cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image segmentation using an annealed Hopfield neural network

Good image segmentation can be achieved by finding the optimum solution to an appropriate energy function. A Hopfield neural network has been shown to solve complex optimization problems fast, but it only guarantees convergence to a local minimum of the optimization function. Alternatively, mean field annealing has been shown to reach the global or the nearly global optimum solution when solving optimization problems. Furthermore, it has been shown that there is a relationship between a Hopfield neural network and mean field annealing. In this paper, we combine the advantages of the Hopfield neural network and the mean field annealing algorithm and propose using an annealed Hopfield neural network to achieve good image segmentation fast. Here, we are concerned not only with identifying the segmented regions, but also finding a good approximation to the average gray level for each segment. A potential application is segmentation-based image coding. This approach is expected to find the global or nearly global solution fast using an annealing schedule for the neural gains. A weak continuity constraints approach is used to define the appropriate optimization function. The simulation results for segmenting noisy images are very encouraging. Smooth regions were accurately maintained and boundaries were detected correctly.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adaptation of Haplobothrium globuliforme (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) to the Intestinal Architecture of the Bowfin (Amia calva L)

Haplobothrium globuliforme maintains its position in the proximal mid-gut epithelium of Amia calva with the aid of tentacles, i.e., proboscides, everted from scolices of a primary strobila and craspedote proglottids of a secondary strobila. Weakly developed scolices of the secondary strobila appear to have little holdfast action, but the distinctly craspedote proglottids of these individuals project into the intestinal mucosa, altering the configuration of gut epithelial cells and pushing the tapeworm deeper into mucosal crypts. The basement membrane underlying the epithelium appears to act as a barrier that prevents tapeworms from penetrating into the deeper tissue layers of the lamina propria, muscularis mucosa, or submucosa. Scolex tegument modification occurs at the point of contact with host basement membrane. A mild background infiltrate of lymphocytes and granulocytes was evident adjacent to the scolex and proglottid tegument. There was no evidence of blood vessel proliferation, edema, mast cell degranulation, eosinophilia, or subsequent collagen formation associated with tapeworm activity.
Finding prime divisors of a number without dividing

In this note, we discuss a technique that can be used to determine if certain primes, including 7, are divisors of a number. This technique does not involve division and, in some cases, is more efficient than the standard approach that uses division.
Food, water and NaCl consumption by 14 strains of rats.

We measured the voluntary intake of food, water, and NaCl by 8 male and 8 female rats from each of 3 outbred strains (Crl:CD(SD) IGS, LE, and Wistar) and 11 inbred strains (BN/SsNHsdMcwiCrl, BUF/CrCrl, COP/CrCrl, DA/OlaHsd, DahlSS/JrHsdMcwi, F344/NTac, FHH/EurMcwi, LEW/NHsd, Noble/CrCrl, PVG/OlaHsd, and SHR/NCrl). At 8-week old when tests began, there was a 182-g range in body weight (PVG-female=121±2 g, LE-male=303±4 g), a 17-g range in food intake (BN-female=11±1 g/d, SHR-male=28±2 g/d of AIN-76A diet), and a 34-mL range in water intake (BN-female=15±1 mL/d, FHH-male=49±4 mL/d of deionized water). In a series of 48-h two-bottle tests with a choice between water and progressively increasing concentrations of NaCl, all rat strains strongly preferred 3.16, 10, 31.6, and 100 mM NaCl relative to water. All except BUF, Noble and PVG preferred 178 mM NaCl relative to water. All except LEW, SHR, and DA avoided 316 mM NaCl, and all avoided 562 mM NaCl. There were few differences in NaCl preference between the sexes at any concentration. These results illustrate the substantial diversity of voluntary ingestive behavior in rats and set the stage for future genetic analyses.
Computing medial axes of generic 3D regions bounded by B-spline surfaces

A new approach is presented for computing the interior medial axes of generic regions in R 3 bounded by C ( 4 ) -smooth parametric B-spline surfaces. The generic structure of the 3D medial axis is a set of smooth surfaces along with a singular set consisting of edge curves, branch curves, fin points and six junction points. In this work, the medial axis singular set is first computed directly from the B-spline representation using a collection of robust higher order techniques. Medial axis surfaces are computed as a time trace of the evolving self-intersection set of the boundary under the the eikonal (grassfire) flow, where the bounding surfaces are dynamically offset along the inward normal direction. The eikonal flow results in special transition points that create, modify or annihilate evolving curve fronts of the (self-) intersection set. The transition points are explicitly identified using the B-spline representation. Evolution of the (self-) intersection set is computed by adapting a method for tracking intersection curves of two different surfaces deforming over generalized offset vector fields. The proposed algorithm accurately computes connected surfaces of the medial axis as well its singular set. This presents a complete solution along with accurate topological structure. Highlights? The medial axis is a widely used geometric structure in shape analysis applications. ? Computing medial axes directly from B-spline surface models is a challenging problem. ? We present a novel method for computing accurate medial axes of B-spline based models. ? The proposed method presents a complete solution with topology for the generic case. ? The proposed method is automatic.
A case of alveolar atrophy of unknown origin in a child

