Physical comparision and social physique anxiety: gender differences

La importancia de trabajar la autoestima y el desarrollo de una imagen corporal positiva se vislumbra con gran interés desde edades tempranas, debido a las consecuencias desadaptativas derivadas. El objetivo primario de este estudio fue analizar las posibles diferencias entre géneros en cuanto a la comparación hacia la apariencia física y la ansiedad física. Un segundo objetivo pretendió analizar la relación predictiva de la comparación hacia la apariencia física (hacia arriba y hacia abajo) sobre la ansiedad físico social. Participaron 347 universitarios (188 hombres y 159 mujeres) con edades entre 18 y 24 años (Medad = 20.42; DTedad = 1.54). Los resultados derivados de la prueba t de estudiante mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas en comparación hacia arriba, comparación hacia abajo y ansiedad físico social a favor de la mujer. Los resultados emergidos del análisis de regresión lineal reflejaron que tanto la comparación hacia arriba como la comparación hacia abajo predijeron la ansiedad físico social, después de controlar el modelo por el género. Como conclusión, este estudio subraya que una excesivamente comparación hacia la apariencia física podría conducir a la ansiedad físico social tanto en hombres como en mujeres.The importance of working on self-esteem y the development of a positive body image is glimpsed with a great interest from an early age, due to the maladaptive consequences derived from them. The primary objective of this research was to analyze the possible difference among gender in appearance comparison y social physique anxiety. The secondary objective aimed to analyzing the predictive relationship of physical (upward y downward) appearance comparison on social physique anxiety. There were 347 university students (188 men y 159 women), aged between 18 y 24 (Mage = 20.42; SDage = 1.54). The results derived from the t-Student tests showed statistically significant difference in upward comparison, downward comparison y social physique anxiety in favor of women. The results emerged from the linear regression analysis reflected that both upward comparison y downward comparison predicted social physical anxiety positively y significantly, after controlling the model for gender. In its conclusion, this research underlines that an excessive body-image comparison may lead to social physique anxiety in men y women

Academic motivation in physical education teacher education

La regulación integrada se ha mostrado como la regulación motivacional con mayor poder predictivo sobre las conductas adaptativas en diferentes ámbitos de la vida, sin embargo, aún no ha sido estudiada en el contexto educativo. El objetivo de este estudio fue incorporar la medida de la regulación integrada a la Escala de Motivación Educativa y observar las propiedades psicométricas de este instrumento. Participaron en el estudio 333 universitarios del área de Educación Física de la Universidad Federal do Espirito Santo/ Brasil. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró índices de ajuste aceptables para el modelo de ocho factores correlacionados. Los resultados del análisis de regresión mostraron que la regulación integrada fue la variable que mejor predijo la intención de ser profesor. Este instrumento podría contribuir a una mayor comprensión de los procesos motivacionales involucrados en el ámbito de la formación inicial en Educación Física en BrasilIntegrated regulation has been showed as the motivational regulation with the highest predictive power on adaptive behaviours in different life domains; however, it has not been examined in the educational context yet. The purpose of this study was to incorporate the assessment of integrated regulation to the Academic Motivation Scale in the initial training of Physical Education teachers in Brazil and examine the psychometric properties of this instrument. There were 333 undergraduate participants from the bachelor degree of Physical Education, Federal University of Espirito Santo/ Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices for the eight-factor correlated structure. The results of the regression analysis showed that the variable integrated regulation was the strongest predictor of the intention to become a teacher. This new instrument may contribute to a deeper understanding of the motivational processes involved in the initial training of Physical Education teacherEsta investigación ha sido realizada gracias a la ayuda recibida por parte de la Fundación Carolin

Nuevos métodos de fabricación digital de paneles de GRC de forma libre

Free-form GRC panels are widely used in lightweight facade elements. Such panels can be manufactured through a variety of methods. Nevertheless, its advantages such as moldability, durability and lightness, are penalized by the high price of the corresponding molds, especially if there is not a sufficient repetition of units. New digital technologies enable innovative possibilities in the field of construction and manufacture of molds with complex geometries. In this paper, a series of manufacturing methods for free-form GRC panels are presented. Advantages and drawbacks of these methods are discussed, especially the role played by the mold and its economic impact. Finally, conclusions of this analysis about its technical feasibility and possibilities are drawn.Los paneles de forma libre de GRC son de gran aplicación en elementos de fachadas ligeras. Dichos paneles pueden fabricarse a través de una gran variedad de procesos. Sin embargo, a pesar de sus ventajas como la moldeabilidad, durabilidad y ligereza, se ven penalizados por el elevado precio de los correspondientes moldes, sobre todo si no hay una repetición suficiente de las piezas y la forma del panel difiere de lo convencional. Las nuevas tecnologías digitales permiten diversas posibilidades en el campo de la construcción y la producción de moldes con geometrías complejas. En el presente artículo se presenta una serie de métodos recientes en la fabricación de paneles de GRC de forma libre. Se discutirán ventajas e inconvenientes de dichos métodos, sobre todo la importancia del molde y su repercusión económica. Finalmente se extraerán conclusiones sobre la viabilidad técnica y las posibilidades que se abren con este análisis

