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Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (mOUD), a type of Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT), has proven to be the most efficacious and cost-effective treatment for individuals suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD). Early initiation of mOUD has been shown to increase retention in addiction treatment. Models of care integrating telehealth with mOUD offer the potential to implement mOUD in point-of-care settings, achieving effective tertiary prevention. Integrating telehealth and mOUD also addresses barriers to addiction treatment continuity, like transportation concerns and stigma. Funding for use of telehealth for addiction treatment is achieved primarily through government grants and insurance reimbursements. There are many legal constructs regarding the dissemination of mOUD, and while not usually permitted, guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic have allowed for practitioners to be able to prescribe mOUD via telehealth without the requirement of an initial in-person examination.

As the Arctic ice cover has transitioned to a younger and thinner state it has become weaker and therefore increasingly mobile. One of the key indicators of this change is the increase in ice flux through Nares Strait, which connects the central Arctic to Baffin Bay and is an export pathway for some of the oldest and thickest sea ice remaining within the Arctic. Historically ice flux through the narrow Strait was seasonally limited by the formation of an ice arch, however as the ice cover has thinned the arch no longer forms every winter, and when it does form it tends to break up earlier. An increase in ice flux through Nares Strait not only affects the retention of old thick ice within the central Arctic, but also affects the icescape downstream of the Strait that extends from Baffin Bay, through the Labrador Sea and towards the southern ice edge around Newfoundland. While an ice cover does form annually around Newfoundland, it is typically a thin seasonal ice cover, which forms in January and is gone by May. However, during spring 2017 the ice conditions were considerably heavier, presenting hazardous conditions for the local maritime industry into June and requiring the Canadian Coast Guard research ice breaker Amundsen be pulled off of its scientific cruise and used to escort vessels and conduct search and rescue operations along Newfoundland’s northeast coast. The ice cover was considerably thicker and more extensive than previous years and sank two fishing vessels that became beset within the ice pack. Using a unique suite of in situ observations we confirmed that multiyear sea ice from the central Arctic was present within this anomalous ice cover. Using satellite imagery and regional ice charts we tracked the source of this multiyear ice back to Nares Strait and the central Arctic. While regional in focus, this work highlights how the decline of the Arctic ice pack has implications for downstream areas where risk may be increasing as the ice pack declines.

Within the dynamic seasonal ice cover of Hudson Bay, the Kivalliq Polynya is a large latent heat polynya that forms throughout winter in the northwest as a result of strong northwesterly offshore surface winds. Polynyas are known to be physically, biologically, and geochemically important and contribute to the regional ice mass balance; however, the Kivalliq Polynya has yet to be characterized in terms of spatiotemporal variability and ice production. Using a thin ice algorithm applied to the 16-year record of daily AMSR-E and AMSR-2 passive microwave observations, we examine the interannual variability in the spatial and temporal characteristics of the polynya throughout winter (December–April) over the period 2002–2019. Our study reveals that the polynya is present in some form almost every day but that its daily area is highly variable. On average, 182 km3 of new ice is produced in the Kivalliq Polynya during winter, or approximately 20% of the end of winter ice volume in Hudson Bay. Daily ice production is found to be significantly correlated with the daily polynya area, though large, episodic events can increase annual cumulative ice production during a year of otherwise small polynyas. Annual cumulative ice production is also found to be significantly correlated with seasonally averaged offshore wind speeds, which explain 47.3% of the variance in winter ice production and drive a 46 km3 increase in ice production for every 1.0 m s–1 increase in offshore winds. Ultimately, the highly variable yet persistent Kivalliq Polynya is shown to be driven by offshore winds and significantly contributes to the regional ice mass balance.

Introduction Social media represents a novel platform for patient-physician interaction. Although social media utilization patterns have been analyzed in other fields, no such study has been performed in shoulder and elbow specialists. Methods The membership database of the society of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons was queried. Online searches were performed to identify if each surgeon had professional profiles on popular social media platforms. A social media score was then calculated, defined as the number of active accounts. Statistical analysis was used to test for associations between demographics and social media utilization. Results Six hundred seventy-six surgeons were analyzed. The average social media score was 1.61. The most highly used platform was LinkedIn (61%). The least used platform was Instagram (5% active, 11% total). Female surgeons were more likely to use Instagram than men (12.5% versus 4.9%). Academic surgeons were more likely to use ResearchGate (46.5% versus 33.3%), whereas private practice surgeons were more likely to have a website (19.9% versus 11.7%). Practitioners from the South had the lowest social media utilization. Conclusions Shoulder and elbow surgeons underuse social media. As the influence of social media continues to grow, it will be important for surgeons to implement social media within their practices.

