scholarly journals What are Users Across Different Age Groups Talking About Drugs on Reddit? (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiudan Li ◽  
Can Wang ◽  
Hejing Liu ◽  
Daniel Dajun Zeng

BACKGROUND Drug abuse is a severe challenge for the United States. Social media such as Reddit has become one of the most efficient platforms for drug users to share experiences and communicate with each other. By analyzing users’ perceptions and behavior patterns concerning causes and symptoms of drug usage on social media, public health researchers and agencies can have innovative real time situational awareness and surveillance capabilities to tackle the drug abuse crisis. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to develop a social media-based approach to analyze users’ causes and symptoms of drug usage across different age groups, then deeply gain insights into users’ behavior pattern. METHODS We collected 163,610 posts on the Reddit /r/drugs community from February 2008 to December 2017. Firstly, topics for drugs, causes, and symptoms based on word vector learning (word2vec) were extracted. Then, we designed a method to automatically extract age information from posts. Finally, the relationships between age and drugs, causes, and symptoms were established. RESULTS We found that: (1) Drug topics contained 6 categories including alcoholic, tobaccos, prescriptions, hallucinogens, ecstasies, and other highly addictive drugs. Tobaccos (n=11,947), hallucinogens (n=9244), and other highly addictive drugs (n=5733) were the most discussed drug categories. (2) 9646 (65% of the total posts that had age information) posts on Reddit were sent by users between 15 and 25 years old. There was relevance between age and drug addiction. People tended to change their drug usage from a primary drug (e.g. marijuana) to other highly addictive drugs (e.g. heroin) as they aged. The age groups age<15 and 15<=age<20, 20<=age<25 had very similar drug topic patterns, where the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) between age<15 and 15<=age<20 is .994 (P<.001), the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) between age<15 and 20<=age<25 is .985 (P<.001). Similar phenomena were also obtained for age groups 20<=age<25 and 25<=age<30, where the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) is .989 (P <.001). (3)The reasons users take different types of drugs can be classified as curious, anxious and pain. The most frequently mentioned cause is curiosity about a novel experience (1215, 1215/1848), which may due to the characteristics of young users. For the curiosity cause, the ratios of posts discussing tobaccos and hallucinogens were 0.5045 (613/1215) and 0.3975 (483/1215) respectively. (4)The symptoms caused by taking drugs can be classified into 6 topics, including hallucination, comfort, lose_contorl, affect_brain, anxious and pain. Anxiety was the most popular symptom mentioned among the posts (574, 574/1096). The number of posts reporting anxious symptom caused by drugs is a little larger than that of posts discussing curing anxiety by drugs (n=558). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study aimed at deeply gaining insights into users’ behavior patterns, which can help public health researchers and agencies provide personalized health regulatory services for people at different ages.

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-149
Author(s):  
Juhyun Lee ◽  
Andrew Phan ◽  
Jing Gao

The aim of the study was to assess the value of multiparametric ultrasound in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk screening of the carotid artery. We performed ultrasonography of carotid arteries in 96 adults in 3 age groups: senior (age ≥65 years, n = 44), middle age (age 45-64 years, n = 31), and young adults (age 20-44 years, n = 21). The senior group was then divided into subgroups: athletes (n = 21) and non-athletes (n = 23). Ultrasound parameters included carotid intima-media thickness, distensibility coefficient, and presence of plaque(s). Statistical analyses included one-way analysis of variance with post hoc to analyze the differences in ultrasound parameters among the age groups; unpaired t-test to examine differences between hypertensive and normotensive participants, between seniors with and without plaque(s), and between senior athletes and non-athletes; Pearson correlation coefficient to analyze correlations of ultrasound parameters to age and blood pressure; and intraclass correlation coefficient to test intra- and inter-observer reliability in performing multiparametric ultrasound. Carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility coefficient significantly differed among the 3 age groups and between athletes and non-athletes ( P < .001). Senior athletes had greater distensibility than non-athletes (all Ps < .05). Carotid intima-media thickness was increased and distensibility was reduced with age and hypertension. Age and blood pressure positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness (Pearson correlation coefficient, r > .21) and negatively with distensibility coefficient (Pearson correlation coefficient, r < –.48). Inter- and intra-observer reliability in performing multiparametric ultrasound was good (intraclass correlation coefficient, r > .81). Multiparametric ultrasound is a useful tool to assess carotid artery function and morphology comprehensively.


