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It happens sometimes that culture or the tradition to which we belong weighs heavy on our shoulders, and distresses us to an extent that we lose all sense of morals and drift into decadence. In reference to literature, moral decadence designates a corrosive process or situation of deterioration and decline in society’s ethical codes and sexual morality. In her perspective to dismantle the patriarchal culture, Amma Darko exposes the moral decline to which her society is prey and points an accusing finger at the gender-oriented system. The purpose of this article is to examine how gender and the standards that go with it can influence social depravity and the mounting loss of moral values among individuals. Stressing the writer’s objectivity and her catharsis-based approach as therapy, this analysis of Amma Darko’s Faceless and Not Without Flowers allows to have an off-screen look at the hideous consequences of gender prejudice. As they want or fail to meet the demands of the sexist ideology, both male and female, central and secondary characters are revealed to find solace in illicit deeds and amorality.

Mango is one of the most traded fruits in the world. Therefore, mango production suffers from several pests and diseases which reduce the production and quality of mangoes and their price in the local and international markets. Several solutions for automatic diagnosis of these pests and diseases have been proposed by researchers in the last decade. These solutions are based on Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms. In recent years, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have achieved impressive results in image classification and are considered as the leading methods for image classification. However, one of the most significant issues facing mango pests and diseases classification solutions is the lack of availability of large and labeled datasets. Data augmentation is one of solutions that has been successfully reported in the literature. This paper deals with data augmentation techniques namely blur, contrast, flip, noise, zoom and affine transformation to know, on the one hand, the impact of each technique on the performance of a ResNet50 CNN using an initial small dataset, on the other hand, the combination between them which gives the best performance to the DL network. Results show that the best combination classifying mango leaf diseases is ‘Contrast & Flip & Affine transformation’ which gives to the model a training accuracy of 98.54% and testing accuracy of 97.80% with an f1_score > 0.9.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common gynecological cancer in the world. It is rare in children. The most incriminating risk factor is Human Papillomavirus infection. OBSERVATION: This case report describes an 8-year 10-month old child who presented with cervical cancer. The initial symptomatology was urinary burning, pollakiuria, asthenia and suprapubic pain without fever. The paraclinical workup revealed a cervical tumor and iliac and lumbo-aortic nodes and peritoneal carcinosis. Biopsies revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma. Treatment consisted of induction chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide followed by cisplatin and paclitaxel) followed by concomitant radio-chemotherapy and utero-vaginal brachytherapy. KEYWORDS: Cancer; Cervix; Child.

The use of colloidal particles to prepare and stabilize emulsions, known as "Pickering emulsions “, has aroused growing interest in recent years. Pickering and Ramsden demonstrated at the beginning of the last century the feasibility of surfactant-free emulsions, in presence of these emulsions is called "Pickering Emulsions". This concept of emulsions stabilized by solid particles is experiencing renewed interest nowadays given the many advantages it offers good stability, environmental protection, user safety, and particle varieties. The first part is devoted to the synthesis of Eudragit RSPO and pol epsilon-caprolactone nanoparticles and their characterization. The characterization of the nanoparticles is performed by dynamic light scattering and geometry. The understanding of the interfacial behavior of these nanoparticles and their associated stabilization mechanisms for emulsions was carried out. The second part of the study investigated the formulation and stabilization of the emulsion using the washed suspension containing the nanoparticles as the only stabilizer. The objective of this part is to stabilize and characterize the formulated emulsions. Droplet size determination and microscopy were performed using a Zeiss optical microscope. The direction of the formulated emulsions was determined by conductimetry. In conclusion, Pickering emulsions stabilized solely by Eudragit RSPO and Poly-epsilon Caprolactone nanoparticles appear to be highly effective innovative drug carriers, opening new doors as potential drug delivery systems.

