Compact nonlinear model of an implantable electrode array for spinal cord stimulation (SCS)

We describe the construction of a model of the electrode-electrolyte interface and surrounding electrolyte in the case of a platinum-electrode array intended for spinal-cord stimulation (SCS) application. We show that a finite, two dimensional, resistor array provides a satisfactory model of the bulk electrolyte, and we identify the complexity required of that resistor array. The electrode-electrolyte interface is modelled in a fashion suitable for commonly-available, compact simulators using a nonlinear extension of the model of Franks et al. that incorporates diodes and a memristor. The electrode-electrolyte interface model accounts for the nonlinear current-overpotential characteristic and diffusion-limiting effects. We characterise a commercial, implantable, electrode array, fit the model to it, and show that the model successfully predicts subtle operational characteristics

Good Roots Matter from Day One

No Abstrac

Review on Multi-Scale Models of Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation

Electrolyte reduction products form the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on negative electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. Even though this process practically stabilizes the electrode-electrolyte interface, it results in continued capacity-fade limiting lifetime and safety of lithium-ion batteries. Recent atomistic and continuum theories give new insights into the growth of structures and the transport of ions in the SEI. The diffusion of neutral radicals has emerged as a prominent candidate for the long-term growth mechanism, because it predicts the observed potential dependence of SEI growth.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Social referencing in the domestic horse

Dogs and cats use human emotional information directed to an unfamiliar situation to guide their behavior, known as social referencing. It is not clear whether other domestic species show similar socio-cognitive abilities in interacting with humans. We investigated whether horses (n = 46) use human emotional information to adjust their behavior to a novel object and whether the behavior of horses differed depending on breed type. Horses were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimenter positioned in the middle of a test arena directed gaze and voice towards the novel object with either (a) a positive or (b) a negative emotional expression. The duration of subjects’ position to the experimenter and the object in the arena, frequency of gazing behavior, and physical interactions (with either object or experimenter) were analyzed. Horses in the positive condition spent more time between the experimenter and object compared to horses in the negative condition, indicating less avoidance behavior towards the object. Horses in the negative condition gazed more often towards the object than horses in the positive condition, indicating increased vigilance behavior. Breed types differed in their behavior: thoroughbreds showed less human-directed behavior than warmbloods and ponies. Our results provide evidence that horses use emotional cues from humans to guide their behavior towards novel objects

Cell-Probe Lower Bounds from Online Communication Complexity

In this work, we introduce an online model for communication complexity. Analogous to how online algorithms receive their input piece-by-piece, our model presents one of the players, Bob, his input piece-by-piece, and has the players Alice and Bob cooperate to compute a result each time before the next piece is revealed to Bob. This model has a closer and more natural correspondence to dynamic data structures than classic communication models do, and hence presents a new perspective on data structures. We first present a tight lower bound for the online set intersection problem in the online communication model, demonstrating a general approach for proving online communication lower bounds. The online communication model prevents a batching trick that classic communication complexity allows, and yields a stronger lower bound. We then apply the online communication model to prove data structure lower bounds for two dynamic data structure problems: the Group Range problem and the Dynamic Connectivity problem for forests. Both of the problems admit a worst case $O(\log n)$-time data structure. Using online communication complexity, we prove a tight cell-probe lower bound for each: spending $o(\log n)$ (even amortized) time per operation results in at best an $\exp(-\delta^2 n)$ probability of correctly answering a $(1/2+\delta)$-fraction of the $n$ queries

The Resurrection of the Body in its Significance for Sanctification

It is the purpose of this paper to consider the import of the placement of the resurrection of the body into the Third Article of the Creed, showing the significance which the resurrection of the body has for sanctification. In order to do this it will be necessary to trace the importance ascribed to the body from the creation of man at the beginning of the world to the final consummation in heaven. It will be shown that the body is included in the eternal purpose of God and in His acts concerning man, and it will be pointed out that Lutheran dogmaticians have rightly emphasized the vital role which the body plays in men\u27s relation to God

United States v. Sell: Involuntary Administration of Antipsychotic Medication - Are You Dangerous or Not