Differences in the robustness of clusters involving the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains most frequently isolated from immigrant cases in Madrid

AbstractTuberculosis cases infected by the same Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strain are considered to be clustered and involved in a transmission chain. Large clusters are assumed to represent active transmission chains in a population. In the present study, we focused on the analysis of large clusters defined by IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing in the immigrant population in Madrid. We identified 12 large clusters (involving 43% of the isolates) comprising 4–23 representatives. We proposed a gradient of epidemiological certainty for these large clusters. For a cluster to be considered robust and a good indicator of recent transmission, the MTB strain involved should not have been identified in a geographically and epidemiologically unrelated population and the cluster had to be re-confirmed by another highly discriminative molecular marker (MIRU-VNTR). The clusters that we discovered were classified into three categories: high, intermediate and low expected epidemiological value. In the largest cluster in the study (cluster M6; 23 representatives), failures by both criteria were identified: the representative seven-band RFLP pattern was also the most prevalent in the unrelated population (25 cases) and the cluster was fully split by MIRU-15, suggesting a lack of epidemiological value. The RFLP pattern representative of this cluster was also identified in 64 isolates from five countries in the Latin American genotype database, and again proved to be heterogeneous according to the MIRU-15 analysis. Specific analysis of large clusters, combined with the application of criteria for evaluating their robustness, could help identify uninformative clusters and target epidemiological resources towards those clusters with higher expected epidemiological value

Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing isolates from the Mediterranean area

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Beijing lineage of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>is causing concern due to its global distribution and its involvement in severe outbreaks. Studies focused on this lineage are mainly restricted to geographical settings where its prevalence is high, whereas those in other areas are scarce. In this study, we analyze Beijing isolates in the Mediterranean area, where this lineage is not prevalent and is mainly associated with immigrant cases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Only 1% (N = 26) of the isolates from two population-based studies in Spain corresponded to Beijing strains, most of which were pan-susceptible and from Peruvian and Ecuadorian patients. Restriction fragment length polymorphism typing with the insertion sequence IS<it>6110 </it>identified three small clusters (2-3 cases). Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat typing (MIRU-15) offered low discriminatory power, requiring the introduction of five additional loci. A selection of the Beijing isolates identified in the Spanish sample, together with a sample of Beijing strains from Italy, to broaden the analysis context in the Mediterranean area, were assayed in an infection model with THP-1 cells. A wide range of intracellular growth rates was observed with only two isolates showing an increased intracellular replication, in both cases associated with contained production of TNF-α. No correlation was observed between virulence and the Beijing phylogenetic group, clustered/orphan status, or resistance. The Beijing strain responsible for extensive spread on Gran Canaria Island was also identified in Madrid, but did not lead to secondary cases and did not show high infectivity in the infection model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Beijing lineage in our area is a non-homogeneous family, with only certain highly virulent representatives. The specific characterization of Beijing isolates in different settings could help us to accurately identify the virulent representatives before making general assumptions about this lineage.</p

Psychometric assessment of the leadership scale for physical education with Spanish Secondary School students

Objetivos: La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo adaptar y analizar de manera preliminar las propiedades psicométricas de la Leadership Scale for Physical Education en el contexto español de la educación física. Material y métodos: Los participantes fueron 478 (220 chicos y 258 chicas; Medad = 14,15, DTedad = 1,06) estudiantes de secundaria quienes recibían dos clases semanales de educación física obligatoria. Resultados: Los resultados del análisis factorial confirmatorio apoyaron psicométricamente un modelo correlacionado de 4 factores de 12 ítems, el cual fue invariante por género. El análisis de fiabilidad mostró valores adecuados para cada factor. El análisis de regresión lineal mostró que el estilo democrático, enseñanza e instrucción y consideración situacional predijeron positivamente la motivación autónoma; mientras que el estilo autocrático predijo positivamente la motivación controlada y desmotivación. Conclusiones: Se ofrecen evidencias para considerar a la Leadership Scale for Physical Education como una medida válida y fiable de los comportamientos de liderazgo adoptados por el profesorado de educación física durante el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en educación física.Objective: The current research aimed to adapt and preliminary analyse the psychometric properties of the Leadership Scale for Physical Education in the Spanish Physical Education context. Material and methods: The participants were 478 (220 boys and 258 girls; Mage = 14,15, SDage = 1,06) secondary school students who received two weekly compulsory-Physical Education classes. Results: The results from the confirmatory factor analysis psychometrically supported a 12-item four-factor correlated model, which was invariant across gender. The reliability analysis respectively showed adequate values for each factor. The linear regression analysis displayed that democratic style, teaching and instruction and situational consideration positively predicted autonomous motivation, while autocratic style positively predicted controlled motivation and amotivation. Conclusions: Evidence is provided to consider the Leadership Scale for Physical Education as a valid and reliable instrument to measure leadership behaviour adopted by physical education teachers during the teaching and learning process in Physical Education

Detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-specific IgM-IgA in oral fluid samples reveals PRRSV infection in the presence of maternal antibody