PurposeRetail store loyalty is essential to the survival and success of a retailer. The intangible benefits provided by the social exchange in-store influence the way consumers consider their relationships with the retailer. However, its relationships with social proximity and cultural factors are not clear. Therefore, this article investigates the effects of specific cultural dimensions on loyalty behaviour, as well as the mediating role of social proximity on the relationship investigated.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on an empirical investigation undertaken in Thailand with a sample of 636 respondents. Two retail chains were investigated (Big C and Tesco). Structural equation modelling was used to test the research model and a series of research hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal that uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation have positive direct effects on loyalty, while collectivism does not. Furthermore, social proximity significantly mediates the effects of collectivism and long-term orientation on customer loyalty. These findings show that Thailand is a specific emerging market in which retail chains should adapt their loyalty programme accordingly.Practical implicationsThe cultural differences could be used for segmentation strategy for retailers to engage customers in a relationship with the hypermarket. Social proximity is an efficient lever to build loyalty in Thailand. In addition, retailers could utilise certainty and steadiness message as a way to build shopper loyalty.Originality/valueThis research underlines the social, human dimension that consumers seek, which is opposed to the online purchase. Specifically, this study highlights the mediating role of social proximity between the relationship of cultural variables and loyalty in the retail context. Additionally, this research displays the direct and positive effects of culture on retail loyalty. That is, this paper enhances how culture and shopper-retail staff interaction can be managed to achieve store loyalty.

This study investigates the formulation of surfactant-free Pickering emulsions that release a drug at a specific pH to improve its oral bioavailability. The stabilizing particles composed of magnesium carbonate particles. Pickering oil-in-water emulsions stabilized with magnesium carbonate particles and encapsulating a hydrophobic drug model (ibuprofen) were formulated using a high-energy process with rotor-stator turbo mixer (IKA® T25 digital ultra-Turrax). The experimental approach explored the impact of all formulation parameters, dispersed phase and amount of magnesium carbonate particles on the physicochemical properties of Pickering emulsions. The O/W Pickering emulsion was characterized by a methylene blue test, pH and conductivity measurements, and droplet size determination. In addition, Pickering emulsions stabilized by magnesium carbonate particles have the advantage of being destabilized in acidic medium leading to the release of the active principle via the droplets. The acidic medium release study (pH equal to 1.2) showed ibuprofen release as a function of initial droplet loading and saturation concentration. In the simulated intestinal medium at pH equal to 6.8, we found a better release of ibuprofen from emulsions that already had saturation in an acid medium. Thus, the interest of these Pickering emulsions lies on the fact that their non-toxicity and magnesium carbonate particles allow destabilization of the emulsions and release of the drug. These emulsions not only protect patients from the side effects of acid-based drugs, but also contribute to increase the bioavailability of these acidic drugs. Keywords: emulsion -Pickering-magnesium carbonate- ibuprofen-oral bioavailability

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of death in men and women, comprising about 10% of cancer deaths after breast and lung cancer. The most significant risk factors currently implicated in the etiology of this cancer are genetic, likely due to several mutations. Methods: The study explored the involvement of genetic factors in these pathologies; specifically, exon 4 of the TP53 gene was studied in 15 CRC patients and compared with 10 healthy individuals as controls. The position of the marker mutations was determined with the Mutation Surveyor software version 5.1.2. DnaSP version 5.10, MEGA version 7.014, and the program Arlequin version 3.1 were used to highlight the parameters of variability, differentiation, and the demo-genetic evolution of our study populations. The pathogenicity of the mutations was determined through Polyphen2, TAMISER, and ClinVar. Results: Our results showed the presence of a recurrent mutation of the TP53 gene in both tumor and healthy tissue where proline was replaced with arginine at codon 72. This mutation was predicted to be benign. The presence of this mutation in healthy tissue can be considered a relatively late event in colorectal tumorigenesis. In addition, the P47L, D49A, W53S, and D48G mutations appeared to be suspicious because they were predicted to be potentially damaging. This finding suggests the genes’ involvement in the pathology of CRCs in our study population. The cancer tissue sequences contained an average of 2.59 nucleotide differences that resulted in amino acid changes. The Nei genetic distance confirms this variability between tumor tissues. Conclusion: These results suggest that variants in exon 4 of the TP53 gene may contribute to the development of CRCs. These mutations could constitute molecular markers in CRC and possibly help in the development of early diagnosis

