Stochastic Model of Dengue: Analysing the Probability of Extinction and LLN

In this article, we develop and analyze a continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) model to study the resurgence of dengue. We also explore the large population asymptotic behavior of probabilistic model of dengue using the law of large numbers (LLN). Initially, we calculate and estimate the probabilities of dengue extinction and major outbreak occurrence using multi-type Galton-Watson branching processes. Subsequently, we apply the LLN to examine the convergence of the stochastic model towards the deterministic model. Finally, theoretical numerical simulations are conducted exploration to validate our findings. Under identical conditions, our numerical results demonstrate that dengue could vanish in the stochastic model while persisting in the deterministic model. The highlighting of the law of large numbers through numerical simulations indicates from what population size a deterministic model should be considered preferable.

Impact of Genetic Diversity of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains on the Dissemination of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactam Resistance Genes in Côte d’Ivoire

The increase and spread of bacterial resistance to extended-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics are reported in many infections and are a real public health problem worldwide. Drug pressure is a factor that favors the emergence of a population of better adapted bacteria. However, there is no literature highlighting the genetic diversity and evolutionary structure of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in an environment with high selection pressure in Côte d’Ivoire. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains circulating at the HKB Hospital in Abobo and at the Daloa Regional Hospital and its impact on the dissemination of extended spectrum beta-lactam resistance genes. A total of 39 strains isolated from the urinary tract of infected patients, including 30 strains of E. coli and 9 strains of K. pneumoniae were studied. A total of 39 strains isolated from the urinary tract of infected patients, including 30 strains of E. coli and 9 strains of K. pneumoniae were studied. From genomic DNA extracts, ESBL resistance genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced, in addition to genetic typing by ERIC-PCR. The data obtained were submitted to genetic and bioinformatics analyses. The results have shown a genetic diversity important in E. coli and K. pneumoniae with diversity indexs (SID) ranging from 0.5 to 0.77. The genetic structure of the bacterial species studied has shown a clonal distribution of strains with clones expressing TEM-9 and CTX-M-15 variants. Also, this clonal structure was correlated with the spread of resistance genes in E. coli and K. pneumoniae. The spread of resistant clones is a factor that might limit the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Effect of Artemisia annua (Asteraceae) Extracts on Hemolysis in Individuals with G6PD-Deficiency

Individuals with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are susceptible to hemolytic anemia when exposed to pro-oxidant substances. This study investigates the hemolytic impact of Artemisia annua (A. annua) extracts in G6PD-deficient subjects through a mixed experimental approach. In the in vitro phase, red blood cells from G6PD-deficient individuals and rats induced with Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were exposed to various concentrations of A. annua infusion, with distilled water and physiological saline as positive and negative controls respectively. The in vivo study involved G6PD-deficient Wistar rats divided into three groups receiving A. annua infusion, quinine (positive control), and distilled water (negative control) via gavage. Blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological analyses. Notably, at a 40% concentration of A. annua infusion, there was a significant increase in the hemolysis rate of G6PD-deficient red blood cells compared to controls (p A. annua exhibited elevated aspartate aminotransferase (129.25 ± 4.55 U/L vs. 80.09 ± 4.03 U/L;p A. annua infusion tested positive for saponins. These findings underscore the risk of hemolysis in G6PD-deficient individuals upon ingesting A. annua.

Influence of Waveguide Properties on Wave Prototypes Likely to Accompany the Dynamics of Four-Wave Mixing in Optical Fibers

In this article, we study the impacts of nonlinearity and dispersion on signals likely to propagate in the context of the dynamics of four-wave mixing. Thus, we use an indirect resolution technique based on the use of the iB-function to first decouple the nonlinear partial differential equations that govern the propagation dynamics in this case, and subsequently solve them to propose some prototype solutions. These analytical solutions have been obtained;we check the impact of nonlinearity and dispersion. The interest of this work lies not only in the resolution of the partial differential equations that govern the dynamics of wave propagation in this case since these equations not at all easy to integrate analytically and their analytical solutions are very rare, in other words, we propose analytically the solutions of the nonlinear coupled partial differential equations which govern the dynamics of four-wave mixing in optical fibers. Beyond the physical interest of this work, there is also an appreciable mathematical interest.

