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BackgroundInsufficient physical activity in the adult population is a global pandemic. Fun for Wellness (FFW) is a self-efficacy theory- and Web-based behavioral intervention developed to promote growth in well-being and physical activity by providing capability-enhancing opportunities to participants. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FFW to increase physical activity in adults with obesity in the United States in a relatively uncontrolled setting. MethodsThis was a large-scale, prospective, double-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited through an online panel recruitment company. Adults with overweight were also eligible to participate, consistent with many physical activity–promoting interventions for adults with obesity. Also consistent with much of the relevant literature the intended population as simply adults with obesity. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (ie, FFW) or the usual care (ie, UC) group via software code that was written to accomplish equal allocations to the FFW and UC groups. Data collection was Web based, fully automated, and occurred at three time points: baseline, 30 days after baseline (T2), and 60 days after baseline (T3). Participants (N=461) who were assigned to the FFW group (nFFW=219) were provided with 30 days of 24-hour access to the Web-based intervention. A path model was fit to the data consistent with the FFW conceptual model for the promotion of physical activity. ResultsThere was evidence for a positive direct effect of FFW on transport-related physical activity self-efficacy (beta=.22, P=.02; d=0.23), domestic-related physical activity self-efficacy (beta=.22, P=.03; d=0.22), and self-efficacy to regulate physical activity (beta=.16, P=.01; d=0.25) at T2. Furthermore, there was evidence for a positive indirect effect of FFW on physical activity at T3 through self-efficacy to regulate physical activity at T2 (beta=.42, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.14). Finally, there was evidence for a null direct effect of FFW on physical activity (beta=1.04, P=.47; d=0.07) at T3. ConclusionsThis study provides some initial evidence for both the effectiveness (eg, a positive indirect effect of FFW on physical activity through self-efficacy to regulate physical activity) and the ineffectiveness (eg, a null direct effect of FFW on physical activity) of the FFW Web-based behavioral intervention to increase physical activity in adults with obesity in the United States. More broadly, FFW is a scalable Web-based behavioral intervention that may effectively, although indirectly, promote physical activity in adults with obesity and therefore may be useful in responding to the global pandemic of insufficient physical activity in this at-risk population. Self-efficacy to regulate physical activity appears to be a mechanism by which FFW may indirectly promote physical activity in adults with obesity. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03194854; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03194854.

The objective of this study was to provide initial validity evidence for responses to the newly expanded version of the I COPPE Actions scale from adults with obesity under an exploratory latent variable approach. Longitudinal data from the 2018 Fun For Wellness Effectiveness Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854) were reanalyzed in the current study. The a priori measurement theory specified a six-dimensional correlated structure of well-being actions to govern responses to the I COPPE Actions scale: "I"nterpersonal, "O"ccupational, "C"ommunity, "P"hysical, "P"sychological, and "E"conomic. The a priori measurement model exhibited exact fit to well-being actions data at baseline within an exploratory latent variable approach. There was strong evidence for at least partial measurement invariance by time for responses to the scale. Convergent (or divergent) correlations between concordant (or discordant) pairs of well-being actions self-efficacy scores and latent well-being action factors provided strong evidence for hypothesized relationships to other theoretically relevant variables.

The objective of this study was to provide initial validity evidence for responses to the newly developed Well-Being Actions Self-Efficacy (WBASE) scale from adults with obesity under an exploratory latent variable approach. Longitudinal data (N[subscript baseline] = 667 and N[subscript 30 days post-baseline] = 550) from the Well-Being and Physical Activity study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854), which deployed the Fun For Wellness (FFW) intervention, were analyzed. The a priori measurement model exhibited close fit to baseline data within an exploratory framework. Similarly, there was strong evidence for at least partial temporal measurement invariance for the a priori WBASE scale measurement model. Convergent (and divergent) correlations between concordant (and discordant) pairs of well-being actions scores at baseline and latent well-being actions self-efficacy factors at 30 days post-baseline were observed. There was mixed evidence for the effectiveness of the FFW intervention to exert a direct effect on latent well-being actions self-efficacy at 30 days post-baseline.

In physical education and exercise science, it is common to examine mean differences between groups or to assess change across time. However, before group differences or change can be confidently examined, measurement invariance can be tested. Measurement invariance tests the equivalence of a construct across groups or across time. If measurement invariance is supported, then differences in latent means can more confidently be attributed to individuals' different standings on a construct. Though an important first step to confidently examine group differences and change across time, this technique is sometimes not used in the field. Thus, the purpose of this manuscript was to provide a didactic review and illustration of measurement invariance within the field. We review a methodological approach to measurement invariance, the sequential steps used in this approach, assessing model-data fit, and testing partial invariance. We provide an illustration of the technique and conclude with practical considerations.

