Sport as a vehicle for health promotion: a shared value example of corporate social responsibility

Professional sport organizations are increasingly encouraging physical and mental wellness by developing and deploying health promotion activities via socially responsible programming and messaging. However, delivery, deployment, and scope issues, all of which limit observable and sustainable impacts on health promotion and behavior, encumber many socially responsible programs. The authors frame the study using a shared value perspective to demonstrate that sport managers can effectively promote health when the professional sport organization is concurrently attempting to deliver social and business value. To illustrate this approach, the authors used a health-related intervention program funded and delivered by a professional sport league as the research context. The authors undertook a mixed-method, quasi-experimental study to determine the potential to achieve social value (e.g., physical health and mental wellness) and business value (e.g., team, league, and sport affinity, and patronage). The results show that the business-centric effects were stronger among a group of youth beneficiaries than they were among some health- and wellness-centric variables. The authors discuss the significant effects through a shared value lens and posit several areas for future research

Does It Work for Everyone? The Influence of Demographic Variables on Statistical Reliability.

Recent developments have highlighted the importance of tailored health education efforts. However, little research has explored differential functioning of survey items for diverse populations. This work explores differences in statistical reliability for multiple scales across demographic groups. Understanding such differences is important in health research, given the rapid shifts occurring in global demographics. Study data were collected from eight years of the National College Health Assessment (n = 885,084), a large-scale annual survey of U.S. university students. Meta-analytic reliability generalization was used to compare reliability of two scale measures for multiple demographic groups. In nearly all cases, there were statistically significant differences in reliability across demographic groups. Researchers should consider relative functioning of any scale employed in their work. For certain demographic groups, various scales may not be sufficiently reliable. However, this may be obfuscated in larger samples, containing large numbers of individuals for whom the scale is sufficiently reliable. We suggest a thorough subsets analysis of data to ensure uniform functioning of items prior to use. Just as health interventions should be tailored to populations of interest, so too must research methods and tools

Should We Be Confident in Published Research? A Case Study of Confidence Interval Reporting in Health Education and Behavior Research

Confidence intervals (CIs) have been highlighted as “the best” reporting device when reporting statistical findings. However, researchers often fail to maximize the utility of CIs in research. We seek to (a) present a primer on CIs; (b) outline reporting practices of health researchers; and (c) discuss implications for statistical best practice reporting in social science research. Approximately 1,950 peer-reviewed articles were examined from six health education, promotion, and behavior journals. We recorded: (a) whether the author(s) reported a CI; (b) whether the author(s) reported a CI estimate width, either numerical or visual; and (c) whether an associated effect size was reported alongside the CI. Of the 1,245 quantitative articles in the final sample, 46.5% (n = 580) reported confidence interval use; , and 518 provided numerical/visual interval estimates. Of the articles reporting CIs, 383 (64.2%) articles reported a CI with an associated effect size, meeting the American Psychological Association’s (APA) recommendation for statistical reporting best-practice. Health education literature demonstrates inconsistent statistical reporting practices, and falls short in employing best practices and consistently outlining the minimum expectations recommended by APA. In an effort to maximize utility and implications of health education, promotion, and behavior research, future investigations should provide comprehensive information regarding research findings

