Pulse retrieval and soliton formation in a non-standard scheme for dynamic electromagnetically induced transparency

We examine in detail an alternative method of retrieving the information written into an atomic ensemble of three-level atoms using electromagnetically induced transparency. We find that the behavior of the retrieved pulse is strongly influenced by the relative collective atom-light coupling strengths of the two relevant transitions. When the collective atom-light coupling strength for the retrieval beam is the stronger of the two transitions, regeneration of the stored pulse is possible. Otherwise, we show the retrieval process can lead to creation of soliton-like pulses.Comment: 11 figure

Work group inclusion : test of a scale and model

We develop a theoretically based 10-item measure of work group inclusion comprised of two components (belongingness and uniqueness) and use this measure to empirically test the nomological network of work group inclusion developed by Shore et al. In Phase 1, we use two samples of full-time employees to develop and refine items as well as establish content validity. In Phase 2, we demonstrate convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity with both conceptually related and unrelated constructs. In Phase 3, we use data from an additional sample of employees and supervisors to test criterion-related validity and mediation by examining the multilevel relationships between inclusion and important antecedents and outcomes. Across the three phases of our study, the results demonstrate support not only for the factor structure, reliability, and validity of our work group inclusion measure but also for a theoretical model in which the construct of inclusion has important implications for individuals and organizations

Affinity of Ediacaran skeletal fauna and their environmental context

The Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary (~541 million years ago (Ma)) signifies the start of the ‘Cambrian Explosion’ of animals, and by 520 Ma most major phyla had emerged. However, characteristics associated with the Cambrian Explosion, such as motile behaviours and biomineralisation, originated during the Ediacaran. It is thought that oxygenation is the key driver of the rise of metabolically costly forms of life. Yet, the drivers behind the oxygenation of Ediacaran basins are not well known. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the drivers behind the rise of skeletal animals during the Ediacaran as well as offering insight into their morphology, affinity and mode of life. New phosphorus speciation data were collected from siliciclastic samples of the terminal Ediacaran-Cambrian Nama Group, Namibia (ca. 550-538 Ma), from shelf transects of the two subbasins in order to determine regional nutrient cycling. This was achieved by combining redox, nutrient cycling, and biotic distribution and diversity data to understand the controls behind oxygenation through time. Limited phosphorus cycling, prior to 547 Ma, may have supported the ferruginous conditions, with possible influence from upwelling from the deep ocean. However, the reduction in continental run off caused the Nama Basin to transition from unstable redox conditions to more stable oxic conditions at ~547 Ma with full oxic conditions across the basin by ~542 Ma. The decrease in recycling of bioavailable phosphorus into the water column allowed for the development of more stable oxic conditions. This in turn allowed for the radiation of mobile taxa and biomineralising taxa, both metabolically costly forms a life, allowing them to inhabit deeper areas of the Nama Basin. The changing redox conditions determined the availability of habitable areas along the shelf of the Nama Basin. In oxygenated, or transiently-oxygenated, areas of the shelf Cloudina was able to form reef-frameworks, often in association with microbial mats. Coeval Cloudina across the Zaris Subbasin share similar features, such as Cloudina-associated cements and paired lamina, implying calcification was biologically-controlled where laminae acted as part of the ‘biomineralisation toolkit’. Cloudina-associated cements may have formed during life as they form prior to breakage, transportation, and abiotic cement formation. However, the mineralisation of Cloudina must have been environmentally controlled as evidenced by the variation of paired lamina thickness and Cloudina wall thickness across the shelf. The variation in thickness may have been due to physical factors, such as hydrodynamic energy, or chemical factors, such as seaswater pH. The affinity of Ediacaran fauna are greatly contested due to the general absence of preserved diagnostic features and soft tissue. However, this thesis presents new findings of polytomous branching in cloudinomorphs within the Omkyk Member of the Nama Group. Polytomous branching is a feature attributed to non-bilaterian taxa and so could suggest that these cloudinomorphs are of cnidarian origin and are part of a potentially polyphyletic group. In addition, the discovery of a Lagerstätte within the Omkyk Member shows soft-tissue preservation of in-situ Namacalathus where a combination of features, such as a U-shaped gut and organic-rich pores within the skeleton, could suggest a lophotrochazoan affinity. Although molecular phylogenies predict an older origin, lophotrochozoan fossils were previously known only from the Early Cambrian and so this discovery provides a potential link between the Ediacaran and Cambrian biotas

Inclusive leadership : realizing positive outcomes through belongingness and being valued for uniqueness

We introduce a theoretically-grounded conceptualization of inclusive leadership and present a framework for understanding factors that contribute to and follow from inclusive leadership within work groups. We conceptualize inclusive leadership as a set of positive leader behaviors that facilitate group members perceiving belongingness in the work group while maintaining their uniqueness within the group as they fully contribute to group processes and outcomes. We propose that leader pro-diversity beliefs, humility, and cognitive complexity increase the propensity of inclusive leader behaviors. We identify five categories of inclusive leadership behaviors that facilitate group members' perceptions of inclusion, which in turn lead to member work group identification, psychological empowerment, and behavioral outcomes (creativity, job performance, and reduced turnover) in the pursuit of group goals. This framework provides theoretical grounding for the construct of inclusive leadership while advancing our understanding of how leaders can increase diverse work group effectiveness

