Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is an increasing worldwide problem with major clinical implications. Surveillance is warranted to guide clinicians to provide optimal treatment to patients. To investigate azole resistance in clinical Aspergillus isolates in our institution, a Belgian university hospital, we conducted a laboratory-based surveillance between June 2015 and October 2016. Two different approaches were used: a prospective culture-based surveillance using VIPcheck on unselected A. fumigatus (n ϭ 109 patients, including 19 patients with proven or probable invasive aspergillosis [IA]), followed by molecular detection of mutations conferring azole resistance, and a retrospective detection of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid using the commercially available AsperGenius PCR (n ϭ 100 patients, including 29 patients with proven or probable IA). By VIPcheck, 25 azole-resistant A. fumigatus specimens were isolated from 14 patients (12.8%). Of these 14 patients, only 2 had proven or probable IA (10.5%). Mutations at the cyp51A gene were observed in 23 of the 25 A. fumigatus isolates; TR 34 /L98H was the most prevalent mutation (46.7%), followed by TR 46 / Y121F/T289A (26.7%). Twenty-seven (27%) patients were positive for the presence of Aspergillus species by AsperGenius PCR. A. fumigatus was detected by AsperGenius in 20 patients, and 3 of these patients carried cyp51A mutations. Two patients had proven or probable IA and cyp51A mutation (11.7%). Our study has shown that the detection of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in clinical isolates was a frequent finding in our institution. Hence, a rapid method for resistance detection may be useful to improve patient management. Centers that care for immunocompromised patients should perform routine surveillance to determine their local epidemiology.KEYWORDS VIPcheck, AsperGenius, cyp51A, cyp51B, hapE A zole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is an emerging problem worldwide, with major epidemiological and clinical implications (1-6). Mold active triazoles are commonly used as first line treatment and prophylaxis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) (7). Mutations in the cyp51A gene, which encodes the target of azoles, the lanosterol 14␣-demethylase, represent the most commonly reported mechanism conferring azole resistance and consequently treatment failure in A. fumigatus (8-10). The most prevalent mutation (TR 34 /L98H) involves the insertion of a 34-bp tandem repeat (TR 34 ) in the promoter region of the cyp51A gene and a point mutation within the gene leading to an amino acid substitution (L98H). More recently, an additional cyp51A-mediated resistant genotype (TR 46 /Y121F/T289A) has been reported: a 46-bp tandem repeat (TR 46 ) in the promoter of cyp51A gene and two point mutations within the gene

Among other CubeSat subsystems, Antenna is one of the most important CubeSat components as its design determines all the telecommunication subsystems’ performances. This paper presents a coplanar wave-guide (CPW)-fed equilateral triangular slot antenna constructed and analyzed for CubeSat communications at S-band. The proposed antenna alone presents high gain and ultra-wide band while its radiation pattern is bidirectional at an unlicensed frequency of 2450 MHz. The objective is to use the CubeSat chassis as a reflector for reducing the back-lobe radiation and hence minimizing interferences with electronic devices inside the CubeSat. This leads to a high gain of 8.20 dBi and a unidirectional radiation pattern at an industrial, scientific and mdical (ISM) band operating frequency of 2450 MHz. In addition to that, the presented antenna is low-profile and exhibits high return loss, ultra-wide impedance bandwidth, and good impedance matching at 2450 MHz.

With the introduction of electronic form of data, the need for an automatic system of security to protect the integrity of data while being transferred from one place to another is required. This is especially the case for a network in which the systems are accessed over a public network or internet. Security mechanisms involve the use of more than one algorithm. They further require that the participants should possess a secret key, which raises issues about creation, distribution and proper usage of these keys. The most effective technique used in provisioning security is Message Authentication Code (MAC) which helps in preserving integrity. MAC involves the use of secret key along with a hash algorithm. In this paper, we present an implementation of MAC using a secret key created by Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and random output sequence of Linear Congruential Generator (LCG). The hash algorithm used is made more robust by adding complexity to the traditional SHA-160. The presented scheme RMAC (Robust Message Authentication Code) is tested on National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) test suite for random numbers, avalanche criteria and resistance towards network attacks. The results reveal that the scheme is efficient and is applicable for a variety of security demanding environments.

This paper investigates non-data-aided (NDA) SNR estimation for QAM transmission over additive white Gaussian noise channels. It proposes a novel class of moment-based SNR estimators. This class is found to be a generalization of the well-known moment-based M 2 M 4 SNR estimation method for PSK modulation. The performance of the proposed estimators is evaluated for M-PSK and rectangular 16-QAM modulation.

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PurposeWithin the framework of the valorization of natural resources, a characterization of the biochemical composition of the edible parts of Adansonia Digitata is applied. The antibacterial effect against bacteria is also realized and compared to some synthetic antibiotics.Design/methodology/approachThe biochemical characterization is carried out according to the norms of the French Association of Normalization, methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC International) and gas chromatography (GC). The antibacterial activity is tested by disk diffusion on a solid medium. Parametric tests are used to compare the differences between groups and heat maps to show the expression of the mean inhibitions according to the studied parameters. Multivariate logistic modeling is applied to study the effect of extracts and antibiotics on bacteria.FindingsBiochemical characterization showed a variable importance of proteins, fibers and total sugars, with the presence of highly desired fatty acids such as palmitic, oleic, stearic, linoleic and a-linolenic acids. This gives the tested parts important energy values, especially in the seeds very rich in fatty acids. Methanol proved to be a better extraction solvent than dichloromethane. Antibacterial activity showed that pulp and leaves extracted with methanol had quite similar inhibitory activities against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212 and that this effect was better than some antibiotics. Multivariate analysis showed that the leaves had a similar effect to antibiotics, and a significant effect against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213.Originality/valueThis important activity and the attractive nutritional value of this plant could justify its extensive use in the traditional pharmacopoeia.

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Above-ground biomass Argyrocytisus battandieri Maire in the range lands of the Moroccan tabular Middle Atlas. Prediction and effect of the grazing pressure. In the central Middle Atlas, epigeal biomass of the livestock-appreciated forage shrub Argyrocytisus battandieri Maire was assessed, based on dendrometrie and weight data of 251 shrub individuals. Simple and multiple regressions were applied to the data in order to estimate wood and leaves biomass in this species. The data analysis allows us to conclude that : — it’s possible to estimate the dry biomass of the stems based on basal diameter ; — the combination of stems count, maximal height and mean dia¬ meter of the shrub, is the best estimate of its dry biomasses ; — allometric models for the stems and the shrubs fit better the bio¬ mass data ; — average laburnum total dry biomass is 2.2 t/ha, and was com¬ posed of 2. 0 t/ha of wood and 0.2 t/ha of leaves. An intensive grazing pressure lead to the species’ destruction. A medium grazing pressure on a basaltic substratum is significantly propitious to the production of the shrub, in comparison with stations protected by exclosure.