Shifts on a Finite Qubit String: A Class of Quantum Baker's Maps

We present two complementary ways in which Saraceno's symmetric version of the quantum baker's map can be written as a shift map on a string of quantum bits. One of these representations leads naturally to a family of quantizations of the baker's map. Received: October 15, 1998; revised version: June 6, 1999     

Concept activation and coordination of activation procedure require two different networks

In the present study, we used EEG-coherence analysis to assess general regional changes in neuronal activity related to semantic retrieval, testing the hypothesis that concept activation and coordination procedures are neurobiologically distinguishable. Four subjects had to decide whether or not a capital letter and a lower case letter have the identical name (e.g. Aa). This task requires two mental procedures: (i) the activation of concepts and (ii) their coordination, particularly when the interstimulus interval is shorter than the duration of concept activation. This memory retrieval of a concept appears to be subserved by two distinct networks: the left parietotemporal region for concept activation and the prefrontal region for coordination.     

Filtering properties of an adaptive trend operator and the application for determining the arterial blood velocity in retinal vessels

This study deals with methods focused on estimating blood velocity. The estimation of the linear trend function of a non-stationary signal based on the adaptive recursive estimation of the mean value function is used for the determination of the time delay of two indicator dilution curves. The filter property of this trend operator depends on the choice of a constant parameter c, the so-called adaptation factor. The functional connection between the filter property and the adaptation factor is considered in such a way that an objective calculation of arterial blood velocity in retinal vessels is possible.     

Considerable variation in the concentration of osteopontin in human milk, bovine milk, and infant formulas

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional bioactive protein that is implicated in numerous biological processes such as bone remodeling, inhibition of ectopic calcification, and cellular adhesion and migration, as well as several immune functions. Osteopontin has cytokine-like properties and is a key factor in the initiation of T helper 1 immune responses. Osteopontin is present in most tissues and body fluids, with the highest concentrations being found in milk. In the present study, ELISA for human and bovine milk OPN were developed and OPN concentration in human breast milk, bovine milk, and infant formulas was measured and compared. The OPN concentration in human milk was measured to approximately 138 mg/L, which corresponds to 2.1% (wt/wt) of the total protein in human breast milk. This is considerably higher than the corresponding OPN concentrations in bovine milk (∼18 mg/L) and infant formulas (∼9 mg/L). Moreover, bovine milk OPN is shown to induce the expression of the T helper 1 cytokine IL-12 in cultured human lamina propria mononuclear cells isolated from intestinal biopsies. Finally, the OPN concentration in plasma samples from umbilical cords, 3-mo-old infants, and pregnant and nonpregnant adults was measured. The OPN level in plasma from 3-mo-old infants and umbilical cords was found to be 7 to 10 times higher than in adults. Thus, the high levels of OPN in milk and infant plasma suggest that OPN is important to infants and that ingested milk OPN is likely to induce cytokine production in neonate intestinal immune cells.     

Electron spectroscopic imaging analyses of the distribution of phosphorus in Balbiani ring granules and in the surrounding nucleoplasm

When they were introduced to the world market in the 1980s, levonorgestrel subdermal implants offered the promise of an exciting alternative to traditional hormonal contraception. They provide highly effective, long-acting protection from pregnancy, without the need for user compliance. Broad acceptability of the drug has been reported throughout the world. Recently, however, the implants have met with opposition. The drug is associated with a variety of adverse effects, and removal of implants can be problematic. Serious events have been reported in women using levonorgestrel subdermal implants, although causal relationships have not been demonstrated. Additionally, concerns have been raised over the potential for coercive use of the drug. Numerous law suits have been filed alleging serious problems with implants. As a result, the drug has received considerable negative media attention. Before the controversy over levonorgestrel subdermal implants erupted, contraceptive development had declined, resulting from limitations to profits and funding, legal threats, and changes in the insurance industry. The levonorgestrel subdermal implant experience may serve to accelerate this trend. While the introduction of levonorgestrel subdermal implants offered an alternative to the current array of medical contraception, its experience may serve to dampen future contraceptive development efforts. Costly litigation and much controversy involving the implants have acted to create disincentives to further research and development of new methods of medical contraception.     

The FluxMax approach for simultaneous process synthesis and heat integration: Production of hydrogen cyanide

Resource and energy efficiency are essential in process synthesis of chemical plants as they combine economic with ecological benefits. The two main targets of the process synthesis problem—mass and energy flux optimization—are typically split into two steps: single unit optimization and subsequent energy integration preventing the identification of the globally optimal solution. This article presents a single-step procedure for resource-efficient process synthesis through simultaneous heat and mass flux optimization called FluxMax approach (FMA), which is demonstrated for the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The impact of simultaneous heat integration on the optimal process structure is demonstrated and two resource-optimal processes for HCN production are identified consisting of a combination of different reactor and recycling strategies reducing total variable cost by 68%. For convex objective functions, the globally most resource-efficient process is identified highlighting the potential of the FMA for site planning and retrofitting of existing plants.