Identification of multitype branching processes

We solve the problem of constructing an asymptotic global confidence region for the means and the covariance matrices of the reproduction distributions involved in a supercritical multitype branching process. Our approach is based on a central limit theorem associated with a quadratic law of large numbers performed by the maximum likelihood or the multidimensional Lotka--Nagaev estimator of the reproduction law means. The extension of this approach to the least squares estimator of the mean matrix is also briefly discussed. On r\'{e}sout le probl\`{e}me de construction d'une r\'{e}gion de confiance asymptotique et globale pour les moyennes et les matrices de covariance des lois de reproduction d'un processus de branchement multitype et supercritique. Notre approche est bas\'{e}e sur un th\'{e}or\`{e}me de limite centrale associ\'{e} \`{a} une loi forte quadratique v\'{e}rifi\'{e}e par l'estimateur du maximum de vraisemblance ou l'estimateur multidimensionnel de Lotka--Nagaev des moyennes des lois de reproduction. L'extension de cette approche \`{a} l'estimateur des moindres carr\'{e}s de la matrice des moyennes est aussi bri\`{e}vement comment\'{e}e.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/009053605000000561 in the Annals of Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of four Algerian marine algae species

Since ancient times antimicrobial properties of seaweeds have been recognized. In this study, antifungal activity of four species of marine algae of Bejaia coast (Algeria) was explored. This activity was evaluated by agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were also determined for all the strains. All the extracts used in this study exhibited antifungal activity. The highest inhibiting effect was noted for Rhodomela confervoides (red algae) and Padina pavonica (brown algae), respectively against Candida albicans (diameter of inhibition zone: 24 mm) and Mucor ramaniannus (diameter of inhibition zone: 26 mm) for the first one and Candida albicans (diameter of inhibition zone: 26 mm) for the second one. Aspergillus niger showed resistance against majority of methanolic extracts. The evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentrations showed that extracts of Padina pavonica, Rhodomela confervoides and Ulva lactuca were very efficient against Mucor ramaniannus and Candida albicans. These results suggest that seaweeds collected from Algerian coast present a significant capacity which makes them interesting for screening for natural products.Key words: Marine algae, antifungal activity, methanolic extracts, natural substances

Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive sequence type 80 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying a staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IVc is dominant in neonates and children in an Algiers hospital

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major antimicrobial drug-resistant pathogen causing serious infections. It was first detected in healthcare settings, but in recent years it has also become disseminated in the community. Children and young adults are most susceptible to infection by community-acquired (CA) MRSA strains. In this study 25 MRSA isolates implicated in infections of neonates and children admitted to an Algiers hospital during an 18 month period were characterized by molecular methods including staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec typing, PCR amplification of pvl genes, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Fifteen out of 25 isolates were from hospital-acquired infections. Twenty-four isolates carried SCCmec type IVc and belonged to the sequence type (ST) 80, one isolate carried SCCmec type II and was ST 39. Twenty-two out of 24 ST80-MRSA-IVc isolates carried pvl genes. Our results suggest that the Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive ST80- MRSA-IVc is the dominant MRSA clone causing disease in neonates and children in Algiers

Phosphoproteome dynamics during mitotic exit in budding yeast

The cell division cycle culminates in mitosis when two daughter cells are born. As cyclin‐dependent kinase (Cdk) activity reaches its peak, the anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is activated to trigger sister chromatid separation and mitotic spindle elongation, followed by spindle disassembly and cytokinesis. Degradation of mitotic cyclins and activation of Cdk‐counteracting phosphatases are thought to cause protein dephosphorylation to control these sequential events. Here, we use budding yeast to analyze phosphorylation dynamics of 3,456 phosphosites on 1,101 proteins with high temporal resolution as cells progress synchronously through mitosis. This reveals that successive inactivation of S and M phase Cdks and of the mitotic kinase Polo contributes to order these dephosphorylation events. Unexpectedly, we detect as many new phosphorylation events as there are dephosphorylation events. These correlate with late mitotic kinase activation and identify numerous candidate targets of these kinases. These findings revise our view of mitotic exit and portray it as a dynamic process in which a range of mitotic kinases contribute to order both protein dephosphorylation and phosphorylation

A modular IoT platform for real-time indoor air quality monitoring

The impact of air quality on health and on life comfort is well established. In many societies, vulnerable elderly and young populations spend most of their time indoors. Therefore, indoor air quality monitoring (IAQM) is of great importance to human health. Engineers and researchers are increasingly focusing their efforts on the design of real-time IAQM systems using wireless sensor networks. This paper presents an end-to-end IAQM system enabling measurement of CO2, CO, SO2, NO2, O3, Cl2, ambient temperature, and relative humidity. In IAQM systems, remote users usually use a local gateway to connect wireless sensor nodes in a given monitoring site to the external world for ubiquitous access of data. In this work, the role of the gateway in processing collected air quality data and its reliable dissemination to end-users through a web-server is emphasized. A mechanism for the backup and the restoration of the collected data in the case of Internet outage is presented. The system is adapted to an open-source Internet-of-Things (IoT) web-server platform, called Emoncms, for live monitoring and long-term storage of the collected IAQM data. A modular IAQM architecture is adopted, which results in a smart scalable system that allows seamless integration of various sensing technologies, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and smart mobile standards. The paper gives full hardware and software details of the proposed solution. Sample IAQM results collected in various locations are also presented to demonstrate the abilities of the system. 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Acknowledgments: This publication was made possible by the National Priority Research Program (NPRP) award (NPRP6-600-2-250) from the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a member of the Qatar Foundation. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of QNRF.Scopu

