The War Against Drug Producers

This paper develops a model of a war against the producers of illegal hard drugs. This war occurs on two fronts. First, to prevent the cultivation of crops that are the raw material for producing drugs the state engages the drug producers in conflict over the control of arable land. Second, to impede further the production and exportation of drugs the state attempts to eradicate crops and to interdict drug shipments. The model also includes an interested outsider who uses both a stick and a carrot to strengthen the resolve of the state in its war against drug producers. The results of the calibration of the model yield an estimate that from 2001 through 2003 subsidies from the United States to the Colombian armed forces under Plan Colombia caused a decrease in the exportation of drugs from Colombia to about 44 percent of what exportation was before Plan Colombia was implemented. The results of the calibration of the model also suggests that a more efficient allocation of the about $2 billion that the United States spent on Plan Colombia through 2003 would have involved larger subsidies to the conflict over control of arable land and smaller subsidies to eradication and interdiction efforts.

Characterization of a high strain composite material

L'Garde has designed and developed a high-strain composite material consisting of car- bon FIbers embedded in a silicone matrix. The behavior of this material is significantly different from standard composites and the paper presents special test methods to measure the properties of this material. It is found that rule of mixtures estimates are quite accurate for the longitudinal moduli in tension and bending, but less accurate for compression. The Poisson's ratio prediction is also not accurate. Regarding the strength of the composite, it is found that conservative predictions of tensile and compressive strengths can be obtained respectively from the Weibull distribution of the strength of a single fiber combined with a simple bundle theory, and the elastic fiber microbuckling stress

Third quantization: a general method to solve master equations for quadratic open Fermi systems

The Lindblad master equation for an arbitrary quadratic system of n fermions is solved explicitly in terms of diagonalization of a 4n x 4n matrix, provided that all Lindblad bath operators are linear in the fermionic variables. The method is applied to the explicit construction of non-equilibrium steady states and the calculation of asymptotic relaxation rates in the far from equilibrium problem of heat and spin transport in a nearest neighbor Heisenberg XY spin 1/2 chain in a transverse magnetic field.Comment: 24 pages, with 8 eps figures - few minor corrections to the published version, e.g. anti-symmetrizing the matrix given by eq. (27

Exact solution of Markovian master equations for quadratic fermi systems: thermal baths, open XY spin chains, and non-equilibrium phase transition

We generalize the method of third quantization to a unified exact treatment of Redfield and Lindblad master equations for open quadratic systems of n fermions in terms of diagonalization of 4n x 4n matrix. Non-equilibrium thermal driving in terms of the Redfield equation is analyzed in detail. We explain how to compute all physically relevant quantities, such as non-equilibrium expectation values of local observables, various entropies or information measures, or time evolution and properties of relaxation. We also discuss how to exactly treat explicitly time dependent problems. The general formalism is then applied to study a thermally driven open XY spin 1/2 chain. We find that recently proposed non-equilibrium quantum phase transition in the open XY chain survives the thermal driving within the Redfield model. In particular, the phase of long-range magnetic correlations can be characterized by hypersensitivity of the non-equilibrium-steady state to external (bath or bulk) parameters. Studying the heat transport we find negative thermal conductance for sufficiently strong thermal driving, as well as non-monotonic dependence of the heat current on the strength of the bath coupling.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, submitted to New Journal of Physics, Focus issue "Quantum Information and Many-Body Theory

Damage Patterns/Response of Deep Stiff Clay in Oakland

The 1985 Mexico City earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake provided well-documented evidence of the effect of local ground conditions on site response and damage patterns. Deep soft clay deposits, in particular, were often cited as the culprit of amplified ground motions. However, during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, ground accelerations in the downtown Oakland area were amplified by a factor of two to four and a significant number of structures were heavily damaged, despite the fact that much of the area is underlain by deposits of deep stiff clay. A preliminary review of damage patterns in the Oakland area and preliminary site response analyses were performed to investigate the influence of deep stiff clay deposits on the observed ground motions

Elevational richness patterns of sphingid moths support area effects over climatic drivers in a near‐global analysis

