Task-dependent functional connectivity changes in response to varying levels of social support.

Background: Having social support improves one's health outcomes and self-esteem, and buffers the negative impact of stressors. Previous studies have explored the association between social support and brain activity, but evidence from task-dependent functional connectivity is still limited.

Aims: We aimed to explore how gradually decreasing levels of social support influence task-dependent functional connectivity across several major neural networks.

Merged-Beams Study of the Reaction of Cold HD^{+} with C Atoms Reveals a Pronounced Intramolecular Kinetic Isotope Effect.

We present a merged-beams study of reactions between HD^{+} ions, stored in the Cryogenic Storage Ring (CSR), and laser-produced ground-term C atoms. The molecular ions are stored for up to 20 s in the extreme vacuum of the CSR, where they have time to relax radiatively until they reach their vibrational ground state (within 0.5 s of storage) and rotational states with J≤3 (after 5 s).

Gradual Loss of Social Group Support during Competition Activates Anterior TPJ and Insula but Deactivates Default Mode Network.

Group forming behaviors are common in many species to overcome environmental challenges. In humans, bonding, trust, group norms, and a shared past increase consolidation of social groups. Being a part of a social group increases resilience to mental stress; conversely, its loss increases vulnerability to depression.

Isochronous mass spectrometry in an electrostatic storage ring.

For sensitive studies of molecular ions in electrostatic storage rings, the exact knowledge of the isobaric composition of stored beams from a variety of ion sources is essential. Conventional mass-filtering techniques are often inefficient to resolve the beam components. Here, we report the first isochronous mass spectrometry in an electrostatic storage ring, which offers a high mass resolution of Δm/m < 1 × 10 even for heavy molecular species with m > 100 u and uncooled ion beams.

An ion-atom merged beams setup at the Cryogenic Storage Ring.

We describe a merged beams experiment to study ion-neutral collisions at the Cryogenic Storage Ring of the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany. We produce fast beams of neutral atoms in their ground term at kinetic energies between 10 and 300 keV by laser photodetachment of negative ions. The neutral atoms are injected along one of the straight sections of the storage ring, where they can react with stored molecular ions.

Laser Probing of the Rotational Cooling of Molecular Ions by Electron Collisions.

We present state-selected measurements of rotational cooling and excitation rates of CH^{+} molecular ions by inelastic electron collisions. The experiments are carried out at a cryogenic storage ring, making use of a monoenergetic electron beam at matched velocity in combination with state-sensitive laser dissociation of the CH^{+} ions for simultaneous monitoring of the rotational level populations. Employing storage times of up to 600 s, we create conditions where electron-induced cooling to the J=0 ground state dominates over radiative relaxation, allowing for the experimental determination of inelastic electron collision rates to benchmark state-of-the-art theoretical calculations.

The effect of genetic variation on promoter usage and enhancer activity.

The identification of genetic variants affecting gene expression, namely expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), has contributed to the understanding of mechanisms underlying human traits and diseases. The majority of these variants map in non-coding regulatory regions of the genome and their identification remains challenging. Here, we use natural genetic variation and CAGE transcriptomes from 154 EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines, derived from unrelated individuals, to map 5376 and 110 regulatory variants associated with promoter usage (puQTLs) and enhancer activity (eaQTLs), respectively.

Kinetics of methane hydrate decomposition studied via in situ low temperature X-ray powder diffraction.

Gas hydrate is known to have a slowed decomposition rate at ambient pressure and temperatures below the melting point of ice. As hydrate exothermically decomposes, gas is released and water of the clathrate cages transforms into ice. Based on results from the decomposition of three nominally similar methane hydrate samples, the kinetics of two regions, 180-200 and 230-260 K, within the overall decomposition range 140-260 K, were studied by in situ low temperature X-ray powder diffraction.

Impact of immigration on complementary and alternative medicine use in Hispanic patients.

Background: Although previous research has demonstrated frequent complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by Hispanic patients, it remains unclear whether the status of immigration plays a role in the frequency and reasons for use.

Methods: A survey of 164 patients from a federally qualified health center in South Central Los Angeles was used; the health center serves a predominantly Latino immigrant patient population. The study included the following variables: patient age; sex; place of birth; number of years living in the United States; CAM use within the last year; and, if positive CAM use, what type(s) and for what condition(s).

Vietnamese diabetic patients and their physicians: what ethnography can teach us.

Objectives: To describe the cultural context of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Vietnamese immigrants in the United States, including people's ideas about cause and proper treatment; and to suggest ways in which better control of the disease can be achieved in this population.

Design: The method was ethnographic. A native speaker used a structured interview guide to talk with 38 Vietnamese patients, and family members of 2 other patients, being treated for type 2 diabetes.

Injury in children of low-income Mexican, Mexican American, and non-Hispanic white mothers in the USA: a focused ethnography.

Several studies indicate that rates of serious pediatric injury are higher among Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites in the USA. To investigate possible contributory factors, we interviewed 50 Mexican, 30 Mexican American, and 30 non-Hispanic white mothers in their own homes in the same low-income neighborhoods of Southern California. Mothers were identified via door-to-door canvassing in areas with high rates of pediatric injury.

