bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES: Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Signal Transduction
Authors: Apel Klaus , Hirt Heribert
Published: April 2004

▪ Abstract  Several reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced in plants as byproducts of aerobic metabolism. Depending on the nature of the ROS species, some are highly toxic and rapidly detoxified by various cellular enzymatic and nonenzymatic mechanisms. Whereas plants are surfeited with mechanisms to combat increased ROS levels during abiotic stress conditions, in other circumstances plants appear to purposefully generate ROS as signaling molecules to control various processes including pathogen defense, programmed cell death, and stomatal behavior. This review describes the mechanisms of ROS generation and removal in plants during development and under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. New insights into the complexity and roles that ROS play in plants have come from genetic analyses of ROS detoxifying and signaling mutants. Considering recent ROS-induced genome-wide expression analyses, the possible functions and mechanisms for ROS sensing and signaling in plants are compared with those in animals and yeast.
ADSORPTION AND REACTION AT ELECTROCHEMICAL INTERFACES AS PROBED BY SURFACE-ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: Tian Zhong-Qun , Ren Bin
Published: April 2004

▪ Abstract  Over the past three decades, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has gone through a tortuous pathway to develop into a powerful surface diagnostic technique for in situ investigation of surface adsorption and reactions on electrodes. This review presents the recent progress achieved mainly in our laboratory on the improvement of detection sensitivities as well as spectral, temporal, and spatial resolutions. Various surface roughening procedures for electrodes of different metals coupled with maximum use of a high-sensitivity confocal Raman microscope enable us to obtain good-quality SER spectra on the electrode surfaces made from net Pt, Ni, Co, Fe, Pd, Rh, Ru, and their alloys that were traditionally considered to be non-SERS active. A novel technique called potential-averaged SERS (PASERS) has been developed for the quantitative study of electrochemical sorption. Applications are exemplified on extensively studied areas such as coadsorption, electrocatalysis, corrosion, and fuel cells, and several advantages of in situ electrochemical SERS are demonstrated. Finally, further developments in this field are briefly discussed with emphasis on the emerging methodology.
SINGLE-MOLECULE FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY AND MICROSCOPY OF BIOMOLECULAR MOTORS
Authors: Peterman Erwin J.G. , Sosa Hernando , Moerner W.E.
Published: April 2004

▪ Abstract  The methods of single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy have been recently utilized to explore the mechanism of action of several members of the kinesin and myosin biomolecular motor protein families. Whereas ensemble averaging is removed in single-molecule studies, heterogeneity in the behavior of individual motors can be directly observed, without synchronization. Observation of translocation by individual copies of motor proteins allows analysis of step size, rate, pausing, and other statistical properties of the process. Polarization microscopy as a function of nucleotide state has been particularly useful in revealing new and highly rotationally mobile forms of particular motors. These experiments complement X-ray and biochemical studies and provide a detailed view into the local dynamical behavior of motor proteins.
QUANTITATIVE PREDICTION OF CRYSTAL-NUCLEATION RATES FOR SPHERICAL COLLOIDS: A Computational Approach
Authors: Auer Stefan , Frenkel Daan
Published: April 2004

▪ Abstract  This review discusses the recent progress that has been made in the application of computer simulations to study crystal nucleation in colloidal systems. We discuss the concept and the numerical methods that allow for a quantitative prediction of crystal-nucleation rates. The computed nucleation rates are predicted from first principles and can be directly compared with experiments. These techniques have been applied to study crystal nucleation in hard-sphere colloids, polydisperse hard-sphere colloids, weakly charged or slightly soft colloids, and hard-sphere colloids that are confined between two-plane hard walls.
FORMATION OF NOVEL RARE-GAS MOLECULES IN LOW-TEMPERATURE MATRICES
Authors: Gerber R.B.
Published: April 2004

▪ Abstract  Progress in the study of a new class of chemically bound compounds of noble-gas atoms is reviewed. The focus is on rare-gas molecules of the form HNgY, where Ng is a noble-gas atom and Y is an electronegative group, prepared by photolysis of HY in the rare-gas matrix. Other related types of new molecules of noble-gas atoms are discussed as well. Topics discussed in this review include: (a) The nature of bonding and the energetic stability of the compounds. (b) The vibrational spectroscopy of the molecules, and its role in identification of the species. (c) The mechanism and dynamics of photochemical formation of HNgY in the matrix, and the pathways for thermal and infrared (IR)-induced decomposition. Specifically, attention is given to the issue of “direct” formation following photolysis of HY versus “delayed” formation involving H atom diffusion. (d) Molecules of the lighter rare gases Ar, Ne, and He, focusing on the experimentally prepared HArF and on theoretical predictions suggesting the existence of other molecules. (e) The most-recently discovered photochemically induced insertion compounds of Ng into hydrocarbons, such as HXeCCH. (f) Clusters of HNgY with other molecules. The possible existence of neat aggregates and crystals of HNgY.

