Poster Abstract: Interconnecting Low-Power Wireless and Power-Line Communications using IPv6

Wireless sensor networks for building automation and energy management has made great progress in recent years, but the inherent indoor radio range limitations can make communication unpredictable and system deployments difficult. Low-power radio can be combined with low-power Power-Line Communication (PLC) to extend the range and predictability of indoor communication for building management and automation systems. We take the first steps towards exploring the system implications for integration of low-power wireless and PLC in the same network. We leverage IPv6, which allow networks to exist over multiple physical communication media as well as the RPL routing protocol for low-power lossy networks

PLC sensor IPv6 networking interoperabe with WSN

International audienceTechnology evolution have made possible to connect all kind of devices to IP network. This becomes an evident objective for sensors networks research. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using IPv6 for sensor networks connected through powerline communication (PLC) non-wireless mediums and demonstrate possible interoperability. Our work is based on the adaptation of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard protocol. It is constrained by the low-power, lossy and low data-rate context of powerline transceiver that uses pulse modulation. Our aim is to provide interoperability features regarding others mediums with a robust and reliable communication stack for smart metering, home control or home area networks applications. This document propose the first adaptation of the IEEE 802.15.4 commons standard on PLC medium. Following this standard interface, we demonstrate the possibility to carry out data on PLC with great reliability, and low power energy requirement using our WPCTMphysical layer (standing for Watt Pulse Communication (WPC)). Relying on this adaptation, we then focus on the convergence of the IPv6 protocol at the network level, with the 6LoWPAN adaptation. We also present our initial implementation of the RPL setup and routing protocol. This allows for a full network layer stack and results in efficient routing in our low power, low data-rate and lossy network context. Thus, we finally demonstrate interoperability with a real testbed between powerline and wireless sensor networks running IEEE 802.15.4/6LoWPAN/IPv6/RPL stacks. We conclude about the interest of such interoperability for the real usage of sensor networks with a feedback from field's applications deployment and our future work

Is Surgery Beneficial for MEN1 Patients with Small (≤2 cm), Nonfunctioning Pancreaticoduodenal Endocrine Tumor? An Analysis of 65 Patients from the GTE

Background: The management of small, nonfunctioning pancreaticoduodenal endocrine tumors (NFPET) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) patients is still controversial. We therefore investigated the effect of surgery on survival and tumor progression in MEN1 patients with NFPET ≤2 cm by analyzing data from the Groupe des Tumeurs Endocrines (GTE) registry. Materials and Methods: Among 579 MEN1 patients in the registry, 65 had NFPET ≤ 2 cm. Fifteen (23%) underwent pancreatectomy, 9 at least segmental pancreatectomies and 6 biopsies or enucleations (the surgery group), and 50 (77%) were followed conservatively (the no surgery group). Age at MEN1 and NFPET diagnosis was similar in both groups, as was size of the primary tumor. Seven (10.8%) patients had metastases. Five metastases were synchronous, and 2 (one in each group) were metachronous. Tumor size was similar in patients with or without metastasis. Results: There was no perioperative mortality. The average follow-up time after NFPET diagnosis was 6.7 years in the surgery group and 3.3 years in the no surgery group. Three (4.6%) patients died during follow-up, 2 due to NFPET and 1 due to thymus tumor. The 2 patients who died of NFPET had undergone pancreatic surgery at the time of NFPET diagnosis. The 2 groups did not differ significantly with respect to tumor progression [5/15 (33%) vs 6/38 (16%), P = 0.16]. Overall life expectancy of patients with NFPET ≤2 cm was not different than that of the 229 MEN1 patients in the registry without any pancreaticoduodenal tumor (P = 0.33). Conclusions: This study suggests that surgery may not be beneficial for MEN1 patients with NFPET ≤2 c

Factors influencing feeding practices of extreme poor infants and young children in families of working mothers in Dhaka slums: A qualitative study

