bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finding your Soulmate: Homosexual and heterosexual age preferences in online dating
Authors: CONWAY JANE R. , NOË NYALA , STULP GERT , POLLET THOMAS V. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHeterosexual age preferences have been extensively studied by evolutionary psychologists, social psychologists, and demographers. Much less is known about such preferences in homosexual men and women. Around two decades ago, D. T. Kenrick, R. C. Keefe, A. Bryan, A. Barr, and S. Brown (1995) examined heterosexual and homosexual mating preferences for age in men and women. Our study aimed to replicate these findings by examining age preferences in a largerUKonline dating sample. Dating advertisements of 996 male and female heterosexuals and homosexuals were coded. Age preferences were assessed via generalized linear models with robust standard errors and bootstrapping. Results showed that the relation between own age and preferred age differed substantially between the groups. With increasing age, heterosexual men preferred younger partners. Older heterosexual men (> 50 years) exclusively sought (much) younger women than themselves, whereas younger heterosexual men sought both older and younger women. Male and female homosexuals followed this general trend of preferring increasingly younger mates with increasing age. However, they displayed a higher upper age tolerance and greater range of acceptable ages than both heterosexual men and women. Female heterosexuals' age preferences were distinct from the other groups, in that they displayed a male older norm with no substantial interest expressed in males younger than themselves. Our findings thus largely corroborate those of Kenrick et al. with some exceptions, such as a larger tolerance of age ranges in homosexual men and women compared to heterosexual men and women. Results are discussed with reference to the current literature on similarities and differences in heterosexual and homosexual mate preferences.
Assessment of positive and negative relationship adjustment in marriage
Authors: WHISMAN MARK A. , LI ANGELA 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate, in a probability sample of married individuals (N = 2,071), the psychometric properties of a measure of positive and negative relationship adjustment, based on perceived frequency of positive and negative partner exchanges or interactions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support the presence of two correlated factors, and multigroup confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence for configural and metric invariance for gender, racial/ethnic, and age groups. The measure demonstrated good convergent validity in its association with another measure of relationship adjustment. Results support the use of this brief and easily administered measure to assess positive and negative aspects of relationship adjustment, particularly in situations in which the correlates of relationship adjustment are to be compared across demographic groups.
Microstructural white matter changes mediate age‐related cognitive decline on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Authors: Jolly Todd A. D. , Cooper Patrick S. , Wan Ahmadul Badwi Syarifah Azizah , Phillips Natalie A. , Rennie Jaime L. , Levi Christopher R. , Drysdale Karen A. , Parsons Mark W. , Michie Patricia T. , Karayanidis Frini 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlthough the relationship between aging and cognitive decline is well established, there is substantial individual variability in the degree of cognitive decline in older adults. The present study investigates whether variability in cognitive performance in community‐dwelling older adults is related to the presence of whole brain or tract‐specific changes in white matter microstructure. Specifically, we examine whether age‐related decline in performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a cognitive screening tool, is mediated by the white matter microstructural decline. We also examine if this relationship is driven by the presence of cardiovascular risk factors or variability in cerebral arterial pulsatility, an index of cardiovascular risk. Sixty‐nine participants (aged 43–87) completed behavioral and MRI testing including T1 structural, T2‐weighted FLAIR, and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. Measures of white matter microstructure were calculated using diffusion tensor imaging analyses on the DWI sequence. Multiple linear regression revealed that MoCA scores were predicted by radial diffusivity (RaD) of white matter beyond age or other cerebral measures. While increasing age and arterial pulsatility were associated with increasing RaD, these factors did not mediate the relationship between total white matter RaD and MoCA. Further, the relationship between MoCA and RaD was specific to participants who reported at least one cardiovascular risk factor. These findings highlight the importance of cardiovascular risk factors in the presentation of cognitive decline in old age. Further work is needed to establish whether medical or lifestyle management of these risk factors can prevent or reverse cognitive decline in old age.
Predictors of prolonged stay in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia and complicated parapneumonic effusion
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Park Jong Sun , Cho Young‐Jae , Yoon Ho Il , Lee Jae Ho , Lee Choon‐Taek , Lim Hyo‐Jeong , Kim Deog Kyeom 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveDevelopment of CPE in CAP is associated with prolonged hospital stay and it may increase the morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify microbiological and clinical factors that predicate a prolonged hospital admission in patients treated with a tube thoracostomy to control CPE.MethodsThis retrospective cohort included patients with CPE requiring chest tube drainage in a tertiary referral Korean hospital from 1 January 2004 to 30 July 2012. After dichotomous grouping according to the mean duration of hospital stay, clinical, laboratory and microbiological parameters were compared.ResultsThe final analysis included 158 patients with CPE. The majority were male (130, 85.0%), and the mean age was 62.8 years. The mean duration of hospital stay was 17.7 (±10.2) days. The mean duration of chest tube drainage was 9.6 (±6.7) days. Streptococcus viridans (48.4%) was the most common pathogen. Intrapleural fibrinolysis was performed in 85 (53.8%); additional tube insertion was needed in 40 (25.3%) patients. In the multivariate analysis after adjusting for covariates, a prolonged hospital stay was associated with fever (aOR: 3.42, P = 0.02), lower PaO2 (aOR: 4.89, P = 0.007) and haemoglobin (aOR: 4.90, P = 0.003) levels, and an increased blood neutrophil fraction (aOR: 3.83, P = 0.01) on admission as well as the identification of microbes in CPE (aOR: 4.14, P = 0.03), and ineffective pleural drainage (aOR: 3.28, P = 0.03).ConclusionsThis study suggests that physicians should note the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings of severe infection and effectiveness of pleural drainage to predicate which patients with a CAP needing thoracostomy for CPE will have a prolonged hospital stay.
A Qualitative Investigation of Australian Youth Perceptions to Enhance School Physical Activity: The Environmental Perceptions Investigation of Children’s Physical Activity (EPIC-PA) Study
Authors: Hyndman Brendon 
Published: October 2015

