Brain activation during anticipation of sound sequences

Music consists of sound sequences that require integration over time. As we become familiar with music, associations between notes, melodies, and entire symphonic movements become stronger and more complex. These associations can become so tight that, for example, hearing the end of one album track can elicit a robust image of the upcoming track while anticipating it in total silence. Here, we study this predictive “anticipatory imagery” at various stages throughout learning and investigate activity changes in corresponding neural structures using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Anticipatory imagery (in silence) for highly familiar naturalistic music was accompanied by pronounced activity in rostral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and premotor areas. Examining changes in the neural bases of anticipatory imagery during two stages of learning conditional associations between simple melodies, however, demonstrates the importance of fronto-striatal connections, consistent with a role of the basal ganglia in “training” frontal cortex (Pasupathy and Miller, 2005). Another striking change in neural resources during learning was a shift between caudal PFC earlier to rostral PFC later in learning. Our findings regarding musical anticipation and sound sequence learning are highly compatible with studies of motor sequence learning, suggesting common predictive mechanisms in both domains

Determinants of intention to consume dibiterie meat towards the risks of non-communicable diseases in the Dakar region, Senegal

The general opinion and current scientific evidence highlight the link between red meat consumption and the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We explored the determinants of the intention to consume red meat in relation to the risks of developing NCDs in Senegal with a special focus on popular "dibiterie" meat (braised meat) consumed in Dakar, Senegal. Building on the theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework, we used a structured questionnaire to collect data on the knowledge of consumers regarding the risk of NCDs from consuming meat. The survey involved 478 people randomly selected from households in the Dakar region. Data collected was analysed by performing the calculation of the dibiterie meat quantities consumed and frequencies of consumption, analyses of the principal components, binary logistic regression, and multiple hierarchical regression. Results show that dibiterie meat is mainly a dietary supplement for the population. The convenience, the social pressure, and quality indicators such as producer expertise and health perceived a link between meat consumption and NCDs; gender and age predicted the intention to consume dibiterie meat in the households of the Dakar region. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of incentive-based interventions aiming to promote a balanced diet and healthy eating habits. Nutrition education and the use of social media have been raised as important in risky meat consumption behaviour change

Influence of the exciton blocking layer on the stability of layered organic solar cells

The life-time of multi-layer organic solar cells based on the couple donor acceptor copper phthalocyanine/fullerene is studied as a function of the nature of the exciton blocking layer (EBL). It is shown that organic EBL are more efficient than are the inorganic In2S3 EBLs. Moreover among the organic EBL, Alq3 is the most efficient EBL protecting layer. An organic solar cell’s lifetime depends on oxygen- and water-contamination of the organic materials. The solar cell’s degradation may correspond to bulk or interface phenomena. Using equivalent electrical schemes of solar cell diodes, we show that the structure degradation is mainly related to bulk modification. It is proposed that oxygen- and water-diffusion into the C60 induce a large increase in its resistivity and, therefore an increase in the series resistance, which decreases the solar cell efficiency. In the case of In2S3 EBLs, the degradation law predicts that with time two different phenomena will be present. The classical oxygen- and water-diffusion into the organic material, during the first hour of air exposure, leads to a modification in the In2S3 EBL/organic interface properties

Insuffisance renale et infection au vih : Aspects epidemiologique, clinique et evolutif en reanimation medicale au Togo

