An algorithm for architecture partitioning in high-speed networks with bursty traffic

This paper analyzes the performance of a switching architecture. The performance measures include the elapsed time of packet transfer and the waiting time to begin transfer. The architecture is partitioned depending on the type of network used and the expected traffic in the network. Every partition has a switch with a buffer that can absorb surges of bursty traffic within the network partition. The buffer size depends on the type of the network and incoming traffic. The partition size depends on the network bandwidth, network traffic, packet size and buffer size. Examples of different networks are used to show the applications of the model. The results show that the elapsed time of packet switch transfer depends exponentially on the number of partitions in the network.     

Characterization of petroleum-degrading bacteria from oil-contaminated sites in Vietnam

Four petroleum-degrading bacterial strains, 2TN-NB, 6TBX-CL, MVK2-5, and XCK, were isolated from various oil-contaminated sites in Vietnam. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding 16S rRNA allowed 2TN-NB to be identified as Acinetobacter sp. and the other three stains as Pseudomonas sp. Among the four isolates, 2TN-NB was most effective in degrading crude oil: in 1 d, it degraded 95% of the crude oil in the culture medium (5%, v/v). The isolated strains could also degrade a sulfur-containing aromatic hydrocarbon, dibenzothiophene (DBT), with low efficiency. Except for MVK2-5, which degraded crude oil least efficiently, the isolates produced biosurfactants in amounts sufficient for structural analysis. FT-IR measurement suggested that strains 6TBX-CL and XCK produced glycolipid-type biosurfactants while that produced by 2TN-NB was of the polysaccharide type.     

Molecular characterization of antibiotic-resistant salmonella isolates from retail meat from markets in northern Vietnam

A total of 118 Salmonella isolates were detected from 283 retail meat samples (135 pork and 148 chicken meat) purchased at retail markets in Northern Vietnam. Thirteen serovars, including Infantis, Anatum, Rissen, Reading, Emek, Typhimurium, Blockley, London, Newport, Derby, Weltevreden, Albany, and Hadar, were determined. Resistance to tetracycline (54.2%), sulfonamides (52.5%), streptomycin (41.5%), trimethoprim (36.4%), chloramphenicol (35.6%), and ampicillin (33.1%) was commonly seen in the Salmonella isolates. Fourteen [bla(TEM), bla(OXA-1), bla(PSE-1), aadA1, sul1, tetA, tetB, tetG, cmlA1, floR, dfrA1, dfrA12, aac(3)-IV, and aphA1-1AB ] of 17 resistance genes were detected from the isolates demonstrating resistance. Genes for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance, such as qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qepA, and acc(6')-1b-cr, were not detected in 23 quinoloneresistant isolates. The substitution TCC to TTC at codon 83 of gyrA was found in the 18 quinolone-resistant isolates. The data revealed that resistant Salmonella strains were widely distributed in Northern Vietnam via the food chain and that they might contain multiple genes specifying identical resistance phenotypes. Thus, further studies are necessary to clarify the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains and their spread in the livestock market.     

Geometry-dependent lighting

In this paper, we introduce geometry-dependent lighting that allows lighting parameters to be defined independently and possibly discrepantly over an object or scene based on the local geometry. We present and discuss light collages, a lighting design system with geometry-dependent lights for effective feature-enhanced visualization. Our algorithm segments the objects into local surface patches and places lights that are locally consistent but globally discrepant to enhance the perception of shape. We use spherical harmonics for efficiently storing and computing light placement and assignment. We also outline a method to find the minimal number of light sources sufficient to illuminate an object well with our globally discrepant lighting approach.     

Metalloendopeptidase ADAM-like Decysin 1 (ADAMDEC1) in Colonic Subepithelial PDGFRα+ Cells Is a New Marker for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Metalloendopeptidase ADAM-Like Decysin 1 (ADAMDEC1) is an anti-inflammatory peptidase that is almost exclusively expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We have recently found abundant and selective expression of Adamdec1 in colonic mucosal PDGFRα⁺ cells. However, the cellular origin for this gene expression is controversial as it is also known to be expressed in intestinal macrophages. We found that Adamdec1 mRNAs were selectively expressed in colonic mucosal subepithelial PDGFRα⁺ cells. ADAMDEC1 protein was mainly released from PDGFRα⁺ cells and accumulated in the mucosal layer lamina propria space near the epithelial basement membrane. PDGFRα⁺ cells significantly overexpressed Adamdec1 mRNAs and protein in DSS-induced colitis mice. Adamdec1 was predominantly expressed in CD45⁻ PDGFRα⁺ cells in DSS-induced colitis mice, with only minimal expression in CD45⁺ CD64⁺ macrophages. Additionally, overexpression of both ADAMDEC1 mRNA and protein was consistently observed in PDGFRα⁺ cells, but not in CD64⁺ macrophages found in human colonic mucosal tissue affected by Crohn’s disease. In summary, PDGFRα⁺ cells selectively express ADAMDEC1, which is localized to the colon mucosa layer. ADAMDEC1 expression significantly increases in DSS-induced colitis affected mice and Crohn’s disease affected human tissue, suggesting that this gene can serve as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for intestinal inflammation and Crohn’s disease.     

An applicable electrospinning process for fabricating a mechanically improved nanofiber mat

Engineered polymer scaffolds play an important role in tissue engineering. An ideal scaffold should have good mechanical properties and provide a biologically functional implant site. Considering their large surface area and high porosity, nanofibers have good potential as biomimetic scaffolds. However, the main shortcomings of scaffolds consisting of nanofibers are their mechanical inability to sustain a stress environment for neotissues and shape‐ability to form a variety of shapes and sizes. In this study, we produced design‐based poly (ε‐carprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber mats using an electrospinning method with various auxiliary electrodes and an x‐y moving system. To achieve stable initial solution at a nozzle tip of the electrospinning, various types of auxiliary electrodes were introduced. To characterize the effect of the electrodes in the electric‐field distribution near the nozzle tip, we calculated the electric field concentration factor and compared it with the experimental results. The nanofiber mat produced using the moving x‐y target system demonstrated orthotropic mechanical properties due to the fiber orientation, and human dermal fibroblasts seeded on the structure tended to grow according to nanofiber orientation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:707–712, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Modified poly(caprolactone trifumarate) with embedded gelatin microparticles as a functional scaffold for bone tissue engineering

Bone tissue engineering offers high hopes in reconstructing bone defects that result from trauma, infection, tumors, and other conditions. However, there remains a need for novel scaffold materials that can effectively stimulate ossification with appropriate functional properties. Therefore, a novel injectable, biodegradable, and biocompatible scaffold made by incorporating modified poly(caprolactone trifumarate) (PCLTF) with embedded gelatin microparticles (GMPs) as porogen is developed. Specifically, in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out. For the latter, to determine the osteogenic ability of PCLTF‐GMPs scaffolds, and to characterize bone‐formation, these scaffolds were implanted into critical‐sized defects of New Zealand white rabbit craniums. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) demonstrated cells of varying shapes attached to the scaffold surface in vitro. The PCLTF‐GMPs demonstrated improved biocompatibility in vivo. Polyfluorochrome tracers detected bone growth occurring in the PCLTF‐GMPs filled defects. By incorporating PCLTF with GMPs, we have fabricated a promising self‐crosslinkable biocompatible and osteoconducive scaffold for bone tissue engineering. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43711.     

Effect of Supports and Promoters on the Performance of Ni-Based Catalysts in Ethanol Steam Reforming

Ethanol steam reforming (ESR) is one of the potential processes to convert ethanol into valuable products. Hydrogen produced from ESR is considered as green energy for the future and can be an excellent alternative to fossil fuels with the aim of mitigating the greenhouse gas effect. The ESR process has been well studied, using transition metals as catalysts coupled with both acidic and basic oxides as supports. Among various reported transition metals, Ni is an inexpensive material with activity comparable to that of noble metals, showing promising ethanol conversion and hydrogen yields. Additionally, different promoters and supports were utilized to enhance the hydrogen yield and the catalyst stability. This review summarizes and discusses the influences of the supports and promoters of Ni-based catalysts on the ESR process.     

Synthesis and properties of styrene–EPDM–vinyl acetate graft polymer

The styrene–EPDM–vinylacetate (SEV) graft polymer, which linked respectively the styrene (St) unit and vinylacetate the (VAc) unit to the ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) backbone was synthesized by two‐step graft polymerizations: First the graft polymerization of VAc onto EPDM was carried out, and then St was added successively in the prepolymerized solution and further polymerized for a given period to obtain SEV. The effects of concentration of EPDM and an initiator, mole ratio of VAc to St, polymerization time, temperature, and solvent were examined on the graft polymerizations. The synthesized graft polymers (SEVs) that have different contents of St or VAc were identified by Fourier transform IR spectrum. The highest graft ratio has been obtained by 10 wt % of EPDM, 1.0 mole ratio of VAc to St, and 1.0 wt % of BPO in toluene for 48 h at 70°C. The glass transition temperature of SEV is lower than that of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and polystyrene (PS). The thermal stability of SEV is higher than that of PVAc, PS, and the acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) resin. The tensile strength of SEV was improved as compared with that of EPDM. The light resistance and weatherability of SEV were better than those of ABS. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2296–2304, 2000     

Fracture mechanics investigation on the PP/EPDM/ionomer ternary blends using j-integral by locus method

The fracture mechanics investigation of the polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM)/ionomer ternary blends was performed in terms of the J-integral by measuring fracture energy via the locus method. Blends were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer. The composition of PP and EPDM was fixed at a 50/50 ratio by weight. Two kinds of Poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMA) ionomers were used. The J-integral value at crack initiation, Jc, of the PP/EPDM/EMA ionomer ternary blends were affected by the cation types (Na⁺ or Zn²⁺) and contents (5–20 wt %) of the added EMA ionomers. The ternary blend having 5 wt % of Na-neutralized ionomer showed a higher Jc value than that of any other ternary blends. The results were discussed with regard to the fracture topology by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.