Déformation et métamorphisme dans la partie centrale de la chaine de Ngovayang (Sud-Cameroun)

La chaine de Ngovayang fait partie des formations tectoniques majeures de l’unité du Nyong au sud du Cameroun. Son histoire tectonique est caractérisée par trois phases de déformation qui se sont développées de l’archéen au début du panafricain. La phase D1 est responsable du plissement P1 et de la foliation S1. La phase D2, considérée comme phase majeure de déformation, est syntectonique. Elle a mis en place une schistosité S2 globalement NE-SW à pendage NW, plan axial des plis P2 et porteuse d’une linéation L2. Quant à la déformation D3, elle est assez tardive et discontinue. La principale empreinte métamorphique est liée à la phase de déformation D2, caractérisée par un métamorphisme de haut degré (faciès des amphibolites supérieures au faciès des granulites).Mots-clés : phase de déformation, chaine de Ngovayang, tectonique, métamorphisme, Nyong, Cameroun.Deformation and metamorphism in the central part of the Ngovayang chain (SouthCameroon)The Ngovayang chain forms part of the major tectonic unit of the Nyong Series in southern Cameroon. Its tectonic history is characterized by three phases of deformation that developed during the Archean to early Panafrican period. The D1 phase is responsible for the S1 foliation and the P1 fold. Phase D2, considered as the major phase of deformation, is syntectonic. It generated an S2 schistosity with a general NE-SW direction and NW dip. The S2 schistosity has a fold axial plane P2 and bears a lineation L2. The D3 deformation on the other hand is post tectonic and discontinuous. The main metamorphic imprint is related to the D2 deformation phase, characterized by a high grade of metamorphism (upper amphibolites to granulite facies).Keywords : deformation phase, Ngovayang chain, tectonic, metamorphism, Nyong, Cameroon

Elimination of Cu (II) and Zn (II) ions in mono-element and the bi-element aqueous solutions by adsorption on natural clay of Bikougou (Gabon)

This work was undertaken to evaluate the potential of the clay of Bikougou to remove copper (II) and zinc (II) ions (Cu2+ and Zn2+) in  mono-element and binary aqueous solutions. The experiments werecarried out by employing the batch technique through the variations of pH, clay mass, ionic strength, concentration in metal, temperature and contact time. The quantity of ions coppers (II) or zinc (II) adsorbed increases when the pH increases up to pH=5 and beyond, there is precipitation of the metal hydroxides; the quantity of metal ions adsorbed decreases when the clay mass or the ionic force increases. The average adsorption energies of copper (II) and zinc (II) ions are indicative of endothermic reactions. The modeling of the experimental results is better achieved by application ofFreundlich adsorption isotherm and Langmuir adsorption isotherm  concerning the adsorption of Cu (II) ions with correlation coefficients of 0.98 and 0.93, respectively. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm and Freundlich adsorption isotherm are all applicable for describing the experimental result of isotherm adsorption of Zn (II) ions with correlation coefficient respectively, 0.99 and 0.96. The kinetic which shows more clearly the observed phenomenon is that of the pseudo-second order with the coefficients of correlation close to 0.99. In the binary system copper (II) - zinc (II) the adsorption of copper (II) is favoured compared to that of zinc (II). All these results have shown efficiency as adsorbent of theclay from Bikougou to eliminate Cu2+and zinc (II) ions in mono-element or bi-element aqueous solutions. In the mono-element solution, the adsorption rate varied from 98.59 to 94.41% for the Cu(II) ions and from 86.76 to 53.80% for Zn (II) ions.Key words: System of bi-element, copper and zinc, adsorption, technique in batch, natural clay mixture

Errors in quantum optimal control and strategy for the search of easily implementable control pulses

We introduce a new approach to assess the error of control problems we aim to optimize. The method offers a strategy to define new control pulses that are not necessarily optimal but still able to yield an error not larger than some fixed a priori threshold, and therefore provide control pulses that might be more amenable for an experimental implementation. The formalism is applied to an exactly solvable model and to the Landau-Zener model, whose optimal control problem is solvable only numerically. The presented method is of importance for applications where a high degree of controllability of the dynamics of quantum systems is required.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Viral markers of hepatitis B, C and D and HB vaccination status of a health care team in a rural district of Cameroon

UNLABELLED: Ninety-three health care workers (HCW) in the Tokombere sahelian district volunteered to participate in a trial to investigate viral markers of hepatitis B, C, and D and HB vaccination status. METHODS: . Sera were tested using the Vikia HBsAg kit followed by CMIA for detection of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV. HBsAg-positive HCW were tested for HBV-DNA, anti-HDV, and, if positive for anti-HDV, HDV-RNA.RESULTS: Analysis of anti-HBc positivity indicated that 91% of HCW had been infected by HBV, regardless of vaccination history. Vikia HBsAg results were confirmed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) in all HCW and were positive in 17 HCW with virus load >2000 IU/mL in 6 and HDV co-infection in 6. Anti-HCV was found in 6 HCW. Among the 55 HCW that had not been vaccinated, only 3 needed vaccination because of anti-HBc negativity. Among HCW considered for HBV treatment, one patient presenting HBV/HDV co-infection was excluded after diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Systematic HB vaccination of new HCW appears unnecessary in this rural region of Africa. Anti-HBc screening is cost-effective for identifying HCW requiring vaccination. Vikia HBsAg is effective for point-of-care screening. We underline the need for universal early (preferably neonatal) HB vaccination and for availability of anti-HBV drug in limited-resource countries

