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The Vela supernova remnant complex is a region containing at least three supernova remnants: Vela, Puppis A, and Vela Jr. With the launch of the spectro-imaging X-ray telescope eROSITA on board the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) mission, it became possible to observe the one degree wide Vela Jr in its entirety. Although several previous pointed Chandra and XMM-Newton observations are available, it is only the second time after the ROSAT all-sky survey that the whole remnant was observed in X-rays with homogeneous sensitivity. Vela Jr is one of the few remnants emitting in the TeV band, making it an important object in shock acceleration studies. However, the age and distance determination using X-ray emission is largely hampered by the presence of the Vela SNR along the same line. With the eROSITA data set our aim is to characterize the emission of Vela Jr and distinguish it from Vela emission, and also to characterize the spectral emission of the inner remnant. We processed the eROSITA data dividing the whole remnant into seven different regions. In addition, images of the whole remnant were employed to pinpoint the position of the geometric center and constrain the proper motion of the CCO. We also employed archival XMM-Newton pointed observations of the NW rim to determine the cutoff energy of the electrons and the expansion velocity. We find the magnetic field can vary between 2 $\mu$G and 16 $\mu$G in the NW rim. We also find that the remnant spectrum is uniformly featureless in most regions, except for two inner regions where an extra thermal model component improves the fit. We obtain new coordinates for the geometric remnant center, resulting in a separation of only 35.2 $\pm$ 15.8" from the position of the CCO. As a result, we reinforce the association between the CCO and a proposed faint optical/IR counterpart., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A

The stages of development of molecular photonics at Tomsk State University are presented. It was A. N. Terenin's student, N. A. Prilezhaeva, who pioneered the Russian photochemistry and fostered the development of a Tomsk school of spectroscopists, at that time the only research team in the Asian part of Russia. In 1950, the research in the field of molecular spectroscopy and quantum chemistry of complex molecules was initiated by a Prilezhaeva's student, V. I. Danilova, who became a TSU Professor at a later date. Fundamental problems were posed and solved, which related the spectra and the electron shell structure with the physical-chemical properties of several classes of complex organic molecules. The generalizations made by Danilova were quite valuable for the theory of molecular spectra and helped forming her own scientific school in 1970-80s.

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of charged anionic and cationic forms of bisphenol A (BPA) have been studied. The nature of electronically excited states and the photolysis of the BPA molecule have been interpreted based on results of quantum chemical calculations. The BPA spectra in an aqueous solution are compared during transition from the neutral to the ionic form. Results of calculations have shown that the small value of the fluorescence quantum yield in all examined molecular structures is determined by the high efficiency of the singlet-triplet conversion. In the anionic BPA form, a decrease in the efficiency of radiation decay channel by two orders of magnitude has been recorded caused by a change in the orbital nature of the fluorescent state compared to the neutral and cationic forms. It is shown that the probability of photolysis of the molecule under study increases due to the overlap of the absorption spectra of the anionic form in an aqueous solution under exposure to sunlight.

Context. Puppis A is a medium-age supernova remnant (SNR), which is visible as a very bright extended X-ray source. While numerous studies have investigated individual features of the SNR, at this time, no comprehensive study of the entirety of its X-ray emission exists. Aims. Using field-scan data acquired by the SRG/eROSITA telescope during its calibration and performance verification phase, we aim to investigate the physical conditions of shocked plasma and the distribution of elements throughout Puppis A. Methods. Using broad- and narrow-band imaging, we investigate the large-scale distribution of absorption and plasma temperature as well as typical emission lines. This approach is complemented by spatially resolved spectral analysis of the shocked plasma in Puppis A, for which we divide the SNR into around 700 distinct regions, resulting in maps of key physical quantities over its extent. Results. We find a strong peak of foreground absorption in the southwest quadrant, which in conjunction with high temperatures at the northeast rim creates the well-known strip of hard emission crossing Puppis A. Furthermore, using the observed distribution of ionization ages, we attempt to reconstruct the age of the shock in the individual regions. We find a quite recent shock interaction for the prominent northeast filament and ejecta knot, as well as for the outer edge of the bright eastern knot. Finally, elemental abundance maps reveal only a single clear enhancement of the plasma with ejecta material, consistent with a previously identified region, and no obvious ejecta enrichment in the remainder of the SNR. Within this region, we confirm the spatial separation of silicon-rich ejecta from those dominated by lighter elements., 20+5 pages, 10+5 figures; Accepted by A&A for the Special Issue: The Early Data Release of eROSITA and Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC on the SRG Mission; Abstract abridged

