A programmable architecture for the provision of hybrid services

The success of new service provision platforms will largely depend on their ability to blend with existing technologies. The advent of Internet telephony, although impressive, is unlikely to make telephone customers suddenly turn in favor of computers. Rather, customers display increasing interest in services that span multiple networks (especially Internet Protocol-based networks and the telephone and cellular networks) and open new vistas. We refer to these services as hybrid services and propose an architecture for their provision. This architecture allows for programming the service platform elements (i.e., network nodes, gateways, control servers, and terminals) in order to include new service logics. We identify components that can be assembled to build these logics by considering a service as a composition of features such as address translation, security, call control, connectivity, charging and user interaction. Generic service components are derived from the modeling of these features. We assure that our proposal can be implemented even in existing systems in return for slight changes: These systems are required to generate an event when a special service is encountered. The treatment of this event is handled by an object at a Java Service Layer. Java has been chosen for its platform-neutrality feature and its embedded security mechanisms. Using our architecture, we design a hybrid closed user group service

HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY QUANTIFICATION OF OLEANOLIC ACID IN LAUNAEA TARAXACIFOLIA AND LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY AGAINST ANOPHELES GAMBIAE

Objective: One of the measures used to prevent malaria is the management of breeding sites. For preventive and ecologically profitable control, the use of bio-larvicides made from active plant extracts would be an asset for the control of malaria vectors, in particular Anopheles gambiae. Advances in pharmacognosy have revealed the benefits of several phytochemicals with very rich and varied therapeutic effects. Among the latter, oleanolic acid (OA) is quite remarkable because of its various and multiple properties, much of which is demonstrated with the leaves of Launaea taraxacifolia. Methods: After a liquid-liquid fractionation with different organic solvents of the hydro-methanolic extract of Launaea taraxacifolia, we obtained three fractions named Fhex (hexane fraction), FDCM (dichloromethane fraction) and FHM (hydro-methanolic fraction) which were tested on 3rd instar Anopheles gambiae larvae. Results: Fhex proved to be the most active with LC50 of 120.11 ppm and 69.50 ppm respectively in 24 and 48 hours of contact. We then developed a new method of Ultra-Violet High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC / UV) method and determined the quantity of oleanolic acid in the Fhex and FDCM fractions to be respectively 0.46% and 0.23% . Conclusion: Launaea taraxacifolia has a larvicidal potential due to the presence of oleanolic acid whose inhibitory effect against Anopheles gambiae larvae

Farmers' perception of climate change and climate-smart agriculture in northern Benin, west Africa

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that identifies actions needed to transform and reorganize agricultural systems to effectively support agricultural development and ensure food security in the face of climate change. In this study, we assessed farmers’ perception of climate change, available CSA practices (CSAP) and the determinants of CSAP adoption in northern Benin. A list of CSAP was generated from a workshop with different stakeholders. Face-to-face interviews were then carried out with 368 farmers selected based on stratified random sampling in the study area. Binomial generalized mixed-effect models were run to analyze the relation between socio-demographic characteristics and the use of CSAP. CSAP were evaluated using a three-point Likert scale and the frequency of agreement with the statement that the selected practices meet the pillars of CSA. More than 60% of farmers had heard about climate change, and more than 80% had observed changes in temperature, rainfall amounts and distribution. Thirty-one CSAP were identified in the area, and only 11 were known by more than 50% of farmers. Out of the 12 selected CSAP for the assessment of adoption and evaluation, seven (7) were used by more than 50% of those who knew them. Farmers agreed with the statements that the evaluated practices improved farm productivity and adaptation to climate change but did not mitigate climate change. Ethnic group and education level were the two major factors that significantly determined the use of the evaluated CSAP

Viabilité et performance de germination des semences de Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. (Fabaceae) issues du sol de la forêt classée de Pahou (Sud Bénin)

La récolte des semences de Acacia auriculiformis devient très difficile lorsque l’arbre prend de l’âge. Cette étude a évalué la viabilité et la performance de germination des semences de cette espèce éventuellement conservées dans le sol. À cet effet, une expérimentation a été faite sur une période de sept semaines pour dénombrer le nombre de plantules en émergence à partir des échantillons composites de sol collectés dans une vieille plantation de Acacia auriculiformis au Sud Bénin. L’échantillonnage est stratifié, aléatoire sur le plan horizontal (provenance), mais systématique sur le plan vertical (profondeur). Les échantillons ont été mis en conditions minimales de germination. La méthode de germination a été utilisée pour évaluer la viabilité et la performance de germination des semences. L’indépendance de ces paramètres vis-à-vis des facteurs considérés a été testée avec Khi-2. Enfin, les tendances observées ont été expliquées par les modèles GLM. La profondeur et la provenance se révèlent avoir des influences significatives sur les paramètres mesurés. Le sol de la plantation peut contenir jusqu’à 267 semences viables de Acacia auriculiformis par m² surtout à l’intérieur de la plantation dans la première couche du sol. Il est possible de faire recours à ces semences du sol pour pallier les difficultés liées à l’approvisionnement en plants au Bénin.The harvest of the seeds of Acacia auriculiformis becomes very difficult when the tree gets older. This study has assessed the viability, and the germination performance of the species’ seeds eventually conserved in the soil. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out over a period of seven weeks to count the number of seedlings emerging from the composite soil samples collected in an old plantation of Acacia auriculiformis in South Benin. Samples were randomly collected over a horizontally stratified scale (provenance), but systematically collected over a vertically stratified scale (depth). The samples have been set to minimum conditions of germination. Germination method was used to assess the viability and the germination performance of seeds. The independence of those parameters with regard to considered factors was tested with Khi-2. Finally, GLM models were used to explain the recorded trends. Depth and provenance seem both to significantly influence assessed parameters. Soil from the plantation can hold up to 267 viable seeds of Acacia auriculiformis per m² especially inside the plantation in the first layer of the ground. It is possible to rely on those soil’s seeds to alleviate the difficulties related to seedling supply in Benin

