Numerical investigation on design of wide geographical optical-transport networks based on n/spl times/40-Gb/s transmission

We report a numerical investigation on the transmission techniques to achieve the highest capacities for n/spl times/40-Gb/s systems and such results are used to design the lightpath distribution in a European network operating with Tb/s traffic. We consider the return-to-zero (RZ) transmission assuming different pulse duration to reach the highest capacity both in the case of single-channel and of wavelength-division multiplexing. We assume the transmission in links encompassing G.652 optical fibers since they are the most installed in the world, considering the compensation of the chromatic dispersion with optical-fiber gratings. Both the amplification with erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) and hybrid Raman/EDFA is considered. We use a novel algorithm for wavelength assignment in optical networks, taking into account both the traffic requirements and the physical impairments of the networks that manifest in the signal transmission. The algorithm is based on the technique of the removing lightpaths. We report an application for a Pan European network with 26 nodes.     

High-speed DPSK coherent systems in the presence of chromaticdispersion and Kerr effect

The error probability for a single-channel coherent optical differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) transmission system based on repeaterless links in the presence of fiber chromatic dispersion and Kerr effect is evaluated. An accurate model for both the optical signal propagation and the probability distribution of the receiver decision variable is obtained by using a numerical solution of the nonlinear Shrodinger equation and the characteristic function method. The results show that the selection of an optimized IF filter bandwidth is crucial to obtaining the best system performance. When chromatic dispersion dominates, the best performance is achieved in the normal dispersion region whereas when the Kerr effect has the most limiting effect on system performances, the lowest error probability is attained in the anomalous regime. The maximum link length is limited by the presence of Kerr effect, independently of the amount of transmitted optical power, to be shorter than a threshold length if an error probability of 10^-9 is to be achieved     

Clinical pharmacokinetics of theophylline during co-treatment with ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid in patients suffering from acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

The results in 185 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing implantation of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) were reviewed with regard to the operative technique applied and problems observed. In 123 patients (group I) only AICD implantation was performed. Ninety patients were operated through sternotomy or thoracotomy while in 33 patients an endovenous/subcutaneous technique was used. Sixty-two patients (group II) underwent simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and AICD implantation by median sternotomy. Perioperative mortality was 2.4% in group I with one fatality in the subgroup of endevenous/AICD placements and 11.3% in group II (p < 0.01). Overall infectious complications were low with 2 removals in group I and 1 in group II; however, no infections were observed after endovenous system implantation. It is concluded that the operative mortality rate of a combined approach is significantly higher, when compared to isolated AICD placement. However, the greater risk of the former cohort is mainly due to the impaired ventricular performance. Further investigations will have to prove whether a two-step approach using the endovenous technique in patients with a need for AICD and CABG will reduce the operative mortality.     

Impact of diet supplemented with microencapsulated condensed tannins on cow milk nutritional profile

Feed production systems should consider more sustainable solutions to reduce the pressure on earth's finite resources. In this work, we investigated the effect of microencapsulated condensed tannins (MCTs)-enhanced diet on the cow milk characteristics. The diet reduced the urea content, while preserved and the n-3 and n-6 portion of fatty acids. Aside from the rising of vitamin C level, MCTs had a negative effect on the amount of B group vitamins. MCTs may be considered a promising feed supplement that offers a good trade-off in terms of milk chemical quality while increasing the environmental sustainability of cattle livestock.     

Vision-based real estate price estimation

Since the advent of online real estate database companies like Zillow, Trulia and Redfin, the problem of automatic estimation of market values for houses has received considerable attention. Several real estate websites provide such estimates using a proprietary formula. Although these estimates are often close to the actual sale prices, in some cases they are highly inaccurate. One of the key factors that affects the value of a house is its interior and exterior appearance, which is not considered in calculating automatic value estimates. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of visual characteristics of a house on its market value. Using deep convolutional neural networks on a large dataset of photos of home interiors and exteriors, we develop a method for estimating the luxury level of real estate photos. We also develop a novel framework for automated value assessment using the above photos in addition to home characteristics including size, offered price and number of bedrooms. Finally, by applying our proposed method for price estimation to a new dataset of real estate photos and metadata, we show that it outperforms Zillow’s estimates.     

Microscopic observation of progressive immobilization of leishmania promastigotes in acridine orange stain

To rapidly isolate Leishmania donovani promastigotes in samples from Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) cultures, a method of staining with acridine orange was developed. Such vital staining combines the advantages of direct microscopic examination (e.g., observation of motility) with more accurate cytological and structural imaging of the stained parasites (usually obtained by Giemsa staining). Progressive immobilization of Leishmania promastigotes associated with a change in fluorescence color was also studied. Our findings may be useful for the early confirmation of a positive culture inoculated with a clinical sample.     

The therapeutic prospects of ischemic cardiopathy

Having thoroughly reviewed the risk factors and pathophysiologic features of ischemic heart disease, the authors describe therapeutic protocols at present in use and take stock of the perspectives opened by new drugs with different kinetic and dynamic and more advanced properties compared to those at present in use.