A Constraint-based Approach for Generating Transformation Patterns

Undoing operations is an indispensable feature for many collaborative applications, mainly collaborative editors. It provides the ability to restore a correct state of shared data after erroneous operations. In particular, selective undo allows to undo any operation and is based on rearranging operations in the history thanks to the Operational Transformation (OT) approach. OT is an optimistic replication technique allowing for updating the shared data concurrently while maintaining convergence. It is a challenging task how to meaningfully combine OT and undo approaches. Indeed, undoing operations that are received and executed out-of-order at different sites leads to divergence cases. Even though various undo solutions have been proposed over the recent years, they are either limited or erroneous. In this paper, we propose a constraint-based approach to address the undo problem. We use Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) theory to devise correct and undoable transformation patterns (w.r.t OT and undo properties) which considerably simplifies the design of collaborative objects.Comment: In Proceedings FOCLASA 2015, arXiv:1512.0694

Trichogramma cacoeciae as a biological control agent of the tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta in Northeastern Tunisia

To Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) αποτελεί ένα πολύ σημαντικό έντομο-εχθρό της τομάτας στην Τυνησία και σε πολλές άλλες χώρες σε όλο τον κόσμο. Στη μελέτη αυτή αξιολογήθηκε η αποτελεσματικότητα του παρασιτοειδούς Trichogramma cacoeciae στην αντιμετώπιση του Τ. absoluta στη βορειοανατολική Τυνησία. Σε συνθήκες πεδίου, το Τ. cacoeciae έδειξε καλή αποτελεσματικότητα στη μείωση του αριθμού των ωών του Τ. absoluta αλλά και των προνυμφών μετά την απελευθέρωση 30 ενηλίκων του παρασιτοειδούς / φυτό τον Μάιο του 2012. Το αποτέλεσμα δείχνει ότι αυτό το Τ. cacoeciae μπορεί να αποτελέσει έναν σημαντικό παράγοντα για την αντιμετώπιση του T. absoluta στην Τυνησία.Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is considered as key pest attacking tomato in Tunisia and in many other countries around the world. In order to investigate the efficacy of Trichogramma cacoeciae (Marchal) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) for biological control of this pest in Northeastern Tunisia, releases were performed in open field conditions. T. cacoeciae showed a good efficacy on reducing the number of T. absoluta eggs and larvae when releasing 30 adults/plant in plots covered with insect-proof netting in May 2012. The results showed that this parasitoid may be a promising agent for T. absoluta biological control in Tunisia

An Optimistic Mandatory Access Control Model for Distributed Collaborative Editors

Distributed Collaborative Editors (DCE) provide computer support for modifying simultaneously shared documents, such as articles, wiki pages and programming source code, by dispersed users. Controlling access in such systems is still a challenging problem, as they need dynamic access changes and low latency access to shared documents. In this paper, we propose a Mandatory Access Control (MAC) based on replicating the shared document and its authorization policy at the local memory of each user. To deal with latency and dynamic access changes, we use an optimistic access control technique where enforcement of authorizations is retroactive. We show that naive coordination between updates of both copies can create security hole on the shared document by permitting illegal modification, or rejecting legal modification. Finally, we present a novel framework for managing authorizations in collaborative editing work which may be deployed easily on P2P networks

Qatar’s Educational Reform: The Experiences and Perceptions of Principals, Teachers and Parents

This study describes the implications of the massive Qatari educational reform, Education For a New Era (EFNE), from the perspectives of teachers, principals, and parents provides insight into these stakeholders perceptions regarding how EFNE has impacted teaching and learning and the new challenges they face. This qualitative study uses open-ended questionnaires, focus groups and interviews. Survey data is collected from 18 Independent Schools including 17 principals, 413 teachers and 565 parents and interviews with 17 principals, 26 teachers and 50 parents. Findings describe the effects, impact, the challenges and the advantages and disadvantages of EFNE on these stakeholders.Qatar Foundation’s National Priorities Research Program Grant No. 4205503

L’accident ischémique cérébral chez le sujet jeune: à propos de 6 cas

Les accidents ischémiques cérébraux (AIC) du sujet jeune se caractérisent par une panoplie d'étiologies  différentes de celles des accidentsvasculaires cérébraux  (AVC) du sujet âgé d'où l'intérêt de bien creuser  devant une telle atteinte à la recherche surtout d'une thrombophilie ou d'une cardiopathie emboligène.   Cependant,  I'il ne faut pas négliger une exposition de plus en plus accrue du sujet jeune à des facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaires tel le tabagisme qui accélère le  processus  d'athérosclérose, étiologie principale d'AVC tout âge confondu. Nous avons rétrospectivement collecté les données de six patients âgés de moins de 45 ans qui ont été hospitalisés dans notre service pour un AIC. La moyenne d'âge était de 35,3 et les hommes  représentaient 16% de notre série. L'enquête  étiologique a conclu à un syndrome des anticorps  antiphospholipides secondaire à un syndrome de Gougerot Sjögren chez l'un des patients, un déficit en protéine S chez deux patients et un syndrome de Sneddon chez un autre. Les causes d'AIC n'ont pas été identifiées dans les deux autres cas. Un traitement à base d'anti-vitamines K ou d'antiagrégants plaquettaires a été instauré en cas d'étiologie révélée.Key words: Accident ischémique cérébral, sujet jeune, diagnostic, étiologies, traitemen