The Future of Health Behavior Research and Training: A Modified Delphi Study

The purpose of the current study is to assess (1) health behavior researchers’ opinions on significant new foci emerging over the next 20 years, (2) disciplines that can serve as important partners, and (3) adjustments needed for doctoral training programs to prepare researchers for emerging trends. A two-wave modified Delphi procedure was employed to assess opinions and perspectives of current health behaviors researchers. Participants were recruited through email invitations sent to the membership listserv of the American Academy of Health Behavior. In Wave I, respondents generated up to three ideas for each of four prompts: (1) the biggest game changers in health behavior research, (2) the disciplines most important to partner with, and (3) what should be added or (4) removed from doctoral training programs. In Wave II, participants rated the importance of each of the responses generated in the first wave. 39 and 48 people completed Waves I and II, respectively. Wave I yielded 46 respondent-generated items for the new foci, and 28 different partner disciplines. Respondents identified 47 topics not currently covered in health behavior Ph.D. programs, and 8 topics that should be removed from current Ph.D. programs. Seven new foci were endorsed by 80% or more of the respondents, including studying cultures of illness and health, as well as better operationalization of social-ecological models. Seven disciplines were seen as essential partners by at least two-thirds of the respondents, including public health, biostatistics, and public policy. Five additions to doctoral programs were endorsed by 80% or more of the respondents, including stronger research skills, advanced statistical methods, writing, and evaluation. Years since earning a doctoral degree was negatively correlated with a number of suggested new foci, disciplines to partner with, and areas that should be added to health behavior Ph.D. programs. There was a high level of consensus about potential new foci in the field, focusing on population health, stronger scientific techniques, and more research training. There was less consensus on related disciplines’ potential, based on the respondents’ type of work and field. Overall, results have potential to shape doctoral training and preparation of future health behavior researchers

Hybrid cascaded modular multilevel converter with DC fault ride-through capability for HVDC transmission system

A new hybrid cascaded modular multilevel converter for high-voltage dc (HVDC) transmission system is presented. The half-bridge (HB) cells are used on the main power stage and the cascade full-bridge (FB) cells are connected to its ac terminals. The main power stage generates the fundamental voltages with quite low switching frequency, resulting relatively low losses. The cascaded FB cells only attenuate the harmonics generated by the main power stage, without contribution to the power transfer. Thus, the energy storage requirement of the cascaded FB cells is low and the capacitance of FB cells is reduced significantly. Due to the dc fault reverse blocking capability of the cascaded FB cells, the proposed topology can ride-through the pole-to-pole dc fault. In addition the soft restart is achieved after the fault eliminates, without exposing the system to significant inrush current. Besides, the average-value model of the proposed topology is derived, based on which the control strategy is presented. The results show the feasibility of the proposed converter

MCViNE -- An object oriented Monte Carlo neutron ray tracing simulation package

MCViNE (Monte-Carlo VIrtual Neutron Experiment) is a versatile Monte Carlo (MC) neutron ray-tracing program that provides researchers with tools for performing computer modeling and simulations that mirror real neutron scattering experiments. By adopting modern software engineering practices such as using composite and visitor design patterns for representing and accessing neutron scatterers, and using recursive algorithms for multiple scattering, MCViNE is flexible enough to handle sophisticated neutron scattering problems including, for example, neutron detection by complex detector systems, and single and multiple scattering events in a variety of samples and sample environments. In addition, MCViNE can take advantage of simulation components in linear-chain-based MC ray tracing packages widely used in instrument design and optimization, as well as NumPy-based components that make prototypes useful and easy to develop. These developments have enabled us to carry out detailed simulations of neutron scattering experiments with non-trivial samples in time-of-flight inelastic instruments at the Spallation Neutron Source. Examples of such simulations for powder and single-crystal samples with various scattering kernels, including kernels for phonon and magnon scattering, are presented. With simulations that closely reproduce experimental results, scattering mechanisms can be turned on and off to determine how they contribute to the measured scattering intensities, improving our understanding of the underlying physics.Comment: 34 pages, 14 figure

