Computing approximate blocking probabilities for large lossnetworks with state-dependent routing

A reduced load approximation (also referred to as an Erlang fixed point approximation) for estimating point-to-point blocking probabilities in loss networks (e.g., circuit switched networks) with state-dependent routing is considered. In this approximation scheme, the idle capacity distribution for each link in the network is approximated, assuming that these distributions are independent from link to link. This leads to a set of nonlinear fixed-point equations which can be solved by repeated substitutions. The accuracy and the computational requirements of the approximation procedure for a particular routing scheme, namely least loaded routing, is examined. Numerical results for six-node and 36-node asymmetric networks are given. A novel reduced load approximation for multirate networks with state-dependent routing is also presented     

Optical-Kerr-enhanced mode locking of a lamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser

We discuss the potential use of three new mode-locking techniques, namely additive-pulse mode locking, the combination of self-phase modulation and group velocity dispersion, and Kerr lens mode locking, as simple retrofits to enhance the performance of conventional multi-watt lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers. Of the three, we discard the APM technique because of structural and power-handling difficulties. We then discuss theoretically and confirm experimentally that the combination of SPM plus gain dispersion can lead to pulsewidth reduction by a factor of 2 to 2.5 but not more, in agreement with the analysis of Haus and Silberberg. Finally, while KLM can be very effective as a fast saturable absorber in many types of lasers, we find that its application to lamp-pumped YAG lasers is frustrated by instabilities in thermal focusing and transverse mode position characteristic of this type of laser     

The potential role for CDC42 protein from rat brain cytosol in phospholipase D activation

Phospholipase D (PLD) has been extracted from rat brain membranes and chromatographically enriched 70-fold. From the rat brain cytosol, Cdc42 with a Mr of about 24,000 and ADP-ribosylation Factor (Arf) with a Mr of about 18,000 have been purified to near homogeneity. PLD was activated better by purified cytosolic Arf than by the other small G proteins tested. Cdc42 purified from rat brain cytosol showed 70% of PLD activation activity exerted by cytosolic Arf, suggesting that Cdc42 may be one of the major G proteins involved in the activation of membrane-associated PLD. While Cdc42 or RhoA exhibited synergistic activation of PLD when administered in conjunction with Arf, Cdc42 and RhoA showed an additive effect when used together. It is possible that Arf and Rho family proteins may have different interaction sites on PLD. These findings support a role for GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family as well as Arf in the activation of membrane-associated PLD and further suggest that Cdc42 may be a major G protein involved in the PLD activation in rat brain.     

Cell surface localization and processing of the ComG proteins, required for DNA binding during transformation of Bacillus subtilis

The comG operon of Bacillus subtilis encodes seven proteins essential for the binding of transforming DNA to the competent cell surface. We have explored the processing of the ComG proteins and the cellular localization of six of them. All of the proteins were found to be membrane associated. The four proteins with N-terminal sequence motifs typical of type 4 pre-pilins (ComGC, GD, GE and GG) are processed by a pathway that requires the product of comC, also an essential competence gene. The unprocessed forms of ComGC and GD behave like integral membrane proteins. Pre-ComGG differs from pre-ComGC and pre-ComGD, in that it is accessible to proteolysis only from the cytoplasmic face of the membrane and at least a portion of it behaves like a peripheral membrane protein. The mature forms of these proteins are translocated to the outer face of the membrane and are liberated when peptidoglycan is hydrolysed by lysozyme or mutanolysin. ComGG exists in part as a disulphide-cross-linked homodimer in vivo. ComGC was found to possess an intramolecular disulphide bond. The previously identified homodimer form of this protein is not stabilized by disulphide bond formation. ComGF behaves as an integral membrane protein, while ComGA, a putative ATPase, is located on the inner face of the membrane as a peripheral membrane protein. Possible roles of the ComG proteins in DNA binding to the competent cell surface are discussed in the light of these and other results.     

