cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial differences in lipid-lowering agent use in medicaid patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background: Racial differences in chronic cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes are well described, whereas less is known about the process of CVD preventive care and its potential contribution to disparate outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between race and 1) prior use of a lipid-lowering agent (LLA), 2) LLA initiation, and 3) LLA discontinuation among individuals with an incident medical claim for CVD. Research Design: Retrospective claims analysis. Subjects: We studied continuously enrolled, fee-for-service Medicaid recipients <65 with a new medical claim for 1 of 15 CVD-related diagnoses or procedures from 1993 to 1998 (n = 14,833). Measures: Pharmacy claims history reflecting previous, new, and ongoing LLA use were reviewed for the 24-month period around a new CVD claim. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the independent effect of minority status on new and ongoing LLA use controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics. Results: A total of 3924 (26.4%) individuals submitted LLA pharmacy claims. A total of 3668 of 4668 (78.6%) previous or new users obtained ≥1 refill. Minorities were less likely to have previously used LLA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-0.70), to receive a new prescription (AOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.54-0.71), or to continue use, as evidenced by subsequent refill claims (AOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62-0.87). Conclusions: Publicly insured minorities with prescription coverage benefit less often from preventive care before or after a CVD diagnosis, resulting, in part, from providers' failure to initiate therapy and patients' failure to continue it. To reduce widening disparities in cardiovascular outcomes, strategies that target LLA underuse by minorities throughout the process of care are needed.
Primordial magnetic fields from pseudo Goldstone bosons.

The existence of large-scale magnetic fields in galaxies is well established, but there is no accepted mechanism for generating a primordial field which could grow into what is observed today. We discuss a model which attempts to account for the necessary primordial field by invoking a pseudo Goldstone boson coupled to electromagnetism. The evolution of this boson during inflation generates a magnetic field; however, it seems difficult on rather general grounds to obtain fields of sufficient strength on astrophysically interesting scales.
Transition from pediatric to adult care: internists' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to understand the concerns of adult health care providers regarding transition for young adult patients with childhood-onset conditions. METHODS. Internists from the 2000 American Board of Medical Specialties directory were selected randomly. A 2-stage mail survey was conducted from August 2001 to November 2004. In stage 1, providers stated their concerns regarding accepting care of transitioning young adult patients. In stage 2, providers ranked their concerns. RESULTS. A total of 241 internal medicine providers were selected for participation. In stage 1, 134 of 241 physicians were eligible to participate, and 67 (50%) of 134 completed stage 1 surveys. In stage 2, 112 physicians were eligible, and 65 (58%) of 112 responded. Concerns elicited in stage 1 were clustered into 6 categories: patient maturity, patient psychosocial needs, family involvement, providers9 medical competency, transition coordination, and health system issues. In stage 2, concerns rated highest were lack of training in congenital and childhood-onset conditions, lack of family involvement, difficulty meeting patients9 psychosocial needs, needing a superspecialist, lack of adolescent training, facing disability/end-of-life issues during youth and early in the relationship, financial pressures limiting visit time, and families9 high expectations. CONCLUSIONS. Internists clearly stated the need for better training in congenital and childhood-onset conditions, training of more adult subspecialists, and continued family involvement. They also identified concerns about patients9 psychosocial issues and maturity, as well as financial support to care for patients with complex conditions.
Treatment of adults with complications from previous hypospadias surgery.

Purpose: Adults with complications from previous hypospadias surgery experience various problems, including urethral stricture, persistent hypospadias and urethrocutaneous fistula. Innate deficiencies of the corpus spongiosum and multiple failed operations makes further management challenging.Materials and Methods: We reviewed our prospective urethroplasty database of men who presented with complications of previous hypospadias surgery. Patients were included in study if they had greater than 6 months of followup. Our surgical management was defined as an initial success if there were no urethral complications. The overall success rate included men with the same result after additional treatment.Results: A total of 50 men had followup greater than 6 months (median 89) and were included in study. These 50 patients presented with urethral stricture (36), urethrocutaneous fistula (12), persistent hypospadias (7), hair in the urethra (6) and severe penile chordee (7). Patients underwent a total of 74 urethrop...
Preliminary examination of progression of Alzheimer's disease in a rural Southern African American cohort

African Americans are at significantly increased risk for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet are seriously underrepresented in research trials. Preliminary experiences on a large scale, multi-site, 5-year longitudinal trial investigating the psychometric expression and progression of AD targeting an aging Southern rural cohort of African Americans are reported. Sixty-five participants, ranging from asymptomatic to severely demented, underwent extensive individual diagnostic and psychometric evaluation. Results indicated that cultural factors strongly influenced the data. Recruitment with asymptomatic volunteers were found to have greater educational attainment than other participant groups. Psychomotor measures showed greater impairment in African Americans compared to Caucasians suggesting increased cerebrovascular burden. African Americans' performance on the Boston Naming Test and the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading tests were significantly different than performance of Caucasian groups. The findings demonstrated that a better understanding of sociocultural factors associated with AD in the African American population may facilitate the development of primary and secondary preventions, especially when considering the role of cerebrovascular comorbidity which is a modifiable risk factor.
Unbound amino acid concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes of normal children and of cord blood.

