Multiplex PCR for Identification and Detection of Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses in Togo

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses (CMBs) is one of the most devastating crop diseases and a major constraint for cassava production. In order to ensure surveillance for epidemic prevention, low-cost diagnostic tools are appropriate for large-scale testing of cassava viruses. Multiplex PCR diagnosis is one approach that can reduce diagnostic costs and delays. A multiplex PCR approach was developed for simultaneous detection of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), East African Cassava Mosaic Virus and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMV/CM) in Togo CMD-infected cassava leaves. Three primers pairs were used to target their respective viruses in a single tube PCR. Multiplex PCR detected ACMV, EACMV and EACMV/CM in plant DNA extracts prepared from cassava leaves infected with CMB. The primers amplified 783 bp specific to ACMV, 650 bp specific to EACMV and 560 bp specific to EACMCV/CM in both uniplex and multiplex formats. Multiplex PCR is an excellent tool for the effective control of cassava diseases. .

Phenotypic and Genotypic Antibiotic Resistant Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background: The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries such as Burkina Faso. This study aims to determine phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistant diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) from patients with diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methodology: Microbiological and biochemical analysis were done to detect two hundred and ninety-two (292) strains. The susceptibility of the strains to antibiotics was determined by the agar disc diffusion method. 16-plex-PCR assays were carried out to detect both virulence and resistance genes encoding betalactams, quinolones, phenicols, tetracyclines and virulence gene of DEC. Results: Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was detected in 8% (23/292) of patients with diarrhea using the 16-plex-PCR and 39.1% (9/23) of the DEC detected carry at least one resistance gene. Resistance rate in disc diffusion test was 86.96% to tetracycline, 65.23% to cotrimoxazole, 17.4% to nalidixic acid, 17.4% to norfloxacin, 17.4% to ciprofloxacin, 13.04% to ceftriaxone, 13.04% to cefotaxime, 8.7% to gentamicin, 8.7% to Chloramphenicol, 0% to netilmicin. The prevalence of different resistance genes in the studied strains varied from 44.4% to 5.5%. The gene Tet coding for resistance to tetracycline was found in 8 strains (44.4%). The CatA gene coding for resistance to Chloramphenicol was detected in 38.9% of isolates. The qnrS, blaSHV and blaOXA genes were each detected in 5.5% of isolates. No strain hosts the qnrA, qnrB and blaTEM genes. Conclusion: This study identified β-lactams, quinolones, phenicols and tetracyclines resistance genes in DEC isolates from patients with diarrhea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. These results indicate the need for a surveillance program to reduce the prevalence of resistance to Enterobacteriaceae strains in hospitals.

Inventory and Biodiversity of the Entomofauna Associated with Shea Fruits (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn), an Important Non-Timber Forest Product in the Ziro Province of Burkina Faso

A few studies have highlighted the degradation of shea tree fruits mainly due to insects in Burkina Faso. The insects associated with these non-timber forest products are still poorly known, hence the interest of this study. The objective of the study is to make a qualitative inventory of the biodiversity of insect pests of shea fruits during the ripening period in two different ecosystems. It was carried out in 2021 in three locations of the Ziro province. 30 shea fruit trees distributed in 9 sites listed in agrosystems and protected areas were selected for monitoring and collecting insects infested with the fruits. The inventory identified 25 species in 13 families clustered in 5 orders. The order of Diptera, composed of 6 families with 15 species recorded, is the most dominant order in this diversity. Among the different families, 3 of them, Calliphoridae, Tephritidae and Muscidae, present at least 3 species each. 7 species are mainly associated with fruit damage with a predominance of Ceratitis silvestrii Bezzi (Diptera: Tephritidae). 91.33% of the emergences from infested fruits and 43.41% of the individuals trapped belong to this species. C. silvestrii, which presents a homogeneity in its distribution between locations and ecosystems, is therefore the main pest species of shea fruits in production in this zone. The results suggest the need to determine the economic importance of Tephritidae infesting shea fruits.

A Robust Extended Kalman Filter for Speed-Sensorless Control of a Linearized and Decoupled PMSM Drive

This paper uses a robust feedback linearization strategy in order to assure a good dynamic performance, stability and a decoupling of the currents for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) in a rotating reference frame (d, q). However this control requires the knowledge of certain variables (speed, torque, position) that are difficult to access or its sensors require the additional mounting space, reduce the reliability in harsh environments and increase the cost of motor. And also a stator resistance variation can induce a performance degradation of the system. Thus a sixth-order Discrete-time Extended Kalman Filter approach is proposed for on-line estimation of speed, rotor position, load torque and stator resistance in a PMSM. The interesting simulations results obtained on a PMSM subjected to the load disturbance show very well the effectiveness and good performance of the proposed nonlinear feedback control and Extended Kalman Filter algorithm for the estimation in the presence of parameter variation and measurement noise.

Functional Weak Laws for the Weighted Mean Losses or Gains and Applications

In this paper, we show that many risk measures arising in Actuarial Sciences, Finance, Medicine, Welfare analysis, etc. are gathered in classes of Weighted Mean Loss or Gain (WMLG) statistics. Some of them are Upper Threshold Based (UTH) or Lower Threshold Based (LTH). These statistics may be time-dependent when the scene is monitored in the time and depend on specific functions w and d. This paper provides time-dependent and uniformly functional weak asymptotic laws that allow temporal and spatial studies of the risk as well as comparison among statistics in terms of dependence and mutual influence. The results are particularized for usual statistics like the Kakwani and Shorrocks ones that are mainly used in welfare analysis. Data-driven applications based on pseudo-panel data are provided.

Process Diagnosis and Aging Effects on a Traditional Millet-Based Drink: <i>Boumkaye</i>

Boumkaye is a traditional fermented millet-based drink (Pennisetum glaucum L.) produced in Casamance (region in Senegal). Unknown and circumcised beverage, it has therapeutic properties due to aqueous creeper extracts from Abrus pulchellus plant and naturally present during the process. The objective of this work was to investigate the fabrication process of a millet-based beverage as an alternative source of nutrients. The diagnosis of beverage production by monitoring its physical and chemical parameters during two months of storage at room temperature was studied. The established manufacturing process, composed by a production of aqueous extracts after maceration of the Abrus pulchellus vines, a preparation of millet slurry, and a fermentation step to obtain the Boumkaye, has several features. The study of aging process showed probable lactic and alcoholic fermentations. Further, the finished Boumkaye was characterized by a high acidity (pH of 3), an alcohol content of 5 g/100g and contains an appreciable amount of polyphenols (54.46 mg/100g).