The ubiK protein is an accessory factor necessary for bacterial Ubiquinone (UQ) biosynthesis and forms a complex with the UQ biogenesis factor UbiJ

Ubiquinone (UQ), also referred to as coenzyme Q, is a widespread lipophilic molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes in which it primarily acts as an electron carrier. Eleven proteins are known to participate in UQ biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, and we recently demonstrated that UQ biosynthesis requires additional, nonenzymatic factors, some of which are still unknown. Here, we report on the identification of a bacterial gene, yqiC, which is required for efficient UQ biosynthesis, and which we have renamed ubiK. Using several methods, we demonstrated that the UbiK protein forms a complex with the C-terminal part of UbiJ, another UQ biogenesis factor we previously identified. We found that both proteins are likely to contribute to global UQ biosynthesis rather than to a specific biosynthetic step, because both ubiK and ubiJ mutants accumulated octaprenylphenol, an early intermediate of the UQ biosynthetic pathway. Interestingly, we found that both proteins are dispensable for UQ biosynthesis under anaerobiosis, even though they were expressed in the absence of oxygen. We also provide evidence that the UbiK-UbiJ complex interacts with palmitoleic acid, a major lipid in E. coli. Last, in Salmonella enterica, ubiK was required for proliferation in macrophages and virulence in mice. We conclude that although the role of the UbiK-UbiJ complex remains unknown, our results support the hypothesis that UbiK is an accessory factor of Ubi enzymes and facilitates UQ biosynthesis by acting as an assembly factor, a targeting factor, or both.Agence Nationale de la Recherche ANR-15-CE11-0001-02Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique PICS07279French State Program "Investissements d'Avenir" ANR-11-LABX-001

Robust Interval-Based Localization Algorithms for Mobile Sensor Networks

International audienceThis paper considers the localization problem in mobile sensor networks. Such a problem is a challenging task, especially when measurements exchanged between sensors may contain outliers, \textit{i.e.}, data not matching the observation model. This paper proposes two algorithms robust to outliers. These algorithms perform a set-membership estimation, where only the maximal number of outliers is required to be known. Using these algorithms, estimates consist of sets of boxes whose union surely contains the correct location of the sensor, provided that the considered hypotheses are satisfied. This paper proposes as well a technique for evaluating the number of outliers to be robust to. In order to corroborate the efficiency of both algorithms, a comparison of their performances is performed in simulations using Matlab

Robust bounded-error tracking in wireless sensor networks

International audienceA wireless sensor network (WSN) consists of spatially distributed sensors connected via a wireless link. Sensors may be designed for pressure, temperature, sound, vibration, motion... This paper considers the problem of target tracking in a WSN. This problem is especially challenging in presence of measurements which are outliers. Two algorithms for target tracking robust to outliers are proposed. They only assume that the maximum number of outliers is known. Based on interval analysis, these algorithms perform a set-membership estimation using either SIVIA or a combinatorial technique. In both cases, sets of boxes guaranteed to contain the actual target location are provided

Partitioned EDF Scheduling in Multicore systems with Quality of Service constraints

International audienceIn this paper we study the partitioned EDF scheduling in a homogeneous multiprocessor environment with Quality of Service (QoS) constraints. The system considered here is a real-time multiprocessor system assumed to be powered by rechargeable batteries. We address the issue of how to best partition a set of firm real-time tasks that can occasionally skip one instance according to a predefined QoS threshold. The main goal is to minimize the energy consumption of the system while offering solutions with respect to transient energy starvation situations the system can experiment. The contribution of the paper is twofold. First, we present a schedulability analysis of firm multiprocessor task sets under QoS constraints. Second we propose new partitionning heuristics integrating skips. The evaluation is conducted from several points of view (minimization of the total processor number, maximization of the spare capacity on each processor)

A priori gradient bounds for fully nonlinear parabolic equations and applications to porous medium models