Abstract Unbound amino acid concentrations were determined in the plasma and erythrocytes of 25 normal children (age 4 days to 12 years) and four cord bloods by the method of salt-saturated paper chromatography. A logarithmic normal distribution was found to be a suitable function for expressing the concentration of the unbound amino acids in the plasma and erythrocytes, whereas a linear normal distribution function was not. By linear and/or exponential regression functions a dependence in which the concentration increased with the age of the child was found for four of the amino acids and ergothioneine. The concentration of the “glutamyl residue” (glutamic acid and glutamine) was found to decrease with the age of the child. The ratio of glutamic acid to glutamine also decreased markedly with age. When compared with adults, many of the children's values in both components of the blood were significantly lower. The erythrocyte-plasma ratios of the amino acid concentrations were generally higher for the children than for the adults. The ratio for methionine in particular was 1.9 times higher in the children than in the adults. The cord blood amino acid concentrations differed in some respects from both the adult and children bloods. The dibasic amino acids, lysine, ornithine, and histidine, were high in concentration in the cord blood plasma.
Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland in childhood.

Abstract A 13-year-old girl underwent surgery at the Ear Nose and Throat Department of the Children's Hospital and Scientific Research Institute, Bambino Gesu, Rome, because of an acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. Two years after total parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve, metastasis occurred in a lateral cervical lymph node. Acinic cell tumors are uncommon in childhood; in children under the age of 16 years only 35 cases have been reported. There are too few acinar cell carcinomas occurring in children to yield an idea of their natural course. The neoplasm is also referred to as ‘acinar cell tumor’, in contrast to acinar cell carcinoma, because the neoplasm may be benign or malignant. Unfortunately, there are no histological distinguishing features that permit the pathologist to determine which neoplasm will behave in an aggressive fashion.
Progress in planar chromatography

Abstract Thin-layer chromatography is currently enjoying a renaissance due to improvements in the performance of plates, new sample application devices, innovations in the design of development chambers and development techniques, and improvements in the reliability and performance of scanning densitometers. In this article we will touch on all these aspects with an emphasis on development techniques useful for the separation of complex mixtures.
The degree of certainty in brain death: probability in clinical and Islamic legal discourse

The University of Michigan conference “Where Religion, Policy, and Bioethics Meet: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Islamic Bioethics and End-of-Life Care” in April 2011 addressed the issue of brain death as the prototype for a discourse that would reflect the emergence of Islamic bioethics as a formal field of study. In considering the issue of brain death, various Muslim legal experts have raised concerns over the lack of certainty in the scientific criteria as applied to the definition and diagnosis of brain death by the medical community. In contrast, the medical community at large has not required absolute certainty in its process, but has sought to eliminate doubt through cumulative diagnostic modalities and supportive scientific evidence. This has recently become a principal model, with increased interest in data analysis and evidence-based medicine with the intent to analyze and ultimately improve outcomes. Islamic law has also long employed a systematic methodology with the goal of eliminating doubt from rulings regarding the question of certainty. While ample criticism of the scientific criteria of brain death (Harvard criteria) by traditional legal sources now exists, an analysis of the legal process in assessing brain death, geared toward informing the clinician’s perspective on the issue, is lacking. In this article, we explore the role of certainty in the diagnostic modalities used to establish diagnoses of brain death in current medical practice. We further examine the Islamic jurisprudential approach vis-a-vis the concept of certainty (yaqīn). Finally, we contrast the two at times divergent philosophies and consider what each perspective may contribute to the global discourse on brain death, understanding that the interdependence that exists between the theological, juridical, ethical, and medical/scientific fields necessitates an open discussion and active collaboration between all parties. We hope that this article serves to continue the discourse that was successfully begun by this initial interdisciplinary endeavor at the University of Michigan.
Prostate stem cell antigen: A prospective therapeutic and diagnostic target

The development of novel clinical tools to combat cancer is an intense field of research and recent efforts have been directed at the identification of proteins that may provide diagnostic, prognostic and/or therapeutic applications due to their restricted expression. To date, a number of protein candidates have emerged as potential clinical tools in the treatment of prostate cancer. Discovered over ten year ago, prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a cell surface antigen that belongs to the Ly-6/Thy-1 family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. PSCA is highly overexpressed in human prostate cancer, with limited expression in normal tissues, making it an ideal target for both diagnosis and therapy. Several studies have now clearly correlated the expression of PSCA with relevant clinical benchmarks, such as Gleason score and metastasis, while others have demonstrated the efficacy of PSCA targeting in treatment through various modalities. The purpose of this review is to present the current body of knowledge about PSCA and its potential role in the treatment of human prostate cancer.
Endogenous convention, prejudice, and trust in demographic summary games

