Student and School Predictors of High School Graduation in California

Based on surveys of tenth-grade students, teachers, principals, and parents, identifies alterable factors that predict high school graduation, including the student's ninth-grade performance, engagement in sports, and the school's academic climate

Perceptions of Blame in Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of the Perpetrator\u27s Ability to Arouse Fear of Injury in the Victim

Men are more likely to be blamed more for intimate partner violence (IPV) than are women who commit the same offense. However, because men are typically stronger and perceived as more physically aggressive than women are, perpetrator sex is confounded with masculinity and the ability to arouse fear in the victim. This study disentangled the construct of gender in understanding bystanders’ attributions of blame in IPV. Participants (N = 639) read a scenario in which the perpetrator’s sex (male/female) and gender identity (masculine/feminine), and the victim’s sex (male/female) were manipulated and rated how much they blamed the perpetrator and the perpetrator’s ability to arouse fear of injury in the victim. Results showed that male perpetrators (regardless of gender identity) who assaulted a female victim were attributed the most blame and were perceived as having the greatest ability to arouse victim fear. In contrast, feminine female perpetrators were attributed the least blame and perceived as arousing the least victim fear regardless of the victim’s gender. Furthermore, controlling for the perpetrator’s ability to arouse fear in the victim resulted in the elimination of the interaction effects for blame. This finding suggests that perpetrators’ ability to arouse fear is an underlying factor in bystanders’ attributions of blame

HRTEM and Molecular Modeling of the MoS 2-Co9 S 8 Interface: Understanding the Promotion Effect in Bulk HDS Catalysts

As environmental regulations increase, more selective transition metal sulfide (TMS) catalytic materials for hydrotreating applications are needed. Highly active TMS catalysts become more and more desirable triggering new interest for unsupported Co-promoted MoS2-based systems that have high volumetric activity as reported here. Contrary to the common observation for alumina-supported MoS2-based catalysts, we found in our previous studies with dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) that the catalytic activity is directly proportional to the increase of surface area of the sulfide phases (Co9S8 and MoS2) present in Co-promoted MoS2 unsupported catalysts. This suggests that activity is directly connected with an increase of the contact surface area between the two sulfide phases. Understanding of the nature of the possible interaction between MoS2 and Co9S8 in unsupported catalytic systems is therefore critical in order to get a more generalized overview of the causes for synergy. This has been achieved herein through the detailed characterization by XRD, XPS, and HRTEM of the highly active Co9S8/MoS2 catalyst resulting in a proposed model for a Co9S8/MoS2 interface. This model was then subjected to a DFT analysis to determine a reasonable description of the surface contact region between the two bulk phases. Modelling of the interface shows the creation of open latent vacancy sites on Mo atoms interacting with Co and formation of direct Co-Mo bonds. Strong electron donation from Co to Mo also occurs through the intermediate sulfur atom bonded to both metals while an enhanced metallic character is also found. These changes in coordination and electronic properties are expected to favor a synergetic effect between Co and Mo at the proposed localized interface region between the two bulk MoS2 and Co9S8 phases.CONACYT, Mexico 207997MRTI of UTEP, Cotton Trust UTEPMicrolectronics Research Lab of UT-Austin and Departamento de Educacion y Cultura of Gobierno del Estado de ChihuahuaMicroelectronics Research Cente

Service developments for managing people with long-term conditions using case management approaches: an example from Cheshire in the UK

INTRODUCTION: This research has considered current developments in the provision of services for people with long-term conditions within the NHS of England. Community Matrons are being employed and by adopting a case management approach they are aiming to improve patient care and reduce their demands for acute hospital care. DESCRIPTION: Qualitative research was undertaken to explore experiences of community matrons and service leads on the development, implementation and provision of services for people with long-term conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides evidence of what is being done to meet the challenge of long-term conditions and provides lessons for similar challenges and service development for different areas of care and in other countries. Continual system and role change has had effects on service delivery and on the whole care. These effects relate to; defining the role of community matron and structure of service, training staff, identifying patients, providing infrastructure, demonstrating benefits, identifying gaps in services, ability to reduce avoidable admissions and identifying the advantages and difficulties of the role. DISCUSSION: All of these aspects should be used to inform future development

