cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fracture generated by a dilatational wave

A Griffith crack in a brittle elastic material is struck by a plane longitudinal stress wave whose wavefront is parallel to the crack. The paper investigates the conditions for crack propagation at an instantaneous velocity upon diffraction of the incident wave by the crack. The investigation consists of two parts. In the first part, the particle velocity and the normal stress are determined in the vicinity of the crack tip for diffraction of a transient wave of arbitrary shape by a crack which extends at a constant speed once the wavefront has impinged on the crack. In the second part of the investigation a balance of rate of energy is employed to determine that shape of the incident pulse which is compatible with instantaneous crack propagation. If energy is dissipated only as fracture energy, and if the specific fracture energy is a constant, crack propagation at an instantaneous velocity occurs only if the stress has a square-root singularity at the wavefront of the incident wave.
The sustainability of preference power allocations: an exploration of the Niagara Preference Power Program through the lens of the three E’s

Preference power allocations are allowances of electricity produced at government-owned power-generating facilities that are designated for sale to specific users at below-market rates. The Niagara Preference Power Program (NPPP) provides power to 51 municipally and/or cooperatively owned rural electric providers in the New York State. In this research, we use the analytical framework of the three E’s of sustainability—ecology, economy, and social equity—to explore how the NPPP influences municipal efforts to conserve energy, integrate energy planning into community development, and advance social equity among community members. Our survey of municipal officials in NPPP communities and follow-up semi-structured interviews indicate that the NPPP offers significant benefits to participating communities. Benefits include low electric rates and high levels of energy literacy among municipal leaders. Simultaneously, preference power may complicate economic development and energy conservation initiatives. Several communities involved in this study have developed techniques for overcoming these obstacles, such as creative rate structures and approaches to the promotion and implementation of energy conservation efforts. Consequently, these select municipalities challenge deeply held assumptions about the motivations that underlie energy conservation efforts and effective communication about the value of conservation behaviors in situations with weak, indirect, and invisible financial incentives.
Cervical paraspinous desmoid tumor in a child: case report.

ABSTRACTDESMOID TUMORS ARE uncommon fibroblastic proliferative lesions usually occurring in the abdominal wall of adults. We report an unusual case of such a tumor presenting as a rapidly growing cervical paraspinous mass in a 19-month-old girl. After surgical resection without adjuvant therapy, the
Self-organized computation with unreliable, memristive nanodevices

Nanodevices have terrible properties for building Boolean logic systems: high defect rates, high variability, high death rates, drift, and (for the most part) only two terminals. Economical assembly requires that they be dynamical. We argue that strategies aimed at mitigating these limitations, such as defect avoidance/reconfiguration, or applying coding theory to circuit design, present severe scalability and reliability challenges. We instead propose to mitigate device shortcomings and exploit their dynamical character by building self-organizing, self-healing networks that implement massively parallel computations. The key idea is to exploit memristive nanodevice behavior to cheaply implement adaptive, recurrent networks, useful for complex pattern recognition problems. Pulse-based communication allows the designer to make trade-offs between power consumption and processing speed. Self-organization sidesteps the scalability issues of characterization, compilation and configuration. Network dynamics supplies a graceful response to device death. We present simulation results of such a network—a self-organized spatial filter array—that demonstrate its performance as a function of defects and device variation.
In vitro neuronal cytotoxicity of latex and nonlatex orthodontic elastics

Although the toxicity of many dental materials has been thoroughly investigated, the toxicity of orthodontic elastic materials has not been extensively tested. We evaluated the neurotoxicity of 3 latex and 3 nonlatex orthodontic elastics in murine cerebral cortical cell cultures. Standard-sized pieces of each material from 3 manufacturers (American, Masel, and GAC) were placed on culture well inserts, allowing the material to be exposed to the culture bathing media without causing physical disruption of the cells. Cell death was quantified by assaying the release of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. Exposure of cortical cultures to the nonlatex elastics did not cause significant neuronal death, but exposure to each of the latex elastics resulted in significant neuronal death. The neuronal death induced by each of the latex elastics was blocked by adding the metal chelator, EDTA (calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate). Because many latexes use zinc-containing compounds in the prevulcanization process, and the death induced had characteristics similar to zinc-induced neuronal death, it seems likely that the toxicity of latex elastics was mediated by zinc release. Because ingestion of zinc is not a health risk, the results suggest that, in spite of the finding that latex elastics have higher in vitro cytotoxicity than nonlatex elastics, the use of latex elastics in orthodontics is acceptable.
Wind energy roadmap