But : Déterminer le profil épidémiologique, clinique et évolutif des personnes séropositives au VIH (PVVIH) présentant une insuffisance rénale (IR) hospitalisées en réanimation médicale au CHU Tokoinde Lomé.Méthodologie : Il s’est agit d’une étude rétrospective concernant les patients séropositives au VIH présentant une IR hospitalisés du 1er janvier au 31 Décembre 2008 dans le service de réanimation médicale du CHU Tokoin de Lomé.Résultats : Sur 1237 patients hospitalisés en réanimation médicale au cours de notre période d’étude, 158 présentaient une IR dont 100 étaient séropositives au VIH parmi lesquels 58 femmes et 42 hommes (Sexratio= 0.72). L’âge moyen était de 35 ans (extrêmes : 18 et 56 ans). Les syndromes de l’altération de l’état général et de l’altération de l’état de conscience étaient les motifs d’hospitalisation les plus fréquents. Soixante dix pourcent (70%) des patients étaient sous Anti-rétroviraux (ARV). Outre le VIH et l’IR, 04 patients étaient hypertendus, 5 diabétiques, 53 présentaient une toxoplasmose cérébrale et 19 une candidose oropharyngée. Cinquante sept (57) patients ont pu doser leur taux de CD4 dont 37 avaient un taux inférieur à 200. L’évolution a été fatale chez 61% des patients séropositifs au VIH et porteur d’une IR.Conclusion : L’IR est fréquente chez les PVVIH hospitalisées en réanimation médicale au CHU Tokoin de Lomé. Ces causes sont variées parmi lesquelles le virus lui-même, les infusions, les maladiesopportunistes leurs complications et les traitements. L’association IR et VIH a un mauvais pronostic dans nos milieux Goal: To determine the epidemiological, clinic and evolutionary profile of the seropositive people in the VIH (PVVIH) presenting a renal insufficiency (IR) hospitalized in medical resuscitation at Tokoin Teaching Hospital of Lome.Methodology: it is about of a retrospective survey concerning the seropositive patients in the VIH presenting an IR hospitalized from January 1st to December 31st, 2008 in the service of medicalresuscitation at Tokoin Teaching Hospital of Lome.Results: On 1237 patients hospitalized in medical resuscitation during our period of survey, 158 presented an IR of which 100 were seropositive in the VIH among which 58 women and 42 men (Sex - Ratio = 0.72). The middle age was of 35 years (extreme: 18 and 56 years). The syndromes of the change of the general state and the change of the conscience state were the motives of most frequent hospitalization. Sixty ten percent (70%) some patients were under Anti - Retroviral (ARV). Besides the VIH and the IR, 04 patients were hypertendus, 5 diabetics, 53 presented a cerebral toxoplasmosis and 19 a oropharyngial candidose. Fifty seven (57) patients could measure out their rate of CD4 of which 37 had a rate lower to200. The evolution was fatal at 61% of the seropositive patients to the VIH and carrier of an IR.Conclusion: The IR is frequent at the PVVIHS hospitalized in medical resuscitation at the Tokoin Teaching Hospital of Lome. These reasons are varied among which the virus itself, the brewings, the opportunist illnesses, their complications and the treatments. The IR association and VIH has a bad prognosis in our surroundings

Application of evapoclimatonomy to monthly surface water balance calculations at the HAPEX-Sahel supersites

In this paper a revised version of Lettau's evapoclimatonomy model is used to simulate climate in West Africa. The model is applied specifically to the study sites of the HAPEX-Sahel region in Niger, an international regional experiment to study regional-scale hydrological and energy balances of the Sahel. The model uses monthly means of precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and solar radiation from the HAPEX-Sahel observations, as well as vegetation and soil parameters adequate for the region. Evapotranspiration, runoff, and soil moisture are determined. Differences are observed between the three vegetation types (guiera, grass, and millet) and between the three supersites.Pages: 562-57

Influence des parametres physico-chimiques sur la contamination des graines d’arachides commercialisees au Nord Togo par l’aflatoxine B1.

