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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a weight-related teasing prevention program implemented for both female and male students in a school setting. Methods: Junior High School students (N = 143) in seventh grade were invited to participate in the program. One hundred eighteen participants completed pre- and posttest surveys to assess bullying frequency and to evaluate an efficacy of the 8-week prevention program. Results: Data at posttest revealed the number of students who reported being bullied decreased by 7% (n = 8). The incidence rate of self-reported bullies was reduced from 18% to 14%. The levels of body esteem and self-esteem were statistically higher among the participants at posttest. Male participants showed a significant improvement on the Ideal-Body Stereotype Scale-Revised compared to female participants. On the other hand, the difference in mean scores on victimization of weight-related and competency teasing between pretest and posttest was statistically higher among female participants. Conclusion: The intervention program helped the participants increase body esteem and self-esteem levels. Although female participants tended to report more victimizations from previous teasing (weight and competency) incidents at posttest period, levels of stereotyped images towards women among male participants were statistically reduced after the intervention program. Recommendations: Body image or weight-related issues are rarely discussed enough for male students in a school setting. One reason is lack of resources for health teachers to address the particular issues for both female and male students. Simply, many teachers may feel uncomfortable or less confident to discuss the particular issues. Therefore, more research and resources for teachers are necessary to reduce weight-related teasing and other issues in a school setting.

An often repeated argument is that young children can not carry out meaningful research. The authors, who are lecturers involved in teacher training and childhood studies, are interested in the impact that children can have on their school lives and believe that it is often underestimated. The Young Researchers Project (YRP) was created in Birmingham, England to work in schools with children acting as researchers. It recognizes the benefits and challenges of working with children, particularly when doing so alongside teachers who also may be research novices. The authors supported teachers' developing knowledge in the face of uncertainties and challenges to ensure that they listen to the voices of children in their schools through a meaningful research process. Acknowledging diversity in school type, knowledge of staff in the research process, and their ability as academics to provide support has culminated in the design of a model that is now embedded and recognized as fundamental to the project.

Background and Aims: The purpose of this project was to examine body dissatisfaction and the degree of acculturation to Western media body ideals among Japanese adolescents. Furthermore, sex differences in body esteem were examined between male and female participants. Methods: Male and female participants (N=158) aged 15 to 18 years in Okinawa, Japan were surveyed about body image concerns and their degree of acculturation. Participants were recruited from churches and community sites in Okinawa. Results: An independent t-test revealed that girls internalized the thin ideal to a greater degree than boys. Pearson product-moment correlations showed significant positive correlation between acculturation and body esteem, and significant negative correlations between media influences (i.e., information and pressures subscales of the SATAQ-3) and body esteem. Conclusions: Overall, both male and female participants reported body image concerns. Japanese adolescents could benefit from an educational body image intervention that uses a cognitive dissonance approach. (Contains 2 tables.)

The immune system protects the host from infection and works to heal damaged tissue after infection or injury. There is increasing evidence that the immune system and the nervous system work in concert to achieve these goals. The sensory nervous system senses injury, infection, and inflammation, which results in a direct pain signal. Direct activation of peripheral sensory nerves can drive an inflammatory response in the skin. Immune cells express receptors for numerous transmitters released from sensory and autonomic nerves, which allows the nervous system to communicate directly with the immune system. This communication is bidirectional because immune cells can also produce neurotransmitters. Both innate and adaptive immune cells respond to neuronal signaling, but T cells appear to be at the helm of neuroimmune communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body image disturbances and disordered eating behaviors are prevalent across college campuses and can lead to psychological and physical health consequences. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gain formative research on the promotion of positive body image on a university campus with the goal of developing educational programs. Method: From an initial recruitment survey (n = 235), 30 female university freshmen participants were selected for semistructured interviews to discuss the influence of body image on the freshman college experience. Results: Participants recommended continuing typical campus positive body image promotion activities, such as counseling services, support groups, exercise facilities, healthy eating options, and knowledge-based programs, as well as introducing more innovative approaches (e.g., building friendships, displaying more diverse bodies on campus posters). The most pervasive themes included self-acceptance ideas and a feeling of learned helplessness about finding preventive solutions for body image problems. Discussion: Addressing the idea of learned helplessness among college students is vital for eliminating barriers for prevention work. It is important to integrate the Health at Every Size approach into positive body image promotion programs in order to encourage self-acceptance and promote health over thinness.