Heavy ice conditions along Canada's east coast during spring 2017 presented hazardous conditions for the maritime industry and required the Canadian Coast Guard to pull its research icebreaker, CCGS Amundsen, off its scientific cruise to provide ice escort services and conduct search and rescue operations along Newfoundland's northeast coast. Greater ice concentrations and a thicker ice pack than are typical of this area created the anomalous ice cover. Within this paper we present in situ observations of the ice cover, confirming that pieces of multiyear sea ice from the high Arctic were present within the ice cover, and subsequently examine the transport pathway that connects the export of thick multiyear sea ice from the Lincoln Sea and Canadian Arctic Archipelago to coastal communities in Newfoundland. We conclude with a discussion on how an increasingly mobile Arctic sea ice cover may increase these ice hazards in the south.

Despite the disparities of the life experiences among Asian Americans, the model minority stereotype continues to propagate in the United States. Taking a shared reality theory perspective, we demonstrate that the model minority image of being diligent, high achieving, and submissive is a characteristic representation of Asian Americans that is widely shared among Americans (Study 1). In addition, Americans assume that most people in the United States expect Asian Americans to conform to the model minority image (Study 2). Taken together, these results suggest that the model minority representation is a shared reality in the United States. Furthermore, results from an experimental study (Study 3) confirms that media exposure to Asian-American successes can strengthen European Americans’ belief in the model minority as a shared reality, broadening the difference between the perceived acceptance of Asian Americans and African Americans in the community. Such exposure also strengthens European Americans’ inclination to align their personal attitudes toward Asian Americans with their perceived shared attitude in the community.

Reciprocal relations between weight and psychological factors suggest that there are deep connections between mind and body. Personality traits are linked to weight gain; weight gain may likewise be associated with personality change. Using data from two diverse longitudinal samples (N = 1,919) collected at two time points an average of 10 years apart, we showed that significant weight gain is associated with increases in both impulsiveness and deliberation: In both samples, middle-aged adults who gained 10% or more of their baseline body weight by follow-up increased in their tendency to give in to temptation, yet were more thoughtful about the consequences of their actions. The present research moves beyond life events to implicate health status in adult personality development. The findings also suggest that interventions focusing on the emotional component of impulse control may be more effective because even people who become more thoughtful about the consequences of their actions may have limited success at inhibiting their behavior. © The Author(s) 2013.

Background: Smoking is still the number one preventable cause of death. Cravings—an intense desire or longing for a cigarette—are a major contributor to quit attempt failure. New tools to help smokers’ manage their cravings are needed. Objective: To present a case study of the development process and testing of a distraction/motivation game (Crave-Out) to help manage cravings. Methods: We used a phased approach: in Phase 1 (alpha testing), we tested and refined the game concept, using a Web-based prototype. In Phase 2 (beta testing), we evaluated the distraction/motivation potential of the mobile game prototype, using a prepost design. After varying duration of abstinence, smokers completed the Questionnaire of Smoking Urge-Brief (QSU-Brief) measurement before and after playing Crave-Out. Paired t tests were used to compare pregame and postgame QSU-Brief levels. To test dissemination potential, we released the game on the Apple iTunes App Store and tracked downloads between December 22, 2011, and May 5, 2014. Results: Our concept refinement resulted in a multilevel, pattern memory challenge game, with each level increasing in difficulty. Smokers could play the game as long as they wanted. At the end of each level, smokers were provided clear goals for the next level and rewards (positive reinforcement using motivational tokens that represented a benefit of quitting smoking). Negative reinforcement was removed in alpha testing as smokers felt it reminded them of smoking. Measurement of QSU-Brief (N=30) resulted in a pregame mean of 3.24 (SD 1.65) and postgame mean of 2.99 (SD 1.40) with an overall decrease of 0.25 in cravings (not statistically significant). In a subset analysis, the QSU-Brief decrease was significant for smokers abstinent for more than 48 hours (N=5) with a pregame mean of 2.84 (SD 1.16) and a postgame mean of 2.0 (SD 0.94; change=0.84; P=.03). Between December 22, 2011, and May 29, 2014, the game was downloaded 3372 times from the App-Store, with 1526 smokers visiting the online resource www.decide2quit.org linked to the game. Conclusions: Overall, playing the game resulted in small, but nonsignificant decreases in cravings, with changes greater for those had already quit for more than 48 hours. Lessons learned can inform further development. Future research could incorporate mHealth games in multicomponent cessation interventions. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00797628; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00797628 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6hbJr6LWG) [JMIR Serious Games 2016;4(1):e3]