The reviewed state-of-the-art suggests this field is at an early stage of development with major open questions bearing on the surprising properties of the molecules and on the formation mechanisms. These are part of the challenge for the future.
CHARGE TRANSPORT AT CONJUGATED POLYMER–INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR AND CONJUGATED POLYMER–METAL INTERFACES
Authors: Lonergan Mark
Published: April 2004

▪ Abstract  Charge transport at conjugated polymer interfaces with metals and inorganic semiconductors is reviewed. Experiments on the equilibrium properties and DC current-voltage behavior of four specific classes of interfaces—metal–doped conjugated polymer, inorganic semiconductor–doped conjugated polymer, metal–intrinsic conjugated polymer, and metal–intrinsic conjugated polymer/electrolyte—are discussed. To facilitate this discussion, classic models of equilibration at ideal interfaces between electronic conductors and free-electron transport are introduced and their limitations discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the charge distributions and interfacial potential profiles expected at various types of electroactive interfaces.
The Dystrophin Glycoprotein Complex
Authors: Lapidos Karen A. , Kakkar Rahul , McNally Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2004

The dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) is a specialization of cardiac and skeletal muscle membrane. This large multicomponent complex has both mechanical stabilizing and signaling roles in mediating interactions between the cytoskeleton, membrane, and extracellular matrix. Dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne and X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy locus, links cytoskeletal and membrane elements. Mutations in additional DGC genes, the sarcoglycans, also lead to cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy. Animal models of DGC mutants have shown that destabilization of the DGC leads to membrane fragility and loss of membrane integrity, resulting in degeneration of skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes. Vascular reactivity is altered in response to primary degeneration in striated myocytes and arises from a vascular smooth muscle cell–extrinsic mechanism.
The Early Post-Stalin Succession Struggle and Upheavals in East-Central Europe: Internal-External Linkages in Soviet Policy Making (Part 2)
Authors: Kramer Mark
Published: April 2004

Part 2 of this three-part article discusses the aftermath of the June 1953 East German uprising, particularly the arrest on 26 June of Lavrentii Beria, who until then had been one of the most powerful figures in Moscow. Beria's arrest came not because of any high-level disagreements about policy, but simply because Beria's rivals wanted to remove him from the post-Stalin succession struggle. Newly released documents shed valuable light on the plot against Beria, which was intricate and extremely risky, yet ultimately successful.
A Certain Idea of Science: How International Relations Theory Avoids the New Cold War History
Authors: Wohlforth William C.
Published: April 2004

So far, scholars of international politics have displayed relatively little inclination to use new evidence from Cold War-era archives to test their theories and generalizations. This indifference is unfortunate. The new archival evidence and memoirs can—and should—provide a reality check for theoretical debates. It is time for students of international relations to recognize the crucial link between historical explanation and theoretical propositions.
A Real-Time Eulerian Photochemical Model Forecast System: Overview and Initial Ozone Forecast Performance in the Northeast U.S. Corridor
Authors: McHenry John N. , Ryan William F. , Seaman Nelson L. , Coats Carlie J. , Pudykiewicz Janusz , Arunachalam Sarav , Vukovich Jeffery M.
Published: April 2004

This article reports on the first implementation of a real-time Eulerian photochemical model f o recast system in the United States. The forecast system consists of a tripartite set of one-way coupled models that run routinely on a parallel micro process or supercomputer. The component models are the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University (PSU)–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5), the Sparse-Matrix Operator Kernel for Emissions (SMOKE) model, and the Multiscale Air Quality Simulation Platform—Real Time (MAQSIPRT) photochemical model. Though the system has been run in real time since the summer of 1998, forecast results obtained during August of 2001 at 15-km grid spacing over New England and the northern mid-Atlantic—conducted as part of an “early start” NOAA air quality forecasting initiative—are described in this article.

The development and deployment of a real-time numerical air quality prediction (NAQP) system is technically challenging. MAQSIP-RT contains a full photochemical oxidant gas-phase chemical mechanism together with transport, dry deposition, and sophisticated cloud treatment. To enable the NAQP system to run fast enough to meet operational forecast deadlines, significant work was devoted to data flow design and software engineering of the models and control codes. The result is a turnkey system now in use by a number of agencies concerned with operational ozone forecasting.

