A qualitative study of the faculty work culture in selected comprehensive high schools in the United States

The purpose of this study was to examine the faculty work culture in selected comprehensive high schools in the United States. More specifically, the study was designed to describe the culture of the schools, determine the common and unique themes in the work culture, and to determine the relative strength and valence of specific school work culture elements;Qualitative methodology was employed in this study that was conducted in two phases. During Phase I data were collected using individual and focus group interviews to gain an emic perspective of the shared beliefs, values, and basic assumptions held by staff that reflects the culture of their school. Certificated and non-certificated full and part-time staff members participated in the study. Across the 10 schools that participated, 355 faculty members were interviewed in the focus group sessions, and another 290 participated in the individual interviews. The second phase of the study was designed to verify the accurateness of the data collected in each school during the first phase;The data were then analyzed by the researcher to identify the common, shared and unique themes across the 10 schools, and to provide a description of the faculty work culture in each school. To determine the extent that culture in each school provides support for school improvement and change, a profile of each school was developed using the Culture Profile Sheet which identifies elements that are considered in the literature as productive school culture elements;Results of the study include: Commonalities are found across schools while unique characteristics are a direct result of the culture. The majority of the schools do not have a psyche (a pervasive way of thinking) that supports school improvement and change. It is the perception of staff in these schools that they are not empowered, lack a sense of self-efficacy that is needed to engage in school improvement initiatives, and are not optimistic about their future chances for success

Biocompatibility studies on a glucose biosensor : investigation of the in-vivo sensitivity loss phenomenon

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Kansas, Chemistry, 1999.Since the inception of the in-vivo electrochemical glucose biosensor, great expectations seemed to await insulin-dependent diabetics. However, even after decades of intense research, the sensor still suffers a major disadvantage: loss of sensitivity upon implantation in-vivo . If an implantable glucose biosensor is to be developed and used for reliable, long-term measurements of glucose, it will be important to address interactions between the sensor and tissue that may affect the sensor's performance as well as the tissue state. The sensor which has been developed in the Wilson group has been shown to be nontoxic, nonmutagenic, and noncarcinogenic to the tissue (1). However, the performance of the sensor in the tissue needs to be addressed. In this work, sensor performance is evaluated in relation to interactions of the sensor with endogenous biological molecules and cells. Chapter 1 provides background information about diabetes, the glucose biosensor, and the biocompatibility issue. Proteins are known to adsorb on the surface of foreign objects implanted in-vivo (2) and are thought to affect the sensor's response (3,4). In chapter 2, a biocompatible polymer designed to prevent adsorption of protein was coated as an outer membrane on the sensor. The in-vivo response of the biocompatible membrane-coated sensor was compared to the in-vivo response of sensors that were not coated with the biocompatible membrane. In chapter 3, biomolecules extracted from previously implanted glucose biosensors were characterized and identified. The purpose of the work was to determine the kinds of molecules taken up by the glucose biosensor that may potentially effect the sensor's in-vivo response. In chapter 4, cellular interaction with the sensor was studied. We wanted to examine whether or not macrophages grow on the surface of the sensor or in the vicinity of the sensing area. In either case, the sensor's response may be affected by the presence of macrophages

Chinese Megachurch Persecution: Application of an Indigenous Resource Framework

Despite increased religious tolerance in China over the past few decades, persecution of Christians persists. Small churches or Christians who clandestinely meet in small groups may avoid a certain degree of conflict; few studies consider how their larger, less conspicuous counterparts fare. An indigenous resource framework and content analysis of interview, secondary, and participant observation data inform this study of megachurch conflict in mainland China and whether responses follow patterns similar to those used by Black Christian-based activists in the United States during periods of persecution. Findings evidence use of a strategic fusion of indigenous resources common before and during the Civil Rights Movement such as non-violent activism, charisma, and prayer, but adapted to the specific politico-religious environment in China to combat persecution, engender social justice, as well as rally local and international support

Fish and Wildlife Management on Federal Lands: Debunking State Supremacy

This Article reviews the authority of federal and state governments to manage wildlife on federal lands. It first describes the most common assertions made by state governments regarding state powers over wildlife and then analyzes the relevant powers and limitations of the United States Constitution and federal land laws, regulations, and polices. Wildlife-specific provisions applicable within the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, the special case of Alaska, and the National Wilderness Preservation System are covered, as is the Endangered Species Act. We reviewed an extensive collection of cases of conflict between federal and state agencies in wildlife management on federal land These cases show how federal land laws, regulations, and polices are frequently appeared by federal agencies in an inconsistent and sometimes even unlawful fashion. They also demonstrate how commonalities found in state wildlife governance, such as sources of funding and adherence to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, often exacerbate conflict over wildlife management on federal lands. Federal land management agencies have an obligation, and not just the discretion, to manage and conserve fish and wildlife on federal lands. We debunk the myth that the states manage wildlife and federal land agencies only manage wildlife habitat The myth is not only wrong from a legal standpoint, but it leads to fragmented approaches to wildlife conservation, unproductive battles over agency turf and an abdication of federal responsibility over wildlife. Another problem exposed is how the states assert wildlife ownership to challenge the constitutional powers, federal and laws, and supremacy of the United States. While the states do have a responsibility to manage wildlife as a sovereign trust for the benefit of their citizens, most states have not addressed the conservation obligations inherent in trust management; rather, states wish to use the notion of sovereign ownership as a one way ratchet-a source of unilateral power but not of public responsibility. Furthermore, the states\u27 trust responsibilities or wildlife are subordinate to the federal government\u27s statutory and trust obligations over federal lands and their integral resources The Article finishes by reviewing the ample opportunities that already exist in federal land laws for constructive intergovernmental cooperation in wildlife management. Unfortunately, many of these processes are not used to their full potential, and states sometimes use them solely as a means of challenging federal authority rather than a means of solving common problems. Intergovernmental cooperation must be a mutual and reciprocal process, meaning that state agencies need to constructively participate in existing federal processes, and federal agencies should be provided meaningful opportunities to participate in, and influence, state decision making affecting federal lands and wildlife

