Peer crowd affiliation as a segmentation tool for young adult tobacco use.

BackgroundIn California, young adult tobacco prevention is of prime importance; 63% of smokers start by the age of 18 years, and 97% start by the age of 26 years. We examined social affiliation with 'peer crowd' (eg, Hipsters) as an innovative way to identify high-risk tobacco users.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2014 (N=3368) among young adult bar patrons in 3 California cities. We examined use rates of five products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah, cigars and smokeless tobacco) by five race/ethnicity categories. Peer crowd affiliation was scored based on respondents' selecting pictures of young adults representing those most and least likely to be in their friend group. Respondents were classified into categories based on the highest score; the peer crowd score was also examined as a continuous predictor. Logistic regression models with each tobacco product as the outcome tested the unique contribution of peer crowd affiliation, controlling for race/ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation and city.ResultsRespondents affiliating with Hip Hop and Hipster peer crowds reported significantly higher rates of tobacco use. As a categorical predictor, peer crowd was related to tobacco use, independent of associations with race/ethnicity. As a continuous predictor, Hip Hop peer crowd affiliation was also associated with tobacco use, and Young Professional affiliation was negatively associated, independent of demographic factors.ConclusionsTobacco product use is not the same across racial/ethnic groups or peer crowds, and peer crowd predicts tobacco use independent of race/ethnicity. Antitobacco interventions targeting peer crowds may be an effective way to reach young adult tobacco users.Trial registration numberNCT01686178, Pre-results

Bars, Nightclubs, and Cancer Prevention: New Approaches to Reduce Young Adult Cigarette Smoking.

IntroductionTobacco contributes to multiple cancers, and it is largely preventable. As overall smoking prevalence in California declines, smoking has become concentrated among high-risk groups. Targeting social/cultural groups (i.e., "peer crowds") that share common values, aspirations, and activities in social venues like bars and nightclubs may reach high-risk young adult smokers. Lack of population data on young adult peer crowds limits the ability to assess the potential reach of such interventions.MethodsThis multimodal population-based household survey included young adults residing in San Francisco and Alameda counties. Data were collected in 2014 and analyzed in 2016. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed smoking by sociodemographic factors, attitudes, self-rated health, peer crowd affiliation, and bar/nightclub attendance.ResultsSmoking prevalence was 15.1% overall; 35.3% of respondents sometimes or frequently attended bars. In controlled analyses, bar attendance (AOR=2.13, 95% CI=1.00, 4.53) and binge drinking (AOR=3.17, 95% CI=1.59, 6.32) were associated with greater odds of smoking, as was affiliation with "Hip Hop" (AOR=4.32, 95% CI=1.48, 12.67) and "Country" (AOR=3.13, 95% CI=1.21, 8.09) peer crowds. Multivariable models controlling for demographics estimated a high probability of smoking among bar patrons affiliating with Hip Hop (47%) and Country (52%) peer crowds.ConclusionsBar attendance and affiliation with certain peer crowds confers significantly higher smoking risk. Interventions targeting Hip Hop and Country peer crowds could efficiently reach smokers, and peer crowd-tailored interventions have been associated with decreased smoking and binge drinking. Targeted interventions in bars and nightclubs may be an efficient way to address these cancer risks

Stability of extemporaneously prepared ophthalmic solutions for mydriasis

Purpose Results of an evaluation of the physical and chemical stability of extemporaneously prepared adult and pediatric ophthalmic solutions containing combinations of phenylephrine, tropicamide, and cyclopentolate are reported. Methods A stability study was conducted to help determine the feasibility of innovative formulations to meet an unmet clinical need for combination mydriatic ophthalmic eyedrops. An adult mydriatic ophthalmic solution containing phenylephrine hydrochloride 2.5% and tropicamide 1.0% and a pediatric formulation containing phenylephrine hydrochloride 2.5%, tropicamide 0.5%, and cyclopentolate hydrochloride 0.5% were prepared using proper aseptic techniques. Triplicate samples of each formulation were stored for 60 days at refrigeration temperatures (2–8 °C) and analyzed on day 0 and days 7, 14, 28, and 60. At each time point, the stability samples were assessed by visual inspection, pH measurement, and stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results Over the 60-day storage period, there was no significant change in the visual appearance or pH level of any of the adult or pediatric solution samples. The results of HPLC analysis indicated that all samples retained 97–102% of the initial drug concentrations for up to 60 days. Conclusion Both adult and pediatric ophthalmic formulations containing combinations of phenylephrine, tropicamide, and cyclopentolate were stable physically and chemically for up to 60 days when stored at refrigeration temperatures (2–8 °C)

Kebiasaan Belajar Anak dalam Keluarga Suku Togutil Halmahera Timur

This study aims to assess the depth of culture and Suku Togutil child's study habits. The method use disqualitative type of ethnography. The research shows, children's study habits Suku Togutil tendstolag because of cultural habits learned they were not familiar, rather they learn in real life. It found that: (1) social and cultural life of society the majority has beenlost, (2) child's study habits Suku Togutil adjusted to the culture, the environment and people's beliefs, (3) the lack of attention of parents, communities, schools, and cultural influence study habits Suku Togutil children, and (4) to meet the need children, parents as well as the motivation of facilities and infrastructure facilities can enhance children's learning habits in Dusun Titipa.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji lebih mendalam budaya serta kebiasaan belajar anak suku Togutil. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif jenis etnografi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, kebiasaaan belajar anak suku Togutil cenderung tertinggal karena budaya kebiasaan belajar mereka yang belum terbiasa, justru mereka belajar pada kehidupan yang real. Ditemukan bahwa (1) kehidupan sosial budaya masyarakat sebagian telah hilang, (2) kebiasaan belajar anak suku Togutil disesuaikan dengan kondisi budaya, lingkungan serta keyakinan masyarakat, (3) kurangnya perhatian orangtua, lingkungan masyarakat, sekolah, dan budaya memengaruhi kebiasaan belajar anak Suku Togutil, dan (4) memenuhi kebutuhan anak, motivasi orangtua serta fasilitas sarana dan prasarana dapat meningkatkan kebiasaan belajar anak di dusun Titipa

