Introduction to the Demography Volume

[Excerpt] This volume represents another effort by Research in the Sociology of Organizations to focus on a crucial issue in organizational sociology. In some of the previous volumes, we concentrated on organizations and professions (Volume 8, 1991), the structuring of participation in organizations (Volume 7, 1989), and the social psychological processes in organizations (Volume 3, 1984). This volume concentrates on one of the most important emerging issues in organizational sociology—the issue of organizational demography

The impact of Louisiana\u27s School and District Accountability System on students\u27 performance on the state mandated criterion referenced test

This study is aimed at determining the impact of Louisiana’s School and District Accountability System on students’ performance on the state mandated criterion-referenced test (LEAP 21). The study was designed to determine the extent to which teachers in Title I schools in a large urban district in southwest Louisiana have turned to instructionally unsound practices in response to a high-stakes accountability system. The specific objectives addressed in this study were to: 1) Explore if test scores have changed beyond what would be expected given the cohort design of the accountability model. 2) Explore if test scores have changed and determine why? 3) Determine where there has been improved learning and identify those practices teachers use to obtain the positive results. For the qualitative analyses, data were collected from interviews, surveys and observations with 4th grade teachers and principals in the selected school district. Specifically, this study attempted to determine if a measurable increase in student performance on the state-mandated test in grade 4 and determine to what sources the positive change could be attributed. The results of this study indicated that Louisiana’s accountability system has impacted each Title I school in various ways. There was not only a variation in how these schools perceived accountability, but also a variation in the perceptions of teachers and principals with regard to strategies that are being used to prepare students for high stakes testing

The 1988 Solar Maximum Mission event list

Information on solar burst and transient activity observed by the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) during 1988 pointed observations is presented. Data from the following SMM experiments are included: (1) gamma ray spectrometer; (2) hard x ray burst spectrometer; (3) flat crystal spectrometers; (4) bent crystal spectrometer; (5) ultraviolet spectrometer polarimeter; and (6) coronagraph/polarimeter. Correlative optical, radio, and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) x ray data are also presented. Where possible, bursts, or transients observed in the various wavelengths were grouped into discrete flare events identified by unique event numbers. Each event carries a qualifier denoting the quality or completeness of the observation. Spacecraft pointing coordinates and flare site angular displacement values from sun center are also included

The 1984 - 1987 Solar Maximum Mission event list

Information on solar burst and transient activity observed by the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) during 1984-1987 pointed observations is presented. Data from the following SMM experiments are included: (1) gamma ray spectrometer; (2) hard x-ray burst spectrometer; (3) flat crystal spectrometer; (4) bent crystal spectrometer; (5) ultraviolet spectrometer polarimeter; and (6) coronograph/polarimeter. Correlative optical, radio, and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) x ray data are also presented. Where possible, bursts or transients observed in the various wavelengths were grouped into discrete flare events identified by unique event numbers. Each event carries a qualifier denoting the quality or completeness of the observations. Spacecraft pointing coordinates and flare site angular displacement values from sun center are also included

Nitrogen Incorporation in CH_4-N_2 Photochemical Aerosol Produced by Far Ultraviolet Irradiation

Nitrile incorporation into Titan aerosol accompanying hydrocarbon chemistry is thought to be driven by extreme UV wavelengths (λ120 nm is presently unaccounted for in atmospheric photochemical models. We suggest that reaction with CH radicals produced from CH_4 photolysis may provide a mechanism for incorporating N into the molecular structure of the aerosol. Further work is needed to understand the chemistry involved, as these processes may have significant implications for how we view prebiotic chemistry on early Earth and similar planets. Key Words: Titan—Photochemical aerosol—CH_4-N_2 photolysis—Far UV—Nitrogen activation

Spectroscopic Evidence Against Nitric Acid Trihydrate in Polar Stratospheric Clouds

Heterogeneous reactions on polar stratospheric clouds (PSC's) play a key role in the photochemical mechanisms thought to be responsible for ozone depletion in the Antarctic and the Arctic. Reactions on PSC particles activate chlorine to forms that are capable of photochemical ozone destruction, and sequester nitrogen oxides (NOx) that would otherwise deactivate the chlorine. Although the heterogeneous chemistry is now well established, the composition of the clouds themselves is uncertain. It is commonly thought that they are composed of nitric acid trihydrate, although observations have left this question unresolved. Here we reanalyse infrared spectra of type I PCS's obtained in Antarctica in September 1987, using recently measured optical constraints of the various compounds that might be present in PSC's. We find that these PSC's were not composed of nitric acid trihydrate but instead had a more complex composition perhaps that of a ternary solution. Because cloud formation is sensitive to their composition, this finding will alter our understanding of the locations and conditions in which PSCs form. In addition, the extent of ozone loss depends on the ability of the PSC's to remove NOx permanently through sedimentation. The sedimentation rates depend on PSC particle size which in turn is controlled by the composition and formation mechanism

The hard X-ray burst spectrometer event listing, 1980 - 1985

This event listing is a comprehensive reference for the hard X-ray bursts detected with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission from the time of launch on February 14, 1980 to September 1985. Over 8000 X-ray events were detected in the energy range from 30 to approx. 500 keV with the vast majority being solar flares. The listing includes the start time, peak time, duration and peak rate of each event

A Framework for Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities in Spanish Courses: Connecting Learning Characteristics and Instructional Methods

Students with learning disabilities are characterized by highly individualized dysfunction of the central nervous system. Current research has suggested that the learning difficulties experienced may be attributable to processing difficulties in working memory, attention, information retrieval, and phonological processing. In educational environments, students with learning disabilities often struggle to meet the demands of the general curriculum and require support or intervention to reveal their potential. Because the demands of learning an unfamiliar language can expose weaknesses and heighten anxiety, individuals with learning disabilities have often avoided or been discouraged from foreign language study. However, research conducted on the use of multi-sensory approaches has indicated that such instruction can help students with learning disabilities to succeed in learning Spanish. A discussion of the relationship between neurological research and multi-sensory teaching provides implications for persons with learning disabilities experiencing meaningful inclusion in Spanish courses. Application of research and associated theory to practice is expressed in the form of examples of general accommodations, existing resources, and learning strategies which provide a framework for students with LD to have positive experiences in Spanish

The hard X-ray burst spectrometer event listing 1980, 1981 and 1982

A comprehensive reference for the hard X-ray bursts detected with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission for the time of launch on February 14, 1980 to March 1983 is provided. Over 6300 X-ray events were detected in the energy range from 30 to approx 500 keV with the vast majority being solar flares. The listing includes the start time, peak time, duration and peak rate of each event