The diabetic is most of the time admitted in emergency for acute complications. An inventory of these complications will guide promotional programs aimed at preventing the occurrence of these complications. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying acute complications and decompensation factors in diabetics admitted in emergency to the Souro Sanou University Hospital Center (CHUSS).It was an observational study, of descriptive transversal type, with prospective collection for 4 months. It concerned diabetics admitted to the medical and surgical emergency departments of the CHUSS. A total of 90 diabetics were included in the study. The average age was 58.81 ± 14.7 years. Type 2 diabetes accounted for 85.6% of cases. The diagnosis of diabetes was known in 74.4% of cases. The reasons for consultation were dominated by impaired conscientiousness and fever, 54.4% and 50% respectively. Metabolic complications were found in 44.4% of patients. They were dominated by hypoglycemia, which accounted for 55.3% of cases. Dietary error was the main decompensation factor in cases of hypoglycemia and was reported in 71.4% of cases. Metabolic complications are common in diabetics admitted in emergency at the CHUSS. Decompensation factors are mostly preventable.

&nbsp, The Semiology of Emmanuel Macron's Gesture ABSTRACT: This work deals with the semiotic analysis of the semiology of gesture in the communications of French President Emmanuel Macron, particularly during the Yellow Vests movement or during the Covid 19 pandemic. The semiology of gesture is an approach that encompasses the functionings of verbal signs during an act of communication. Gesture becomes a language that complements verbal language. This study of gestural language addresses synergology and gestural grammar in discourse. The semiotic analysis of discourse now makes it possible to raise all the non-verbal discursive mechanisms such as the discourse of the hands, the gaze and the representation of the body which are fundamental in the speeches of the French president. It also highlights the link between rhetoric and gesture but the pragmatic dimension of gesture in Macron's speech. RÉSUMÉ : Dans ce travail, il est question d’analyse sémiotique de la sémiologie du geste dans les communications du président français Emmanuel Macron, notamment durant les mouvements des gilets jaunes ou lors de la pandémie Covid 19. La sémiologie du geste est une approche qui englobe les fonctionnements des signes verbaux au cours d’un acte de communication. Le geste devient en effet un langage qui complète le langage verbal. Cette étude du langage gestuel aborde la synergologie et la grammaire gestuelle dans le discours. L’analyse sémiotique du discours permet aujourd’hui de soulever l’ensemble des mécanismes discursifs non verbaux tels que les discours des mains, du regard et de la représentation du corps qui sont fondamentaux dans les discours du président français. Il met par ailleurs en évidence le lien entre rhétorique et geste mais la dimension pragmatique du geste dans le discours de Macron.

In this study, we carried out seven distinct and independent rounds of correspondence tests to detect discriminatory behavior in domains and markets in France that have not previously been subjected to much investigation in the literature. The study areas included: purchasing a used car; purchasing an auto insurance policy; applying for a car loan; purchasing supplemental health insurance; enrolling in an adult training program; purchasing an existing small business; and renting vacation accommodations. Access to these items and services are associated with either potential pathways to a middle-class job or hallmarks of a middle-class living standard. We seek to discern evidence of discriminatory behavior according to the criteria of age, gender, ethnic origin, and the reputation of the neighborhood of residence (advantaged or disadvantaged). We discern statistically significant patterns in our observed statistical outcome (callback rates) in all seven markets, which we interpret as possibly indicative of discriminatory behavior; however, the criteria, the magnitudes, and the signs differ from one market to another. One finding is that differential treatment based on ethnicity and the reputation of the neighborhood (i.e., neutral or disadvantaged) might not be as systematic and mutually reinforcing as they are frequently perceived to be in the domains of labor and housing markets.

Intrathoracic foreign bodies secondary to penetrating wounds are rare in children. We report the observation of a 10-year-old patient who presented an intrapulmonary metallic foreign body following a playful accident. Its migratory aspect, highlighted by imaging, required urgent extraction which was performed by thoracotomy, with good clinical outcome. The interest of the question lies in the circumstances of the incident, the type of foreign body and the terrain.

