Abstract
This paper presents and describes an experiment in which DNA was extracted from C. Elagens to be amplified and electrophoresed. The paper discusses information retrieved from W. MacGinnis and R. Krumlauf's article, "Homeobox Genes and Axial Patterning." The paper focuses on discussing the methods and results for the experiment.

Table of Contents:
Materials and Methods
C. Elegan Preparation
RNAse Treatment and Protein Precipitation
DNA Precipitation, Drying and Rehydration
Preparation of PCR Reactions and Running of Reactions in Thermocycler
Homeobox PCR
Casting an Agarose Gel
Loading, Running and Staining the Agarose Gel
Taking a Picture of the Gel
Results
Discussion

From the Paper
"From the final results, it is apparent that the C. Elegans do possess homeobox genes. Since many of the bands had high molecular weight, they contained hundreds of base pairs, a sign indicating the presence of homeobox genes. The homeobox genes are of great importance as they encode proteins that tell the cells in the various segments of the developing embryo, what kind of structures to make (McGinnis W. and Krumlauf R.). There are however, many organisms that do not contain homeobox genes. Such organisms are not complex in a segmental way, such organisms that do not have segmentation have no need for genes to create structures that they no not need."

Tags:organism, gel, protein, DNA

Abstract
This paper describes an experiment in which DNA was extracted from the organism Caenorhabditis elegans to be amplified and electrophoresed. The author reports that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used in the experiment to amplify the DNA and after electrophoresis was finished, a photograph of the gel was obtained. The author also explains that the migration distance of the bands was measured and a graph of the molecular weight of the bands was created. The paper states that this process allowed the isolation of homeobox genes, which are of great importance in many different organisms for patterning and segmentation.

Table of Contents:
Keywords
Abstract
Introduction
Materials & Methods
C. Elegans Preparation
RNAse Treatment and Protein Precipitation
DNA Precipitation, Drying and Rehydration
Preparation of PCR Reactions and Running of Reactions in Thermocycler
Homeobox PCR
Casting an Agrose Gel
Loading, Running and Staining the Agrose Gel
Results
Discussion
Figures and Tables

From the Paper
"When it comes to unlocking the mysteries of organismal development, it all comes down to genes. However when genes are to be analyzed, a little is often not enough. This is where polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comes into play. PCR is a powerful and fast method, for which the ultimate desired outcome is the amplification and quantification of DNA "from a minimal initiating amount in vitro.
In order for PCR to occur, template DNA is first denatured. Annealing primers, or often degenerative primers which use every possible codons for unknown DNA sequences."

Tags:hox dna morphogenesis, migration distance, patterning segmentation.

Abstract
This paper describes an experiment that was designed to determine the fate of Dictyostelium that had been transected while in the slug stage and placed inside an agar plate for a one week period with no nutrients. The paper aims to gain knowledge, through the experiment, on the life cycle of Dictyostelium, particularly in the slug stage and how they will communicate with their individual cells and themselves as a whole after being transected.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials & Methods
Results
Discussion

From the Paper
"Cell-autonomous mechanisms play an important role in initial cell-type choice and the subsequent regulation of cell-type differentiation (Gomer and Firtel, 1987). Although further research is still required on differentiation and aggregation, it is known that cells lacking the protein Spn arrest as tight mounds before breaking up into smaller aggregates (Brown J. and Firtel R., 1999). Dephosphorylation of a specific Spn substrate(s) is a limiting step in the differentiation of prestalk cells. Spn may be required for the initial formation of prestalk cells andor ALCs, which induce neighbouring cells to adopt a prespore fate. The production of a prespore cell induction factor by prestalk cells has previously been proposed by studies of the heterotrimeric G-protein subunit Ga4 (Hadwiger J. A. and Firtel R. A., 1992)."

