Simplified Equation Models for Greenhouses Gases Assessment in Road Transport Sector in Burkina Faso

Transport sector is cited among the key emitted sector. In Burkina Faso, road transport occupies more than 60% of the emissions of the entire transport sector. However, there is no model equation for greenhouse gases modelling in transport sector. A methodology combining literature review and survey has been adopted to develop the simplified model equation in transport sector. The vehicle type survey allowed the identification of the type of vehicle and the literature review allowed the identification of the key parameters used for greenhouses gases modelling. The results revealed 10 vehicle types for road transport in Burkina Faso such as: Private cars, Public Transport/Buses, Special Vehicle (Ambulances, Fire bus, Funeral vehicles), other vehicle, Motorcycles, Wheeler, Rail, Van, Lorries and Truck Tractor. The keys parameters for greenhouse gases modelling are Fleet availability, Average annual distance travelled, Fuel Economy and Fuel emission factor. For all vehicle type identified simplified model equation was developed to support Burkina Faso, assessing greenhouse gases emission in the sector of transport. This approach could be replicated in other countries in the sub-Saharan Region

A Novel T Cell Receptor Transgenic Animal Model of Seborrheic Dermatitis-Like Skin Disease

We have characterized a novel animal model of the common inflammatory skin disease seborrheic dermatitis (SD) that involves the expression of the self-specific 2C transgenic T cell receptor on the DBA/2 genetic background. Opportunistic fungal pathogens are present in the primary histological lesions and severe disease can be mitigated by the administration of fluconazole, demonstrating a role for infection in disease pathogenesis. Spontaneous disease convalescence occurs at 70–90 d of age and is preceded by an expansion of CD4+ T cells that partially restores the T cell lymphopenia that occurs in these animals. The adoptive transfer of syngeneic CD4+ T cells into pre-diseased DBA/2 2C mice completely abrogates the development of cutaneous disease. The pattern of disease inheritance in DBA/2 backcrosses suggests that one, or a closely linked group of genes, may control disease penetrance. Bone marrow reconstitution experiments demonstrated that the DBA/2 susceptibility factor(s) governing disease penetrance is likely non-hematopoietic since bone marrow from disease-resistant 2C mice can adoptively transfer the full disease phenotype to non-transgenic DBA/2 animals. This model implicates fungal organisms and CD4+ T cell lymphopenia in the development of a SD-like condition and, as such, may mimic the development of SD in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Ethnobotanical study of cultivated yellow nutsedge, (Cyperus esculentus L.) in Burkina Faso

The yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. is an herbaceous species whose tubers are the edible parts. The tubers are very popular with children, and can be eaten raw, fried or after processing into a drink (Horchata). However, it does not exist in Burkina, a centralized collection and studies on the genetic variability, the socio-cultural and economic aspects of this species. In order to identify the morphotypes and to welcome the peasant knowledge on the management of the, yellow nutsedge, a prospection followed by collection of tubers were carried out in the main areas of production of this crop. A total of 22 villages in eight districts were visited and 108 accessions of tubers were collected. It emerges from this study that the cultivation is mainly practiced by women (97% of farmers). The cultivated yellow nutsedge is adapted to drought and to several types of soil. In addition, farmers classify the tubers according to their shape and size. Thus, the spherical tubers are qualified as "small tubers the non-spherical tubers as" large tubers. The number of tubers produced per foot varies from 20 to 60. Farmers use phenotypic characters, sexual dimorphism and ethnicity to name accessions for sweet peas. Vernacular names and methods of producing yellow nutsedge vary by region and ethnicity. According to the respondents, 84.34% think that the nut is of Burkinabé origin, 9.26% Ghanaian, 1.85% from Mali and 5.35% have no answers. There is great diversity in local knowledge and accessions collected in Burkina.Keywords: Ethnobotany, tubers, accessions, morphotypes

Avaliação do modelo hedônico nas hortas de San Miguel Tlaixpan, Texcoco (México)

