Search results for ""national academies press""

Automation in air traffic control may increase efficiency, but it also raises questions about adequate human control over automated systems. Following on the panel's first volume on air traffic control automation, Flight to the Future (NRC, 1997), this book focuses on the interaction of pilots and air traffic controllers, with a growing network of automated functions in the airspace system. The panel offers recommendations for development of human-centered automation, addressing key areas such as providing levels of automation that are appropriate to levels of risk, examining procedures for recovery from emergencies, free flight versus ground-based authority, and more. The book explores ways in which technology can build on human strengths and compensate for human vulnerabilities, minimizing both mistrust of automation and complacency about its abilities. The panel presents an overview of emerging technologies and trends toward automation within the national airspace system?in areas such as global positioning and other aspects of surveillance, flight information provided to pilots an controllers, collision avoidance, strategic long-term planning, and systems for training and maintenance. The book examines how to achieve better integration of research and development, including the importance of user involvement in air traffic control. It also discusses how to harmonize the wide range of functions in the national airspace system, with a detailed review of the free flight initiative. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary Part I: Automation Issues and Emerging Technologies 1 Automation Issues in Air Traffic Management 2 Emerging Technological Resources Part II: Current and Envisioned Automation of Air Traffic Control Tasks 3 Surveillance and Communication 4 Flight Information 5 Immediate Conflict Avoidance 6 Strategic Long-Range Planning 7 Support Functions Part III: Integration 8 Integration of Research and Development 9 Airspace System Integration: The Concept of Free Flight 10 Conclusions and Recommendations References Appendixes Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Index Color Plates

Read more less

The 2001 National Research Council (NRC) report Basic Research Opportunities in Earth Science (BROES) described how basic research in the Earth sciences serves five national imperatives: (1) discovery, use, and conservation of natural resources; (2) characterization and mitigation of natural hazards; (3) geotechnical support of commercial and infrastructure development; (4) stewardship of the environment; and (5) terrestrial surveillance for global security and national defense. This perspective is even more pressing today, and will persist into the future, with ever-growing emphasis. Today's world-with headlines dominated by issues involving fossil fuel and water resources, earthquake and tsunami disasters claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damages, profound environmental changes associated with the evolving climate system, and nuclear weapons proliferation and testing-has many urgent societal issues that need to be informed by sound understanding of the Earth sciences. A national strategy to sustain basic research and training of expertise across the full spectrum of the Earth sciences is motivated by these national imperatives. New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences identifies new and emerging research opportunities in the Earth sciences over the next decade, including surface and deep Earth processes and interdisciplinary research with fields such as ocean and atmospheric sciences, biology, engineering, computer science, and social and behavioral sciences. The report also identifies key instrumentation and facilities needed to support these new and emerging research opportunities. The report describes opportunities for increased cooperation in these new and emerging areas between EAR and other government agency programs, industry, and international programs, and suggests new ways that EAR can help train the next generation of Earth scientists, support young investigators, and increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the field. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Earth Sciences in the 21st Century 2 New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences 3 Findings and Recommendations References Appendixes Appendix A: List of Background Materials Appendix B: List of Contributors Appendix C: Committee and Staff Biographies

Read more less

Since 1944, the National Research Council (NRC) has published seven editions of the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle. This reference has guided nutritionists and other professionals in academia and the cattle and feed industries in developing and implementing nutritional and feeding programs for beef cattle. The cattle industry has undergone considerable changes since the seventh revised edition was published in 2000 and some of the requirements and recommendations set forth at that time are no longer relevant or appropriate. The eighth revised edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle builds on the previous editions. A great deal of new research has been published during the past 14 years and there is a large amount of new information for many nutrients. In addition to a thorough and current evaluation of the literature on the energy and nutrient requirements of beef in all stages of life, this volume includes new information about phosphorus and sulfur contents; a review of nutritional and feeding strategies to minimize nutrient losses in manure and reduce greenhouse gas production; a discussion of the effect of feeding on the nutritional quality and food safety of beef; new information about nutrient metabolism and utilization; new information on feed additives that alter rumen metabolism and postabsorptive metabolism; and future areas of needed research. The tables of feed ingredient composition are significantly updated. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle represents a comprehensive review of the most recent information available on beef cattle nutrition and ingredient composition that will allow efficient, profitable, and environmentally conscious beef production. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary

Read more less

On March 19, 2014, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a workshop on the topic of the sharing of data from environmental health research. Experts in the field of environmental health agree that there are benefits to sharing research data, but questions remain regarding how to effectively make these data available. The sharing of data derived from human subjects-making them both transparent and accessible to others-raises a host of ethical, scientific, and process questions that are not always present in other areas of science, such as physics, geology, or chemistry. The workshop participants explored key concerns, principles, and obstacles to the responsible sharing of data used in support of environmental health research and policy making while focusing on protecting the privacy of human subjects and addressing the concerns of the research community. Principles and Obstacles for Sharing Data from Environmental Health Research summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Current Approaches and Weaknesses of Those Approaches 3 The Benefits of Data Sharing 4 Issues and Challenges Associated with Data Sharing 5 Possible Ways Forward Appendix A: Agenda Appendix B: Speaker Biographical Sketches

