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Objective: Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use is reported to be associated with heavier alcohol and marijuana use and more negative consequences, but less is known about the social, physical, and temporal contexts of SAM use. Method: Young adults (N = 326, 51.2% male, 49.1% White non-Hispanic) who reported pastmonth SAM use completed up to 14 daily surveys across five bursts that assessed SAM use and negative consequences and social, physical, and temporal contexts. We used multilevel models to examine SAM use contexts' associations with alcohol/marijuana quantity and consequences. Results: The social context of alone only (vs. with others only) was associated with consuming fewer drinks. Physical contexts that included using both at home and outside the home (vs. only at home) were associated with greater alcohol and marijuana quantity and negative consequences (but not after controlling for alcohol quantity); use outside the home only (vs. only at home) was associated with more alcohol use, more alcohol consequences (but not after controlling for alcohol quantity), and fewer marijuana consequences (even after controlling for marijuana quantity). The temporal context of first engaging in SAM use before 6 p.m. (vs. after 9 p.m.) was associated with greater alcohol and marijuana quantity and more marijuana consequences (but not after controlling for number of hours high), and first engaging in SAM use between 6 and 9 p.m. was associated with more hours high. Conclusions: SAM use contexts such as using with others, using outside the home, and using earlier in the evening are typically associated with greater alcohol/marijuana quantity and consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose homeostasis is closely regulated to maintain energy requirements of vital organs and skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in this process. Mustn1 is expressed during embryonic and postnatal skeletal muscle development and its function has been implicated in myogenic differentiation and myofusion. Whether Mustn1 plays a role in glucose homeostasis in anyway remains largely unknown. As such, we deleted Mustn1 in skeletal muscle using a conditional knockout (KO) mouse approach. KO mice did not reveal any specific gross phenotypic alterations in skeletal muscle. However, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance testing (IPGTT) revealed that 2‐month‐old male KO mice had significantly lower glycemia than their littermate wild type (WT) controls. These findings coincided with mRNA changes in genes known to be involved in glucose metabolism, tolerance, and insulin sensitivity; 2‐month‐old male KO mice had significantly higher expression of GLUT1 and GLUT10 transporters, MUP‐1 while OSTN expression was lower. These differences in glycemia and gene expression were statistically insignificant after 4 months. Identical experiments in female KO and WT control mice did not indicate any differences at any age. Our results suggest a link between Mustn1 expression and glucose homeostasis during a restricted period of skeletal muscle development/maturation. While this is an observational study, Mustn1's relationship to glucose homeostasis appears to be more complex with a possible connection to other key proteins such as GLUTs, MUP‐1, and OSTN. Additionally, our data indicate temporal and sex differences. Lastly, our findings strengthen the notion that Mustn1 plays a role in the metabolic capacity of skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perirenal space can be involved by a variety of neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious, and proliferative disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging is often an ideal technique for identification and staging of lesions arising within the perirenal space, with its superior soft tissue characterization as well as its ability to visualize extension into blood vessels and adjacent organs. This pictorial essay describes the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of a variety of pathologies which can arise from or involve the perirenal space, and provides a framework for categorization and differential diagnosis of these lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibodies with conformational specificity are important for detecting and interfering with polypeptide aggregation linked to several human disorders. We are developing a motif-grafting approach for designing lead antibody candidates specific for amyloid-forming polypeptides such as the Alzheimer peptide (Aβ). This approach involves grafting amyloidogenic peptide segments into the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of single-domain (VH) antibodies. Here we have investigated the impact of polar mutations inserted at the edges of a large hydrophobic Aβ42 peptide segment (Aβ residues 17-42) in CDR3 on the solubility and conformational specificity of the corresponding VH domains. We find that VH expression and solubility are strongly enhanced by introducing multiple negatively charged or asparagine residues at the edges of CDR3, whereas other polar mutations are less effective (glutamine and serine) or ineffective (threonine, lysine, and arginine). Moreover, Aβ VH domains with negatively charged CDR3 mutations show significant preference for recognizing Aβ fibrils relative to Aβ monomers, whereas the same VH domains with other polar CDR3 mutations recognize both Aβ conformers. We observe similar behavior for a VH domain grafted with a large hydrophobic peptide from islet amyloid polypeptide (residues 8-37) that contains negatively charged mutations at the edges of CDR3. These findings highlight the sensitivity of antibody binding and solubility to residues at the edges of CDRs, and provide guidelines for designing other grafted antibody fragments with hydrophobic binding loops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-parenting students face unique challenges that may adversely affect their mental health, which have not been explored in community college settings. Objective: The authors conducted secondary analysis of Spring 2013 data from the American College Health Association–National College Health Assessment to examine difficulties facing single-parent community college students and the association between single parenting and negative mental health (depression, self-injury, suicide attempt). Participants: Participants were 6,832 California community college students, of whom 309 were single parents. Methods: Demographic and mental health data were characterized using univariate descriptive analyses. Bivariate analyses determined whether single parents differed from other students regarding negative mental health or traumatic/difficult events. Results: Finances, family, and relationship difficulties disproportionally affected