cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Promoting sustainable FDI through international investment agreements

English Abstract:The author identifies ways to promote sustainable FDI through investment treaties, including by using contribution to development as a criterion when applying treaties, defining investment explicitly in reference to contribution to development, allowing governments to grant preferential treatment to sustainable FDI, and incorporating binding CSR references in investment treaties. Chinese Abstract: 本文认为可以通过投资条约促进FDI的可持续发展，具体措施如下：将投资对东道国的贡献作为条约适用性的标准；明确定义FDI对东道国发展贡献的定义；允许政府对可持续的外国直接投资给予优惠待遇；将企业社会责任纳入投资条约。 Note: This article is in both English and Chinese.
Frequency-Selective Dynamic Modeling: Experiences in Power Systems and Power Electronics

On the occasion of Professor Kailath’s sixtieth birthday, I find myself searching out the intellectual threads that connect my doctoral work under him, [1], with my subsequent explorations in areas that seem rather distant from this beginning. I see now that a dominant and recurring theme has been that of frequency-selective dynamic modeling. This paper sketches the development of that theme in the context of my experiences in modeling and control for power systems and power electronics. Along the way, I shall be referring explicitly to the work of three generations of Professor Kailath’s academic progeny; each of those I mention is conscious of their link to him, and joins me in this felicitation.
Outcomes After Wrist Arthroscopy for the Treatment of Scapholunate Predynamic Instability in the Young Active Patient

Purpose Predynamic instability in scapholunate (SL) ligament tears is a source of wrist pain. Despite this, identifying the proper treatment remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate return to activity after wrist arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage for treatment of SL predynamic instability. Methods Patients enrolled in an ongoing quality assurance project of wrist arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage surgery for treatment of SL predynamic instability in an active duty military patient cohort were included in this retrospective review. Primary outcomes at a 2-year minimum follow-up were the rate of return to full duty and the rate of return to push-up activities. Results This study identified 14 active duty patients who met inclusion criteria, mean age 29 years. Six were male and 9 of 14 had concomitant arthroscopic occult dorsal ganglion cyst removal at the time of the index surgery. The severity of SL instability was staged using the Geissler classification; the cohort distribution for stages I, II, and III was 3 patients, 10 patients, and 1 patient, respectively. At 2-year follow-up, the return to duty rate was 12 out of 14 and the return to push-ups activity rate was 11 out of 14. Pain with activities by visual analog scale was reduced from 7.1 to 1.4. Conclusions Prior studies demonstrated SL ligament electrothermal shrinkage as a useful modality for pain relief. Our study suggests that this treatment may also aid in return to duty and push-up activities for young active patients. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
In Liberation Village: the production of cinematic space for early North Korean refugees

ABSTRACTThe Golden Age of South Korean cinema was served a healthy dose of social realism soon after the April Revolution of 1960 with such outstanding films as Kang Dae-jin’s Mr. Park and A Coachm...
Children's Health Literacy Through Literature: What Makes a Good Book?

Purpose: The developmental, psycho-social and educational benefits of reading to children are well documented. The potential use of children literature as a tool to enhance health literacy in children has not been explored. Methods: We used a qualitative design to collect data and generate theories regarding the use of children’s literature as a tool to …
The development of an attract-and-kill bait for controlling the small hive beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

This research investigates the development of an attract-and-kill bait for in-hive control of the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida. The control method employs attracting the beetles to an in-hive trap with a feeding attractant/stimulant where a toxicant is delivered by consuming an edible bait. Investigations into mild insecticides led to the use of boric acid. At low doses, boric acid is non-toxic to humans but lethal to insects. This research was designed to identify key compounds that would attract small hive beetles, develop an edible bait using those compounds and if the diet would be consumed by the beetle, determine the lethal dose with the lowest amount of toxicant, and the effects the toxicant would have on the honey bee. Attractive compounds were identified from honey bee pollen patties inoculated Kodamaea ohmeri yeast and resulted in the identification of three key components: ethyl propionate, isobutyl propionate, and ethyl butyrate. A diet comprised of corn gluten meal, barley flour, soy flour, Brewer’s yeast, and glycerin containing the attractant/feeding stimulant was highly attractive and readily consumed. In laboratory trials, the treatments containing the attract-and-kill with 2% boric acid reduced the beetle population to zero within a few days. There was no significant difference between the sex of the beetle for survival on any of the treatments. Honey bee survival was reduced by ingesting the boric acid. The development of an inexpensive small hive beetle trapping system is essential for in-hive control of this devastating pest. This system has the potential to provide beekeepers a tool for control of this pest species that affects honey bee health and survival worldwide.
Providing Remote Students with Access to a Video-enabled Standardized Patient Simulation on Interprofessional Competencies and Late-life Depression Screening

Background Standardized patient (SP) simulation is used to teach geropsychiatry. This project tested feasibility and effectiveness of video-enabled SP simulation to teach interprofessional (IP) late-life depression screening. Methods and findings Nurse practitioner, pharmacy, and medical students (N=177) participated in remote (n = 27) and on-site (n = 150) SP simulation. Linear mixed-effect model determined the effects of time and setting on pretest and posttest Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS) data. Overall, no significant difference was observed in degree of change on ICCAS domains, indicating both modalities produced equally beneficial outcomes. Small sample size and focus on late-life depression screening limits generalizing results. Conclusions Video-enabled SP simulations can be incorporated to prepare students with IP competencies for late-life depression screening.
A Case of Trauma-Induced Arterial Thrombosis Mimicking Vasculitis.