Abstract Many economic environments exhibit payoff discontinuity and indeterminacy, particularly those involving factors that are not under the deliberate control of players, such as prejudicial bias and trust. Simon and Zame (1990) introduce the concept of sharing rules as a means for endogenously resolving such indeterminacy when the player set is finite. We extend the Simon and Zame methodology to environments including large players whose individual actions may be felt economy-wide as well as infinitesimal players whose actions impact others only through the aggregate behavior of the demographic groups to which they belong. In effect, our analysis endogenizes the equilibrium actions of economic agents as well as the social conventions and personal beliefs that prevail.
Formulation of household automatic dishwasher detergents

The growth of the household automatic dishwasher detergent market and factors affecting future growth is reviewed. Major formulation changes that have occurred during the years are discussed, with emphasis on those contributions which resulted in significant improvement in performance. Present day formulations are classified according to types of ingredients and method of manufacture. Formulation options, types of equipment that can be used and factors which affect product performance are discussed, and performance test methods are described.
Estimation of soil cracking and the effect on surface runoff in a Texas Blackland Prairie watershed

Seasonal cracking of the soil matrix results in poor estimates of runoff and infiltration by simulation models due to the changing soil storage conditions. In this study, soil surface elevation changes were measured every two weeks and soil crack volume was calculated for a two-year period at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Riesel Y-2 watershed in central Texas. Soil anchors were placed in triplicate at depths of 0·15, 0·45, 0·90, 1·50 and 2·5 m and relative movement from a monument at 4·5 m was measured. Soil movement was translated into crack volume assuming isotrophic shrinkage. A crack flow model was developed for this study that computes crack volume from crack potential, soil depth and soil moisture. Simulated crack volume followed the seasonal trends found in the measured crack volume and was in general agreement with a regression R2 = 0·84. The crack model was incorporated into SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool), a comprehensive hydrologic model. Regression analysis was performed on measured and simulated daily surface runoff with an R2 = 0·87 indicating good agreement. The model was able to simulate surface runoff accurately in winter months when cracks were swelled closed and in the fall recharge events of 1998 when crack volume went from 70 to 10 mm. The relationships between measured crack volume and hydrologic variables simulated by the model were also examined and discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ‘Triple Rule Out’ CT Angiogram for Acute Chest Pain: Should it be Done, and If So, How?

Given the large number of individuals presenting to emergency departments with acute, undifferentiated chest pain and the frequent difficulty in discerning its etiology, there has been great interest in developing techniques that can improve the initial triage of these patients. The ‘Triple Rule Out” CT has recently been touted as a tool to quickly assess for life threatening causes of acute chest pain, namely acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection. Initial studies suggest that this protocol is safe and compares favorably with the dedicated CT protocols but at the cost of increased doses of iodinated contrast and radiation. New scanner technology has started to address these limitations but the “Triple Rule Out” CT is still in its infancy. It remains to be seen whether or not this application can ultimately improve diagnostic efficiency, cost, and/or clinical decision making.
Testability modeling and analysis of a rocket engine test stand

This paper describes a testability analysis methodology that improves efficiency in maintainability and availability of a system, provides improvements in the overall capabilities of this system, and has historical verifiable data to compare the testability analysis metrics to the observed discrepancy reports. Here is a methodology that illustrates the use of a testability analysis tool to aid in the design and development of a health management system. Included is a brief discussion of how the model's testability output metrics can be used in conjunction with other types of model outputs for optimization purposes. Some top-level figures of merit are targeted here to verify that the testability analysis data is adequate and valid. It is shown here that this technology can improve maintenance efficiency, and aid in automating an integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) system, while reducing the need for human interaction for decision making, data acquisition and testing. The technology identifies critical components in the system, and prescribes a fast and accurate failure detection and isolation method that diagnoses faults to the lowest level of ambiguity. The safety, reliability and testability metrics identified here are used to reduce the test stand operator's stress levels by increasing the confidence in the operational state of the system, especially those related to critical components, before and during tests. Consequently, confidence in the test stand output data from the test article is realized. It is proven here that this technology also adds confidence in sustainability improvement of the test stand, which is above and beyond meeting just performance specifications. False alarms and false replacement concerns are also addressed here. The importance of using today's testability analysis tools for assessing and optimizing integrated vehicle health management systems is emphasized in this paper. With this technology we were able to model a rocket engine test stand and utilize the existing test stand sensors as a baseline for the testability analysis. We used the observed discrepancy maintenance reports provided by the test stand engineers to assign failure modes to the components
Effects of dietary fats on red blood cell membrane insulin receptor in normo- and hypercholesterolemic miniature swine

