Moderate Fitness Research Articles

The “Fit But Fat” Concept

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have been used to estimate the proportion of US adults who have high, moderate, and low fitness levels by body mass index (BMI) category. These data have also been used to construct categories for fitness. However, these categories are often weighted unevenly to be more inclusive in the moderate and high-fitness categories. PURPOSE: To cross-classify adults in the US population by fitness level and BMI, as well as fitness level and body composition, and to calculate the percentage of the population that can be classified as “fit but fat” using tertiles. METHODS: Three NHANES datasets covering six years (1999-2004) were included in this study, with a total of 6,648 records meeting the eligibility criteria. Fitness and body composition gender and age-specific percentile ranks were determined from norms published by the Cooper Clinic. A pair of matrices were created to report counts, means and standard errors by body composition level versus fitness level and BMI group versus fitness level. RESULTS: The BMI matrix showed that 32.9 ± 1.0% of the population was classified as overweight, and 24.9 ± 0.9% was classified as obese. Further, 9.9 ± 0.7% and 6.7 ± 0.5% of the overweight and obese groups respectively, were classified in the top one-third for fitness. The body composition matrix (based on percent body fat) showed that 18.1 ± 1.0% were categorized in the middle third, and 68.4 ± 1.3% were categorized in the lowest tertile (high percent body fat). Additionally, 6.6 ± 0.6% and 21.0 ± 0.9% of the overweight and obese groups respectively, were classified in the fittest tertile. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the notion that one can be “fit but fat,” but most are not. Further, there is a large discrepancy in defining “fat”. Two-thirds of the population was ranked below the 35th percentile in body composition (compared to 57.8% of the population qualifying as overweight or obese), and more of these individuals are of low fitness than in any other fitness category. These data further support the notion that BMI is a misleading classification and utilizing a more robust measure to qualify fatness may be necessary.

Factors Associated With Cardiorespiratory Fitness at Completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Identification of Specific Patient Features Requiring Attention

BackgroundWe aimed to determine and compare predictors of postcardiac rehabilitation (CR) cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), improvements in a large cohort of subjects with varying baseline CRF levels completing CR for ischemic heart disease and to refine prediction models further by baseline CRF. MethodsThe Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart disease (APPROACH) and TotalCardiology (TotalCardiology, Inc, Calgary, Alberta, Canada) databases were used retrospectively to obtain information on 10,732 (1955 [18.2%] female; mean age 60.4, standard deviation [SD] 10.5 years) subjects who completed the 12-week comprehensive CR program between 1996 and 2016. Peak metabolic equivalents (METs) were determined at program start and completion and identified patients at baseline with low fitness (L-Fit) (< 5 METs), moderate fitness (M-Fit, 5-8 METs), or high fitness (H-Fit, > 8 METs). Multivariable linear regression models were developed to predict METs at completion of the program. ResultsAcross all fitness groups, mean baseline METs was the strongest predictor of CRF at completion of CR. Other factors—including sex, age, current smoking status, obesity, and diabetes—were highly predictive of post-CR CRF (all P < 0.05). Compared with H-fit patients, coronary artery bypass graft and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in L-Fit patients, and cerebrovascular disease in M-Fit patients had an additional negative effect on the overall model variance in post-CR CRF. ConclusionExpected CRF at the end of CR is highly predictable, with several key patient factors being clear determinants of CRF. Although most identified patient factors are not modifiable, our analysis highlights populations that may require extra attention over the course of CR to attain maximal benefit.

Development of valid and reliable tools for student evaluation of teaching

IntroductionThe objective of this project was to develop valid and reliable course and instructor student evaluation tools (SETs) of teaching for utilization by a college of pharmacy. MethodsA collection of 119 course and instructor evaluation items was compiled from a review of the primary literature and grouped into six different themes (subscales): organization, communication, motivation, rapport, fairness, and learning. Input was sought from the college of pharmacy faculty to reduce the list of items to a more manageable pilot tool (27 for course evaluations; 29 for instructor evaluations) for developing pilot SETs. The results were analyzed for internal consistency and reliability using Cronbach's alpha, and whether factor structures aligned with the content structure using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). ResultsThe Cronbach's alpha for all six subscales in the designed instructor evaluation and for three of the six subscales in the designed course evaluation were above 0.9, indicating high internal consistency and reliability. The CFA results indicated a moderate model fit with factor loadings for all items above 0.6. The correlation coefficients between each dimension were about 0.8, indicating high correlations among dimensions. Those data items found to be valid were then used to construct new course and instructor evaluation instruments, both consisting of three validated items in each of the six themes (subscales). ConclusionThis report describes the process that one college of pharmacy employed to develop a valid and reliable SET. The methodology can inform other colleges and schools of pharmacy who wish to design, revise, or develop their own SETs.