Tags:cell, differentiation, method, organism

Abstract
This paper explains that, in a lab intended to investigate how cells respond to external signals at a molecular level, a genetic transformation of yeast cells was performed, and -galactosidase gene fusion was used to assess yeast promoter activity. The paper then explains that the yeast mitotic cell cycle is very similar to the cell cycle of other eukaryotic cells and is commonly broken down into the four standard phases: G1, S, G2, and M. The paper also explains that the -factor induces arrest of yeast cells in G1 and transcription of genes involved in mating, which in turn causes a change in cell shape, and increases transcription and translation of genes involved in cell fusion. It is the presence of -factor that begins transcription of Fus1 promoter attached to the LacZ gene on the pBH315 plasmid.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
References

From the Paper
"A mutation in the G protein could mean that it is active most of the time, thereby activating the kinase complex, and initiating transcription. The Y pBH315-a strain also showed almost double the number of budded cells compared to unbudded. A mutation in the intracellular signaling proteins could have been the culprit here. When such high numbers of budded cells show up in the strains, one can assess that such mutations have a high sensitivity to the factor, so that they show and increase in transcription and translation of genes involved in cell fusion, and therefore have many budded cells."

Tags:yeast, transformation, transcription, -galactosidase, unbudded

Abstract
This is a highly specialized -- in-depth paper on Virogenomics , the deciphering of the viral genome sequence. The author looks at statistics, provides charts and graphs and traces the history of this fascinating new field.

From the Paper
"Influenza, HIV, Hepatitus, Herpes simplex, and cytomegalovirus are just some of the many examples of viral diseases that plague our global population today. Primitive efforts to control these viruses have mostly focused on the split product and surface antigen vaccines. Although these vaccines have proved to be helpful in initiating the immune response against these viruses, whether it be healthy adults, or elderly people with medical conditions, the coverage is often low. Viruses quickly mutate, and there are often different strains circulating, so most of the time, these types of vaccines may or may not provide any protection against these viruses."

Tags:aids, antiviral, azt, biology, drugs, genes, genetics, genome, herpes, hiv, host, infection, influenza, microarray, sequence, virogenomics, virus

Abstract
This paper explains that virtually all bacteria strains have viruses specific to them. The paper then describes an experiment that takes coliphages from sewage and, after enrichment and filtration processes, exposes the E.Coli R10 strain to the phages to obtain the phage specific to the strain. The paper further explains that the bacteria strains are grown on agar plates in the presence of coliphages, and strains W3104-A on plates K12 and W3104 and R12-B on plate K12 developed resistance. The paper then reports that the W3104-A strain is further tested and retains its resistance.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Method
Isolation and Enrichment of Coliphage from Raw Sewage
Filtration of Coliphage Mixtures
Dilution and Plaque Preparation of R10A and R10B E. Coli Strains
Mutation and Isolation of Phage-Resistant E. Coli Strains
Sensitivity of Phage-Resistant Mutants to Bacteriophages
Results
Discussion
Table: Colonies of Bacterial Strains Response to Coliphages

From the Paper
"Bacteria have the ability to develop resistance to viruses [6], so as it can be expected some strains (namely W3104-A and R12-B) developed phage-resistant colonies. It is known that certain genetic elements called "episomes" are instrumental in creating phage-resistance in E. Coli strains such as K12 [8]. As indicated in table 1, there were numerous contaminations; this was certainly due to many of the unfiltered cultures that were used. This was done because of time constraints and shortage or missing supplies in the lab."

Tags:viruses, bacteriophages, cultures, spontaneous, resistant

Abstract
This paper discusses the roles of hair and fibers as physical evidence in forensic science. It concentrates on the physical composition, identification methods, recovery techniques and implications as evidence. This forensic science research paper also provides an analytical discussion of the implications that the various methods have in the field of criminology.

From the Paper
"Hair and fibers are superficially similar. They may frequently be found together as trace evidence, and the methods of studying them are often similar. In fact, hair and fibers are quite different: Hair as an appendage of human or animal skin, growing out of an organ known as the hair follicle; fibers are strands of natural or manufactured material. Some animal-hair coverings such as wool and mohair are classified as natural fibers, but such issues of terminology are just that and do not affect the process of identification. Although hair is discovered as evidence at many crime scenes and often appears on the bodies of victims of violence, it represents class or general evidence, rather than individual evidence. One person's hair cannot yet be individualized to the exclusion of anyone else, although DNA research, which involves testing the root of the hair, may make near individualization possible. Hair is valuable evidence and much can be learned from a few strands. It also resists chemical decomposition and retains its structural features for a long time. In contrast to hair, fibers and cloth fragments offer much greater evidential value because they incorporate numerous variables. These include the number of fibers in each strand, the diameter of strands and fibers, the direction and number of twists, the type of weave, the dye content, as well as the presence of any foreign material that may be adherent to fibers or embedded among them."

