cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute cholecystitis in the elderly: use of computed tomography and correlation with ultrasonography

Abstract Background Elderly patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis (AC) may undergo both ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). Methods A total of 475 patients (age, >64 y) with AC were included. Results Groups included US alone (n = 240), CT alone (n = 60), and CT + US (n = 168). Sixty patients (35.7%) in the US + CT group had inflammation in both studies, 34 (20.2%) had inflammation only on US, and 32 (19.0%) had inflammation only on CT. In the US + CT group, detection of cholelithiasis was not different, but mean common bile duct size did not correlate. There was no difference among the groups in age, sex, medical service admission, nonambulatory status, dementia, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. Peritonitis, leukocytosis, and acidosis were more frequent in the 2 groups undergoing CT. The cholecystectomy rate was lowest (and the complication rate was highest) in the CT + US group. Conclusions CT often is used in the diagnosis of AC in the elderly, especially those with more acute presentations. CT and US findings may be complementary in AC.
Novel alleles at the HLA‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 loci

Twelve novel human leukocyte antigen class II alleles are described; eight DRB1 alleles and four DQB1 alleles. Nine of the variants are single nucleotide substitutions from their most homologous allele, of which six result in amino acid changes (DRB1*0459, *1156 and *1522; DQB1*0205, *0320 and *0321) and three are silent substitutions (DRB1*030105 and *040304, and DQB1*030104). The remaining alleles (DRB1*0906, *1464 and *1468) differ from their most similar alleles by two to three nucleotide substitutions which alter one to two amino acids.
New light on the origins of Papiamentu: An eighteenth-century letter

1. Papiamentu demonstrates, over a period of 200 years, a stability and unity noteworthy not only among creole languages, but in absolute terms, fully justifying Lenz's epithet of “un idioma fijo”. 2. It shows, throughout this period, a significantly constant ratio of Castilian and Portuguese elements in basic vocabulary, phonology, morphology and syntax, insofar as distinct derivations from one or the other Iberian language may be identified. 3. The hypothesis of an earlier strongly Portuguese Papiamentu with subsequent radical Hispanization, especially in the phonology, is unproven. 4. The derivation of Papiamentu from a former pan-Caribbean Spanish-affiliated creole itself showing a Portuguese substratum is the only reasonable explanation of the presence in Papiamentu, from the time of the earliest records, of specifically Castilian integral elements alongside the Portuguese. In this light, then, we way understand and largely endorse the classic observation by the polyglot Schabel (1704) that the language of Curacao is “broken Spanish”.
Viscoelastic Properties of Common Suture Material Used for Rotator Cuff Repair and Arthroscopic Procedures

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of 5 suture materials, commonly used in arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, when subjected to physiological loads. Methods We evaluated 5 commercially available No. 2 sutures undergoing both creep and cyclic testing in both dry air and phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) maintained at 37°C. The selected sutures were MagnumWire (ArthroCare, Austin, TX), Ethibond (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ), FiberWire (Arthrex, Naples, FL), Orthocord (DePuy, Warsaw, IN), and Force Fiber (Tornier, Bloomington, MN). Results Regarding creep testing, in the PBS test environment, FiberWire showed the greatest stiffness (71.1 ± 2.1 N/mm), the smallest initial extension at the 60-N load (1.10 ± 0.04 mm), and the smallest amount of creep (0.57 ± 0.01 mm). Orthocord showed the smallest amount of relaxed elongation in PBS (0.73 ± 0.11 mm). Regarding cyclic testing, in the PBS testing environment, Ethibond exhibited the smallest dynamic creep (0.28 ± 0.02 mm), FiberWire displayed the smallest peak-to-peak displacement (0.17 ± 0.00 mm), and Orthocord showed the smallest amount of relaxed elongation after cyclic loading (0.63 ± 0.11 mm). Conclusions FiberWire consistently displayed more extreme viscoelastic properties—greater stiffness and less extensibility—than the other suture types studied. Orthocord showed the smallest amount of relaxed elongation in both testing environments. Differences in testing environment affect the behavior of each suture type. Testing in physiologically approximating conditions such as PBS maintained at 37°C is warranted. Clinical Relevance Although many other factors affect the success of rotator cuff repairs, the viscoelastic properties of sutures may be a useful predictor of suture performance.
Static modeling of periodic structures with application to braided shields

