A Combination of Data Augmentation Techniques for Mango Leaf Diseases Classification

Mango is one of the most traded fruits in the world Therefore mango production suffers from several pests and diseases which reduce the production and quality of mangoes and their price in the local and international markets Several solutions for automatic diagnosis of these pests and diseases have been proposed by researchers in the last decade These solutions are based on Machine Learning ML and Deep Learning DL algorithms In recent years Convolutional Neural Networks CNNs have achieved impressive results in image classification and are considered as the leading methods for image classificatio

Enquête sur l’Importance des Ressources Végétales pour la Population Riveraine du Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie (Sénégal)

Les espèces végétales constituent une composante essentielle de la biodiversité. Ainsi au Sénégal plusieurs études ont été effectuées sur ces espèces. Cependant celles qui portent à la fois sur les ligneux et les herbacées sont rares. Ce travail a été réalisé entre 2012 et 2014 pour évaluer l’importance des ressources végétales pour la population riveraine du Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie (PNLB). Une enquête ethnobotanique basée sur un questionnaire a été réalisée. La valeur d’usage, le facteur de consensus et le niveau de fidélité ont été évalués. L’analyse des résultats montre que Prosopis glandulosa (1,05) présente la plus grande valeur d’usage suivie d’Acacia tortilis subsp raddiana (0,83). Les usages les plus courants sont l’alimentation humaine (19,90 %), l’usage médicinal (19,40 %) et l’alimentation animale (16,50 %). Les facteurs de consensus sont plus élevés pour l’alimentation humaine et l’usage médicinal. La flore médicinale utilisée par les riverains du PNLB est plus diversifiée avec 67 espèces réparties dans 32 familles et 56 genres. Elle est suivie de l’alimentation humaine avec 52 espèces réparties dans 32 familles et 45genres. Les résultats sur le niveau de fidélité des espèces aux catégories d’usages les plus citées montrent l’existence d’espèces à usages exclusifs avec 100% de niveaux de fidélité et d’espèces à usages multiples avec moins de 100% de niveau de fidélité. Le niveau de fidélité des espèces utilisées dans l’alimentation humaine, animale ainsi que dans la médecine traditionnelle et leur valeur d’usage sont corrélés négativement. Les ressources végétales sont importantes pour la population riveraine du Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie qui les utilise dans plusieurs catégories d’usages. Cependant une étude plus approfondie sur les espèces médicinales serait bénéfique pour l’humanité.   Plant species are an essential component of biodiversity. Thus in Senegal several studies have been carried out on these species. However, those relating to both ligneous and herbaceous plants are rare. This work was carried out between 2012 and 2014 to assess the importance of plant resources for the local population of the Thongue of Barbarism National Park (TBNP). An ethnobotanical survey based on a questionnaire was carried out. Analysis of the results shows that  Prosopis glandulosa (1.05) shows the highest use value followed by Acacia tortilis subsp raddiana (0.83). The most common use are food (19.90%), medicinal use (19.40%) and animal feed (16.50%). Consensus factor are highest for human food and medicinal use. The medicinal flora used by residents of the NPLB is more diversified with 67 species distributed in 32 families and 56 genera. The families most represented in this medicinal flora are the Fabaceae (22.38%), the Malvaceae (8.95%) and the Combretaceae (5.97%). It is followed by human food with 52 species divided into 32 families and 45 genera. The results on the level of fidelity of species to the most cited use categories show the existence of species for exclusive use with 100% fidelity levels and multiple use species with less than 100% fidelity level. The level of fidelity of species used in human and animal food as well as in traditional medicine and their use value are negatively correlated. Plant resources are important for the local population of the Thongue of Barbarism National Park who use them in several categories of uses. The importance of  plant resources for the population is well known. However, further study of medicinal species would be beneficial to mankind

The Drying Kinetics Study of Couscous for its Conservation,Comsumption and Urban Marketing

The combined effects of the devaluation of the CFA franc in 1992, the food crisis of 2008 and the strong demand for grain products developed urban dwellers have proven to be a necessity of development of grain products manufacturing units marketable and storable without any risk of alteration for cereal craftsmen. This contribution conducted at 40 ° C and 55 ° C with air speeds of 1m / s 2m / s and 3m / s is in the kinetic study of a technological process couscous drying to determine the optimum conditions of the process of dehydration. She found that the drying kinetics of couscous takes place in three phases; indicating that couscous is rich in water and that it can be stored at room temperature unless it is dried. Henceforth it is imperative to have a good knowledge and mastery of these three phases that impact on product quality This study showed that the experiments performed at a speed of air 3m / s at 40 ° C temperatures and 55 ° C, show a brown coloration due to Maillard reactions. We see that the browning phenomena are more pronounced at the speed of 3m / s and 55 ° C. It is found that the slow drying is better suited to the quick dry couscous. In addition to further drying the air velocity of 1m / s correlated with the temperature of 40 ° C is the most suitable as well as good monitoring of the evolution of the temperature during the drying phase warm up for a good product.

