Asset Building in Low-Income Communities of Color, Part 1

Examines practices and policies in states rated high on the Corporation for Enterprise Development's scorecard for asset building in poor communities of color. Analyzes socioeconomic, legislative, and other factors believed to support asset building

Scaling of human behavior during portal browsing

We investigate transitions of portals users between different subpages. A weighted network of portals subpages is reconstructed where edge weights are numbers of corresponding transitions. Distributions of link weights and node strengths follow power laws over several decades. Node strength increases faster than linearly with node degree. The distribution of time spent by the user at one subpage decays as power law with exponent around 1.3. Distribution of numbers P(z) of unique subpages during one visit is exponential. We find a square root dependence between the average z and the total number of transitions n during a single visit. Individual path of portal user resembles of self-attracting walk on the weighted network. Analytical model is developed to recover in part the collected data.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

How best to provide help to bereaved adolescents:a Delphi consensus study

BACKGROUND: Many adolescents struggle with their grief and mental health issues after the death of a close person, such as a family member or a friend. Given the potentially devastating impact of the loss on the adolescent and their family, professional help can be warranted. However, little is known about how to best help these adolescents. This study aimed to address this gap by determining what help professionals (i.e., counselors) should provide to bereaved adolescents. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to achieve consensus regarding the importance of statements that describe actions a helping professional can take to help a bereaved adolescent. Statements were compiled through a systematic search of the scientific and grey literature, and reviewing interview data from a recent related research study with bereaved adolescents, parents and counselors. An expert panel (N = 49) comprising 16 adolescents, 14 parents and 19 helping professionals, rated each statement. Statements that were endorsed by at least 80% of panellists were considered consensus recommendations. RESULTS: Panellists endorsed 130 out of 190 statements as appropriate actions. These included help for a bereaved adolescent being offered on an ongoing basis, with support to be provided flexibly to meet individual adolescent needs and to acknowledge the agency of the adolescent. Support after a loss by suicide should be tailored to address specific suicide-related issues. Parents of bereaved adolescents should also be offered support so that they are better equipped to help their bereaved adolescent. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified consensus recommendations on how a helping professional might best help bereaved adolescents. It is hoped that these recommendations will guide helping professionals and enhance adolescent grief interventions

BAF180 promotes cohesion and prevents genome instability and aneuploidy

BAF180, a subunit of the PBAF chromatin remodeling complex, is frequently mutated in cancer. Although PBAF regulates transcription, it remains unclear whether this is what drives tumorigenesis in cells lacking BAF180. Based on data from yeast, we hypothesized that BAF180 may prevent tumorigenesis by promoting cohesion. Here, we show BAF180 is required for centromeric cohesion in mouse and human cells. Mutations identified in tumor samples are unable to support this activity, and also compromise cohesion-dependent functions in yeast. We provide evidence of genome instability in line with loss of cohesion, and importantly, we find dynamic chromosome instability following DNA damage in cells lacking BAF180. These data demonstrate a function for BAF180 in promoting genome stability that is distinct from its well-characterized role in transcriptional regulation, uncovering a potent mechanism for its tumor-suppressor activity

Development and evaluation of an interactive multimedia clinical skills teaching program designed for the pediatric clerkship.

Background and Purpose: The physical examination section of a multimedia program developed to teach infant history and physical examination skills was evaluated. Methods: 71 students participated: one group viewed only the physical examination section (PX), one the history section (HX), one none of the program (CX). Physical examination skills were assessed by direct observation of medical students performing an abdominal exam and scored using a checklist at baseline, immediately after intervention and at the end of the pediatric clerkship. Results were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures. Results: Baseline scores were: PX 2.5; HX 2.8. The PX group scored significantly higher immediately post intervention at 6.8 compared to the HX group 3.1. At the end of the clerkship significant differences between the groups remained. Final group mean scores were: PX 5.5, HX 4.4 and CX 2.7. Conclusion: The program improved examination skills with attenuation over 6 weeks

