cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Observations On Design Issues in Large-Scale Social Experiments

A number of important methodological issues have emerged from recent large-scale social experiments which have an important bearing on the ultimate usefulness of such research for policy determination This paper discusses a number of these design issues in the context of the New Jersey Income Maintenance Experiment, focusing on the importance of the shift from .conventional to optimal designs for experiments with inherently costly treatments. Risks of optimal designs lie in the possible misspecification of the response surface and the exclusion of important secondary objectives which may be politically important to policy use. The conclusion is that experimentation is a costly research method which compels optimal designs in order to identify generally small treatment effects at the usual significance levels.
Covering compacta by discrete and other separated sets

Article history: We show that if a space X is the union of not more than κ-many discrete subspaces, where κ is an infinite cardinal, then the same holds for any perfect image of X. It follows that a compact Hausdorff space with no isolated points can never be covered by fewer than continuum many discrete subspaces; this answers a question of I. Juhasz and J. van Mill. We also consider coverings by right-separated and left-separated subspaces. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Proteome analysis: Biological assay or data archive?

In this review we examine the current state of proteome analysis. There are three main issues discussed: why it is necessary to study proteomes; how proteomes can be analyzed with current technology; and how proteome analysis can be used to enhance biological research. We conclude that proteome analysis is an essential tool in the understanding of regulated biological systems. Current technology, while still mostly limited to the more abundant proteins, enables the use of proteome analysis both to establish databases of proteins present, and to perform biological assays involving measurement of multiple variables. We believe that the utility of proteome analysis in future biological research will continue to be enhanced by further improvements in analytical technology.
Abscisic Acid Content of Spinach in Relation to Photoperiod and Water Stress

Levels of (+)-abscisic acid present in the long-day plant spinach (Spinacia oleracea L., cv. Savoy Hybrid 612) grown under different photoperiodic regimes were measured in purified extracts by optical rotary dispersion. When plants were transferred from short to long days, the abscisic acid content increased 2- to 3-fold. This rise in the level of abscisic acid took place during the 1st long day. Abscisic acid levels of plants under short days as well as under long-day conditions were higher at the end of the 8-hour high intensity light period than at its beginning.The growth retardant AMO-1618 [2'-isopropyl-4'-(trimethyl-ammonium chloride)-5'-methylphenyl piperidine-1-carboxylate], which strongly reduces the gibberellin content of spinach under long days, did not affect the abscisic acid content.When water was withheld from plants until wilting symptoms appeared, the abscisic acid content increased more than 10-fold over that of turgid plants. There was no evidence that the sudden rise of abscisic acid level during wilting was due to release from a water-soluble bound form.Bioassays of crude acidic extracts in the wheat coleoptile section test did not indicate the presence of other specific growth inhibitors besides abscisic acid. It is concluded that abscisic acid does not function as an endogenous regulator of stem growth and flower formation in the long-day plant spinach.
Characterization and functionality of cell surface molecules on human mesenchymal stem cells.

We have characterized adhesion molecules on the surface of multipotential human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and identified molecules whose ligands are present on mature hematopoietic cells. Flow cytometric analysis of hMSCs identified the expression of integrins: α1, α2, α3, α5, α6, αv, β1, β3, and β4, in addition to ICAM-1, ICAM-2, VCAM-1, CD72, and LFA-3. Exposure of hMSCs to IL-1α, TNFα or IFNγ up-modulated ICAM-1 surface expression, whereas only IFNγ increased both HLA-class I and -class II molecules on the cell surface. Whole cell-binding assays between the hMSCs and hematopoietic cell lines showed that T lymphocytic lines bound hMSCs with higher affinity than lines of either B lymphocytes or those of myeloid lineage. Experiments using autologous T lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed that hMSCs exhibited increased affinity for activated T-lymphocytes compared to resting T cells by quantitative whole cell binding and rosetting assays. Flow cytometric analysis of rosetted cells demonstrated that both CD4+ and CD8+ cells bound to hMSCs. To determine the functional significance of these findings, we tested the ability of hMSCs to present antigen to T lymphocytes. hMSCs pulsed with tetanus toxoid stimulated proliferation and cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10, and IFNγ) in a tetanus-toxoid-specific T cell line. Maximal cytokine production correlated with maximal antigen-dependent proliferation. These data demonstrate physiological outcome as a consequence of interactions between hMSCs and human hematopoietic lineage cells, suggesting a role for hMSCs in vivo to influence both hematopoietic and immune function(s).
Solving the XOR and parity N problems using a single universal binary neuron

