Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The most popular and recognizable of all Christian religious tracts are Chick tracts, a product of Chick Publications. The comic-book format tracts, distributed since the 1960s and translated into over 90 languages, are produced by Jack T. Chick, a conservative Christian artist, self-professed propagandist, and entrepreneur. Chick tracts are well-known among adherents and critics alike for attacks on Masons, Jews, Mormons, and Catholics that have provoked threats, protests, and boycotts against Chick, his company, and tract distributors. Although Baptist and other conservative Protestant churches and Christian bookstores regularly distributed and sold the tracts in the 1970s and 1980s, strategic Christian Right opinion leaders now regard the tracts with ambivalence. Chick tracts continue to reflect internal Christian Right positions on abortion rights and homosexuality, but they conflict with Christian Right outreach activities to conservative members of the Jewish, Mormon, and Catholic faiths. This paper explains the politics of Chick publications and traces Christian Right ambivalence toward Chick tracts as a function of a movement from “old” to “new” Christian Right politics and an attempt to “center” Christian Right politics for mainstream audiences.

Supporting Publications:
Supporting Document

Publication Type: Paper/Poster Proposal
Abstract: ORC Macro recently conducted a study of the financial attitudes and practices of residents in low- and moderate-income census tracts in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Data collection in one-third of the selected census tracts consisted of random in-person surveys with the household financial decision-maker. A 1997 study, covering similar subject matter, presented a range of problems, including difficulty in achieving high response rates within a reasonable time frame and the need to continually recruit new interviewers as experienced interviewers abandoned the project. Management strategies employed to maximize the response rate and ensure accurate data include: 1) Partnering with local community groups to generate awareness of the study and recruit interviewers from within the community; 2) Recruiting highly experienced survey research supervisors to train and work closely with new interviewers; 3) Pre-survey canvassing of census tracts by the field manager and city field supervisor to verify their appropriateness for inclusion in the sample; 4) On-going continuing training provided by field manager and city field supervisor; 5) Listing/screening of eligible housing units performed by city supervisors and experienced interviewers, with call-back appointments handed off to less-experienced interviewers; 6) Pre-contacting apartment complex offices to arrange for interviewer visits; 7) Distributing respondent incentives (U.S. Postal money orders) in the field at the end of interview; 8) Providing field supervisors and field interviewers with the availability of contact with the project director and survey manager whenever it was needed. The overall response was 78%. The response rate was significantly higher in Los Angeles (92%) and Chicago (90%) than in Washington, DC (62%). We will analyze the two higher response rate strata against the lower one (DC), looking at two measures of data quality: item non-response and comparison of demographics with known population parameters.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: Adult stem cells from bone marrow may provide a source for cell therapy applications. We and others have reported a previously unexpected degree of epithelial engraftment and differentiation of marrow-derived cells in the liver and digestive tract after sex-mismatched transplant. The accurate identification of marrow-derived epithelial cells in fixed tissue sections requires simultaneous detection of markers of both donor origin and cell phenotype. The Y chromosome is a useful marker of donor origin because it is readily detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (Y-FISH) and is not subject to potential inconsistencies of reporter transgene expression, as may be the case for green fluorescent protein (GFP) or LacZ. The phenotype of marrow-derived hepatocytes has, in many studies, been identified using immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent detection of a secreted protein (albumin) or a cytoskeletal protein (cytokeratin), both of which may lead to incorrect interpretation of marrow-derived epithelial cells.

We have developed a double label immunofluorescent protocol to simultaneously detect Y chromosome and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1 (HNF-1) in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues of the liver and intestine. HNF-1 is highly expressed in the nucleus of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and enterocytes. This protocol requires that both Y chromosome and HNF-1 be present in a nucleus in order to be counted as a marrow-derived hepatocyte, cholangiocyte, or enterocyte. Tissue fixation and method of antigen retrieval are critical variables. Y-FISH and HNF-1 immunofluorescence are performed sequentially, then double positive cells are identified using a dual-channel (FITC and Rhodamine) filter set. Overlap of nuclei is ruled out by confocal microscopy. This rigorous protocol markedly improves the specificity of detection of marrow-derived epithelial cells. Additional staining of nucleated blood cells with antibody to CD45 may help exclude hematopoietic cells derived from the donor marrow, but is not required. Application of this protocol is limited to epithelial cells and does not identify marrow-derived endothelial cells, stellate cells, or fibroblasts. Additional approaches are required in order to distinguish marrow-derived epithelial cells arising through differentiation from those arising through cell-cell fusion, as is the case for hepatocytes in the fumaryl acetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) knockout mouse model of hereditary tyrosinemia.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This project and paper was designed to inform readers of certain population demographics located in particular areas, which include the state of Colorado, Castle Rock, CO (my city of residence), and my census tract location, 144.01. Characteristics included in the project are race/ethnicity, age, and family. Included with this information are census tables, thematic maps, and population pyramids. The content of the paper refers to the data in the given areas and is analyzed using Sociological concepts and theories.


(This paper/project is a requirement for my “Population Issues,” class for the Spring 2004 term. It will not be completed until May 2004, and information regarding characteristics and tables may change).