Science education for girls: A partnership between Girl Scouts and Nasa

This study investigated the evolution of the relationship between NASA and the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). The stories of three groups of key players; NASA, Girl Scout National Staff, and Girl Scout volunteers explained the scope and depth of this unique partnership. Common goals between GSUSA and NASA of encouraging girls to seek careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) were studied to determine if the goals were met as a result of this collaboration. Outcomes such as the Memorandum of Understanding, numbers of attendees at workshops, and artifact reviews aided in the collection of data; The partnership between the Girl Scouts and NASA has not been without strife, and barriers such as funding and communication has delayed the goals of both organizations. Nevertheless, a partnership was forged and has grown since its inception in early 2001. Each of these national organizations has its own way of work and its own culture. How then can two such large organizations find the common ground to partner together and create a new culture shared between them with a common mindset?;The timeline of how and when the two organizations began their collaborations and the outcome of their partnership was evaluated. Examination of the Girl Scout culture and goals as they are related to science was compared to the NASA goals of introducing more girls to STEM careers. The impact effect of how many different workshops, events, camps with space themes was analyzed. Girl Scout adult volunteers\u27 attitudes and beliefs about science were explored to determine if changes in beliefs occurred as a result of the experiences with NASA. Ultimately, data were scrutinized to determine if the relationship is sustainable and what efforts each organization must take to maintain a high-leveled partnership

PenQuest Volume 5, Number 1

Table of Contents for this Volume: Success by Shatney Maria by Jane O’Neal Intrusions by Mark McBride The Mystery of the Back Porch Light by Nature Johnston Truth and the Violin by Shatney Corporate America by Julie Crowell Pete’s Cafe by Nature Johnston Geranium by Anne Benjamin The Man Who Buried His Books by William Slaughter Erasures by William Slaughter Mind You and other poems by Kate Mathews Coffee in the Tea Room by Kathleen O’Brien The Children by Katharine Rodier Sisters, Reclamation, Not Wanting to Say, “I Told You So,” But… by Kathleen O’Brien Genetics by Kathleen O’Brien The Anguish of Flames by Kathleen O’Brien turning plows by Mark McBride A Valediction for My Father by Jonathan Williams Untitled by Mark Sablow Artificial Portrait by Kevin Christenson Untitled by Latrell Mickler Untitled by Kevin Christenson Galvanistic Ascension by Mark Grisham Power Surge by Mark Grisham Untitled by Lori Kirsbau

Pathophysiology of acute experimental pancreatitis: Lessons from genetically engineered animal models and new molecular approaches

The incidence of acute pancreatitis is growing and worldwide population-based studies report a doubling or tripling since the 1970s. 25% of acute pancreatitis are severe and associated with histological changes of necrotizing pancreatitis. There is still no specific medical treatment for acute pancreatitis. The average mortality resides around 10%. In order to develop new specific medical treatment strategies for acute pancreatitis, a better understanding of the pathophysiology during the onset of acute pancreatitis is necessary. Since it is difficult to study the early acinar events in human pancreatitis, several animal models of acute pancreatitis have been developed. By this, it is hoped that clues into human pathophysiology become possible. In the last decade, while employing molecular biology techniques, a major progress has been made. The genome of the mouse was recently sequenced. Various strategies are possible to prove a causal effect of a single gene or protein, using either gain-of-function (i.e., overexpression of the protein of interest) or loss-of-function studies (i.e., genetic deletion of the gene of interest). The availability of transgenic mouse models and gene deletion studies has clearly increased our knowledge about the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis and enables us to study and confirm in vitro findings in animal models. In addition, transgenic models with specific genetic deletion or overexpression of genes help in understanding the role of one specific protein in a cascade of inflammatory processes such as pancreatitis where different proteins interact and co-react. This review summarizes the recent progress in this field. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

Transforming Ovarian Cancer Care by Targeting Minimal Residual Disease

Frontline treatment and resultant cure rates in patients with advanced ovarian cancer have changed little over the past several decades. Here, we outline a multidisciplinary approach aimed at gaining novel therapeutic insights by focusing on the poorly understood minimal residual disease phase of ovarian cancer that leads to eventual incurable recurrences

Mechanism of Mg2+ Binding in the Na+,K+-ATPase

The Mg2+ dependence of the kinetics of the phosphorylation and conformational changes of Na+,K+-ATPase was investigated via the stopped-flow technique using the fluorescent label RH421. The enzyme was preequilibrated in buffer containing 130 mM NaCl to stabilize the E1(Na+)3 state. On mixing with ATP, a fluorescence increase was observed. Two exponential functions were necessary to fit the data. Both phases displayed an increase in their observed rate constants with increasing Mg2+ to saturating values of 195 (± 6) s−1 and 54 (± 8) s−1 for the fast and slow phases, respectively. The fast phase was attributed to enzyme conversion into the E2MgP state. The slow phase was attributed to relaxation of the dephosphorylation/rephosphorylation (by ATP) equilibrium and the buildup of some enzyme in the E2Mg state. Taking into account competition from free ATP, the dissociation constant (Kd) of Mg2+ interaction with the E1ATP(Na+)3 state was estimated as 0.069 (± 0.010) mM. This is virtually identical to the estimated value of the Kd of Mg2+-ATP interaction in solution. Within the enzyme-ATP-Mg2+ complex, the actual Kd for Mg2+ binding can be attributed primarily to complexation by ATP itself, with no apparent contribution from coordination by residues of the enzyme environment in the E1 conformation

COLONY ISOLATION AND SECONDARY CULTURE OF FETAL PORCINE HEPATOCYTES ON STO FEEDER CELLS

The secondary culture of non-transformed parenchymal hepatocytes has not been possible. STO feeder cell-dependent secondary cultures of fetal pig hepatocytes were established by colony isolation from primary cultures of 26-d fetal livers. The liver cells had the typical polygonal morphology of parenchymal hepatocytes. They also spontaneously differentiated to form small biliary canaliculi between individual cells or progressed further to large multicellular duct-like structures or cells undergoing gross lipid accumulation and secretion. The secondary hepatocyte cultures expressed alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin, and β-fibrinogen mRNA, and conditioned medium from the cells contained elevated levels of transferrin and albumin. STO feeder cell co-culture may be useful for the sustainable culture of hepatocytes from other species