bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Natural Experiment on the ‘Race to the Bottom’ Hypothesis: Testing for Stochastic Dominance in Temporal Pollution Trends*
Authors: Millimet Daniel L. , List John A. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractDevolution of tasks to local levels of government has recently become a popular agenda item within certain political factions in the US. While one expects the local policymaker to tailor policies to match the preferences of his constituents, critics of local policymaking claim that externalities are ignored and inefficiencies thus arise under local control of certain policies. A primary example concerns the control of pollution, which is known to have adverse effects on neighbouring jurisdictions. Whether localities actually ‘race to the bottom’ and enact lax environmental policies when given the chance remains an open issue. In this study, we make use of stochastic dominance tests to examine if President Reagan's policy of ‘New Federalism’ in the early 1980s induced states to lower environmental standards. Among the several environmental measures analysed, we do not find any evidence that the ‘race to the bottom’ materialized. Indeed, the evidence shows that even during these lean years of federal intervention several indicators of environmental quality at the state level continued to improve.
Okun's Law Revisited*
Authors: Cuaresma Jesús Crespo 
Published: July 2003

AbstractIn the light of modern theoretical studies, the negative relationship between output and unemployment may take a nonlinear form, in the sense that changes in output can cause asymmetric changes in the unemployment rate. A regime‐dependent specification of Okun's law, where the inverse relationship between cyclical unemployment and cyclical GDP is allowed to differ across recessions and expansions, is estimated for the US economy. Using both the Hodrick–Prescott filter and a bivariate structural time series model to isolate the cyclical component of the variables of interest, the nonlinear specification is highly significant when tested against the linear alternative independently of the method used for extracting the cycle of unemployment and GDP. The estimation results imply that the contemporaneous effect of growth on unemployment is asymmetric and significantly higher in recessions than in expansions, and shocks to unemployment tend to be more persistent in the expansionary regime.
Economic Integration and Regional Business Cycles: Evidence from the Iberian Regions*
Authors: Barrios Salvador , de Lucio Juan José 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThis paper provides evidence of the positive impact of economic integration on EU regions’ business cycles convergence by focusing on two neighbouring countries: Spain and Portugal. We show that while a rise in cross‐country business cycle correlation has also been experienced by other European countries, it has been relatively more pronounced for Iberian regions. Econometric evidence suggests that the existence of an administrative border, the economic size of regions and their industrial structures can explain a substantial proportion of regional cycles.
Modelling Vaccination Strategy Against Directly Transmitted Diseases Using a Series of Pulses
Authors: Yang Hyun Mo 
Published: July 2003

When a SIR model with a constant contact rate is used to describe the dynamics of directly transmitted infections, oscillations, which decay exponentially as time goes on, are obtained. By using this kind of model, we obtained the natural- and inter-epidemics periods of the disease. These two quantities are quasi-periods, since we are considering damped oscillations. The above two periods were estimated from rubella seroprevalence data from a small Brazilian community and, based on them, a vaccination strategy in a series of pulses was designed. The vaccination time lag between pulses is related to the natural-epidemics period, instead of the inter-epidemics period, multiplied by a fraction usually less than unity (the security factor). The results for different controlling scenarios showed that a series of pulses vaccination strategy can be a good option for developing countries.
Fuzzy-Face
Authors: Huntsberger Terry , Rose John , Ramaka Shashidhar 
Published: July 2003

The human face is one of the most important patterns our visual system receives. It establishes a person's identity and also plays a significant role in everyday communication. Humans can recognize familiar faces under varying lighting conditions, different scales, and even after the face has changed due to aging, hair style, glasses, or facial hair. Our ease at recognizing faces is a strong motivation for the investigation of computational models of face processing. This paper presents a newly developed face processing system called Fuzzy-Face that combines wavelet pre-processing of input with a fuzzy self-organizing feature map algorithm. The wavelet-derived face space is partitioned into fuzzy sets which are characterized by face exemplars and membership values to those exemplars. This system learns faces using relatively few training epochs, has total recall for faces it has been shown, generalizes to face images that are acquired under different lighting conditions, and has rudimentary gender discrimination capabilities. We also include the results of some experimental studies.
Temporal Order in Human Object Recognition Learning
Authors: Wallis Guy 
Published: July 2003

