Endpoint Variance Research Articles

Optimal impedance control for task achievement in the presence of signal-dependent noise.

There is an infinity of impedance parameter values, and thus different co-contraction levels, that can produce similar movement kinematics from which the CNS must select one. Although signal-dependent noise (SDN) predicts larger motor-command variability during higher co-contraction, the relationship between impedance and task performance is not theoretically obvious and thus was examined here. Subjects made goal-directed, single-joint elbow movements to either move naturally to different target sizes or voluntarily co-contract at different levels. Stiffness was estimated as the weighted summation of rectified EMG signals through the index of muscle co-contraction around the joint (IMCJ) proposed previously. When subjects made movements to targets of different sizes, IMCJ increased with the accuracy requirements, leading to reduced endpoint deviations. Therefore without the need for great accuracy, subjects accepted worse performance with lower co-contraction. When subjects were asked to increase co-contraction, the variability of EMG and torque both increased, suggesting that noise in the neuromotor command increased with muscle activation. In contrast, the final positional error was smallest for the highest IMCJ level. Although co-contraction increases the motor-command noise, the effect of this noise on the task performance is reduced. Subjects were able to regulate their impedance and control endpoint variance as the task requirements changed, and they did not voluntarily select the high impedance that generated the minimum endpoint error. These data contradict predictions of the SDN-based theory, which postulates minimization of only endpoint variance and thus require its revision.

A comparison of the daphnids Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia ambigua for their utilization in routine toxicity testing in the Southeastern United States.

U.S. regulatory agencies commonly require effluent toxicity testing with Ceriodaphnia dubia--a practice that has led to the criticism that this species and test protocol often does not reflect local taxa or site-specific conditions. Using an indigenous test species may produce a more realistic model of local effects and may minimize test endpoint variance due to regional differences in water quality. This study addressed the substitution of C. dubia with Daphnia ambigua for toxicity testing in the southeastern United States. This investigation determined that D. ambigua could be laboratory cultured with only minimal changes to established regulatory protocol and that the life-cycle characteristics of this species were conducive to traditional acute and chronic aquatic toxicity test methods used with other daphnids. Acute toxicity tests showed that D. ambigua was less sensitive to some toxicants (sodium chloride, copper sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate) but more sensitive to others (chlorpyrifos). Chronic tests with copper sulfate and sodium chloride resulted in lower EC50S for D. ambigua reproduction with both compounds. When exposed to low-alkalinity, low-pH stream waters typical of many southeastern United States watersheds, C. dubia demonstrated a significant reproductive depression in two of three streams tested, whereas D. ambigua experienced no chronic effect. These results suggest that D. ambigua may serve as a suitable surrogate for C. dubia as an toxicity indicator species in these types of receiving streams.

A study on an optimal movement model

We present an analytical and rigorous study on a TOPS (task optimization in the presence of signal-dependent noise) model with a hold-on or an end-point control. Optimal control signals are rigorously obtained, which enables us to investigate various issues about the model including its trajectories, velocities, control signals, variances and the dependence of these quantities on various model parameters. With the hold-on control, we find that the optimal control can be implemented with an almost 'nil' hold-on period. The optimal control signal is a linear combination of two sub-control signals. One of the sub-control signals is positive and the other is negative. With the end-point control, the end-point variance is dramatically reduced, in comparison with the hold-on control. However, the velocity is not symmetric (bell shape). Finally, we point out that the velocity with a hold-on control takes the bell shape only within a limited parameter region.

Does the change of psychopathology during the placebo period predict the response to subsequent treatment with active medication?

We examined whether deterioration in psychiatric symptoms during the placebo period predicted short-term response to subsequent treatment. Acutely exacerbated chronic schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients ( n=123) received placebo for 6.2 days on average. Afterwards, fixed haloperidol plasma levels were maintained for 6 weeks. Psychopathology was evaluated on the basis of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), which was administered weekly by trained raters. The global BPRS score at the beginning of the active treatment accounted for 11% of the end-point variance of the global BPRS score ( p<0.0002) and the change of psychopathology during the preceding placebo period explained additional 3.1% ( p<0.053) of it. The change in most of the BPRS factor scores contributed significantly to the prediction of the end-point BPRS score. The patients who had low scores on admission to the study and high scores at the end of the placebo period showed the greatest improvement. The results suggest that in addition to the baseline severity of psychopathology, the change of psychopathology that occurs during the pretreatment placebo period can partially account for treatment response.

Measurements of antifungal levels in corneal tissue a simplified bioassay for amphotericin B

Measuring precise antifungal levels in the cornea with broth-dilution bioassays is difficult, as standard techniques involving visual determination of endpoints are hindered by corneal debris. To increase the precision of the measurement, we modified the sample preparation for bioassay of rabbit corneas treated with subconjunctival amphotericin B. Endpoint determination and variance were compared for a freshly thawed corneal suspension and the supernatant after 24 h equilibration; bioassay of the corneal suspension after 24 h equilibration served as an additional control. All endpoints were read visually in a masked fashion and were verified by culture. The three methods gave comparable endpoint values with equivalent degrees of variance. Amphotericin B levels were consistent by both visual and culture determination; however, endpoints were clearly visible and easier to read for the supernatant. Visual determination of the endpoints for the supernatant following 24 h equilibration simplified and ensured the precision of the bioassay technique.