Binocular afferents to the salamander pretectum mediate rotation sensitivity of cells selective for visual background motions

The majority (85%) of background motion-sensitive pretectal cells in salamanders was found to be binocularly driven. In 70% of the units the binocularity establishes a rotation selectivity with respect to background pattern-movements. This results in a considerable augmentation of the discharge rate when pattern movement is perceived simultaneously in the temporonasal direction by the contralateral eye and nasotemporally by the ipsilateral eye. The response is depressed when the pattern movement is seen in the same direction by both eyes. It is concluded that the rotation-sensitive cells are mainly excited by contralateral retinal afferents selective for temporonasal movements and inhibited by direct or indirect ipsilateral afferents with the same type of direction selectivity.     

Using switching detection and variational equations for the shooting method

We study in this paper the resolution by single shooting of an optimal control problem with a bang‐bang control involving a large number of commutations. We focus on the handling of these commutations regarding the precise computation of the shooting function and its Jacobian. We first observe the impact of a switching detection algorithm on the shooting method results. Then, we study the computation of the Jacobian of the shooting function, by comparing classical finite differences to a formulation using the variational equations. We consider as an application a low thrust orbital transfer with payload maximization. This kind of problem presents a discontinuous optimal control, and involves up to 1800 commutations for the lowest thrust. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中医医院内部审核的策划与实施

通过对所在中医医院ISO9001族质量管理体系实施过程中历次内部审核的总结,探索既符合中医医院实际工作又满足标准要求的内部审核模式,形成科学化的内审流程。     

Facilitation of stimulus detection performance of rats with d-amphetamine: a function of dose and level of training

 Conditions under which amphetamine may facilitate stimulus detection task choice performance in rats were investigated. Rats (n=15) were trained in a two-choice, light-detection task to three successively more stringent criterion levels of task training (minimal, intermediate, and extended) and then tested after administration of saline, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/kg d-amphetamine (AMP). For each training level, baseline levels of choice accuracy were maintained at approximately 82% by manipulating the animals’ cue duration. No aspect of performance was enhanced by any dose of AMP after minimal criteria training, and there was a dose-dependent decrease in the number of trials completed. After the intermediate level of training, the 0.25 mg/kg dose of AMP reliably increased choice accuracy, there was no reliable change in choice reaction time, and there was a dose-dependent decrease in the number of trials completed. After the extended training, the 0.25 mg/kg dose of AMP reliably increased choice response accuracy, the 0.25 and 0.50 mg/kg doses of AMP reliably decreased choice reaction time, and there was no reliable change in the number of trials completed at any dose of AMP. These results support the contention that psychostimulants can facilitate the choice performance of rats in stimulus detection tasks if an appropriately low dose is used and the animal’s behavior is strongly controlled by the stimulus-reinforcement contingencies of the task. Received: 24 September 1997 / Final version: 9 May 1998     

高效液相色谱法测定人血清中丙戊酸钠的含量

建立了ＨＰＬＣ方法测定人血清中丙戊酸钠的药物浓度。采用反相柱和乙腈－水（６０∶４０）作为流动相，庚酸作为内标，血样经提取后，用４－溴甲基－６，７－二甲氧基香豆素衍生化，测定波长设在λＳ３２５ｎｍ和λＲ３９８ｎｍ，内标庚酸的保留时间为４．５７ｍｉｎ，丙戊酸钠的保留时间为５．２１ｍｉｎ，线性范围为２～１５０μｇ／ｍｌ。测定了１０名健康受试者单次口服丙戊酸钠片剂后不同时间的血药浓度。     

Cross-calibration of liquid and solid QCT calibration standards: Corrections to the UCSF normative data

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) has been shown to be a precise and sensitive method for evaluating spinal bone mineral density (BMD) and skeletal response to aging and therapy. Precise and accurate determination of BMD using QCT requires a calibration standard to compensate for and reduce the effects of beam-hardening artifacts and scanner drift. The first standards were based on dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K₂HPO₄) solutions. Recently, several manufacturers have developed stable solid calibration standards based on calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA) in water-equivalent plastic. Due to differences in attenuating properties of the liquid and solid standards, the calibrated BMD values obtained with each system do not agree. In order to compare and interpret the results obtained on both systems, cross-calibration measurements were performed in phantoms and patients using the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) liquid standard and the Image Analysis (IA) solid standard on the UCSF GE 9800 CT scanner. From the phantom measurements, a highly linear relationship was found between the liquid- and solid-calibrated BMD values. No influence on the cross-calibration due to simulated variations in body size or vertebral fat content was seen, though a significant difference in the cross-calibration was observed between scans acquired at 80 and 140 kVp. From the patient measurements, a linear relationship between the liquid (UCSF) and solid (IA) calibrated values was derived for GE 9800 CT scanners at 80 kVp (IA=[1.15×UCSF]-7.32). The UCSF normative database for women and men obtained with the liquid standard was corrected for use with the solid standard. Proper procedures for cross-calibrating QCT measurements and the appropriate uses of normative data are discussed.     

