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That basic scientific research often leads to new insights, concepts, and inventions that can have important practical applications and benefits is an established element of the rationale for federal government investment in research and technology. The way in which scientific studies of the Earth from space make their way into practical approaches to environmental measurements and management presents an enlightening case study of the research-to-applications transfer process. This article discusses how fundamental concepts of technology transfer and diffusion are illustrated in the process of transitioning Earth science research into operations at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), particularly as it is presented in the National Research Council study, Satellite Observations of the Earth''s Environment: Accelerating the Transition of Research to Operations. The authors assert that successful and efficient transitions of this type require not only a detailed understanding of the technologies involved but an appropriately developed social structure to better facilitate those transitions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A study of treatment offered to drug court participants was designed to link the beliefs, philosophies, and knowledge of the counselors with the services offered in treatment sessions. The study is limited to four jurisdictions, two rural and two urban, but, within these four jurisdictions, the treatment services provided are representative of the services offered to the general addict community. Surveys were conducted with over half the treatment counselors providing services and structured observations were conducted with over half of the normal group therapy sessions offered in a given month. Survey findings reveal that treatment counselors support a number of different causes for substance abuse. Counselors also do not have a strong affiliation for any one model that defines their treatment approaches. Observations confirmed an eclectic approach to treatment sessions in practice. A number of technology transfer and management issues are identified from the study including the need for the development of a better understanding among treatment providers as to the recovery process, the role of treatment in the process, and critical components of therapeutic interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]