Aging and everyday memory: A cross-cultural study.

Performance on computer-simulated, everyday memory tasks was found to deteriorate with age in 434 Belgian (aged 14–88 yrs) and 434 American Ss matched on gender and age. This age-related memory decline was reasonably consistent across samples. Difficulties in cross-cultural research and the advantages of ecologically valid measurement instruments are discussed. Instruments included a grocery list selective reminding test, the Wechsler Memory Scale, the Benton Visual Retention Test, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Improved coupled-mode theory for nonlinear directional couplers

An improved coupled-mode equation for nonlinear directional couplers (NLDC) with Kerr-like nonlinear media is proposed. The method is based on the generalized reciprocity relation in which two sets of field solutions satisfying Maxwell's equations are for the NLDC and for the isolated nonlinear waveguide. That leads to a reasonable result that all the coefficients in the coupled-mode equations, including the coupling coefficient, become power dependent. For the NLDC with a self-focusing or self-defocusing nonlinear material, the authors examine how the coupling coefficient, the coupling length, and the guided power depend on the input power in the range of coupling stronger than in previous reports. It is found that the critical power at which the coupling length becomes infinity does not increase as much with the two guides for the case of self-focusing media     

Uniformly random tree generation

A simple procedure is described for generating a uniformly random tree in a given graph. The probability of obtaining such a tree in a complete graph is given together with the mean number of edge-set selections required and the associated variance.<>     

Evaluating acrosome reaction steps with brightfield and differential interference contrast microscopy techniques.

Acrosomal integrity of bovine spermatozoa was evaluated using naphthol yellow S-erythrosine B stain with bright-field microscopy, .2% glutaraldehyde fixation with Nomarski optics, and live wet smears with Nomarski optics to compare the evaluation techniques. Four ejaculates per two Holstein bulls were enriched through a Percoll gradient, capacitated with heparin, and acrosome-reacted with lysophosphatidylcholine to prepare spermatozoa for in vitro fertilization. Spermatozoa samples were taken after each preparatory step, and percentage of intact acrosomes was evaluated with the stain, .2% glutaraldehyde, and live wet smear. Acrosomal integrity decreased with each preparatory step across all techniques. The decrease in integrity from heparin to lysophosphatidylcholine indicated that all methods detected the acrosome reaction. Technique means across preparation steps showed no differences. Correlations between microscopy techniques were high. The live wet smear used no fixation methods. Both the naphthol yellow S-erythrosine B stain and the .2% glutaraldehyde techniques employed fixation steps that may have introduced artifacts that could influence the data. The live wet smear evaluated by Nomarski optics allowed a comparable evaluation of the acrosome-reacted bovine spermatozoa. Comparing brightfield with differential interference contrast microscopy for detecting the acrosome reaction in bovine spermatozoa showed that both methods were equally accurate.     

Spectral predictions for pulse interval and width modulation

An expression for the frequency spectrum of pulse interval and width modulation (PIWM) is presented. Experimental results obtained have shown close agreement with spectral predictions from the formula. Performance figures are also included from a practical PIWM optical-fibre transmission system intended for use with TV and video signals.<>     

A solenoid-derived wiggler

A novel wiggler design for use in free-electron lasers (FELs) is proposed, consisting of a staggered array of magnetic poles situated inside the bore of a solenoid. The resultant field pattern consists of a periodic transverse magnetic field on axis, as well as a longitudinal guide field. Such a wiggler has several advantages: the longitudinal field acts to confine the electrons near the FEL axis, high fields can be attained at short wiggler periods, the field strength is easily varied, and fabrication and testing of the wiggler are relatively easy. It is planned to use this wiggler design in a far infrared FEL to be built at Stanford University     

Analysis of a four parallel wire antenna system by the spatialFourier transform method

The electromagnetic fields and currents associated with an infinite four parallel wire transmission line are analyzed through the use of the spatial Fourier transform method. The near and far electromagnetic fields and currents that are associated with frill and gap voltage excitations are analyzed by the Fourier transform method. Possible VHF compact range applications of a four parallel wire antenna system are discussed, including the possibility of simulating an off-axis EM plane wave by the appropriate adjustment of the exciting voltage phase on each of the four parallel wires. Comparisons of Fourier transform method solutions with method-of-moments solutions and finite-difference-time-domain solutions are made for an infinite four parallel wire antenna system     

On the capacity of a cellular CDMA system

It is shown that, particularly for terrestrial cellular telephony, the interference-suppression feature of CDMA (code division multiple access) can result in a many-fold increase in capacity over analog and even over competing digital techniques. A single-cell system, such as a hubbed satellite network, is addressed, and the basic expression for capacity is developed. The corresponding expressions for a multiple-cell system are derived. and the distribution on the number of users supportable per cell is determined. It is concluded that properly augmented and power-controlled multiple-cell CDMA promises a quantum increase in current cellular capacity     

Oxidative Stability of Frozen Pork Patties. Effect of Light and Added Salt

Salt (1%) and light effects on oxidative deterioration were followed during freezer storage (?18°C) in a display cabinet. Oxymyoglobin oxidation and lipid oxidation were strongly accelerated by added salt and more moderately by exposure to fluorescent light. The light-dependent lipid oxidation was prevented by using packaging material with incorporated UV-light absorber. However, a UV-light absorber only yielded partial protection against discoloration. The two oxidation processes showed similarities in progression. In contrast to color deterioration, lipid oxidation showed an initial lag period in agreement with previous indications that pigment oxidation was an initiator of lipid oxidation in beef during freezer storage.