A real-time early warning seismic event detection algorithm using smart geo-spatial bi-axial inclinometer nodes for Industry 4.0 applications

Earthquakes are one of the major natural calamities as well as a prime subject of interest for seismologists, state agencies, and ground motion instrumentation scientists. The real-time data analysis of multi-sensor instrumentation is a valuable knowledge repository for real-time early warning and trustworthy seismic events detection. In this work, an early warning in the first 1 micro-second and seismic wave detection in the first 1.7 milliseconds after event initialization is proposed using a seismic wave event detection algorithm (SWEDA). The SWEDA with nine low-computation-cost operations is being proposed for smart geospatial bi-axial inclinometer nodes (SGBINs) also utilized in structural health monitoring systems. SWEDA detects four types of seismic waves, i.e., primary (P) or compression, secondary (S) or shear, Love (L), and Rayleigh (R) waves using time and frequency domain parameters mapped on a 2D mapping interpretation scheme. The SWEDA proved automated heterogeneous surface adaptability, multi-clustered sensing, ubiquitous monitoring with dynamic Savitzky-Golay filtering and detection using nine optimized sequential and structured event characterization techniques. Furthermore, situation-conscious (context-aware) and automated computation of short-time average over long-time average (STA/LTA) triggering parameters by peak-detection and run-time scaling arrays with manual computation support were achieved. - 2019 by the authors.Funding: This publication was made possible by the NPRP grant # 8-1781-2-725 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu

New fast arctangent approximation algorithm for generic real-time embedded applications

Fast and accurate arctangent approximations are used in several contemporary applications, including embedded systems, signal processing, radar, and power systems. Three main approximation techniques are well-established in the literature, varying in their accuracy and resource utilization levels. Those are the iterative coordinate rotational digital computer (CORDIC), the lookup tables (LUTs)-based, and the rational formulae techniques. This paper presents a novel technique that combines the advantages of both rational formulae and LUT approximation methods. The new algorithm exploits the pseudo-linear region around the tangent function zero point to estimate a reduced input arctangent through a modified rational approximation before referring this estimate to its original value using miniature LUTs. A new 2nd order rational approximation formula is introduced for the first time in this work and benchmarked against existing alternatives as it improves the new algorithm performance. The eZDSP-F28335 platform has been used for practical implementation and results validation of the proposed technique. The contributions of this work are summarized as follows: (1) introducing a new approximation algorithm with high precision and application-based flexibility; (2) introducing a new rational approximation formula that outperforms literature alternatives with the algorithm at higher accuracy requirement; and (3) presenting a practical evaluation index for rational approximations in the literature. - 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Funding: The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing and meca sequencing in methicillin-resistant staphylococci from Algeria: A highly diversified element with new mutations in mecA

Genetic mechanisms of methicillin resistance are still relevant in staphylococci. The aims of this study are to assess the possible exchanges of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) among isolates of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) and to check for known or new mutations in mecA DNA. A total of 35 MRS non-repetitive isolates were recovered, including 20 Staphylococcus haemolyticus, 7 Staphylococcus aureus, 4 Staphylococcus sciuri, 2 Staphylococcus saprophyticus and 1 isolate each of Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus lentus. Only 16 of the 35 strains were assigned to known SCCmec types: 7 SCCmec VII, 6 SCCmec IV and 3 SCCmec III, with possible horizontal transfer of the SCCmec VII from methicillin-resistant S. haemolyticus to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. mecA gene sequencing in ten selected isolates allowed description of nine punctual mutations, seven of which were reported for the first time. The most frequent mutation was G246E, identified in isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, S. sciuri, S. saprophyticus and S. lentus. These results emphasized the high degree of genetic diversity of SCCmec element in MRS and describe new missense mutations in mecA, which might be important in understanding the evolution of methicillin and new b-lactam resistance

A real-time early warning seismic event detection algorithm using smart geo-spatial bi-axial inclinometer nodes for Industry 4.0 applications