Abstract An unusual case of advanced alveolar atrophy in a child has been reported in detail. The etiology of the condition remains obscure and treatment has not been successful.
“If I only had more time:” ESL learners' changes in linguistic accuracy on essay revisions

Abstract This study examines whether or not English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students edit for sentence-level errors during revision and whether or not additional editing instruction helps reduce sentence-level errors in revised essays. Examining 64 ESL students' 30-minute drafts and 60-minute revisions, both at the beginning and at the end of a semester, we found that students' linguistic accuracy improved both over the semester and from draft to revised essay. However, an experimental group, who received additional editing instruction and feedback, did not perform any better than the control group on measures of linguistic accuracy. We conclude that while the improvement in accuracy on the revised essays is statistically significant and theoretically interesting to researchers in the areas of second language acquisition and second language writing pedagogy, it may be too small to have practical implications in the context of writing assessment.
Grammatical description versus configurational arrangement in language acquisition: The case of relative clauses in Japanese☆

Abstract The description of sentence complexity in terms of grammatical relations or in terms of configurational properties of their surface structure is a basic issue in developmental psycholinguistics. The problem has been investigated in English, but these studies provide little insight because of the peculiar properties of word order in the language. A series of experiments with Japanese children is reported in which the configurational demands of the sentence are shown to be the critical factor.
Bad Abstractions: Response to Sullivan

Sullivan (2009 [this issue]) correctly observes that layand environmentalist perceptions of cattle ranching inthewesternUnitedStates,andintheSouthwestinpartic-ular, have changed dramatically in the past decade. Longconsidered a scourge, ranching is now widely viewed, atworst, as the lesser of two evils (the greater evil beingsubdivision), or, at best, as a means of realizing conser-vation objectives such as ecological restoration, habitatpreservation, and open-space protection (Knight et al.2002). The questions Sullivan poses, moreover, are im-portant ones: Is this shift in perceptions justified? Doesit rest on solid scientific evidence? As he puts it, “is it adefensible position for conservation biologists?” Sullivanis dubious, based both on his own observations and onpeer-reviewed research.Although one could cite other studies that complicateor confute his specific claims (of which more below), aprior issue should be addressed first: Are the categoriesSullivanemployscapableofyieldinganswerstotheques-tions he raises? I argue they are not. As he uses them,
Estimation of impact forces between small bodies in waves

Abstract Impact forces between small bodies colliding in a regular wave are estimated using the contact theory of Hertz and an elastoplastic model due to Lankarani and Nikravesh (1994) . To determine the relative impact speed, the equations of motion for the bodies on a surface wave are formulated in two dimensions using the methods of Kane and Levinson (1985) and solved numerically. It is assumed that the motion normal to the wave surface is small and can be neglected, i.e. the bodies move along the propagating wave profile. A Stokes second order wave is used and the wave forces are applied using Morison's equation for a body in accelerated flow. Wind loads are similarly modeled using drag coefficients.
Structure of polyurethane elastomers: effect of chain extender length on the structure of MDI/diol hard segments

Abstract X-ray diffraction and conformational analyses have been used to study the structure of the hard segments in MDI/diol/PTMA polyurethanes, and to investigate the differences in structure that result from the use of different chain lengths for the aliphatic diol component. It is found that for butandiol and longer diol chain extenders (up to octandiol) the structure depends on whether the diol has an even or odd number of CH2 groups. The even diol polymers adopt the lowest energy fully extended conformations that allow for hydrogen bonding in both directions perpendicular to the chain axis. Such a hydrogen bonding network would not be possible for the odd diol polymers in the extended conformation, and these adopt contracted, higher energy conformations. Both the odd and even diol polymers adopt staggered chain structures with triclinic unit cells, but the even diol polymers have higher crystalline order. The first two members of the homologous series, prepared using ethylene glycol and propandiol, are exceptions to the above behaviour and adopt contracted unstaggered structures. It is possible that these two diols are too short to permit packing of the MDI units in the same way as for the longer chain extenders. The results suggest the simple explanation for the better overall properties of the elastomers prepared using butandiol and the higher even diols. The hard segments of these polymers can crystallize more easily in the lowest energy extended conformation, and hence there is more of a driving force for phase separation.
The impact of IT on supply chain agility and firm performance: An empirical investigation

Abstract This study investigates the impact of information technology (IT) on supply chain agility measured by the ability to sense and respond to market changes, and the impact supply chain agility has on firm performance. Data were collected from supply chain executives at 193 U.S. manufacturing firms. The results suggest that IT improves the supply chain's ability to sense market changes by improving the adequacy, accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness of the information flows among members of the supply chain. IT also increases the supply chain's ability to respond to market changes by reducing the cost, and improving the quality and timeliness of developing and executing coordinated plans to respond to market changes throughout the supply chain. Importantly, the results indicate that enhanced supply chain agility has positive impacts on the firm's sales, market share, profitability, speed to market, and customer satisfaction.
When should a mechanical tricuspid valve replacement be considered

