An Exploratory Multiple Case Study: Total Quality and Strategic Planning in Education

This study explored the benefits and limitations of combining Total Quality Education (TQE) and strategic planning in public school districts and the degree to which quality is clarified by the district. This was an exploratory multiple-case study and was conducted because (a) little research exists on either of these practices and even less on the combined approach, (b) the combined approach has not been studied in K-12 public schooling, (c) the combined approach can provide a systemic model which has implications for achieving significant changes in education, and (d) school districts need quality improvement models that are suitable in meeting the needs of the public. Data was collected through interviews with superintendents and administrators, and in focus groups of staff and community members, at three school districts. The three districts were selected because of engagement in both TQE and strategic planning, and had similar demographics. Questions focused on conceptions of quality, the implementation and benefits of each, and the benefits and limitations of combining these two approaches. Documents and direct observations were analyzed to validate and add to the interview data. Qualitative data analysis was used. The findings indicated that the two practices were complimentary when combined and added value to the school district. There were some conflicts that need to be considered. Many of the limitations stated were the same that are cited when any organizational change is implemented. The findings also indicated that attention to defining and conceptualizing quality is important for successful implementation of TQE and strategic planning. Questions are provided for consideration by practitioners interested in combining TQE and strategic planning. Seven areas are identified which are deserving of additional research. Further, the study presents a conceptual framework for future research. In summary, an integrated approach of TQE and strategic planning has the potential to result in a change model that improves the success of discovering, creating, and providing increased value in public education. Attention to quality conceptions and awareness of possible points of conflict help to maximize the benefits and to minimize the limitations derived from the combined approach

Augmenting Hydrologic Information Systems with Streaming Water Resource Data

2010 S.C. Water Resources Conferences - Science and Policy Challenges for a Sustainable Futur

Application of Publish/Subscribe Messaging for Management of Streaming Water Resource Data

2008 S.C. Water Resources Conference - Addressing Water Challenges Facing the State and Regio

Space Shuttle Program: Automatic rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture (category 3)

The NASA Johnson Space Center is actively pursuing the development and demonstration of capabilities for automatic rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture (AR&C) using the Space Shuttle as the active vehicle. This activity combines the technologies, expertise, tools, and facilities of the JSC Tracking and Communications Division (EE), Navigation, Control and Aeronautics Division (EG), Automation and Robotics Division (ER), and Structures and Mechanics Division (ES) of the Engineering Directorate and the Flight Design and Dynamics Division (DM) of the Mission Operations Directorate. Potential benefits of AR&C include more efficient and repeatable rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture operations; reduced impacts on the target vehicles (e.g., Orbiter RCS plume loads); reduced flight crew work loads; reduced ground support requirements; and reduced operational constraints. This paper documents the current JSC capabilities/tools/facilities for AR&C and describes a proposed plan for a progression of ground demonstrations and flight tests and demonstrations of AR&C capabilities. This plan involves the maturing of existing technologies in tracking and communications; guidance, navigation and control; mechanisms; manipulators; and systems management and integrating them into several evolutionary demonstration stages

The Lantern Vol. 18, No. 2, Winter 1950

• To Pledge Allegiance • The Back Porch • Love Story • Symphony Finale • Bruised Hands • Defeat • Concerning Utility • Triplet • I Echo the Common Sentiment • Heads in Pen and Inkhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1050/thumbnail.jp

Characteristics of Fibromyalgia Independently Predict Poorer Long‐Term Analgesic Outcomes Following Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111198/1/art39051.pd

Sand River Headwaters Green Infrastructure Project, City of Aiken, South Carolina: A Collaborative Team Approach to Implementing Green Infrastructure Practices

2010 S.C. water Resources Conference - Science and Policy Challenges for a Sustainable Futur

The Lantern Vol. 20, No. 3, Summer 1952

• Atmosphere • On Observation • Memories • Melvin • The Bell Dong\u27s Song, Marie • Delusion • The Student and Dead-Eye Danny Hill • Spring Mutiny • Lines Written in Rejection Near Maples • Spring in Valley Forge • The Locust Tree • Covered Bridge • Active or Passive • Stag Night • Filler • The Spring Lecture • Early Migration • A Beatitudehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1057/thumbnail.jp

PERP, a host tetraspanning membrane protein, is required for Salmonella-induced inflammation

Salmonella enterica Typhimurium induces intestinal inflammation through the activity of type III secreted effector (T3SE) proteins. Our prior results indicate that the secretion of the T3SE SipA and the ability of SipA to induce epithelial cell responses that lead to induction of polymorphonuclear transepithelial migration are not coupled to its direct delivery into epithelial cells from Salmonella. We therefore tested the hypothesis that SipA interacts with a membrane protein located at the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells. Employing a split ubiquitin yeast-two-hybrid screen, we identified the tetraspanning membrane protein, p53 effector related to PMP-22 (PERP), as a SipA binding partner. SipA and PERP appear to have intersecting activities as we found PERP to be involved in proinflammatory pathways shown to be regulated by SipA. In sum, our studies reveal a critical role for PERP in the pathogenesis of S. Typhimurium, and for the first time demonstrate that SipA, a T3SE protein, can engage a host protein at the epithelial surface

Interactions between Magnetic Nanowires and Living Cells : Uptake, Toxicity and Degradation

We report on the uptake, toxicity and degradation of magnetic nanowires by NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Magnetic nanowires of diameters 200 nm and lengths comprised between 1 {\mu}m and 40 {\mu}m are fabricated by controlled assembly of iron oxide ({\gamma}-Fe2O3) nanoparticles. Using optical and electron microscopy, we show that after 24 h incubation the wires are internalized by the cells and located either in membrane-bound compartments or dispersed in the cytosol. Using fluorescence microscopy, the membrane-bound compartments were identified as late endosomal/lysosomal endosomes labeled with lysosomal associated membrane protein (Lamp1). Toxicity assays evaluating the mitochondrial activity, cell proliferation and production of reactive oxygen species show that the wires do not display acute short-term (< 100 h) toxicity towards the cells. Interestingly, the cells are able to degrade the wires and to transform them into smaller aggregates, even in short time periods (days). This degradation is likely to occur as a consequence of the internal structure of the wires, which is that of a non-covalently bound aggregate. We anticipate that this degradation should prevent long-term asbestos-like toxicity effects related to high aspect ratio morphologies and that these wires represent a promising class of nanomaterials for cell manipulation and microrheology.Comment: 21 pages 12 figure