An Analysis of Uriay Culture and Gospel Presentation to the Uriay Tribe

The Uriay people group in Papua New Guinea is a remote animistic tribe that has just recently heard the Gospel. This people group is just one of the thousands of distinct cultures in this world, many of which have not yet received the good news of Jesus Christ. This thesis opens by analyzing culture and animism and culminates with an ethnographic description of the Uriay tribe based on personal observation and information collected from missionaries who have lived among the Uriay people for over ten years. The purpose of this thesis is to provide research on this remote people group and provide an example of cultural analysis for believers who plan to enter a new culture and seek to understand it with intentions of spreading the Gospel to those who have yet to hear it

A Tale of Two Countries: Parallel Visions for Informed Consent in the United States and the United Kingdom

In recent years, the proper role of informed consent doctrine in an environment of healthcare cost containment has been a hotly contested legal and policy issue. The purpose of this Note is to probe the current informed consent debate in the United States and the United Kingdom and to draw out the respective roles informed consent ought to play in those two systems. In doing so, this Note draws on the history of the doctrine and several recent scholarly proposals, and offers a modest proposal synthesizing the best aspects of those proposals

Exploration of Intergenerational Ambivalence, Parenting Practices, and the Impact on Grandparenthood Dimensions

Changing population demographics have important implications for intergenerational relationships. While research abounds on certain family relationships, less attention has been given to the relationship between an aging parent and her or his adult child. Two theoretical constructs that have consistently been useful for examining these relationships include intergenerational ambivalence (IGA) and, to a lesser degree, dimensions of grandparenthood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to suggest new measurement strategies for these constructs, expand on the correlates of IGA and a grandparent’s perceived ambivalence regarding her or his adult child’s parenting practices, and bring new perspectives to the experience of grandparenting. Using data from 210 grandparents, exploratory factor analyses and regression analyses were conducted. Results provided support for these new measurement strategies, and indicated that ambivalence related to parenting practices significantly accounts for overall IGA. Moreover, IGA accounted for a significant portion of a participant’s cognitive experience of grandparenting. This study has implications for the measurement of IGA and grandparenting, as well as clinical work with adults in transition and grandparents who are raising their grandchildre

Laser-assisted transfer for rapid additive micro-fabrication of electronic devices

Laser-based micro-fabrication techniques can be divided into the two broad categories of subtractive and additive processing. Subtractive embraces the well-established areas of ablation, drilling, cutting and trimming, where the substrate material is post-processed into the desired final form or function. Additive describes a manufacturing process that most recently has captured the news in terms of 3-d printing, where materials and structures are assembled from scratch to form complex 3-d objects. While most additive 3-d printing methods are purely aimed at fabrication of structures, the ability to deposit material on the micron-scale enables the creation of functional, e.g. electronic or photonic, devices [1]. Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is a method for the transfer of functional thin film materials with sub-micron to few millimetre feature sizes [2,3]. It has a unique advantage as the materials can be optimised beforehand in terms of their electrical, mechanical or optical properties. LIFT allows the intact transfer of solid, viscous or matrix-embedded films in an additive fashion. As a direct-write method, no lithography or post-processing is required and does not add complexity to existing laser machining systems, thus LIFT can be applied for the rapid and inexpensive fabrication or repair of electronic devices. While the technique is not limited to a specific range of materials, only a few examples show transfer of inorganic semiconductors. So far, LIFT demonstration of materials such as silicon [4,5] have undergone melting, and hence a phase transition process during the transfer which may not be desirable, compromising or reducing the efficiency of a resulting device. Here, we present our first results on the intact transfer of solid thermoelectric semiconductor materials on a millimetre scale via nanosecond excimer laser-based LIFT. We have studied the transfer and its effect on the phase and physical properties of the printed materials and present a working thermoelectric generator as an example of such a device. Furthermore, results from initial experiments to transfer silicon onto polymeric substrates in an intact state via a Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser are also shown, which illustrate the utility of LIFT for printing micron-scale semiconductor features in the context of flexible electronic applications

