Storage rot of seed yam resulting from speargrass injuries

Postharvest rot due to injury is a major contributing factor to the declining quality of stored seed yams ( Dioscorea spp.). Among the several known injuries, the piercing effect of speargrass rhizomes has become a serious constraint for yam production in Ghana. The objective of this study was to assess injuries on seed yams resulting from piercing of speargrass rhizomes and their effects on postharvest rots in Ghana. Eighty farmer fields from Mem, Watro, Asanteboa and Abour in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal in the Bono East Region of Ghana were screened for speargrass incidence and injury on harvested tubers, for laboratory analysis of pathogens in 2016 and 2017. The tubers were sorted into four categories of seed yam based on weight. Thirty seed yams each of two selected white yam cultivars (Dente and Kpamyo) with visible speargrass rhizome-pierced-tubers (VSRPT) and non-speargrass rhizome pierced healthy tubers (NSRPHT) were randomly selected and stored in a ban for weekly assessment of rot. The rotten tissues from the localised area of VPSRT were subjected to pathological investigations in the laboratory. The incidence of injury seemingly increased with increasing tuber weight. It was 0% for < 100 g samples and averagely 14% for > 1 kg samples, irrespective of cultivars and locations. Incidence of rot from NSRPHT sample was observed 5 weeks after storage (WAS) for both cultivars; and 2 WAS from the VSRPT sample and 40% higher than NSRPHT at 8 WAS. Eight and six known rot pathogens were isolated from the rotten tissues of VSRPT of Dente and Kpamyo, respectively. Injury from the piercing of speargrass rhizome significantly contributed to hastening of tuber rots; while tuber injury increased with increasing speargrass density. Appropriate management of speargrass is essential for commercial seed yam growers to reduce tuber damage which affects yam quality, storage and marketing.La pourriture post-r\ue9colte due \ue0 une d\ue9chirure est un facteur majeur contribuant \ue0 la baisse de la qualit\ue9 des ignames des semences stock\ue9es ( Dioscorea spp.). Parmi les nombreuses d\ue9chirures connues, l\u2019effet per\ue7ant des rhizomes de la gerbe d\u2019herbe est devenu une contrainte s\ue9rieuse pour la production d\u2019igname au Ghana. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer les d\ue9chirures sur les ignames de semence r\ue9sultant du per\ue7age des rhizomes de gerbe d\u2019herbe et leurs effets sur les pourritures post-r\ue9colte au Ghana. Quatre-vingts champs d\u2019agriculteurs de Mem, Watro, Asanteboa et Abour dans la municipalit\ue9 d\u2019Atebubu-Amantin dans la region de l\u2018 Est de Bono au Ghana ont \ue9t\ue9 examin\ue9s pour d\ue9terminer l\u2019incidence et les dommages de la gerbe d\u2019herbe sur les tubercules r\ue9colt\ue9s, pour une analyse en laboratoire des agents pathog\ue8nes en 2016 et 2017. Les tubercules ont \ue9t\ue9 tri\ue9s en quatre cat\ue9gories d\u2019igname de semence en fonction du poids. Trente ignames de semence de chacun des deux cultivars s\ue9lectionn\ue9s d\u2019igname blanche (Dente et Kpamyo) avec des tubercules perc\ue9s de rhizome de gerbe d\u2019herbe (VSRPT) et des tubercules sains perc\ue9s de rhizome non- gerbe d\u2019herbe (NSRPHT) ont \ue9t\ue9 s\ue9lectionn\ue9s au hasard et stock\ue9s dans une interdiction pour une \ue9valuation hebdomadaire de la pourriture . Les tissus pourris de la zone localis\ue9e de VPSRT ont \ue9t\ue9 soumis \ue0 des investigations pathologiques en laboratoire. L\u2019incidence des d\ue9chirures a apparemment augment\ue9 avec l\u2019augmentation du poids des tubercules. Il \ue9tait de 0% pour les \ue9chantillons <100 g et de 14% en moyenne pour les \ue9chantillons > 1 kg, quels que soient les cultivars et les emplacements. L\u2019incidence de pourriture de l\u2019\ue9chantillon NSRPHT a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9e 5 semaines apr\ue8s stockage (WAS) pour les deux cultivars; et 2 WAS de l\u2019\ue9chantillon VSRPT et 40% plus \ue9lev\ue9s que NSRPHT \ue0 8 WAS. Huit et six agents pathog\ue8nes de la pourriture connus ont \ue9t\ue9 isol\ue9s respectivement dans les tissus pourris du VSRPT de Dente et de Kpamyo. Les d\ue9chirures caus\ue9es par le per\ue7age du rhizome de gerbe d\u2019herbe ont consid\ue9rablement contribu\ue9 \ue0 acc\ue9l\ue9rer la pourriture des tubercules; tandis que les dommages aux tubercules augmentaient avec l\u2019augmentation de la densit\ue9 de la gerbe d\u2019herbe. Une gestion appropri\ue9e de la groseille verte est essentielle pour les producteurs commerciaux d\u2019ignames de semence afin de r\ue9duire les dommages aux tubercules qui affectent la qualit\ue9, le stockage et la commercialisation des ignames

