bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why policy analysis and ethics are incompatible
Authors: Amy Douglas J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractCommentators in the field of policy analysis have argued persuasively for the inclusion of ethical evaluations in the analytic process, yet most practitioners in the policy field avoid analyzing moral issues. Standard explanations for this neglect of ethics tend to be inadequate; assertions that normative analysis is unnecessary, impractical, impossible, or undesirable are demonstrably weak. Political factors, on the other hand, provide a clearer understanding of the neglect of ethics. Ethical inquiry is shunned because it frequently threatens the professional and political interests of both analysts and policymakers. The administrator, the legislator, the bureaucracy, and the profession of policy analysis itself all resist the potential challenges of moral evaluation.
Action research: A model for organizational learning
Authors: Comfort Louise K. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTraditionally, social research has relied on systematic methods to control variation in the collection of data in order to validate relationships observed among the social phenomena under study. Ironically, many critical problems in the actual operation of public organizations are not amenable to such rigorous controls. An alternative mode of analysis, action research, may prove more useful since it takes into account the dynamic nature of organizations, emphasizing the production of valid information, the element of Fee and informed choice by organization members, and the goal of engendering commitment to action by those involved. Simulated operations designed to enhance the performance of public agencies in unforeseen emergencies provide a setting in which to evaluate the effectiveness of action research as a tool for organizational problem‐solving.
Competitive bidding and states' purchase of services: The case of mental health care in Massachusetts
Authors: Schlesinger Mark , Dorwart Robert A. , Pulice Richart T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOver the past two decades states have significantly increased their use of competitive bidding to purchase health and social services from private agencies. Competitive contracting is thought to facilitate program administration, to reduce costs, and to increase the quality of delivered services. We evaluate these claims in light of Massachusetts' experience with competitive contracting for mental health care. We find that few of the expected benefits are achieved. In practice, supposedly competitive bidding systems often degenerate into administratively complicated negotiations between the state and private monopolies. This results in higher costs and lower quality of services. In light of this negative assessment, three strategies for reform are proposed and evaluate.
The evaluation of economic development conflict is present: Projects where military investing in health care in el salvador
Authors: Vogel Ronald J. , Christianson Jon B. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIncreasingly, U.S. policymakers have proposed development projects in areas of the world undergoing rapid, disruptive, and often violent challenges to existing political regimes. The U.S. government typically requires that these projects undergo an economic evaluation before they can be implemented. While benefit‐cost theory and practice have made substantial gains over the last 20 years, they are more easily and aptly applied to stable economic and political conditions. This paper raises several issues concerning the theory and practice of benefit‐analysis in an environment where there is political instability and military conflict. The discussion is illustrated by reference a proposed health care project in El Salvador. I t concludes summarizing the options available to policy analysts who conduct evaluations in such situations.
The status of OSHA reform: A comment on mendeloff's proposals
Authors: Viscusi W. Kip 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSince its inception, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been the target of regulatory reform proposals. OSHA has attracted this continued critical attention both because of inadequacies in the design of OSHA regulation and shortcomings in its implementation. John Mendeloff's critique and program of reform for OSHA focus primarily on inadequacies in the structure of OSHA policy rather than its implementation. Within that class of issues, Mendeloff provides a thoughtful analysis of OSHA policy. His regulatory proposals also address what appear to be the principal shortcomings of OSHA. However, the specific aspects of his proposal raise new problems with respect to the stability of regulatory policy and its unintended role in establishing barriers to entry in industry.
Deregulatin and the courts
Authors: Sunstein Cass R. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe recent deregulation movement has occupied not only executive agencies and Congress, but the courts as well. Legal challenges to deregulatory measures press traditional doctrines governing judicial review; the traditional role of the courts has been to fend off rather than to help bring about government regulation. These traditions, when joined with contemporary distrust of both regulation and the courts, account for a mounting belief that courts should take a deferential approach to deregulation. But such an approach would be misguided in light of the importance of judicial review in promoting agency adherence to statutes enacted by Congress and in guarding against factional influences over government. Judge‐made doctrines can be developed to make it more likely that deregulation is consistent with law and does not reflect the disproportionate influence of politically powerful groups.
The issue of standing in cost‐benefit analysis
Authors: Whittington Dale , MacRae Duncan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractInsufficient attention has been given in cost‐benefit analysis to whose benefits are to be counted. Foreigners, illegal aliens, fetuses, and criminals are problematic cases. Persons or entities may be given “standing” by participation in decision processes; by having their preferences counted, if meaningful preferences exist; by having their welfare counted, if they cannot express their preferences; or by representation by others whom they do not choose. Problems of standing arise in the valuation of life, the consideration of future generations and nonhuman entities, and equity weighting. These problem may be treated by altering the scope of the expert community or by interaction between that community and the political community. They are not always resolvable, but should be treated more explicitly.