Succession to school leadership: challenge and response for principals

Between 1998 and 2000, seventy principals were named in the Austin Independent School District to succeed other principals. Several schools had two or more principals in that period. Not only is there an immediate cost when a principal is not successful, but there is also a cost associated with repair or replacement. Knowing what is necessary in the induction experience to make a principal succeed is critical. We have an obligation to these principals, their teachers, the taxpayers, and most of all, the students, to maximize their success. This study explored the experiences of elementary principals in the Austin Independent School District who recently succeeded other principals. Issues addressed included the principals' perceptions of their experiences and the impact of those experiences on their effectiveness. Findings will be offered as recommendations that may better inform principals who step into the succession role in the district. Questionnaires were sent to elementary principals named between 1998 and 1999 and still in those same schools in 2001-2002. Based on responses, principals were invited to participate in focus groups. Based on written responses and participation in focus groups, three principals were selected as case studies. Data revealed that succession principals had positive experiences including communication with others, establishment of procedures and routines, relationship building, and knowledge of district policies and procedures. Negative experiences included the effects of prior school leadership, challenging relationships, communication issues, and lack of support. As a result of these experiences, principals developed inner strength and powerful relationships with peers. It was recommended that support for succession principals continue beyond the induction year and include: trained mentors; time to dialogue with mentors and peer principals; quick responses to questions or requests for support; and receipt, early in the process, of critical information regarding role definition, expectations, district policies, and district procedures. Recommendations for further study included: investigating the succession experiences of secondary principals; comparing the succession experiences of principals named from within the district to those named from outside the district; and studying the relationship between the rate of principal retention and teacher retention

Imaging Immune Response In vivo: Cytolytic Action of Genetically Altered T Cells Directed to Glioblastoma Multiforme

Purpose: Clinical trials have commenced to evaluate the feasibility of targeting malignant gliomas with genetically engineered CTLs delivered directly to the tumor bed in the central nervous system. The objective of this study is to determine a suite of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements using an orthotopic xenograft murine model that can noninvasively monitor immunologically mediated tumor regression and reactive changes in the surrounding brain parenchyma. Experimental Design: Our preclinical therapeutic platform is based on CTL genetic modification to express a membrane tethered interleukin-13 (IL-13) cytokine chimeric T-cell antigen receptor. This enables selective binding and signal transduction on encountering the glioma-restricted IL-13 α2 receptor (IL-13Rα2). We used MRI to visualize immune responses following adoptive transfer of IL-13Rα2-specific CD8^+ CTL clones. Results: Based on MRI measurements, several phases following IL-13Rα2-specific T-cell adoptive transfer could be distinguished, all of which correlated well with glioblastoma regression confirmed on histology. The first detectable changes, 24 hours post-treatment, were significantly increased T_2 relaxation times and strongly enhanced signal on T_1-weighted postcontrast images. In the next phase, the apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly increased at 2 and 3 days post-treatment. In the last phase, at day 3 after IL-13Rα2-specific T-cell injection, the volume of hyperintense signal on T_1-weighted postcontrast image was significantly decreased, whereas apparent diffusion coefficient remained elevated. Conclusions: The present study indicates the feasibility of MRI to visualize different phases of immune response when IL-13Rα2-specific CTLs are administered directly to the glioma tumor bed. This will further the aim of better predicting clinical outcome following immunotherapy

Impact Evaluation of the European Employment Strategy in Ireland. ESRI General Papers

Recent years have seen dramatic growth in employment following unprecedented economic growth and development during the 1990s. Total employment in Ireland grew by a remarkable 534,000, or by 46%, in the eight years from 1993 to 2001, and over 220,000 of this was achieved between 1998 and 2001. In very recent years, the rate of growth in employment fallen somewhat, from a peak of almost 7% in 1997-1998 to about 4% in 2000- 2001. The rapid growth in the economy and in employment after 1993 led to a steady decline in unemployment from 220,000 in 1993 to 127,000 in the 2nd quarter of 1998 and to 65,000 in the 2nd quarter of 2001. The unemployment rate thus fell from 15.7% of the labour force in 1993 to 7.8% in the 2nd quarter of 1998 and to 3.7% in the 2nd quarter of 2001. With the deterioration in the international economy, and the slowdown in the Irish growth rate in 2001, unemployment increased to just under 80,000, or 4.3% of the labour force, in the 3rd quarter of 2001

Offspring of mice exposed to a low-protein diet in utero demonstrate changes in mTOR signaling in pancreatic islets of langerhans, associated with altered glucagon and insulin expression and a lower β-cell mass

Low birth weight is a risk factor for gestational and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Since mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) controls pancreatic β-cell mass and hormone release, we hypothesized that nutritional insult in utero might permanently alter mTOR signaling. Mice were fed a low-protein (LP, 8%) or control (C, 20%) diet throughout pregnancy, and offspring examined until 130 days age. Mice receiving LP were born 12% smaller and β-cell mass was significantly reduced throughout life. Islet mTOR levels were lower in LP-exposed mice and localized predominantly to α-rather than β-cells. Incubation of isolated mouse islets with rapamycin significantly reduced cell proliferation while increasing apoptosis. mRNA levels for mTORC complex genes mTOR, Rictor and Raptor were elevated at 7 days in LP mice, as were the mTOR and Raptor proteins. Proglucagon gene expression was similarly increased, but not insulin or the immune/metabolic defense protein STING. In human and mouse pancreas STING was strongly associated with islet β-cells. Results support long-term changes in islet mTOR signaling in response to nutritional insult in utero, with altered expression of glucagon and insulin and a reduced β-cell mass. This may contribute to an increased risk of gestational or type 2 diabetes