Results of the chosen episode are compared against three other models/modeling techniques: a traditional statistical model used routinely in the metropolitan Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, a set of publicly issued forecasts in the northeastern United States, and the operational Canadian Hemispheric and Regional Ozone and NOx System (CHRONOS) model. For the test period it is shown that the NAQP system performs as well or better than all of these operational approaches. Implications for the impending development of an operational U.S. ozone forecasting capability are discussed in light of these results.
Unpacking Complexity Through Critical Stakeholder Analysis The Case of Globalization
Authors: Jones Marc T. , Fleming Peter
Published: April 2004

Globalization is a ubiquitousyet highly elusive term. The debate on the cont and meaning of globalization is still waged largely in binary terms; for example, globalization is understood either as increasing standardization or as increasing difference. This article argues that the effects of globalization are best understood in terms of the following three sets of simultaneous contradictions: convergence and divergence, inclusion and exclusion, and centralization and decentralization. These contradictions can be fruitfully “unpacked” and examined through critical stakeholder analysis (CSA). This technique focuses on broader structural commonalties and differences among key stakeholder groups, factors that are not incorporated in mainstream stakeholder theory. The associated normative agenda of CSA promotes a common understanding of key issues within a focal organizational field, the negotiated settlement of zero-sum situations that optimize collective stakeholder interests within that field, and the containment and minimization of negative externalities within as well as between fields.
Walking Our Talk: Business Schools, Legitimacy, and Citizenship
Authors: Boyle Mary-Ellen
Published: April 2004

Business and society scholars have analyzed the citizenship activities of private firms, but what of their own institutions? This article introduces the concept of business school citizenship (BSC), examining it as a response to the legitimacy pressures created by competing corporate and university interests in the U.S. management-education context. Theories of corporate and of university social responsibility are used to explain BSC, and these theories form the basis of the argument that such activities can be justified and should be increased.
Assessing Outcome in Community Mental Health Patients: A Comparative Analysis of Measures
Authors: Parker Gordon , O'Donnell Maryanne , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan , Proberts Miriam
Published: April 2004

Background: We undertook a twelve-month intervention study for community mental health patients using a number of measures administered at baseline and at twelve months. Overall improvement in that sample allowed for comparative analyses of the key measures in terms of their ability to measure and to predict outcome.

Aims: To assess and compare the usefulness of each of the measures in predicting outcome status.

Methods: A patient-rated quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, the DSM-III-R Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), the Life Skills Profile (LSP) and the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) were compared and evaluated in a sample of seventy-nine patients.

Results: The LSP appeared to measure disability only, while the HoNOS and the GAF assessed composite symptoms and general functioning. The HoNOS was identified as the most distinctive predictor of outcome.

Conclusions: The utility of the HoNOS as an overall service measure is supported, while properties and likely utility of other measures in outcome studies are detailed.
The Goals and Method of the Andalusian Case Register for Schizophrenia
Authors: Küstner Berta Moreno , Varo Carmen Rosales , Gonzalez Francisco Torres
Published: April 2004

Background: Psychiatric case registers have been acknowledged as a valuable source of data, a long time ago. However, a growing interest exists in data on service utilization by patients belonging to groups with a related diagnosis to enable adequate planning of health resources.

Aims: The aims of the Andalusian Case Register for Schizophrenia are to determine the prevalence of schizophrenia of those cared for by the public network of mental health services and to describe their pattern of care.

Methods: Cases included on the Register are those persons resident in South Granada area with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and related disorders. The agencies which sent the information to the Register are all the mental health facilities in the catchment area.

Conclusions: The Register is a flexible instrument to use for epidemiological research and mental health care planning.
Family Type and Criminal Behaviour of Male Offspring: the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Sauvola Anu , Koskinen Outi , Jokelainen Jari , Hakko HelinÄ , JÄRvelin Marjo-Riitta , RÄSÄNEN Pirkko
Published: April 2004

Background: Unstable family environment during childhood is known to predispose to juvenile delinquency.

Aims: This study explored whether childhood family structure is associated with violent behaviour of adult offspring.

Methods: We used a large, unselected general population birth cohort ( n = 5589 males) linked with the national crime registers (up to the age of 32 years). The Ministry of Justice provided information on registered offences for all subjects. A logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between family type and criminality (violent and non-violent crimes).

Results: We found that single-parent family “at birth” (adj. OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.0) and “all time” (up to the age of 14 years) (adj. OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.5-10.6) were risk factors for violent offences of an adult offspring. Also parental death (adj. OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6) and divorce (adj. OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.7) doubled the risk for violence. Non-violent offences were associated only with parental death and divorce.

