A Descriptive Study of Organizational Culture and Climate in Selected Elementary and Secondary Parochial Schools

The purpose of this study was to collect and interpret base-line data concerning the organizational culture and climate of selected elementary and secondary schools. The sample consisted of 20 parochial schools, 10 elementary and 10 secondary, in the mideast section of the United states. The study focused on three specific questions: 1) What are the cultural values of parochial schools, 2) What is the organizational climate of parochial schools, and 3) Do the cultural values and climate characteristics of parochial elementary schools differ from those of parochial secondary schools? Nelson\u27s (1990) Cultural Value Analysis Tool (CVAT) was used to gather organizational culture data. Hoy, Tarter and Kottkamp\u27s revised Organization Climate Description Questionnaire (OCDQ) was used to gather organizational climate data. Analysis of data on the 419 responses included the following: 1) One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on real and ideal means of the sixteen cultural dimensions across the elementary and secondary schools individually, 2) One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the real means of the sixteen dimensions comparing the elementary and secondary schools, and 3) confidence intervals on the principal and teacher behaviors of the OCDQ as compared to the norm group of Hoy, Tarter, and Kottkamp. Significant differences between ideal and real means were found on dimensions of effort, status, and flexibility for the elementary schools (p \u3c .05). Significant differences between the ideal and real means were found on dimensions of effort, time, quality, empathy, dominance, status, political, abstract, planning/organization, and flexibility (p \u3c .05) for the secondary schools. The one-way analysis of variance conducted on the descriptive mean scores of the 16 dimensions of the CVAT showed no statistical difference between elementary and secondary level schools. Confidence intervals indicated that parochial elementary principals are more supportive, less restrictive, and as directive as the principals in the norm group. Parochial elementary teachers were more collegial, less disengaged, and as intimate in their behaviors as the teachers in the norm group. Confidence intervals formed from the mean scores on the OCDQ-RS indicated that parochial secondary principals were more supportive and as directive as the principals in the norm group. Parochial secondary teachers were more engaged, less frustrated, and more intimate in their behaviors as compared to the teachers in the norm group. All parochial schools had an open climate to varying degrees ranging from below average openness to very high openness. The 20 parochial schools valued the cultural dimensions of quality, empathy, leader, and planning/organization. Parochial schools valued the cultural theme of relations as the top priority, followed by the themes of work, thought, and control

First Characterization of the Ultra-Shielded Chamber in the Low-noise Underground Laboratory (LSBB) of Rustrel Pays d'Apt

In compliance with international agreements on nuclear weapons limitation, the French ground-based nuclear arsenal has been decommissioned in its totality. One of its former underground missile control centers, located in Rustrel, 60 km east of Avignon (Provence) has been converted into the ``Laboratoire Souterrain \`a Bas Bruit de Rustrel-Pays d'Apt'' (LSBB). The deepest experimental hall (500 m of calcite rock overburden) includes a 100 m$^{2}$ area of sturdy flooring suspended by and resting on shock absorbers, entirely enclosed in a 28 m-long, 8 m-diameter, 1 cm-thick steel Faraday cage. This results in an unparalleled combination of shielding against cosmic rays, acoustic, seismic and electromagnetic noise, which can be exploited for rare event searches using ultra low-temperature and superconducting detectors. The first characterization measurements in this unique civilian site are reported. For more info see http://home.cern.ch/collar/RUSTREL/rustrel.htmlComment: Homepage and quoted hyperlinks have been updated: see http://home.cern.ch/collar/RUSTREL/rustrel.htm