Le lien entre l’alimentation et la santé étant scientifiquement établi, pour évaluer les apports et risques nutritionnels liés à l’alimentation sénégalaise, il est indispensable de connaitre la composition nutritionnelle des plats locaux à base de riz consommés quotidiennement au déjeuner par plus de 86% des sénégalais. La composition nutritionnelle des plats préparés peut être déterminée soit par analyse directe, soit par calcul à partir des facteurs de rendement et de rétention. D’où l’objectif de cette étude qui consiste à évaluer par approche directe, la capacité des plats à base de riz prélevés dans les ménages et/ou préparés au laboratoire, à couvrir les besoins nutritionnels des sénégalais et à déterminer leurs facteurs de rendement. Ainsi, le riz au poisson rouge, le riz au poisson blanc, le « mafé » au gombo, le « yassa » au poisson, couvrent 8 à 22% des besoins en fibres, 48 à 100% de ceux en zinc, 43 à 188% de ceux en fer, 17 à 114% de ceux en calcium, 55 à 77% de ceux en magnésium; 82% de ceux en lipides ; 319% des apports recommandés en sel et 108% en sucres totaux. Quant aux facteurs de rendement, ils varient entre 0,72 et 1,83. The link between food and health being scientifically established, to assess the nutritional intake and risks associated with the Senegalese diet, it is essential to know the nutritional composition of the local rice dishes consumed daily at lunch by more than 86% of Senegalese. The nutritional composition of prepared meals can be determined either by direct analysis, or by calculation based on yield and retention factors. Hence the objective of this study which consisted in evaluating by direct approach, the capacity of rice dishes taken from households or prepared in the laboratory, to cover the nutritional needs of Senegalese and to determine their yields factors. Thus, red rice with fish, white rice with fish, "mafé" with okra, "yassa" with fish, cover 8 to 22% of fiber needs, 48 to 100% of zinc needs, 43 to 188% of those in iron, 17-114% of those in calcium, 55-77% of those in magnesium; 82% of those in lipids; 319% of recommended salt intake and 108% of total sugars. As for the yield factors, they vary between 0.72 and 1.83.

Since the rise of the gold price in 2000, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a growing economic activity in developing countries. It represents a source of income for several millions of people in West Africa. Exploitation techniques have evolved from traditional gold panning to mechanization and use of chemical products that are harmful for the environment. Government strategies to control and regulate this activity are impeded by the difficulties to collect spatial information, due to the remote location and the mobile and informal natural of ASGM. Here we present and discuss the value of remote sensing techniques to complement the knowledge on artisanal mining impacts, including for detection of illegal sites, the evaluation of the degradation of soils and waters, the deforestation and the monitoring of expansion of ASGM with time. However, these techniques are blind regarding gender issues, labor relations, mobility, migration, and insecurity and need to be considered with knowledges from other disciplines. Remote sensing is also instilled with various powers accruing to those enabled to produce and interpret these data. Remote sensing should be therefore used in a reflexive manner that accounts for the social, ethical and political implications of ASGM governance informed by space observations.

Background Congenital malformations are the third cause of mortality in children under five. We aimed to report sociodemographic and diagnostic aspects of gastrointestinal ones and their outcomes. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of patients admitted from January 2018 to January 2021 to our department at Albert Royer National Children’s Hospital Center in Dakar, Senegal. A total of 230 were included. Results The frequency of these malformations was 6.18%. The mean age was 1.9 years, with neonates representing 43.48% and males 59.56%. 64.35% of patients came from the Dakar area. Parental consanguinity was reported in 11.73%, prenatal diagnosis in 5.56% of 36 cases, and prematurity in 28.84% of 52 patients. The most typical reasons for referral or symptoms were constipation (23.91%), imperforated anus (23.91%), and vomiting (23.48%). In 93.91%, the malformation was isolated, of which Hirschsprung’s disease accounted for 30.56% and anorectal malformation for 30.09%. Esophageal atresia and anorectal malformations had more associated anomalies with 28.57% each. The VACTER-L association represented 21.42% of associated anomalies. Mortality was 27.83%, and lethality was 100% for intestinal atresia, 87.5% for esophageal atresia, and 85.71% for polymalformation. Causes of mortality were reported in 21%, with septic shock and respiratory distress in all esophageal atresia patients (Manama, Contribution à l’étude des malformations congénitales : à propos de 188 cas du service de néonatologie de l’Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar, 1983) and hypovolemic shock in all patients with duodenal atresia (Wright et al., Lancet 398:325–39, 2021). Conclusion Congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract are still lately diagnosed in our environment, resulting in higher mortality. Further studies should analyze delayed presentation and mortality, and their risk factors in our settings.