Vasculitis mimickers are structural or pathologic entities that resemble the vasculitis clinical presentation and/or diagnostic findings. Their presence can be a conundrum, and physicians require careful assessment and adequate knowledge physicians when considering a diagnosis of vasculitis. Although they are considered mimickers, the therapeutic approach for most of them differs widely from that of vasculitis as high-dose steroids and potent immunosuppressive regimens are usually indicated in the latter. In fact, steroid therapy is contraindicated and is considered harmful in some of these mimickers (e.g. segmental arterial mediolysis). Therefore, it is important to distinguish them from vasculitis to prevent complications from immunosuppressive therapy. Hereby, we present a challenging case of a 64-year-old man who presented with acute gangrenous changes on his right fingers due to arterial thrombus after trauma resembling vasculitis.
Eczematous Drug Eruptions

Eczematous drug eruptions are a heterogenous group of skin reactions that resemble eczema both clinically and histologically. We reviewed the literature and cataloged the systemically administered medications that cause these eruptions, along with their characteristic clinical presentations. We identified three primary pathophysiologic etiologies: (1) cutaneous immunomodulation, (2) skin dehydration, and (3) delayed hypersensitivity. Notably, eczematous eruptions caused by altered immunity in the skin may be increasing in incidence as some responsible drugs, in particular biologic therapies (such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-17 inhibitors) and targeted cancer treatments (including immune checkpoint inhibitors and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors), become more commonly employed in clinical practice. Other notable causes of eczematous eruptions include antiviral agents for hepatitis C virus and cardiovascular medications in elderly individuals, and notable subtypes of eczematous reactions include systemic contact dermatitis and photoallergic reactions, which are also discussed. The diagnostic gold standard is drug rechallenge and most reactions may be treated effectively with emollients, topical corticosteroids, and oral antihistamines.
Helping young women go red: Harnessing the power of personal and digital information to prevent heart disease.

Abstract Objective Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for American women, yet young women are rarely the target population of CVD prevention campaigns. This study investigated young women’s exposure to CVD information. Methods We surveyed 331 females ages 15–24 years to determine 1) whether participants felt informed about heart disease or stroke, 2) their exposure to heart disease information sources over the past year, and 3) whether they had ever discussed CVD-related topics with healthcare providers. Results Over half of participants reported feeling not informed about heart disease (52%) or stroke (59%). Participants were more likely to report feeling informed if they were exposed to information from websites or social media, or if they had ever discussed family history of heart disease, personal risk for heart disease, or high blood pressure with their healthcare provider. Conclusions Most young women did not feel informed about CVD. Exposure to specific information sources and discussions with healthcare providers may help improve this. Practice implications Public health campaigns should promote cardiovascular health through websites and social media popular amongst young women. Healthcare providers should discuss CVD risk factor modification with young patients in order to promote cardiovascular health across the life course.
The Effects of Leverage on Investments in Maintenance: Evidence from Apartments

This paper studies the sensitivity of investment in apartment building maintenance to building debt levels. I use a novel data set combining housing code violations from 45 US cities with apartment financing information to show that highly leveraged buildings tend to be less well maintained. I then exploit a natural experiment that effectively increased building leverage for some New York City rent stabilized buildings, but not others. Following the shock, violations increased for affected buildings relative to unaffected buildings. This change in violations was concentrated among more highly leveraged buildings. The results are consistent with debt reducing investments in maintenance, with consequences for renter quality of life.
A whole-body circulatory neutrophil model with application to predicting clinical neutropenia from in vitro studies

A circulatory model of granulopoiesis and its regulation is presented that includes neutrophil trafficking in the lungs, liver, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and blood. In each organ, neutrophils undergo transendothelial migration from vascular to interstitial space, clearance due to apoptosis, and recycling via the lymphatic flow. The model includes cell cycling of progenitor cells in the bone marrow, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) kinetics and its neutrophil regulatory action, as well as neutrophil margination in the blood. From previously reported studies, 111 In-labeled neutrophil kinetic data in the blood and sampled organs were used to estimate the organ trafficking parameters in the model. The model was further developed and evaluated using absolute neutrophil count (ANC), band cell, and segmented neutrophil time course data from healthy volunteers following four dose levels of pegfilgrastim (r2 = 0.77-0.99), along with ANC time course responses following filgrastim (r2 = 0.96). The baseline values of various cell types in bone marrow and blood, as well as G-CSF concentration in the blood, predicted by the model are consistent with available literature reports. After incorporating the mechanism of action of both paclitaxel and carboplatin, as determined from an in vitro bone marrow studies, the model reliably predicted the observed ANC time course following paclitaxel plus carboplatin observed in a phase I trial of 46 patients (r2 = 0.70). The circulatory neutrophil model may provide a mechanistic framework for predicting multi-organ neutrophil homeostasis and dynamics in response to therapeutic agents that target neutrophil dynamics and trafficking in different organs.
Cost-Utility Analysis of Mycophenolate Mofetil versus Methotrexate for Noninfectious Uveitis.

