Need of Algorithm Selection in Next Generation Optical Networks

The IP-based data networks and optical networks have been managed independently with layered protocol stack approach. Both of them were over-provisioned to manage any traffic anomalies and failures. The next generation optical network is expected to handle the needs of the emerging applications in a cost-effective way while satisfying the required QoT. In such scenario, the intents of the application layer must be accounted in the path computation. There is no single path computation algorithm exists which behave optimally under varying traffic conditions. Hence the need for the intent-driven automated algorithm selection was identified. The authors have phrased this intent specific lightpath provisioning problem as the path computation algorithm selection problem. An algorithm selection methodology was proposed with the study of the least congested path in ONOS based software defined controller environment. This approach is claimed as an amenable candidate for the next generation software-defined optical network.

Obesity paradox in group 1 pulmonary hypertension: analysis of the NIH-Pulmonary Hypertension registry

BACKGROUND

The 'obesity paradox' refers to the fact that obese patients have better outcomes than normal weight patients. This has been observed in multiple cardiovascular conditions, but evidence for obesity paradox in pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains sparse.

METHODS

We categorized 267 patients from the National Institute of Health-PH registry into five groups based on body mass index (BMI): underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese and morbidly obese. Mortality was compared in BMI groups using the χ² statistic. Five-year probability of death using the PH connection (PHC) risk equation was calculated, and the model was compared with BMI groups using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves.

RESULTS

Patients had a median age of 39 years (interquartile range 30-50 years), a median BMI of 23.4 kg m^-2 (21.0-26.8 kg m^-2) and an overall mortality at 5 years of 50.2%. We found a U-shaped relationship between survival and 1-year mortality with the best 1-year survival in overweight patients. KM curves showed the best survival in the overweight, followed by obese and morbidly obese patients, and the worst survival in normal weight and underweight patients (log-rank P=0.0008). In a Cox proportional hazards analysis, increasing BMI was a highly significant predictor of improved survival even after adjustment for the PHC risk equation with a hazard ratio for death of 0.921 per kg m^-2 (95% confidence interval: 0.886-0.954) (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

We observed that the best survival was in the overweight patients, making this more of an 'overweight paradox' than an 'obesity paradox'. This has implications for risk stratification and prognosis in group 1 PH patients.

Mechanical stress-induced switching kinetics of ferroelectric thin films at the nanoscale

We investigate ferroelectric domain structure and piezoelectric response under variable mechanical compressive stress in Pb(Zr_0.2TiO_0.8)O₃ (PZT) thin films using high-resolution piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and an in situ sample bending stage. Measurements reveal a drastic change in the ferroelectric domain structure which is presented along with details of the mediating switching process involving domain wall motion, nucleation, and domain wall roughening under an applied external mechanical stimulus. Furthermore, local PFM hysteresis loops reveal significant changes in the observed coercive biases under applied stress. The PFM hysteresis loops become strongly imprinted under increasing applied compressive stress.

S-Allyl cysteine alleviates inflammation by modulating the expression of NF-κB during chromium (VI)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is a common environmental pollutant. Cr (VI) exposure can lead to severe damage to the liver, but the preventive measures to diminish Cr (VI)-induced hepatotoxicity need further study. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is a constituent of garlic ( Allium sativum) and has many beneficial effects to humans and rodents. In this study, we intended to analyze the mechanistic role of SAC during Cr (VI)-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Wistar albino rats were induced with 17 mg/kg body weight to damage the liver. The Cr (VI)-induced rats were treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of SAC as an optimum dosage to treat hepatotoxicity. We observed that the levels of oxidants, lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical (OH^•) were increased, and enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were found to be decreased in Cr (VI)-induced rats. While treated with SAC, the levels of oxidants were decreased and enzymatic antioxidants were significantly ( p < 0.05) increased. Lysosomal enzyme activities were increased in Cr (VI)-induced rats and on treatment with SAC, the activities were significantly decreased. The expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (p65-NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were increased during induction with Cr (VI). Subsequent administration of SAC to animals showed a decrease in the expressions of NF-κB, TNF-α, and iNOS. Results obtained from this study clearly demonstrated that SAC protects the liver cells from the Cr (VI)-induced free radical damage.