Measuring Moderate-Intensity Exercise with the Apple Watch: Validation Study.

BackgroundModerate fitness levels and habitual exercise have a protective effect for cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. The Apple Watch displays exercise completed at an intensity of a brisk walk or above using a green “exercise” ring. However, it is unknown if the exercise ring accurately represents an exercise intensity comparable to that defined as moderate-intensity. In order for health professionals to prescribe exercise intensity with confidence, consumer wearable devices need to be accurate and precise if they are to be used as part of a personalized medicine approach to disease management.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Apple Watch for measuring moderate-intensity exercise, as defined as 40-59% oxygen consumption reserve (VO2R).MethodsTwenty recreationally active participants completed resting oxygen consumption (VO2rest) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) tests prior to a series of 5-minute bouts of treadmill walking at increasing speed while wearing an Apple Watch on both wrists, and with oxygen consumption measured continuously. Five-minute exercise bouts were added until the Apple Watch advanced the green “exercise” ring by 5 minutes (defined as the treadmill inflection speed). Validity was examined using a one-sample t-test, with interdevice and intradevice reliability reported as the standardized typical error and intraclass correlation.ResultsThe mean %VO2R at the treadmill inflection speed was 30% (SD 7) for both Apple Watches. There was a large underestimation of moderate-intensity exercise (left hand: mean difference = -10% [95% CI -14 to -7], d=-1.4; right hand: mean difference = -10% [95% CI -13 to -7], d=-1.5) when compared to the criterion of 40% VO2R. Standardized typical errors for %VO2R at the treadmill inflection speed were small to moderate, with intraclass correlations higher within trials compared to between trials.ConclusionsThe Apple Watch threshold for moderate-intensity exercise was lower than the criterion, which would lead to an overestimation of moderate-intensity exercise minutes completed throughout the day.

Regional calibration models for predicting loblolly pine tracheid properties using near-infrared spectroscopy

This study developed regional calibration models for the prediction of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) tracheid properties using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A total of 1842 pith-to-bark radial strips, aged 19–31 years, were acquired from 268 trees from 109 stands across the southeastern USA. Diffuse reflectance NIR spectra were collected at 10-mm increments from the radial face of pith-to-bark strips using a FOSS 5000 scanning spectrometer. A subset of the 10-mm samples was selected based on the NIR spectra uniqueness and placed in calibration (N = 1020) and validation (N = 998) test sets. The samples were macerated and the tracheid properties measured using an optical analyzer (Techpap MorFi Fiber and Shive Analyzer). Models were created using partial least squares (PLS) regression using the calibration samples, and their performance checked using the validation set. Prediction PLS models for tracheid length were strong when checked with the validation set [R p 2 = 0.87, standard error of prediction (SEP) = 0.23 mm, ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) = 2.8]. Prediction models for tracheid width had moderate fit statistics (R2 = 0.61, SEP = 1.6 μm, RPD = 1.6), but the SEP was similar to the measurement error of the camera (± 2 μm). The NIR wavelengths of importance were largely attributed to cellulose. The 1542 nm wavelength explained 77% of the variation in tracheid length (RMSE = 0.31 mm). These results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy models for tracheid length and width can be developed from a diverse set of samples and still maintain prediction accuracy.

