Factors of motivation to participation in LGBTQaffinity choruses

The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic make-up of LGBTQaffinity choruses, to assess the degree of participation by these individuals, and to understand how participant demographics influence the perceived importance of various motivational factors which impact participation. Following pilot qualitative research to determine motivational factors, a novel internet-based survey instrument was created to determine the relative importance of selected factors on beginning and continuing participation in LGBTQ-affinity choruses. In total, 706 individuals fully completed the Likert-type matrix questions and comprised the sample for this study. Data were analyzed using appropriate measurements for each data type including descriptive statistics, single factor and multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic ordinal regression. Descriptive findings indicated that study participants were overwhelmingly white, upper middle-class, well-educated, high income, and lived in medium to large urban areas. Bisexual, pansexual, and gender-expansive individuals were represented at considerably higher rates in this study than reported in national surveys. Logistic regression analysis of Likert-type responses for various motivational factors suggested that participant responses were strongly correlated with demographic characteristics, especially those related to socioeconomic status (e.g. income and education) and racial identity. Overall, participants appeared more motivated to participate by social and political factors than by musical factors although differences appeared based on participant demographics. Participants with more exposure to music education appeared more motivated by musical factors, while participants with less exposure appeared more motivated by social and political factors. Discussion of the study includes a summary of findings for each demographic characteristic and recommendations for practice and further research

Self-Reported Versus Actual Weight and Height Data Contribute to Different Weight Misperception Classifications

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine potential differences between two approaches to defining adolescent weight misperception. Specifically, weight status perception was compared with self-reported weight status and actual weight status (based on body mass index percentiles calculated from self-reported and actual weights and heights, respectively). Furthermore, the accuracy of assigning weight status based on body mass index percentiles calculated from self-reported weights and heights was assessed by comparing them with actual weight status. Methods: Data were extracted from Team Up for Healthy Living, an 8-week, school-based obesity prevention program in southern Appalachia. Participants (N = 1509) were predominately white (93.4%) and ninth graders (89.5%), with approximately equivalent representation of both sexes (50.7% boys). Results: The study revealed significant differences between the approaches to defining weight misperception (χ2 = 16.2; P = 0.0003). Conclusions: Researchers should interpret study findings with awareness of potential differences based on the method of calculating weight misperception

Ligand Binding and Circular Permutation Modify Residue Interaction Network in DHFR

Residue interaction networks and loop motions are important for catalysis in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Here, we investigate the effects of ligand binding and chain connectivity on network communication in DHFR. We carry out systematic network analysis and molecular dynamics simulations of the native DHFR and 19 of its circularly permuted variants by breaking the chain connections in ten folding element regions and in nine nonfolding element regions as observed by experiment. Our studies suggest that chain cleavage in folding element areas may deactivate DHFR due to large perturbations in the network properties near the active site. The protein active site is near or coincides with residues through which the shortest paths in the residue interaction network tend to go. Further, our network analysis reveals that ligand binding has “network-bridging effects” on the DHFR structure. Our results suggest that ligand binding leads to a modification, with most of the interaction networks now passing through the cofactor, shortening the average shortest path. Ligand binding at the active site has profound effects on the network centrality, especially the closeness

Sequence-dependent Administration of Raloxifene and 5-Fluorouracil/Pemetrexed Protects against Pemetrexed Cytotoxicity in Human Bone Marrow

