The Role of Language in Shaping the International Cultural Tourism Experience of Student-travelers

This qualitative, exploratory study sought insight into how language affects the cultural tourism experience in the international tourism context. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews of 13 student-travelers, who traveled with the San Jose State University\u27s study-abroad programs. The analysis of the data was carried out within a socio-linguistic context using grounded theory methods. Findings indicated that travel motivations and the perception of significance of the language spoken at a destination were intimately connected. Further, the desire on the part of the student-travelers to experience the local culture affected the desire for interaction with the host population, which was in turn affected by the language skills of the tourists as well as the host population. Tourism experience was negatively or positively affected by the level of fluency of the student-travelers in the local language, which was affected by the place that the local language held within their initial travel motivations. Fluency in the local language was regarded as a facilitator of positive experiences, whereas lack of knowledge of the local language created a language barrier that inhibited positive experiences. Length of stay, which was a crucial common factor between all student-travelers, was an overarching factor that influenced the role that language played in the shaping of the tourism experiences of these student-travelers

The Anterior Cingulate Gyrus Signals the Net Value of Others' Rewards

Evaluating the costs and benefits of our own choices is central to most forms of decision-making and its mechanisms in the brain are becoming increasingly well understood. To interact successfully in social environments, it is also essential to monitor the rewards that others receive. Previous studies in nonhuman primates have found neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) that signal the net value (benefit minus cost) of rewards that will be received oneself and also neurons that signal when a reward will be received by someone else. However, little is understood about the way in which the human brain engages in cost-benefit analyses during social interactions. Does the ACC signal the net value (the benefits minus the costs) of rewards that others will receive? Here, using fMRI, we examined activity time locked to cues that signaled the anticipated reward magnitude (benefit) to be gained and the level of effort (cost) to be incurred either by a subject themselves or by a social confederate. We investigated whether activity in the ACC covaries with the net value of rewards that someone else will receive when that person is required to exert effort for the reward. We show that, although activation in the sulcus of the ACC signaled the costs on all trials, gyral ACC (ACC(g)) activity varied parametrically only with the net value of rewards gained by others. These results suggest that the ACC(g) plays an important role in signaling cost-benefit information by signaling the value of others' rewards during social interactions

Surgical outcome of single site phacotrabeculectomy in management of concurrent glaucoma and cataract

Background:The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined procedure of single site phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy in terms of improvement of visual acuity and intraocular pressure control.Methods: Prospective, noncomparative, consecutive, interventional study of 74 eyes (64 patients) of single site phacotrabeculectomy in cases of primary open angle glaucoma with significant operable cataract from April 2014 to March 2015. Out of 64 patients 30 were male and 34 were female with age ranged 48 to 80 (mean 64.5) years. Ten patient required bilateral surgery. The controlled mean preoperative IOP was 20 mmHg ranged (12- 36 mmHg).Postoperative best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure and fundus examination were  done one day, one week, one month, three months and one year following surgery. Perimetery was done at third and twelve months.Results: Mean postoperative intraocular pressure after 12 months of follow up was 12 mmHg (range 08 to 20 mmHg) and overall improvement in visual acuity achieved in 90.54% (67) of eyes. Visual acuity of 6/12 and better was achieved in 62.16% (46) eyes. IOP was controlled without any treatment in 83.78% (62) eyes, and rest 16.22% (12) eyes needed antiglaucoma drugs to control IOP. Hyphema and uveitis were common complications noted.Conclusions: Combined phacotrabeculectomy is safe and effective method in restoring vision and lowering intraocular pressure. It helps in early visual rehabilitation and convenient, economical method to manage concurrent glaucoma and cataract.

Gas Biosensor Arrays Based on Single-Stranded DNA-Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compound Biomarkers Released by Huanglongbing Disease-Infected Citrus Trees.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by plants are closely associated with plant metabolism and can serve as biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening or yellow shoot disease, is a lethal threat to the multi-billion-dollar citrus industry. Early detection of HLB is vital for removal of susceptible citrus trees and containment of the disease. Gas sensors are applied to monitor the air quality or toxic gases owing to their low-cost fabrication, smooth operation, and possible miniaturization. Here, we report on the development, characterization, and application of electrical biosensor arrays based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) decorated with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) for the detection of four VOCs-ethylhexanol, linalool, tetradecene, and phenylacetaldehyde-that serve as secondary biomarkers for detection of infected citrus trees during the asymptomatic stage. SWNTs were noncovalently functionalized with ssDNA using π-π interaction between the nucleotide and sidewall of SWNTs. The resulting ssDNA-SWNT hybrid structure and device properties were investigated using Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, and electrical measurements. To monitor changes in the four VOCs, gas biosensor arrays consisting of bare SWNTs before and after being decorated with different ssDNA were employed to determine the different concentrations of the four VOCs. The data was processed using principal component analysis (PCA) and neural net fitting (NNF)

