Circulating pancreatic polypeptide concentrations predict visceral and liver fat content

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: No current biomarker can reliably predict visceral and liver fat content, both of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Vagal tone has been suggested to influence regional fat deposition. Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is secreted from the endocrine pancreas under vagal control. We investigated the utility of PP in predicting visceral and liver fat. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fasting plasma PP concentrations were measured in 104 overweight and obese subjects (46 men and 58 women). In the same subjects, total and regional adipose tissue, including total visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and total subcutaneous adipose tissue (TSAT), were measured using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging. Intrahepatocellular lipid content (IHCL) was quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: Fasting plasma PP concentrations positively and significantly correlated with both VAT (r = 0.57, P < .001) and IHCL (r = 0.51, P < .001), but not with TSAT (r = 0.02, P = .88). Fasting PP concentrations independently predicted VAT after controlling for age and sex. Fasting PP concentrations independently predicted IHCL after controlling for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin resistance, (HOMA2-IR) and serum concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Fasting PP concentrations were associated with serum ALT, TG, TC, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure (P < .05). These associations were mediated by IHCL and/or VAT. Fasting PP and HOMA2-IR were independently significantly associated with hepatic steatosis (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic polypeptide is a novel predictor of visceral and liver fat content, and thus a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification and targeted treatment of patients with ectopic fat deposition.

Distinct H3F3A and H3F3B driver mutations define chondroblastoma and giant cell tumor of bone

It is recognized that some mutated cancer genes contribute to the development of many cancer types, whereas others are cancer type specific. For genes that are mutated in multiple cancer classes, mutations are usually similar in the different affected cancer types. Here, however, we report exquisite tumor type specificity for different histone H3.3 driver alterations. In 73 of 77 cases of chondroblastoma (95%), we found p.Lys36Met alterations predominantly encoded in H3F3B, which is one of two genes for histone H3.3. In contrast, in 92% (49/53) of giant cell tumors of bone, we found histone H3.3 alterations exclusively in H3F3A, leading to p.Gly34Trp or, in one case, p.Gly34Leu alterations. The mutations were restricted to the stromal cell population and were not detected in osteoclasts or their precursors. In the context of previously reported H3F3A mutations encoding p.Lys27Met and p.Gly34Arg or p.Gly34Val alterations in childhood brain tumors, a remarkable picture of tumor type specificity for histone H3.3 driver alterations emerges, indicating that histone H3.3 residues, mutations and genes have distinct functions.

Intervenção baseada no conceito de Bobath em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson: quatro estudos de caso

Introdução: O padrão de recrutamento temporal inerente a uma sequência de ativação muscular (SAM), permite a organização multi-segmentar para a realização de uma tarefa motora. Este depende da conexão neural entre estruturas corticais e sub-corticais, incluindo os núcleos da base (NB), podendo, assim, estar comprometido em indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson (DP). As SAM poderão ser melhoradas através de uma intervenção baseada no conceito de Bobath (CB). Objetivo: Estudar o potencial da intervenção, baseada no CB, a longo prazo, nas SAM ao nível da tibio-társica (TT), durante as tarefas motoras sit-to-stand (SitTS) e o stand-to-sit (StandTS), em quatro indivíduos com DP. Metodologia: O estudo apresenta quatro casos de indivíduos com DP, que realizaram intervenção em fisioterapia baseada no CB, durante 12 semanas. Antes e após a intervenção, foram avaliadas as sequências de ativação do gastrocnémio medial (GM), do solear (SOL) e do tibial anterior (TA), durante as tarefas SitTS e StandTS, recorrendo à eletromiografia de superfície e à plataforma de forças, para a divisão cinética das diferentes fases das tarefas. Avaliou-se ainda o equilíbrio funcional, através da Escala de Berg, e a percepção subjetiva dos indivíduos acerca da sua capacidade para realizar atividades sem cair, através da Modified Falls Efficacy Scale. Resultados: Após a intervenção, os indivíduos em estudo apresentaram, na sua maioria, uma diminuição da co-ativação muscular, bem como um aumento do equilíbrio funcional e diminuição da probabilidade de risco de queda, refletindo uma melhoria do controlo postural (CP). As modificações na percepção subjetiva dos indivíduos acerca da sua capacidade para realizar atividades sem cair não foram homogéneas. Conclusão: A intervenção baseada no CB teve efeitos positivos do ponto de vista do CP nos quatro indivíduos com DP. Pensa-se que uma intervenção mais duradoura poderá intensificar as melhorias observadas.