Psychometric Properties of a French Version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory in Young Adults

Abstract. The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is widely used in social and personality psychology. The present study validates a French version of the NPI (NPI-Fr) for use with young adults. Respondents (N = 1275, Mage = 21.83, SD = 4.97) completed the NPI and two other convergent measures (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and French version of the Big Five Inventory) for three validation steps. Exploratory factor analyses yielded evidence for a structure with either two (Power/Authority, Exhibitionism/Self-Admiration) or four (Leadership/Authority, Grandiosity/Exhibitionism, Special Person, Exploitativeness/Entitlement) first-order factors for the NPI. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the 33-item four-factor model, with moderate model fit indices (χ2/df = 2.04, RMSEA = .058, CFI = .90, GFI = .85). We found significant positive correlations (r = .11 to .44) with self-esteem, Extraversion, and Openness, and a negative correlation with Neuroticism (r = –.09 to –.21). There was high internal consistency, with a reliability coefficient of α = .73 to .93, while test–retest reliability at 4 weeks was satisfactory. Our results confirm the psychometric quality of the questionnaire for French young adults.

Relação entre pico de consumo de oxigênio e qualidade de vida em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre a aptidão cardiorrespiratória e a qualidade de vida em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise.MÉTODOS: Estudo analítico do tipo transversal realizado com pacientes em hemodiálise, do sexo masculino, com idade entre 22-75 anos. Participaram 50 pacientes avaliados pelo Teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP) e pelo questionário de qualidade de vida – Kidney Desease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF). O protocolo de Bruce foi adaptado com tempo de duração total de 12min, realizado em esteira rolante com o analisador de gases acoplado com coleta de gases expirados para análise a cada 10 segundos. O KDQOL-SF foi aplicado durante a sessão de diálise intermediária da semana. O pulso de oxigênio e a incompetência cronotrópica foram calculados a partir das variáveis do TECP. Os valores de consumo de oxigênio pico (VO2pico) foram categorizados em tercis para classificação em baixo, moderada e alta aptidão cardiorrespiratória. A análise estatística foi realizada com teste Kruskall-Walllis (post hoc de Dunn) e o coeficiente de Spearman para verificar a correlação entre as variáveis.RESULTADOS: O componente físico (p=0,01), domínios específicos lista de sintomas (p= 0,05), função sexual (p=0,014), qualidade do sono (p= 0,04), satisfação com a equipe (p= 0,03) e o escore total do KDQOL-SF (p=0,006) aumentaram com os tercis do VO2pico. Houve correlações positivas do pulso de oxigênio (p=0,01) e incompetência cronotrópica (p=0,02) com o componente físico e do pulso de O2 com o escore total do KDQOL-SF (p=0,02).CONCLUSÕES: Houve relação positiva e significativa entre os parâmetros de aptidão cardiorrespiratória e os componentes físico, mental e o escore total dos pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise. Além disso, a sobrecarga acarretada pela doença e função sexual foram os aspectos que parecem ser mais influenciados pela aptidão cardiorrespiratória por serem domínios que dependem da interação física e mental.

Validity evidence of the Social and Emotional Nationwide Assessment (SENNA 1.0) Inventory

Abstract: Given the necessity of adequate instruments to measure socio-emotional skills, this study aimed to obtain validity evidence of the Social and Emotional Nationwide Assessment inventory (SENNA 1.0). The instrument was administered to a sample of 634 students (59% females) with a mean age of 16.3 years (SD = 1.21), from eight secondary schools of the Federal District ] of Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a six factor structure that explained 42.7% of the common variance, while confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equational modeling analysis showed a moderate fit to the data. Reliability coefficients of the factor scores varied between .66 and .89. The coefficients of the convergent validity with the Reduced Scale of the Big Five Personality Factors (ER5FP) had a mean value of .59. In conclusion, the results indicate satisfactory evidence for the score validity of the SENNA 1.0 inventory.

