Analysis and framework-based design of a fault-tolerant web information system for m-health

The e-health domain has the objective to assist and manage citizens’ health. It concerns many actors like patient, doctors, hospitals and administration. Current and forthcoming generations of application will be web based and will integrate more and more mobile devices. In such application domain, called m-health, dependability is a key notion. In addition, more and more functionalities of such systems will be implemented as services for providing qualities like adaptability and maintainability. This paper presents, through a case study, how we can analyse and design an application that controls the insulin injection and that is embedded in a mobile device belonging to an e-health Web Information System (WIS). In order to ensure the dependability of the control systems, we show how to use Coordinated Atomic Actions (CAA). CAAs provide well defined concepts for fault tolerance, error-detection and error recovery in a distributed context where competitive and cooperative concurrencies are considered. The combination of CAA and SOA at design level it is proposed, with the purpose of being able to design systems that are partially implemented using service-oriented technologies. We updated and used our implementation framework, called CAA-DRIP, which originally was not tailored for service-oriented mobile applications. Thus, in this paper, we also propose an adaptation of CAA-DRIP for mobile devices.     

Purification and characterization of a peptide from Bacillus licheniformis showing dual antimicrobial and emulsifying activities

Bacillus licheniformis strain P40 produces a bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) that inhibits important pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus spp., Bacillus cereus, and Erwinia carotovora. The antimicrobial peptide produced by B. licheniformis P40 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and reversed phase chromatography on Source-RPC. The purification was about 100-fold with a yield of 0.3%. The molecular mass of the purified BLS about 800 Da, as determined by mass spectroscopy. The BLS was resistant for up to 100 °C and pH ranging 3–10, but lost its activity when treated with proteases and trichloroacetic acid. Reaction with ninhydrin produced the yellowish color instead the characteristic purple. Data from infrared spectroscopy also indicate the peptide is cyclic, resembling the lipopeptides surfactin and lichenisin. The BLS also showed emulsifying properties with several hydrophobic compounds, and dual antimicrobial and emulsifying activity in a meat model system. This antimicrobial peptide presents potential for use in as a food biopreservative or biodetergent.     

Common toads (Bufo arenarum) learn to anticipate and avoid hypertonic saline solutions.

Toads (Bufo arenarum) were exposed to pairings between immersion in a neutral saline solution (i.e., one that caused no significant variation in fluid balance), followed by immersion in a highly hypertonic saline solution (i.e., one that caused water loss). In Experiment 1, solutions were presented in a Pavlovian conditioning arrangement. A group receiving a single neutral-highly hypertonic pairing per day exhibited a greater conditioned increase in heart rate than groups receiving either the same solutions in an explicitly unpaired fashion, or just the neutral solution. Paired toads also showed a greater ability to compensate for water loss across trials than that of the explicitly unpaired group. Using the same reinforcers and a similar apparatus, Experiment 2 demonstrated that toads learn a one-way avoidance response motivated by immersion in the highly hypertonic solution. Cardiac and avoidance conditioning are elements of an adaptive system for confronting aversive situations involving loss of water balance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Independent block identification in multivariate time series

In this‐30 work we propose a model selection criterion to estimate the points of independence of a random vector, producing a decomposition of the vector distribution function into independent blocks. The method, based on a general estimator of the distribution function, can be applied for discrete or continuous random vectors, and for i.i.d. data or dependent time series. We prove the consistency of the approach under general conditions on the estimator of the distribution function and we show that the consistency holds for i.i.d. data and discrete time series with mixing conditions. We also propose an efficient algorithm to approximate the estimator and show the performance of the method on simulated data. We apply the method in a real dataset to estimate the distribution of the flow over several locations on a river, observed at different time points.     

Reaction Between Ethylene and Acetate Species on Clean and Oxygen-Covered Pd(100): Implications for the Vinyl Acetate Monomer Formation Pathway

Abstract  

The reaction between gas-phase ethylene and adsorbed acetate species on Pd(100)-p(2 × 2)-O and Pd(100)-c(2 × 2)-O surfaces is studied using infrared spectroscopy. It is found that acetate species are removed more rapidly by gas-phase ethylene on oxygen-covered Pd(100) than on Pd(111). However, in contrast to reaction on Pd(111), where vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) formation is detected by infrared spectroscopy, only CO is found on oxygen-covered Pd(100) surfaces. In the case of Pd(111), it has been shown that VAM is stabilized on the crowded, ethylidyne-covered surface. Since ethylidyne species do not form on Pd(100), any VAM that is formed can thermally decompose. The reaction shows an isotope effect when C₂D₄ is substituted for C₂H₄, indicating the hydrogen is involved in the rate-limiting step. Based on the surface chemistry found for VAM on a Au/Pd(111) alloy, where 30 to 40% ML of gold inhibits VAM decomposition, it is suggested that the VAM formation rate will increase on (100) alloy surfaces, while it will decrease at higher gold coverages since acetate formation is inhibited.     