Abstract A cost-utility analysis of methotrexate (MTX) versus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for noninfectious intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis using data from the FAST Uveitis Trial showed MTX to have a lower cost/QALY, but both are cost-effective.
Online-Semisupervised Neural Anomaly Detector to Identify MQTT-Based Attacks in Real Time

Industry 4.0 focuses on continuous interconnection services, allowing for the continuous and uninterrupted exchange of signals or information between related parties. The application of messaging p...
Deconvolution Over Groups in Image Reconstruction

Publisher Summary This chapter presents minimum mean square error (MMSE) solution for the deconvolution problems formulated over groups using the group representation theory and the concept of group stationarity. These concepts are used to address the receiver and waveform design problems in wideband extended range-Doppler imaging and the inversion of the Radon and exponential Radon transforms for the transmission and emission tomography. The chapter describes a group theoretic framework for system modeling and signal processing to describe and exploit invariance. In radar/sonar imaging, the transmitter emits an electromagnetic signal. The signal is reflected off a target and detected by the receiver as the echo signal. Assuming negligible acceleration of the reflector, the echo model from a point reflector is given as the delayed and scaled replica of the transmitted pulse. In transmission computed tomography, a X-ray beam with known energy is sent through an object, and attenuated X-rays are collected by an array of detectors. The attenuation in the final X-ray beam provides a means of determining the mass density of the object along the path of the X-ray.
Thermal conductivity of dense and porous yttria-stabilized zirconia

The thermal conductivity of dense and porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics has been measured as a function of temperature in the range 25 to 1000 °C. The dense specimens were either single crystal (8 mol% YSZ) or sintered polycrystalline (3 mol% and 8 mol% YSZ). The porous specimens (3 mol% YSZ) were prepared using the “fugitive” polymer method, where different amounts of polymer spheres (of two different average sizes) were included in the starting powders before sintering. This method yielded materials with uniformly distributed porosities with a tight pore-size distributions. A theory has been developed to describe the thermal conductivity of dense YSZ as a function of temperature. This theory considers the reduction in the intrinsic thermal conductivity due scattering of phonons by point defects (oxygen vacancies and solute) and by the “hopping” of oxygen vacancies. It also considers an increase in the effective thermal conductivity at high temperatures due to radiation. This theory captures the essential features of the observed thermal conductivity. The Maxwell theory has been used to analyze the thermal conductivity of the porous materials. An adequate agreement was found between the theory and experiment.
Parvovirus NS1 stimulates P4 expression by interaction with the terminal repeats and through DNA amplification.

Abstract Parvovirus protein NS1 is required for replication of viral DNA and plays a role in the regulation of viral gene expression. NS1 trans-activates the P38 promoter for capsid protein synthesis and has variable effects on other promoters. In this study, we examined the effects of NS1 on the regulation of its own promoter, P4. A number of plasmid constructions were made with the P4 promoter fused to reporter genes. The effects of NS1 on expression from the P4 promoter differed depending on the construction. Plasmids containing viral sequences which could not replicate showed a decrease in P4 expression on cotransfection with the NS1 gene. However, plasmids having replication-proficient viral sequences showed a three- to fivefold increase in P4 expression dependent on NS1. The effect on NS1 on P4 transcription was also evaluated at the steady-state RNA level. An infectious clone of the LuIII viral genome was modified to an NS1-NS2 null mutant (pLu272) that is competent for viral DNA replication by introducing a frameshift mutation at codon 5 of the NS1 open reading frame. The P4 transcripts of pLu272 are four nucleotides longer than the wild type and can therefore be resolved from the wild type by primer extension analysis. pLu272 allows comparison of the constitutive level of steady-state RNA produced by the pLu272 P4 promoter in the absence or presence of a template replication dependent on NS1 supplied in trans. NS1 increased P4 transcripts about six- to eightfold. Expression of P4 transcripts from clones that could not amplify depended on the presence of an intact inverted terminal repeat sequence at the left end. A clone with an intact viral left end and a defective viral right end gave an NS1-dependent threefold increase in P4 expression. Destruction of terminal hairpins at both ends resulted in no significant increase in P4 expression in the presence of NS1. Thus, the positive effect of NS1 on the steady-state levels of P4 transcripts depends on the amplification of gene copy number and the integrity of the terminal repeats.
Production, Respiration and Net Ecosystem Metabolism in U.S. Estuaries

