Linear optimal control problem of a system with circuit-free graph structure

We solve a linear optimal control problem with state and control restrictions by the method of region analysis, where the state equations describe the flow in a directed graph without a circuit. The results are used for the optimal control of a system of hydroelectric power plants.     

Altered electrodermal responsivity associated with clinical pain

We used certain physiologic maneuvers to perturb the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in an attempt to detect a link between the ANS and pain. In the unperturbed state, we found no difference in the electrodermal response among normal controls, preoperative patients (increased stress without pain) and postoperative patients (increased stress and pain). The electrodermal response elicited by autonomic maneuvers was significantly attenuated in postoperative patients but not in preoperative patients or in normal control subjects.     

Numerical evaluation of cytologic data. VI. Multivariate distributions and matrix notation

To represent multivariate data, matrix notation is required. Its equivalence to the arithmetic notation is shown with a bivariate example. With matrix notation one can then readily represent and evaluate multivariate data sets; however, most multivariate procedures require that one find that inverse of the variance-covariance matrix. This is shown using the Cholesky factorization with a numerical example.     

Hippocampal activity, behavior, self-stimulation, and heart rate during electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus.

Observed hippocampal electrical activity in relation to behavior elicited by stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus in 30 male hooded rats. Rhythmical slow activity (RSA) was always present during walking, rearing, digging, bar pressing, and other presumably "voluntary" movements, but at low stimulation intensities it was often absent during licking, chewing, face washing, and other presumably "automatic" movements. At higher stimulation intensities, Ss became hyperactive and RSA was almost continually present. No relation was found between RSA and heart rate or licking movements. An ascending hypothalamic system may require hippocampal participation in the control of voluntary movements, but hippocampal participation may not be required for the control of more automatic movements. (30 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of nerve growth factor in the development of rat sympathetic neurons in vitro. III. Effect on acetylcholine production

The effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the development of cholinergic sympathetic neurons was studied in cultures grown either on monolayers of dissociated rat heart cells or in medium conditioned by them. In the presence of rat heart cells the absolute requirement of neurons for exogenous NGF was partially spared. The ability of heart cells to support neuronal survival was due at least in part to production of a diffusable NGF-like substance into the medium. Although some neurons survived on the heart cell monolayer without added NGF, increased levels of exogenous NGF increased neuronal survival until saturation was achieved at 0.5 microgram/ml 7S NGF. The ability of neurons to produce acetylcholine (ACh) from choline was also dependent on the level of exogenous NGF. In mixed neuron-heart cell cultures, NGF increased both ACh and catecholamine (CA) production per neuron to the same extent; saturation occurred at 1 microgram/ml 7S NGF. As cholinergic neurons developed in culture, they became less dependent on NGF for survival and ACh production, but even in older cultures approximately 40% of the neurons died when NGF was withdrawn. Thus, NGF is as necessary for survival, growth, and differentiation of sympathetic neurons when the neurons express cholinergic functions as when the neurons express adrenergic functions (4, 5).     

The management of traumatic hemothorax (author's transl)

We reviewed 395 patients with isolated hemo- or hemopneumothorax from stab or bullet wounds. Of these, 45 were in shock on admission. All patients were initially treated by closed thoracostomy and infusions or transfusions. Of the 45 patients in shock, 24 responded to this treatment and remained stable. The other 21, after an initial response, showed a renewed drop in blood pressure and rise in pulse rate and had to be explored. All were found to be bleeding from either a systemic artery or a major lung laceration extending into the hilus. All other patients were continued on tube drainage, supplemented, if necessary, by needle aspiration and instillation of fibrinolytic enzymes until the lung was fully expanded, thus avoiding empyemas and the need for decortications. We found the clinical course after initial tube thoracostomy to be a reliable indicator for thoracotomy or for continued non-operative management, thus avoiding unnecessary thoracotomies.