Markov random field model and expectation of maximization for images segmentation

Image segmentation is a significant issue in image processing. Among the various models and approaches that have been developed, some are commonly used the Markov Random Field (MRF) model, statistical techniques (MRF). In this study a Markov random field proposed is based on an EM Modified (EMM) model. In this paper, The local optimization is based on a modified Expectation-Maximization (EM) method for parameter estimation and the ICM method for finding the solution given a fixed set of these parameters. To select the combination strategy, it is necessary to carry out a comparative study to find the best result. The effectiveness of our proposed methods has been proven by experimentation. We have applied this segmented algorithm to different types of images, exhibiting the algorithm's image segmentation strength with its best values criteria for EM statics and other methods

Pneumopathie grave avec atteinte bronchique compliquant une varicelle chez un adulte immunocompétent

La varicelle est une infection virale cosmopolite, très contagieuse, due au virus varicelle-zona (VZV) et caractérisée par de la fièvre et une éruption papulo-vésiculeuse prurigineuse. L'incidence de la varicelle a significativement augmenté dans les dernières décennies en Europe et aux États-Unis. Chez l'enfant, la varicelle est une infection habituellement bénigne. Chez l'adulte, son évolution peut être émaillée de  complications. La pneumonie varicelleuse est la plus fréquente des complications graves de la varicelle chez l'adulte, avec une incidence estimée de 16 à 33 % et une mortalité pouvant atteindre 20 %. Nous rapportons un cas de varicelle compliquée d'une pneumopathie hypoxémiante. L'examen endoscopique bronchique met en évidence des lésions vésiculeuses de la muqueuse bronchique. Sous traitement antiviral, l'évolution est  favorable.Key words: Varicelle, pneumonie virale, endoscopie bronchique, Aciclovi

Blockchain Adoption Among SMEs in Morocco: A qualitative study

Blockchain technology is considered a breakthrough and innovative solution to many business related problems and across various economic sectors such as finance, supply chain, retail, health care, tourisBlockm and travel industry, and education.  For Small and Medium Enterprises, in particular, blockchain technology adoption could facilitate their digitalization initiatives, reduce transaction and financing costs, and help them access new international markets. In this qualitative exploratory study, the goal was to understand the factors that influence SMEs adoption of blockchain technology in Morocco.  Face to face interviews were conducted with six professionals from various sectors of the economy.  The Technology-organization-environment framework was used as the theoretical framework of the study.  Findings revealed that SMEs intention to adopt blockchain is influenced by perceived benefits, size, culture, technological capabilities, government support, and government regulations.  Recommendations for future research included the use of a mixed method approach in data collection and analysis and the integration of other theoretical frameworks in the study of blockchain adoption in Morocco

Supramolecular electrode assemblies for bioelectrochemistry

For more than three decades, the field of bioelectrochemistry has provided novel insights into the catalytic mechanisms of enzymes, the principles that govern biological electron transfer, and has elucidated the basic principles for bioelectrocatalytic systems. Progress in biochemistry, bionanotechnology, and our ever increasing ability to control the chemistry and structure of electrode surfaces has enabled the study of ever more complex systems with bioelectrochemistry. This feature article highlights developments over the last decade, where supramolecular approaches have been employed to develop electrode assemblies that increase enzyme loading on the electrode or create more biocompatible environments for membrane enzymes. Two approaches are particularly highlighted: the use of layer-by-layer assembly, and the modification of electrodes with planar lipid membranes

Linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex coordinates late thymic T-cell differentiation and regulatory T-cell homeostasis.

The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) is essential for innate immunity in mice and humans, yet its role in adaptive immunity is unclear. Here we show that the LUBAC components HOIP, HOIL-1 and SHARPIN have essential roles in late thymocyte differentiation, FOXP3(+) regulatory T (Treg)-cell development and Treg cell homeostasis. LUBAC activity is not required to prevent TNF-induced apoptosis or necroptosis but is necessary for the transcriptional programme of the penultimate stage of thymocyte differentiation. Treg cell-specific ablation of HOIP causes severe Treg cell deficiency and lethal immune pathology, revealing an ongoing requirement of LUBAC activity for Treg cell homeostasis. These data reveal stage-specific requirements for LUBAC in coordinating the signals required for T-cell differentiation

A Self-Tuned Simulated Annealing Algorithm Using Hidden Markov Model

Simulated Annealing algorithm (SA) is a well-known probabilistic heuristic. It mimics the annealing process in metallurgy to approximate the global minimum of an optimization problem. The SA has many parameters which need to be tuned manually when applied to a specific problem. The tuning may be difficult and time-consuming. This paper aims to overcome this difficulty by using a self-tuning approach based on a machine learning algorithm called Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The main idea is allowing the SA to adapt his own cooling law at each iteration, according to the search history. An experiment was performed on many benchmark functions to show the efficiency of this approach compared to the classical one

Fixed point approach to the stability of an integral equation in the sense of Ulam-Hyers-Rassias

In this paper, by using the classical Banach contraction principle, we investigate and establish the stability in the sense of Ulam–Hyers and in the sense of Ulam–Hyers–Rassias for the integral equation which defines the mild solutions of an abstract Cauchy problem in Banach spaces

Réduction bioélectrocatalytique du dioxygène par des enzymes à cuivres connectées sur des électrodes nanostructurées et fonctionnalisées : intégration aux biopiles enzymatiques

