Pest and diseases of 16 local and exotic sweet-potato varieties in Benin and their agronomic characteristics.

Morphological characteristics and agronomic parameters were studied on 16 sweet-potato varieties (5 East Africa, 9 Benin, 1 China and 1 Bolivia) in April to August 2011 in southern Benin. Varietal variability was observed for length of internodes, leaf petiole, stem and leaf number. Positive significant correlations existed between stem length, number of leaves and number of tubers and tuber yield. In the same trial, incidence and severity of pests and diseases and effects on yield were observed. Six pests, Ptyelus sp., Aspidomorpha sp., B. tabaci, Blosyrus sp., C. puncticollis and P. grossipes and one disease, anthracnose were observed. The density of pests was low (less than 0,2 insect by plant on the average). Incidence of leaf-eating pests such as Ptyelus sp., Aspidomorpha sp., Blosyrus sp. reached 100% from the 7th week, while severity evolved linearly reaching over 50% for all varieties 17 weeks after planting. Anthracnose was identified at the end of the growing season on all exotic varieties and on some local varieties (Manouga, Fornonwinka and Gboadobodouaho). Anthracnose increased on 400166 (25%); 440029 (35%); Carrot-c (10%) and Manouga (9%). Yield was not affected by the pests and diseases. Damage from termites, C. puncticollis, rodents, nematodes and Alternaria sp. were observed on less than 15 tubers. Highest yield was observed for 440029, Vobodouaho, Kolidokpon and Manouga. There was no effect of pests on yield; we suggest that this study is repeated in all the agro-ecological zones of Béni

On the vanishing viscosity limit in a disk

We say that the solution u to the Navier-Stokes equations converges to a solution v to the Euler equations in the vanishing viscosity limit if u converges to v in the energy norm uniformly over a finite time interval. Working specifically in the unit disk, we show that a necessary and sufficient condition for the vanishing viscosity limit to hold is the vanishing with the viscosity of the time-space average of the energy of u in a boundary layer of width proportional to the viscosity due to modes (eigenfunctions of the Stokes operator) whose frequencies in the radial or the tangential direction lie between L and M. Here, L must be of order less than 1/(viscosity) and M must be of order greater than 1/(viscosity)

Experimental and Computational Analysis of the Solvent-Dependent O2/Li+-O2− Redox Couple: Standard Potentials, Coupling Strength, and Implications for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Understanding and controlling the kinetics of O[subscript 2] reduction in the presence of Li+-containing aprotic solvents, to either Li+-O[subscript 2]− by one-electron reduction or Li[subscript 2]O[subscript 2] by two-electron reduction, is instrumental to enhance the discharge voltage and capacity of aprotic Li-O[subscript 2] batteries. Standard potentials of O[subscript 2]/Li+-O[subscript 2]− and O[subscript 2]/O[subscript 2]− were experimentally measured and computed using a mixed cluster-continuum model of ion solvation. Increasing combined solvation of Li+ and O[subscript 2]− was found to lower the coupling of Li+-O[subscript 2]− and the difference between O[subscript 2]/Li+-O[subscript 2]− and O[subscript 2]/O[subscript 2]− potentials. The solvation energy of Li+ trended with donor number (DN), and varied greater than that of O[subscript 2]− ions, which correlated with acceptor number (AN), explaining a previously reported correlation between Li+-O[subscript 2]− solubility and DN. These results highlight the importance of the interplay between ion–solvent and ion–ion interactions for manipulating the energetics of intermediate species produced in aprotic metal–oxygen batteries.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF award no. ECS-0335765)China Clean Energy Research Center-Clean Vehicles Consortium (CERC-CVC)United States. Dept. of Energy (Award number DEPI0000012)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Award number DMR-0819762)Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch Energy Research Network (BERN) Grant)Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech-MIT Center for Electochemical Energy Storage

Development and evaluation of the Children's Experiences of Dental Anxiety Measure