Background Isolated mechanical tricuspid valve replacement (mTVR) is uncommon, early mortality is reported to be high, and little is known regarding the long-term outcome. We sought to evaluate the long-term outcome of mTVR. Methods From 1980 to 2007, isolated mTVR was performed in 64 patients (33 men) at our institution; the median age was 45.5 years (6-71 years). There were 2192 tricuspid valve (TV) repairs and 137 isolated bioprosthetic TV replacements during the same time interval. Valve dysfunction was caused by congenital TV abnormality in 45 patients (70%), carcinoid heart disease in 13 (20%), traumatic TV regurgitation in 3 (5%), and other reason in 3 (5%). Twenty-three patients (36%) had at least 1 previous cardiac procedure (TV repair in 8 and bioprosthetic TV replacement in 7). Results Mechanical prostheses used included Starr-Edwards (before 1993) in 36 patients (56%) and bileaflet prostheses in 28 (44%). Concomitant procedures included atrial septal defect closure in 28 (44%), arrhythmia surgery in 11 (17%), and pulmonary valvectomy for carcinoid disease in 10 patients (16%). Early mortality occurred in 5 patients (7.8%). Early morbidity included a permanent pacemaker in 9 (14%) and reexploration for bleeding in 2 patients (3%). Mean follow-up was 6 years (maximum 22.4 years). Five- and 10-year survival was 65% and 58%, respectively. There was no valve-related mortality. Late morbidity included valve thrombosis in 5 patients (8%); 3 were managed nonoperatively and 2 underwent TV rereplacement. Conclusions Isolated mTVR still leads to increased early mortality. A mechanical valve can be considered in select situations when anticoagulation is necessary and in the presence of good right ventricular function.
TD-DFT Computational Insight into the Origin of Wavelength-Dependent E/Z Photoisomerization of Urocanic Acid

DFT and TD-DFT calculations in the gas phase and water have been performed for both anionic and zwitterionic forms of urocanic acid (UA) to gain an insight into the origin of its wavelength-dependent E/Z photoisomerization. Theoretical examination of the rotational flexibility of the carboxylic acid group by the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) method in conjunction with the COSMO solvent model supports the earlier suggestion (Danielsson, J.; Soderhall, J. A.; Laaksonen, A. Mol. Phys. 2002, 100, 1873) that in aqueous solution the carboxylic acid group may rotate. Our TD-B3LYP results on vertical excitation energies for the different CCCOO- rotamers of zwitterionic UA indicate that deviation from planarity may lead to an alteration of the excited-state order. We suggest two possible singlet/triplet conical intersections (S2/T5 and S1/T3) located around 306 and 314 nm. A mechanistic discussion and simplified Jablonski-type diagrams are presented for three spectral regions where UA exhibits different photobehavior: (i) be...
X-linkage and manic-depressive illness: a reassessment.

Abstract Genetic‐epidemiological data and linkage studies with chromosomal markers are reviewed from the vantage point of X‐linked inheritance. The results overall suggest that a gene predisposing to manic depression (bipolar affective illness) localized on the X‐chromosome may exist in a subgroup of bipolar cases. However, in light of conflicting findings and methodological uncertainties in studying a disorder with unclear phenotype and complex inheritance, this issue is not yet closed. Additional research, including new linkage data and extension and re‐evaluation of published data, is required to further our understanding of this intriguing hypothesis.
Validation of the multidimensional health locus of control scales for labor and delivery

No current instrument assesses women's health locus of control beliefs in relation to childbirth. Form C of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales was used to develop items for a new instrument specific to labor and delivery (MHLC-LD). Psychometric analyses conducted with two independent samples of pregnant women supported a three-factor model of the new instrument, consisting of Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance subscales. Results revealed modest coefficient alphas (>.70) for the subscales and demonstrated construct validity in known group analyses. Future validation research will focus on improving the internal consistency reliability of the MHLC-LD, testing factorial invariance across demographic groups, and examining the relationships between obstetric risk, previous birth experiences, and beliefs about control over childbirth outcomes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:282–296, 2011
Abstract LB-155: Ovarian cancer-induced changes in the intestinal microbiota as potential biomarkers for early detection