single parents, who reported nearly twice as many suicide attempts as their counterparts (5.3% vs 2.7%; p <.0001). Conclusions: Single-parenting students face a higher prevalence of mental health stressors than other community college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle school has been documented as the period in which a drop in students’ science interest and achievement occurs. This trend indicates a lack of motivation for learning science; however, little is known about how different aspects of motivation interact with student engagement and science learning outcomes. This study examines the relationships among motivational factors, engagement, and achievement in middle school science (grades 6–8). Data were obtained from middle school students in the United States (N = 2094). The theoretical relationships among motivational constructs, including self-efficacy, and three types of goal orientations (mastery, performance approach, and performance avoid) were tested. The results showed that motivation is best modeled as distinct intrinsic and extrinsic factors; lending evidence that external, performance based goal orientations factor separately from self-efficacy and an internal, mastery based goal orientation. Second, a model was tested to examine how engagement mediated the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors and science achievement. Engagement mediated the relationship between intrinsic motivation and science achievement, whereas extrinsic motivation had no relationship with engagement and science achievement. Implications for how classroom practice and educational policy emphasize different student motivations, and in turn, can support or hinder students’ science learning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Importance: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major burden in health care and community settings. CDI recurrence is of particular concern because of limited treatment options and associated clinical and infection control issues. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising, but not readily available, intervention.Objective: To determine whether frozen-and-thawed (frozen, experimental) FMT is noninferior to fresh (standard) FMT in terms of clinical efficacy among patients with recurrent or refractory CDI and to assess the safety of both types of FMT.Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial enrolling 232 adults with recurrent or refractory CDI, conducted between July 2012 and September 2014 at 6 academic medical centers in Canada.Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to receive frozen (n = 114) or fresh (n = 118) FMT via enema.Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measures were clinical resolution of diarrhea without relapse at 13 weeks and adverse events. Noninferiority margin was set at 15%.Results: A total of 219 patients (n = 108 in the frozen FMT group and n = 111 in the fresh FMT group) were included in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population and 178 (frozen FMT: n = 91, fresh FMT: n = 87) in the per-protocol population. In the per-protocol population, the proportion of patients with clinical resolution was 83.5% for the frozen FMT group and 85.1% for the fresh FMT group (difference, -1.6% [95% CI, -10.5% to ∞]; P = .01 for noninferiority). In the mITT population the clinical resolution was 75.0% for the frozen FMT group and 70.3% for the fresh FMT group (difference, 4.7% [95% CI, -5.2% to ∞]; P < .001 for noninferiority). There were no differences in the proportion of adverse or serious adverse events between the treatment groups.Conclusions and Relevance: Among adults with recurrent or refractory CDI, the use of frozen compared with fresh FMT did not result in worse proportion of clinical resolution of diarrhea. Given the potential advantages of providing frozen FMT, its use is a reasonable option in this setting.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01398969. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Hatcher{Oertel algorithm for finding boundary slopes of Montesinos knots, we prove the Slope Conjecture and the Strong Slope Conjecture for a family of 3-tangle pretzel knots. More precisely, we prove that the maximal degrees of the colored Jones polynomial of such a knot determine a boundary slope as predicted by the Slope Conjecture, and that the linear terms in the degrees correspond to the Euler characteristic of an essential surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give sharp two-sided linear bounds of the crosscap number (non-orientable genus) of alternating links in terms of their Jones polynomial. Our estimates are often exact and we use them to calculate the crosscap numbers for several infinite families of alternating links and for several alternating knots with up to twelve crossings. We also discuss generalizations of our results for classes of non-alternating links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Marijuana policies are rapidly evolving. In the United States, recreational use of marijuana is now legal in 4 states and medical marijuana is legal in 23 states. Research evaluating such policies has focused primarily on how policies affect issues of price, access to, use, and consequences of marijuana. Due to potential spillover effects, researchers also need to examine how marijuana policies may impact use and consequences of alcohol. Methods The current paper is a critical review of articles evaluating alcohol outcomes associated with marijuana decriminalization, medical marijuana legalization, and nonmedical or recreational marijuana legalization. We identified articles and reports through (1) online searches of EBSCO host database including Academic Search Premier, Econlit, Legal Collection, Medline, PsycARTICLES, and Psyc INFO, as well as PubMed and Google Scholar databases; (2) review of additional articles cited in papers identified through electronic searches; and (3) targeted searches of state and local government records regarding marijuana law implementation. We reviewed studies with respect to their data sources and sample characteristics, methodology, and the margin of alcohol and marijuana use, timing of policy change, and the aspects of laws examined. Results The extant literature provides some evidence for both substitution (i.e., more liberal marijuana policies related to less alcohol use as marijuana becomes a substitute) and complementary (i.e., more liberal marijuana policies related to increases in both marijuana and alcohol use) relationships in the context of liberalization of marijuana policies in the United States. Conclusions Impact of more liberal marijuana policies on alcohol use is complex, and likely depends on specific aspects of policy implementation, including how long the policy has been in place. Furthermore, evaluation of marijuana