A nonparametric Bayesian approach to the rare type match problem

The "rare type match problem" is the situation in which the suspect's DNA profile, matching the DNA profile of the crime stain, is not in the database of reference. The evaluation of this match in the light of the two competing hypotheses (the crime stain has been left by the suspect or by another person) is based on the calculation of the likelihood ratio and depends on the population proportions of the DNA profiles, that are unknown. We propose a Bayesian nonparametric method that uses a two-parameter Poisson Dirichlet distribution as a prior over the ranked population proportions, and discards the information about the names of the different DNA profiles. This fits very well the data coming from European Y-STR DNA profiles, and the calculation of the likelihood ratio becomes quite simple thanks to a justified Empirical Bayes approach.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1506.0844

Modeling the Epidemic Outbreak and Dynamics of COVID-19 in Croatia

The paper deals with a modeling of the ongoing epidemic caused by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the closed territory of the Republic of Croatia. Using the official public information on the number of confirmed infected, recovered and deceased individuals, the modified SEIR compartmental model is developed to describe the underlying dynamics of the epidemic. Fitted modified SEIR model provides the prediction of the disease progression in the near future, considering strict control interventions by means of social distancing and quarantine for infected and at-risk individuals introduced at the beginning of COVID-19 spread on February, 25th by Croatian Ministry of Health. Assuming the accuracy of provided data and satisfactory representativeness of the model used, the basic reproduction number is derived. Obtained results portray potential positive developments and justify the stringent precautionary measures introduced by the Ministry of Health.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of the SpliTech2020 conferenc

Modified bodies. Between fashion and identity projects

The body has come to play an increasingly crucial role in social context, where appearance represents the privileged sphere for self-expression and identity construction. Among the many ways of decorating, adorning and camouflaging the body, some traditional techniques (tattoing, piercing, scarification) are competing with newer and technological ones (aesthetic surgery, implants) to shape and portray individualities. On the one hand, those techniques are borrowing from the world of fashion purposes and codes of presentation, on the other hand, they challenge that fluidity and continuous change by materializing long term identity projects aimed at resisting transformation.In both cases individuals refer to the body as a privileged realm to narrate and reflect upon their own personal story, they also seem more capable to manage the different techniques, and to mix them for their expressive purposes. The result is a combination of visual codes that can reveal different bodily models as well as different ways of experiencing corporeality and embodiment.The article tries to account for this variety by referring to a research carried out on four techniques (tattoing, scarification, aesthetic surgery and piercing) among a group of users and professionals

Considérer sur le plan économique, environnemental, légal, communicationnel et logistique, la possibilité de troquer l’eau en bouteille par de l’eau courante dans le domaine hospitalier tout particulièrement aux Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève

Le présent travail a pour but d’étudier la faisabilité d’un passage de la consommation de l’eau en bouteille à l’eau du réseau

Prospecting of culturable acetic acid bacteria from fermented fruits

TVinagres aromáticos elaborados de vinho ou de frutas têm se destacado no mercado de alimentos especializados em gastronomia. Entretanto não é fácil conseguir inoculo de boa qualidade. É fácil encontrar bactérias do ácido acético(BAA) em frutos naturalmente fermentado onde encontram-se misturadas com leveduras. Um meio seletivo foi adaptado para isolar apenas BAA. Para testar essemeio frutas muito maduras foram fermentadas por 3 dias a temperatura ambiente e amostradas como inoculo. Bactérias que apresentavam características de BAA foram identificadas em microscópio.Alíquotas de 0.5mL foram inoculadas em placas de Petricontendo meio Frateurmodificado composto de ágar, extrato de levedura, etanol e carbonato de cálcio. Como fungistaticos foram avaliados violeta de genciana (1% cloreto de metilrosanilina) e nistatinaem solução aquosa(105 UI) ambos a 0,5/1,0/1,5mL em 20mLdo meio que foi vertido em placas esterilizadas. As placas foram incubadas à 25 °C por cinco dias e as colônias BAA reconhecidas pela formação de halo. Os resultados mostraram que apenas a nistatina na dose de 1,0 mL controlou o crescimento de leveduras selvagens. Ensaios bioquímico (coloração de Gram, oxidase, catalase, indole formação de H2S) confirmaram o gênero Acetobacter. Os resultados comprovaram que a combinação de meio Frateur com 1, mL de solução aquosa de nistatina à 105 UI) pode ser uma boa opção para isolamento de BAA de frutas fermentadas.The flavored vinegars made from wines and fruit are y highlighted in the food gastronomy market. However it is not easy to have a good starter. It is easy to found acetic acid bacteria (AAB) in the natural fermentation of fruits where they are mixed with yeasts. A medium was adapted have only AAB. For test this medium overripe fruits were fermentedby 3 days at room temperature and sampled as inoculum. Bacteria presenting AAB characteristics were identified in microscope. Samples with0.5mlwere placed into Petri dishes containing a modified Frateurmediumcomposed of agar, yeast extract, alcohol, and calcium carbonate. As fungistaticswere tested the gentian violet (1% methylrosanilinium chloride) and nystatin water solution (105 IU) both used at 0.5/1.0/1.5mlon 20mlof the mediumdirectly placed into sterile plates. Petri dishes were incubated at 25°C for five days and AAB colonies recognized by forming a halo. The data showed that only nystatin at dose 1.0 mlcontrolled the wild yeasts growth. Biochemical assays (Gramstaining, oxidase, catalase, indol and H2S formation)confirmed the genus Acetobacter. The data proving that the combination of Frateur medium with 1.0 mlof water solution of nystatin 105 IU)may be a good option for isolating AAB from fermenting fruit

The trisomy 18 syndrome

The trisomy 18 syndrome, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a common chromosomal disorder due to the presence of an extra chromosome 18, either full, mosaic trisomy, or partial trisomy 18q. The condition is the second most common autosomal trisomy syndrome after trisomy 21. The live born prevalence is estimated as 1/6,000-1/8,000, but the overall prevalence is higher (1/2500-1/2600) due to the high frequency of fetal loss and pregnancy termination after prenatal diagnosis. The prevalence of trisomy 18 rises with the increasing maternal age. The recurrence risk for a family with a child with full trisomy 18 is about 1%. Currently most cases of trisomy 18 are prenatally diagnosed, based on screening by maternal age, maternal serum marker screening, or detection of sonographic abnormalities (e.g., increased nuchal translucency thickness, growth retardation, choroid plexus cyst, overlapping of fingers, and congenital heart defects ). The recognizable syndrome pattern consists of major and minor anomalies, prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, an increased risk of neonatal and infant mortality, and marked psychomotor and cognitive disability. Typical minor anomalies include characteristic craniofacial features, clenched fist with overriding fingers, small fingernails, underdeveloped thumbs, and short sternum. The presence of major malformations is common, and the most frequent are heart and kidney anomalies. Feeding problems occur consistently and may require enteral nutrition. Despite the well known infant mortality, approximately 50% of babies with trisomy 18 live longer than 1 week and about 5-10% of children beyond the first year. The major causes of death include central apnea, cardiac failure due to cardiac malformations, respiratory insufficiency due to hypoventilation, aspiration, or upper airway obstruction and, likely, the combination of these and other factors (including decisions regarding aggressive care). Upper airway obstruction is likely more common than previously realized and should be investigated when full care is opted by the family and medical team. The complexity and the severity of the clinical presentation at birth and the high neonatal and infant mortality make the perinatal and neonatal management of babies with trisomy 18 particularly challenging, controversial, and unique among multiple congenital anomaly syndromes. Health supervision should be diligent, especially in the first 12 months of life, and can require multiple pediatric and specialist evaluations