The view based approach to object recognition relies upon the co-activation of 2-D pictorial elements or features. This approach is limited to generalising recognition across transformations of objects in which considerable physical similarity is present in the stored 2-D images to which the object is being compared. It is, therefore, unclear how completely novel views of objects might correctly be assigned to known views of an object so as to allow correct recognition from any viewpoint. The answer to this problem may lie in the fact that in the real world we are presented with a further cue as to how we should associate these images, namely that we tend to view objects over extended periods of time. In this paper, neural network and human psychophysics data on face recognition are presented which support the notion that recognition learning can be affected by the order in which images appear, as well as their spatial similarity.
Forced Oscillations of a Damped Korteweg-de Vries Equation in a Quarter Plane
Authors: Bona Jerry L. , Sun S. M. , Zhang Bing-Yu 
Published: July 2003

Laboratory experiments have shown that when nonlinear, dispersive waves are forced periodically from one end of an undisturbed stretch of the medium of propagation, the signal eventually becomes temporally periodic at each spatial point. It is our purpose here to establish this as a fact at least in the context of a damped Korteweg-de Vries equation. Thus, consideration is given to the initial-boundary-value problem [Formula: see text] For this problem, it is shown that if the small amplitude, boundary forcing h is periodic of period T, say, then the solution u of (*) is eventually periodic of period T. More precisely, we show for each x > 0, that u(x, t + T) - u(x, t) converges to zero exponentially as t → ∞. Viewing (*) (without the initial condition) as an infinite dimensional dynamical system in the Hilbert space Hs(R+) for suitable values of s, we also demonstrate that for a given, small amplitude time-periodic boundary forcing, the system (*) admits a unique limit cycle, or forced oscillation (a solution of (*) without the initial condition that is exactly periodic of period T). Furthermore, we show that this limit cycle is globally exponentially stable. In other words, it comprises an exponentially stable attractor for the infinite-dimensional dynamical system described by (*).
Outcome after acute respiratory failure is more dependent on dysfunction in other vital organs than on the severity of the respiratory failure
Authors: Flaatten Hans , Gjerde Stig , Guttormsen Anne Berit , Haugen Oddbjørn , Høivik Tone , Onarheim Henning , Aardal Sidsel 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Introduction
The incidence and outcome of acute respiratory failure (ARF) depend on dysfunction in other organs. As a result, reported mortality in patients with ARF is derived from a mixed group of patients with different degrees of multiorgan failure. The main goal of the present study was to investigate patient outcome in single organ ARF.

Patients and method
From 1 January 2000 to 1 July 2002, all adult patients (>16 years) in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Haukeland University Hospital were scored daily using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for organ failure. ARF was defined by the SOFA criteria: ratio of arterial oxygen tension to fractional inspired oxygen, with a value < 26.6 kPa (200 mmHg) in more than one recording during the ICU stay (SOFA score 3 or 4). Patients with ARF alone and in combination with other severe organ failure (SOFA score 3 or 4) were included. Survival was recorded on discharge from the ICU, at hospital discharge and at 90 days after ICU discharge.

Results
During the period of study, 832 adult patients were treated and 529 (63.0%) had ARF. The ICU, hospital and 3-month mortality rates were lowest in single organ ARF (3.2, 14.7 and 21.8%, respectively), with increasing mortality with each additional organ failure. When ARF occurred with four or five additional organ failures, the 3-month mortality rate was 75%. No significant differences in mortality were found between early and late ARF.

Conclusion
The prognosis for ICU patients with single organ ARF is good, both in the short and long terms. The high overall mortality rate observed is caused by dysfunction in other organs.
Lipodystrophy in HIV-Infected Pediatric Patients Receiving Protease Inhibitors
Authors: Temple Mary E , Koranyi Katalin I , Nahata Milap C 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: In adults with HIV infection, lipodystrophy syndrome may develop, characterized by peripheral wasting in the extremities, central obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. This syndrome occurs in HIV-positive pediatric patients who take protease inhibitors (PIs). However, the full characteristics of the syndrome in this population is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the use of PIs and the occurrence of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected children. METHODS: Pediatric patients attending an outpatient HIV clinic between 1994 and 2000 were prospectively enrolled. All patients were between 1 and 17 years of age and had received a PI for at least 1 month. The medical records were reviewed monthly for 3 months before PI therapy was started and then monthly for 36 months. At each evaluation, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose concentrations were recorded, as well as physician-documented physical examination findings including subcutaneous fat in the arms, face, and legs, and abdominal girth. Baseline clinical and laboratory data were compared with follow-up data using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Twenty-one pediatric patients received a PI. Of these, 2 developed lipodystrophy, one at 15 months and one at 18 months after PI therapy was started. Neither child had had lipodystrophy before therapy. Twelve children who were taking ritonavir or nelfinavir, including 1 who developed lipodystrophy, developed abnormally high total cholesterol and triglyceride blood concentrations. All patients receiving indinavir also experienced a substantial increase in their triglyceride concentrations at follow-up evaluations, but no significant increases in total cholesterol occurred. Blood glucose concentrations were not significantly different between baseline and follow-up examinations in our patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lipodystrophy may occur in some HIV-infected children receiving PIs, and dyslipidemias may also develop in some patients taking these drugs.
Infliximab Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Crohn's Disease
Authors: Nahar Ibrahim K , Shojania Kam , Marra Carlo A , Alamgir Abul H , Anis Aslam H 
Published: July 2003

