Emergence of Major Pandemics: Examining the Use of AI for the Fight Against Covid-19

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and which is considered today as a global health emergency. Long before this pandemic, several others such as the plague of Athens, the plague of Antonine, the black plague, the Spanish flu, cholera, the Asian flu, AIDS raged, with consequences as fatal, even more serious than covid-19. The emergence of AI over the past ten years has brought it to the forefront of the response to this disease. The objective of this work is to present the significant contribution of AI in the fight against the new coronavirus, comparing it to previous large pandemics. A preliminary search of information related to past pandemics and covid-19 has been carried out. Next, the contribution of AI following the WHO framework for combating pandemics was presented. Finally, the discussion part resulted in the conclusion that if AI had already been fundamentally implemented during the time of the other major pandemics, the damage to human losses would have been less

An Architecture for Misconfiguration Patching of Web Services: A Case Study of Apache Server

Services are usually left configured by default and therefore subjects to vulnerabilities because they are not security enforced. Web services are so popular that they are targets of attacks to intrusions related to vulnerabilities discovered by attackers. This work proposes an architecture for patching Web service misconfigurations related to existing vulnerabilities. The approach underlying this architecture first retrieves and structures anti-vulnerability measures published by the official service manufacturers. Second, it evaluates the risk level using Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) on the current state of configurations. The proposed approach has been applied on Apache server on four vulnerabilities: version discovery, XSS, SQL injection and deny of service. Experimental results on a vulnerable environment demonstrate that the proposed approach considerably reduces vulnerabilities compared to similar solutions

Thermal response and horizontal transmission of cameroonian isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae – Candidates for microbial controls of the banana root borer Cosmopolites sordidus

Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are two promising microbial agents for biopesticides development against the banana root borer Cosmopolites sordidus. In this study, germination, mycelial growth, and sporulation of six local Cameroonian isolates of those two species were assessed under seven different thermal conditions (13, 15, 20, 25, 29 33, and 37 °C) to select thermo-tolerant isolates. The Transmission potential of the thermo-tolerant isolates was determined at 25 ± 1 °C by dipping adult weevils in conidial suspensions (3.2 × 108) conidia/ml and mixing these with uninoculated weevils in different proportions (0, 10, 30 and 50%), in groups of 30, and assessing the spread of the mycosis within the group over 35 d of co-incubation. Incubation temperature and isolates significantly affected germination, mycelial growth and conidial production. All isolates had large thermal tolerance ranges (13–33 °C) except MIITAC6.4.2 (20–29 °C). Horizontal transmission resulted in mortality of non-inoculated weevils from 4.63 ± 1.77 to 53.3 ± 11.9%. The isolate BIITAC6.2.2 exhibited high auto-dissemination potential and high conidia yield in cadavers. These results demonstrate the potential use of these isolates for biopesticides development against C. sordidus in Central Africa

Productivity and resistance of okra (Abelmoschus spp.) to the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under tropical conditions

Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is among major arthropods causing significant damage to okra in the tropics. Resistant varieties could reduce aphid infestation and increase productivity. This study was carried out to identify aphid-resistant and high yielding okra accessions for management of the pest. Eleven farmers’ varieties and four aphid-resistant accessions from AVRDC were evaluated at its Nkolbisson station in Yaounde, Cameroon. Field screening was done to determine resistance to aphids, days to 50% anthesis and days to 50% commercial maturity. Aphid data was expressed as the area under infestation pressure curve and subjected to statistical analysis based on mean (m) and standard deviation (S.D.). Crop cycle and yield data were subjected to analysis of variance. Accession ‘VI033824’ was the most resistant to aphids (474 ± 41.9 per leaf) with yield 0.76 ± 0.26 t/ ha whereas the yield of the highly susceptible Babungo (1519.8 ± 0.0 aphids) was 1.33 ± 0.07 t/ha, 75.5% higher that the yield of the only resistant variety. Abelmoschus esculatus was less attacked (601.4 ± 60.0 aphids) by aphids than Abelmoschus caillei (826.0 ± 71.6 aphids; df = 1, 41; Pr {>Chi} = 0.037). The yield of A. caillei species were higher (1.26 ± 0.14 t/ha) than A. esculentus species (0.43 ± 0.08 t/ha; df = 1, 41; Pr {>Chi} = 0.0002). Hence, varieties with resistance, tolerance to aphids and earliness could be incorporated into integrated pest management of aphids and enhance productivity of okra

Guide de transition vers l'âge adulte

Marie-Josée Lemieux Chef du service de santé, responsable des soins infirmiers Direction des services de réadaptation aux adolescents, Centre jeunesse de Montréal - Institut universitaire courriel: [email protected] téléphone: 514-356-4457 site web de l’organisme: http://www.cjm-iu.qc.ca/Joseph Giulione Président du Regroupement des organismes spécialisés pour l'emploi des personnes handicapées (ROSEPH) Directeur de l’Arrimage Inc., Service d’aide à l’emploi courriel: [email protected] téléphone: 514-389-9393, poste 106 site web de l’organisme: http://www.larrimage.ca/fr/index.phpGabrielle Marier-Desroches, responsable de communication de l'équipe 10 (PHA 1415), courriel: [email protected] réalisé dans le cadre du cours PHA2415Il peut être difficile pour certaines personnes atteintes d’un problème de santé mentale de trouver un emploi dans lequel elles peuvent s’épanouir, spécialement les jeunes amorçant leur transition vers l’âge adulte. Certains peuvent aussi se sentir contraints à renoncer à leur rêve de faire des études universitaires à cause des restrictions que leur impose leur maladie. C’est dans cette optique que nous avons élaboré le Guide de Transition vers l’âge adulte et la présentation interactive Prezi qui l’accompagne, qui résument les différents organismes communautaires en place, les diverses ressources disponibles et quelques pistes de solution pour aider les jeunes faisant face à ces défis. Le but de cet outil est de rendre plus accessible ces ressources aux personnes pouvant en bénéficier, les aidant à réaliser l’étendue des opportunités disponibles