BackgroundNutritional status differs between infants and young children living in slum and non-slum conditions—infants and young children living in City Corporation slums are likely to have worse nutritional status compared to those from non-slums. Furthermore, families in slums tend to engage female labor in cash-earning activities as a survival strategy; hence, a higher percentage of mothers stay at work. However, little is known about feeding practices for infants and young children in families with working mothers in slums. This study aims to understand the factors that determine feeding practices for infants and young children living in families with working mothers in Dhaka slums.MethodsThis study adopted a qualitative approach. Sixteen In-depth Interviews, five Key Informant Interviews, and Focused Group Discussions were conducted with family members, community leaders, and program staff. Method triangulation and thematic analyses were conducted.ResultsFeeding practices for infants and young children in families with working mothers are broadly determined by mothers’ occupation, basis civic facilities, and limited family buying capacity. Although mothers have good nutritional knowledge, they negotiate between work and feeding their infants and young children. Household composition, access to cooking facilities, and poverty level were also found to be significant determining factors.ConclusionThe results suggest a trade-off between mothers’ work and childcare. The absence of alternative care support in homes and/or work places along with societal factors outweighs full benefits of project interventions. Improving alternative childcare support could reduce the burden of feeding practice experienced by working mothers and may improve nutritional outcomes

Population structure of the malaria vector Anopheles moucheti in the equatorial forest region of Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Anopheles moucheti </it>is a major malaria vector in forested areas of Africa. However, despite its important epidemiological role, it remains poorly known and insufficiently studied. Here, levels of genetic differentiation were estimated between different <it>A. moucheti </it>populations sampled throughout its distribution range in Central Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Polymorphism at ten microsatellite markers was compared in mosquitoes sampled in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and an island on Lake Victoria in Uganda. Microsatellite data were used to estimate genetic diversity within populations, their relative long-term effective population size, and the level of genetic differentiation between them.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All specimens collected in Tsakalakuku (Democratic Republic of Congo) were identified as <it>A. m. bervoetsi </it>while other samples consisted of <it>A. m. moucheti</it>. Successful amplification was obtained at all microsatellite loci within all <it>A. m. moucheti </it>samples while only six loci amplified in <it>A. m. bervoetsi</it>. Allelic richness and heterozygosity were high for all populations except the island population of Uganda and <it>A. m. bervoetsi</it>. High levels of genetic differentiation were recorded between <it>A. m. bervoetsi </it>and each <it>A. m. moucheti </it>sample as well as between the island population of <it>A. m. moucheti </it>and mainland populations. Significant isolation by distance was evidenced between mainland populations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>High levels of genetic differentiation supports complete speciation of <it>A. m. bervoetsi </it>which should henceforth be recognized as a full species and named <it>A. bervoetsi</it>. Isolation by distance is the main force driving differentiation between mainland populations of <it>A. m. moucheti</it>. Genetically and geographically isolated populations exist on Lake Victoria islands, which might serve as relevant field sites for evaluation of innovative vector control strategies.</p

Population genetic structure of the malaria vector Anopheles nili in sub-Saharan Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Anopheles nili </it>is a widespread efficient vector of human malaria parasites in the humid savannas and forested areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding <it>An. nili </it>population structure and gene flow patterns could be useful for the development of locally-adapted vector control measures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Polymorphism at eleven recently developed microsatelitte markers, and sequence variation in four genes within the 28s rDNA subunit (ITS2 and D3) and mtDNA (COII and ND4) were assessed to explore the level of genetic variability and differentiation among nine populations of <it>An. nili </it>from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All microsatellite loci successfully amplified in all populations, showing high and very similar levels of genetic diversity in populations from West Africa and Cameroon (mean Rs = 8.10-8.88, mean He = 0.805-0.849) and much lower diversity in the Kenge population from DRC (mean Rs = 5.43, mean He = 0.594). Bayesian clustering analysis of microsatellite allelic frequencies revealed two main genetic clusters in the dataset. The first one included only the Kenge population and the second grouped together all other populations. High Fst estimates based on microsatellites (Fst > 0.118, P < 0.001) were observed in all comparisons between Kenge and all other populations. By contrast, low Fst estimates (Fst < 0.022, P < 0.05) were observed between populations within the second cluster. The correlation between genetic and geographic distances was weak and possibly obscured by demographic instability. Sequence variation in mtDNA genes matched these results, whereas low polymorphism in rDNA genes prevented detection of any population substructure at this geographical scale.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, high genetic homogeneity of the <it>An. nili </it>gene pool was found across its distribution range in West and Central Africa, although demographic events probably resulted in a higher level of genetic isolation in the marginal population of Kenge (DRC). The role of the equatorial forest block as a barrier to gene flow and the implication of such findings for vector control are discussed.</p

