Blogs, Wikis and Official Statistics: New Perspectives on the Use of Web 2.0 by Statistical Offices

This paper explains the roles that blogs, wikis and social networking play in the provision and dissemination of official statistics.Official statistics, internet, web

Genetic Analysis of Acetone Carboxylase in Azotobacter vinelandii

Acetone carboxylase, an inducible multimeric enzyme found in several bacteria, catalyzes the carboxylation of acetone to produce acetoacetate. This is an important reaction for the bacteria because, upon addition of coenzyme A, the acetoacetate can be converted to acetyl-CoA, a common metabolic intermediate. Azotobacter vinelandii, one of the bacteria that produces acetone carboxylase, has two different genes encoding this enzyme. We knocked out the first of these by disrupting it with a kanamycin cassette to help us understand the function of the second gene. Knocking out the gene will also make possible the use of site-directed mutagenesis to further study the enzyme

Protecting Older Workers: The Failure of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

A growing number of older adults are finding that retirement is no longer affordable and they must work well into their later years. Unfortunately, over 42 years after passage of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967, age discrimination in the workplace continues to present serious impediments to employment in later life. Using a critical gerontology perspective, this paper reviews the history of work-related age discrimination and analyzes the ADEA and its limited effectiveness at protecting the civil and economic rights of older workers. The authors discuss implications and suggest policy alternatives that would support the employment and enhance the economic well-being of older adults

An Examination Of Trust In Contemporary American Society

It is hard to imagine a society functioning in the absence of trust. From the smallest incident—crossing the street when the light is green—to the most consequential events—a government fulfilling its pledge to pay Social Security—individuals must be able to rely on individuals and institutions to behave in a reliable and trustworthy manner. When trust is absent, chaos ensues. Of course, trust should not be given blindly; authentic trust needs to be earned and renewed (Fukuyama, 1995; Putnam, 2000)

Quilting a Connection: The Use of Quilting in Group Art Therapy to Promote Well-Being for Older Women

This qualitative research paper explores the potential of quilting, and the quilting process, as a therapeutic tool for promoting the well-being of older women within the context of a group art therapy setting. Social isolation acts as a prominent risk factor for the population of older women in Canada, and is influenced and incited by the social stigma and perspective that older women are an economic and societal burden to Western society. Through an integrative methodology, involving a theoretical approach with elements of arts-based inquiry, this research paper reviews and analyzes the literature focused on quilting, group art therapy, and the well-being of older women. Additionally, this author’s personal learning experience about quilting, in context with being an art therapy student, is explored through the engagement of the quilting process as an arts-based inquiry. This personal learning is discussed in correspondence with the main findings from the analyzed and synthesized literature, and as a way to better inform the explored concept of the use of quilting for well-being within an art therapy context. Connection with the body, connection with womanhood, and connection through generativity emerged as main themes. These findings are discussed in attempt to distinguish quilting as an appropriate and therapeutic tool for fostering and promoting the well-being of older women

Blue cone monochromacy: causative mutations and associated phenotypes.

PurposeTo perform a phenotypic assessment of members of three British families with blue cone monochromatism (BCM), and to determine the underlying molecular genetic basis of disease.MethodsAffected members of three British families with BCM were examined clinically and underwent detailed electrophysiological and psychophysical testing. Blood samples were taken for DNA extraction. Molecular analysis involved the amplification of the coding regions of the long (L) and medium (M) wave cone opsin genes and the upstream locus control region (LCR) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gene products were directly sequenced and analyzed.ResultsIn all three families, genetic analysis identified that the underlying cause of BCM involved an unequal crossover within the opsin gene array, with an inactivating mutation. Family 1 had a single 5'-L-M-3' hybrid gene, with an inactivating Cys203Arg (C203R) mutation. Family 3 had an array composed of a C203R inactivated 5'-L-M-3' hybrid gene followed by a second inactive gene. Families 1 and 3 had typical clinical, electrophysiological, and psychophysical findings consistent with stationary BCM. A novel mutation was detected in Family 2 that had a single hybrid gene lacking exon 2. This family presented clinical and psychophysical evidence of a slowly progressive phenotype.ConclusionsTwo of the BCM-causing family genotypes identified in this study comprised different hybrid genes, each of which contained the commonly described C203R inactivating mutation. The genotype in the family with evidence of a slowly progressive phenotype represents a novel BCM mutation. The deleted exon 2 in this family is not predicted to result in a shift in the reading frame, therefore we hypothesize that an abnormal opsin protein product may accumulate and lead to cone cell loss over time. This is the first report of slow progression associated with this class of mutation in the L or M opsin genes in BCM