Conclusions: A single-parent family of origin is strongly associated with later violent criminality of male offspring. Further studies are needed to explore the psychosocial aspects of single-parent family environment which may promote the vulnerability to violent offending in adulthood.
The Effect of Thermal Cycling and Isothermal Exposure on the Mechanical Properties of SiC Particle Reinforced Al Composites
Authors: Ahn J. J. , Ochiai S.
Published: April 2004

Influences of thermal cycling (100 cycles between 200 and 300°C) and isothermal exposure (80 h at 300°C) on tensile strength, micro Vickers hardness and fracture mechanism of T6-SiCp/Al6061 composites (SiCp/Al) and base metal of T6-Al6061 alloy(AA6061) were studied under the condition of the same hardness of the base metal for isothermal exposure and thermal cycling. Both thermal cycling and isothermal exposure reduced 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength and micro Vickers hardness to one third through a half of those of the original SiCp/Al6061 composites and mainly due to the softening of the matrix. In addition, the thermal cycling caused interfacial debonding between coarse particles and matrix in the SiCp/Al, which was confirmed from the observation of fracture morphology. The reduction in 0.2% proof stress and tensile strength increased with increasing SiC particle volume fraction. It was shown empirically that 0.2% proof stress and tensile strength of thermally degraded composites can be described as a linear function of hardness, which provides a useful tool for further study since 0.2% proof stress and ultimate tensile strength can be inferred by this relation without tensile test.
Effects of Rotor Sizes and Epoxy System on the Process-Induced Residual Strains within Multi-Ring Composite Rotors
Authors: Ha Sung K. , Kim Hyung T. , Han Sang C.
Published: April 2004

This paper discusses the effects of different rotor sizes and epoxy systems on the process-induced residual strains accumulated within multi-ring composite rotors. Thick composite cylinders were manufactured with wet impregnation of E-glass and graphite fibers in the epoxy resin systems. The radial stiffness and strength and the coefficients of thermal expansion were first measured. Hybrid two-ring composite rotors of glass and graphite fibers with equal thickness were manufactured for three different inner to outer radius ratios, i.e., 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5. A split ring method was then used to measure the radial and circumferential residual strains, following liquid penetration tests to detect delaminations on the surfaces. The measured residual strains are estimated using a two-dimensional stress analysis with an effective temperature drop. It is shown that the middle temperature-cured rotor attains as high strength as the high temperature-cured rotor while reducing significantly the residual strains.
Nonlinear Tensile and Shear Behavior of Macro Fiber Composite Actuators
Authors: Williams R. Brett , Inman Daniel J. , Schultz Marc R. , Hyer Michael W. , Wilkie W. Keats
Published: April 2004

The Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator, developed at the NASA Langley Research Center, offers much higher flexibility and induced strain levels (~2000μσ, peak-to-peak) than its monolithic piezoceramic predecessors. The focus of this work is twofold; to measure the four independent linear elastic engineering constants of the orthotropic MFC actuator under short-circuit electrical boundary conditions using standard tensile testing procedures, and to use these experimental results to characterize the nonlinear tensile and shear stress–strain behavior and Poisson effects using various plastic deformation models. The results can then be readily incorporated into the piezoelectric constitutive equation and ultimately into structural actuation models that accurately consider nonlinear mechanical behavior.
Effects of Non-Negative Mean Stress on the Off-Axis Fatigue Behavior of Unidirectional Carbon/Epoxy Composites at Room Temperature
Authors: Kawai M. , Suda H.
Published: April 2004

Influences of non-negative mean stress on the off-axis fatigue behavior of unidirectional composites are elucidated on the basis of a non-fragmentary set of data on the T800H/2500 carbon/epoxy laminate at room temperature. Constant amplitude fatigue tests under different stress ratios R= -1.0, 0.1, 0.5 are performed on plain coupon specimens with six kinds of fiber orientations. For all fiber orientations, the relative fatigue strength becomes lower with decreasing stress ratio. The off-axis fatigue data normalized with respect to the static tensile strength substantially fall on a single S–N relationship for each stress ratio. It is confirmed that the S–N relationships on logarithmic scales are almost linear over the range of fatigue life up to 106 cycles, regardless of the fiber orientations and stress ratios. A phenomenological fatigue damage mechanics model proposed by the authors is further developed to consider the effect of mean stress on the off-axis fatigue behavior. It is demonstrated that the modified fatigue model can describe adequately the stress ratio dependence as well as the fiber orientation dependence of the off-axis fatigue behavior under non-negative mean stresses.
A Test of Social Stress Theory As Applied to the Study of Imprisonment Rates
Authors: Selke William L. , Andersson Steen A.
Published: April 2004

The research presented in this article attempts to contribute to the ongoing study of the determinants of state imprisonment rates. Crime rates and unemployment rates have been studied extensively as they relate to imprisonment rates, and a number of demographic and social/structural factors have been analyzed as potential predictors of rates of imprisonment rates. In this study, the analysis of imprisonment rates was expanded through the consideration of other social stress variables and ameliorative factors that have been theorized to be associated with crime rates and imprisonment rates. The most interesting finding was that the variable prison costs, defined as the average cost per inmate per year, was found to have a significant effect on imprisonment rates. Percentage of Black population in the state and percentage of the population without health insurance were also found to have significant relationships with imprisonment rates, providing initial support for social stress theory of imprisonment.
Risk and Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes: a Replication and Challenge
Authors: Wexler Harry K. , Melnick Gerald , Cao Yan
Published: April 2004