Household poisoning exposure among children of Mexican-born mothers: an ethnographic study.

Objective: To explore reasons for high rates of unintentional poisoning among Latino children under 5 years old.

Design: Ethnographic interviews were carried out using a sample of mothers identified via door-to-door canvassing in an area with documented high injury rates among Latino children. Interviews included many open-ended and follow-up questions to elicit a detailed family history and emphasized observation of conditions and behaviors in the homes.

Importance of complete system removal of infected cardioverter-defibrillators.

We describe a case of device infection after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation managed by removal of all hardware except a portion of the epicardial sensing electrodes. Recurrent septic complications developed until all residual foreign material was eliminated. Despite anecdotal reports of successful management without device removal, extraction of all hardware components should be considered standard treatment for this complication.

Where there is no family doctor: the development of family practice around the world.

Family physicians are generalists trained at the postgraduate level to address the majority of primary care needs of patients of all ages in communities they serve. Throughout the world there is a need for family physicians to serve as cornerstones of comprehensive health care systems that provide high-quality, cost-effective medical and public health services to the entire population. To meet this need, each country must value and adequately finance essential medical and public health services and must provide family physicians with a thorough education focused on the relevant health care problems of the population being served.

ARI concepts of mothers in Punjabi villages: a community-based study.

Pneumonia is a major child killer in the developing world; to prevent such deaths, mothers must be able to differentiate pneumonia from common cold. Local concepts regarding these illnesses were studied by interviewing 315 mothers of young children in their homes in Punjabi villages. Mothers described pneumonia differently from cough-and-cold but only a few volunteered fast breathing as a sign of pneumonia.

Insights from community-based research on child pneumonia in Pakistan.

Although pneumonia is a major cause of death in Pakistan, little is known about community beliefs and practices surrounding the disease. In this study, 35 mothers and four self-trained allopathic practitioners were interviewed in Karachi squatter settlements and rural Punjab. The findings indicate that maternal ideas about chest anatomy and the cause of pneumonia (principally "coldness") are very different from biomedical concepts.

Mothers' perceptions of severe pneumonia in their own children: a controlled study in Pakistan.

In 1992, 320 mothers were interviewed in a Rawalpindi hospital to identify which of the signs and symptoms they saw in their own children were most consistently linked with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia as opposed to common cold. A related goal was to determine whether mothers could correctly judge the actual presence or absence of two major pneumonia signs--fast breathing and chest indrawing. The mothers were predominantly poor and 43% were illiterate.

A Spanish-language prenatal family health evaluation questionnaire: Construction and pilot implementation.

The Family Planning Council of America has constructed and implemented a genetic history questionnaire, the Family Health Evaluation, to elicit risk factors, to increase clients' knowledge about reproductive choices, and to improve access to genetic services. The objective of the present study was to develop and implement a Spanish-language version of the Family Health Evaluation for data collection and risk assessment. The content of the Family Health Evaluation was modified to more clearly reflect the risks, exposures, and medical needs of an Hispanic, largely Mexican-American, population.

Maternal perceptions of pneumonia and pneumonia signs in Pakistani children.

Fifty mothers of children attending a hospital outpatient clinic with non-severe pneumonia (fast breathing but no chest indrawing) were interviewed in depth. Maternal perceptions and practices with clinical significance were documented. Results showed that most mothers initially tried "heat-producing" home remedies designed to counter the "coldness" of the disease, allowed only 2 days for any particular allopathic medicine to work, and did not go to the same practitioner twice.

Mother's milk and pseudoscientific breastmilk testing in Pakistan.

In urban squatter settlements and rural villages of Pakistan, human breastmilk is regarded as a potential source of destruction as well as of nurturance. Though it is highly valued as crucial for infant survival, it is also thought susceptible to becoming tainted in many ways: by a 'shadow' from the spirit world; by 'evil eye' or black magic due to others' envy; by the effects of a new pregnancy; by the mother's illness or 'weakness'; by her exposure to excessive cold or heat; by her dietary indiscretions. In any of these circumstances, women may stop breastfeeding to prevent illness in the nursing child.

Traditional perceptions of marasmus in Pakistan.

One hundred and fifty mothers of under-5 children clinically identified as malnourished were interviewed in their homes in katchi abadis (squatter settlements) of Karachi. A variety of ethnic and religious groups were represented. Mothers were shown a photograph of a child with third-degree malnutrition (marasmus) and were asked what might be wrong with the child.

Cow dung, rock salt, and medical innovation in the Hindu Kush of Pakistan: the cultural transformation of neonatal tetanus and iodine deficiency.

In mountain villages of Chitral District in northwestern Pakistan, dried cow dung is used as Westerners would use talcum powder when babies are swaddled and rock salt is consumed in tea and other foods. Both substances are esteemed as conveying beneficial 'heat' and 'strength'. Unfortunately, however, cow dung sometimes contains a bacterium that causes neonatal tetanus, and the resulting toxin may enter through the baby's unhealed umbilical cord and cause death.