bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Double Extraction of Uniformly Generated Electron-Hole Pairs from Insulators with Noninjecting Contacts
Authors: Goodman Alvin M. , Rose Albert 
Published: February 2004

A simple physical model has been used to derive an approximate theory of the double extraction of uniformly generated electron-hole pairs from a photoconductor layer with noninjecting contacts. The theory predicts 4 regimes of current versus applied voltage behavior:
(1) At low voltage, I∝V.
(2) At higher voltage, a transition region between I∝V and I∝V1/2.
(3) At still higher voltage, I∝V1/2.
(4) At very high voltage (above a saturation value), I=constant.
The model relates the extent of these regimes to the physical parameters of the system, viz., μpτp (mobility × lifetime product for holes), μnτn (mobility × lifetime product for electrons), and the layer thickness. Good agreement is obtained between the theory and measurements on lead oxide vidicons. The theory also provides some insight into the nature of the transient phenomena ``red fade'' and ``after image'' sometimes observed in the operation of lead oxide vidicons. At high light excitation levels, space-charge-limited currents are expected. In this case, two regimes of current versus applied voltage behavior can be predicted:
(1) Below a saturation value of voltage, I∝V1/2.
(2) Above a saturation value of voltage, I=constant.
The reasons for the one-half power current-voltage relationships are distinctly different in the μτ-limited and the space-charge-limited cases. In addition, the dependence of current on light intensity in the space-charge-limited case is a three-quarter power relation whereas in the μτ-limited case the dependence is a linear one. Also, the saturation voltage varies as the one-half power of the light intensity in the space-charge-limited case and is independent of the light intensity in the μτ-limited case.
An Examination of the International Natural Gas Trade
Authors: El Hachemi Mazighi Ahmed 
Published: February 2004

AbstractRecent developments in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, particularly the ongoing projects of liquefaction and regasification and the increasing number of LNG‐carriers to be delivered in forthcoming years, have led some specialists to argue that LNG is today at the crossroads between regionalisation and globalisation. Other specialists think that, by 2010, LNG's share of the total international trade of natural gas will be predominant, compared with that of pipelines. All these assumptions are based on an examination of the duration of existing and ongoing international gas projects.The objective of our article is to examine the historical patterns of the international trade of natural gas and discuss the conditions for the globalisation of LNG trade. Using some statistical evidence on the international trade of natural gas from 1970 to 1997,1 we show the following.

A strong correlation exists between the international trade of gas by pipeline and LNG. Before LNG becomes predominant, we need a delinking of these two means of trading gas.
Globalisation of the LNG trade is not only linked to an increase in the relative share of the LNG trade; it is also and primarily linked to an increase in the inter‐area trade of LNG.
There is a negligible change in the pattern of inter‐area and intra‐area trade of natural gas, even during the late 1990s; this is due to the contracted nature of the LNG international trade that resulted in a stickiness of LNG routes.
The emergence of a global LNG market requires the satisfaction of four conditions: natural, economic, technical and institutional conditions — therefore, it will certainly take more than ten years to make LNG a global commodity.
Limiting Global Cooling after Global Warming is Over — Differentiating Between Short‐ and Long‐Lived Greenhouse Gases
Authors: Michaelowa Axel 
Published: February 2004

AbstractCurrent climate policy does not take into account that, after greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced to an extent that atmospheric concentrations stabilise and then start to fall, natural decay of greenhouse gases will lead to a global cooling phase spanning several centuries. This cooling will lead to damage to humans and ecosystems that depends on the rate of temperature change. Current climate policy should thus concentrate on the reduction of short‐ and medium‐lived greenhouse gases, while exempting long‐lived gases. This reduces the cooling rate. Another policy option is to sequester carbon in geological reservoirs that allow controlled release in the future.