Other Tobacco Product Use Among Sexual Minority Young Adult Bar Patrons

Introduction—Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals smoke at rates 1.5–2 times higher than the general population, but less is known about LGB consumption of other tobacco products (OTPs) and gender differences. OTP use among young adult LGB bar patrons and the relationship among past quit attempts, intention to quit, and binge drinking with OTP use was examined. Methods—A cross-sectional survey of young adults (aged 18–26) in bars/nightclubs in seven U.S. cities between 2012 and 2014 (N=8,010; 1,101 LGB participants) was analyzed in 2016. Logistic regressions examined current use of five OTPs (cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah, chewing tobacco, and snus) and sexual minority status, adjusting for demographics and comparing LB women and GB men with their heterosexual counterparts. Results—LGB bar/nightclub patrons used all OTPs more than their heterosexual counterparts. LB women were more likely than heterosexual women to use cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah, chew, and snus. GB men were more likely than heterosexual men to smoke cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah, and use chew and snus. Past-year quit attempt was associated with increased odds of electronic cigarette use in men and women, and increased odds of dual use (cigarettes and OTPs) among men. Intention to quit was negatively associated with dual use among women. Binge drinking was associated with increased use of all OTPs across genders. Conclusions—LGB bar-going young adults are at higher risk for OTP use than their heterosexual counterparts. Bar-based interventions are needed to address all forms of tobacco use in this high-risk group

Peran Guru dalam Pendidikan Islam Perspektif Al-Qur’an dan Hadits

Dalam dunia pendidikan, keberadaan pendidik dan peserta didik sangatlah penting. Peran guru menjadi krusial karena mereka menjadi sumber panduan bagi para peserta didik. Dalam pendidikan, seorang pendidik yang telah mengabdikan dirinya untuk mengajar peserta didik harus memenuhi syarat, memiliki tugas, dan kepribadian yang ditentukan. Selain itu, penting untuk memahami bagaimana pendidik dalam konteks Al-Qur'an dan Hadis yaitu murabbi, mu'allim, mu'addib, mudarris, muzakki, dan ustadz. Penulis bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan menulis jurnal dengan judul "Hakikat Pendidik dalam Pendidikan Islam" dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif yaitu pengumpulan data. Menurut penulis, untuk dapat menciptakan generasi yang cerdas dengan akhlak dan tutur kata yang baik, seorang pendidik harus memenuhi syarat-syarat, tugas, dan kepribadian yang mencerminkan seorang guru profesional

Synthesizing an Agent-Based Heterogeneous Population Model for Epidemic Surveillance

In this paper we propose a probabilistic approach to synthesize an agent-based heterogeneous population interaction model to study the spatio-temporal dynamics of an air-born epidemic, such as influenza, in a metropolitan area. The methodology is generic in nature and can generate a baseline population for cities for which detailed population summary tables are not available. The joint probabilities of population demographics are estimated using the International Public Use Microsimulation Data (IPUMS) sample data set. Agents, are assigned various activities based on several characteristics. The agent-based model for the city of Lahore, Pakistan is synthesized and a rule based disease spread model of influenza is simulated. The simulation results are visualized to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of the epidemic. The results show that the proposed model can be used by officials and medical experts to simulate an outbreak

The role of two families of bacterial enzymes in putrescine synthesis from agmatine via agmatine deiminase

Putrescine, one of the main biogenic amines associated to microbial food spoilage, can be formed by bacteriafrom arginine via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), or from agmatine via agmatine deiminase (AgDI). This study aims to correlate putrescine production from agmatine to the pathway involving N-carbamoylputrescine formation via AdDI (the aguAproduct) and N-carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase (the aguB product), or putrescine carbamoyltransferase (the ptcA product) in bacteria. PCR methods were developed to detect the two genes involved in putrescine production from agmatine.Putrescine production from agmatine could be linked to the  aguA and  ptcA genes in  Lactobacillus hilgardii X1B,Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 11700, and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579. By contrast Lactobacillus sakei 23K was unable toproduce putrescine, and although a fragment of DNA corresponding to the gene aguA was amplified, no amplification wasobserved for the ptcA gene. Pseudomonasaeruginosa PAO1 produces putrescine and is reported to harbour aguA and aguBgenes, responsible for agmatine deiminase and N-carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase activities. The enzyme from P. aeruginosa PAO1 that converts N-carbamoylputrescine to putrescine (the aguB product) is different from other microorganismsstudied (the ptcA product). Therefore, the aguB gene from P. aeruginosa PAO1 could not be amplified with ptcA specificprimers. The aguB and ptcA genes have frequently been erroneously annotated in the past, as in fact these two enzymes areneither homologous nor analogous. Furthermore, the aguA, aguB and ptcA sequences available from GenBank were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, revealing that gram-positive bacteria harboured ptcA, whereas gram-negative bacteria harbouraguB. This paper also discusses the role of the agmatine deiminase system (AgDS) in acid stress resistance.&nbsp