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomic impact of infliximab in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and Pre-MEDLINE (1966–June 2002) and manufacturer prescribing literature were employed to find English-language articles on infliximab. Additional studies and abstracts were identified from the bibliographies of reviewed literature and conference proceedings. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: All articles identified from data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included in this review. Information regarding basic pharmacology was collected from studies in animals. Pharmacokinetic data were collected from human trials. Safety data were extracted from clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance. Priority was given to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies for the assessment of efficacy. All available economic evaluations were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Infliximab is a new monoclonal antibody that appears to work by a unique mechanism: inhibiting the action of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Infliximab is administered by intravenous infusion. In clinical trials in CD, infliximab significantly decreased the CD activity index compared with placebo in treatment-resistant disease and significantly reduced the number of draining fistulas in fistulizing disease. In RA, when infliximab was added to methotrexate (MTX), it resulted in a significant improvement in most disease outcome measures when compared with MTX plus placebo. Few major adverse effects were reported in the clinical trials; however, serious adverse events, including malignancy and demyelination, have been reported in postmarketing surveillance. Also, increased susceptibility to infections (including tuberculosis) has been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab is an effective new agent for the treatment of CD and RA. Its apparent unique mechanism of action makes infliximab an important addition to therapy. Caution should be exercised when considering infliximab for individuals who have chronic or recurrent infections, mild congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I/II), nervous system disorders, or live or have lived in an area endemic for histoplasmosis. Infliximab is contraindicated for patients with a clinically important, active infection, moderate to severe congestive heart failure (NYHA class III/IV), or an allergy to mouse proteins or any of the ingredients in infliximab. Further long-term efficacy, safety, and economic data on infliximab are required. Also, for the treatment of RA, the burden of administering infliximab (as a 2-hour supervised infusion) has to be considered when choosing among anti-TNF-α medication (as the other 2 approved agents, etanercept and adalimumab, can be self-administered by subcutaneous injection).
Fluoroquinolone AUIC Break Points and the Link to Bacterial Killing Rates
Authors: Schentag Jerome J , Meagher Alison K , Forrest Alan 
Published: July 2003

