Distributed mutual exclusion algorithms

In this thesis we present three original algorithms which solve the distributed mutual exclusion problem. Two of the three solve the problem of allowing only one site at a time into the critical section. The third solves the more difficult problem of allowing a specific number of sites (k sites) into the critical section at a time; All three algorithms are Token Based . That is, they make use of a token and token queue in order to guarantee mutual exclusion. Only the site that currently has the token is allowed to enter its critical section in the 1 mutual exclusion algorithms. Only the sites that have seen the token, since they requested it, are allowed to enter their critical sections in the k mutual exclusion algorithm; The primary goal of our algorithms is efficiency. Both of our 1 mutual exclusion algorithms require between 2 and n messages per critical section (n being the number of sites) depending on the number of requests for the critical section. Our k mutual exclusion has similar requirements between 3 and n messages per critical section depending on the number of requests for the critical section. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Effects of Oilseed Supplementation on Performance and Reproduction of Beef Cows and Their Progeny

A major goal of cattle producers is to optimize reproduction of beef cows while minimizing feed costs. Lipid supplementation and its potential nutraceutical effect is one method that has been researched in an effort to accomplish this goal. The research reported in this dissertation was conducted to determine if lipid supplementation from whole oilseeds could improve reproductive performance of beef cows. Three separate performance experiments were conducted as part of this research. In the first performance experiment, multiparous spring calving cows were supplemented with a negative control, a positive control, or whole sunflower seed during late gestation. Although first service conception rates were greater for cows fed the positive control or whole sunflower seed compared with cows fed the negative control, pregnancy rates were not influenced by supplement composition. In the second performance experiment, multiparous spring calving cows were supplemented with a positive control, whole linoleic sunflower seed, or whole mid-oleic sunflower seed during late gestation. Weight gain of cows fed sunflower seed supplements was lower than cows fed the positive control. However, cow reproduction was not influenced by supplement composition. In the third performance experiment, cows of varying age were supplemented with either a positive control or whole soybeans. No differences in reproduction were observed among cows fed either supplement. In addition to the performance experiments, two intake and digestion experiments with oilseeds were conducted. In the first intake and digestion experiment steers received no supplement, a soybean hull-based supplement, whole linoleic sunflower seed, or whole high-oleic sunflower seed. Hay intake was not influenced by supplement composition; however, dry matter and fiber digestion were reduced with sunflower seed supplementation. In the second intake and digestion experiment, cows of varying age were supplemented with either a positive control or whole soybeans. Neither cow age nor supplement composition influenced any of the intake or digestion measurements. In conclusion, these experiments suggest that a limited amount of whole sunflower seed or whole soybeans can be fed as a winter supplement to beef cows during late gestation without impacting cow reproduction or calf performance.Department of Animal Scienc

Spouse therapeutic role attitudes and performances : an exploratory study

This study examined the relationship between a spouse's therapeutic role attitude and the mate's evaluation of the spouse's therapeutic role behaviors. The therapeutic role consists of supportive behaviors directed towards one's spouse. Twenty-five couples were recruited from Oregon State University classes. Attitude questionnaires were administered to all respondents. The Pearson r was used to test four hypotheses. Hypothesis one predicted a positive relationship between the spouse's therapeutic role attitude and the mate's evaluation of the spouse's role performance. Hypothesis two predicted a positive relationship between a spouse's therapeutic role attitude and the mate's marital happiness. Hypothesis three predicted a positive relationship between the spouse's therapeutic role attitude and the mate's degree of approval of the spouse's positive behavior. Finally, hypothesis four predicted a negative relationship between a spouse's therapeutic role attitude and the mate's degree of disapproval of the spouse's negative behaviors. A t-test of the Pearson r found that only hypothesis four was significant. Pearson r correlations by sex indicated that the significance of hypothesis four was due solely to the negative relationship between the husband's therapeutic role attitude and the wife's degree of disapproval of the husband's negative behaviors. An exchange theory perspective was used in the interpretation of the results. Corollary analyses, limitations and implications of the results were also discussed in the thesis

Rare causes of scoliosis and spine deformity: experience and particular features

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spine deformity can be idiopathic (more than 80% of cases), neuromuscular, congenital or neurofibromatosis-related. However, there are many disorders that may also be involved. We present our experience treating patients with scoliosis or other spine deformities related to rare clinical entities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective study of the records of a school-screening study in North-West Greece was performed, covering a 10-year period (1992–2002). The records were searched for patients with deformities related to rare disorders. These patients were reviewed as regards to characteristics of underlying disorder and spine deformity, treatment and results, complications, intraoperative and anaesthesiologic difficulties particular to each case.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 13 cases, the spine deformity presented in relation to rare disorders. The underlying disorder was rare neurological disease in 2 cases (Rett syndrome, progressive hemidystonia), muscular disorders (facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, arthrogryposis) in 2 patients, osteogenesis imperfecta in 2 cases, Marfan syndrome, osteopetrosis tarda, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, cleidocranial dysplasia and Noonan syndrome in 1 case each. In 2 cases scoliosis was related to other congenital anomalies (phocomelia, blindness). Nine of these patients were surgically treated. Surgery was avoided in 3 patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study illustrates the fact that different disorders are related with curves with different characteristics, different accompanying problems and possible complications. Investigation and understanding of the underlying pathology is an essential part of the clinical evaluation and preoperative work-up, as clinical experience at any specific center is limited.</p

The Salmonella effector SseJ disrupts microtubule dynamics when ectopically expressed in Normal Rat Kidney cells

Salmonella effector protein SseJ is secreted by Salmonella into the host cell cytoplasm where it can then modify host cell processes. Whilst host cell small GTPase RhoA has previously been shown to activate the acyl-transferase activity of SseJ we show here an un-described effect of SseJ protein production upon microtubule dynamism. SseJ prevents microtubule collapse and this is independent of SseJ's acyl-transferase activity. We speculate that the effects of SseJ on microtubules would be mediated via its known interactions with the small GTPases of the Rho family

The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema – the 2017 revision and update

Abstract Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare and disabling disease. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy are essential. This update and revision of the global guideline for HAE provides up-to-date consensus recommendations for the management of HAE. In the development of this update and revision of the guideline, an international expert panel reviewed the existing evidence and developed 20 recommendations that were discussed, finalized and consented during the guideline consensus conference in June 2016 in Vienna. The final version of this update and revision of the guideline incorporates the contributions of a board of expert reviewers and the endorsing societies. The goal of this guideline update and revision is to provide clinicians and their patients with guidance that will assist them in making rational decisions in the management of HAE with deficient C1-inhibitor (type 1) and HAE with dysfunctional C1-inhibitor (type 2). The key clinical questions covered by these recommendations are: 1) How should HAE-1/2 be defined and classified?, 2) How should HAE-1/2 be diagnosed?, 3) Should HAE-1/2 patients receive prophylactic and/or on-demand treatment and what treatment options should be used?, 4) Should HAE-1/2 management be different for special HAE-1/2 patient groups such as pregnant/lactating women or children?, and 5) Should HAE-1/2 management incorporate self-administration of therapies and patient support measures? This article is co-published with permission in Allergy and the World Allergy Organization Journal