Quantification of Above-Ground Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Roadside Trees in the Plateau Department of Benin Republic

Roadside trees are effective natural solutions for mitigating climate change. Despite the usefulness of trees to carbon sequestration, there is a dearth of information on the estimation of biomass and carbon stock for roadside trees in the study area. This study aimed to estimate the carbon stock and carbon dioxide equivalent of roadside trees. A complete enumeration of trees was carried out in Kétou, Pobè and Sakété within the communes of the Plateau Department, Bénin Republic. Total height and diameter at breast height were measured from trees along the roads while individual wood density value was obtained from wood density database. The allometric method of biomass estimation was adopted for the research. The results showed that the total estimations for above-ground biomass, carbon stock and carbon equivalent from all the enumerated roadside trees were 154.53 mt, 72.63 mt and 266.55 mt, respectively. The results imply that the roadside trees contain a substantial amount of carbon stock that can contribute to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.

Data-Driven Models for Predicting Solar Radiation in Semi-Arid Regions

Solar energy represents one of themost important renewable energy sources contributing to the energy transition process.Considering that the observation of daily global solar radiation(GSR)is not affordable in some parts of the globe,there is an imperative need to develop alternative ways to predict it.Therefore,the main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of different hybrid data-driven techniques in predicting daily GSR in semi-arid regions,such as the majority of Spanish territory.Here,four ensemble-based hybrid models were developed by hybridizing Additive Regression(AR)with Random Forest(RF),Locally Weighted Linear Regression(LWLR),Random Subspace(RS),and M5P.The base algorithms of the developed models are scarcely applied in previous studies to predict solar radiation.The testing phase outcomes demonstrated that the ARRF models outperform all other hybrid models.The provided models were validated by statisticalmetrics,such as the correlation coefficient(R)and root mean square error(RMSE).The results proved that Scenario#6,utilizing extraterrestrial solar radiation,relative humidity,wind speed,and mean,maximum,and minimum ambient air temperatures as the model inputs,leads to the most accurate predictions among all scenarios(R=0.968–0.988 and RMSE=1.274–1.403 MJ/m^(2)・d).Also,Scenario#3 stood in the next rank of accuracy for predicting the solar radiation in both validating stations.The AD-RF model was the best predictive,followed by AD-RS and AD-LWLR.Hence,this study recommends new effective methods to predict GSR in semiarid regions.

Malware Detection Using Deep Learning

Malware represents a real threat to information systems, because of the damage it causes. This threat is growing today, as these programs take on more complex forms. This means they escape traditional malware detection methods. Hence the need for artificial intelligence, more specifically Deep Learning, which could detect malware more effectively. In this article, we’ve proposed a model for malware detection using artificial neural networks. Our approach used data from the characteristics of machines, particularly computers, to train our Deep Learning algorithm. This model demonstrated an accuracy of around 83% in predicting the presence of malware on a machine. Thus, the use of artificial neural networks for malware detection has shown his ability to assimilate complex, non-linear patterns from data.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Lawsonia inermis Leaf Extracts from Burkina Faso

Lawsonia inermis is a hairless plant growing in various regions of North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and the Middle East. It possesses many medicinal attributes, including curative properties against infectious dermatoses. This study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical profile of the crude ethanolic extract of the plant leaves and its fractions as well as their antimicrobial activities. The phytochemical profile was performed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, the phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric and the aluminum trichloride methods. Antimicrobial activity was tested using disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The presence of flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and triterpenes was revealed. GC-MS detected twelve compounds main compounds consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic and terpenoid compounds among twenty-seven components. HPLC also detected high contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The most abundant triterpene and sterols were ursolic acid (around 43.14 g/100g DW, 13.9 g/100g dry weight (DW), and 0.68 g/100g DW) in the crude ethanolic extract of leaves (FeLi), hexane fraction (FHLi) and dichloromethane fraction (FDLi), respectively and, β-sitosterol in FeLi (56.7 mg/100g DW), FHLi (10.55 g/100g DW), FDLi (106.1 mg/100g DW) and butanol fraction (FBLi) (357.4 mg/100g DW). Among the flavonoids, rutin = 3.24 g/100g and quercetin = 0.63 g/100g in the ethanolic extract, rutin = 15.73 g/100g in the dichloromethane fraction, and rutin = 0.23 g/100g) in the aqueous fraction;and among phenolic compounds, caffeic acid (37.65 g/100g DW) and vanillic acid (22.70 g/100g DW) were the most important in the ethyl acetate fraction (FAeLi). All organic fractions exhibited interesting antibacterial and antifungal activities against the tested strains, with the best activity recorded with the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions. The leaf extracts’ phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activity support the use of Lawsonia inermis against infectious skin diseases.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Severe Outcomes among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 in West Africa, Togo, 2021

