Essai de modélisation cartographique de l'étalement urbain à l’aide du modèle de Markov « cas de la ville de kénitra »

Le phénomène de l’étalement urbain au détriment des périphéries constitue un phénomène persistant et d’actualité à travers le monde. Ses causes sont directement liées à la croissance démographique et au développement économique qui mènent à l’expansion des espaces bâtis. À cause d’une forte demande en logements, les villes s’étirent en gagnant des terres vides des terres vides et des forêts situées à la périphérie de la ville.Cet article tente d’aborder le thème de l’étalement urbain en utilisant les systèmes d’information géographique (SIG) via le modèle CA-Markov pour identifier et évaluer les transformations au niveau de l’utilisation des terres dans la zone urbaine de Kenitra. Les résultats obtenus par ce modèle ont été validés et une tentative de prédiction de l’évolution de l’utilisation des sols à l’horizon 2025 a été   élaborée sur la base de cartes d’utilisation des sols relatives aux années 2010, 2015 et 2020.

Hemato-Serological Findings as Early signals in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus Treated with Benzalkonium Chloride

To evaluate the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride in aquaculture, the hemato-serological indices of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus are used as biomarkers. Following exposure to three concentrations of benzalkonium chloride BAC 0.1, 0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg/l (BAC1,2,3 and 4) in aquaria for two durations 21 and 42 days, the microbiological assay in fish aquaria, in addition to blood parameters were assessed. Except for the mean difference between BAC2 and BAC3 (P > 0.05) at 42 days, the mean values of the bacterial counts revealed a significant difference between all compared groups (0.05 ≥ P ≤ 0.01). Following exposure to the lower concentrations of BAC (1, 2 and 3), the main blood parameters of Oreochromis niloticus namely red blood cells RBCs, and hemoglobin Hb decreased in fluctuated pattern when compared to control treatment (0.05 > P P< 0.01) when control, BAC1,2,3, compared to BAC4, except AST between BAC3 and BAC4 (insignificant- 42 days). Following BAC exposure, other parameters, including protein and urea remained the same as in control fish. The alteration in some hemato-serological markers demonstrated how a compensatory mechanism is generated in response to the stress caused by exposure to biocides

Biomechanical aspects of reinforced implant over-dentures: a systematic review

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour of implant overdenture (IOD) bases and its cumulative biological effect on the underlying supporting structures (implants and the residual ridge).Material and methodsThe required documents were collected electronically from PubMed and Web of Science databases targeting papers published in English that focused on denture base reinforcement for IOD prostheses in order to recognize the principal outcomes of reinforcement on the mechanical and biological properties of overdentures. Such biological outcomes as: strains on implants, peri-implant bone loss, residual ridge resorption, and strain on the residual alveolar ridge.ResultsA total of 269 citations were identified. After excluding any repeated articles between databases and the application of exclusion and inclusion criteria, only 13 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Three publications investigated the mechanical properties of fibre and/or metal-reinforced implant overdentures while another 3 articles investigated the effect of metal reinforcement on stress distribution and strains transmitted to the underlying implants. In addition, 3 in vitro studies investigated the effect of metal reinforcement on overdenture base strain and stresses. Stress distribution to the residual ridge and strain characteristics of the underlying tissues were investigated by 2 in vitro studies. Five clinical studies performed to assist the clinical and prosthetic maintenance of metal-reinforced IOD were included. Data concerning denture base fracture, relining, peri-implant bone loss, probing depth, and implant survival rates during the functional period were extracted and considered in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of the denture base, residual ridge resorption and implant preservation rates, respectively.ConclusionThe use of a denture base reinforcement can reduce the fracture incidence in IOD bases by enhancing their flexural properties and reducing the overdenture base deformation. Strains on the underlying supporting structures of overdenture prostheses including dental implants and the residual ridge can be decreased and evenly distributed using a metal reinforcement.</div

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Characterization of titanium surfaces with different treatment and aging processes