Read more less

Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S. competitiveness and to better prepare the workforce, A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field. A Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators. This book identifies three dimensions that convey the core ideas and practices around which science and engineering education in these grades should be built. These three dimensions are: crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science through their common application across science and engineering; scientific and engineering practices; and disciplinary core ideas in the physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences and for engineering, technology, and the applications of science. The overarching goal is for all high school graduates to have sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues, be careful consumers of scientific and technical information, and enter the careers of their choice. A Framework for K-12 Science Education is the first step in a process that can inform state-level decisions and achieve a research-grounded basis for improving science instruction and learning across the country. The book will guide standards developers, teachers, curriculum designers, assessment developers, state and district science administrators, and educators who teach science in informal environments. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary PART I: A Vision for K-12 Science Education 1 A New Conceptual Framework 2 Guiding Assumptions and Organization of the Framework PART II: Dimensions of the Framework 3 Dimension 1: Scientific and Engineering Practices 4 Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts 5 Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas - Physical Sciences 6 Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas - Life Sciences 7 Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas - Earth and Space Sciences 8 Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas - Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science PART III: Realizing the Vision 9 Integrating the Three Dimensions 10 Implementation: Curriculum, Instruction, Teacher Development, and Assessment 11 Equity and Diversity in Science and Engineering Education 12 Guidance for Standards Developers 13 Looking Toward the Future: Research and Development to Inform K-12 Science Education Standards APPENDIXES Appendix A: Summary of Public Feedback and Subsequent Revisions Appendix B: Bibliography of References Consulted on Teaching and Learning Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff Appendix D: Design Team Members Index Photo Credits

Read more less

This volume reports on discussions among multiple stakeholders about ways they might help transform health care in the United States. The U.S. healthcare system consists of a complex network of decentralized and loosely associated organizations, services, relationships, and participants. Each of the healthcare system's component sectors--patients, healthcare professionals, healthcare delivery organizations, healthcare product developers, clinical investigators and evaluators, regulators, insurers, employers and employees, and individuals involved in information technology--conducts activities that support a common goal: to improve patient health and wellbeing. Implicit in this goal is the commitment of each stakeholder group to contribute to the evidence base for health care, that is, to assist with the development and application of information about the efficacy, safety, effectiveness, value, and appropriateness of the health care delivered.

Read more less

The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative was launched in 2003 to stimulate new modes of scientific inquiry and break down the conceptual and institutional barriers to interdisciplinary research. At the Conference on Complex Systems, participants were divided into twelve interdisciplinary working groups. The groups spent nine hours over two days exploring diverse challenges at the interface of science, engineering, and medicine. The groups included researchers from science, engineering, and medicine, as well as representatives from private and public funding agencies, universities, businesses, journals, and the science media. The groups needed to address the challenge of communicating and working together from a diversity of expertise and perspectives as they attempted to solve complicated, interdisciplinary problems in a relatively short time. The summaries contained in this volume describe the problem and outline the approach taken, including what research needs to be done to understand the fundamental science behind the challenge, the proposed plan for engineering the application, the reasoning that went into it and the benefits to society of the problem solution.

Read more less

Diane France loves bones. Why? Because they talk to her. Every skeleton she meets whispers secrets about the life?and death?of its owner. Diane France can hear those secrets because she's a forensic anthropologist, a bone detective. She has the science skills and know-how to examine bones for clues to a mystery: Who was this person and how did he or she die? Bones tell Diane about the life and times of famous people in history, from a Russian royal family to American outlaws and war heroes. They speak to her about murders, mass disasters, and fatal accidents. One day she's collecting skeletal evidence at a crime scene. A phone call later she's jetting to the site of a plane crash or other unexpected tragedy to identify victims. Young readers will be captivated by the thrilling real-life story of this small-town girl full of curiosity and mischief who became a world-famous bone detective. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Diane France's Brain

Read more less

Successful scientists must be effective communicators within their professions. Without those skills, they could not write papers and funding proposals, give talks and field questions, or teach classes and mentor students. However, communicating with audiences outside their profession - people who may not share scientists' interests, technical background, cultural assumptions, and modes of expression - presents different challenges and requires additional skills. Communication about science in political or social settings differs from discourse within a scientific discipline. Not only are scientists just one of many stakeholders vying for access to the public agenda, but the political debates surrounding science and its applications may sometimes confront scientists with unfamiliar and uncomfortable discussions involving religious values, partisan interests, and even the trustworthiness of science. The Science of Science Communication II is the summary of a Sackler Colloquium convened in September 2013 At this event, leading social, behavioral, and decision scientists, other scientists, and communication practitioners shared current research that can improve the communication of science to lay audiences. In the Sackler Colloquia tradition, the meeting also allowed social and natural scientists to identify new opportunities to collaborate and advance their own research, while improving public engagement with science. Speakers provided evidence-based guidance on how to listen to others so as to identify their information needs, ways of thinking about the world, and the cultural stereotypes regarding scientists. They delved deeply into the incentive systems that shape what scientists study and how they report their work, the subtle changes in framing that can influence how messages are interpreted, the complex channels that determine how messages flow, and the potential politicization of scientific evidence.

Read more less

Proper formulation of diets for horses depends on adequate knowledge of their nutrient requirements. These requirements depend on the breed and age of the horse and whether it is exercising, pregnant, or lactating. A great deal of new information has been accumulated since the publication 17 years ago of the last edition of Nutrient Requirements of Horses. This new edition features a detailed review of scientific literature, summarizing all the latest information, and provides a new set of requirements based on revised data. Also included is updated information on the composition of feeds, feed additives, and other compounds routinely fed to horses. The effects of physiological factors, such as exercise, and environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, are covered, as well. Nutrient Requirements of Horses also contains information on several nutritional and metabolic diseases that horses often have. Designed primarily as a reference, both practical and technical, Nutrient Requirements of Horses is intended to ensure that the diets of horses and other equids contain adequate amounts of nutrients and that the intakes of certain nutrients are not so excessive that they inhibit performance or impair health. This book is primarily intended for animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and other scientists; however, individual horse owners and managers will also find some of this material useful. Professors who teach graduate courses in animal nutrition will find Nutrient Requirements of Horses beneficial as a textbook.