Enhancing productivity of farmer-saved seed yam in Ghana: Positive selection and neem leaf powder factors

Recycling of diseased and pests infested seed yam ( Dioscorea spp.) has resulted in drastic yield reductions in yam production. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of positive selection on the quality of farmer-saved seed yam and also evaluate the effect of neem leaf powder in managing plant parasitic nematodes damage to yam. Two farming systems namely; Positive selection (PS) and Farmer practice (FP) and two soil amendment regimes; neem leaf powder at 20 g stand-1 (NA20) and no neem amendment (NA0) were tested on one variety of yam (Dente). A 2 x 2 x 1 factorial study, mounted on a randomised complete block design in a split plot arrangement was conducted in four replications. Positive selection occupied main plots; while Farmer practice occupied sub-plots. The study was conducted in eight communities located in two municipalities of Ghana, during 2015-2017. Parameters evaluated included Yam Mosaic Virus incidence and severity, incidence and severity of nematode cracks and galling on yam tubers, plant establishment and yield of yam. It was observed that Yam Mosaic Virus (YMV) disease incidence decreased from 38% in 2016 to 31% in 2017 in PS plots as a result of using virus-free planting materials. However, in FP plots, it increased from 67% in 2016 to 72% in 2017. Neem leaf powder amendment resulted in significantly (P< 0.05) low tuber galling (7%) compared with 40% in unamended plots. Similarly, PS plots yielded 7.7 t ha-1 compared to 5.9 t ha-1 in FP fields. In conclusion, Positive selection out-yielded FP by 30.5%; while PS-neem leaf powder interaction resulted in 38.5% over and above FP without neem amendment.Le recyclage des semences d\u2019igname ( Dioscorea spp.) contamin\ue9es par des maladies et des parasites a entra\ueen\ue9 une r\ue9duction drastique du rendement de la production d\u2019igname. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer l\u2019effet de la s\ue9lection positive sur la qualit\ue9 des semences d\u2019igname conserv\ue9es par les agriculteurs et \ue9galement d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019effet de la poudre de feuilles de neem dans la gestion des dommages caus\ue9s par les n\ue9matodes parasites des plantes. Deux syst\ue8mes agricoles \ue0 savoir; S\ue9lection positive (PS) et pratique paysanne (PF) et deux r\ue9gimes d\u2019amendement du sol; De la poudre de feuille de neem \ue0 20 g du stand-1 (NA20) et aucun amendement de neem (NA0) ont \ue9t\ue9 test\ue9s sur une vari\ue9t\ue9 d\u2019igname (Dente). Une \ue9tude factorielle de 2 x 2 x 1, mont\ue9e sur une dispositif en\ua0blocs al\ue9atoires complets dans un arrangement en parcelles divis\ue9es, a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e en quatre r\ue9p\ue9titions. S\ue9lection positive occup\ue9e parcelles principales; tandis que la pratique paysanne occupait des sous-parcelles. L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e dans huit communaut\ue9s situ\ue9es dans deux municipalit\ue9s du Ghana en 2015-2017. Les param\ue8tres \ue9valu\ue9s comprenaient l\u2019incidence et la gravit\ue9 du virus de la mosa\uefque de l\u2019igname, l\u2019incidence et la gravit\ue9 des fissures de n\ue9matode et le grippage des tubercules de l\u2019igname, l\u2019\ue9tablissement de la plante et le rendement de l\u2019igname. Il a \ue9t\ue9 observ\ue9 que l\u2019incidence de la maladie caus\ue9e par le virus de la mosa\uefque \ue0 l\u2019igname (YMV) avait diminu\ue9 de 38% en 2016 \ue0 31% en 2017 dans les parcelles PS gr\ue2ce \ue0 l\u2019utilisation de mat\ue9riel de plantation d\ue9pourvu de virus. Cependant, dans les parcelles de PF, il est pass\ue9 de 67% en 2016 \ue0 72% en 2017. L\u2019amendement de poudre de feuille de Neem a entra\ueen\ue9 une r\ue9duction significative du galles des tubercules (P <0,05) (7%) par rapport \ue0 40% dans les parcelles non modifi\ue9es. De m\ueame, les parcelles de PS ont produit 7,7 t ha-1, contre 5,9 t ha-1 dans les champs de PF. En conclusion, la s\ue9lection positive a eu un rendement sup\ue9rieur de 30,5% \ue0 celui de la PF; tandis que l\u2019interaction de la poudre de feuille PS-neem a eu pour r\ue9sultat 38,5% de plus que FP sans amendement de nee