Wind Energy has been existent for many centuries and has advanced in both products and technologies. We illustrate how Wind energy has evolved and its predicted future in a form of a graphical Technological Roadmap. We considered the following aspects as the basis of our research: — Environment, rising cost and dependency of oil, the availability of profitable and natural wind resources in the Pacific NW, business opportunities and government involvement. Our research is angled from a business perspective with interests discussed in detail later in this report. We predict, as implementation and the shift towards renewable energy, specifically wind energy occurs, there will be considerable reduction in the fluctuation and high cost of utilities, efforts towards the alarming concern of global warming and the increase of awareness of wind energy and it's products as a dependable natural alternative energy resource. We used multiple analytical tools and Technology Roadmaps to drive our research and to draw comparisons, demands and predictions amongst Market Drivers, Products and Technology levels, all in respect towards a set timeline. The design of the roadmap was created with importance emphasized on flexibility to change and comprehension of the objectives driving the roadmap. Various designs of objects and color codes representing products, resources and technologies were used in the design of the roadmap. An in-depth analysis of Wind Energy at present and it's forecasted future potential in the next 20 years was analyzed. Technology Roadmaps were created for each stage of our analysis, which constantly changed depending on collective data and scope refinement through a process of elimination and importance. Our report can be used as a foundation for future entrepreneurs in the energy sector that wish to explore new business opportunities and wish to diversify their current energy portfolio with a energy efficient portfolio. It could also serve as an educational tool to consumers and be able to assist governmental organizations to achieve their set target to increase the wind energy usage by 20% by the year 2020. Our objective is to identify and present the benefits in utilizing Wind energy to Residential, Commercial and Industrial consumers within the Pacific NW, with a basis on renewable energy as a whole with a specific focus on Wind Energy. Considering the climate and geographic location we feel that wind energy has the most potential in the Pacific NW.
Immunological and catalytic cross reactivity studies of fatty acid synthetase complexes from avian and mammalian livers

Abstract Fatty acid-synthetase complexes from avian and mammalian livers catalyse similar series of enzymatic reactions. We have studied the nature of immunological similarities and differences among these antigens by double diffusion analysis. Anti-chicken and anti-pigeon liver fatty acid-synthetase-γ-globulins give precipitin reactions with the antigens from avian livers, but not from rat liver, and the antibody prepared against the mammalian enzyme does not cross react with the avian enzymes. Minor antigenic differences seem to exist between the enzymes from avian livers as shown by the formation of spurs in immunodiffusion analysis. Since homlogous antibodies inhibit the activity for fatty acid-synthesis of the respective antigens, we considered the possibility of inhibition by nonhomologous antibodies. The antibodies against the avian enzymes inhibit the activity of avian enzymes though the titre values are considerably different. However, the rat liver enzyme is inhibited only to a small extent. Correspondingly, the antibody against the rat enzyme only partially inhibits the avian enzymes. Even though the degree of cross precipitation among avian and mammalian enzymes is absent, catalytic cross inhibition is exhibited by nonhomologous antibodies to a small extent. We also measured the activity for model reactions of fatty acid-synthesis in antigen · antibody complex to characterize the nature of inhibition by the antibody. Condensation-CO 2 exchange is the only reaction completely inhibited in the complex. The activities for other partial reactions show little or no change. To further characterize the nature of antigenic fragment, we have determined immunological and catalytic efficiency of the chicken enzyme modified with iodoacetic acid, iodoacetamide, palmitoyl CoA, trypsin and urea. The first four modifying agents lead to complete inhibition of activity for fatty acidsynthesis, but to only partial inhibition of activity for the reduction of acetoacetyl- N -acetyl cysteamine. However, the immunological reactivity is completely retained. The enzyme treated with 2 M urea gives results similar to other modifying agents but treatment with 4 and 6 M urea leads to complete loss of catalytic and immunological reactivity. These data imply that the major antigenic fragment encompasses the condensing site of the enzyme complex but that complete loss of immunological and catalytic reactivity requires complete disruption of overall enzyme conformation.
Differential purification of methionine-tRNA synthetase and lysine-tRNA synthetase from rabbit liver.

Abstract Purification procedures for methionine-tRNA synthetase and lysine-tRNA synthetase from rabbit liver cytosol are presented. The purification factor for both enzymes is higher than that reported previously. The data suggest that methionine-tRNA synthetase and lysine-tRNA synthetase occur as a mixture in rabbit liver cytosol rather than as a complex.
Differences in Drug Pharmacokinetics Between East Asians and Caucasians and the Role of Genetic Polymorphisms

