Loss Probability for a Finite Buffer Multiplexer with the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M/G/∞</Emphasis> Input Process

This paper studies the impact of long-range-dependent (LRD) traffic on the performance of a network multiplexer. The network multiplexer is characterized by a multiplexing queue with a finite buffer and an M/G/∞ input process. Our analysis expresses the loss probability bounds using a simple relationship between loss probability and buffer full probability. Our analysis also derives an exact expression for the buffer full probability and consequently calculates the loss probability bounds with excellent precision. Through numerical calculations and simulation examples, we show that existing asymptotic analyses lack the precision for calculating the loss probability over realistic ranges of buffer capacity values. We also show that existing asymptotic analyses may significantly overestimate the loss probability and that designing networks using our analysis achieves efficient resource utilization.     

Noise characteristics of Pr/sup 3+/-doped fluoride fibre amplifier

The noise characteristics of a Pr/sup 3+/-doped fluoride fibre amplifier (PDFFA) are reported for the first time. Using an amplifier with a 20 dB gain, a noise figure of 3.2 dB is obtained at a wavelength of 1.31 mu m at an amplified output signal power between -18 and -2 dBm. However, it is observed that the noise figure increases when the signal wavelength is above 1.32 mu m.<>     

Selection of causal gene sets for lymphoma prognostication from expression profiling and construction of prognostic fuzzy neural network models

To assess the response of lymphomas to chemotherapy, gene expression profiling data from DNA microarrays were analyzed using the fuzzy neural network (FNN) modeling method. We used the FNN modeling method to produce 10 noninferior models. Using these models, we were able to predict diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patient outcome with 93% accuracy. Of the 37 genes in the 10 models, 13 genes were repeatedly selected, indicating that these genes are important for prognostication. On Kaplan-Meier plots of overall survival, patients predicted by the FNN model to be cured survived significantly longer than those predicted to be refractory (P<0.0001), indicating that the FNN could successfully identify patients with a relatively poor prognosis among low-clinical-risk patients. The FNN modeling method presented here is able to precisely extract significant biological markers affecting prognosis.     

Absolute number of scintillation photons in liquid xenon byalpha-particles

To apply scintillation material to radiation detectors, a quantity such as the W-value, defined as an average energy expended per ion-pair in gaseous detectors, must be determined experimentally. The authors define the effective W_S-value as E ₀/N_p an average energy dissipated to emit a scintillation photon, if the energy of radiation E_o is completely absorbed in material and the number of scintillation photons N_p are emitted. They have attempted to determine N_p in liquid xenon due to alpha-particles with an energy of 5.303 MeV from ²¹⁰Po to estimate W_S for scintillation in liquid xenon. The absolute scintillation yield was obtained as 3.26×10⁵ for alpha-particles for 5.303 MeV in liquid xenon. This result followed from fitting the absolute photo-electron yields measured with a VUV sensitive photomultiplier, which was used as a photodiode, to the results of Monte Carlo simulation     

Fracture Resistance Behavior of Multilayered Silicon Nitride

This paper investigates the fracture resistance behavior of a novel silicon nitride with a unique laminated structure consisting of alternate dense and porous layers, in the latter of which β-silicon nitride whiskers were aligned parallel to the layer. The R -curve was determined by using a chevron–notched–beam technique when a crack propagated in the direction normal to the whisker axis. The resistance markedly increased whenever a crack passed the porous layer, resulting in stepwise rising R–curve behavior. Microscopic study revealed that the aligned whiskers were almost completely pulled out in the porous layer.     