Corporate influence on threshold limit values

Investigations into the historical development of specific Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for many substances have revealed serious shortcomings in the process followed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Unpublished corporate communications were important in developing TLVs for 104 substances; for 15 of these, the TLV documentation was based solely on such information. Efforts to obtain written copies of this unpublished material were mostly unsuccessful. Case studies on the TLV Committee's handling of lead and seven carcinogens illustrate various aspects of corporate influence and interaction with the committee. Corporate representatives listed officially as "consultants" since 1970 were given primary responsibility for developing TLVs on proprietary chemicals of the companies that employed them (Dow, DuPont). It is concluded that an ongoing international effort is needed to develop scientifically based guidelines to replace the TLVs in a climate of openness and without manipulation by vested interests.     

Extrapolating global visual field indices from local parameters in the nasal region

The local mean and the average difference of four pairs of test locations within the 26° visual field, situated above and below the horizontal nasal meridian, were used to predict the global field indices MD and CLV of the Gl glaucoma program. Out of 539 examinations (194 eyes suspected of having glaucoma), the local indices NDIFF (describing asymmetrical behavior around the nasal horizontal meridian), ND0 (the mean defect in the nasal region), and the global indices MD and CLV were calculated. Seven hundred fifty-five examinations (446 normal eyes) served as a control group. First and second examinations of 146 glaucoma suspect eyes were used to calculate the retest reliability scores for the indices in question. When analyzing the glaucoma suspects, the local index NDIFF, together with the local mean defect, ND0, yielded highly reliable estimates of the global indices MD and CLV, with a retest correlation r = 0.86 for NDIFF, and r = 0.96 for ND0. The covariance of NDIFF with CLV was r = 0.67, while the co-variance of MD with ND0 was r = 0.95.The ranges of the local indices ND0 and NDIFF were each classified into normal range and range of suspected pathology, in analogy to the normal and pathological ranges of the global field indices. Equivalence of the local indices with the corresponding ranges of MD and CLV was investigated and the results are shown. The establishment of local indices may prove to be a powerful tool in early detection of glaucomatous damage.     

联合检测肿瘤标志物对良恶性胸腔积液的诊断价值

目的:探讨联合检测肿瘤标志物ProGRP、CEA、CYFRA21-1、NSE、SCC对良恶性胸腔积液的诊断价值。方法:收集2020年1月-2021年1月在包头医学院第一附属医院收治的确诊为良性胸腔积液(BPE,87例)和恶性胸腔积液(MPE,44例)患者,共131例。应用化学发光法检测患者胸腔积液中ProGRP、CEA、CYFRA21-1、NSE以及SCC的浓度,比较良恶性胸腔积液中肿瘤标志物的水平,将5种肿瘤标志物以不同的方式组合,通过受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析比较不同联合方式的诊断价值。结果:ProGRP+CEA+CYFRA21-1+NSE联合方式对应的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)最大(0.841),其约登指数最大时,灵敏度77.3%,特异度85.1%,阳性似然比5.188,阴性似然比0.267,诊断价值最高。结论:通过联合检测不同组合的肿瘤标志物发现,ProGRP+CEA+CYFRA21-1+NSE的组合形式在诊断效能、特异度、灵敏度、阳性似然比、阴性似然比等方面优于其他组合,在鉴别诊断胸腔积液性质方面有重要参考价值。     

Extramarital Involvement: A Core Relationship Issue in Need of a Coherent Model, Comprehensive Research, and Empirically Based Intervention

Clinical interventions for extramarital involvement (EMI) have outpaced empirical knowledge about both risk factors for infidelity and effective treatments. Allen et al. (this issue) provide a systematic review of current knowledge organized around stages of the development of EMI and factors concerning the involved partner, the spouse, the couple's relationship, and the interpersonal context. Their review identifies significant gaps in knowledge for which research is needed. Because EMI has multiple determinants, conceptual models and research on it must be multivariate. This comment focuses on priorities for increasing knowledge about EMI, including (a) clarification of variation in definitions and personal standards for EMI through consideration of participants' subjective experiences as well as the views of outsiders (researchers, clinicians); (b) improved qualitative research using interview methods designed to minimize biased questioning by investigators and biased reporting by subjects, to tap individuals' internal experiences with the developmental process of EMI; (c) nonblaming research on characteristics of the noninvolved spouse and the couple's interaction that predict EMI; and (d) adaptation of generic preventive and relationship enrichment interventions for couples involving communication skill-building and psychoeducation, to include information about ways to "inoculate" relationships against commonly unexpected risks of EMI.