Evaluation of the performance of a lateral flow device for quantitative detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG

Introduction: The AbC-19™ lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) performance was evaluated on plasma samples from a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination cohort, WHO international standards for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (human), individuals ≥2 weeks from infection of RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants, as well as microorganism serology. Methods: Pre-vaccination to three weeks post-booster samples were collected from a cohort of 111 patients (including clinically extremely vulnerable patients) from Northern Ireland. All patients received Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination for the first and second dose, and Pfizer-BioNTech for the third (first booster). WHO international standards, 15 samples from 2 variants of concern (Delta and Omicron) and cross-reactivity with plasma samples from other microorganism infections were also assessed on AbC-19™. Results: All 80 (100%) participants sampled post-booster had high positive IgG responses, compared to 38/95 (40%) participants at 6 months post-first vaccination. WHO standard results correlated with information from corresponding biological data sheets, and antibodies to all genetic variants were detected by LFIA. No cross-reactivity was found with exception of one (of five) Dengue virus samples. Conclusion: These findings suggest BNT162b2 booster vaccination enhanced humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 from pre-booster levels, and that this antibody response was detectable by the LFIA. In combination with cross-reactivity, standards and genetic variant results would suggest LFIA may be a cost-effective measure to assess SARS-CoV-2 antibody status

A Complete Set of In-plane Spin-transfer Coefficients for Small Angle pp Elastic Scattering at 200 MeV

This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478

A mixed-methods study of the health-related masculine values among young Canadian men

Masculinity frameworks in men’s health research have focused on masculine ideals and norms to describe men’s health practices. However, little attention has been paid to inductively deriving insights about what constitutes health-related masculine values among young men. A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, comprising a qualitative lead to derive health-related masculine values with a follow-up quantitative arm to test the items, was used. Drawing on a sample of 15–29-year-old Canadian male interview participants (n = 30) and survey respondents (n = 600), 5 health-related masculine values were highlighted: (a) selflessness, (b) openness, (c) well-being, (d) strength, and (e) autonomy. Selflessness was characterized by caring for and helping others. Openness included the willingness to gain exposure from new experiences, ideas, and people. Well-being was linked to fitness and masculine body ideals and aesthetics. In terms of strength, men endorsed intellectual, emotional, and physical strength. Regarding autonomy, there was consensus men should be self-sufficient and decisive, whereas being independent drew less endorsement. Highlighting the interdependency of these domains, exploratory factor analysis yielded 2 overarching reliable quantitative dimensions characterized by domains of being inclusive (openness and selflessness; α = .88) and empowered (well-being and autonomy; α = .85). Some inductively derived and pilot-tested values ran counter to long-standing claims that young men are typically hedonistic, hypercompetitive, and estranged from self-health. Study findings are discussed detailing how the evaluation of specific health-related masculine values in subgroups of men might advance masculinities-focused men’s health research and inform the next generation of targeted gender-sensitized services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved

Pairing symmetry of superconducting graphene

The possibility of intrinsic superconductivity in alkali-coated graphene monolayers has been recently suggested theoretically. Here, we derive the possible pairing symmetries of a carbon honeycomb lattice and discuss their phase diagram. We also evaluate the superconducting local density of states (LDOS) around an isolated impurity. This is directly related to scanning tunneling microscopy experiments, and may evidence the occurrence of unconventional superconductivity in graphene.Comment: Eur. Phys. J. B, to appea

Comparison of methods for determining leaf area in tree rows

Accepted versio

A Review of Controlling Motivational Strategies from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Implications for Sports Coaches