Not sure if this is the pre-refereed or final submitted version.Aim We test hypotheses on the environmental control of elevational richness patterns of sphingid moths for their global applicability and generality. Specifically, we compare effects of area with climate‐related drivers, such as primary productivity and temperature, while also considering direct effects of precipitation. Major taxa Sphingid moths (Lepidoptera). Location Eighty‐six mountain ranges of the Old World and the Australia/Pacific region, from Scandinavia and Siberia through the African and Australasian tropics to South Africa and Southern Australia. Methods We used a large compilation of point locality records for 744 species, in addition to fine‐grained range maps derived from species distribution modelling of these records, to characterize the elevational pattern of species richness in 86 custom‐delineated mountain regions. For both types of data, we compared the effects of environmental drivers on richness by comparing standardized coefficients of multivariate models for pooled data after accounting for between‐region variation in richness. Results We observed varying patterns of elevational richness across the research region, with a higher prevalence of midpeaks in arid regions. We found overwhelming support for area as a main determinant of richness, modulated by temperature and productivity, whereas we detected no effect of precipitation. Main conclusions Area, productivity and temperature are the main environmental predictors explaining a large proportion of variability in sphingid richness. This is consistent not only with other elevational studies, but also with empirical and theoretical biodiversity research in a non‐elevational context (with the caveat of some unresolved issues in elevational area effects). However, distinct differences in elevational patterns remain even within the same mountain ranges when comparing with other Lepidoptera, that is, geometrid moths, which highlights the importance of understanding higher clade differentiation in ecological responses, within insects and in other groups.© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Bärtschi, F, McCain, CM, Ballesteros‐Mejia, L, Kitching, IJ, Beerli, N, Beck, J. Elevational richness patterns of sphingid moths support area effects over climatic drivers in a near‐global analysis. Global Ecol Biogeogr. 2019; 28: 917– 927. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12903, which has been published in final form at doi:10.1111/geb.12903. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

Death receptor 5 expression is inversely correlated with prostate cancer progression.

Prostate carcinoma (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been widely used to predict the outcome of PCa and screening with PSA has resulted in a decline in mortality. However, PSA is not an optimal prognostic tool as its sensitivity may be too low to reduce morbidity and mortality. Consequently, there is a demand for additional robust biomarkers for prostate cancer. Death receptor 5 (DR5) has been implicated in the prognosis of several cancers and it has been previously shown that it is negatively regulated by Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in prostate cancer cell lines. The present study investigated the clinical significance of DR5 expression in a prostate cancer patient cohort and its correlation with YY1 expression. Immunohistochemical analysis of protein expression distribution was performed using tissue microarray constructs from 54 primary PCa and 39 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) specimens. DR5 expression was dramatically reduced as a function of higher tumor grade. By contrast, YY1 expression was elevated in PCa tumors as compared with that in PIN, and was increased with higher tumor grade. DR5 had an inverse correlation with YY1 expression. Bioinformatic analyses corroborated these data. The present findings suggested that DR5 and YY1 expression levels may serve as progression biomarkers for prostate cancer

The Disability Burden Associated With Stroke Emerges Before Stroke Onset and Differentially Affects Blacks: Results From the Health and Retirement Study Cohort

Background. Few longitudinal studies compare changes in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among stroke-free adults to prospectively document IADL changes among adults who experience a stroke. We contrast annual declines in IADL independence for older individuals who remain stroke-free to those for individuals who experienced a stroke. We also assess whether these patterns differ by sex, race, or Southern birthplace. Methods. Health and Retirement Study participants who were stroke-free in 1998 (n = 17,741) were followed through 2010 (average follow-up = 8.9 years) for self- or proxy-reported stroke. We used logistic regressions to compare annual changes in odds of self-reported independence in six IADLs among those who remained stroke-free throughout follow-up (n = 15,888), those who survived a stroke (n = 1,412), and those who had a stroke and did not survive to participate in another interview (n = 442). We present models adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic covariates and also stratified on sex, race, and Southern birthplace. Results. Compared with similar cohort members who remained stroke-free, participants who developed stroke had faster declines in IADL independence and a lower probability of IADL independence prior to the stroke. After a stroke, independence declined at an annual rate similar to those who did not have a stroke. The black-white disparity in IADL independence narrowed poststroke. Conclusion. Racial differences in IADL independence are apparent long before stroke onset. Poststroke differences in IADL independence largely reflect pre stroke disparities

Módulos de entrenamiento para la medición y adquisición de datos (Módulo de visión)