Background:There is more demand than ever for schools to equip children with the necessary skills to be physically active. The purpose of the Environmental Perceptions Investigation of Children’s Physical Activity (EPIC-PA) study was to investigate elementary and secondary school children’s perceptions to enhance the school physical activity environment.Methods:Four Australian government schools (2 elementary and 2 secondary) were recruited for the EPIC-PA study. During the study, 78 children were recruited aged 10 to 13 years. The focus group discussions consisted of 54 children (32 elementary and 22 secondary) and the map drawing sessions included 24 children (17 elementary and 7 secondary).Results:The findings from the EPIC-PA study revealed insight into uniquely desired features to encourage physical activity such as adventure physical activity facilities (eg, rock climbing walls), recreational physical activity facilities (eg, jumping pillows), physical activity excursions, animal activity programs and teacher-directed activities. In addition to specific features, childrens revealed a host of policies for equipment borrowing, access to sports equipment/areas, music during physical activity time and external physical education lessons.Conclusions:Understanding the multiple suggestions from children of features to enhance physical activity can be used by schools and researchers to create environments conducive to physical activity participation.
Neighborhood Walkability and Walking for Transport Among South Asians in the MASALA Study
Authors: Kelley Elizabeth A. , Kandula Namratha R. , Kanaya Alka M. , Yen Irene H. 
Published: October 2015

Background:The neighborhood built environment can have a strong influence on physical activity levels, particularly walking for transport. In examining racial/ethnic differences in physical activity, one important and understudied group is South Asians. This study aims to describe the association between neighborhood walkability and walking for transport among South Asian men and women in the United States in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 using the baseline dataset of the MASALA study (N = 906). Mean age was 55 years old and 54% of the sample was male. Weekly minutes spent walking for transport was assessed using a questionnaire adapted from the Cross-Cultural Activity Participation Study. Neighborhood walkability was measured using Walk Score, a composite index of walkability.Results:After adjusting for covariates, with each 10-point increase in Walk Score, South Asian American men engaged in 13 additional minutes per week of walking for transport (P = .008). No association was observed between walkability and walking for transport in South Asian American women.Conclusions:Results provide new evidence for how the effects of environmental influences on walking for transport may vary between South Asian men and women.
Process Evaluation Results From an Intergenerational Physical Activity Intervention for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Authors: Young Tiffany , Sharpe Chantelle 
Published: October 2015