Primary production, respiration, and net ecosystem metabolism (NEM) are useful indicators of ecosystem level trophic conditions within estuaries. In this study, dissolved oxygen data collected every half hour between January 1996 to December 1998 by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Wide Monitoring Program were used to calculate primary production, respiration, and net ecosystem metabolism. Data from two sites at each of 14 Reserves were analyzed. On average, three quarters of the data available could be used to calculate metabolic rates. Data from two of the Reserves were used to evaluate the assumption of homogeneity of water masses moving past the oxygen sensor. Temperature was the single most important factor controlling metabolic rates at individual sites, although salinity was also important at about half the sites. On an annual basis, respiration exceeded gross primary production demonstrating that all but 4 of the 28 sites were heterotrophic.
Magnetic fields in the central engines of active galactic nuclei

Magnetic fields play a crucial role in a variety of physical processes thought to occur in the central engines of active galactic nuclei. I will examine three classes of phenomena in which magnetic fields are probably important: the plasma physics of hot tenuous accretion flows; the production of nonthermal continuum radiation; and the radiative manifestations of hydromagnetic jet production.
Comparison of a Restricted and Unrestricted Vegan Diet Plan with a Restricted Omnivorous Diet Plan on Health-Specific Measures.

Background: We have previously noted beneficial health outcomes when individuals follow a dietary restriction plan in accordance with the Daniel Fast (DF). This is true whether individuals eliminate all animal products or include small amounts of meat and dairy in their plan. The present study sought to compare anthropometric and biochemical measures of health in individuals following a traditional DF (i.e., restricted vegan) or modified DF (i.e., restricted omnivorous; inclusive of ad libitum meat and skim milk consumption), with those following an unrestricted vegan diet plan. Methods: 35 subjects (six men; 29 women; 33 ± 2 years; range: 18–67 years) completed a 21-day diet plan. Subjects reported to the lab for pre- (day 1) and post-intervention testing (day 22) in a 10 h fasted state. Blood samples were collected and assayed for complete blood count, metabolic panel, lipid panel, insulin, HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein, and oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, and nitrate/nitrite). Heart rate and blood pressure were measured and body composition was determined via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Subjects’ self-reported compliance, mental and physical health, and satiety in relation to the dietary modification were recorded. Results: No interaction effects were noted for our outcome measures (p > 0.05). However, subjects in the traditional DF group reported an approximate 10% increase in perceived mental and physical health, with a 25% reduction in malondialdehyde and a 33% reduction in blood insulin. Systolic BP was reduced approximately 7 mmHg in subjects assigned to the traditional DF, with an approximate 5 mmHg reduction in subjects assigned to the modified DF and the unrestricted vegan plan. A small (2 mmHg) reduction in diastolic BP was noted for subjects in both DF groups; a slight increase in diastolic BP was noted for subjects assigned to the unrestricted vegan group. An approximate 20% reduction was noted in total and LDL cholesterol for subjects in the traditional DF group, with an approximate 10% decrease for subjects in the modified DF group. No decrease in total or LDL cholesterol was noted for subjects in the unrestricted vegan group. Conclusion: These data indicate that both a traditional or modified DF may improve blood pressure and blood lipids in a clinically meaningful manner if these results are sustained over the long term. A traditional DF also results in a significant reduction in blood insulin and oxidative stress. An unrestricted vegan diet may improve systolic blood pressure, but in the absence of measures to strictly monitor adherence, it does not favorably impact other markers of health measured in the present study.
Sensitivity to Interaural Temporal Disparities of Low- and High-Frequency Neurons in the Superior Olivary Complex. I. Heterogeneity of Responses

Batra, Ranjan, Shigeyuki Kuwada, and Douglas C. Fitzpatrick. Sensitivity to interaural temporal disparities of low- and high-frequency neurons in the superior olivary complex. I. Heterogeneity of r...
The Neuropsychological Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Epilepsy Patients

Much of the available literature suggests that immigrant populations are at increased risk for congenital and acquired neurological disorders; epilepsy is no exception. The elevated incidence of seizure disorders in ethnically and culturally diverse immigrant groups necessitates increased attention to factors which intrinsically and extrinsically limit the reliability, validity, and utility of neuropsychological assessments in these populations. In order to fully address these concerns, it is first necessary to consider the role of culture-, language-, and immigration-specific variables throughout all aspects of the testing session, data interpretation, and case formulation. Although specific procedures may vary due to the patient’s individual needs, the neuropsychological evaluation of epilepsy patients typically includes the following: (1) clinical interview, (2) assessment of mental status and/or (3) estimation of premorbid abilities, (4) evaluation of intellectual functioning and specific neuropsychological abilities, (5) examination of behavioral and psychiatric functioning, and (6) assessment of health-related quality of life. Accordingly, the focus of this chapter is to address each component of the neuropsychological assessment, as enumerated above, by providing both a framework and practical recommendations specific to the evaluation of culturally and linguistically diverse populations with epilepsy and seizure disorders.
2-D radial analytical solutions for solute transport in a dual-porosity medium