Photospheric acne at the bottom of the main-sequence: Doppler images of M4.5 - M9V stars

Starspots are an important manifestation of stellar activity and yet their distribution patterns on the lowest mass stars is not well known. Time series spectra of fully convective M dwarfs taken in the red-optical with UVES reveal numerous line profile distortions which are interpreted as starspots. New Doppler images of HU Del (GJ 791.2A; M4.5V), BL Ceti (GJ 65A; M5.5V) and UV Ceti (GJ 65B; M6V) at two epochs separated by three nights are presented. We find that contrast ratios corresponding to photosphere-spot temperature differences of only 100-400 K are sufficient to model the time series spectra of M4.5V - M9V stars. Starspots are reconstructed at a range of phases and latitudes with mean spot filling factors of only a few per cent. The distribution and low-contrast of the spots/spot-groups that we recover are likely to be responsible for the low amplitude photometric variability seen in late-M dwarfs. The stability of the spot patterns in the two sets of timeseries observations enables us to measure the latitude dependent differential rotation, which we find to be consistent with zer

Architecture for Cognitive Networking within NASAs Future Space Communications Infrastructure

Future space mission concepts and designs pose many networking challenges for command, telemetry, and science data applications with diverse end-to-end data delivery needs. For future end-to-end architecture designs, a key challenge is meeting expected application quality of service requirements for multiple simultaneous mission data flows with options to use diverse onboard local data buses, commercial ground networks, and multiple satellite relay constellations in LEO, MEO, GEO, or even deep space relay links. Effectively utilizing a complex network topology requires orchestration and direction that spans the many discrete, individually addressable computer systems, which cause them to act in concert to achieve the overall network goals. The system must be intelligent enough to not only function under nominal conditions, but also adapt to unexpected situations, and reorganize or adapt to perform roles not originally intended for the system or explicitly programmed. This paper describes architecture features of cognitive networking within the future NASA space communications infrastructure, and interacting with the legacy systems and infrastructure in the meantime. The paper begins by discussing the need for increased automation, including inter-system collaboration. This discussion motivates the features of an architecture including cognitive networking for future missions and relays, interoperating with both existing endpoint-based networking models and emerging information-centric models. From this basis, we discuss progress on a proof-of-concept implementation of this architecture as a cognitive networking on-orbit application on the SCaN Testbed attached to the International Space Station

Preparation, characterization, and safety evaluation of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles for protein delivery into macrophages.

International audienceFollowing infection, HIV establishes reservoirs within tissues that are inaccessible to optimal levels of antiviral drugs or within cells where HIV lies latent, thus escaping the action of anti-HIV drugs. Macrophages are a persistent reservoir for HIV and may contribute to the rebound viremia observed after antiretroviral treatment is stopped. In this study, we further investigate the potential of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based nanocarriers as a new strategy to enhance penetration of therapeutic molecules into macrophages. We have prepared stable PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) and evaluated their capacity to transport an active molecule into the human monocyte/macrophage cell line THP-1 using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a proof-of-concept compound. Intracellular localization of fluorescent BSA molecules encapsulated into PLGA NPs was monitored in live cells using confocal microscopy, and cellular uptake was quantified by flow cytometry. In vitro and in vivo toxicological studies were performed to further determine the safety profile of PLGA NPs including inflammatory effects. The size of the PLGA NPs carrying BSA (PLGA-BSA) in culture medium containing 10% serum was ~126 nm in diameter, and they were negatively charged at their surface (zeta potential =-5.6 mV). Our confocal microscopy studies and flow cytometry data showed that these PLGA-BSA NPs are rapidly and efficiently taken up by THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) at low doses. We found that PLGA-BSA NPs increased cellular uptake and internalization of the protein in vitro. PLGA NPs were not cytotoxic for THP-1 MDM cells, did not modulate neutrophil apoptosis in vitro, and did not show inflammatory effect in vivo in the murine air pouch model of acute inflammation. In contrast to BSA alone, BSA encapsulated into PLGA NPs increased leukocyte infiltration in vivo, suggesting the in vivo enhanced delivery and protection of the protein by the polymer nanocarrier. We demonstrated that PLGA-based nanopolymer carriers are good candidates to efficiently and safely enhance the transport of active molecules into human MDMs. In addition, we further investigated their inflammatory profile and showed that PLGA NPs have low inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. Thus, PLGA nanocarriers are promising as a drug delivery strategy in macrophages for prevention and eradication of intracellular pathogens such as HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis