Chemical and biological evaluation of detoxified aflatoxin

Experiments were undertaken to evaluate testing procedures concerned with detoxification of aflatoxin in foods and feedstuffs. Specific experiments were undertaken to ascertain: (1) the percent decrease in the fluorescence of aflatoxin B1 when chemically treated with increasing amounts of NaOH, NaOCl, and NH4OH, (2) the toxicity of native and detoxified aflatoxin B1 (3) any influence the detoxified molecule may have on the toxicity of the native molecule, (4) changes in the mutagenicity of detoxified aflatoxin B1 in an in vitro assay system, and (5) if the mutagenicity of aflatoxin is destroyed by base treatment. Although base treatment reduced aflatoxin B1 fluorescence by 30-95%, it would appear difficult to achieve complete detoxification of the aflatoxin molecule. Toxicity studies demonstrated an effect in which the detoxified aflatoxin molecule increased toxicity of the native molecule, in vitro studies showed that although the mutagen-icity and potential carcinogenicity of aflatoxin was greatly reduced by base treatment, it was not completely destroyed

Assimilation vs. Autonomy: the Evolution of Indigeneity in Modern-Day Ecuador

The sociopolitical divide that currently persists in Ecuador has long created widespread disconnect between the nation’s elites and its numerous Indigenous populations. However, this rift is being continually exacerbated by increased pressure upon Indigenous communities to adapt or even assimilate into surrounding modern societies. While this conflict inspired one of the most successful Indigenous uprisings Ecuador has seen in recent history, I will argue that it also implicitly forced the same Indigenous communities to redefine the very identity they have fought to maintain. As a result of the momentum the Indigenous movement in Ecuador has gained contemporarily, the face of Indigeneity has evolved dramatically. In order to gain insight into the ways in which Indigenous identities have developed, I will examine the intersection of Ecuadorean Indigeneity and modern society by way of analysis of this specific cultural context from numerous perspectives, both historical and contemporary. It is expected that this investigation will suggest that the success of Ecuador’s Indigenous movement was contingent on representations and perceptions of Indigeneity within Indigenous communities as well as throughout the rest of the nation’s surrounding societies

Multilayer Electroactive Polymer Composite Material

An electroactive material comprises multiple layers of electroactive composite with each layer having unique dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties that define an electromechanical operation thereof when affected by an external stimulus. For example, each layer can be (i) a 2-phase composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electromechanical operation, or (ii) a 3-phase composite having the elements of the 2-phase composite and further including a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic incorporated in the polymer matrix

Method of Making an Electroactive Sensing/Actuating Material for Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composite

An electroactive sensing or actuating material comprises a composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electromechanical operation of the composite when such composite is affected by an external stimulus. In another embodiment, the composite comprises a, third component of micro -sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic that is also incorporated in the polymer matrix. The method for making the three-phase composite comprises either incorporating the carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix before incorporation of the particles of ceramic or mixing the carbon nanotubes and particles of ceramic together in a solution before incorporation in the polymer matrix

Multilayer Electroactive Polymer Composite Material Comprising Carbon Nanotubes

An electroactive material comprises multiple layers of electroactive composite with each layer having unique dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties that define an electromechanical operation thereof when affected by an external stimulus. For example, each layer can be (i) a 2-phase composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electromechanical operation, or (ii) a 3-phase composite having the elements of the 2-phase composite and further including a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic incorporated in the polymer matrix

Sensing/actuating materials made from carbon nanotube polymer composites and methods for making same

An electroactive sensing or actuating material comprises a composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electromechanical operation of the composite when such composite is affected by an external stimulus. In another embodiment, the composite comprises a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic that is also incorporated in the polymer matrix. The method for making the three-phase composite comprises either incorporating the carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix before incorporation of the particles of ceramic or mixing the carbon nanotubes and particles of ceramic together in a solution before incorporation in the polymer matrix

Prevalence of Substance Use in an HIV Primary Care Safety Net Clinic: A Call for Screening.

Substance use complicates HIV care and prevention. Primary care clinics are an ideal setting to screen for and offer interventions for unhealthy alcohol and drug use; however, few HIV clinics routinely screen for substance use. We enrolled 208 clinic patients at an urban underserved HIV primary care clinic. We screened the patients for substance use with the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Score Test and measured urine toxicology. Of the 168 participants who completed screening, the majority reported tobacco or nonprescribed substance use in the previous 3 months. More African American participants reported low or no risk amphetamine use compared to Hispanic, White, or Other race participants (p < .001). Implementing standard clinic practice for screening and assessing substance use in HIV primary care clinics is needed