Document distribution algorithm for load balancing on an extensible Web server architecture

Access latency and load balancing are the two main issues in the design of clustered Web server architecture for achieving high performance. We propose a novel document distribution algorithm for load balancing on a cluster of distributed Web servers. We group Web pages that are likely to be accessed during a request session into a migrating unit, which is used as the basic unit of document placement. A modified binning algorithm is developed to distribute the migrating units among the Web servers to fulfil the load balancing. We also present a redirection mechanism, which makes use of a migrating unit's property, to reduce the cost of request redirections. The distribution of Web documents would be recomputed periodically to adapt to the changes in client request patterns and system configuration. Simulation results show that our solution can reduce the amount of request redirection and document migration, and it can distribute workload properly among Web servers.published_or_final_versio

Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Adiponectin in Alzheimer's Disease

The adipocyte-secreted protein adiponectin (APN) has several protective functions in the peripheral tissues including insulin sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects that may benefit neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, dysregulation of cerebral insulin sensitivities and signaling activities have been implicated in AD. Emerging insights into the mechanistic roles of adiponectin and AD highlight the potential therapeutic effects for AD through insulin signaling.published_or_final_versio

Immunopathological Effects Of Aquaporin-4 Ig G In Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

published_or_final_versio

An all-lag rotating-reference correlator and its efficient implementation

This paper proposes an all-lag correlator that employs a rotating reference code sequence. The proposed correlator has an advantage over the previously proposed all-lag correlator, which employs a fixed reference code, in that correlation peaks remain at the same output positions regardless of update from newly arrived data samples. Therefore, the correlation information can be more conveniently manipulated in certain applications, and the posterior signal processing requirement can be reduced. Low-complexity implementation of the correlator using a recursive form is also presented. The degree of implementation complexity is of the order N, the reference-code length.published_or_final_versio

Effect of poling procedure on the properties of lead zirconate titanate/vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene composites

Version of RecordPublishe

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PZT/P (VDF-TrFE) composites with constituent phases poled in parallel or anti-parallel directions

2000-2001 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Recursive all-lag reference-code correlators

An all-lag reference-code correlator generates an all-lag even-or odd-correlation vector at a rate equal to the rate of incoming data samples. Direct implementation of an all-lag reference-code correlator requires N parallel correlators, and the resultant degree of complexity is of the order N2, where N is the length of the reference code. This paper derives two recursive forms for all-lag reference-code correlators. One generates all-lag even correlation and the other one generates all-lag odd correlation. It is shown that the proposed recursive all-lag reference-code correlator can be implemented with a complexity approximately equal to that of a single parallel correlator. That is, the degree of complexity of the proposed recursive all-lag reference-code correlator is of the order N. Thus, substantial reduction in the implementation complexity is achieved.published_or_final_versio

A recursive all-lag reference-code correlator for generating odd correlations

An all-lag reference-code correlator generates an all-lag even- or odd-correlation vector at a rate equal to the rate of incoming data samples. Direct implementation of an all-lag reference-code correlator requires N parallel correlators, and the resultant degree of complexity is of the order N 2, where N is the length of the reference code. In a previous paper, a recursive form for generating all-lag even correlations was derived. In this paper, we derive the recursive form for generating all-lag odd correlations. It is shown that the corresponding correlator can be implemented with a complexity approximately equal to that of a single parallel correlator. That is, the degree of complexity of the proposed recursive all-lag reference-code correlator is of the order N. Thus, substantial reduction in the implementation complexity is achieved.published_or_final_versio

Do statins reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B?

In subjects with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), the lifetime risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is estimated to be 25-37 times compared to non-infected subjects. The process of hepatocarcinogenesis is complex and involves well-documented host, viral, and environmental risk factors. The most important risks include host factors such as older age, male gender, the presence of cirrhosis, and viral factors such as the viral load, genotype, and the presence of basal core promoter mutations. To date, antiviral therapy is the only intervention demonstrated to significantly reduce the risk of HCC development in CHB patients. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in cancer development, there is no established benefit shown from treatment with antioxidizing agents such as silymarin, green tea, and vitamin E.published_or_final_versio

Cholestatic jaundice caused by sequential carbimazole and propylthiouracil treatment for thyrotoxicosis

A 36-year-old Chinese man presented to the Queen Mary Hospital in August 1999 with a 2-week history of jaundice due to propylthiouracil treatment for thyrotoxicosis. He had previously received carbimazole but had developed an urticarial skin rash after 2 weeks of treatment. The patient developed liver failure and fulminant pneumonitis shortly after hospital admission. Despite receiving treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin, he died 11 days after the onset of the respiratory symptoms. Postmortem examination using electron microscopy showed typical glycogen bodies within the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes, which corresponded to eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies visible under light microscopy. Immunohistochemical studies of the inclusion bodies were positive for carcinoembryonic antigen and albumin, and negative for fibrinogen, complement protein C3, immunoglobulins G, M, and A, α-fetoprotein, and α-1-antitrypsin. This is the first report of a patient who received two sequential antithyroid drugs and developed predominate cholestasis with unique histological features. Extreme caution should be taken when a patient develops allergy to one type of antithyroid drug, because cross-reactivity may develop to the other type.published_or_final_versio