Studies on cannabinoid effects in intestinal tissue and in neuroblastoma

The growing numbers of putative receptors and allosteric sites in which cannabinoids have been observed to act upon has called in to question the established action of cannabinoids through solely the CB1 receptor in the guinea-pig ileum myenteric plexus. Previous work within our laboratory demonstrated cannabinoid inhibition of nicotine induced currents in cultured myenteric neurones through a mechanism expressing different pharmacological properties to those acknowledged as being ('. possessed by the CBI· receptor. To examine-this the effects of cannabinoid receptor ligands were examined on nicotine evoked contractions of the guinea-pig ileum myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation and on nicotine evoked currents in primary cultures ofmyenteric neurones. Contraction evoked by 100 JlM nicotine was inhibited by the cannabinoid agonist CP 55,940 (ICso 215 nM) but inhibition was not blocked by the CB1 receptor selective antagonist SR141716. Nicotinic log concentration-response curves showed a combination of some rightward displacement and decrease in maximal contraction ,. upon exposure to CP 55,940 suggesting non-competitive inhibition. In the presence of the voltage-gated sodium channel antagonist tetrodotoxin (TTX), both CP 55,940 and SR141716 inhibited contraction and acted additively when applied in conjunction to produce greater inhibition of nicotine evoked contraction. Some degree of stereoselectivity was observed for the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 over the stereoisomer WIN 55,212-3, but in the presence ofTTX both stereoisomers displayed equal potency in inhibiting nicotine evoked contraction. Contractions evoked in the presence of the nicotinic receptor antagonist tubocurarine and those evoked by 10 JlM nicotine showed greater CP 55,940 inhibition (ICso 0.74 and 0.55 nM respectively) than that observed with 100 JlM nicotine. CP 55,940 inhibition of contraction evokedby 10 IlM nicotine displayed SR141716 sensitivity with log concentration-response. curves showing a parallel rightward shift (lCso 19.5 nM). Whole cell patch clamp of cultured myenteric neurones confirmed cannabinoid inhibition of nicotine evoked currents and displayed similar levels of inhibition by both active and inactive WIN 55,212 stereoisomers. Blockade of the adenylate cyclase/cAMP intracellular messaging system by 8-Br-cAMP did not affect CP 55,940 inhibition. Results suggest that cannabinoids may act through both CBI receptor dependent and independent mechanisms to inhibit nicotine evoked contraction in the myenteric (' plexus. The mechanisms through which cannabinoids act demonstrated some degree of selectivity dependent upon the level of stimulus evoked by nicotine, with contraction evoked by 100 IlM nicotine demonstrating CBI receptor independence whilst contraction evoked by 10 IlM nicotine showed SR141716 sensitivity. Blockade of action potential propagation by TTX showed a CB1 receptor independent inhibition of contraction occurring within the nerve endings of motor neurones. Whole cell recording confirmed previous work with the lack of WIN 55.212 stereoselectivity corroborating CBI receptor independent inhibition. The inhibition by cannabinoids of electrically induced contraction of the guinea-pig is well accepted. However, the intracellular mechanisms through which cannabinoid receptors act have yet to be established. The effects of cannabinoid receptor ligands on Ca2+ currents were examined in primary cultures of guinea-pig ileum myenteric AH neurones using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Membrane depolarisation evoked a high-voltage activated calcium current (lca) that was reduced by 65.6% by c.o-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM). Exposure to the cannabinoid agonists CP 55,940 (10 JlM) and WIN 55,212-2 (10 JlM) reduced peak 1ca by 79.7% and 74.7% respectively. The inhibitory effects of CP 55,940 were concentration . dependent over the range 0.3 - 10 JlM with an ICso of 0.54 JlM, and blocked by pertussis toxin (lOO ng.mrl , 18 hr equilibration). WIN 55,212-3 (lO JlM), the (-)- enantiomer of WIN 55,212-2, evoked significantly less inhibition tha~ that produced by WIN 55,212-2, reducing peak lea by 43.1 %. The CBl receptor selective antagonist, SR141716 (l and 10 JlM), had no effect on CP 55,940 (l and 10 JlM) inhibition, whilst another CBl receptor selective antagonist, AM251 (lO JlM), and the CB2 receptor selective antagonist SR144528 (1 Jl~) produced only slight blockade of CP 55,940 (1 JlM) inhibition. In combination, SR141716 (1 JlM) and SR144528 (0.1 JlM) produced complete blockade of CP 55,940 (1 JlM) inhibition. When tested on their own, SR141716 (lO JlM) and the putative 'silent antagonist' 0-2050 (lO JlM) reduced lea by 53.0% and 82.3% respectively. Results suggest that in primary cultures of guinea-pig ileum myenteric AH neurones, cannabinoids inhibit N-type calcium channels through Gilo coupled receptors, comprising of either a combination of CBt and CB2 receptors, or involve a novel ,. cannabinoid receptor. Cannabinoids and opioids have been shown to possess similar pharmacological properties, including analgesia, addiction and euphoria. The powerful analgesic effects of opioids make them vital in the treatment of patients, but their undesirable effects limit their use. The interaction of cannabinoids and opioids opens the possibility of achieving similar or greater beneficial effects whilst reducing undesirable effects through the use oflower amounts ofdrug. The interaction between cannabinoid and opioid receptor ligands.was examined on electrically evoked contractions of the guinea-pig ileum myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation, and their action in both primary myenteric and NG108-15 neuronal cell cultures investigated. Further examination of the action of cannabinoids on opioidwithdrawal evoked contractions ofthe whole ileum was performed. Both morphine and CP 55,940, when applied independently, produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of electrically evoked contraction of the MPLM preparation. With prior application of CP 55,940, at concentrations of 1 and 10 nM which produced inhibition of 12.0 ± 2.9% (n = 7) and 26.8 ± 5.6% (n = 11) respectively, morphine displayed similar co?~entration-dependent characteristics as displayed in the absence of CP 55,940, suggesting a purely additive interaction. 100 nM CP 55,940 inhibited all morphine evoked inhibition. An inhibition of 40.8± 7.5% (n = 9) was produced by 100 nM CP 55,940 in the absence of morphine, whilst in combination with 1 JlM morphine, which produced maximum inhibition, an inhibition of 46.8 ± 6.8% (n = 9) was observed. Maximal inhibition produced by morphine in the presence of 100 nM CP 55,940 (46.8 ± 6.8%, n = 9) was smaller that that produced in the presence of 10 nM CP 55,940 (62.7 ± 3.4%, n = 11). Prior application of 100 nM and 1 JlM morphine prevented 1 JlM WIN 55,212-2 inducing inhibition of contraction. SR141716 (100 nM) significantly increased the size of electrically evoked contraction and increased inhibition produced by morphine. Opioidwithdrawal contractions of whole ileum were not inhibited by CP 55,940. Both potassium and calcium currents were not affected by morphine or DADLE. In NG108-15 neurones calcium currents were inhibited by DADLE and WIN 55,212-2 in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of a concentration of WIN 55,212-2 that produced maximal inhibition, DADLE, also at a concentration producing maximal inhibition, produced a significantly reduced inhibition