Antipsychotic drugs alter the chemical balance in a patient\u27s brain and can cause irreversible and fatal side effects. Furthermore, they act at all levels of the central nervous system as well as on multiple organ systems. [They] can induce catatonic-like states, alter electroencephalographic tracings, and cause swelling of the brain. Adverse reactions include drowsiness, excitement, restlessness, bizarre dreams, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, salivation, dry mouth, perspiration, headache, constipation, blurred vision, impotency, eczema, jaundice, tremors, and muscle spasms . As well as these symptoms, they can also cause tardive dyskinsesia, an often irreversible syndrome of uncontrollable movements that can prevent a person from exercising basic functions such as driving an automobile, and neuropleptic malignant syndrome, which is 30% fatal for those who suffer from it. The risk of side effects increases over time . In light of these daunting risks, it is no surprise that the person faced with the risk of forced administration of these drugs stated that he would rather die than take them. The Supreme Court of the United States recently decided whether the state act of forcibly administering these antipsychotic drugs to criminal defendants solely for trial competency purposes is constitutional. The Court previously held that the government could do so under certain circumstances, the most essential of which being that the person in custody pose a danger to himself or others. This present case, however, marked the first time the Court ruled on whether the government could administer the drugs solely to render the defendant competent to stand trial. In the decision, the Court crafted a 4-prong test which the government would have to pass in order to forcibly administer the drugs. However, practically speaking, absent a showing of dangerousness, the delineated test will be difficult, if not impossible, to meet. Unfortunately, since this question of dangerousness is the dispositive issue and the Court has continually failed to outline a clear standard of scrutiny to be applied, the individual\u27s fundamental right to be free from unwanted antipsychotic medication remains in jeopardy, subject to less fundamental and compelling state interests. Part II of this note reviews the substance of the Sell decision, including the test it delineates. It also reviews the paramount cases upon which Sell was decided. Part III focuses on the different standards of scrutiny applied in each of those cases at the Supreme Court level, as well as the lower court\u27s invoked standards of scrutiny. Part IV analyzes where the Court has left this doctrine in light of the Sell decision and why its effectiveness as a safeguard for an individual\u27s significant liberty interest in remaining free from unwanted antipsychotic medication is in serious jeopardy

Cost effective pavement reconstruction or rehabilitation profile(s) in Townsville

Councils all over Australia face the same issue; cost effectively reconstructing or rehabilitating trunk roads under traffic. In recent years, the Townsville City Council has undertaken numerous pavement reconstruction or rehabilitation projects of varying profiles. The identification of a cost effective and successful reconstruction or rehabilitation profile would, from a planning perspective, assist a Council in preparing their works programs and securing the appropriate funding required. This project has sought to determine the most cost effective and successful reconstruction or rehabilitation of four (4) varying profiles constructed within Townsville. A cost-benefit analysis has considered the following criteria; pavement design and expected design life; in-service performance; costs associated with the project. The pavement profiles analysed consisted of cement treated subbase (CTSB), cement modified base (CMB) and asphalt surfacing along with in-situ stabilisation works utilising cement and foam bitumen. Whilst the concept of being able to accurately determine a cost effective profile that could be blindly adopted within the local region appears to be useful, the complexities behind pavement design, evaluation, construction and general overall variability of materials result in an extremely complicated procedure. Via simplification of the original intended analysis, it was observed that there were significant cost savings when in-situ stabilisation can be undertaken, however the ability to construct a consistent CMB modulus within the design envelope appears to be significantly difficult. This is supported by the mean back-analysed base layer modulus being well above 2500 MPa, suggesting its performing more like a cement treated base (CTB) layer as opposed to the design intent of a CMB

The facies architecture of large igneous provinces: an integrated geological and geophysical approach to the characterisation of volcanic successions in 3-D

Quantifying the facies architecture of flood volcanic provinces is important as it can be used to understand the physical volcanology and rock property variations throughout the igneous succession. This is very important to the petroleum industry exploration efforts in volcanic rifted margins as volcanic successions commonly mask geophysical images of sub-volcanic petroleum plays. This problem is known as the 'sub-basalt imaging problem' and is caused by factors including the geometrical heterogeneities and elastic velocity and density contrasts through the volcanic pile. The study of facies architecture is broken down into a series of orders of scale. These scales reflect a systematic approach to the characterisation of the facies architecture, from a centimetre through to kilometre-scale, and incorporates 3D modelling of a range of data types for constructing the 3D structure of the flood volcanic successions. A system for the characterisation of lava flow scale facies is presented termed the 'intrafacies scheme'. This may be used to assess and interpret the geological facies heterogeneities present on a 'micro-scale' and link the interpretations to geophysical rock properties. The scheme is applied to outcrop-scale case studies in the Talisker Bay area of the Skye Lava Field on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. On a lava field scale of study ('meso-scale'), the geometrical relationships of several flood basalt provinces are studied, focusing on the Skye Lava Field. This is studied in ID through to 3D, revealing that the lava field may be divided into architectural sequences based on lava flow facies interpretations. The facies evolve upwards through the volcanic succession from geometrically complex thin, olivine-basaltic compound-braided lava flow facies towards the base, to simple, thick basaltic-andesite tabular lava flows. The lower lavas are interpreted to have formed on the gently dipping flanks of a shield volcano. The observations and understanding of flood volcanics on a lava field scale of observation and the facies forming the building blocks of lava fields are used to interpret the GFA-99 2D seismic data from the Faeroe-Shetland Basin. The interpretation is developed into 3D and thicknesses of the Faeroes Lava Group are calculated. The complete study of facies from intrafacies through to basin-scale interpretations reveal that flood volcanic successions contain substantial geometrical and rock property heterogeneities, and that these can be characterised in the 3D modelling environment into geologically realistic geophysical flood basalt facies architectural models