12 pagesWe prove a priori gradient bounds for classical solutions of the fully nonlinear parabolic equation $$u_{t}=F(D^2u ,D u,u,x,t).$$ The domain is the torus {\mathbb{T}}^{d} of dimension $d\ge1$. Up to the price of technicalities, our work can be extended to the case of bounded domains or the case of the whole space ${\mathbb{R}}^d$. Several applications are given, including the standard porous medium equation

High spectral resolution ozone absorption cross-sections – Part 1: Measurements, data analysis and comparison with previous measurements around 293 K

In this paper we discuss the methodology of taking broadband relative and absolute measurements of ozone cross-sections including uncertainty budget, experimental set-ups, and methods for data analysis. We report on new ozone absorption cross-section measurements in the solar spectral region using a combination of Fourier transform and echelle spectrometers. The new cross-sections cover the spectral range 213–1100 nm at a spectral resolution of 0.02–0.06 nm in the UV–visible and 0.12–0.24 nm in the IR at eleven temperatures from 193 to 293 K in steps of 10 K. The absolute accuracy is better than three percent for most parts of the spectral region and wavelength calibration accuracy is better than 0.005 nm. <br><br> The new room temperature cross-section data are compared in detail with previously available literature data. The temperature dependence of our cross-sections is described in a companion paper (Serdyuchenko et al., 2014)

A Nonclairvoyant Real-Time Scheduler for Ambient Energy Harvesting Sensors

International audienceAmbient energy harvesting also known as energy scavenging is the process where energy is obtained from the environment, converted, and stored to power small devices such as wireless sensors. We present a variant of EDF scheduling algorithm called EH-EDF (Energy Harvesting-Earliest Deadline First). Decisions are taken at run-time without having prior knowledge about the future energy production and task characteristics. We gauge the performance of EH-EDF by means of simulations in order to show its benefits .W eevaluat ean dcompar esevera lvariant so fEH-ED Fi nterm so fpercentag eo ffeasibl etas ksets .Metric ssuc ha saverage length of the idle times are also considered. Simulations tend to demonstrate that no online scheduler can reach optimality in a real-time energy harvesting environment

Perspectives of frailty and frailty screening: Protocol for a collaborative knowledge translation approach and qualitative study of stakeholder understandings and experiences

Accompanying the unprecedented growth in the older adult population worldwide is an increase in the prevalence of frailty, an age-related clinical state of increased vulnerability to stressor events. This increased vulnerability results in lower social engagement and quality of life, increased dependency, and higher rates of morbidity, health service utilization and mortality. Early identification of frailty is necessary to guide implementation of interventions to prevent associated functional decline. Consensus is lacking on how to clinically recognize and manage frailty. It is unknown how healthcare providers and healthcare consumers understand and perceive frailty, whether or not they regard frailty as a public health concern; and information on the indirect and direct experiences of consumer and healthcare provider groups towards frailty are markedly limited.We will conduct a qualitative study of consumer, practice nurse, general practitioner, emergency department physician, and orthopedic surgeons' perspectives of frailty and frailty screening in metropolitan and non-metropolitan South Australia. We will use tailored combinations of semi-structured interviews and arts-based data collection methods depending on each stakeholder group, followed by inductive and iterative analysis of data using qualitative description.Using stakeholder driven approaches to understanding and addressing frailty and frailty screening in context is critical as the prevalence and burden of frailty is likely to increase worldwide. We will use the findings from the Perceptions of Frailty and Frailty Screening study to inform a context-driven identification, implementation and evaluation of a frailty-screening tool; drive awareness, knowledge, and skills development strategies across stakeholder groups; and guide future efforts to embed emerging knowledge about frailty and its management across diverse South Australian contexts using a collaborative knowledge translation approach. Study findings will help achieve a coordinated frailty and healthy ageing strategy with relevance to other jurisdictions in Australia and abroad, and application of the stakeholder driven approach will help illuminate how its applicability to other jurisdictions.Mandy M. Archibald, Rachel Ambagtsheer, Justin Beilby, Mellick J. Chehade, Tiffany K. Gill, Renuka Visvanathan, and Alison L. Kitso