Energy Efficient and Reliable Wireless Sensor Networks - An Extension to IEEE 802.15.4e

Collecting sensor data in industrial environments from up to some tenth of battery powered sensor nodes with sampling rates up to 100Hz requires energy aware protocols, which avoid collisions and long listening phases. The IEEE 802.15.4 standard focuses on energy aware wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and the Task Group 4e has published an amendment to fulfill up to 100 sensor value transmissions per second per sensor node (Low Latency Deterministic Network (LLDN) mode) to satisfy demands of factory automation. To improve the reliability of the data collection in the star topology of the LLDN mode, we propose a relay strategy, which can be performed within the LLDN schedule. Furthermore we propose an extension of the star topology to collect data from two-hop sensor nodes. The proposed Retransmission Mode enables power savings in the sensor node of more than 33%, while reducing the packet loss by up to 50%. To reach this performance, an optimum spatial distribution is necessary, which is discussed in detail

Interactions between extracorporeal support and the cardiopulmonary system.

This review describes the intricate physiological interactions involved in the application of extracorporeal therapy, with specific focus on cardiopulmonary relationships. Extracorporeal therapy significantly influences cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology, highlighting the necessity for clinicians to understand these interactions for improved patient care. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (veno-arterial ECMO) unloads the right ventricle and increases left ventricular (LV) afterload, potentially exacerbating LV failure and pulmonary edema. Veno-venous (VV) ECMO presents different challenges, where optimal device and ventilator settings remain unknown. Influences on right heart function and native gas exchange as well as end-expiratory lung volumes are important concepts that should be incorporated into daily practice. Future studies should not be limited to large clinical trials focused on mortality but rather address physiological questions to advance the understanding of extracorporeal therapies. This includes exploring optimal device and ventilator settings in VV ECMO, standardizing cardiopulmonary function monitoring strategies, and developing better strategies for device management throughout their use. In this regard, small human or animal studies and computational physiological modeling may contribute valuable insights into optimizing the management of extracorporeal therapies

Variations in D/H and D/O from New FUSE Observations

We use data obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) to determine the interstellar abundances of DI, NI, OI, FeII, and H2 along the sigh tlines to WD1034+001, BD+393226, and TD132709. Our main focus is on determining the D/H, N/H, O/H, and D/O ratios along these sightlines, with log N(H) > 20.0, that probe gas well outside of the Local Bubble. Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) archival data are used to determine the HI column densities along the WD1034+001 and TD132709 sightlines, respectively. For BD+393226, a previously published N(HI) is used. We find (D/H)x10^5 = 2.14 + 0.53 - 0.45, 1.17 + 0.31 - 0.25, and 1.86 + 0.53 - 0.43, and (D/O)x10^2 = 6.31 + 1.79 - 1.38, 5.62 + 1.61 - 1.31, and 7.59 + 2.17 - 1.76, for the WD1034+001, BD+393226, and TD132709 sightlines, respectively (all 1 si gma). The scatter in these three D/H ratios exemplifies the scatter that has been found by other authors for sightlines with column densities in the range 19.2 < log N(H) < 20.7. The D/H ratio toward WD1034+001 and all the D/O ratios derived here are inconsistent with the Local Bubble value and are some of the highest in the literature. We discuss the implications of our measurements for the determination of the present-epoch abundance of deuterium, and for the different scenarios that try to explain the D/H variations. We present a study of D/H as a function of the average sightline gas density, using the ratios derived in this work as well as ratios from the literature, which suggests that D/H decreases with increasing gas volume density. Similar behaviors by other elements such Fe and Si have been interpreted as the result of depletion into dust grains.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Ap

Zum Stand der ergänzenden Hilfen zur Erziehung

Seit einigen Jahren wird in der Schweiz zunehmend die Bezeichnung «Ergänzende Hilfen zur Erziehung» als Sammelbegriff für ambulante und (teil-)stationäre Leistungen für vulnerable Kinder, Jugendliche und deren Familien verwendet. Der Begriff erscheint auch in kantonalen Gesetzesinitiativen und Entwicklungsprojekten. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird hier den Fragen nachgegangen: Inwieweit und wie haben sich die ergänzenden Hilfen zur Erziehung mittlerweile etabliert? Tragen die kantonalen Initiativen und Entwicklungen dazu bei, Strukturprobleme der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe abzuschwächen