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Early detection of cancer can drastically increase the survival rate of the patient. While tremendous efforts were devoted to developing early detection tools, especially cancers in the peritoneal cavity such as ovarian cancer are often detected late after the exfoliated cancer cells have spread throughout the peritoneal cavity and have formed metastases, leading to a high mortality. However, early detection can increase the 5-year survival rate of afflicted women from less than 30% to more than 80%, highlighting the importance of developing early detection tools. Ideally, these tools should be specific for ovarian cancer but include most histological sub-types, and be non-invasive. An attractive source of biomarkers lies within the complex gut microbiome- whose membership and functionality are tightly associated with the health of its host. Changes to the gut microbiota, a concept referred to as dysbiosis, are associated with disease in humans. Here we describe changes in the intestinal microbiota as a function of the presence of ovarian cancer metastases in the peritoneal cavity. We postulate that these might serve as useful markers for earlier detection of ovarian cancer or other peritoneal-associated cancers. Citation Format: Eva M. Schmelz, Paul C. Roberts, Monica A. Ponder. Ovarian cancer-induced changes in the intestinal microbiota as potential biomarkers for early detection. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-155. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-155
Phase II trial of paclitaxel, estramustine, etoposide, and carboplatin in the treatment of patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND Preclinical data suggest that the combination of intravenous (i.v.) paclitaxel, carboplatin, oral etoposide, and oral estramustine (TEEC) has significant activity in patients with advanced, hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma. The authors conducted this clinical trial to evaluate the addition of carboplatin to the three-drug combination of paclitaxel, estramustine, and etoposide (TEE). METHODS Twenty patients with carcinoma of the prostate that was progressing despite hormone therapy were enrolled on this Phase II trial. Patients were treated with oral estramustine, 280 mg three times daily, and oral etoposide, 50 mg/m2, once daily on Days 1–7, with i.v. paclitaxel, 135 mg/m2, over 1 hour followed by carboplatin (area under the curve, 5) on Day 2 of each 21-day treatment cycle. Patients were evaluated for response after three cycles, and three additional cycles were given to responding or stable patients. RESULTS Nineteen patients were evaluable for response, and 12 patients had measurable disease at baseline. The measurable response rate was 58% (7 of 12 patients; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 28–85%), and all of those were partial responses. Eleven patients had decreases > 50% from their baseline prostate specific antigen levels during therapy, for a response rate of 58% (95% CI, 34–80%) by this criterion. The median time to disease progression was 5.5 months, with a median survival of 14.2 months. Major toxicities included Grade (according to version 2 of the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria) 4 neutropenia in 4 patients, Grade 4 thrombocytopenia in 4 patients, and anemia ≥ Grade 3 in 4 patients. One patient had a deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS The combination of TEEC was active in patients with hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma. The regimen was tolerable, with primarily hematologic toxicity. The addition of carboplatin to TEE did not appear to add to the efficacy of the three-drug combination of antimicrotubule agents. Cancer 2003;98:269–76. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11494
Fast equalization for large Lithium Ion batteries

The use of lithium ion (LiIon) cells requires a battery management system to ensure that the LiIon cells can be operated safely and the battery pack will operate optimally. Lithium-ion batteries use an electrolyte that is flammable if exposed to high temperatures. Slight differences between the series-connected cells in a LiIon battery pack can produce imbalances in the cell voltages, and this greatly reduces the charge capacity. These batteries cannot be trickle charged like a lead acid battery because this would slightly overcharge some cells and would cause these cells to ignite. There are different methods used to ensure that the cells of a battery pack are not overcharged. The targeted equalizer (EQU) described here can be connected to any cell via a set of sealed relays to provide much faster equalization and higher efficiency than previous methods.
Stroke narratives in aphasia: The role of reported speech

Background: Reported speech has been examined extensively in linguistics and discourse research; however, very few studies on reported speech in narratives of individuals with aphasia have been undertaken. Previous research on stroke narratives focused on African American and Caucasian American populations and cultural variations in narrative style (Olness & Ulatowska, 2002). Aims: The purpose of this study was to analyze the structural roles of reported speech in narratives of persons with aphasia. The following research questions were addressed: 1) Do individuals with aphasia use reported speech in illness narratives?, 2) Do they use direct and indirect forms of reported speech?, 3) What is the distribution of reported speech in the narratives?, 4) What function does reported speech perform?, 5) Who is quoted in the reported speech?, 6) Does the structure of reported speech differ across cultural groups? Methods & Procedures: Stroke narratives were elicited from 18 Caucasian American and 15 African Amer...
Anamalous electrophoresis behavior of rebonuclease from human urine and a novel treatment method for reliable analysis

