Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV-infected individuals after completing anti-tuberculosis treatment in Thyolo, Malawi.

SETTING: Thyolo, rural southern Malawi. OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) the proportion who continue with cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for the prevention of opportunistic infections, and 2) the reasons for continuing or stopping prophylaxis, in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals with tuberculosis (TB) who complete anti-tuberculosis treatment. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A questionnaire study of all HIV-infected TB patients who had been registered over a 3-month period to receive anti-tuberculosis treatment and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and who had completed antituberculosis treatment 3-6 months earlier. RESULTS: Of 82 HIV-infected individuals who were alive at the time of interview, 76 (93%) were continuing with cotrimoxazole and wished to do so indefinitely. The most common reason for continuing the drug was to prevent illness associated with HIV, while the most common reason for stopping was long distances to the health facility. Ninety-six percent of patients received cotrimoxazole free of charge from a health centre. Of those who wished to continue indefinitely, the majority (63%) could not afford to pay for the drug. CONCLUSIONS: In a rural setting, the great majority of HIV-infected individuals continued with cotrimoxazole after completing anti-tuberculosis treatment. Making the drug available and providing it free of charge is essential if it is to remain accessible for longer term prevention

Passive Versus Active Tuberculosis Case Finding and Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Among Household Contacts in a Rural District of Malawi.

SETTING: Thyolo district, rural Malawi. OBJECTIVES: To compare passive with active case finding among household contacts of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients for 1) TB case detection and 2) the proportion of child contacts aged under 6 years who are placed on isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Passive and active case finding was conducted among household contacts, and the uptake of INH preventive therapy in children was assessed. RESULTS: There were 189 index TB cases and 985 household contacts. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among index cases was 69%. Prevalence of TB by passive case finding among 524 household contacts was 0.19% (191/100000), which was significantly lower than with active finding among 461 contacts (1.74%, 1735/100000, P = 0.01). Of 126 children in the passive cohort, 22 (17%) received INH, while in the active cohort 25 (22%) of 113 children received the drug. Transport costs associated with chest X-ray (CXR) screening were the major reason for low INH uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Where the majority of TB patients are HIV-positive, active case finding among household contacts yields nine times more TB cases and is an opportunity for reducing TB morbidity and mortality. The need for a CXR is an obstacle to the uptake of INH prophylaxis

Uniform Single Valued Neutrosophic Graphs

In this paper, we propose a new concept named the uniform single valued neutrosophic graph. An illustrative example and some properties are examined. Next, we develop an algorithmic approach for computing the complement of the single valued neutrosophic graph. A numerical example is demonstrated for computing the complement of single valued neutrosophic graphs and uniform single valued neutrosophic graph

Salsola vermiculata espèce prometteuse pour la réhabilitation des pâturages présahariens du Maroc

Salsola vermiculata L. Syn. Caroxylon villosum (Delile) Akhani & Roalson (Chenopodiaceae) is a perennial small woody species widely distributed in arid zones of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It is one of the promising pastoral species for the rehabilitation of arid rangelands in Mororcco. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of temperature and duration of seed storage on the germination of Salsola vermiculata, to determine the optimal transplant age of Salsola vermiculata seedlings and to compare the production of two varieties of Salsola vermiculata (villosa and brevifolia). The germination tests were carried out in a germination incubator at the laboratory of the Errachidia experimental station. 12 temperature regimes and three durations of seed storage were tested. For transplantation, comparisons were made between villosa variety seedlings of 1.5 months, 4 months and 8 months. In addition, the production the 8-month-old seedlings of the two varieties of Salsola vermiculata (var. villosa and var. brevifolia) were compared. The percentage of germination and the germination rate were very high for several temperature regimes, except for the high temperatures. In addition, it decreased very significantly with the storage duration of the seeds. Regarding the age of seedling transplants, the eight-month-old seedlings were the best in terms of production and growth rate. In addition, the villosa variety produced very significantly more phytomass than the local variety brevifolia.Salsola vermiculata L. (Chenopodiaceae) est une ligneuse basse largement répandue dans les zones arides du Moyen-Orient et de l’Afrique du Nord (MENA). C'est l'une des espèces pastorales prometteuses pour la réhabilitation des pâturages arides du Maroc. Les objectifs de cette étude sont de déterminer les effets de la température et de la durée de stockage des graines sur la germination de Salsola vermiculata, de déterminer l’âge optimal de transplantation des plantules de Salsola vermiculata et de comparer la production de deux variétés de cette espèce (variétés villosa et brevifolia). Les essais de germination sont menés dans une enceinte de germination au laboratoire de la station expérimentale d'Errachidia. Douze régimes de température et trois durées du stockage de graines sont testés. Pour la transplantation, des comparaisons sont effectuées entre des plants de 1.5 mois, 4 mois et 8 mois de la variété villosa. En outre, la comparaison de la production des plantules de 8 mois des deux variétés de Salsola vermiculata (villosa et brevifolia) sont effectuées. Les résultats montrent que le pourcentage de germination et la vitesse de germination sont très élevés pour plusieurs régimes de température, sauf pour les hautes températures. En outre, ils diminuent très significativement avec la durée de stockage des graines. Concernant, l’âge de transplantation, les plantules de 8 mois se comportent mieux des points de vue reprise, production et croissance. En outre, la variété villosa a produit très significativement plus de phytomasse que la variété locale brevifolia