Models for predicting the penetration of cable shields have a long history and have had considerable success. However, occasionally, modifications to cable topology call into question the use of these models. It would thus be useful to assemble a first principles model of the shield, not only to handle changes in topology from the standard geometry, but also to form a theoretical underpinning for the existing models. The paper discusses the progress on a first principles model of a braided shield. A planar approximation to the cylindrical braid is used to reduce the number of parameters involved in the braid description. The model uses Ewald summation techniques to sum efficiently over the periodicity of the braid. Connections between the electrostatic potential behind the planar braid shield and the transfer capacitance, and also between the magnetic flux behind the shield and transfer inductance, are derived to connect planar quantities with the transfer immittances of the cylindrical braid. The braid wires are taken to be perfect electrical conductors (i.e., losses are not considered at present). Moment methods are used to calculate the static potentials about the braid wires and match the boundary conditions on the wires. The field from the net current on the wire is represented by a vector potential.
Adaptive time-varying parametric modeling

We propose an adaptive procedure to model non-stationary signals using autoregressive systems with time-varying parameters. A non-stationary signal that is representable by a time-varying autoregressive system has parameters which are expandable in terms of a set of basis functions. The parameters can be found by posing a minimum least-squares modeling problem and solving a large set of normal equations. The costly calculations involved in this problem make an adaptive solution quite desirable. Using the parameter expansions, we convert the modeling into a linear prediction problem and solve it adaptively for a given set of basis functions. We apply our procedure in the modeling of a segment of speech and in the estimation of the evolutionary spectrum of a non-stationary signal. >
Interview with Allen Hsieh, Business Consultant, China

JIPS:Please give us a brief background about your work experience leading up to your current job.AH:I am a business consultant with some entrepreneur experiences as well. My most recent job is with...
Nanocrystalline diamond microspikes increase the efficiency of ultrasonic cell lysis in a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip

This research demonstrates that use of Nanocrystalline Diamond (NCD) microspikes in a microfluidic chamber increases the efficiency of mechanical cell lysis, as compared to a standard microfluidic surface such as glass. Microspikes made of nanocrystalline diamond were fabricated using standard MEMS techniques, and were incorporated in microfluidic chamber developed as part of a lab on a chip system. Mechanical cell lysis was performed on B16-F10 (ATCC CRL-6475) murine melanoma cells using ultrasonic vibration and the efficiency of cell lysis was determined. The microspikes puncture the cell membranes on collision greatly increasing the efficiency of cell lysis (about 400% as per fluorescence measurements) as compared to a non-textured glass surface. The effect of using cell disruption glass beads during ultrasonic lyses was also explored. This methodology of cell disruption could potentially make mechanical cell lysis a viable and preferred lysis option for lab-on-a-chip applications.
A Novel Role for Mc1r in the Parallel Evolution of Depigmentation in Independent Populations of the Cavefish Astyanax mexicanus

The evolution of degenerate characteristics remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Only recently has the identification of mutations underlying regressive phenotypes become accessible through the use of genetic analyses. Focusing on the Mexican cave tetra Astyanax mexicanus, we describe, here, an analysis of the brown mutation, which was first described in the literature nearly 40 years ago. This phenotype causes reduced melanin content, decreased melanophore number, and brownish eyes in convergent cave forms of A. mexicanus. Crosses demonstrate non-complementation of the brown phenotype in F2 individuals derived from two independent cave populations: Pachon and the linked Yerbaniz and Japones caves, indicating the same locus is responsible for reduced pigmentation in these fish. While the brown mutant phenotype arose prior to the fixation of albinism in Pachon cave individuals, it is unclear whether the brown mutation arose before or after the fixation of albinism in the linked Yerbaniz/Japones caves. Using a QTL approach combined with sequence and functional analyses, we have discovered that two distinct genetic alterations in the coding sequence of the gene Mc1r cause reduced pigmentation associated with the brown mutant phenotype in these caves. Our analysis identifies a novel role for Mc1r in the evolution of degenerative phenotypes in blind Mexican cavefish. Further, the brown phenotype has arisen independently in geographically separate caves, mediated through different mutations of the same gene. This example of parallelism indicates that certain genes are frequent targets of mutation in the repeated evolution of regressive phenotypes in cave-adapted species.
Intervention in gene regulatory networks via greedy control policies based on long-run behavior

A salient purpose for studying gene regulatory networks is to derive intervention strategies, the goals being to identify potential drug targets and design gene-based therapeutic intervention. Optimal stochastic control based on the transition probability matrix of the underlying Markov chain has been studied extensively for probabilistic Boolean networks. Optimization is based on minimization of a cost function and a key goal of control is to reduce the steady-state probability mass of undesirable network states. Owing to computational complexity, it is difficult to apply optimal control for large networks. In this paper, we propose three new greedy stationary control policies by directly investigating the effects on the network long-run behavior. Similar to the recently proposed mean-first-passage-time (MFPT) control policy, these policies do not depend on minimization of a cost function and avoid the computational burden of dynamic programming. They can be used to design stationary control policies that avoid the need for a user-defined cost function because they are based directly on long-run network behavior; they can be used as an alternative to dynamic programming algorithms when the latter are computationally prohibitive; and they can be used to predict the best control gene with reduced computational complexity, even when one is employing dynamic programming to derive the final control policy. We compare the performance of these three greedy control policies and the MFPT policy using randomly generated probabilistic Boolean networks and give a preliminary example for intervening in a mammalian cell cycle network. The newly proposed control policies have better performance in general than the MFPT policy and, as indicated by the results on the mammalian cell cycle network, they can potentially serve as future gene therapeutic intervention strategies.
Cloning of the gene for interstitial collagenase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-13) from rabbit synovial fibroblasts: differential expression with collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1)

