Gender, Professional Orientation, and Student Achievement: Elements of School Culture

This study explored the relationships between professional orientation (defined as how the principal sees his or her role in the organization) and school culture, the influence of gender on professional orientation, and the relationship between school culture and the academic achievement of students. One hundred principals were surveyed. Two instruments, the Professional Orientation and the School Culture Survey were completed. The results were analyzed using linear regression statistics to determine (a) gender and professional orientation effect on the factors of school culture, and (b) if factors of school culture had an effect on student success in the elementary school. Findings of this study suggested that the professional orientation of the principal does appear to have a significant effect on school culture. In addition, professional orientation choices do vary in ways that can be connected to gender. Of the six school culture factors, only learning partnership appears to have any significant effect on student achievement

The Influence of Government Regulations on Content Management Systems: An Exploratory Study

The primary focus of this study was to determine why and how small businesses implement content management and to clarify the relationship of content management to regulatory compliance issues presented by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability and Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Post-harvest entomology research in the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service

This is a review of current post-harvest entomology research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service, the research branch of the US Department of Agriculture. The review covers both durable and perishable commodities. Research on biochemistry, genetics, physiology, monitoring and control of insects infesting stored grain, dried fruits and nuts, and processed commodities is reviewed. Research on development of quarantine treatments, particularly for fruit flies, is also reviewed, including research on thermal and irradiation treatments and a discussion of risk management for quarantine pests. Two areas of research are covered more extensively: a project to map the genome of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, and the use of near-infrared spectroscopy for detection of hidden infestations in grain, quantification of insect fragments in food, determination of quality in dried fruits, identification of insect species and age-grading insects. Future research directions are identified

Post-harvest entomology research in the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service

This is a review of current post-harvest entomology research conducted by the Agricultural Research Service, the research branch of the US Department of Agriculture. The review covers both durable and perishable commodities. Research on biochemistry, genetics, physiology, monitoring and control of insects infesting stored grain, dried fruits and nuts, and processed commodities is reviewed. Research on development of quarantine treatments, particularly for fruit flies, is also reviewed, including research on thermal and irradiation treatments and a discussion of risk management for quarantine pests. Two areas of research are covered more extensively: a project to map the genome of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, and the use of near-infrared spectroscopy for detection of hidden infestations in grain, quantification of insect fragments in food, determination of quality in dried fruits, identification of insect species and age-grading insects. Future research directions are identified

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Body Mass Index, and Dieting Behaviors among Florida Middle and High School Youth

The purpose of this study was to examine fruit and vegetable consumption reported by Florida middle school and high school students and to determine if consumption was associated with: (1) demographic characteristics; (2) body mass index (BMI); and/or (3) weight loss behaviors. Data from the 2009 Florida YRBS and the MSHBS were used. Both surveys used a two-stage cluster sample design, producing a representative sample of students. In addition to socio- demographic variables, independent variables included engaging in weight loss behaviors. Dependent variables were adequate fruit and adequate vegetable consumption. Descriptive, chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results indicated that less than 25% of youth reported consumption of adequate amounts of fruit and less than 10% reported consuming adequate amounts of vegetables. No significant relationships were found between BMI and either fruit or vegetable consumption. Exercising, both exercising and dieting, fasting, and using pills /powders to lose weight were significantly associated with adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Dieting to lose weight was significantly associated with adequate vegetable but not adequate fruit consumption. Interventions promoting healthy weight for children and adolescents need to address positive and negative behaviors and encourage greater consumption of fruits and vegetables

HK-2: An immortalized proximal tubule epithelial cell line from normal adult human kidney

HK-2: An immortalized proximal tubule epithelial cell line from normal adult human kidney. Studies assessing mechanisms of proximal tubular cell (PTC) physiology and pathophysiology increasingly utilize cell culture systems to avoid the complexity of whole organ/whole animal experiments. However, no well-differentiated PTC line derived from adult human kidney currently exists. Therefore, the goal of this research was to establish such a line by transduction with human papilloma virus (HPV 16) E6/E7 genes. A primary PTC culture from normal adult human renal cortex was exposed to a recombinant retrovirus containing the HPV 16 E6/E7 genes, resulting in a cell line designated HK-2 (human kidney-2) which has grown continuously in serum free media for more than one year. HK-2 cell growth is epidermal growth factor dependent and the cells retain a phenotype indicative of well-differentiated PTCs (positive for alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase, acid phosphatase, cytokeratin, α3β1 integrin, fibronectin; negative for factor VHI-related antigen, 6.19 antigen and CALLA endopeptidase). Furthermore, HK-2 cells retain functional characteristics of proximal tubular epithelium (Na+ dependent/phlorizin sensitive sugar transport; adenylate cyclase responsiveness to parathyroid, but not to antidiuretic, hormone). The E6/E7 genes are present in the HK-2 genome, as determined by PCR. To assess its potential usefulness as a tool for studying injury and repair, HK-2 cells were exposed to a toxic concentration of H2O2 ± iron chelation (deferoxamine) or hydroxyl radical scavenger (Na benzoate) therapy. Only the former blocked H2O2 cytotoxicity, reproducing results previously obtained with freshly isolated rat proximal tubular segments. In conclusion, an immortalized adult human PTC line has been established by transduction with HPV 16 E6/E7 genes. It appears to be well-differentiated on the basis of its histochemical, immune cytochemical, and functional characteristics, and it can reproduce experimental results obtained with freshly isolated PTCs. Thus, this new PTC line could have substantial research application

Electrodynamic Tether

A tether system for providing thrust to or power subsystems of an artificial satellite in a low earth orbit. The tether has three main sections, an insulated section connected to the satellite, a conducting section connected to the insulating section for drawing in and releasing electrons from the space plasma and a non-conducting section for providing a tension to the other sections of the tether. An oxygen resistant coating is applied to the bare wire of the conducting section as well as the insulated wires of the insulated section that prevents breakdown during tether operations in the space plasma. The insulated and bare wire sections also surround a high tensile flexible polymer core to prevent any debris from breaking the tether during use