A Lie group approach to a neural system for three-dimensionalinterpretation of visual motion

A novel approach is presented to neural network computation of three-dimensional rigid motion from noisy two-dimensional image flow. It is shown that the process of 3-D interpretation of image flow can be viewed as a linear signal transform. The elementary signals of this linear transform are the 2-D vector fields of the six infinitesimal generators of the 3-D Euclidean group. This transform can be performed by a neural network. Results are also reported of neural network simulations for the 3-D interpretation of image flow and a comparison of the performance of this approach with that using conventional methods. Computer simulation results verify the Lie-group-based neural network approach to three-dimensional motion perception.     

Protruded lumbar intervertebral nucleus pulposus in a 12-year-old girl who recovered after nonsurgical treatment: a follow-up case report

Restless legs syndrome affects millions, but most healthcare providers don't know it exists. Its sleep-deprived victims are plagued by indescribable crawling sensations in their legs that occur at night and that are only relieved by moving the legs. Many home healthcare clients, already challenged by their primary illness, are also affected by the persistent symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome. It is important that home care nurses learn about Restless Legs Syndrome-what it is, how to assess it, and what can be done about it.     

Efficacy of surgical treatment in traumatic central cord syndrome

BACKGROUND: Controversy surrounds the treatment of traumatic central cord syndrome (TCCS), as there are strong advocates for nonsurgical treatment for most patients. However, conservative treatment has been shown to yield a longer period of discomfort from pain and weakness in certain cases. METHODS: In a retrospective review of 114 patients presenting with acute or chronic TCCS from 1988-94, four different age groups were separately observed under different treatments. Motor and sensory recovery were assessed. RESULTS: Better results were achieved in younger patients, with or without radiographic abnormalities, and in patients with clinically correlated encroaching cord lesions who received early surgical decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention for TCCS must be addressed with careful clinical and radiographic survey. Removal of offending lesions in the subacute period results in significant motor and sensory improvement in short-term and long-term follow-up.     

Watermarking for intellectual property protection

A new watermarking method for intellectual property (IP) protection is presented. The proposed method uses a uniquely generated stream of bits, known as a watermark, embedded into the self-test circuit to represent ownership. This scheme can detect the ownership rights of the IP provider even when the chip has been packaged. Experimental results show the proposed embedding technique can survive synthesis, placement and routing. The experimental results are given to demonstrate the proposed method.     

FM subcarrier fiber optical transmission system design and itsapplication in next-generation wireless access

This paper presents a design method of optical frequency modulation (FM) subcarrier (with super carrier) transmission modem. The nonideal link characteristics, including laser chirping, fiber dispersion, voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) phase noise, relative intensity noise (RIN), and equivalent network model of laser diode of such a system that may bring about signal distortion are discussed first. We then propose a hierarchical methods to establish the system equivalent model. Finally this FM modem is applied to a GSM wireless system, in which multichannel signals are transmitted over fiber between radio port and basestation, and system performance is appraised by its dynamic range. It is found that optical FM subcarrier (with super carrier) transmission technique can improve the system dynamic range, compared with the intensity modulated direct detection (IMDD) method, and this is a economical and efficient method     

Extensive thrombophlebitis with reactive thrombocytosis in a high risk Chinese parturient associated with retained placenta increta: a case report

Forty-three patients with spastic quadriplegia (mean age 7.9 years, range 3.3 to 17.2 years) underwent bone mineral density (BMD) measurement of the lumbar spine and were evaluated between 2.6 and 5.5 years (mean 3.8) later to determine whether this measurement had predicted risk of fracture over the subsequent period of observation. Other potential risk factors that were evaluated include body weight z score, serum vitamin D levels, previous fracture, and hip spica casting. The baseline measurements showed that BMD falls further below normal with increasing age and was more than one standard deviation below age-matched normal mean in 38 of the 43 patients. Fracture rate did not differ between those with low and those with very low spinal BMD. Similarly, serum vitamin D levels and body weight z scores were not predictive of fracture. However, fracture rate was over fourfold greater following spica casting and more than threefold greater following an initial fracture. Fracture rates in the study group were similar to those reported for age- and sex-matched normal children, though generally the location of the fractures and mechanisms of injury differed.     

Modification of hypoxia-induced injury in cultured rat astrocytes by high levels of glucose

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Preexisting hyperglycemia exacerbates central nervous system injury after transient global and focal cerebral ischemia. Increased anaerobic metabolism with resultant lactic acidosis has been shown to cause the hyperglycemic, neuronal injury. The contribution of astrocytes in producing lactic acidosis under hyperglycemic/ischemic conditions is unclear, whereas the protective role of astrocytes in ischemic-induced neuronal injury has been documented. The ability of astrocytes to maintain energy status and ion homeostasis under hyperglycemic conditions could ultimately reduce neuronal injury. Therefore, we determined the effects of increased glucose concentrations on glucose utilization, lactate production, extracellular pH, and adenosine triphosphate concentrations in hypoxia-treated astrocyte cultures. METHODS: Primary astrocytes were prepared from neonatal rat cerebral cortices. After 35 days in vitro, cultures were incubated with 0-60 mmol/L glucose and subjected to hypoxic conditions at 95% N2/5% CO2 for 24 hours. In addition, under high-glucose conditions (30 mmol/L), astrocytes were exposed to up to 72 hours of hypoxia. Determination of lactate dehydrogenase efflux, adenosine triphosphate concentrations, and extracellular lactate concentrations defined astrocyte status. Equiosmolar levels of mannitol were added in place of high glucose concentrations to distinguish hyperosmotic effect. RESULTS: When physiological concentrations of glucose (7.5 mmol/L) or lower concentrations were used, significant cell damage occurred with 24 hours of hypoxia, as determined by increased efflux of lactate dehydrogenase and loss of cell protein. When higher glucose concentrations (15-60 mmol/L) were used, efflux of lactate dehydrogenase was similar to that observed in normoxic cultures, despite an increased utilization of glucose. Lactate concentrations in the media at low or normal glucose concentrations exceeded normoxic levels, but higher glucose concentrations (15-30 mmol/L) failed to increase lactate levels further. Values of adenosine triphosphate for hypoxic astrocytes treated with high glucose concentrations were significantly higher than those of astrocytes with zero or low glucose levels. In cultures exposed to hypoxia and high glucose levels (30 mmol/L), no cellular injury was observed before 48 hours of hypoxia. Lactate concentrations in the media increased during the first 24 hours of hypoxia and reached steady state. The pH of the media decreased to 6.4 after 24 hours and 5.5 at 48 hours. The latter pH was concomitant with a marked increase in extracellular lactate dehydrogenase activity. Hyperosmotic mannitol failed to protect cultured astrocytes against hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxic injury to mature astrocytes was reduced by the presence of 15-60 mmol/L glucose in the medium during 24-30 hours of hypoxia. Injury occurred when the pH of the medium was < 5.5. This protection was not afforded by the hyperosmotic effect of high glucose concentrations, nor was the hypoxic injury at later time periods with 30 mmol/L glucose mediated solely by lactate accumulation.