Since Desialylated rebonuclease (RNase) from human urine has a highle alkaline isoelectric point (pI 9.5–10.5), an acidic buffer system is required for electrophoretic analysis of different urine specimens. In a common acid disc electrophoresis system in thin-layer polyacrylamide gel, the cathodal mobility of the RNase enzyme(s) was markedly reduced from that expected on the basis of the estimated pI. Dialysis urine against water had a very detrimental effect on the separation of the isozymes, and the addition of buffer to the dialyzed urine further exacerbated this effect. The urin RNase exhibited anomalous electrophoretic behavior in the form different urine specimens or from the same urine specimen adjusted to different concentrations. Treatment of urine with various cations had a significant, positive effect on the migration and resolution of the isozymes. This and other experimental evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that the anomalous behavior was due to the binding of anions from the buffer. A standardized protocol was developed for processing urine specimens, including treatment of urine with myoglobin, which abolished the artifactual variation observed previously and enabled reliable electrophoretic separation of the urine RNase isozymes. In addion, myoglobin treatment had a similar positive effect on the electrophoretic behavior of RNase enzymes from some other sources.
Relationships Between Alterations in Amine Metabolism and Blood Pressure

The principal processes of synthesis and metabolism for aromatic amines have been discussed in terms of their status in essential hypertension and in relation to alterations induced by enzyme inhibitors with hypotensive properties. From a practical standpoint, the clinical use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and a decarboxylase inhibitor (α-methyldopa) approach the achievement of medical sympathectomy without prohibitive side effects. From a basic standpoint, use of these inhibitors as biochemical tools affords a new perspective into connections between aromatic amine metabolism and blood-pressure regulation. A combined pharmacological-biochemical approach in man will be an important phase of future investigations.
Effects of blackberry (Rubus discolor) invasion on oak population dynamics in a California savanna.

Abstract We conducted studies to assess the effects of Rubus discolor encroachment on native oak recruitment on a cattle ranch in northern California. R. discolor (Himalayan blackberry) is an invasive exotic plant species, especially in more mesic areas of California rangelands. Our results demonstrated that saplings of both Quercus douglasii (blue oak) and Quercus lobata (valley oak) were preferentially associated with thickets of R. discolor. Analysis of browsing damage, growth forms, and reconstructed histories of height growth of small oaks suggested that berry thickets promoted oak seedling recruitment into the sapling size class by protecting them from browsing. Experimental plantings of acorns across the grassland/thicket interface, however, revealed that the interiors of the berry thickets were very poor locations for oak seedling establishment. The overall effect of blackberry encroachment appeared to be a transient effect, producing a pulse of recruitment into the sapling size class from a smaller size class. Long-term effects on oak recruitment will be negative, due to the elimination of oak seedling establishment inside berry thickets. Even if berry thickets had not suppressed seedling establishment, however, a simple model suggested that even temporary occupancy of a site by berry thickets would reduce recruitment of oaks into the sapling size class for many decades. In the model, the pulse of sapling recruitment, caused by protection from browsing, depleted the pool of short, suppressed oaks that gave rise to the saplings, thereby reducing rates of further sapling recruitment. Recognition of the importance of a pool of small, browsed oaks and its impact on population dynamics in savanna systems has wide-ranging implications for interpretations of current and historical oak population structures and for predicting long-term impacts of management practices in oak savanna.
Analysis of Power in Medical Decision-Making: An Argument for Physician Autonomy

Two of the patient's rights in a Uniform Act for the Terminally Ill should be a) the right to be treated if there is reasonable doubt of the patient's wishes until it becomes clear that the treatment is not beneficial and that the patient is indeed terminally ill, and b) the right not to be subjected to treatment with no medical benefit. A physician with appropriate supporting independent opinions would be the logical individual to whom the responsibility of protecting those rights should be given. This is particularly true when the patient is incapable of his or her own medical decisions and has left no instructions regarding his or her personal goals in medical care in the event of severe illness. Two cases and an analysis of power in medical decision-making illustrate these points.
Hydraulic properties and freezing‐induced cavitation in sympatric evergreen and deciduous oaks with contrasting habitats

We investigated the hydraulic properties in relation to soil moisture, leaf habit, and phylogenetic lineage of 17 species of oaks ( Quercus ) that occur sympatrically in northern central Florida (USA). Leaf area per shoot increased and Huber values (ratio of sapwood area to leaf area) decreased with increasing soil moisture of species’ habitats. As a result, maximum hydraulic conductance and maximum transpiration were positively correlated with mean soil moisture when calculated on a sapwood area basis, but not when calculated on a leaf area basis. This reveals the important role that changes in allometry among closely related species can play in co-ordinating water transport capacity with soil water availability. There were significant differences in specific conductivity between species, but these differences were not explained by leaf habit or by evolutionary lineage. However, white oaks had significantly smaller average vessel diameters than red oaks or live oaks. Due to their lower Huber values, maximum leaf specific conductivity ( K L ) was higher in evergreen species than in deciduous species and higher in live oaks than in red oaks or white oaks. There were large differences between species and between evolutionary lineages in freeze‐thaw-induced embolism. Deciduous species, on average, showed greater vulnerability to freezing than evergreen species. This result is strongly influenced by evolutionary lineage. Specifically, white oaks, which are all deciduous, had significantly higher vulnerability to freezing than live oaks (all evergreen) and red oaks, which include both evergreen and deciduous species. These results highlight the importance of taking evolutionary lineage into account in comparative physiological studies.
Unitary equivalence between ordinary intelligent states and generalized intelligent states