2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina L. Corey ◽  
Gerald R. Popelka ◽  
Jose E. Barrera ◽  
Sam P. Most

Objective To evaluate how malar fat pad (MFP) volumes vary with age, after controlling for gender and body mass index (BMI). Study Design A prospective case–control study evaluating volume of the MFP in women of two age groups. Methods Soft tissue dimensions were measured in eight subjects using magnetic resonance imaging. A multiplanar localizing sequence, followed in sagittal and coronal orientations using a turbo spin echo sequence, was performed to define the MFP. Volumetric calculations were then performed using a 3D image analysis application (Dextroscope, Volume Interactions, Republic of Singapore) to circumscribe areas, orient dimensions, and calculate volumes of the MFP. Results These data reveal no significant difference in the mean (standard deviation) right MFP ( p = 0.50), left MFP ( p = 0.41), or total MFP ( p = 0.45) volumes when comparing the two age groups. In addition, these data indicate that there was no correlation between age and total MFP volume (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.27). Moreover, there was no correlation between age and the ratio of total volume/BMI (Pearson correlation coefficient −0.18). Conclusions Although the sample size of this study was small, these data indicate that ptosis of midfacial fat is more important than volume loss in midfacial aging. These data would suggest repositioning as the primary modality for craniofacial reconstruction.


Author(s):  
Annisa Nuril Ikhtiram

The purpose of this research is to know the effectiveness of using WhatsApp as a social media in the dissemination of learning information at Immigration Office Class One Special of Non Border Control South Jakarta. This research used quantitative method, more the Associative Causal Relationship Method. The population of this research were all employe of Immigration Office Class One Special of Non Border Control South Jakarta with total population is 176 and the sample are 122 respondens. Research data was collected using a questionnaire and observation. The result of the research from the Hypotesis Test t is significance, the use of WhatsApp as a social media in the coefficients value table is 0,003 smaller than 0,05. The conclution is the use of WhatsApp as a social media gives effect in spreading the Immigration Services Information. The test results of Pearson Correlation Coefficient of the Correlation value is 0,363 which means the level of correlation between the two variables is stong. The result of Determination Coefficient Test, shows the amount of adjusted R square is 0,132, which means the use of WhatsApp as social media has an effect of 13,2% to the dissemination of Immigration Services Information. While the rest (100%-13,2% = 86,8%) is explained by other causes.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Vicente Benavides-Córdoba ◽  
Mauricio Palacios Gómez

Introduction: Animal models have been used to understand the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension, to describe the mechanisms of action and to evaluate promising active ingredients. The monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension model is the most used animal model. In this model, invasive and non-invasive hemodynamic variables that resemble human measurements have been used. Aim: To define if non-invasive variables can predict hemodynamic measures in the monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension model. Materials and Methods: Twenty 6-week old male Wistar rats weighing between 250-300g from the bioterium of the Universidad del Valle (Cali - Colombia) were used in order to establish that the relationships between invasive and non-invasive variables are sustained in different conditions (healthy, hypertrophy and treated). The animals were organized into three groups, a control group who was given 0.9% saline solution subcutaneously (sc), a group with pulmonary hypertension induced with a single subcutaneous dose of Monocrotaline 30 mg/kg, and a group with pulmonary hypertension with 30 mg/kg of monocrotaline treated with Sildenafil. Right ventricle ejection fraction, heart rate, right ventricle systolic pressure and the extent of hypertrophy were measured. The functional relation between any two variables was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: It was found that all correlations were statistically significant (p <0.01). The strongest correlation was the inverse one between the RVEF and the Fulton index (r = -0.82). The Fulton index also had a strong correlation with the RVSP (r = 0.79). The Pearson correlation coefficient between the RVEF and the RVSP was -0.81, meaning that the higher the systolic pressure in the right ventricle, the lower the ejection fraction value. Heart rate was significantly correlated to the other three variables studied, although with relatively low correlation. Conclusion: The correlations obtained in this study indicate that the parameters evaluated in the research related to experimental pulmonary hypertension correlate adequately and that the measurements that are currently made are adequate and consistent with each other, that is, they have good predictive capacity.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
Charles Carlson ◽  
Vanessa-Rose Turpin ◽  
Ahmad Suliman ◽  
Carl Ade ◽  
Steve Warren ◽  
...  