Read more less

Next Generation Science Standards identifies the science all K-12 students should know. These new standards are based on the National Research Council's A Framework for K-12 Science Education. The National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Achieve have partnered to create standards through a collaborative state-led process. The standards are rich in content and practice and arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education. The print version of Next Generation Science Standards complements the nextgenscience.org website and: Provides an authoritative offline reference to the standards when creating lesson plans Arranged by grade level and by core discipline, making information quick and easy to find Printed in full color with a lay-flat spiral binding Allows for bookmarking, highlighting, and annotating Table of Contents Front Matter NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS: Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas Connections to Standards: Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS: Arranged by Topics Connections to Standards: Arranged by Topics VOLUME 2: APPENDIXES APPENDIX A: Conceptual Shifts in the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX B: Responses to the Public Drafts APPENDIX C: College And Career Readiness APPENDIX D: "All Standards, All Students": Making the Next Generation Science Standards Accessible to All Students APPENDIX E: Disciplinary Core Idea Progressions in the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX F: Science and Engineering Practices in the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX G: Crosscutting Concepts in the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX H: Understanding the Scientific Enterprise: The Nature of Science in the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX I: Engineering Design in the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX J: Science, Technology, Society, and the Environment APPENDIX K: Model Course Mapping in Middle and High School for the Next Generation Science Standards APPENDIX L: Connections to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics APPENDIX M: Connections to the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects

Read more less

Manufacturing is in a period of dramatic transformation. But in the United States, public and political dialogue is simplistically focused almost entirely on the movement of certain manufacturing jobs overseas to low-wage countries. The true picture is much more complicated, and also more positive, than this dialogue implies. After years of despair, many observers of US manufacturing are now more optimistic. A recent uptick in manufacturing employment and output in the United States is one factor they cite, but the main reasons for optimism are much more fundamental. Manufacturing is changing in ways that may favor American ingenuity. Rapidly advancing technologies in areas such as biomanufacturing, robotics, smart sensors, cloud-based computing, and nanotechnology have transformed not only the factory floor but also the way products are invented and designed, putting a premium on continual innovation and highly skilled workers. A shift in manufacturing toward smaller runs and custom-designed products is favoring agile and adaptable workplaces, business models, and employees, all of which have become a specialty in the United States. Future manufacturing will involve a global supply web, but the United States has a potentially great advantage because of our tight connections among innovations, design, and manufacturing and also our ability to integrate products and services. The National Academy of Engineering has been concerned about the issues surrounding manufacturing and is excited by the prospect of dramatic change. On June 11-12, 2012, it hosted a workshop in Washington, DC, to discuss the new world of manufacturing and how to position the United States to thrive in this world. The workshop steering committee focused on two particular goals. First, presenters and participants were to examine not just manufacturing but the broad array of activities that are inherently associated with manufacturing, including innovation and design. Second, the committee wanted to focus not just on making things but on making value, since value is the quality that will underlie high-paying jobs in America's future. Making Value: Integrating Manufacturing, Design, and Innovation to Thrive in the Changing Global Economy summarizes the workshop and the topics discussed by participants. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Making Value Through Integrated Innovation, Design, Manufacturing, and Service 2 Building the Ecosystem for Making Value Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: Biographical Information

Read more less

The scientific research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without bias. But this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct. On Being a Scientist was designed to supplement the informal lessons in ethics provided by research supervisors and mentors. The book describes the ethical foundations of scientific practices and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers encounter in their work. It applies to all forms of research-whether in academic, industrial, or governmental settings-and to all scientific disciplines. This third edition of On Being a Scientist reflects developments since the publication of the original edition in 1989 and a second edition in 1995. A continuing feature of this edition is the inclusion of a number of hypothetical scenarios offering guidance in thinking about and discussing these scenarios. On Being a Scientist is aimed primarily at graduate students and beginning researchers, but its lessons apply to all scientists at all stages of their scientific careers. Table of Contents Front Matter Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research Advising and Mentoring The Treatment of Data Mistakes and Negligence Research Misconduct Responding to Suspected Violations of Professional Standards Human Participants and Animal Subjects in Research Laboratory Safety in Research Sharing of Research Results Authorship and the Allocation of Credit Intellectual Property Competing Interests, Commitments, and Values The Researcher in Society Appendix: Discussion of Case Studies Additional Resources

Read more less

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory-the book that has served for decades as the standard for chemical laboratory safety practice-now features updates and new topics. This revised edition has an expanded chapter on chemical management and delves into new areas, such as nanotechnology, laboratory security, and emergency planning. Developed by experts from academia and industry, with specialties in such areas as chemical sciences, pollution prevention, and laboratory safety, Prudent Practices in the Laboratory provides guidance on planning procedures for the handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals. The book offers prudent practices designed to promote safety and includes practical information on assessing hazards, managing chemicals, disposing of wastes, and more. Prudent Practices in the Laboratory will continue to serve as the leading source of chemical safety guidelines for people working with laboratory chemicals: research chemists, technicians, safety officers, educators, and students. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 The Culture of Laboratory Safety 2 Environmental Health and Safety Management System 3 Emergency Planning 4 Evaluating Hazards and Assessing Risks in the Laboratory 5 Management of Chemicals 6 Working with Chemicals 7 Working with Laboratory Equipment 8 Management of Waste 9 Laboratory Facilities 10 Laboratory Security 11 Safety Laws and Standards Pertinent to Laboratories Bibliography APPENDIXES Appendix A: OSHA Laboratory Standard Appendix B: Statement of Task Appendix C: Committee Member Biographies Index

Read more less

The agencies within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) depend on advanced technology to achieve their goals. While AI, cloud computing, advanced sensors, and big data analytics will fundamentally change both the global threat landscape and IC tradecraft, advances from biology, chemistry, materials, quantum science, network science, social/behavioral/economic sciences, and other fields also have that potential. Maintaining awareness of advances in science and technology is more essential than ever, to avoid surprise, to inflict surprise on adversaries, and to leverage those advances for the benefit of the nation and the IC. This report explores ways in which the IC might leverage the future research and development ecosystem. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 A Vision for Strengthening the IC's Ability to Leverage S&T 3 Leveraging the S&T Activities of Other Federal Agencies 4 Leveraging Expertise from the Full U.S. S&T Ecosystem 5 Leveraging the Global S&T Community Appendixes Appendix A: Leveraging the Future Research and Development Ecosystem for the Intelligence Community by the U.S. Research Community: Proceedings of a Workshop - in Brief Appendix B: Leveraging the Future Research and Development Ecosystem for the Intelligence Community - Understanding the International Aspect of the Landscape: Proceedings of a Workshop - in Brief Appendix C: Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix D: Committee Member Biographical Information