OBJECTIVE: To review in vitro and animal model studies with fluoroquinolones and the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships that are predictive of clinical and microbiologic outcomes and resistance. Data on fluoroquinolones are summarized and examine the premise that a single area under the inhibitory concentration–time curve (AUIC) target >125 may be used for all fluoroquinolones with concentration-dependent killing actions and against all target organisms. DATA SOURCES: Primary articles were identified by MEDLINE search (1966–February 2002) and through secondary sources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All of the articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included. DATA SYNTHESIS: The fluoroquinolones exhibit concentration-dependent killing. This effect clearly depends on concentrations achieved, and outcomes depend on endpoints established by individual investigators. With AUIC values <60, the actions of fluoroquinolones are essentially bacteriostatic; any observed bacterial killing is the combined effect of low concentrations in relation to minimum inhibitory concentration and the action of host factors such as neutrophils and macrophages. AUIC values >100 but <250 yield bacterial killing at a slow rate, but usually by day 7 of treatment. AUICs >250 produce rapid killing, and bacterial eradication occurs within 24 hours. Disagreements regarding target endpoints are the expected consequences of comparing microbial and clinical outcomes across animal models, in vitro experiments, and humans when the endpoints are clearly not equivalent. Careful attention to time-related events, such as speed of bacterial killing, versus global endpoints, such as bacteriologic cure, allows optimal break points to be defined. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from in vitro and animal models favors the use of AUIC values >250 for rapid bactericidal action, regardless of whether the organism is gram-negative or gram-positive.
Numerical simulation and PEPT measurements of a 3D conical helical‐blade mixer: A high potential solids mixer for solid‐state fermentation
Authors: Schutyser M. A. I. , Briels W. J. , Rinzema A. , Boom R. M. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractHelical‐blade solids mixers have a large potential as bioreactors for solid‐state fermentation (SSF). Fundamental knowledge of the flow and mixing behavior is required for robust operation of these mixers. In this study predictions of a discrete particle model were compared to experiments with colored wheat grain particles and positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) measurements. In the discrete particle model individual movements of particles were calculated from interaction forces. It was concluded that the predicted overall flow behavior matched well with the PEPT measurements. Differences between the model predictions and the experiments with wheat grains were found to be due to the assumption that substrate particles were spherical, which was in the model. Model simulations and experiments with spherical green peas confirmed this. The mixing in the helical‐blade mixer could be attributed to (1) the transport of particles up and down in the interior of the mixer, and (2) dispersion or micro‐mixing of particles in the top region of the mixer. It appeared that the mixing rate scaled linearly with the rotation rate of the blade, although the average particle velocity did not scale proportionally. It may be that the flow behavior changes as a function of the rotation rate (e.g., changing thickness of the top region); further study is required to confirm this. To increase the mixing performance of the mixer, a larger blade or a change in the shape of the mixer (larger top surface/volume ratio) is recommended. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 29–39, 2003.
Transient self‐inhibition of the growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus in a pH‐regulated fermentor
Authors: Mercade Myriam , Duperray Florence , Loubière Pascal 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAn industrial strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus was grown in a synthetic medium on lactose as carbon substrate, in a pH‐regulated fermentor. Growth proceeded in two distinct phases separated by a transient stationary phase. Various experimental approaches were used to identify the cause of this growth arrest. Growth experiments in L. bulgaricus culture supernatant fluids collected at different cultivation times in fermentor, and supplemented or not with various nutritional solutions, enabled us to discard the possibility of a nutritional limitation. Tube cultures of L. bulgaricus in medium supplemented with various lactic acid concentrations showed a potential inhibition by this metabolic end product but confirmed that this inhibition was not responsible for the cessation of growth. It was concluded that at least one inhibitory compound was produced during the growth phase of the strain, and this compound disappeared from the medium in the transient stationary phase, enabling the growth to start again later in the culture. Indeed, the stoichiometric analysis of the culture showed, firstly, that unidentified carbon compounds were produced from lactose during growth, which were probably converted in lactic acid during the transient stationary phase and, secondly, that part of the amino acids consumed gave catabolic end products. Finally, bacteriocin‐like compounds were not considered to be responsible for this growth arrest. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 78–87, 2003.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphism analysis using fluorescence resonance energy transfer between DNA‐labeling fluorophore, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and DNA intercalator, POPO‐3, on bacterial magnetic particles
Authors: Nakayama Hideki , Arakaki Atsushi , Maruyama Kohei , Takeyama Haruko , Matsunaga Tadashi 
Published: August 2003

AbstractTo develop an analytical system for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique was employed on a bacterial magnetic particle (BMP) surface. A combination of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC; excitation 490 nm/emission 520 nm) labeled at the 5′ end of DNA and an intercalating compound (POPO‐3, excitation 534 nm/emission 570 nm) was used to avoid the interference from light scattering caused by nanoparticles. After hybridization between target DNA immobilized onto BMPs and FITC‐labeled probes, fluorescence from POPO‐3, which was excited by the energy from the FITC, was detected. The major homozygous (ALDH2*1), heterozygous (ALDH2*1/*2), and minor homozygous (ALDH2*2) genotypes in the blood samples were discriminated by this method. The assay described herein allows for a simple and rapid SNP analysis using a fully automated system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 96–102, 2003.
The invisible frontier. A multiple species model for the origin of behavioral modernity
Authors: D'Errico Francesco 
Published: August 2003

AbstractTwo contradictory theories of human cognitive evolution have been developed to model how, when, and among what hominid groups behavioral modernity emerged. The first model, which has long been the dominant paradigm, links these behavioral innovations to a cultural “revolution” by anatomically modern humans in Europe at around 40,000 years ago, coinciding with the first arrival of our species in this region.1–4 According to this model, the sudden and explosive character of this change is demonstrated by the appearance in the archeological record of previously unseen carvings, personal ornaments, musical instruments, depictions on cave walls, and new stone and bone technology. A variant of this model sees behavioral modernity resulting from a rapid biological change, a brain mutation producing no apparent change in skull anatomy, which occurred in Europe or, more probably, in Africa at ca. 50,000 years ago.56.