Interethnic variability in pharmacokinetics can cause unexpected outcomes such as therapeutic failure, adverse effects, and toxicity in subjects of different ethnic origin undergoing medical treatment. It is important to realize that both genetic and environmental factors can lead to these differences among ethnic groups. The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) published a guidance to facilitate the registration of drugs among ICH regions (European Union, Japan, the United States) by recommending a framework for evaluating the impact of ethnic factors on a drug's effect, as well as its efficacy and safety at a particular dosage and dosage regimen. This review focuses on the pharmacokinetic differences between East Asians and Caucasians. Differences in metabolism between East Asians and Caucasians are common, especially in the activity of several phase I enzymes such as CYP2D6 and the CYP2C subfamily. Before drug therapy, identification of either the genotype and/or the phenotype for these enzymes may be of therapeutic value, particularly for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. Furthermore, these differences are relevant for international drug approval when regulatory agencies must decide if they accept results from clinical trials performed in other parts of the world.
Lattice embeddings and array noncomputable degrees

We focus on a particular class of computably enumerable (c. e.) degrees, the array noncomputable degrees defined by Downey, Jockusch, and Stob, to answer questions related to lattice embeddings and definability in the partial ordering (ℜ, ≤) of c. e. degrees under Turing reducibility. We demonstrate that the latticeM5 cannot be embedded into the c. e. degrees below every array noncomputable degree, or even below every nonlow array noncomputable degree. As Downey and Shore have proved that M5 can be embedded below every nonlow2 degree, our result is the best possible in terms of array noncomputable degrees and jump classes. Further, this result shows that the array noncomputable degrees are definably different from the nonlow2 degrees. We note also that there are embeddings of M5 in which all five degrees are array noncomputable, and in which the bottom degree is the computable degree 0 but the other four are array noncomputable. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Two Books on Eating Disorders and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Eating Disorders and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders: A Comprehensive Treatment Guide

It is not often that two books with similar titles and intent are published within the same time frame. This is what has occurred with a book by Glenn Waller and colleagues and a book by Christophe...
Dynamic convection-driven thermal gradient chemical vapor infiltration

The operation of the process of chemical vapor infiltration using a combination of pressure pulsing and thermal gradients is theoretically investigated in this study. Past studies had shown that pulsing of the pressure in the gas phase can lead to a dramatic reduction of the density gradients in the densifying structure, in comparison to those seen in isobaric diffusion-driven Pinfiltration, with significant gradients present only in the vicinity of the external surface of the preforms. Using a detailed model for chemical vapor infiltration under unsteady nonisothermal conditions, we show that temperature gradients, created in our study through microwave heating, can, in conjunction with pressure pulsing, eliminate the density gradients in the final product. Moreover, appropriate tuning of the operational parameters can lead to a situation where densification proceeds from the interior of the preform toward the external surface.
What Elementary Students and Teachers Say about Social Studies.

(2005). What Elementary Students and Teachers Say about Social Studies. The Social Studies: Vol. 96, No. 5, pp. 216-221.
Chiral Gauge Theory

Abstract We review the covariant formulation of quantum field theory, and in particular DeWitt's background field method, Schwinger's proper-time representations and Pauli-Villars invariant regularisation. We explain the difficulties encountered in the application of these techniques to the definition of the effective action for chiral gauge theories, and in particular the quantum mechanical breakdown of chiral gauge invariance leading to chiral anomalies, the structure of which is reviewed in detail. An exact non-perturbative proper-time representation of the full effective action for a chiral fermion is then derived, and its relationship to the Wess-Zumino term and Goldstone-Wilczek current discussed. Finally we derive local derivative expansions of the effective action in the low energy limit, and consider the relevance of decoupling to the quantisation of anomalous chiral gauge theories.
Microcalorimetric study of oxygen adsorption on catalytically promoted gasification chars

Abstract The interaction between oxygen and the surface of raw and catalytically promoted (potassium or calcium) bituminous coal chars was studied using a novel true differential calorimeter. Results clearly indicated that on potassium-promoted chars, oxygen adsorbs onto a thin layer of partially oxidized potassium. Also the oxygen uptake on potassium-promoted chars was found to be much greater than on calcium or unpromoted chars. This supports the view that potassium “spreads” on char surfaces. In contrast, these calorimetric results and the results of parallel XRD studies suggest that on demineralized bituminous coal calcium sinters and alloys with residual sulfur to produce relatively inactive catalysts. These findings strongly support one earlier model of potassium-promoted coal char reactivity: potassium catalyzes char gasification through a process in which a thin partially oxidized potassium film is alternately oxidized by the gas and reduced by the char.
Peer Advising: A Supplement to, but not a Substitute for, Faculty Advising

1favorably comparing peer advisors with professional and faculty advisors: that students seem at least satisfied with peer advising as with faculty advising; that colleges increasingly use paraprofessionals in various ways; and that students frequently complain about faculty advising, argues for using trained undergraduates in academic advising for undeclared majors.> I believe peer advising is an excellent supplement to, but not a substitute for, faculty advising. Indeed, experiences at many institutions confirm that peer advisors do a good job. But advising systems based primarily on undergraduates as academic advisors have two inherent problems: 1) they underestimate the importance of student-faculty interaction, and 2) they promote a limited view of the goals of
Building Syntactic Structures in Speaking: A Bilingual Exploration