In San Miguel Tlaixpan, Texcoco, Mexico homes were analyzed with and without orchard, valued economically through environmental services through hedonic housing price plus profit environmental attribute. With the Box-Cox transformation in the estimation process, the model is linear. Hedonic price function of housing prices based on different attributes explained: size of orchard had a coefficient of 20, indicating that for every hectare orchard, the price increases in 20 by m2, the coefficient age of orchard with a value of $358, if the construction material of the houses improves that means maintenance and that the material changes to the construction with earthenware (cement blocks), the material from cement floors to marble floor improves then the garden increases in price by approximately$8,332 and if the home garden has water availability, 6,740 price increases. The model generated allows knowing the economic, social and environmental importance of home gardens to promote their conservation. En San Miguel Tlaixpan, Texcoco (México), se analizaron casas con y sin huerto, valoradas económicamente por servicios ambientales mediante precio hedónico de vivienda, más beneficio del atributo ambiental. Por ejemplo, una persona disfruta del huerto (ecosistema) para contemplar la fauna y la flora, para caminar y, por lo tanto, lo usaría para su bienestar social.Con transformación Box–Cox en el proceso de estimación, el modelo es lineal. La función de precio hedónico explica los precios de viviendas en función de distintos atributos: tamaño del huerto tuvo un coeficiente de 20, lo que indica que por cada hectárea del huerto, el precio aumenta en $20 por m2; coeficiente de edad del huerto con un valor de$358; si el material de construcción de las viviendas mejora que quiere decir dar mantenimiento y que cambie el material al de construcción con loza (bloques de cemento), mejora el material de pisos de cemento a piso de mármol entonces el huerto aumenta de precio en aproximadamente $8,332 y si el huerto tiene disponibilidad de agua, el precio aumenta$6,740. El modelo generado permite conocer la importancia de obtenerpropulsores del crecimiento económico y de la mejora en el bienestar humano de los huertos caseros para promover su conservación.Em San Miguel Tlaixpan, Texcoco (México), foram analisadas as casas com e sem pomar, valorizadas economicamente pelos serviços ambientais por meio de preços hedônicos da habitação, além do benefício do atributo ambiental. Por exemplo, uma pessoa desfruta do jardim (ecossistema) para contemplar a fauna e a flora, caminhar e, portanto, o usaria para seu bem-estar social. Com a transformação Box - Cox no processo de estimativa, o modelo é linear. A função de preço hedônico explica os preços da habitação com base em diferentes atributos: o tamanho do jardim tinha um coeficiente de US $20, o que indica que, para cada hectare do jardim, o preço aumenta em US$ 20 por m2; coeficiente de idade do jardim com um valor de $358; Se o material de construção das casas melhorar, isso significa manter e que o material muda para a construção com barro (blocos de cimento), o material do piso de cimento para o piso de mármore melhora, então o jardim aumenta o preço em aproximadamente$ 8.332 e se o jardim tiver disponibilidade de água, o preço aumenta em US $6.740. O modelo gerado nos permite conhecer a importância de obter fatores de crescimento econômico e melhoria do bem-estar humano das hortas domésticas para promover sua conservação.&nbsp

Agricultural extension for promoting citrus fruit growers’ innovation and profitability in Mexico

El citricultor presenta una adopción baja de innovaciones, lo que contribuye a que sus ingresos y rentabilidad sean menores. El objetivo del presente estudio fue aplicar técnicas de capacitación y extensión andragógicas a un universo de 150 citricultores de cinco comunidades de Veracruz, México, para que mejoraran la adopción de innovaciones sociales y tecnológicas, su ingreso y su rentabilidad. El porcentaje de adopción de innovaciones (PAI) se calculó mediante la siguiente ecuación: PAI = n/N ×100, donde n fue el número de innovaciones adoptadas por el productor y N el número total de innovaciones disponibles en el paquete tecnológico. En el 2012 se aplicaron dos encuestas iniciales: la social y la tecnológica, que revelaron que había una desarticulación significativa en las redes de innovación, sobre todo en las relaciones profundas, y poco uso de innovaciones tecnológicas. Después de la capacitación y extensión andragógicas, se logró una mayor articulación, que se reflejó en enlaces más numerosos y sólidos, más nodos y mayor densidad, en especial en el nivel de confianza, lo que contribuyó a consolidar las redes sociales para el 2014. La categoría tecnológica más adoptada fue el manejo de la fertilización. Con la finalidad de cuantificar la permanencia de la adopción de innovaciones, se aplicó una encuesta en 2016. Se concluye que la intervención social y tecnológica, implementada con capacitación y extensionismo andragógicos, permitió mejorar el rendimiento de las huertas en más del 50 %, aumentar los ingresos de los productores de cítricos 4,5 veces más y consolidar grupos de trabajo y la permanencia de las innovaciones.The citrus fruit grower has hardly adopted innovations, resulting in reduced income and profitability. This study aims to apply andragogic training and extension techniques to a group of 150 citrus fruit growers from five different communities in Veracruz, Mexico, to improve the adoption of social and technological innovations, their income, and profitability. The percentage of adoption of innovations (PAI) was calculated using the equation: PAI = n/N × 100, where n was the number of innovations adopted by the grower and N the total number of innovations available in the technological package. Two previous surveys, social and technological, were conducted in 2012 and revealed a significant lack of coordination in innovation networks, mainly in deep relationships, and little use of technological innovations. After the andragogic training and extension, better coordination was achieved, reflected in numerous and robust links, more nodes, and higher density, especially at the level of trust, contributing to consolidating social networks for 2014. The most adopted technological category was fertilization management. A survey was conducted in 2016 to quantify the permanence of the adoption of innovations. We conclude that social and technological intervention through andragogic training and extension improved the yield of orchards by more than 50 %, increased the income of citrus fruit growers 4.5 times, and consolidated workgroups and the permanence of innovations

Factores que influyen en la adopción de innovaciones en productores de naranja en Ãlamo, Veracruz