An LC/MS/MS-based multiresidue quantitative method was developed for the macrolides erythromycin A, neospiramycin I, oleandomycin, spiramycin I, tilmicosin, and tylosin A in porcine kidney tissues. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) had as part of its analytical scope an LC/UV method for quantification of residues of two macrolide antibiotics, tilmicosin and tylosin A, in the kidney, liver, and muscle of cattle, swine, and poultry. The method could not reliably detect concentrations below 10 μg/kg. To increase the scope of the CFIA's analytical capabilities, a sensitive multiresidue quantitative method for macrolide residues in food animal tissues was required. Porcine kidney samples were extracted with acetonitrile and alkaline buffer and cleaned-up using silica-based C18 SPE cartridges. Sample extracts were analyzed using LC/MS/MS with positive electrospray ionization. Fitness for purpose was verified in a single- laboratory validation study using a second analyst. The working analytical range was 5 to 50 μg/kg. LOD and LOQ were 0.5 to 0.6 μg/kg and 1.5 to 3.0 μg/kg, respectively. Limits of identification were 0.5 to 2.0 μg/kg. Relative intermediate precisions were 8 to 17%. Average absolute recoveries were 68 to 76%.

National income has a pervasive influence on the perception of ingroup stereotypes, with high status and wealthy targets perceived as more competent. In two studies we investigated the degree to which economic wealth of raters related to perceptions of outgroup competence. Raters' economic wealth predicted trait ratings when 1) raters in 48 other cultures rated Americans' competence and 2) Mexican Americans rated Anglo Americans' competence. Rater wealth also predicted ratings of interpersonal warmth on the culture level. In conclusion, raters' economic wealth, either nationally or individually, is significantly associated with perception of outgroup members, supporting the notion that ingroup conditions or stereotypes function as frames of reference in evaluating outgroup traits.

To what extent are observer judgments biased by social stereotypes? We calculated the relative contributions of stereotype and individuating information to personality judgment. Participants read several instant messaging conversations and rated the partners on trait scales. In the combined information condition, participants received individuating information from the conversation and stereotype information in the form of systematically varied gender-by-ethnic group labels. In the category information condition, participants rated “typical” members of each group, and in the transcript information condition, participants rated conversation partners without label. Person effects accounted for the majority of explained variance, and gender, but not ethnic, labels significantly affected the ratings. When abundant individuating information was available, the force of stereotypes, though not entirely eliminated, was significantly reduced.

Aims:Mutation of the KRAS gene predicts the clinical response to the monoclonal antibody cetuximab in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to perform KRAS mutation detection on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour tissue by two different methods for comparison.Methods:The FFPE sample was microdissected to enrich for tumour cells. KRAS exon 2 mutations were performed on 100 Chinese patients with CRC by direct nucleotide sequencing and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis.Results:KRAS exon 2 mutations were detected in a total of 62 patients with the two methods combined, comprising 11 different mutant alleles. Three common mutations p.Gly12Asp, p.Gly12Val and p.Gly13Asp accounted for approximately 70% of all cases. The concordant rate between the two methods was 95%. Four mutations not initially detected by direct sequencing were identified by HRM and confirmed by sequencing of the HRM amplicons. One mutation detected by direct sequencing was inadvertently grouped as a wild-type allele by HRM software, but this was readily rectified through manual review.Conclusion:HRM analysis is a sensitive method of detecting KRAS mutation on FFPE tumour tissue to guide cetuximab treatment and is applicable to routine molecular diagnostic service. Utilisation of HRM to screen for mutations upfront economises the resource used in the sequencing reaction.

Prior research has demonstrated that stereotypes affect negatively stereotyped groups in part through the implied immutability of group members’ abilities. Accordingly, a belief that ability is malleable through effort and hard work has been shown to boost the performance of negatively stereotyped groups. We predicted, however, that among favorably stereotyped groups, a belief that ability is fixed would reinforce the immutability of the group differences upon which stereotype-induced social comparisons are made [Walton, G. M., & Cohen, G. L. (2003). Stereotype lift. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 39, 456–467] and result in enhanced performance. We found experimental support for these predictions in two favorably stereotyped groups in math: Asians (Study 1) and men (Study 2). Perceived difficulty of the math test helped explain the performance effects in Study 2. Implications of schooling emphasizing innate ability for exacerbating achievement gaps are discussed.