Background Existing measures of children's dental anxiety have not been developed with children or based on a theoretical framework of dental anxiety. Aim To develop the children's experiences of dental anxiety measure (CEDAM) and evaluate the measure's properties. Design The measure was developed from interviews with dentally anxious children. Children recruited from a dental hospital and secondary school completed the CEDAM and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS). A subgroup of children completed the CEDAM before and after receiving an intervention to reduce dental anxiety to examine the measure's responsiveness. Rasch and Classical test analyses were undertaken. Results Children were aged between 9 and 16 years (N = 88 recruited from a dental hospital and N = 159 recruited from a school). Rasch analysis confirmed the measure's unidimensionality. The CEDAM correlated well with the MCDAS (rho = 0.67, P < 0.01) and had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.98). The CEDAM was also able to detect changes in dental anxiety following the intervention (baseline mean = 22.36, SD = 2.57 and follow-up mean = 18.88, SD = 2.42, t(df = 37) = 9.54, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 1.39). Conclusions The results support the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the CEDAM. Initial findings indicate it has potential for use in future intervention trials or in clinical practice to monitor children's dental anxiety

Prevalence of Trachoma in Northern Benin: Results from 11 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Covering 26 Districts.

AIMS: We sought to evaluate trachoma prevalence in all suspected-endemic areas of Benin. METHODS: We conducted population-based surveys covering 26 districts grouped into 11 evaluation units (EUs), using a two-stage, systematic and random, cluster sampling design powered at EU level. In each EU, 23 villages were systematically selected with population proportional to size; 30 households were selected from each village using compact segment sampling. In selected households, we examined all consenting residents aged one year or above for trichiasis, trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF), and trachomatous inflammation - intense. We calculated the EU-level backlog of trichiasis and delineated the ophthalmic workforce in each EU using local interviews and telephone surveys. RESULTS: At EU-level, the TF prevalence in 1-9-year-olds ranged from 1.9 to 24.0%, with four EUs (incorporating eight districts) demonstrating prevalences ≥5%. The prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged 15+ years ranged from 0.1 to 1.9%. In nine EUs (incorporating 19 districts), the trichiasis prevalence in adults was ≥0.2%. An estimated 11,457 people have trichiasis in an area served by eight ophthalmic clinical officers. CONCLUSION: In northern Benin, over 8000 people need surgery or other interventions for trichiasis to reach the trichiasis elimination threshold prevalence in each EU, and just over one million people need a combination of antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement for the purposes of trachoma's elimination as a public health problem. The current distribution of ophthalmic clinical officers does not match surgical needs

Incidence and management of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides canker on Jatropha curcas L. in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria

The Impact of fungal pathogens on man is enormous, stretching from infecting humans to destroying a third of all food crops annually thereby causing economic losses and impacting global poverty. As a result, fungal disease incidence was assessed under natural field infection and data were collected randomly from 12 months old jatropha seedlings with cankers. Colletotrichum spp. isolated from the diseased sampled were interacted with known fungi and bacteria biocontrol agents. The experiment was carried out on completely randomized design (CRD) in the laboratory. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and statistically different means were separated using LSD (p≤0.05). The dual culture interaction proved that all the BCA used, possessed antagonistic potential, and could serve best for prophylactic protection. Plant diseases may be suppressed by the activities of one or more plant-associated microbes hence keeping them in check below threshold levels. This will help to maintain the quality and abundance of food, thereby mitigating hunger. Negative environmental consequences caused by excessive use and misuse of agrochemicals, requires that healthier and costeffective approaches to disease management should be adopted. Keywords: Biodiesel; Agrochemicals; Biocontrol agent; Dual culture; Pathogen

In silico sequence analysis, homology modeling and functional annotation of pectate lyase enzyme from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc.

