Achieving User Interface Heterogeneity in a Distributed Environment

The introduction of distribution into the field of computing has enhanced the possibilities of information processing and interchange on scales which could not previously be achieved with stand-alone machines. However, the successful distribution of a process across a distributed system requires three problems to be considered; how the functionality of a process is distributed, how the data set on which the process works is distributed and how the interface that allows the process to communicate with the outside world is distributed. The focus of the work in this paper lies in describing a model that attempts to provide a solution to the latter problem. The model that has been developed allows the functionality of a process to be separated from and to exist independently from its interface and employs user interface independent display languages to provide distributed and heterogeneous user interfaces to processes. This separation also facilitates access to a service from diverse platforms and can support user interface mobility and third-party application integration. The goals and advantages of this model are partially realised in a prototype that has been designed around the WWW and its associated protocols, and it is predicted how the model could be fully realised by adopting a modular and object-oriented approach, as advocated by the Java programming environment

Distributed Information Management with Mobile Agents

With more users taking advantage of publicly accessible networks, such as corporate intranets and the Internet, larger amounts of information is becoming electronically distributed and disseminated. Distributed information management is an emerging technology for dealing with the problems of managing information that is spread across networks, users and applications. We present four categories that we consider being necessary to developing tools to undertake distributed information management tasks. To help model the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of a user's distributed information, we advocate the use of agents and agent technologies when building distributed information management applications. We present an agent-oriented architecture which is based around a concept of mobile agents, since they provide a convenient abstraction for modelling distributed applications

Towards a Framework for Developing Mobile Agents for Managing Distributed Information Resources

Distributed information management tools allow users to author, disseminate, discover and manage information within large-scale networked environments, such as the Internet. Agent technology provides the flexibility and scalability necessary to develop such distributed information management applications. We present a layered organisation that is shared by the specific applications that we build. Within this organisation we describe an architecture where mobile agents can move across distributed environments, integrate with local resources and other mobile agents, and communicate their results back to the user

Integrating Web Services into Agentcities

This document describes how to make Web Services available to agents in an Agentcities environment and how to make agent-based services available to Web Service servers in a Web Services environment

Towards defining fibroblast phenotypes in cutaneous scarring: CD90 (Thy-1), CD34 and SMA expression in dermal scar fibroblasts

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous scarring is a reparative response to wounding in an attempt to restore homeostasis. Pathologic scars include hypertrophic and keloidal scars. No defined dermal scar fibroblast phenotype has been described. This study examines for such a phenotype, looking at expression patterns and spatial relationships of CD90, CD34 and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expressing fibroblasts in cutaneous scars. Additionally, this work investigates for evidence of scar fibroblast transition from the background CD34+ stromal cell network. It also delineates a timeline for the appearance/disappearance of this phenotype in physiologic scarring. Finally, it assesses the relative contributions of CD90+ and SMA+ fibroblasts to scar collagenization. METHODS: 117 scars were classified as reparative (n=47), hypertrophic (n= 40) or keloidal (n=30). Where possible, scar age was calculated. Immunohistochemistry with CD90, CD34 and SMA was performed on all scars. Double-staining immunohistochemistry for CD90/CD34 was applied to all scars assessing for the presence of dual CD90+/CD34+ transitioning cells. Double-color immunofluorescence was also performed to further identify transition. A subset of scars was double stained with CD90/SMA to evaluate spatial relationships. Additional scars were double-stained with CD90/procollagen-1 or SMA/procollagen-1 to assess for active collagen synthesis. Expression was graded as diffuse, focal/rare (i.e. minority) and negative. RESULTS: A CD90diffuse/CD34negative/minority pattern was the most commonly observed phenotype among all scars. SMA expression was variable. Transitioning CD90+/CD34+ fibroblasts were observed in 90.6% of scars. In reparative scars, a CD90diffuse/CD34negative/minority phenotype was time-limited, developing within 48 hours and reverting to a CD34diffuse state at 160-180 days. Many pathologic scars exhibited prolonged CD90diffuse expression. Both CD90+ fibroblasts and myofibroblasts express procollagen-1. CD90+ fibroblasts contributed more cells to scar mass than myofibroblasts. When spatial relationships were examined, myofibroblasts exclusively localized to CD90+ areas and exhibited CD90 double-positivity. CD90 expression was not limited to SMA+ zones. CONCLUSIONS: Scar fibroblasts predominantly exhibit a CD90diffuse/CD34negative/minority phenotype. These CD90+ fibroblasts likely transition from the background CD34+ network. This phenotype is reversible in reparative scars, but is prolonged in some pathologic scars. Both CD90+ fibroblasts and myofibroblasts collagenize scars. The co-localization of myofibroblasts to CD90-rich areas and CD90 dual-positivity may suggest a common origin.2018-07-31T00:00:00

The detection and treatment of alcohol dependence

The cohesiveness of the proposed syndrome of alcohol dependence, and the evolution of symptoms over time, was validated in a clinical sample. In healthy individuals and in clinical samples, biological markers showed early signs of the syndrome in healthy men. A comparison of Lothian general population data with Edinburgh hospital admission data showed that heavier alcohol consumption predicted admission to a general hospital bed. Analysis of national centrally collected data showed that the burden on Scottish hospitals due to alcohol problems rose in the last 40 years.A randomized controlled trial showed the value of intervening at an early stage in the career of a problem drinker.To treat more severe alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms must be controlled. When randomly allocated to either a longer-acting or a shorter-acting benzodiazepine, the former showed an advantage.To help prevent relapse, 'extended' treatment emerged as only very marginally more effective than one session of firm advice to the patient to abstain. The medications disulfiram and naltrexone, if compliance was enhanced, were found to reduce relapse. Acamprosate appeared to be effective too, when results from many studies were pooled. A selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluvoxamine, was associated with increased likelihood ofrelapse in early-onset alcohol dependence, a surprising finding, which speculatively might be mediated through increased impulsivity in some patients. Analysis of data on treatment of depression in the General Practice Research Database confirmed other emerging concerns regarding the safety of the SSRI group of drugs in young people.Abstinence was accompanied by improvement in brain magnetic resonance parameters and cognitive testing.Analysis of outcomes in placebo-controlled treatment studies for alcohol dependence, set alongside the costs to the Health Service of treating the complications of alcohol dependence, showed that the costs of failure to help patients attain abstinence are much greater than the costs of providing effective treatments

James S. Allen and Communist Organization of the Depression South in the 1930s

This thesis examines the methods and means by which the Communist Party of theUnited States organized in the US South during the 1930s. With a focus on the “Negro Questionâ€, I hope to show that local, rather than national or international, concerns animated CPUSA organizing. To that end, the records of James S. Allen, a key CPUSA theoretician, are used to explore the relationships between local Southern sub-organizations and the CPUSA leadership. His organizing in the South is crucial to the avenues that Communists organized and utilized his writings to shape Party policy and engagement with African Americans of the South. This thesis also plays close attention to the Scottsboro Trial as a key moment of mass mobilization and party reception as the American Communist Party organized demonstrations and support to the International Labor Defense with Allen’s influence and expertise within the Party. With the ILD’s support of the Scottsboro Trial, the inroads and organization of the CPUSA in the South were greatly aided and served as an example of Southern organization of the Communist party and Allen’s impact as a scholar and promoter of a Communist Answer to the “Negro Question.â