• Interprofessional (IP) simulation promotes meaningful student engagement that fosters learning. • This work highlights a novel IP education activity. • IP simulation education enhances knowledge and prepares students for practice. Interprofessional (IP) education improves students for practice and should be embedded into curricula. This article explores the feasibility and perceived usefulness of a simulation-based interprofessional activity. This mixed methods study employed a post-survey design. Students created a simulation scenario highlighting their profession's roles then completed a survey regarding the activity's impact. Findings demonstrate this activity is a feasible and effective approach for interprofessional learning. Interprofessional simulations are one strategy to engage students and foster learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors assessed adult selective auditory attention to determine effects of (a) differences between the vocal/speaking characteristics of different mixed-gender pairs of masking talkers and (b) the rhythmic structure of the language of the competing speech. Method: Reception thresholds for English sentences were measured for 50 monolingual English-speaking adults in conditions with 2-talker (male-female) competing speech spoken in a stress-based (English, German), syllable-based (Spanish, French), or mora-based (Japanese) language. Two different masking signals were created for each language (i.e., 2 different 2-talker pairs). All subjects were tested in 10 competing conditions (2 conditions for each of the 5 languages). Results: A significant difference was noted between the 2 masking signals within each language. Across languages, significantly greater listening difficulty was observed in conditions where competing speech was spoken in English, German, or Japanese, as compared with Spanish or French. Conclusions: Results suggest that (a) for a particular language, masking effectiveness can vary between different male-female 2-talker maskers and (b) for stress-based vs. syllable-based languages, competing speech is more difficult to ignore when spoken in a language from the native rhythmic class as compared with a nonnative rhythmic class, regardless of whether the language is familiar or unfamiliar to the listener.

Objective: Freshman weight gain has been assessed using quantitative inquiry, but this qualitative study allowed for an in-depth exploration of freshmen women's experiences surrounding body image, nutrition, and exercise. The purpose of this study was to better understand the impact and explanations for the "Freshman 15." Participants: Freshmen college women, aged 18 to 19 years. Methods: Participants (N = 235) were initially surveyed about body dissatisfaction. Thirty participants were selected for semistructured interviews (conducted in March 2008) using a criterion-based, multilevel stratified random sampling. Results: Freshmen women reported intense fears about gaining weight. Women most commonly attributed freshman weight gain to newly found food independence, social comparison with peers, and the influence of friends and family. Women frequently cited eating habit changes to explain college weight gain. Conclusions: Comparison among females was framed using Festinger's social comparison theory. Despite being cautious about food, females described freshman weight gain as inevitable. (Contains 2 tables.)

This study assessed the diagnostic utility of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory (PDDBI) in a sample of 84 children aged 3-12 years of age. Forty-two children with ASD were individually matched on age and non-verbal IQ to 42 children with other disabilities and groups were compared on PDDBI subscales and total score. Results indicated that the groups differed on the total score and on only one of the 14 subscales. Optimal sensitivity and specificity were achieved using a cutoff score of 45 on the Autism Composite T-score. Diagnostic accuracy was not good (sensitivity = 0.74, specificity = 0.62, efficiency = 0.68), but better in individuals with NVIQ less than 70. We do not recommend the PDDBI for diagnostic screening. (Contains 5 tables.)

Weightism involves stigmatization of individuals based on size, shape, or weight. Weight bias represents a form of bullying and is psychologically damaging to children and adolescents. Although weightism is reinforced by the media, family, and in schools, educators can play an important role in changing their class climate. This article described how teachers can address individual biases related to weight and size, create school policies against weight bias, and implement anti-weightism programs in order to effectively combat weight bias.

