Effects of burying and removing dead leaves from the ground on the development of scab epidemics in an apple organic orchard.

Ascospores produced on scabbed leaves in the leaf litter constitute the primary inoculum causing scab infections in apple orchards during the year. The trial, carried out in a commercial organic orchard, permitted to evaluate the effects of the removal of dead leaves located on the inter-row supplemented by the ploughing in of the leaves left on the row, on the development of scab epidemics. From the first recorded contamination to harvest time, lesions on leaves and fruits were counted to determine reduction in disease incidence and severity, compared with the untreated plots. Disease severity as a function of the distance from the untreated plot was also observed, to evaluate the spore dispersal gradient within the orchard. The results show that the ploughing in and the removal of the litter reduced disease incidence by 62% on leaves, and by almost 82% on fruits to harvest. Moreover, measurements of the dispersal gradient show that the spores do not disperse, or little, beyond 20m of the untreated zone

Firms’ trade-financing decisions during crises

Firms procure funds not only from specialized financial intermediaries, but also from suppliers, generally by delaying payments. The empirical evidence on trade credit raises questions that are hard to reconcile with existing theories: • What justifies the widespread use of trade credit by financially unconstrained firms that have access to seemingly cheaper alternative sources? • Why is the reliance on trade credit not always increasing in the degree of credit rationing? • Does input lending affect the borrower’s choice of inputs? • Does the degree of creditor protection affect financing and input choices? This chapter addresses these questions in a unified framework

Concordance entre la lecture optique automatisée et la lecture visuelle double pour deux tests de rupture des membranes

International audienceObjectives: To assess concordance between double human and automated optical reading (AOR) concerning two biological tests for rupture of membranes (ROM) METHODS: We conducted a monocentric, prospective, observational study comparing Actim Prom® (Alere SAS, Jouy-en Josas, France) and Hiprom Duo® (Fumouze, Levallois-Perret, France). Each test was performed simultaneously in patients with suspected ROM and read independently by 2 biologists and AOR device. ROM was clinically confirmed in case of recurrent leakage or spontaneous labour with no perceived membranes within 48hours.Results: Concerning Actim Prom®, concordance was 100 %, 92.5 % and 91.6 % between biologists, biologists-AOR device and biologists or AOR vs. clinical presentation respectively. Concerning Hiprom Duo®, concordance was 97.2 % between biologists, 97.2 % between biologist 1 and AOR, 95.3 % between biologist 2 and AOR, 63.5 % between clinical presentation and human reading, 62.3 % between clinical presentation and AOR. False positive cases were significantly associated with modified cervix (21 % vs. 46 %, P=0.006).Conclusion: We demonstrated excellent correlation between biologists and good or excellent correlation between AOR and human reading supporting the use of AOR in clinical practice

Chemotherapy-associated changes of histopathological features of Mycobacterium ulcerans lesions in a Buruli ulcer mouse model

Combination chemotherapy with rifampicin and streptomycin (RIF-STR) for eight weeks is currently recommended by WHO as first line treatment in Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer). To gain better insight into the mode of action of these antibiotics against established M. ulcerans infection foci and to characterize recovery of local immune responses during chemotherapy, we conducted a detailed histopathological study in M. ulcerans infected and RIF-STR treated mice. Mice were inoculated with M. ulcerans in the footpad and eleven weeks later treated with RIF-STR. Development of lesions during the first eleven weeks after infection and subsequent differences in disease progression between RIF-STR treated and untreated mice were studied. Changes in histopathological features, footpad swelling and number of colony forming units were analyzed. After inoculation with M. ulcerans massive infiltrates dominated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes developed at the inoculation site, but did not prevent bacterial multiplication. Huge clusters of extracellular bacteria located in large necrotic areas and surrounded by dead leukocytes developed in the untreated mice. Chemotherapy with RIF-STR led to a rapid drop in colony forming units associated with loss of solid Ziehl-Neelsen staining of acid-fast bacilli. Development of B-lymphocyte clusters and of macrophage accumulations surrounding the mycobacteria demonstrated the resolution of local immune suppression.. Results demonstrate that the experimental M. ulcerans mouse infection model will be a valuable tool to investigate efficacy of new treatment regimens and of candidate vaccines

The Art Dealer and the Devil: Remarks on the Relationship of Elia Volpi and Wilhelm von Bode

The essay focus on the relationship between the powerful Wilhelm von Bode, creator of the Kaiser Friedrich Museum in Berlin, and the Florentine art Dealer Elia Volpi, in the historic context of the end of 18 and beginning of 19 century. The text explores connections among Florentine antiquarians, trading strategies and relationships between them, the museum curators and the decadence of noble family