A universal binary neuron (UBN) operates with complex-valued weights and a complex-valued activation function, which is the function of the argument of the weighted sum. The activation function of the UBN separates a whole complex plane onto equal sectors, where the activation function is equal to either 1 or −1 depending on the sector parity (even or odd, respectively). Thus, the UBN output is determined by the argument of the weighted sum. This makes it possible the implementation of the nonlinearly separable (non-threshold) Boolean functions on a single neuron. Hence, the functionality of UBN is incompatibly higher than the functionality of the traditional perceptron. In this paper, we will consider a new modified learning algorithm for the UBN. We will show that classical nonlinearly separable problems XOR and Parity n can be easily solved using a single UBN, without any network. Finally, it will be considered how some other important nonlinearly separable problems may be solved using a single UBN.
The Political Economy of Adam Smith

Adam Smith and John Locke are the premier philosophers of modern Western civilization. Such stature is Smith’s in part because he comprehended and analysed the deepest levels of the newly developing industrial market economy.1 I propose to interpret Smith’s picture of the market economy in terms of his total system of thought and analysis. This system, with all its oppositions and tensions, comprises Smith’s solution to the problem of order, or of the organization and control of the economic system. Expressed somewhat differently, I shall inquire into the significance for economic policy of the central argument presented in the Wealth of Nations. Smith speaks to the ages, or at least he is still being heard in our age. What does he have to say on the most fundamental level? What is really going on in our economic system, according to Adam Smith?
On RO membrane and energy costs and associated incentives for future enhancements of membrane permeability

An analysis of the impact of increasing RO membrane permeability on the reduction in water desalination cost was carried out for RO desalting operated up to the limit imposed by the thermodynamic restriction. The premise of the present assessment is that, the current generation of high permeability RO membranes makes it feasible to carry out RO desalination up to the thermodynamic restriction limit. In this limit, the ratio of membrane to energy cost can be expressed as a function of the water recovery level and a dimensionless cost parameter that accounts for the purchase cost of electrical energy and membrane area, as well as feed water salinity, salt rejection requirement and membrane permeability. The present analysis suggests that, given the present day electrical energy and membrane prices, the benefit of developing membranes of even greater permeability is primarily at low water recoveries for inland brackish water desalting. At low water recoveries, however, there is typically an added cost associated with brine management for inland water desalting. In RO desalting of seawater, on the other hand, the specific cost (i.e., per permeate produced) of energy is much higher relative to the membrane cost, and there is lower economic incentive for developing higher permeability membranes if the objective is to lower the cost of seawater desalination. The analysis suggests that further significant improvement in RO membrane permeability is less likely to be the primary driver for a major reduction in the cost of seawater desalination. However, it is expected that significant reduction in RO water production cost can arise from a variety of other process improvements including, but not limited to, development of improved fouling-resistant membranes, more effective and lower feed pretreatment and brine management costs, optimization of process configuration and control schemes, as well as utilization of low cost renewable energy sources.
The primary process in the photolysis of hexafluoroacetone vapour V. Mechanistic considerations

Data presented in the previous parts of this series are discussed in terms of the mechanism adopted for the primary process and it is noted that the data follow the general trends predicted by that mechanism. Five independent tests applied to the data indicate that the vibrational relaxation in the S 1 state occurs by a cascade of weak collisions; although the number of stages involved cannot be determined with precision, it is unlikely to exceed five. Rate constants are evaluated from the data for reactions (4) to (9). A reasonably reliable value of E 8 = 16 kcal/mole was obtained. The value of A s suggests that the decomposition from the trip let occurs along a single potential surface. This hypothesis is developed to suggest that molecules which decompose from the singlet state possibly do so via an unbounded region of the triplet surface.
Effective Virtual Machine Monitor Intrusion Detection Using Feature Selection on Highly Imbalanced Data

Virtualization is becoming an increasingly popular service hosting platform. Recently, intrusion detection systems (IDSs) which utilize virtualization have been introduced. One particular challenge present in current virtualization-based IDS systems is considered in this paper. IDS systems are commonly faced with high-dimensionality imbalanced data. Improved feature selection methods are needed to achieve more accurate detection when presented with imbalanced data. These methods must select the right set of features which will lead to a lower number of false alarms and higher correct detection rates. In this paper we propose a new Boosting-based feature selection that evaluates the relative importance of individual features using the fractional absolute confidence that Boosting produces. Our approach accounts for the sample distributions by optimizing for the area under the Receive Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve (i.e., Area Under the Curve(AUC)). Empirical results on different commercial virtual appliances and malwares indicate that proper input feature selection is key if we want an effective virtualization-based IDS that is lightweight, efficient and effective.
Oriented overlays for clustering client requests to data-centric network services

