An evaluation of radar as a crop classifier

Results of an investigation to specify the parameters of a space-borne imaging radar for use in crop identification are discussed. The study relied upon scaltering data acquired with a groundbased radar which were degraded to simulate the performance of a system similar to the proposed Space Shuttle Orbiter Imaging Radar. Data acquired from fields sown in corn, milo, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa were employed. The results of this study suggest that for best classification accuracy, a K-band (approximately 14 GHz), dual polarized system viewing fields at an off nadir angle in the 40° to 60° range should be employed. However it is emphasized that to attain classification accuracies exceeding 90%, multi-date acquisition is required. As best as can be determined, four target revisits at an interval of ten days is adequate for 90% accuracy.     

The emotional counting Stroop paradigm: a functional magnetic resonance imaging probe of the anterior cingulate affective division

BACKGROUND: The emotional counting Stroop (ecStroop) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation paradigm was designed to recruit the anterior cingulate affective division (ACad). METHODS: Nine normal, healthy male and female subjects (mean age 24.2 years) reported via button press the number of neutral and negative words that appeared on a screen while reaction time and fMRI data were acquired. RESULTS: We observed a) greater ACad activation for negative versus neutral words during initial presentation blocks; b) lower overall ACad signal intensity during task performance (i.e., both negative and neutral words) compared to the baseline fixation condition; and c) no reaction time increase to negative versus neutral words. CONCLUSIONS: In a companion study of a cognitive version of the counting Stroop (Bush et al 1998), these same 9 subjects a) activated the more dorsal anterior cingulate cognitive division; b) also showed the overall decrease in ACad signal intensity; and c) demonstrated a reliable reaction time effect. Taken together, these data offer a within-group spatial dissociation of AC function based upon information content (i.e., cognitive vs. emotional) and/or presence of behavioral interference. We propose that the ecStroop will be a useful fMRI probe of ACad function in anxiety disorders.     

A validity study of functionally-based behavioral consultation with students with emotional/behavioral disabilities.

Eighteen students (K-11th grade) with emotional/behavioral disorders who were at-risk for change of placement to more restrictive settings participated. Construct validity of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) was assessed with a multifunction-multimethod matrix that showed excellent convergent and divergent agreement with combined FBA methods and functional analysis results. Treatment validity was assessed with random assignment to either a FBA with consultation condition (FBC) or to a behavioral consultation without FBA condition (BC). Growth curve analysis showed a significant decrease in inappropriate behavior from baseline to treatment for both treatment groups compared to a control group. The efficiency of teachers' implementation effected treatment validity. Effect sizes showed that regardless of treatment condition that interventions with good fidelity realized the largest effect (d = -1.14). Social and habilitative validity was assessed with telephone interviews conducted a year after treatment. Sixty-five percent attributed the students' problem behaviors to their thoughts or feelings, whereas only 25% attributed it to classroom variables. Many (57%) indicated the most helpful intervention would be individual counseling, whereas only 14% indicated a more involved classroom management plan would be useful. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Large Nonclassical Electrostriction in (Y,Nb)‐Stabilized δ‐Bi2O3

Classical electrostriction, describing a second‐order electromechanical response of insulating solids, scales with elastic compliance, S, and inversely with dielectric susceptibility, ε. This behavior, first noted 20 years ago by Robert Newnham, is shown to apply to a wide range of electrostrictors including polymers, glasses, crystalline linear dielectrics, and relaxor ferroelectrics. Electrostriction in fluorite ceramics of (Y, Nb)‐stabilized δ‐Bi₂O₃ is examined with 16%–23% vacant oxygen sites. Given the values of compliance and dielectric susceptibility, the electrostriction coefficients are orders of magnitude larger than those expected from Newnham's scaling law. In ambient temperature nanoindentation measurements, (Y, Nb)‐stabilized δ‐Bi₂O₃ displays primary creep. These findings, which are strikingly similar to those reported for Gd‐doped ceria, support the suggestion that ion conducting ceramics with the fluorite structure, a large concentration of anion vacancies and anelastic behavior, may constitute a previously unknown class of electrostrictors.     