Read more less

Aquaculture now supplies half of the seafood and fisheries products consumed worldwide and is gaining international significance as a source of food and income. Future demands for seafood and fisheries products can only be met by expanded aquaculture production. Such production will likely become more intensive and will depend increasingly on nutritious and efficient aquaculture feeds containing ingredients from sustainable sources. To meet this challenge, Nutrient Requirements of Fish and Shrimp provides a comprehensive summary of current knowledge about nutrient requirements of fish and shrimp and supporting nutritional science. This edition incorporates new material and significant updates to information in the 1993 edition. It also examines the practical aspects of feeding of fish and shrimp. Nutrient Requirements of Fish and Shrimp will be a key resource for everyone involved in aquaculture and for others responsible for the feeding and care of fish and shrimp. It will also aid scientists in developing new and improved approaches to satisfy the demands of the growing aquaculture industry.

Read more less

A very high portion of the seafood we eat comes from abroad, mainly from China and Southeast Asia, and most of the active ingredients in medicines we take originate in other countries. Many low- and middle-income countries have lower labor costs and fewer and less stringent environmental regulations than the United States, making them attractive places to produce food and chemical ingredients for export. Safe Foods and Medical Products Through Stronger Regulatory Systems Abroad explains that the diversity and scale of imports makes it impractical for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) border inspections to be sufficient to ensure product purity and safety, and incidents such as American deaths due to adulterated heparin imported from China propelled the problem into public awareness. The Institute of Medicine Committee on Strengthening Core Elements of Regulatory Systems in Developing Countries took up the vital task of helping the FDA to cope with the reality that so much of the food, drugs, biologics, and medical products consumed in the United States originate in countries with less-robust regulatory systems. Ensuring Safe Foods and Medical Products Through Stronger Regulatory Systems Abroad describes the ways the United States can help strengthen regulatory systems in low and middle income countries and promote cross-border partnerships - including government, industry, and academia - to foster regulatory science and build a core of regulatory professionals. This report also emphasizes an array of practical approaches to ensure sound regulatory practices in today's interconnected world. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Core Elements of Regulatory Systems 3 Critical Issues 4 A Strategy to Building Food and Medical Product Regulatory Systems 5 International Action 6 Domestic Action 7 Conclusions and Priorities Appendix A: Glossary Appendix B: A Review of Tort Liability's Role in Food and Medical Product Regulation Appendix C: Food and Medical Product Regulatory Systems of South Africa, Brazil, India, and China Appendix D: Chinese Food Regulatory System Appendix E: Meeting Agendas Appendix F: Committee Member Biographies Appendix G: Analyzing Food Safety Alerts in European Union Rapid Alerts Systems for Food and Feed Appendix H: Strengthening Core Elements of Regulatory Systems in Developing Countries: Identifying Priorities and an Appropriate Role for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Read more less

In the devastation that follows a major disaster, there is a need for multiple sectors to unite and devote new resources to support the rebuilding of infrastructure, the provision of health and social services, the restoration of care delivery systems, and other critical recovery needs. In some cases, billions of dollars from public, private and charitable sources are invested to help communities recover. National rhetoric often characterizes these efforts as a "return to normal." But for many American communities, pre-disaster conditions are far from optimal. Large segments of the U.S. population suffer from preventable health problems, experience inequitable access to services, and rely on overburdened health systems. A return to pre-event conditions in such cases may be short-sighted given the high costs - both economic and social - of poor health. Instead, it is important to understand that the disaster recovery process offers a series of unique and valuable opportunities to improve on the status quo. Capitalizing on these opportunities can advance the long-term health, resilience, and sustainability of communities - thereby better preparing them for future challenges. Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters identifies and recommends recovery practices and novel programs most likely to impact overall community public health and contribute to resiliency for future incidents. This book makes the case that disaster recovery should be guided by a healthy community vision, where health considerations are integrated into all aspects of recovery planning before and after a disaster, and funding streams are leveraged in a coordinated manner and applied to health improvement priorities in order to meet human recovery needs and create healthy built and natural environments. The conceptual framework presented in Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters lays the groundwork to achieve this goal and provides operational guidance for multiple sectors involved in community planning and disaster recovery. Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities After Disasters calls for actions at multiple levels to facilitate recovery strategies that optimize community health. With a shared healthy community vision, strategic planning that prioritizes health, and coordinated implementation, disaster recovery can result in a communities that are healthier, more livable places for current and future generations to grow and thrive - communities that are better prepared for future adversities. Table of Contents Front Matter Abstract Summary PART I: A HEALTHY COMMUNITY APPROACH TO DISASTER RECOVERY 1 Introduction 2 Post-Disaster Opportunities to Advance Healthy, Resilient, and Sustainable Communities 3 A Framework for Integrating Health into Recovery Planning 4 Leveraging Recovery Resources in a Coordinated Manner to Achieve Healthier Post-Disaster Communities PART II: OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE TO SUPPORT A HEALTHY COMMUNITY APPROACH TO DISASTER RECOVERY 5 Public Health 6 Health Care 7 Behavioral Health 8 Social Services 9 Place-Based Recovery Strategies for Healthy Communities 10 Healthy Housing PART III: APPENDIXES Appendix A: The Federal Policy Environment Influencing Disaster Recovery Appendix B: Disaster Recovery Funding: Achieving a Resilient Future? Appendix C: Additional Resources Appendix D: Measures and Tools for Healthy Communities Appendix E: Committee-Identified Research Needs Appendix F: Key to Select Terms Used to Describe Primary Actors and Key Partners in Chapter 510 Checklists Appendix G: Public Committee Meeting Agendas Appendix H: Committee Biosketches

