Spider silks have received extensive attention from scientists and industries around the world because of their remarkable mechanical properties, which include high tensile strength and extensibility. It is a leading-edge biomaterial resource, with a wide range of potential applications. Spider silks are composed of silk proteins, which are usually very large molecules, yet many silk proteins still remain largely underexplored. While there are numerous reviews on spider silks from diverse perspectives, here we provide a most up-to-date overview of the spider silk component protein family in terms of its molecular structure, evolution, hydrophobicity, and biomedical applications. Given the confusion regarding spidroin naming, we emphasize the need for coherent and consistent nomenclature for spidroins and provide recommendations for preexisting spidroin names that are inconsistent with nomenclature. We then review recent advances in the components, identification, and structures of spidroin genes. We next discuss the hydrophobicity of spidroins, with particular attention on the unique aquatic spider silks. Aquatic spider silks are less known but may inspire innovation in biomaterials. Furthermore, we provide new insights into antimicrobial peptides from spider silk glands. Finally, we present possibilities for future uses of spider silks.It is well known that hearing loss compromises auditory scene analysis abilities, as is usually manifested in difficulties of understanding speech in noise. Remarkably little is known about auditory scene analysis of hearing-impaired (HI) listeners when it comes to musical sounds. Specifically, it is unclear to which extent HI listeners are able to hear out a melody or an instrument from a musical mixture. Here, we tested a group of younger normal-hearing (yNH) and older HI (oHI) listeners with moderate hearing loss in their ability to match short melodies and instruments presented as part of mixtures. Four-tone sequences were used in conjunction with a simple musical accompaniment that acted as a masker (cello/piano dyads or spectrally matched noise). In each trial, a signal-masker mixture was presented, followed by two different versions of the signal alone. Listeners indicated which signal version was part of the mixture. Signal versions differed either in terms of the sequential order of the pitch sequence or in terms of timbre (flute vs. trumpet). Signal-to-masker thresholds were measured by varying the signal presentation level in an adaptive two-down/one-up procedure. We observed that thresholds of oHI listeners were elevated by on average 10 dB compared with that of yNH listeners. selleck products In contrast to yNH listeners, oHI listeners did not show evidence of listening in dips of the masker. Musical training of participants was associated with a lowering of thresholds. These results may indicate detrimental effects of hearing loss on central aspects of musical scene perception. To examine associations between parents and adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors' (CCS) mental health, and differences by Hispanic ethnicity. Participants were 129 CCS (M = 19.5 yrs.; 49.9% female) and their parents (M = 49.0 yrs.; 87.6% female); 52.7% identified as Hispanic. CCS completed assessments of Depressive Symptoms (CES-D), Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL), while parents completed CES-D, Perceived Stress (PSS) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) measures. After controlling for covariates, all three negative parental mental health measures (Parent CES-D, PSS, and PTSD), were positively associated with CCS CES-D indicating that higher depressive symptoms and stress in parents was associated with higher depressive symptoms in CCS. Parent CES-D was negatively associated with CCS PedsQL and parent PSS was negatively associated with CCS PTG. Moderation analysis revealed parent PSS to be negatively associated with PedsQL and positively related to CES-D among Hispanic families only. Higher parental negative mental health measures may adversely affect CCS levels of depression, while lower values for parental negative health measures were associated with positive CCS mental health outcomes in AYA. Hispanic parents experience more associations with stress than non-Hispanics. Long-term survivorship follow-up care guidelines should address the mental health needs of both parents and CCS, paying particular attention to perceived stress in Hispanic families.Long-term survivorship follow-up care guidelines should address the mental health needs of both parents and CCS, paying particular attention to perceived stress in Hispanic families.The physical problems associated with fistula result in psychological alteration. This study was aimed to assess whether psychological wellbeing of women with fistula after surgical treatment differ from that of before treatment. Institution-based pre-post follow-up design was conducted. Self-reported incontinence and psychological wellbeing score were assessed. Data were analyzed using Stata 12. Paired t-test and multiple linear regressions were fitted to identify variables correlate with the score difference. In this study, 117 women were interviewed giving response rate of 98.3 percent. Their mean (±sd) age was 27.13 ± 5.37 years. On admission, all women had urinary or fecal incontinence and their mean psychological score was 31.1 (95 percent CI; 30.5-31.6). After treatment, however, 89.7 percent (n = 105) of women reported that they regained continence. Similarly, the mean psychological score has dropped to 18.05 (95 percent CI; 16.4-21.6, p less then .001). Pre-treatment score, normal body weight, regaining continence, and getting counseling service were correlates of score difference. Psychological wellbeing of women with genital fistula was improved drastically after treatment. Establishing a system for early identification and treatment of cases could reduce prolonged psychological alteration.Considerable research has been devoted to understanding and promoting parent-child sexual socialisation. Less attention has been paid to experiences of sibling interactions concerning sex. Drawing on discursive psychology, this study explores how women report interacting about sex and reproduction in their sisterly relationships. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted, using Free Association Narrative Interview technique, with five Black isiXhosa-speaking, middle-aged and working class women in South Africa. Findings show that the participants construct their sisterly interactions concerning sex drawing on three interpretative repertoires silence; safety and secrecy; risk and responsibilisation. The silence repertoire constructs sex talk between sisters as vague and non-viable. Within the safety and secrecy repertoire, sisters are constructed as sharing sexual secrets and providing a safe space for sexual exploration. The risk and responsibilisation repertoire is deployed when understandings of 'proper' feminine behaviour and sexual purity are breached, with sisters emphasising the importance of avoiding risk and acting responsibly.