This thesis presents a virtual disk cluster called END, the Expandable Network Disk. END aggregates storage on a cluster of servers into a single virtual disk. END'S main goals are to offer good performance during normal operation, and efficiently handle changes in the cluster membership. END achieves these goals using a two-layer design, in which storage "bricks," servers that consist of CPU, ...

BACKGROUND Iliac artery atherosclerotic disease may cause intermittent claudication and critical limb ischemia. It can lead to serious complications such as infection, amputation and even death. Revascularization relieves symptoms and prevents these complications. Historically, open surgical repair, in the form of endarterectomy or bypass, was used. Over the last decade, endovascular repair has...

A method is described to measure the refractive index dispersion with wavelength of optically trapped solid particles in air. Knowledge of the refraction properties of solid particles is critical for the study of aerosol; both in the laboratory and in the atmosphere for climate studies. Single micron-sized polystyrene beads were optically trapped in air using a vertically aligned counter-propag...

In recent years, polymer/carbon nanotube composites have attracted increased attention because the polymer properties have significantly improved. In this paper, a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is used to reinforce polystyrene matrix. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to study two periodic systems a long CNT-reinforced polystyrene composite and amorphous polystyrene matrix it...

Differences in attachment, proliferation, and differentiation were measured for human embryonic stem (hES) cells cultured on various substrata coated with Matrigel, a blend of extracellular matrix proteins derived from murine tumor cells. The authors observed that hES cells attach and grow poorly on Matrigel adsorbed onto polystyrene, while they proliferate when exposed to Matrigel adsorbed ont...

Berry dropping or shattering is an important factor during the harvest and post-harvest handling of fresh eating grapes until they reach supermarkets. There are a lot methods to measure placing damage detachment force for single fruits. However, now, there has been no objective method observe analyze berry mechanism cluster fruits robotic handling. Therefore, in this paper, effect cluster’s vib...

Results: The review of the literature yielded 15 studies on the effect of treatment options for osteoporosis on lumbar fusion rates. One study demonstrated an association between low bone mass as measured by Hounsfield Units and lower fusion rates. Six studies evaluated perioperative medical treatment of osteoporosis and showed higher fusion rates in patients treated with alendronate and teripa...

Fig.2 An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cannula was used to puncture the mesh wall of the covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS). A guidewire was then passed through the mesh wall and the opposite wall of the metal stent. Fig.1 A covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) used for endoscopic ultrasoundguided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) had nearly migrated into the p...

Burst fractures most frequently affect the thoracolumbar spine due to the fulcrum of increased motion occurring at the T12-L1 junction. However, isolated burst fractures of the fifth lumbar (L5) vertebra can occur but are very rare. We present a woman with a fracture-dislocation of the fifth lumbar vertebra complicated by neurological damage. She was treated by posterior surgery with transpedic...