It has been demonstrated that the type of dietary fat affects insulin receptors in various tissues in normal humans and animals by altering membrane fluidity. This study compares the effects of n-3 fatty acids from fish oil and n-6 fatty acids from corn oil on red blood cell membrane insulin receptors in normal and hypercholesterolemic minipigs. A group of minipigs were made hypercholesterolemic by feeding cholesterol and lard for 2 months; the other group served as controls and was fed stock diet. Both groups were then fed experimental diets containing either corn oil or menhaden oil or a mixture of the two for 23 additional weeks. Blood was collected at 0, 2, 12 and 23 weeks after the start of the experimental diets and membranes were prepared from the red blood cells. Insulin binding to red blood cell membranes was measured by radioreceptor assay. Plasma insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Insulin binding to red blood cell membrane was compared with the fluidity of the membrane measured and reported earlier. There was no significant effect of cholesterol feeding on plasma insulin concentrations. After 23 weeks on experimental diet plasma insulin was significantly higher in minipigs fed menhaden oil compared to those fed corn oil. No such effect was observed in hypercholesterolemic minipigs. No significant effect of either hypercholesterolemia or fish oil was observed on red blood cell insulin binding. A significant negative relationship was observed between insulin binding and anisotropy at 4°C for all probes but at 37°C significant negative relationship was observed only with polar probes. The data suggest that n-3 fatty acids from fish oil significantly increases plasma insulin in minipigs compared to n-6 fatty acids from corn oil. However, the unsaturation has no significant effect on insulin receptors on erythrocytes. Similarly, prior hypercholesterolemic state also has no effect on plasma insulin levels or the insulin binding to red blood cell membranes.
Writing our way to Taíno spirituality: Finding a sense of self

Taino spirituality conceals a strong image of the feminine as counterpart of the male. The Feminine is a luminous icon that does not want to be imagined but experienced. The tradition speaks of a union that integrates our humanness. In this article, it is shown how 11 Dominican women used Embodied Writing (EW) to recreate their experiences of the Goddess. EW is an invitation to write using all the senses—perceptual, visceral, sensorimotor, kinesthetic, and imaginal—so the readers’ senses can vibrate empathically when they read or listen to our narration. Participants developed alternative ways of knowing through a wide range of rituals and EW exercises. We examined the impact of such practices on our self-perception, spiritual growth, and personal empowerment.
The effect of political risk on the forward exchange bias: the case of elections

Abstract The unsuccesful search for explanations of the forward bias has concentrated on variables suggested by traditional models of risk. Political news, although important to foreign exchange traders, has not been considered as a determinant of the forward bias. I present a model in which the forward bias changes when the governing party changes. Elections in major industrial countries provide a natural test of the model. The forward bias changed as predicted after half of the 13 elections in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States between 1973 and 1985. Politics provides useful information for foreign exchange traders which economists should not ignore.
Basal Cell Adenocarcinoma and Basal Cell Adenoma of the Salivary Glands: A Clinicopathological Review of Seventy Tumors with Comparison of Morphologic Features and Growth Control Indices

Basal cell adenoma and basal cell adenocarcinoma represent uncommon basaloid salivary gland neoplasms that show marked morphologic similarity. We wished to compare clinical outcome and morphologic features as well as growth and proliferation associated markers for both neoplasms. We reviewed the pathologic features of 70 neoplasms diagnosed as basal cell adenoma or basal cell adenocarcinoma. Observations included maximum mitotic activity and presence or absence of invasion into surrounding normal tissues as well as immunohistochemical studies for Ki-67, caspase 3, p53, and bcl-2. Establishing malignancy on the basis of invasion into surrounding benign tissues, 41 basal cell adenomas and 29 basal cell adenocarcinomas were identified. For tumors with follow-up, recurrence rates were 6.7 % for basal cell adenoma and 16.7 % for basal cell adenocarcinoma. One patient with basal cell adenocarcinoma had distant metastases and died of disease. Overall basal cell adenocarcinomas showed significantly higher values for growth and proliferation markers compared to basal cell adenomas. Salivary gland basal cell adenoma and basal cell adenocarcinoma show morphologic similarity. Basal cell adenocarcinoma can exhibit a locally aggressive behavior and has potential metastatic behavior. The overall mitotic rate and Ki-67 expression were higher in basal cell adenocarcinoma compared to basal cell adenoma, but overlap between the results of these observations in each tumor did not allow for accurate diagnosis or prediction of outcome in individual cases. We conclude that morphologic observation of local tissue invasion is the best marker for separating basal cell adenoma from basal cell adenocarcinoma.
Plastic zone and pileup around large indentations