Purpose: Protein synthesis is essential to maintain integrity and function of the human brain, and protein synthesis is associated specifically with the formation of long-term memory. Experimental and clinical observations indicate that this process is disturbed in Alzheimer's dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. In-vivo investigation with positron emission tomography (PET) using [11C]leucine provides a unique possibility to measure regional cerebral protein synthesis (rCPS) rates in human brain and to determine whether it is altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and thus may provide a target for future therapeutic interventions. Procedures: In this first human study, we measured rCPS by [11C]leucine PET in four patients with AD (age 57–73 years) and compared the results with six healthy controls (three of whom were age matched and the other three were young controls). Quantification of rCPS also required measurement of amino acid (AA) levels and of free and protein-bound [11C]leucine in plasma during the 90 min PET scans conducted following at least six hours of fasting. Results: Rates of rCPS measured in absolute units of nmol/g/min ranged between 1.81 and 2.53 in AD patients, 2.10 and 2.54 in matched controls, and 2.21 to 2.35 in the young controls. Mean and median values did not show significant differences between the groups. Rates of rCPS also depended upon whether corrections for plasma AA levels were included in the calculations. When considering regional values relative to the corpus callosum as a reference region, there was a tendency towards impairment of rCPS in patients, which was most prominent in the parietal cortex, but did not reach significance. Similar findings were observed with normalisation of rCPS to global cortical mean. Conclusions: In summary, this first human study assessing regional protein synthesis with [11C]leucine in AD has demonstrated where the sources of variance in measurements of cerebral protein synthesis may arise, along with the potential magnitude of this variance. This study also indicates that there is a tendency towards impairment of rCPS in patients with Alzheimer's disease, which requires further investigation including possible partial volume effects due to atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process related to a variety of pathologies, often requiring better understanding in order to develop new, targeted therapeutic interventions. Within this context, multimodal Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) has been used to characterise molecular changes in neuroinflammation for biomarker discovery not possible to other techniques. In this study, molecules including bioactive lipids were detected across inflamed regions of the brain in rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The detected lipids may be acting as inflammatory mediators of the immune response. We identified that N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) species accumulated in the inflamed area. The presence of these lipids could be related to the endocannabinoid (eCB) signalling system, mediating an anti-inflammatory response from microglial cells at the site of injury to balance pro-inflammation and support neuronal protection. In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically n-3 and n-6 species, were observed to accumulate in the area where LPS was injected. PUFAs are directly linked to anti-inflammatory mediators resolving inflammation. Finally, acylcarnitine species accumulated around the inflammation region. Accumulation of these molecules could be due to a deficient β-oxidation cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do presidents authorize risky covert operations given the potential negative impact failure could have on their administrations? I utilize a case study analysis of President Barack Obama's decision to approve Operation Neptune Spear, the raid on the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan to capture or kill al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. By developing the concept of the specter of failure, I assess the options and potential outcomes presented to the president prior to the operation. While it was ultimately a success, I argue the possibility of failure drove the president to maintain a robust decision-making process. This research provides further evidence that Obama acted as his own honest broker in the realm of national security. Additionally, evidence suggests the president and his advisors were influenced by history, especially Operation Eagle Claw, the failed attempt to rescue hostages from the U.S. embassy in Iran approved by President Jimmy Carter three decades prior. Additionally, while Vice President Joe Biden advised against the mission, his participation throughout the process improved Obama's assessment as well as informed his own choices upon entering the Oval Office as president a decade later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purported benefits of online physical activity interventions, in terms of reduced costs, high reach, and easy access, may not be fully realized if participants do not engage with the programs. However, there is a lack of research on modifiable predictors (e.g., beliefs) of engagement with online physical activity interventions. The objective of this brief report was to investigate if self-efficacy to engage at baseline predicted subsequent engagement behavior in an online physical activity intervention at post-baseline. Methods: Data (N = 331) from the 2018 Fun For Wellness effectiveness trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854) were analyzed in this brief report. Multiple logistic regressionwas fit inMplus 8 using maximum-likelihood estimation. Results: There was evidence that self-efficacy to engage beliefs at baseline positively predicted subsequent engagement behavior in the Fun For Wellness intervention at 30 days post-baseline. Conclusions: Some recommendations to increase self-efficacy to engage in future online physical activity intervention studies were provided consistent with self-efficacy theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed methods study describes the development and initial validation of the Culture of Belonging (CoB) Barometer. The instrument measures how university students experience belonging in their interactions with faculty, staff, administrators, and other students. Instrument development methods included focus groups, a pilot survey, and stakeholder feedback. Initial validation of the CoB Barometer shows promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to improve the measurement of physical activity self-efficacy (PASE) in adults with obesity. To accomplish this objective, a latent variable approach was used to explore dimensionality, temporal invariance, and external validity of responses to a newly developed battery of PASE scales. Data (Nbaseline = 461 and N30 days postbaseline = 427) from the Well-Being and Physical Activity Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854), which deployed the Fun For Wellness intervention, were analyzed. A two-dimensional factor structure explained responses to each PASE scale at baseline. There was strong evidence for at least partial temporal measurement invariance for this two-dimensional structure in each PASE scale. There was mixed evidence that the effectiveness of the Fun For Wellness intervention exerted a direct effect on latent PASE in adults with obesity at 30 days postbaseline (i.e., external validity) of this two-dimensional structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the validity of evidence for self-efficacy to regulate physical activity scale (SERPA) measurement using an exploratory latent variable approach. The objectives were to explore the dimensionality, temporal invariance, and external validity of scores produced by the SERPA, a modified version of the barriers self-efficacy scale. Data (Nbaseline= 461 and N30 days post-baseline = 427) from the Well-Being and Physical Activity Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854), which deployed the Fun For Wellness intervention, were analyzed. A two-dimensional factor structure explained responses to the SERPA at baseline. There was evidence for at least partial strict temporal measurement invariance for this two-dimensional structure. There was evidence for external validity of the SERPA measurement as evidenced by group assignment (i.e. the intervention) exerting a direct effect on the proposed two-dimensional structure of latent self-efficacy to regulate physical activity in adults with obesity at 30 days post-baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fun For Wellness (FFW) online intervention to increase well-being actions in adults with obesity in the United States in relatively uncontrolled settings. The FFW intervention is guided by self-efficacy theory. The study design was a large-scale, prospective, double-blind, and parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Data collection occurred at baseline, 30 days after baseline, and 60 days after baseline. Participants (N = 667) who were assigned to the FFW group (nFFW = 331) were provided with 30 days of 24-hr access to FFW. Supportive evidence was provided for the effectiveness of FFW in real-world settings to promote, either directly or indirectly, three dimensions of well-being actions: community, occupational, and psychological. This study shows that theory-based intervention may be effective in promoting well-being actions in adults with obesity in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]