Microstructure and mechanical properties of Spark Plasma Sintered tungsten-copper– zinc composites

Tungsten/Copper (W/Cu) composites, generally used for applications whereby the combination of high heat resistance, high electrical and thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion is required, are suitable for hard working conditions such as intensive electrical sparks, gouging spark erosion, surface melting, welding, material transfer etc. However, the large disparity between the melting point of tungsten (3410 °C) and that of copper (1083 °C) make their production through traditional processes very difficult. Furthermore the difficulty of approaching near theoretical densities even by using liquid phase sintering, due to the negligible mutual solubility of the constituents and high wetting angle of liquid copper on tungsten is quite challenging. In the present work, the densification mechanisms during spark plasma sintering of tungsten/copper and the effect of the addition of zinc on both microstructural and mechanical properties were investigated. Commercially pure tungsten powders were dry mixed with varied amounts of copper (25, 30 and 50 wt.%) with the addition of different weight fractions of zinc (Zn) (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.%) using a T2F Turbular mixer for 8 h and at a speed of 49 rpm. The blended composite powders were then sintered using spark plasma sintering system (model HHPD-25 from FCT Germany) with varying dwell times, sintering temperatures, pressures and a constant heating rate of 100oC min-1. The sintering of W/Cu was used as a base study prior to the addition of Zn for a better understanding of the interplaying mechanisms. Densification was monitored through the analysis of the recorded punch displacement and the measured density of the sintered samples using Archimedes method. Microstructural evolutions and phase changes were investigated using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction techniques. The effect of Zn addition on the mechanical properties was investigated through hardness, three point bending flexural test and fracture toughness measurements as well as the analysis of fracture surfaces

Permanent Draft Genome Sequences for Mesorhizobium sp. Strains LCM 4576, LCM 4577, and ORS3428, Salt-Tolerant, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Isolated from Senegalese Soils

The genus Mesorhizobium contains many species that are able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on plants of the legume family. Here, we report the draft genome sequences for three Mesorhizobium strains. The genome sizes of strains LCM 4576, LCM 4577, and ORS3428 were 7.24, 7.02, and 6.55 Mbp, respectively

Permanent Draft Genome Sequence of Rhizobium sp. Strain LCM 4573, a Salt-Tolerant, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Isolated from Senegalese Soils

The genus Rhizobium contains many species that are able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on plants of the legume family. Here, we report the 5.5-Mb draft genome sequence of the salt-tolerant Rhizobium sp. strain LCM 4573, which has a G+C content of 61.2% and 5,356 candidate protein-encoding genes

Permanent draft genome sequence of Ensifer sp. strain LCM 4579, a salt-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from Senegalese soil

The genus Ensifer (formerly Sinorhizobium) contains many species able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on plants of the legume family. Here, we report the 6.1-Mb draft genome sequence of Ensifer sp. strain LCM 4579, with a G+C content of 62.4% and 5,613 candidate protein-encoding genes

Phase 1 Anglo-French report on the IMPRESS Health 2 (Interreg IVA Channel Programme) project 4282: understanding factors behind the late testing and diagnosis of HIV

This report outlines the combined Anglo-French findings and analysis of data from the phase 1 (research) phase of the Interreg IVA Channel Programme funded IMPRESS Health 2 project examining factors behind the late testing and diagnosis of HIV in Kent, Medway, and Picardy (France)

Understanding factors behind the late testing and diagnosis of HIV: Findings from phase 1 of the IMPRESS Health 2 (Interreg IVA Channel Programme) Project

