Kinetically Driven Growth Instability in Stressed Solids

We report a new stress-induced kinetically driven morphological instability for driven systems. The effect of stress on the interfacial mobility couples to stress variations along a perturbed planar growth front. Comparison of theory and experiment for solid phase epitaxy at a corrugated Si(001) interface, with no free parameters, indicates that the new mechanism is required to account for the observed growth of the corrugation amplitude. This mechanism operates in conjunction with known diffusional and elastic strain energy-driven instabilities in determining morphological evolution.Engineering and Applied Science

A review of wetting versus adsorption, complexions, and related phenomena: the rosetta stone of wetting

This paper reviews the fundamental concepts and the terminology of wetting. In particular, it focuses on high temperature wetting phenomena of primary interest to materials scientists. We have chosen to split this review into two sections: one related to macroscopic (continuum) definitions and the other to a microscopic (or atomistic) approach, where the role of chemistry and structure of interfaces and free surfaces on wetting phenomena are addressed. A great deal of attention has been placed on thermodynamics. This allows clarification of many important features, including the state of equilibrium between phases, the kinetics of equilibration, triple lines, hysteresis, adsorption (segregation) and the concept of complexions, intergranular films, prewetting, bulk phase transitions versus “interface transitions”, liquid versus solid wetting, and wetting versus dewetting.Seventh Framework Programme (European Commission) (Grant FP7-NMP-2009-CSA-23348-MACAN

Understanding the role of performance targets in transport policy

The measurement of performance in the public sector has become increasingly important in recent years and it is now commonplace for transport organisations, and local and national governments, to publish performance goals for service supply and quality. Such commitments, when time referenced, are known as targets. This paper explain how changes in management style, consumer rights legislation, contractual obligations and other factors have combined to make management-by targets increasingly common in the public sector. The advantages and disadvantages of management-by-targets are illustrated through discussion of the processes and experience of setting transport targets in UK national transport policy. We conclude that while some of the targets have had a significant impact on policy makers, managers and their agents, the effects have not always been as intended

Integrability of Some Charged Rotating Supergravity Black Hole Solutions in Four and Five Dimensions

We study the integrability of geodesic flow in the background of some recently discovered charged rotating solutions of supergravity in four and five dimensions. Specifically, we work with the gauged multicharge Taub-NUT-Kerr-(Anti) de Sitter metric in four dimensions, and the $U(1)^3$ gauged charged-Kerr-(Anti) de Sitter black hole solution of N = 2 supergravity in five dimensions. We explicitly construct the Killing tensors that permit separation of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation in these spacetimes. These results prove integrability for a large class of previously known supergravity solutions, including several BPS solitonic states. We also derive first-order equations of motion for particles in these backgrounds and examine some of their properties. Finally, we also examine the Klein-Gordon equation for a scalar field in these spacetimes and demonstrate separability.Comment: 17 Pages, updated bibliography, accepted for publication by Physics Letters

Neutrino Rates in Color Flavor Locked Quark Matter

We study the weak interaction rates involving Goldstone bosons in the Color Flavor Locked (CFL) quark matter. Neutrino mean free path and the rate of energy loss due to neutrino emission in a thermal plasma of CFL pions and kaons is calculated. We find that in addition to neutrino scattering off thermal mesons, novel Cherenkov like processes wherein mesons are either emitted or absorbed contribute to the neutrino opacity. Lack of Lorentz invariance in the medium and loss of rotational invariance for processes involving mesons moving relative to the medium allow for novel processes such as $\pi^0 \to \nu \bar{\nu}$ and $e^- \pi^+ \to \nu_e$. We explore and comment on various astrophysical implications of our finding.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figure

Accounts from developers of generic health state utility instruments explain why they produce different QALYs: a qualitative study

