Evaluation of a multimode fiber optic low coherence interferometer for path length resolved Doppler measurements of diffuse light \ud

The performance of a graded index multimode fiber optic low coherence Mach-Zehnder interferometer with phase modulation is analyzed. Investigated aspects were its ability to measure path length distributions and to perform path length resolved Doppler measurements of multiple scattered photons in a turbid suspension of particles undergoing Brownian and translational motion. The path length resolution of this instrument is compared with a system using single mode fibers for illumination and detection. The optical path lengths are determined from the zero order moment of the phase modulation peak in the power spectrum. The weighted first moment, which is equal to the average Doppler shift, shows a linear response for different mean flow velocities within the physiological rang

Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors

P4 is a high-level language for programming protocol-independent packet processors. P4 works in conjunction with SDN control protocols like OpenFlow. In its current form, OpenFlow explicitly specifies protocol headers on which it operates. This set has grown from 12 to 41 fields in a few years, increasing the complexity of the specification while still not providing the flexibility to add new headers. In this paper we propose P4 as a strawman proposal for how OpenFlow should evolve in the future. We have three goals: (1) Reconfigurability in the field: Programmers should be able to change the way switches process packets once they are deployed. (2) Protocol independence: Switches should not be tied to any specific network protocols. (3) Target independence: Programmers should be able to describe packet-processing functionality independently of the specifics of the underlying hardware. As an example, we describe how to use P4 to configure a switch to add a new hierarchical label

A case of pericardial effusion: Aid of bedside ultrasound in clinical decision making

Background: In life-threatening conditions, such as cardiac tamponade, we need to recognize signs of impending decompensation in a timely manner. Point of care ultrasound is non-invasive and is readily available, particularly in a resource limited setting. In this case, we present a patient with worsening pericardial effusion and the importance of bedside cardiac ultrasound. Case presentation: A 76-year-old male with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung was admitted for worsening dysphagia for 3 days and decreased oral intake. He was normotensive but was tachycardic with muffled heart sounds. CT of the chest demonstrated a significant pericardial effusion. Bedside ultrasound to evaluate the extent of pericardial effusion revealed significant circumferential effusion, right systolic atrial collapse, and non-variable IVC, signs of pre-tamponade physiology. Given these findings, cardiology was emergently consulted who recommended transfer to a higher level of care facility. Thus, point of care ultrasound helped in making an immediate decision prior to clinical decompensation of the patient. Conclusion: Point of care ultrasound can help in making critical decisions in resource-limited settings. In this patient, a large effusion with pre-tamponade physiology was identified on bedside ultrasound. Early recognition during bedside ultrasound can help reach a diagnosis before clinical deterioration. Our case highlights the importance of point of care ultrasound as a tool to reinforce critical thinking and help expedite rational decision-making processes

Preliminary report on a reconnaissance survey of the major coastal and marine ecosystems in Gulf of Kutch

The region of Gulf of Kutch was possibly more an arid zone in the pleistocene, almost approaching to a desert condition, than what it is at present. The gulf is believed to be the result of a wide indentation or subsidence that allowed encroachment of the sea in the geological past. The whole area is still supposed to be seismically unstable. The Gulf of Kutch covers an area of circa 7,350 sq. km with a maximum depth of 60 m. The tidal range varies from 3.06 to 5.89 m with an average of 4 m. The intertidal zones are sandy and muddy or with sandstones of vast expanse and prolonged exposure

KDM4 Involvement in Breast Cancer and Possible Therapeutic Approaches

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, although recent scientific and technological achievements have led to significant improvements in progression-free disease and overall survival of patients. Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications play a critical role in deregulating gene expression, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer progression. Aberrant histone modifications are one of the most frequent epigenetic mechanisms occurring in cancer. In particular, methylation and demethylation of specific lysine residues alter gene accessibility via histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) and histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). The KDM family includes more than 30 members, grouped into six subfamilies and two classes based on their sequency homology and catalytic mechanisms, respectively. Specifically, the KDM4 gene family comprises six members, KDM4A-F, which are associated with oncogene activation, tumor suppressor silencing, alteration of hormone receptor downstream signaling, and chromosomal instability. Blocking the activity of KDM4 enzymes renders them “druggable” targets with therapeutic effects. Several KDM4 inhibitors have already been identified as anticancer drugs in vitro in BC cells. However, no KDM4 inhibitors have as yet entered clinical trials due to a number of issues, including structural similarities between KDM4 members and conservation of the active domain, which makes the discovery of selective inhibitors challenging. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of the molecular functions of KDM4 members in BC, describe currently available KDM4 inhibitors, and discuss their potential use in BC therapy

Operator algebra quantum homogeneous spaces of universal gauge groups

In this paper, we quantize universal gauge groups such as SU(\infty), as well as their homogeneous spaces, in the sigma-C*-algebra setting. More precisely, we propose concise definitions of sigma-C*-quantum groups and sigma-C*-quantum homogeneous spaces and explain these concepts here. At the same time, we put these definitions in the mathematical context of countably compactly generated spaces as well as C*-compact quantum groups and homogeneous spaces. We also study the representable K-theory of these spaces and compute it for the quantum homogeneous spaces associated to the universal gauge group SU(\infty).Comment: 14 pages. Merged with [arXiv:1011.1073

Preliminary report on a reconnaissance survey of the major coastal and marine ecosystems in Gulf of Kutch

The region of Gulf of Kutch was possibly more an arid zone in the pleistocene, almost approaching to a desert condition, than what it is at present. The Gulf of Kutch covers an area of circa 7,350 sq. km with a maximum depth of 60 m. The tidal range varies from 3.06 to 5.89 m with an average of 4 m. The intertidal zones are sandy and muddy or with sandstones of vast expanse and prolonged exposure. The present report is based on a six weeks survey carried out in the Gulf of Kutch mainly around Okha and Jamnagar in 1978 with a view to obtaining additional information on the major marine and coastal habitats, particularly the coral formations and the mangroves. The prevailing physical features,animal communities and the visible ecological impact on the ecosystems due to human interference are briefly discussed. The most important physical factor that at present aifect the marine life of Gulf of Kutch seems to be the high degree of sedimentation. Existence of extreme physical conditions such as prolonged exposure due to very high tidal amplitude is a major factor that applies constraints on the colonization of many marine animals. The higher rate of sedimentation in the inshore waters of Gulf of Kutch appears to be the most deleterious physical factor that affect the marine fauna at present

Gillnet fisheries of India

World has shown a spectacular increase in operation in recent years. A recent article (Anon., 1992) makes the following observations on the world gill net fishing: "The drifl: gill net fleet of the world act as curtains of death, land huge quantities of non-targeted species, prevent the salmon from reaching their native spawning sites, and also entangle, mutilate and drown thousands of marine mammals. The situation is alarming that more than 1,000 fishing vessels operate large sized nets hanging as much as 11 metres deep and spanning about 50 km, the combined length of the fleet's nets operating in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans amounting to about 50,000 km, more than the distance around the earth"