Many of the data-centric network services deployed hold massive volumes of data at their origin Web sites, and access the data to dynamically generate responses to user requests. One way to improve the scalability and performance for such services is to develop alternate caching infrastructures, which leverage network intermediaries to detect the often large degrees of usage locality seen by such services, and use this information to redirect requests to service portions replicated on-demand at appropriate network locations. Key to building such infrastructures is the ability to cluster and inspect client requests at various points across a wide-area network. This paper presents a zone-based scheme for constructing oriented overlays, which provides such an ability. Oriented overlays support network traffic flows between many sources and a small number of destinations and by design enable clustering of similar requests along their paths. Extensive experiments on the PlanetLab network show that our scheme produces overlays that (1) are robust to network dynamics; (2) offer good clustering ability; and (3) minimally impact end-to-end performance metrics of interest to clients.
A metric for spatial displacement using biquaternions on SO(4)

In this paper we use the fact that 4/spl times/4 homogeneous transforms can be viewed as limiting cases of rotations in four dimensional Euclidean space, E/sup 4/, to construct a metric for spatial displacements. For each spatial displacement, we compute an associated four-dimensional rotation and determine the associated biquaternion representation. We then use the standard Euclidean metric for these eight-dimensional vectors, in order to obtain a bi-invariant metric on SO(4). The result is an induced metric on SE(3) that is bi-invariant to a specific degree of approximation. As examples we determine the distance between two specified displacements, and find the reference frame "equidistant" between the two given frames for various positions of the global reference frame.
Eddy currents induced in a finite length layered rod by a coaxial coil

We describe the calculation of eddy currents in a two-layer conducting rod of finite length excited by a coaxial circular coil carrying an alternating current. The calculation uses the truncated region eigenfunction expansion (TREE) method. By truncating the solution region to a finite length in the axial direction, we can express the magnetic vector potential as a series expansion of orthogonal eigenfunctions instead of as a Fourier integral. The restricted domain can be arbitrarily large to yield results that are as close to the infinite domain results as desired. Integral form solutions for an infinite rod are well known and relatively simple. For a finite length cylindrical conductor, however, additional boundary conditions must be satisfied at the ends. We do this by comparing series expansions term by term to match the solutions across the end of the cylinder. We derive closed-form expressions for the electromagnetic field in the presence of a finite two-layer rod. A special case of the solution is that for a conductive tube. We illustrate the end effect by calculating the coil impedance variation with respect to the axial location of the coil. The results are in very good agreement with those obtained by using a two-dimensional finite-element code.
Principles of animate vision

Abstract Vision theories can be categorized in terms of the amount of explicit representation postulated in the perceiver. Gibson's precomputational theory eschewed any explicit representation. In contrast, Marr used layers of explicit representation, hoping to simplify vision computations. Current technological advances in robotic hardware and computer architectures have allowed the building of anthropomorphic devices that capture important technical features of human vision. Experience with these devices suggests that cooperative sensorimotor behaviors can reduce the need for explicit representation. This view is captured in the notion of “animate vision,” which is a framework for sequential decision-making, gaze control, and visual learning.
Effect of organic acid additives on SO2 absorption into CaO/CaCO3 slurries

The absorption rate of sulfur dioxide from a gas mixture of SO2 and N2 into aqueous acetic acid and adipic acid solutions at pH 4 to 6 has been measured at 25°C in a continuous stirred vessel with an unbroken gas-liquid interface. The experimental data have been modeled by approximate surface renewal theory with multiple equilibrium reactions. The model has been used to evaluate the relative effectiveness of eleven organic acid additives at typical limestone scrubber conditions. Adipic, sulfopropionic, sulfosuccinic, and hydroxypropionic acids appear to be the most promising alternatives.
Orientation, Scale, and Discontinuity as Emergent Properties of Illusory Contour Shape

A recent neural model of illusory contour formation is based on a distribution of natural shapes traced by particles moving with constant speed in directions given by Brownian motions. The input to that model consists of pairs of position and direction constraints, and the output consists of the distribution of contours joining all such pairs. In general, these contours will not be closed, and their distribution will not be scaleinvariant. In this article, we show how to compute a scale-invariant distribution of closed contours given position constraints alone and use this result to explain a well-known illusory contour effect.
Dependence of nuclear spin singlet lifetimes on RF spin-locking power

We measure the lifetime of long-lived nuclear spin singlet states as a function of the strength of the RF spin-locking field and present a simple theoretical model that agrees well with our measurements, including the low-RF-power regime. We also measure the lifetime of a long-lived coherence between singlet and triplet states that does not require a spin-locking field for preservation. Our results indicate that for many molecules, singlet states can be created using weak RF spin-locking fields: more than two orders of magnitude lower RF power than in previous studies. Our findings suggest that for many endogenous biomolecules, singlets and related states with enhanced lifetimes might be achievable in vivo with safe levels of RF power.
Stoichiometry and domainal organization of the long tail-fiber of bacteriophage T4: a hinged viral adhesin.

