruned relative to unpruned shrubs, but the effect was not significant (P > 0.05). It was concluded that the choice of cutting height is important for maximising browse production. Future research should consider the effect of pruning on non-structural carbohydrate concentration and total pool in the roots to better understand the reasons for reduced production and shrub mortalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objective: Latin America has scarce information related to rheumatologist's education, working conditions, productivity, and job satisfaction. The purpose of this survey was to describe the training and clinical practice characteristics of the rheumatology community in Latin America. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. A digital survey was created, approved, and endorsed by the scientific committee of the Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) and later sent to the rheumatology associations of the region. The data was analyzed in the statistical program SPSS v.22. Results: We included 600 surveys of rheumatologists from 19 Latin American countries. The majority were females (53%) and mestizos (58%). The mean age was 46.8 ± 11.7 years. The most frequent workplace was public/government hospitals 33.5% followed by private practice 28.8%, private hospital 20.8%, and university hospital 15.5%. The average number of weekly working hours was 37.8 ± 17.7. 87.5% worked in adult rheumatology, 12.7% pediatric rheumatology, and 23.5% internal medicine. Average satisfaction with practice as a rheumatologist was 5.3/7, career options 4.3/7, location 4.7/7, income 3.5/7, job security 3.7/7, and colleagues and co-workers 4.5/7. Finally, 69.7% had an annual compensation of < 50,000 US dollars. Conclusions: The majority of the rheumatologists in the region who responded were women, worked in public hospitals, and were satisfied with their clinical practice. There was a low level of income for the region. Key Points • This is the first study that showed the demographic and clinical practice characteristics of rheumatologists in Latin America. • The challenges faced by Latin rheumatologists are like those faced by the region: ethnic diversity, gender differences, migration, difficult access to education, limited research, and low income. • Due to the high prevalence of rheumatic diseases and the shortage of professionals in this area, it is essential to analyze the current workforce and the projections of supply and demand in rheumatology that are expected in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien species (IAS) can substantially affect ecosystem services and human well-being. However, quantitative assessments of their impact on human health are rare and the benefits of implementing IAS management likely to be underestimated. Here we report the effects of the allergenic plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia on public health in Europe and the potential impact of the accidentally introduced leaf beetle Ophraella communa on the number of patients and healthcare costs. We find that, prior to the establishment of O. communa, some 13.5 million persons suffered from Ambrosia-induced allergies in Europe, causing costs of Euro 7.4 billion annually. Our projections reveal that biological control of A. artemisiifolia will reduce the number of patients by approximately 2.3 million and the health costs by Euro 1.1 billion per year. Our conservative calculations indicate that the currently discussed economic costs of IAS underestimate the real costs and thus also the benefits from biological control. Invasive plants can adversely affect ecosystems and economic costs. Here, the authors quantify the impact of the invasive plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia on seasonal allergies and health costs across Europe, finding that the costs are considerably higher than what previously reported, and estimate also the reduction in the number of patients and health costs that may be obtained with biological control [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggression in male mice often leads to injury and death, making social housing difficult. We tested whether (1) small group size, (2) early age of allocation to a group decreases aggression and 3) manipulation increases aggression in male mice. A 14wk study was performed to assess the following conditions in male CD-1/ICR mice: group size (1, 2, or 3), age at grouping (5 or 7wks), and manipulation (daily scruffing or minimal weekly handling). Wounds, body weights, food consumption, nest scores, sucrose consumption, fecal corticosterone and blood for hematology were collected. At the end of the study, mice were euthanized and pelted to assess wounding with the pelt aggression lesion scale (PALS). No signs of acute or chronic stress were observed in any of the groups. Trio housed mice showed less bite wounds than pair housed mice. In general, mice in larger groups ate less but weighed more. Individually housed mice, however, had high nest scores, low body weights, and increased sucrose and food consumption. These results suggest that even when nesting material is provided, individual mice may be experiencing thermal stress. Based on this data, CD-1 mice can successfully be housed for up to 14wks and groups of 3 may be the best for reducing even minor levels of aggression (i.e. wounding). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant attention has been paid in the international literature to the effect of in-service training on the interaction skills of teachers in early childhood education and care. The growth of pre-service teachers during teacher education has received relatively little attention to date, however. In a mixed-methods longitudinal study, we monitored the development of interaction skills among a group of Dutch pre-service teachers with repeated measures for 3 years and structured interviews. The results of a linear mixed-effects model revealed an impressive growth of interaction skills during the pre-service training. The qualitative interview data revealed progress of pre-service teachers' professional reflection on their interaction with young children. These outcomes show the effectiveness of pre-service training for the development of interaction skills and professional reflection in early childhood education and care. However, progress is relatively modest for instructional skills and this domain needs further investment in pre-service training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With aging of HIV populations, there is concern that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may become prevalent and difficult to distinguish from HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. To date, there are no reports documenting histologically verified Alzheimer’s neuropathology in individuals with HIV and dementia. Herein, we report two antiretroviral-treated, virally suppressed, HIV-infected individuals autopsied by the Manhattan HIV Brain Bank. Subject A presented to study at 52 years, already dependent in instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs), with severe cognitive impairment inclusive of learning and memory dysfunction. Her history was significant for educational disability and head trauma. She had rapid cognitive decline and, by death at age 59 years, was bed-bound, incontinent, and non-communicative. At autopsy, she exhibited severe AD neuropathologic change (NIA-AA score A3B3C3) and age-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG). She was homozygous for APOE ε3/ε3. No HIV DNA was detected in frontal lobe by nested polymerase chain reaction. Subject B was a community dwelling 81-year-old woman who experienced sudden death by pulmonary embolus. Prior to death, she was fully functional, living independently, and managing all ADLs. At autopsy, she displayed moderate amyloid and severe tau AD neuropathologic changes (A2B3C2), ARTAG, and cerebral congophilic angiopathy. She was an APOE ε3/ε4 heterozygote, and HIV DNA, but not RNA, was detected in frontal lobe, despite 20 years of therapy-induced viral suppression. We conclude that in the setting of HIV, AD neuropathology may occur with or without symptomatic cognitive dysfunction; as with seronegative individuals, there are likely to be complex factors in the generation of clinically relevant impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive alien species Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common or short ragweed) is increasing its range in Europe. In the UK and the Netherlands, airborne concentrations of Ambrosia pollen are usually low. However, more than 30 Ambrosia pollen grains per cubic metre of air (above the level capable to trigger allergic symptoms) were recorded in Leicester (UK) and Leiden (NL) on 4 and 5 September 2014. The aims of this study were to determine whether the highly allergenic Ambrosia pollen recorded during the episode could be the result of long distance transport, to identify the potential sources of these pollen grains and to describe the conditions that facilitated this possible long distance transport. Airborne Ambrosia pollen data were collected at 10 sites in Europe. Back trajectory and atmospheric dispersion calculations were performed using HYSPLIT_4. Back trajectories calculated at Leicester and Leiden show that higher altitude air masses (1500 m) originated from source areas on the Pannonian Plain and Ukraine. During the episode, air masses veered to the west and passed over the Rhône Valley. Dispersion calculations showed that the atmospheric conditions were suitable for Ambrosia pollen released from the Pannonian Plain and the Rhône Valley to reach the higher levels and enter the airstream moving to northwest Europe where they were deposited at ground level and recorded by monitoring sites. The study indicates that the Ambrosia pollen grains recorded during the episode in Leicester and Leiden were probably not produced by local sources but transported long distances from potential source regions in east Europe, i.e. the Pannonian Plain and Ukraine, as well as the Rhône Valley in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes serious impairments in the functioning and quality of life of affected women. Until recently, research efforts were somewhat hampered by the lack of formal diagnostic criteria, which have now been codified as a category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Better characterization of deficits in socioemotional functioning caused by PMDD may aid in improving treatment efforts. In this investigation, prospective symptom ratings, based on DSM-5 criteria, were used to measure PMDD symptoms in 36 women (18 with PMDD and 18 healthy controls). Two self-report inventories, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, were used to measure ability to regulate emotions, and socioemotional functioning was measured by inventories of social connectedness, perceived stress, and affect. Potential relationships between ability to regulate emotion and PMDD symptom severity, as well as other measures of socioemotional functioning and affective state, were tested. Women with PMDD reported significantly more behavioral impulsivity and greater difficulties in regulating emotion and in socioemotional functioning. Cognitive or behavioral strategies to improve these problems may benefit women with PMDD and help to alleviate distress caused by this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) monitors control of asthma and allergic rhinitis. AIMS: To determine the CARAT's minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch CARAT. METHODS: CARAT was applied in three measurements at 1-month intervals. Patients diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis were approached. MCID was evaluated using Global Rating of Change (GRC) and standard error of measurement (s.e.m.). Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate internal consistency. Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated between CARAT, the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ5) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on airway symptoms to determine construct and longitudinal validity. Test-retest reliability was evaluated with intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Changes in pollen counts were compared with delta CARAT and ACQ5 scores. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included. The MCID of the CARAT was 3.50 based on GRC scores; the s.e.m. was 2.83. Cronbach's alpha was 0.82. Correlation coefficients between CARAT and ACQ5 and VAS questions ranged from 0.64 to 0.76 (P<0.01). Longitudinally, correlation coefficients between delta CARAT scores and delta ACQ5 and VAS scores ranged from 0.41 to 0.67 (P<0.01). Test-retest reliability showed an ICC of 0.81 (P<0.01) and 0.80 (P<0.01). Correlations with pollen counts were higher for CARAT than for ACQ5. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first investigation of the MCID of the CARAT. The CARAT uses a whole-point scale, which suggests that the MCID is 4 points. The CARAT is a valid and reliable tool that is also applicable in the Dutch population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-third of the Dutch population suffers from allergic rhinitis, including hay fever. In this study, a 5-day-ahead hay fever forecast was developed and validated for grass pollen allergic patients in the Netherlands. Using multiple regression analysis, a two-step pollen and hay fever symptom prediction model was developed using actual and forecasted weather parameters, grass pollen data and patient symptom diaries. Therefore, 80 patients with a grass pollen allergy rated the severity of their hay fever symptoms during the grass pollen season in 2007 and 2008. First, a grass pollen forecast model was developed using the following predictors: (1) daily means of grass pollen counts of the previous 10 years; (2) grass pollen counts of the previous 2-week period of the current year; and (3) maximum, minimum and mean temperature ( R = 0.76). The second modeling step concerned the forecasting of hay fever symptom severity and included the following predictors: (1) forecasted grass pollen counts; (2) day number of the year; (3) moving average of the grass pollen counts of the previous 2 week-periods; and (4) maximum and mean temperatures ( R = 0.81). Since the daily hay fever forecast is reported in three categories (low-, medium- and high symptom risk), we assessed the agreement between the observed and the 1- to 5-day-ahead predicted risk categories by kappa, which ranged from 65 % to 77 %. These results indicate that a model based on forecasted temperature and grass pollen counts performs well in predicting symptoms of hay fever up to 5 days ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantification of airborne pollen is an important tool in scientific research and patient care in allergy. The currently available method relies on microscopic examination of pollen slides, performed by qualified researchers. Although highly reliable, the method is labor intensive and requires extensive training of the researchers involved. In an approach to develop alternative detection methods, we performed a feasibility study on the automated recognition of the allergenic relevant pollen, grass, birch, and mugwort, by utilizing digital image analysis and pattern recognition tools. Of a total of 254 pollen samples (including 79 of grass, 79 of birch and 96 of mugwort), 97.2% were recognized correctly. This encouraging result provides a promising prospect for future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Neuropathic pain is associated with numerous systemic illnesses, including HIV infection. The diagnosis and management of peripheral neuropathy presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Among various forms of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathies, distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common. DSP may be caused or exacerbated by neurotoxic antiretrovirals, particularly the dideoxynucleoside analogues (d-drugs). Selection of appropriate pharmacologic intervention for peripheral neuropathy should be based on efficacy, safety, ease of administration, and cost. We review treatment options for painful HIV neuropathy, including experimental agents studied in recent and ongoing clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A variant of the apolipoprotein E gene, APOE*4, is associated with both sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a subset of familial AD and this association is stronger with early as opposed to late onset AD. Both APOE*4 and α-antichymotrypsin (ACT) will accelerate the rate of amyloid filament formation and are major constituents of the plaques associated with AD. We now show that a dinucleotide microsatellite allele in the 5′-flanking sequence of the ACT gene, designated A10, in association with APOE*4 significantly increases the risk of developing sporadic AD, which accounts for the majority of AD cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The bioluminescently marked Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 5RL, has been used previously to follow colonisation of soy bean roots (De Weger et al. [1991] Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:36-41). In the present paper the method has been further developed and optimized for wheat roots and it is used to get a quick overview of the colonisation patterns of many different root systems at the same time. Colonisation was followed on wheat plants grown in our gnotobiotic sand system (Simons et al., 1996. Mol Plant Microbe Interact 9: 600–607) and the following results were obtained. (i) A spatio-temporal analysis of the colonisation of wheat roots showed that 4 days after planting the highest bacterial activity was observed at the upper part of the root. After 6 days the high bacterial activity at the upper part was further increased, whereas spot-like activities were observed on the lower root parts, possibly due to micro-colonies. (ii) Bacterial mutations causing lack of motility or auxotrophy for amino acids resulted in impaired colonisation of the lower root parts, indicating that motility and prototrophy for the involved amino acid(s) are important factors for wheat root colonisation by strain 5RL. (iii) Coinoculation of strain 5RL with other wild type Pseudomonas strains on the root influenced the colonisation pattern observed for strain 5RL. Colonisation was not visually affected when the competing strain was a poor root coloniser, but was severely reduced when the competing strain was a good root coloniser. The results show that the spatio-temporal colonisation of wheat root by P. fluorescens strain 5RL and derivatives is similar to that of strain WCS365 on tomato. The advantage of the use of lux-marked strains is that the results are obtained much quicker than when conventional methods are used and that the result is supplied as an image of the colonisation pattern of many different roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]