Although large international studies have found consistent patterns of sex differences in personality traits among adults (i.e., women scoring higher on most facets), less is known about cross-cultural sex differences in adolescent personality and the role of culture and age in shaping them. The present study examines the NEO Personality Inventory-3 (McCrae, Costa, & Martin, 2005) informant ratings of adolescents from 23 cultures (N = 4,850), and investigates culture and age as sources of variability in sex differences of adolescents' personality. The effect for Neuroticism (with females scoring higher than males) begins to take on its adult form around age 14. Girls score higher on Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness at all ages between 12 and 17 years. A more complex pattern emerges for Extraversion and Agreeableness, although by age 17, sex differences for these traits are highly similar to those observed in adulthood. Cross-sectional data suggest that (a) with advancing age, sex differences found in adolescents increasingly converge toward adult patterns with respect to both direction and magnitude; (b) girls display sex-typed personality traits at an earlier age than boys; and (c) the emergence of sex differences was similar across cultures. Practical implications of the present findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Background and purpose We would like to assess the prevalence of aspiration before and following chemoradiation for head and neck cancer. Patients and methods We reviewed retrospectively the Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) in 63 patients who underwent concurrent chemotherapy and radiation for head and neck cancer. MBS was performed prior to treatment to determine the need for immediate gastrostomy tube placement. MBS was repeated following treatment to assess the safety of oral feeding prior to removal of tube feeding. All patients were cancer free at the time of the swallowing study. No patient had surgery. Dysphagia severity was graded on a scale of 1–7. Tube feedings were continued if patients were diagnosed to have severe aspiration (grade 6–7) or continued weight loss. Patients with abnormal swallow (grade 3–7) received swallowing therapy following MBS. Results Before treatment, there were 18 grade 1, 18 grade 2, 9 grade 3, 8 grade 4, 3 grade 5, 3 grade 6, and 4 grade 7. Following chemoradiation, at a median follow-up of 2 months (1–10 months), one patient had grade 1, eight patients had grade 2, nine patients had grade 3, eight patients had grade 4, 13 patients had grade 5, seven patients had grade 6, and 11 patients had grade 7. Six patients died from aspiration pneumonia (one before, three during, and two post-treatment), and did not have the second MBS. Overall, 37/63 (59%) patients developed aspiration, six of them (9%) fatal. If we excluded the 10 patients who had severe aspiration at diagnosis and the six patients who died from pneumonia, the prevalence of severe aspiration was 33% (21/63). Conclusions Aspiration remained a significant morbidity following chemoradiation for head and neck cancer. Its prevalence is underreported in the literature because of its often silent nature. Diagnostic studies such as MBS should be part of future head and neck cancer prospective studies to assess the prevalence of aspiration, and for rehabilitation.

BSEP, MDR1, and MDR2 ATP binding cassette transporters are targeted to the apical (canalicular) membrane of hepatocytes, where they mediate ATP-dependent secretion of bile acids, drugs, and phospholipids, respectively. Sorting to the apical membrane is essential for transporter function; however, little is known regarding cellular proteins that bind ATP binding cassette proteins and regulate their trafficking. A yeast two-hybrid screen of a rat liver cDNA library identified the myosin II regulatory light chain, MLC2, as a binding partner for BSEP, MDR1, and MDR2. The interactions were confirmed by glutathione S-transferase pulldown and co-immunoprecipitation assays. BSEP and MLC2 were overrepresented in a rat liver subcellular fraction enriched in canalicular membrane vesicles, and MLC2 colocalized with BSEP in the apical domain of hepatocytes and polarized WifB, HepG2, and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Expression of a dominant negative, non-phosphorylatable MLC2 mutant reduced steady state BSEP levels in the apical domain of polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Pulse-chase studies revealed that Blebbistatin, a specific myosin II inhibitor, severely impaired delivery of newly synthesized BSEP to the apical surface. These findings indicate that myosin II is required for BSEP trafficking to the apical membrane.

Accurate modeling of enzyme activity and stability is an important goal of the protein engineering community. However, studies seeking to evaluate current progress are limited by small data sets of quantitative kinetic constants and thermal stability measurements. Here, we report quantitative measurements of soluble protein expression in E. coli, thermal stability, and Michaelis-Menten constants (kcat, KM, and kcat/KM) for 129 designed mutants of a glycoside hydrolase. Statistical analyses reveal that functional Tm is independent of kcat, KM, and kcat/KM in this system, illustrating that an individual mutation can modulate these functional parameters independently. In addition, this data set is used to evaluate computational predictions of protein stability using the established Rosetta and FoldX algorithms. Predictions for both are found to correlate only weakly with experimental measurements, suggesting improvements are needed in the underlying algorithms.