The aims of this study were to, 1) investigate the surface characteristics of polished titanium plates/discs treated with acid-etching and ultraviolet irradiation (UV); and 2) investigate the change in surface characteristics of polished titanium plates/discs treated with acid-etching and UV irradiation after aging in air, saline and citric acid for six weeks. A total of one hundred and ninety-eight commercially pure grade two titanium plates and 50 titanium discs were prepared. Titanium samples were divided into four groups: 1) polished group, 2) polished and UV group, 3) acid-etched group and 4) acid-etched and UV group. Polishing was performed by abrasive silicon carbide paper grinding. UV treatment was performed by 15W germicidal UVC, 254 nm, for 48 h. Acid-etching was performed with 67% H2SO4 at 120 ºC for 75 s. The four groups were then subjected to an aging process for six weeks in sealed containers with three different media: air, physiologic saline and citric acid. They were analyzed immediately after treatment and after aging for surface characterization: topography, roughness, wettability, crystallinity, and chemistry. The polished surface showed relatively smooth surface with typical grooves from the grinding process. Acid-etching produced micro-roughened surface with sharp pits and ridges. The average surface roughness of polished, polished-UV was lower than that of the acid-etched and acid-etched-UV surfaces (p < 0.05). Storage of titanium in saline and citric acid did not provoke any morphological or roughness changes at micron scale level when compared to the samples stored in air. Immediately after preparation and treatment, the polished and acid-etched titanium surfaces appeared to be hydrophilic with similar contact angle values (p > 0.05). After UV treatment, there was a significant reduction in contact angles (superhydrophilic) in both surfaces (p < 0.05). After storage in air for six weeks, the contact angles of the four groups significantly increased (p < 0.05) and the surfaces converted to a hydrophobic state. In contrast to samples stored in air, samples stored in saline and citric acid revealed superhydrophilic surfaces regardless of the surface type. Titanium hydride crystals were present in the acid-etched and acid-etched-UV surfaces but not in the polished and polished-UV surfaces. Titanium tetrachloride crystals were present in saline-stored surfaces. The polished surface acquired significantly higher titanium and oxygen concentrations and lower carbon contaminants compared to acid-etched surface. UV treatment substantially decreased carbon contamination and increased the titanium and oxygen concentrations in the acid-etched groups (p < 0.05). After storage for six weeks in air, the four studied surfaces had no significant changes in the surface chemistry. Storage of the titanium samples in saline and citric acid relatively increased the carbon contamination and decreased titanium and oxygen concentrations. UV treatment may be an effective way to produce clean titanium surfaces with less carbon especially after roughening the titanium surface by acid-etching. Storage of the freshly prepared titanium surface in media such as saline or citric acid could preserve the hydrophilic property of these surfaces, however, it may also negatively influence the surface chemistry due to increased carbon contaminants.published_or_final_versionDentistryMasterMaster of Philosoph

Color instance segmentation and classification of cervix images

[abstract not available

Efficient mining fuzzy association rules from ubiquitous data streams

Due to the development in technology, a number of applications such as smart mobile phone, sensor networks and GPS devices produce huge amount of ubiquitous data in the form of streams. Different from data in traditional static databases, ubiquitous data streams typically arrive continuously in high speed with huge amount, and changing data distribution. Dealing with and extracting useful information from that data is a real challenge. This raises new issues, that need to be considered when developing association rule mining techniques for these data. It should be noted, that data, in the real world, are not represented in binary and numeric forms only, but it may be represented in quantitative values. Thus, using fuzzy sets will be very suitable to handle these values. In this paper the problem of mining fuzzy association rules from ubiquitous data streams is studied, and a novel technique FFP_USTREAM (Fuzzy Frequent Pattern Ubiquitous Streams) is developed. This technique integrates fuzzy concepts with ubiquitous data streams, employing sliding window approach, to mine fuzzy association rules. In addition, the complexity and the efficiency of this technique are discussed. Examples of real data sets are used to test the proposed technique. Further research issues are also suggested