Vulnérabilité des aires protégées du Bénin à l’invasion de Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) en rapport avec les changements climatiques

Fighting against invasive species is a great challenge that requires knowledge about their potential distribution areas. Ageratum conyzoides is an invasive species in several African countries including Benin. In order to analyze the vulnerability of protected areas of Benin to the invasion of this species, and to guide managers of these areas to fight against invasions, this study used MaxEnt to model the ecological niche of the species under the current and future climates, horizon 2055 RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Environmental data and presence data were gathered respectively from the data bases of AfriClim and GBIF. From the current to the future climates, the potentially suitable areas for the distribution of the species shift from the center to the south of Benin. So, about 75%, 51% and 65% of Benin’s total area are respectively suitable under present climate, and future’s ones (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Only about 16% and 43% of this area are absolutely unsuitable and absolutely suitable to the species. As for protected areas, about 29% and 25% of their total area are respectively not vulnerable, and vulnerable to Ageratum conyzoides. Present climate, and future’s ones (RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) held respectively about 62%, 28%, and 48% of protected areas total superficies vulnerable to Ageratum conyzoides

Accelerated resolution of inflammation underlies sex differences in inflammatory responses in humans

BACKGROUND. Cardiovascular disease occurs at lower incidence in premenopausal females compared with age-matched males. This variation may be linked to sex differences in inflammation. We prospectively investigated whether inflammation and components of the inflammatory response are altered in females compared with males. METHODS. We performed 2 clinical studies in healthy volunteers. In 12 men and 12 women, we assessed systemic inflammatory markers and vascular function using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). In a further 8 volunteers of each sex, we assessed FMD response to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) at baseline and at 8 hours and 32 hours after typhoid vaccine. In a separate study in 16 men and 16 women, we measured inflammatory exudate mediators and cellular recruitment in cantharidin-induced skin blisters at 24 and 72 hours. RESULTS. Typhoid vaccine induced mild systemic inflammation at 8 hours, reflected by increased white cell count in both sexes. Although neutrophil numbers at baseline and 8 hours were greater in females, the neutrophils were less activated. Systemic inflammation caused a decrease in FMD in males, but an increase in females, at 8 hours. In contrast, GTN response was not altered in either sex after vaccine. At 24 hours, cantharidin formed blisters of similar volume in both sexes; however, at 72 hours, blisters had only resolved in females. Monocyte and leukocyte counts were reduced, and the activation state of all major leukocytes was lower, in blisters of females. This was associated with enhanced levels of the resolving lipids, particularly D-resolvin. CONCLUSIONS. Our findings suggest that female sex protects against systemic inflammation-induced endothelial dysfunction. This effect is likely due to accelerated resolution of inflammation compared with males, specifically via neutrophils, mediated by an elevation of the D-resolvin pathway. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01582321 and NRES: City Road and Hampstead Ethics Committee: 11/LO/2038. FUNDING. The authors were funded by multiple sources, including the National Institute for Health Research, the British Heart Foundation, and the European Research Council

The Relationship between Gram-Negative Colonisation and Bloodstream Infections in Neonates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are at significant risk of developing bloodstream infections (BSIs). Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) both colonise and infect, but the association between these entities is unclear. By conducting a systematic literature review, we aimed to explore the impact of factors on the association between GN colonisation and GN-BSI at both baby level and unit level. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Observational cohort studies published after 2000 up to June 2016 reporting data on the total number of neonates (0-28 days) colonised with GNB assessed by rectal/skin swab culture and the total number of neonates with GN-BSI (same bacteria) were included. Studies were excluded if data on skin/rectal colonisation, neonates, and GNB could not been identified separately. The meta-analyses along with multivariate meta-regression with random-effect model were performed to investigate factors associated with the GN colonisation and GN-BSI at baby-level and unit-level. RESULTS: 27 studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria, 15 for the baby-level and 12 for the unit-level analysis. Study heterogeneity was high, with suboptimal overall quality of reporting assessed by the STROBE-NI statement (44.8% of items adequately reported). In 1,984 colonised neonates, 157 (7.9%) developed GN-BSI compared with 85 of 3,583 (2.4%) non-colonised neonates. Considerable heterogeneity across studies was observed. Four factors were included in the meta-regression model: Gross domestic product (GDP), pathogen, outbreak, and frequency of screening. There was no statistically significant impact of these factors on GN colonisation and GN-BSI in baby level. We were unable to perform the multivariate meta-regression due to the insufficient reported data for unit level. CONCLUSIONS: Study limitations include the small number and the high heterogeneity of the included studies. While this report shows a correlation between colonisation and BSI risk, this data currently doesn't support routinely screening for GNB. The analysis of large cohorts of colonised neonates with clinical outcomes is still needed to define the major determinants leading from colonisation to infection