Inference in Simple Regression for the Intercept Utilizing Prior Information on the Slope

Shrinkage type estimators are developed for the intercept parameter of a simple linear regression model and the case when it is suspected a priori that the slope parameter is equal to some specific value is considered. Three different estimators of the intercept parameters are examined. The relative performances of the estimators are investigated based on a simulation study of the biases and mean squared errors. The associated bootstrap confidence intervals are also studied and their performance is evaluated

Synthesis and Analysis of Entangled Photonic Qubits in Spatial-Parity Space

We present the novel embodiment of a photonic qubit that makes use of one continuous spatial degree of freedom of a single photon and relies on the the parity of the photon's transverse spatial distribution. Using optical spontaneous parametric downconversion to produce photon pairs, we demonstrate the controlled generation of entangled-photon states in this new space. Specifically, two Bell states, and a continuum of their superpositions, are generated by simple manipulation of a classical parameter, the optical-pump spatial parity, and not by manipulation of the entangled photons themselves. An interferometric device, isomorphic in action to a polarizing beam splitter, projects the spatial-parity states onto an even--odd basis. This new physical realization of photonic qubits could be used as a foundation for future experiments in quantum information processing.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PR

Interferometric control of the photon-number distribution

We demonstrate deterministic control over the photon-number distribution by interfering two coherent beams within a disordered photonic lattice. By sweeping a relative phase between two equal-amplitude coherent fields with Poissonian statistics that excite adjacent sites in a lattice endowed with disorder-immune chiral symmetry, we measure an output photon-number distribution that changes periodically between super-thermal and sub-thermal photon statistics upon ensemble averaging. Thus, the photon-bunching level is controlled interferometrically at a fixed mean photon-number by gradually activating the excitation symmetry of the chiral-mode pairs with structured coherent illumination and without modifying the disorder level of the random system itself

Processed Chili Peppers for Export Markets: A Capital Budgeting Study on the AgroFood Company

The AgroFood Company, which currently exports fresh chili peppers to European clients, desires to expand the product mix offered. The company, as it expands its production of fresh peppers for export, has an increasing supply of grade 2 peppers that are unmarketable in Egypt. However, an attractive market for processed frozen chili peppers exists in Europe. To expand their client base, capitalize on a value added product, and minimize product waste, the AgroFood Company desires to develop processing practices for chili peppers produced in Egypt. The AgroFood Company would like to identify its options in the processed pepper market. An analysis of the company, competition, consumer, market channel, and conditions, provides insight into possible solutions to the challenges faced by the farm management. Designed for undergraduate classroom use, this case will provide students with an opportunity to evaluate the merits of business expansion into a high capacity, automated mechanical processing facility for grade 2 vegetables.Decision case, horticulture, agriculture economics, chili pepper production, protected vegetable production, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, Production Economics,

Experimental Violation of Bell's Inequality in Spatial-Parity Space

We report the first experimental violation of Bell's inequality in the spatial domain using the Einstein--Podolsky--Rosen state. Two-photon states generated via optical spontaneous parametric downconversion are shown to be entangled in the parity of their one-dimensional transverse spatial profile. Superpositions of Bell states are prepared by manipulation of the optical pump's transverse spatial parity--a classical parameter. The Bell-operator measurements are made possible by devising simple optical arrangements that perform rotations in the one-dimensional spatial-parity space of each photon of an entangled pair and projective measurements onto a basis of even--odd functions. A Bell-operator value of 2.389 +- 0.016 is recorded, a violation of the inequality by more than 24 standard deviations.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 1 Tabl

Lean Principles: An Innovative Approach for Achieving Sustainability in the Egyptian Construction Industry

In spite of the economic and social contributions of the Construction Industry (CI) in terms of achieving national and international development plans, offering employment opportunities, increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as providing community members with buildings and infrastructure projects that meet their needs and fulfil their requirements, it has a major impact on the environment. The construction industry is a very large consumer of non-renewable resources. In addition, it is a significant source of waste and pollution of air and water as well as an important contributor to land dereliction. Furthermore, it is responsible for 50% of the material resources taken from nature, 40% of energy consumed and 50% of total waste generated. Towards saving the planet, it became crucial to stop the depletion of the natural capitals of the earth thorough developing creative and innovative solutions that achieve the objectives of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This paper aims to investigate the role of Lean Principles (LPs) as an innovative approach for achieving sustainability in the Egyptian Construction Industry (ECI). Towards achieving this aim, a research methodology consisting of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire, is designed to accomplish five objectives. Firstly, reviewing literature related to sustainability, (LPs) and highlighting their relationship as well as discussing the ability of (LPs) to achieve sustainability objectives. Secondly, presenting and analysing four case studies benefited from applying (LPs) to deliver sustainable projects. Thirdly, presenting and analysing results of a survey questionnaire directed to a sample of Egyptian Construction Firms (ECFs) to investigate their perception and application of (LPs) towards achieving sustainability objectives. Fourthly, developing a conceptual framework to promote the use of (LPs) as an innovative tool for achieving sustainability in (ECI). Finally, summarising research conclusions and recommendations useful to governmental authorities and construction professionals

Citric acid strongly inhibits visceral pain response in mice

Citric acid introduced into the stomach of mice at increasing concentrations of 0.1, 1 or 10 % (4.8 µM-0.48 mM; 95 µmol/kg-9.5 mmol/kg, 0.5 ml) caused dose-dependent inhibition of abdominal constrictions induced 1 h later by i. p. acetic acid injection by -51 % to -69.5 %. When administered at 10 % (0.48 mM, 0.5 ml) 15 min before nociceptive challenge, citric acid inhibited the nociceptive response by 96.8 %. Inhibition of the acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions was also observed when lower doses of citric acid were introduced into the stomach (0.2 ml of 0.1-1 %; 38.1 µmol/kg-0.38 mmol/kg). The effect was evident as early as 5 min after administration of citric acid into the stomach and with the maximal effect being at 15-30 min after dosing. Lidocaine given orally 5 min prior to citric acid (1 %, 48 µM; 0.38 mmol/kg, 0.2 ml) prevented antinociception by citric acid, but lidocaine given 15 min before oral introduction of citric acid enhanced the citric acid-induced inhibition of the nociceptive response to acetic acid. The antinociceptive effect of orally administered citric acid (1 %, 48 µM; 0.38 mmol/kg, 0.2 ml) was increased by pre-treatment with propranolol (4 mg/kg, s. c.), yohimbine (4 mg/kg, s. c.), guanethidine (32 mg/kg, s. c.), but reduced after treatment with atropine (3 mg/kg, s. c.), which itself increased the nociceptive behavior. Similar inhibition of the acetic acid-induced nociceptive behavior was also observed when sodium citrate (pH 7.21) or 0.1 N HCl (pH 3) or 1 % sucrose solution (0.2 ml) was intragastrically given. It is suggested that citric acid might act to stimulate sensory afferents and that transmission of nociceptive information centrally leads to the activation of descending antinociceptive mechanism to a noxious stimulus

Fibulin-2 is required for basement membrane integrity of mammary epithelium

Fibulin-2 (FBLN2) is a secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein which has been associated with tissue development and remodelling. In the mouse mammary gland, FBLN2 can be detected during ductal morphogenesis in cap cells and myoepithelial cells at puberty and early pregnancy, respectively. In an attempt to assign its function, we knocked down Fbln2 in the mouse mammary epithelial cell line EpH4. FBLN2 reduction led to an increase in the size of spheroidal structures when compared to scrambled control shRNA-transduced cells plated on Matrigel matrix. This phenotype was associated with a disruption of the collagen IV sheath around the epithelial spheroids and downregulation of integrin β1, suggesting a role for FBLN2 in stabilizing the basement membrane (BM). In contrast to mice, in normal adult human breast tissue, FBLN2 was detected in ductal stroma, and in the interlobular stroma, but was not detectable within the lobular regions. In tissue sections of 65 breast cancers FBLN2 staining was lost around malignant cells with retained staining in the neighbouring histologically normal tissue margins. These results are consistent with a role of FBLN2 in mammary epithelial BM stability, and that its down-regulation in breast cancer is associated with loss of the BM and early invasion

Modular pipeline fast Fourier transform

A modular pipeline algorithm and architecture for computing discrete Fourier transforms is described. For an N point transform, two pipeline √{square root over (N)} point fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules are combined with a center element. The center element contains memories, multipliers and control logic. Compared with standard N point pipeline FFTs, the modular pipeline FFT maintains the bandwidth of existing pipeline FFTs with reduced dynamic power consumption and reduced complexity of the overall hardware pipeline.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste