Untangling the Most Probable Role for Vitamin D\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e in Autism

Recent studies indicate an important role for vitamin D3 in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although its mechanism is not completely understood. The most puzzling aspect of ASD is that identical twins, who share identical DNA, do not have 100% concordance rates (∼88% for identical and ∼31% for fraternal twins). These findings provide major clues into the etiology: ASD must involve an environmental factor present in the prenatal milieu that both identical twins are not always exposed to because they do not always share it (i.e., placentas). Combined with the exponential increasing rates of ASD around the world, these observations suggest a contagious disease is probably transferred to the fetus via the placenta becoming infected by a cervical virus. Vitamin D3 boosts immune responses clearing viral infections and increases serotonin and estrogen brain levels. Here we review the different roles and untangle the most probable one vitamin D3 plays in ASD

Influence of a magnetic field during directional solidification of MAR-M 246 + Hf superalloy

An area that has been almost totally overlooked in the optimization of properties in directionally solidified superalloys is the control of microstructural features through the application of a magnetic field during solidification. The influence of a magnetic field on the microstructural features of a nickel-base superalloys is investigated. Studies were performed on the dendritic MAR-M 246+Hf alloy, which was solidified under both a 5 K gauss magnetic field and under no-applied-field conditions. The possible influences of the magnetic field on the solidification process were observed by studying variations in microstructural features including volume fraction, surface area, number, and shape of the carbide particles. Stereological factors analyzed also included primary and secondary dendrite arm spacing and the volume fraction of the interdendritic eutectic constituent. Microprobe analysis was performed to determine the chemistry of the carbides, dendrites, and interdendritic constituents, and how it varied between field and no-field solidification samples. Experiments involving periodic application and removal of the magnetic field were also performed in order to permit a comparison with structural variations observed in a MAR-M 246+Hf alloy solidified during KC-135 high-g, low-g maneuvers

Designing assistive technology training for paraprofessionals

With an increase in the number of students with disabilities being included in regular education settings internationally, there has also been a subsequent increase in the number of paraprofessionals supporting these students (Ghere & York-Barr, 2007; Giangreco, Smith & Pinckney, 2006). In many school situations, the paraprofessional holds responsibility for assisting students with special needs to access the curriculum of the classroom, as well as to manage the social and emotional environment (Carter, O\u27Rourke, Sisco & Pelsue, 2009)

Magnetosome vesicles are present before magnetite formation, and MamA is required for their activation

Bacterial magnetosomes are intracellular compartments that house highly ordered magnetite crystals. By using Magnetospirillum sp. AMB-1 as a model system, we show that magnetosome vesicles exist in the absence of magnetite, biomineralization of magnetite proceeds simultaneously in multiple vesicles, and biomineralization proceeds from the same location in each vesicle. The magnetosome-associated protein, MamA, is required for the formation of functional magnetosome vesicles and displays a dynamic subcellular localization throughout the growth cycle of magnetotactic bacteria. Together, these results suggest that the magnetosome precisely coordinates magnetite biomineralization and can serve as a model system for the study of organelle biogenesis in noneukaryotic cells

Social validation: An investigation of factors that influence social validity ratings

The expansion in social validation literature has initiated a growing concern surrounding several methodology issues. In particular the need has arisen for social validation research to incorporate reliable and valid measurement scales and to explore the effects of extraneous variables on judges’ ratings. The current study socially validated the effects of a consultant training program and investigated the effects of four variables on judges’ ratings: judges\u27 position, judges\u27 program affiliation, viewed consultant-trainee\u27s level of training and an individual consultanttrainee factor. Teaching-Parent and consultant judges from three different training sites viewed videotapes of consultant-trainees before and after training. The judges rated each trainee\u27s performance using the CPRS, a reliable and valid measurement scale from the counselor literature. Correlational analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between the subjective ratings given to the consultant-trainees and their objective scores (percent appropriate consultant behaviors), thus providing evidence of the social validity of the consultant training program. An analysis of variance showed significant main effects for judges’ program affiliation (i.e., training site) and the individual consultant-trainee factor. The variables of judges\u27 position (i.e., Teaching-Parent or Consultant) and consultant-trainee’s level of training (i.e., pre or post) did not significantly influence the judges’ ratings. Four of the eleven interaction effects were found to be significant. The judges also rated an ’’ideal consultant by rating and ranking the CPRS categories. These results suggested the validity and reliability of the CPRS with a consultant population. Results were discussed regarding implications for future social validation research, stressing continued emphasis on social validation methodology

Autoregulation of ketogenesis in fasted sheep

The effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate at rates simulating maximum utilization on portal-drained viscera (PDV), hepatic (HEP), and hindquarter (rump) net fluxes of acetoacetate (AcAc), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB), free fatty acids (FFA), insulin (IN) and glucagon (GN) were measured in normal (NOR), diabetic insulin treated (DIT) and diabetic untreated (OUT) 3-day fasted sheep. The sheep were equipped with chronic indwelling catheters in the femoral artery and portal, hepatic, mesenteric, and femoral veins. Beta-hydroxybutyrate was infused into a jugular vein. Para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) was infused into a mesenteric vein (1.5% at 0.764 ml/min) in order to measure blood flow rates across the downstream tissues. Hindquarter blood flow was determined by infusing PAH into the femoral artery and measuring femoral artery-jugular vein PAH differences. Three pre- and post-BOHB samples were taken simultaneously from the artery and portal, hepatic, and femoral veins. Net fluxes were calculated by multiplying venoarterial differences by whole blood flow rates. Briefly, BOHB infusion decreased FFA levels in the NOR and DIT and to a lesser extent in CUT animals. Hepatic uptake of FFA decreased in NOR and DIT, but not DOT. Portal-drained visceral and RUMP release of FFA decreased in NOR and DIT, but not DUT ewes. Production of both AcAc and BOHB decreased during BOHB infusion in all three groups. Betahydroxybutyrate infusion increased pancreatic production of insulin in the DIT and NOR sheep but had no effect on IN levels in DUT sheep, while exerting no effect on GN production