Cartilage, bone and the interstitial stroma, composed largely of the interstitial collagens, types I, II and III, are remodelled by three members of the metalloproteinase (MMP) family, collagenase-1 (MMP-1), collagenase-2 (MMP-8) and collagenase-3 (MMP-13). MMP-1 and MMP-13 may contribute directly to disease progression, since they are induced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The study of MMP-1 and MMP-13 gene regulation in models of arthritic disease has been problematic because mice and rats, which are typically used, only possess a homologue of MMP-13. Here we show that in contrast with mice and rats, rabbits possess distinct genes homologous to human MMP-1 and MMP-13. Furthermore, rabbit MMP-13 is expressed simultaneously with MMP-1 in chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts in response to the cytokines interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, or the phorbol ester PMA. The time course of MMP-13 induction is more rapid and transient than that of MMP-1, suggesting that distinct mechanisms regulate the expression of these two collagenases. We have cloned the rabbit MMP-13 gene from synovial fibroblasts and demonstrated that the rabbit gene shares greater homology with human MMP-13 than does the mouse interstitial collagenase. Together with the fact that mice and rats do not possess a homologue to human MMP-1, our data suggest that the rabbit provides an appropriate model for studying the roles of interstitial collagenases in connective-tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Patterns of Aging-Related Changes on the Way to 100: An Approach to Studying Aging, Mortality and Longevity From Longitudinal Data

Abstract The objective of this paper is to investigate dynamic properties of age trajectories of physiological indices and their effects on mortality risk and longevity using longitudinal data on more than 5,000 individuals collected in biennial examinations of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) original cohort during about 50 subsequent years of follow-up. We first performed empirical analyses of the FHS longitudinal data. We evaluated average age trajectories of indices describing physiological states for different groups of individuals and established their connections with mortality risk. These indices include body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse rate, level of blood glucose, hematocrit, and serum cholesterol. To be able to investigate dynamic mechanisms responsible for changes in the aging human organisms using available longitudinal data, we further developed a stochastic process model of human mortality and aging, by including in it the notions of “physiological norms,” “a...
Bayesian hierarchical mixtures of experts

The Hierarchical Mixture of Experts (HME) is a well-known tree-structured model for regression and classification, based on soft probabilistic splits of the input space. In its original formulation its parameters are determined by maximum likelihood, which is prone to severe overfitting, including singularities in the likelihood function. Furthermore the maximum likelihood framework offers no natural metric for optimizing the complexity and structure of the tree. Previous attempts to provide a Bayesian treatment of the HME model have relied either on local Gaussian representations based on the Laplace approximation, or have modified the model so that it represents the joint distribution of both input and output variables, which can be wasteful of resources if the goal is prediction. In this paper we describe a fully Bayesian treatment of the original HME model based on variational inference. By combining 'local' and 'global' variational methods we obtain a rigorous lower bound on the marginal probability of the data under the model. This bound is optimized during the training phase, and its resulting value can be used for model order selection. We present results using this approach for data sets describing robot arm kinematics.
Reduction of a distributed system to a lumped system via state feedback

For a class of single input-output linear dynamical systems with time lags, there exist input and state feedback control laws containing delay lines such that the closed-loop systems are zero-state equivalent to systems which are specified by ordinary differential equations without time lags. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of these control laws and a constructive procedure for finding these control laws are given. Furthermore, the set of poles of the closed loop system transfer function can be arbitrarily assigned by choosing the feedback laws appropriately.
Recombinant GDNF: Tetanus toxin fragment C fusion protein produced from insect cells

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has potent survival-promoting effects on CNS motor neurons in experimental animals. Its therapeutic efficacy in humans, however, may have been limited by poor bioavailability to the brain and spinal cord. With a view toward improving delivery of GDNF to CNS motor neurons in vivo, we generated a recombinant fusion protein comprised of rat GDNF linked to the non-toxic, neuron-binding fragment of tetanus toxin. Recombinant GDNF:TTC produced from insect cells was a soluble homodimer like wild-type GDNF and was bi-functional with respect to GDNF and TTC activity. Like recombinant rat GDNF, the fusion protein increased levels of immunoreactive phosphoAkt in treated NB41A3-hGFRα-1 neuroblastoma cells. Like TTC, GDNF:TTC bound to immobilized ganglioside GT1b in vitro with high affinity and selectivity. These results support further testing of recombinant GDNF:TTC as a non-viral vector to improve delivery of GDNF to brain and spinal cord in vivo.
Redefining agricultural yields: from tonnes to people nourished per hectare