[1] This study presents 2-D analytical solutions for advective solute transport within a macropore with simultaneous radial diffusion into an unbounded soil matrix. Solutions for three conditions are derived: (1) an instantaneous release of solute into a macropore, (2) a constant concentration of solute at the top of a macropore, and (3) a pulse release of solute into a macropore. A system of two governing equations was solved by the Laplace transform method for solute concentration as a function of space and time. Substituting the asymptotic approximations of the modified Bessel functions, we also obtained approximate solutions for all three cases. For instantaneous and pulse-type releases of solutes, the solutes initially diffuse into the soil matrix and then reverse direction away from the matrix as they diminish in the macropore. The matrix behaves as a long-term contaminant source creating long tails in the breakthrough curves. Comparisons between the exact and approximate solutions for all three conditions show that the asymptotic approximations are accurate for relatively short periods of solute movement, with increasing error as time and transport distances increase. The analytical solutions were compared with one set of experimental data and also numerical simulations for contaminant transport in a cylindrical dual-porosity medium. The analytical solutions for case 3 represented the experimental data reported in the literature well. Comparisons with numerical simulations in a two-dimensional cylindrical domain that included dispersion in the macropore and advection in the matrix showed that the error caused by neglecting these two processes was minimal when a relatively low permeability matrix was considered for case 2.
Evidence for cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation of uroporphyrinogen by cell-free liver extracts from chick embryos treated with 3-methylcholanthrene.

Abstract Cell-free preparations from liver of chick embryo treated with 3-methylcholanthrene catalyzed oxidation of uroporphyrinogen I in the presence of NADPH and 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl. Extracts of untreated embryo liver or liver from embryo treated with glutethimide, a phenobarbital-like inducer of cytochrome P450 in this system, did not catalyse the oxidation. Direct involvement of cytochrome P450 was demonstrated by inhibition of the oxidation by CO, piperonyl butoxide and specific antisera to the methylcholanthrene-induced cytochrome P450. 2,4,2′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl was inactive in the oxidation. These results may explain the role of induced cytochrome P450 in experimental uroporphyria. The oxidation may be useful as a simple assay for reactive O 2 species.
Accommodation of visual tracking patterns in human infants to object movement patterns.

Abstract Infants (80, ages 3–9 months) watched a model train which repeatedly travelled around a track and in and out of a tunnel. Movements by Ss and by the train were videotaped. Ss looked near the entrance end of the tunnel just before the train's reappearance on initial trials. Across subsequent trials Ss progressively looked closer to the tunnel exit before the train's reappearance, made more visual anticipations of reappearances, and required shorter delays in spotting the train after reappearances. These short-term changes in visual behavior parallel changes observed across age by Piaget and fit well his assumption that the infant's increasingly sophisticated action patterns evolve by successive accommodations to encountered phenomena. Significant effects on response change were found for Criterion levels but not for variables of Age, Sex, or Time-Delay in the tunnel.
O(4) Gauge Theory with Three-Triplet Quarks

A theory of electromagnetic and weak interactions based on the O(4) gauge group is formulated along the general program put forward recently by Pais. In our scheme the hadron symmetry SU(3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} SU(3)\ensuremath{'} is incorporated in such a way that the model has a (kinematical) $\ensuremath{\Delta}I=\frac{1}{2}$ rule for nonleptonic weak decays. The lepton assignment may be made to produce $\mathrm{CP}$-violation effects which are more "convergent" without enlarging the gauge group. There is no lower bound to the masses of the intermediate vector bosons, while the upper limit for one of the charged $W$'s is only 18 GeV. The elastic reaction cross sections $\ensuremath{\sigma}({\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}e)$ and $\ensuremath{\sigma}({\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{e}e)$ are about 1.4 times the usual $V\ensuremath{-}A$ values. Other physical features of this model are also discussed in some detail.
The Analyst's Search for Atonement

Since an analytic hour presents infinite choices, it also provides infinite possibilities for retrospective regret. The analyst's work furnishes opportunities to regret acts of commission and omission. Missteps that seem like consequences of our personal character issues are likely to evoke shame and/or guilt, which can further complicate our feelings of regret. But genuine compassion and curiosity about ourselves can facilitate finding ways to atone. Atonement can be understood as a movement toward integration of all parts of oneself, or, more globally, a movement toward the inclusion of all human beings into the human community. For the analyst, atonement can mean becoming “at one” by finding a positive expression for what we have learned from our regrets. The challenge atonement poses is to face our shortcomings, yet retain self-respect and self love.
The gate-controlled diode s0 measurement and steady-state lateral current flow in deeply depleted MOS structures

Abstract A detailed analysis of steady state lateral current flow in the deeply depleted gate-controlled diode structure is performed primarily to ascertain the minority carrier quasi-Fermi level positioning and lateral variation near the oxide-semiconductor interface. From a consideration of limiting case solutions it is quantitatively established that, under typical conditions, the semiconductor surface will be weakly inverted over all but a small fraction of the surface channel for gate biases far below the voltage required to strongly invert the surface. It follows from this weak inversion positioning of the minority carrier quasi-Fermi level that the s0-value deduced from the previously published interpretation of gate-controlled diode data will be less, typically much smaller, than the true depleted surface recombination velocity. A method for ascertaining the minimum error in the previously published s0 determination procedure is presented and illustrated.
Territories of the African Weaver Ant (Oecophylla longinoda [Latreille]); A Field Study

The African weaver ant (Oecophylla longinoda) is known to be highly aggressive toward conspecific aliens. In the study area Shimba Hills Reserve (Kenya) individual territories sometimes covered an area of up to approximately 1600 m2, comprising 17 major trees. The territorial defense is organized by an elaborate defense recruitment system, which can also be aimed against several other ant species, which are potential competitors of Oecophylla for essential resources. This selective “enemy identification” seems to be the major behavioral mechanism by which the mosaic distribution of ecologically dominant ants is regulated.
On-Line Mass Spectrometry: A Faster Route to Process Monitoring and Control

A critical review of on-line mass spectrometry is presented, illustrating instrumentation, data treatment, and applications drawn from both control and research environments. Both direct and membrane inlets are included. The discussion of instrumentation focuses on commercially available options, although some research options that offer promise for future process applications are also mentioned briefly. Special considerations attendant upon the high-precision measurements needed for simultaneous analysis and continuous process control are emphasized. Applications illustrate a range of problems benefitting from rapid, simultaneous analysis of volatiles.
Contributions of protective and risk factors to literacy and socioemotional competency in former head start children attending kindergarten

Abstract We empirically evaluated the associations of hypothesized protective and risk factors with assessments of social, literacy, and cognitive competence in a sample of Head Start graduates attending kindergarten in rural Georgia. The sample included 117 former Head Start children and their primary caregivers, who were assessed during the fall of the children's kindergarten year. The participating families—59% African American, 39% white, and 1 % Latin American—lived in four rural counties in northeast Georgia. Data were obtained from caregivers, teachers, and children, using a multimethod, multi-informant research design. Caregivers provided information about developmental goals, family processes, and their own psychological functioning; and the children and their kindergarten teachers provided socioemotional, literacy, and cognitive-competence information. The results support the hypothesized relations between the child-competence measures and protective factors, especially caregiver self-esteem, endorsement of independence-promoting developmental goals, co-caregiver support and communication, and engaged, responsive, and cognitively challenging caregiver-child interactions. The results also support the hypothesis that caregiver distress and conflicted family relationships are associated with negative developmental outcomes for former Head Start children attending kindergarten.
Can a Previous Alliance Between an Acquirer and a Target Affect Acquisition Performance

Throughout the 1990s, organizations have been combining resources through acquisitions and alliances in record numbers. An acquirer’s previous alliance with a target may give an acquirer target-specific information and experience that may be an advantage-producing resource in selection, valuation and integration of the target. This study investigates whether a previous alliance between an acquirer and a target affects post-acquisition performance and finds that a previous alliance between an acquirer and a target correlates positively with acquisition performance. Acquirers’ previous R&D, technology transfer, manufacturing and marketing alliances with targets benefit acquisition performance more than their previous licensing alliances with targets. Furthermore, target-specific learning effects are strongest and most beneficial to acquisition performance in acquirers’ previous technology transfer and manufacturing alliances with targets.
Approach to the Management of Bleeding Esophageal Varices: Role of Somatostatin

Various treatment strategies have been used to control variceal bleeding, including drugs, esophageal tamponade, endoscopic sclerotherapy (ES), endoscopic variceal ligation, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and emergency surgery. None of these procedures are ideal and treatment frequently requires a combination of techniques. Sclerotherapy is one of the most widely used methods to control variceal bleeding; however, success is largely dependent on an experienced endoscopist. Vasoactive drugs act by decreasing pressure and blood flow in the gastroesophageal collaterals and they offer the advantage of being administered by inexperienced personnel. Drugs currently used in the treatment of variceal hemorrhage include vasopressin, terlipressin, somatostatin and octreotide. In the clinical studies to date, somatostatin was more effective than vasopressin and as effective as terlipressin in the control of bleeding esophageal varices (BEV), with an improved safety profile. In contrast, octreotide has shown conflicting results and more data are required to support the drug in this indication. More recently the ABOVE (Acute Bleeding Esophageal Variceal Episodes) study has provided further evidence that early administration of vasoactive drugs such as somatostatin is significantly more effective than placebo in the overall control of acute BEV episodes in cirrhotic patients undergoing ES. Therefore, the administration of a vasoactive drug as early as possible before emergency sclerotherapy is recommended for the effective management of BEV.
A Comparison of Algorithms for Computing Power Generating System Reliability Indices

This paper ccpares the accuracy of several algorithms for camputing the loss-of-load probability index for a generating system. The algorithms considered are: a) the method of cumulants, b) a distribution fitting procedure, and c) a large deviation procedure. By applying these procedures to computing the reliability index for two representative utility systems, it is observed that the large deviation method is generally very accurate.
Treatment options for refractory angina in patients who are not candidates for revascularization.