Mechanical properties of cold-worked molybdenum, grade 4 titanium, and an α-β titanium alloy are measured with tensile tests and by indentations using conical indenters with 105, 120, and 137 deg included angles. The extent of plastic deformation and pileup around an indentation is measured using profilometry. Various models predicting the extent of plastic deformation and pileup are compared to the actual measured values. As inferred from indentation, the calculated yield strength of the material from the mean pressure does not correlate well to the yield strength measured by tensile testing. The plastic zone size surrounding an indentation can also be used to determine the yield strength of the material, and this does correlate to the yield strength measured by tensile tests. Furthermore, the extent of plastic deformation is relatively independent of the included angle of the indenter for the range of materials used in this system. Models predicting the amount of pileup at the edges of the indentation appear to approach but overestimate the actual amount of pileup in the materials tested.
Purification and properties of the clotting enzyme from Limulus lysate.

Abstract The clotting enzyme from Limulus lysate which is involved in the gelation reaction of lysate with endotoxin has been purified and some of its properties determined. It was isolated from endotoxin-treated lysate and purified by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and disc gel electrophoresis. Reaction of clotting enzyme with lysate clottable protein produces a clot or gel such as occurs with the gelation of lysate by endotoxin. Purified clotting enzyme has an approximate molecular weight of 84,000 (subunit MW 43,000), is isoelectric at pH ca. 5.5, trypsin-like, heat labile and pH sensitive.
Visibility limits in fibre-optic michelson interferometer with birefringence compensation

The operation of a polarisation-insensitive fibre optic Michelson interferometer is further analysed. In particular, details are reported of an investigation of the limits in interference fringe visibility of the system due to offsets in the rotation angle of the Faraday elements used to effect the birefringence compensation.
Towards defining the urinary proteome using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. I. Profiling an unfractionated tryptic digest.

The proteome of normal male urine from a commercial pooled source has been examined using direct liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The entire urinary protein mixture was denatured, reduced and enzymatically digested prior to LC-MS/MS analysis using a hybrid-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF) to perform data-dependent ion selection and fragmentation. To fragment as many peptides as possible, the mixture was analyzed four separate times, with the mass spectrometer selecting ions for fragmentation from a subset of the entire mass range for each run. This approach requires only an autosampler on the HPLC for automation ( i.e, unattended operation). Across these four analyses, 1.450 peptide MS/MS spectra were matched to 751 sequences to identify 124 gene products (proteins and translations of expressed sequence tags). Interestingly, the experimental time for these analyses was less than that required to run a single two-dimensional gel.
Qualitative and quantitative comparison of brand name and generic protein pharmaceuticals using isotope tags for relative and absolute quantification and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The capability of iTRAQ (isotope tags for relative and absolute quantification) reagents coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) as a qualitative and quantitative technique for the analysis of complicated protein pharmaceutical mixtures was evaluated. Mixtures of Somavert and Miacalcin with a small amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as an impurity were analyzed. Both Somavert and Miacalcin were qualitatively identified, and BSA was detected at levels as low as 0.8mol%. Genotropin and Somavert were compared in a single experiment, and all of the distinct amino acid residues from the two proteins were readily identified. Four somatropin drug products (Genotropin, Norditropin, Jintropin, and Omnitrope) were compared using the iTRAQ/MALDI-MS method to determine the similarity between their primary structures and quantify the amount of protein in each product. All four product samples were well labeled and successfully compared when a filtration cleanup step preceded iTRAQ labeling. The quantitative accuracy of the iTRAQ method was evaluated. In all cases, the accuracy of experimentally determined protein ratios was higher than 90%, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 10%. The iTRAQ and global internal standard technology (GIST) methods were compared, and the iTRAQ method provided both higher sequence coverage and enhanced signal intensity.
Chemical, Physical and Sensorial Differences in Farmed Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) Fed Commercial or Crab Meal-Supplemented Diets

ABSTRACT A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of a commercial and a crab meal-supplemented diet on sensory properties of southern flounder ( Paralichthys lethostigma). Proximate analysis, color, fatty acid composition, texture and sensory analyses were performed on the fillets. A significant difference in flavor was found between fillets fed on a commercial or a crab-meal supplemented diet. No significant difference was found between the fish fillets when comparing fat, protein, fiber content and texture. However, fatty acid composition and color were significantly affected by dietary treatment. The data suggest that crab-meal supplemented finishing diets could be utilized to enhance final product quality.
Analysis of surface roughness using confocal microscopy