Protein structure is more evolutionary conserved than a DNA sequence. To gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides pathogenesis, we analyzed a pectate lyase gene sequence at molecular level using bioinformatics approaches. We evaluated the sequence information of pectate lyase enzyme retrieved from NCBI database. We also interpreted its homology modeling, functional annotation. Based on homology modeling, three dimensional (3D) structure of the gene was constructed and interpreted. Several validation tests were computed to check the reliability of 3D structure. We found conserved domains in pectate lyase protein. These conserved domains have significant role for plant pathogens that use a set of pectate lyases as their main virulence factor and to initiate the symbiosis activity in different organism. The study has clear implications to annotate the role of pectate lyase gene and linked proteins associated. More insights into the structure of the gene will lead to annotate the role of this gene in different biological pathways.Keywords: Pectate lyase, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, sequence information, bioinformatics tool

Rate-Dependent Nucleation and Growth of NaO2 in Na-O2 Batteries

Understanding the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics in the presence of Na ions and the formation mechanism of discharge product(s) is key to enhancing Na–O2 battery performance. Here we show NaO2 as the only discharge product from Na–O2 cells with carbon nanotubes in 1,2-dimethoxyethane from X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Sodium peroxide dihydrate was not detected in the discharged electrode with up to 6000 ppm of H2O added to the electrolyte, but it was detected with ambient air exposure. In addition, we show that the sizes and distributions of NaO2 can be highly dependent on the discharge rate, and we discuss the formation mechanisms responsible for this rate dependence. Micron-sized (∼500 nm) and nanometer-scale (∼50 nm) cubes were found on the top and bottom of a carbon nanotube (CNT) carpet electrode and along CNT sidewalls at 10 mA/g, while only micron-scale cubes (∼2 μm) were found on the top and bottom of the CNT carpet at 1000 mA/g, respectively.Seventh Framework Programme (European Commission) (Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship, 2007-2013))National Science Foundation (U.S.) (MRSEC Program, award number DMR-0819762)Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch Energy Research Network (BERN) Grant)China Clean Energy Research Center-Clean Vehicles Consortium (CERC-CVC) (award number DE-PI0000012)Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech-MIT Center for Electochemical Energy Storage

Evaluation de l’état vaccinal contre l’hépatite B et portage de l’Ag HBs chez les militaires Béninois en mission en Côte d’Ivoire

Introduction:&nbsp;le but de cet étude est de déterminer le taux de couverture vaccinale anti-virus de l'hépatite B (anti-VHB) et la prévalence de l'AgHBs chez les soldats béninois en mission extérieure en Côte d'Ivoire. Méthodes:&nbsp;cette étude transversale était réalisée au sein du bataillon béninois basé à Anankouakouté en Côte d'Ivoire. Les soldats de cette compagnie au décours d'une séance d'éducation sanitaire étaient soumis à un questionnaire sous forme d'interview. Il portait sur les données sociodémographiques, les facteurs de risques d'infection et les antécédents de vaccination contre l'hépatite B. Des prélèvements étaient faits à la recherche de l'Ag HBs et des anticorps antiHBs. En cas de positivité de l'Ag HBs, un complément de bilan était fait (alanines aminotransférase(ALAT), Ag HBe, AcantiHBe, AcAntiHBcIgM et ADN HBV par PCR). Résultats:&nbsp;cent soixante-quinze militaire ont participé à cette étude (âge médian 31ans avec des extrêmes entre 23 et 52 ans; sex-ratio 5,73). Des taux protecteurs d'Ac Anti HBs étaient notés chez 41 militaires (23,4%). Cette immunité était post hépatitique B (25 cas/41) et post vaccinale (16 cas/41). Dix-huit militaires (10,3%) avaient une infection en cours par le VHB (Ag HBs+). L'infection était chronique (IgM anti HBc-et anticorps anti-HBc totaux + dans 18cas/18). Parmi les militaires infectés, 4 avaient une élévation des aminotransferases, 4 un Ag HBe positif et 4 une virémie élevée (ADN VHB &gt;2000UI/mL). Conclusion:&nbsp;le portage de l'AgHBs chez les militaires Béninois en mission est élevé. La couverture vaccinale est faible. Des stratégies d'intervention sont préconisées pour traiter ceux qui répondent aux critères et vacciner les non immunisés