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Management of root-knot nematodes on Yam with Trichoderma viride

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most   economically damaging agents on yam producing fields which could lead to 100 % yield loss. The use of biocontrol agents such as fungi is among the sustainable methods recommended to manage the menace of rootknot nematode infection on yams. The potential of three isolates of Trichoderma virideto reduce soil populations of Meloidogyne spp. was evaluated at three yam producing locations in Ghana. Trichoderma viride was isolated from soil sampled from Atebubu (A), Kintampo (K) and Wenchi (W). Trichoderma viride suspensions at a concentration of 1.7 x 107spores/ml isolate was inoculated on three yam varieties one month after planting. Inoculation of T. viride resulted in significant reduction in Meloidogyne populations at all the locations on all the three yam varieties. At Atebubu, all the three isolates (A, K, W) reduced Meloidogyne populations by 78.8%, 66.8% and 66.2% respectively on Pona. Higher suppressive effects of 90% and 85.6% were achieved by isolate K on Afebetua at Atebubu and Kintampo respectively. Isolates A recorded the minimum control effect of 30.4% on Afebetua at Wenchi. No nematodes were recovered from the peels of inoculated tubers at harvest. Key words: Dioscorea rotundata, Meloidogyne spp, Root-knot nematodes, Trichoderma viride Gestion des nématodes cécidogènes à Trichoderma virideLes nématodes à galles (Meloidogyne spp.) sont l'un des agents les plus dommageables sur le plan économique dans les champs des producteurs d'igname, ce qui pourrait entraîner une perte de rendement de 100%. L'utilisation d'agents de lutte biologique tels que les champignons est parmi les méthodes durables recommandées pour gérer la menace de l'infection par les nématodes cécidogènes sur les ignames. Le potentiel de trois isolats de Trichoderma virideto réduit les populations de Meloidogyne spp. a été évalué dans trois sites de production qui vient d'ignames au Ghana. Trichoderma viride a été isolé à partir du sol échantillonné à partir d'Atebubu (A), Kintampo (K) et Wenchi (W). Des suspensions de Trichoderma viride à une concentration de 1,7 x 107spores / ml d'isolat ont été inoculées sur trois variétés d'ignames un mois après la plantation. L'inoculation de T. viride a entraîné une réduction significative des populations de Meloidogyne à tous les emplacements sur les trois variétés d'ignames. A Atebubu, tous les trois isolats (A, K, W) ont réduit les populations de Meloidogyne de 78,8%, 66,8% et 66,2% respectivement sur Pona. Des effets suppresseurs plus élevés de 90% et 85,6% ont été obtenus par l'isolat K sur Afebetua à Atebubu et Kintampo respectivement. Les isolats A ont enregistré l'effet de contrôle minimum de 30,4% sur Afebetua à Wenchi. Aucun nématode n'a été récupéré des pelures des tubercules inoculés lors de la récolte.Mots-clés: Dioscorea rotundata, Meloidogyne spp, Nématodes à galles, Trichoderma

Influence of Fertilizer Application on Postharvest Storage of Two White yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Cultivars in Ghana

