We investigate the totally asymmetric exclusion process on Z, with the jump rate at site i given by ri = 1 for i 6= 0, r0 = r. It is easy to see that the maximal stationary current j(r) is nondecreasing in r and that j(r) = 1/4 for r ≥ 1; it is a long outstanding problem to determine whether or not the critical value rc of r such that j(r) = 1/4 for r > rc is strictly less than 1. Here we prese...

Nitric oxide synthases (NOSs, EC 1.14.13.39) are a family of enzymes catalyzing the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine. NO is an important cellular signaling molecule that helps to modulate the vascular tone, insulin secretion, airway tone and peristalsis, etc, and NO is involved in angiogenesis and neural development. It may function as a retrograde neurotransmitter. NO is mediate...

background and objective: vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) and its receptors (vegf-r1 and r2) are major regulators of angiogenesis. this study was designed to assess serum levels of vegf and vegf-r1 and their prognostic significance in newly diagnosed childhood acute leukemia. materials and methods: for this purpose, vegf and vegf-r1 were determined using enzyme linked immuno-sorbant a...

Whether a state of nasal hyperresponsiveness influences antigen-induced biphasic nasal blockage and sneezing were examined using a guinea pig model of allergic rhinitis. Sensitized animals were challenged with an antigen, Japanese cedar pollen, once every week. Before the 13th challenge, the animals were randomly divided into 2 groups, and then the 13th challenge was performed (Groups A-0 and B...

We analyze the performance of a free-space optical (FSO) link affected by atmospheric turbulence and line-of-sight (LOS) blockage. For this purpose, the atmospheric turbulence induced fading is modeled by the ℳ distribution, which includes the Gamma-Gamma distribution as special case. We exploit the fact that the physical interpretation of the ℳ distribution allows to split the optical energy t...

Abstract The assessment of visual blockages in cross-drainage hydraulic structures, such as culverts and bridges, is crucial for ensuring their efficient functioning preventing flash flooding incidents. extraction blockage-related information through computer vision algorithms can provide valuable insights into the blockage. However, absence comprehensive datasets has posed a significant challe...

In sickle cell (SS) vaso-occlusion, the culminating event is blockage of blood vessels by sickled red blood cells (SS RBCs). As shown in animal models, SS RBC-induced vaso-occlusion is often partial, allowing for a residual flow, hence oxygen delivery to partially occluded vessels could reduce vaso-occlusion. The efficacy of an oxygenated perflubron-based fluorocarbon emulsion (PFE) was tested ...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the outcome of intraventricular thrombolytic therapy for intraventricular haemorrhage and to formulate a safe and effective regimen. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Regional neurosurgical centre, Hong Kong. PATIENTS Twenty-nine consecutive adult patients who presented from November 1995 to November 1998 with non-traumatic intraventricular haemorrhage (Graeb scor...

An investigation into the total blockage effects on aerodynamic drag in closed-wall wind tunnel testing has been carried out by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The simulation of flow past two different realistic, full-scale, heavy-duty truck models was conducted. The models were placed at different yawing angles in the virtual wind tunnels with blockage ratio of about 10%; which is exactly ...

A 65-year-old woman presented with sudden visual loss of 2 weeks’ duration in her right eye. She had a 20-year long history of systemic hypertension, ischemic heart disease and coronary artery angioplasty. Best-corrected visual acuity was counting fingers at 1m in her right eye and 20/30 in the left with trace positive relative afferent pupillary defect in the right eye. The only remarkable sli...