A Note on the Economic Implications of A Focused Tourism Event: Bikers in Myrtle Beach

As we have graphically seen since September 11, 2001, areas which depend heavily upon tourism as a primary source of income face a host of challenges. South Carolina\u27s Grand Strand area is a good example of just such an area. A number of focused tourism-related events intended to attract a certain segment of the population have evolved over the years. Two such events revolve around the attraction of motorcyclists. One occurs during early to mid-May (with a burgeoning repeat presence in the Fall), while the other occurs over Memorial Day weekend. Both events have proven to be successful in terms of attracting participants, but are also seen as being somewhat problematic. Of course, proof of economic success rests with demonstrating the overall impact that each event has on the area. This study seeks to examine spending patterns of three important and relatively diverse tourist groups (i.e., including tourists who would ordinarily be attracted to the area regardless of the event) to gain some appreciation for possible benefits or pitfalls

Use of ITS‑1 to identify Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera occipitalis (Diptera: Tephritidae): a case study using flies trapped in California from 2008 to 2018

Molecular methods are necessary to diagnose immature life stages of the agricultural pest fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and are useful to corroborate identifications based on adults because morphological variation within the species can overlap with congeners. DNA sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS‑1) has been adopted by the International Plant Protection Convention as an internationally accepted method to distinguish between the 2 pestiferous fruit fly species Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera carambolae (Drew & Hancock). Reported ITS‑1 sequences also are distinct and diagnostically informative to distinguish several other Bactrocera species related to B. dorsalis. In this study, we applied DNA sequencing of ITS‑1 to a collection of 513 adult flies trapped in California, USA, in the yr 2008 to 2018. Internal transcribed spacer 1 sequences were successfully recovered from 504 (98%) of these flies. One fly had an ITS‑1 sequence that matched B. occipitalis (Bezzi) records. Re-examination of that fly using cytochrome c oxidase I, elongation factor 1‑alpha, and morphology supports it as the second record of B. occipitalis trapped in California. The other 503 flies had ITS‑1 sequences consistent with B. dorsalis. Six unique ITS‑1 sequences (or DNA types) were observed in the collection of 503 B. dorsalis. Three of the ITS‑1 sequences (types A, B, and C) were present in 84% of the 503 flies and match ITS‑1 records reported in prior publications on B. dorsalis. The other 3 sequences (types D, E, and F) observed in 4% of the 503 B. dorsalis have not been reported in publications. Ambiguous nucleotides were observed from 12% of the 503 B. dorsalis flies, precluding designation of a sequence type. Including the 3 new types from the current study, a total of 15 unique ITS‑1 sequences now are known for B. dorsalis. The study, therefore, documents additional intraspecific variation of ITS‑1 that aids in future applications for species identification. - Los métodos moleculares son necesarios para diagnosticar los estadios de vida inmaduras de la plaga agrícola mosca de la fruta Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) y son útiles para corroborar identificaciones basadas en adultos por la variación morfológica dentro de la especie puede superponerse con congéneres. La secuenciación del ADN del espaciador transcrito interno ribosómico nuclear 1 (ITS-1) ha sido adoptada por la Convención Internacional de Protección Fitosanitaria como un método aceptado internacionalmente para distinguir entre las dos especies de moscas de la fruta, Bactrocera dorsalis y Bactrocera carambolae (Drew & Hancock). Las secuencias de ITS-1 notificadas también son distintas y proporcionan información diagnóstica para distinguir varias otras especies de Bactrocera relacionadas con B. dorsalis. En este estudio, aplicamos la secuenciación de ADN de ITS-1 a una colección de 513 moscas adultas atrapadas en California, EE. UU. desde el 2008 hasta el 2018. Se recuperaron las secuencias espaciadoras transcritas internas1 con éxito de 504 (98%) de estas moscas. Una mosca tenía una secuencia ITS-1 que coincidía con los registros de B. occipitalis (Bezzi). El reexamen de esa mosca usando la citocromo c oxidasa I, el factor de elongación 1-alfa y la morfología lo respalda como el segundo registro de B. occipitalis atrapada en California. Las otras 503 moscas tenían secuencias de ITS-1 compatibles con B. dorsalis. Se observaron seis secuencias únicas de ITS-1 (o tipos de ADN) en la colección de 503 B. dorsalis. Tres de las secuencias de ITS-1 (tipos A, B, y C) estaban presentes en el 84% de las 503 moscas y coinciden con los registros de ITS-1 informados en publicaciones anteriores sobre B. dorsalis. Las otras 3 secuencias (tipos D, E, y F) observadas en el 4% de las 503 B. dorsalis no han sido reportadas en publicaciones. Se observaron nucleótidos ambiguos en el 12% de las 503 moscas B. dorsalis, lo que excluye la designación de un tipo de secuencia. Incluyendo los 3 nuevos tipos del estudio actual, ahora se conocen un total de 15 secuencias ITS-1 únicas para B. dorsalis. Por lo tanto, el estudio documenta una variación intraespecífica adicional de ITS-1 que ayuda en futuras aplicaciones para la identificación de especies

PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALYSIS CORRECTS COLLIDER BIAS IN POLYGENIC RISK SCORE EFFECT SIZE ESTIMATION

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide polygenic scoring has emerged as a way to predict psychiatric and behavioral outcomes and identify environments that promote the expression of genetic risks. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that the effects of polygenic risk scores (PRS) may be biased by the inclusion of heritable environments as covariates when the environment is influenced by unmeasured confounding variables, an example of collider bias. Inclusion of the principal components of observed confounders as covariates may correct for the effect of unmeasured confounders. METHODS: A simulation study was conducted to test principal components analysis (PCA) as a correction for collider bias. Data were sampled from a model which tested different values for the effect of the polygenic risk score on the heritable environment, the correlation structure of the unmeasured confounding data, and the proportion of the confounding data that is used to construct the principal components. Other model parameters were fixed across all simulation iterations. RESULTS: Modeling the first PC of observed confounders as a covariate recovers the PRS effect size estimate under reasonable assumptions about the proportion of the confounding data that is measured or the correlation structure of the confounding data. Required assumptions become stricter as the effect of PRS on environment (and the magnitude of bias) increases. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of the first PC of observed confounders as a covariate may improve the accuracy of PRS effect size estimation when heritable environments are included in the model as covariates. Future directions include application of this method in observed data.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1130/thumbnail.jp

Sibling comparisons elucidate the associations between educational attainment polygenic scores and alcohol, nicotine and cannabis.

Background and aimsThe associations between low educational attainment and substance use disorders (SUDs) may be related to a common genetic vulnerability. We aimed to elucidate the associations between polygenic scores for educational attainment and clinical criterion counts for three SUDs (alcohol, nicotine and cannabis).DesignPolygenic association and sibling comparison methods. The latter strengthens inferences in observational research by controlling for confounding factors that differ between families.SettingSix sites in the United States.ParticipantsEuropean ancestry participants aged 25 years and older from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). Polygenic association analyses included 5582 (54% female) participants. Sibling comparisons included 3098 (52% female) participants from 1226 sibling groups nested within the overall sample.MeasurementsOutcomes included criterion counts for DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUDSX), Fagerström nicotine dependence (NDSX) and DSM-5 cannabis use disorder (CUDSX). We derived polygenic scores for educational attainment (EduYears-GPS) using summary statistics from a large (> 1 million) genome-wide association study of educational attainment.FindingsIn polygenic association analyses, higher EduYears-GPS predicted lower AUDSX, NDSX and CUDSX [P < 0.01, effect sizes (R2 ) ranging from 0.30 to 1.84%]. These effects were robust in sibling comparisons, where sibling differences in EduYears-GPS predicted all three SUDs (P < 0.05, R2 0.13-0.20%).ConclusionsIndividuals who carry more alleles associated with educational attainment tend to meet fewer clinical criteria for alcohol, nicotine and cannabis use disorders, and these effects are robust to rigorous controls for potentially confounding factors that differ between families (e.g. socio-economic status, urban-rural residency and parental education)

Gene-by-Intervention Effects on Alcohol Dependence Symptoms in Emerging Adulthood

The Importance of Peer Influence for LGBTQ+ Youth in Rural Communities Aaron Kemmerer supported by findings from Safe as Yourself (SAY) Project Traci Wike (PI), Leah Bouchard, Maurico Yabar, and Aaron Kemmerer Objectives: To explore the experiences and narratives of LGBTQ+ youth in rural North Carolina. To elaborate on the influence of peer support and impact of peer victimization for LGBTQ+ youth in rural North Carolina. Methods: Data was collected from eleven young people who were interviewed from 2019-2020 at an LGBTQ+ youth center in rural North Carolina. The interviews were coded and analyzed using narrative analysis on a team of interraters; the team consisted of four members from VCU School of Social Work: the principle investigator, two doctoral research assistants, and an MSW research assistant. Results: Analysis of the interviews, though still in process, so far highlights the impact of the dual impact of participants’ peers --- simultaneously pointing to LGBTQ+ youth experiences with both peer victimization (as a risk factor) and peer support (as a resilience factor). Conclusions: Peer support is vital for LGBTQ+ youth in rural communities and may help offset the negative impact of peer victimization.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1059/thumbnail.jp