Ordinary intelligent states (OISs) hold equality in the Heisenberg uncertainty relation involving two noncommuting observables ${A,B}$, whereas generalized intelligent states (GISs) do so in the more generalized uncertainty relation, the Schr\"odinger-Robertson inequality. In general, OISs form a subset of GISs. However, if there exists a unitary evolution $U$ that transforms the operators ${A,B}$ to a new pair of operators in a rotation form, it is shown that an arbitrary GIS can be generated by applying the rotation operator $U$ to a certain OIS. In this sense, the set of OISs is unitarily equivalent to the set of GISs. It is the case, for example, with the su(2) and the su(1,1) algebras which have been extensively studied, particularly in quantum optics. When these algebras are represented by two bosonic operators (nondegenerate case), or by a single bosonic operator (degenerate case), the rotation, or pseudorotation, operator $U$ corresponds to phase shift, beam splitting, or parametric amplification, depending on two observables ${A,B}$.
Invited Commentary: Hormone Therapy and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease—Why Renew the Focus on the Early Years of Menopause?

After the initial report from the Women's Health Initiative estrogen-progestin trial, which found that menopausal hormone therapy was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in the overall cohort (age range: 50-79 years; mean age: 63 years), researchers took a closer look at the data from this and other studies, focusing on the timing of initiation of such therapy. The results suggest that hormone therapy may have a beneficial effect on the heart if started in early menopause, when a woman's arteries are still likely to be relatively healthy, but a harmful effect if started in late menopause, when advanced atherosclerosis may be present. The implication of the timing hypothesis for clinical practice is not that recently menopausal women be given hormone therapy for coronary heart disease prevention but rather that clinicians can be reassured about cardiac risks when considering short-term use of hormone therapy for vasomotor symptom relief in such women. The reduction in vasomotor symptoms must be weighed against other risks and benefits of treatment, but coronary disease is typically not a major factor in the equation for women who are recently menopausal.
Polyglutamate directed coupling of bioactive peptides for the delivery of osteoinductive signals on allograft bone.

Allograft bone is commonly used as an alternative to autograft, however allograft lacks many osteoinductive factors present in autologous bone due to processing. In this study, we investigated a method to reconstitute allograft with osteoregenerative factors. Specifically, an osteoinductive peptide from collagen I, DGEA, was engineered to express a heptaglutamate (E7) domain, which binds the hydroxyapatite within bone mineral. Addition of E7 to DGEA resulted in 9× greater peptide loading on allograft, and significantly greater retention after a 5-day interval with extensive washing. When factoring together greater initial loading and retention, the E7 domain directed a 45-fold enhancement of peptide density on the allograft surface. Peptide-coated allograft was also implanted subcutaneously into rats and it was found that E7DGEA was retained in vivo for at least 3 months. Interestingly, E7DGEA peptides injected intravenously accumulated within bone tissue, implicating a potential role for E7 domains in drug delivery to bone. Finally, we determined that, as with DGEA, the E7 modification enhanced coupling of a bioactive BMP2-derived peptide on allograft. These results suggest that E7 domains are useful for coupling many types of bone-regenerative molecules to the surface of allograft to reintroduce osteoinductive signals and potentially advance allograft treatments.
Diabetes Mellitus Non-Glucose Monitoring: Point-of-Care Testing:

OBJECTIVE:To review and evaluate reimbursable point-of-care testing devices yielding immediate results, other than glucometers, that are available to evaluate and monitor diabetes and its complications and to describe how pharmacists may use these devices.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search (1966-March 2003) was performed using the following search terms: point-of-care systems, clinical diabetes monitoring, decision support systems, glycosylated hemoglobin, and microalbumin. Pertinent company and product Web sites and customer service departments were accessed for information about point-of-care devices and supplies.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All descriptive, evaluative, and comparative articles and product information were reviewed, and relevant information was included.DATA SYNTHESIS:Diabetes mellitus is a complex, chronic metabolic disease that is a challenging management problem and requires routine monitoring for disease control and screening for complications. Point-of-care tests are available to...
Ketamine analgesia for inflammatory pain in neonatal rats: a factorial randomized trial examining long-term effects

Background Neonatal rats exposed to repetitive inflammatory pain have altered behaviors in young adulthood, partly ameliorated by Ketamine analgesia. We examined the relationships between protein expression, neuronal survival and plasticity in the neonatal rat brain, and correlated these changes with adult cognitive behavior.
Plant-level scale economies and industrial concentration

Abstract The importance of plant scale economies as a determinant of concentration differences among industries is examined using four-digit SIC data. Inter-industry concentration differences are explained by corresponding differences in leading firm plant size (relative to industry), rather than by the number of plants operated. Similarly, changes in industrial concentration are more directly related to plant size changes than to changes in the number of plants operated. This suggests that plant-level scale economies are more important than firm-level economies or other types of efficiencies in determining concentration differences among industries.
Loss of viability and metabolic injury of Staphylococcus aureus resulting from storage at 1°, 3°, 5° and 7°C.