The Project proposes a design for the implementation of a laboratory tool which aims to contribute toward a solution for the current defecit in methods of student training in electrical engineering in the National University of Engineering. As well as in the area of industrial automatization, specifically in the acquisition and processing of images. The system of artificial vision to be implemented has the capacity to allow for different practical studies in the areas of acquisition and image processing. Included in the application are the following: the detection of manufacturing faults in different products, such as, electrical fuses integrated within HSIP capping, circular objects etc; Information on bar codes; Visual character recognition; Visual oversight of analogical, digital indicators (LCD). The hardware components meet the regulation standards IEEE 1394 (Sensor and Acquisition Hardware) and the processing software is implemented using the platform of LabVIEW. Different scenarios have been incorporated into the hardware component. These include, camera position, amount of illumination in relation to the object under scrutiny and guaranteed acquisition of data with which to evaluate and compare use and application. The software exemplifies the different methods and algorithms of image processing, recreating applications which are typically found in Nicaraguan Industry. To ensure the greatest advantage and adequate use, the necessary documentation regarding use and maintainance of the system is included. Keywords: Viewing machines; image processing; quality control; data acquisition.DOI: 10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 2009En este artículo se presenta el proyecto de diseño e implementación de una herramienta de laboratorio, que pretende contribuir a solucionar el déficit existente de medios de entrenamiento para los estudiantes de la carrera de Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. El proyecto está enmarcado dentro del área de automatización industrial, específicamente en la adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. El sistema de Visión Artificial implementado tiene capacidad de permitir la realización de diferentes prácticas en el área de adquisición y procesamiento de imágenes. Entre las aplicaciones que este sistema ofrece se destacan: Detección de fallas en la fabricación de diferentes productos tales como: Fusibles, Integrados con encapsulado HSIP, Objetos circulares, etc; Lectura de códigos de barras; Reconocimiento óptico de caracteres; Supervisión óptica de indicadores digitales (LCD) y analógicos. Los componentes de hardware cumplen con los estándares de la norma IEEE 1394 (Sensor y Hardware de Adquisición) y el software de procesamiento se implementó utilizando la plataforma LabVIEW. Dentro de los componentes del hardware, se diseñaron diferentes escenarios que incluyeron la posición de la cámara y la cantidad de iluminación en función del objeto a inspeccionar y que a su vez garantizó la adquisición adecuada de los datos, lo que permitió evaluar y contrastar sus usos y aplicaciones. Por su parte el software, ejemplifica los diferentes métodos y algoritmos de procesamiento de imágenes, recreando aplicaciones comunes en la industria nicaragüense. Para asegurar el aprovechamiento y uso adecuado del sistema se incluyó la documentación necesaria para conocer el sistema, lo cual es necesario para su correcto uso y mantenimiento. Palabras claves: maquinas de visión; procesamiento de imágenes; control de calidad; adquisición de datos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v22i2.43Nexo: Revista Científica Vol. 22, No. 02, pp.56-60/Diciembre 200

Effect of two protein sources of different rumen degradability on growth and digestive processes in beef cattle

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of two dietary protein sources on liveweight gain, ruminal fermentation and digestion kinetics of beef cattle. In the first trial, 100 young Salers bulls (200 1.72 kg BW) and 60 Salers heifers (207 2.16 kg BW) were blocked by initial body weight in pairs and randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 1) grazing in rye grass-oat pasture, oat hay and a ruminal degradable protein supplement (RDP); and 2) rye grass-oat pasture, oat hay and a ruminal undegradable protein supplement (RUDP). No differences between treatments were observed (p>0.05) in daily gain over a 112 d feeding period, which presumably means that the nitrogen requirements of the animals were met with both diets. In the second study four steers with ruminal and duodenal cannula were assigned to a Latin square design 4 X 4. The treatments were: T0, a control diet with RDP using a poultry manure-urea supplement; T150, a diet with a low level of RUDP (150 g/d of blood meal); T300, a diet with a intermediate level of RUDP (300 g/d of blood meal); and T450, a diet with a high level of RUDP (450 g/d of blood meal). In general, all the treatments presented a similar pattern in ruminal fermentation, liquid and solid kinetics, digestion, outflow of nutrientes to the duodenum and microbial protein synthesis