Storage performance-metrics and benchmarks

The metrics and benchmarks used in storage performance evaluation are discussed. The technology trends taking place in storage systems, such as disk and tape evolution, disk arrays, and solid-state disks, are highlighted. The current popular I/O benchmarks are then described, reviewed, and run on three systems: a DECstation 5000/200 running the Sprite Operating System, a SPARCstation 1+ running SunOS, and an HP Series 700 (Model 730) running HP-UX. Two approaches to storage benchmarks-LADDIS and a self-scaling benchmark with predicted performance-are also described     

Beta-COP is essential for biosynthetic membrane transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex in vivo

Experimental glomerulonephritis was induced in rats to investigate the consequence of the antigen-antibody interaction on the surface of glomerular endothelial cells (GENs). A lectin, Lens culinaris hemoagglutinin (LCH), was first planted in the left kidney by isolated perfusion of a left kidney, and then the circulation was reestablished. Rabbit anti-LCH antibodies were injected from the tail vein 3 minutes after the recirculation of the left kidney, and acute glomerulonephritis ensued. Fifteen minutes after the injection, rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG), rat C3, and LCH were observed exclusively on the surface of GENs. Accumulation of platelets was prominent. Three hours later, the immune deposits were seen in the subendothelial space, and the polymorphonuclear cells were the dominant infiltrate in the glomeruli. Up to the seventh day, immune deposits were seen in the subendothelial space, and the widening of this area was increasingly observed. Fourteen days later, immune deposits containing rat IgG were observed in the subepithelial area, but they were only occasionally seen in the subendothelial space and in the mesangial area. No crescent formation was seen at day 14, but the mesangial area was expanded, with an increased number of cells. The number of nuclei in the cross-section of a glomerulus increased after the induction of glomerulonephritis, but the number of leukocyte common antigen-positive cells (infiltrating cells) decreased gradually from day 4 to day 14. The staining of Thy-1.1, a marker of mesangial cell, was markedly enlarged in the glomerulus at day 14. These data suggest that mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis can be induced by the antigen-antibody interaction on the surface of GENs.     

A broadly cross-protective monoclonal antibody binding to Escherichia coli and Salmonella lipopolysaccharides

During the last decade, episodes of sepsis have increased and Escherichia coli has remained the most frequent clinical isolate. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS; endotoxin) are the major toxic and antigenic components of gram-negative bacteria and qualify as targets for therapeutic interventions. Molecules that neutralize the toxic effects of LPS are actively investigated. In this paper, we describe a murine monoclonal antibody (MAb; WN1 222-5), broadly cross-reactive and cross-protective for smooth (S)-form and rough (R)-form LPS. As shown in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the passive hemolysis assay, WN1 222-5 binds to the five known E. coli core chemotypes, to Salmonella core, and to S-form LPS having these core structures. In immunoblots, it is shown to react with both the nonsubstituted core LPS and with LPS carrying O-side chains, indicating the exposure of the epitope in both S-form and R-form LPS. This MAb of the immunoglobulin G2a class is not lipid A reactive but binds to E. coli J5, an RcP+ mutant which carries an inner core structure common to many members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Phosphate groups present in the inner core contribute to the epitope but are not essential for the binding of WN1 222-5 to complete core LPS. Cross-reactivity for clinical bacterial isolates is broad. WN1 222-5 binds to all E. coli clinical isolates tested so far (79 blood isolates, 80 urinary isolates, and 21 fecal isolates) and to some Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella isolates. This pattern of reactivity indicates that its binding epitope is widespread among members of the Enterobacteriaceae. WN1 222-5 exhibits biologically relevant activities. In vitro, it inhibits the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay activity of S-form and R-form LPS in a dose-dependent manner and it neutralizes the LPS-induced release of clinically relevant monokines (interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor). In vivo, WN1 222-5 blocks endotoxin-induced pyrogenicity in rabbits and lethality in galactosamine-sensitized mice. The discovery of WN1 222-5 settles the long-lasting controversy over the existence of anti-core LPS MAbs with both cross-reactive and cross-protective activity, opening new possibilities for the immunotherapy of sepsis caused by gram-negative bacteria.     

The role of estrogen in female urinary incontinence and urogenital aging: a review

Urogenital aging is a complex of urogenital symptoms involving the lower urinary tract, the genital tract and the pelvic floor. These symptoms involve hypoestrogenism in the menopausal woman. This review concludes that irritative urinary and local vaginal symptoms are quite amenable to estrogen therapy. Urinary incontinence is thought to be benefited by treatment with estrogen, although controversy exists. There is a limited role for estrogen in problems of urogenital prolapse, rectal symptoms, and sexuality in menopause.     

Image compression in digital mammography: effects on computerized detection of subtle microcalcifications

Our previous receiver operating characteristic (ROC) study indicated that the detection accuracy of microcalcifications by radiologists is significantly reduced if mammograms are digitized at 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm. Our recent study also showed that detection accuracy by computer decreases as the pixel size increases from 0.035 mm x 0.035 mm. It is evident that very large matrix sizes have to be used for digitizing mammograms in order to preserve the information in the image. Efficient compression techniques will be needed to facilitate communication and archiving of digital mammograms. In this study, we evaluated two compression techniques: full frame discrete cosine transform (DCT) with entropy coding and Laplacian pyramid hierarchical coding (LPHC). The dependence of their efficiency on the compression parameters was investigated. The techniques were compared in terms of the trade-off between the bit rate and the detection accuracy of subtle microcalcifications by an automated detection algorithm. The mean-square errors in the reconstructed images were determined and the visual quality of the error images was examined. It was found that with the LPHC method, the highest compression ratio achieved without a significant degradation in the detectability was 3.6:1. The full frame DCT method with entropy coding provided a higher compression efficiency of 9.6:1 at comparable detection accuracy. The mean-square errors did not correlate with the detection accuracy of the microcalcifications. This study demonstrated the importance of determining the quality of the decompressed images by the specific requirements of the task for which the decompressed images are to be used. Further investigation is needed for selection of optimal compression technique for digital mammograms.     

Localization of interferon-gamma and Ia-antigen in T cell line-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

This study reports the cellular localization of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and MHC class II antigen (Ia) in the spinal cord of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by adoptive transfer of myelin basic protein-specific T cells. Numerous IFN-gamma-positive cells, stained with two different monoclonal antibodies against IFN-gamma, were present from days 3 to 7 after cell transfer. Their number was greatly reduced on day 10. A subpopulation of T cells was IFN-gamma positive. Moreover, a large number of ED1-positive macrophages contained IFN-gamma immunoreactivity. The transient presence of immune cells containing IFN-gamma immunoreactivity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis suggests a pathogenic role of this cytokine in immune-mediated demyelination of the central nervous system.     

Predicting future clinical adjustment from treatment outcome and process variables.

General issues relating to the use of outcome and process data from the treatment of antisocial children to predict future childhood adjustment are examined. For outcome measures, it was assumed that variables based on direct observation of child behavior would provide a better predictor of long-term adjustment than would ratings by participant adults. Long-term adjustment measures consisted of police arrest and out-of-home placement data collected 2 years after treatment termination. Observation data collected at termination predicted future police arrest, but parent and teacher ratings did not. It was also hypothesized that measures of the processes thought to produce the changes in child antisocial behavior would serve as predictors of future adjustment. The data supported this hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)