Studies on the activation of hydrogen peroxide for color removal in the presence of a new Cu(II)-polyampholyte heterogeneous catalyst

In this work we describe the application of a new non-soluble and non-porous complex with copper ion based on ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE), methacrylic acid (MAA) and 2-methylimidazole (2MI) in the decolorization of an azo dye Methyl Orange (MO) as a model pollutant at room temperature.The complex with copper ion was studied by ESR and SEM and was tested as a heterogeneous catalyst for H₂O₂ activation. A possible mechanism of interaction involves the production of hydroxyl radicals (confirmed by ESR), dioxygen and water.The Cu(II)-polyampholyte/H₂O₂ system acted efficiently in the color removal of MO. The adsorption and oxidative degradation of the azo-based dye followed pseudo-first-order kinetic profiles, and the rate constant for degradation had a second-order dependence on copper ion content in the mixture.A removal of MO higher than 90% was achieved in 20 min at pH 7.0, combining 0.8 mM of complexed copper ions in the mixture with 24 mM hydrogen peroxide.The dye adsorbed on the polyampholyte following a L4-type isotherm with 4.9 μmol g⁻¹ maximum loading capacity and 3.1 μM dissociation constant for the first monolayer.     

The Human Microbiomes in Pancreatic Cancer: Towards Evidence-Based Manipulation Strategies?

Recent pieces of evidence have emerged on the relevance of microorganisms in modulating responses to anticancer treatments and reshaping the tumor-immune microenvironment. On the one hand, many studies have addressed the role of the gut microbiota, providing interesting correlative findings with respect to etiopathogenesis and treatment responses. On the other hand, intra-tumoral bacteria are being recognized as intrinsic and essential components of the cancer microenvironment, able to promote a plethora of tumor-related aspects from cancer growth to resistance to chemotherapy. These elements will be probably more and more valuable in the coming years in early diagnosis and risk stratification. Furthermore, microbial-targeted intervention strategies may be used as adjuvants to current therapies to improve therapeutic responses and overall survival. This review focuses on new insights and therapeutic approaches that are dawning against pancreatic cancer: a neoplasm that arises in a central metabolic “hub” interfaced between the gut and the host.     

Differential scanning calorimetry evaluation of oxidation stability of docosahexaenoic acid in microalgae cells and their extracts

The aim of this work was to evaluate the oxidative stability of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from Aurantiochytrium limacinum SR21 microalgae cells and in their lipidic extract by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Besides, freezing was evaluated as a strategy for microalgal DHA long‐term conservation by analysing changes in their thermal properties. As a first approach, mixtures of the most representative A. limacinum SR21‐fatty acids were evaluated in model systems. DHA and palmitic acid were the major polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids produced by the microalgae cells, respectively. Changes in DHA/palmitic acid ratio in model systems, in cells and their lipidic extracts, were detected by DSC through shifts in the oxidation onset temperature (OOT) values. However, OOT values of cells and lipidic extracts could be also influenced by cellular compartmentalisation, carotenoids and other components presence. Freezing was not a good strategy for DHA long‐term conservation, as revealed by OOT values and thermal properties, which reflected the extensive changes that occurred during storage.     

Indoor persistent organic pollutants in agricultural areas from Argentina

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are anthropogenic chemicals extensively used in the past for industrial and agricultural purposes, characterized by their lipophilicity, ubiquity, volatility and environmental persistence. By other hand, chlorpyrifos is the most widely used current pesticide (CUPs) being the main insecticide used for crops in Argentina. The aim of this work was to assess levels of POPs and CUPs in different fractions of airborne particles collected indoor in agricultural areas from Argentina. Particles higher than 2.5 µm were trapped in polyurethane foams (PUF) while particles smaller than 1 µm and volatile compounds were adsorbed on activated charcoal. Compounds were analyzed by gas chromatograph with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Endosulfans, chlordanes, PCBs, and HCHs were detected in all PUF samples, while endosulfans, chlorpyrifos, PCBs, and HCHs were the most abundant in smaller particles. Majority of pesticides showed higher concentrations during the summer season (1397.7 vs 832.5 pg/m³). Even adding up all measured organic compounds, no sample reaches the threshold limit value for indoor pesticides levels (0.1 pg/m³), neither in the large or small particle fraction. However, the fact that chronic exposure to POPs has been linked to several diseases raises concern for human health.     

Isolation and Identification of Bacillus spp. and Related Genera from Different Starchy Foods

ABSTRACT: Samples of butternut squash, potatoes, rice, and wheat flour were analyzed. Bacillus spp. and related species belonging to Paenibacillus and Brevibacillus genera were found in 96% of the samples. In butternut squash, predominant species were Bacillus pumilus and Paenibacillus polymyxa together with other Bacillus spp. species (B. cereus, B. licheniformis, B. sphaericus, and B. subtilis). In all the potato samples, Bacillus species were detected (B. cereus, B. mycoides, and B. licheniformis). Also, Bacillus spp. were detected in 100% of the unhusked rice samples, while incidence in white rice samples was 83%. In total rice samples, B. pumilus, Brevibacillus brevis, and Paenibacillus macerans were the main species and B. cereus, P. polymyxa, B. subtilis, and Brevibacillus laterosporus had the lower percentage. The most important species found in wheat flour was P. polymyxa with colony forming units per gram of about 10². As the identified species were potentially causatives of foodborne diseases, attention should be given to sanitary and temperature conditions as critical factors that influence the safety and shelf life of these products. Practical Application: Foodborne illness produce by B. cereus have been associated with a wide variety of food. In addition, some other Bacillus species have been related to foodborne disease in humans. Information about the virulence mechanisms of other Bacillus spp. is scanty and their risk is underestimated. Identifying the group of food and the food processes in which Bacillus cereus or other Bacillus spp. would be hazardous for human health is vital for the prevention of foodborne outbreak. In this study, we determined the incidence of Bacillus spp. and related genera in some food items of agriculture origin from Argentina. This research is relevant to identify the presence of potentially pathogen Bacillus species and related genera in this type of food.