Context. Central compact objects (CCOs) are a peculiar class of neutron stars, primarily encountered close to the center of young supernova remnants (SNRs) and characterized by thermal X-ray emission. Aims. Our goal is to perform a systematic study of the proper motion of all known CCOs with appropriate data available. In addition, we aim to measure the expansion of three SNRs within our sample to obtain a direct handle on their kinematics and age. Methods. We analyze multiple archival Chandra data sets, consisting of HRC and ACIS observations separated by temporal baselines between 8 and 15 years. In order to correct for systematic astrometric uncertainties, we establish a reference frame using X-ray detected sources in Gaia DR2, to provide accurate proper motion estimates for our target CCOs. Complementarily, we use our coaligned data sets to trace the expansion of three SNRs by directly measuring the spatial offset of various filaments and ejecta clumps between different epochs. Results. In total, we present new proper motion measurements for six CCOs, among which we do not find any indication of a hypervelocity object. We tentatively identify direct signatures of expansion for the SNRs G15.9+0.2 and Kes 79, at estimated significance of $2.5\sigma$ and $2\sigma$, respectively. Moreover, we confirm recent results by Borkowski et al., measuring the rapid expansion of G350.1$-$0.3 at almost $6000\,{\rm km\,s^{-1}}$, which places its maximal age at $600-700$ years. The observed expansion, combined with the rather small proper motion of its CCO, implies the need for a very inhomogeneous circumstellar medium to explain the highly asymmetric appearance of the SNR. Finally, for the SNR RX J1713.7$-$3946, we combine previously published expansion measurements with our measurement of the CCO's proper motion to obtain a constraining upper limit of $1700$ years on the system's age., Comment: 22+8 pages, 16+3 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

During the past years, the VLTI-instrument GRAVITY has made spectacular discoveries with phase-referenced interferometric imaging with milliarcsecond resolution and ten microarcsecond astrometry. Here, we report on the upgrade of the GRAVITY science spectrometer with two new grisms in October 2019, increasing the instrument throughput by a factor > 2. This improvement was made possible by using a high refractive index Germanium substrate, which reduces the grism and groove angles, and by successfully applying an anti-reflection coating to the ruled surface to overcome Fresnel losses. We present the design, manufacturing, and laboratory testing of the new grisms, as well as the results from the re-commissioning on sky.

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are observable for about 6-15x10^4 years before they fade into the Galactic interstellar medium. With a Galactic supernova rate of approximately two per century, we can expect to have of the order of 1200 SNRs in our Galaxy. However, only about 300 of them are known to date, with the majority having been discovered in Galactic plane radio surveys. Given that these SNRs represent the brightest tail of the distribution and are mostly located close to the plane, they are not representative of the complete sample. Here we report findings from the search for new SNRs in the eROSITA all-sky survey data which led to the detection of one of the largest SNRs discovered at wavelengths other than the radio: G249.5+24.5. This source is located at a relatively high Galactic latitude, where SNRs are not usually expected to be found. The remnant, 'Hoinga', has a diameter of about 4.4 degrees and shows a circular shaped morphology with diffuse X-ray emission filling almost the entire remnant. Spectral analysis of the remnant emission reveals that an APEC spectrum from collisionally ionised diffuse gas and a plane-parallel shock plasma model with non-equilibrium ionisation are both able to provide an adequate description of the data, suggesting a gas temperature of the order of kT = 0.1 keV and an absorbing column density of N_H=3.6 x 10^20 cm^-2. Subsequent searches for a radio counterpart of the Hoinga remnant identified its radio emission in archival data from the Continuum HI Parkes All-Sky Survey (CHIPASS) and the 408-MHz `Haslam' all-sky survey. The radio spectral index alpha=-0.69 +- 0.08 obtained from these data definitely confirms the SNR nature of Hoinga. From its size and X-ray and radio spectral properties we conclude that Hoinga is a middle-aged Vela-like SNR located at a distance of about twice that of the Vela SNR, i.e. at ~500 pc., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics on Feb 12. 2021, submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics on December 17. 2020. 12 pages, 10 figures