One of the most dreaded insults in sports is, "You throw like a girl," because it epitomizes society's gender logic about physiological differences between men and women. Although physiological differences between the sexes exist, people label these abilities and behaviors as masculine or feminine as a result of social and cultural expectations. Thus, gender equates to the socially learned expectations and behaviors associated with being male or female. The sports environment provides a unique microcosm for the examination of both gender and race socialization. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine both the influence of gender and race among high school youth in classifying sport activities as masculine, feminine, or gender neutral. The authors examined the social meaning of gender and race among high school students who were exposed to and restricted from participating in sports activities. Data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Significant differences were found between White boys and girls regarding the sports of aerobics, gymnastics, hockey, and wrestling. More White boys than girls believed that aerobics and gymnastics are appropriate for girls, and wrestling and hockey are appropriate for boys, supporting previous research and the contention that boys categorize certain sports as masculine or feminine based on gender appropriateness. Male Blacks significantly perceived boxing and football as more appropriate sports for boys and gymnastics as more appropriate for girls, Black girls perceived football, boxing, and gymnastics as sports for both boys and girls; however, their counterparts supported traditional gender stereotyping. The findings from this study have implications for the development of intervention programs targeted toward adolescent girls. (Contains 4 tables.)

With female collegiate athletes, we examined the relationship of eating pathology to body image concerns, weight pressures, sociocultural internalization, and mood state. Multivariate analyses revealed that the symptomatic and eating disorder groups were similar on seven of eight weight pressures, three of four mood states, on internalization, and on five of six body image measures; in all instances, these two groups reported more pathological scores than the asymptomatic athletes. Except for pressures from coaches, the psychosocial variables differentiated the groups, correctly classifying 79% of the cases. These findings suggest that athletes symptomatic of eating disorders report similarly high levels of disturbance across a wide range of psychosocial risk factors, and both groups warrant prevention and treatment efforts. (Contains 5 tables.)

This action research study explores how an understanding of the current state of technology use by teachers can contribute to enhancements of integration of technology into the curriculum. Study results indicate that although teachers were able to use technology for basic tasks, they were not able to use technology to develop and implement teaching strategies that impact student learning. Recommendations to improve technology integration by teachers include increasing teacher awareness of the benefits of technology integration, recognizing needs of teachers for technology integration to occur and improving technology-based professional development for teachers. (Contains 10 figures.)