Summary. A culture of Staphylococcus aureus in trypticase-soy broth incubated at 5° became increasingly sensitive to mannitol-salt agar. The sensitivity was affected by the pH value of the suspending medium. On transfer to 37° the culture rapidly regained the ability to form colonies on the selective medium.
Transactional escalation in rigidity and intensity of interpersonal behaviour under stress

The present study provides empirical support for a new interpersonal concept of transactional escalation. This proposition hypothesizes that an individual's typical pattern of interpersonal behaviour will become more extreme and rigid under stressful interpersonal conditions. Thirty Caucasian females participated in brief interviews that had two stages: low-stress and high-stress conditions. The half of the subjects who were assigned to a high-stress interview condition were predicted to show an escalation of their typical friendly-submissive patterns during the second half of the interview. Findings revealed that escalation was evidenced by an increase in the extremeness and rigidity of their interpersonal behaviour. Implications for interpersonal theory, and for diagnostic and psychotherapy endeavours are discussed and directions for future research are provided.
Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for monitoring efficiency-based performance of productivity-driven organizations: Design and implementation of a decision support system

Abstract The competitive nature of the business environment requires the productivity-driven organization to be aware of its relative level of effectiveness and efficiency vis-a-vis its competitors. This suggests the need, first, for an effective mechanism that allows for discovering appropriate productivity models for improving overall organizational performance, and, second for a feedback-type mechanism that allows for evaluating multiple productivity models in order to select the most suitable one. In this paper our focus is on organizations that consider the states of their internal (e.g., possibly exemplified by resource-based view ) and external (e.g., possibly exemplified by positioning ) organizational environment in the formulation of their strategies. We propose and test a DEA-centric Decision Support System (DSS) that aims to assess and manage the relative performance of such organizations.
Rate, placement and timing of aldicarb applications to control Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), in oranges.

BACKGROUND: The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a cosmopolitan insect pest of citrus and vectors the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, a suspected causal organism of citrus greening or ‘huanglongbing’ disease. Aldicarb 150g kg −1 GR (Temik  15 G) was evaluated at three rates, two placements and three timings for ACP control in orange trees. RESULTS: Application of aldicarb at 5.6, 2.8 and 1.4kg AI ha −1 in March 2006 reduced adults by 58–66%, 45–46% and 25–37% respectively compared with untreated controls in two separate trials. No difference was observed in placement (one versus two sides of the tree) or tree size (8years old versus 12years old). Application at 5.6kg ha −1 in January 2007 reduced adults by 86% and shoot infestation by 77% in spring, and was generally better than the November and especially February applications. Even more striking results were evident on adults caged on treated plants for 25days in March. Spiders and ladybeetles were equally abundant in treated and untreated trees. CONCLUSION: Aldicarb application at 5.6kg ha −1 to the bed side of mature citrus trees 2–3months before spring growth can suppress ACP through spring without a direct effect on principal psyllid natural enemies.  2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Nonequilibrium partitioning during rapid solidification of Si-As alloys

Abstract The velocity dependence of the partition coefficient was measured for rapid solidification of polycrystalline Si-4.5 at% As and Si-9 at% As alloys induced by pulsed laser melting. The results constitute the first test of partitioning models both for the high velocity regime and for non-dilute alloys. The continuous growth model (CGM) of Aziz and Kaplan fits the data well, but with an unusually low diffusive speed of 0.46 m/s. The data show negligible dependence of partitioning on concentration, also consistent with the CGM. The predictions of the Hillert-Sundman model are inconsistent with partitioning results. Using the aperiodic stepwise growth model (ASGM) of Goldman and Aziz, an average over crystallographic orientations with parameters from independent single-crystal experiments is shown to be reasonably consistent with these polycrystalline partitioning results. The results, combined with others, indicate that the CGM without solute drag and its extension to lateral ledge motion, the ASGM, are the only models that fit the data for both solute partioning and kinetic undercooling interface response functions. No current solute drag models can match both partitioning and undercooling measurements.
Ultrastructure of the sperm of Dolania americana Edmunds and Traver (Ephemeroptera : Behningiidae)

Abstract The ultrastructure of the mature sperm of the mayfly, Dolania americana Edmunds and Traver (Ephemeroptera : Behningiidae), is described from scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The head is 0.7–1 μm wide and 4.6–6.9 μm long, rodlike, and topped by a short, rounded acrosome 0.4 μm long and 0.6 μm wide. The flagellum is 5–6 times the head length and is flattened, except for a thin, tubelike terminal portion. The axoneme pattern is 9-9-1 (9 outer singlet microtubules, 9 doublet microtubules, and a central dark element) and is new for Ephemeroptera. The inner dynein arms are conspicuous and outer arms are lacking, and radial spokes and a central sheath are prominent. A densely-staining and bi-lobed accessory body lies adjacent to the axoneme. A mitochondrial derivative with regularly arranged transverse-to-oblique cristae lies adjacent to the accessory body.
THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY ON THE REABSORPTION OF PROTEIN IN THE RENAL TUBULE OF THE RAT