The reduction of oxygen is realized in nature by oxidoreductase enzymes. Currently, these highly specific and efficient proteins are considered as biocatalysts for the development of biofuel cells. In this context, optimizing the orientation and the connection of multicopper oxidase (MCOs) for the reduction of O2 on functionalized carbon nanotubes was studied. In the first part of this manuscript, direct electron transfer of laccase is assessed and optimized by the non-covalent functionalization of CNTs by various hydrophobic derivatives. Electrochemical modeling and molecular dynamics enabled the rationalization of the developed biocathodes efficiency. In a second approach, the specific modification by pyrene moieties of laccases surface modified by protein engineered has also been considered. Additionally, supramolecular functionalization of CNTs by modified graphene sheets and gold nanoparticles also helped to promote laccase connection. The second part presents the development of other types of biocathodes based on the direct connection of bilirubin oxidase. Several strategies of covalent and non-covalent CNTs functionalization have been considered. The different biocathodes developed by the supramolecular assembly of nanostructured materials and MCOs delivered current density of several mA cm-2 for oxygen reduction. These new bioelectrodes combined with a bioanode which catalyzes the glucose oxidation have enabled the development of glucose/O2 enzymatic biofuel cells; delivering maximum power densities from 250 µW cm-2 to 750 µW cm-2 depending on the experimental conditions. Finally a hyperthermophilic hydrogenase based bioanode was developed and associated with a bilirubin oxidase-based biocathode to form a new design of H2/O2 biofuel cell. Within this device, the gas diffusion biocathode directly reduces oxygen from the air, which eliminates the use of a separation membrane while protecting the hydrogenase from its deactivation in the presence oxygen. This new biofuel cell delivers a maximum power density of 750 µW cm-2.Dans la nature, la réduction du dioxygène est catalysée par des enzymes de la famille des oxydoréductases. A l’heure actuelle, ces protéines spécifiques et efficaces sont envisagés comme biocatalyseurs au sein de biopile enzymatique. Dans ce contexte, l’optimisation de l’orientation et de la connexion d’oxydases multi-cuivre (MCOs) pour la réduction d’O2 sur des matrices de nanotubes carbone (CNTs) fonctionnalisées a été étudiée. Dans un premier temps, le transfert électronique direct de la laccase est optimisé par la fonctionnalisation non covalente de CNTs par divers dérivés hydrophobes. La dynamique moléculaire ainsi que la modélisation électrochimique ont permis la rationalisation des performances des différentes biocathodes développées. Dans une seconde approche, la modification spécifique par des groupements pyrène de la surface de laccases modifiées par mutagénèse a également été envisagée. La fonctionnalisation supramoléculaire de CNTs par des feuillets de graphène fonctionnalisés d’une part, et par des nanoparticules d’or d’autre part, a également permis de favoriser la connexion de laccases. La seconde partie présente l’élaboration d’autres types de biocathodes basées sur la connexion directe de bilirubines oxydases. Plusieurs stratégies de fonctionnalisation covalente et non covalente de CNTs ont été envisagées. Les différentes biocathodes élaborées par l’assemblage supramoléculaire de MCOs et de matériaux nanostructurés délivrent des densités de courant de réduction du dioxygène de plusieurs mA cm-2. Ces nouvelles bioélectrodes combinées à une bioanode qui catalyse l’oxydation du glucose ont permis le développement de biopiles enzymatiques glucose/O2 délivrant des densités maximales de puissances allant de 250 µW cm-2 à 750 µW cm-2 selon les conditions expérimentales. Enfin une bioanode à base d’une hydrogénase hyperthermophile a été développée et associée à une biocathode à base de bilirubine oxydase pour former un nouveau design de biopile H2/O2. Au sein de ce dispositif, la biocathode à diffusion de gaz réduit directement l’oxygène provenant de l’air, ce qui permet de s’affranchir de l’utilisation d’une membrane séparatrice tout en protégeant l’hydrogénase de sa désactivation en présence d’oxygène. Cette nouvelle biopile délivre une densité maximale de puissance de 750 µW cm-2

La combinaison fiction-arts dans le texte de l’extrême contemporain : Quand le « Je » se décline autrement

Résumé : Certains textes littéraires de langue française –surtout contemporain- (ou francophones comme préfèrent les qualifier certains critiques et lecteurs avertis) échappent incontestablement aux codes standards régissant l’univers romanesque. Et les outils littéraires conventionnels ne permettent pas vraiment l’analyse et/ou l’interprétation de ces œuvres insaisissables dans le temps et même dans l’espace. Le recours donc aux « neurosciences », tout particulièrement à certains concepts et notions, s’avère incontournable pour mieux lire et bien comprendre ces nouvelles formes de création littéraire. Les tous derniers romans de Kaouther Adimi comme « Au vent mauvais » illustrent parfaitement cette littérature de l’extrême contemporain, cette littérature innovante pas du tout facile à autopsier suivant un protocole de lecture dit traditionnel. Il sera question de définir cette littérature francophone, le moins que l’on puisse dire, singulière. Mots-clés : littérature de l’extrême contemporain ; arts ;liance ;déliance ;reliance ;résilienc

Measure Data for a General Class of Nonlinear Elliptic Problems

We consider nonlinear elliptic inclusion having a measure in the right-hand side of the type $\beta(u)-div a(x,Du)\ni \mu$ in $\Omega$ a bounded domain in $\mathbb{R}^{N},$ with $\beta$ is a maximal monotone graph in $\mathbb{R}^2$ and $a(x,Du)$ is a Leray-Lions type operator. We study a suitable notion of solution for this kind of problem. The functional setting involves anisotropic Sobolev spaces.Comment: 2