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The present paper describes the development of a mobile platform as a support of the real estate appraisal procedure. Currently, the estate evaluation is performed by an expert that manually collects data, performs measurements, and grabs pictures of the inspected unit to finally evaluate its commercial value. The READ project aims at automatizing this process by developing a solution based on a mobile unit (drone or tablet) able to navigate the indoor environment and record data, which will be later processed on the cloud. To accomplish all these tasks, the platform is equipped with cameras, a LiDAR sensor, and a data process unit, with the goal of 1) understanding its motion and localization; 2) reconstructing a 3D map of the inspected space; 3) performing image-based analyses applying AI algorithms enabling the identification of the indoor space (e.g. bedroom or kitchen), the counting and the classification of furniture objects, and the detection of building imperfections or frauds. Tests have been performed in different scenarios providing promising results, laying the foundations for bringing these technologies into a real operational context.

We have examined Plasmodium falciparumgametocyte prevalence, density and their genetic complexity among children of 2 sympatric ethnic groups (Mossi and Fulani) in villages in Burkina Faso. The 2 groups are known to have distinct differences in their susceptibility and immune responses to malaria. We used RT-PCR and sequence-specific probes to detect and type RNA of the gametocyte-specific protein Pfs4845. There were no differences in detection rates of asexual forms and gametocytes among the 2 groups, using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. However, there were significant differences in densities of asexual forms and gametocytes, which were both higher among Mossi than Fulani. Both asexual forms and gametocyte densities were influenced by age and ethnicity. Multiple-clone infections with more than 1 gametocyte genotype were equally prevalent among Fulani and Mossi. These differences can most probably be attributed to genetic differences in malaria susceptibility in the 2 ethnic groups.

We have examined Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte prevalence, density and their genetic complexity among children of 2 sympatric ethnic groups (Mossi and Fulani) in villages in Burkina Faso. The 2 groups are known to have distinct differences in their susceptibility and immune responses to malaria. We used RT-PCR and sequence-specific probes to detect and type RNA of the gametocyte-specific protein Pfs48/45. There were no differences in detection rates of asexual forms and gametocytes among the 2 groups, using PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. However, there were significant differences in densities of asexual forms and gametocytes, which were both higher among Mossi than Fulani. Both asexual forms and gametocyte densities were influenced by age and ethnicity. Multiple-clone infections with more than 1 gametocyte genotype were equally prevalent among Fulani and Mossi. These differences can most probably be attributed to genetic differences in malaria susceptibility in the 2 ethnic groups.

The gene frequencies in 1993-94 for haemoglobin S, haemoglobin C, alpha-3.7 deletional thalassaemia, G6PDA-, HLAB*5301 were estimated in Fulani, Mossi and Rimaibé ethnic groups of Burkina Faso, West Africa. The aim of the study was to verify whether the previously reported Fulani lower susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria was associated with any of these malaria-resistance genes. Similar frequencies for haemoglobin S were recorded in the 3 ethnic groups (0.024 +/- 0.008, 0.030 +/- 0.011, 0.022 +/- 0.013; in Mossi, Rimaibé and Fulani, respectively). The Mossi and Rimaibé showed higher frequencies when compared to Fulani for haemoglobin C (0.117 +/- 0.018, 0.127 +/- 0.020, 0.059 +/- 0.020), alpha-3.7 deletional thalassaemia (0.227 +/- 0.040, 0.134 +/- 0.032, 0.103 +/- 0.028), G6PDA- (0.196 +/- 0.025, 0.187 +/- 0.044, 0.069 +/- 0.025) and HLA B*5301 (0.189 +/- 0.038, 0.202 +/- 0.041, 0.061 +/- 0.024). Among Fulani the proportion of individuals not having any of these protective alleles was more than 3-fold greater than in the Mossi-Rimaibé group (56.8% vs 16.7%; P < 0.001). These findings exclude the involvement of these genetic factors of resistance to P. falciparum in the lower susceptibility to malaria of Fulani. This evidence, in association with the previously reported higher immune reactivity to malaria of Fulani, further supports the existence in this ethnic group of unknown genetic factor(s) of resistance to malaria probably involved in the regulation of humoral immune responses.

Malaria transmission by Anopheles funestuswas investigated from May 1994 to September 1997 in different locations from western to eastern Senegal along the northern border of The Gambia. 10515 A. funestuswere captured on human volunteers or by indoor pyrethrum spraying. Circumsporozoite protein rates showed that A. funestushad a high infection rate, 2–7%, in the whole of the study area. Analysis of feeding behaviour showed great variation of anthropophilic rates from western Senegal, where populations were highly anthropophilic, to eastern Senegal, where they were much more zoophilic. In eastern Senegal many females captured in bedrooms had fed outside on horses. Polytene chromosome analysis showed that the general pattern of karyotype distribution is consistent with the hypothesis of 3 chromosomally differentiated populations of A. funestus. In samples from a central part of the study area, analysis showed lack of karyotype intergradation with a deficit of heterokaryotypes, suggesting the presence of 2 genetically differentiated populations in an area of sympatry.

SummaryThe mitotic chromosomes of the sibling species A and B of the Anopheles gambiae complex were stained with Hoechst 33258 and examined by fluorescence microscopy. The autosomes fluoresce homogenously and similarly in both species while the sex chromosomes differ in the location and brightness of some heterochromatic blocks. These cytochemical differences allow the cytotaxonomic identification of these cryptic species.Heredity (1977) 38, 105–108; doi:10.1038/hdy.1977.11

The Hoechst 33258 banding pattern of the mitotic chromosomes of several laboratory and natural populations of the sibling species A. gambiae and A. arabiensis has been analyzed. A clear intraspecific polymorphism of sex chromosome heterochromatin has been observed. Nevertheless in each species heterochromatic variations fall within a characteristic species-specific pattern. Moreover, while laboratory populations tend to be monomorphic for a given heterochromatic variant, natural populations exhibit a high degree of intrapopulation polymorphism. The possible role of sex chromosome heterochromatin in controlling fertility and mating behaviour of Anopheles mosquitoes is discussed.

Three chromosomal forms of Anopheles gambiaes.s., designated as Bamako, Mopti and Savanna, were studied for diagnostic PCR assays based on the analysis of the X‐linked ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The study was performed on a 1.3 kb fragment containing part of the 28S coding region and part of the intergenic spacer region. The amplified material was cut with fourteen restriction enzymes to detect Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs). The enzymes Tru9I and HhaI produced patterns of DNA bands which differentiated Mopti from Savanna and Bamako; moreover, a distinct ‘hybrid’ pattern was recognized in the F1 female progeny from the cross of Mopti with either one of the other two chromosomal forms. The diagnostic significance of the PCR‐RFLP assay was verified on 203 karyotyped females from field samples collected in two villages in Mali and one village in Burkina Faso. Agreement was observed between the chromosomal and the molecular identifications. No ‘hybrid’ molecular patterns were detected even among carriers of rare heterokaryotypes hypothetically produced by crosses between Mopti and Savanna. The results confirm previous observations indicating barriers to gene flow within An. gambiaes.s. and supporting the specific status of the taxonomic units proposed on cytogenetic ground.