Abstract The long-tail fibers (LTFs) form part of bacteriophage T4's apparatus for host cell recognition and infection, being responsible for its initial attachment to susceptible bacteria. The LTF has two parts, each ∼70 to 75 nm long; gp34 (140 kDa) forms the proximal half-fiber, while the distal half-fiber is composed of gp37 (109 kDa), gp36 (23 kDa) and gp35 (30 kDa). LTFs have long been thought to be dimers of gp34, gp37 and gp36, with one copy of gp35. We have used mass mapping by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), quantitative SDS-PAGE, and computational sequence analysis to study the structures of purified LTFs and half-fibers of both kinds. These data establish that the LTF is, in fact, trimeric, with a stoichiometry of gp34: gp37: gp36: gp35=3:3:3:1. Averaged images of stained and unstained molecules resolve the LTF into a linear stack of 17 domains. At the proximal end is a globular domain of ∼145 kDa that becomes incorporated into the baseplate. It is followed by a rod-like shaft (33 × 4 nm; 151 kDa) which correlates with a cluster of seven quasi repeats, each 34 to 39 residues long. The proximal half-fiber terminates in three globular domains. The distal half-fiber consists of ten globular domains of variable size and spacing, preceding a needle-like end domain (15 × 2.5 nm; 31 kDa). The LTF is rigid apart from hinges between the two most proximal domains, and between the proximal and distal half-fibers. The latter hinge occurs at a site of local non-equivalence (the “kneecap”) at which density, correlated with the presence of gp35, bulges asymmetrically out on one side. Several observations indicate that gp34 participates in the sharing of conserved structural modules among coliphage tail-fiber genes to which gp37 was previously noted to subscribe. Two adjacent globular domains in the proximal half-fiber match a pair of domains in the distal half-fiber, and the rod domain in the proximal half-fiber resembles a similar domain in the T4 short tail-fiber (gp12). Finally, possible structures are considered; combining our data with earlier observations, the most likely conformation for most of the LTF is a three-stranded β-helix.
Frailty Process Model in Evaluating Correlated Credit Defaults Using Trees

This paper proposes a frailty process model with dynamic default intensity function for evaluating derivatives on a single name or multi-name credit using a one-dimensional trinomial tree. The frailty process of a credit is defined through an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process with a firm specific baseline hazard curve. Under a trinomial tree framework, we demonstrate that the frailty process model is feasible in pricing European and Bermudan type of credit default swaptions. It can also be used to price credit derivatives involving joint defaults, such as first-to-default swaps and counterparty credit value adjustment (CVA) of credit default swaps using a single dimensional tree. The frailty process model is flexible to be extended in modeling correlation among credit or between credit and other risk factors, such as interest rate, foreign exchange rate or recovery rate. It can also be applied in evaluating synthetic CDOs and CDO options.
Phase noise measurements on vibrating crystal filters

It is shown that bulk acoustic wave and surface acoustic wave crystal filters may induce phase modulation during mechanical vibration. The resulting phase modulation which occurs when the resonator is used in a filter is reviewed in terms of an effective acceleration sensitivity vector for the filter. The degradation in spectral purity is expressed as a function of this sensitivity. The phase shift through the filter is then quantified in terms of the acceleration sensitivity and the filter group delay. By considering typical values of acceleration sensitivity for bulk-wave resonators, estimates of the phase noise induced by the filter are made. Measurement results are presented for phase noise degradation in sine and random vibration. Measured results on a 5 MHz signal passed through a crystal filter show an increase in phase noise of greater than 20 dB in random vibration over static values. A degradation in Allan variance is also discussed. >
Influenza Vaccine for Children

The consequences of this year's highly publicized influenza epidemic should not be surprising. Although the timing and severity vary from year to year, influenza epidemics occur annually. These epidemics close schools, postpone important events, and generally disrupt life within our communities. All segments of the population are susceptible to influenza virus, which inflicts a self-limited respiratory disease in the majority of infected persons and is deadly in others. Influenza is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable death in the United States [ 1]. However, despite these well-known facts, millions of doses of influenza vaccine were unused at the end of the past season. This year, demand is high, and supplies are running short. What will happen next year? Will health care providers and the public remember the consequences of this year's influ-
Regulation of Blood Flow in the Microcirculation