policy effects on alcohol use may be sensitive to the age group studied and the margin of alcohol use examined. Design of policy evaluation research requires careful consideration of these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report presents the first reported molecular breast imaging appearance of a nipple adenoma coexisting with an ipsilateral breast malignancy. Conventional multi-modality radiologic imaging, including mammography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging are also shown, and a brief review of the literature is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imaging detection and differential diagnoses of pathology involving the periportal space can be challenging. MRI is a useful technique for assessment of the periportal space since it readily distinguishes normal and abnormal vascular and biliary anatomy, and the excellent soft tissue discrimination allows for detection of subtle lesions. This pictorial essay describes the anatomy of the periportal space and illustrates the MRI appearance of a variety of pathologies that can affect this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigration is a frequently debated topic in American politics and media, yet little work examined children's understanding of this issue. In order to explore how children's understanding of immigration may differ based on their immigration experience, 261 elementary school-aged children (M = 9 years; SD = 1 year, 1 month) answered open-ended questions regarding why people move to the United States and why it should be legal or not. The sample consisted of 196 immigrants (first and second generation Latino/a immigrants) and 65 nonimmigrants (non-Latino/a children living in America for at least three generations). Children also rated possible explanations for societal antiimmigration attitudes. As predicted, Latino/a immigrant children explained immigration as a means of attaining concrete benefits for immigrants, such as improved education or jobs. They also referenced reuniting with family members in the U.S. Nonimmigrant children focused more on immigrants seeking American freedoms, reflecting the school-based curriculum explaining early European immigration to the U.S. Results reflect how differing experiences with immigration (direct or indirect) may influence perceptions towards immigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attractive approach for designing lead antibody candidates is to mimic natural protein interactions by grafting peptide recognition motifs into the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). We are using this approach to generate single-domain (VH) antibodies specific for amyloid-forming proteins such as the Alzheimer's Aβ peptide. Here, we use random mutagenesis and yeast surface display to improve the binding affinity of a lead VH domain grafted with Aβ residues 33-42 in CDR3. Interestingly, co-selection for improved Aβ binding and VH display on the surface of yeast yields antibody domains with improved affinity and reduced stability. The highest affinity VH domains were strongly destabilized on the surface of yeast as well as unfolded when isolated as autonomous domains. In contrast, stable VH domains with improved affinity were reliably identified using yeast surface display by replacing the display antibody that recognizes a linear epitope tag at the terminus of both folded and unfolded VH domains with a conformational ligand (Protein A) that recognizes a discontinuous epitope on the framework of folded VH domains. Importantly, we find that selection for improved stability using Protein A without simultaneous co-selection for improved Aβ binding leads to strong enrichment for stabilizing mutations that reduce antigen binding. Our findings highlight the importance of simultaneously optimizing affinity and stability to improve the rapid isolation of well-folded and specific antibody fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2007, the NASA Hyperspectral InfraRed Imager (HyspIRI) mission was recommended in Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond (Decadal Survey) to address critical science questions in multiple areas, in particular ecosystems and natural hazards. HyspIRI is comprised of two instruments, a visible to short-wavelength infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectrometer and a thermal infrared (TIR) multispectral imager, together with an Intelligent Payload Module (IPM) for onboard processing and rapid downlink of selected data. The VSWIR instrument will have 10 nm contiguous bands and cover the 380–2500 nm spectral range with 30 m spatial resolution and a revisit of 16 days. The TIR instrument will have 8 discrete bands in the 4–13 μm range with 60 m spatial resolution and a revisit of 5 days. With these two instruments in low Earth orbit, HyspIRI will be able to address key science and applications questions in a wide array of fields, ranging from ecosystem function and diversity to human health and urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has focused on the economic impact associated with climate-change induced wildland fire on natural ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. We examine changes in wildland fire patterns based on the U.S. Forest Service's MC1 dynamic global vegetation model from 2013 to 2115 under two pre-defined scenarios: a reference (i.e., business-as-usual) and a greenhouse gas mitigation policy scenario. We construct a habitat equivalency model under which fuels management activities, actions commonly undertaken to reduce the frequency and/or severity of wildland fire, are used to compensate for climate change-induced losses in ecosystem services on conservation lands in the contiguous U.S. resulting from wildland fire. The benefit of the greenhouse gas mitigation policy is equal to the difference in fuels management costs between the reference and policy scenarios. Results suggest present value ecosystem service benefits of greenhouse gas mitigation on the average of $3.5 billion (2005 dollars, assuming a three percent discount rate). Our analysis highlights the importance of considering loss of ecosystem services when evaluating the impacts of alternative greenhouse gas mitigation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Preoperative nonwire localizations with 125I seeds are performed using mammographic or ultrasonographic guidance. Current MRI‐guided interventions in the breast are primarily limited to biopsies and wire localizations. Occasionally, nonwire localization with 125I seeds is preferred, but the target is only well seen on MRI. This case report describes how MRI‐guided preoperative two 125I seed bracket localization was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the practice of education rounds through the lens of the practice of lesson study as tools for teacher professional development and learning. It examines the forms, purposes, protocols and outcomes of these two tools in order to improve their quality and sustainability. Also discussed are the distinction between instructional rounds and teacher rounds, four types of lesson study in Japan and positive effects of quality teaching rounds on beginning teachers.