Cashing out food stamps: Impacts on food expenditures and diet quality
Authors: Devaney Barbara , Fraker Thomas 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOn July 1, 1982, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico implemented a cash food assistance program, known as the Nutrition Assistance Program, as a replacement for the existing Food Stamp Program. The Nutrition Assistance Program differs from the former Puerto Rico Food Stamp Program in two important respects: cash replaced coupons as the form of issuance and eligibility standards and benefits were reduced to bring program costs into line with a reduced funding level. Based on household food use survey data collected before and after the introduction of the Nutrition Assistance Program, this paper examines the program's impacts on household food expenditures and diet quality. The results of the analysis indicate that the cashing out of food stamp benefits in Puerto Rico had virtually no impact on food expenditures and diet quality, while restrictions on eligibility and benefits under the Nutrition Assistance Program caused a decline in the money value of food used at home of about 2 percent and reductions in the availability of food energy and five specific nutrients ranging from 1.8 to 3.2 percent of the adult male Recommended Dietary Allowances.
How important is information format? An experimental study of home energy audit programs
Authors: Magat Wesley A. , Payne John W. , Brucato Peter F. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAmong alternative regulatory responses, information provision programs are receiving increasing attention despite the decidedly mixed evidence about their effectiveness. This paper provides detailed experimental evidence to demonstrate that for one important example of an information program, the use of energy audits to stimulate residential energy conservation, the effectiveness of the program is highly sensitive to the information processing behavior of the users of the information. Simple changes in the format of the information provided to homeowners produced marked improvements in the efficiency of consumer choices. The study illustrates Stern's conclusion in a recent issue of this journal that laboratory experimentation provides a useful alternative to model‐based analysis of natural experiments, especially for policy design issues involving information acquisition and processing. The paper also offers conclusions about improving the effectiveness of home energy audits, as well as the entire class of information provision programs.
Industry effects of medical device regulation: The case of diagnostic imaging equipment
Authors: McKay Niccie L. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn 1976 Congress passed legislation authorizing the regulation of all medical devices. Some observers predicted that this regulation would have adverse effects on the newly regulated industries. This paper examines the major features of the medical device regulatory program and investigates how the regulation has affected the diagnostic imaging equipment industry. The results indicate that medical device regulation has not materially affected competition or innovation within established product classes in this industry. This suggests that, by choosing methods of regulation that differentiate among levels of potential risk to consumers, the goal of consumer protection can be achieved with fewer undesirable effects on the regulated industry.
Political and organizational analysis in the policy curriculum
Authors: Donalds E. Stokes 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAs the public policy curriculum and teaching faculty were synthesized from a set of existing fields two decades ago, political science was included because the policy school graduates needed some of the knowledge of the structure and processes of government the discipline possessed. But subsequently there has been a profound shift away from this traditional content to a more actor‐centered form of analysis in the political and organizational part of the policy curriculum. This paper examines this content and a basic intellectual issue challenging the faculty who are responsible for this part of the policy curriculum. Their efforts will succeed only as they alter the structure of the discipline or develop a clearer algorithm for an actor‐centered political analysis.
Privatization as institutional choice
Authors: Chamberlin John R. , Jackson John E. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA model based upon the common concept of rent‐seeking behavior avoids an exclusive focus on the pecuniary motive in private institutions and the power motive in public institutions. Using this model, the case for privatization ranges from very strong to unpersuasive, with some fascinating intermediate cases. Where purchases are frequent, information is abundant, costs of a bad decision are small, externalities are minimal, and competition is the norm, privatization ought to be pursued. At the other extreme, in situations where externalities and collective interests abound, natural monopolies are dominant, distributional goals are important, or debate and experience will alter preferences, governmental determination of service levels and public provision should continue. Intermediate situations such as those involving education, health, and some aspects of enterprise development provide the most interesting and hotly debated areas. These intermediate situations have both private and collective characteristics, choices are made infrequently with little information, have monumental consequences, distributional considerations are critical, and public debate about the level and type of service substantially affects individual behavior.