Spectral-luminescent properties and photolysis of charged forms (cation and anion) of bisphenol A are studied experimentally and by methods of quantum chemistry. The calculations and the experiment demonstrate that no new absorption bands appear in the absorption spectra of charged forms in the region of 200–600 nm as compared to a neutral molecule. The polar solvent (water) shifts the absorption spectrum bands of the ionic forms to the region of low energies. In this case, the shift of cation absorption spectrum is insignificant, while the shift of anion absorption spectrum is significant as the intensity of absorption bands increases. The low quantum yield of f luorescence of ionic forms is explained by the predominance of singlet-triplet conversion efficiency over the efficiency of the radiation channel of f luorescent state decay. The low quantum yield of f luorescence of the anion form is due not only to the effective singlet-triplet conversion, but also to the low efficiency of the radiation decay of the f luorescent state of the anion caused by a change in its orbital nature. Calculations demonstrate that the potential curves of the excited states of bisphenol A and its ionic forms have a significant potential barrier for photolysis. An increase in the potential reaction barrier in the cation decreases the efficiency of its photolysis. The increase in the photodissociation efficiency of the bisphenol A anion is caused by a noticeable decrease in the potential barrier and an increase in the overlap between the absorption spectra of the bisphenol A anion and the solar radiation.

Background: There is little information regarding the safety of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) in patients with stroke and COVID-19. Methods: This multicenter study included consecutive stroke patients with and without COVID-19 treated with IV-tPA between February 18, 2019, to December 31, 2020, at 9 centers participating in the CASCADE initiative. Clinical outcomes included modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at hospital discharge, in-hospital mortality, the rate of hemorrhagic transformation. Using Bayesian multiple regression and after adjusting for variables with significant value in univariable analysis, we reported the posterior adjusted odds ratio (OR, with 95% Credible Intervals [CrI]) of the main outcomes. Results: A total of 545 stroke patients, including 101 patients with COVID-19 were evaluated. Patients with COVID-19 had a more severe stroke at admission. In the study cohort, 85 (15.9%) patients had a hemorrhagic transformation, and 72 (13.1%) died in the hospital. After adjustment for confounding variables, discharge mRS score >2 (OR: 0.73, 95% CrI: 0.16, 3.05), in-hospital mortality (OR: 2.06, 95% CrI: 0.76, 5.53), and hemorrhagic transformation (OR: 1.514, 95% CrI: 0.66, 3.31) were similar in COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients. High -sensitivity C reactive protein level was a predictor of hemorrhagic transformation in all cases (OR:1.01, 95%CI: 1.0026, 1.018), including those with COVID-19 (OR:1.024, 95%CI:1.002, 1.054). Conclusion: IV-tPA treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke and COVID-19 was not associated with an increased risk of disability, mortality, and hemorrhagic transformation compared to those without COVID-19. IVtPA should continue to be considered as the standard of care in patients with hyper acute stroke and COVID-19.

The Clausiliidae (subfamily Phaedusinae) of the Lesser Sunda island of Timor are poorly studied. To date, one species with a rather confusing taxonomic history, Phaedusa timorensis Nordsieck, 2007, has been recorded from West Timor. Based on the study of recently collected material, we present the first record of clausiliids from Timor-Leste (East Timor). Two species, which live in sympatry with each other, are recognised and described based on comparative shell morphology and mitochondrial differentiation: Phaedusa ramelauensis n. sp. and P. angustocostata n. sp. Both species are ovoviviparous, retaining shelled juveniles in their oviducts. One population of P. ramelauensis consists of individuals that lack male organs while having fully functional female organs. As with similar cases in other stylommatophoran families, the aphally is hypothesised to be a byproduct of either within-species polymorphism or hybridisation and to have no bearing on the taxonomy of these terrestrial snails. Because ap...