Seroprevalence of Zika virus in wild African green monkeys and baboons

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV) has recently spread through the Americas and has been associated with a range of health effects, including birth defects in children born to women infected during pregnancy. Although the natural reservoir of ZIKV remains poorly defined, the virus was first identified in a captive “sentinel” macaque monkey in Africa in 1947. However, the virus has not been reported in humans or nonhuman primates (NHPs) in Africa outside Gabon in over a decade. Here, we examine ZIKV infection in 239 wild baboons and African green monkeys from South Africa, the Gambia, Tanzania, and Zambia using combinations of unbiased deep sequencing, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR), and an antibody capture assay that we optimized using serum collected from captive macaque monkeys exposed to ZIKV, dengue virus, and yellow fever virus. While we did not find evidence of active ZIKV infection in wild NHPs in Africa, we found variable ZIKV seropositivity of up to 16% in some of the NHP populations sampled. We anticipate that these results and the methodology described within will help in continued efforts to determine the prevalence, natural reservoir, and transmission dynamics of ZIKV in Africa and elsewhere. IMPORTANCE Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus originally discovered in a captive monkey living in the Zika Forest of Uganda, Africa, in 1947. Recently, an outbreak in South America has shown that ZIKV infection can cause myriad health effects, including birth defects in the children of women infected during pregnancy. Here, we sought to investigate ZIKV infection in wild African primates to better understand its emergence and spread, looking for evidence of active or prior infection. Our results suggest that up to 16% of some populations of nonhuman primate were, at some point, exposed to ZIKV. We anticipate that this study will be useful for future studies that examine the spread of infections from wild animals to humans in general and those studying ZIKV in primates in particular. Podcast: A podcast concerning this article is available

Transcriptional and Chemical Changes in Soybean Leaves in Response to Long-Term Aphid Colonization

Soybean aphids (Aphis glycines Matsumura) are specialized insects that feed on soybean (Glycine max) phloem sap. Transcriptome analyses have shown that resistant soybean plants mount a fast response that limits aphid feeding and population growth. Conversely, defense responses in susceptible plants are slower and it is hypothesized that aphids block effective defenses in the compatible interaction. Unlike other pests, aphids can colonize plants for long periods of time; yet the effect on the plant transcriptome after long-term aphid feeding has not been analyzed for any plant–aphid interaction. We analyzed the susceptible and resistant (Rag1) transcriptome response to aphid feeding in soybean plants colonized by aphids (biotype 1) for 21 days. We found a reduced resistant response and a low level of aphid growth on Rag1 plants, while susceptible plants showed a strong response consistent with pattern-triggered immunity. GO-term analyses identified chitin regulation as one of the most overrepresented classes of genes, suggesting that chitin could be one of the hemipteran-associated molecular pattern that triggers this defense response. Transcriptome analyses also indicated the phenylpropanoid pathway, specifically isoflavonoid biosynthesis, was induced in susceptible plants in response to long-term aphid feeding. Metabolite analyses corroborated this finding. Aphid-treated susceptible plants accumulated daidzein, formononetin, and genistein, although glyceollins were present at low levels in these plants. Choice experiments indicated that daidzein may have a deterrent effect on aphid feeding. Mass spectrometry imaging showed these isoflavones accumulate likely in the mesophyll cells or epidermis and are absent from the vasculature, suggesting that isoflavones are part of a non-phloem defense response that can reduce aphid feeding. While it is likely that aphid can initially block defense responses in compatible interactions, it appears that susceptible soybean plants can eventually mount an effective defense in response to long-term soybean aphid colonization

Alcohol use and mental health conditions among Black college males: Do those attending postsecondary minority institutions fare better than those at primarily White institutions?

While there is a sizeable body of research examining the association between alcohol use and mental health conditions among college students, there are sparse investigations specifically focusing on these associations among Black college students. This is concerning given Black college students face different stressors compared with their non-Black peers. Black males appear especially at risk, exhibiting increased susceptibility to mental health issues and drinking in greater quantities and more frequently than Black females. This investigation examined the association between alcohol consumption and mental health conditions among Black men attending institutions of higher education in the United States and sought to determine differences between Black men attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs) compared with those attending postsecondary minority institutions. Final sample included 416 Black men, 323 of which attended a PWI. Data were from the National College Health Assessment. Black men attending a PWI reported significantly greater levels of alcohol consumption and significantly more mental health conditions. Attendance at a minority-serving institution was associated with fewer mental health conditions among Black men. Future studies should seek to replicate these findings and conduct culturally sensitive and gender-specific research examining why Black men at PWIs report greater alcohol consumption and more mental health conditions than their peers attending postsecondary minority institutions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163991/1/Barry et al_Alcohol Use and Mental Health.pdfDescription of Barry et al_Alcohol Use and Mental Health.pdf : Main articl