Recognition of paper currencies by hybrid neural network

For the recognition of paper currencies by image processing, the two steps data processing approach can yield high performance. The two steps include “recognition” and “verification” steps. In the current recognition machine, a simple statistical test is used as the verification step, where univariate Gaussian distribution is employed. Here we propose the use of the probability density formed by a multivariable Gaussian function, where the input data space is transferred to a lower dimensional subspace. Due to the structure of this model, we refer the total processing system as a hybrid neural network. Since the computation of the verification model only needs the inner product and square, the computational load is very small. In this paper, the method and numerical experimental results are shown by using the real data and the recognition machine</p

Local Connections of Layer 5 GABAergic Interneurons to Corticospinal Neurons

In the local circuit of the cerebral cortex, GABAergic inhibitory interneurons are considered to work in collaboration with excitatory neurons. Although many interneuron subgroups have been described in the cortex, local inhibitory connections of each interneuron subgroup are only partially understood with respect to the functional neuron groups that receive these inhibitory connections. In the present study, we morphologically examined local inhibitory inputs to corticospinal neurons (CSNs) in motor areas using transgenic rats in which GABAergic neurons expressed fluorescent protein Venus. By analysis of biocytin-filled axons obtained with whole-cell recording/staining in cortical slices, we classified fast-spiking (FS) neurons in layer (L) 5 into two types, FS1 and FS2, by their high and low densities of axonal arborization, respectively. We then investigated the connections of FS1, FS2, somatostatin (SOM)-immunopositive, and other (non-FS/non-SOM) interneurons to CSNs that were retrogradely labeled in motor areas. When close appositions between the axon boutons of the intracellularly labeled interneurons and the somata/dendrites of the retrogradely labeled CSNs were examined electron-microscopically, 74% of these appositions made symmetric synaptic contacts. The axon boutons of single FS1 neurons were two- to fourfold more frequent in appositions to the somata/dendrites of CSNs than those of FS2, SOM, and non-FS/non-SOM neurons. Axosomatic appositions were most frequently formed with axon boutons of FS1 and FS2 neurons (approximately 30%) and least frequently formed with those of SOM neurons (7%). In contrast, SOM neurons most extensively sent axon boutons to the apical dendrites of CSNs. These results might suggest that motor outputs are controlled differentially by the subgroups of L5 GABAergic interneurons in cortical motor areas

Functional Lateralization of Speech Processing in Adults and Children Who Stutter

Developmental stuttering is a speech disorder in fluency characterized by repetitions, prolongations, and silent blocks, especially in the initial parts of utterances. Although their symptoms are motor related, people who stutter show abnormal patterns of cerebral hemispheric dominance in both anterior and posterior language areas. It is unknown whether the abnormal functional lateralization in the posterior language area starts during childhood or emerges as a consequence of many years of stuttering. In order to address this issue, we measured the lateralization of hemodynamic responses in the auditory cortex during auditory speech processing in adults and children who stutter, including preschoolers, with near-infrared spectroscopy. We used the analysis–resynthesis technique to prepare two types of stimuli: (i) a phonemic contrast embedded in Japanese spoken words (/itta/ vs. /itte/) and (ii) a prosodic contrast (/itta/ vs. /itta?/). In the baseline blocks, only /itta/ tokens were presented. In phonemic contrast blocks, /itta/ and /itte/ tokens were presented pseudo-randomly, and /itta/ and /itta?/ tokens in prosodic contrast blocks. In adults and children who do not stutter, there was a clear left-hemispheric advantage for the phonemic contrast compared to the prosodic contrast. Adults and children who stutter, however, showed no significant difference between the two stimulus conditions. A subject-by-subject analysis revealed that not a single subject who stutters showed a left advantage in the phonemic contrast over the prosodic contrast condition. These results indicate that the functional lateralization for auditory speech processing is in disarray among those who stutter, even at preschool age. These results shed light on the neural pathophysiology of developmental stuttering

GABA-containing sympathetic preganglionic neurons in rat thoracic spinal cord send their axons to the superior cervical ganglion.

GABA-containing fibers have been observed in the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and, to a lesser extent, in the stellate ganglion (STG). The aim of present study is to clarify the source of these fibers. No cell body showed mRNAs for glutamic acid decarboxylases (GADs) or immunoreactivity for GAD of 67 kDa (GAD67) in the cervical sympathetic chain. Thus, GABA-containing fibers in the ganglia are suggested to be of extraganglionic origin. Since GAD67-immunoreactive fibers were found not in the dorsal roots or ganglia, but in the ventral roots, GABA-containing fibers in the sympathetic ganglia were considered to originate from the spinal cord. Furthermore, almost all GAD67-immunoreactive fibers in the sympathetic ganglia showed immunoreactivity for vesicular acetylcholine transporter, suggesting that GABA was utilized by some cholinergic preganglionic neurons. This was confirmed by the following results: 1) after injection of Sindbis/palGFP virus into the intermediolateral nucleus, some anterogradely labeled fibers in the SCG were immunopositive for GAD67, and 2) after injection of fluorogold into the SCG, some retrogradely labeled neurons in the thoracic spinal cord were positive for GAD67 mRNA. Finally, when the ventral roots of the eighth cervical to the fourth thoracic segments were cut, almost all GAD67- and GABA-immunoreactive fibers disappeared from the ipsilateral SCG and STG, suggesting that the vast majority of GABA-containing fibers in those ganglia were of spinal origin. Thus, the present findings strongly indicate that some sympathetic preganglionic neurons are not only cholinergic, but also GABAegi