Worldwide demand for crops is increasing rapidly due to global population growth, increased biofuel production, and changing dietary preferences. Meeting these growing demands will be a substantial challenge that will tax the capability of our food system and prompt calls to dramatically boost global crop production. However, to increase food availability, we may also consider how the world’s crops are allocated to different uses and whether it is possible to feed more people with current levels of crop production. Of particular interest are the uses of crops as animal feed and as biofuel feedstocks. Currently, 36% of the calories produced by the world’s crops are being used for animal feed, and only 12% of those feed calories ultimately contribute to the human diet (as meat and other animal products). Additionally, human-edible calories used for biofuel production increased fourfold between the years 2000 and 2010, from 1% to 4%, representing a net reduction of available food globally. In this study, we re-examine agricultural productivity, going from using the standard definition of yield (in tonnes per hectare, or similar units) to using the number of people actually fed per hectare of cropland. We find that, given the current mix of crop uses, growing food exclusively for direct human consumption could, in principle, increase available food calories by as much as 70%, which could feed an additional 4 billion people (more than the projected 2‐3 billion people arriving through population growth). Even small shifts in our allocation of crops to animal feed and biofuels could significantly increase global food availability, and could be an instrumental tool in meeting the challenges of ensuring global food security.
Axonal regulation of Schwann cell ensheathment and myelination

Axons in the vertebrate peripheral nervous system are intimately associated with Schwann cells. Axons regulate the Schwann cell phenotype, determining whether they myelinate individual axons or ensheathe multiple, small axons in Remak bundles. Our current understanding of the axonal signals that drive Schwann cells towards these distinct morphological and phenotypic fates is briefly reviewed here. Elucidation of these signals, and the intracellular pathways they regulate, may lead to new, rational therapies for the treatment of inherited and acquired neuropathies.
Turbulent boundary layer behind constant velocity shock including wall blowing effects

A theory, previously presented by the author, concerning turbulent boundary-layer development behind a shock moving with uniform speed is used to obtain numerical results for turbulent boundary-layer properties in air. Numerical results are tabulated for shock propagation at Mach numbers in the range 1.01<M5 <20. The heat-transfer results are in good agreement with the shock tube wall heat-transfer measurements of Hartunian et al., which were made in the range 3<MS <8. Approximate analytical expressions for turbulent boundary-layer properties are deduced, and estimates of the wall temperature variation with distance behind the shock are given. Effects of blowing (wall ablation) are estimated. It is found that for strong shock waves wall blowing decreases, rather than increases, the vertical velocity at the edge of the boundary layer. The need for experimental data to confirm large Mach number and blowing effects predictions is noted.
A Prospective Comparison of Moderating Relationships among Stressors, Hopelessness, and Internalizing Symptoms in Low-Income Urban Youth with Asthma

There are many risk factors associated with the development of internalizing symptoms in low-income urban youth, and youth with asthma appear to be at greater risk for experiencing stressors in multiple domains. The purpose of the current study was to examine stressors, hopelessness, and the interaction between them, as predictors of trajectories of anxious/depressed and withdrawn symptoms over a 4-year period of adolescence. Participating in the study were 53 youth from Chicago public schools, the majority of whom identified themselves as African American or Latino. Multi-level modeling was used to examine major life events, daily hassles, exposure to violence, poverty, and hopelessness as predictors of both types of symptoms. Major life events and exposure to violence predicted anxious/depressed symptoms but not withdrawn symptoms. Hopelessness predicted both types of symptoms and further interacted with major life events to predict both anxious/depressed and withdrawn symptoms. Hopelessness also moderated the effects of daily hassles on anxious/depressed symptoms and poverty on withdrawn symptoms. Results of this study provide insight into the psychosocial risk factors associated with the experience of asthma in urban adolescents.
A novel systolic array structure for DCT

This paper presents a new algorithm for the implementation of discrete cosine transform (DCT), based on the idea of reformulating prime N-length DCT into two cyclic convolutions with exactly the same structure, which are implemented with a proposed fast cyclic convolution-based systolic array structure. The proposed algorithm can save (N-1)/2 multiplications and 2Nregisters, at the cost of only (N-1)/2 additions of those used in previous designs. The I/O is kept low because of the simple control complexity of the algorithm. Furthermore, this new algorithm preserves all the other benefits of very large-scale integration algorithms based on circular correlation or cyclic convolution, such as regular and simple structure.
A Neural Network Parallel Adaptive Controller for Dynamic System Control