The current study replicates and refines earlier findings concerning the role of risk factors as predictors of reincarceration following prison substance abuse treatment. Findings confirm that risk factors predict recidivism 3 years postprison and that positive treatment effects are more likely to be found among the higher risk participants. However, care must be taken in adopting this conclusion for policy as it does not hold when the powerful effects of aftercare are introduced. Specifically, impressive reductions in recidivism were also found for the lower risk offenders who completed after-care. Therefore, caution is urged in assuming that low-risk individuals would not benefit from continued treatment.
Developing Methods for Very-Large-Scale Searches in Proquest Historical Newspapers Collection and Infotrac the Times Digital Archive: The Case of Two Million Versus Two Millions
Authors: MacQueen Donald S.
Published: April 2004

Historical corpora designed for linguistic research are often too small to provide statistically robust information about infrequent items. Alternative sources exist in the form of historical collections available online, but these databases may present methodological problems. Some of these problems can be circumvented, and useful results can be gleaned, including a proxy for incidence. In studies on the integration of the word million into the English system of number words, based on billions of words from historical newspapers, it was possible to determine that parity was reached between obsolescent ( two millions) and Present-Day ( two million) forms in American papers around 1880 and in The Times around 1920. The explosive growth in the use of million proved to start with WWII in the U.S. and in the 1950s in the U.K. This information could not be teased from a 20-million-word ‘megacorpus’ of commonly used diachronic and synthetic corpora designed by linguists.
Comparison of Bookmark Difficulty Locations Under Different Item Response Models
Authors: Beretvas S. Natasha
Published: April 2004

In the bookmark standard-setting procedure, judges place “bookmarks” in a reordered test booklet containing items presented in order of increasing difficulty. Traditionally, the bookmark difficulty location (BDL) is on the trait continuum where, for dichotomous items, there is a two-thirds probability of a correct response and, for a score of k on a polytomous item, there is a two-in-three probability of a score of k or higher. General formulas for the computation of BDLs were derived for five item response theory models—namely, the 1PL and 3PL for dichotomous items and the partial credit (PC), generalized partial credit (GPC), and graded response (GR) models for polytomous items and for any response probability (RP) value. These formulas were then used to compare the ordering of items’ BDLs under the 1PL-PC, 3PL-GPC, and 3PL-GR models for RPs of 1/2, 2/3, and 4/5. Results are discussed, and guidelines for practitioners are offered. Index terms: item response theory, bookmark standard setting, item difficulty, item mapping.
Automatic Evaluation of Novel Words
Authors: Garcia Magda Teresa , Bargh John A.
Published: April 2004

The automatic evaluation effect is the tendency for people to immediately and unintentionally classify environmental stimuli as either “good” or “bad.” Does this effect extend even to one’s first encounter of novel voice stimuli? Novel nonsense words were generated and then served as priming stimuli together with a group of common English words. Each prime stimulus was presented immediately before a visual lexical target stimulus. Latency of response to the target was always the dependent variable. Experiment 1 indicated that nonsense stimuli are immediately evaluated and classified on the basis of their superficial phonetic qualities. Experiment 2 indicated that these superficial qualities did not influence the automatic evaluative response to familiar words, which was based instead on the words’ semantic meaning. These results imply that there is a preconscious first impression for the sounds of unfamiliar languages and that this is a potentially biasing influence on subsequent judgments and social interactions.
The Role of Gender in New Zealand Literature
Authors: Janssen Anna , Murachver Tamar
Published: April 2004

This study investigated how gender influenced language use in fiction. The writings of 59 female and 52 male authors of either award-winning or popular fiction were classified as early or contemporary depending on period of publication. More than one third of the linguistic variables coded for in the literature varied on the basis of author gender. Females used language that gave their writing a more interpersonal, socioemotional tone, whereas factual and quantitative elements were more frequently used by males. The gender effect was greater for writers of popular than award-winning fiction, and for authors writing in the early period than the contemporary period. Although results show that gender is not the only factor influencing language use, the role of gender in professional literature is robust. Variations in gender construction across period and type of writing introduce a number of avenues for future research.
Ghosts in the Bureaucratic Machine
Authors: Sharp Brett S. , Housel Steven W.
Published: April 2004

An Oklahoma health department scandal erupted when the acting director was arrested for taking a bribe. More revelations quickly followed, including the existence of multiple “ghost employees” on payroll but having no identifiable job functions. More than 30 employees were terminated. Many faced criminal prosecution. TheTulsa World reported that malfeasance at the agency might have contributed to as many as 1,000 deaths in state nursing homes. The state’s governor assigned a cabinet secretary to rectify the situation. In telling the story of an agency’s denigration and eventual rebirth, the authors argue that no substitute exists for institutional regard for basic administrative principles. They revisit the work of Fayol and Gulick, two pioneers within the principles of administration school. Despite long-standing criticisms, their approach seems strongly validated in light of an agency that lost its way by ignoring fundamentals and was set back on course by an administrator who valued them.
Mission Change in a Federal Agency and its Link to Employee Transfer Preferences
Authors: Ihrke Douglas M.
Published: April 2004