Diversity and biofilm-forming capability of bacteria recovered from stainless steel pipes of a milk-processing dairy plant

Bacteria may adhere to and develop biofilm structures onto dairy surfaces trying to protect themselves from adverse conditions such as pasteurization and CIP processes. Thus, biofilms are considered common sources of food contamination with undesirable bacteria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diversity of the microbiota attached to stainless steel surfaces in pre- and post-pasteurization pipe lines of a milk-processing plant. Seventy Gram-positive isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (33), Bacillus cereus (26), Staphylococcus hominis (8), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (2), and Staphylococcus epidermidis-Staphylococcus aureus (1) species. Fifty-five Gram-negative isolates were identified to the species Escherichia coli (18), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (6), Serratia marcescens (6), Enterobacter spp. (5), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4), Escherichia vulneris (2), and Proteus mirabilis (1). Fifty-five different strains were detected by the RAPD technique. These were subjected to an in vitro assay to evaluate their biofilm-forming capability. E. faecalis (7), A. calcoaceticus (4), K. pneumoniae (3), S. hominis (3), and P. aeruginosa (2) were the species in which more biofilm producer strains were encountered. The adhered microbiota was also assessed by the PCR-DGGE culture-independent technique. This analysis revealed a greater bacterial diversity than that revealed by culturing methods. In this way, in addition to the bacteria detected by culturing, DNA bands belonging to the genera Chrysobacterium and Streptomyces were also identified. This study emphasizes that knowledge of attached microorganisms to dairy surfaces may help develop strategies to improve optimal operational parameters for pasteurization and CIP processes in dairy plants.Financial support for this work was provided by projects from CICYT (Ref. AGL2011-24300-ALI) and INIA (Ref. RM2011-00005-00-00). A.B Flórez was supported by a research contract under Juan de la Cierva Program (Ref. JCI-2010-07457).Peer reviewe

Pseudomonas rhizophila S211, a New Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium with Potential in Pesticide-Bioremediation

A number of Pseudomonas strains function as inoculants for biocontrol, biofertilization, and phytostimulation, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Here, we present a new metabolically versatile plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas rhizophila S211, isolated from a pesticide contaminated artichoke field that shows biofertilization, biocontrol and bioremediation potentialities. The S211 genome was sequenced, annotated and key genomic elements related to plant growth promotion and biosurfactant (BS) synthesis were elucidated. S211 genome comprises 5,948,515 bp with 60.4% G+C content, 5306 coding genes and 215 RNA genes. The genome sequence analysis confirmed the presence of genes involved in plant-growth promoting and remediation activities such as the synthesis of ACC deaminase, putative dioxygenases, auxin, pyroverdin, exopolysaccharide levan and rhamnolipid BS. BS production by P. rhizophila S211 grown on olive mill wastewater based media was effectively optimized using a central-composite experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for maximum BS production yield (720.80 ± 55.90 mg/L) were: 0.5% (v/v) inoculum size, 15% (v/v) olive oil mill wastewater (OMWW) and 40◦C incubation temperature at pH 6.0 for 8 days incubation period. Biochemical and structural characterization of S211 BS by chromatography and spectroscopy studies suggested the glycolipid nature of the BS. P. rhizophila rhamnolipid was stable over a wide range of temperature (40–90◦C), pH (6–10), and salt concentration (up to 300mM NaCl). Due to its low-cost production, emulsification activities and high performance in solubilization enhancement of chemical pesticides, the indigenous BS-producing PGPR S211 could be used as a promising agent for environmental bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated agricultural soils

COVID-19–induced acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: epidemiology, risk factors, and outcome

Background The kidney represents a potential target for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Clinical data about acute kidney injury (AKI) during SARS-CoV-2 infection are lacking. We aimed to investigate the proportion, risk factors, and prognosis of AKI in critical patients affected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods A case/control study was conducted in two intensive care units of a tertiary teaching hospital. Results Among 109 patients, 75 were male (69%) with median age at 64 years and 48 (44%) developed AKI within 4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 1–9). Of them, 11 (23%), 9 (19%), and 28 (58%) were classified as stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively. AKI patients were older and presented more sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis; higher initial urea and creatinine; more marked inflammatory syndrome and hematological disorders; and required more mechanical ventilation and vasopressors. An elevated D-dimers level (odds ratio [OR], 12.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–85) was an independent factor of AKI. Sepsis was near to significance (OR, 5.22; 95% CI, 0.94–28; P=0.058). AKI was independently related to mortality (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 1.49–105) and significantly reduced the survival (14.7 days; IQR, 12-17 vs. 19.9 days; IQR, 17-22.7; P=0.011) in AKI and no AKI group respectively. Hypoxemia with the ratio of the arterial partial pressure of oxygen and the inspiratory concentration of oxygen <70, and vasopressors were identified as mortality factors. Conclusions AKI occurred in almost half the studied patients and significantly worsened their prognosis. A high D-dimers level and sepsis contributed significantly to its development

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century