A neural network (NN)-based intelligent adaptive controller that introduces a new concept of intelligent supervisory loop is proposed. The scheme consists of an online radial basis-function NN (RBFNN) in parallel with a model reference adaptive controller (MRAC) and uses a growing dynamic RBFNN to augment MRAC. Updating of the RBFNN width, center, and weight characteristics is performed such that error reduction and improved tracking accuracy are accomplished. The RBFNN architecture adapts its centers and radii and tunes the relevant parameters dynamically. These adaptations effectively address the issues that are related to initial error and dimensional growth that are inherent in static NN design. The strength of the proposed scheme is in its ability to perform effectively, even when the plant mode swings and functional changes occur. Theoretical results are validated by simulation studies based on a nonlinear single-link flexible robotic manipulator position tracking of changing reference pattern. Compared to single and multiple fuzzy reference adaptive control approaches, the proposed intelligent controller produced better tracking with reduced tracking error in the event of functional changes and is capable of delivering plant output to track the reference precisely.
Methods of soil P analysis in archaeology

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is unique among the elements in being a sensitive and persistent indicator of human activity. It has long been of interest to archaeologists because of its potential to inform them about the presence of past human occupation and to offer clues regarding the type and intensity of human activity. A wide variety of methods have been developed in both soil science and in archaeology to extract and measure soil P, resulting in a tremendous amount of data and a wide array of interpretations, but also considerable confusion over appropriateness of methods and terminology. The primary purpose of this paper is to address these issues by clarifying soil P analyses. Anthropogenic additions of phosphorus to the soil come from human refuse and waste, burials, the products of animal husbandry in barns, pens, and on livestock paths, or intentional enrichment from soil fertilizer. Once added to the soil, phosphorus in its common form as phosphate is stable and generally immobile in soils. Soil P comes in many forms, organized for the purposes of this paper on the basis of extraction and measurement procedures as (1) extraction for available P (Pav); (2) portable field techniques (the spot test or ring test); (3) chemical digestion of a soil sample for total P (Ptot); (4) extractions of inorganic P (Pin) for fractionation studies and extractions to look at individual compounds of P; (5) measurements of organic P (Porg); and (6) extractions for total elemental analysis. To compare the suitability of various extractants as the “best” indicator of human input and activity we subjected samples from three very different archaeological sites (Lubbock Lake, TX; Hulburt Creek, IA; British Camp, WA) to four methods of soil P extraction: perchloric acid digestion (Ptot), sulfuric–nitric acid extraction Ptot), hydrochloric acid extraction after ignition (Pin), and citric acid extraction (Pav). Further, methods of measurement were compared via colorimetry vs. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry, and the two methods of supposed “total P” were both measured via ICP. In general, the stronger extractants yielded more soil P, but the result are not clear-cut. Likely variables include the intensity of occupation, nature of the parent material, and postdepositional weathering (e.g., the addition of dust).
Accent, standard language ideology, and discriminatory pretext in the courts

Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act clearly forbids an employer to discriminate against persons of color for reasons of personal or customer preference. Similarly, a qualified job applicant may not be rejected on the basis of linguistic traits linked to national origin. In contrast to racial discrimination, however, an employer has considerable latitude in matters of language, provided in part by a judicial system which recognizes in theory the link between language and social identity, but in practice is often confounded by blind adherence to a standard language ideology. The nature and repercussions of this type of linguistic discrimination are here explored. (Language and law, accent, discrimination, standard language ideology, critical language studies)*
Biosynthesis and Secretion of Pituitary Hormones: Dynamics and Regulation

