Comparing axiomatizations of free pseudospaces

Independently and pursuing different aims, Hrushovski and Srour (On stable non-equational theories. Unpublished manuscript, 1989) and Baudisch and Pillay (J Symb Log 65(1):443–460, 2000) have introduced two free pseudospaces that generalize the well know concept of Lachlan’s free pseudoplane. In this paper we investigate the relationship between these free pseudospaces, proving in particular, that the pseudospace of Baudisch and Pillay is a reduct of the pseudospace of Hrushovski and Srour

Open-Set Speaker Identification under Mismatch Conditions

Full text of this paper is not available in the UHRA.This paper presents investigations into the performance of open-set, text-independent speaker identification (OSTI-SI) under mismatched data conditions. The scope of the study includes attempts to reduce the adverse effects of such conditions through the introduction of a modified parallel model combination (PMC) method together with condition-adjusted T-Norm (CT-Norm) into the OSTI-SI framework. The experiments are conducted using examples of real world noise. Based on the outcomes, it is demonstrated that the above approach can lead to considerable improvements in the accuracy of open-set speaker identification operating under severely mismatched data conditions. The paper details the realisation of the modified PMC method and CT-Norm in the context of OSTI-SI, presents the experimental investigations and provides an analysis of the results.otherPeer reviewe

The electronic structure of the Nax_xCoO2_2 surface

The idea that surface effects may play an important role in suppressing $e_g'$ Fermi surface pockets on Na$_x$CoO$_2$ $(0.333 \le x \le 0.75)$ has been frequently proposed to explain the discrepancy between LDA calculations (performed on the bulk compound) which find $e_g$' hole pockets present and ARPES experiments, which do not observe the hole pockets. Since ARPES is a surface sensitive technique it is important to investigate the effects that surface formation will have on the electronic structure of Na$_{1/3}$CoO$_2$ in order to more accurately compare theory and experiment. We have calculated the band structure and Fermi surface of cleaved Na$_{1/3}$CoO$_2$ and determined that the surface non-trivially affects the fermiology in comparison to the bulk. Additionally, we examine the likelihood of possible hydroxyl cotamination and surface termination. Our results show that a combination of surface formation and contamination effects could resolve the ongoing controversy between ARPES experiments and theory.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Critical Changes in Cortical Neuronal Interactions in Anesthetized and Awake Rats

Background: Neuronal interactions are fundamental for information processing, cognition and consciousness. Anesthetics reduce spontaneous cortical activity; however, neuronal reactivity to sensory stimuli is often preserved or augmented. How sensory stimulus-related neuronal interactions change under anesthesia has not been elucidated. Here we investigated visual stimulus-related cortical neuronal interactions during stepwise emergence from desflurane anesthesia. Methods: Parallel spike trains were recorded with 64-contact extracellular microelectrode arrays from the primary visual cortex of chronically instrumented, unrestrained rats (N=6) at 8%, 6%, 4%, 2% desflurane anesthesia and wakefulness. Light flashes were delivered to the retina by transcranial illumination at 5-15s randomized intervals. Information theoretical indices, integration and interaction complexity, were calculated from the probability distribution of coincident spike patterns and used to quantify neuronal interactions before and after flash stimulation. Results: Integration and complexity showed significant negative associations with desflurane concentration (N=60). Flash stimulation increased integration and complexity at all anesthetic levels (N=60); the effect on complexity was reduced in wakefulness. During stepwise withdrawal of desflurane, the largest increase in integration (74%) and post-stimulus complexity (35%) occurred prior to reaching 4% desflurane concentration – a level associated with the recovery of consciousness according to the rats\u27 righting reflex. Conclusions: Neuronal interactions in the cerebral cortex are augmented during emergence from anesthesia. Visual flash stimuli enhance neuronal interactions in both wakefulness and anesthesia; the increase in interaction complexity is attenuated as post-stimulus complexity reaches plateau. The critical changes in cortical neuronal interactions occur during transition to consciousness

Banana nectar as a medium for testing pollen viability and germination in Musa

A quick and reliable method for evaluating pollen quality is essential in a breeding program, especially in a crop such as banana that is characterized by high male and female sterility. In this study the germination and viability of banana pollen was evaluated in a sucrose solution and diluted banana nectar. Twenty banana accessions were used to evaluate pollen germination in the two media after 3 and 24 h. Nineteen genotypes (95%) showed significantly higher pollen germination potential (PGP) in diluted nectar than in 3% sucrose solution. The accession TMB2x 8075 - 7 showed no significant pollen germination in nectar and sucrose. Eleven genotypes (55%) showed significant increase in pollen germination by increasing the time of incubation whereas pollen germination for nine genotypes (45%) was not affected by increase in incubation time. Nectar from different banana clones influenced pollen germination suggesting a genotype effect for pollen germination in Musa

Monosynaptic Functional Connectivity in Cerebral Cortex During Wakefulness and Under Graded Levels of Anesthesia

The balance between excitation and inhibition is considered to be of significant importance for neural computation and cognitive function. Excitatory and inhibitory functional connectivity in intact cortical neuronal networks in wakefulness and graded levels of anesthesia has not been systematically investigated. We compared monosynaptic excitatory and inhibitory spike transmission probabilities using pairwise cross-correlogram (CCG) analysis. Spikes were measured at 64 sites in the visual cortex of rats with chronically implanted microelectrode arrays during wakefulness and three levels of anesthesia produced by desflurane. Anesthesia decreased the number of active units, the number of functional connections, and the strength of excitatory connections. Connection probability (number of connections per number of active unit pairs) was unaffected until the deepest anesthesia level, at which a significant increase in the excitatory to inhibitory ratio of connection probabilities was observed. The results suggest that the excitatory–inhibitory balance is altered at an anesthetic depth associated with unconsciousness

The effects of a short term physical activity intervention programme on body mass index, blood pressure, and percentage body fat among high school learners

Introduction: The increase in physical inactivity is thought to be one of the main risk factors for the development of diseases of lifestyle. This has highlighted the need for prevention and intervention programmes that are thought to assist in influencing the modifiable risk factors. Physical activity programmes have been proven to positively influence risk factors such us blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Interventions by health professionals can assist in combating the problem. This study aimed to determine the effects of a short term physical activity programme on the BMI, body fat and blood pressure of high school learners in a local community in the Western Cape. Methods: The total number of learners who volunteered to participate in the study was 106. The study used a pre-test post-test design. The intervention programme was a 6 week programme run for 3 days per week for a period of 40 – 60 minutes per session. The intervention consisted of moderate to vigorous activities. Data was analysed by comparing learners who participated in the intervention and those who did not. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in this study. Results: Prior to the intervention it was found that 18% were found to be obese and at least 10% were hypertensive. Following the intervention it was reported that blood pressure as well as BMI and percentage body fat was influenced in positive way. Conclusion: One can conclude that, a short term physical activity intervention programme conducted three times a week with moderate activities can affect the BMI and blood pressure levels of adolescents