Radiogenic heat production in Rudeis Formation, Lower Miocene, Belayim marine oil field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

This study describes radiogenic heat production (RHP) estimated from two sets of well logging data recorded in Rudeis Formation, Belayim marine oil field. Subsurface total count gamma-ray (GR) data were recorded in nine wells, seven of which possessed spectrometric data (eU, eTh, and K). The data show that RHP estimated from GR logs (ABR) varies from 0.13 to 1.73 µW/m3, with an average of 0.7 µW/m3 and a standard deviation of 0.26 µW/m3. In addition, 72.9% of RHP values fall within the range of 0.6–1.0 µW/m3. RHP estimated from the concentrations of radioactive elements (AR) vary from 0.13 to 2.1 µW/m3, with an average 0.71 µW/m3 and a standard deviation of 0.38 µW/m3. 50% of these RHP values fall within the range of 0.6–1.0 µW/m3. Cross-correlation of ABR and AR calculations yielded a moderate fit of 0.75. The three-dimensional (3D)-slicing of the reservoir shows that the northern and north-western parts of the study area have higher RHP compared to other parts. The estimated RHP can produce enough heat which has an effect on the hydrocarbon potential in Rudeis Formation.

Fitness-related differences in the rate of whole-body evaporative heat loss in exercising men are heat-load dependent.

What is the central question of this study? Aerobic fitness modulates heat loss, but the heat-load threshold at which fitness-related differences in heat loss occur in young healthy men remains unclear. What is the main finding and its importance? We demonstrate using direct calorimetry that aerobic fitness modulates heat loss in a heat-load-dependent manner, with fitness-related differences occurring between young men who have low and high fitness when the heat load is ∼≥500W. Although aerobic fitness has been known for some time to modulate heat loss, our findings define the precise heat-load threshold at which fitness-related differences occur. The effect of aerobic fitness (defined as rate of peak oxygen consumption) on heat loss during exercise is thought to be related to the level of heat stress. However, it remains unclear at what combined exercise and environmental (net) heat-load threshold these fitness-related differences occur. To identify this, we assessed whole-body heat exchange (dry and evaporative) by direct calorimetry in young (22±3years) men matched for physical characteristics with low (Low-fit; 39.8±2.5mlO2 kg-1 min-1 ), moderate (Mod-fit; 50.9±1.2mlO2 kg-1 min-1 ) and high aerobic fitness (High-fit; 62.0±4.4mlO2 kg-1 min-1 ; each n=8), during three 30min bouts of cycling in dry heat (40°C, 12% relative humidity) at increasing rates of metabolic heat production of 300 (Ex1), 400 (Ex2) and 500W (Ex3), each followed by a 15min recovery period. Each group was exposed to a similar net heat load (metabolic plus ∼100W dry heat gain; P=0.83) during each exercise bout [∼400 (Ex1), ∼500 (Ex2) and ∼600W (Ex3); P<0.01]. Although evaporative heat loss was similar between groups during Ex1 (P=0.33), evaporative heat loss was greater in the High-fit (Ex2, 466±21W; Ex3, 557±26W) compared with the Low-fit group (Ex2, 439±22W; Ex3, 511±20W) during Ex2 and Ex3 (P≤0.03). Conversely, evaporative heat loss for the Mod-fit group did not differ from either the High-fit or Low-fit group during all exercise bouts (P≥0.09). We demonstrate that aerobic fitness modulates heat loss in a heat-load-dependent manner, such that young, highly fit men display greater heat-loss capacity only at heat loads ∼≥500W compared with their lesser trained counterparts.

Moderate to High Levels of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Attenuate the Effects of Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio on Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Men

ObjectiveTo examine the prospective relationships among cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), fasting blood triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG:HDL-C), and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in men. MethodsA total of 40,269 men received a comprehensive baseline clinical examination between January 1, 1978, and December 31, 2010. Their CRF was determined from a maximal treadmill exercise test. Participants were divided into CRF categories of low, moderate, and high fit by age group and by TG:HDL-C quartiles. Hazard ratios for CHD mortality were computed using Cox regression analysis. ResultsA total of 556 deaths due to CHD occurred during a mean ± SD of 16.6±9.7 years (669,678 man-years) of follow-up. A significant positive trend in adjusted CHD mortality was shown across decreasing CRF categories (P for trend<.01). Adjusted hazard ratios were significantly higher across increasing TG:HDL-C quartiles as well (P for trend<.01). When grouped by CRF category and TG:HDL-C quartile, there was a significant positive trend (P=.04) in CHD mortality across decreasing CRF categories in each TG:HDL-C quartile. ConclusionBoth CRF and TG:HDL-C are significantly associated with CHD mortality in men. The risk of CHD mortality in each TG:HDL-C quartile was significantly attenuated in men with moderate to high CRF compared with men with low CRF. These results suggest that assessment of CRF and TG:HDL-C should be included for routine CHD mortality risk assessment and risk management.