Background Malaria control is highly dependent on the effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), the current frontline malaria curative treatment. Unfortunately, the emergence and spread of parasites resistant to artemisinin (ART) derivatives in Southeast Asia and South America, and more recently in Rwanda and Uganda (East Africa), compromise their long-term use in sub-Saharan Africa, where most malaria deaths occur. Methods Here, ex vivo susceptibility to dihydroartemisinin (DHA) was evaluated from 38 Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in 2017 in Thiès (Senegal) expressed in the Ring-stage Survival Assay (RSA). Both major and minor variants were explored in the three conserved-encoding domains of the pfkelch13 gene, the main determinant of ART resistance using a targeted-amplicon deep sequencing (TADS) approach. Results All samples tested in the ex vivo RSA were found to be susceptible to DHA (parasite survival rate pfkelch13 were observed each in one isolate, as major (99%) or minor (5%) variants, respectively. Conclusion The results suggest that ART is still fully effective in the Thiès region of Senegal in 2017. Investigations combining ex vivo RSA and TADS are a useful approach for monitoring ART resistance in Africa.

Avec l'augmentation croissante de l'activité, les dépenses du laboratoire sont considérables. Pour optimiser leurs prescriptions, il faut que les prescripteurs connaissent le coût de revient des analyses médicales. C’est ainsi que nous nous sommes assignés comme objectif de tester d’une part l’applicabilité de la méthode Activity Basing Costing (ABC) et d’autre part de comparer les résultats obtenus aux tarifs en vigueur. Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective transversale portant sur les données recueillies sur une période de trois (3) mois de Juillet à Septembre 2016. La démarche pour la collecte des données était basée sur l’observation, l’entretien et l’analyse documentaire. Ces outils ont permis de noter pour chaque activité le temps nécessaire ainsi que les ressources humaines et matérielles mobilisées. Le traitement des données a été réalisé par le tableur Excel dans des fiches préconçues à cet effet. Les résultats de ce travail ont montré d’une part, que les tarifs appliqués ne couvraient pas les coûts des prestations des analyses. D’autre part, les charges salariales représentaient près de 60% des charges globales. La méthode A.B.C. est adaptée à la problématique soulevée. Elle dissèque entièrement le schéma de formation des coûts : chaque ressource est identifiée et attribuée à l'activité qui la consomme. Toutes qualités qui devraient permettre à la méthode de s'implanter plus largement dans le domaine de la santé. With the increasing in activity, the expenses of the laboratory are considerable. To optimize their prescriptions, prescribers must know the cost price of medical analyzes. Our objective was therefore to test the applicability of this method (Activity Basing costing) and then to compare obtained results with rates in force This was a cross-sectional retrospective study of data collected over a three (3) month period from July to September 2016. Approach for data collection was based on observation, interview, and literature review. These tools made it possible to note for each activity time required as well as human and material resources mobilized. Data processing was carried out by Excel spreadsheet in pre-designed sheets for this purpose. Results of this work showed, on the one hand, that tariffs applied did not cover the costs of analysis services. On the other hand, wage costs represented almost 60% of overall costs. The A.B.C. is adapted to the issue raised. It completely dissects the cost formation scheme: each resource is identified and attributed to the activity that consumes it. All qualities, which should allow the method to gain a foothold in the field of health.