Numerous studies have documented subtle but consistent sex differences in self-reports and observer-ratings of five-factor personality traits, and such effects were found to show welldefined developmental trajectories and remarkable similarity across nations. In contrast, very little is known about perceived gender differences in five-factor traits in spite of their potential implications for gender biases at the interpersonal and societal level. In particular, it is not clear how perceived gender differences in five-factor personality vary across age groups and national contexts and to what extent they accurately reflect assessed sex differences in personality. To address these questions, we analyzed responses from 3,323 individuals across 26 nations (mean age = 22.3 years, 31% male) who were asked to rate the five-factor personality traits of typical men or women in three age groups (adolescent, adult, and older adult) in their respective nations. Raters perceived women as slightly higher in openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness as well as some aspects of extraversion and neuroticism. Perceived gender differences were fairly consistent across nations and target age groups and mapped closely onto assessed sex differences in self- and observer-rated personality. Associations between the average size of perceived gender differences and national variations in sociodemographic characteristics, value systems, or gender equality did not reach statistical significance. Findings contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of gender stereotypes of personality and suggest that perceptions of actual sex differences may play a more important role than culturally based gender roles and socialization processes. Fil: Löckenhoff, Corinna E.. Cornell University.; Estados Unidos Fil: Chan, Wayne. Rutgers University; Estados Unidos Fil: McCrae, Robert R.. No especifíca; Fil: De Fruyt, Filip. University of Ghent; Bélgica Fil: Jussim, Lee. Rutgers University; Estados Unidos Fil: De Bolle, Marleen. University of Ghent; Bélgica Fil: Costa Jr, Paul T.. University of Duke; Estados Unidos Fil: Sutin, Angelina R.. Florida State University; Estados Unidos Fil: Realo, Anu. University Of Tartu.; Estonia Fil: Allik, Jüri. University Of Tartu.; Estonia. Estonian Academy of Sciences; Estonia Fil: Nakazato, Katsuharu. Tokyo University of Social Welfare; Japón Fil: Shimonaka, Yoshiko. Bunkyo Gakuin University; Japón Fil: Hřebíčková, Martina. Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; República Checa Fil: Graf, Sylvie. Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; República Checa Fil: Yik, Michelle. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; China Fil: Ficková, Emília. Slovak Academy of Sciences; Eslovaquia Fil: Brunner Sciarra, Marina. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú Fil: Leibovich, Nora Blanca. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Schmidt, Vanina Ines. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Ahn, Chang Kyu. Pusan National University; Corea del Sur Fil: Ahn, Hyun Nie. Ewha Womans University; Corea del Sur Fil: Aguilar Vafaie, María E.. Tarbiat Modares University; Irán Fil: Siuta, Jerzy. Jagiellonian University; Polonia Fil: Szmigielska, Barbara. Hampshire College; Estados Unidos Fil: Cain, Thomas R.. Hampshire College; Estados Unidos Fil: Crawford, Jarret T.. The College of New Jersey; Estados Unidos Fil: Anwar Mastor, Khairul. Universiti Kebangsaan; Malasia Fil: Rolland, Jean Pierre. Universite Paris Ouest Nanterre la Defense; Francia Fil: Nansubuga, Florence. Makerere University; Uganda Fil: Miramontez, Daniel R.. San Diego Community College District; Estados Unidos Fil: Benet Martínez, Veronica. Universitat Pompeu Fabra; España Fil: Rossier, Jérôme. Universite de Lausanne; Suiza Fil: Bratko, Denis. University of Zagreb; Croacia Fil: Marušić, Iris. Institute for Social Research in Zagreb; Croacia Fil: Halberstadt, Jamin. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Yamaguchi, Mami. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Knežević, Goran. Belgrade University; Serbia Fil: Martin, Thomas A.. Susquehanna University; Estados Unidos Fil: Gheorghiu, Mirona. The Queen's University Belfast; Irlanda Fil: Smith, Peter B.. University of Sussex; Reino Unido Fil: Barbaranelli, Claudio. Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza"; Italia Fil: Wang, Lei. Peking University; China Fil: Shakespeare Finch, Jane. Queensland University of Technology; Australia Fil: Lima, Margarida P.. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal Fil: Klinkosz, Waldemar. The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin; Polonia Fil: Sekowski, Andrzej. The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin; Polonia Fil: Alcalay, Lidia. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile Fil: Simonetti, Franco Lucio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile Fil: Avdeyeva, Tatyana V.. University of St. Thomas; Estados Unidos Fil: Pramila, V. S.. No especifíca; Fil: Terracciano, Antonio. Florida State University; Estados Unidos

In this paper we provide an overview of the meteorological and sea‐ice conditions within the northern portion of Baffin Bay and the region of the North Water (NOW) Polynya between Ellesmere Island and Greenland. Our results indicate an east‐west temperature gradient across the NOW and Baffin Bay regions with colder temperatures on the Ellesmere Island coast (‐14°C) and warmer temperatures on the Greenland coast (‐9°C). This is caused by warm air advection (upper level and boundary layer) due to prevailing atmospheric flows. The sea level pressure (SLP) pattern exhibits a pronounced inverted trough in Baffin Bay extending from a quasi‐stationary low south of Greenland. The trough deepens in winter thereby tightening the pressure gradient across the NOW region. This results in maximum winds (northerly) in winter. The trough also creates a mean cyclonic gyre in Baffin Bay, mirroring the spatial pattern of annual ice concentrations. The polynya is formed between November and March as a result of the ...

