Abstract: A System and method for reducing and surviving failures in a voice trunking over ATM (VTOA) environment includes a CS-IWF complex having a plurality of interconnected CS-IWF units, each unit having a plurality of processors. An end office building may also be provided for interaction with the VTOA system. The end office building includes multiple T-IWFs, and a switch that distributes calls among the T-IWFs in a load sharing manner. Each T-IWF has a plurality of processors and is part of the VTOA system. A switch management system is also provided in the VTOA system. In order to reduce and survive failures, the switch management system includes a plurality of switch management system units. At least one of the switch management system units is a backup unit for a primary switch management system unit. Each switch management system unit provides application redundancy within itself.

Abstract: The present invention identifies various risk alleles, particularly a risk allele of SNP rs918592, within the PDE4D gene as novel stroke associated risk markers. These markers may be used for identifying a subject's susceptibility to stroke and diagnosing a subject's susceptibility to a particular type of stroke based on the presence of the risk allele. The markers are found in the human population, particularly the human female population, across different ethnicities. The marker further reveals an environmental impact on a subject's susceptibility to stroke, showing a dose dependent relationship.

Abstract: Vascular function and structure is maintained or improved by long term administration of physiologically acceptable compounds which enhance the level of endogenous nitric oxide or other intermediates in the NO induced relaxation pathway in the host.