How Do We Learn To Hope? The Development Of The Parent Report Of Child Hope

Hope has been shown to be an important protective factor, with hypothesized origins in early childhood (Snyder, 2002). However, despite the established importance of hope, little research to date has examined its developmental origins. Specifically, a lack of appropriate instrumentation represents a significant barrier to detecting hope in children under the age of eight years old. The current study meets this need by examining the reliability and validity of a novel parent-report measure of hope in early childhood, titled the Parent Report of Child Hope (PRCH). The PRCH represents an initial step towards understanding individual differences in early childhood hope. The present study also sought to provide an understanding of the developmental influences on hope in early childhood using the PRCH. The PRCH was hypothesized to be a reliable and valid measure of hope in children younger than 8 years old. Specific Aims of the current study included, Aim 1: To provide evidence of the construct validity of the PRCH as an assessment of hope in young children, Aim 2: To provide evidence of the reliability and criterion-related validity of the Parent PRCH as an assessment of hope in young children, and Aim 3: To understand whether factors hypothesized to either contribute to or undermine hope development are predictors of hope, as well as agency and pathways thinking individually, in young children in order to provide a foundational understanding of hope development. Participants included 263 caregivers of children between the ages of 60 and 82 months. Parents completed online surveys containing the PRCH, an adapted, parent-report version of the Children’s Hope Scale, and measures assessing child behaviors, social understanding, school readiness, and ego resilience. Parents also reported on the quality of their relationship with their child, their own level of depression, and the impact that COVID-19 has had on their family structure. The overall findings of the present study support the PRCH as a reliable and valid measure of hope in early childhood. The PRCH sufficiently captured individual differences in hope among young children and followed the expected two factor structure, confirming construct validity. The PRCH demonstrated good internal consistency and criterion-related validity. Child social understanding, parent-child closeness, and school readiness positively predicted PRCH scores. Parent-child conflict negatively predicted PRCH scores. Scores on the PRCH predicted ego resilience and prosocial behaviors in children. These findings are consistent with hope theory, which suggested that the developmental origins of hope could be measured in early childhood (Snyder, 2000)

Substrate utilization in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue

Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are associated with high fat diet (HFD), reduced mitochondrial mass and function and insulin resistance as characterized by glucose disposal and relative to body fatness. We hypothesized that (a) HFD affects expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function, (b) carbohydrate metabolism and storage is under transcriptional control and (c) both overall fatness and characteristics of adipose tissue influence the interplay between free fatty acids (FFAs) and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal. To test hypotheses “a” and “b”, we fed 10 insulin-sensitive males an isoenergetic HFD for 3 days with muscle biopsies before and after intervention. Oligonucleotide microarrays revealed 370 genes differentially regulated in response to HFD (Bonferonni adjusted p \u3c 0.001). Expression of six genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation decreased. PGC1α and PGC1β mRNAs decreased by ~22%. Seven genes in the carbohydrate metabolism pathway changed in response to HFD, and three genes confirmed by qRT-PCR: PFKFB3, PDK4 and GYS1. In a separate experiment, C57Bl/6J mice were fed HFD for three weeks and the same OXPHOS and PGC1 mRNAs decreased by ~90%, Cytochrome C and PGC1α protein by ~40%, while the same glucose metabolism genes changed by ~70%. These results suggest a mechanism whereby HFD downregulates genes necessary for oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as glucose utilization and storage. These changes mimic those observed in diabetes and insulin resistance. To test hypothesis “c”, we measured changes in respiratory quotient (ΔRQ; metabolic flexibility) before and during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps in healthy young males. Anthropometric, laboratory measurements, fat biopsies and fat cell size (FCS) were measured after overnight fast. Adipose tissue gene expression (qRT-PCR) was measured. Metabolic inflexibility (lower ΔRQ) was associated with higher body fat, larger FCS and higher insulin-suppressed FFAs. ΔRQ was not related to fasting FFAs, but lower ΔRQ was associated with lower serum adiponectin levels. Higher adipose tissue inflammatory gene expression was associated with higher insulin-suppressed FFAs and lower ΔRQ. These results indicate fatness, adipocyte hypertrophy, blunted insulin suppression of FFAs, decreased adiponectin levels and inflammation, are associated with decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and oxidation, an important component of metabolic inflexibility