In a series of three experiments we investigated syntactic priming using a sentence recall task. Participants read and memorized a target sentence for later recall. After reading a prime sentence and engaging in a distraction task, they were asked to produce the target sentence aloud. Earlier investigations have shown that this task is sensitive to a syntactic priming effect. That is, the syntactic form of the prime sentence sometimes influences the syntactic form of the recalled target. In this paper we report on a variation on this task, using Spanish-English bilingual participants. In the first two experiments we replicated the prepositional phrase priming effect using English target sentences and Spanish prime sentences. In the final experiment we investigated two additional syntactic forms, using Spanish target sentences and English prime sentences. Implications for models of syntax generation and bilingual speech production are discussed.
212 Shifting interfaces: changes in protein–protein and protein–DNA interfaces probed via molecular dynamics

Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in studying the binding of DNA to the MutSalpha protein complex. This heterodimeric protein complex, the Msh2/Msh6 complex in humans, is the initial complex that binds mismatched DNA and other DNA defects that occur during replication. This complex has also been shown to bind at least some types of damaged DNA, such as the cross-linked adducts due to the chemotherapeutics cisplatin and carboplatin, or the incorporation of the chemotherapeutic, FdU. As a result of this interest, multiple studies have contrasted the interactions of MutSalpha with its normal mismatched substrate and with the interactions of MutsSalpha with the DNA damaged by chemotherapeutic cisplatin. To complement these studies, we examine the interaction between MutSalpha and the DNA damaged by carboplatin via all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. These simulations provide evidence for subtle changes in the protein–DNA and protein–protein interfaces. The interfaces shifts found ar...
An archetype hydrogen atmosphere problem

Populations for the first three bound states and the continuum of hydrogen are determined for an isothermal, hydrostatic atmosphere at 20 000 K. The atmosphere is treated as being optically thin in the Balmer and Paschen continua and illuminated by continuum radiation at these wavelengths with prescribed radiation temperatures. The atmosphere is optically thick in the 2-1, 3-1, 3-2 and c-1 transitions. Three stages of approximation are treated: The solution of this problem is non-trivial, and presents sufficient difficulty to have caused failure of at least one rather standard technique. The problem is thus a good archetype against which new methods, or new implementations of old methods may be tested.
Sensitivity analysis in an imperfect substitutes model of preferential trade

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a formal representation of the imperfect substitutes model (ISM) of partial equilibrium, trade policy analysis and to conduct sensitivity analysis on the behavioral parameters of the model. Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops an ISM in a manner that is conformable to more complex, applied general equilibrium models of trade policy analysis. Findings – The paper presents a set of sensitivity analyses on key behavioral parameters for a better understanding of the model's properties. Research limitations/implications – Sensitivity analysis on the values of behavioral parameters in ISMs needs to be conducted by trade policy modelers. Practical implications – The ISM is made more explicit here than in most representations, something that will be of great use to practitioners. Originality/value – While widely used in trade policy circles, the ISM is rarely explicitly formulated, nor the role of its behavioral parameters explored.
Teaching the IMRaD Genre: Sentence Combining and Pattern Practice Revisited

The authors describe two pedagogical strategies—rhetorical sentence combining and rhetorical pattern practice—that blend once-popular teaching techniques with rhetorical decision making. A literatu...
Notch signaling: Fringe really is a glycosyltransferase

Abstract Fringe modifies the ligand-selectivity of Notch in ways that are crucial for a number of Notch's developmental functions. Recent results have confirmed the suspicion that Fringe is a glycosyltransferase that works in the Golgi complex by modifying Notch's glycosylation state.
Aging and Identity in Premodern Times

In premodern as in modem (and postmodern) times in the West, the social and personal identity of the aging and aged is mediated through the decay of the gendered and biomedicalized body. The social identity of the premodern aged was marked by ambivalence: images of the wise, spiritual, or useful elder contrasting with that of the spiteful, fearful, and ugly aged person. Both social place and personal identity were shaped, for aging men, by war, work, and sexual potency, and for aging women, by the reproductive, domestic, and cosmetic body. The movement toward collective identity in modem times is not likely to change Western cultural ambivalence toward the aging self, since aging, unlike gender, race, or sexual orientation, represents and is represented by physical decline.
Tamoxifen and the Rafoxifene analog LY117018: their effects on arachidonic acid release from cells in culture and on prostaglandin I2 production by rat liver cells.