Confocal microscopy provides a convenient means of acquiring three-dimensional descriptions of objects. A new technique exploits the capability of confocal microscopy to quantify rough surfaces. The microscope “optically” sections the surface, and a computer transforms a series of sections into digital images and a topographic map. Using a straightforward algorithm, the computer analyses the topographic map to derive a roughness parameter that characterizes the texture of the surface.
Entanglement resonance in driven spin chains

We consider a spin-1/2 anisotropic $XY$ model with time-dependent spin-spin coupling as means of creating long-distance entanglement. We predict the emergence of significant entanglement between the first spin and the last spin whenever the ac part of the coupling has a frequency matching the Zeeman splitting. In particular, we find that the concurrence assumes its maximum with a vanishing dc part. Mapping the time-dependent Hamiltonian within a rotating-wave approximation to an effective static model provides qualitative and quantitative understanding of this entanglement resonance. Numerical results for the duration of the entanglement creation and its length dependence substantiate the effective static picture.
The ischemic T loop during and following exercise--a vector-electrocardiographic (VECG) study.

Summary The characteristics of an ischemic T loop were predicted from the ischemic ST segment. These characteristics were compared with T loop characteristics observed during and following a treadmill exercise in 73 subjects with heart disease of which 66 had ischemic heart disease (either angina or healed myocardial infarction). Twenty-one normal subjects were studied for comparison. The Frank vector loops and ECG leads 1, AVF, and V3R were monitored continuously before, during, and after exercise. Exercise was terminated at the onset of (1) disabling dyspnea and fatigue, (2) angina, (3) an ischemic ST segment, or (4) at ten minutes. All 35 of 59 (59%) functional class 2, 3, and 3–4 cardiac subjects that exhibited an ischemic ST segment in one or both of the component axial ECG traces at the termination of exercise displayed two general types of T loop changes: (1) a uniformly enlarged, more open, more symmetrical, rounded and dense T loop with a horseshoe appearance and with or without a reversal of directional sequence or (2) an enlarged, more open, more symmetrical and dense, but elongated T loop . These T loops were observed chiefly in the horizontal loop trace. As these post-exercise T loops were identical to the predicted ischemic T loops, the observed post-exercise T loops were labeled as ischemic T loops . Four of 59 anginal subjects (7%) exhibited an elongated ischemic T loop and ST junction depression with an upsloping ST segment at the termination of exercise, one to three minutes prior to the development of an ischemic ST segment. Ten of 59 subjects (16%) with ischemic heart disease exhibited an elongated or horseshoe ischemic T loop at the termination of exercise, but unassociated with an ischemic ST segment. Two of 59 subjects (3 %) with angina exhibited transient loss of initial right and anterior QRS vectors at the termination of exercise, unassociated with ST junction or ST segment changes and without development of an ischemic T loop. These data suggest that development of an ischemic T loop or transient loss of initial right or anterior QRS vectors during or following exercise is an objective indicator of the onset of ischemia in subjects with ischemic heart disease, whether or not there is an associated ischemic ST segment. It follows, then, that continuous monitoring of vector loop and axial ECG traces during and following exercise will detect ischemic changes earlier and with greater frequency than continuous ECG monitoring alone.
High reliability and high performance of 9xx-nm single emitter laser diodes

Improved performance and reliability of 9xx nm single emitter laser diodes are presented. To date, over 15,000 hours of accelerated multi-cell lifetest reliability data has been collected, with drive currents from 14A to 18A and junction temperatures ranging from 60°C to 110°C. Out of 208 devices, 14 failures have been observed so far. Using established accelerated lifetest analysis techniques, the effects of temperature and power acceleration are assessed. The Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) is determined to be >30 years, for use condition 10W and junction temperature 353K (80°C), with 90% statistical confidence.
THE HEMOGLOBIN, OXYGEN, CARBON DIOXIDE AND HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATIONS IN THE UMBILICAL BLOODS OF SHEEP AND GOATS AS SAMPLED VIA INDWELLING PLASTIC CATHETERS.

A method is described for the introduction of plastic catheters into the umbilical vessels of fetal goats and lambs whereby samples of blood may be obtained over a period of days and weeks in conditions in which the mother is free from obvious stress. The results of the analyses of samples so obtained, indicate that (1) the oxygen capacity of the fetal blood does not increase after 100 days and (2) that the oxygen saturation does not fall systematically in the last month of gestation. Data on the day to day variations in the blood levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH are reported.
Knowledge spillovers and intellectual property rights