Enhanced transfollicular delivery of adriamycin with a liposome and iontophoresis
Authors: Han I. , Kim M. , Kim J. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract: To find a better way to deliver drugs into hair follicles, we tried two approaches: single topical application using various liposomes; and iontophoresis combined with topical application of ionic liposome. After delivery of adriamycin (ADR) to wax‐depilated rat skin, the transport of the drug was examined under fluorescence microscopy.Most liposomal ADR showed more effective transdermal and transfollicular penetration than free ADR. Among tested liposomes, the non‐ionic GDL liposome (GDL/CH/POE‐10 = glycerol dilaulate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene‐10) was the most selective to hair follicles against skin, while the cationic liposome (GDL/CH/POE‐10/DOTAP, dioleoyl trimethylammonium propane) containing monocationic DOTAP was less selective; however, it was better at improving the delivery amount and penetration of ADR into the follicles and skin. The DMPC/DMPG (7/3) formulation of anionic PC liposome (DMPC/DMPG = dimyristoyl‐phosphocholine/–phospoglycerol) showed results similar to the cationic liposome. The DMPC/DMPG (3/7) formulation yielded poor results, however, probably because of its increased viscosity and anionic property.Although ADR delivery was enhanced by liposomal formulations, topical applications had some limitations in delivery capacity and speed. To accelerate delivery, iontophoresis was combined with the cationic liposome at positive 0.2–0.4 mA/cm2 for 20–30 min. The resulting delivery of ADR through follicular routes was excellent. This combination method diffused ADR 3.0‐fold more efficiently, rapidly and deeply than single topical application of cationic liposomal ADR. This system also achieved a 3.5‐fold higher diffusive follicular delivery than a free ADR/iontophoresis combination. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the tetracationic lipid DOSPER and hydrophile spermine could serve as a cationic additive instead of the monocationic DOTAP in the liposome.These results suggest that the combinative system of the topically applied cationic liposome followed by iontophoresis has a significant synergistic effect on the transfollicular delivery of ADR.
The effect of the combination of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate versus both monotherapies on epidermal proliferation, keratinization and T‐cell subsets in chronic plaque psoriasis
Authors: Vissers W. H. P. M. , Berends M. , Muys L. , Van Erp P. E. J. , De Jong E. M. G. J. , Van De Kerkhof P. C. M. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract: Several reports have indicated that the combination of calcipotriol ointment and potent or ultrapotent corticosteroids are more effective and better tolerated, as compared to the monotherapies.The aim of the present study was to find out the effect of combination of calcipotriol ointment once daily and betamethasone dipropionate ointment once daily vs. the effect of twice‐daily applications of each of the two treatments as monotherapy during a four‐week treatment period.Seven patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were included for treatment with the three treatment schedules. Biopsies were taken before treatment and after four weeks of treatment, and markers for epidermal proliferation (Ki‐67) and epidermal differentiation (keratin‐10) were studied using a quantitative image analysis, and T‐cell subsets in epidermis and dermis (CD4, CD8, CD25, CD45RO, CD45RA, CD94, CD161, and CD2) were studied using immunohistochemical scoring.The most impressive clinical result was reached with the combination. Calcipotriol proved to have a major effect on the proliferation marker Ki‐67 and differentiation marker keratin‐10, whereas the effect on T‐cell subsets was more selective with major reductions of CD45RO+ and CD8+ T cells. In contrast, the effect of betamethasone dipropionate on the epidermis was restricted to a normalization of differentiation with a highly significant increase of keratin‐10 positive epidermal surface without a significant effect on Ki‐67 positive nuclei, and the effect on T‐cell subsets was restricted to a reduction of natural killer T‐cell receptors designated by CD94 and CD161 in the epidermis. The combination of the two treatments did not affect the proliferation marker Ki‐67 and keratinization marker keratin‐10, beyond the effect of calcipotriol monotherapy. However, the combination had a profound effect on, virtually, all T‐cell subsets, beyond the effect of the monotherapies.It is concluded that the action spectra of calcipotriol and betamethasone on the psoriatic plaque are different and that the combination has effects on T‐cell subsets, beyond the addition of the effects of monotherapies.
Adolescent quality of life: A school‐based cohort study in Western Australia
Authors: Meuleners Lynn B. , Lee Andy H. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background
: Quality of life (QOL) has received increasing attention in pediatrics medicine recently. Improving QOL is the primary justification for many interventions, medications and therapies. The present study is a school‐based longitudinal study which aims to investigate the factors affecting QOL of adolescents in Western Australia over a 6‐month period.
Methods
: A generic self‐reported questionnaire was administered twice to participants from 20 schools in Perth at 6 months apart. In addition to QOL scores and physical health status, demographic and other information was also collected. For the cohort of 363 students who participated in the initial survey, 300 of them completed the second questionnaire.
Results
: A significant change in QOL score between baseline and 6 months was observed. Results from fitting a hierarchical mixed regression model indicated that 55% of the variation in QOL was due to differences between individuals, and was significantly associated with age, control, opportunities and perceptions of physical health, while the remaining variance component could be attributed to within‐individual changes. Improved control and opportunities appeared to have a significant positive impact on QOL, whereas increasing age and deterioration in physical health had the opposite effect.
Conclusions
: The hierarchical regression analysis has enabled valid inferences to be made based on the observed longitudinal data. Perceptions of physical health, age, control and opportunities available are related to adolescent QOL. The findings have implications on evidence‐based practices and childhood health issues.
Relationship between fluvoxamine and stress barometer for nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Kano Kenichi , Arisaka Osamu 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background
: It has been reported recently that fluvoxamine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) is effective and safe for children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE). However, the exact mechanism by which fluvoxamine is beneficial in the treatment of MNE remains unknown. One possibility is that it controls emotional stress.
Methods
: We divided children with MNE into primary MNE (n = 40) and secondary MNE (n = 7). We measured urinary 17‐hydroxycorticosteroids (17‐OHCS) and 17‐ketosteroid sulfates (17‐KS‐S) as a stress barometer in children with MNE to evaluate adaptation to emotional stress before and during fluvoxamine treatment. We initially administered fluvoxamine at a dose of 25 mg at bedtime. If patients remained incontinent after 3 weeks, we increased the dose to 50 mg.
Results
: Fluvoxamine was effective in 26 of 28 children (93%) with primary MNE and an abnormality of the stress barometer and in six of six children (100%) with secondary MNE and an abnormality of the stress barometer. Fluvoxamine was effective in only six of 12 children (50%) with primary MNE and normality of the stress barometer and was not effective in one child with secondary MNE and normality of the stress barometer.
Conclusions
: The stress barometer is useful clinically for evaluating the therapeutic effect of fluvoxamine for children with MNE.
Antenatal steroid treatment prevents severe hyperkalemia in very low‐birthweight infants*
Authors: Uga Naoki , Nemoto Yuko , Ishii Tetsuya , Kawase Yasuhiro , Arai Hiroko , Tada Hiroshi 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background
: Hyperkalemia is seen quite often in very low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants and concentrations sometimes become high enough to cause cardiac arrhythmia. The purpose of the present study was to identify factors that increase serum concentrations of potassium in VLBW infants.
Methods
: Retrospective comparative analysis was performed on 140 VLBW infants who had been admitted to the Toho University Perinatal Center between January 1993 and December 1999 and needed mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress. Serum concentrations of potassium at 24 and 48 h of age were compared in two groups of infants, those whose mothers did and did not receive antenatal steroid treatment. Risk factors for severe hyperkalemia were analyzed by multiple linear regression models and Pearson's partial correlation analysis.
Results
: Antenatal steroid treatment reduced serum potassium concentrations significantly at 24 and 48 h, as well as the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia and necessity for glucose insulin treatment for severe hyperkalemia. Multiple linear regression showed the serum potassium concentration at 24 h of age was associated with antenatal steroid hormone treatment, 24 h fluid intake volume, serum sodium concentrations at 24 h, gestational weeks and sampling site. Serum concentration of potassium at 48 h of age was associated with blood urea nitrogen, gestational week, serum sodium concentration at 48 h of age and fluid intake between 24 and 48 h of age. Urine output volume and serum creatinine concentrations were not correlated with potassium concentrations at either age.
Conclusion
: Antenatal steroid hormone treatment can reduce early hyperkalemia in VLBW infants and also the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia and the use of glucose insulin treatment.
Spontaneous platelet aggregation in Kawasaki disease using the particle counting method
Authors: Taki Masashi , Kobayashi Miwako , Ohi Chiai , Shimizu Hironobu , Goto Kenjiro , Aso Kentaro , Murano Kotaro 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background
: Platelet aggregation is generally measured by the optical density method. This method is not very sensitive in detecting platelet activation because of the poor correlation between the formation of platelet aggregates and light transmission, and inability to detect small platelet aggregates. Recently, a new method was developed that detects small platelet aggregates formed in the early phase of platelet aggregation by means of a particle counting technique using light scattering.
Methods
: The present study used the particle counting method to measure spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) produced by agitation with a stirrer bar without agonists in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) and children's thrombotic disease, and compared the results with the conventional optical density method.
Results
: Using the particle counting method, significantly higher SPA rates were found before treatment than in healthy adults and at the other stages of treatment. A similar tendency was noted with the optical density method; however, the positive rate of SPA was significantly higher with the particle counting method in each stage except the second stage, which was the period from the start of gamma‐globulin therapy to 20 days.
Conclusion
: These results indicate that enhanced platelet aggregation is noted at a high frequency before treatment of KD and that the particle counting method is superior to the optical density method in detecting enhanced platelet aggregation.
Scabies in Thai orphanages
Authors: Pruksachatkunakorn Chulabhorn , Wongthanee Antika , Kasiwat Varangthip 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background
: Scabies outbreaks have emerged in the orphanages in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sulfur has been accepted as the standard treatment for childhood scabies in Thailand. Sulfur was administered in the mass treatment in two orphanages. The present study surveys the prevalence of scabies in these orphans the year following the mass treatment program.