BACKGROUND: Pemetrexed (Alimta) is a new-generation multitargeted antifolate that inhibits several key enzymes in the de novo pathways of pyrimidine and purine biosynthesis, including thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT). Alimta has demonstrated antitumor activity in a broad array of human malignancies, e.g. breast, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and pancreatic, colorectal, gastric, bladder, head and neck cancer, and is currently in phase III clinical trials. It has been reported that a dose of 600 mg/m2 of pemetrexed showed toxicity to bone marrow and the gastrointestinal system. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate raloxifene (RAL) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/pemetrered multitargeted antifolate (MTA) to determine the most effective regimens and cellular mechanism of action to mitigate pemetrexed cytotoxicity in human bone marrow cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to determine the sequence-dependent interaction between MTA, 5-FU and RAL on proliferation, cell viability was carried out using the Quick Cell Proliferation Assay by exposing the HS-5 and MCF-7 cells to (i) MTA, 5-FU and RAL alone, or (ii) RAL 24 h prior to 5-FU followed 2 h later by MTA, or (iii) 5-FU 2 h prior to MTA followed 24 h later by RAL. RESULTS: The growth rate in MCF-7 in early RAL was 69 +/- 8.65% and late RAL was 36 +/- 4.6% of the control whereas in bone marrow early RAL was 78 +/- 8.65% and late RAL was 52 +/- 5.49% of the control. The late RAL exhibits significant protection against MTA cytotoxicity in bone marrow. The findings were further supported by cell flow cytometry, apoptosis and Western blot analysis data. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that sequence-dependent administration of RAL (5FU/MTA/RAL), in combination with 5-FU/MTA, protects against MTA toxicity in human bone marrow while maintaining the maximum inhibitory effect of pemetrexed in breast cancer

College Students as Facilitators in Reducing Adolescent Obesity Disparity in Southern Appalachia: Team up for Healthy Living

The proportion of obese adolescents in Southern Appalachia is among the highest in the nation. Through funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities — National Institutes of Health, the Team Up for Healthy Living project was a cluster-randomized trial targeting obesity prevention in adolescents through a cross-peer intervention. The specific aims of the project were to: 1) develop a peer-based health education program focusing on establishing positive peer norms towards healthy eating and physical activity (PA) among high school students, 2) test program efficacy, and 3) explore mechanisms underlying the program. The study was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, which presupposes that human behavior is primarily driven by attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and social support. To deliver the intervention, undergraduate students from the disciplines of public health, nutrition, and kinesiology were hired as peer facilitators. Ten area high schools were invited to participate, were matched on demographics and then randomized to intervention or control. The primary outcomes of the study included body mass status, dietary behaviors, PA, and sedentary behaviors which were assessed at baseline and at three and twelve months post baseline. Intervention schools received Team Up for Healthy Living curriculum, which consists of eight 40-minute sessions. The curriculum focused on improving nutrition awareness, PA, leadership and communication. Control schools received their regularly scheduled Lifetime Wellness curriculum. The long-term goal of the study was to establish an effective academia–community partnership program to address adolescent obesity disparity in Southern Appalachia

Raloxifene and Selective Cell Cycle Specific Agents: A Case for the Inclusion of Raloxifene in Current Breast Cancer Treatment Therapies

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Contributing factors include age and/or chemotherapy. The selective estrogen modulator, raloxifene (RAL), effective in the prevention of breast cancer and approved for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, may prove beneficial in current breast cancer treatment modules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate RAL in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and trimetrexate (TMX) to determine the most effective sequence in which to administer these cell cycle specific agents while taking into consideration the cellular mechanism of action. The goal was to maintain cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells and capitalize on the selective estrogen receptor modulatory effects of RAL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCF-7 cells were exposed to (i) TMX, 5-FU or RAL alone, or (ii) RAL 24 h prior to 5-FU followed 2 h later by TMX, or (iii) 5-FU 2 h prior to TMX followed 24 h later by RAL. The cell viability was determined using the Quick Cell Proliferation Assay. RESULTS: The growth rate of MCF- 7 cells exposed to early RAL was 68.25 +/- 4.11% that of the control, however, late RAL exposure produced a growth of 34.75 +/- 4.79% that of the control. Late RAL maintained the cytotoxicity of the regimen. The findings were further supported by cell flow cytometry and Western blot analysis data. CONCLUSION: RAL given prior to 5-FU/TMX significantly compromised cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells

Ancestry reported by white adults with cutaneous melanoma and control subjects in central Alabama

