Fast, large-scale model predictive control by partial enumeration

Partial enumeration (PE) is presented as a method for treating large, linear model predictive control applications that are out of reach with available MPC methods. PE uses both a table storage method and online optimization to achieve this goal. Versions of PE are shown to be closed-loop stable. PE is applied to an industrial example with more than 250 states, 32 inputs, and a 25-sample control horizon. The performance is less than 0.01% suboptimal, with average speedup factors in the range of 80-220, and worst-case speedups in the range of 4.9-39.2, compared to an existing MPC method. Small tables with only 25-200 entries were used to obtain this performance, while full enumeration is intractable for this example.     

Accurate Depth of Field Simulation in Real Time

We present a new post processing method of simulating depth of field based on accurate calculations of circles of confusion. Compared to previous work, our method derives actual scene depth information directly from the existing depth buffer, requires no specialized rendering passes, and allows easy integration into existing rendering applications. Our implementation uses an adaptive, two‐pass filter, producing a high quality depth of field effect that can be executed entirely on the GPU, taking advantage of the parallelism of modern graphics cards and permitting real time performance when applied to large numbers of pixels.     

Abnormalities in plasma and red blood cell fatty acid profiles of patients with colorectal cancer

Intravenous injection of stearoyl vanillylamide (C18-VA), a nonpungent capsaicin (CAP) analog, enhances adrenaline secretion significantly and as effectively as CAP in rats. Because swimming capacity was enhanced by CAP in mice due to CAP-induced adrenal catecholamine secretion, we investigated the effects of oral administration of C18-VA on swimming capacity using an adjustable-current water pool. Male Std ddY 6-wk-old mice were fed a commercial diet for this study and one group was orally administered C18-VA via a stomach tube. Treated mice were able to swim longer before exhaustion than the control mice (62.9 +/- 5.6 vs. 49.6 +/- 7. 0 min, P < 0.05). The swimming capacity of two groups administered C18-VA (0.02 and 0.033 mmol/kg) was significantly greater than that of those administered vehicle alone, (P < 0.05). Substance P concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, which is involved in pain transmission and is the first direct measure of pungency, was not affected by C18-VA administration. In an experiment examining the effects of C18-VA on serum adrenaline concentration, adrenaline was significantly greater in C18-VA treated mice than in controls at 2-h post-dose (C18-VA group, 26.09 +/- 2.82; control group 13.29 +/- 0. 96 microg/L, P < 0.01). In a separate study free fatty acids in serum were elevated in treated mice at 2-h post-dose (P < 0.01). While serum glucose concentration was not affected. These results suggest that C18-VA increased swimming capacity of mice via adrenaline release, independent of pungency. In addition, the present study suggests the usefulness of its application to humans.     

Clear lens extraction and implantation of negative-power posterior chamber intraocular lenses to correct extreme myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness, predictability, and safety of clear lens extraction to correct extreme myopia. SETTING: Clinica de Nuestra Se?ora de la Concepción, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 26 eyes of 17 highly myopic patients who had clear lens extraction and implantation of a negative-power posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL power was calculated using the SRK/T formula. Analyzed were visual and refractive results and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Follow-up was at least 12 months in all cases. RESULTS: Uncorrected visual acuity improved in all cases, with 80.77% of eyes achieving 20/100 or better and 42.30%, 20/40 or better. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) improved in 23 eyes (88.46%). The percentage of eyes achieving a BSCVA of 20/100 or better increased from 73.07% preoperatively to 92.30% postoperatively and the percentage achieving 20/40 or better, from 23.07 to 73.07%. Of the 26 eyes, 76.91% were within 1.00 diopter (D) of refractive error and 96.16% were within 2.00 D. No intraoperative complications occurred. Although postoperatively 3 eyes (11.53%) developed choroidal detachment and 5 (19.23%) had an intraocular pressure greater than 25 mm Hg, all had a favorable outcome. Four eyes (15.38%) developed posterior capsule opacification and had a neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy 6 months postoperatively. No retinal detachments were observed. CONCLUSION: Clear lens extraction with negative-power IOL implantation using the SRK/T formula had good effectiveness, acceptable predictability, and a low morbidity in eyes with extreme myopia over a short follow-up. A longer follow-up with more cases is needed to assess the safety of the procedure.     

Microsurgical anatomy of the human ophthalmic artery: a mesoscopic study of its origin, course and collateral branches

In the present paper we have studied the gross (mesoscopic) anatomy of the ophthalmic a. in humans, using magnification by microsurgical systems to obtain data on the origin and course of this artery and its main collateral branches. Comparison of our results with previous reports indicates that, although the anatomical variations of the vascular system are well known, some patterns of frequency may be emphasised. Thus, the ophthalmic a. was usually found as a collateral branch of the internal carotid a., although other origins were also found. The ophthalmic a., once inside the orbit, followed a course above the optic nerve in most cases. All the collateral branches of the ophthalmic a., with the exception of the muscular branches, showed great constancy.     

Is homophobia associated with homosexual arousal?

The authors investigated the role of homosexual arousal in exclusively heterosexual men who admitted negative affect toward homosexual individuals. Participants consisted of a group of homophobic men (n?=?35 ) and a group of nonhomophobic men (n?=?29); they were assigned to groups on the basis of their scores on the Index of Homophobia (W. W. Hudson & W. A. Ricketts, 1980). The men were exposed to sexually explicit erotic stimuli consisting of heterosexual, male homosexual, and lesbian videotapes, and changes in penile circumference were monitored. They also completed an Aggression Questionnaire (A. H. Buss & M. Perry, 1992). Both groups exhibited increases in penile circumference to the heterosexual and female homosexual videos. Only the homophobic men showed an increase in penile erection to male homosexual stimuli. The groups did not differ in aggression. Homophobia is apparently associated with homosexual arousal that the homophobic individual is either unaware of or denies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpreting the negative mood-helping literature via "mega"-analysis: A contrary view.

"Mega"-analysis was developed by M. Carlson and N. Miller (see record 1987-31249-001) as an extension of traditional meta-analytic procedures for conducting integrative reviews of existing research literatures. One such mega-analysis was conducted by Carlson and Miller to synthesize the literature on the relation between negative mood states and helping. That analysis found no support for a theoretical account (negative state relief) that had been confirmed previously by using various experimental approaches. In an attempt to reconcile the discrepancy, the logic and methods used in Carlson and Miller's mega-analysis of the negative mood-helping literature were examined, and several serious problems were found. These problems are discussed, and data are presented to show that the results of that mega-analysis, and perhaps all mega-analyses, should not be viewed with confidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)