Objective: Despite the documented importance of alcohol outcome expectancies in predicting alcohol use and related consequences, little research has explored within-person variability in expectancies. This article details the construction and psychometric analysis of a measure of alcohol expectancies specifically designed for daily assessment. Method: We developed a 15-item instrument to measure the likelihood of experiencing various outcomes from drinking, as well as the subjective evaluation of these outcomes. College students (N= 352; mean age = 19.7 years, SD = 1.26; 53.4% female) participated in a yearlong study wherein they completed three computerized interviews daily via mobile phones for 2 weeks in each academic quarter. Multilevel exploratory factor analysis was used to examine dimensionality at between-person and within-person levels, and generalizability coefficients were calculated to establish reliability. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients were generally between .30 and .40, demonstrating both between-person and within- person variability. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a two-factor solution of positive and negative effects of alcohol, and two items with equivocal loadings were dropped from the final scale. The two subscales showed excellent reliabilities at within- and between- person levels, and the measure demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity with a commonly used expectancy measure. Conclusions: Drinkers hold many expectations about the effects of alcohol, and measures are needed that are designed to capture both stable and context-dependent aspects of these beliefs. Results demonstrated significant day-to-day variation in the strength and valuation of alcohol expectancies, and the scale demonstrated good psychometric properties that establish its appropriateness for use in daily process studies of alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balanced steady state-free precession (b-SSFP) pulse sequences have a number of properties which can be useful in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), including short acquisition times, high signal-to-noise ratios, and T2/T1 contrast weighting. The utility and versatility of b-SSFP sequences for MRCP imaging are probably underappreciated, and this pictorial essay briefly discusses benefits and limitations of 2D and 3D b-SSFP techniques used in place of or in addition to conventional single-shot fast spin echo or 3D fast spin echo acquisitions and illustrates their appearance in several clinical cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Remote Associates Test (RAT) is often assumed to be a measure of creativity; however, the RAT has been broadly applied in psychological studies. Originally developed to assess individual differences in associative processing, the RAT has been used to study various constructs, such as creativity, problem solving, insight, and memory. Aside from early validation studies, the psychometric properties of the RAT remain largely unexplored. This study examines the internal and external structure validity evidence of a computer-based, 30-item RAT based on scores from a sample of undergraduate students. We examined internal structure via classical test theory item statistics, dimensionality analysis, item response theory analysis, and differential item functioning analysis. Results showed that the two-parameter logistic (2PL) model, in which items have unique discrimination and difficulty parameters, had good fit to item responses from our 30-item RAT. In addition, the relationships among scores on the RAT and a series of other cognitive measures including divergent thinking, intelligence, and working memory tasks were examined to assess the external validity of the RAT scores. Results indicate that the RAT assesses cognitive processes similar to those from a wide range of other analytical and convergent thinking test, distinguishing it from traditional, divergent thinking tests of creativity. In light of concerns regarding the internal and external psychometric properties of creativity measures, our findings help to clarify the item and test characteristics of the RAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the term "romance" in early modern fiction. Topics include Renaissance literature, types of "romance" from the chivalric type in "Orlando furioso," by Ludovico Ariosto, the pastoral depicted in "Arcadia," by Jacopo Sannazaro and Greek romances in "Aethiopica," by Heliodorus and the unique version of "romance" for 16th century readers and authors. Other topics include the history of "romance" and how the transformations of romance mimics culture's own transition.

Background:Applicator conspicuity in ultrasound-guided brachytherapy procedures is commonly impaired by imaging artifacts or non-ideal imaging geometry, which can slow down applicator position digitization and increase the geometric uncertainty of the delivered dose distribution. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to improve the conspicuity of highdose rate (HDR) brachytherapy needles under B-mode ultrasound imaging by applying an echogenic surface coating. Our hypothesis was that an echogenic coating would reduce artifacts and improve needle visualization within regions of signal degradation. Methods: In this study, 17-gauge,25-cm long titanium HDR brachytherapy needles were coated with acoustically reflective microspheres over a 2.5 cm region starting from the needle tip. Three coating thicknesses (27 μm, 40 μm, 64 μm) were compared against an uncoated control needle. The coated and uncoated needles were imaged using B-mode ultrasound in a tissue-equivalent prostate phantom and in a cadaverous male pelvis using a transrectal probe. Needle conspicuity was assessed under multiple conditions: a single needle implant, an implant with multiple needles between the probe and the needle of interest, and an angled needle implant. All images were assessed qualitatively for needle conspicuity and the presence of artifacts and quantitatively using grey-scale image intensity values. Results: The 64 μm echogenic coating reduced the magnitude of reverberation artifacts by 31 ± 14% and comet tail artifacts by 40%–70%.The echogenic coating also improved needle contrast,measured by the relative differences in signal intensity compared with the adjacent environment, when needles were angled up to 30° with respect to the transducer probe in the cadaver. The improvements in conspicuity and artifact