In Veracruz, the yields per surface unit have been practically stable for more than 34 years and when the factors that influence this were determined, it was found that a deficient adoption of innovations is the most important issue. With the aim of improving this adoption, an initial baseline survey was applied to 100 citrus producers from ten localities. Later, integral extension work was provided for one year through the use of monitoring logbooks and at the end, the final baseline survey was applied. An increase of 30.5 % in average was attained in the adoption of technological innovations, since fertilization and control of pests and diseases were improved. To determine the factors that influence the adoption of innovations, simple regression models were generated, using as dependent variable the increase in the innovation adoption index and as independent variables the specific attributes of the producer and his production units. The factor that had significant correlation with the innovation adoption index was the income of the producer. Factors such as age, years of experience and schooling did not influence decision making for the adoption of technologies.En Veracruz, los rendimientos por unidad de superficie se han mantenido prácticamente estables por más de 34 años y al determinar los factores que influyen en esto se encontró que ladeficiente adopción de innovaciones es lo más importante. Con la finalidad de mejorar dicha adopción se aplicó una encuesta de línea base inicial a 100 citricultores de diez localidades. Posteriormente se brindó extensionismo integral durante un año mediante el uso de bitácoras de seguimiento y al terminar se aplicó la encuesta de línea base final. Se logró incrementar laadopción de innovaciones tecnológicas en 30.5 % en promedio, ya que se mejoraron la fertilización y control de plagas y enfermedades, principalmente. Para determinar factores queinfluyen en la adopción de innovaciones se generaron modelos de regresión simple, utilizando como variable dependiente el incremento en el índice de adopción de innovaciones y comovariables independientes los atributos específicos del productor y de sus unidades de producción. El factor que tuvo correlación significativa con el índice de adopción de innovaciones fue elingreso del productor. Los factores como edad, años de experiencia y escolaridad no influyeron en la toma de decisiones para adoptar tecnologías

The clinical significance of tumor infiltrating lymphoctyes in breast cancer: does subtype matter?

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are commonly detected in breast tumors but their bearing on disease outcome is uncertain. The importance of TILs appears to be subtype-specific and varies depending on the histologic characteristics of the tumor. As our understanding of tumorigenesis is increasing the relevance of immunobiology will become apparent

Transfer learning for credit card fraud detection : A journey from research to production.

The dark face of digital commerce generalization is the increase of fraud attempts. To prevent any type of attacks, state-of-the-art fraud detection systems are now embedding Machine Learning (ML) modules. The conception of such modules is only communicated at the level of research and papers mostly focus on results for isolated benchmark datasets and metrics. But research is only a part of the journey, preceded by the right formulation of the business problem and collection of data, and followed by a practical integration. In this paper, we give a wider vision of the process, on a case study of transfer learning for fraud detection, from business to research, and back to business

Transfer learning for credit card fraud detection : A journey from research to production.

The dark face of digital commerce generalization is the increase of fraud attempts. To prevent any type of attacks, state-of-the-art fraud detection systems are now embedding Machine Learning (ML) modules. The conception of such modules is only communicated at the level of research and papers mostly focus on results for isolated benchmark datasets and metrics. But research is only a part of the journey, preceded by the right formulation of the business problem and collection of data, and followed by a practical integration. In this paper, we give a wider vision of the process, on a case study of transfer learning for fraud detection, from business to research, and back to business

Vitamin D-VDR signaling inhibits Wnt/beta-catenin-mediated melanoma progression and promotes anti-tumor immunity

1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 signals via the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). Higher serum vitamin D is associated with thinner primary melanoma and better outcome, although a causal mechanism has not been established. As melanoma patients commonly avoid sun exposure, and consequent vitamin D deficiency might worsen outcomes, we interrogated 703 primary melanoma transcriptomes to understand the role of vitamin D-VDR signalling and replicated the findings in TCGA metastases. VDR expression was independently protective for melanoma death in both primary and metastatic disease. High tumor VDR expression was associated with upregulation of pathways mediating anti-tumor immunity and correspondingly with higher imputed immune cell scores and histologically detected tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). High VDR expressing tumors had downregulation of proliferative pathways, notably Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Deleterious low VDR levels resulted from promoter methylation and gene deletion in metastases. Vitamin D deficiency (< 25 nmol/l ~ 10 ng/ml) shortened survival in primary melanoma in a VDR-dependent manner. In vitro functional validation studies showed that elevated vitamin D-VDR signaling inhibited Wnt/beta-catenin signaling genes. Murine melanoma cells overexpressing VDR produced fewer pulmonary metastases than controls in tail vein metastasis assays. In summary, vitamin D-VDR signaling contributes to controlling pro-proliferative/immunosuppresive Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in melanoma and this is associated with less metastatic disease and stronger host immune responses. This is evidence of the causal relationship between vitamin D-VDR signaling and melanoma survival which should be explored as a therapeutic target in primary resistance to checkpoint blockade