Evaluation De La Prematurite Superieure Ou Egale A 32 Semaine D’amenorhée A L’hopital Regional De Ziguinchor Au Sud Du Senegal (Afrique De L’ouest)

Introduction: Prematurity is one of the leading causes of neonatal death in Africa. The objective of this work was to assess the preterm birth at the pediatric service of the regional hospital of Ziguinchor. Material and methods: This was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study of the case of hospitalized newborns whose age was between 32 SA to 36SA + 6 days. The study was conducted from May 21, 2013 to May 21, 2014. We included all premature infants at age ≥ 32SA.Those presenting a malformation were not included. We studied maternal socio-demographic, obstetric and neonatal parameters. Results: We have identified 140 newborns out of a total of 342 Preterm births and 2292 maternity births, a prevalence of 40.9% compared to preterm infants and 6.10% in relation to all births. 51.4 percent of mothers came from urban areas, 63.5 percent were between 20 and 34 years of age, not attending school in 45.7 percent, married in 72.9 percent and without work in 94.3 percent. The average gestures represented 3.09 . Arterial hypertension was the most common medical condition (67.7%). The followup was done by a midwife (82.1%) and 23.5% had received at least 4 NPC. Eclampsia and pre-eclampsia (48.9%) and RPM (42.8%) were common obstetric pathologies. The delivery was by caesarian (51.4%), hospital (92.1%), cephalic presentation (80%), with an average weight of 1816.79 g. An RCIU (16.4%), an RPM (61.9%). At birth, a DR (16.4%) was noted due to MMH (43.7%) and transitory tachypnea (50%). Asphyxia was reported in 3.5%. During hospitalization (6.7 days on average), 6.4% had RD caused by infection (77.7%). Other complications were infection (64.4%), hypoglycemia (28.5%), digestive hemorrhage (7.01%). The fatality rate was 7.9% due to infection (63.3%), DR (18%), haemorrhage (9%). The anthropometric measurements at the exit: P 1887.9g, T: 38.3cm, PC: 30.9cm; at 1 month P: 2387.1g, T: 46.6cm, PC: 32.8cm; at 30 months P: 12.1kg, T: 89.5cm, PC: 48.4cm. Conclusion: Moderate preterm birth accounts for almost half of the cases of prematurity in our series. Their optimal management would go through a better obstetric-neonatal collaboration but above all by the installation of kangaroo mother unit

Une lesion cutanée persistante non cicatricielle depuis 3 ans: le pyoderma gangrenosum

Le pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) est une dermatose neutrophilique non infectieuse rare souvent méconnue. Il se présente généralement par des ulcérations cutanées inflammatoires, très douloureuses et d'évolution rapide. Il est fréquemment retrouvé dans un contexte de néoplasie, de pathologies inflammatoires digestives, rhumatologiques et/ou hématologiques. Son diagnostic est très souvent tardif après de multiples échecs thérapeutiques. Nous rapportons un cas de pyoderma gangrenosum dont le diagnostic n'a pas été criant. Un patient a été admis dans notre service pour une lésion dermatologique persistante et d'évolution défavorable malgré les débridements et l'administration d'antibiotiques. Il était suivi pour un cancer de la prostate, une hypertension artérielle et un asthme. Du fait des anomalies biologiques observées telles qu'une hyperleucocytose à polynucléaires neutrophiles avec myélémie à myélocytes et métamyélocytes, sans blastose sanguine et une anémie normochrome normocytaire, une leucémie myéloïde chronique a été évoquée chez ce patient. Elle a par la suite été infirmée devant les différents examens complémentaires non concluants. C'est ainsi que le diagnostic de PG a été évoqué et confirmé à l'examen anatomopathologique montrant un aspect histopathologique d'un tissu de granulation concordant avec un pyoderma gangrenosum et une absence de signe histologique de malignité. L'institution d'un traitement à base de corticothérapie a abouti à la guérison

Mass testing and treatment for malaria followed by weekly fever screening, testing and treatment in Northern Senegal: feasibility, cost and impact.

