Psychometric Properties of the Norwegian Short Version of the Team Climate Inventory (TCI)

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the short version of the Team Climate Inventory (TCI) in a Norwegian sample. Method: A multilevel confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA) was conducted using Mplus. The sample (N = 1380) comprised employees working in the private- (n = 657) and in the public sector (n = 723) in Norway. A multi-group comparison was conducted to examine if the structure of the TCI fits across groups. Results: The fit indices with the original four-factor structure on the within- and between level revealed acceptable results for the total sample (TLI .91, CFI .93, and RMSEA .042). The multi-group analysis did result in significant change to model fit when the factor loadings and intercepts on the between level were fixed across groups, ∆χ2 (25) = 182.58. The individual- and group-level reliability estimates for the total scale of the TCI were satisfying, but not acceptable for two (Participative safety and Support for innovation) of the four scales. Conclusion: The results of the MCFA indicated that the short version of the TCI may be used for assessing team climate for organizations and for research purposes, but some caution should be taken when interpreting results from two sub-scales with marginal reliability

Novel Models of Streptococcus canis Colonization and Disease Reveal Modest Contributions of M-Like (SCM) Protein

Streptococcus canis is a common colonizing bacterium of the urogenital tract of cats and dogs that can also cause invasive disease in these animal populations and in humans. Although the virulence mechanisms of S. canis are not well-characterized, an M-like protein, SCM, has recently identified been as a potential virulence factor. SCM is a surface-associated protein that binds to host plasminogen and IgGs suggesting its possible importance in host-pathogen interactions. In this study, we developed in vitro and ex vivo blood component models and murine models of S. canis vaginal colonization, systemic infection, and dermal infection to compare the virulence potential of the zoonotic S. canis vaginal isolate G361 and its isogenic SCM-deficient mutant (G361∆scm). We found that while S. canis establishes vaginal colonization and causes invasive disease in vivo, the contribution of the SCM protein to virulence phenotypes in these models is modest. We conclude that SCM is dispensable for invasive disease in murine models and for resistance to human blood components ex vivo, but may contribute to mucosal persistence, highlighting a potential contribution to the recently appreciated genetic diversity of SCM across strains and hosts

Augmentation of Urinary Lactoferrin Enhances Host Innate Immune Clearance of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a prominent global health care burden. Although UTI is readily treated with antibiotics in healthy adults, complicated cases in immune-compromised individuals and the emerging antibiotic resistance of several uropathogens have accelerated the need for new treatment strategies. Here, we surveyed the composition of urinary exosomes in a mouse model of uropathgenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) UTI to identify specific urinary tract defense constituents for therapeutic development. We found an enrichment of the iron-binding glycoprotein lactoferrin in the urinary exosomes of infected mice. In subsequent in vitro studies, we identified human bladder epithelial cells as a source of lactoferrin during UPEC infection. We further established that exogenous treatment with human lactoferrin (hLf) reduces UPEC epithelial adherence and enhances neutrophil antimicrobial functions including bacterial killing and extracellular trap production. Notably, a single intravesicular dose of hLf drastically reduced bladder bacterial burden and neutrophil infiltration in our murine UTI model. We propose that lactoferrin is an important modulator of innate immune responses in the urinary tract and has potential application in novel therapeutic design for UTI

Inside the clockwork of the ECHO factorial trial: A conceptual model with proposed mediators for prevention of emotional problems in children

Having interventions that are not only evidence-based and effective but also cost-effective and efficient is important for the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent emotional problems. A randomized clinical trial (RCT) tests the totalinterventions effect but does not address specific components of the intervention. In this article the hypothesis and a conceptual model of the ECHO study are presented and discussed. The ECHO intervention consists of three different components each containing two levels of intervention. By using a cluster randomized factorial design, children aged 8–12 at 40 schools across Norway will be randomized to eight different experimental conditions investigating the optimal balance between effect, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. The article presents the design and the different components being tested and discusses how optimalization can be reached through this innovative design. The article also discusses how interventions can be improved by investigating and understanding the mechanisms of change within psychological interventions. For each of the three components in the study we consider the mediators that could be active within the intervention and how the study investigates such mediation. The results will contribute to a better understanding of how psychological interventions work and how we intend to optimize the EMOTION intervention

Optimizing indicated cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent child anxiety and depression: A cluster-randomized factorial trial

