Generations, Genesis, and Genetically Engineered Plants: Fall and Salvation Narratives that Question The Goodness of Creation

As salvation and fall narratives predominate the arenas of both theology and biotechnology, the author presents here an exploration of the ethical and ecological implications of such narratives as they aim to moderate the relationship of human beings to God, Earth, and each other. There is real evidence for concern over the ecological threats created by the genetic engineering of plants. The “feed the world\" biotech salvation narrative might not save humankind from starvation, as it glosses over its own form of idolatry, namely, the worship of the market God. What sort of goodness can be found in or made of \"creation,\" one might ask, while pondering the problems and potentials arising out of two competing models for ethics, that of Prometheus and that of Gaia

The Missing Face of Ecology in Pauline Theology: Conservation of Mass-Energy in Reconfiguring Immortality as Everlastingness

The early Judaic affirmation of generation(s) and earthly incorporation, a value of ecological potential, is undermined by the resurrection theology of Paul. The author argues that, when the first law of thermodynamics is taken into consideration, a reconstruction of a more ecologically responsible conception of immortality emerges

Design guidelines for more engaging electronic books: insights from a cooperative inquiry study

This paper presents the results of a cooperative inquiry study aimed at developing a prototype of enhanced eBook for leisure reading. Together with a group of 9 to 11 years old children we explored various design ideas and, starting from these ideas, we developed the eBook prototype and elaborated a shortlist of recommendations. The paper aims to extend the research on the design of children's eBooks with a set of six guidelines that are intended to help designers in creating better and more engaging eBooks

Intimate Relationships Of Adults Raised In Same-Sex Families

The purpose of this study was to explore the close relationship experiences of adults raised by sexual minority parents. The study used a Grounded Theory (GT) method. Seven individuals that were either born to sexual minority parents or found out their parents were sexual minorities later in life participated in this present study. Each participant completed an over the phone, semi-structured interview. Specifically, questions were asked regarding their family history, relationships with their parents, peers, romantic partners, and others, their experiences with heterosexism, their experiences coming out, and their perspectives on sexuality and gender. In accordance with GT, the data was analyzed by following three general steps: (a) creating codes for each participant\u27s responses, (b) developing categories of common codes through a constant comparison technique, and (c) generating a theoretical model that was based in the experiences of the participants. This qualitative analysis revealed several meaningful categories pertaining to the relationship experiences of adults raised in same-sex families. The categories that emerged in this study included: (a) developing an identity, (b) managing discrimination experiences, (c) developing disclosing strategies, (d) selecting romantic partners, (e) understanding contextual influences informing partner selection, (f) generating gender roles, and (g) developing broader ideas on sexuality. The central construct, the unifying theme among all the categories, was acceptance. These categories lead to a thorough and rich understanding of the participants\u27 experiences of relationships, particularly romantic relationships. There are several important findings that have implications for future research

Device Engineering for Infectious Disease Diagnosis using Isothermal DNA Amplification and Lateral Flow Detection

Technologies that enable infectious diseases diagnosis in low-resource settings could greatly facilitate effective treatment and containment of such diseases. Nucleic acid amplification testing can be used to identify pathogens, but typically requires highly-trained personnel and large, expensive lab equipment, neither of which is available in low-resource settings. Our overall goal is to develop a portable diagnostic system that utilizes a low-cost, disposable, mesofluidic cartridge and a handheld electronics unit to perform fully-integrated nucleic acid testing at the point of care in low-resource settings. As a first step toward this goal, we developed a subunit to execute isothermal nucleic acid amplification coupled with lateral flow detection, in parallel with the development of a sample preparation subunit by our collaborators at Claremont BioSolutions. Fluid handling inside the amplification and detection cartridge is facilitated through one-way passive valves, flexible pouches, and electrolysis-driven pumps, which promotes a compact and inexpensive instrument design. The closed-system disposable prevents workspace amplicon contamination. The cartridge design is based on standard, scalable manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding. Using an initial prototype system, we demonstrated detection of purified Mycobacterium tuberculosis genomic DNA. We then developed a refined amplification and detection cartridge in conjunction with an improved portable instrument, which automates pumping, heating, and timing, using a design format compatible with eventual integration with the sample preparation subunit. This refined cartridge incorporates a novel, inexpensive, stand-alone, passive valve, smaller, integrated pump components, a more complex injection molded polycarbonate cartridge core piece, and enhanced lateral flow chambers to improve visual detection. The independent valve component can be tailored for a variety of fluidic systems. We demonstrated appropriate fluidic and thermal control, and successful isothermal nucleic acid amplification within this refined amplification and detection subunit. We have developed a separate fluidic module for master-mix reagent storage and reconstitution that is designed to act as the interface between the amplification and detection subunit and the upstream sample preparation subunit. We envision that the merger of these two subunits into a fully-integrated cartridge will enable user-friendly, automated sample-in to answer-out diagnosis of infectious diseases in primary care settings of low-resource countries with high disease burden

You\u27ll Have to Take It: Urban Vigilantism and American Film, 1967-1985

My thesis shows how vigilantism as expressed through the politics of race interacted from the late 1960s until the mid-1980s, serving to support a culture of backlash that drew from the public’s mistrust of government institutions and authorities, and its reactions to crime, class conflict, and racial tensions. Vigilante films served as the battleground where class conflicts were played out; violent backlash was realized; historical wars were refought; cultures and principles clashed; and people cleansed their communities of crime and illegal drug-use. The culture of backlash as portrayed in vigilante films as well as historical events showed how their relationship was mutually reinforcing through the legitimization of on-screen and off-screen vigilantism, which further normalized extralegal activity within American society. Overall, Americans within reality and film who were “left behind” by economic and social changes or fought to keep communities from falling apart organized to defend their neighborhoods against crime, drugs, and urban decay

Antioxidant status in acute stroke patients and patients at stroke risk

Background and Purpose: Antioxidant enzymes like copper/ zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and gluthatione peroxidase (GSHPx) are part of intracellular protection mechanisms to overcome oxidative stress and are known to be activated in vascular diseases and acute stroke. We investigated the differences of antioxidant capacity in acute stroke and stroke risk patients to elucidate whether the differences are a result of chronic low availability in arteriosclerosis and stroke risk or due to changes during acute infarction. Methods: Antioxidant enzymes were examined in 11 patients within the first hours and days after acute ischemic stroke and compared to risk- and age-matched patients with a history of stroke in the past 12 months ( n = 17). Antioxidant profile was determined by measurement of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD, GSHPx and minerals known to be involved in antioxidant enzyme activation like selenium, iron, copper and zinc. Results: In comparison to stroke risk patients, patients with acute ischemic stroke had significant changes of the GSH system during the first hours and days after the event: GSH was significantly elevated in the first hours (p < 0.01) and GSHPx was elevated 1 day after the acute stroke (p < 0.05). Selenium, a cofactor of GSHPx, was decreased (p < 0.01). GSHPx levels were negatively correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on admission (r = - 0.84, p < 0.001) and NIHSS scores after 7 days ( r = - 0.63, p < 0.05). MDA levels showed a trend for elevation in the first 6 h after the acute stroke ( p = 0.07). No significant differences of SOD, iron, copper nor zinc levels could be identified. Conclusions: Differences of antioxidant capacity were found for the GSH system with elevation of GSH and GSHPx after acute stroke, but not for other markers. The findings support the hypothesis that changes of antioxidant capacity are part of acute adaptive mechanisms during acute stroke. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel