Interference-based dynamic pricing for WCDMA networks using neurodynamic programming

Copyright © 2007 IEEEWe study the problem of optimal integrated dynamic pricing and radio resource management, in terms of resource allocation and call admission control, in a WCDMA network. In such interference-limited network, one's resource usage also degrades the utility of others. A new parameter noise rise factor, which indicates the amount of interference generated by a call, is suggested as a basis for setting price to make users accountable for the congestion externality of their usage. The methods of dynamic programming (DP) are unsuitable for problems with large state spaces due to the associated ldquocurse of dimensionality.rdquo To overcome this, we solve the problem using a simulation-based neurodynamic programming (NDP) method with an action-dependent approximation architecture. Our results show that the proposed optimal policy provides significant average reward and congestion improvement over conventional policies that charge users based on their load factor.Siew-Lee Hew and Langford B. Whit

Antifreeze Proteins in the Arctic Shorthorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius)

The plasma of shorthorn sculpin caught at Grise Fiord (Southern Ellesmere Island, arctic Canada) during late August contained antifreeze proteins which were essentially identical, with respect to molecular weight, number of components and amino acid composition, to the antifreeze proteins found in Newfoundland populations of shorthorn sculpin. The concentration of antifreeze protein in the plasma of the arctic sculpins during the summer was similar to that observed in the plasma of Newfoundland sculpin during the winter. The results suggest that unlike their Newfoundland counterparts, the plasma of sculpin residing in the High Arctic contains high concentrations of antifreeze protein all year round.Key words: shorthorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius, antifreeze protein

Spin-incoherent transport in quantum wires

When a quantum wire is weakly confined, a conductance plateau appears at e(2)/h with decreasing carrier density in zero magnetic field accompanied by a gradual suppression of the 2e(2)/h plateau. Applying an in-plane magnetic field B-parallel to does not alter the value of this quantization; however, the e(2)/h plateau weakens with increasing B-parallel to up to 9 T, and then strengthens on further increasing B-parallel to, which also restores the 2e(2)/h plateau. Our results are consistent with spin-incoherent transport in a one-dimensional wire

High body mass index and pre-existing autoimmune disease are associated with an increased risk of immune-related adverse events in cancer patients treated with PD-(L)1 inhibitors across different solid tumors

BACKGROUND\nPATIENTS AND METHODS\nRESULTS\nCONCLUSION\nTreatment with anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies, approved for several oncology indications, can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We aimed to investigate risk factors associated with an increased reporting of irAEs in patients treated with PD-(L)1 inhibitors approved for solid tumor indications.\nA retrospective review was performed of individual data from patients in phase II/III registrational studies for PD-(L)1 inhibitors in solid tumors. Data on baseline characteristics and adverse events were extracted. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors.\nIn total, 5123 patients were included from 15 studies reporting on the use of four PD-(L)1 inhibitors for five solid tumor indications. Univariate analysis suggested that type of study drug (P 2 [odds ratio (OR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.8] in comparison to normal BMI, having an autoimmune disease at baseline (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.7), and use of a PD-L1 inhibitor (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0). The latter finding is probably biased due to the selection of the studies in the dataset with complete information on baseline characteristics.\nThis study was conducted using a large dataset of individual patient data from clinical trials comprising multiple solid tumor indications. We demonstrated that patients with obesity and concurrent autoimmune disease were at increased risk of developing irAEs.FWN – Publicaties zonder aanstelling Universiteit Leide

A systemic model for differentiating school technology integration

School technology integration rarely begins with school or educator choice. It is part of a wider context where external and internal factors have direct influence on the goals and tools that are adopted over time. The objective of this study is to investigate the systemic conditions that contribute or inhibit the development of different activities by teachers making use of new media. We compiled a list of well-known conditions for technology integration success and mapped these in the historical and culturally bound perspective of activity theory (cultural historical activity theory). We conducted a multiple case study analysis of four schools, public and private. The results point to unique and distinctive scenarios even when homogeneity would be expected, reinforcing the argument that material conditions do not determine pedagogical outcomes nor do they determine changes in practice. Beyond this, the study proposes a methodology that can help elicit tensions in technology integration, pointing to avenues for school development

The prevalence of injection-site reactions with disease-modifying therapies and their effect on adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis: an observational study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interferon beta (IFNβ) and glatiramer acetate (GA) are administered by subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injection. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often report injection-site reactions (ISRs) as a reason for noncompliance or switching therapies. The aim of this study was to compare the proportion of patients on different formulations of IFNβ or GA who experienced ISRs and who switched or discontinued therapy because of ISRs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Swiss MS Skin Project was an observational multicenter study. Patients with MS or clinically isolated syndrome who were on the same therapy for at least 2 years were enrolled. A skin examination was conducted at the first study visit and 1 year later.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 412 patients enrolled were on 1 of 4 disease-modifying therapies for at least 2 years: IM IFNβ-1a (n = 82), SC IFNβ-1b (n = 123), SC IFNβ-1a (n = 184), or SC GA (n = 23). At first evaluation, ISRs were reported by fewer patients on IM IFNβ-1a (13.4%) than on SC IFNβ-1b (57.7%; <it>P </it>< 0.0001), SC IFNβ-1a (67.9%; <it>P </it>< 0.0001), or SC GA (30.4%; <it>P </it>= not significant [NS]). No patient on IM IFNβ-1a missed a dose in the previous 4 weeks because of ISRs, compared with 5.7% of patients on SC IFNβ-1b (<it>P </it>= 0.044), 7.1% of patients on SC IFNβ-1a (<it>P </it>= 0.011), and 4.3% of patients on SC GA (<it>P </it>= NS). Primary reasons for discontinuing or switching therapy were ISRs or lack of efficacy. Similar patterns were observed at 1 year.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patients on IM IFNβ-1a had fewer ISRs and were less likely to switch therapies than patients on other therapies. This study may have implications in selecting initial therapy or, for patients considering switching or discontinuing therapy because of ISRs, selecting an alternative option.</p

Extreme sensitivity of the spin-splitting and 0.7 anomaly to confining potential in one-dimensional nanoelectronic devices

Quantum point contacts (QPCs) have shown promise as nanoscale spin-selective components for spintronic applications and are of fundamental interest in the study of electron many-body effects such as the 0.7 x 2e^2/h anomaly. We report on the dependence of the 1D Lande g-factor g* and 0.7 anomaly on electron density and confinement in QPCs with two different top-gate architectures. We obtain g* values up to 2.8 for the lowest 1D subband, significantly exceeding previous in-plane g-factor values in AlGaAs/GaAs QPCs, and approaching that in InGaAs/InP QPCs. We show that g* is highly sensitive to confinement potential, particularly for the lowest 1D subband. This suggests careful management of the QPC's confinement potential may enable the high g* desirable for spintronic applications without resorting to narrow-gap materials such as InAs or InSb. The 0.7 anomaly and zero-bias peak are also highly sensitive to confining potential, explaining the conflicting density dependencies of the 0.7 anomaly in the literature.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

Nutrition Strategies for Triathlon

Contemporary sports nutrition guidelines recommend that each athlete develop a personalised, periodised and practical approach to eating that allows him or her to train hard, recover and adapt optimally, stay free of illness and injury and compete at their best at peak races. Competitive triathletes undertake a heavy training programme to prepare for three different sports while undertaking races varying in duration from 20 min to 10 h. The everyday diet should be adequate in energy availability, provide CHO in varying amounts and timing around workouts according to the benefits of training with low or high CHO availability and spread high-quality protein over the day to maximise the adaptive response to each session. Race nutrition requires a targeted and well-practised plan that maintains fuel and hydration goals over the duration of the specific event, according to the opportunities provided by the race and other challenges, such as a hot environment. Supplements and sports foods can make a small contribution to a sports nutrition plan, when medical supplements are used under supervision to prevent/treat nutrient deficiencies (e.g. iron or vitamin D) or when sports foods provide a convenient source of nutrients when it is impractical to eat whole foods. Finally, a few evidence-based performance supplements may contribute to optimal race performance when used according to best practice protocols to suit the triathlete’s goals and individual responsiveness