Patients with refractory angina are those for whom medical therapy has failed to eradicate the angina completely and who have persistent symptoms that are stable but limit their activities of daily living. Approach to management must include the elimination of the secondary causes of this condition and maximum medical therapy, and if angina persists, the consideration of other strategies. Controversy exists regarding the value of transmural myocardial laser revascularization. Enhanced external counterpulsation is clinically effective in approximately 70% of patients. Spinal cord stimulation is not being used clinically in the United States. In the United States, it is still an investigational procedure that is currently being evaluated prospectively in a randomized trial. Ranolazine, an inhibitor of sodiumdependent calcium overload, may prove to be useful in patients with refractory angina.
Comprehensive management of acromegaly

Abstract The somatostatin analog octreotide has a defined role in the overall management strategy for patients with acromegaly. Octreotide is effective in managing acromegaly both as an adjuvant to surgery and as a primary therapy. Octreotide is also beneficial to radiotherapy-treated patients in that the drug suppresses growth hormone (GH) secretion until the long-term ablative effects of radiation occur. Older patients, those with microadenomas, and those with systemic sequelae of hypersomatatropism benefit from initial primary medical therapy with octreotide. In these patients, the almost invariable biochemical normalization achieved by octreotide therapy renders it an effective alternative to surgery. Complications associated with octreotide are minor in comparison to the benefits, but the requirement for multiple daily injections is currently a major drawback. Approximately 25% of octreotide-treated acromegaly patients develop asymptomatic gallstones or sludge that require no treatment. The impact of sustained attenuation of GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels by octreotide on the pathogenesis of the long-term sequelae of hypersomatatropism can now be prospectively evaluated. Novel longer-acting octreotide-delivery mechanisms and new-generation somatostatin analogs will provide further advantages for primary pharmacotherapy in acromegaly.
1054-2 EchoVIEW: Simultaneous Echocardiographic and Physiologic Data Collection and Analysis Software

The EchoVIEW software package has been developed for the acquisition and analysis of simultaneous echocardiographic and physiologic data on both Macintosh and PC platforms using LabVIEW (National Instruments, TX). This graphical programming environment allows for data visualization and analysis using a variety of modules, called virtual instruments (VIs). The data acquisition VI allows for real-time visualization, digitization, and storage of eight physiologic waveforms. Available inputs signals include fluid-filled or high-fidelity micromanometer pressures, surface or atrial electrocardiograms, and area or volume from acoustic quantification. Acquisition variables including signal sources, amplification parameters, and sampling frequency are user selectable. EchoVIEW's physiologic data processing VIs include automated analysis of pressure waveforms (relaxation rate and dp/dt), transvalvular gradients (instantaneous, peak, and mean pressures), and on-line reconstruction of pressure-volume loops. Doppler echocardiographic analysis VIs have also been developed using a LabVIEW image processing (IP) library called Concert V.i (Graftek Imaging, France). Download : Download high-res image (86KB) Download : Download full-size image EchoVIEW's IP VI's include digital image readers, filtering routines, and velocity profile extraction from pulsed, continuous, and color Doppler images. The package is currently used in research and clinical environments to investigate diastolic function, left atrial appendage electrical/mechanical function, and transvalvular catheter and Doppler gradient measurements. The software package has proven to be an essential tool in studying complex cardiovascular problems where simultaneous acquisition and analysis of hemodynamic, electrophysiologic, and echocardiographic information are important.
The Melanotropic Peptide, [Nle4, d‐Phe7]α‐MSH, Stimulates Human Melanoma Tyrosinase Activity and Inhibits Cell Proliferation

Seventeen human melanoma cell (HMC) lines, both melanotic and amelanotic, were incubated in the continuous presence of a potent melanotropic peptide hormone analog, [Nle(4),D-Phe(7)]alpha-MSH, for 72 hr with daily changes of medium. Only one cell line (HD, melanotic) consistently responded to the hormone analog by increased tyrosinase activity. Three (one melanotic, two amelanotic) of the HMC lines also failed to respond to the peptide by either increased or decreased enzyme activity when incubated continuously in the presence of the peptide for longer periods of time (6,15,27, 43 days). The HD cell line, however again responded with increasingly enhanced basal enzyme activity the longer the cells were incubated in the presence of the melanotropin. One amelanotic cell line (C8161) responded with enhanced enzyme activity when grown to confluency in the continuous presence of the peptide. Basal tyrosinase activity of the C8161 cell line may have increased as cell density in the flasks increased. These results suggest that under conditions of increased cell number, phenotypic expression of tyrosinase activity in so called ''amelanotic'' (tyrosinase-negative) cells is increased and can be enhanced further by stimulation with a melanotropic peptide. Under conditions of increased cell number, the presence of [Nle(4),D-Phe(7)]alpha-MSH caused morphological differentiation (shape change); the cells became enlarged and very dendritic. The number of cells in monolayer (surface of the flask) and in the medium were drastically reduced in both melanotic and ''amelanotic'' cell lines incubated with [Nle(4),D-Phe(7)]alpha-MSH. The data support other published reports that melanotropic peptides inhibit human melanoma eel growth (proliferation) in vitro, most likely through a cystostatic mechanism. [Nle(4),D-Phe(7)]alpha-MSH also exhibited a prolonged (residual) inhibitory action on HD cell proliferation. In other words, inhibition of cell growth (proliferation) of the HMCs was evident even several days after removal of the melanotropic peptide from the incubation medium.
E-Government as an Instrument of Fiscal Accountability and Responsiveness: Do the Best Practitioners Employ the Best Practices?

Fiscal transparency and citizen participation in budgeting processes are widely promoted as means toward the ends of democratic accountability and responsiveness in the allocation and use of public funds. In the past decade, academics and practitioners enthusiastic about e-government have emphasized the potential for using information technology to enhance democratic governance. Putting these two streams of public administration theory and practice together, the authors developed criteria for assessing e-budgeting efforts and applied them to a sample of Web sites operated by state and local governments. Although practitioners are ahead of academics in exploring the potential of e-government for improving fiscal accountability and responsiveness, practice lags behind the relevant basic recommendations of the Government Finance Officers Association. This finding leads to research and practice agendas aimed at enhancing the use of e-government to enhance fiscal transparency and participation.
EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA ON METABOLIC RESPONSE TO GLUCOSE (Glc) LOAD IN LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS (LBWI)

Hypoxia is known to alter intestinal function in the newborn. To determine the protracted effects of hypoxia on tolerance to a Glc load, 9 infants under 2500 g who had developed respiratory distress with cyanosis at delivery or within 8 nr after birth were studied. Tests were carried out at a mean age of 19 days, at least 24 hr after clinical improvement and cessation of oxygen therapy. All infants had tolerated formula feedings providing between 90 to 110 kcal/kg/day for at least 4 days. Following a 4-hr fast, 1.75 g/kg Glc as a 10% solution was administered by n.g. tube. Capillary blood for Glc, bicarbonate (Bic) and lactic acid (LA) determinations were drawn prior to, and at 30, 60 and 120 min after Glc administration. Blood Glc increased from a baseline of 71±4 (mg/dl.means±SEM) to 139±14 at 30 min and 173±24 at 60 min and fell to 108±14 at 120 min. Simultaneously, Bic fell from 24±1 at 0 time to 17±2 mEq/l at 30 min (p<0.01) and returned to baseline at 60 mint 20±2 (NS). LA did not change during the 2-hr period. There was an inverse correlation between Olc and Bic (r=-.365, 31 df, p<0.05). These findings suggest that LBWI recovering from hypoxia may develop transient metabolic acidosis after Glc intake. This alteration could provide an explanation to the poor growth observed in LBWI recovering from hypoxia.
Emerging infections in animals—potential new zoonoses?

It is well recognized that most emerging diseases of humans are zoonotic, and that the forces working to create emerging diseases in humans are also operating in animal populations. However, what is often overlooked is that emerging human diseases are usually preceded by the emergence of the same pathogen in an animal population. In fact, the developing disease in animals acts as a link allowing the disease to take hold and wreck havoc in public health. Numerous examples--Rift Valley fever, monkeypox, Nipah, and Ebola--serve to underscore this linkage and to highlight the increasing interconnectedness of animal and human health.
Oblique collisions of internal wave beams and associated resonances

Quadratic nonlinear interactions between two colliding internal gravity wave beams in a uniformly stratified fluid, and the resulting radiation of secondary beams with frequencies equal to the sum and difference of those of the primary beams, are discussed. The analysis centres on oblique collisions, involving beams that propagate in different vertical planes. The propagation directions of generated secondary beams are deduced from kinematic considerations and the use of radiation conditions, thus extending to oblique collisions previously derived selection rules for plane collisions. Using small-amplitude expansions, radiated-beam profiles at steady state are also computed in terms of the characteristics of the colliding beams. It is pointed out that, for certain oblique collision configurations, radiated beams with frequency equal to the difference of the primary frequencies have unbounded steady-state amplitude. This resonance, which has no counterpart for plane collisions, is further analysed via the solution of an initial-value problem; ignoring dissipation, the transient resonant response grows in time like , a behaviour akin to that of forced waves at cut-off frequencies.