Biphasic effects of intraaccumbens mu-opioid peptide agonist DAMGO on locomotor activities

The effects of bilateral microinjections of mu-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO (0.00, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 microgram/side) were tested in rats for 120 min in activity monitors. The horizontal movement, rearing, and stereotypy times in seconds were measured during 12 consecutive 10-min time blocks. DAMGO (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 microgram) resulted in biphasic effects, inhibition followed by activation for each of the three measures. These data replicate the behavioral effects of ICV DAMGO except that the duration of the behavioral effects were longer with Acb injections.     

The ARM Cortex-A8 Microprocessor IEEE Std 1500 Wrapper

This article describes the test wrapper implementation of a popular embedded microprocessor, along with an automated approach for verifying the wrapper's compliance to the standard.     

Relationship of phospholipid chemistry to serological reactivity in the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory slide test antigen

A total of 13 egg lecithins, 12 beef heart lecithins, and 15 beef heart cardiolipins were assayed for the ability to function in the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory microflocculation test, as well as for purity, fatty acid composition, free amines, metals, and products of oxidation. We found that the presence of peroxides and oxidation-related ultraviolet-absorbing chromophores showed a close inverse relationship to acceptable serological activity. The degree of purity of the lipids had only a slight influence on serological activity, whereas fatty acid composition, saturation, and configuration had none at all. We did not detect contaminating iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, or free amines in these lipids. We discuss the implications of our findings for improving the chemical standards for these lipids.     

Echocardiographic findings in left ventricular to right atrial shunts

The echocardiographic abnormalities of tricuspid valve motion in 2 patients with left ventricular to right atrial shunts are described. In both patients the abnormal anatomy was defined at surgery, in one patient the shunt being above the tricuspid valve leaflets (supravalvar) and in the other patient through the septal leaflet (intravalvar). Different patterns of tricuspid valve systolic fluttering were seen in these two cases and the possible reasons for this are discussed. After surgical closure of the defects the systolic fluttering of the tricuspid valve was no longer observed. Echocardiography appears to be useful in detecting the presence of left ventricular to right atrial shunts which otherwise may be difficult to diagnose.     

Test development for a third-version ColdFire microprocessor

The design-for-test methodology of the MCF5307 device is described, illustrating issues faced, how solutions were derived, and results     

Repairing unstructured triangular mesh intersections

Computational analysis and design has become a fundamental part of product research, development, and manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, and other industries. In general, the success of the specific application depends heavily on the accuracy and consistency of the computational model used. The aim of this work is to reduce the time needed to prepare geometry for volume grid generation. This will be accomplished by developing tools that semi‐automatically repair discrete data. Providing another level of automation to the process of repairing large, complex problems in discrete data will significantly accelerate the grid generation process. The developed algorithms are meant to offer a semi‐automated solution to a complicated geometrical problem — specifically discrete mesh intersection. The intersection‐repair strategy presented here focuses on repairing the intersection in‐place as opposed to rediscretizing the intersecting geometries. Combining robust, efficient methods of detecting intersections and then repairing intersecting geometries in‐place produces a significant improvement over techniques used in current literature. The result of this intersection process is a nonintersecting geometry that is free of duplicate and degenerate geometry. Results are presented showing the accuracy and consistency of the intersection repair tool. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An echocardiographic study of the interventricular septum in constrictive pericarditis

Ten patients with constrictive pericarditis were studied echocardiographically with specific reference to inter-ventricular septal dynamics. Abnormal movement of the interventricular septum was present in 8 patients and consisted of flattening in systole and unusual posterior motion in diastole. The aetiology of this type of movement is at present unknown but may be related to restriction of normal cardiac rotational dynamics. The interventricular septum also showed diminished degree of thickening (mean 21-2%). The amplitude of excursion was generally at the upper limit of or greater than normal. Left ventricular posterior wall amplitude of excursion was normal. Flattening of left ventricular posterior wall diastolic movement was seen in 4 patients. Right ventricular end-diastolic dimension was slightly increased (1-2 to 1-7 cm/m2) in 5 of 8 patients with abnormal septal motion, but no haemodynamic evidence of diastolic volume overload was found. Posterior pericardial thickening was noted echocardiographically when posterior calcification was present. We conclude that the most common though non-specific feature of the echocardiogram in patients with constrictive pericarditis is abnormal septal motion. Flattening of left ventricular posterior wall diastolic movement, posterior pericardial thickening, and epicardial-pericardial separation may also occur.     

On IEEE P1500's Standard for Embedded Core Test

The increased usage of embedded pre-designed reusable cores necessitates a core-based test strategy, in which cores are tested as separate entities. IEEE P1500 Standard for Embedded Core Test (SECT) is a standard-under-development that aims at improving ease of reuse and facilitating interoperability with respect to the test of core-based system chips, especially if they contain cores from different sources. This paper briefly describes IEEE P1500, and illustrates through a simplified example its scalable wrapper architecture, its test information transfer model described in a standardized Core Test Language, and its two compliance levels. The standard is still under development, and this paper only reflects the view of six active participants of the standardization committee on its current status.     

Advanced alternating-frame technology (VISIDEP) andthree-dimensional remote sensing

It is pointed out that full-color three-dimensional imaging for remote visual sensing can be achieved through recent advances in alternating-frame technology that are applicable to video, computer graphics, infrared video, and film. Advantages are real-time display with a two-source system and near-real-time display with a single-camera system