Over 100,000 have HIV in the UK. However, while effective treatment exists, there is neither a cure nor a preventive vaccine, so 500+ people die from AIDS every year with many others dying undiagnosed. Health policy focuses on prevention and support, but it is necessary to increase the number of early diagnoses and reduce the rate of spread (Public Health England, 2014). Approximately 25% of HIV positive individuals do not know their status however, and almost half of all UK diagnoses occur late. It is vital therefore, to understand and address barriers to early testing and diagnoses to address this trend. Clinical data for 240 patients diagnosed with HIV in 3 trusts in Kent and Medway over 5 years were analysed in relation to clinical, social, demographic and psychosexual factors likely to affect knowledge of HIV and their decision to seek a test. Fifty-three semi-structured interviews were also conducted with patients and healthcare professionals to elicit experienced and perceptions about barriers to testing and ways to increase uptake. Patients were aged 19-81 (mean 40 years) and 67.5% were men. Women were more likely to be diagnosed late however (67.9% versus 56.8%), and late diagnosis was higher than the national average for both sexes (60.4%) with the highest rates in Medway (66.1%) and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells (64.6%). Patients diagnosed late were 4 years older than those diagnosed early, and late diagnosis was higher in ethnic minority groups (70.2%) compared to white British (53.0%). Those born outside the UK were also generally diagnosed later (69.8%). The most frequent categories affected were heterosexuals (56.2%), men who have sex with men (36.6%) and intravenous drug users (2.0%). Patients diagnosed during an acute hospital admission were far more likely to be diagnosed late (89.1%) compared to other settings (49.6% - 57.1%). Qualitative data suggested that outmoded notions of HIV as a ‘gay’ disease still prevailed and heterosexuals did not generally consider themselves to be at risk. Healthcare professionals sometimes failed to acknowledge risks in ‘non-traditional’ groups and often overlooked HIV as a likely cause of symptoms until they were seriously unwell. Clearer public health messages should be targeted at the general population and there is a need to better educate healthcare professionals, especially GPs about the clinical indicators of HIV which also needs to be de-stigmatised

Effet de la salinité sur la croissance et la production de biomasse de deux provenances de Jatropha curcas L. cultivés en serre

La salinisation des sols est un processus important de dégradation des sols. Ce phénomène ne cesse de prendre de l’ampleur. Il affecte la croissance et le rendement des cultures. L’utilisation d’espèces à usages multiples telle que Jatropha curcas L. et capable de se développer dans ces milieux est d’une importance capitale. Cette étude a porté sur l’effet de différentes concentrations de NaCl (0 g/l, 2 g/l, 4 g/l, 8 g/l, 16 g/l et 35 g/l) pendant une durée de 42 jours sur des jeunes plants de deux provenances (Nioro et Kaffrine) de Jatropha curcas L en condition de serre vitrée. La tolérance des deux provenances par rapport aux différentes concentrations de NaCl a été étudiée en tenant compte des paramètres de croissance et de rendement. Les résultats ont montré que la hauteur des tiges, le diamètre au collet, la biomasse sèche des parties aériennes et des parties racinaires évalués à la fin de l’expérience varient en fonction du niveau du stress salin. Les deux provenances ont montré une tolérance à la salinité manifestée par la réduction d’un appareil aérien et racinaire important. La provenance Nioro présente une croissance des organes aériens plus importante que celle de Kaffrine. Cependant, la provenance Kaffrine produit plus de biomasse sèche aérienne. Cette différence se situe au niveau de la quantité de biomasse sèche apportée par les tiges.Mots clés : Stress salin, croissance, biomasse, Jatropha curcas L., provenance

Impact of daily consumption of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) dry leaf powder on iron status of Senegalese lactating women

A randomized study was conducted to test the efficacy of Moringa powder on iron status and weight gain in women. In an open-labelled randomized trial, 82 moderately anaemic, lactating women, aged 26.7� 6.5 years, received a weekly dose of either 100g of Moringa powder(Moringa group) or 120 mg iron sulphate with 0.5 mg folicacid (Control group). Data from 64 women (33 from Moringa group and 31 from Control group) were analyzed. Baseline parameters, socio-economic, anthropometry, haematology, plasma ferritin, and acute phase proteins were comparable in both groups. Low plasma ferritin (< 12 �g/l) indicating iron deficiency was found in 13 and 14 women from the Moringa and Control groups, respectively. After 3 months oftreatment, mean haemoglobin concentrations significantly increased in both groups (p<0.001) but iron stores were unchanged in the Moringa group while they significantly increased in the Control group indicating that consumption of Moringa leaves failed to restore iron stores in anaemic subjects. A slight improvement was observed in the prevalence of anaemia in both groups but anaemia still persisted due to other reasons than iron deficiency anaemia. None of the groups gained weightduring the 3 months. However, the average weight lost was less important in the Moringa group (-0.8 � 2.1 kg) compared to the control group (-1.2� 2.3 kg) but the difference was not significant (p=0.45).The amount of digestible protein in the powder could suggest that the consumption of Moringa was beneficial to the rural women by preventing weight loss during the rainy season. Micronutrient status improvement of vulnerable people in developing countries like Senegal shouldcombine diet-based strategies through production and consumption of animal derived food, vegetable, fruits and food fortification program. However, Moringa Oleifera is one example of local food that can be used in nutritional intervention program, but its use needs additional rigorous clinical trials to confirm its nutritional benefits.&nbsp