Prevalence of Masked Obesity Associated with Lifestyle-Related Habits, Dietary Habits, and Energy Metabolism in Japanese Young Women

We investigated the prevalence of Masked Obesity (MO) and the correlations between MO and lifestylerelated habits (e.g., exercise habits, dieting habits), dietary habits, energy metabolism, and seasons. The subjects were 131 young Japanese college students. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance method and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) was measured by an indirect calorimeter. Subjects with a BMI in the normal range (n=110) were divided into the MO (percentage of body fat to Body Weight [BF]≥30%) and control (C) (BF&lt;30%) groups. Dietary energy and nutrient intakes were calculated from weighed dietary records. A questionnaire on lifestyle habits was obtained individually from the subjects. The percentage of MO was 32% of subjects within normal BMI. The prevalence of MO was the highest in winter, probably due to accumulation of body fat as an adaptation to cold. The MO group had low Fat-Free Mass (FFM) and high BF. RMR of the MO group was significantly lower than that of the C group. The MO group tended to have poor exercise habits, more dieting (restricting calorie intake) experiences and consumed a diet with less vegetables and beans. We concluded that the prevalence of MO was 32%; it was the highest in winter for subjects who had high fat and low FFM. This fact may be due to poor exercise, more dieting experiences and insufficient intake of vegetables and beans. Furthermore, this accumulation of body fat may be partly due to low RMR

Vitamin K deficiency, evaluated with higher serum ucOC, was correlated with poor bone status in women

BACKGROUND: An increase in serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations suggests vitamin K deficiency. Clinical intervention studies suggested that the vitamin K supplementation might contribute to preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women. Evidence on the relationship between serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) levels and bone parameters of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is limited. We examined the correlation between serum ucOC concentrations and bone status as measured by QUS among middle-aged and older Japanese men and women. METHODS: The subjects were community-dwelling men (n = 358) and women (n = 503) aged ? 40?years in Japan. Heel QUS parameters, including the stiffness index, speed of sound, and broadband ultrasound attenuation, were measured. Serum ucOC concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Grip strength was measured in the dominant hand. Information on alcohol drinking, current smoking, exercise, and menopause in women was collected. RESULTS: Serum ucOC concentrations were significantly associated with age in both sexes. Serum ucOC concentrations in men were higher at ? 80?years than those in the age groups of 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69?years. Serum ucOC concentrations in women were higher in the age groups of 50-59 and 60-69?years than those at 40-49?years. Partial correlation analysis adjusting for covariates (age, body mass index, grip strength, alcohol drinking, current smoking, and exercise in men; age, body mass index, grip strength, alcohol drinking, current smoking, exercise, and menopause in women) showed that serum ucOC concentrations were negatively significantly correlated with all QUS parameters in women. Serum ucOC concentrations were not correlated with them in men. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K deficiency, evaluated with higher serum ucOC, was correlated with poor bone status in women

Roxithromycin Specifically Inhibits Development of Collagen Induced Arthritis and Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Human T Cells and Macrophages

ABSTRACT. Objective. Roxithromycin (RXM) is a macrolide antibiotic that is effective in treatment of chronic lower respiratory tract diseases including diffuse panbronchiolitis and bronchial asthma. Its mechanism of action apart from its antibacterial action remains unclear. To determine the mechanism of action of RXM, we evaluated the effect of RXM on T cell functions and the inflammatory responses in mice with collagen induced arthritis (CIA). Methods. T cell proliferation, cytokine production by T cells stimulated through CD28, CD26, or PMA with or without anti-CD3 Mab, cytokine production by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, and transendothelial migration of T cells were analyzed in the presence or absence of various concentrations of RXM. We evaluated the effect of RXM treatment in collagen induced arthritis in mice. Results. RXM did not affect the production of Th1-type and Th2-type cytokines, whereas it specifically inhibited production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) by T cells and macrophages. RXM inhibited T cell migration. We found that RXM treatment of mice with CIA reduced the severity of arthritis and serum level of IL-6, as well as leukocyte migration into the affected joints and destruction of bones and cartilage. Conclusion. Our findings strongly suggest that RXM may be useful for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis as well as other inflammatory diseases such as Crohn&apos;s disease. (J Rheumatol 2005; 32:1765-74