Predictors of childhood severe malaria in a densely populated area: Douala, Cameroon

The physiopathology of malaria is complex. More understanding would be useful for a better management of the disease. This study was undertaken to describe clinical presentation and some biochemical parameters in childhood malaria in order to identify some factors of disease severity. Eighty six (86) children (0 to 15 years old) were recruited in Douala, clinical data recorded and blood sample collected. Thirty one (31) healthy children were also targeted to serve as control. Blood glucose, hemoglobin, transaminases and nitric oxide were determined by spectrophotometry. C reactive protein (CRP) was also investigated. The results confirmed that severe malaria significantly affects children under 5 years. Severe malaria was associated with hyperpyrexia and prostration. Coma, convulsions and unconsciousness were more indicative of cerebral malaria. Hemoglobin and blood glucose levels decreased significantly in severe malaria patients compared with uncomplicated malaria patients or controls (P < 0.001). On the contrary, blood transaminases and CRP levels increased significantly in malaria patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). From these results, it is clear that childhood severe malaria is associated with prostration, coma, unconsciousness, convulsions and hyperpyrexia. Low levels of haemoglobin and glycemia, as well as high levels of transaminases and CRP has been identified as predictor of malaria severity.Keywords: Childhood malaria, clinical presentation, physiopatholog

Temperature-dependent phenology of the parasitoid Fopius arisanus on the host Bactrocera dorsalis

Fopius arisanus (Sonan), an egg-pupal parasitoid of numerous fruit fly species, was recently introduced into Africa for the control of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). In this study, life-table data of F. arisanus were generated under laboratory conditions at six constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 28 and 35 °C; 75% RH, L12:D12 photoperiod) and under variable conditions in a screenhouse on B. dorsalis. Several non-linear functions were fitted to model species development, mortality, longevity and oviposition using the Insect Life Cycle Modeling (ILCYM) software. The established phenology models were stochastically simulated at variable temperatures to estimate the life table parameters. Fopius arisanus completed development from egg to adult at all the temperatures tested except at 35 °C. Mean developmental time from egg to adult was inversely proportional to the temperature. The minimum temperature threshold (Tmin) from egg to adult was 8.15 °C, while the maximum temperature threshold (Tmax) was estimated at 34.2 °C. The optimal temperature for immature stages survival was predicted for 20-30 °C. The optimum fecundity estimated was 251 eggs/female at 22 °C. Following the stochastic simulations under natural conditions of the selected agro-ecological zones, it appears that the Humid Forest with Bimodal Rainfall provides a suitable thermal condition for potential population growth of F. arisanus. The present study shows the importance of temperature on the demographic parameters of F. arisanus. Implications of present findings on the biological control of B. dorsalis under climate change scenarios is discussed

How does cultivar, maturation, and pre-treatment affect nutritional, physicochemical, and pasting properties of plantain flours?

Open Access JournalThe effect of cultivar, ripening stage, and pre-treatment method were investigated on the nutritional, physicochemical, and pasting properties of plantain flours from two plantains and two plantain hybrids. There were significant variations (p < 0.05) in chemical composition and physical properties influenced by the interaction of cultivars, ripening stages, and pre-treatment methods. The highest levels of amylose, water-holding capacity (WHC), and oil-holding capacity (OHC) were observed in unripe flours and acid-treated flour recorded the highest content of resistant starch (RS). Flour after pre-blanching contained the highest level of total phenolic (TP), carotenoid contents, and browning index (BI) value. In contrast, acid-treated flours had the lowest BI value. As ripening progressed, peak viscosity and breakdown values increased but final viscosity, setback, and pasting temperature values were reduced. Untreated flour samples showed the highest peak viscosity. Higher breakdown values were found in acid-treated samples and higher setback values in pre-blanched samples

Spatio‐temporal partitioning and sharing of parasitoids by fall armyworm and maize stemborers in Cameroon

Biological invasion is a global concern with species deployed out of native range, the most recent in Africa being the invasion by fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). One of the most mentioned ecological consequences is the capacity of invaders to change native communities' structure. Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has long been the most destructive pests of maize in Africa. Few or no studies have attempted to look at the interaction between FAW and native maize pests over a cropping cycle for sustainable management. Maize trials were established over two cropping cycles in Cameroon to investigate the nature of such interactions and eventual sharing of parasitoids. FAW incidence decreased with maize growth, while the reverse was observed for stemborers. Few cases of co‐occurrence were recorded at the later maize growth stage. There was a clear indication that FAW infestation was associated with vegetative stages, while stemborers were associated with reproductive stages. Only FAW eggs were found on abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces, while only stemborer eggs were inside leaf sheaths. Similarly, while larvae of both groups were found in maize whorl and on ears, only FAW larvae were found in closed tassels, while only stemborers were found inside stems. These results are in favour of segregation in time and space in plant colonization by native and invasive pests, which may limit competition and exacerbates damage if no control is provided. The same egg, larval and pupal parasitoids respectively Telenomus remus, Cotesia icipe and Procerochasmias nigromaculatus emerged from isolated FAW and B. fusca eggs, larvae, and pupae. The sharing of parasitoids by both species provides a unique opportunity for augmentative biocontrol