Le Parc Hann est un patrimoine de biodiversité du Sénégal et présente une diversité floristique assez intéressante pour la population. Cependant, il existe très peu de données scientifiques sur cette flore. Cette étude a été réalisée dans le but de caractériser la flore ligneuse du Parc de Hann et d’établir les spectres taxonomique, biologique et chorologique. Les données ont été collectées de Décembre 2017 à Avril 2018 à la suite d’un inventaire itinérant. Les travaux ont permis de répertorier 121 espèces ligneuses réparties dans 100 genres et 38 familles. Parmi ces espèces, 8 n’ont pas été citées dans la flore du Sénégal et 11 étaient partiellement protégées par le code forestier du Sénégal. Les résultats ont montré que la flore du Parc est constituée de 99% d’Angiospermes. La famille des Fabaceae est la plus représentée avec 23,14% des espèces recensées. En outre, l’analyse du spectre biologique a montré que la flore est dominée par les mésophanérophytes (46,28%) suivi des microphanérophytes (37,19%). La flore est dominée par les espèces afrotropicales (42,98%) et les espèces pantropicales (23,14%). La caractérisation de la flore ligneuse du Parc de Hann a permis de comprendre que la gestion de la biodiversité urbaine doit être faite de manière permanente avec un contrôle régulier du cadre de vie. Located in the capital city of Senegal, the Hann Park plays an important role in phytodiversity conservation in a context of global changes. Therefore, knowledge of floristic composition and phytosociology are key factors for a better phytodiversity. This study was conducted to characterize the woody flora of Hann Park and establish the taxonomic, biological and chorological spectra. The data were collected from December 2017 to April 2018 following a roving inventory. The work allowed to list 121 woody species distributed in 100 genera and 38 families. Of these species, 8 were not cited in the Senegalese flora and 11 were partially protected by the Senegalese forestry code. The family with the highest species richness was Fabaceae with 23.14% of the flora. The overall analysis of the biological spectrum showed a large dominance of mesophanerophytes (48.28%) followed by microphanerophytes (37.19%). Moreover, the chorological analysis revealed that afrotropical (42.98%) and pantropical species (23.14%) were the most important. The present study allowed pointing out the flora structure of woody flora in the Hann Park which is necessary for improving management of phytodiversity.

The Angiosperms represent the best known and most diverse group in Senegal. Even though a lot of work has been done to gain a good knowledge of this group, more work remains to be done. The main objective of this work is to contribute to a better knowledge of the class of monocotyledons in Senegal. More specifically, this work seeks to propose a determination key for the families of this class in order to facilitate their identification. Based on bibliographical research, a rough table and a summary table listing the different characters of the vegetative and reproductive systems of the Monocotyledonous family of Senegal were drawn up. These tables made it possible to propose dichotomous keys. This study showed that in the flora of Senegal, the Monocotyledons are distributed in 230 genera and 37 families. This work made it possible to propose determination keys essentially based on the stable characters of the vegetative and reproductive systems of these families.

La salinité fait peser de graves menaces sur l’équilibre des écosystèmes de toutes les zones agroécologiques du Sénégal, principalement dans le bassin arachidier et en Casamance. La déposition de sel dans le sol est un processus naturel, bien que les activités anthropiques et la sécheresse aient accéléré le processus de salinisation des terres. Ainsi, la restauration des terres est devenue un défi majeur pour le bien-être des populations et la durabilité de leurs activités socio-économiques. C’est dans cette optique que cette étude a été menée pour évaluer l’effet des ouvrages de réhabilitation des terres salées sur les paramètres physico-chimiques du sol et la structure de la flore et de la végétation dans la vallée de Bakhala. Ainsi, pour se faire, des échantillons composites de sol ont été prélevés dans la vallée de Bakhala suivant des transects puis acheminés au laboratoire Sols-Eaux-Plantes du CNRA/ISRA de Bambey où ils ont subi une analyse des paramètres physico-chimiques et l’inventaire de la flore et de la végétation selon la méthode de Braun-Blanquet a été réalisé. Les résultats révèlent que les sols de la vallée de Bakhala sont extrêmement acides (pH = 3,88 à 4,84) avec des niveaux de salinité faible en amont de digue 1 (150 à 328,7 μS/cm) et très élevé au niveau des autres transects (766 à 6486 μS/cm). Des textures sableuses, limono-sablo-argileuses et limono-sableuses ont été déterminées. L’étude de flore a permis de recenser 66 espèces appartenant à 55 genres et 20 familles avec une dominance des dicotylédones (71,21%). Les Fabaceae et les Poaceae regroupent près de la moitié des espèces de cette flore avec une nette dominance des thérophytes. Cette étude montre un effet répressif de la salinité sur la diversité floristique. Ainsi une dissemblance de la diversité floristique en fonction du gradient de salinité est notée. Les espèces telles que Blumea aurita et Enteropogon prieurii sont communes à tous les transects alors que l’espèce Cyperus longus a été uniquement rencontrée en aval de la digue intermédiaire. Ainsi cette étude reflète une distribution de la diversité floristique en fonction du gradient de salinité.