Le développement des champignons mycotoxiques sur les graines d’arachide peut avoir plusieurs conséquences dont l’accumulation des mycotoxines. L’objectif de ce travail a été d’évaluer l'influence du taux d’humidité et du pH sur la contamination fongique et mycotoxique des graines d’arachide. Les échantillons ont été collectés dans les principaux marchés de la région de la Kara et des Savanes. Le taux d’humidité a été déterminé par dessiccation à l'étuve. L’isolement des champignons a été effectué sur milieu Pomme de Terre Dextrose Agar(PDA) et l’identification s’est faite sur la base de leurs caractères culturaux et morphologiques. Les teneurs en aflatoxine B1(AFB1) ont été déterminées par la méthode ELISA (enzyme-linked-immuno-sorbent-assay). Au total, 37 échantillons ont été collectés. Les pH déterminés avaient des valeurs comprises entre 5,49 et 6,36 et des taux d’humidité entre 3,52 et 9,75%. Sept(07) espèces fongiques ont été fréquemment identifiées et isolées dans les pourcentages suivants: Aspergillus niger (97,22%), Aspergillus flavus (86,11%), Rhizopus spp. (63,88%), Mucor spp (50%). Aspergillus parasiticus (36,11%), Penicillium expansum (25%) et Fusarium oxysporum (5,55%). Les teneurs en aflatoxine B1 ont varié de 4,88 à 14,28μg/kg avec 62,16% des échantillons qui ont des teneurs en aflatoxine B1 supérieures à 2μg/kg. Les résultats ont montré une forte corrélation positive entre le taux d’humidité des graines et les teneurs en aflatoxine B1 (R2= 0,95, P<0.05) et une corrélation négative entre le pH et les teneurs en aflatoxine B1 (R2= - 0,83, P<0.05). Le taux d’humidité et le pH des graines influencent significativement les teneurs en aflatoxine B1 des graines. English title: Influence of physico-chemical parameters on the contamination of groundnut seeds marketed in North Togo by aflatoxin B1. Abstract The development of mycotoxic fungi on peanut seeds can have several consequences, including the accumulation of mycotoxins. The objective of this work was to assess the influence of humidity and pH on the fungal and mycotoxic contamination of peanut seeds. The samples were collected in the main markets of the Kara and Savanes region. The humidity level was determined by drying in an oven. Isolation of the fungi was carried out on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium and identification was made on the basis of their cultural and morphological characteristics. The aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contents were determined by the ELISA method (enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay). A total of 37 samples were collected. The pH values determined had values between 5.49 and 6.36 and humidity levels between 3.52 and 9.75%. Seven (07) fungal species were frequently identified and isolated: Aspergillus niger (97.22%), Aspergillus flavus (86.11%), Rhizopus spp. (63.88%), Mucor spp (50%) Aspergillus parasiticus (36.11%), Penicillium expansum (25%) and Fusarium oxysporum (5.55%). The aflatoxin B1 contents varied from 4.88 to 14.28μg / kg with 62.16% of the samples having aflatoxin B1 contents greater than 2μg/kg. The results showed a strong positive correlation between the moisture content of the seeds and the contents of aflatoxin B1 (R2 = 0.95, P <0.05) and a negative correlation between the pH and the contents of aflatoxin B1 (R2 = - 0.83, P <0.05). The moisture content and the pH of the seeds significantly influence the aflatoxin B1 content of the seeds. Key words: Aflatoxin B1, pH, moisture content, Peanut, Togo

Carrying SNP rs17506395 (T > G) in TP63 gene and CCR5Δ32 mutation associated with the occurrence of breast cancer in Burkina Faso

Genetic alterations in the TP63 (GenBank: NC_000003.12, ID: 8626) and CCR5 (receptor 5 chemokine co-receptor) (GenBank: NC_000003.12, ID: 1234) genes may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the probable involvement of polymorphisms rs17506395 in the TP63 (tumour protein 63) gene and the CCR5Δ32 mutation in the occurrence of breast cancer in Burkina Faso. This case–control study included 72 patients and 72 controls. Genotyping of SNP rs17506395 (TP63) was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, and genotyping of the CCR5Δ32 mutation was performed by allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction. For SNP rs17506395 (TP63), the genotypic frequencies of wild-type homozygotes (TT) and heterozygotes (TG) were, respectively, 27.72 and 72.22% in cases and 36.11 and 63.89% in controls. No mutated homozygotes (GG) were observed. For the CCR5Δ32 mutation, the genotypic frequencies of wild-type homozygotes (WT/WT) and heterozygotes (WT/Δ32) were 87.5 and 13.5%, respectively, in the cases and 89.29 and 10.71%, respectively, in the controls. No mutated homozygotes (Δ32/Δ32) were observed. None of the polymorphisms rs17506395 of the TP63 gene (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.69–3.17, P = 0.284) and the CCR5Δ32 mutation (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.46–3.77; P = 0.79) were associated with the occurrence of breast cancer in this study