Temporal Baseline of Essential and Non-essential Elements Recorded in Baleen of Western Arctic Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)

This study established the first baseline of changing elemental concentrations in bowhead whale baleen over time (1958–1999). From previously published stable isotope data, year, season (summer or winter), and location (Beaufort or Bering/Chukchi seas) were attributed to each sample. Thirteen elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, Zn) in baleen from nine subsistence-harvested bowhead whales (n = 138) were detected. Al, Cu, and Fe were the highest concentrations while Cd and V were among the lowest. Our data supports absorption as the main route of exposure to environmental elements rather than biomagnification due to bowhead whales’ low trophic position. A linear mixed-effects model confirmed most elements’ concentrations increased with time, while location and sex were insignificant explanatory factors. These temporal fluctuations were most likely a product of environmental changes due to a warming climate and human activities

What The Oregon Health Study Can Tell Us About Expanding Medicaid

The recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes a major expansion of Medicaid to low-income adults in 2014. This paper describes the Oregon Health Study, a randomized controlled trial that will be able to shed some light on the likely effects of such expansions. In 2008, Oregon randomly drew names from a waiting list for its previously closed public insurance program. Our analysis of enrollment into this program found that people who signed up for the waiting list and enrolled in the Oregon Medicaid program were likely to have worse health than those who did not. However, actual enrollment was fairly low, partly because many applicants did not meet eligibility standards.United States. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and EvaluationCalifornia HealthCare FoundationJohn D. and Catherine T. MacArthur FoundationNational Institute on AgingRobert Wood Johnson FoundationAlfred P. Sloan FoundationUnited States. Social Security Administratio

Binary orbits as the driver of γ-ray emission and mass ejection in classical novae

Classical novae are the most common astrophysical thermonuclear explosions, occurring on the surfaces of white dwarf stars accreting gas from companions in binary star systems. Novae typically expel �10,000 solar masses of material at velocities exceeding 1,000 km/s. However, the mechanism of mass ejection in novae is poorly understood, and could be dominated by the impulsive flash of the thermonuclear runaway, prolonged optically thick winds, or binary interaction with the nova envelope. Classical novae are now routinely detected in GeV gamma-rays, suggesting that relativistic particles are accelerated by strong shocks in nova ejecta. Here we present high-resolution imaging of the gamma-ray-emitting nova V959 Mon at radio wavelengths, showing that its ejecta were shaped by binary motion: some gas was expelled rapidly along the poles as a wind from the white dwarf, while denser material drifted out along the equatorial plane, propelled by orbital motion. At the interface between the equatorial and polar regions, we observe synchrotron emission indicative of shocks and relativistic particle acceleration, thereby pinpointing the location of gamma-ray production. Binary shaping of the nova ejecta and associated internal shocks are expected to be widespread among novae, explaining why many novae are gamma-ray emitters

Meta-evaluation of a whole systems programme, ActEarly: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION: Living in an area with high levels of child poverty predisposes children to poorer mental and physical health. ActEarly is a 5-year research programme that comprises a large number of interventions (>20) with citizen science and co-production embedded. It aims to improve the health and well-being of children and families living in two areas of the UK with high levels of deprivation; Bradford in West Yorkshire, and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This protocol outlines the meta-evaluation (an evaluation of evaluations) of the ActEarly programme from a systems perspective, where individual interventions are viewed as events in the wider policy system across the two geographical areas. It includes investigating the programme's impact on early life health and well-being outcomes, interdisciplinary prevention research collaboration and capacity building, and local and national decision making. METHODS: The ActEarly meta-evaluation will follow and adapt the five iterative stages of the 'Evaluation of Programmes in Complex Adaptive Systems' (ENCOMPASS) framework for evaluation of public health programmes in complex adaptive systems. Theory-based and mixed-methods approaches will be used to investigate the fidelity of the ActEarly research programme, and whether, why and how ActEarly contributes to changes in the policy system, and whether alternative explanations can be ruled out. Ripple effects and systems mapping will be used to explore the relationships between interventions and their outcomes, and the degree to which the ActEarly programme encouraged interdisciplinary and prevention research collaboration as intended. A computer simulation model ("LifeSim") will also be used to evaluate the scale of the potential long-term benefits of cross-sectoral action to tackle the financial, educational and health disadvantages faced by children in Bradford and Tower Hamlets. Together, these approaches will be used to evaluate ActEarly's dynamic programme outputs at different system levels and measure the programme's system changes on early life health and well-being. DISCUSSION: This meta-evaluation protocol presents our plans for using and adapting the ENCOMPASS framework to evaluate the system-wide impact of the early life health and well-being programme, ActEarly. Due to the collaborative and non-linear nature of the work, we reserve the option to change and query some of our evaluation choices based on the feedback we receive from stakeholders to ensure that our evaluation remains relevant and fit for purpose