Polygenic risk for alcohol misuse is moderated by romantic partnerships

Background and Aims Previous twin research suggests relationship status can moderate underlying genetic liability towards alcohol misuse. This paper examined: (1) whether genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) for alcohol consumption are associated with alcohol misuse; (2) whether these GPS are moderated by romantic relationships (gene-environment interaction; G x E) and (3) whether G x E results are consistent across sex. Design Linear mixed-effects models were used to test associations between genome-wide polygenic scores, relationship status and alcohol use/misuse. Setting Finnish twins born between 1983 and 1987 identified through Finland's central population registry. Participants An intensively studied subset of Finnish Twin Study (FinnTwin12) during the young adult phase (aged 20-26 years). The analytical sample includes those with complete interview and genetic data (n = 1201). Measurements Key measurements included involvement in a romantic partnership, drinking frequency, intoxication frequency and DSM-IV alcohol dependence (AD) symptoms. Genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) were created from available summary statistics from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of drinks per week. Results GPS predicted drinking frequency [b = 0.109; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.050, 0.168], intoxication frequency (b = 0.111; 95% CI = 0.054, 0.168) and AD symptoms (b = 0.123; 95% CI = 0.064, 0.182). Having a romantic relationship negatively influenced the association between GPS and drinking frequency (b = -0.105; 95% CI = -0.211, -0.001), intoxication frequency (b = -0.118; 95% CI = -0.220, -0.016) and AD symptoms (b = -0.119; 95% CI = -0.229, -0.009). There was a three-way interaction between sex, relationship status and GPS for intoxication frequency (b = 0.223; 95% CI = 0.013, 0.433), such that the reduced association between GPS and intoxication frequency for those in a relationship was only apparent in males. We found no evidence of three-way interactions for drinking frequency or AD symptoms. Conclusions Being in a romantic relationship reduced the association between genetic predisposition and drinking, high-risk drinking and alcohol problems. However, for high-risk drinking the protective effect was limited to males, mapping onto earlier findings suggesting that males benefit more from romantic partnerships.Peer reviewe

Molecular Remodeling of Tip Links Underlies Mechanosensory Regeneration in Auditory Hair Cells

Sound detection by inner ear hair cells requires tip links that interconnect mechanosensory stereocilia and convey force to yet unidentified transduction channels. Current models postulate a static composition of the tip link, with protocadherin 15 (PCDH15) at the lower and cadherin 23 (CDH23) at the upper end of the link. In terminally differentiated mammalian auditory hair cells, tip links are subjected to sound-induced forces throughout an organism\u27s life. Although hair cells can regenerate disrupted tip links and restore hearing, the molecular details of this process are unknown. We developed a novel implementation of backscatter electron scanning microscopy to visualize simultaneously immuno-gold particles and stereocilia links, both of only a few nanometers in diameter. We show that functional, mechanotransduction-mediating tip links have at least two molecular compositions, containing either PCDH15/CDH23 or PCDH15/PCDH15. During regeneration, shorter tip links containing nearly equal amounts of PCDH15 at both ends appear first. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrate that these transient PCDH15/PCDH15 links mediate mechanotransduction currents of normal amplitude but abnormal Ca(2+)-dependent decay (adaptation). The mature PCDH15/CDH23 tip link composition is re-established later, concomitant with complete recovery of adaptation. Thus, our findings provide a molecular mechanism for regeneration and maintenance of mechanosensory function in postmitotic auditory hair cells and could help identify elusive components of the mechanotransduction machinery

The Expectation Monad in Quantum Foundations

The expectation monad is introduced abstractly via two composable adjunctions, but concretely captures measures. It turns out to sit in between known monads: on the one hand the distribution and ultrafilter monad, and on the other hand the continuation monad. This expectation monad is used in two probabilistic analogues of fundamental results of Manes and Gelfand for the ultrafilter monad: algebras of the expectation monad are convex compact Hausdorff spaces, and are dually equivalent to so-called Banach effect algebras. These structures capture states and effects in quantum foundations, and also the duality between them. Moreover, the approach leads to a new re-formulation of Gleason's theorem, expressing that effects on a Hilbert space are free effect modules on projections, obtained via tensoring with the unit interval.Comment: In Proceedings QPL 2011, arXiv:1210.029