Production and secretion of hormones by the pituitary involve highly orchestrated intracellular transport and sorting steps. Hormone precursors are routed through a series of compartments before being packaged in secretory granules. These highly dynamic carriers play crucial roles in both prohormone processing and peptide exocytosis. We have employed the ACTH-secreting AtT-20 cell line to study the membrane sorting events that confer functionality (prohormone activation and regulated exocytosis) to these secretory carriers. The unique ability of granules to promote prohormone processing is attributed to their acidic interior. Using a novel avidin-targeted fluorescence ratio imaging technique, we have found that the trans-Golgi of live AtT-20 cells maintains a mildly acidic (approximately pH 6.2) interior. Budding of secretory granules causes the lumen to acidify to <pH 6.0, which is both necessary and sufficient to trigger SPC3-mediated proteolytic conversion of proopiomelanocortin to ACTH. Investigation of the pH regulatory mechanism indicates that the trans-Golgi and secretory granules maintain different pH values by distinct sorting of key membrane transporters. Mathematical modeling of our data suggests that the decreasing pH values of organelles of the regulated secretory pathway is established by gradually increasing the density of active H+ pumps from the ER to Golgi while concomitantly decreasing the H+ permeability from ER to Golgi to secretory granules. An in vitro assay was developed to study the formation of processing-competent secretory granules from their processing-incompetent precursor trans-Golgi compartment. Our data suggest that ARF1-mediated sorting of proton pumps and leaks during early stages of granule formation confers processing competency to the resulting organelle. Once formed, these young granules continue to undergo membrane remodeling which results in dynamic changes in their exocytotic behavior. Two SNAREs, VAMP4 and synaptotagmin IV, enter newly formed granules but are removed from the maturing granule membrane by vesicle budding. Sorting of these proteins is correlated with the acquisition of Ca2+-triggered exocytosis and a decrease in unregulated exocytotic rate. Thus, biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary hormones are dynamically regulated by intracellular sorting events that govern the functions of their secretory carriers.
Coffee exports as ecological, social, and physical unequal exchange: A cross-national investigation of the java trade

This study employs an unequal exchange perspective to assess if dependency on coffee exports in less-developed nations significantly impacts rates of deforestation, secondary schooling, and malnutrition, capturing specific dimensions of environmental, social, and physical well-being. OLS regression analyses reveal that dependency on coffee exports is positively associated with deforestation, malnutrition, and low participation in secondary level education in coffee-producing nations, net of other relevant factors. The findings thus demonstrate that specialization in coffee cultivation is likely to produce limited developmental benefits in poor nations.
A factor graph approach to iterative channel estimation and LDPC decoding over fading channels

This letter provides a comparative study of joint channel estimation and low-density parity-check decoding algorithms for flat Rayleigh fading channels based on the receiver factor graphs. Two approaches for joint channel estimation and decoding are proposed. Intensive simulation studies are carried out to evaluate the receiver sensitivity to the choice of the factor graph. Results show that when channel statistical information is not available at the receiver, a low-pass filtering approach gives a more robust and simpler solution, and it is only 0.5 dB worse than the optimum Wiener filtering. All methods have about 2 dB improvements over the noniterative receivers.
Controlled multibatch self-assembly of microdevices

A technique is described for assembly of multiple batches of micro components onto a single substrate. The substrate is prepared with hydrophobic alkanethiol-coated gold binding sites. To perform assembly, a hydrocarbon oil, which is applied to the substrate, wets exclusively the hydrophobic binding sites in water. Micro components are then added to the water, and assembled on the oil-wetted binding sites. Moreover, assembly can be controlled to take place on desired binding sites by using an electrochemical method to deactivate specific substrate binding sites. By repeatedly applying this technique, different batches of micro components can be sequentially assembled to a single substrate. As a post assembly procedure, electroplating is incorporated into the technique to establish electrical connections for assembled components. Important issues presented are: substrate fabrication techniques, electrochemical modulation by using a suitable alkanethiol (dodecanethiol), electroplating of tin and lead alloy and binding site design simulations. Finally, we demonstrate a two-batch assembly of silicon square parts, and establishing electrical connectivity for assembled surface-mount light emitting diodes (LEDs) by electroplating.
Asset Valuations and Safe Portfolio Withdrawal Rates

Bond yields today are well below and stock market valuations are well above their historical average. There are no historical periods in the United States where comparable low bond yields and high equity valuations have occurred simultaneously. Both current bond yields and stock values have been shown to predict near-term returns. Portfolio returns in the first decade of retirement have an outsize impact on retirement income strategies. Traditional Monte Carlo simulation approaches generally do not incorporate market valuations into their analysis. In order to simulate how retirees will fare in a low return environment for both stocks and bonds, we incorporate the predictive ability of current valuations to simulate its impact on retirement portfolios.We estimate bond returns through an autoregressive model that uses an initial bond yield value where yields drift in the future. We use the cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio as an estimate of market valuation to predict short-run stock performance. Our simulations indicate that the safety of a given withdrawal strategy is significantly affected by the initial bond yield and CAPE value at retirement, and that the relative impact varies based on the portfolio equity allocation. Using valuation measures current as of April 15, 2013, which is a bond yield of 2.0% and a CAPE of 22, we find the probability of success for a 40% equity allocation with a 4% initial withdrawal rate over a 30 year period is approximately 48%. This success rate is materially lower than past studies and has sobering implications on the likelihood of success for retirees today, as well as how much those near retirement may need to save to ensure a successful retirement.
The constancy of cortical units in tetrahymena with varying numbers of ciliary rows