Influence of surface treatment of multiwall carbon nanotubes on the properties of polypropylene/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites
Authors: Mičušík Matej , Omastová Mária , Pionteck Jürgen , Pandis Christos , Logakis Emmanuel , Pissis Polycarpos 
Published: July 2010

AbstractNanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and surface modified multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) were prepared by melt mixing. For comparison, unmodified CNT were also used as fillers. The surface modification of CNT was done by treatment with a combination of anionic and cationic surfactants at different molar ratios using week and strong sonication power output during modification. The modification of nanotubes was done to improve the filler dispersibility in the PP matrix. However, the modification of the filler resulted only in small morphological differences of prepared composites, but the electrical conductivity of the samples depends on filler type and content. Mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied and the results are discussed in relation with the preparation parameters during the modification of CNT. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prototropy and π‐electron delocalization for purine and its radical ions – DFT studies
Authors: Raczyńska Ewa D. , Kamińska Beata 
Published: July 2010

AbstractComplete tautomeric equilibria and π‐electron delocalization were studied at the B3LYP/6‐311+G** level for neutral purine (P) and its charged radicals (P+• and P−•). All possible nine tautomers (four NH and five CH forms) and all possible 36 tautomeric equilibria (six NiH → NkH, twenty NH → CH, and ten CiH → CkH conversions) were considered. The greatest variations of the tautomeric equilibrium constants (as pKT) were observed for the NH → CH conversions when proceeding from neutral to reduced purine (P + e → P−•). These variations completely change the tautomeric preferences. One‐electron oxidation (P − e → P+•) has considerably smaller effect on the pKT values and does not change the tautomeric preferences. π‐Electron delocalization depends on the position of the moving proton and on the type of the electron transfer. For individual tautomers, some linear relations between the relative stabilities and the HOMA (harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity) indices occur for neutral and oxidized purine. For reduced purine, a scatter plot is found. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave‐assisted synthesis of organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposites and their encapsulating applications for photoelectric devices
Authors: Lin Jian‐Shian , Chung Ming‐Hua , Chen Chen‐Ming , Juang Fuh‐Shyang , Liu Lung‐Chang 
Published: July 2010

AbstractUV curable organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposites with high refractive indices, moderate hardness, good adhesive strength, and excellent gas blocking performances have been successfully rapidly synthesized by in situ microwave‐assisted heating process. We find that the chemical structures of polymer matrices influence the physical properties and addition of silicone and polyurethane (PU) into the acrylics backbone can further reduce the gas permeation and increase the adhesive strength as well as refractive indices. Moreover, lab‐made Silicone/PU/Acrylics I nanocomposites have also been utilized for the encapsulation of organic solar cells, LEDs, OLEDs, and flexible OLEDs. The experimental results demonstrate that they can effectively hinder the penetration of oxygen as well as moisture in the atmosphere into the photoelectric devices, consequently prolonging their lifetimes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleophilic reactivities of tertiary alkylamines
Authors: Ammer Johannes , Baidya Mahiuddin , Kobayashi Shinjiro , Mayr Herbert 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe kinetics of the reactions of tertiary amines, triethylamine (1a), N‐methylpyrrolidine (1b), N‐methylpiperidine (1c), and N‐methylmorpholine (1d) with benzhydrylium ions (Ar2CH+) have been studied in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. The benzhydryl cations were generated by laser flash photolysis of quaternary phosphonium and ammonium tetrafluoroborates. For most reactions, exponential decays of the absorbances of the benzhydryl cations were observed because the carbocations were generated in the presence of a high excess of the amines (pseudo‐first‐order conditions). From the linear plots of kobs versus the amine concentrations, the second‐order rate constants k were obtained, which allowed us to calculate N and s for these amines in CH3CN and CH2Cl2. The linear free energy relationship log k = s(N + E) was thus used to integrate 1a–d into our comprehensive nucleophilicity scales. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical study of substituent effects on gas‐phase stabilities of benzylic anions
Authors: Nakata Kazuhide , Fujio Mizue , Nishimoto Kichisuke , Tsuno Yuho 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe substituent effects on the relative gas‐phase stabilities of 16 kinds of benzylic anion systems were determined theoretically using proton transfer reactions. The energies and geometries of ring‐substituted anions and corresponding neutral species, which are involved in the reactions, were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p) level of theory. The obtained substituent effects were compared with one another to reveal that the gas‐phase stabilities of benzylic anions are governed by an inductive effect and two additive effects. By considering the geometrical changes of the anions, these two effects were assigned to resonance and saturation effects, which stabilize anions by para +R groups and electron‐releasing (ER) groups, respectively. The saturation effect was found for not only para but also meta substituents and functions through both π and σ bonds. Statistical analyses of the substituent effects ascertained that the behavior of the substituent effects can be quantitatively described by three terms – that of the inductive effect, the resonance effect, and the saturation effect – using an extended Yukawa–Tsuno equation, $ - \Delta E_{X} = \rho (\sigma {}^{0} + r^{ - } \Delta \bar {\sigma }_{R}^{ - } + s\Delta \bar {\sigma }_{S} )$. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rhodium‐catalysed hydrogenation of enamides with monodentate phosphorous ligands. A density functional theory study
Authors: Schiaffino Luca , Ercolani Gianfranco 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe hydrogenation of enamides catalysed by rhodium complexes of monodentate phosphorous ligands has been studied by density functional theory. The role of trans intermediates, made accessible by the non‐chelating nature of the ligand, has been taken into account. The findings here reported show that cis intermediates play the major role in the mechanism of the reaction, suggesting that data obtained with chiral monodentate phosphorous ligands or with a mixture of them should be interpreted excluding the intervention of structures with trans phosphine arrangement. Thus, results observed with monodentate phosphorous ligands must be interpreted in the light of the exclusive intervention of cis intermediates, without involvement of structures with trans phosphine arrangements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of Solvent Contamination and Characterization of Ultrafine HNS Particles after Solvent Recrystallization
Authors: Kaur Jatinder , Arya Vandana P. , Kaur Gurvinder , Gupta Yashpal P. , Verma Manmohan M. , Lata Prem 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSolvent–antisolvent recrystallization employed for size reduction of HNS has been described and the effect of various parameters such as stirring rate, effect of antisolvent type, antisolvent temperature, ultrasonication, etc. was investigated. Purified HNS, produced by hot solvent recrystallization of production grade crude HNS, of mean particle size ∼95 μm was used for preparation of ultrafine particles of HNS. Solvent contamination in terms of residual solvent was determined by 1H NMR and GC‐MS analysis. In addition, ultrafine HNS has been characterized for purity (HPLC, 1H NMR), particle size and shape (PSA and SEM), specific surface area (BET analysis), thermal behavior (TGA, DSC), sensitivity (impact, friction), etc. The results have been compared with C‐HNS. UF‐HNS was >99% pure with mean particle size <1 μm. SEM showed submicrometer size rods like particles of HNS as the final material.
Berberine elicits anti‐arrhythmic effects via IK1/Kir2.1 in the rat type 2 diabetic myocardial infarction model
Authors: Wang Li‐hong , Yu Chang‐hua , Fu Ying , Li Qiang , Sun Yu‐qian 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the anti‐arrhythmic mechanisms of berberine in diabetic rats with myocardial infarction. Sixty rats were divided into four groups: (1) normal control; (2) myocardial infarction group (MI); (3) Type 2 diabetes with myocardial infarction group (T2DM+MI); and (4) Type 2 diabetic with myocardial infarction berberine‐treated group (BBR). Berberine (60 mg/kg/day) was administered after coronary artery ligation in the T2DM+MI group for 14 days. Currents were measured using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. Western blot was performed for quantification of target proteins. The study showed that arrhythmias induced by myocardial infarction were aggravated in diabetic rats. Arrhythmia scores in the MI group were significantly higher than in the control group. Interestingly, the administration of berberine at a dose of 60 mg/kg/d recovered arrhythmia scores (P > 0.05). RMP (Resting membrane potential) which could be recovered by berberine (P < 0.05), was significantly reduced in both the infarction groups. IK1 current and current density markedly decreased in the MI and T2DM+MI groups (P < 0.05) and could be reversed by berberine (P < 0.05). The relative expression of Kir2.1 in rats in the MI and T2DM+MI group were both significantly decreased (P < 0.05); berberine recovered depressed Kir2.1 to nearly normal levels. The results suggest that the effects of berberine on IK1/Kir2.1 may be an important mechanism for producing anti‐arrhythmic effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial activity of flavonoids from the stem bark of Erythrina caffra thunb.
Authors: Chukwujekwu J. C. , Van Heerden F. R. , Van Staden J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe antibacterial activity of the stem bark of Erythrina caffra Thunb. was investigated against different bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity was determined by a micro broth dilution assay. Antibacterial compounds were isolated and identified using a Bruker Avance III LPO NMR spectrometer. Four known flavonoids, abyssione‐V 4′‐O‐methyl ether, 6,8‐diprenylgenistein, alpinumisoflavone and burttinone, were isolated. All the compounds were active against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained (MIC) ranged from 3.9 μg/mL to 125 μg/mL. This is the first report of antibacterial activity of burttinone and the isolation of these compounds from E. caffra. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.