Effective Employee Incentive Plans: Features and Implementation Processes

[Excerpt] This paper will evaluate the effectiveness of broad-based employee incentives, identifying the features of effective plans. For our purposes, “broad-based” is used to signal that more than 50 percent of employees are eligible for this variable pay plan. In addition, the terms “variable pay plan” and “pay for performance” are used interchangeably as they appeared in the original sources

The \u3cem\u3emir-51\u3c/em\u3e Family of MicroRNAs Functions in Diverse Regulatory Pathways in \u3cem\u3eCaenorhbditis elegans\u3c/em\u3e

The mir-51 family of microRNAs (miRNAs) in C. elegans are part of the deeply conserved miR-99/100 family. While loss of all six family members (mir-51-56) in C. elegans results in embryonic lethality, loss of individual mir-51 family members results in a suppression of retarded developmental timing defects associated with the loss of alg-1. The mechanism of this suppression of developmental timing defects is unknown. To address this, we characterized the function of the mir-51 family in the developmental timing pathway. We performed genetic analysis and determined that mir-51 family members regulate the developmental timing pathway in the L2 stage upstream of hbl-1. Loss of the mir-51 family member, mir-52, suppressed retarded developmental timing defects associated with the loss of let-7 family members and lin-46. Enhancement of precocious defects was observed for mutations in lin-14, hbl-1, and mir-48(ve33), but not later acting developmental timing genes. Interestingly, mir-51 family members showed genetic interactions with additional miRNA-regulated pathways, which are regulated by the let-7 and mir-35 family miRNAs, lsy-6, miR-240/786, and miR-1. Loss of mir-52 likely does not suppress miRNA-regulated pathways through an increase in miRNA biogenesis or miRNA activity. We found no increase in the levels of four mature miRNAs, let-7, miR-58, miR-62 or miR-244, in mir-52 or mir-52/53/54/55/56 mutant worms. In addition, we observed no increase in the activity of ectopic lsy-6 in the repression of a downstream target in uterine cells in worms that lack mir-52. We propose that the mir-51 family functions broadly through the regulation of multiple targets, which have not yet been identified, in diverse regulatory pathways in C. elegans

High-Speed Rail Projects in the United States: Identifying the Elements of Success-Part 2, MTI 06-03

In August 2005, the Mineta Transportation Institute issued the report, High-Speed Rail Projects in the United States: Identifying the Elements for Success. The report noted that since the 1960s, highspeed ground transportation (HSGT) has “held the promise of fast, convenient, and environmentally sound travel for distances between 40 and 600 miles.” After briefly discussing the different experiences with HSGT between the United States and its Asian and European counterparts, the report proceeded to review three U.S. cases—Florida, California, and the Pacific Northwest—as a means for identifying lessons learned for successfully implementing high-speed rail (HSR) in the United States. This report is, in essence, volume 2 of the previous study. Also using a comparative case study approach, this effort adds to the earlier work with three additional cases—the Chicago Hub, the Keystone Corridor, and the Northeast Corridor (NEC). As with the earlier report, the goal of this study is to identify lessons learned for successfully implementing HSR in the United States. Given the early stages of most of these projects, “success” is defined by whether a given HSR project is still actively pursuing development or funding. However, in the case of the Northeast Corridor, a fuller discussion of success is provided since HSR has been implemented on that corridor for some time now

Characterization of new surface morphologies in a hydrogen-bonded multilayer system

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (leaf [15]).This work presents an analysis of surface morphology changes in poly(acrylic acid)/polyacrylamide (PAA/PAAm) hydrogen-bonded multilayers. These changes were induced by immersion of the films in aqueous solutions of poly(allylamine hydrochloride), or PAH, at different levels of pH. Positive charges on PAH are attracted to negative charges on PAA, forming ionic bonds and locally decreasing the hydrophilicity of the multilayer. The degree of ionization for each polyelectrolyte, controlled by the pH of the treatment solution, determines the molecular conformations and the extent of electrostatic interactions. These factors, in turn, determine the resulting morphology of the film. Different surface morphologies appeared in four different pH regimes. Highly acidic solutions retained the film's original smooth surface, but wrinkled, honeycomb, or globular morphologies appeared as the pH increased. The three different surface morphologies correlate with the linear, pearl necklace, and globular conformations of PAH.by Allison Kunz.S.B

Adolescent Physical Education and Physical Activity in California

Based on 2007 California Health Interview Survey data, examines participation in physical education and other physical activity among adolescents ages 12 to 17 by gender and county, and implications for health outcomes. Makes policy recommendations

Computed tomographic imaging characteristics of the normal canine lacrimal glands.

BackgroundThe canine lacrimal gland (LG) and accessory lacrimal gland of the third eyelid (TEG) are responsible for production of the aqueous portion of the precorneal tear film. Immune-mediated, toxic, neoplastic, or infectious processes can affect the glands directly or can involve adjacent tissues, with secondary gland involvement. Disease affecting these glands can cause keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal ulcers, and loss of vision. Due to their location in the orbit, these small structures are difficult to evaluate and measure, making cross-sectional imaging an important diagnostic tool. The detailed cross-sectional imaging appearance of the LG and TEG in dogs using computed tomography (CT) has not been reported to date.ResultsForty-two dogs were imaged, and the length, width, and height were measured and the volume calculated for the LGs & TEGs. The glands were best visualized in contrast-enhanced CT images. The mean volume of the LG was 0.14 cm3 and the TEG was 0.1 cm3. The mean height, width, and length of the LG were, 9.36 mm, 4.29 mm, and 9.35 mm, respectively; the corresponding values for the TEG was 2.02 mm, 9.34 mm, and 7.90 mm. LG and TEG volume were positively correlated with body weight (p < 0.05).ConclusionsContrast-enhanced CT is a valuable tool for noninvasive assessment of canine lacrimal glands

Design evaluation criteria for commercial STOL transports

Handling qualities criteria and operational performance margins have been determined for the landing phase of commercial short-takeoff-and-landing airplanes. The requirements are the result of a literature survey, analysis of areas found to be inadequately covered by current criteria, and a subsequent piloted simulator investigation of critical criteria requiring substantiation. Three complete simulator models were used, each describing the characteristics of a different high-lift system, the externally blown flap, the augmentor flap, and the internally blown flap. The proposed criteria are presented with substantiating discussions from currently available data or directly from the results of this simulation work where it is applicable

High-Speed Projects in the United States: Identifying the Elements for Success-Part 1, MTI Report 05-01

For almost half a century, high-speed ground transportation (HSGT) has held the promise of fast, convenient, and environmentally sound travel for distances between 40 and 600 miles. While a number of HSGT systems have been developed and deployed in Asia and Europe, none has come close to being implemented in the United States. Yet this is not for lack of trying. There have been several efforts around the country, most of which have failed, some of which are still in the early stages, and a few of which might come to pass. The goal of this study was to identify lessons learned for successfully developing and implementing high-speed rail (HSR) in the United States. Through a broad literature review, interviews, and three specific case studies—Florida, California, and the Pacific Northwest—this study articulates those lessons and presents themes for future consideration