Estudo de usabilidade das aplicações mobile: caso prático o Meethub

Relatório de estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Comunicação Social como parte dos requisitos para obtenção de grau de mestre em Audiovisual e Multimédia.

Análise dos sistemas termo-solares de produção de energia eléctrica

Actualmente a humanidade depara-se com um dos grandes desafios que é o de efectivar a transição para um futuro sustentável. Logo, o sector da energia tem um papel chave neste processo de transição, com principal destaque para a energia solar, tendo em conta que é uma das fontes de energias renováveis mais promissoras, podendo no médiolongo prazo, tornar-se uma das principais fontes de energia no panorama energético dos países. A energia solar térmica de concentração (CSP), apesar não ser ainda conhecida em Portugal, possui um potencial relevante em regiões específicas do nosso território. Logo, o objectivo deste trabalho é efectuar uma análise detalhada dos sistemas solares de concentração para produção de energia eléctrica, abordando temas, tais como, o potencial da energia solar, a definição do processo de concentração solar, a descrição das tecnologias existentes, o estado da arte do CSP, mercado CSP no mundo, e por último, a análise da viabilidade técnico-económica da instalação de uma central tipo torre solar de 20 MW, em Portugal. Para que este objectivo fosse exequível, recorreu-se à utilização de um software de simulação termodinâmica de centrais CSP, denominado por Solar Advisor Model (SAM). O caso prático foi desenvolvido para a cidade de Faro, onde foram simuladas quatro configurações distintas para uma central do tipo torre solar de 20 MW. Foram apresentados resultados, focando a desempenho diário e anual da central. Foi efectuada uma análise para avaliação da influência da variabilidade dos parâmetros, localização geográfica, múltiplo solar, capacidade de armazenamento de calor e fracção de hibridização sobre o custo nivelado da energia (LCOE), o factor de capacidade e a produção anual de energia. Conjuntamente, é apresentada uma análise de sensibilidade, com a finalidade de averiguar quais os parâmetros que influenciam de forma mais predominante o valor do LCOE. Por último, é apresentada uma análise de viabilidade económica de um investimento deste tipo.

Strategic account management: the path to gain customer loyalty

The account management field works closely with the sales team, serving as the customer’s primary point of contact. This project’s purpose was to understand if shifting the account management from brand centric to customer centric, would be the best fit for a Portuguese Pharmaceutical company. This customer centric approach - Strategic Account Management (SAM) - was studied, understanding the implicated trade-offs to the company. The workforce was probed about the project and their comments were analyzed. The conclusion points to an implementation of SAM and proposes the adaptations to follow in order to smooth the change.

Recueil de lettres et de pièces originales, et de copies de pièces indiquées comme telles dans le dépouillement qui suit.

