Reconfiguration in an Optical Multiring Interconnection Network - Masters Thesis, December 2002

The advent of optical technology that can feasibly support extremely high bandwidth chip-to-chip communication raises a host of architectural questions in the design of digital systems. Terabit per second (and higher) bandwidths have not been previously available at the chip level. In this thesis, we examine the use of this technology in two different scenarios, viz., as the interconnection network in a multiprocessor system and as a switch fabric in network routers. Specifically, we examine the performance gains associated with utilizing the bandwidth reconfiguration capabilities of a system based on this technology

Performance Evaluation for Hybrid Architectures

In this dissertation we discuss methologies for estimating the performance of applications on hybrid architectures, systems that include various types of computing resources (e.g. traditional general-purpose processors, chip multiprocessors, reconfigurable hardware). A common use of hybrid architectures will be to deploy coarse pipeline stages of application on suitable compute units with communication path for transferring data. The first problem we focus on relates to the sizing the data queues between the different processing elements of an hybrid system. Much of the discussion centers on our analytical models that can be used to derive performance metrics of interest such as, throughput and stalling probability for networks of processing elements with finite data buffering between them. We then discuss to the reliability of performance models. There we start by presenting scenarios where our analytical model is reliable, and introduce tests that can detect their inapplicability. As we transition into the question of reliability of performance models, we access the accuracy and applicability of various evaluation methods. We present results from our experiments to show the need for measuring and accounting for operating system effects in architectural modeling and estimation

Antibacterial efficacy of Acacia nilotica, Aegle marmelos herbal extracts against Enterococcus faecalis: an invitro study

Background: Our objective was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Acacia nilotica, Aegle marmelos herbal extracts against Enterococcus faecalis- an invitro study. Methods: The extraction of Acacia nilotica bark powder and Aegle marmelos leaf powder was done with following three solvents (Ethanol, methanol and acetone) keeping vancomycin as a positive control. Then the study groups were assigned as follows: group I: Acacia nilotica, group II: Aegle marmelos, group III: Combination of Acacia nilotica and Aegle marmelos, group IV: vancomycin. Preparation of the E. feacalis inoculum with the help of Mueller Hinton Broth. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated by agar well diffusion assay to determine the zone of inhibition and Minimum inhibitory concentration was evaluated. Results: Statistical analysis was performed by using one-way analysis of variance and compared by the Mann-Whitney test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20.0. No zone of inhibition was identified for Aegle marmelos. Highest inhibitory zone against E. faecalis was seen for vancomycin (mean of 28.6 mm) followed by Acacia nilotica. Conclusions: Among the test groups, vancomycin exhibited highest antimicrobial efficiency. Compared with the herbal extracts which was statistically significant. The use of herbal alternatives might prove to be advantageous considering the several undesirable characteristics of vancomycin

Nrf2 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Huntington’s Disease

Oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage plays a significant role in pathogenesis of several neuro-degenerative disorders including Huntington’s disease. In Huntington’s disease, oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage is reported to be mediated by PGC-1α and microglial cells. This development led to various clinical trials that tested the efficacy of several exogenous antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, etc. to prevent the oxidative stress-induced cell damage in several neuro-degenerative disorders. But these randomized clinical trials did not find any significant beneficial effects of exogenous antioxidants in neuro-degenerative disorders. This forced scientists to search endogenous targets that would enhance the production of antioxidants. Nrf2 is one such ideal target that increases the transcription of genes involved in production of antioxidants. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that controls the expression of antioxidant genes that defend cells against oxidative stress. This chapter focuses on the role of oxidative stress in Huntington’s disease and explores the therapeutic benefits of Nrf2 activators

Indwelling Pleural Catheters

Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) are now being considered worldwide for patients with recurrent pleural effusions. It is commonly used for patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPE) and can be performed as outpatient based day care procedure. In malignant pleural effusions, indwelling catheters are particularly useful in patients with trapped lung or failed pleurodesis. Patients and care givers are advised to drain at least 3 times a week or in presence of symptoms i.e. dyspnoea. Normal drainage timing may lasts for 15–20 min which subsequently improves their symptoms and quality of life. Complications which are directly related to IPC insertion are extremely rare. IPC’s are being recently used even for benign effusions in case hepatic hydrothorax and in patients with CKD related pleural effusions. Removal of IPC is often not required in most of the patients. It can be performed safely as a day care procedure with consistently lower rates of complications, reduced inpatient stay. They are relatively easy to insert, manage and remove, and provide the ability to empower patients in both the decisions regarding their treatment and the management of their disease itself

Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Silver Nanoparticle Induced Stress on Optically-Trapped Stem Cells

We report here results of a single-cell Raman spectroscopy study of stress effects induced by silver nanoparticles in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). A high-sensitivity, high-resolution Raman Tweezers set-up has been used to monitor nanoparticle-induced biochemical changes in optically-trapped single cells. Our micro-Raman spectroscopic study reveals that hMSCs treated with silver nanoparticles undergo oxidative stress at doping levels in excess of 2 µg/ml, with results of a statistical analysis of Raman spectra suggesting that the induced stress becomes more dominant at nanoparticle concentration levels above 3 µg/ml