This paper presents preliminary results of a handheld device to assist the insertion of intra-fascicular planar electrodes into a peripheral nervous system. The developed device consists of two units, a nerve holder and an electrode inserter. We introduce design considerations, features, and underlying mechanisms of the device. User tests and animal experiments show that users can easily and accurately adjust the insertion position and direction of nerve electrodes while manipulating the device in 3D, and that planar electrodes are successfully inserted into sciatic nerves of rats. We hope that the proposed device will help neural engineering researchers and scientists to simplify the surgical process and produce consistent experimental results.

The objectives of this study were to explore quantitative relationships between remotely sensed signatures and ecosystem variables such as vegetation growth and CO/sub 2/ flux, and to investigate the potential of the synergy between remote sensing and process models. Results showed both thermal and optical remote sensing data could be effectively used for estimating dynamic change of important variables in agricultural ecosystems.

A software retrofit method, stand-by loading scheme, is proposed for a switching system in which the service downtime should be suppressed under several minutes per year. In general, software upgrade is performed in the system suspension state. However, in a switching system, it should be exercised without breaking the service continuity and minimize the possible side effects against on-going services. Stand-by loading scheme satisfies such a requirement in addition to the high efficiency in the maintenance and repair, and easy upgrade of additional functions of a switching system, and thus makes the system to evolve easily. Currently, a switching system adopting this method was constructed and has been used successfully in the field.