Methods
: The authors visited the two orphanages over the course of 1 year. Children at the orphanages were examined. Cases of scabies and their contacts were treated.
Results
: The prevalence of scabies was 87.3% before the mass treatment, and 2 months after treatment the prevalence of scabies was reduced to a prevalence of <10%, which was maintained until the end of the present study (P < 0.01 for each visit).
Conclusion
: Sulfur is effective for treating scabies outbreaks where the cost of treatment is a major concern. In order to control the scabies outbreak and to prevent further outbreaks, the authors emphasize that an ongoing process of follow up after mass treatment is necessary.
Competition For Board Seats Following Stock‐For‐Stock Mergers
Authors: Davidson Wallace N. , Sakr Sameh , Ning Yixi 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWe examine the board structure of firms following stock‐for‐stock mergers. We find that former target inside (outside) directors are more likely to join the combined firm board when target insiders (outsiders) have a relatively strong position on the pre‐merger target board. The relative size of the target firm, target firm profitability, and target blockholder ownership also influence whether target directors join the combined board. We conclude that competition for board seats on the combined board is won by target directors with greater bargaining positions.
The Evolution Of Bank Resolution Policies In Japan: Evidence From Market Equity Values
Authors: Spiegel Mark M. , Yamori Nobuyoshi 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWe examine the evidence in equity markets concerning bank regulatory policies in Japan from 1995 to 1999. Our results support the presence of information‐based contagion in Japanese equity markets. When the failure of a bank of certain regulatory status was announced, it adversely affected excess returns on banks with equal or lower levels of regulatory protection. Market participants therefore initially behaved as if only second regional and smaller banks would be allowed to fail. As the situation deteriorated, however, banks that traditionally enjoyed greater regulatory protection were also perceived to lose their too‐big‐to‐fail status.
Optionality and Daily Dynamics of Convenience Yield Behavior: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Kocagil Ahmet E. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractIn this article I empirically examine the daily convenience yield behavior for six commodity markets (crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, wheat, corn, and copper). The results illustrate that convenience yield behavior can be statistically explained within an option pricing framework. However, because one of the assumptions of the standard call option formula is not fully satisfied by the observed convenience yield series, an alternative option—exchange option—may be more appropriate for modeling the daily convenience yield behavior. Furthermore, I empirically test two hypotheses on convenience yield behavior. The results confirm the assertion that the convenience yield is increasing in marginal production costs. In addition, the findings offer limited support for the hypothesis that the convenience yield is decreasing in the serial autocorrelation of spot prices. The observed switch in the sign of regression coefficients as the order of autocorrelation increases is attributed to the probable presence of mean reversion in these markets.
Visual Enhancing of Tactile Perception in the Posterior Parietal Cortex
Authors: Ro Tony , Wallace Ruth , Hagedorn Judith , Farné Alessandro , Pienkos Elizabeth 
Published: February 2004

Rice University The visual modality typically dominates over our other senses. Here we show that after inducing an extreme conflict in the left hand between vision of touch (present) and the feeling of touch (absent), sensitivity to touch increases for several minutes after the conflict. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the posterior parietal cortex after this conflict not only eliminated the enduring visual enhancement of touch, but also impaired normal tactile perception. This latter finding demonstrates a direct role of the parietal lobe in modulating tactile perception as a result of the conflict between these senses. These results provide evidence for visual-to-tactile perceptual modulation and demonstrate effects of illusory vision of touch on touch perception through a long-lasting modulatory process in the posterior parietal cortex.
In Search of Presence: A Systematic Evaluation of Evolving VLEs
Authors: Selverian Melissa Markaridian , Hwang Ha Sung 
Published: February 2004

In an attempt to understand better the unique characteristics of an increasing popular, prevalent form of sense-engaging and interactive multimedia learning experience often called the “virtual learning environment” (VLE), this study systematically evaluates and analyzes the findings of seventeen original research studies in terms of technologies, teaching strategies, presence, and learning. This evaluation identifies potentially significant relationships among these variables in VLEs with both low-and high-level learning objectives, from memorization and repetition to analysis and synthesis. The findings suggest, first, that, when technologies and teaching strategies are presented through a one-way immersion of the senses, learners most often respond with experiences of spatial presence; when technologies and teaching strategies are socially interactive in format, learners most often respond with experiences of social presence. This evaluation, importantly, suggests that levels of spatial presence may correlate with the achievement of lower-level learning objectives, that levels of social presence may correlate with the achievement of higher-level learning objectives, and that levels of spatial and social presence together may correlate most strongly with the achievement of higher-level learning objectives. The evaluation, finally, identifies a need and establishes a course for the consideration of presence in future VLE design and research.