Consensual stereotypes of some groups are relatively accurate, whereas others are not. Previous work suggesting that national character stereotypes are inaccurate has been criticized on several grounds. In this article we (a) provide arguments for the validity of assessed national mean trait levels as criteria for evaluating stereotype accuracy and (b) report new data on national character in 26 cultures from descriptions (N = 3323) of the typical male or female adolescent, adult, or old person in each. The average ratings were internally consistent and converged with independent stereotypes of the typical culture member, but were weakly related to objective assessments of personality. We argue that this conclusion is consistent with the broader literature on the inaccuracy of national character stereotypes. Fil: McCrae, Robert R.. No especifica; Fil: Chan, Wayne. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Jussim, Lee. Rutgers University; Estados Unidos Fil: De Fruyt, Filip. University of Ghent; Bélgica Fil: Löckenhoff, Corinna E.. Cornell University; Estados Unidos Fil: Leibovich, Nora Blanca. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Schmidt, Vanina Ines. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Miramontez, Daniel R.. San Diego Community College District. Office of Institutional Research and Planning; Estados Unidos Fil: Benet Martínez, Veronica. Universitat Pompeu Fabra; España. Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats; España Fil: Rossier, Jérôme. Universite de Lausanne; Suiza Fil: Bratko, Denis. University of Zagreb; Croacia Fil: Marušić, Iris. Institute for Social Research in Zagreb; Croacia Fil: Halberstadt, Jamin. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Yamaguchi, Mami. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Knežević, Goran. Belgrade University; Serbia Fil: Purić, Danka. Belgrade University; Serbia Fil: Martin, Thomas A.. Susquehanna University; Estados Unidos Fil: Gheorghiu, Mirona. Queens University; Reino Unido Fil: Smith, Peter B.. University Of Sussex; Reino Unido Fil: Barbaranelli, Claudio. La Sapienza University; Italia Fil: Wang, Lei. Peking University; China Fil: Shakespeare Finch, Jane. Queensland University of Technology; Australia Fil: Lima, Margarida P.. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal Fil: Klinkosz, Waldemar. John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin; Polonia Fil: Sekowskil, Andrzej. John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin; Polonia Fil: Alcalay, Lidia. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile Fil: Simonetti, Franco. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile Fil: Avdeyeva, Tatyana V.. University of St. Thomas; Estados Unidos Fil: Pramila, V. S.. Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam; India Fil: Terracciano, Antonio. Florida State University College of Medicine; Estados Unidos

One consequence of aging populations is increasing need for management of chronic diseases. Self-management is an important component, and self-management skills and support lead to empowerment. Components of self-management consist of goals, tasks, and skills. There is a strong emphasis on self-efficacy in the theoretical basis to self-management education. Problem-solving skills and ability to make action plans are core features of self-efficacy. It is uncertain whether these principles apply to the elderly with multi-morbidity and geriatric syndromes. A case-control study of group chronic disease self-management education demonstrated significant improvement in self-management behaviors when compared with those in the control group; better health status outcome measures in terms of reduced social/role activities limitation; reduced depressive symptoms; less health distress, pain, and discomfort; and improved self-rated health. Subgroup analysis showed that age, education level, and frailty did not affect outcomes. Outcomes were not significantly different between groups led by lay leaders compared with those led by health-care professionals. Self-management principles incorporated into group programs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and arthritis also showed beneficial outcomes. It is likely that further evidence of beneficial outcomes in terms of service utilization is needed for the funding of self-management programs into regular services.

Lower levels of serum brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the best known biomarkers of depression. To identify genetic variants associated with serum BDNF, we tested the Val66Met (rs6265) functional variant and conducted a genome-wide association scan (GWAS).In a community-based sample (N = 2054; aged 19-101, M = 51, SD = 15) from Sardinia, Italy, we measured serum BDNF concentration and conducted a GWAS.We estimated the heritability of serum BDNF to be 0.48 from sib-pairs. There was no association between serum BDNF and Val66Met in the SardiNIA sample and in a meta-analysis of published studies (k = 13 studies, total n = 4727, P = 0.92). Although no genome-wide significant associations were identified, some evidence of association was found in the BDNF gene (rs11030102, P = 0.001) and at two loci (rs7170215, P = 4.8 × 10⁻⁵ and rs11073742 P = 1.2 × 10⁻⁵) near and within NTRK3 gene, a neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor.Our study and meta-analysis of the literature indicate that the BDNF Val66Met variant is not associated with serum BDNF, but other variants in the BDNF and NTRK3 genes might regulate the level of serum BDNF.