Vicarious Reinforcement Learning Signals When Instructing Others

Reinforcement learning (RL) theory posits that learning is driven by discrepancies between the predicted and actual outcomes of actions (prediction errors [PEs]). In social environments, learning is often guided by similar RL mechanisms. For example, teachers monitor the actions of students and provide feedback to them. This feedback evokes PEs in students that guide their learning. We report the first study that investigates the neural mechanisms that underpin RL signals in the brain of a teacher. Neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) signal PEs when learning from the outcomes of one's own actions but also signal information when outcomes are received by others. Does a teacher's ACC signal PEs when monitoring a student's learning? Using fMRI, we studied brain activity in human subjects (teachers) as they taught a confederate (student) action–outcome associations by providing positive or negative feedback. We examined activity time-locked to the students' responses, when teachers infer student predictions and know actual outcomes. We fitted a RL-based computational model to the behavior of the student to characterize their learning, and examined whether a teacher's ACC signals when a student's predictions are wrong. In line with our hypothesis, activity in the teacher's ACC covaried with the PE values in the model. Additionally, activity in the teacher's insula and ventromedial prefrontal cortex covaried with the predicted value according to the student. Our findings highlight that the ACC signals PEs vicariously for others' erroneous predictions, when monitoring and instructing their learning. These results suggest that RL mechanisms, processed vicariously, may underpin and facilitate teaching behaviors

ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF SHILAJIT (ASPHALTUM PUNJABINUM) AGAINST ALCOHOL INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN WISTAR RATS

To investigate the antioxidant, hepatoprotective activity and evaluation of effects on blood factors of Asphaltum punjabinum demonstrable in-vivo and in-vitro by the inhibition of alcohol induced Wistar rat. In-vitro antioxidant activity of Asphaltum punjabinum was evaluated by various assays, including reducing power, lipid peroxidation, DPPH. Hepatoprotective activity as judged by the blood factors and serum enzymes levels viz. Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin (TBIL) and Direct Bilirubin (DBIL) as well as oxidant enzyme viz. Malon Dialdehyde (MDA) were prevented, while antioxidant enzymes viz. Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase were elevated in liver tissues. Further histopathological examination of liver sections was carried out to support the induction of hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective efficacy. The results showed potent activities on reducing power, lipid peroxide, DPPH, Superoxide anion. The histopathological observations supported the biochemical evidences of hepato protection. Elevated level of SOD and decreased level of MDA further strengthen the hepatoprotective observations. In the study, demonstrating the Asphaltum punjabinum has potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity against alcohol induced hepatic damage in experimental animals

A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL OF RASAPUSHPADI MALAHARA ON VICHARCHIKA W.S.R. TO ECZEMA

Skin disorders are most common occurring diseases in places where humidity prevails throughout the year. Vicharchika and Eczema both having resemblance in set of their clinical signs. Rasapushpadi Malhara (RPM) is Rasa preparation described in Rasa tarangini which is indicated in some skin disorders like Phirang, Vrna, Vicharchaika etc. In present study two samples of Rasa Pushpa (RP) has been prepared by two methods i.e. Kupipakva method and Damru yantra method. Both the samples were further used to prepare two samples of Rasapushpadi Malhara using Siktha taila as base and ratio of Siktha & Til taila was taken in ratio of 1: 5 according to the season. The randomized control clinical trial was carried out in between two groups. Both groups showed significant results on different clinical parameters like Kandu, Daha, Srava, Rukshta, Pidika, Vaivaranyata, Pidika, Raji, but group B showed highly significant result in EASI Score, which indicates severity of eczema. Level of significance in Group B for EASI Score is, P<0.00001. Rasapushpadi Malahara is very potent in treatment of Vicharchika as it contains mineral and herbal drugs like Parada, Kasisa, Saindhava, Sphatika, Wax, Tila taila, all having good antibacterial and antifungal properties. So this formulation showed significant results only by external application

Neural signatures of strategic types in a two-person bargaining game

The management and manipulation of our own social image in the minds of others requires difficult and poorly understood computations. One computation useful in social image management is strategic deception: our ability and willingness to manipulate other people's beliefs about ourselves for gain. We used an interpersonal bargaining game to probe the capacity of players to manage their partner's beliefs about them. This probe parsed the group of subjects into three behavioral types according to their revealed level of strategic deception; these types were also distinguished by neural data measured during the game. The most deceptive subjects emitted behavioral signals that mimicked a more benign behavioral type, and their brains showed differential activation in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left Brodmann area 10 at the time of this deception. In addition, strategic types showed a significant correlation between activation in the right temporoparietal junction and expected payoff that was absent in the other groups. The neurobehavioral types identified by the game raise the possibility of identifying quantitative biomarkers for the capacity to manipulate and maintain a social image in another person's mind