Tags:clothing, crime, dna, follicles, investigation

Abstract
This study examines who is more likely to stigmatize the mentally ill according to their experiences. Specifically, the study examines the level of knowledge each participant has about mental health issues and their viewpoints on the mentally ill, and whether it is related to gender.

From the Paper
"Stigma, has "traditionally been defined as a sign or mark that designates the bearer defective, and therefore as meriting less valued treatment than normal people" (Heatherton 2000:88). This view of an individual is apparent in all societies. The actual experience of stigma is common. Virtually everyone has experienced some form of stigmatization. Whether it is our personality, our dress, or our economic status. However it has been the mentally ill and former mentally ill individuals who "have traditionally been degraded and rejected; they have experienced prejudice similar to that experienced by racial and ethnic minorities" (Heatherton 2000:103). It is a fault in society to assume that everyone stigmatizes in the same way. It is the way we socialize our children that anyone different is less of a person. The mass media constantly characterizes the mentally ill as "sick", "dangerous", "worthless", "unpredictable" (Heatherton 2000:103). Literature found on mental illness usually states that stigma for the mentally ill is common to all society, but a closer look shows that it fails to differentiate between its origins. Specifically that everyone looks at the mentally ill the same way: that they are negative and violent."

Tags:experience, health, mental, stigmatization

Abstract
This paper states that the most important relationship for a store to maintain is the relationship between the employees and the public; therefore, the store should evaluate the training of its employees. This paper describes, in detail, the entire research project, which used a questionnaire and basic statistical analysis, and the outcomes of the questionnaire. The author concludes that, although the participants rated the training program as only "moderate," the program does fulfill its basic purpose of training the employees to perform the various jobs within the store. Attractive presentation.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Research Objectives
Methodology
Participants
Research Design
Sampling Procedures
Variables and Measures
Data Collection Procedures
Data Analysis
Overall Assessment of the Training
Length of Initial Training Program
Retail Experience
Sales Training
Results to Open Ended Questions
Results of Cross Tabs
Overall Assessment of Training
Length of Initial Training Program
Effectiveness of Individual Training
Value of the assignment of a co-worker
Number of Sales Training Programs
Discussion
Limitations to the Study
Conclusions and Recommendations
Summary
Questionnaire With Measurement Requirements
Questionnaire

From the Paper
"The most important relationship for the store to maintain is its relationship between the employees and the public. The employees represent the major link between the store and the public; therefore, it is in the store's best interest to ensure its employees are highly trained and oriented towards customer's needs. Ambassador Duty Free is in direct competition with the duty free store at the tunnel. Providing employees with effective training and product knowledge will improve their customer service skills and encourage customers to patronize the store."

Tags:questionnaire, statistics, measurement, outcomes, retail

Abstract
This paper details the various issues and describes the research surrounding Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a disease that affects children, primarily males and is characterized by the degeneration of muscular tissue. The essay discusses symptoms, causes, molecular and cellular defects, how symptoms are derived from cellular defects and possible treatments. The sections covering the molecular aspects of this disease are in depth and scientifically explicit.

From the Paper
"Muscular Dystrophy is a debilitating disorder that is characterized by degeneration of muscle tissue. One of the most common forms of this disorder and one that is particularly severe is Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This disease affects a far greater number of males, approximately 1 out of every 3 500 born, than females (Cooper 1997). The cellular defects associated with DMD are well understood; however, there is still some speculation over the actions that take place at the molecular level. The treatment available for DMD patients is very limited. However, there has been promising research done with stem cells, antibiotics and gene therapies that offer new hope for sufferers of DMD. Many of these studies have been done on mdx mice, an animal model for DMD that possesses the same genetic defect as humans who suffer with the disease (Agrawal et al. 1999). These studies offer a new ray of hope, not only for those suffering with DMD, but also for people who suffer from various types of muscular degenerative diseases."

Tags:biology, cell, cellular, disease, dmd, dystrophin, gene, medicine, molecular, therapy