Energy from Ellwood invariant for solutions involving X0X^0 variables

For some classical solutions $\Psi_\mathrm{sol}$ in Witten's bosonic string field theory, it was proven that energy of the solution is proportional to the Ellwood invariant $\mathrm{Tr}(\mathcal{V}\Psi_\mathrm{sol})$ with $\mathcal{V}=c\bar{c}\partial X^0\bar{\partial}X^0$. We examine the relation for solutions involving $X^0$ variables. As a result, we obtain that the relation may not hold for such solutions. Namely, there is a possibility that the energy is not proportional to the Ellwood invariant.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

Survey of switching techniques in high-speed networks and their performance

One of the most promising approaches for high speed networks for integrated service applications is fast packet switching, or ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode). ATM can be characterized by very high speed transmission links and simple, hard wired protocols within a network. To match the transmission speed of the network links, and to minimize the overhead due to the processing of network protocols, the switching of cells is done in hardware switching fabrics in ATM networks.A number of designs has been proposed for implementing ATM switches. While many differences exist among the proposals, the vast majority of them is based on self-routing multi-stage interconnection networks. This is because of the desirable features of multi-stage interconnection networks such as self-routing capability and suitability for VLSI implementation.Existing ATM switch architectures can be classified into two major classes: blocking switches, where blockings of cells may occur within a switch when more than one cell contends for the same internal link, and non-blocking switches, where no internal blocking occurs. A large number of techniques has also been proposed to improve the performance of blocking and nonblocking switches. In this paper, we present an extensive survey of the existing proposals for ATM switch architectures, focusing on their performance issues

Correlations of perioperative coagulopathy, fluid infusion and blood transfusions with survival prognosis in endovascular aortic repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background: Factors associated with survival prognosis among patients who undergo endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) have not been sufficiently investigated. In the present study, we examined correlations between perioperative coagulopathy and 24-h and 30-day postoperative survival. Relationships between coagulopathy and the content of blood transfusions, volumes of crystalloid infusion and survival. Methods: This was a retrospective study of the medical records of all patients who underwent EVAR for rAAA at Chiba-Nishi General Hospital during the period from October 2013 to December 2015. Major coagulopathy was defined using the international normalized ratio or activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ratio of at least 1.5, or platelet count less than 50 × 10/l. We quantified the amounts of blood transfusions and crystalloid infusions administered from arrival to the hospital to admission to ICU following operations. Results: Coagulopathy among patients with rAAA was found to progress even after they had presented at the hospital. No statistically significant correlation between preoperative coagulopathy and mortality was found, although a significantly greater degree of postoperative coagulopathy was seen among patients who died both within 24-h and 30 days postoperatively. Among patients with postoperative coagulopathy, lesser quantities of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) compared with red cell concentrate (RCC) were used during the period from hospital arrival to postoperative ICU entry. In both groups of patients who did not survive after 24-h and 30 days, FFP was used less than RCC. Large transfusions of crystalloids administered during the periods from hospital arrival to surgery and from hospital arrival to the end of surgery were associated with postoperative incidence of major coagulopathy, death within 24-h, and death within 30 days. Conclusion: Coagulopathy progressed during care in the emergency outpatient clinic and operations. Postoperative coagulopathy was associated with poorer outcomes. Smaller FFP/RCC ratios and larger volumes of crystalloid infusion were associated with development of coagulopathy and poorer prognosis of survival

Effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on secretions of human monokines

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of newly developed selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, KF19514 (type l/IV) and cilostazol (type III), and theophylline on the secretions of tumor necrosis factor a (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1 β) from human peripheral monocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccha- ride (LPS). Human blood monocytes were incubated with LPS in the absence or presence of KF19514, cilostazol or theophylline. TNFα and IL-1in the cell- free supernatants were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KF19514 showed significant inhibition on the release of TNFα (% inhibition ± SEM was 82.8 ± 7.4% at 1 nmol/L) and IL-1 β (34.4 ± 7.5% at 10 (μmol/L). In addition, KF19514 inhibited the expression of TNFa mRNA. Cilostazol inhibited the release of TNFa significantly (60.2 ± 8.9% at 30 μmol/L) but not IL-1 β. Theophylline inhibited slightly but significantly the release of TNFa at a therapeutic concentration (1 7.4 ± 5.1% at 100 μmol/L). These results suggest that theophylline may not only have a bronchodilating action but also an anti-inflammatory property in the treatment of bronchial asthma, and that KF19514 may have an anti-inflammatory action on at least the transcriptional level

VLBI Astrometry of AGB Variables with VERA -- A Semiregular Variable S Crateris --

We present a distance measurement for the semiregular variable S Crateris (S Crt) based on its annual parallax. With the unique dual beam system of the VLBI Exploration for Radio Astrometry (VERA) telescopes, we measured the absolute proper motion of a water maser spot associated with S Crt, referred to the quasar J1147-0724 located at an angular separation of 1.23$^{\circ}$. In observations spanning nearly two years, we have detected the maser spot at the LSR velocity of 34.7 km s$^{-1}$, for which we measured the annual parallax of 2.33$\pm$0.13 mas corresponding to a distance of 430$^{+25}_{-23}$ pc. This measurement has an accuracy one order of magnitude better than the parallax measurements of HIPPARCOS. The angular distribution and three-dimensional velocity field of maser spots indicate a bipolar outflow with the flow axis along northeast-southwest direction. Using the distance and photospheric temperature, we estimate the stellar radius of S Crt and compare it with those of Mira variables.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ (Vol.60, No.5, October 25, VERA special issue

Immunobiotic feed developed with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii TUA4408L and the soymilk by-product okara improves health and growth performance in pigs

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii TUA4408L is able to differentially modulate the innate immune response of porcine intestinal epithelial cells triggered by TLR4 activation. This strain also has a remarkable ability to grow on plant substrates. These two immunological and biotechnological characteristics prompted us to evaluate whether the soymilk by-product okara fermented with the TUA4408L strain can serve as an immunobiotic feed with the ability to beneficially modulate the intestinal immunity of piglets after weaning to improve their productivity. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that the administration of immunobiotic TUA4408L-fermented okara feed significantly increased piglet growth performance and meat quality. These positive effects were associated with the ability of the TUA4408L-fermented okara feed to beneficially modulate both intestinal microbiota and immunity in pigs. The immunobiotic feed improved the abundance of the beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus and Lactococcus in the gut of pigs, reduced blood markers of inflammation, and differentially regulated the expression of inflammatory and regulatory cytokines in the intestinal mucosa. These findings indicate that the immunobiotic TUA4408L-fermented okara feed could be an economical and environmentally friendly option to improve the growth performance and immune health of pigs.Fil: Suda, Yoshihito. Miyagi University; JapónFil: Sasaki, Nana. Miyagi University; JapónFil: Kagawa, Kyoma. Miyagi University; JapónFil: Elean, Mariano Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Zhou, Binghui. Tohoku University; JapónFil: Tomokiyo, Mikado. Tohoku University; JapónFil: Islam, Md Aminul. Tohoku University; Japón. Bangladesh Agricultural University; BangladeshFil: Shahid Riaz Rajoka, Muhammad. Tohoku University; JapónFil: Humayun Kober, A.K.M.. Tohoku University; Japón. Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University; BangladeshFil: Shimazu, Tomoyuki. Miyagi University; JapónFil: Egusa, Shintaro. No especifíca;Fil: Terashima, Yuji. No especifíca;Fil: Aso, Hisashi. Tohoku University; JapónFil: Ikeda Ohtsubo, Wakako. Tohoku University; JapónFil: Villena, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Kitazawa, Haruki. Tohoku University; Japó