Identifying effective components can lead to interventions that are less resource-intensive and better suited for real-world needs. In this 2×2×2 cluster-randomized factorial trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04263558), we investigated the effects of three components of an indicated, transdiagnostic CBT intervention for children: 1) Intervention Delivery Format (child group format versus a blended format with group sessions and automated web-based sessions), 2) Parental Involvement in the intervention (group-based versus psychoeducational brochure), and 3) a Measurement Feedback System (MFS; on versus off). The intervention was delivered at schools in a group-based format. The participants (N = 701 children) were school children (age 8–12 years) with elevated symptoms of anxiety or depression, and their parents. The main outcomes were self-reported (N = 633) and parent-reported (N = 725) symptoms of child anxiety and depression post-intervention. The secondary outcome was children's user satisfaction with the intervention. We did not find significant main or interaction effects of Delivery Format, Parental Involvement, or MFS on children's symptom levels. There were no significant effects on children's user satisfaction. Results were compatible with retaining the least resource intensive combination (i.e., blended format, parental brochure, no MFS) in an optimized intervention.Optimizing indicated cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent child anxiety and depression: A cluster-randomized factorial trialpublishedVersio

Study Protocol of a factorial trial ECHO: Optimizing a group-based school intervention for children with emotional problems

Background - Youth mental health problems are a major public health concern. Anxiety and depression are among the most common psychological difficulties. The aim of this study is to evaluate an optimized version of a promising indicated group intervention for emotional problems. The program (EMOTION Coping Kids Managing Anxiety and Depression) targets school children 8–12 years with anxious and depressive symptoms and examines three factors. Factor 1 compares the standard EMOTION intervention delivered in 16 group-based sessions (Group), versus a partially-digital EMOTION intervention (DIGGI) delivered as eight group sessions and eight digital sessions. Both versions use virtual reality technology (VR) to improve behavioral experiments. Factor 2 compares parent participation in a 5-session parent group (high involvement) versus sharing information with parents via a brochure (low involvement). Factor 3 compares the use of a measurement and feedback system (MFS) designed to help group leaders tailor the intervention using feedback from children with no MFS. Methods - Using a cluster-randomized factorial design, 40 schools across Norway will be randomized to eight different experimental conditions based on three, two-level factors. To assess internalizing symptoms in children, children and their parents will be given self-report questionnaires pre-, post-, and one year after intervention. Parents also report on demographics, user satisfaction, personal symptoms and perception of family related factors. Teachers report on child symptoms and school functioning. Group leaders and the head of the municipal services report on implementation issues. The primary outcomes are changes in depressive and anxious symptoms. Some secondary outcomes are changes in self-esteem, quality of life, and user satisfaction. Questions regarding the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are included. Treatment fidelity is based on checklists from group leaders, and on user data from the participating children. Discussion - This study is a collaboration between three regional centers for child and adolescent mental health in Norway. It will provide knowledge about: (1) the effect of school-based preventive interventions on anxiety and depression in children; (2) the effect of feedback informed health systems, (3) the effect and cost of digital health interventions for children, and (4) the effect of parental involvement

Inside the Clockwork of the ECHO Factorial Trial: A Conceptual Model With Proposed Mediators for Prevention of Emotional Problems in Children

Having interventions that are not only evidence-based and effective but also cost-effective and efficient is important for the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent emotional problems. A randomized clinical trial (RCT) tests the total interventions effect but does not address specific components of the intervention. In this article the hypothesis and a conceptual model of the ECHO study are presented and discussed. The ECHO intervention consists of three different components each containing two levels of intervention. By using a cluster randomized factorial design, children aged 8–12 at 40 schools across Norway will be randomized to eight different experimental conditions investigating the optimal balance between effect, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. The article presents the design and the different components being tested and discusses how optimalization can be reached through this innovative design. The article also discusses how interventions can be improved by investigating and understanding the mechanisms of change within psychological interventions. For each of the three components in the study we consider the mediators that could be active within the intervention and how the study investigates such mediation. The results will contribute to a better understanding of how psychological interventions work and how we intend to optimize the EMOTION intervention

Search for exotic resonances decaying into WZ/ZZ in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Journal of High Energy Physics 2013.2 (2013): 036 reproduced by permission of Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA)Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAMA search for new exotic particles decaying to the VZ final state is performed, where V is either a W or a Z boson decaying into two overlapping jets and the Z decays into a pair of electrons, muons or neutrinos. The analysis uses a data sample of pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at √s=7 TeV in 2011. No significant excess is observed in the mass distribution of the VZ candidates compared with the background expectation from standard model processes. Model-dependent upper limits at the 95% confidence level are set on the product of the cross section times the branching fraction of hypothetical particles decaying to the VZ final state as a function of mass. Sequential standard model W′ bosons with masses between 700 and 940 GeV are excluded. In the Randall-Sundrum model for graviton resonances with a coupling parameter of 0.05, masses between 750 and 880 GeV are also exclude