Little research has been done on employee desire to transfer jobs within public sector organizations. This article explores the factors that explain this behavior for a large sample (N = 1248) of employees in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These factors include, for example, mission change, employee burnout, and staffing levels. The findings indicate that radical mission change, among other variables, significantly influences the desire of employees to transfer jobs within the agency.
Explaining the Adoption of E-Government Features
Authors: Ho Alfred Tat-Kei , Ni Anna Ya
Published: April 2004

Recently, many studies have emerged to document how the public sector uses the Internet to provide information and services, but very few have analyzed the factors that influence the adoption decision of e-government features. This study proposes a model of innovation adoption that integrates internal organizational factors and external peer influence and empirically tests how these factors influence Iowa county treasurers’ decisions to launch a departmental Web site and adopt other e-government features. Our results show that the factors influencing these two decisions are different but that both decisions are driven by the concerns about staff resistance. The authors conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for policy makers and directions for future research on e-government development.
Delaminated Woven Fabric Composite Plates under Transverse Quasi-Static Loading: Experimental Studies
Authors: Naik N. K. , Reddy K. Satyanarayana
Published: April 2004

Laminated composite plates are very sensitive to transverse loading because of weak interfaces between layers. During transverse loading, delamination can initiate and propagate at the interfaces. Also, in-plane failure of layers can initiate and grow further because of the in-plane stresses. Such damages can cause severe structural disintegration leading to a reduction in stiffness and strength. The delamination may be caused by manufacturing defects also. Such delamination can grow during service condition. Experimental studies have been carried out on the damage evolution in a typical plain weave fabric composite plate under transverse quasi-static loading. Studies have been carried out on composite plates with central artificial delamination of 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm diameter sizes, and also on undelaminated composite plates. Load-displacement behavior, damage evolution and damage sizes and damage shapes have been studied.
An Experimental Method to Continuously Measure Permeability of Fiber Preforms as a Function of Fiber Volume Fraction
Authors: Stadtfeld H. C. , Erninger M. , Bickerton S. , Advani S. G.
Published: April 2004

Liquid composite molding processes have the potential to produce complex shaped parts utilizing tailored fiber reinforcements and inserts. Existing simulation tools have the capability to predict the flow front advancement as the resin impregnates the fiber preform to saturate it, thus minimizing cost intensive trial and error approaches to successful mold filling. An important input to such simulations is the permeability of fiber preforms, which describes its resistance to flow. Permeability is a function of the fiber architecture and fiber volume fraction. Traditional experimental methods to measure permeability allow one to obtain a single value at a prefixed fiber volume fraction; hence, if one wants to obtain permeability over a wide range of fiber volume fractions, a multitude of experiments are necessary. This paper introduces a novel approach to determine permeability over a wide range of fiber volume fractions in one continuous experiment using the same preform. Repeatable results for woven glass fabrics over a range of fiber volume fraction are presented.
The Use of Phosphogypsum as a Filler for Thermoplastics, Part II: Phosphogypsum as a Filler for Polyamide 6 and for PVC
Authors: Kowalska Ewa , Kawinska Barbara
Published: April 2004

The original application of specially treated and thermally modified phosphogypsum (gypsum by-product from phosphoric acid industry) as filler for polyamide 6 and for PVC compositions has been studied. Phosphogypsum-filled compositions were studied with a view to substituting them for mineral-filled compositions. PA6 compositions containing 10 - 40 wt% and PVC compositions containing 97.5 - 205.5 phr of modified phosphogypsum as filler were examined. Properties of these compositions and a possible practical application are described.
Simultaneous Simulation of Solid Conveying, Melting and Melt Flow between Parallel Plates: An Approximation to the Flow in a Screw Extruder
Authors: Chiew Lee M. , Gupta Mahesh
Published: April 2004

Instead of separate analyses of the polymeric flow in the solid conveying, melting and melt flow regions of a screw extruder, a simultaneous finite element simultation of the flow in the three zones of an extruder is presented. The flow in the helical channel of a screw extruder is approximated by a flow between two parallel plates. The effect of various processing variables, design parameters and material properties on the flow rate and the length of channel required for melting the polymer is analyzed.
An Elastic-Plastic Stress Analysis of Simply Supported Thermoplastic Composite Beams Under a Transverse Uniformly Distributed Load
Authors: Sayman Onur , Küçük Mümin , Esendemir Ümran , Öndürücü Ayse
Published: April 2004