Coworker Influence

What is coworker influence? Coworkers are the individuals in an organization that regularly work with a given employee, often performing similar tasks or collaborating in some way. Coworkers are typically in a similar hierarchical position in the organizational structure, differentiating them from subordinates, supervisors, or managers. Coworker influence is about how coworkers impact a given employee’s work experiences. There are two facets of coworker influence—coworker support and coworker antagonism (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). Coworker support is a positive influence, including desirable actions and behaviors. More specifically, there are two types of coworker support—instrumental and affective (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). Instrumental support is provided through information or behavioral means, whereas affective support is provided through emotional means. Instrumental support can take the form of helping with a task or problem, and emotional support can include positive emotions such as friendliness or encouragement (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). Coworker antagonism is the negative side of influence, involving undesirable actions and behaviors, such as incivility and social undermining (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). There is no primary measure for assessing all dimensions of coworker influence. Instead, there are a variety of measures that assess different types of influence, sometimes using different labels. Examples of items assessing instrumental support include “gives me helpful feedback about my job performance” (Aryee & Luk, 1996) and “provides me with work-related information” (Liaw, Chi, & Chuang, 2010). Affective support measures include items such as “provides me with encouragement” (Bacharach, Bamberger, & Biron, 2010) and “we talk about the good things in our work” (Zellars & Perrewe, 2001). Finally, antagonism measures include items such as “gives me incorrect or misleading information” and “belittles me or my ideas” (Duffy, Ganster, & Pagon, 2002). Why is coworker influence important? Coworker Support Coworker influence is important because it is associated with many job attitudes, stress indicators, and behaviors. More specifically, coworker support is moderately associated with job satisfaction and organizational commitment (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008; Mathieu, Eschleman, & Cheng, 2018; Ng & Sorensen, 2008). It is also moderately associated with thriving October 14, 2020 at work, which means feeling energized and experiencing continual growth (Kleine, Rudolph, & Zacher, 2019). With respect to stress indicators, coworker support is moderately associated with various types of role stress (i.e., role conflict, role overload, and role ambiguity; Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008; Mathieu et al., 2018) and with burnout (Halbesleben, 2006; Mathieu et al., 2018). Coworker support is most strongly connected with role ambiguity, such that employees with coworker support are less likely to be unclear about their job expectations and responsibilities (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008; Mathieu et al., 2018;). In terms of behavior, coworker support is moderately associated with task performance and modestly associated with citizenship behaviors, which are discretionary extra-role behaviors, such as such as volunteering, helping others, and making suggestions for improvement, that benefit the group and organization (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). However, there is a stronger connection between coworker support and one specific type of citizenship behavior—behaviors that are focused on creating or adapting to change (e.g., solving problems, creating improvements in processes or services, or effectively coping with changing demands; Chiaburu, Lorinkova, & Van Dyne, 2013). That relationship is further strengthened when coworker support is specific, versus just general or generic (i.e., just being generally supportive; Chiaburu et al., 2013). Finally, though coworker support is moderately associated with turnover intentions (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008; Kim & Kao, 2014; Mathieu et al., 2018; Ng & Sorensen, 2008), it is only modestly associated with actual turnover (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008; Rubenstein, Eberly, Lee, & Mitchell, 2018). Looking across the various connections, it has been established that affective support is more strongly tied to job attitudes, whereas instrumental support is more strongly tied to employee effectiveness (i.e., task performance and citizenship behaviors; Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). In addition, many of the connections are stronger in jobs that involve a lot of interpersonal interaction (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008) or customer service (Ng & Sorensen, 2008). Finally, contrary to some common beliefs about the prominent importance of leaders, many of the comparative findings show that coworker support is either equally or more strongly connected to employee outcomes than leadership support (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). Coworker Antagonism Less is known about the negative side of coworker influence, but what is known is consistent with the findings for coworker support. Coworker antagonism is moderately associated with lower job satisfaction, lower organizational commitment, and greater intentions to quit (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). Similarly, coworker antagonism is associated with fewer citizenship behaviors, more counterproductive work behaviors, and poorer task performance (Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). These connections are more pronounced when the antagonism is more severe (e.g., harassment and interpersonal abuse, versus incivility or social undermining; Chiaburu & Harrison, 2008). Overall Considering all the evidence, the strongest findings are such that when employees have coworker support, they are more likely to (a) engage in change-oriented citizenship behaviors (especially when the support is specific, rather than generic), (b) experience job satisfaction (especially in jobs that involve a lot of social interaction), (c) feel energized and experience growth, and (d) be more clear about their job expectations and responsibilities. It is important to note that research on coworker influence thus far has focused on assessing factors that are merely associated with coworker influence, not on testing strategies for improving it or on examining whether improving it affects outcomes like job satisfaction. It is therefore not appropriate to conclude that coworker support causes these outcomes, but they are nonetheless moderately strong connections. Research is needed to explore strategies to boost coworker support (and reduce coworker antagonism) and examine the effect of such changes on employee outcomes. These four outcomes may show the most promise for coworker influence. QIC-WD Takeaways ► There are two facets of coworker influence—coworker support and coworker antagonism—and two types of coworker support—instrumental and affective support. ► Coworker support is moderately associated with job satisfaction, organizational commitment, thriving at work, role stress, burnout, task performance, citizenship behaviors, and intentions to quit. ► Coworker support is only modestly associated with turnover. ► Affective support is more strongly tied to job attitudes, whereas instrumental support is more strongly tied to employee effectiveness. ► The connections between coworker support and many employee outcomes are stronger in jobs that involve a lot of interpersonal interaction. ► Coworker antagonism is moderately associated with job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intentions to quit, citizenship behaviors, and counterproductive work behaviors. ► The strongest findings are such that when employees have coworker support, they are more likely to (a) engage in change-oriented citizenship behaviors (especially when the support is specific, rather than generic), (b) experience job satisfaction (especially in jobs that involve a lot of social interaction), (c) feel energized and experience growth, and (d) be more clear about their job expectations and responsibilities. ► Research is needed to explore strategies to boost coworker support (and reduce coworker antagonism) and examine the effect of such changes on employee outcomes. ► There is no primary measure for assessing all dimensions of coworker influence