reduction increased with increasing coating thickness.The performance of the needles coated with the 64 μmthickness was qualitatively superior and yielded high-contrast,well-circumscribed signals in the cadaverous male pelvis, even under situations where a needle was acoustically shadowed by multiple other needles. Conclusions: An echogenic surface coating reduced imaging artifacts and improved needle conspicuity under realistic clinical conditions for ultrasoundbased prostate or gynecological brachytherapy. The improved conspicuity has the potential to improve the efficiency of needle placement and the accuracy of needle position digitization during brachytherapy procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to use network analysis techniques to parse relations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom domains, domains of executive function, and temperament traits. Participants were 420 children aged 6–17 years (55% boys). The majority of the participants were Caucasian (72.86%) and 50% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Both parents and teachers provided ratings of participants' ADHD symptom severity. Parents completed questionnaires pertaining to participants' temperament traits, and participants completed well-validated laboratory measures of executive function. Results suggested effortful control as demonstrating the strongest relations with ADHD, particularly the parent-reported inattentive symptom domain. Additionally, negative effects appeared to demonstrate weaker but still notable relations primarily with the parent-reported hyperactive/impulsive symptom domain. Measures of executive function did not appear to demonstrate relations with any measures of ADHD symptoms or temperament traits. The results were generally replicated in a distinct sample (n = 732, 7–13 years, 63% boys, 81% White), although differences emerged pertaining to the role of surgency (i.e., related to the hyperactive/impulsive symptom domain in the replication but not the primary sample). Overall, findings provided support for the primary role of effortful control, as well as secondary roles for negative affect and surgency, as key risk markers for the characterization of ADHD. Additional exploration of the overlap between temperament and executive function, as pertaining to ADHD, may help clarify heterogeneity in phenotypes and suggest priorities for targeted interventions outside of traditional symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) such as Alloderm® is sometimes used in tissue reconstruction in primary and reconstructive breast surgeries. As ADM is incorporated into the native tissues, the evolving imaging findings that would correlate with varying degrees of host migration and neoangiogenesis into the matrix can be challenging to recognize. In the setting of a palpable or clinical area of concern after breast reconstructive surgery following breast cancer, confident diagnosis of a mass representing ADM rather than recurring or developing disease can be challenging. Such diagnostic imaging uncertainties generally result in short-term imaging and clinical follow-up, but occasionally, biopsy is performed for histopathological confirmation of benignity. A case of biopsy-proven Alloderm® is described. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first radiologic-pathologic correlation of ADM in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although recent studies have documented high-risk drinking occurring during Spring Break (SB), particularly on SB trips with friends, published intervention studies are few. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of event specific prevention strategies for reducing SB drinking among college students, compared to general prevention strategies and an assessment-only control group, as well as evaluated inclusion of peers in interventions and mode of intervention delivery (in-person vs. web). Method: Participants included 783 undergraduates (56.1% women; average age = 20.5 years) intending to go on a SB trip with friends as well as to drink heavily on at least I day of SB. Participants completed assessments prior to SB and were randomized to 1 of 5 intervention conditions: SB in-person Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS; Dimeff, Baer, Kivlahan, & Marlatt, 1999), SB web BASICS, SB in-person BASICS with friend, SB web BASICS with friend, general BASICS, or an attention control condition. Follow-up assessment was completed 1 week after SB. Results: Although the SB web BASICS (with and without friends) and general BASICS interventions were not effective at reducing SB drinking, results indicated significant intervention effects for SB in-person BASICS in reducing SB drinking, particularly on trip days. Follow-up analyses indicated that change in descriptive norms mediated treatment effect and reductions in drinking, whereas SB drinking intentions and positive expectancies did not. Conclusions: Overall, results suggest that an in-person SB-specific intervention is effective at reducing SB drinking, especially during trips. In contrast, interventions that contain non-SB-related content, are web-based, or seek to involve friends may be less effective at reducing SB drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate an adapted web-based multi-component personalized feedback intervention to reduce college student alcohol use and risky sexual behavior during Spring Break. This is one of the first interventions focused on Spring Break alcohol use and related sexual behavior. Personalized feedback intervention components addressed intentions, expected consequences, norms, motivations, protective behavioral strategies, and pacts with friends. Participants were college students (N =263; 55% women) between the ages of 18 and 21 who planned to go on a Spring Break trip with their friends. Effects were not significant in reducing alcohol use or sexual behavior during Spring Break or some of the proposed intervention mechanisms. However, consistent results showed that the intervention succeeded in reducing perceived social norms for Spring Break drinking and sexual behavior. Findings suggest that changing norms alone is not sufficient for changing risk behavior during this event and alternative strategies are needed to impact other putative mediators. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Therapeutic antibodies need to be highly resistant to aggregation due to the high concentrations required for subcutaneous delivery and the potential immunogenicity of antibody aggregates. Human antibody fragments—such as single-domain antibodies (VH or VL)—are typically much less soluble than full-length antibodies. Nevertheless, some aggregation-resistant VH domains have been discovered that are negatively charged at neutral pH and/or enriched in negatively charged residues within the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). To better understand how to engineer diverse domain antibodies to resist aggregation, we have investigated the solubilizing activity of positively and negatively charged mutations within hydrophobic CDRs of multiple VH scaffolds that differ in their net charge. We find that negatively charged mutations inserted near the edges of hydrophobic CDRs are more effective than positively charged ones at inhibiting aggregation for VH scaffolds that are negatively or near-neutrally charged. In contrast, positively charged CDR mutations prevent aggregation better than negatively charged ones for a VH scaffold that is highly positively charged. Our findings suggest that the net charge of the antibody scaffold is a key determinant of the optimal CDR mutations for preventing aggregation. We expect that our findings will improve the design of aggregation-resistant antibodies with single- and multidomain scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its nonionizing technique and exquisite soft tissue characterization, noncardiovascular, and nonmusculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest has been considered impractical due to various challenges such as respiratory motion, cardiac motion, vascular pulsatility, air susceptibility, and paucity of signal in the lung. With advances in MRI, it is now possible to perform diagnostically useful and good quality MRIs of the chest, but literature on subspecialized chest MRI practices is limited. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the rationale, nuances, and logistics that went into developing such a practice in the Division of Thoracic Radiology at our institution. The topics addressed include technical and clinical considerations, support at administrative and clinical levels, protocol development, and economic considerations compared with conventional practices. Various MRI techniques are also specifically discussed to facilitate chest MRI at other sites. Although chest MRI is used in a relatively small number of patients at this point, in certain patients, chest MRI can provide additional information to optimize medical management. A few clinical cases illustrate the quality and clinical utility of chest MRI. Given recent advances in MRI techniques, it is now an opportune time to develop a chest MRI practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to demonstrate the imaging features (ultrasound, mammogram, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) of AlloDerm® (LifeCell Corp.; Branchburg, NJ), an acellular dermal matrix sometimes used in both primary and reconstructive breast surgeries. AlloDerm® is derived from cadaveric dermis and provides an immunologically inert scaffold in tissue reconstruction. Since there is little literature on the imaging of this substance, radiologists may be unfamiliar with its appearance in breast imaging. For this manuscript, ex vivo and in vivo images of AlloDerm® in postmastectomy patients were evaluated using different imaging modalities. The appearance of AlloDerm® can vary based on length of time postsurgery and incorporation into the host. AlloDerm® appears as an isodense to glandular tissue on a mammogram and isoechoic to glandular tissue on ultrasound imaging. On MRI, in comparison with normal breast parenchyma, AlloDerm® is hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging and isointense on T1-weighted imaging and demonstrates mild enhancement. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first multimodality imaging description of AlloDerm® used in postmastectomy patients. The conformation of AlloDerm® at surgical placement and the degree of host cell migration and neoangiogenesis are factors to take into consideration when performing diagnostic evaluations; and, familiarity with the various imaging appearances of AlloDerm® can be helpful to exclude residual or recurrent disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Therapeutic antibodies possess highly variable propensities to aggregate. [•] Antibody CDRs, frameworks, and domain interfaces strongly influence solubility. [•] Computational methods are emerging for designing aggregation-resistant antibodies. [•] These predictive methods are yielding antibodies with high solubility and affinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether older women with diabetes mellitus have a greater longitudinal decline in physical performance than those without and whether any decline differs according to insulin sensitizer use. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and the Monongahela, Pennsylvania. Participants Community-dwelling women (mean age 78.5 ± 3.6) enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures in 1997-98 and restudied 4.9 ± 0.6 years later (N = 2,864). Measurements Women were categorized as having no diabetes mellitus (n = 2,680) or having diabetes mellitus (n = 184). A prescription medication inventory was used to determine use of insulin sensitizers (metformin and thiazolidinedione). The outcomes were longitudinal changes in physical performance measures, including grip strength, usual walk speed, and rapid walk speed. Results Estimates from fully adjusted models showed that women with diabetes mellitus had greater declines in usual walk speed (−0.16 m/s, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = −0.19 to −0.14) and rapid walk speed (−0.21 m/s, 95% CI = −0.24 to −0.17) than those without (usual walk speed −0.11 m/s, 95% CI = −0.12 to −0.11, P < .001; rapid walk speed −0.15 m/s, 95% CI = −0.16 to −0.14; P = .005). Women with diabetes mellitus taking insulin sensitizers had less decline in usual walk speed than those not taking insulin sensitizers ( P < .001). Declines in grip strength did not differ significantly by diabetes mellitus status or insulin sensitizer use. Conclusion Older women with diabetes mellitus have a greater decline in walk speed, but not grip strength, than older women without diabetes mellitus. Clinical studies in older adults to determine whether diabetes mellitus treatments such as insulin sensitizers can prevent loss in walk speed and mobility are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The field of creativity has largely focused on individual differences in divergent thinking abilities. Recently, contemporary creativity researchers have shown that intelligence and executive functions play an important role in divergent thought, opening new lines of research to examine how higher-order cognitive mechanisms may uniquely contribute to creative thinking. The present study extends previous research on the intelligence and divergent thinking link by systematically examining the relationships among intelligence, working memory, and three fundamental creative processes: associative fluency, divergent thinking, and convergent thinking. Two hundred and sixty five participants were recruited to complete a battery of tasks that assessed a range of elementary to higher-order cognitive processes related to intelligence and creativity. Results provide evidence for an associative basis in two distinct creative processes: divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Findings also supported recent work suggesting that intelligence significantly influences creative thinking. Finally, working memory played a significant role in creative thinking processes. Recasting creativity as a construct consisting of distinct higher-order cognitive processes has important implications for future approaches to studying creativity within an individual differences framework. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Marijuana is the most frequently reported illicit substance used on college campuses. Despite the prevalence, few published intervention studies have focused specifically on addressing high-risk marijuana use on college campuses. The present study evaluated the efficacy of an in-person brief motivational enhancement intervention for reducing marijuana use and related consequences among frequently using college students. Method: Participants included 212 college students from 2 campuses who reported frequent marijuana use (i.e., using marijuana at least 5 times in the past month). Participants completed Web-based screening and baseline assessments and upon completion of the baseline survey were randomized to either an in-person brief intervention or an assessment control group. Follow-up assessments were completed approximately 3 and 6 months post-baseline. Marijuana use was measured by number of days used in the past 30 days, typical number of joints used in a typical week in the last 60 days, and marijuana-related consequences. Results: Results indicated significant intervention effects on number of joints smoked in a typical week and a trend toward fewer marijuana-related consequences compared with the control group at 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary data on short-term effects of a focused marijuana intervention for college students at reducing marijuana use during the academic quarter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper foregrounds the Turnerian experiences of pilgrims themselves, for whom pilgrimage is perhaps first and foremost the process of experiencing faith with their whole body and mind. At the Chinese Catholic pilgrimage site of Sheshan, located in western Shanghai, multiple meanings and possibilities are written onto the body of the pilgrim as it interacts with sacred materialities. In the process, the pilgrim materially orients themselves towards the transcendent other and to people and events throughout time. The boundary between subject and object is increasingly blurred in the pilgrim's imagination, and pilgrimage becomes a 'porous' mind-body experience for them. In the process, as pilgrims repeatedly physically enact doctrine and doctrinal texts in the course of pilgrimage—while simultaneously rooting them in their own personal lives—Sheshan is, through the concrete actions of worshippers layered up over time, continually being re-made as sacred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their article, Tsapas and colleagues reported a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to generate evidence for guiding the pharmacologic management of type 2 diabetes. The editorialists discuss the findings and suggest ways that future clinical trials can best inform individualized care for persons with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the interfacial reaction of Sn–3.5Ag and Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu solders jointed with electroless Ni(P) substrate was investigated. Thick Ni3P and Ni2SnP layers formed in the Sn–3.5Ag joints because of the formation of Ni–Sn compound. In contrast, with the Cu addition in the solder, the interfacial (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 suppressed the growth of P-rich layers. However, after multiple reflows, the phase transformation occurred in the Sn–Ag–Cu joints, indicating a potential risk for crack to propagate through the dual IMC structure. To evaluate the bonding strength of solder joint, the high speed impact test was utilized to find out the weakest position among these two joints. By the comparison of the bonding energy and the X-ray fracture surface mapping between these two joints, both thick P-rich layers and dual IMC structure deteriorate the metallurgical bonding of solder joint. Eventually, the elemental cross-interaction should be considered in the final board assembled solder joints. The continuous Cu migration from the Cu metallization of board side inhibited the phase transformation on the electroless Ni(P) substrate, which might ensure the superior reliability of Cu-bearing solder joint. The roles of Cu on the interfacial reaction and mechanical strength would be addressed in the Sn–Ag–Cu/Ni(P) joints. Finally, the detailed correlation between microstructure variation and fracture failure as well as the possible mechanism was investigated and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Many parents are reluctant to educate their Asian American adolescents on sexual health topics because sexuality is taboo in most Asian cultures. A survey was conducted with Chinese, Filipina, Korean, and Vietnamese college females ages 18-25 to assess sources of abstinence and birth control education and age of sexual debut. Parents were the least reported source of sex education for all four ethnic groups, with the majority of respondents reporting school as their source of sex education. Respondents who reported family as their source of abstinence education had a sexual debut of 6 months later than those who did not. Females who reported family as their source of birth control education began having sex more than 7 months later than those who reported other sources. Disaggregation of data by Asian ethnic groups and examining differences in delivery of sex education among ethnic groups may improve school curricula and sexual health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Textbooks play an important role in engineering education, influencing instructors' pedagogical approaches and providing much of the information students learn. Research has explored students' recollections of the roles that textbooks played in their educational experiences, but how students actually use textbooks remains largely unexplored. Purpose This phenomenological study describes engineering students' textbook use during problem-solving activities. This study directly examined how students employed a textbook in order to generate detailed descriptions of students' behaviors, approaches, and reflections regarding their actual problem-solving experiences. Method Ten senior materials engineering