Background:Grandparents and the grandchildren they raise may experience stress related to their caregiving relationship that negatively impacts their health. Thus, there is a need to develop intergenerational health promotion interventions for these kinship families.Methods:An 8-week intergenerational physical activity intervention for kinship families was developed and implemented. The specific goal was to understand the process of implementing the intervention. Content analysis of observational data provided an in-depth account of the intervention’s process (ie, recruitment, dose delivered, dose received, fidelity, and context).Results:Community and support service organizations referred more participants to the study than individual stakeholders. Most participants attended approximately 10 classes, and the grandparents were more engaged than the grandchildren during the classes. Intervention fidelity was confirmed with the fidelity checklist and observational notes. Health emerged as a barrier to participation, while the intergenerational nature of the intervention was a facilitator. Lastly, the context domain described how the grandparents’ complex lives affected their ability to participate, while the dedication of the recreation staff helped the intervention to proceed efficiently.Conclusion:The distinct details gleaned from this study can provide guidance on how to develop and implement future intergenerational interventions.
Effect of the SPARK Program on Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Endurance, and Motivation in Middle-School Students
Authors: Fu You , Gao Zan , Hannon James C. , Burns Ryan D. , Brusseau Timothy A. 
Published: October 2015

Background:This study aimed to examine the effect of a 9-week SPARK program on physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory endurance (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run; PACER), and motivation in middle-school students.Methods:174 students attended baseline and posttests and change scores computed for each outcome. A MANOVA was employed to examine change score differences using follow-up ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.Results:MANOVA yielded a significant interaction for Grade × Gender × Group (Wilks’s Λ = 0.89, P < .001). ANOVA for PA revealed significant differences between SPARK grades 6 and 7 (Mean Δ = 8.11, P < .01) and Traditional grades 6 and 8 (Mean Δ = –6.96, P < .01). ANOVA also revealed greater PACER change for Traditional boys in grade 8 (P < .01) and SPARK girls in grade 8 (P < .01). There were significant interactions with perceived competence differences between SPARK grades 6 and 8 (Mean Δ = 0.38, P < .05), Enjoyment differences between SPARK grades 6 and 7 (Mean Δ = 0.67, P < .001), and SPARK grades 6 and 8 (Mean Δ = 0.81, P < .001).Conclusions:Following the intervention, SPARK displayed greater increases on PA and motivation measures in younger students compared with the Traditional program.
Physical Activity and Exercise: Perspectives of Adults With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: O’Dwyer Tom , McGowan Emer , O’Shea Finbar , Wilson Fiona 
Published: October 2015

Background:Exercise is a key component of the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Despite numerous benefits, compliance with exercise programs is low. Little attention has been accorded to the experiences of individuals with AS toward physical activity (PA). This study aimed to explore the attitudes toward PA and exercise of adults with AS.Methods:A qualitative descriptive design using thematic analysis was used. Seventeen adults with AS participated in individual, semistructured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed for themes and subthemes.Results:Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) benefits, (2) barriers, (3) motivation, and (4) strategies and enablers. Benefits included amelioration of symptoms, improvements in general health, and enhancement of quality of life. Subthemes of barriers to PA included lack of resources, negative attitudes to exercise, misinformation, and condition-related factors. Motivation to exercise was influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Participants proposed strategies to enhance PA participation and exercise engagement.Conclusions:Awareness of the benefits of PA appears insufficient to motivate individuals with AS to exercise; a number of factors influence individual motivation to exercise. Many perceived barriers to PA may be considered modifiable. Individually-tailored interventions, collaboratively developed by the individual and the healthcare professionals, were proposed as strategies for effective PA and exercise prescription.
Peer effects on worker output in the laboratory generalize to the field
Authors: Herbst Daniel , Mas Alexandre 
Published: October 2015

Comparing lab and field estimates
What do Swiss high-school students and Eastern European seasonal laborers have in common? When the former are tasked with stuffing questionnaires into envelopes in a classroom setting and the latter are employed to pick fruit in the United Kingdom, both work harder in the presence of their peers. Herbst and Mas reanalyzed the results of 35 such studies, either experiments carried out under controlled conditions or empirical studies based on data collected in the field (see the Perspective by Charness and Fehr). Encouragingly, they found that the magnitude of the spillover effect—how much harder a worker works when other workers are alongside—was the same.

Science
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545
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512
A Structure-Based Classification of Class A β-Lactamases, a Broadly Diverse Family of Enzymes
Authors: Philippon Alain , Slama Patrick , Dény Paul , Labia Roger 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARY
For medical biologists, sequencing has become a commonplace technique to support diagnosis. Rapid changes in this field have led to the generation of large amounts of data, which are not always correctly listed in databases. This is particularly true for data concerning class A β-lactamases, a group of key antibiotic resistance enzymes produced by bacteria. Many genomes have been reported to contain putative β-lactamase genes, which can be compared with representative types. We analyzed several hundred amino acid sequences of class A β-lactamase enzymes for phylogenic relationships, the presence of specific residues, and cluster patterns. A clear distinction was first made between dd-peptidases and class A enzymes based on a small number of residues (S70, K73, P107, 130SDN132, G144, E166, 234K/R, 235T/S, and 236G [Ambler numbering]). Other residues clearly separated two main branches, which we named subclasses A1 and A2. Various clusters were identified on the major branch (subclass A1) on the basis of signature residues associated with catalytic properties (e.g., limited-spectrum β-lactamases, extended-spectrum β-lactamases, and carbapenemases). For subclass A2 enzymes (e.g., CfxA, CIA-1, CME-1, PER-1, and VEB-1), 43 conserved residues were characterized, and several significant insertions were detected. This diversity in the amino acid sequences of β-lactamases must be taken into account to ensure that new enzymes are accurately identified. However, with the exception of PER types, this diversity is poorly represented in existing X-ray crystallographic data.
Display of Antigens on Polyester Inclusions Lowers the Antigen Concentration Required for a Bovine Tuberculosis Skin Test
Authors: Parlane Natalie A. , Chen Shuxiong , Jones Gareth J. , Vordermeier H. Martin , Wedlock D. Neil , Rehm Bernd H. A. , Buddle Bryce M. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe tuberculin skin test is the primary screening test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (TB), and use of this test has been very valuable in the control of this disease in many countries. However, the test lacks specificity when cattle have been exposed to environmental mycobacteria or vaccinated withMycobacterium bovisbacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Recent studies showed that the use of three or four recombinant mycobacterial proteins, including 6-kDa early secretory antigenic target (ESAT6), 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP10), Rv3615c, and Rv3020c, or a peptide cocktail derived from those proteins, in the skin test greatly enhanced test specificity, with minimal loss of test sensitivity. The proteins are present in members of the pathogenicMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex but are absent in or not expressed by the majority of environmental mycobacteria and the BCG vaccine strain. To produce a low-cost skin test reagent, the proteins were displayed at high density on polyester beads through translational fusion to a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase that mediates the formation of antigen-displaying inclusions in recombinantEscherichia coli. Display of the proteins on the polyester beads greatly increased their immunogenicity, allowing for the use of very low concentrations of proteins (0.1 to 3 μg of mycobacterial protein/inoculum) in the skin test. Polyester beads simultaneously displaying all four proteins were produced in a single fermentation process. The polyester beads displaying three or four mycobacterial proteins were shown to have high sensitivity for detection ofM. bovis-infected cattle and induced minimal responses in animals exposed to environmental mycobacteria or vaccinated with BCG.
Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Lymph Node Tuberculosis and Detection of Drug Resistance
Authors: Kirwan Daniela E. , Ugarte-Gil Cesar , Gilman Robert H. , Caviedes Luz , Rizvi Hasan , Ticona Eduardo , Chavez Gonzalo , Cabrera José Luis , Matos Eduardo D. , Evans Carlton A. , Moore David A. J. , Friedland Jon S. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT
In this study, 132 patients with lymphadenopathy were investigated. Fifty-two (39.4%) were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). The microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay provided rapid (13 days), accurate diagnosis (sensitivity, 65.4%) and reliable drug susceptibility testing (DST). Despite its lower sensitivity than that of other methods, its faster results and simultaneous DST are advantageous in resource-poor settings, supporting the incorporation of MODS into diagnostic algorithms for extrapulmonary TB.
Clinical Utility of Laboratory Detection of Clostridium difficile Strain BI/NAP1/027
Authors: Kociolek Larry K. , Gerding Dale N. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Clostridium difficile
strain BI/NAP1/027 is associated with increased
C. difficile
infection (CDI) rates and severity, and the efficacy of some CDI therapies may be strain dependent. Although cultured
C. difficile
isolates can be reliably subtyped by various methods, the long turnaround times, high cost, and limited availability of strain typing preclude their routine use. Nucleic acid amplification tests identify BI/NAP1/027 rapidly from stool, but the emergence of closely related strains compromises test specificity. Although detection of epidemiologically significant pathogens is generally useful for infection control programs, specific data supporting use of rapid detection of BI/NAP1/027 as an infection control tool are still awaited.
Direct Screening of Blood by PCR and Pyrosequencing for a 16S rRNA Gene Target from Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit Patients Being Evaluated for Bloodstream Infection
Authors: Moore M. S. , McCarroll M. G. , McCann C. D. , May L. , Younes N. , Jordan J. A. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Here we compared the results of PCR/pyrosequencing to those of culture for detecting bacteria directly from blood. DNA was extracted from 1,130 blood samples from 913 patients suspected of bacteremia (enrollment criteria were physician-ordered blood culture and complete blood count [CBC]), and 102 controls (healthy blood donors). Real-time PCR assays for beta-globin and Universal 16S rRNA gene targets were performed on all 1,232 extracts. Specimens identified by Universal 16S rRNA gene PCR/pyrosequencing as containing staphylococci, streptococci, or enteric Gram-negative rods had target-specific PCR/pyrosequencing performed. Amplifiable beta-globin (melting temperature [