Objectives: More than a year after its introduction, COVID-19 vaccination coverage was low in the Togolese population and little data were available on its benefits for hospitalized patients. This study aimed to describe the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the prognosis of hospitalized patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the Centre Hospitalier Régional Lomé Commune (Togo) between June 1, 2021 and May 31, 2022. Primary outcomes (admission to the intensive care unit and death) were presented with frequency and proportion. Mortality rates were presented by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and compared by appropriate statistical tests. Factors associated with inpatient death were described by performing a Cox proportional hazard regression. Results: A total of 604 patients were hospitalized (50.0% women). The mean age was 54.03 ±17.1 years. Only 55 patients were fully vaccinated (9.1%). ICU admission was significantly more frequent in unvaccinated patients than in vaccinated ones (63.0% vs. 38.2%;p Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination had a significant benefit for patients with COVID-19 infection in terms of reducing the risk of death. Based on real-world data from sub-Saharan Africa, this information can help optimize the benefit of COVID-19 vaccination by raising community awareness and increasing vaccine coverage while reducing hesitancy.

New Fusion Approach of Spatial and Channel Attention for Semantic Segmentation of Very High Spatial Resolution Remote Sensing Images

The semantic segmentation of very high spatial resolution remote sensing images is difficult due to the complexity of interpreting the interactions between the objects in the scene. Indeed, effective segmentation requires considering spatial local context and long-term dependencies. To address this problem, the proposed approach is inspired by the MAC-UNet network which is an extension of U-Net, densely connected combined with channel attention. The advantages of this solution are as follows: 4) The new model introduces a new attention called propagate attention to build an attention-based encoder. 2) The fusion of multi-scale information is achieved by a weighted linear combination of the attentions whose coefficients are learned during the training phase. 3) Introducing in the decoder, the Spatial-Channel-Global-Local block which is an attention layer that uniquely combines channel attention and spatial attention locally and globally. The performances of the model are evaluated on 2 datasets WHDLD and DLRSD and show results of mean intersection over union (mIoU) index in progress between 1.54% and 10.47% for DLRSD and between 1.04% and 4.37% for WHDLD compared with the most efficient algorithms with attention mechanisms like MAU-Net and transformers like TMNet.

New Approach to Rock Classification Based on Sparse Representations

In geology, classification and lithological recognition of rocks plays an important role in the area of oil and gas exploration, mineral exploration and geological analysis. In other fields of activity such as construction and decoration, this classification makes sense and fully plays its role. However, this classification is slow, approximate and subjective. Automatic classification curbs this subjectivity and fills this gap by offering methods that reflect human perception. We propose a new approach to rock classification based on direct-view images of rocks. The aim is to take advantage of feature extraction methods to estimate a rock dictionary. In this work, we have developed a classification method obtained by concatenating four (4) K-SVD variants into a single signature. This method is based on the K-SVD algorithm combined with four (4) feature extraction techniques: DCT, Gabor filters, D-ALBPCSF and G-ALBPCSF, resulting in the four (4) variants named K-Gabor, K-DCT, KD-ALBPCSF and KD-ALBPCSF respectively. In this work, we developed a classification method obtained by concatenating four (4) variants of K-SVD. The performance of our method was evaluated on the basis of performance indicators such as accuracy with other 96% success rate.

Modelling the spatial distribution of snake species in northwestern Tunisia using maximum entropy(Maxent) and Geographic Information System(GIS)

We used GIS and maximum entropy to predict the potential distribution of six snake species belong to three families in Kroumiria（Northwestern Tunisia）： Natricidae（Natrix maura and Natrix astreptophora）, Colubridae（Hemorrhois hippocrepis, Coronella girondica and Macroprotodon mauritanicus）, and Lamprophiidae（Malpolon insignitus）. The suitable habitat for each species was modelled using the maximum entropy algorithm, combining presence field data（collected during 16 years：2000–2015） with a set of seven environmental variables（mean annual precipitation, elevation, slope gradient,aspect, distance to watercourses, land surface temperature and normalized Differential Vegetation Index. The relative importance of these environmental variables was evaluated by jackknife tests and the predictive power of our models was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic. The main explicative variables of the species distribution were distance from streams and elevation, with contributions ranging from 60 to 77 and from 10 to 25%,respectively. Our study provided the first habitat suitability models for snakes in Kroumiria and this information can be used by conservation biologists and land managers concerned with preserving snakes in Kroumiria.