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the hypothesis that the high incidence of cutaneous melanoma in white persons in central Alabama is associated with a predominance of Irish and Scots descent. METHODS: Frequencies of country of ancestry reports were tabulated. The reports were also converted to scores that reflect proportional countries of ancestry in individuals. Using the scores, we computed aggregate country of ancestry indices as estimates of group ancestry composition. HLA-DRB1*04 allele frequencies and relationships to countries of ancestry were compared in probands and controls. Results were compared to those of European populations with HLA-DRB1*04 frequencies. RESULTS: Ninety evaluable adult white cutaneous melanoma probands and 324 adult white controls reported countries of ancestry of their grandparents. The respective frequencies of Ireland, and Scotland and "British Isles" reported countries of ancestry were significantly greater in probands than in controls. The respective frequencies of Wales, France, Italy and Poland were significantly greater in controls. 16.7% of melanoma probands and 23.8% of controls reported "Native American" ancestry; the corresponding "Native American" country of ancestry index was not significantly different in probands and controls. The frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 was significantly greater in probands, but was not significantly associated with individual or aggregate countries of ancestry. The frequency of DRB1*04 observed in Alabama was compared to DRB1*04 frequencies reported from England, Wales, Ireland, Orkney Island, France, Germany, and Australia. CONCLUSION: White adults with cutaneous melanoma in central Alabama have a predominance of Irish, Scots, and "British Isles" ancestry and HLA-DRB1*04 that likely contributes to their high incidence of cutaneous melanoma

A deep learning approach to photo–identification demonstrates high performance on two dozen cetacean species

We thank the countless individuals who collected and/or processed the nearly 85,000 images used in this study and those who assisted, particularly those who sorted these images from the millions that did not end up in the catalogues. Additionally, we thank the other Kaggle competitors who helped develop the ideas, models and data used here, particularly those who released their datasets to the public. The graduate assistantship for Philip T. Patton was funded by the NOAA Fisheries QUEST Fellowship. This paper represents HIMB and SOEST contribution numbers 1932 and 11679, respectively. The technical support and advanced computing resources from University of Hawaii Information Technology Services—Cyberinfrastructure, funded in part by the National Science Foundation CC* awards # 2201428 and # 2232862 are gratefully acknowledged. Every photo–identification image was collected under permits according to relevant national guidelines, regulation and legislation.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Child Labor Amidst Globalization: A Study of Economic Development and Child Labor in West Africa as Seen Through Economic Structural Change

This study examines how change in income affects the participation in child labor in seven West African Countries, from 1995 to 2016, through the lens of structure change theory and international trade. Benin, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo are the countries included in this study. Each of these countries are currently considered as underperformed or developing and are experiencing structural change as they move from primarily agriculture-based economies to being more balanced in the agriculture, industrial, and service sectors. The arching research question aims to testify whether an increase in income will result in a decrease in child labor. The model formed is operationalized through three different models: a differenced fixed effects model, a leveled fixed effects model, and a leveled OLS model. The empirical evidence is ambiguous; however, it is concluded that in the long run a rise in income will decrease child labor. In the paper it is discussed why an increase in child labor may first be seen when incomes initially rise, however this is not the expected long-term result. This conclusion is formed on the basis that over a significant amount of years, income will increase substantially as a result of economic structure shifts which will lead to an increase in education which will lead to further increases in income. Child labor will then decrease because children will begin to go to school more, families will have less of a need for additional income from their children, and there will be less jobs that employ children because the jobs either require more skill or are in sectors that naturally employ lower amounts of children. Furthermore, it is observed that the trade patterns of the countries being studied have a positive impact on child labor participation. Therefore, by making an effort to trade in different ways such as importing more raw goods, exporting more finished goods, and diversifying the sectors from which exports come the economy will be enhanced which in turn will mitigate child labor in the long run. It is thus recommended that countries should implement import substitution industrialization policies, invest in both different sectors and emerging markets instead of just trying to get caught up with the current state of affairs, begin to shift their economy to be more balanced relying more on the service and industrial sectors, and both invest in education and raise compulsory schooling with potential incentives