Male Wistar rats were made potassium-deficient by feeding a diet low in potassium, while controls were pair-fed the same diet supplemented with potassium. Four weeks later 10 mg of T-1824 was injected into each rat. It was found that the characteristic granules which accumulate in the renal collecting tubule cells as a result of potassium deficiency were colored blue and that a diminished coloration of the convoluted tubule cells of the kidney was present. Quantitative measurements of the renal T-1824 content showed that it was decreased as a result of potassium deficiency. The daily rate of protein excretion was increased by the potassium deficiency. It is concluded that potassium deficiency decreases reabsorption of protein in the convoluted tubules of the kidney and that increased proteinuria thus results. Also, the granules which appear in renal collecting tubule cells as a result of potassium deficiency contain serum protein, which probably enters the cells from the tubular lumen.
Objections and Replies

Strict Conceptual Role Theory is a radical theory of meaning, and as such naturally generates many unintuitive results. The accompanying pragmatic theory of concept change was designed to make the seemingly disastrous no-misrepresentation result more palatable. But there are many possible objections to be considered, and we must now see if we can adequately deal with them. In answering objections it becomes apparent that SCRT and its accompanying pragmatic theory of concept change look very much like a philosophical system. I take this to be a virtue of the theory, since system-building has a long history. (In science, systems are known by the perhaps less loaded term ‘paradigms’.) In spite of the many philosophers in this century (especially in analytic philosophy) who have denounced philosophical systems, these denunciations usually turn out to be philosophical systems themselves (the best example being Logical Positivism). The advantage of well-crafted systems is that they spin out their consequences and answers to objections with ease. Once immersed in the system it becomes very clear what one must say to a whole variety of objections. The danger of course is that the answers one must give may be unbelievable, and generate a reductio argument against the theory. I admit freely that many of the answers are pretty strange, as is the whole theory. But in evaluating them, we should remember why we needed to go to such extremes — all of the more intuitive and plausible theories of content fail to coherently ground misrepresentation.
Games, Lies, and Taxes

Disputes over valuation are becoming increasingly common in reported estate and gift tax decisions. Although not nearly as common, such disputes are significant in income tax cases involving charitable contributions of all but listed securities as well as cases involving compensation paid in kind. Typically these disputes are resolved in lengthy administrative hearings that are occasionally followed by litigation over the value of the property involved. Recently there has been a modest attempt to employ game theory in such situations by providing for escalating penalties based on the degree of error in the value declared by the taxpayer. I propose that we extend game theory even further by allowing the Internal Revenue Service, on audit and at its election, to follow the established course of action for resolving valuation dispute or to choose from among two other alternative remedies. First, I propose that, subject to certain limitations, the value stated by the taxpayer on the return be treated as the granting of an option to the Internal Revenue Service to purchase the asset for the stated value. Second, I propose that the Internal Revenue Service be authorized to compel the taxpayer to enter into final offer arbitration with respect to the value of the asset. It is anticipated that adoption of these two steps will have a curative impact on the seemingly growing tendency of taxpayers to misstate values of assets on returns.
Genome Wide Association Study of Seedling and Adult Plant Leaf Rust Resistance in Elite Spring Wheat Breeding Lines.

Leaf rust is an important disease, threatening wheat production annually. Identification of resistance genes or QTLs for effective field resistance could greatly enhance our ability to breed durably resistant varieties. We applied a genome wide association study (GWAS) approach to identify resistance genes or QTLs in 338 spring wheat breeding lines from public and private sectors that were predominately developed in the Americas. A total of 46 QTLs were identified for field and seedling traits and approximately 20–30 confer field resistance in varying degrees. The 10 QTLs accounting for the most variation in field resistance explained 26–30% of the total variation (depending on traits: percent severity, coefficient of infection or response type). Similarly, the 10 QTLs accounting for most of the variation in seedling resistance to different races explained 24–34% of the variation, after correcting for population structure. Two potentially novel QTLs (QLr.umn-1AL, QLr.umn-4AS) were identified. Identification of novel genes or QTLs and validation of previously identified genes or QTLs for seedling and especially adult plant resistance will enhance understanding of leaf rust resistance and assist breeding for resistant wheat varieties. We also developed computer programs to automate field and seedling rust phenotype data conversions. This is the first GWAS study of leaf rust resistance in elite wheat breeding lines genotyped with high density 90K SNP arrays.
Union Torsion of a Curve on a Surface

(1947). Union Torsion of a Curve on a Surface. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 54, No. 5, pp. 259-262.