T
m

], 87.2°C ± 0.2°C) occurred in 99.1% (1,120/1,130) of patient extracts and 100% (102/102) of controls. Concordance between PCR/pyrosequencing and culture was 96.9% (1,085/1,120) for Universal 16S rRNA gene targets, with positivity rates of 9.4% (105/1,120) and 11.3% (126/1,120), respectively. Bacteria cultured included staphylococci (59/126, 46.8%), Gram-negative rods (34/126, 27%), streptococci (32/126, 25.4%), and a Gram-positive rod (1/126, 0.8%). All controls screened negative by PCR/pyrosequencing. Clinical performance characteristics (95% confidence interval [CI]) for Universal 16S rRNA gene PCR/pyrosequencing included sensitivity of 77.8% (69.5 to 84.7), specificity of 99.3% (98.6 to 99.7), positive predictive value (PPV) of 93.3% (86.8 to 97.3), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 97.2% (96.0 to 98.2). Bacteria were accurately identified in 77.8% (98/126) of culture-confirmed sepsis samples with Universal 16S PCR/pyrosequencing and in 76.4% (96/126) with follow-up target-specific PCR/pyrosequencing. The initial PCR/pyrosequencing took ∼5.5 h to complete or ∼7.5 h when including target-specific PCR/pyrosequencing compared to 27.9 ± 13.6 h for Gram stain or 81.6 ± 24.0 h for phenotypic identification. In summary, this molecular approach detected the causative bacteria in over three-quarters of all culture-confirmed cases of bacteremia directly from blood in significantly less time than standard culture but cannot be used to rule out infection.