Purpose and setting: Despite the label generic health state utility instruments (HSUIs), empirical evidence shows that different HSUIs generate different estimates of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in the same person. Once a HSUI is used to generate a QALY, the difference between HSUIs is often ignored, and decision-makers act as if \u27a QALY is a QALY is a QALY\u27. Complementing evidence that different generic HSUIs produce different empirical values, this study addresses an important gap by exploring how HSUIs differ, and processes that produced this difference. 15 developers of six generic HSUIs used for estimating the QOL component of QALYs: Quality of Well-Being (QWB) scale; 15 Dimension instrument (15D); Health Utilities Index (HUI); EuroQol EQ-5D; Short Form-6 Dimension (SF-6D), and the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) were interviewed in 2012-2013. Principal findings: We identified key factors involved in shaping each instrument, and the rationale for similarities and differences across measures. While HSUIs have a common purpose, they are distinctly discrete constructs. Developers recalled complex developmental processes, grounded in unique histories, and these backgrounds help to explain different pathways taken at key decision points during the HSUI development. The basis for the HSUIs was commonly not equivalent conceptually: differently valued concepts and goals drove instrument design and development, according to each HSUI\u27s defined purpose. Developers drew from different sources of knowledge to develop their measure depending on their conceptualisation of HRQoL. Major conclusions/contribution to knowledge: We generated and analysed first-hand accounts of the development of the HSUIs to provide insight, beyond face value, about how and why such instruments differ. Findings enhance our understanding of why the six instruments developed the way they did, from the perspective of key developers of those instruments. Importantly, we provide additional, original explanation for why a QALY is not a QALY is not a QALY

The suppression of appetite and food consumption by methylphenidate: the moderating effects of gender and weight status in healthy adults.

Females typically show greater behavioural responses to stimulant drugs than males, including loss of appetite; as seen, for example, in those who use methylphenidate (MP) therapeutically for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is a relevant issue because of the strong link between ADHD and obesity. In a sample (n=132) of normal-weight (BMI25) and obese (BMI30) men and women we assessed appetite, cravings, and snack-food intake in response to MP (0.5 mg/kg) and placebo. Results indicated a significant three-way interaction for the three dependent variables--food-related responding diminishing in all groups from placebo to MP, except in obese males who showed no decreases to the MP challenge. These data show for the first time the existence of gender differences in the appetite response to MP, and are relevant for finding a dopamine pathway to new weight-loss medications, which would be utilized differently in males than in females

EXCHANGE AND COORDINATION: CHALLENGES OF THE GLOBAL ONE HEALTH MOVEMENT

Current economic, social, and environmental trajectories within most world regions are unsustainable. Interaction between bottom-up initiatives and top-down good governance is essential to change them. The One Health movement, made up of many organizations, groups, and individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, seeks to redress the present trajectories but has lacked coordination and cooperation, limiting its effectiveness to date. We take a snapshot of groups/organizations working to promote One Health, explore options to increase cooperation and coordination among global One Health stakeholders, and propose systemic strategies that could positively impact animals, people, the planet, plants, and politics.                                                Methods: Through a review of the compilation of Who’s Who in One Health organizations on the One Health Commission’s (OHC) website and the list of organizations that have pledged support for One Health listed on the One Health Initiative (OHI) website, 289 organizations were identified (as of 29 July 2022: 126 Civil Society Organizations, 133 academic and 30 governmental organizations). A stratified sampling approach and MAXQDA 2022 were used in a mixed-methods analysis to select a sample (N=50) of organizations to evaluate with 10 questions on purpose & focus, structure & transparency, cooperation & implementation, and publications. Results: The words “One Health” appeared in the organizations’ names on 62.0% (N=31) of websites examined, most often those in academic settings (78.2%). As regards transparency of the organizational structures, membership was defined in 70.0% (N=35),  again most often by academic organizations (82.6%). Members of the governing structures were named on 34.0% of organizational websites.  Projects led in the last two years were described on 32.0%, and cooperation with other organizations was indicated on 64.0% of websites examined.  Relevant publications and annual reports were listed on 46.0% and 24.0% of probed websites, respectively. Ranking the number of positive findings for each of the 50 organizations examined revealed that full information for all ten questions was provided by only 4 academic and 1 governmental organization. The OHC website was used as a starting point and thus was not included in the N=50 samples. It was therefore examined as an example of a Non-Profit / CSO working to support bottom-up One Health leadership. Since 2014 the OHC has supported a Global One Health Community listserv of individuals from around the globe. The analysis revealed a dominance of Directors from the US and a high proportion of organizations included on the OHC Who’s Who in One Health organizations webpage were located in North America. The social sciences - sociology and economics in particular – were underrepresented among in its . Conclusion: These 10 questions may not have been fully appropriate for all organizations examined in academic or government settings versus stand-alone non-profit or civil society organizations. However, an examination of the 50 selected websites of organizations working to implement One Health and/or framing their projects and purpose in One Health revealed the global One Health movement to be fragmented and uncoordinated. The authors propose to form a more unified voice for One Health across the international One Health movement, a fully networked, informal global One Health alliance or community of practice that can coordinate sharing of information among the networks and with the general public,  and that is able to seek synergies and joining of hands in collective/collaborative actions to effectively and efficiently promote and support bottom-up efforts