Contient : 1 Lettre d'« ELIZABET », reine d'Espagne, à la reine Catherine de Médicis, sa mère ; 2 Lettre, en espagnol, de « el duque DE ALVA,... a la reyna de Francia madre... De Madrid, a XIIII° de junio 1562 » ; 3 Lettre d'« ELIZABET [reine d'Espagne]... à la royne, madame ma bonne mere... De Toledo, le IIe jour de may 1561 » ; 4 Lettre, en espagnol, de « el duque DE ALVA,... a la reyna, madre del rey... De Toledo, a XXIII de enero 1561 » ; 5 Lettre, en espagnol, de « la condesa DE UREÑA,... a... la reina, [madre del] rey de Francia... De Toledo, diez y siete de mayo de 1561 » ; 6 Lettre de « S[EBASTIEN] DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Madril, ce IIIe jour de janvier 1561 » ; 7 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... au roy de Navarre... De Madril, ce XXIIe de janvier 1561 » ; 8 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Madril en Castille, ce IXe de mars 1562, avant Pasques » ; 9 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XXVIIe d'avril 1561 » ; 10 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à monsieur de Fresne, conseiller du roy, secretaire d'Estat et de ses finances... De Tolledo, se VIII de may » ; 11 « Memoyre de Mr Lymoges [S. DE LAUBESPINE], du IXe de may » 156 sur les affaires politiques de l'Europe en général et de l'Espagne en particulier ; 12 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... au roy de Navarre... De Toledo, ce IXe de may 1561 » ; 13 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... au roy... De Toledo, ce Xe de may 1561 » ; 14 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce Xe de may 1561 » ; 15 Lettre de « FRANÇOYS DE CLEVES,... conte D'EU,... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XIe de may 1561 » ; 16 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XIIe de may 1561 » ; 17 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XIIIe de may 1561 » ; 18 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... au roy... De Toledo, ce XXe de may 1561 » ; 19 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XXme de may 1561 » ; 20 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XXe de may 1561 » ; 21 « Memoire de Mr DE LYMOGES, du XXme de may 1561 », sur l'arrivée du « conte d'Heu,... en Hespaigne » ; 22 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Toledo, ce XXIXe de may 1561 » ; 23 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Illesques, ce premier de juing 1561 » ; 24 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... au roy de Navarre... De Illesques, ce XIIIIe juing 1561 » ; 25 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à la royne... De Illesques, ce XIIIIe de juing 1561 » ; 26 Lettre de « S. DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Lymoges... à monsieur de Fresque,... De Illesques, ce XIIIe de juing » ; 27 Lettre, en espagnol, du roi PHILIPPE II « a Don Garcia de Toledo, viserey de Cataluña... De Toledo, a dos de mayo 1561 ». Copie ; 28 Lettre, en espagnol, du roi PHILIPPE II à « don Juan de Mendoça,... capitan general de las galeras d'España... En Toledo, a primero de mayo de myll y quinientos y sesenta y un años ». Copie ; 29 « O que Sua Alteza [JEAN III] responde ao que o sennor de Sam Sulpice Ihe dise da parte do... rey de França, sobre o acontecido no forte que o cavaleiro de Vilaganham [Villegaignon] fez na provintia do Brasyl he ». Copie, en portugais ; 30 « Extraict des informations faictes en Toledo, le second jour du moys de may mil cinq cens soixante et ung, par le docteur Suares de Toledo, alcade de court, sur quelques rapportz faictz à Sa Majesté catholique qu'aucuns François avoient mené, porté et deschargé en Arger grandes munitions de guerre contre les traictés de paix » ; 31 Extrait « de la despeche de monsieur de Lymoges, du XXIXe may 1561, à Toledo », sur la capture du « navire le Chien », faite « par don Jouan de Mendosse en Catalougne » ; 32 Lettre, en portugais, de « donna CATHERINNA, rainha de Portugual... a donna Catherina, rainha de França... De Lixbôa, a V de mayo de 1561 » ; 33 Lettre, en portugais, « de CATHERINNA, rainha de Portugual... a Dom Carlos, rey de França... Lixbôa, a V de mayo de 1561 » ; 34 Lettre, en portugais, du cardinal HENRI DE PORTUGAL au roi de France Charles IX. « De Lisbôa, a 3 de janeiro de 1561 » ; 35 Lettre, en portugais, de « Dom SEBASTIAM, rey de Portugual,... a donna Catherina, rainha de França... A Lixbôa, a VI de janeiro de 1561 » ; 36 Lettre, en portugais, de « CATHERINA, rainha de Portugual, a Dom Charles, rey de França... Lixbôa, a VI de janeiro de 1561 » ; 37 Lettre, en portugais, de « CATHERINA, rainha de Portugual, a donna Catherina, raynha de França... Lixbôa, a VI de janeiro de 1561 » ; 38 Lettre, en portugais, de l'infante « Dona MARIA », datée de « Lixbôa, a VIII de janeiro de M.D.LXI » ; 39 Lettre, en portugais, de l'infante « Dona MARIA », datée de « Lixbôa, a VIII de janeiro de M.D.LXI » ; 40 Lettre, en portugais, de l'infante « Dona MARIA » au « rey de França... Em Lixbôa, a cinco de maio de 1561 » ; 41 Lettre, en portugais, du cardinal HENRI au « rei de França » Charles IX, datée de « Lisbôa, 5 de maio de 1561 » ; 42 Lettre, en portugais, de l'infante « dona MARIA » à la « raynha de França... De Lixbôa, a cingo de mayo de M.D.LXI » ; 43 Lettre de l'ambassadeur en Portugal « J. NICOT,... au roy [Charles IX]... De Lisbonne, ce XIIe jour d'apvril 1561 » ; 44 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... à la royne... De Lisbonne, ce XIIe jour d'avril M.D.LXI » ; 45 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... à la royne... De Lisbonne, ce XVI avril M.D.LXI » ; 46 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... au roy... De Lisbonne, ce sixiesme jour de may 1561 » ; 47 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... à la royne... De Lisbonne, ce VIe jour de may 1561 » ; 48 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... à la royne... De Lisbonne, ce VIe jour de may 1561 » ; 49 « Information » sur la saisie faite par J. NICOT d'un « navire françoys... Lisbonne, ce vingt deuxiesme jour... de may, mil cinq cens soixante ung ». Signé : « J. NICOT », et autres ; 50 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... au roy... De Lisbonne, ce XXVIIIe jour du mois de may 1561 » ; 51 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... à la royne... De Lisbonne, ce XXVIIIe jour de may M.V.C.LXI » ; 52 Lettre de « S[EBASTIEN] DE LAUBESPINE, evesque de Limoges... au roy... D'Illesques, ce XIIIIe de juing 1561 » ; 53 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... au roy... De Lisbonne, ce XXme jour du moys de juing 1561 » ; 54 Lettre de « J. NICOT,... à la royne... De Lisbonne, ce XXe jour de juing M.D.LXI » ; 55 « Double du memoyre baillé au roy Charles pour a marchandize sequestrée à Barselonne » ; 56 Lettre, en portugais, de « JULIAN ROMERO,... al... obispo de Limoja [Sébastien de Laubespine], enbaxador por el rey de Françia... De Malaga, y de abril 17 de 1561 » ; 57 « Information, en espaignol, contre ceulx qui de Provence portent des munitions aux Turcqs d'Argeies » ; 58 Lettre du « cappitaine BOILLEAU,... à monseigneur l'anbassadeur de France... De St Jacques, ce XIIIe avril 1561 »

