Purpose This study sought to explore the lived experience of trained social work students as first responders in a shared war reality. Method Data were gathered from three focus groups conducted with social work students following their professional intervention during a period of protracted warfare. Results The main theme depicts a movement from an experience of uncertainty to certainty, as the students shifted from being subjects under threat to being object-helpers on duty. Discussion The findings highlight the interactive nature of individual and environmental aspects of resilience as a dynamic process in the face of adversity. Practical implications are discussed in the context of first responders’ resilience in a shared war reality. Conclusion First responders must experience certainty in order to function effectively. To provide more support to novice helpers, a first responders training program should be implemented as part of the mandatory curriculum of social work studies.

This study examines the associations of cancer death and aspects of the 24-h circadian rest-activity rhythm (RAR) on depression symptoms in older spouses.

Participants included 46 adults aged 60-94years (

= 73years) who experienced the death of a spouse. read more We tested a multivariate model using cancer death (vs. non-cancer death) and RAR variables as correlates of depression symptoms while controlling for age, sex, physical illness burden, and preparedness for death. We also present a case example to describe the behavioral activity patterns of a participant bereaved by cancer.

Cancer death was associated with elevated levels of depression symptoms. However, the timing of the RAR moderated this association. Cancer bereavement was associated with depression symptoms when participants “settled-down” after 1100 PM. The case example illustrates how intrusive thoughts about death quality impacts a widower’s drive to stay busy with daily activities.

Settling down earlier in the evening is important for older spouses bereaved by cancer, in terms of fewer symptoms of depression.

Objectively specifying the activity patterns of older spouses bereaved by cancer is a promising avenue for interventions that aim to reduce depression symptoms.

Objectively specifying the activity patterns of older spouses bereaved by cancer is a promising avenue for interventions that aim to reduce depression symptoms.Obesity is prevalent among African Americans, and church-based weight management programs may help address this public health issue. To develop more effective interventions, a survey was administered to members of a large, African American faith-based organization that assessed weight management intervention targets and preferences. Respondents (N = 1,439) represented the Midwestern and Southern United States. Mean body mass index was 30.8 ± 9.2 kg/m2, and 82.5% of respondents were overweight/obese. The majority (65.0%) wanted a weight management intervention conducted with the church and preferred an in-person (69.0%), group-based (68.0%) program that meets weekly for one hour or less (72%) and addresses identified barriers including access to healthy foods, childcare, and physical activity support. Church support was linked to better dietary quality and higher physical activity among parishioners (p’s ≤ 0.02), suggesting church support may be important for healthy eating and exercise. This study provides a clear path forward for developing and delivering weight loss interventions within African American churches.The genomic surveillance of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is based on sequencing of the ORF5 gene of the virus, which covers only 4% of the entire viral genome. It is expected that PRRSV whole-genome sequencing (WGS) will improve PRRSV genomic data and allow better understanding of clinical discrepancies observed in the field when using ORF5 sequencing. Our main objective was to implement an efficient method for WGS of PRRSV from clinical samples. The viral genome was purified using a poly(A)-tail viral genome purification method and sequenced using Illumina technology. We tested 149 PRRSV-positive samples 80 sera, 33 lungs, 33 pools of tissues, 2 oral fluids, and 1 processing fluid (i.e., castration liquid). Overall, WGS of 67.1% of PRRSV-positive cases was successful. The viral load, in particular for tissues, had a major impact on the PRRSV WGS success rate. Serum was the most efficient type of sample to conduct PRRSV WGS poly(A)-tail assays, with a success rate of 76.3%, and this result can be explained by improved sequencing reads dispersion matching throughout the entire viral genome. WGS was unsuccessful for all pools of tissue and lung samples with Cq values > 26.5, whereas it could still be successful with sera at Cq ≤ 34.1. Evaluation of results of highly qualified personnel confirmed that laboratory skills could affect PRRSV WGS efficiency. Oral fluid samples seem very promising and merit further investigation because, with only 2 samples of low viral load (Cq = 28.8, 32.8), PRRSV WGS was successful.Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease successfully alleviates motor symptoms, but unanticipated changes in personality, self, and relationships can occur. Little is known about how these nonmotor outcomes affect patients and families. We prospectively examined the experience and meaning of DBS-related changes in personality and self for patients and caregivers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants (11 patient-caregiver dyads) before and 9 months after DBS and analyzed using thematic analysis. We identified three themes present prior to DBS that reflected a time of anticipation, while three themes present after DBS reflected a process of adjustment. Participants noted both positive and negative personality changes, with some, but not all, attributing them to the stimulation. The risk of stimulation-related personality change should be weighed against the procedure’s motor benefits and considered in the context of disease- and medication-related personality changes.