The regulation of blood flow has rich history of investigation and is exemplified in exercising skeletal muscle by a concerted interaction between striated muscle fibers and their microvascular supply. This review considers blood flow control in light of the regulation of capillary perfusion by and among terminal arterioles, the distribution of blood flow in arteriolar networks according to metabolic and hemodynamic feedback from active muscle fibers, and the balance between peak muscle blood flow and arterial blood pressure governed by sympathetic nerve activity. As metabolic demand increases, the locus of regulating oxygen delivery to muscle fibers “ascends’’ from terminal arterioles, through intermediate distributing arterioles, and into the proximal arterioles and feed arteries, which govern total flow into a muscle. At multiple levels, venules are positioned to provide feedback to nearby arterioles regarding the metabolic state of the tissue through the convection, production and diffusion of vasodilator stimuli. Electrical signals initiated on microvascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells can travel rapidly for millimeters through cell-to-cell conduction via gap junction channels, rapidly coordinating vasodilator responses that govern the distribution and magnitude of blood flow to active muscle fibers. Sympathetic constriction of proximal arterioles and feed arteries can restrict functional hyperemia while dilation prevails in distal arterioles to promote oxygen extraction. With vasomotor tone reflecting myogenic contraction of smooth muscle cells modulated by shear stress on the endothelium, the initiation of functional vasodilation and its modulation by sympathetic innervation dictate how and where blood flow is distributed in response to metabolic demand. A remarkable ensemble of signaling pathways underlies the integration of smooth muscle and endothelial cell function in microvascular networks. These pathways are being defined with refreshing new insight as novel approaches are applied to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of blood flow control.
Comparison of beam-smoothing methods for direct-drive inertial confinement fusion

Analysis and numerical simulations of the smoothing of the speckled illumination of a direct-drive inertial confinement fusion target are presented. In particular, the spatial spectrum of the integrated target fluence is compared across smoothing methods. Two categories of smoothing methods are considered. In one method spatially incoherent light is amplified and directed onto the target, whereas in the other the light is phase modulated and spectrally dispersed before being amplified and then focused through a random phase plate onto the target. The dependence of the smoothed spatial spectrum on the characteristics of phase modulation and dispersion is examined for both sinusoidal and more general phase modulation. It is shown that smoothing with nonsinusoidal phase modulation can result in spatial spectra that are substantially identical to that obtained with the incoherent light method in which random phase plates are present in both methods and identical beam divergence is assumed.
Metabolism of adipose tissue from normal and hypothyroid rats.

The metabolism of adipose tissue from normal and hypothyroid rats was studied in vitro. Oxygen consumption was reduced in fat cells obtained from thyroidectomized rats, but the oxidation of 14C-labeled glucose, pyruvate and acetate proceeded at normal rates. The oxidation of palmitate-1-14C to 14CO2, however, was significantly reduced following thyroidectomy. Synthesis of long-chain fatty acids from a variety of precursors was also reduced in the thyroprivic tissues. In addition to the wellknown reduction in FFA release, thyroidectomy also reduced glycerol production by adipose tissue. Thus, thyroidectomy interferes with the conversion of 2 carbon units to long-chain fatty acids and with the conversion of long-chain fatty acids to 2 carbon fragments. It is suggested that abnormalities in the function of mitochondrial membranes may account for the metabolic defects of thyroidectomy in adipose tissue. (Endocrinology 82: 860, 1968)
Pesticides and Value Questions

Unexamined, rapid conclusions about anything can be serious errors of judgment, and actions based on them may lead to unanticipated, perhaps undesirable consequences. Pesticide technology has not lacked challenges to conclusions about its role and value. These have often been met by pleas for scientific objectivity and dismissal of challenges as emotionally laden and lacking in understanding of the necessity of high agricultural production, pesticide’s role in maintaining production, and the extensive safety evaluation mandated before a pesticide ever reaches the US market. While not without foundation, these pleas do not allow careful consideration of other arguments and points of view and their logical conclusions. I first encountered the problem of reasoning with opposing points of view in the late 1960s and early 1970s during the 2,4,5-T controversy. My thoughts were clarified as I struggled with the inevitable value questions (Zimdahl 1972). They are reproduced in a slightly modified form below.
Systematic review with network meta-analysis: comparative effectiveness of topical steroids vs. PPIs for the treatment of the spectrum of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Summary Background Controversy surrounds the clinical and histological response to topical steroids in patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). Aim To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to assess the efficacy of topical steroids compared with placebo or proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) for the management of eosinophilic oesophagitis. Methods Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE from inception to 1 July 2015 was searched. Data were extracted independently by two authors. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A network meta-analysis was performed using the Bayesian methods under random-effects multiple treatment comparisons. Results were summarised as odds ratio along with credibility intervals. We also calculated the ranking probability for each treatment based on surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Results The overall methodological quality of included studies was low. SUCRA ranking probability indicated that PPI had the highest probability of being the best treatment for achieving histological remission and mean change in eosinophils (0.81 and 0.85, respectively), followed by budesonide (0.74 and 0.63, respectively) and fluticasone (0.5 and 0.5, respectively). None of the comparisons indicated a statistically signicant difference. Conclusions The results from network meta-analysis show that there is no statistically significant difference between PPI, budesonide and fluticasone for the treatment of EoE as assessed by the histological and clinical response. The evidence is limited by serious risk of bias and imprecision, which emphasises the urgent need for large RCTs with adequate sample size and methodological rigour to provide conclusive evidence.
Enhanced Interference Cancellation of Cell-Specific Reference Signals for LTE-A