The Catharanthus roseus 16-hydroxytabersonine O-methyltransferase involved in vindoline biosynthesis /

Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) produces the well known and remarkably complex dimeric anticancer alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine that are derived by coupling vindoline and catharanthine monomers. This thesis describes the novel application of carborundum abrasion (CA) technique as a tool for large scale isolation of leaf epidermis enriched proteins. This technique was used to facilitate the purification to apparent homogeneity of 16-hydroxytabersonine-16-0-methyltransferse (l60MT) that catalyses the second step in the 6 step pathway that converts tabersonine into vindoline. This versatile tool was also used to harvest leaf epidermis enriched mRNAs that facilitated the molecular cloning of the 160MT. Functional expression and biochemical characterization of recombinant 160MT enzyme showed that it had a very narrow substrate specificity and high affinity for 16-hydroxytabersonine, since other closely related monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) did not act as substrates. In addition to allowing the cloning of this gene, CA technique clearly showed that 160MT is predominantly expressed in Catharanthus leaf epidermis, in contrast to several other OMTs that appear to be expressed in other Catharanthus tissues. The results provide compelling evidence that most of the pathway for vindoline biosynthesis including the 0- methylation of 16-hydroxytabersonine occurs exclusively in leaf epidermis, with subsequent steps occurring in other leaf cell types. Small molecule O-methyltransferases (OMTs) (E.C. 2.1.1.6.x) catalyze the transfer of the reactive methyl group of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to free hydroxyl groups of acceptor molecules. Plant OMTs, unlike their monomeric mammalian homologues, exist as functional homodimers. While the biological advantages for dimer fonnation with plant OMTs remain to be established, studies with OMTs from the benzylisoquinoline producing plant, Thalictrum tuberosum, showed that co-expression of 2 recombinant OMTs produced novel substrate specificities not found when each rOMT was expressed individually (Frick, Kutchan, 1999) . These results suggest that OMTs can fonn heterodimers that confer novel substrate specificities not possible with the homodimer alone. The present study describes a 160MT model based strategy attempting to modify the substrate specificity by site-specific mutagenesis. Our failure to generate altered substrate acceptance profiles in our 160MT mutants has lead us to study the biochemical properties ofhomodimers and heterodimers. Experimental evidence is provided to show that active sites found on OMT dimers function independently and that bifunctional heterodimeric OMTs may be fonned in vivo to produce a broader and more diverse range of natural products in plants.