Morality or competence? The importance of affirming the appropriate dimension of self-integrity

Objectives: Two studies explored the relative efficacy of a morality-based versus a competence-based self-affirmation manipulation at increasing acceptance of personally relevant health-risk information. In accordance with prior theorising (e.g., Cohen & Sherman, 2014), it was hypothesized that the morality affirmation would be more effective than the competence affirmation in such contexts, as the former targets a different domain to that threatened by the health-risk information. Design: Both studies employed a cross-sectional experimental design. Methods: Participants were presented with a morality affirmation, competence affirmation or no affirmation control prior to reading a message about the risks of (a) not engaging in daily dental flossing (Study 1) and (b) red meat consumption (Study 2). Participants subsequently completed a number of measures assessing acceptance of the message. Results: In line with predictions, findings from both studies demonstrated that the morality affirmation precipitated greater acceptance of personally relevant health-risk information compared to the competence affirmation, as reflected in more positive attitudes (Studies 1 and 2) and intentions (Study 1). Study 2’s findings further suggested that the superior efficacy of the morality affirmation in health-related contexts could not simply be attributed to a general tendency for this affirmation to outperform the competence affirmation. Conclusions: The nature of the value affirmed may be a critical factor in determining the success of self-affirmation manipulations in health-related domains

Investigation of Genomic Deletion of Mycobacteriophage Moonbeam

Hypothesis: There are two, genomically separate Mycobacteriophages in Moonbeam lysate that was used and sent DNA template to the University of Pittsburgh in 2020. Experimental Aims: Separate and characterize phages with deletion from non-deletion phages in Moonbeam lysate

Whole genome data from Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens strains associated with tan spot of mungbean and soybean reveal diverse plasmid profiles

Despite the substantial economic impact of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff) on legume productions worldwide, the genetic basis of its pathogenicity and potential host association is poorly understood. The production of high-quality reference genome assemblies of Cff strains associated with different hosts sheds light on the genetic basis of its pathogenic variability and host association. Moreover, the study of recent outbreaks of bacterial wilt and microevolution of the pathogen in Australia requires access to high-quality, reference genomes that are sufficiently closely related to the population being studied within Australia. We provide the first genome assemblies of Cff strains associated with mungbean and soybean, which revealed high variability in their plasmid composition. The analysis of Cff genomes revealed an extensive suite of carbohydrate-active enzymes potentially associated with pathogenicity, including four carbohydrate esterases, 50 glycoside hydrolases, 23 glycosyl transferases, and a polysaccharide lyase. We also identified 11 serine peptidases, three of which were located within a linear plasmid, pCff119. These high-quality assemblies and annotations will provide a foundation for population genomics studies of Cff in Australia and for answering fundamental questions regarding pathogenicity factors and adaptation of Cff to various hosts worldwide, and, at a broader scale, contribute to unravelling genomic features of Gram-positive, xylem-inhabiting bacterial pathogens