Yam growers across major growing areas are being encouraged to increase tuber yield through the application of fertilizer at the recommended rates and periods. Ghana, the leading exporter of yam in Africa, is currently facing the problem of poor tuber storability. Some actors along the food value chain attribute most storage rots to the application of fertilizer by farmers. This study was conducted to investigate in to the claim that fertilizer application has an effect on the shelf life of white yam tubers. Four fertilizer application models were tested on two white yam cultivars, Serwa and TDr95/19177. No fertilizer application served as the control experiment. Healthy- looking white yam tubers of the two cultivars were randomly selected from a fertilizer application trial at Ejura-Sekyedumasi District in Ashanti Region of Ghana and storage rot experiment conducted at CSIR-CRI(onstation) between January and July, 2015.The experimental design was a Split plot design with three replications. The main plot represented the two cultivars whilst the sub-plot was the fertilizer models. Initial parameters taken were tuber weight, yield and moisture content. Temperature and relative humidity were periodically recorded. Rot assessment were done at 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th months of storage. Rot analysis parameters taken were tuber weight, number of rotten tubers, rot initiation point, rot type and associated pathogens. Percent incidence and severity were determined and used for the analysis and interpretations. Severity data was subjected to statistical analysis using the Genstat statistical package 9.2, after the results was transformed using the square root transformation. Major fungi identified from rotten tissues over the period were Lasiodiplodia the obromae, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicilliumsp., Rhizopussp., Aspergillus flavus. Fifty-four percent of rotten tubers were the dry rot type. There were similarities in the incidence of rot among all treatments. There was no significant difference in terms of rot severity among the fertilizer application models as well as the control. However, varietal differences and tuber sizes were key factors identified as having effect on storage rots. Further studies on commercial white yam varieties such as Pona and Dente need to be conducted to evaluate the influence of fertilizer application on their shelf lives. .Key words: fertilizer application, storage rots, white yams and shelf life. Influence de l'application d'engrais sur le stockage post-récolte de deux variétés d'igname blanche (Dioscorea rotundata) au GhanaLes producteurs d'igname dans les principales zones de culture sont encouragés à augmenter le rendement des tubercules par l'application déngrais aux taux et périodes recommandés. Le Ghana, qui est le premier exportateur d'igname en Afrique, est actuellement menacé par une faible capacité de stockage des tubercules. Certains acteurs de la chaîne de valeur alimentaire attribuent la plupart des pourritures de stockage à l'application d'engrais par les agriculteurs. Cette étude a été menée pour étudier l'allégation selon laquelle l'application d'engrais a un effet sur la durée de conservation des tubercules d'igname blanc. Quatre modèles d'application d'engrais ont été testés sur deux cultivars d'igname blanche, Serwa et TDr95 / 19177. Aucune application d'engrais n'a servi d'expérience de contrôle. Des tubercules d'igname blanche d'apparence saine des deux cultivars ont été choisis au hasard dans un essai d'application d'engrais dans le quartier d'Ejura-Sekyedumasi dans la région d'Ashanti au Ghana et une expérience de pourriture du stockage a été effectuée à CSIR-CRI (en-station) entre janvier et juillet 2015. La conception expérimentale était une conception de parcelle avec trois répétitions. La parcelle principale représentait les deux cultivars tandis que la sous-parcelle était les modèles d'engrais. Les paramètres initiaux ont été le poids du tubercule, le rendement et la teneur en humidité. La température et l'humidité relative ont été enregistrées périodiquement. L'évaluation de la pourriture a été effectuée aux 3e, 4e, 5e et 6e mois d'entreposage. Les paramètres d'analyse de la pourriture mesurés étaient le poids des tubercules, le nombre de tubercules pourris, le point d'initiation de la pourriture, le type de pourriture et les pathogènes associés. L'incidence et la gravité en pourcentage ont été déterminées et utilisées pour l'analyse et les interprétations. Les données de sévérité ont été soumises à une analyse statistique en utilisant le progiciel statistique Genstat 9.2, après transformation des résultats en utilisant la transformation de la racine carrée. Les principaux champignons identifiés à partir des tissus pourris au cours de la période étaient: Lasiodiplodia l'obromae, Fusariumoxysporum, Penicilliumsp., Rhizopussp., Aspergillusflavusetc. Environ 54% des tubercules pourris étaient des type pourriture sèche. Il y avait des similitudes dans l'incidence de la pourriture parmi tous les traitements. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative en termes de sévérité de pourriture parmi les modèles d'application d'engrais ainsi que le contrôle à P <0,05. Cependant, les différences variétales et la taille des tubercules étaient des facteurs clés identifiés comme ayant un effet sur les pourritures de stockage. D'autres études sur des variétés commerciales d'ignames blanches telles que Pona et Dente doivent être menées pour évaluer l'influence de l'application d'engrais sur leurs durée de conservation.Mots clés: application d'engrais, pourritures de stockage, ignames blanches et durée d