A comparison of two computer-assisted remedial reading programs for adolescent unskilled readers : component reading skills and repeated reading

This study compared the relative effectiveness of two computerized remedial reading programs in improving the reading word recognition, rate, and comprehension of adolescent readers demonstrating significant and longstanding reading difficulties. One of the programs involved was Autoskill Component Reading Subskills Program, which provides instruction in isolated letters, syllables, and words, to a point of rapid automatic responding. This program also incorporates reading disability subtypes in its approach. The second program, Read It Again. Sam, delivers a repeated reading strategy. The study also examined the feasibility of using peer tutors in association with these two programs. Grade 9 students at a secondary vocational school who satisfied specific criteria with respect to cognitive and reading ability participated. Eighteen students were randomly assigned to three matched groups, based on prior screening on a battery of reading achievement tests. Two I I groups received training with one of the computer programs; the third group acted as a control and received the remedial reading program offered within the regular classroom. The groups met daily with a trained tutor for approximately 35 minutes, and were required to accumulate twenty hours of instruction. At the conclusion of the program, the pretest battery was repeated. No significant differences were found in the treatment effects of the two computer groups. Each of the two treatment groups was able to effect significantly improved reading word recognition and rate, relative to the control group. Comprehension gains were modest. The treatment groups demonstrated a significant gain, relative to the control group, on one of the three comprehension measures; only trends toward a gain were noted on the remaining two measures. The tutoring partnership appeared to be a viable alternative for the teacher seeking to provide individualized computerized remedial programs for adolescent unskilled readers. Both programs took advantage of computer technology in providing individualized drill and practice, instant feedback, and ongoing recordkeeping. With limited cautions, each of these programs was considered effective and practical for use with adolescent unskilled readers.

Strategies for economic development in the Commonwealth Caribbean: a comparative study of the foreign economic policy strategies adopted by the Manley government in Jamaica and the Williams government in Trinidad and Tobago

This thesis compares the foreign economic poUcy dimension of the development strategies adopted by the governments of two Commonwealth caribbean countries: The Hardey government In Jamaica, and the· Williams government in Trlnidad and T ooago, The foreign economic policIes adopted by these governments appeared, on the surface~ to be markedly dissimilar. The Jamakan strategv on the one hand, emphasised self-reliance and national autonomy; and featured the espousal of radical oonaHgnment together with attempts to re-deftne the terms of the Islands externaa economIc relaUoos. The Trinidadian strategy 00 the other hand, featured Uberal externaUy-oriented growth poUctes, and close relatjoos with Western governments and financial institutions. Th1s study attempts to identify the explanatory factors that account for the apparent dlssimUarUy 1n the foreign economic policies of these two govemnents. The study is based on a comparison of how the structural bases of an underdeveloped ecooomYg and the foreign penetration and vulnerabUUy to external pressures asSOCiated wUh dependence, shape and influence foreign economic poUcy strategy. The framework views fore1gn ecooom1c strategy as an adaptive response on the part of the decision makers of a state to the coostralnts and opportunities provided by a particular situation. The · situat i 00' in this case being the events, conditions, structures and processes, associated wUh dependente and underdevelopment. The results indicate that the similarities and dissimHarities in the foreign economic policies of the governments of Jamaica and Trinidad were a reflecUon of the simHarities and dissimilarities in their respective situations. The conclusion derived suggests that If the foreign pol1cy field as an arena of choice, Is indeed one of opportunities and constraints for each and every state, then poHcy makers of smaU, weak, hlghW penetrated and vulnerable states enter thlS arena with constraints outweighing opportunities. This places effective limits 00 their decisional latitude and the range of policy options avaUable. Policy makers thus have to decide critical issues with few estabUshed precedents, in the face of domestic social and political cleavages, as wen as serious foreign pressures. This is a reflection not only of the trappings of dependence, but also of the Umned capabilities arising from the sman size of the state, and the Impact of the resource-gap In an underdeveloped economy. The Trinidadian strategy 1s UlustraUve of a development strategy made viable through a combination of a fortuitous circumstance, a confluence of the interests of influential groups» and accurate perception on the part of poUcy makers. These factors enabled policy makers to minimise some of the constraints of dependence. The faUure of Manlets strategy on the other hand, 15 iHustraUve of the problems involved tn the adoption of poUcles that work against the interest of internal and external political and economic forces. It is also tUustraUve of the consequences of the faUure 00 the part of policy makers to clarify goals, and to reconcile the values of rapid economic growth with increased self-reliance and national autonomy. These values tend to be mutuany Incompatible given the existing patterns of relations in the jnternational economy.