The performance of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) carrying downlink data traffic to the users served in a cell is typically limited by co channel interference from neighboring cells. One of the most significant interference sources in LTE/LTE-A is cell-specific reference signals (CRS), which are transmitted by neighboring cells across the entire frequency band even when downlink data traffic is not present. As a consequence, in scenarios without PDSCH from neighboring cells, CRS interference becomes the limiting factor in achieving higher downlink throughput. Therefore, interference cancellation from CRS becomes one of the important signal processing problems in LTE/LTE A systems. In conventional receivers, CRS interference is canceled by using channel estimates corresponding to neighboring cells, which are obtained from the received signal. However, the presence of the useful signal transmitted by the serving cell in the received signal makes channel estimation for neighboring cell CRS less accurate. As a result, the performance of such CRS interference cancellation (CRS IC) receivers is typically poor in medium and high signal to interference ratio (SIR) scenarios. In this paper, we propose a novel decoding aided CRS-IC receiver for LTE A systems. The key idea of the proposed scheme is to generate a soft estimate of the useful signal using the turbo decoding scheme and cancel this from the total received signal prior to the estimation of the channels corresponding to interfering cells. Compared to conventional schemes considered in 3GPP until now, the proposed approach provides performance improvements in a wider range of SIRs, while the performance approaches the one of an ideal system using perfect cancellation of CRS interference from neighboring cells.
Elementary Theory in Linearly Tapered Beams

With the use of a generalized Kirchhoff hypothesis in which the transverse shear strain in cylindrical coordinates is assumed to be zero, a beam theory is developed for linearly tapered members. The equations are analogous to those of conventional beam theory but they are applicable to a different class of problems. For a tip loaded, wedge-shaped cantilever beam, the radial stress is identical to the three-dimensional solution. The predicted shear stress distribution in the web of a wide flange web-tapered cantilever beam subjected to a tip force and moment agrees closely with a finite element solution to the same problem. With additional verification, the elementary theory may prove to be extremely useful for the design and analysis of tapered beams under more general conditions.
Detection of Dysplastic Intestinal Adenomas Using a Fluorescent Folate Imaging Probe

Macrophages have long been recognized as a prominent component of tumors. Activated macrophages overexpress folate receptors and we used this phenomenon to image inflammatory reactions in colon dysplasia using a fluorescent folate probe (FFP). APC #468 mice injected with FFP showed fluorescent adenomas (target-to-background ratio, adenoma vs. adjacent normal mucosa, of 2.46 ± 0.41), significantly higher (p < .001) than adenomas in animals injected with a non-folate-containing control probe. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis revealed a 3-fold higher content of Mac1positive cells in colonic adenomas compared with normal adjacent mucosa (6.8% vs. 2.2%), and confirmed the source of FFP-positive cells to be primarily an F4/80-positive macrophage subpopulation. Taken together, these results indicate that FFP potentially can be used to image dysplastic intestinal adenomas in vivo. Mol Imaging (2005) 4, 67 – 74.
Angiotensin II activation of Ca(2+)-permeant nonselective cation channels in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells

A Ca(2+)-permeant, nonselective cation channel was observed in cell-attached and inside-out membrane patches from rat adrenal glomerulosa cells maintained in primary cell culture. In cell-attached patches under near physiological ionic conditions, single-channel currents exhibited a reversal potential near -10 mV, inward rectification, a nearly linear slope conductance between 0 and -80 mV of 17.4 pS, and voltage-dependent block at potentials more negative than -80 mV. Channels exhibiting identical conductance and gating properties were observed in inside-out patches; however, channel gating ran down within minutes in this configuation. In the inside-out configuration, channel gating did not require cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+ PK > PCs > PNa) and was not significantly permeable to anions. The channel was permeable to Ca2+, exhibiting a relative permeability ratio of 0.29 PCa/PNa) when measured with 110 mM Ca2+ on the intracellular face and a permeability ratio of 4.38 (PCa/PNa) with 110 mM Ca2+ on the extracellular face. Channel gating behavior was episodic with open times ranging from milliseconds to tens of seconds and closed times lasting up to several minutes or longer. Channel gating appeared to be relatively voltage independent except that mean channel open time and open probability were reduced by membrane hyperpolarization. In cell-attached patches, bath application of 1 nM angiotensin II (ANG II) increased the channel open probability, primarily affecting channels exhibiting a low open probability, primarily affecting channels exhibiting a low open probability before stimulation. With the use of nystatin perforated-patch current clamp to measure membrane potential, ANG II was observed to induce large transient membrane depolarizations, consistent with activation of an inward current. We hypothesize that this channel is an important component of ANG II-induced membrane depolarization and Ca2+ influx during stimulation of aldosterone secretion.
Pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia: insights from medical therapy for the disease.

The medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has its roots in the early 1970s. During this era, the first clinical trials investigating α-blockade and androgen deprivation therapy were reported for men with clinical BPH. The observation that clinical BPH was improved following administration of both α-blockers and androgen deprivation therapy supported the evolving paradigm that clinical BPH resulted from dynamic and static pathways. During the past several decades, the evolution of α-blockers for the treatment of BPH has been impacted by innovations targeted to simplify the administration and improve tolerability while maintaining their effectiveness.
The Roll out Fractions Game: Comparing Fractions.

Enrique Ortiz, ortiz@mail.ucf.edu, teaches mathematics methods courses at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is interested in algebraic thinking and fractions and developing activities involving games and technology. By Enrique Ortiz The expectation that all students should use models, benchmarks, and equivalent forms to judge the size of fractions is clearly stated in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics within the Number and Operations Standard for grades 3–5 (NCTM 2000). The game presented in this article provides for students’ development of these skills in a motivational and flexible way. Students will be able to use different strategies to compare fractions and analyze the relationships among fraction size.
Entanglements in Lamellar Phases of Diblock Copolymers

Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in conjunction with topological analysis algorithms, we investigate the changes, if any, in entanglement lengths of flexible polymers in ordered lamellar phases of diblock copolymers. Our analysis reveals a reduction in the average entanglement spacing of the polymers with increasing degree of segregation between the blocks. Furthermore, the results of the topological analysis algorithms indicate an inhomogeneous distribution of entanglement junctions arising from the segregated morphology of the block copolymer. To understand such trends, we invoke the packing arguments proposed by Kavassalis and Noolandi in combination with the framework of polymer self-consistent-field theory (SCFT) and Monte Carlo simulations. Such an analysis reveals qualitatively similar characteristics as our MD results for both the average entanglement spacing and the inhomogeneities in entanglements. Together, our results provide evidence for the changes in entanglement features arising f...
Monitoring PIK3CA mutant allele fraction (AF) in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients treated with PI3K{alpha}-inhibitor plus letrozole (L) or exemestane (E).

517 Background: In tumors that harbor activating mutations, tumor-derived cfDNA extracted from patient plasma can be serially quantified by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Mutant AF may be predictive ...
Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis involving both the tricuspid and aortic valves

A 71-year-old male presented after sudden onset of confusion and expressive aphasia. MRI head revealed multiple ischemic lesions consistent with cardio-embolic pathophysiology. A computed tomography angiography of lung showed peripheral pulmonary emboli. He underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram as a part of the stroke workup and was found to have vegetations on both aortic and tricuspid valves. The blood cultures did not show any growth, and the patient remained afebrile during the course of hospitalization. A diagnosis of nonbacterial thrombotic embolism was made, and he was discharged on anticoagulation therapy with subcutaneous low molecular heparin.
Acoustic and Thermal Test Facility Construction and Validation

A requirement was developed to expose the upper stage of the Centaur in the final flight configuration to intense acoustic and thermal environments. To satisfy this requirement a large state-of-the-art acoustic and thermal test facility was constructed. The facility consists of a 1840.8 m3 (65,000 ft3) reverberation chamber and a 1316.9 m3 (46,500 ft3) thermal chamber housed in a single clean environment facility.The acoustic chamber has an overall sound pressure capability of 154 dB with uniformity within -2 to +4 dB. The sound intensity is created by a four-horn matrix with a frequency range of 25 to 10,000 Hz. The thermal chamber has a temperature range capability of -35 to +185° F with a uniformity of ±5°. The thermal chamber air is humidity controlled and filtered to maintain cleanliness standards. Both chambers are supported by modern digital data acquisition and control systems located in a 175.2 m2 (1886 ft2) control room.The facility has the capability to store and transfer cryogenic liquids into...
Entering a Clinical Trial: Is It Right For You?–A randomized study of the Clinical Trials Video and its impact on the informed consent process

9072 Background: In an effort to improve the informed consent process for subjects considering participation in a clinical trial, we created an educational video: “Entering a Clinical Trial: Is it ...
Compliance Inspections of Tobacco Retailers and Youth Smoking