CERVICAL ERECTOR SPINAE INTERMUSCULAR COORDINATIONWHILE USING NOISE CANCELLATION HEADPHONES DURING WALKING

Kia Golzari1, Ali Boolani2, Zacharias Papadakis3, Sergi Garcia-Retortillo4, Andreas Stamatis, FACSM5, Emily Locke2, Ryan McCarthy2, Kwadwo Osei Appiah-Kubi2, Ahmed Kadry2, Ahmed Torad2, Mostafa Elwan2, Hugo Posada-Quintero1. 1University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. 2Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY. 3Barry University, Miami Shores, FL. 4Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC. 5State University of New York Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY. BACKGROUND: People that want to “zone-out” may use noise cancellation headphones. Balance between primary and secondary stabilizing muscles ensures proper body posture free of musculoskeletal problems. Headphones use may be a neck stressor placing increased weight on cervical spinae muscles altering their stabilizing effect. The intermuscular coordination of the cervical erector spinae using headphones while walking is unexplored. METHODS: Participants (M = 13, F= 13, age = 21 ± 6 yrs) asked to walk (20-meter track for 30 minutes), while wearing noise cancellation headphones. Electromyographic (EMG) activity from right and left cervical erector (CER, CEL) was collected. For each muscle and at a 5-min interval, we obtained 10 time series of EMG band power. For each pair of EMG frequency bands between CER and CEL, cross-frequency interactions among EMG frequency bands were examined by bivariate equal-time Pearson’s cross-correlations. Hierarchical structure of the network’s links strength was dissected into separate network modules for low (F1, F2, F3), intermediate (F4, F5, F6, F7), and high (F8, F9, F10) EMG frequency bands, representing the activation of different muscle fiber types. RESULTS: The CER-CEL network showed a hierarchical organization with a clear stratification profile, with corresponding dominant links strength interactions to low-low ([F1-F2]—[F1-F2]), intermediate-high ([F3-F7]—[F8-F10]) and high-high ([F8-F10]—[F8-F10]) EMG frequency bands. While this hierarchical organization is preserved across the six 5-min intervals, the average link strength of the CER-CEL network is significantly reduced for all network modules (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CER-CEL network shows overexpressed/excessive inter-muscular connectivity at the beginning of the trial, reflecting reduced efficiency and lower degree of adaptability (i.e., rigidity) due to headphones’ use. As participants get adapted to the walking and the headphones, the CER-CEL network becomes sparser, indicating improved intermuscular network functionality. Neck musculature needs approximately 10 minutes to acclimate to the weight of the headphones. Clinicians working with people, who have vestibular issues, may place a weight in the form of headphones (or comparable apparatus/weight) while performing walking activities to facilitate neural activity of the cervical extensors through the process of vestibular adaptation and/or habituation

Storage rot of seed yam resulting from speargrass injuries

Postharvest rot due to injury is a major contributing factor to the declining quality of stored seed yams (Dioscorea spp.). Among the several known injuries, the piercing effect of speargrass rhizomes has become a serious constraint for yam production in Ghana. The objective of this study was to assess injuries on seed yams resulting from piercing of speargrass rhizomes and their effects on postharvest rots in Ghana. Eighty farmer fields from Mem, Watro, Asanteboa and Abour in the Atebubu-Amantin Municipal in the Bono East Region of Ghana were screened for speargrass incidence and injury on harvested tubers, for laboratory analysis of pathogens in 2016 and 2017. The tubers were sorted into four categories of seed yam based on weight. Thirty seed yams each of two selected white yam cultivars (Dente and Kpamyo) with visible speargrass rhizome-pierced-tubers (VSRPT) and non- speargrass rhizome pierced healthy tubers (NSRPHT) were randomly selected and stored in a ban for weekly assessment of rot. The rotten tissues from the localised area of VPSRT were subjected to pathological investigations in the laboratory. The incidence of injury seemingly increased with increasing tuber weight. It was 0% for 1 kg samples, irrespective of cultivars and locations. Incidence of rot from NSRPHT sample was observed 5 weeks after storage (WAS) for both cultivars; and 2 WAS from the VSRPT sample and 40% higher than NSRPHT at 8 WAS. Eight and six known rot pathogens were isolated from the rotten tissues of VSRPT of Dente and Kpamyo, respectively. Injury from the piercing of speargrass rhizome significantly contributed to hastening of tuber rots; while tuber injury increased with increasing speargrass density. Appropriate management of speargrass is essential for commercial seed yam growers to reduce tuber damage which affects yam quality, storage and marketing