BACKGROUND NlmCategory: BACKGROUND content: Population-wide interventions using malaria testing and treatment might decrease the reservoir of Plasmodium falciparum infection and accelerate towards elimination. Questions remain about their effectiveness and evidence from different transmission settings is needed. - Label: METHODS NlmCategory: METHODS content: "A pilot quasi-experimental study to evaluate a package of population-wide test and treat interventions was conducted in six health facility catchment areas (HFCA) in the districts of Kanel, Lingu\xC3\xA8re, and Ran\xC3\xA9rou (Senegal). Seven adjacent HFCAs were selected as comparison. Villages within the intervention HFCAs were stratified according to the 2013 incidences of passively detected malaria cases, and those with an incidence\xE2\x80\x89\xE2\x89\xA5\xE2\x80\x8915 cases/1000/year were targeted for a mass test and treat (MTAT) in September 2014. All households were visited, all consenting individuals were tested with a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and, if positive, treated with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. This was followed by weekly screening, testing and treatment of fever cases (PECADOM++) until the end of the transmission season in January 2015. Villages with lower incidence received only PECADOM++ or case investigation. To evaluate the impact of the interventions over that transmission season, the incidence of passively detected, RDT-confirmed malaria cases was compared between the intervention and comparison groups with a difference-in-difference analysis using negative binomial regression with random effects on HFCA." - Label: RESULTS NlmCategory: RESULTS content: "During MTAT, 89% (2225/2503) of households were visited and 86% (18,992/22,170) of individuals were tested, for a combined 77% effective coverage. Among those tested, 291 (1.5%) were RDT positive (range 0-10.8 by village), of whom 82% were\xE2\x80\x89<\xE2\x80\x8920\xC2\xA0years old and 70% were afebrile. During the PECADOM++ 40,002 visits were conducted to find 2784 individuals reporting fever, with an RDT positivity of 6.5% (170/2612). The combination of interventions resulted in an estimated 38% larger decrease in malaria case incidence in the intervention compared to the comparison group (adjusted incidence risk ratio\xE2\x80\x89=\xE2\x80\x890.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.84, p\xE2\x80\x89=\xE2\x80\x890.002). The cost of the MTAT was $14.3 per person." - Label: CONCLUSIONS NlmCategory: CONCLUSIONS content: It was operationally feasible to conduct MTAT and PECADOM++ with high coverage, although PECADOM++ was not an efficient strategy to complement MTAT. The modest impact of the intervention package suggests a need for alternative or complementary strategies

Mass testing and treatment for malaria followed by weekly fever screening, testing and treatment in Northern Senegal: feasibility, cost and impact.

BACKGROUND: Population-wide interventions using malaria testing and treatment might decrease the reservoir of Plasmodium falciparum infection and accelerate towards elimination. Questions remain about their effectiveness and evidence from different transmission settings is needed. METHODS: A pilot quasi-experimental study to evaluate a package of population-wide test and treat interventions was conducted in six health facility catchment areas (HFCA) in the districts of Kanel, Linguère, and Ranérou (Senegal). Seven adjacent HFCAs were selected as comparison. Villages within the intervention HFCAs were stratified according to the 2013 incidences of passively detected malaria cases, and those with an incidence ≥ 15 cases/1000/year were targeted for a mass test and treat (MTAT) in September 2014. All households were visited, all consenting individuals were tested with a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and, if positive, treated with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. This was followed by weekly screening, testing and treatment of fever cases (PECADOM++) until the end of the transmission season in January 2015. Villages with lower incidence received only PECADOM++ or case investigation. To evaluate the impact of the interventions over that transmission season, the incidence of passively detected, RDT-confirmed malaria cases was compared between the intervention and comparison groups with a difference-in-difference analysis using negative binomial regression with random effects on HFCA. RESULTS: During MTAT, 89% (2225/2503) of households were visited and 86% (18,992/22,170) of individuals were tested, for a combined 77% effective coverage. Among those tested, 291 (1.5%) were RDT positive (range 0-10.8 by village), of whom 82% were < 20 years old and 70% were afebrile. During the PECADOM++ 40,002 visits were conducted to find 2784 individuals reporting fever, with an RDT positivity of 6.5% (170/2612). The combination of interventions resulted in an estimated 38% larger decrease in malaria case incidence in the intervention compared to the comparison group (adjusted incidence risk ratio = 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.84, p = 0.002). The cost of the MTAT was $14.3 per person. CONCLUSIONS: It was operationally feasible to conduct MTAT and PECADOM++ with high coverage, although PECADOM++ was not an efficient strategy to complement MTAT. The modest impact of the intervention package suggests a need for alternative or complementary strategies

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

Grain yield response of fonio (Digitaria exilis) varieties to fertilizer and cost- effectiveness under two different production systems in The Gambia

Fonio is an easy crop to grow because it grows well even on poor sandy soils, as well as in areas with low rainfall. The crop can withstand long dry spells during the production season which are becoming a common occurrence in the West African sub-region. In The Gambia, the common name for the crop is “Findi”. It is commonly grown in fields that were previously cultivated with groundnut. Fonio is one of the oldest cereal crops grown in the country; however, its cultivation has drastically declined to the extent that it is currently considered a minor crop in the country. Fonio is a very fast-growing crop and matures earlier than most cereals. Its ability to withstand dry spells and its high nutritive value makes it an ideal climate-smart crop. For this reason, there is renewed momentum in promoting the crop in the country. Despite these renewed efforts in its promotion, there still exists a huge gap in terms of information on improved production practices that could help uplift the existing low yields. Appropriate agronomic practices that can boost fonio productivity are not well documented at national level. To gather information on the input requirements and utilizations, adaptability and productivity of fonio in The Gambia, experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 with the aim of generating important production information that could guide efficient production and enhance productivity. Results obtained showed that fonio responded positively to application of fertilizer. Application of 100 kg ha -1 comprising half NPK (15-15-15) and half urea was sufficient to produce financially beneficial yields. Results also indicated that “Findiba”, which is a landrace may not be suitable for cultivation anymore due to its long growth period amidst the short and erratic nature of the rainfall. The Momo and the Momosato varieties which are of shorter durations and high-yielding are more suitable in the existing climatic conditions of the country

Hardware Security for IoT in the Quantum Era: Survey and Challenges

International audienc