Colonialism, Resistance and the First Nations Health Liaison Program

In 1988 one Aboriginal woman’s experience with the justice and health care systems in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada ended with her death and an outcry from Aboriginal groups in the region. The incident became a turning point in the area’s history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations, and resulted in the development of the First Nations Health Liaison Program (FNHLP). The paper begins by describing and exploring the events surrounding the woman’s death, and how these provide both the impetus and context for the FNHLP. The implementation and evaluation of the program are then explored within this history. The death and implementation of the subsequent program are examined in light of the underpinnings of institutional racism and in the context of the theory of modern colonialism. While the particular events are specific to this incident and program, broader themes arise which hold relevance for issues of Aboriginal access to health care in other locales

Henry Ford Hospital: Options and Opportunities in the 1980s

This presentation by Mr. Peters and Dr. Steinhauer was given before the Henry Ford Hospital Professional Staff at a semi-annual dinner and staff meeting held on Tuesday, May 6, 1980. It offers a timely assessment of the position and prospects of the Hospital as we enter the new decade. On occasion, the journal features nontechnical articles like this presentation that we believe are of general interest to our readers

Increasing Complexity of a Diterpene Synthase Reaction with a Single Residue Switch

Terpene synthases often catalyze complex reactions involving intricate series of carbocation intermediates. The resulting, generally cyclical, structures provide initial hydrocarbon frameworks that underlie the astonishing structural diversity of the enormous class of terpenoid natural products (\u3e50,000 known), and these enzymes often mediate the committed step in their particular biosynthetic pathway. Accordingly, how terpene synthases specify product outcome has drawn a great deal of attention. In previous work, we have shown that mutational introduction of a hydroxyl group at specific positions within diterpene synthase active sites can short circuit complex cyclization and/or rearrangement reactions, resulting in the production of simpler \u27 diterpenes. Here we demonstrate that the converse change, substitution of an Ile for Thr at the relevant position in a native pimaradiene synthase, leads to a dramatic increase in reaction complexity. Product outcome is shifted from the tricyclic pimaradiene to a rearranged tetracycle, aphidicol-15-ene. Thus, the nature of the residue at this position acts as a true switch for product outcome. In addition, the ability of aliphatic residue substitution to enable a more complex reaction emphasizes the importance of substrate conformation imposed by a largely inert active site. Furthermore, the profound plasticity of diterpene synthases exemplified by this single residue switch for product outcome is consistent with the screening/diversity-oriented hypothesis of natural products metabolism

GPU Modeling of Ship Operations in Pack Ice

The paper explores the use of an event-mechanics approach to assess vessel performance in pack ice. The methodology is developed using massively parallel programming strategies on a GPU enabled workstation. A set of simulation domains, each containing hundreds of discrete and interacting ice floes is modeled. A simple vessel is modeled as it navigates through the domains. Each ship-ice collision is modeled, as is every ice-ice contact. Time histories of resistance, speed and position are presented along with the parametric sensitivities. The results are compared to published data from analytical, numerical and scale model tests. The work is part of a large research project at Memorial University called STePS2 (Sustainable Technology for Polar Ships and Structures)

Evident and latent plasticity across the rice diterpene synthase family with potential implications for the evolution of diterpenoid metabolism in the cereals

The evolution of natural products biosynthetic pathways can be envisioned to occur via a number of mechanisms. Here we provide evidence that latent plasticity plays a role in such metabolic evolution. In particular, rice (Oryza sativa) produces both ent- and syn-copalyl diphosphate (CPP), which are substrates for downstream diterpene synthases. Here we report that several members of this enzymatic family exhibit dual reactivity with some pairing of ent-, syn-, or normal CPP stereochemistry. Evident plasticity was observed, as a previously reported entsandaracopimaradiene synthase also converts syn-CPP to syn-labda-8(17),12E,14-triene, which can be found in planta. Notably, normal CPP is not naturally found in rice. Thus, the presence of diterpene synthases that react with this non-native metabolite reveals latent enzymatic/metabolic plasticity, providing biochemical capacity for utilization of such a novel substrate (i.e., normal CPP) that may arise during evolution, the implications of which are discussed

Fluid Phase Separation (FPS) experiment for flight on a space shuttle Get Away Special (GAS) canister

The separation of fluid phases in microgravity environments is of importance to environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) and materials processing in space. A successful fluid phase separation experiment will demonstrate a proof of concept for the separation technique and add to the knowledge base of material behavior. The phase separation experiment will contain a premixed fluid which will be exposed to a microgravity environment. After the phase separation of the compound has occurred, small samples of each of the species will be taken for analysis on the Earth. By correlating the time of separation and the temperature history of the fluid, it will be possible to characterize the process. The experiment has been integrated into space available on a manifested Get Away Special (GAS) experiment, CONCAP 2, part of the Consortium for Materials Complex Autonomous Payload (CAP) Program, scheduled for STS-42. The design and the production of a fluid phase separation experiment for rapid implementation at low cost is presented

Wear-resistant boride composites with high percentage of reinforcement phase

A highly wear resistant sintered, hot pressed, or otherwise compacted ceramic composite material is described, consisting of two discrete phases of the form AlxMgyB14 where x and y ≦1 or like hard, orthorhombic compounds, and TiB2 or like Group IVB transition metal di-borides, and with an unexpectedly high contentof transition metal di-boride in the range from 40 to 90 percent (28 to 85 volume percent)