Tamoxifen is being used successfully to treat breast cancer. However, tamoxifen also increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene also decreases breast cancer in women at high risk and may have a lower risk at developing cancer of the uterus. Tamoxifen has been shown to stimulate arachidonic acid release from rat liver cells. I have postulated that arachidonic acid release from cells may be associated with cancer chemoprevention. Rat liver, rat glial, human colon carcinoma and human breast carcinoma cells were labelled with [3H] arachidonic acid. The release of the radiolabel from these cells during incubation with tamoxifen and the raloxifene analog LY117018 was measured. The prostaglandin I2 produced during incubation of the rat liver cells with μM concentrations of tamoxifen and the raloxifene analog was quantitatively estimated. Tamoxifen is about 5 times more effective than LY117018 at releasing arachidonic acid from all the cells tested. In rat liver cells only tamoxifen stimulates basal prostaglandin I2 production and that induced by lactacystin and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. LY117018, however, blocks the tamoxifen stimulated prostaglandin production. The stimulated prostaglandin I2 production is rapid and not affected either by preincubation of the cells with actinomycin or by incubation with the estrogen antagonist ICI-182,780. Tamoxifen and the raloxifene analog, LY117018, may prevent estrogen-independent as well as estrogen-dependent breast cancer by stimulating phospholipase activity and initiating arachidonic acid release. The release of arachidonic acid and/or molecular reactions that accompany that release may initiate pathways that prevent tumor growth. Oxygenation of the intracellularly released arachidonic acid and its metabolic products may mediate some of the pharmacological actions of tamoxifen and raloxifene.
Large anisotropy of electrical properties in layer-structured In2Se3 nanowires.

Layer-structured indium selenide (In2Se3) nanowires (NWs) have large anisotropy in both shape and bonding. In2Se3 NWs show two types of growth directions: [11−20] along the layers and [0001] perpendicular to the layers. We have developed a powerful technique combining high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigation with single NW electrical transport measurement, which allows us to correlate directly the electrical properties and structure of the same individual NWs. The NW devices were made directly on a 50 nm thick SiNx membrane TEM window for electrical measurements and HRTEM study. NWs with the [11−20] growth direction exhibit metallic behavior while the NWs grown along the [0001] direction show n-type semiconductive behavior. Excitingly, the conductivity anisotropy reaches 103−106 at room temperature, which is 1−3 orders magnitude higher than the bulk ratio.
The impact of larval predators and competitors on the morphology and fitness of juvenile treefrogs

Studies of phenotypic plasticity typically focus on traits in single ontogenetic stages. However, plastic responses can be induced in multiple ontogenetic stages and traits induced early in ontogeny may have lasting effects. We examined how gray treefrog larvae altered their morphology in four different larval environments and whether different larval environments affected the survival, growth, development, and morphology of juvenile frogs at metamorphosis. We then reared these juveniles in terrestrial environments under high and low intraspecific competition to determine whether the initial differences in traits at metamorphosis affected subsequent survival and growth, whether the initial phenotypic differences converged over time, and whether competition in the terrestrial environment induced further phenotypic changes. Larval and juvenile environments both affected treefrog traits. Larval predators induced relatively deep tail fins and short bodies, but there was no impact on larval development. In contrast, larval competitors induced relatively short tails and long bodies, reduced larval growth, and slowed larval development. At metamorphosis, larval predators had no effect on juvenile growth or relative morphology while larval competitors produced juveniles that were smaller and possessed relatively shorter limbs and shorter bodies. After 1 month of terrestrial competition among the juvenile frogs, the initial differences in juvenile morphology did not converge. There were no differences in growth due to larval treatment but there were differences in survival. Individuals that experienced low competition as tadpoles experienced near perfect survival as juvenile frogs but individuals that experienced high competition as tadpoles suffered an 18% decrease in survival as juvenile frogs. There were also morphological responses to juvenile competition, but these changes appear to be due, at least in part, to allometric effects. Collectively, these results demonstrate that larval environments can have profound impacts on the traits and fitness of organisms later in ontogeny.
The Permissibility of Aiding and Abetting Unjust Wars

[Common sense suggests that if a war is unjust, then there is a strong moral reason not to contribute to it. I argue that this presumption is mistaken. It can be permissible to contribute to an unjust war because, in general, whether it is permissible to perform an act often depends on the alternatives available to the actor. The relevant alternatives available to a government waging a war differ systematically from the relevant alternatives available to individuals in a position to contribute to the war. Hence the conditions determining whether it is permissible for a government to wage a war often differ from the conditions determining whether it is permissible for others to promote that war. This difference is manifest most often in unjust wars with putatively humanitarian aims—an increasingly common type of war., Common sense suggests that if a war is unjust, then there is a strong moral reason not to contribute to it. I argue that this presumption is mistaken. It can be permissible to contribute to an unjust war because, in general, whether it is permissible to perform an act often depends on the alternatives available to the actor. The relevant alternatives available to a government waging a war differ systematically from the relevant alternatives available to individuals in a position to contribute to the war. Hence the conditions determining whether it is permissible for a government to wage a war often differ from the conditions determining whether it is permissible for others to promote that war. This difference is manifest most often in unjust wars with putatively humanitarian aims—an increasingly common type of war.]
The Legacy of the New Public Management in Developing Countries