An analytical elastic-plastic stress analysis is carried out on thermoplastic composite beams supported from two ends under transverse uniformly distributed load. The composite beams consist of woven steel fiber and thermoplastic matrix. The material is assumed to be perfectly plastic for the elastic-plastic solution. The intensity of the uniform force is chosen at a small value; therefore the normal stress components of σ y is neglected during the elastic-plastic solution. The expansion of the plastic region and the residual stress component of σ x are determined for 0°, 15°, 30° and 45° orientation angles. Plastic yielding occurs first 0° and 45° orientation angles on the lower and upper surfaces of the beam at the same distances from the ends. However; it starts first at the lower surface for 15°, 30° orientation angles. The intensity of the residual stress component of σ x is found to be maximum at the lower and upper surfaces; whereas the intensity of residual stress component τ xy is maximum on or around the x axis of the beam.
Thermal Conductivities of PTFE Composites with Random Distributed Graphite Particles
Authors: Yin Yong , Tu Shan-Tung
Published: April 2004

A two-dimensional finite element model for PTFE composite with random distributed circular graphite particles was developed to study its effective thermal conductivity. The experiments on thermal conductivities of these composites were conducted. Results from experiments and finite element analysis (FEA) were compared which show that non-uniform distribution lead to low thermal conductivity and there is a saturated conductivity ratio of the inclusion to the matrix at a certain volume fraction. The saturated ratio rises with the increasing of volume percentage.
A Relational Expression between Static Stress and Temperature, Humidity for Composite Materials
Authors: Huiming Fu , Yingfu Zhang , Wei Huang
Published: April 2004

Hydrothermal environment has a great effect on the static behavior of composite materials. The data of static stress under certain conditions are generally obtained by test in the present. In this paper, a relational expression between static stress and temperature, humidity is proposed based on the analysis to vast test data of composite materials. The formulas to determine the material undetermined constants in the expression are also established with the least square method. A large number of applications show that this expression can effectively describe the relation between static stress and environmental factors and reach a satisfactory precision. As a practical sample, the application for resin-matrix composite laminates is given finally to show the application. Using this method, a predicting formula for the static stress can be obtained by limited test data. This research provides a cost-efficient manner to predict and evaluate static stress to meet the urgent need in engineering design.
Compressive Strengths of In-Situ Cured Graphite/Epoxy and Glass/Epoxy Composite Cylinders
Authors: Yee Kuo-Chung , Moon Tess J.
Published: April 2004

In this paper, the compressive strengths of in-situ cured composite rings using a simple mechanical text fixture are presented. Reported results include T300/epoxy as well as E-glass/epoxy hoop-wound composite rings. A J2 deformation theory of plasticity is employed in the stress analysis of the compliant ring while linear elastic response is assumed for both the composite ring and stainless steel. Two objectives are included in the current study: first is the study of the compressive strengths of hoop wound fiber-reinforced thermoset composite rings made by in-situ curing method and correlate the compressive strength to the processing parameters; second is the quantitative assessment of the effect of residual stresses on the compressive strengths of composite rings.

Experimental results indicated that composite ring failed initially by shear mode at the outer surface and propagated through-thickness. The kink band formation, followed by the shear failure, aggregated the failure zone. Finally layer delamination developed and led to a catastrophic failure of specimen. Most of the reported compressive strengths of unidirectional composites are based on unidirectional laminate composites. The current study represents one of the few works involving the composite ring specimens. Experimental results indicated that the compressive strengths of in-situ cured composite rings are very close to the compressive strengths of unidirectional laminates. This indication suggests that in-situ curing method can be used to produce high quality composite structures. Also the compaction pressure is found to have great influence on the measured compressive strength.
Adarand, Grutter, and Gratz
Authors: Naylor Lorenda A. , Rosenbloom David H.
Published: April 2004

Does affirmative action in federal human resources management (HRM) matter? Responding to the Supreme Court’s decision in Adarand v. Pena (1995), the Clinton administration instructed federal agencies not to use racial, ethnic, or gender-based affirmative action classifications in their HRM programs without explicit approval from the Department of Justice. The Court’s decisions in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) and Gratz v. Bollinger (2003) suggest that it may now be constitutionally feasible to strengthen affirmative action in federal HRM. However, analysis of the impact of the Clinton administration’s policy change leads to the conclusion that constitutional flexibility to establish racial, ethnic, and gender goals and timetables to promote federal workforce diversity simply may not make much difference, except possibly for the smallest minority groups.
Considerations for the Use of Alternative Therapies in the Treatment of Depression
Authors: Emanuel Angela M. , Moore Thea R. , Ghazvini Patty
Published: April 2004