EXCHANGE AND COORDINATION: CHALLENGES OF THE GLOBAL ONE HEALTH MOVEMENT

Current economic, social, and environmental trajectories within most world regions are unsustainable. Interaction between bottom-up initiatives and top-down good governance is essential to change them. The One Health movement, made up of many organizations, groups, and individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, seeks to redress the present trajectories but has lacked coordination and cooperation, limiting its effectiveness to date. We take a snapshot of groups/organizations working to promote One Health, explore options to increase cooperation and coordination among global One Health stakeholders, and propose systemic strategies that could positively impact animals, people, the planet, plants, and politics.Methods: Through a review of the compilation of Who’s Who in One Health organizations on the One Health Commission’s (OHC) website and the list of organizations that have pledged support for One Health listed on the One Health Initiative (OHI) website, 289 organizations were identified (as of 29 July 2022: 126 Civil Society Organizations, 133 academic and 30 governmental organizations). A stratified sampling approach and MAXQDA 2022 were used in a mixed-methods analysis to select a sample (N=50) of organizations to evaluate with 10 questions on purpose & focus, structure & transparency, cooperation & implementation, and publications. Results: The words “One Health” appeared in the organizations’ names on 62.0% (N=31) of websites examined, most often those in academic settings (78.2%). As regards transparency of the organizational structures, membership was defined in 70.0% (N=35), again most often by academic organizations (82.6%). Members of the governing structures were named on 34.0% of organizational websites. Projects led in the last two years were described on 32.0%, and cooperation with other organizations was indicated on 64.0% of websites examined. Relevant publications and annual reports were listed on 46.0% and 24.0% of probed websites, respectively. Ranking the number of positive findings for each of the 50 organizations examined revealed that full information for all ten questions was provided by only 4 academic and 1 governmental organization.The OHC website was used as a starting point and thus was not included in the N=50 samples. It was therefore examined as an example of a Non-Profit / CSO working to support bottom-up One Health leadership. Since 2014 the OHC has supported a Global One Health Community listserv of individuals from around the globe. The analysis revealed a dominance of Directors from the US and a high proportion of organizations included on the OHC Who’s Who in One Health organizations webpage were located in North America. The social sciences - sociology and economics in particular – were underrepresented among in its leadership. Conclusion: These 10 questions may not have been fully appropriate for all organizations examined in academic or government settings versus stand-alone non-profit or civil society organizations. However, an examination of the 50 selected websites of organizations working to implement One Health and/or framing their projects and purpose in One Health revealed the global One Health movement to be fragmented and uncoordinated. The authors propose to form a more unified voice for One Health across the international One Health movement, a fully networked, informal global One Health alliance or community of practice that can coordinate sharing of information among the networks and with the general public, and that is able to seek synergies and joining of hands in collective/collaborative actions to effectively and efficiently promote and support bottom-up efforts

Test of the Dimopouos-Hall-Raby Ansatz for Fermion Mass Matrices

By evolution of fermion mass matrices of the Fritzsch and the Georgi-Jarlskog forms from the supersymmetric grand unified scale, DHR obtained predictions for the quark masses and mixings. Using Monte Carlo methods we test these predictions against the latest determinations of the mixings, the CP-violating parameter epsilon_K and the B_d^0--Bbar_d^0 mixing parameter r_d. The acceptable solutions closely specify the quark masses and mixings, but lie at the edges of allowed regions at 90% confidence level.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure (not included