BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are fibroblast-like multipotent cells capable of tissue-repair properties. Given the essentiality of tight junctions (TJ) in epithelial integrity, we hypothesized that MSC modulate TJ formation, via the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) pathway. Liver kinase-β1 (LKB1) and Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) represent the main kinases that...

Interconnection network organization has a signiicant impact on multiprocessor system performance. However, detailed and comprehensive studies of the performance and the eeect of diierent organizations are virtually non-existent. In this study, three interconnection network organizations are evaluated as part of a cache-based shared memory multiprocessor system: tori, multistage and single-stag...

Lately, the number of Internet users and, correspondingly, the amount of traversing traffic is growing extremely fast. In spite of the fact that transmission links – mostly optical fibers – have high capacity, the internet routers still remain a point of traffic bottleneck. The construction of highly scalable switches for high-speed transmission still remains a real challenge for designers. In ...

In this paper, we propose new optical switching architectures supporting asynchronous and variable-length packets. Output line contention is resolved by optical delay line buffers. By introducing a WDM technology, parallel buffer can be equipped with multiple wavelengths on the optical delay line buffer. Differently from existing approaches, a main feature of our proposed architecture is that b...

In the present studies, we aimed to understand how approach and avoidance states affect attentional flexibility by examining attentional shifts on a trial-by-trial basis. We also examined how a novel construct in this area, task context, might interact with motivation to influence attentional flexibility. Participants completed a modified composite letter task in which the ratio of global to lo...

Free Space Optics (FSO) links provide usage of high bandwidth and the flexibility of wireless communication links. However, weather patterns like fog and heavy snow fall limit the availability of FSO. Another technology providing similar properties regarding offered data rates and flexibility of setup is Millimeter Wave Technology (mmW), operating at several tens of GHz. In this case, heavy rai...

Experimental and theoretical studies are made of a typical snap-action rocker switch, to establish the wear mechanisms in the pivoting contact. The rocker switch, used extensive~ in consumer goods, operates in the medium duty current range, (1 30 Amps). Highspeed photographic studies have shown that the main cause of wear is arcing, occurri~ during separation and bounce at the pivot contacts. T...

performance of a supply chain highly depends on its suppliers and therefore, appropriate selection of them is of great importance. this paper presents an integrated model of an mcdm method and a mathematical programming in order to select suppliers and determine lot sizes in the supply chain. the proposed framework comprises two main sub-models; the qualitative sub-model seeks to evaluate the s...