La fertilisation améliore la production des prairies humides naturelles dans la montagne du haut Atlas oriental du Maroc : cas de la région d'Imilchil

The oriental High Atlas mountains in southeast of Morocco are characterized by small natural wet grasslands called “Almous”, they are suitably well managed by the local population. They are destined to feed cattle and mullets. This trial was implemented in order to assess the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the phytomass production on the Tissila meadow (6.5 Ha) in Imilchil region. The experimental design consisted in dividing the meadow into 3 parcels. One parcel is leaved as control and the other two parcels have received two doses of nitrogen during three periods in the year (D1 =67 kg N/ha (split in three applications October, April and May) plus 46 Kg P2O5/ha (split in two applications April and May); D2 (with applications as D1=134kg N/ha more 46 Kg P2O5/ha; D3 = control). The phytomass production has doubled in Tissila region due to the effect of fertilization basically for dose (D2). The assessment of flora revealed a great specific richness (79 species) and some endemism.Les montagnes orientales du Haut Atlas au sud-est du Maroc sont caractérisées par de petites prairies humides naturelles applées "Almous" elles sont convenablement bien gérées par la population locale. Ellesont destinées à nourrir les bovins et mulets. Un essai a été réalisé pour évaluer les effets de la fertilisation azotée sur la production de la prairie de Tissila, (6,5 Ha) dans la région d'Imilchil. Le plan expériemental consistait à diviser la praiire en 3 parcelles. Une parcelle est laissée comme témoin et les deux autres parcelles ont reçu deux doses d'azote pendant trois périodes de l'année (D1 = 67 kg N / ha (réparti en trois applications en octobre, avril et mai) plus 46 kg de P2O5 / ha  en deux applications (en avril et mai); D2 (avec les mêmes applications en D1) = 134 kg N / ha plus 46 kg P2O5 / ha; D3 = contrôle). La production de phytomasse a doublé dans la région de Tissila en raison de l'effet de la fertilisation surtout pour la D1. L'évaluation de la flore a révélé une grande richesse spécifique (79 espèces) et une certaine endémicité qui mérité d'être sauvegardée

A Bipolar Fuzzy Extension of the MULTIMOORA Method

The aim of this paper is to make a proposal for a new extension of the MULTIMOORA method extended to deal with bipolar fuzzy sets. Bipolar fuzzy sets are proposed as an extension of classical fuzzy sets in order to enable solving a particular class of decision-making problems. Unlike other extensions of the fuzzy set of theory, bipolar fuzzy sets introduce a positive membership function, which denotes the satisfaction degree of the element x to the property corresponding to the bipolar-valued fuzzy set, and the negative membership function, which denotes the degree of the satisfaction of the element x to some implicit counter-property corresponding to the bipolar-valued fuzzy set. By using single-valued bipolar fuzzy numbers, the MULTIMOORA method can be more efficient for solving some specific problems whose solving requires assessment and prediction. The suitability of the proposed approach is presented through an example

A fast and versatile method for spectral emissivity measurement at high temperatures

International audienceIn this paper, the development of a new device for high temperature emissivity measurement is described. This device aims at measuring both spectral and total emissivity for a thermal range of 600–1000 °C. The main targeted properties of this device are versatility and simplicity. To achieve this, a rigorous selection of components such as heating systems, heat sources, sample holders, and measuring devices was made. Sample dimensions and the corresponding sample holder were optimized through a ray tracing model computation. Selection of sensors to compute the total emissivity was also discussed. A near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer and two mid-infrared (MIR) cameras equipped with optical filters covering the bandwidth of 3–5 and 7.5–13 μm were chosen for spectral measurements. The major impediment was the separation of the sample signal and various spurious signals emitted by the environment. A specific measurement methodology was then made for each bandwidth to resolve this issue. Platinum was chosen as the reference material for the device validation. Spectral emissivity measurements were then compared to values from a commercial spectrometer. A good agreement was found between NIR and MIR band I measurements, and a higher error rate was seen in MIR band II which is explained by a less favorable signal to noise ratio. Integrated emissivity is then calculated and compared to values found in the literature. A good agreement between these values is found, and similar trends with temperature are observed. The device is then validated for spectral and total emissivity measurements. Device versatility and simplicity allow for an easy adaptation to a large area of applications

Uniform Single Valued Neutrosophic Graphs

In this paper, we propose a new concept named the uniform single valued neutrosophic graph. An illustrative example and some properties are examined. Next, we develop an algorithmic approach for computing the complement of the single valued neutrosophic graph. A numerical example is demonstrated for computing the complement of single valued neutrosophic graphs and uniform single valued neutrosophic graph