Background: The goal of this work was to create a sharable dataset of heart-driven signals, including ballistocardiograms (BCGs) and time-aligned electrocardiograms (ECGs), photoplethysmograms (PPGs), and blood pressure waveforms. Methods: A custom, bed-based ballistocardiographic system is described in detail. Affiliated cardiopulmonary signals are acquired using a GE Datex CardioCap 5 patient monitor (which collects ECG and PPG data) and a Finapres Medical Systems Finometer PRO (which provides continuous reconstructed brachial artery pressure waveforms and derived cardiovascular parameters). Results: Data were collected from 40 participants, 4 of whom had been or were currently diagnosed with a heart condition at the time they enrolled in the study. An investigation revealed that features extracted from a BCG could be used to track changes in systolic blood pressure (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.54 +/− 0.15), dP/dtmax (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.51 +/− 0.18), and stroke volume (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.54 +/− 0.17). Conclusion: A collection of synchronized, heart-driven signals, including BCGs, ECGs, PPGs, and blood pressure waveforms, was acquired and made publicly available. An initial study indicated that bed-based ballistocardiography can be used to track beat-to-beat changes in systolic blood pressure and stroke volume. Significance: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other database that includes time-aligned ECG, PPG, BCG, and continuous blood pressure data is available to the public. This dataset could be used by other researchers for algorithm testing and development in this fast-growing field of health assessment, without requiring these individuals to invest considerable time and resources into hardware development and data collection.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Omolola M. Adisa ◽  
Muthoni Masinde ◽  
Joel O. Botai

This study examines the (dis)similarity of two commonly used indices Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) computed over accumulation periods 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month (hereafter SPI-1, SPI-3, SPI-6, and SPI-12, respectively) and Effective Drought Index (EDI). The analysis is based on two drought monitoring indicators (derived from SPI and EDI), namely, the Drought Duration (DD) and Drought Severity (DS) across the 93 South African Weather Service’s delineated rainfall districts over South Africa from 1980 to 2019. In the study, the Pearson correlation coefficient dissimilarity and periodogram dissimilarity estimates were used. The results indicate a positive correlation for the Pearson correlation coefficient dissimilarity and a positive value for periodogram of dissimilarity in both the DD and DS. With the Pearson correlation coefficient dissimilarity, the study demonstrates that the values of the SPI-1/EDI pair and the SPI-3/EDI pair exhibit the highest similar values for DD, while the SPI-6/EDI pair shows the highest similar values for DS. Moreover, dissimilarities are more obvious in SPI-12/EDI pair for DD and DS. When a periodogram of dissimilarity is used, the values of the SPI-1/EDI pair and SPI-6/EDI pair exhibit the highest similar values for DD, while SPI-1/EDI displayed the highest similar values for DS. Overall, the two measures show that the highest similarity is obtained in the SPI-1/EDI pair for DS. The results obtainable in this study contribute towards an in-depth knowledge of deviation between the EDI and SPI values for South Africa, depicting that these two drought indices values are replaceable in some rainfall districts of South Africa for drought monitoring and prediction, and this is a step towards the selection of the appropriate drought indices.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 708-711
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Gillman ◽  
Bernard Rosner ◽  
Denis A. Evans ◽  
Laurel A. Smith ◽  
James O. Taylor ◽  
...  

Previous studies of childhood blood pressure have shown tracking correlations, which estimate the magnitude of association between initial and subsequent measurements, to be lower than corresponding adult values. Inasmuch as this disparity could arise from failing to account for a larger week-to-week variability in children, blood pressure was measured for 4 successive years, on four weekly visits in each year, and with three measurements at each visit, using a random-zero sphygmomanometer, in a cohort of 333 schoolchildren aged 8 through 15 at entry. Ninety percent of subjects had measurements in 1 or more years of follow-up. For all follow-up periods (1, 2, and 3 years from baseline), the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose substantially with the number of weekly visits used to calculate each subject's yearly blood pressure (P &lt; .0001). For systolic pressure, the 3-year r values for 1, 2, 3, and 4 visits were .45, .55, .64, and .69, respectively. For diastolic pressure (Korotkoff phase 4), the corresponding values were .28, .41, .47, and .54. These higher multiple-visit estimates of tracking approximate published adult values and raise the possibility that prediction of adult blood pressure from childhood measurements may be improved by averaging readings from multiple weekly visits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 0810025
Author(s):  
李硕 Li Shuo ◽  
韩迎东 Han Yingdong ◽  
王双 Wang Shuang ◽  
刘琨 Liu Kun ◽  
江俊峰 Jiang Junfeng ◽  
...  

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