Introduction ‘New Public Management’ is now a somewhat dated label. It was always a complex and far from consistent set of ideas, and from the first spotting of the trend it was often derided as a useful model for developing countries to follow. The conflicting mix of suspicion and enthusiasm that surrounded the NPM debate in the 1980s and early 1990s (see, for example, Spann, 1981; Osborne and Gaebler 1992) gave way to a more thoughtful skepticism in the late 1990s about its generalized applicability (Schick, 1998; Allen, 1999; Sutch, 1999). Probably, doubt has now won out. It is certainly commonplace for weary consultants and development agency staff to maintain that there is little in the NPM technical/ managerial amalgam that is appropriate for the politicized public sectors in many developing countries. After over 20 years of living with NPM, we should be able to address three substantial questions. The first key question is: Has NPM become the way of thinking about public management in developing, and developed, countries? NPM made some big claims, both about its effectiveness in improving government performance and about its inevitable dominance as a school of managerial thought. Did NPM win in its battle with the old public management approaches? Second, whether or not it removed other possibilities, to the extent that it was implemented did NPM work? Did it deliver on its promises to improve operational efficiency and the responsiveness of bureaucratic agents to their political principals? Finally, did it win enough, and did it work enough, to matter? Overall, what is the legacy of NPM — in a fashion-prone industry does it stand out from the other relatively minor twists and turns of public management? This article argues that the victory of NPM was very partial. It changed the debate but did not silence other public management voices and certainly did not take us to the end of managerial history. In looking at whether it worked, we are
Muscle extracellular matrix applies a transverse stress on fibers with axial strain

It is widely assumed that skeletal muscle contraction is isovolumic. This assumption has been verified at the single fiber and at the myofibril level. Model development and mechanical analyses often exploit this assumption when investigating skeletal muscle and evaluating muscle mechanical properties. This communication describes a method whereby individual muscle fibers and bundles of fibers, which include their constituent extracellular matrix (ECM), were tested to define the change in volume with axial strain. The results demonstrate that fibers are isovolumic, but bundles decrease in volume with strain. The loss of volume implicates a transverse force being applied to the fibers by the ECM. The nature and importance of this transverse force warrant further investigation.
A Monte Carlo determination of the effectiveness of nanoparticles as spacers for optimizing TiO 2 opacity

Optimal TiO2 opacity is achieved when the TiO2 particles are well spaced. Nanoparticle extenders are claimed to improve TiO2 spacing by positioning themselves between the larger TiO2 particles (0.25 μm) and preventing the TiO2 particles from approaching or touching one another. Claims have been made that this can as much as double the light-scattering efficiency of TiO2. This concept was tested by a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and image analysis techniques to determine computationally how the effectiveness of this approach is affected by TiO2 concentration, nanoparticle concentration, and nanoparticle size. Surprisingly, the results showed that nanoparticles did not, in fact, improve the spacing of TiO2 particles under any of the conditions examined (specifically, in the absence of any inter-particle interactions). Instead, TiO2 distributions and spacings were completely indifferent to the presence of smaller particles (however, large extender particles were found to cause TiO2 crowding, consistent with expectations and experiments). Explanation and implications of these findings are discussed.
Assertive community treatment of the long-term mentally ill

Abstract For several reasons including the failures of deinstitutionalization, the inadequacy of community resources, and poor coordination among service agencies, the needs of people with long-term mental illness living in the community have not been adequately met. Yet recent changes in the mental health care treatment system have sustained the shift in the locus of mental health care from inpatient settings to the community. This article discusses the characteristics and needs of people with long-term mental illness living in the community. Gaps in service are identified, and an innovative assertive community treatment approach to close some of those gaps is described. Suggestions are proposed for differentiating the role of the psychiatric nurse from other clinicians in assertive community treatment teams.
Corticosterone Levels during the Nesting Process in Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta)

Abstract Free-living vertebrates tend to respond to environmental challenges by increasing circulating glucocorticoid levels. Changes in glucocorticoids can modulate various aspects of physiology and behavior, which can have fitness benefits in the short term but may be detrimental to fitness if elevated levels are frequent, prolonged, or both. The transfer of glucocorticoids from females to offspring might also have fitness consequences, but there is less known about the potential effects of transgenerational glucocorticoid transfer. Our study examined corticosterone levels in female Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta) during the nesting season because of the potential fitness consequences for both females and offspring. Whether caught in aquatic traps or caught during the nesting process, females had similar circulating corticosterone levels that were relatively low. However, when females were subjected to a restraint protocol, corticosterone rose. Therefore, corticosterone levels may be elevated duri...
The negativity bias: Conceptualization, quantification, and individual differences