Increase Staff Utilization of Occlusive Interface in Micro-Preemie Babies on BCPAP

Premature neonates born before 26 weeks gestation present many care challenges as they need special precautions to be taken to overcome their fragility. Intubation is often needed for this patient population as their lungs are not fully developed. However, due to their high susceptibility for skin breakdown invasive ventilation often can create subsequent problems. A respiratory therapist team in an academic tertiary medical center wanted to explore the use of an occlusive interface for intubation while providing various forms of non-invasive ventilation in their NICU with the hopes for fewer complications. The objective of this project was to reduce the incidence of skin breakdown by increasing the use of the new interface (F&P). A root cause analysis was initiated and a number of concerns were identified related to current practice and that of proposed practice. These included that of environment, neonate skin integrity, staff education, communication, and assessment requirements. Several countermeasures were implemented such as surveys for NICU staff to identify barriers to the use of an occlusive interface as well as development of educational tools to address concerns raised by the survey. A mandatory competency was also developed. Data was collected 4 months prior to project start and was compared to data 4 months after project start. This comparison demonstrated an outcome of increased use in F&P. Next steps include continued monitoring of compliance and education via several avenues

Precision exercise medicine: understanding exercise response variability

There is evidence from human twin and family studies as well as mouse and rat selection experiments that there are considerable interindividual differences in the response of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and other cardiometabolic traits to a given exercise programme dose. We developed this consensus statement on exercise response variability following a symposium dedicated to this topic. There is strong evidence from both animal and human studies that exercise training doses lead to variable responses. A genetic component contributes to exercise training response variability. In this consensus statement, we (1) briefly review the literature on exercise response variability and the various sources of variations in CRF response to an exercise programme, (2) introduce the key research designs and corresponding statistical models with an emphasis on randomised controlled designs with or without multiple pretests and post-tests, crossover designs and repeated measures designs, (3) discuss advantages and disadvantages of multiple methods of categorising exercise response levels-a topic that is of particular interest for personalised exercise medicine and (4) outline approaches that may identify determinants and modifiers of CRF exercise response. We also summarise gaps in knowledge and recommend future research to better understand exercise response variability531811411153The consensus meeting that led to the writing of this manuscript was held with the financial support of the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center Division of Education, the LSU Boyd Professorship and the John W. Barton, Sr. Chair in Genetics and Nutrition. No funding and/or honorarium was provided to any member of the writing group for the production of this manuscrip

The Grizzly, February 16, 2012

Professor Debuts A Bright Swarm of Beetles • SPINTfest Offers Alternative Housing Options • S.U.N.\u27s Poetry Slam Entertains with a Variety of Guests • Commencement Awards to be Chosen by Students • UC Roller Hockey Program is Looking to Expand and Improve with New Recruits • UC Students Aid Spring-Ford School District after Tragic Suicide • Neuman Interns as Education Coordinator in Lancaster, PA • Opinion: Valentine\u27s Day Hype is Overblown; Celebrate February 14 Regardless of Relationship Status • Coach Profile: Joe Groff, Women\u27s Volleyball • Senior Spotlight: Lindsay Teuber, Women\u27s Basketball • Senior Wrestlers Exemplify Leadership, Excellencehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1852/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 2, 2012

Birk Launches Graphic Novel at UC • Myrin Welcomes New Library Intern • Resumania Preps Students for Job, Internship Fair • Organic Farm Names New Student Director • Ursinus Introduces Zumba Class for Students • Jablonowski Gains Experience at Academy of Natural Sciences • St. Christopher\u27s Offers Volunteer Opportunity for UC Students • Opinion: SOPA had Right Idea, but was Misguided; Major and Minor Expo Offers Great Information • Senior Spotlight: Sean Whelan, Football • Buckley\u27s Bears Battle Through Adversity • Ursinus Community Remembers Daniel Gloverhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1850/thumbnail.jp