‘Tis a Gift to be Simple : On Passive Sampling and Compatible Techniques for Reducing the Complexity of Environmental Mixtures

Assessing the risk from exposure to a chemical mixture in the environment can seem prohibitively challenging. Most components of the mixture are not readily identifiable, chemicals may interact to cause other-than-additive toxicity, and the number of potential combinations of environmental contaminants is enormous. These challenges can make it seem impossible to accuractely assess risks associated with chemical mixtures. In reality, not all chemicals in the environment are accessible for organismal uptake, there are a limited number of predictable combinations of chemicals in the environment, and a minority of chemicals are likely responsible for the majority of toxicity in any given sample. This dissertation addresses the seemingly daunting challenge of assessing mixture toxicity by strategically adapting and implementing a collection of sampling and analytical methods to reduce complex environmental mixtures into manageable components. In the first study, personal exposure to chemical mixtures in rural Peru was assessed with silicone wristbands. The samples naturally clustered into groups that were defined by distinct classes of chemicals and were associated with broad demographics of the study participants. The results revealed chemical patterns in wristbands that are possibly indicative of common mixtures in the personal environment and suggest regional sources and routes of chemical exposure. The second study simplified environmental mixtures from a contaminated urban waterway into the most hazardous components. Effect-directed analysis of passive sampling device extracts using a zebrafish bioassay, chromatographic fractionation, and various chemical analyses, eliminated priority pollutants as suspect toxicants and identified responsible toxicants. Specifically, fatty acids and possibly dithiocarbamates were previously unrecorded components of LDPE extracts that likely drive the toxicity of the whole mixtures. Indeed, a minority of chemicals in the whole mixture was responsible for the majority of effects. In total, this dissertation demonstrates that complex mixtures are not unsolvable by applying passive sampling and compatible techniques for simplifying exposure to, and effects of, environmental mixtures

Boston University Repertory Chorus, Boston University Men's Chorus, Boston University Women's Chorale

This is the concert program of the Boston University Repertory Chorus, Boston University Men's Chorus, and Boston University Women's Chorale performance on Monday, May 1, 2000 at 8:00 p.m., at the Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Avenue. Works performed were Cantata No. 23, "Du wahrer Gott, und Davids Sohn" BWV 23 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Der Gondelfahrer, D. 808 by Franz Schubert, Standchen, D. 920 by F. Schubert, Simpler Gifts by Aaron Copland, An Immorality by A. Copland, and Stomp Your Foot from "The Tender Land" by A. Copland. Digitization for Boston University Concert Programs was supported by the Boston University Humanities Library Endowed Fund

Jamesian Free Will, The Two-stage Model Of William James

Research into two-stage models of “free will” – first “free” random generation of alternative possibilities, followed by “willed” adequately determined decisions consistent with character, values, and desires – suggests that William James was in 1884 the first of a dozen philosophers and scientists to propose such a two-stage model for free will. We review the later work to establish James’s priority. By limiting chance to the generation of alternative possibilities, James was the first to overcome the standard two-part argument against free will, i.e., that the will is either determined or random. James gave it elements of both, to establish freedom but preserve responsibility. We show that James was influenced by Darwin’s model of natural selection, as were most recent thinkers with a two-stage model. In view of James’s famous decision to make his first act of freedom a choice to believe that his will is free, it is most fitting to celebrate James’s priority in the free will debates by naming the two-stage model – first chance, then choice -“Jamesian” free will

Gay and bisexual men’s perceptions of the donation and use of human biological samples for research: a qualitative study

Human biological samples (biosamples) are increasingly important in diagnosing, treating and measuring the prevalence of illnesses. For the gay and bisexual population, biosample research is particularly important for measuring the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By determining people’s understandings of, and attitudes towards, the donation and use of biosamples, researchers can design studies to maximise acceptability and participation. In this study we examine gay and bisexual men’s attitudes towards donating biosamples for HIV research. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 46 gay and bisexual men aged between 18 and 63 recruited in commercial gay scene venues in two Scottish cities. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using the framework approach. Most men interviewed seemed to have given little prior consideration to the issues. Participants were largely supportive of donating tissue for medical research purposes, and often favourable towards samples being stored, reused and shared. Support was often conditional, with common concerns related to: informed consent; the protection of anonymity and confidentiality; the right to withdraw from research; and ownership of samples. Many participants were in favour of the storage and reuse of samples, but expressed concerns related to data security and potential misuse of samples, particularly by commercial organisations. The sensitivity of tissue collection varied between tissue types and collection contexts. Blood, urine, semen and bowel tissue were commonly identified as sensitive, and donating saliva and as unlikely to cause discomfort. To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth study of gay and bisexual men’s attitudes towards donating biosamples for HIV research. While most men in this study were supportive of donating tissue for research, some clear areas of concern were identified. We suggest that these minority concerns should be accounted for to develop inclusive, evidence-informed research protocols that balance collective benefits with individual concerns

Barnes Hospital Bulletin

https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/bjc_barnes_bulletin/1230/thumbnail.jp

The Crescent Student Newspaper, February 13, 1981

Student newspaper of Pacific College (later George Fox University). 8 pages, black and white.https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/the_crescent/1978/thumbnail.jp