A mid-infrared Mueller ellipsometer with pseudo-achromatic optical elements

The purpose of this article is to present a new broadband Mueller ellipsometer designed to work in the mid-infrared range, from 3 to 14 microns. The Mueller ellipsometer, which can be mounted in reflection or in transmission configuration, consists of a polarization state generator (PSG), a sample holder, and a polarization state analyzer (PSA). The PSG consists in one linear polarizer and a retarder sequentially rotated to generate a set of four optimal polarization states. The retarder consists in a bi-prism made of two identical Fresnel rhombs disposed symmetrically and joined by optical contact, giving the ensemble a "V" shape. Retardation is induced by the four total internal reflections that the beam undergoes when it propagates through the bi-prism. Total internal reflection allows to generate a quasi-achromatic retardation. The PSA is identical to the PSG, but with its optical elements mounted in reverse order. After a measurement run, the instrument yields a set of sixteen independent values, which is the minimum amount of data required to calculate the Mueller matrix of the sample. The design of the Mueller ellipsometer is based on the optimization of an objective criterion that allows minimizing the propagation of errors from raw data to the Mueller matrix of the sample. The pseudo-achromatic optical elements ensure a homogeneous quality of the measurements for all wavelengths. The performance of the Mueller ellipsometer in terms of precision, and accuracy, is discussed and illustrated with a few examples

A long-lasting measles epidemic in Maroua, Cameroon 2008-2009: mass vaccination as response to the epidemic.

A measles outbreak occurred in Maroua, Cameroon, from January 2008 to April 2009. In accordance with recent World Health Organization guidelines, an outbreak-response immunization (ORI) was conducted in January 2009. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of the epidemic in order to guide vaccination strategies

Nutritional value and consumption of black ants (Carebara vidua Smith) from the Lake Victoria region in Kenya

Abstract: The edible insects of the Lake Victoria region which provided food and medicine, have suffered the effects of mismanaged environment. Our case study of Carebara vidua Smith (black ant) which is an endangered insect currently threatened with extinction due to human's activities, have provided unique source of protein and medicinal value. C. vidua is an endangered species of Heminoptera. This paper discusses the nutritional value and medicinal potential of the black ant. It is one of the most sought after edible insects because of its nutritional and medicinal value. The samples were collected from Kisumu and Siaya counties along the Lake Victoria region. Standard nutrient analysis methods were used to determine the nutritional value. The insect has between 39.79 to 44.64% protein and about 42.07 to 49.77% fat content depending on the body part. The insect is also rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. From the fatty acid profile, the edible insects recorded high content of Palmitic, Oleic and Linoleic acids. No Linolenic acid was found in the samples analysed. The elderly Luos of Kenya collect and consume the black ants to manage several body ailments probably due to the essential nutrients found in the insect. C. vidua Smith is fairly similar to Polyrhachis vicina Roger in China which has been processed and commercialised as medicinal to manage several chronic diseases. Further research is needed to highlight the potential medicinal value of C. vidua Smith in Kenya and to save the insect from total disappearance

Spatial Division Multiplexing for Multiplex Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering

We demonstrate how a narrowband pump and a broadband spectrum can be spatially multiplexed by selective coupling them in two distinct modes of a few-mode microstructure fiber. The first mode carries most of the input pump energy, and experiences spectral broadening. Whereas the second mode preserves the narrow bandwidth of the remaining part of the pump. Bimodal propagation, with a power unbalance strongly in favor of the fundamental mode, is naturally obtained by maximizing coupling into the fundamental mode of the fiber. At the fiber output, the nearly monochromatic beam and the supercontinuum carried by the two different modes are combined by a microscope objective, and used as a pump and a Stokes wave for self-referenced multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering micro-spectroscopy. The spectral resolution, the signal-to-noise-ratio, and the possible amplification of the remaining pump beam are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure

Global analyses of TetR family transcriptional regulators in mycobacteria indicates conservation across species and diversity in regulated functions

BACKGROUND: Mycobacteria inhabit diverse niches and display high metabolic versatility. They can colonise both humans and animals and are also able to survive in the environment. In order to succeed, response to environmental cues via transcriptional regulation is required. In this study we focused on the TetR family of transcriptional regulators (TFTRs) in mycobacteria. RESULTS: We used InterPro to classify the entire complement of transcriptional regulators in 10 mycobacterial species and these analyses showed that TFTRs are the most abundant family of regulators in all species. We identified those TFTRs that are conserved across all species analysed and those that are unique to the pathogens included in the analysis. We examined genomic contexts of 663 of the conserved TFTRs and observed that the majority of TFTRs are separated by 200 bp or less from divergently oriented genes. Analyses of divergent genes indicated that the TFTRs control diverse biochemical functions not limited to efflux pumps. TFTRs typically bind to palindromic motifs and we identified 11 highly significant novel motifs in the upstream regions of divergently oriented TFTRs. The C-terminal ligand binding domain from the TFTR complement in M. tuberculosis showed great diversity in amino acid sequence but with an overall architecture common to other TFTRs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mycobacteria depend on TFTRs for the transcriptional control of a number of metabolic functions yet the physiological role of the majority of these regulators remain unknown. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1696-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users