Applying Publicly Available Contextual Factors to Predict Smoking Relapse in a National Sample

Background: The ecological fallacy is broadly understood, though its complimentary problem, the individualistic or atomistic fallacy, isless often considered. Multilevel models offer the statistical tools needed to avoid both errors by allowing simultaneous considerationof individual, contextual, and policy factors. This study applies such methods to smoking cessation data. Tobacco control is of particularconcern in Ohio where the adult smoking prevalence remains around 22%.Methods: Data from the 1,785 participants in the Technology Enhanced Quitline Study were used to test the theory that contextualfactors impact relapse rates and program effectiveness, employing a mixed-effects model to account for the nested nature of the datawhile testing for the relationship between contextual factors and relapse, controlling for individual characteristics.Results: No contextual factors or policy variables were significant predictors of smoking relapse in the sample, nor were any associated with the success of the intervention.Conclusions: While this work could not identify specific influences of contextual and policy factors on smoking outcomes in our sample, it demonstrates the feasibility of adding such predictors to future clinical trials. This project clearly does not rule out the possibility that contextual and policy factors may influence smoking even after controlling for individual characteristics, but does not provide strong evidence of such a link. It is possible that these negative findings may be due to geocoded mailing addresses being a poor proxy for relevant contextual factors, use of the wrong geographic unit of analysis (modifiable areal unit problem), or a lack of temporal resolution in contextual variables

Estimating the Magnitude of Illicit Cigarette Trade in Bangladesh:Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study

The illicit tobacco trade undermines the effectiveness of tobacco tax policies; increases the availability of cheap cigarettes, which, in turn, increases tobacco use and tobacco related deaths; and causes huge revenue losses to governments. There is limited evidence on the extent of illicit tobacco trade particularly cigarettes in Bangladesh. The paper presents the protocol for a mixed-methods study to estimate the extent of illicit cigarette trade in Bangladesh. The study will address three research questions: (a) What proportion of cigarettes sold as retail are illicit? (b) What are the common types of tax avoidance and tax evasion? (c) Can pack examination from the trash recycle market be considered as a new method to assess illicit trade in comparison to that from retailers and streets? Following an observational research method, data will be collected utilizing empty cigarette packs from three sources: (a) retailers; (b) streets; and (c) trash recycle market. In addition, a structured questionnaire will be used to collect information from retailers selling cigarettes. We will select post codes as Primary Sampling Unit (PSU) using a multi-stage random sampling technique. We will randomly select eight districts from eight divisions stratified by those with land border and non-land border; and within each district, we will randomly select ten postcodes, stratified by rural (five) and urban (five) PSU to ensure maximum geographical variation, leading to a total of eighty post codes from eight districts. The analysis will report the proportions of packs that do not comply with the study definition of illicit. Independent estimates of illicit tobacco are rare in low-and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. Findings will inform efforts by revenue authorities and others to address the effects of illicit trade and counter tobacco industry claims

Enzyme prodrug therapy achieves site-specific, personalized physiological responses to the locally produced nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly potent but short-lived endogenous radical with a wide spectrum of physiological activities. In this work, we developed an enzymatic approach to the site-specific synthesis of NO mediated by biocatalytic surface coatings. Multilayered polyelectrolyte films were optimized as host compartments for the immobilized β-galactosidase (β-Gal) enzyme through a screen of eight polycations and eight polyanions. The lead composition was used to achieve localized production of NO through the addition of β-Gal–NONOate, a prodrug that releases NO following enzymatic bioconversion. The resulting coatings afforded physiologically relevant flux of NO matching that of the healthy human endothelium. The antiproliferative effect due to the synthesized NO in cell culture was site-specific: within a multiwell dish with freely shared media and nutrients, a 10-fold inhibition of cell growth was achieved on top of the biocatalytic coatings compared to the immediately adjacent enzyme-free microwells. The physiological effect of NO produced via the enzyme prodrug therapy was validated ex vivo in isolated arteries through the measurement of vasodilation. Biocatalytic coatings were deposited on wires produced using alloys used in clinical practice and successfully mediated a NONOate concentration-dependent vasodilation in the small arteries of rats. The results of this study present an exciting opportunity to manufacture implantable biomaterials with physiological responses controlled to the desired level for personalized treatment

