Managing the Cloud Continuum: Lessons Learnt from a Real Fog-to-Cloud Deployment.

The wide adoption of the recently coined fog and edge computing paradigms alongside conventional cloud computing creates a novel scenario, known as the cloud continuum, where services may benefit from the overall set of resources to optimize their execution. To operate successfully, such a cloud continuum scenario demands for novel management strategies, enabling a coordinated and efficient management of the entire set of resources, from the edge up to the cloud, designed in particular to address key edge characteristics, such as mobility, heterogeneity and volatility. The design of such a management framework poses many research challenges and has already promoted many initiatives worldwide at different levels. In this paper we present the results of one of these experiences driven by an EU H2020 project, focusing on the lessons learnt from a real deployment of the proposed management solution in three different industrial scenarios. We think that such a description may help understand the benefits brought in by a holistic cloud continuum management and also may help other initiatives in their design and development processes.

The Glycoside Hydrolase Family 8 Reducing-End Xylose-Releasing Exo-oligoxylanase Rex8A from Paenibacillus barcinonensis BP-23 Is Active on Branched Xylooligosaccharides.

UNLABELLED: A GH8 family enzyme involved in xylan depolymerization has been characterized. The enzyme, Rex8A, is a reducing-end xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanase (Rex) that efficiently hydrolyzes xylooligosaccharides and shows minor activity on polymeric xylan. Rex8A hydrolyzes xylooligomers of 3 to 6 xylose units to xylose and xylobiose in long-term incubations. Kinetic constants of Rex8A were determined on xylotriose, showing a Km of 1.64 ± 0.03 mM and a kcat value of 118.8 s(-1) Besides linear xylooligosaccharides, the enzyme hydrolyzed decorated xylooligomers. The catalytic activity on branched xylooligosaccharides, i.e., the release of xylose from the reducing end, is a newly described trait of xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanases, as the exo-activity on these substrates has not been reported for the few of these enzymes characterized to date. Modeling of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of Rex8A shows an (α/α)6 barrel fold where the loops connecting the α-helices contour the active site. These loops, which show high sequence diversity among GH8 enzymes, shape a catalytic cleft with a -2 subsite that can accommodate methyl-glucuronic acid decorations. The hydrolytic ability of Rex8A on branched oligomers can be crucial for the complete depolymerization of highly substituted xylans, which is indispensable to accomplish biomass deconstruction and to generate efficient catalysts. IMPORTANCE: A GH8 family enzyme involved in xylan depolymerization has been characterized. The Rex8A enzyme from Paenibacillus barcinonensis is involved in depolymerization of glucuronoxylan, a major component of the lignocellulosic substrates. The study shows that Rex8A is a reducing-end xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanase that efficiently hydrolyzes xylose from neutral and acidic xylooligosaccharides generated by the action of other xylanases also secreted by the strain. The activity of a Rex enzyme on branched xylooligosaccharides has not been described to date. This report provides original and useful information on the properties of a new example of the rarely studied Rex enzymes. Depolymerization of highly substituted xylans is crucial for biomass valorization as a platform for generation of biofuels, chemicals, and solvents.

Clusters of Tolerogenic B Cells Feature in the Dynamic Immunological Landscape of the Pregnant Uterus.

Well-timed interaction of correctly functioning maternal immune cells is essential to facilitate healthy placenta formation, because the uterine immune environment has to tolerate the semi-allogeneic fetus and allow adequate trophoblast invasion. Here, we assess the uterine immune signature before and during pregnancy. Extensive supervised and unsupervised flow cytometry clustering strategies not only show a general increase in immune memory throughout pregnancy but also reveal the continuous presence of B cells. Contrary to the belief that B cells are merely a consequence of uterine pathology, decidual B cells produce IL-10 and are found to be localized in clusters, together with Foxp3pos T cells. Our findings therefore suggest a role for B cells in healthy pregnancy.

Farmer and Veterinarian Attitudes towards the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Programme in Spain: What Is Going on in the Field?

The effectiveness of health interventions against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is influenced by several "non-biological" factors that may hamper bTB detection and control. Although the engagement of stakeholders is a key factor for the eradication programme's success, social factors have been often ignored in the control programmes of animal diseases, especially in developed countries. In this study, we used a qualitative approach to investigate perceptions, opinions, attitudes, and beliefs of farmers, and veterinarians who may influence the effectiveness of the Spanish bTB eradication programme. The study was carried out in two phases. First, 13 key representatives of different groups involved in the programme were interviewed through exploratory interviews to identify most relevant themes circulating in the population. Interviews focused on strong and weak points of the programme; reasons for failure to achieve eradication; benefits of being disease free; future perspectives, and proposed changes to the programme. Based on these results, a thematic guide was developed and detailed information was gained through face-to-face in-depth interviews conducted on a purposive sample of 39 farmers and veterinarians. Data were analysed following an ethnographic methodology. Main results suggested that the bTB programme is perceived as a law enforcement duty without an adequate motivation of some stakeholders and a general feeling of distrust arose. The complexity of bTB epidemiology combined with gaps in knowledge and weak communication throughout stakeholders contributed to causing disbeliefs, which in turn generated different kinds of guesses and interpretations. Low reliability in the routine skin test for bTB screening was expressed and the level of confidence on test results interpretation was linked with skills and experience of public and private veterinarians in the field. Lack of training for farmers and pressure faced by veterinarians during field activities also emerged. Few benefits of being bTB free were perceived and comparative grievances referred to wildlife and other domestic reservoirs, sector-specific legislation for bullfighting farms, and the absence of specific health legislation for game hunting farms were reported. Understanding reasons for demotivation and scepticism may help institutions to ensure stakeholders' collaboration and increase the acceptability of control measures leading to an earlier achievement of eradication.

Trichuris spp. (Nematoda: Trichuridae) from two rodents, Mastomys natalensis and Gerbilliscus vicinus in Tanzania.

During a survey of the helminth community of several rodent species in the Morogoro region (Tanzania), Trichuris whipworms (Nematoda: Trichuridae) were found in the ceca of the Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis and a gerbil, Gerbilliscus vicinus (both Rodentia: Muridae). The taxonomic literature regarding Trichuris from African native rodents describes 10 species, but includes few metric and morphologic characters that discriminate between some of the pairs. The whipworms we sampled in Tanzanian Natal multimammate mice and gerbils were morphologically identified, respectively, as Trichuris mastomysi Verster, 1960 and Trichuris carlieri Gedoelst, 1916 sensu lato, but with characters that overlap or partially overlap with the cosmopolitan Murinae whipworm, Trichuris muris , already reported from several rodents in Africa. To clarify our identification, we sequenced the ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 ribosomal DNA region of the worms' nuclear genome. The genetic analyses clearly distinguish the whipworms we found in M. natalensis from those found in the gerbil, and both of these from T. muris whipworm reference sequences. The overlap of morphological characters between rodent whipworms suggests that reports of T. muris from rodent species not closely related to Murinae in other parts of Africa should be treated with caution.

Detection of the administration of 17beta-nortestosterone in boars by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

17beta-Nortestosterone (17betaN) is illegally used in livestock as a growth promoter and its endogenous production has been described in some animals, such as adult boars. In this paper, the metabolism of 17betaN in boars has been studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in order to identify markers of the exogenous administration. Administration studies of intramuscular 17betaN laurate to male pigs were performed. Free, sulphate and glucuronide fractions of the urine samples were separated and the steroids present were quantified by GC/MS. 17betaN was detected in some pre-administration samples. After administration, 17betaN, norandrosterone, noretiocholanolone (NorE), norepiandrosterone, 5beta-estrane-3alpha,17beta-diol and 5alpha-estrane-3beta,17beta-diol were detected in different fractions, being the most important metabolites, 17betaN excreted as a sulphate and free NorE. Samples collected in routine controls were also analyzed by GC/MS to identify endogenous compounds. 17betaN, norandrostenedione and estrone were detected in almost all the samples. No other 17betaN metabolites were detected. According to these results, the detection by GC/MS of some of the 17betaN metabolites described above, different from 17betaN, could be indicative of the exogenous administration of 17betaN to boars.

[Diagnostic methodology for the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after brachytherapy]. / Metodología diagnóstica ante la recidiva bioquímica después de braquiterapia.

Currently prostate cancer is the most frequent extracutaneous neoplasia in males in the USA, and second after lung cancer in our country. Over the last years the profile of prostate cancers diagnosed has changed due to the wide diffusion of PSA determination. Currently, almost 47% of prostate cancers are low risk at diagnosis. In this situation, the minimally invasive therapies such as brachytherapy have a growing acceptance in our environment. We analyze the special PSA kinetics after brachytherapy, and the difficulty entailed by the diagnosis of biochemical recurrence after brachytherapy, performing a bibliographic review of the available scientific evidence.

Bioavailability of S(+)-Ketoprofen After Oral Administration of Different Mixtures of Ketoprofen Enantiomers to Dogs.

Recent reports have disagreed on whether the bioavailability of S(+)-ketoprofen is affected by the presence of R(-)-ketoprofen. To examine this directly, we designed a randomized crossover study in beagle dogs. [14 C]- S(+)-ketoprofen trometamol and R(-)-ketoprofen trometamol were administered in the following percentage ratios: A, 99:1; B, 95:5; C, 90:10; D, 70:30; E, 50:50. Treatments were administered as a single oral dose of 1 mg/kg trometamol salt. Each of eight dogs received all five combinations in random order with a 1-week washout period between doses. Blood samples were taken before drug administration and at regular intervals for 240 min after dosing. A progressive increase in the plasma concentration of [14 C]-S(+)-ketoprofen was observed on going from treatment E (lowest dose of S-enantiomer) to treatments containing the highest doses of (14 C]-S(+)-ketoprofen. When the pharmacokinetic calculations were normalized to the dose of (14 C]-S(+)-ketoprofen, we found no statistically significant differences among the normalized AUC and Cmax values of the five treatments. Therefore, S(+)-ketoprofen absorption was linear and was not influenced by the presence of R(-)-ketoprofen. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in tmax values among treatments, indicating that the rate of S(+)-ketoprofen absorption was also unaffected by the presence of R(-)-ketoprofen.

Metodología diagnóstica ante la recidiva bioquímica después de braquiterapia / Diagnostic methodology for the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after brachytherapy

En la actualidad el cáncer de próstata es la neoplasia no cutánea más frecuente entre los hombres en USA, ocupando en nuestro país la segunda posición tras el cáncer de pulmón. En los últimos años se ha modificado el perfil del cáncer de próstata diagnosticado debido a la amplia difusión de la determinación del PSA. En la actualidad aproximadamente el 47% de los cánceres de próstata que se diagnostican son de bajo riesgo. En esta situación terapias mínimamente invasivas como la braquiterapia cada vez tienen una mayor aceptación en nuestro medio. Se analiza la especial cinética del PSA tras la braquiterapia y la dificultad que entraña el diagnóstico de la recidiva bioquímica tras braquiterapia realizando una revisión de la evidencia científica disponible en la literatura

Currently prostate cancer is the most frequent extracutaneous neoplasia in males in the USA, and second after lung cancer in our country. Over the last years the profile of prostate cancers diagnosed has changed due to the wide diffusion of PSA determination. Currently, almost 47% of prostate cancers are low risk at diagnosis. In this situation, the minimally invasive therapies such as brachytherapy have a growing acceptance in our environment. We analyze the special PSA kinetics after brachytherapy, and the difficulty entailed by the diagnosis of biochemical recurrence after brachytherapy, performing a bibliographic review of the available scientific evidence