The ontogeny of PRRSV antibody in oral fluids has been described using isotype-specific ELISAs. Mirroring the serum response, IgM appears in oral fluid by 7 days post inoculation (DPI), IgA after 7 DPI, and IgG by 9 to 10 DPI. Commercial PRRSV ELISAs target the detection of IgG because the higher concentration of IgG relative to other isotypes provides the best diagnostic discrimination. Oral fluids are increasingly used for PRRSV surveillance in commercial herds, but in younger pigs, a positive ELISA result may be due either to maternal antibody or to antibody produced by the pigs in response to infection. To address this issue, a combined IgM-IgA PRRSV oral fluid ELISA was developed and evaluated for its capacity to detect pig-derived PRRSV antibody in the presence of maternal antibody. Two longitudinal studies were conducted. In Study 1 (modified-live PRRS vaccinated pigs), testing of individual pig oral fluid samples by isotype-specific ELISAs demonstrated that the combined IgM-IgA PRRSV ELISA provided better discrimination than individual IgM or IgA ELISAs. In Study 2 (field data), testing of pen-based oral fluid samples confirmed the findings in Study 1 and established that the IgM-IgA ELISA was able to detect antibody produced by pigs in response to wild-type PRRSV infection, despite the presence of maternal IgG. Overall, the combined PRRSV IgM-IgA oral fluid ELISA described in this study is a potential tool for PRRSV surveillance, particularly in populations of growing pigs originating from PRRSV-positive or vaccinated breeding herds

Evaluation of serological cross-reactivity and cross-neutralization between the United States porcine epidemic diarrhea virus prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains

BACKGROUND: At least two genetically different porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains have been identified in the United States (U.S. PEDV prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains). The current serological assays offered at veterinary diagnostic laboratories for detection of PEDV-specific antibody are based on the U.S. PEDV prototype strain. The objectives of this study were: 1) isolate the U.S. PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain in cell culture; 2) generate antisera against the U.S. PEDV prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains by experimentally infecting weaned pigs; 3) determine if the various PEDV serological assays could detect antibodies against the U.S. PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain and vice versa. RESULTS: A U.S. PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain was isolated in cell culture in this study. Three groups of PEDV-negative, 3-week-old pigs (five pigs per group) were inoculated orally with a U.S. PEDV prototype isolate (previously isolated in our lab), an S-INDEL-variant isolate or virus-negative culture medium. Serum samples collected at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post inoculation were evaluated by the following PEDV serological assays: 1) indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays using the prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains as indicator viruses; 2) virus neutralization (VN) tests against the prototype and S-INDEL-variant viruses; 3) PEDV prototype strain whole virus based ELISA; 4) PEDV prototype strain S1-based ELISA; and 5) PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain S1-based ELISA. The positive antisera against the prototype strain reacted to and neutralized both prototype and S-INDEL-variant viruses, and the positive antisera against the S-INDEL-variant strain also reacted to and neutralized both prototype and S-INDEL-variant viruses, as examined by IFA antibody assays and VN tests. Antibodies against the two PEDV strains could be detected by all three ELISAs although detection rates varied to some degree. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the antibodies against U.S. PEDV prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains cross-reacted and cross-neutralized both strains in vitro. The current serological assays based on U.S. PEDV prototype strain can detect antibodies against both U.S. PEDV strains

The epidermal growth factor receptor ligand amphiregulin participates in the development of mouse liver fibrosis

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Budding yeast ATM/ATR control meiotic double-strand break (DSB) levels by down-regulating Rec114, an essential component of the DSB-machinery

An essential feature of meiosis is Spo11 catalysis of programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Evidence suggests that the number of DSBs generated per meiosis is genetically determined and that this ability to maintain a pre-determined DSB level, or "DSB homeostasis", might be a property of the meiotic program. Here, we present direct evidence that Rec114, an evolutionarily conserved essential component of the meiotic DSB-machinery, interacts with DSB hotspot DNA, and that Tel1 and Mec1, the budding yeast ATM and ATR, respectively, down-regulate Rec114 upon meiotic DSB formation through phosphorylation. Mimicking constitutive phosphorylation reduces the interaction between Rec114 and DSB hotspot DNA, resulting in a reduction and/or delay in DSB formation. Conversely, a non-phosphorylatable rec114 allele confers a genome-wide increase in both DSB levels and in the interaction between Rec114 and the DSB hotspot DNA. These observations strongly suggest that Tel1 and/or Mec1 phosphorylation of Rec114 following Spo11 catalysis down-regulates DSB formation by limiting the interaction between Rec114 and DSB hotspots. We also present evidence that Ndt80, a meiosis specific transcription factor, contributes to Rec114 degradation, consistent with its requirement for complete cessation of DSB formation. Loss of Rec114 foci from chromatin is associated with homolog synapsis but independent of Ndt80 or Tel1/Mec1 phosphorylation. Taken together, we present evidence for three independent ways of regulating Rec114 activity, which likely contribute to meiotic DSBs-homeostasis in maintaining genetically determined levels of breaks