Human Development and Controlled Substance Prescribing in Ohio Counties

Background: Human development is a holistic measure of well-being. The American Human Development Index (AHDI) operationalizes the concept for the American context, using a composite measure of income, education, and health. This work presents the first county-level examination of AHDI for the state of Ohio and examines the relationship between human development and controlled substance prescribing.Methods: Publicly available data from the census and prior publications were compiled to calculate county-level AHDI for all 88 Ohio counties. Correlations were examined between AHDI and 4 classes of controlled substances, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and sedatives, using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient.Results: County AHDI scores ranged from 3.3 to 7.6, with mean and median values of 4.8. At the county level, human development is negatively correlated with opioid (r = -0.46, r2 = 0.22, P <0.0001) and benzodiazepine (r = -0.43, r2 = 0.18, P <0.0001) prescribing and positively associated with stimulant prescribing (r = 0.49, r2 = 0.24, P <0.0001). Neither sedative prescribing practices (r = 0.09, P = 0.40) nor median age (r = -0.09, P = 0.41) were significantly correlated with AHDI.Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between AHDI and prescribing of several classes of controlled substanc-es. Work remains to ascertain mechanisms and directionality of these relationships. Whether higher prescribing in areas with lower human development is an attempt to medicate health inequity or low human development is an additional manifestation of the opioid epidemic, this study underscores the necessity of pursuing equity in all policies

Automated Telephone Monitoring for Relapse Risk among Recent Quitters Enrolled in Quitline Services

poster abstractThis study is part of a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of interactive voice response (IVR) technology for enhancing existing quitline services (Free & Clear’s Quit for Life® program) to prevent smoking relapse and achieve abstinence. The IVR system screens for six indicators of risk for relapse including smoking lapse, physical withdrawal symptoms, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, decreased self-efficacy for quitting, and decreased motivation to quit. Participants can screen positive on any one or more risks, resulting in a rollover call to a telephone counselor. There are two intervention arms that differ in timing and frequency of IVR screening. In the Technology Enhanced Quitline arm (TEQ-10), 10 automated calls are placed at decreasing frequency for 8 weeks post-quit (twice a week for the first two weeks, then weekly). The High Intensity Technology-Enhanced Quitline arm (TEQ-20) includes 20 IVR calls (daily for the first 2 weeks, then weekly). This preliminary analysis includes IVR data collected on calls from 4/12/2010 to 10/31/2010. 2620 calls were made to 98 participants in the two intervention arms, TEQ-10 (n=44) and TEQ-20 (n=54). The two arms did not differ significantly on demographics or comorbid conditions. Three outcomes were analyzed: completed screening assessments, positive screen for relapse risk, and smoking lapse (i.e., smoking even a puff since the last call). 136 of the 736 (18.5%) completed assessments were positive for relapse risk: 66 for smoking lapse (49%), 42 craving (31%), 32 depressive symptoms (24%), 27 lack of confidence (20%), 8 stress (6%), and 8 lack of motivation (6%). Logistic regression models (adjusted for age and gender), with GEE estimation to account for withinperson correlation, showed that compared to the TEQ-10 study group, participants in the TEQ-20 study group were more likely to complete assessments (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.2-2.4), less likely to screen positive for relapse risk (OR=.3; 95% CI=.2-.6), and less likely to have smoked (OR=.2; 95% CI=.09-.4). These results indicate that frequent IVR monitoring during the immediate postquit period may have a positive effect on relapse risk