Fear vs. Hope: Do Discrete Emotions Mediate Message Frame Effectiveness In Genetic Cancer Screening Appeals

New advances in genetic screening now make it possible to determine if a person is more susceptible to certain types of cancer. In some cases, it may be advisable to promote consultations with heath care providers for genetic cancer screening among patients at risk for cancer. Using emotional appeals is one way to promote genetic cancer screening. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the role of the emotions of fear and hope in mediating the influence of emotion-framed PSAs. This study explored the relative effectiveness of a fear-framed video message and a hope-framed video message at influencing people’s attitudes toward genetic cancer screening and in persuading individuals at increased risk for cancer to talk to their doctors about genetic cancer screening. This study examined three different models of mediation: a model testing the mediation of framing effect on behavioral intent by attitude, a model testing the mediation of framing effect on attitude by both fear and hope, and a model testing the mediation of framing effect on behavioral intent by fear and hope. Overall, the fear-framed and hope-framed PSAs did not differ from a control group in terms of attitude toward genetic cancer screening, but both PSAs lead to greater intent to discuss genetic cancer screening with a health care provider (compared to the control group). Message frame had no significant indirect effect on behavioral intent through attitude toward genetic cancer screening. Likewise, message frame had no significant indirect effect on attitude toward genetic cancer screening through hope or fear. The study did find evidence that both discrete emotions mediated the effectiveness of message frame on intent to discuss genetic cancer screening with a health care provider, which was the health behavior targeted by the messages. These findings suggest that both hope and fear essentially transferred the effect of message frame onto behavioral intent and that both hope and fear were effective mediators of the framing effect

A Mere Heart of Stone: The Anti-Biography of Charles Darwin

Senior Project submitted to The Written Arts Progra

An appropriate level of risk: Balancing the need for safe livestock products with fair market access for the poor

This paper examines the role of livestock products as commodities of trade, responding to the demand and higher prices that many external markets offer, and at the same time providing important contributions to the development process in poorer countries. It highlights that this opportunity is not without its threats: much of the Western world has, over the last half century in particular, invested substantial amounts of money in controlling and eradicating many infectious diseases of livestock, and in building up healthy and highly productive animals, the products derived from which earn them very large sums of money on world markets. Such countries are not willing to take risks that could threaten their livestock industries, and their domestic and export markets that maintain high animal health and food safety standards. The study builds on a number of 'success stories', examples where developing countries have succeeded in exporting livestock or livestock products to external markets. An analysis of the factors governing their success revealed some commonalities: all were driven by strong private sector partners who contributed capital, management expertise and entrepreneurial flair; most concerned livestock products, rather than live animals, which matched the market's requirements; many had developed strong brand identities which had become synonymous with quality, safety and dependability; and many were vertically integrated systems, incorporating small and medium scale out-grower producers. Often these successes have been achieved despite the absence of effective support from the public sector, such as national veterinary authorities. One of the key findings of this study is the disparity between the push for global harmonisation of animal health standards for trade, and the lack of capacity of developing countries, particularly LDCs, to meet these standards. The study considers how this might be rectified and concludes that building capacity of regional bodies to create regional centres of excellence with regard to SPS matters may be the most practical way forward.Livestock Production/Industries,