Mobilisant le cadre théorique de la culture et des traditions, cet article examine l’influence des valeurs traditionnelles sur les relations entre la qualité de service, la valeur perçue et l’intention d’achat au Sénégal. Sur la base d’un échantillon de 303 clients africains d’un centre commercial innovant et en utilisant des modèles d’équations structurelles (PLS), les résultats montrent que la qualité de service influence la valeur perçue du centre commercial innovant qui, à son tour, affecte l’intention d’achat du consommateur. Ce travail établit un rôle modérateur des valeurs traditionnelles sur les relations entre les dimensions spécifiques de la qualité de service et la valeur perçue du centre commercial innovant., Using the culture and tradition theoretical framework, this paper examines the influence of traditional values on the relationship between service quality, perceived value and purchase intention in Senegal. Based on a sample of 303 African customers of an innovative shopping mall. Using structural equation models (PLS) the results show that service quality influences the perceived value of the innovative shopping mall which in turn affects the consumer’s purchase intention. This work establishes a moderating role of traditional values on the relationships between specific dimensions of service quality and the perceived value of the innovative shopping mall., Utilizando el marco teórico de la cultura y la tradición, el presente trabajo examina la influencia de los valores tradicionales en la relación entre la calidad de servicio, el valor percibido y la intención de compra en Senegal. A partir de una muestra de 303 clientes africanos de un centro comercial innovador y utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales (PLS), los resultados muestran que la calidad de servicio influye en el valor percibido del centro comercial innovador, lo que a su vez afecta a la intención de compra del consumidor. Este trabajo establece un rol moderador de los valores tradicionales en las relaciones entre las dimensiones específicas de la calidad de servicio y el valor percibido del centro comercial innovador.

Introduction: Pediatric aneurysms are uncommon but potentially deadly clinical conditions with varied etiology and outcomes. In low-resource countries, numerous barriers prevent the timely diagnosis and management of pediatric aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Thus, this study aimed to assess the mortality of pediatric aSAH stemming from limited access to pediatric neurological surgery care in Senegal. Methods: Pediatric aSAH patients admitted at the authors’ institution from 2012 to 2020 were recruited. Spearman Rho’s correlation, McNemar’s test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and the population attributable fraction (PAF) was used to quantify aSAH mortality attributable to lack of surgical care. Results: Twenty-four pediatric patients (12 females and 12 males) aged 12.2 (95% CI = 10.0–14.3) years presented with aSAH. Most patients had a single aneurysm measuring 12.6 (6.1–19.0) mm with 1 patient having 2. The median WFNS grade was 3 (range [1–4]), and the mean Fisher grade was 4 (range [1–4]). Fifteen patients (62.5%) had surgical treatment on day 15.0 (IQR = 23.0) of hospitalization. The overall mortality rate was 20.8%, and the PAF of mortality for lack of surgical treatment during hospitalization was 0.08. Conclusion: Eight percent of deaths among pediatric aSAH patients who do not receive surgical treatment are attributable to lack of access to surgical treatment. Health system strengthening policies should be implemented to address this health inequity.

BackgroundHaving a consolidated, geolocated list of all facilities in a country – a “master facility list” (MFL) – can provide critical inputs for health program planning and implementation. To the best of our knowledge, Senegal has never had a centralized MFL, though many data sources currently exist within the broader Senegalese data landscape that could be used to work toward building a full MFL.Main textWe collated 12,965 facility observations from 16 separate datasets and lists in Senegal, and applied matching algorithms, manual checking and revisions as needed, and verification processes to identify unique facilities and triangulate corresponding GPS coordinates. Our resulting consolidated facility list was a total of 4,685 facilities with 51.5% having at least one GPS coordinate (n=2,414). Key challenges included accounting for variable spelling across datasets, distinguishing between facility type changes (e.g., health huts being upgraded to health posts with the same name) and separate facilities that shared the same name, GPS verification, among others.ConclusionDeveloping approaches to leverage existing data for MFL establishment can help bridge data demands and inform more targeted approaches for completing a full facility census based on areas and facility types with the lowest coverage. Going forward, it is crucial to ensure routine updates of current facility lists, and to strengthen government-led mechanisms around such data collection demands and the need for timely data for health decision-making.