The number of cortical units per ciliary row, estimated by counts of argentophilic elements in Chatton-Lwoff preparations, declines as the number of ciliary rows rises. The total number of cortical units in the entire cell is not demonstrably correlated with the number of ciliary rows. These observations imply that the mechanisms governing the total supply of cortical units are independent of the mechanisms governing their spatial deployment.
While You're Away: a system for load-balancing and resource sharing based on mobile agents

While You're Away (WYA) is a distributed system that aggregates the computational power of individual computer systems. WYA introduces the notion of roaming computations-Java-based programs that move around the network utilizing the resources of idle workstations. WYA provides architectural independence and addresses issues of convenience, security and incentive for owners of workstations. WYA is based on the NOMADS mobile agent system, which uses the Aroma Virtual Machine (VM) to provide strong mobility, resource control, and resource accounting. WYA currently runs on Win32 and UNIX workstations but is being extended to work on other computational devices such as television set-top boxes, video game consoles, and Internet appliances.
Sublingual atropine for the treatment of severe and hyoscine-resistant clozapine-induced sialorrhea

Sialorrhea is a common adverse effect of clozapine therapy, which may increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, a potentially life threatening condition. M4 agonism, α2 antagonism and impaired deglutition have been hypothesised as probable underlying mechanisms. A few previous case reports have shown topical atropine, an antimuscarinic agent, to be effective in the management of clozapine induced sialorrhea (CIS). Informed consent was received for publication of the following case material.
Discrimination of Single Transport Systems : The Na+-sensitive transport of neutral amino acids in the Ehrlich cell

Uptake of methionine, α-aminoisobutyric acid, and α-(methyl-amino)-isobutyric acid has been shown to occur by at least two transport systems, one sensitive and the other insensitive to the Na+ concentration. For α-aminoisobutyric acid and its N-methyl derivative, the Na+-insensitive uptake is not concentrative and its rate increases almost linearly with concentration within the range examined. In contrast, the Na+-insensitive uptake of methionine is concentrative and subject to inhibition by such amino acids as phenylalanine, leucine, and valine, although not in a manner to indicate that the uptake is mediated by a single agency. This component is not produced by a residual operation of the Na+-requiring transport system, handicapped by the absence of Na+ or by its having combined with α-aminoisobutyric acid. The increase in the rate of methionine uptake is linear with concentration only above about 16 mM methionine. The Na+-sensitive uptakes of methionine, α-aminoisobutyric, and α-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid appear to occur by the same population of transport-mediating sites. Both Km and Vmax of the Na+-sensitive uptake of these three amino acids change with changes in the concentration of Na+, an effect which is shown to have a theoretical basis. A similarity in the values of Vmax for ten amino acids entering principally by the Na+-sensitive agency indicates that differences in their Km values probably measure differences in their affinities for that transport-mediating system.
Detecting and Adapting to Parameter Changes for Reduced Models of Dynamic Data-driven Application Systems

Abstract We consider the task of dynamic capability estimation for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which is needed to provide the vehicle with the ability to dynamically and autonomously sense, plan, and act in real time. Our dynamic data-driven application systems framework employs reduced models to achieve rapid evaluation runtimes. Our reduced models must also adapt to underlying dynamic system changes, such as changes due to structural damage or degradation of the system. Our dynamic reduced models take into account changes in the underlying system by directly learning from the data provided by sensors, without requiring access to the original high-fidelity model. We present here an adaptivity indicator that detects a change in the underlying system and so allows the initiation of the dynamic reduced modeling adaptation if necessary. The adaptivity indicator monitors the error of the dynamic reduced model by comparing model predictions with sensor data, and signals a change if the error exceeds a given threshold. The indicator is demonstrated on a deflection model of a damaged plate in bending. Local damage of the plate is modeled by a change in the thickness of the plate. The numerical results show that in this example the adaptivity indicator detects all changes in the thickness and correctly initiates the adaptation of the reduced model.
Cardiovascular effects of homologous bradykinin in rainbow trout