Reality status evaluations in mediated experiences /

This paper explores the cognitive functions of the Reality Status Evaluation (RSE) system in our experiences of narrative mediated messages (NMM) (fictional, narrative, audio-visual one-way input and moving picture messages), such as fictional TV programs and films. We regard reality in mediated experiences as a special mental and emotional construction and a multi-dimensional concept. We argue that viewers' reality sense in NMM is influenced by many factors with "real - on" as the default value. Some of these factors function as primary mental processes, including the content realism factors of those messages such as Factuality (F), Social Realism (SR), Life Relevance (LR), and Perceptual Realism - involvement (PR), which would have direct impacts on reality evaluations. Other factors, such as Narrative Meaning (NM), Emotional Responses, and personality trait Absorption (AB), will influence the reality evaluations directly or through the mediations of these main dimensions. I designed a questionnaire to study this theoretical construction. I developed items to form scales and sub-scales measuring viewers' subjective experiences of reality evaluations and these factors. Pertinent statistical techniques, such as internal consistency and factorial analysis, were employed to make revisions and improve the quality of the questionnaire. In the formal experiment, after viewing two short films, which were selected as high or low narrative structure messages from previous experiments, participants were required to answer the questionnaire, Absorption questionnaire, and SAM (Self-Assessment Manikin, measuring immediate emotional responses). Results were analyzed using the EQS, structural equation modeling (SEM), and discussed in terms oflatent relations among these subjective factors in mediated experience. The present results supported most of my theoretical hypotheses. In NMM, three main jactors, or dimensions, could be extracted in viewers' subjective reality evaluations: Social Realism (combining with Factuality), Life Relevance and Perceptual Realism. I designed two ways to assess viewers' understanding of na"ative meanings in mediated messages, questionnaire (NM-Q) and rating (NM-R) measurement, and its significant influences on reality evaluations was supported in the final EQS models. Particularly in high story stnlcture messages, the effect of Narrative Meaning (NM) can rarely be explained by only these dimensions of reality evaluations. Also, Empathy seems to playa more important role in RSE of low story structure messages. Also, I focused on two other factors that were pertinent to RSE in NMM, the personality trait Absorption, and Emotional Responses (including two dimensions: Valence and Intensity). Final model results partly supported my theoretical hypotheses about the relationships among Absorption (AB), Social Realism (SR) and Life Relevance (LR); and the immediate impact of Emotional Responses on Perceptual Realism cPR).