Inability to start hemodialysis after a smooth temporary hemodialysis catheter insertion procedure

Cannulation of the central vein for placement of the temporary dual-lumen catheter for hemodialysis can usually be safely and reliably performed under ultrasonographic guidance. Here, we report a case of aberrant catheter entry into the internal thoracic vein during an apparently smooth procedure. The value of sonographic guidance, together with fluoroscopy with or without venography, will be discussed.     

Changes in maternal middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity associated with general anesthesia in severe preeclampsia

In women with severe preeclampsia, significant increases in mean arterial pressures (MAP) are common after rapid induction of general anesthesia (GA) and tracheal intubation. The objectives of this prospective study were to assess the effects of the rapid induction-intubation technique on middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocity in severe preeclampsia and to examine the correlation between mean MCA flow velocity (Vm) and MAP. Eight women with severe preeclampsia (study group) and six normotensive women at term (control group) scheduled to undergo cesarean section under GA were studied. Before induction, patients in the study group received i.v. labetalol in divided doses to lower diastolic pressures to <100 mm Hg. Anesthesia was induced with pentothal 4-5 mg/kg, followed by succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg to facilitate tracheal intubation. A transcranial Doppler was used to measure Vm. Both Vm and MAP were recorded before induction and every minute for 6 min after intubation. In the study group, after the administration of labetalol, MAP decreased from 129 +/- 9 to 113 +/- 9 mm Hg (P < 0.05), and Vm decreased from 59 +/- 11 to 54 +/- 10 cm/s (P < 0.05). After intubation, MAP increased from 113 +/- 9 to 134 +/- 5 mm Hg (P < 0.001), and Vm increased from 54 +/- 10 to 70 +/- 10 cm/s (P < 0.001). In the control group, while MAP increased significantly from 89 +/- 6 to 96 +/- 4 mm Hg (P < 0.05) after intubation, the concurrent increase in Vm from 49 +/- 5 to 54 +/- 7 cm/s was not significant. There was a significant positive pooled correlation between Vm and MAP (r = 0.5, P < 0.0006) in the study group but not in the control group (r = 0.24). After induction and intubation, both Vm and MAP values were significantly increased in the study group patients at all observation points compared with the control group patients. The findings indicate that Vm increases significantly after rapid-sequence induction of GA and tracheal intubation in women with severe preeclampsia, and there seems to be a direct relationship between MAP and Vm. Implications: In women with severe preeclampsia, rapid-sequence induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation can cause severe hypertension. Our results indicate that the increase in blood pressure is associated with a significant increase in maternal cerebral blood flow velocity and that there is a significant correlation between these two variables.     

Increased Systemic Antioxidant Power Ameliorates the Aging-Related Reduction in Oocyte Competence in Mice

Ovarian aging is associated with elevated oxidative stress and diminished oocyte developmental competence. We aimed to determine the impact of systemic antioxidant treatment in aged mice. Female outbred CF-1 mice were aged for 9 months prior to an 8-week 45 mg Euterpe oleracea (açaí) daily supplement. The açaí treatment induced a threefold increase in serum antioxidant power (FRAP) compared to both young and aged mice (p < 0.0001). Compared to young mice, aged mice had fewer oocytes and reduced blastocyst development (p < 0.0001); açaí did not affect the oocyte numbers, but improved blastocyst formation (p < 0.05). Additionally, açaí alleviated the aging-related decrease in implantation potential (p < 0.01). The aged mice showed evidence of elevated ovarian ER stress (increased whole-ovary PDIA4 expression, granulosa cell and oocyte GRP78 expression, and oocyte PDIA4 protein), reduced oocyte mitochondrial quality (higher PRKN activation and mitochondrial DNA oxidative damage), and dysregulated uterine glandular epithelium. Antioxidant intervention was sufficient to lessen these effects of ovarian aging, likely in part by the upregulation of NRF2. We conclude that açaí treatment is a promising strategy to improve ER and mitochondrial function in the ovaries, thereby ameliorating the decreased oocyte competence that occurs with ovarian aging.