The present paper describes results of a national survey conducted between 1982 and 1989 to determine residues of arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, selenium, and zinc in Canadian slaughter animals. Liver and kidney tissues from cattle, swine, poultry, horses, calves, and sheep were tested. Arsenic was found in most avian and porcine samples, and their respective means of 0.36 and 0.26 micrograms/g in liver were 7 to 12 times higher than mean concentrations found in the other species. Cadmium was found in the tissues of all species; however, levels were consistently highest in equine samples with mean values of 3.09 and 27.7 micrograms/g in liver and kidney, respectively. Copper levels greater than 150 micrograms/g were found predominantly in liver from calves and sheep, with values considerably lower in the remaining species. Mercury levels were low or not detected in all species except horses. Ninety % of equine kidneys and 54% of equine livers had mercury concentrations greater than 0.01 microgram/g, with mean values of 0.18 and 0.06 microgram/g, respectively. Lead was found in tissues of all species; however, values greater than 2 micrograms/g were found only in 2 kidneys from adult cattle and 1 kidney from a horse. Selenium, tested only in cattle, was found at mean concentrations of 0.28 microgram/g in liver, and 0.92 microgram/g in kidney. Relatively high zinc levels were found in livers of horses, pigs, and calves, with respective mean concentrations of 67.3, 65.6, and 70.2 micrograms/g.

An Improved method has been developed for the determination of benzyl penicillin In animal tissues. Tissues are fortified with a known amount of penicillin V (Internal standard) and extracted with water. The extract Is deproteinlzed with sulfuric acid and sodium tungstate, filtered, and concentrated on a conditioned C18 solid phase extraction column. Penicillin V and benzyl penicillin are then eluted from the column with 1 mL 60% acetonitrile-35% water-5% 0.2M phosphate buffer solution and derivatlzed with 1 mL 1,2,4-trlazole-mercuric chloride solution at 65°C for 30 min. An aliquot of this sample Is analyzed by reverse phase liquid chromatography with UV detection at 325 nm. The limit of detection is 5 μg/kg (ppb) penicillin G (8.4 lU/kg) In liver, kidney, and muscle tissues

We examined whether anxious expectations of discrimination among Asian Americans can help explain this group's elevated levels of internalizing symptomatology, such as lower self-esteem (Twenge & Crocker, 2002) and higher depressive symptoms (Okazaki, 1997, 2002) relative to European Americans. Study 1 reports on the development and validation of a scale measuring status-based rejection sensitivity among Asian Americans (RS-A). In Study 2, scores on the RS-A were related to spontaneous discrimination attributions specifically in situations where discrimination is both applicable and possible for Asian Americans. Study 3 revealed that shame mediated the relationship between RS-A and internalizing symptomatology. Implications for well-being and intergroup interactions are discussed.

BackgroundOver the last several years there has been widespread development of medical data warehouses. Current data warehouses focus on individual cases, but lack the ability to identify family members that could be used for dyadic or familial research. Currently, the patient’s family history in the medical record is the only documentation we have to understand the health status and social habits of their family members. Identifying familial linkages in a phenotypic data warehouse can be valuable in cohort identification and in beginning to understand the interactions of diseases among families. ObjectiveThe goal of the Familial, Associational, & Incidental Relationships (FAIR) initiative is to identify an index set of patients’ relationships through elements in a data warehouse. MethodsUsing a test set of 500 children, we measured the sensitivity and specificity of available linkage algorithm identifiers (eg, insurance identification numbers and phone numbers) and validated this tool/algorithm through a manual chart audit. ResultsOf all the children, 52.4% (262/500) were male, and the mean age of the cohort was 8 years old (SD 5). Of the children, 51.6% (258/500) were identified as white in race. The identifiers used for FAIR were available for the majority of patients: insurance number (483/500, 96.6%), phone number (500/500, 100%), and address (497/500, 99.4%). When utilizing the FAIR tool and various combinations of identifiers, sensitivity ranged from 15.5% (62/401) to 83.8% (336/401), and specificity from 72% (71/99) to 100% (99/99). The preferred method was matching patients using insurance or phone number, which had a sensitivity of 72.1% (289/401) and a specificity of 94% (93/99). Using the Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) warehouse infrastructure, we have now developed a Web app that facilitates FAIR for any index population. ConclusionsFAIR is a valuable research and clinical resource that extends the capabilities of existing data warehouses and lays the groundwork for family-based research. FAIR will expedite studies that would otherwise require registry or manual chart abstraction data sources.

