The relative efficacy of vestibular-proprioceptive stimulation and the upright position in enhancing visual pursuit in neonates.

48 healthy neonates born to multiparae were randomly assigned to view a moving stimulus either in the horizontal or the upright position, with or without added vestibular stimulation and with or without pacifier sucking. The infant was shown a moving black line inside a strictly controlled visual environment provided by an apparatus which permitted horizontal and upright positioning and displacement of the infant. Visual tracking was recorded by a concealed TV camera positioned at a constant distance and angle from the infants' eyes in both positions. Quality of tracking during each of 4 trials was scored on a 7-point scale. Results indicate that vestibularproprioceptive stimulation provided to the infant either horizontally or semivertically significantly enhanced his visual tracking, whereas the upright position did not. Pacifier sucking also improved his performace.     

Modeling of Star-shaped and Parallel-wire Carrier Distribution Systems

It is often desirable to represent carrier distribution systems by networks so that analysis can be made to predict the behavior of these systems. Modeling of two canonical carrier distribution systems, the star-shaped system and the parallel-wire system by networks was carried out in this paper. The representation is given in terms of lumped parameters when the lengths of the carrier lines are short and it is given in terms of lumped and distributed parameters when the lengths of the carrier lines are long.     

Circular Plate on Multipoint Supports

Formulae are derived for the deflection surface of a symmetrically loaded circular plate having several points supports which are situated at equal distances apart on a single concentric circle. There is no restriction on the diameter of the support circle, which may be as large as the diameter of the plate itself. The results of this paper compare favorably with published experimental results. Numerical deflection coefficients for a uniformly loaded plate are provided, and these could be utilized for optimizing the positions and the number of concentrated supports.     

Stability analysis of nonlinear control systems with characteristics equations having complex coefficients

In this paper, the stability equation method is applied to the analysis of nonlinear systems with characteristics equations having complex coefficients. Three types of systems are studied: those with unstable open-loop poles, unstable characteristics roots or an equal number of open-loop poles and zeros.