Approximately 65%–75% of patients with major depression will respond to drug therapy. However, conventional antidepressants may be costly and have side effects and drug interactions that may inconvenience the patient, limit the use of the particular drug, or require the discontinuation of a particular therapy. In this past decade, there has been a renewed interest in alternative medicines, especially for depression, that are available without a prescription. The ability of patients to self-medicate depression presents a risk of inappropriate treatment, thereby increasing the morbidity and mortality rates associated with this sometimes fatal disease. In addition, herbal products are not regulated by the government, leading to problems with batch-to-batch consistency and adulteration, even for products that have evidence of efficacy in depression. The potential for herbal-pharmaceutical grade drug interactions increases the need for input and follow-up from health care practitioners. There is limited quality evidence describing the efficacy and optimal dosing for these products. Clinicians must acknowledge that patients are using herbal products and educate on their use to avoid negative outcomes in patients with depressive disorders.
Tools and Techniques for Evaluating Depression
Authors: Wehner Jessica S. , Stoner Steven C.
Published: April 2004

Depression is a common and under-recognized disease state usually treated in the outpatient setting. Since it does not usually require sophisticated laboratory tests or physical evaluations as a component of monitoring, depression is a condition that can be managed by pharmacists in any setting. Due to depression’s high prevalence, pharmacists must be aware of the usual presentation so they can better identify patients in need of treatment. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSMIV) describes specific criteria needed for the diagnosis of depression to be made. The diagnostic criteria in DSM-IV are essentially the target symptoms used to monitor changes in a patient’s status. Psychometric rating scales assess the severity of psychiatric symptoms in a standardized manner. Several rating scales are currently available to assess depression, including the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Zung Self-Rating Scale. Rating scales can help pharmacists assess a change in symptoms or determine the baseline severity of symptoms. They also provide a framework to gather information from the patient. By understanding the presentation of depression and simple ways to assess it, pharmacists can be proactive in treating this common and sometimes life-threatening psychiatric disorder.
Combination Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonists With Thrombolytics in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Inverso Stephanie M.
Published: April 2004

Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery with subsequent thrombosis is the cause of most acute myocardial infarctions. Thrombolytics are the standard pharmacologic agents used to restore normal blood flow through the occluded coronary artery. While the use of thrombolytics has decreased both short-term and long-term mortality in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, these agents do have limitations. Combining glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists with thrombolytics is one strategy being investigated to try to improve outcomes after acute myocardial infarction.
Intravenous Amiodarone for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in the Nonsurgical Patient
Authors: Mount Kari L. , Pickworth Kerry K.
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To review the literature to define the efficacy of intravenous (IV) amiodarone in the treatment of atrial fibrillation in the nonsurgical patient. Method: A MEDLINE search was conducted using the key words “intravenous amiodarone” and “atrial fibrillation.” All trials evaluating the use of intravenous amiodarone in the surgical setting were excluded. Results: Twenty articles were identified, which were divided into acute and chronic atrial fibrillation. Within the acute setting, IV amiodarone was used alone, compared to a placebo-control, or compared to active drug regimens. In the trials without a control group, it was difficult to determine how much of the effect was due to spontaneous conversion. When compared to placebo, IV amiodarone offered a 61% to 92% conversion at 24 hours. Compared to active drug therapy, there was a trend to increased efficacy at 24 hours. However, amiodarone was no more effective for the conversion of atrial fibrillation than alternative therapies. In the case of chronic atrial fibrillation, intravenous amiodarone had no benefit. The incidence of thrombophlebitis, bradycardia, and hypotension was quite high, reported to be around 15% to 30% in many of the trials. Conclusion: The use of intravenous amiodarone should not be recommended as the first line agent for the conversion of atrial fibrillation.
The Experience of Using a Combination of Complementary Therapies
Authors: Gunnarsdottir Thora Jenny , Peden-McAlpine Cynthia
Published: April 2004

Literature on complementary or alternative therapies from the perspective of personal experience is limited, and to date, there are no published studies using a qualitative approach to study the contextual effects of combined complementary therapies. Evaluating the use of combinations of complementary therapies from the perspective of those who experience them is important in understanding their beneficial and synergistic effects. This article is a report of the findings of a hermeneutic phenomenological study on the lived experience of 8 guests participating in a structured naturopathic program that used combinations of complementary/alternative therapies to promote healing in illness.
Men of Prayer: Spirituality of Men With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Walton Joni , Sullivan Nancy
Published: April 2004

Spirituality plays a powerful role in cancer treatment and recovery; it has been identified by hospitalized patients as one of their top priorities of care. However, health care providers struggle to find ways to address the spirituality of their patients. The purposes of this study were to discover what spirituality means for men with prostate cancer and how it influences their treatment. Eleven men, ages 54 to 71, with prostate cancer were interviewed within several days following radical prostatectomy with bilateral lymph node staging. This grounded theory methodology generated three categories of spirituality: (a) praying, (b) receiving support, and (c) coping with cancer. The basic social process, coping with cancer, occurred in four phases: facing cancer, choosing treatment, trusting, and living day by day. These results were validated by four of the participants for truthfulness. The findings of this study provide holistic nurses with knowledge and a midrange theory of spirituality that can be usedin building a research-based practice.