Interaction of human dipeptidyl peptidase IV and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 transcription transactivator in Sf9 cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) also known as the T cell activation marker CD26 is a multifunctional protein which is involved in various biological processes. The association of human-DPPIV with components of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV1) is well documented and raised some discussions. Several reports implicated the interaction of human-DPPIV with the HIV1 transcription transactivator protein (HIV1-Tat) and the inhibition of the dipeptidyl peptidase activity of DPPIV by the HIV1-Tat protein. Furthermore, enzyme kinetic data implied another binding site for the HIV1-Tat other than the active centre of DPPIV. However, the biological significance of this interaction of the HIV1-Tat protein and human-DPPIV has not been studied, yet. Therefore, we focused on the interaction of HIV1-Tat protein with DPPIV and investigated the subsequent biological consequences of this interaction in <it>Spodoptera frugiperda </it>cells, using the BAC-TO-BAC baculovirus system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The HIV1-Tat protein (Tat-<it>BRU</it>) co-localized and co-immunoprecipitated with human-DPPIV protein, following co-expression in the baculovirus-driven <it>Sf9 </it>cell expression system. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of DPPIV protein was up-regulated in Tat/DPPIV-co-expressing cells after 72 h culturing and also in DPPIV-expressing <it>Sf9 </it>cells after application of purified recombinant Tat protein. As opposed to the expression of Tat alone, serine phosphorylation of the Tat protein was decreased when co-expressed with human-DPPIV protein.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We show for the first time that human-DPPIV and HIV1-Tat co-immunoprecipitate. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the interaction of HIV1-Tat and human-DPPIV may be involved in signalling platforms that regulate the biological function of both human-DPPIV and HIV1-Tat.</p

Wie bekommen wir Investitionen in moderne Breitbandnetze?: Podiumsdiskussion mit Roland Berger, René Obermann, Lars-Hendrik Röller und Hans-Werner Sinn / moderiert von Roland Tichy

In der abschließenden Podiumsdiskussion, die sich noch einmal mit dem Themenbereich IKT-Infrastruktur befasst, diskutieren Roland Berger, René Obermann, Lars-Hendrik Röller, Hans-Werner Sinn und Roland Tichy, „wie wir Investitionen in moderne Breitbandnetze bekommen“. Dabei ging es vor allem um die Frage, ob und wie sich eine geänderte Regulierung als Konjunkturprogramm erweisen kann, wenn sie den derzeitigen Investitionsstau in der deutschen IKT-Netzinfrastruktur beheben kann. Vieles deutet darauf hin, dass der Staat durch entsprechende Rahmensetzungen private Zukunftsinvestitionen anregen kann, die seinen eigenen Haushalt schonen. Nach Ansicht der Podiumsteilnehmer erfordert der Ausbau der Breitbandnetze keine großen zusätzlichen Ausgaben durch die Bundesregierung, sondern eine „intelligente Regulierung, die die Investitionsaktivitäten der Telekommunikationsunternehmen stimuliert“. Dadurch könnten bei den Nutzern aus allen Wirtschaftsbereichen, gerade auch aus dem Mittelstand, wichtige Beschäftigungs- und Produktivitätssteigerungseffekte entstehen.Breitbandkommunikation, Investition, Institutionelle Infrastruktur, Deutschland

Integrative transcriptome analysis deciphers mechanisms of nickel contact dermatitis

Background Nickel-induced allergic contact dermatitis (nACD) remains a major occupational skin disorder, significantly impacting the quality of life of suffering patients. Complex cellular compositional changes and associated immunological pathways are partly resolved in humans; thus, the impact of nACD on human skin needs to be further elucidated. Methods To decipher involved immunological players and pathways, human skin biopsies were taken at 0, 2, 48, and 96 hours after nickel patch test in six nickel-allergic patients. Gene expression profiles were analyzed via microarray. Results Leukocyte deconvolution of nACD-affected skin identified major leukocyte compositional changes at 48 and 96 hours, including natural killer (NK) cells, macrophage polarization, and T-cell immunity. Gene set enrichment analysis mirrored cellular-linked functional pathways enriched over time. NK cell infiltration and cytotoxic pathways were uniquely found in nACD-affected skin compared to sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritant skin reactions. Conclusion These results highlight key immunological leukocyte subsets as well as associated pathways in nACD, providing insights into pathophysiology with the potential to unravel novel therapeutic targets.Peer reviewe