Abstract Knowledge spillovers are widely thought to be important for innovative activity, yet theory is ambiguous about the sign of the relationship. Assuming that knowledge spillovers are more easily exploited where intellectual property rights are weakly enforced, this paper uses country–industry data to uncover the link between knowledge spillovers and innovative activity, as well as the birth and death of enterprises. IPR enforcement disproportionately increases innovation spending in R&D intensive industries, as well as both rates of entry and exit. The results are robust to accounting for financial development, labor market ridigities and a number of other institutional factors.
Incorporation of thymine into φe dna during transfection of Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Phage φe, whose DNA contains hydroxymethyl uracil in place of thymine, excludes thymine from its DNA by inducing enzymes that degrade TTP and block thymidylate synthetase. During transfection of Bacillus subtilis with φe DNA, however, progeny phage can be labeled with [ 3 H]thymine at an average of 1000 thymine residues per phage, a level eightfold higher than that found after normal phage infection. This observation supports a transfection model in which bacterial polymerases, using thymine, repair gaps in phage DNA molecules created by the renaturation of single-strand fragments of phage DNA taken up by competent cells.
Depositional Cycles of Lodgepole Formation (Mississippian) in Central Montana: ABSTRACT

Detailed stratigraphic and petrographic investigations of lower Madison Group outcrops reveal that the Lodgepole Formation is composed of 5 two-part depositional cycles. The stratigraphically lowest cycle includes the entire Paine Member; the remaining cycles comprise all but the lower part of the Woodhurst Member. Each cycle is characterized by a fine-grained lower unit and a coarser upper unit. The lower unit is dominated by horizontally laminated carbonate mudstones, pellet carbonate grainstones, and finely crystalline dolomites. These lithologies are interpreted to be the deposits of calm, nonturbulent lithotopes. The upper unit of each cycle is characterized by cross-laminated, medium- to coarse-grained, bioclastic and oolitic carbonate grainstones, interpreted to have been deposited in shallow, turbulent environments. From the lithology, sedimentary structures, lateral petrographic and stratigraphic continuity, and modern analogues, these oolitic and bioclastic beds are interpreted to be generally synchronous within individual outcrop belts in central Montana. Regionally, however, cycle-ca ping intervals are probably diachronous stratigraphic units. Facies interpretations of Lodgepole depositional cycles suggest that rocks of the fine-grained lower unit are deposits of deeper water transgressive phases of the Lodgepole sea; lithologies of the upper coarse-grained unit are accumulations of the shallower water regressive phases. End_of_Article - Last_Page 654------------
Responses of single cells in cat inferior colliculus to binaural click stimuli: Combinations of intensity levels, time differences and intensity differences

Abstract Click stimuli were used to study the responses of single units in the inferior colliculus to interaural time and intensity differences, using values for these differences that approximate those estimated to be produced by positioning of an actual source of sound. Effects of sound intensity level on interaural time and intensity responses were studied, as well as effects of binaural intensity difference on interaural time responses. Spike counts were plotted as a function of variation in interaural time or intensity. Four populations of neurons were described on the basis of these spike count functions; units sensitive to (1) interaural intensity differences, (2) interaural time differences, (3) neither interaural time nor intensity, or (4) both interaural time and intensity. With manipulation of intensity a unit may alter its properties so as to appear to shift from one of these populations to another. Four general types of interaural time sensitive functions and three general types of interaural intensity functions were described. It was proposed that complex types of unit interaural time codings suggest a convergence of lower order units, with simple codings, onto higher order complex units. Time-intensity trading was demonstrated by shifts of interaural time sensitivity functions along the time axis with binaural intensity manipulation. Other effects of both binaural intensity difference and intensity level were demonstrated. These results suggest dynamic and differential unit properties concerned with the representation of auditory space in the central nervous system.
Why‐and How‐to Systematize Performance Measurement

Whether or not a company has a performance measurement system, managers can measure their group's achievements. Here is a practical approach to analyzing such systems and determining the appropriate, interrelated measures—along with caveats on how to uncover misleading ones. © 2001 by the authors
UNIT OPERATIONS, UNIT PROCESSES AND LEVEL OF RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLEANUP OF THE OIL SPILL FROM THE SUPERTANKER AMOCO CADIZ

ABSTRACT The March 1978 oil spill from the tanker Amoco Cadiz will serve as a landmark reference point for many decades for those interested in dealing with large oil spills. This paper1 describes the apparent strategy and the timing of resources used for cleanup of the spill, investigates the cleanup operations in terms of the individual unit operations and unit processes, and examines the level of financial resources, manpower, supply and equipment used in dealing with the spill at the various stages of the cleanup operation. The paper concludes with an extensive discussion of the lessons which have become apparent or are being reinforced by this particular spill with regard to the technology and administrative structure needed to effectively deal with very large oil spills.
Reflection Seismology as an Exploration Tool for Fractured Zones in Gas-Bearing Shale - Cottageville, West Virginia: A Case Study

The research described in this report has the objective of determining how reflection seismology can be used in prospecting for zones of fracturing. The Cottageville gas field in West Virginia was chosen for a case study because there is a considerable amount of data available, including reflection seismic data, gas production data and subsurface geologic data including two cores. Examples from the Cottageville data showing basement structure and seismic velocity and attenuation anomalies associated with gas production are presented. An exploration rationale for prospecting for eastern shale gas is developed. 6 refs.
Effects of diet on the carotenoid pigment and lipid content of Pomacea bridgesii as determined by quantitative high performance thin layer chromatography.