Indigenous Water Pedagogies: Cultivating Relations Through the Reading of Water

In this paper we put forth a model of Indigenous pedagogies that cultivate more ethical relations and complex thinking about water. The first dimension of Indigenous water pedagogies is relations with water which involves ethical decision-making involving water and other more-than-human beings that are in relation to water. The second dimension is reading water which involves learning to make sense of complex phenomena to build theories and explanations about water is it exists in the environment. Together, these two dimensions support complex thinking and decision-making about water in a way that is guided with reciprocal relations with water. We discuss three examples of Indigenous water pedagogies as they are enacted in the context of an Indigenous STEAM program that spans across two sites and involves interactions with the Chicago River, Puget Sound, and rain

Energy Use and Concerns of Rural Nebraskans

Energy prices have steadily increased during the past year. Rural residents are now faced with higher costs to drive and heat and cool their homes. Given these conditions, how much of a problem have rising energy costs been for rural Nebraskans? What are their opinions on future energy sources? What changes have they made or do they plan to make due to the price increases? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 2,496 responses to the 2008 Nebraska Rural Poll, the thirteenth annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about energy. For all questions, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged: • Most rural Nebraskans report that rising energy costs have been a somewhat serious problem or a very serious problem for themselves and their family lately. Forty-one percent of rural Nebraskans say rising energy costs have been a very serious problem and 43 percent report it has been a somewhat serious problem. Only one percent say the rising costs have not been a problem at all and 14 percent indicate it has been not too serious a problem. (page 2) • Persons with the lowest household incomes are more likely than persons with higher incomes to report that rising energy prices have been a very serious problem. Fifty-three percent of persons with household incomes under $20,000 say rising energy costs have been a very serious problem, compared to 32 percent of persons with household incomes of$60,000 or more. (page 3) • Many rural Nebraskans have made changes in household spending, driving patterns and household energy use as a result of recent energy price increases. At least three-quarters of rural Nebraskans have done the following items as a result of the recent energy price increases: cut back on luxury household spending (94%), reduced the heat or air conditioning use in your home (91%), cut back how much you drive (91%), attempted to use household appliances more efficiently (89%), cut back on necessary household spending (88%), acquired more goods and services locally (80%), and changed your vacation plans by shortening or postponing the trip (75%). (page 8) • Many rural Nebraskans have also made driving behavior changes as a result of the recent energy price increases. Two-thirds (67%) of rural Nebraskans have driven their most fuel-efficient vehicle more often as a result of the recent energy price increases. Another nine percent are considering this change. Eleven percent of rural Nebraskans have converted to E-85 gasoline and an additional 14 percent are considering making this switch. Only three percent of rural Nebraskans have purchased a hybrid vehicle but 17 percent are considering this type of purchase. (page 11) • Rural Nebraskans are divided in their opinions about whether or not sufficient energy supplies exist or if new technologies and alternative energy sources will help maintain energy supplies. Just under one-half (44%) of rural Nebraskans agree or strongly agree that there are sufficient oil and natural gas supplies around the world to meet U.S. needs for the foreseeable future. Thirty-eight percent disagree or strongly disagree with the statement. Similarly, just under one-half (47%) agree or strongly agree that “even if oil and natural gas supplies do decline, new technologies and alternative energy sources will ensure Americans maintain their current standard of living.” Thirty-two percent disagree or strongly disagree. (page 3) • Most rural Nebraskans think the environment should be protected, even if this means some energy supplies are not available for use. Over one-half (57%) agree or strongly agree with this statement. Seventeen percent disagree or strongly disagree with that statement. Approximately one-quarter (26%) neither agree nor disagree with the statement. (page 3) • Most rural Nebraskans believe that Americans should reduce their energy consumption to prevent an energy crisis and that more should be done to develop renewable energy. Seventy-seven percent of rural Nebraskans agree or strongly agree with the following statement: Americans must change their lifestyles to reduce energy consumption to avoid the onset of an energy “crisis” in the U.S. Only 10 percent disagree or strongly disagree with the statement. The majority (91%) of rural Nebraskans agree or strongly agree that “more should be done to develop renewable energy, such as ethanol, biodiesel or wind energy.” Only three percent disagree or strongly disagree with the statement. (pages 3 and 4) • The vast majority of rural Nebraskans also believe we are too dependent on foreign oil sources. Ninety-three percent of rural Nebraskans agree or strongly agree with that statement, while only three percent disagree or strongly disagree. (page 4) • Most rural Nebraskans see renewable sources as being important energy sources for the next generation. A larger proportion of rural Nebraskans rated wind and solar energy as being important compared to the fossil fuels of oil and natural gas. At least three-quarters of rural Nebraskans rate the following energy sources as being important for the next generation: wind energy (89%), solar energy (89%), oil (87%), natural gas (84%), ethanol from other sources (81%), ethanol from corn (79%), and biodiesel (76%). (page 5) • Most rural Nebraskans rate electricity and unleaded gasoline as being very important or somewhat important to their household. Ninety-seven percent of rural Nebraskans say electricity is important to their household and 95 percent rate unleaded gasoline as important to their household. (page 7