Body mass index is not associated with sperm-zona pellucida binding ability in subfertile males

Lifestyle factors, such as weight and nutritional status may affect male fertility, including sperm fertilization ability. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the association between body mass index （BMI） and sperm-zona pellucida binding ability assessed according to the zona binding （ZB） test, which has been described to be a relevant diagnostic tool for the prediction of in vitro fertilization （IVF） ability. Three hundred and six male patients from couples diagnosed with primary idiopathic or mild male factor infertility were included. Correlations between BMI and semen parameters according to ZB test indices were assessed, together with frequencies of positive and negative tests across the BMI categories. In this selected population, BMI was not related to conventional semen parameters or sperm quality assessed according to the ability of spermatozoa to bind to the zona pellucida. The previously described poor outcomes of IVF procedures in cases of male obesity could be due to other sperm defects, such as alterations of sperm capacitation or acrosome reaction. The link between male BMI and biological outcomes during IVF procedures, such as fertilization rates, should be further evaluated.

Chemical dissolution resistance of anodic oxide layers formed on aluminum

Chemically resistant anodic oxide layers were formed on pure aluminum substrates in oxalic acid-sulphuric acid bath.Acid dissolution tests of the obtained anodic layers were achieved in accordance with the ASTM B 680-80 specifications：35mL/L 85% H3PO4＋20g/L CrO3 at 38℃.Influence of oxalic acid concentration,bath temperature and anodic current density on dissolution rate and coating ratio was examined,when the sulphuric acid concentration was maintained at 160g/L.It was found that chemically resistant and compact oxide layers were produced under low operational temperature （5℃） and high current densities （3A/dm^2）.A beneficial effect was observed concerning the addition of oxalic acid （18g/L）.The morphology and the composition of the anodic oxide layer were examined by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）,atomic force microscopy （AFM） and glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy （GDOES）.

Degarelix as a new antiangiogenic agent for metastatic colon cancer?

Recently,follicle stimulating hormone receptor was found to be selectively expressed by endothelial cells on tumor-associated blood vessels in a wide range of human cancers.In this context,we hypothesized that degarelix,a new gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist developed for patients with prostate cancer,may have antiangiogenic effects via its capacity to block follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)production. We report the case of a patient with metastatic colon cancer exhibiting tumor progression after failure of all conventional chemotherapeutic regimens.The addition of degarelix to the last chemotherapeutic regimen was proposed as compassionate treatment.Degarelix induced a rapid decrease in FSH level.This treatment induced radiological stabilization and carcinoembryonic antigen stabilization during 1 year.Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography demonstrated reduction of tumor vas-clature.This case represents the first report of an antitumoral effect of degarelix in metastatic colon cancer and suggests an antiangiogenic property of this drug.

CFD-Based Simulation and Analysis of Hydrothermal Aspects in Solar Channel Heat Exchangers with Various Designed Vortex Generators

The hydrothermal behavior of air inside a solar channel heat exchanger equipped with various shaped ribs is analyzed numerically.The bottom wall of the exchanger is kept adiabatic,while a constant value of the temperature is set at the upper wall.The duct is equipped with a flat rectangular fin on the upper wall and an upstream V-shaped baffle on the lower wall.Furthermore,five hot wall-attached rib shapes are considered:trapezoidal,square,triangular pointing upstream(type Ⅰ),triangular pointing downstream(type Ⅱ),and equilateral-triangular(type Ⅲ)cross sections.Effects of the flow rates are also inspected for various Reynolds numbers in the turbulent regime(1.2×10^(4)-3.2×10^(4)).The highest performance(η)value is given for the Ⅱ-triangular rib case in all Re values,while the square-shaped ribs show a significant decrease in the η along the achieved Re range.The η value at Remax is 2.567 for the Ⅱ-triangular roughness case.Compared with the other simulated cases,this performance is decreased by about 3.768%in the case of Ⅰ-triangular ribs,15.249% in the case of Ⅲ-triangular ribs,20.802% in the case of trapezoidal ribs,while 27.541% in the case of square ribs,at the same Remax.Also,a comparison ismade with air-heat exchangers that have non-rough walls and contain cross-shaped VGs presented previously,in order to highlight the effectiveness of the rough surface presence in the baffled and finned channels.The obtained results indicated that the triangular-shaped rib(type Ⅱ)has the most significant hydrothermal behavior than the other cases.This indicates the necessity of roughness heat transfer surfaces for finned and baffled channels to improve significantly the performance of the air-heat exchangers they contain.

Fragrant Microcapsules Based onβ-Cyclodextrin for Cosmetotextile Application

Microencapsulation of neroline inside microcapsules having a polyurethane shell based onβ-cyclodextrin(β-CD)and hexane diisocyanate was performed by interfacial polycondensation.The polyol nature ofβ-CD caused tight crosslinking of microcapsules wall.Microcapsules of neroline were characterized for their chemical composition and structure of the polyurethane shell by FTIR spectroscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,optical and electron microscopy,light scattering and electrophoresis measurements.Core content and encapsulation yield were 15%and 60%,respectively.Spherical microcapsules of mean diameter 29μm were slightly cationic with an isoelectric point of 6.3.Neroline-loaded microcapsules were fixed on cotton fabric using an impregnation technique.The functionalized fabric showed improved resistance to washing cycles in comparison with previously reported diol-based microcapsules.Such microcapsules display great potential for the long-lasting release of fragrance in the framework of cosmetotextile.

New materials based on carbazole for optoelectronic device applications:Theoretical investigation

A quantum-chemical investigation on the structural and optoelectronic properties of two materials based on carbazole is carried out.The purpose is to display the effect of grafting the fluorine atoms on their optoelectronic and physico-chemical properties.In addition to solubility in the polar solvents and the modification in geometric parameters,the substitution of fluorine destabilizes the HOMO and LUMO levels,decreases the band gap energy and raises conjugation length.These properties suggest the substituted fluorine compound as a good candidate for optoelectronic applications.

<i>In Vitro</i>Germination and Early Vegetative Growth of Five Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>L.) Varieties under Salt Stress Conditions

In Senegal, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation is affected by salinity in many agro-ecological zones. The selection of salt tolerant varieties would be an alternative solution to enhance the production. Thus, germination and growth are studied under axenic conditions for five varieties of tomato subjected to increasing concentrations of NaCl [0, 35, 70 and 105 mM], and supplemented in an MS/2 medium for 30 days. The results reveal that salt negatively affects the evaluated parameters. The Rodeo and Lady Nema varieties have the lowest final germination rates (50%) unlike the Mongal variety (55%). These last two varieties have a decrease of 71.78% and 81.28% in the height of the stem, respectively, in the presence of NaCl at [105 mM] while that of the Rodeo variety is 70%. The Xewel variety has the greatest average number of leaves in the presence of [NaCl 35 mM] (4.95 leaves) and [NaCl 70 mM] (4.77 leaves). The Lady Nema variety records the longest taproot length (2.99 cm) unlike the Rodeo variety (2.25 cm) at [NaCl 105 mM]. The Ganila variety reveals the highest number of secondary roots at the concentrations of [0, 35 and 105 mM] of NaCl with, respectively, 44.12, 29.25, and 4.25 roots. The Lady Nema variety records the highest fresh weight of aerial (0.055 g) and root parts (0.014 g) and the lowest root dry weights (0.0023 g). These results allow to conclude that the Lady Nema and Mongal varieties seem more tolerant, Ganila and Xewel are moderately tolerant and Rodeo is more sensitive to the presence of salt.

A New Class of Exactly Solvable Models within the Schrodinger Equation with Position Dependent Mass

The study of physical systems endowed with a position-dependent mass (PDM) remains a fundamental issue of quantum mechanics. In this paper we use a new approach, recently developed by us for building the quantum kinetic energy operator (KEO) within the Schrodinger equation, in order to construct a new class of exactly solvable models with a position varying mass, presenting a harmonic-oscillator-like spectrum. To do so we utilize the formalism of supersymmetric quantum mechanics (SUSY QM) along with the shape invariance condition. Recent outcomes of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics are also taken into account.