Bradykinins have only recently been identified in fish, and a detailed analysis of their cardiovascular actions is lacking. The present study examines the cardiovascular effects of trout bradykinin ([Arg0,Trp5,Leu8]bradykinin; tBK) in conscious trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. tBK (1-10 nmol/kg body wt bolus) produced triphasic pressor-depressor-pressor responses. In phase 1, cardiac output (CO), ventral aortic (P(VA)), dorsal aortic (P(DA)), and central venous pressure increased, whereas systemic (R(S)) and gill resistance (R(G)) were unchanged. In phase 2, R(G) increased, whereas R(S), CO, and heart rate decreased, reducing P(VA) and P(DA). Plasma prostaglandin E2 and the prostacyclin metabolite, 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha, were significantly elevated during phase 2, whereas leukotrienes C4 and B4 and thromboxane B2 were unaffected. Phase 3 was produced by an increased CO and R(S) and the return of R(G) to control. Phase 1 pressor response was not blocked by inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) or alpha-adrenoceptors (alpha-AD), whereas phase 2 depressor and plasma prostaglandin responses were prevented by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Phase 3 was partially blocked by ACE and alpha-AD inhibitors and is a response to the preceding hypotension. In vitro, tBK only decreased vascular resistance in the perfused splanchnic or skeletal muscle-kidney preparations. These results show that although tBK has multiple effects on the trout cardiovascular system, none of the effects are due to direct tBK stimulation of vascular smooth muscle. Phase 2 vasodilation has features consistent with release of vasodilator prostaglandins while the mechanism of phase 1 constriction is unknown.
Isolated Handwritten Bangla Character Recognition using 1D Discrete Wavelet Transform

Bangla is one of the most popular scripts in the Indian sub-continent and a good percentage of the Indian population write Bangla on a regular basis. For the automatic recognition of the contents of such handwritten Bangla documents it is essential to develop a robust OCR for Bangla characters. In this vein this paper presents a new method for the recognition of isolated Bangla handwritten character using 1D wavelet transform on the projection profile of the handwritten characters. The system complexity decreases considerably.
Behavioral reactivity to stress: Amplification of stress-induced noradrenergic activation elicits a galanin-mediated anxiolytic effect in central amygdala

Brain norepinephrine (NE) modulates many aspects of the stress response. The interaction between NE and neuropeptides such as galanin, with which it is closely associated and which may be released from noradrenergic terminals under conditions of high activity, has not been well studied. We therefore investigated the modulatory effects of galanin in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) on behavioral responsivity to stress when activation of the noradrenergic system was amplified using the adrenergic autoreceptor antagonist yohimbine (2.5 mg/kg ip). Either immobilization stress or yohimbine alone had anxiogenic effects on rat behavior in the elevated plus maze. However, yohimbine pretreatment before stress produced a paradoxical anxiolytic response, which we hypothesized was attributable to galanin release in CeA. Microdialysis verified that yohimbine amplified NE release in CeA during immobilization stress, and also showed that whereas there was no detectable change in galanin release in CeA during stress alone, there was an increase during immobilization stress after yohimbine pretreatment. Bilateral administration of the galanin antagonist M40 into CeA before stress blocked the anxiolytic influence of yohimbine pretreatment. Exogenous galanin mimicked the anxiolytic effect of yohimbine pretreatment, and this too was blocked by M40. These results suggest that amplifying the noradrenergic response to stress can recruit galanin release in CeA, which buffers the anxiety-like behavioral response to acute stress. The balance between noradrenergic and peptidergic neurotransmission may be modified by prior stress, drug treatment or genetic variability, and may represent a novel target for treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
Polymer Colloids as Model Systems for Studying Rheology of Dispersions

Interest in the rheological behavior of polymer colloids is both practical and theoretical. Many commercial plastics are originally polymerized as dispersions in aqueous or nonaqueous media. The resulting polymer colloids may be coagulated directly to form bulk polymer, or they may be blended with pigments, fillers and/or soluble binders to form coatings, adhesives, sealants, foams, etc. Rheology is important in both polymerization and subsequent processing. Practical systems range from simple dispersions of spherical particles to formulations which contain particles of different kinds together with stabilizing polymers and/or surfactants.
Cortical thickness of neural substrates supporting cognitive empathy in individuals with schizophrenia

Abstract Background Cognitive empathy is supported by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC), insula (INS), supplementary motor area (SMA), right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), and precuneus (PREC). In healthy controls, cortical thickness in these regions has been linked to cognitive empathy. As cognitive empathy is impaired in schizophrenia, we examined whether reduced cortical thickness in these regions was associated with poorer cognitive empathy in this population. Methods 41 clinically-stable community-dwelling individuals with schizophrenia and 46 healthy controls group-matched on demographic variables completed self-report empathy questionnaires, a cognitive empathy task, and structural magnetic resonance imaging. We examined between-group differences in study variables using t -tests and analyses of variance. Next, we used Pearson correlations to evaluate the relationship between cognitive empathy and cortical thickness in the mPFC, IFG, aMCC, INS, SMA, TPJ, and PREC in both groups. Results Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated cortical thinning in the IFG, INS, SMA, TPJ, and PREC (all p p p p > 0.10). Conclusions Individuals with schizophrenia have reduced cortical thickness in empathy-related neural regions and significant impairments in cognitive empathy. Interestingly, cortical thickness was related to cognitive empathy in controls but not in the schizophrenia group. We discuss other mechanisms that may account for cognitive empathy impairment in schizophrenia.