Comparative transcriptomics of drought responses in Populus: a meta-analysis of genome-wide expression profiling in mature leaves and root apices across two genotypes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Comparative genomics has emerged as a promising means of unravelling the molecular networks underlying complex traits such as drought tolerance. Here we assess the genotype-dependent component of the drought-induced transcriptome response in two poplar genotypes differing in drought tolerance. Drought-induced responses were analysed in leaves and root apices and were compared with available transcriptome data from other <it>Populus </it>species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using a multi-species designed microarray, a genomic DNA-based selection of probesets provided an unambiguous between-genotype comparison. Analyses of functional group enrichment enabled the extraction of processes physiologically relevant to drought response. The drought-driven changes in gene expression occurring in root apices were consistent across treatments and genotypes. For mature leaves, the transcriptome response varied weakly but in accordance with the duration of water deficit. A differential clustering algorithm revealed similar and divergent gene co-expression patterns among the two genotypes. Since moderate stress levels induced similar physiological responses in both genotypes, the genotype-dependent transcriptional responses could be considered as intrinsic divergences in genome functioning. Our meta-analysis detected several candidate genes and processes that are differentially regulated in root and leaf, potentially under developmental control, and preferentially involved in early and long-term responses to drought.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In poplar, the well-known drought-induced activation of sensing and signalling cascades was specific to the early response in leaves but was found to be general in root apices. Comparing our results to what is known in arabidopsis, we found that transcriptional remodelling included signalling and a response to energy deficit in roots in parallel with transcriptional indices of hampered assimilation in leaves, particularly in the drought-sensitive poplar genotype.</p

Méthaniser à température ambiante : les défis à relever

National audienceLes fosses de stockage des lisiers de porc émettent spontanément entre 0,15 et 0,9 m3 de méthane par tonne de lisier et par semaine selon la saison. Récupérer et valoriser ce gaz permettraient de réduire les consommations d'énergie de l'élevage. Les conditions de réussite ont été testées à l'échelle laboratoire et sont actuellement évaluées à Guernévez sur une couverture flottante

An Optimization Method for Magnetic Field Generator

International audienceWe propose an optimization method to design an elongated three-axes magnetic field generator with given criteria specified over a large volume. The approach is based on the field expansion in Spherical Harmonics and Tchebychev polynomials, for noncircular symmetrical coils arrangement. We developed a specific tool, to get a “flat” or a given "equal-ripple" solution, over a chosen length. The parameters to be defined are: dimensions, coil positions and Amp-turns, associated with the different axes. Once these parameters have been computed, a program predicts the field for the whole structure. A major interest of using such a method lies on the fact that, once the true optimal solution is found, any deviation from theoretical results (for instance building inaccuracy) can be compensated by adjustment of any other design parameters (i.e. current), restoring the initial homogeneity. This method has been successfully applied to the simulator of the Magnetic Metrology Laboratory for Low Field (Laboratoire de Métrologie Magnétique en Champ Faible in French). The experimental results correspond to the theoretical computation

PET Pronostic Biomarkers Exploratory Analyses About Initial FDG-PET In Patients With Anal Carcinoma

International audienceIntroduction: In anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pre-treatment prognostic factors able to identify more accurately patients with high risk of recurrence who may benefit from optimized treatment are lacking. There are increasing evidences that FDG PET examinations are useful in anal SCC management. Our objective was to explore, by two different analyses, the value of pre-treatment quantitative imaging to predict progression-free survival (PFS) in anal SCC patients. Subjects & Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on FDG PET examinations for 81 consecutive anal SCC patients at initial staging. Along with clinical variables (age, sex, T-stage, N-stage, HIV and human papilloma virus infections) collection, tumor and lymph nodes (LN) FDG metrics (SUVmax, TLG, MTV) were measured using 7 3D-thresholding methods on PET images: 3 with fixed SUVmax threshold (T35%, T41% and T50%) and 4 adaptative methods [M11, M22, M33, M44]. Each semi-quantitative PET variable is associated with 26 events free survival as a residual disease, local recurrence, distant metastasis or deaths at 0.10 threshold in univariate analysis. A multivariate analysis was conducted with an AIC criterion based Cox model. Evidence ratio (ER) was calculated for each model when PET variable remained significant after adjustment. Due to a small sized cohort with few events compared to the information to be processed, 2 analyses were conducted according to 4 quartiles and median FDG quantitative parameters respectively. Results: Six (7.5%), 18 (22.2%), 39 (48.1%) and 18 (22.2%) patients had respectively disease of stage I to IV. Median follow up was 3.3y (2.5-5y). As clinical data, male sex was the uniquely prognostic biomarker (HR: 3.32; CI: 1.38-8.02; p=0.007) of progression free survival (PFS) on univariate analysis. Out of the 57 tumor image intensity features, only 27 were predictive of PFS (0.0032<p<0.0395). The four-quartile multivariate analysis ordered total MTVtumor+LN, TLGLN, MTVtumor with higher ER (1.0 to 4.8) for T35%, T41%, M2 and M4 methods whereas median multivariate analysis exhibited higher ER (1.0 to 5.2) for T35%, T41% and M1 MTVtumor respectively. Conclusion: Whatever how quantitative FDG PET data analysis was conducted (quartile or median) “TLGLN, total MTV or MTVtumor” seemed to be the best pronostic variables to assess PFS in this anal SCC population. An external cohort is warranted to ascertain these results in terms of defined variables and divisions. 1. Vauclin et al. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/54/22/010. 2. Black et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys,2004. 3. Nestlé et al. EJNMMI,2007. 4. Tylski et al. doi:10.2967/jnumed.109.066241