We present an improved proper motion measurement of the central compact object RX J0822-4300, located in the supernova remnant Puppis A. By employing a new data set taken in February 2019 by the High Resolution Camera aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we approximately double the available temporal baseline for our analysis to slightly more than 19 years (7000 days). We correct for the astrometric inaccuracy of Chandra using calibrator stars with known optical positions that are detected in all observations. Thereby, we obtain absolute positions of RX J0822-4300 accurate to around $0.1^{\prime\prime}$ and from these a new best estimate for its total proper motion of $\mu_{\rm tot}= (80.4 \pm 7.7)\,\rm{mas\,yr}^{-1}$. For a remnant distance of 2 kpc, this corresponds to a projected kick velocity of $(763 \pm 73)\, \rm{km\,s}^{-1}$ at a position angle of $\phi_0 = (247.8 \pm 4.4)^{\circ}$. The proper motion measurement of RX J0822-4300 is used for discussing the kinematic age of Puppis A., Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ

Background/aims Hydrophobic bile salts, such as glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC) can trigger hepatocyte apoptosis, which is prevented by tauroursodesoxycholate (TUDC), but the effects of GCDC and TUDC on sinusoidal bile salt uptake via the Na⁺-taurocholate transporting polypeptide (Ntcp) are unclear. Methods The effects of GCDC and TUDC on the plasma membrane localization of Ntcp were studied in perfused rat liver by means of immunofluorescence analysis and super-resolution microscopy. The underlying signaling events were investigated by Western blotting and inhibitor studies. Results GCDC (20 µmol/l) induced within 60 min a retrieval of Ntcp from the basolateral membrane into the cytosol, which was accompanied by an activating phosphorylation of the Src kinases Fyn and Yes. Both, Fyn activation and the GCDC-induced Ntcp retrieval from the plasma membrane were sensitive to the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and the Src family kinase inhibitors SU6656 and PP-2, whereas PP-2 did not inhibit GCDC-induced Yes activation. Internalization of Ntcp by GCDC was also prevented by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Go6850. TUDC (20 µmol/l) reversed the GCDC-induced retrieval of Ntcp from the plasma membrane and prevented the activation of Fyn and Yes in GCDC-perfused rat livers. Reinsertion of Ntcp into the basolateral membrane in GCDC-perfused livers by TUDC was sensitive to the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89 and the integrin-inhibitory peptide GRGDSP, whereas the control peptide GRADSP was ineffective. Ex posure of cultured rat hepatocytes to GCDC (50 µmol/l, 15min) increased the fluorescence intensity of the reactive oxygen fluorescent indicator DCF to about 1.6-fold of untreated controls in a TUDC (50 µmol/l)-sensitive way. GCDC caused a TUDC-sensitive canalicular dilatation without evidence for Bsep retrieval from the canalicular membrane. Conclusion The present study suggests that GCDC triggers the retrieval of Ntcp from the basolateral membrane into the cytosol through an oxidative stress-dependent activation of Fyn. TUDC prevents the GCDC-induced Fyn activation and Ntcp retrieval through integrin-dependent activation of PKA.

New Fiscal Populists (NFPs) are fiscally conservative and socially liberal "good government" types. Their stereotypical representative is an upscale, well-educated, white suburbanite. The national press has dubbed them the "Volvo Vote." The Downsian median voter model provides a powerful and elegant framework from which to work. The median voter is not the same in every election. Therefore, political elites must respond to change in the locations. On election day Dan Walker campaign staff worked feverishly to get out their voters and minimize the vote fraud in machine precincts. In the final days of the campaign, statewide polls of likely Democratic primary voters were inconclusive. The state of Illinois, like a handful of other states, is a microcosm of America. Illinois politics is not for the faint-hearted. Political fiefdoms and feuding power barons are continuing elements of Illinois politics. Neil Hartigan was a Chicago machine politician. Walker didn't like Neil Hartigan and wasn't shy about letting people know it.

Acetylcholine regulates perfusion of numerous organs via changes in local blood flow involving muscarinic receptor-induced release of vasorelaxing agents from the endothelium. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of M1, M3, and M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in vasodilation of small arteries using gene-targeted mice deficient in either of the three receptor subtypes (M1R−/−, M3R−/−, or M5R−/− mice, respectively). Muscarinic receptor gene expression was determined in murine cutaneous, skeletal muscle, and renal interlobar arteries using real-time PCR. Moreover, respective arteries from M1R−/−, M3R−/−, M5R−/−, and wild-type mice were isolated, cannulated with micropipettes, and pressurized. Luminal diameter was measured using video microscopy. mRNA for all five muscarinic receptor subtypes was detected in all three vascular preparations from wild-type mice. However, M3 receptor mRNA was found to be most abundant. Acetylcholine produced dose-dependent dilation in all three vascular preparations from M1R−/−, M5R−/−, and wild-type mice. In contrast, cholinergic dilation was virtually abolished in arteries from M3R−/− mice. Deletion of either M1, M3, or M5 receptor genes did not affect responses to nonmuscarinic vasodilators, such as substance P and nitroprusside. These findings provide the first direct evidence that M3 receptors mediate cholinergic vasodilation in cutaneous, skeletal muscle, and renal interlobar arteries. In contrast, neither M1 nor M5 receptors appear to be involved in cholinergic responses of the three vascular preparations tested.

The results of studies of the spectral, luminescent, and electroluminescent characteristics of four linear divinylbiphenylyl derivatives are presented. All the compounds under study fluoresce effectively in solutions and thin films in the blue spectral range. For thermally vacuum-deposited films, it is possible that absorption and luminescence spectra change due to aggregate formation. The studied biphenyl derivatives can electroluminesce in simple single-layer devices with a low (4 V) threshold voltage.

Several researchers have argued that the functional behavior assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention plan (BIP) mandates in the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 2004 have gone beyond the current research base. For instance, although BIPs have been shown to improve student outcomes when implemented with strict control and oversight by researchers, it is unclear whether these relationships hold true when implemented under real educational conditions. The purpose of this research was to conduct an initial study evaluating the relationship among the evidence-based quality of federally mandated BIPs, treatment integrity, and student outcomes under real-world educational conditions free from the help of researchers. Results indicated that the evidence-based quality of BIPs was significantly related to positive student outcomes. Results also supported the role of treatment integrity as a mediator of the relationship between the evidence-based quality of BIPs and student outcomes. The implications and limitations of this research as well as directions for future research are discussed.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training, using a multiple baseline design on the independent initiations of three adults with developmental disabilities and severe communication deficits. All participants increased their independent initiations, although at different levels of quality and quantity throughout PECS training. Results demonstrate a functional relationship between the teaching of PECS and the increase of independent initiations, and these independent initiations continued to improve after initial training. In addition, problem behaviors (off-task and tantrum behaviors) were monitored to assess the collateral effects of PECS training. Results of data collection on untreated problem behaviors showed marked decreases, especially in the last half of PECS training, and remained below baseline levels during follow-up. The results of this study suggest that participants taught via PECS increased their initiation of requests, thereby increasing their independence and choice making, which also appears to have collateral effects on problem behaviors. This study extends the literature on PECS training with adults with developmental disabilities and severe communication deficits by demonstrating that at least one of the participants learned all six phases. This study also demonstrates collateral changes in untreated problem behaviors in this adult population.

Positive behavior support (PBS) plans are required practice for students whose behaviors impede their learning or that of others. Educators of children and youth with autism and other developmental disorders represent a subgroup of special educators who are frequently involved in the development of PBS plans. The goal of this research was to assess the effect of a specific, brief training delivered to improve the substantive, evidence-based quality of PBS plans developed by autism educators in a graduate-level university program. Intra-individual tests of significance revealed that the training significantly improved the quality of PBS plans. The plan components with the highest ratings were predictors of problem behavior and behavioral definition, whereas the components with the lowest ratings were behavioral goals/objectives and team communication. The implications for delivering brief trainings to improve evidence-based practice, as well as limitations and future directions, are discussed.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of two trainings designed to increase the competencies of professionals to develop high quality positive behavior support plans for students that engage in problem behaviors that interfere with theirs and/or others' ability to learn. Training one consisted of training aendees on six key concepts of behavior analysis, and team functioning, that are supported by the research as best practice for effective behavior change. Training two concentrated on training aendees how to evaluate and rate the quality of PBS plans using an evidence-based rating instrument. Results of the professional trainings revealed that participants were nearly four times more likely to develop PBS plans that were rated as good or superior aer receiving training on how to evaluate and rate the quality of PBS plans than receiving training on the six key concepts alone. The implications for professional pre- and in-service training to enhance the skills of educators in developing PBS plans based on functional behavioral assessments are discussed.