Development and Validation of an Assessment Instrument for Course Experience in a General Education Integrated Science Course

ABSTRACT Identifying instruments and surveys to address geoscience education research (GER) questions is among the high-ranked needs in a 2016 survey of the GER community (St. John et al., 2016). The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a student-centered assessment instrument to measure course experience in a general education integrated science course. A one-shot case study of pre-experimental design (Creswell, 2009, 2014) was used to understand student experiences in a large-enrollment course with digital content integration, including out-of-class video, online presentations, and warm-up questions, as well as in-class video paired with discussion and small group activities. In two sections taught by the same geoscientist, 209 students accessed course content in an online learning management system prior to classroom instruction. We adapted the 36-item Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ; Wilson et al., 1997) to a Web-based survey. We conducted statistical analysis on the CEQ responses, including item factor analysis, examination of communalities and measures of association, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability and stability testing through bootstrap resampling. The statistical analyses indicate that the results in this study are comparable to those from other cultural contexts and subject areas. Given the moderate fit of the model and reasonably stable results, we propose that the core indicators of the CEQ constructs, including Appropriate Workload, Clear Goals and Standards, Generic Skills, Good Teaching, and Emphasis on Independence are sufficient to assess students' course experiences in general education science settings. These results provided moderately to strongly valid information that can help instructors in designing their technology-integrated classes, although further study with a larger sample population would be beneficial. From this study we conclude that students' perceptions of their course experiences are closely related to their development of problem-solving and analytical skills, clear course expectations to direct their own study plans, their preference for a motivating instructor, the opportunity to have a variety of learning choices, and their workload. We propose the use of a 25-item version of the CEQ that is appropriate for formative assessment in discipline-specific STEM introductory classes, including geoscience classes.

Impact insertion of osteochondral grafts: Interference fit and central graft reduction affect biomechanics and cartilage damage.

An osteochondral graft (OCG) is an effective treatment for articular cartilage and osteochondral defects. Impact of an OCG during insertion into the osteochondral recipient site (OCR) can cause chondrocyte death and matrix damage. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of graft-host interference fit and a modified OCG geometry on OCG insertion biomechanics and cartilage damage. The effects of interference fit (radius of OCG - radius of OCR), loose (0.00 mm), moderate (0.05 mm), tight (0.10 mm), and of a tight fit with OCG geometry modification (central region of decreased radius), were analyzed for OCG cylinders and OCR blocks from adult bovine knee joints with an instrumented drop tower apparatus. An increasingly tight (OCG - OCR) interference fit led to increased taps for insertion, peak axial force, graft cartilage axial compression, cumulative and total energy delivery to cartilage, lower time of peak axial force, lesser graft advancement during each tap, higher total crack length in the cartilage surface, and lower chondrocyte viability. The modified OCG, with reduction of diameter in the central area, altered the biomechanical insertion variables and biological consequences to be similar to those of the moderate interference fit scenario. Micro-computed tomography confirmed structural interference between the OCR bone and both the proximal and distal bone segments of the OCGs, with the central regions being slightly separated for the modified OCGs. These results clarify OCG insertion biomechanics and mechanobiology, and introduce a simple modification of OCGs that facilitates insertion with reduced energy while maintaining a structural interference fit. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:377-386, 2018.

Maximal exercise increases mucosal associated invariant T cell frequency and number in healthy young men.

Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells have properties of the innate and acquired immune systems. While the response to vigorous exercise has been established for most leukocytes, MAIT cells havenot been investigated. Therefore, the purpose was to determine if MAIT cell lymphocytosis occurs with acute maximal aerobic exercise and if this response is influenced by exercise duration, cardiovascular fitness, or body composition. Twenty healthy young males with moderate fitness levels performed an extended graded exercise test until volitional fatigue. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from venous blood obtained prior and immediately after exercise and were labeled to identify specific T cell populations using flow cytometry. The percentage of MAIT cells relative to total T cells significantly increased from 3.0 to 3.8% and absolute MAIT cell counts increased by 2.2-fold following maximal exercise. MAIT cell subpopulation proportions were unchanged with exercise. Within cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), MAIT cells consisted of 8% of these cells and this remained constant after exercise. MAIT cell counts and changes with exercise were not affected by body composition, VO2peak, or exercise duration. Maximal exercise doubled MAIT cell numbers and showed preferential mobilization within total T cells but the response was not influenced by fitness levels, exercise duration, or body composition. These results suggest that acute exercise could be used to offset MAIT cell deficiencies observed with certain pathologies. MAIT cells also make up a substantial proportion of CTLs, which may have implications for cytotoxicity assays using these cells.