Objective The purpose of the study is to evaluate dysphagia severity following chemoradiation and postoperative radiation for head and neck cancer, and particularly the aspiration risk because of its potential life-threatening consequence. Materials and methods We reviewed retrospectively the modified barium swallow (MBS) results in 110 patients who complained of dysphagia following chemoradiation (57) and postoperative radiation (53) of their head and neck cancer. Patients were selected if they were cancer free at the time of the swallowing study. Dysphagia severity was graded on a scale of 1–7. Patients were grouped according to the dysphagia severity: mild (grades 2–3), moderate (grades 4–5), and severe (grades 6–7). Results Mean and median dysphagia grades were 4.84/5 and 4.12/4 for chemoradiation and postoperative radiation respectively. The mean difference between the two groups is statistically significant ( p = 0.02). Mild dysphagia occurred in 13 patients (22%) of the chemoradiation group and 17 (32%) of the postoperative group. Corresponding number for the moderate group was 25 (43%) and 25 (48%), respectively. Severe dysphagia was significant in the chemoradiation group (34%) compared to the postoperative group (19%). However, the difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.29). There was a higher proportion of patients with large tumor (T3–T4) in the chemoradiation group who developed severe dysphagia. Conclusion Dysphagia remained a significant morbidity of chemoradiation and postoperative radiation for head and neck cancer. Dysphagia may be more severe in the chemoradiation group because of the higher proportion of patients with large tumor, the high radiation dose, and a high number of oropharyngeal tumors. Aspiration occurred in both groups. Diagnostic studies such as MBS should be part of future head and neck cancer prospective studies to assess the prevalence of aspiration, as it may be silent.

Cross-cultural personality research suggests that individuals from wealthier countries tend to be more open-minded. This openness to values may support more democratic governments and the expansion of fundamental freedoms. The link between wealth and freedom is evident in cold-to-temperate climates, but not across wealthy nations in hot climates. Furthermore, temperature and economic conditions shape perceptions of national character stereotypes.

A method for the simultaneous determination of ty-losin and tilmicosin residues in animal tissues is reported. Solid-phase extraction columns are used to isolate the drugs from tissue extracts. Determination is accomplished by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with UV detection at 287 nm. Mean recoveries from spiked tissues were 79.9% (coefficient of variation [CV], 8.1%) for tylosin and 92.6% (CV, 8.7%) for tilmicosin. Detection limits for tylosin and tilmicosin were 0.020 and 0.010 ppm, respectively.

Myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB (CKMB) mass concentration and troponin-I are newer biochemical markers for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We conducted a prospective study to formulate a model for the collective interpretation of these three markers in the diagnosis of AMI. Eighty-seven patients with AMI had serial serum samples taken to establish the time-frame sensitivity of individual markers. None of the markers had a good sensitivity within the first 4 h of infarction. Myoglobin and CKMB (mass) had sensitivities of 92.3% and 96.2%, respectively, at 4-8 h post infarct. CKMB (mass) and troponin-I had sensitivities >92% at 8-24 h. Troponin-I maintained sensitivity >93% until 72 h. A guideline was formulated based on the results. Our data suggest that troponin-I, myoglobin and CKMB (mass) yield satisfactory diagnostic sensitivity when used with reference to specific time frames. The combined use of these markers can provide valuable information for clinicians in managing AMI patients.

Personality traits and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults are reliable predictors of health and longevity. We examined the association between personality traits and energy expenditure at rest (basal metabolic rate) and during normal and maximal sustained walking. Personality traits and oxygen (VO(2)) consumption were assessed in 642 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Results indicate that personality traits were mostly unrelated to resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure at normal walking pace. However, those who scored lower on neuroticism (r = -0.12) and higher on extraversion (r = 0.11), openness (r = 0.13), and conscientiousness (r = 0.09) had significantly higher energy expenditure at peak walking pace. In addition to greater aerobic capacity, individuals with a more resilient personality profile walked faster and were more efficient in that they required less energy per meter walked. The associations between personality and energy expenditure were not moderated by age or sex, but were in part explained by the proportion of fat mass. In conclusion, differences in personality may matter the most during more challenging activities that require cardiorespiratory fitness. These findings suggest potential pathways that link personality to health outcomes, such as obesity and longevity.