There is an extensive literature on the negativity bias, including its conceptualization, measurement, temporal stability (individual differences), and neural and genetic associations. Hibbing et al. posit that the difference across individuals in the negativity bias is a key factor in determining political predisposition. The measures and paradigms developed in this literature provide a means of testing this hypothesis.
The effects of continuous androgen secretion on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in woman: Evidence from a luteinized thecoma of the ovary

Abstract Hyperandrogenic states in women are often accompanied by disruption of gonadotropin secretion. However, the role of androgens per se in the pathogenesis of this abnormality is poorly understood. We report a woman with a virilizing ovarian tumor in whom the effects of continuous androgen secretion on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis were investigated in detail. A 29-yr-old woman with previously normal reproductive function, including prior fertility, was evaluated for amenorrhea and hirsutism. She had elevated peripheral serum levels of testosterone (T; 337-500 ng/dl) and androstenedione (A; 258-353 ng/dl). Her serum LH level was above the normal follicular phase range and was hyperresponsive to LHRH, whereas the FSH level was below normal early follicular phase levels and increased minimally in response to LHRH. A luteinized thecoma of the left ovary, shown by catherization of the ovarian venous blood to be secreting both T and A, was removed. Postoperatively, serum T and A levels returned to norm...
OxID: On-chip one-time random ID generation using oxide breakdown

A new chip ID generation method is presented that leverages the random and permanent characteristics of oxide breakdown. A 128b ID array is implemented in 65nm CMOS and two algorithms for stressing the oxides are presented, showing a near-ideal Hamming distance of 63.92 in silicon measurements and consistent IDs across voltage and temperature.
Control of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles for mobile power generation and grid support applications

The use of an onboard electrical propulsion system in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to provide plug-in charging, mobile power generation, and vehicle-to-grid support capabilities is discussed. Pulse width modulation (PWM) control methods are examined for operating such a plug-in HEV in mobile power generation and vehicle-to-grid support applications to assess their impacts on the power conversion efficiency. A novel unipolar/interleaved PWM switching scheme is proposed, which can significantly reduce the switching losses and substantially increase the efficiency. A dual inverter drive prototype was assembled to test the PWM control schemes and test results are included to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
High-bone-mass-producing mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway result in distinct skeletal phenotypes

Mutations among genes that participate in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway can lead to drastically different skeletal phenotypes, ranging from severe osteoporosis to severe osteosclerosis. Many high-bone-mass (HBM) causing mutations that occur in the LRP5 gene appear to impart the HBM phenotype, in part, by increasing resistance to soluble Wnt signaling inhibitors, including sclerostin. Sost loss-of-function mutant mice (Sost knock-out) and Lrp5 gain-of-function mutant mice (Lrp5 HBM knock-in) have high bone mass. These mutants potentially would be predicted to be phenocopies of one another, because in both cases, the sclerostin-Lrp5 interaction is disrupted. We measured bone mass, size, geometry, architecture, and strength in bones from three different genetic mouse models (Sost knock-out, Lrp5 A214V knock-in, and Lrp5 G171V knock-in) of HBM. We found that all three mouse lines had significantly elevated bone mass in the appendicular skeleton and in the cranium. Sost mutants and Lrp5 A214V mutants were statistically indistinguishable from one another in most endpoints, whereas both were largely different from the Lrp5 G171V mutants. Lrp5 G171V mutants preferentially added bone endocortically, whereas Lrp5 A214V and Sost mutants preferentially added bone periosteally. Cranial thickness and cranial nerve openings were similarly altered in all three HBM models. We also assessed serum serotonin levels as a possible mechanism accounting for the observed changes in bone mass, but no differences in serum serotonin were found in any of the three HBM mouse lines. The skeletal dissimilarities of the Lrp5 G171V mutant to the other mutants suggest that other, non-sclerostin-associated mechanisms might account for the changes in bone mass resulting from this mutation.
Origins of postsynaptic potentials evoked in identified rat neostriatal neurons by stimulation in substantia nigra

Responses of striatal neurons to stimulation in substantia nigra were recorded intracellularly in intact rats and after acute or chronic unilateral lesions of cerebral cortex or after combined cortical lesions and unilateral thalamic transections. Spiny striatal efferent neurons were identified by intracellular injection of horseradish peroxidase. In intact animals substantia nigra stimulation evoked a complex response with both excitatory and inhibitory phases. Acute unilateral decortication abolished the inhibitory phase of the response and reduced the amplitude of the initial EPSP. Thus, part of the excitatory phase and most or all of the inhibitory phase of the response result from polysynaptic routes to striatum involving cerebral cortex. The remaining EPSP observed in acute decorticate animals exhibited two components distinguished on the basis of their time courses. The latter of these was abolished by thalamic transections. The earlier component was shown to be a monosynaptic EPSP evoked by axon collaterals of cortical efferent neurons projecting to brainstem and was not observed in animals subjected to chronic decortication. After removal of all of these non-nigral response components a small long latency EPSP could be evoked by nigral stimulation. This EPSP is probably due to activation of dopaminergic nigro-striatal axons.
Mutagenicity of chlorine‐substituted furanones and their inactivation by reaction with nucleophiles