DFT investigation on interaction of chlorine with In2O3 nanostructures

The structural, electronic, and adsorption properties of chlorine on pristine, tin-, aluminum-, and fluorine-substituted In2O3 nanostructures are successfully optimized and computed using density functional theory along with the B2LYP/LanL2DZ basis set. The electronic properties of pristine, tin-, aluminum-, and fluorine-substituted In2O3 nanostructures are discussed in terms of ionization potential, HOMO–LUMO gap, and electron affinity. The dipole moment and point symmetry group of In2O3 nanostructures are also reported. The structural stability of pristine, tin-, aluminum-, and fluorine-substituted In2O3 nanostructures are investigated in terms of formation energy. The adsorption properties of chlorine on In2O3 are studied and the most appropriate adsorption sites of Cl2 on In2O3 nanostructures are reported. The adsorption properties of hydrogen on In2O3 nanostructures are also investigated and inferred that In2O3 exhibits good sensing characteristics towards hydrogen. The adsorbed energy, HOMO–LUMO gap, Mulliken population analysis, and average energy gap variation are used to identify the prominent adsorption site of Cl2 on In2O3 material. The substitution of fluorine in In2O3 nanostructures enhances the Cl2 adsorption properties in the mixed gas atmosphere.

Tuning band structure and electronic transport properties of ZrN nanotube--a first-principles investigation

The band structure and electronic transport properties of pristine ZrN nanotube, oxygen, fluorine and niobium substituted ZrN are successfully optimized using density functional theory. The transport properties of ZrN nanotube are studied in terms of band structure, density of states, electron density and transmission spectrum of ZrN nanotube. The band structure reveals that the nanostructures show metallic nature due to orbital overlapping of zirconium and nitrogen atoms. The density of states gives the information of localization of charges in energy intervals. The major contribution in density of states arises from p and d orbitals of zirconium and nitrogen atoms. The electron density is observed more in nitrogen sites for pristine and impurity substituted ZrN nanotube. The electrons near the Fermi level contributes more to the transmission, the impact in the transmission is seen due to substitution impurity and position of the defect in the ZrN nanotube. The results of the present work focus light to tailor ZrN nanotube with enhanced electronic properties in nanoelectronics applications.

Novel integrative genomic tool for interrogating lithium response in bipolar disorder

We developed a novel integrative genomic tool called GRANITE (Genetic Regulatory Analysis of Networks Investigational Tool Environment) that can effectively analyze large complex data sets to generate interactive networks. GRANITE is an open-source tool and invaluable resource for a variety of genomic fields. Although our analysis is confined to static expression data, GRANITE has the capability of evaluating time-course data and generating interactive networks that may shed light on acute versus chronic treatment, as well as evaluating dose response and providing insight into mechanisms that underlie therapeutic versus sub-therapeutic doses or toxic doses. As a proof-of-concept study, we investigated lithium (Li) response in bipolar disorder (BD). BD is a severe mood disorder marked by cycles of mania and depression. Li is one of the most commonly prescribed and decidedly effective treatments for many patients (responders), although its mode of action is not yet fully understood, nor is it effective in every patient (non-responders). In an in vitro study, we compared vehicle versus chronic Li treatment in patient-derived lymphoblastoid cells (LCLs) (derived from either responders or non-responders) using both microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA gene expression profiling. We present both Li responder and non-responder network visualizations created by our GRANITE analysis in BD. We identified by network visualization that the Let-7 family is consistently downregulated by Li in both groups where this miRNA family has been implicated in neurodegeneration, cell survival and synaptic development. We discuss the potential of this analysis for investigating treatment response and even providing clinicians with a tool for predicting treatment response in their patients, as well as for providing the industry with a tool for identifying network nodes as targets for novel drug discovery.