Weak Spatial and Temporal Population Genetic Structure in the Rosy Apple Aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea, in French Apple Orchards

We used eight microsatellite loci and a set of 20 aphid samples to investigate the spatial and temporal genetic structure of rosy apple aphid populations from 13 apple orchards situated in four different regions in France. Genetic variability was very similar between orchard populations and between winged populations collected before sexual reproduction in the fall and populations collected from colonies in the spring. A very small proportion of individuals (∼2%) had identical multilocus genotypes. Genetic differentiation between orchards was low (FST<0.026), with significant differentiation observed only between orchards from different regions, but no isolation by distance was detected. These results are consistent with high levels of genetic mixing in holocyclic Dysaphis plantaginae populations (host alternation through migration and sexual reproduction). These findings concerning the adaptation of the rosy apple aphid have potential consequences for pest management

THE CONCISE GUIDE TO PHARMACOLOGY 2019/20 : G protein- coupled receptors

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2019/20 is the fourth in this series of biennial publications. The Concise Guide provides concise overviews of the key properties of nearly 1800 human drug targets with an emphasis on selective pharmacology (where available), plus links to the open access knowledgebase source of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. Although the Concise Guide represents approximately 400 pages, the material presented is substantially reduced compared to information and links presented on the website. It provides a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates. The full contents of this section can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.14748. G protein-coupled receptors are one of the six major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being: ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The landscape format of the Concise Guide is designed to facilitate comparison of related targets from material contemporary to mid-2019, and supersedes data presented in the 2017/18, 2015/16 and 2013/14 Concise Guides and previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in close conjunction with the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology Committee on Receptor Nomenclature and Drug Classification (NC-IUPHAR), therefore, providing official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate.Peer reviewe

Glacial Refugia in Pathogens: European Genetic Structure of Anther Smut Pathogens on Silene latifolia and Silene dioica

Climate warming is predicted to increase the frequency of invasions by pathogens and to cause the large-scale redistribution of native host species, with dramatic consequences on the health of domesticated and wild populations of plants and animals. The study of historic range shifts in response to climate change, such as during interglacial cycles, can help in the prediction of the routes and dynamics of infectious diseases during the impending ecosystem changes. Here we studied the population structure in Europe of two Microbotryum species causing anther smut disease on the plants Silene latifolia and Silene dioica. Clustering analyses revealed the existence of genetically distinct groups for the pathogen on S. latifolia, providing a clear-cut example of European phylogeography reflecting recolonization from southern refugia after glaciation. The pathogen genetic structure was congruent with the genetic structure of its host species S. latifolia, suggesting dependence of the migration pathway of the anther smut fungus on its host. The fungus, however, appeared to have persisted in more numerous and smaller refugia than its host and to have experienced fewer events of large-scale dispersal. The anther smut pathogen on S. dioica also showed a strong phylogeographic structure that might be related to more northern glacial refugia. Differences in host ecology probably played a role in these differences in the pathogen population structure. Very high selfing rates were inferred in both fungal species, explaining the low levels of admixture between the genetic clusters. The systems studied here indicate that migration patterns caused by climate change can be expected to include pathogen invasions that follow the redistribution of their host species at continental scales, but also that the recolonization by pathogens is not simply a mirror of their hosts, even for obligate biotrophs, and that the ecology of hosts and pathogen mating systems likely affects recolonization patterns