Inhibitory action of YJA20379, a new proton pump inhibitor on Helicobacter pylori growth and urease

The use of an episiotomy for vaginal delivery is a controversial topic in modern obstetrics. If one is done, however, correct technique of perineal trauma repair is important. The usual episiotomy has traditionally been closed with interrupted suture. The use of a less reactive material, e.g. polyglycolic acid (Dexon), seem to be suitable for subcutaneous skin closure and beneficial in terms of acute postpartum discomfort and healing. The comparison of healing and patient comfort parameters between interrupted and subcutis polyglycolic acid suture used for episiotomy repair after delivery was done. Patients had follow-up during hospital stay, and two months after delivery a self administered questionnaire was sent to all women who participated, enquiring about perineal pain, resumption of sexual intercourse and cosmetics of suture line. Of 52 patients who had repair with interrupted suture, 21 were lost to follow-up. Of 65 gravidas who had repair with subcutis suture, 23 were lost to follow-up. At the 3rd day postpartum examination, patients with subcutis sutures had significantly better healing. An inflammatory process was present in 2 of 52 patients with interrupted sutures comparable with 1 of 65 in the subcutis group, and a gaping wound in 0 of 52 and 1 of 65, respectively. Recovery of function, measured by resumption of sexual activity by 8 weeks, was demonstrated in 5 of 31 patients with interrupted sutures versus 24 of 42 patients who had subcutis sutures. Episiotomy repair with subcutis polyglycolic acid (Dexon) offers significant advantages over traditional interrupted suture, both in terms of wound healing and resumption of sexual activity.     

Permeability of polyimides derived from non-coplanar diamines and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride

A series of polyimides including a non-coplanar moiety were synthesized in order to investigate the effect on gas permeability and selectivity. The gas permeation properties of He, H₂, O₂, N₂, CH₄ and CO₂ were measured using a constant-volume method. Only 6FDA-terphenyl consisting of laterally attached phenyl groups shows a substantial increase because its terphenyl moiety is a rigid structure with a high aspect ratio. The order of permeability increase from 6FDA-phenyl to 6FDA-terphenyl is consistent with the calculated fraction free volume and measured permittivity. It is observed that the most gain in permeability for 6FDA-terphenyl polyimide arises from the enhancement in apparent diffusion coefficient, while the permeability increase for 6FDA-biphenyl is mainly due to the increase in solubility. A relationship of diffusivity vs. gas penetrant size as well as gas solubility vs. critical temperature of gas penetrant was also investigated.     

COMMENTS ON «TUNING RULES FOR THE PID CONTROLLER USING A DMC STRATEGY»

It is pointed out that the tuning rules for under damped system and non‐minimum phase system that given by Haeri is incorrect.     

Dynamic spectrum management for next-generation DSL systems

The performance of DSL systems is severely constrained by crosstalk due to the electromagnetic coupling among the multiple twisted pairs making up a phone cable. In order to reduce performance loss arising from crosstalk, DSL systems are currently designed under the assumption of worst-case crosstalk scenarios leading to overly conservative DSL deployments. This article presents a new paradigm for DSL system design, which takes into account the multi-user aspects of the DSL transmission environment. Dynamic spectrum management (DSM) departs from the current design philosophy by enabling transceivers to autonomously and dynamically optimize their communication settings with respect to both the channel and the transmissions of neighboring systems. Along with this distributed optimization, when an additional degree of coordination becomes available for future DSL deployment, DSM will allow even greater improvement in DSL performance. Implementations are readily applicable without causing any performance degradation to the existing DSLs under static spectrum management. After providing an overview of the DSM concept, this article reviews two practical DSM methods: iterative water-filling, an autonomous distributed power control method enabling great improvement in performance, which can be implemented through software options in some existing ADSL and VDSL systems; and vectored-DMT, a coordinated transmission/reception technique achieving crosstalk-free communication for DSL systems, which brings within reach the dream of providing universal Internet access at speeds close to 100 Mb/s to 500 m on 1-2 lines and beyond 1 km on 2-4 lines. DSM-capable DSL thus enables the broadband age.     

Nanolayer coatings for hard disk and demanding tribological applications

Coating properties and performance can be tailor-designed by proper control of nano structure andprocess conditions. This paper presents two examples: first, the synthesis and optimization of 1 nm thick nitrogenated carbon (CN_x) nano-layers as protective overcoats in extremely highdensity harddisksystems, and, second, the development of multilayer coatings for wear protection at elevated temperatures. Synthesis of these coatings was done by magnetron sputtering. These studies demonstrate that one canproduce atomically smooth 1 nmthickCN_xovercoatswith acceptable corrosionperformance. In addition, this paper shows that, with the proper choice of nanolayer thickness and process conditions, superhard coatings based on TiN/SiN_x and TiB₂/TiC multilayers with high thermal stability, low internal stress, and high wear resistance can be synthesized.