The reported high mutagenic potency of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone against Salmonella typhimurium (TA100) was confirmed in the determined value of 6,300 net revertants/nmol. Partial inactivation of the furanone by Arochlor 1254-induced rat liver homogenate fraction (S9) was observed. Inactivation by the nucleophiles hydroxide ion, SO2, S2O2/3−, pyrrolidine and glutathione, all in aqueous solutions, was determined and the results compared. Mutagenic reduction was observed for all of the nucleophiles but was most pronounced for glutathione. Inactivation by hydroxide ion was most sensitive in the pH range of 9 to 11, was associated with chloride ion formation and paralleled irreversible ultraviolet spectral change resulting in the loss of the 227 nm absorption maximum and the appearance of a new maximum at 255 nm. Neutral aqueous solutions of the furanone and glutathione were marked by two UV maxima, at 250 and 270 nm, and lacked the aldehydic 1H-NMR signal, which was observed in the spectrum of the neutral solution of the furanone alone and was attributed to the presence of its acyclic tautomeric form. Several other furanones were prepared. Their Ames mutagenicities and those of chlorine-substituted intermediates obtained in the synthesis of the furanone were determined and compared, and then related to the reported mutagenicities of some 2-chloropropenals.
A speech recognition and synthesis tool

Many of the new technologies designed to help worldwide communication -- e.g. telephones, fax machines, computers -- have created new problems especially among the hearing and visually impaired. A person, who has severe hearing impairments, particularly to the extent in which deafness occurs, may experience difficulties communicating over a telephone as he or she is unable to hear the recipient's responses. Conversely, someone with visual impairments would have little inconvenience using a telephone but may not be able to communicate through a computer because of the difficulties (or, in the case of blindness, impossibility) in reading the screen. The goal of this project is to develop a Speech Recognition and Synthesis Tool (SRST) that provides a solution to the communication between the hearing and visually impaired. SRST is free and does not require any additional equipment besides a computer. Additionally, SRST can be used in educational settings, regardless of students' or teachers' disabilities, as a teaching aid.
Unique patterns of regulation of nitric oxide production in fibroblasts

The pathways regulating rat and mouse embryonic and lung fibroblast nitric oxide production were analyzed in an attempt to evaluate the potential role of these cells in nonspecific host defense and inflammation. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) was found to be the strongest single activator in all types of fibroblasts examined. In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was synergistic with IL-1 beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in induction of nitric oxide synthesis. These patterns of responsiveness are not observed in macrophages and may be significant in initiation of early host defense processes, before specific interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-mediated immune responses have become operative. Rat and mouse fibroblasts were also found to produce nitric oxide when primed with IFN-gamma and simultaneously treated with IL-1, TNF-alpha, or LPS. The doses of IFN-gamma effective in priming fibroblasts for nitric oxide production were as low as 1-10 U/ml. Furthermore, effective triggering doses of LPS, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 were 10 ng/ml, 100 U/ml, and 0.2 ng/ml, respectively. These results demonstrate that fibroblasts are activated more readily to produce nitric oxide than interstitial macrophages and may be the major source of this mediator in tissues. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that fibroblasts are heterogeneous with respect to inducible nitric oxide synthase expression with the majority of cells not involved in the response. Fibroblasts were also found to be distinct from macrophages in their sensitivity to the suppressive effects of transforming growth factor-beta, which in fibroblasts inhibited both IFN-gamma plus LPS- and IFN-gamma plus TNF-alpha-induced nitric oxide production. At the stage of growth crisis, a dramatic increase in nitric oxide production was observed in rat fibroblasts in response to IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha that may be directly correlated with cellular senescence. Taken together, our data suggest that mouse and rat fibroblasts are potential effectors in both IFN-gamma-dependent and -independent nitric oxide-mediated processes and that the patterns regulating nitric oxide metabolism in these cells are distinct from those of macrophages.
Work-Centered Design: A Cognitiive Engineering Approach to System Design

This paper provides an overview of an emerging cognitive engineering framework that can be used to guide engineering analysis and design decision-making. As the name implies, the Work-Centered Desi...
The Composition and Interfacial Properties of Cvd Tungsten Films

CVD tungsten has been under active investigation as a contact barrier, as a material for contact fill and via fill, and as an interconnect metal for VLSI applications [1].