Charles C. Chapman's birthday celebration, Fullerton, California,1932

Family portrait taken at Charles C. Chapman's birthday celebration, Fullerton, California,July 2, 1932. The group poses outside his residence on the lawn. Top row [left to right]: Arthur Irvin, Charles Wickett, Irvin Chapman, Sam Collins, Paul Williams, Grant Chapman,, Sidney Chapman, Clay McCarn, Earl Chapman's son David McDougal, Earl Chapman's son William McDougal, Earl Chapman, Harry Chapman, William Wickett Sr. Second row [left to right]: Mr. VanMeter, Mrs. Sinclair, C. C. Sinclair, John Franklin, Way Bagley, Marjorie Collins, Emma Williams, Ruth Chapman, Vesta Chapman, Inez Bagley, Grace Chapman, Bertha Chapman, Clough Chapman, Frank and Bertha Chapman's daughter Agnes McDougal [Streech], Georgiana Chapman, Thela Clough, Mrs. Earl [Ann] Chapman, Bessie Reynolds, Fred Chapman, E. B. [Bert] Reynolds. Seated [left to right]: Mrs. VanMeter, Hattie Clark, Louie Messlar, Charlie Thamer, Louella Thamer, Dolla Harris, Stanley Chapman Sr. holding Mary Anne, Ethel Wickett, Charles C. Chapman, Clara Chapman, Colum C. Chapman, Aunt Annie Colum, Deryth Chapman, Anna Marie Chapman, Floy Chapman, Edith Chapman. Front row [left to right]: Sam E. Collins, Bill Wickett Jr., Joyce Chapman, Marilyn Chapman, Elizabeth Chapman, Mary McCarn, Nina Chapman Lescher, Jodeane Collins, Bob Gibb, Jean Chapman. In front is a floral arrangement with drawing of a Western Union telegram "To Chas. C. Chapman, July 2, 1932, N. Fullerton, Cal., 'Wishing you a happy birthday, Nina."

The Columbian Newspaper vol. IV no. 1105- June 12, 1813

The "Columbian" was established by Mr. Holt in 1808 as an "organ of the Clintonians" (Journalism in the United States, from 1690-1872 By Frederic Hudson) and a replacement to the "Citizen". It was a passionate Democratic paper that supported both Jefferson and Madison. Holt later sold the "Columbian" to Alden Spooner, who published the Long Island "Star". The Columbian ceased in 1821. This issue includes the following War of 1812 topics: Page 2: copies of letters from U.S. Gen. H. Dearborn describing the U.S. attack on Ft. George 27 May 1813; letter from Gen. H. Dearborn describing U.S. pursuit of British troops at Beaver Dams and the U.S. capture of Fort Erie; list of U.S. killed and wounded in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's squadron in attack on York 27 April, 1813; list of killed and wounded in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's squadron in attack on Ft. George 27 May 1813; abstract of the cartel for the exchange of prisoners of war between Great Britain and the United States; mention of troop movements through New York on their way to the battle front; list of persons killed or lost on the privateer Saratoga; Page 3: account of the loss of the U.S. war ships the Growler and Eagle to the British; news from Quebec and Kingston of troop movements; U.S. ship Syren unsuccessfully pursues British ship Herald; account of a U.S. cargo ship being captured by a British military ship; account of U.S. ship Siro capturing British ship Loyal Sam; report from Halifax of recent British troop and ship movements; list of recent troop enrollments in various states; report of British troop build up in Kingston;

American Mercury Newspaper, Vol. XXXI, No. 1571. August 9, 1814

A weekly newspaper published in Hartford, Connecticut by Elisha Babcock and Son, "(Printers of the Laws of the Union)". Babcock arrived in Hartford not long after the war in 1784 and created the Mercury. It became the leading Democratic newspaper in Connecticut and ceased not long after his death in 1821.

Socially Constructed Environmental Issues and Sport: A Content Analysis of Ski Resort Environmental Communications

Due to the impact of sport on the natural environment (UN, 2010), it is important to examine the interplay between environmental issues and sport (Hums, 2010, Mallen & Chard, 2011; Nauright & Pope, 2009; Ziegler, 2007). This research content analyzed 82 ski resort environmental communications (SRECs). These communications were rated for their prominence, breadth, and depth using the delineation of environmental issues provided by the Sustainable Slopes Program (SSP) Charter. This data was compared to the resorts’ degree of environmentally responsible action as rated by the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition (SACC). An adaptation of Hudson and Miller's (2005) model was then used to classify the ski resorts as inactive, reactive, exploitive, or proactive in their environmental activities. Recommendations have been made for standardization and transparency in environmental disclosures and an environmental management system to aid ski resorts in moving from ad hoc processes to a systematic and comprehensive framework for improving environmental performance.