• This presents a new method for creating a footwear mark Ground Truth Database. • The processes employed were based upon evidence taken from crime recording systems. • The data produced will support footwear examiners in the evaluation of evidence. • This study provides the groundwork for the creation of an (inter)national dataset. Ground Truth Data is data that comes from a known source, where the truth about the data is known and not inferred (FSR, 2021). The Forensic Science Regulator requires forensic units (that carry out certain forensic processes) to undertake tests against ground truth data for the purposes of quality assurance/quality control processes such as accreditation. However, the data collected must form a meaningful dataset that will enable relevant tests to be performed that inform the end-user. This technical note discusses how a forensic unit in the UK planned and developed a method for collecting ground truth data for footwear mark evidence. It discusses the materials and variables that were considered when developing the method and the evidence-based, decision-making processes that enabled its creation. Recommendations and considerations are provided to assist other forensic units collect data relevant to their jurisdiction. Whilst the method is not prescriptive, if it is used as a guide, it may facilitate the development of a large and relevant national dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three different types of TreadMatch (TM) scans were compared with validated test marks. • Dynamic TM footwear scans showed good repeatability compared with test marks. • Zoomed TM scans were as reliable as dynamic TM scans. • Hand-rolled TM footwear scans are not as reliable as dynamic TM scans. • Using TM for preliminary footwear comparisons could save time and resources. Currently in the UK, if a person is arrested or charged with a recordable offence, they can have prints of their footwear taken whilst in custody. The tread pattern recorded in these prints can be searched for using the National Footwear Database to find out if the same footwear pattern has been recovered at previous crime scenes, generating forensic intelligence. TreadMatch is a digitised system for collecting footwear prints seized from detainees in custody for this purpose. Whilst its use for generating intelligence is accepted, validation experiments have not been conducted to understand its level of performance in assisting in forensic comparison purposes for identification, because in the absence of an incorporated scale, it is not known how well TreadMatch reproduces the pattern size of a tread, threatening the validity of the comparison. If it can be determined that the measurements of TreadMatch scans are consistent with the more commonly used aluminium powder test marks, this could save Police time and resources if the digital scans could be used for preliminary assessment prior to the footwear being physically submitted for evidential comparison. Therefore, this study set out to compare three different types of TreadMatch scans ('dynamic', 'zoomed' and 'rolled') for thirty different pieces of footwear, with test marks of the same footwear using the traditional method (fingerprint powder). Length and width measurements were obtained from each tread pattern using GNU Image Manipulation Program software. The resulting data were analysed to assess for agreement between TreadMatch scans and test marks using 95% Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and 95% Bland-Altman plots of Limits of Agreement (LOA). Additionally, an intra-sample study using fifteen repeated measurements of the same piece of footwear for different TreadMatch scanning methods was carried out to support the larger validity study. 95% ICC 3,1 resulted in coefficients ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 across all measurements. 95% LOA displayed close agreement. There was less agreement and more variation displayed between the test marks and the TreadMatch rolled scans for both length and width measurements. This variation for hand-rolled prints must be taken into consideration and a standard approach developed. The study suggests TreadMatch can be used for preliminary assessments in assisting forensic comparisons, particularly for dynamic and zoomed prints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Findings support advice that the overlay method should not be used in isolation. • Agreement between two examiners' comparisons showed high inter-rater consistency. • One examiner showed poor agreement with two other examiners' overlay comparisons. • Whilst a lack of consistency was found, this is ameliorated at verification stage. • Validity of method: Sensitivity: 77.8%; Specificity: 61.9%; FPR: 38.1%; FNR: 22.2%. The overlay method is used in forensic podiatry to compare the shape, position, and overall fit of features between questioned and reference footprint evidence. However, the scientific foundation underpinning its validity in the comparison of insole footprints is not fully understood because of a lack of published data defining its statistical operating parameters. A review of literature revealed its subjective nature with little scientific validation, limited only to face validity. The aim of this study investigated strength of agreement between three expert footprint examiners' overlay comparisons of ten reference insole footprints using Cohen's weighted kappa (K w). Validity of method was explored using measures of sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results showed two examiners demonstrated high inter-rater consistency between their overlay comparisons (K w : 0.981; 95 %CI: 0.943 to 1.020 for Rater1 v Rater2) whilst one examiner did not (K w : 0.340; 95 %CI: 0.148 to 0.532 for Rater1 v Rater3; K w : 0.310; 95 %CI: 0.100 to 0.519 for Rater2 v Rater3). Validity was investigated using a conclusion scale in a verbal expressions table to indicate support or rejection of compatibility of footprints between one questioned insole and ten reference insoles. Data analysis indicated validity as follows: Sensitivity: 77.8 %, Specificity: 61.9 %, FPR: 38.1 % and FNR: 22.2 %. ROC analysis corroborated this finding. AUC was calculated at 0.762 or 76.2 % indicating an 'acceptable' measure of overall accuracy of the overlay method for insole footprint comparison. Findings provide novel data supporting previous suggestions that the overlay method should not be used in isolation to compare insole footprints. Data also offers insight into the scientific foundation of this method, whilst highlighting its limitations and providing some implications and recommendations for forensic podiatry practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe necropsy lesions of three adult Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata) diagnosed with salmonellosis during a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium outbreak. One warbler had filamentous organisms consistent with Macrorhabdus ornithogaster at the proventricular-ventricular isthmus. There is limited information on Macrorhabdus ornithogaster infections in wild North American birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]