The Outsourcing Strategic Fit and Partnership Relations in Thai Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Outsourcing is recognized as one of the critical factors for efficient execution of pharmaceutical supply chain management (PSCM), and many pharmaceutical companies engage in international outsourcing of services (IOS) to survive in global highly competitive business. Since the key success factors for both domestic &amp; international alliances are partnership characteristics and strategic fit management, but there is no empirical research on this issue in Thai pharmaceutical partnership offshore outsourcing. Therefore, this survey of Thai and foreign companies, both contract providers (CPs) and contract manufacturers (CMs), seeks to indicate significant relationships among both outsourcing strategic fit and partnership types, including outsourcing performance outcome. This research is two-fold. First, the partnership types (Type I, II, &amp; III), the strategic fit types (low fit, moderate fit, and good fit), and their correlations are analyzed. And second, their outsourcing performance (company revenues and growth rates) are presented. The results showed that the most of the Thai pharmaceutical outsourcing manufacturing are classified as the partnership Type II, as well as the moderate strategic fit, and strongly support the relationship between the two models. Both of the companies’ revenue and growth rate could predict the companies’ performances outcome for each of partnership and strategic fit types. However, it is not necessary that the most integrative type of partnership, Type III, will be always the best, because it depends also on the strategic fit between each pair of partners as well.

GeneXpert HIV-1 quant assay, a new tool for scale up of viral load monitoring in the success of ART programme in India

BackgroundRecent WHO guidelines identify virologic monitoring for diagnosing and confirming ART failure. In view of this, validation and scale up of point of care viral load technologies is essential in resource limited settings.MethodsA systematic validation of the GeneXpert® HIV-1 Quant assay (a point-of-care technology) in view of scaling up HIV-1 viral load in India to monitor the success of national ART programme was carried out. Two hundred nineteen plasma specimens falling in nine viral load ranges (<40 to >5 L copies/ml) were tested by the Abbott m2000rt Real Time and GeneXpert HIV-1 Quant assays. Additionally, 20 seronegative; 16 stored specimens and 10 spiked controls were also tested. Statistical analysis was done using Stata/IC and sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and %misclassification rates were calculated as per DHSs/AISs, WHO, NACO cut-offs for virological failure.ResultsThe GeneXpert assay compared well with the Abbott assay with a higher sensitivity (97%), specificity (97-100%) and concordance (91.32%). The correlation between two assays (r = 0.886) was statistically significant (p < 0.01), the linear regression showed a moderate fit (R2 = 0.784) and differences were within limits of agreement. Reproducibility showed an average variation of 4.15 and 3.52% while Lower limit of detection (LLD) and Upper limit of detection (ULD) were 42 and 1,740,000 copies/ml respectively. The misclassification rates for three viral load cut offs were not statistically different (p = 0.736). All seronegative samples were negative and viral loads of the stored samples showed a good fit (R2 = 0.896 to 0.982).ConclusionThe viral load results of GeneXpert HIV-1 Quant assay compared well with Abbott HIV-1 m2000 Real Time PCR; suggesting its use as a Point of care assay for viral load estimation in resource limited settings. Its ease of performance and rapidity will aid in timely diagnosis of ART failures, integrated HIV-TB management and will facilitate the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target.