In perfused rat liver, hepatocyte shrinkage induces a Fyn-dependent retrieval of the bile salt export pump (Bsep) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) from the canalicular membrane (Cantore, M., Reinehr, R., Sommerfeld, A., Becker, M., and Haussinger, D. (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 45014-45029) leading to cholestasis. However little is known about the effects of hyperosmolarity on short term regulation of the Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), the major bile salt uptake system at the sinusoidal membrane of hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to analyze hyperosmotic Ntcp regulation and the underlying signaling events. Hyperosmolarity induced a significant retrieval of Ntcp from the basolateral membrane, which was accompanied by an activating phosphorylation of the Src kinases Fyn and Yes but not of c-Src. Hyperosmotic internalization of Ntcp was sensitive to SU6656 and PP-2, suggesting that Fyn mediates Ntcp retrieval from the basolateral membrane. Hyperosmotic internalization of Ntcp was also found in livers from wild-type mice but not in p47(phox) knock-out mice. Tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) and cAMP reversed hyperosmolarity-induced Fyn activation and triggered re-insertion of the hyperosmotically retrieved Ntcp into the membrane. This was associated with dephosphorylation of the Ntcp on serine residues. Insertion of Ntcp by TUDC was sensitive to the integrin inhibitory hexapeptide GRGDSP and inhibition of protein kinase A. TUDC also reversed the hyperosmolarity-induced retrieval of bile salt export pump from the canalicular membrane. These findings suggest a coordinated and oxidative stress- and Fyn-dependent retrieval of sinusoidal and canalicular bile salt transport systems from the corresponding membranes. Ntcp insertion was also identified as a novel target of β1-integrin-dependent TUDC action, which is frequently used in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (2004) renewed the commitment to provide positive behavioral support (PBS) for students that engage in persistent problem behavior. Behavior intervention plans (also known as PBS plans) serve as legal documents that help guide the implementation of intervention strategies to encourage more positive forms of behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the substantive adequacy of PBS plans developed for special education students. This was accomplished by documenting the content of plans developed by two different groups of educators using a rating instrument based on the key concepts of PBS planning. Results revealed that the majority of plans developed by teams without identified training and expertise in PBS were rated as substantively inadequate, lacking critical information related to effective behavioral support planning. The implications of the results for everyday practice in the schools and directions for future research are discussed.

The Stockwell transform (ST), recently developed for geophysics, combines features of the Fourier, Gabor and wavelet transforms; it reveals frequency variation over time or space. This valuable information is obtained by Fourier analysis of a small segment of a signal at a time. Localization of the Fourier spectrum is achieved by filtering the signal with frequency-dependent Gaussian scaling windows. This multi-scale time-frequency analysis provides information about which frequencies occur and more importantly when they occur. Furthermore, the Stockwell domain can be directly inferred from the Fourier domain and vice versa. These features make the ST a potentially effective tool to visualize, analyze, and process medical imaging data. The ST has proven useful in noise reduction and tissue texture analysis. Herein, we focus on the theory and effectiveness of the ST for medical imaging. Its effectiveness and comparison with other linear time-frequency transforms, such as the Gabor and wavelet transforms, are discussed and demonstrated using functional magnetic resonance imaging data.

SUMMARY Public schools that use punitive approaches toward student discipline can unwittingly promote violence and other antisocial behavior. This article reviews constructive and preventive methods to reduce school violence and vandalism. Various strategies are presented and discussed.

Living and working as a remote, rural social worker is a challenging experience. This qualitative study explores the experiences of five longer-term social workers in rural Western Australia. It provides a glimpse of their world including initial experiences, factors which support long-term rural practice, the demands and skills needed, the difficulties working in a bureaucracy and the positive aspects of rural practice. Tentative conclusions indicate that rural practice is distinct, due to the demands of living and working in the same community. Moreover, skills must be applied in the context of few secondary referral points or after hours services, and huge distances. The difficulty of maintaining professional identity and feelings of personal isolation are significant, but are compensated for by families who are settled and reluctant to leave, These findings can be used to inform social work education and improve retention of workers and quality of rural practice.