Pigment concentrations and ratios of Aleppo Pine seedlings exposed to ozone

International audienceTwo year old Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seedlings were exposed to ambient air+50 ppb o3 in open top chambers (24 hours/days, 7 days/week) during May October 1997 and to ambient air+70 ppb concentrations of the current year (c) needles, no were there any differences in photosynthesis or stomatal con,ductance. In May 1998, however, a marked carry-over effect was seen in the chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoid concentrations of the O3 fumigated one year old (c+1) needles. The chlorophyll a and b and total carotenoid concentrations of newly flushed needles of the O3 fumigated seedlings also seemed to be slightly decreased, as was their net photosynthesis when compared to teh values of the filtered air control needles. The chlorotic mottle and the changes in chloroplast pigments and photosynthesis of the c and/or c+1 needles of the NFA+3 seedlings in May 1198 indicate that frequent episodes of ozone concentrations of > 100 ppb, especially when they also occur during the evening and night hours, as in some areas in southern Europe, may result in visible needle damage on Aleppo pine

Whole-plant and xylem hydraulics in poplar: insights gained from Populus deltoides - Populus nigra hybrids

We present results and insights gained from the characterization of the hydraulic architecture of eight field-grown Populus deltoides × Populus nigra genotypes, already known to differ in terms of growth performance, water-use and xylem anatomy (Marron et al. 2005, Monclus et al. 2005, 2006; Fichot et al. 2009). Under well-watered conditions, we provide evidence that (1) there are wide genotypic variations for hydraulic efficiency inferred from the leaf specific hydraulic conductance (kSL) and for resistance to drought-induced cavitation inferred from the water potential inducing 50% loss in hydraulic conductance, (2) a strong trade-off between water transport efficiency and xylem safety occurs at the whole plant level, indicating that genotypes with lower kSL apparently compensate the greater risks of embolism by building a safer xylem, (3) higher relative growth rate is tightly associated with lower whole-plant hydraulic efficiency and higher resistance to cavitation, (4) estimates of leaf water-use efficiency (intrinsic water use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination against 13C) are weakly associated with whole-plant hydraulics. Under limited water supply, the characterization of xylem resistance to cavitation provides additional evidence that (5) xylem safety acclimates to moderate drought in a genotype-dependent manner, (6) there is no clear relationship between xylem safety and either xylem water transport efficiency or xylem biomechanics, contrary to what is observed at inter-specific scales. Our results provide interesting insights for the possible role of whole plant hydraulic architecture and xylem hydraulics in mediating key aspects of whole-plant physiology in poplar, such as growth and water-use efficiency. Finally, our results also indicate that there may be great opportunity for intra-specific comparisons to unravel specific issues that cannot be fully addressed by interspecific comparisons