Read more less

Updating two previous National Research Council publications, Nutrient Requirements of Sheep, Sixth Revised Edition, 1985, and Nutrient Requirements of Goats, First Edition, 1981, this new book provides an evaluation of the scientific literature on the nutrient requirements of small ruminants in all stages of life. In addition, effects of the environment, feed additives, and metabolism modifiers on nutrient requirements are addressed. Proper formulation of diets for small ruminants depends on adequate knowledge of their nutrient requirements. These requirements depend on the breed and age of the animal and whether he or she is exercising, pregnant, or lactating. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants brings together a summary of this latest data with new and expanded information on the composition of feeds commonly consumed by small ruminants, both domestic and wild. For the first time this authoritative reference work includes information on cervids and camelids. Primarily intended for animal nutritionists, veterinarians, and other scientists, some sections will be useful to individual sheep and goat owners and managers and to those responsible for the care and management of wildlife species. As both a practical and a technical reference book, this material is written to ensure that diets of small ruminants contain adequate amounts of nutrients and that intakes of certain nutrients are not so excessive that they inhibit performance or impair health.

Read more less

Experts estimate that as many as 98,000 people die in any given year from medical errors that occur in hospitals. That's more than die from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, or AIDS?three causes that receive far more public attention. Indeed, more people die annually from medication errors than from workplace injuries. Add the financial cost to the human tragedy, and medical error easily rises to the top ranks of urgent, widespread public problems. To Err Is Human breaks the silence that has surrounded medical errors and their consequence?but not by pointing fingers at caring health care professionals who make honest mistakes. After all, to err is human. Instead, this book sets forth a national agenda?with state and local implications?for reducing medical errors and improving patient safety through the design of a safer health system. This volume reveals the often startling statistics of medical error and the disparity between the incidence of error and public perception of it, given many patients' expectations that the medical profession always performs perfectly. A careful examination is made of how the surrounding forces of legislation, regulation, and market activity influence the quality of care provided by health care organizations and then looks at their handling of medical mistakes. Using a detailed case study, the book reviews the current understanding of why these mistakes happen. A key theme is that legitimate liability concerns discourage reporting of errors?which begs the question, "How can we learn from our mistakes?" Balancing regulatory versus market-based initiatives and public versus private efforts, the Institute of Medicine presents wide-ranging recommendations for improving patient safety, in the areas of leadership, improved data collection and analysis, and development of effective systems at the level of direct patient care. To Err Is Human asserts that the problem is not bad people in health care?it is that good people are working in bad systems that need to be made safer. Comprehensive and straightforward, this book offers a clear prescription for raising the level of patient safety in American health care. It also explains how patients themselves can influence the quality of care that they receive once they check into the hospital. This book will be vitally important to federal, state, and local health policy makers and regulators, health professional licensing officials, hospital administrators, medical educators and students, health caregivers, health journalists, patient advocates?as well as patients themselves. First in a series of publications from the Quality of Health Care in America, a project initiated by the Institute of Medicine Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Patient Safety 2 Errors in Health Care: A Leading Cause of Death and Injury 3 Why Do Errors Happen? 4 Building Leadership and Knowledge for Patient Safety 5 Error Reporting Systems 6 Protecting Voluntary Reporting Systems from Legal Discovery 7 Setting Performance Standards and Expectations for Patient Safety 8 Creating Safety Systems in Health Care Organizations A Background and Methodology B Glossary and Acronyms C Literature Summary D Characteristics of State Adverse Event Reporting Systems E Safety Activities in Health Care Organizations Index

Read more less

Developing credible short-term and long-term projections of Medicare health care costs is critical for public- and private-sector policy planning, but faces challenges and uncertainties. There is uncertainty not only in the underlying economic and demographic assumptions used in projection models, but also in what a policy modeler assumes about future changes in the health status of the population and the factors affecting health status , the extent and pace of scientific and technological breakthroughs in medical care, the preferences of the population for particular kinds of care, the likelihood that policy makers will alter current law and regulations, and how each of these factors relates to health care costs for the elderly population. Given the substantial growth in the Medicare population and the continued increases in Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance spending, the availability of well-specified models and analyses that can provide useful information on the likely cost implications of health care policy alternatives is essential. It is therefore timely to review the capabilities and limitations of extant health care cost models and to identify areas for research that offer the most promise to improve modeling, not only of current U.S. health care programs, but also of policy alternatives that may be considered in the coming years. The National Research Council conducted a public workshop focusing on areas of research needed to improve health care cost projections for the Medicare population, and on the strengths and weaknesses of competing frameworks for projecting health care expenditures for the elderly. The workshop considered major classes of projection and simulation models that are currently used and the underlying data sources and research inputs for these models. It also explored areas in which additional research and data are needed to inform model development and health care policy analysis more broadly. The workshop, summarized in this volume, drew people from a wide variety of disciplines and perspectives, including federal agencies, academia, and nongovernmental organizations. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction 2 Current Models of Health Care Cost Projections 3 Modeling Medical Technology 4 Factors Affecting Health Status 5 Participants' Views on Needed Research References Appendixes Appendix A: Predicting Medicare Cost Growth--John N. Friedman Appendix B: Workshop Agenda and Presenters Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Steering Committee Members Committee on National Statistics

Read more less

Updating recommendations last made by the National Research Council in the mid-1980s, this report provides nutrient recommendations based on physical activity and stage in life, major factors that influence nutrient needs. It looks at how nutrients are metabolized in the bodies of dogs and cats, indications of nutrient deficiency, and diseases related to poor nutrition. The report provides a valuable resource for industry professionals formulating diets, scientists setting research agendas, government officials developing regulations for pet food labeling, and as a university textbook for dog and cat nutrition. It can also guide pet owners feeding decisions for their pets with information on specific nutrient needs, characteristics of different types of pet foods, and factors to consider when feeding cats and dogs.

Read more less

Adriana Ocampo grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, dreaming about exploring planets. She never doubted that all her dreams would come true someday. How did Adriana land a job with NASA, the U.S. space agency, while still in her teens? How did a robot parked on Mars make her fall in love with rocks and instantly decide to become a planetary geologist? Adriana's imagination and can-do attitude have led her to a life of science adventures. Adriana helped find the missing Crater of Doom, a hole blasted out of Earth by a killer space rock 65 million years ago, when the dinosaurs died out. Now she's searching the world for the stuff that came from that crater. Between rock digs she explores other planets through the electronic eyes of NASA's robotic spacecraft. How did an imaginative young girl with a dream of space exploration become a planetary geologist? Author Lorraine Jean Hopping makes the woman and her science come to life on every page, delighting readers of all ages. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Los Suenos (Dreams)

Read more less

Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy encourages scientists to think differently about the use of scientific evidence in policy making. This report investigates why scientific evidence is important to policy making and argues that an extensive body of research on knowledge utilization has not led to any widely accepted explanation of what it means to use science in public policy. Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy identifies the gaps in our understanding and develops a framework for a new field of research to fill those gaps. For social scientists in a number of specialized fields, whether established scholars or Ph.D. students, Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy shows how to bring their expertise to bear on the study of using science to inform public policy. More generally, this report will be of special interest to scientists who want to see their research used in policy making, offering guidance on what is required beyond producing quality research, beyond translating results into more understandable terms, and beyond brokering the results through intermediaries, such as think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups. For administrators and faculty in public policy programs and schools, Using Science as Evidence in Public Policy identifies critical elements of instruction that will better equip graduates to promote the use of science in policy making. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Why This Report Now 3 The Use of Research Knowledge: Current Scholarship 4 Research on the Use of Science in Policy: A Framework 5 The Next Generation of Researchers and Practitioners References Appendix A: Selected Major Social Science Research Methods: Overview Appendix B: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff

Read more less

A respected resource for decades, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been updated by a committee of experts, taking into consideration input from the scientific and laboratory animal communities and the public at large. The Guide incorporates new scientific information on common laboratory animals, including aquatic species, and includes extensive references. It is organized around major components of animal use: *Key concepts of animal care and use. The Guide sets the framework for the humane care and use of laboratory animals. *Animal care and use program. The Guide discusses the concept of a broad Program of Animal Care and Use, including roles and responsibilities of the Institutional Official, Attending Veterinarian and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. *Animal environment, husbandry, and management. A chapter on this topic is now divided into sections on terrestrial and aquatic animals and provides recommendations for housing and environment, husbandry, behavioral and population management, and more. *Veterinary care. The Guide discusses veterinary care and the responsibilities of the Attending Veterinarian. It includes recommendations on animal procurement and transportation, preventive medicine (including animal biosecurity), and clinical care and management. The Guide addresses distress and pain recognition and relief, and issues surrounding euthanasia. *Physical plant. The Guide identifies design issues, providing construction guidelines for functional areas; considerations such as drainage, vibration and noise control, and environmental monitoring; and specialized facilities for animal housing and research needs. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals provides a framework for the judgments required in the management of animal facilities. This updated and expanded resource of proven value will be important to scientists and researchers, veterinarians, animal care personnel, facilities managers, institutional administrators, policy makers involved in research issues, and animal welfare advocates.

Read more less

As women of childbearing age have become heavier, the trade-off between maternal and child health created by variation in gestational weight gain has become more difficult to reconcile. Weight Gain During Pregnancy responds to the need for a reexamination of the 1990 Institute of Medicine guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy. It builds on the conceptual framework that underscored the 1990 weight gain guidelines and addresses the need to update them through a comprehensive review of the literature and independent analyses of existing databases. The book explores relationships between weight gain during pregnancy and a variety of factors (e.g., the mother's weight and height before pregnancy) and places this in the context of the health of the infant and the mother, presenting specific, updated target ranges for weight gain during pregnancy and guidelines for proper measurement. New features of this book include a specific range of recommended gain for obese women. Weight Gain During Pregnancy is intended to assist practitioners who care for women of childbearing age, policy makers, educators, researchers, and the pregnant women themselves to understand the role of gestational weight gain and to provide them with the tools needed to promote optimal pregnancy outcomes. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Setting the Stage for Revising Pregnancy Weight Guidelines: Conceptual Framework 2 Descriptive Epidemiology and Trends 3 Composition and Components of Gestational Weight Gain: Physiology and Metabolism 4 Determinants of Gestational Weight Gain 5 Consequences of Gestational Weight Gain for the Mother 6 Consequences of Gestational Weight Gain for the Child 7 Determining Optimal Weight Gain 8 Approaches to Achieving Recommended Gestational Weight Gain 9 Open Session and Workshop Agendas 10 Committee Member Biographical Sketches Appendix A: Acronyms and Abbreviations, Glossary, and Supplemental Information Appendix B: Supplementary Information on Nutritional Intake Appendix C: Supplementary Information on Composition and Components of Gestational Weight Gain Appendix D: Summary of Determinants of Gestational Weight Gain Appendix E: Results from the Evidence-Based Report on Outcomes of Maternal Weight Gain Appendix F: Data Tables Appendix G: Consultant Reports Index

Read more less

Adding It Up explores how students in pre-K through 8th grade learn mathematics and recommends how teaching, curricula, and teacher education should change to improve mathematics learning during these critical years. The committee identifies five interdependent components of mathematical proficiency and describes how students develop this proficiency. With examples and illustrations, the book presents a portrait of mathematics learning: Research findings on what children know about numbers by the time they arrive in pre-K and the implications for mathematics instruction. Details on the processes by which students acquire mathematical proficiency with whole numbers, rational numbers, and integers, as well as beginning algebra, geometry, measurement, and probability and statistics. The committee discusses what is known from research about teaching for mathematics proficiency, focusing on the interactions between teachers and students around educational materials and how teachers develop proficiency in teaching mathematics. Table of Contents Front Matter EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 LOOKING AT MATHEMATICS AND LEARNING 2 THE STATE OF SCHOOL MATHEMATICS IN THE UNITED STATES 3 NUMBER: WHAT IS THERE TO KNOW? 4 THE STRANDS OF MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY 5 THE MATHEMATICAL KNOWLEDGE CHILDREN BRING TO SCHOOL 6 DEVELOPING PROFICIENCY WITH WHOLE NUMBERS 7 DEVELOPING PROFICIENCY WITH OTHER NUMBERS 8 DEVELOPING MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY BEYOND NUMBER 9 TEACHING FOR MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY 10 DEVELOPING PROFICIENCY IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS 11 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Read more less

When you purchase a product, you expect it to work. Construction workers on high-rise buildings need to be confident that their safety harnesses will arrest a fall. Firefighters need to know that their gloves and other protective equipment can withstand high temperatures. Healthcare workers administering highly toxic chemotherapy agents need to know that their gloves will withstand penetration. For personal protective technologies (PPT)-where the major purpose of the product is to protect the wearer against a hazard-a deficit in product effectiveness can mean injury, illness, or death. Examining the extent to which products meet specific performance or design criteria is the focus of conformity assessment efforts. For PPT conformity assessment, the ultimate goal is preventing worker illness, injury, or death from hazardous working conditions. Certifying Personal Protective Technologies focuses on conformity assessment for occupational PPT-ensuring that PPT are effective in preventing or reducing hazardous exposures or situations that workers face in their jobs. Because respirators already have an extensive testing and conformity assessment process in place, this book specifically addresses conformity assessment processes for other types of PPT, including eye and face protection, gloves, hearing protectors, and protective clothing. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Role of Government Agencies in Conformity Assessment 3 Current PPT Conformity Assessment Processes 4 Impact and Issues in Conformity Assessment for PPT 5 Conformity Assessment for Non-Respirator PPT: A Risk-Based Framework 6 Findings and Recommendations 7 Toward a Comprehensive Approach to Safe and Effective PPT for Workers Appendix A: Agendas of Public Meetings Appendix B: Workshop Participants Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

Read more less

The National Research Council's Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability hosted "Transitioning to Sustainability through Research and Development on Ecosystem Services and Biofuels: The National Academies' First Federal Sustainability Research and Development Forum" on October 17- 18, 2007. The forum discussed sustainability research and development activities related to ecosystem services and biofuels. The objective of the forum was to identify research gaps and opportunities for collaboration among federal agencies to meet the challenges to sustainability posed by the need to maintain critical ecosystem services, to support the development of alternatives to conventional fossil fuels, and to manage oceans and coastal areas. The forum focused primarily on federal activities, but included the participation of representatives from the private sector, universities, and nongovernmental organizations. This book is a summary the discussions from the forum. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Introduction and Overview 2 Ecosystem Services R&D 3 Biofuels R&D 4 Common Themes Appendix A: Workshop Agenda Appendix B: List of Organizers and Panelists Appendix C: Descriptions of Agency Activities Presented at the Forum on Ecosystem Services and Sustainability Appendix D: Descriptions of Agency Activities Presented at the Forum on Biofuels and Sustainability Appendix E: Biographical Information: Roundtable on Science and Technologyfor Sustainability Appendix F: Federal Sustainability R&D Forum Workshop Participants Appendix G: Biographical Information: Federal Sustainability R&D Forum Speakers and Panelists

Read more less

The national income and product accounts that underlie gross domestic product (GDP), together with other key economic data?price and employment statistics? are widely used as indicators of how well the nation is doing. GDP, however, is focused on the production of goods and services sold in markets and reveals relatively little about important production in the home and other areas outside of markets. A set of satellite accounts?in areas such as health, education, volunteer and home production, and environmental improvement or pollution?would contribute to a better understanding of major issues related to economic growth and societal well-being. Beyond the Market: Designing Nonmarket Accounts for the United States hopes to encourage social scientists to make further efforts and contributions in the analysis of nonmarket activities and in corresponding data collection and accounting systems. The book illustrates new data sources and new ideas that have improved the prospects for progress. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Accounting and Data Foundations 3 Home Production 4 The Role of the Family in the Production of Human Capital 5 Education 6 Health 7 The Government and Private Nonprofit Sectors 8 The Environment References Appendix: Biographical Sketches of Panel Members and Staff Index

Read more less

Sociologists often study exotic cultures by immersing themselves in an environment until they become accepted as insiders. In this fascinating account by acclaimed researcher William A. Corsaro, a scientist "goes native" to study the secret world of children. Here, for the first time, are the children themselves, heard through an expert who knows that the only way to truly understand them is by becoming a member of their community. That's just what Corsaro did when he traded in his adult perspective for a seat in the sandbox alongside groups of preschoolers. Corsaro's journey of discovery is as fascinating as it is revealing. Living among and gaining the acceptance of children, he gradually comes to understand that a child's world is far more complex than anyone ever suspected. He documents a special culture, unique unto itself, in which children create their own social structures and exert their own influences. At a time when many parents fear that they don't spend enough time with their children, and experts debate the best path to healthy development, seeing childhood through the eyes of a child offers parents and caregivers fresh and compelling insights. Corsaro calls upon all adults to appreciate, embrace, and savor their children's culture. He asks us to take a cue from those we hold so precious and understand that "we're all friends, right?" Table of Contents Front Matter Introduction: The Importance and Autonomy of Kids' Culture 1. "Yeah, You're Big Bill": Entering Kids' Culture 2. "We're Friends, Right?": Sharing and Social Participation in Kids' Culture 3. "You Wanna Know What Happend Because You're My Best Friend": Making and Being Friends in Kids Culture 4. "You Can't Talk If You're Dead": Fantasy and Pretend Play 5. "When I Grow Up and You Grow Up, We'll Be The Bosses": Role-Play in Kids' Culture 6. "Arriva La Banca": Kids' Secondary Adjustments to Adult Roles 7. "You Can't Come To My Birthday Party": Conflict in Kids' Culture 8. "Appreciating Childhood": Suggestions for Supporting and Sharing in Kids' Culture Notes Further Reading Index