Abstract High performance thin layer chromatography was used to quantify the concentrations of β-carotene and lutein in the whole bodies and digestive gland–gonad complexes of Pomacea bridgesii fed on a lettuce diet and a hen's egg yolk diet, and snails starved for one week. β-carotene and lutein concentrations were determined in the fecal matter of cultures on the lettuce and yolk diets as well. Significantly higher amounts of β-carotene were found in the whole bodies of snails fed lettuce compared with those starved for a week. β-carotene was not detected in the whole bodies and digestive gland–gonad complexes of snails fed hen's egg yolk. Neutral and polar lipid levels were also quantified in P. bridgesii fed lettuce and yolk. Significantly higher amounts of triacylglycerols were detected in the digestive gland–gonad complexes of snails maintained on the egg yolk diet.
Top-down proteomic identification of Shiga toxin 2 subtypes from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-tandem time of flight mass spectrometry.

We have analyzed 26 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains for Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) production using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)–tandem time of flight (TOF-TOF) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and top-down proteomic analysis. STEC strains were induced to overexpress Stx2 by overnight culturing on solid agar supplemented with either ciprofloxacin or mitomycin C. Harvested cells were lysed by bead beating, and unfractionated bacterial cell lysates were ionized by MALDI. The A2 fragment of the A subunit and the mature B subunit of Stx2 were analyzed by MS/MS. Sequence-specific fragment ions were used to identify amino acid subtypes of Stx2 using top-down proteomic analysis using software developed in-house at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Stx2 subtypes (a, c, d, f, and g) were identified on the basis of the mass of the A2 fragment and the B subunit as well as from their sequence-specific fragment ions by MS/MS (postsource decay). Top-down proteomic identification was in agreement with DNA sequencing of the full Stx2 operon (stx2) for all strains. Top-down results were also compared to a bioassay using a Vero-d2EGFP cell line. Our results suggest that top-down proteomic identification is a rapid, highly specific technique for distinguishing Stx2 subtypes.
Monitoring sunitinib-induced vascular effects to optimize radiotherapy combined with soy isoflavones in murine xenograft tumor.

Using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to monitor vascular changes induced by sunitinib within a murine xenograft kidney tumor, we previously determined a dose that caused only partial destruction of blood vessels leading to “normalization” of tumor vasculature and improved blood flow. In the current study, kidney tumors were treated with this dose of sunitinib to modify the tumor microenvironment and enhance the effect of kidney tumor irradiation. The addition of soy isoflavones to this combined antiangiogenic and radiotherapy approach was investigated based on our studies demonstrating that soy isoflavones can potentiate the radiation effect on the tumors and act as antioxidants to protect normal tissues from treatment-induced toxicity. DCE-MRI was used to monitor vascular changes induced by sunitinib and schedule radiation when the uptake and washout of the contrast agent indicated regularization of blood flow. The combination of sunitinib with tumor irradiation and soy isoflavones significantly inhibited the growth and invasion of established kidney tumors and caused marked aberrations in the morphology of residual tumor cells. DCE-MRI studies demonstrated that the three modalities, sunitinib, radiation, and soy isoflavones, also exerted antiangiogenic effects resulting in increased uptake and clearance of the contrast agent. Interestingly, DCE-MRI and histologic observations of the normal contralateral kidneys suggest that soy could protect the vasculature of normal tissue from the adverse effects of sunitinib. An antiangiogenic approach that only partially destroys inefficient vessels could potentially increase the efficacy and delivery of cytotoxic therapies and radiotherapy for unresectable primary renal cell carcinoma tumors and metastatic disease.
Desipramine treatment of boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and tics: preliminary clinical experience.

Abstract About 50% of children referred for clinical evaluation of Tourette's syndrome (TS) also meet criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Standard treatment of ADHD with CNS stimulants results in an exacerbation of the tic symptoms in 20 to 50% of these patients. Symptoms of ADHD were treated with desipramine (DMI) in seven boys with chronic tic disorders, aged 7 to 11 years. Five patients (71%) had a moderate or marked reduction in their ADHD symptoms on a clinician's global improvement rating and on parent and teacher rating scales. There was no change in the severity of tic symptoms during DMI treatment in six patients. An intermittent eyeblink became persistent during DMI treatment in one patient. Mild tachycardia was the most common side effect. DMI appears to be safe and effective for children with ADHD and tics or a family history of TS.