CCETR\u27s Virtual Community Bridge

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/edwk22/1011/thumbnail.jp

Alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town

Our aim was to ascertain the extent of risky alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town, South Africa. We used a cross-sectional survey design and the street intercept method to administer the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A key finding in this study was that 54.30% of male and 47.90% of the female participants were alcohol dependent, according to the classification criteria set out in the AUDIT. Our finding necessitates further investigations into alcohol consumption amongst young adults in South Africa. In addition, researchers should endeavor not only to identify, but also to understand, the dynamics of risk and resilience factors so that this information could be used to develop intervention initiatives that could mediate young adults’ initial consumption of alcohol.Web of Scienc

SB 106 Congressional and state legislative districts; standards and criteria

This report examines Senate Bill (SB) 106, introduced during the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session to address the criterion of redistricting and the specific impact on racial and ethnic minorities. This legislation is a direct response to previous legislative attempts to address gerrymandering and remains an evolving issue in the Commonwealth

Mutational signatures in tumours induced by high and low energy radiation in Trp53 deficient mice.

Ionising radiation (IR) is a recognised carcinogen responsible for cancer development in patients previously treated using radiotherapy, and in individuals exposed as a result of accidents at nuclear energy plants. However, the mutational signatures induced by distinct types and doses of radiation are unknown. Here, we analyse the genetic architecture of mammary tumours, lymphomas and sarcomas induced by high (56Fe-ions) or low (gamma) energy radiation in mice carrying Trp53 loss of function alleles. In mammary tumours, high-energy radiation is associated with induction of focal structural variants, leading to genomic instability and Met amplification. Gamma-radiation is linked to large-scale structural variants and a point mutation signature associated with oxidative stress. The genomic architecture of carcinomas, sarcomas and lymphomas arising in the same animals are significantly different. Our study illustrates the complex interactions between radiation quality, germline Trp53 deficiency and tissue/cell of origin in shaping the genomic landscape of IR-induced tumours

Proof of a Problem

In this paper I have constructed an overview of mathematical proof, which involves several factors. A large part of understanding our current methods of teaching proof is knowing the history of proof. I also take a look at several different methods of proving and why proof is important. The focal point of the paper is the difficulties students have with mathematical proof and the difficulties the students that I did a field study with had. This stems from many different factors, the biggest being definitions. Another problem is lack of emphasis so I have also included an overview of national standards of proof and international comparison for proof. Possible solutions to the difficulties that students have with proof are changing teacher conception of proof, a transitional course, and the modified-Moore method

Native Youth are Medicine

The series of events we've recently experienced have taught us that we, as Native people, need to prepare for the many challenges facing this world. Independence and freedom are our continuing aspirations. The truth is that the solutions to today's world problems lie in our diversity. Resilience is embedded in the Native American youth experience and this provides Native Youth with a unique perspective of the world that empowers them to enact change in their communities. In this age of technology, our youth are incredibly well-educated with access to the data and resources needed to effect change. Now is the time to learn from Native youth, amplify their voices, and join Native youth as they work to improve our country and the world.

Youths’ perceptions of the relation between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour in the Western Cape, South Africa: a qualitative study

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that youth identify as contributing to alcohol consumption, and more specifcally its relation to risky sexual behaviour among youth. We employed an exploratory qualitative method using focus group discussions with 34 young people between the ages of 18-25-years-old in low socio-economic status communities in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Data were analyzed thematically utilizing Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step thematic analysis process. We identifed two thematic domains pertaining to alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour, namely individual and social factors, each comprising three themes. The individual factors thematic domain comprises intrapersonal infuences, employment and educational attainment; while the social factors thematic domain includes interpersonal infuences, social infuences, and hope for the future. Youth living in low socio-economic status communities were thought to be at greater risk of alcohol misuse and subsequent risky behaviour, given the political and social history of marginalisation, systematic oppression, and social inequality. To address alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among youth, we recommend interventions with adolescents, parents or guardians, and the community. More specifcally, interventions aimed at adolescents should focus on the transition to young adulthood. Interventions with parents should focus on their role in modelling and potentially regulating alcohol consumption. Finally, community interventions should centre on drinking behaviors, levels of drinking, what constitutes harmful drinking, and how to identify when treatment and recovery support is likely to be required

The X-ray and radio activity of typical and luminous Lya emitters from z~2 to z~6: Evidence for a diverse, evolving population

Despite recent progress in understanding Lyman-alpha (Lya) emitters (LAEs), relatively little is known regarding their typical black hole activity across cosmic time. Here, we study the X-ray and radio properties of ~4000 LAEs at 2.23) and find an average luminosity of 10^{44.07+-0.01} erg/s and an average black hole accretion rate (BHAR) of 0.42+-0.01 Msun/yr, consistent with moderate to high accreting AGN. We detect 120 sources in deep radio data, implying a LAE radio AGN fraction of 3.2+-0.3%. Approximately half of the LAEs detected in the radio are also detected in the X-rays, resulting in a total AGN fraction of 8.6+-0.4% for >L* LAEs. The total AGN fraction rises with Lya luminosity and declines with increasing redshift. For AGN, we find that Lya luminosities correlate with the BHARs, suggesting that Lya luminosity becomes an accretion rate indicator. Most LAEs (93.1+-0.6%) at

Linocin and OmpW Are Involved In Attachment Of The Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Pathogen Burkholderia Cepacia Complex To Lung Epithelial Cells and Protect Mice Against Infection

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) causes chronic opportunistic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) resulting in a gradual lung function decline and, ultimately, patient death. Bcc is a complex of eighteen species and is rarely eradicated once a patient is colonised, therefore vaccination may represent a better therapeutic option. We developed a new proteomics approach to identify bacterial proteins that are involved in attachment of Bcc to lung epithelial cells. Fourteen proteins were reproducibly identified by 2-DE from four Bcc strains, representative of two Bcc species: B. cenocepacia, the most virulent and B. multivorans, the most frequently acquired. Seven proteins were identified in both species, but only two were common to all four strains, Linocin and OmpW. Both proteins were selected based previously published data on these proteins in other species. The E. coli strains expressing recombinant Linocin and OmpW showed enhanced attachment (4.2- and 3.9-fold) to lung cells, compared to control, confirming that both proteins are involved in host cell attachment. Immunoproteomic analysis using serum from Bcc colonised CF patients confirmed that both proteins elicit potent humoral responses in vivo. Mice immunised with either recombinant Linocin or OmpW were protected from B. cenocepacia and B. multivorans challenge. Both antigens induced potent antigen-specific antibody responses and stimulated strong cytokine responses. In conclusion, our approach identified adhesins that induced excellent protection against two Bcc species and are promising vaccine candidates for a multi-subunit vaccine. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of our proteomics approach to identify potent antigens against other difficult pathogens