Why are the Children Dying?: Mixed-Race Children in Chang-rae Lee’s First Five Novels

The mixed-race children in each of Lee’s first five novels constitute an overarching set of symbols, reflecting, at first, society’s intolerance of miscegenation and its resulting mixed offspring, as demonstrated in the dysfunctional behaviors of the parent(s) (or society) and the death or disappearance of the mixed-race child. Then, later in the novel, a second mixed-race child’s birth, or its impending birth, signifies an acquired racial awareness on the part of the parent(s) and an overcoming of trauma that leads to hope for a more tolerant and understanding social environment for the mixed-race child

PRICE DISCOVERY MECHANISMS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR CANADIAN AGRICULTURE; Part I: A Review of Pricing Mechanisms in Agriculture

The purpose of this section is to review pricing mechanisms in agriculture and food. We started by constructing a taxonomy and system of classification for pricing mechanisms that is rooted in economic theory. This framework was applied to 26 pricing mechanisms observed from the following product categories: · Beef · Hogs · Grains and oilseeds · Dairy · Poultry and Eggs · Processed Food and HorticultureDemand and Price Analysis,

Mfd Protects Against Oxidative Stress in Bacillus Subtilis Independently of its Canonical Function in DNA Repair

Background: Previous reports showed that mutagenesis in nutrient-limiting conditions is dependent on Mfd in Bacillus subtilis. Mfd initiates one type of transcription-coupled repair (TCR); this type of repair is known to target bulky lesions, like those associated with UV exposure. Interestingly, the roles of Mfd in repair of oxidative-promoted DNA damage and regulation of transcription differ. Here, we used a genetic approach to test whether Mfd protected B. subtilis from exposure to two different oxidants. Results: Wild-type cells survived tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) exposure significantly better than Mfd-deficient cells. This protective effect was independent of UvrA, a component of the canonical TCR/nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Further, our results suggest that Mfd and MutY, a DNA glycosylase that processes 8-oxoG DNA mismatches, work together to protect cells from lesions generated by oxidative damage. We also tested the role of Mfd in mutagenesis in starved cells exposed to t-BHP. In conditions of oxidative stress, Mfd and MutY may work together in the formation of mutations. Unexpectedly, Mfd increased survival when cells were exposed to the protein oxidant diamide. Under this type of oxidative stress, cells survival was not affected by MutY or UvrA. Conclusions: These results are significant because they show that Mfd mediates error-prone repair of DNA and protects cells against oxidation of proteins by affecting gene expression; Mfd deficiency resulted in increased gene expression of the OhrR repressor which controls the cellular response to organic peroxide exposure. These observations point to Mfd functioning beyond a DNA repair factor in cells experiencing oxidative stress

The Effect of CodY on stationary phase mutagenesis in Bacillus subtilis

We examine the notion that cells in conditions of stress accumulate mutation is in genes under selection via transcription processes. CodY is a global transcriptional regulator in many Gram positives, including soil and pathogenic microbes. In conditions of exponential growth and when branch chain amino acids and GTP are in abundance CodY acts as a transcriptional repressor of many metabolic operons. This transitional repression saves the cell energy and allows efficient use of resources. In conditions of starvation, CodY relieves repression of genes involved in acquisition of nutrients and degradation of carbon sources (genes under selection). Here, we compare the accumulation of mutations in genes under selection in wild type and CodY

Self-Continuity Moderates the Association Between Sexual-Minority Status Based Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms

Self-continuity, or how an individual understands their sense of self as persisting from past to present and present to future, is an important aspect of the self-concept that is linked to mental health outcomes. This self-concept construct may be particularly pertinent for sexual minority populations, as living in a heterosexist environment may prove detrimental for the development of self-continuity. The current study examined self-continuity among sexual minority and heterosexual community college and university students (N = 292). Compared to their heterosexual peers, sexual minority participants reported lower levels of self-continuity. Self-continuity moderated the associations between victimization due to gender nonconformity and victimization due to sexual minority status and depressive symptoms, such that higher levels of self-continuity were protective among individuals who were experiencing higher levels of victimization due to gender nonconformity or sexual minority status. Findings will be discussed in terms of their implications for identity development among emerging adults

Self-Continuity Moderates the Association Between Peer Victimization and Depressed Affect

Two longitudinal studies conducted with early adolescents (ages 10–13) examined the hypothesis that self-continuity, or the degree to which individuals feel that they remain the same person over time regardless of how their specific characteristics may change, would moderate the association between victimization and depressed affect. Both Study 1 (N = 141) and Study 2 (N = 100) provided evidence of the moderating role of self-continuity as a buffer on the effect of peer victimization. Study 2 confirmed that self-continuity had a moderating effect after controlling for academic performance, number of friends, self-esteem, self-concept clarity, hopelessness, and self-blame. Findings support self-continuity as being protective with regard to negative peer environments

Cross-Species Differential Plasma Protein Binding of MBX-102/JNJ39659100: A Novel PPAR-γ Agonist

Drug binding to plasma proteins restricts their free and active concentrations, thereby affecting their pharmacokinetic properties. Species differences in plasma protein levels complicate the understanding of interspecies pharmacodynamic and toxicological effects. MBX-102 acid/JNJ39659100 is a novel PPAR-γ agonist in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Studies were performed to evaluate plasma protein binding to MBX-102 acid and evaluate species differences in free drug levels. Equilibrium dialysis studies demonstrated that MBX-102 acid is highly bound (>98%) to human, rat and mouse albumin and that free MBX-102 acid levels are higher in rodent than in human plasma. Interspecies differences in free drug levels were further studied using PPAR-γ transactivation assays and a newly developed PPAR-γ corepressor displacement (biochemical) assay. PPAR-γ transactivation and corepressor displacement by MBX-102 acid was higher in rat and mouse serum than human serum. These results confirm the relevance of interspecies differences in free MBX-102 acid levels