Read more less

Since 1944, the National Research Council has published 10 editions of the Nutrient Requirements of Swine. This reference has guided nutritionists and other professionals in academia and the swine and feed industries in developing and implementing nutritional and feeding programs for swine. The swine industry has undergone considerable changes since the tenth edition was published in 1998 and some of the requirements and recommendations set forth at that time are no longer relevant or appropriate. The eleventh revised edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Swine builds on the previous editions published by the National Research Council. A great deal of new research has been published during the last 15 years and there is a large amount of new information for many nutrients. In addition to a thorough and current evaluation of the literature on the energy and nutrient requirements of swine in all stages of life, this volume includes information about feed ingredients from the biofuels industry and other new ingredients, requirements for digestible phosphorus and concentrations of it in feed ingredients, a review of the effects of feed additives and feed processing, and strategies to increase nutrient retention and thus reduce fecal and urinary excretions that could contribute to environmental pollution. The tables of feed ingredient composition are significantly updated. Nutrient Requirements of Swine represents a comprehensive review of the most recent information available on swine nutrition and ingredient composition that will allow efficient, profitable, and environmentally conscious swine production.

Read more less

First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methods?to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education. Table of Contents Front Matter I INTRODUCTION 1 Learning: From Speculation to Science II LEARNERS AND LEARNING 2 How Experts Differ from Novices 3 Learning and Transfer 4 How Children Learn 5 Mind and Brain III TEACHERS AND TEACHING 6 The Design of Learning Environments 7 Effective Teaching: Examples in History, Mathematics, and Science 8 Teacher Learning 9 Technology to Support Learning IV FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING 10 Conclusions 11 Next Steps for Research References Biographical Sketches of Committees' Members and Staff Acknowledgments Index

Read more less

In recent years, the field of oncology has witnessed a number of technological advances, including more precise radiation therapy and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Three-dimensional (3D), stereotactic, and proton-beam radiation therapy, as well as laparoscopy and robotic surgery, can enhance clinician's ability to treat conditions that were clinically challenging with conventional technologies, and may improve clinical outcomes or reduce treatment-related problems for some patients. Both patients and physicians seek access to these new technologies, which are rapidly being adopted into standard clinical practice. Such demand is often propelled by marketing that portrays the new technologies as the "latest and greatest" treatments available. However, evidence is often lacking to support these claims, and these novel technologies usually come with higher price tags and are often used to treat patients who might have achieved similar benefits from less expensive, conventional treatment. The increased cost of novel treatments without adequate assessment of how they affect patient outcomes is a pressing concern given that inappropriate use of expensive technologies is one of the key factors that threaten the affordability of cancer care in the United States. To explore these issues further, the National Cancer Policy Forum (NCPF) of the Institute of Medicine organized a workshop in July 2015. This is the third NCPF workshop in a series examining the affordability of cancer care. Participants explored clinical benefits and comparative effectiveness of emerging advanced technologies for cancer treatment in radiation therapy and surgery and potential strategies to assess the value and promote optimal use of new technologies in cancer treatment. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop. Table of Contents Front Matter Workshop Summary Appendix A: Statement of Task Appendix B: Workshop Agenda

Read more less

This letter is the abbreviated version of an update of the interim report on testing, evaluation, costs, and benefits of advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs), issued by the National Academies' Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals in June 2009 (NRC 2009). This letter incorporates findings of the committee since that report was written, and it sharpens and clarifies the messages of the interim report based on subsequent committee investigations of more recent work by the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The key messages in this letter, which is the final report from the committee, are stated briefly in the synopsis on the next page and described more fully in the sections that follow. The committee provides the context for this letter, and then gives advice on: testing, evaluation, assessing costs and benefits, and deployment of advanced spectroscopic portals. The letter closes with a reiteration of the key points. The letter is abbreviated in that a small amount of information that may not be released publicly for security or law-enforcement reasons has been redacted from the version delivered to you in October 2010, but the findings and recommendations remain intact. Table of Contents Front Matter Letter Report References Attachment 1 The Joint Explanatory Statement and the Statement of Task Attachment 2 Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals for Screening Cargo at Ports of Entry INTERIM REPORT Attachment 3 Committee on Advanced Spectroscopic Portals Roster and Brief Biographies Attachment 4 Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board Attachment 5 Reviewers

Read more less

This guide offers helpful advice on how teachers, administrators, and career advisers in science and engineering can become better mentors to their students. It starts with the premise that a successful mentor guides students in a variety of ways: by helping them get the most from their educational experience, by introducing them to and making them comfortable with a specific disciplinary culture, and by offering assistance with the search for suitable employment. Other topics covered in the guide include career planning, time management, writing development, and responsible scientific conduct. Also included is a valuable list of bibliographical and Internet resources on mentoring and related topics. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 What is a Mentor? 2 The Mentor as Faculty Adviser 3 The Mentor as Career Adviser 4 The Mentor as Skills Consultant 5 The Mentor as Role Model 6 Recommendation: Improving the Quality of Mentoring 7 Resources Report Brief: Reshaping the Graduate Education of Scientists and Engineers

Read more less

The loss of the earth's biological diversity is widely recognized as a critical environmental problem. That loss is most severe in developing countries, where the conditions of human existence are most difficult. Conserving Biodiversity presents an agenda for research that can provide information to formulate policy and design conservation programs in the Third World. The book includes discussions of research needs in the biological sciences as well as economics and anthropology, areas of critical importance to conservation and sustainable development. Although specifically directed toward development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and decisionmakers in developing nations, this volume should be of interest to all who are involved in the conservation of biological diversity. Table of Contents FRONT MATTER EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 BIODIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT 2 BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CONSERVATION 3 BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: THE SOCIOECONOMIC CONTEXT 4 BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: THE CULTURAL CONTEXT REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READING BOARD ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (BOSTID) BOSTID PUBLICATIONS

Read more less