AbstractSince 2010, the Food and Drug Administration has contracted with states to perform random checks of tobacco retailers to identify illegal sales to youths. We test whether the inspections affect youth access and smoking for boys and girls. Using the 2010–13 Monitoring the Future survey and data on the number and location of inspections in the first several years of the program, we find the checks have been successful at limiting access to cigarettes in small retail establishments. As for reducing smoking, we observe reductions only among girls. Boys continue to smoke with about the same incidence and intensity as before the inspections. The likely reason for this is that girls are generally more successful at purchasing illicit products at retail establishments while underage. Therefore, enforcing the minimum legal age laws for purchasing tobacco products likely curtails the access of girls to the illegal product.
First trimester noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping using maternal dried blood spots.

OBJECTIVE This study was aimed to evaluate whether maternal dried blood spots could be a potential source for the noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping, serving as a combined one-step test for both the First Trimester Screen and the fetal RHD genotyping. METHOD Both the maternal dried blood spots and the peripheral blood samples from 19 RhD-negative pregnant women were obtained during the First Trimester Screen. DNA was extracted and sequential real-time PCRs were performed to determine the fetal RHD genotypes. Fetal RhD serological types were obtained after delivery. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and informed consents were obtained. RESULTS A total of 19/19 fetal RHD genotyping with maternal DBS were consistent with the follow-up serological RhD test results after birth. Eleven were RhD positive, and eight were RhD negative (RHD deletion or RHD-CE-D = 6, RHD pseudogene = 1, RHDVI = 1). Sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, positive predictive value = 100%, negative predictive value = 100%. A total of 18/19 fetal gender were determined correctly with maternal DBS. One female fetus was falsely determined as male. Sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 91.6%, positive predictive value = 87.5%, negative predictive value = 100%. CONCLUSION Maternal dried blood spots, with the benefits of flexible sample transportation and processing, could be utilized for the noninvasive prenatal fetal RHD genotyping and potentially be incorporated into the routine First Trimester Screen. Larger scale study is in progress to implement fetal RHD genotyping in routine prenatal care. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lift-Off Velocity on Solar-System Small Bodies

The lift-off velocity is defined as the velocity at which a particle, moving tangentially on the surface of some arbitrary body, will lift off from that surface and enter orbit. A vectorial express...
Abstract 285: Impact of Prescription Refill Reminders for Clopidogrel Therapy in Patients Receiving Drug-Eluting Stents

Purpose: Premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy in ACS patients receiving a drug-eluting stent (DES) can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine if refill notification reminders for clopidgrel by a pharmacist would improve long term adherence and outcomes for patients receiving a DES. Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted to evaluate adherence to clopidogrel for up to one year in ACS patients receiving a DES. Patients randomized to the Pharmacist Reminder group were contacted by a pharmacist on a monthly basis with a refill reminder for their clopidogrel prescription and the ability to discuss any medication issues. Patients randomized to the No Reminder group did not receive any refill reminder notification from a pharmacist. Both groups were contacted at 6 and 12 months to complete a follow-up survey. Pharmacy refill records were evaluated to determine monthly adherence and actual out-of-pocket expenses for clopidogrel up to one year after enrollment. Adherence was assessed by both the proportion of months covered (PMC) and complete continuous adherence over 1 year. A PMC of >80% was considered adherent. Patients were enrolled from September 2007 to August 2009. Assuming premature discontinuation rates of 5% and 14% for Pharmacist Reminder and No Reminder groups respectively, 120 patients were required to detect significance with an alpha level of 0.05 and a power of 0.80. Results: A total of 114 patients were enrolled in the study with 53% (N=60) patients in the No Reminder group and 47% (N=54) in the Pharmacist Reminder group. The majority of patients were male (75%) with an average age of 62 years. Approximately 18% had a previous stent and had taken clopidogrel previously. Of the total population, 89% were adherent (102/114) with a PMC >80%, 2.6% (3/114) had a PMC 60-79%, and 7.9% (9/114) had a PMC 80% (93% vs. 87%, p=NS) compared to the No Reminder group. More patients who were not adherent to clopidogrel reported recent hospitalizations through follow-up (33% vs. 10%, p=NS). No significant improvement in long term adherence to clopidogrel was found through pharmacist reminder on a monthly basis, however the enrollment goal was not met and other factors could have influenced adherence. Conclusions: For patients receiving a DES for ACS, 1 in 9 patients was nonadherent to clopidogrel at 1 year. Pharmacist refill reminder can positively impact long term adherence to clopidogrel. Nonadherence to clopidgrel was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization. Further research is necessary to determine which factors impact long term adherence to clopidogrel in patients receiving a DES.