Ontology-Based Resource Discovery in Pervasive Collaborative Environments

International audienceMost of the working environments offer multiple hardware and software that could be shared among the members of staff. However, it could be particularly difficult to take advantages of all these resources without a proper software support capable of discovering the ones that fulfill both a user's requirements and each resource owner's sharing preferences. To try to overcome this problem, several service discovery protocols have been developed, aiming to promote the use of network resources and to reduce configuration tasks. Unfortunately, these protocols are mainly focused on finding resources based just on their type or some minimal features, lacking information about: user preferences, restrictions and contextual variables. To outstrip this deficiency, we propose to exploit the power of semantic description, by creating a knowledge base integrated by a set of ontologies generically designed to be adopted by any type of organization. To validate this proposal, we have customized the ontologies for our case of study, which is a research center

Dynamische Echtzeitplanung abhaengiger Tasks in Einprozessorsystemen

Available from TIB Hannover: RR 8958(3) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Considerations on long-term immuno-intervention in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: an expert opinion

INTRODUCTION As management of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires life-long treatment with disease-modifying agents, any risks associated with long-term use should be considered when evaluating therapeutic options. AREAS COVERED Immune cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems play various roles in the pathogenesis of MS. MS therapies affect the immune system, each with a unique mode of action, and consequently possess different long-term safety profiles. Rare, but serious safety concerns, including an increased risk of infection and cancer, have been associated with immunosuppressant use. The risks associated with newer immunosuppressive agents, which target specific elements of MS disease pathophysiology, are not yet fully established as the duration of clinical trials is relatively short and post-marketing experience is limited. Non-immunosuppressants used to treat MS have well-defined safety profiles established over a large number of patient-years demonstrating them to be well-tolerated long-term treatment options. When considering the long-term use of disease-modifying agents for treating MS, classification as immunosuppressants or non-immunosuppressants can be useful when evaluating potential risks associated with chronic use. EXPERT OPINION A successful therapeutic strategy for any serious, chronic disease such as MS should weigh effectiveness versus long-term safety of available treatments

Autosomal-dominant hypertension with type E brachydactyly is caused by rearrangement on the short arm of chromosome 12

We are studying a Turkish family with autosomal-dominant hypertension and brachydactyly; affected persons die of stroke before 50 years of age. With interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization, we found a chromosome 12p deletion, reinsertion, and inversion in affected persons. This finding suggested that the hypertension could be caused by one or more of 3 genes, the ATP-dependent potassium channel Kir6.1, its regulator the sulfonyl urea receptor SUR2, and the phosphodiesterase PDE3A. We further studied 6 affected and 4 nonaffected persons. Buttocks biopsies were done, small vessels were tested on a myograph, and mRNA was extracted. We performed forearm blood flow studies with intrabrachial artery diazoxide, isoproterenol, and milrinone infusions. Systemic pharmacological testing was done with intravenous diazoxide, nitroprusside, and isoproterenol. PDE3A mRNA was high in vessels from 3 affected subjects, but not high in 3 others. The vessels responded similarly to forskolin, with or without glibenclamide, and to cromakalim. However, there was a suggestion that the dilatation after milrinone might be exaggerated. The forearm infusion studies showed no differences in the responses to diazoxide, isoproterenol, or milrinone. Systemically, affected persons showed a greater blood pressure response to diazoxide and nitroprusside, and a greater heart rate response to isoproterenol than nonaffected persons. The results shed doubt on Kir6.1 and SUR2. The differences in PDE3A expression and responses may be the result of hypertension rather than the cause. Although our 3 candidate genes are no longer likely, the rearrangement we describe greatly enhances the perspectives of this project