The aim of this paper is to present a preliminary taxonomy of six controlling strategies, primarily based on the parental and educational literatures, which we believe are employed by coaches in sport contexts. Research in the sport and physical education literature has primarily focused on coaches’ autonomysupportive behaviours. Surprisingly, there has been very little research on the use of controlling strategies. A brief overview of the research which delineates each proposed strategy is presented, as are examples of the potential manifestation of the behaviours associated with each strategy in the context of sports coaching. In line with self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985; Ryan & Deci, 2002), we propose that coach behaviours employed to pressure or control athletes have the potential to thwart athletes’ feelings of autonomy, competence,and relatedness, which, in turn, undermine athletes’ self-determined motivation and contribute to the development of controlled motives. When athletes feel pressured to behave in a certain way, a variety of negative consequences are expected to ensue which are to the detriment of the athletes’ well-being. The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness and interest in the darker side of sport participation and to offer suggestions for future research in this area

Homocysteine in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

OBJECTIVES - To compare serum concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) in dogs fitting the criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and healthy dogs, and compare these values to commonly measured B-vitamins. METHODS – Study dogs were classified into noninfectious SIRS or sepsis groups and blood was drawn on Day 1 of the patient’s hospitalization for the measurement of Hcy, folate and cobalamin concentrations. Hcy was measured in 51 clinically normal dogs to serve as the control group. RESULTS - A statistically significant difference was found between the Hcy concentrations of the healthy group when compared to noninfectious SIRS and sepsis groups. Hcy values were not correlated with folate, cobalamin or APPLEfast severity scores. Hcy concentrations were significantly lower in sick dogs when compared to the control group, which is dissimilar to the human population. CLINICAL SIGNIFCANCE - The clinical significance of Hcy changes in critically ill dogs is currently unknown.http://aac.asm.orghb2014ab201

Comprehensive molecular characterization of urachal adenocarcinoma reveals commonalities with colorectal cancer, including a hypermutable phenotype

Purpose Urachal adenocarcinoma is a rare type of primary bladder adenocarcinoma that comprises less than 1% of all bladder cancers. The low incidence of urachal adenocarcinomas does not allow for an evidence-based approach to therapy. Transcriptome profiling of urachal adenocarcinomas has not been previously reported.Wehypothesized that an in-depth molecular understanding of urachal adenocarcinoma would uncover rational therapeutic strategies. Patients and Methods We performed targeted exon sequencing and global transcriptome profiling of 12 urachal tumors to generate a comprehensive molecular portrait of urachal adenocarcinoma. A single patient with an MSH6 mutation was treated with the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody, atezolizumab. Results Urachal adenocarcinoma closely resembles colorectal cancer at the level of RNA expression, which extends previous observations that urachal tumors harbor genomic alterations that are found in colorectal adenocarcinoma. A subset of tumors was found to have alterations in genes that are associated with microsatellite instability (MSH2 and MSH6) and hypermutation (POLE).Apatient with anMSH6mutation was treated withimmunecheckpoint blockade, which resulted in stable disease. Conclusion Because clinical trials are next to impossible for patients with rare tumors, precision oncology may be an important adjunct for treatment decisions. Our findings demonstrate that urachal adenocarcinomas molecularly resemble colorectal adenocarcinomas at the level ofRNA expression, are the first report, to our knowledge, of MSH2andMSH6mutations in this disease, and support the consideration of immune checkpoint blockade as a rational therapeutic treatment of this exceedingly rare tumor

Does It Really Work? Re-Assessing the Impact of Pre-Departure Cross-Cultural Training on Expatriate Adjustment

Cultural adjustment is considered to be a prerequisite for expatriate success abroad. One way to enhance adjustment is to provide employees with knowledge and awareness of appropriate norms and behaviors of the host country through cross-cultural training (CCT). This article analyzes the impact of pre-departure CCT on expatriate adjustment and focuses on variations in participation, length and the comprehensiveness of training. Unlike previous research, the study focuses on the effectiveness of pre-departure CCT for non-US employees expatriated to a broad range of host country settings. Employing data from 339 expatriates from 20 German Multinational Corporations (MNCs) the study finds CCT has little if any effect on general, interactional or work setting expatriate adjustment. However, a significant impact of foreign language competence was found for all three dimensions of expatriate adjustment. We used interviews with 20 expatriates to supplement our discussion and provide further implications for practice