Earthquakes are one of the major natural calamities as well as a prime subject of interest for seismologists, state agencies, and ground motion instrumentation scientists. The real-time data analysis of multi-sensor instrumentation is a valuable knowledge repository for real-time early warning and trustworthy seismic events detection. In this work, an early warning in the first 1 micro-second and seismic wave detection in the first 1.7 milliseconds after event initialization is proposed using a seismic wave event detection algorithm (SWEDA). The SWEDA with nine low-computation-cost operations is being proposed for smart geospatial bi-axial inclinometer nodes (SGBINs) also utilized in structural health monitoring systems. SWEDA detects four types of seismic waves, i.e., primary (P) or compression, secondary (S) or shear, Love (L), and Rayleigh (R) waves using time and frequency domain parameters mapped on a 2D mapping interpretation scheme. The SWEDA proved automated heterogeneous surface adaptability, multi-clustered sensing, ubiquitous monitoring with dynamic Savitzky-Golay filtering and detection using nine optimized sequential and structured event characterization techniques. Furthermore, situation-conscious (context-aware) and automated computation of short-time average over long-time average (STA/LTA) triggering parameters by peak-detection and run-time scaling arrays with manual computation support were achieved. - 2019 by the authors.Funding: This publication was made possible by the NPRP grant # 8-1781-2-725 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu

Prise en charge des complications de la chirurgie partielle du larynx

Introduction : Le cancer du larynx est un cancer fréquent occupant la première place des cancers des voies aéro-digestives chez l’homme en Tunisie. Le tabac est le principal facteur favorisant surtout s’il est associé à l’éthylisme chronique. Il s’agit le plus souvent d’un carcinome épidermoïde plus ou moins différencié. Son pronostic est généralement bon, en raison de son développement dans un tube rigide bien limité et d’un traitement chirurgical actuellement bien codifié. La chirurgie partielle du cancer du larynx est une chirurgie à risque de complications postopératoires nécessitant une prise en charge adéquate.Patients et méthodes : Notre série comprend 54 patients ayant bénéficié d’une chirurgie partielle du larynx au sein du service de chirurgie carcinologique de l’institut Salah Azaiez sur une période de 15 ans (1997-2011).But : Présenter notre expérience en matière de prise en charge des complications de la chirurgie partielle du larynx.Résultats : La moyenne d’âge de nos patients était de 54,9 ans avec des extrêmes allant de 33 à 69 ans. La prédominance masculine était nette avec un sex-ratio de 26. La consommation tabagique était notée dans 92,6% des cas et la dysphonie était présente chez 40 patients porteurs d’une tumeur à localisation glottique. Six types d’interventions ont été pratiqués: cordectomie (9 cas), laryngectomie fronto-latérale (4 cas), laryngectomie frontale antérieure reconstructive type Tucker (10 cas), laryngectomie partielle supra-cricoïdienne avec crico-hyoïdopexie (CHP) (4 cas), laryngectomie partielle supra-cricoïdienne avec crico-hyoïdo-épiglottopexie (CHEP) (24 cas) et laryngectomie horizontale supra-glottique (3 cas). Une antibioprophylaxie était administrée chez 79,6% des patients pour une durée moyenne de 7 jours. Les complications postopératoires ont été analysées et discutées en fonction du type de la chirurgie partielle pratiquée et du type d’antibiothérapie utilisée. Ces complications étaient les suivantes: infection du trachéostome (20,4%), infection de paroi (5 cas), complications respiratoires (29,6%), emphysème sous cutané (7,4%), fistule salivaire (1 cas) et pancréatite aigüe (1 cas).Conclusion : Cette étude montre dans l’ensemble des bons résultats tant sur le plan infectieux que respiratoires, justifiant ainsi l’importance de la prise en charge des complications de la chirurgie partielle du cancer du larynx.Introduction : Laryngeal cancer is a common cancer occurring mainly in men. Smoking is the main risk factor especially if associated with chronic alcoholism. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histologic type. Prognosis is generally good, due to the development of the tumor in a very limited rigid tube and to a well-codified surgical treatment. Partial surgery of laryngeal cancer is characterized by postoperative complications requiring an adequate management.Methods : Our series includes 54 cases of laryngeal cancer treated with partial laryngectomy in the ENT department of Salah Azaiez Institute over a period of 15 years from 1997 to 2011.Objective : To present our experience in the management of partial laryngeal surgery complications.Results : Average age of our patients was 54.9 years ranging from 33 to 69 years. Male predominance was marked with a sex ratio of 26. Tobacco abuse was found in 92.6%. Dysphonia was the most common symptom found in 40 patients with glottic cancer. Six varieties of partial laryngectomy were performed: cordectomy (9 cases), fronto-lateral laryngectomy (4 cases), fronto-anterior reconstructive laryngectomy (10 cases), partial supra-cricoid laryngectomy with CHP (4 cases), partial supra-cricoid laryngectomy with CHEP (24 cases) and supra glottic horizontal laryngectomy (3 cases). 79.6 % of our patients received prophylactic antibiotics for an average of 7 days. Postoperative complications were analyzed and discussed in terms of the type of surgery performed and the antibiotic used. Complications observed were: infection of the tracheostoma (20.4%), parietal infection (5 cases), respiratory complications (29.6%), subcutaneous emphysema (7.4%), salivary fistula (1 case) and acute pancreatitis (1 case).Conclusion : This study shows overall good results for partial laryngeal cancer surgery with minimal post-operative complications and oncologic failure justifying the importance of an early management of these complications