Functional assessments, how they are conducted, and their relevance to selecting effective interventions are discussed. Functional assessments can help the school psychologist determine the purpose of the student’s behavior. Once the purpose is determined, more relevant and effective reinforcement approaches to behavior change can be selected than when interventions are arbitrarily chosen. When functional assessments are used, the emphasis changes from what can be done to the student to stop the problem behavior to what changes can be made in the school and/or home environments to enable students to achieve their potential.

Recent California legislation required the City of Los Angeles to prepare air toxics emissions inventories at its four wastewater treatment plants. This paper presents the results of these inventories, including descriptions of available estimation methods, rationale for method selection, intercomparisons of available methods, and comparisons of emissions by treatment plants. Results of required health risk assessments are also discussed. Observations on the emission inventory process at wastewater treatment plants are offered

Nursing Management's Editorial Advisory Board predicts the top 10 trends that will impact nurse leaders in 2000. Use them to lead in the new millennium.

Using one's leverage in health care negotiation does not mean intimidating, threatening, or even demanding a certain percentage of the premium. Leveraging is not a game of who wins and who loses; rather, it is a negotiation technique. The authors explain how to best use the abilities and proficiencies of a provider group to negotiate contracts with MCOs.

Melanie Richards was a $3.5 million baby who provided the motivation for developing the case management model used by Friendly Hills HealthCare Network. Born five years ago with gastroschisis, Melanie was transferred from Friendly Hills Regional Medical Center to a tertiary care hospital, where she spent 11 1/2 months in the neonatal intensive care unit. No discharge plans were ever made, and it wasn't until Friendly Hills HealthCare Network started to manage Melanie's care that anyone imagined that this infant could go home, should go home, and would thrive at home. Case management saved Melanie's life, saved money in the long run, and is credited with changing the entire method Friendly Hills HealthCare Network uses for complicated cases.

“Crime and violence threaten the viability of our public schools,” said United States Attorney General William French Smith (Nicholson, 1981). Speaking during June, 1981, Smith called for a crackdown on violence and vandalism in the schools, stating that more than 250,000 students and 5,000 teachers are physically assaulted in a typical month. In addition, the National School Resource Network and the California Safety Center (Nicholson, 1981) report that more than $600 million is spent annually on school property repair, security devices, insurance, and guards.

School vandalism, a complex problem area of extreme social importance, is increasing in magnitude. Nationwide, over 5,000 assaults on teachers are reported each month, and over $500 million is spent each year to repair damage done by school-aged vandals (National Institute of Education, 1978). It was reported in a recent Los Angeles County School Attendance and Welfare Bulletin (Note 1) that in school districts throughout Los Angeles County the average vandalism costs were in excess of $8.5 million for the 1978–1979 school year, a 56% increase over the 1977–1978 school year. Additional indirect expenses are incurred by school districts for insurance, security guards, and other presumed deterrents to vandalism. These expenses appear to exceed the cost of repairing the effects of vandalism. The Los Angeles Unified School District’s Security Section, for example, had a budget of about $10 million for personnel salaries alone, an increase of nearly $4 million since 1978.

Multiple correlates and determinants of antisocial behavior within the home, community, and school are reviewed. Due to the school's pivotal role in our society, an emphasis is placed on how our schools contribute to antisocial behavior, and what educators can do to prevent anti-social behavior and related attendance problems. A variety of contextual factors and setting events within our schools appear to be major contributors to antisocial behavior, and some of the same factors identified within the schools also have been identified within the home. These setting events, rather than quick restrictive fixes, must be given more attention if we are to provide safe school environments-environments that durably prevent antisocial behavior and related attendance problems.

This paper deals with the future of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). It looks at the origins of CRAF, its organization, its performance during the Desert Shield/Desert Storm deployment, and how lessons learned have been incorporated into the operations of the Air Mobility Command (AMC). This paper also examines current issues affecting the CRAF and initiatives designed to encourage continued CRAF participation by U. S. airlines. The author concludes that the CRAF program is in excellent shape and ready to contribute to the deployment of U.S. forces 'anywhere, anytime'.

A long-distance monitor lidar should feature high radiation intensity (of the order of hundreds of millijoules), because a scattered light intensity falls with distance more rapidly than R2. The laser radiation spectral width should be sufficiently small (of the order of hundreds small or the order of one tenth of an angstrom).