Simplified empirical model for phosphorous removal in a facultative wastewater lagoon

Nutrient removal in a facultative lagoon in Manitoba, Canada, was monitored from May 2015 to April 2016. According to the 12-month data, phosphorous concentration in the effluent did not meet the regulatory requirement. Various models have been developed to predict nitrogen removal from lagoon through the years; however, not much effort has been deployed to model phosphorous removal from lagoons. Therefore, this research aims to relate the lagoon phosphate removal to the volatile suspended solids (VSS), metal concentration, and detention time. A simple empirical equation was derived by observing the one-year data, which considers assimilation into biomass as a major mechanism of phosphorous removal. The metals' concentration was found to be very low in the facultative lagoon studied. Hence, phosphorous precipitation by metals was neglected. The model relates assimilation directly to VSS which is simple to evaluate practically unlike other models that require individual algae and bacteria concentration. The correlation coefficient (R2) between the observed and the predicted effluent VSS was 0.92, which indicates excellent fit. The R2 between observed and predicted effluent orthophosphate was 0.83, which indicates moderate fit. The trend of modeled effluent phosphate is similar to the observed effluent phosphate concentration, which approves the validity of this model. The model developed in this research can be used to predict the average effluent VSS and phosphorous concentration in similar facultative lagoons.

A confirmatory factor analysis of the PTSD checklist 5 in veteran and college student samples

An important change in the conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been the shift from a three-factor model used in the DSM-IV-TR to the current four-factor model used in DSM-5. Early research initially supported the three-factor model, but most recent data suggest a four-factor model provides the best fit. Still other research has examined evidence for a five-factor model that would include depression sequelae. By way of a confirmatory factor analysis, we demonstrate the reliability of DSM-5 PTSD criteria clustering in a sample of 124 OEF/OIF/OND Veterans treated at a VAMC (49% white, 89% men) and a sample of 737 college students (48% white, 78% women). All participants were trauma-exposed, and completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. The current study shows both samples best support a five-factor model over two four factor models considered for the DSM-5, though none provided better than moderate fit. Implications of the current findings regarding the reliability of the new DSM-5 criteria of PTSD will be discussed.

Regulatory Fit Improves Fitness for People With Low Exercise Experience.

Considering only 20.8% of American adults meet current physical activity recommendations, it is important to examine the psychological processes that affect exercise motivation and behavior. Drawing from regulatory fit theory, this study examined how manipulating regulatory focus and reward structures would affect exercise performance, with a specific interest in investigating whether exercise experience would moderate regulatory fit effects. We predicted that regulatory fit effects would appear only for participants with low exercise experience. One hundred and sixty-five young adults completed strength training exercise tasks (i.e.,sit-ups, squats, plank, and wall-sit) in regulatory match or mismatch conditions. Consistent with predictions, only participants low in experience in regulatory match conditions exercised more compared with those in regulatory mismatch conditions. Although this is the first study manipulating regulatory fit in a controlled setting to examine exercise behavior, findings suggest that generating regulatory fit could positively influence those low in exercise experience.

Validation of the Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007) Collaboration Instrument in the South African context

Orientation: Collaboration is deemed important in today’s connected and complex business environment. People’s ability to collaborate with each other in organisations is becoming a business imperative. This study focuses on a valid measurement of collaboration within organisations.Research purpose: Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007) developed a collaboration measurement instrument in the United States. The aim of this study was to validate this instrument for a South African context.Motivation for the study: South African organisations face unique challenges that require optimal use of resources to improve business results. Effective collaboration is considered a powerful strategy to achieve this. Measuring the extent of collaboration can help to identify required changes in business practices. As far as could be established, there is no evidence of collaboration instruments developed and validated in South Africa.Research design, approach and method: Additional items were designed for further development of the Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007) Collaboration Instrument sub-scales, as suggested by the authors. The revised questionnaire consisting of 31 (17 existing, 14 new) items was distributed electronically to 4200 employees in two organisations, with 343 valid responses received. Reliability and construct validity were tested, as was convergent validity of the norms factor with the Trust in Teams Scale.Main findings: The results of the study support a four-factor, 29-item model of collaboration when applied to a South African sample. Cronbach’s alpha ranged between 0.85 and 0.95. Confirmatory Factor Analysis fits were at an acceptable level. Convergent validity showed a moderate fit with the data.Practical/managerial implications: South African managers and human resources practitioners can utilise results to foster a collaborative environment.Contribution/value-add: This study builds on the theoretical concept of collaboration as defined by Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007).