students (8 males and 2 females) were asked to think aloud while solving engineering problems. Follow-up retrospective interviews regarding the think aloud session were conducted to gain in-depth information on students' textbook use during the problem-solving activities. Results Students used the textbook primarily to find information related to problem constraints that were explicitly stated in the problem. Furthermore, textbook example problems exerted a strong influence on students' problem-solving processes. Students also reported limitations of the textbook, contrasting it to the diversity of resources available via the Internet. Conclusions This study provides insight into students' textbook use during engineering problem-solving activities. Students' limited application of the textbook during problem solving suggests that textbooks may not be serving their intended purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The clinical and economic burden of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is significant. Recurrent CDI management has emerged as a major challenge with suboptimal response to standard therapy. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used as a treatment to reconstitute the normal microbial homeostasis and break the cycle of antibiotic agents that may further disrupt the microbiome. Given the lack of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and limitations in previous systematic reviews, we aimed to conduct a systematic review with robust methods to determine the efficacy and safety profile of FMT in CDI.METHODS: An electronic search was conducted using MEDLINE (1946-March 2012), EMBASE (1974-March 2012) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2012). The search strategy was not limited by language. Abstract data were excluded and only completed studies that underwent the full, rigorous peer-review process were included. Studies that used FMT via any delivery modality for laboratory or endoscopically proven CDI with clinical resolution as primary outcome were included. A sample size of 10 or more patients was a further criterion. Elements of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination checklist and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence quality assessment for case series checklist were employed to determine study quality. Eligibility assessment and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers. Both unweighted pooled resolution rates (UPR) and weighted pooled resolution rates (WPR) were calculated with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall studies, as well as predefined subgroups.RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total of 273 CDI patients treated with FMT were identified; no RCTs were found as none have been published. Two-hundred and forty-five out of 273 patients experienced clinical resolution (UPR 89.7%; WPR 89.1% (95% CI 84 to 93%)). There was no statistically significant heterogeneity between studies (Cochran Q test P=0.13, I2=33.7%). A priori subgroup analysis suggested that lower gastrointestinal FMT delivery (UPR 91.4%; WPR 91.2% (95% CI 86 to 95%)) led to a trend towards higher clinical resolution rates than the upper gastrointestinal route (UPR 82.3%; WPR 80.6% (95% CI 69-90%)) (proportion difference of WPR was 10.6% (95% CI −0.6 to 22%)). No difference in clinical outcomes was detected between anonymous vs. patient selected donors. There were no reported adverse events associated with FMT and follow-up was variable from weeks to years.CONCLUSIONS: FMT holds considerable promise as a therapy for recurrent CDI but well-designed, RCTs and long-term follow-up registries are still required. These are needed to identify the right patient, efficacy and safety profile of FMT before this approach can be widely advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hen harrier ( Circus cyaneus) is a bird of prey that is persecuted in the United Kingdom, and there is a need for a DNA-based individual identification and sexing system for the use in forensic investigations. This study reports a new set of PCR primers for the chromo-helicase- DNA-binding protein 1 gene, which allows sexing using PCR- RFLP. Instead of exonic primers that amplify across a large intron, this set consists of a primer within the intron, enabling reduction in amplicon sizes from 356 to 212 bp and 565 to 219 bp in W and Z chromosomes. DNA degradation and dilution experiments demonstrate that this set is significantly more robust than one that amplifies across the intron, and sequencing of the intronic primer-binding region across several individuals shows that it is highly conserved. While our objective is to incorporate this primer set into an STR-based individualization kit, it may in the meantime prove useful in forensic or conservation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While research has documented heavy drinking practices and associated negative consequences of college students turning 21, few studies have examined prevention efforts aimed at reducing high-risk drinking during 21st birthday celebrations. The present study evaluated the comparative efficacy of a general prevention effort (i.e., Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students, or BASICS) and event-specific prevention in reducing 21st birthday drinking and related negative consequences. Furthermore, this study evaluated inclusion of peers in interventions and mode of intervention delivery (i.e., in-person vs. via the Web). Method: Participants included 599 college students (46% male): men who intended to consume at least 5 drinks and women who intended to consume at least 4 drinks on their 21st birthday. After completing a screening/baseline assessment approximately 1 week before turning 21, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 conditions: 21st birthday in-person BASICS, 21st birthday web BASICS, 21st birthday in-person BASICS plus friend intervention, 21st birthday web BASICS plus friend intervention, BASICS, or an attention control. A follow-up assessment was completed approximately 1 week after students' birthdays. Results: Results indicated a significant intervention effect for BASICS in reducing blood alcohol content reached and number of negative consequences experienced. All 3 in-person interventions reduced negative consequences experienced. Results for the web-based interventions varied by drinking outcome and whether a friend was included. Conclusions: Overall, results provide support for both general intervention and ESP approaches across modalities for reducing extreme drinking and negative consequences associated with turning 21. These results suggest there are several promising options for campuses seeking to reduce both use and negative consequences associated with 21st birthday celebrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]