Evaluation of interferon treatment in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of interferon on cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C and the incidence of adverse reactions. The subjects were 35 cirrhotic patients, and 29 chronic active hepatitis patients without cirrhosis (CAH) served as controls. The cirrhotic patients received 3 or 6 million units of human lymphoblastoid interferon daily for one or two weeks and then three times a week for 22 or 23 weeks, while the CAH patients received 6 million units daily for 2 weeks and then three times a week for 14 or 16 weeks. Discontinuation of interferon treatment or dose reduction was required in the 7 cirrhotic patients. The most frequent reason was thrombocytopenia. Dose reduction alone was necessary in two CAH patients. Five cirrhotic patients (14.3%) and nine CAH patients (31.0%) were classified as complete responders to interferon treatment. In all five complete responders with cirrhosis, the hepatitis C virus RNA level before treatment was less than 5 log copies/50 microliters. The results of this study confirm the beneficial effect of interferon in selected patients with cirrhosis on basis of pre-treatment virus levels and platelet count.     

Circadian variation of haemodynamics in patients with essential hypertension: comparison between early morning and evening

OBJECTIVE: An increased incidence of cardiovascular accidents in the morning has been reported, but the reason why is not clear. We measured 24-h haemodynamics and focused on its change in the morning. DESIGN: To study the circadian variation of haemodynamics, we recorded 24-h direct blood pressure and electrocardiogram using a telemetry method, in 21 untreated inpatients with essential hypertension, and measured cardiac output using the dye-dilution method in the morning, in the evening and during sleep. We also determined the beat-to-beat cardiac output (using the pulse-contour method), the total peripheral resistance and the ratio of low- to high-frequency components (using power spectral analysis of the R-R interval during 24 h), and made comparisons between morning and evening values. RESULTS: Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased rapidly in the early morning. Although the comparison of blood pressure between morning and evening showed no difference, total peripheral resistance and low- to high-frequency ratio were significantly higher in the morning than in the evening, but cardiac output was lower in the morning. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic nervous activity and vascular resistance seem to be higher in the morning than in the evening, and these haemodynamic changes may stress the cardiovascular system.     

Morphologies and tensile properties of elastomer-modified epoxy and polycarbonate blended systems

The morphologies and tensile properties of an elastomer-modified epoxy (EME)/polycarbonate (PC) binary system and an EME/diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/PC ternary system were examined. In the EME system, a continuous elastomer-rich phase formed, while in the EME/DGEBA systems (unblended with PC), a continuous epoxy-rich phase formed. In both of these systems, two-phase structures were observed. In contrast, a microdispersed structure was observed when the PC was blended with either the EME or with the EME/DGEBA systems. It is suggested that blending of the epoxy with PC caused an increased solubility of the former into the elastomer phase. The tensile strength and tensile elongation of both the EME and EME/DGEBA systems were improved by blending with PC. In the EME/PC blend, the tensile elongation reached its maximum value (60%) at a PC content of approximately 10 p.h.r. (parts per hundred resin by weight), with this maximum being approximately one and a half times higher than that of the unblended EME. Tensile strength was also clearly increased by blending with small amounts of PC, but soon reached a steady value. In the EME/DGEBA/PC blends, the tensile properties were dependent on the weight ratio of EME to DGEBA. In the absence of PC, as this ratio increased, the tensile elongation also increased, while at the same time the tensile strength decreased. The tensile properties were also improved in this system, by blending with PC. From the results obtained, it was clear that the improvement in tensile properties was closely related to the changes in morphology. Therefore, blending of the PC induced a microdispersed structure and improved the elongation of the epoxy resin.     

Reduction characteristics of Fe-Bi-P mixed oxide catalysts and their ammoxidation activities of propylene

The characteristics of Fe-Bi-P mixed oxide catalysts of different compositions for reduction by propylene or ammonia and the ammoxidation activities of propylene were studied using a McBain type thermobalance and the pulse reaction technique respectively. By comparing the dependency of the reduction characteristics and catalytic activity with oxide composition and also the reduction rates and reoxidation rates of the reduced catalyst it was concluded that the ammoxidation of propylene on Fe-Bi-P mixed oxide catalyst proceeds through alternate repetition of reduction by propylene and reoxidation by oxygen, and that abstraction of allylic hydrogen from adsorbed C₃H₆ is the rate determining step.