This study was undertaken to assess the sensitivity of hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP), lysylpyridinoline (LP), galactosylhydroxylysine (GHyl) and glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine (GGHyl) to monitor bone response to estrogen deficiency and replacement by comparing their excretory patterns in ovariectomized aged (11–14 months old) rats. The ovariectomized (OVX) rats were randomized into two groups: (1) OVX plus vehicle; (2) OVX plus 17β-estradiol (17-βE, 10 μg/kg, s.c., 4 days/week). Treatment with 17-βE started immediately after OVX and continued for 60 days. The collagen catabolites were measured in urine for 1 month before OVX and thereafter for 60 days. In temporal coincidence with urine collection, bone area and bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae, femoral diaphysis and distal metaphysis were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In the untreated rats, BMD of the femoral metaphysis and lumbar vertebrae decreased significantly and the urinary excretion of LP, HP, GHyl and GGHyl increased with different patterns. In the treated rats, 17-βE replacement prevented the increment in LP excretion, partially prevented the increase in HP excretion, but had no effect on the excretion of GHyl and GGHyl. In conclusion pyridinolines and glycosides have different sensitivities to the bone response to OVX. Glycoside excretion after OVX also reflects metabolic processes not strictly related to bone loss and, in contrast with LP, is not sensitive to estrogen replacement.Journal of Endocrinology(1996) 150,383–390

We have applied PCR amplification using random primers to distinguish between incipient species of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Individuals belonging to three chromosomally characterized West African forms of this mosquito, which are important epidemiologically as they differ in vectorial capacity, were sampled both from laboratory stocks and from wild populations collected in three localities. The techniques used allowed for the unambiguous classification of the mosquitoes, providing a tool for rapid and efficient diagnosis, which previously relied on cytological examination of polytene chromosomes.

Among the sibling species of the AfrotropicalAnopheles gambiae complex, the nominal taxon (An. gambiae s.str.) is the major malaria vector. Its bionomics suggest a man-dependent speciation process which involves, in West Africa, various incipient species chromosomally recognized by different combinations of 2R paracentric inversions. One of the most recent evolutionary steps of such a speciation process appears to be the chromosomal form Mopti, which is associated with dry season irrigation in arid zones, and is characterized by a remarkable ecological flexibility related to three 2R alternative arrangements, namelybc, u and +, whose expected karyotypes are found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The study of this chromosomal polymorphism in samples from a 16-locality transect in Mali shows wide variations and highly significant correlation with both temporal and spatial climatic differences. Mosquitoes homokaryotypic for 2Rbc are the actual dry season and arid areas breeders. The regular rise of 2Rbc frequency, up to fixation, during each dry season, corresponds to the South-North clinal increase of the same arrangement along the transect, from about 30% in the humid savanna to near fixation in the South-Saharan zone. This coherent ecological genetics case provides full support to the hypothesis of the adaptive nature of paracentric inversions. Moreover, the very peculiar system of combinations of contiguous 2R inversions, utilized by Mopti as well as by other chromosomal forms ofAn. gambiae, suggests a process of polygenic reorganization based on linkage disequilibria and involving the inversions as driving selection units.

Analysis of the inversion polymorphism of Anopheles gambiae s.str. in The Gambia and surrounding zones of Senegal (Saloum and Casamance) shows, in samples from the central part of the study area, highly significant and temporally stable departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with deficits of the hetero-karyotypes. This situation and the general pattern of karyotype distribution are consistent with the hypothesis of two chromosomally differentiated populations of A. gambiae which show partial reproductive isolation and incomplete intergradation in the contact zone.

We have microdissected divisions of the Anopheles gambiae polytene chromosomes, digested the DNAs with a restriction enzyme, and PCR-amplified the DNA fragments to generate a set of pooled probes, each corresponding to approximately 2% of the mosquito genome. These divisional probes were shown to have high complexity. Except for those derived from near the centromeres, they hybridize specifically with their chromosomal sites of origin. Thus, they can be used to map cloned DNAs by a dot blot procedure, which is much more convenient than in situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes. We discuss additional potential uses of these probes, such as easier isolation of molecular markers and genes, including those that cross-hybridize with clones available from other insects. It is expected that the probes will substantially accelerate molecular genetic analysis of this most important malaria vector.

SummaryPreliminary linkage data in Anopheles stephensi show that in this species there exists apparent independent assortment between linked loci and/or inversions on different arms of the same chromosome.Heredity (1978) 40, 457–458; doi:10.1038/hdy.1978.50