Agroforestry, the association between trees/shrubs and crops, a widespread practice in West Africa, is presented as a lever for ecological intensification to optimize cereal yields in the face of strong population growth and the fight against climate change. Within the framework of the EU-DESIRA SustainSAHEL project, we aim to develop techniques to spatially assess the effect of trees on millet yields on an intra-field scale using imagery from an UAV equipped with a multispectral camera combined with geostatistical approaches. Indeed, recent advances in earth observation technologies position the UAV as an effective tool for evaluating the agronomic performance of agroforestry systems and for taking into account the intra-field variability of yields caused by environmental conditions, agricultural practices or the presence of trees (Roupsard and al., 2020 ; Leroux and al., 2022). The objective of this study was to estimate millet yields intra-field variability using UAV and up-to-date geostatistical approaches.The study was carried out over the 2018-2022 cropping seasons in one representative Faidherbia parkland of the groundnut basin of Senegal. To that end, a Random Forest (RF) algorithm was first calibrated to estimate millet yield at sub-plot scale using a thresholding classification to eliminate non-vegetation elements and also to integrate texture data, in order to take into account the spatial relationships between pairs of pixels. Millet yields data and vegetation and textural index from aerial images at a flight height of 25 meters acquired in farmers’ plots were used to calibrate the RF model. The RF model was used to upscale yield at the whole field scale thus allowing to obtain a map of millet yield. Then Voronoï diagram, with Faidherbia as a reference, was applied to each yield map, considering each Voronoï region as a zone of influence of its included Faidherbia. We then applied a transformation and rotation matrix to overlay all the zones of influence of a population of 50 Faidherbia by putting all the trees at the same geographical position. Finally, we build an atlas, which is an average structure representative of a population and which makes possible to detect the patterns and properties of the evolution of the population considered, to evaluate the distance and directional effect of Faidherbia on vegetation index of the population and then on millet yield.The RF model is able to explain between 70 and 90 % of the millet yield variability. Then the analysis has shown that the tree has an influence on the millet stand density with a distance-decay effect from the tree. This stand density is about 60 % around the tree and 30 % at 15m from the tree.Key words : Agroforestry, Uav, Machine learning, Image analysis, Geostatistics, Atlas

Particle size distribution in soil, or texture, is a property essential for understanding processes driving soil water dynamics, fertility and conservation. However, soil texture mapping, using traditional soil sampling and analytical techniques, is labor intensive, time consuming and hence expensive. Having a more rapid and low-cost proximal sensing technique to accurately map soil texture would be a big step forward, in particular at a sufficiently detailed spatial scale for providing advice on soil management at field scale.For the development of such proximal sensing techniques assisting in soil texture monitoring, a study was carried out by the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre at the Petzenkirchen catchment of the Hydrological Open-Air Laboratory (HOAL), located 100 km west from Vienna in Lower Austria. As sensing technique for determining texture, with emphasis on the topsoil (0-30 cm), Gamma-Ray Sensor (GRS) technology was selected. A Medusa MS-350 portable GRS was used to measure the spatial activity concentrations (Bq.kg-1) of 40K (potassium), 238U (uranium), and 232Th (thorium) over 20 points across the studied catchment. These activity concentrations were then linked with soil texture parameters of interest, such as silt, clay, and sand, at the same positions. In total 200 soil samples (10 soil samples for each of the 20 points) were taken for soil texture determination.Preliminary results showed the best correlation between 40K radionuclide concentrations and clay (R2 = 0.51), and silt (R2 = 0.46). Thus, spatial monitoring of 40K with mobile GRS shows potential for the monitoring of clay and silt. However, correlations with other radionuclides concentrations such as 238U and 232Th were weak with R2 coefficients less than 0.16.Further studies are now required to assess ways to improve 40K based predictability of soil texture and validate the applicability of this approach in a more generic way, i.e. a wide range of soil textures. This validation will then enable the further development of this nuclear technology for effective and efficient ground based and air-borne soil texture determination.

Malaria infection is a multifactorial disease partly modulated by host immuno-genetic factors. Recent evidence has demonstrated the importance of Interleukin-17 family proinflammatory cytokines and their genetic variants in host immunity. However, limited knowledge exists about their role in parasitic infections such as malaria. We aimed to investigate IL-17A serum levels in patients with severe and uncomplicated malaria, whether IL-17A gene polymorphisms are involved in severe malaria susceptibility and the polymorphism’s influence on the IL-17A serum levels. 125 malaria patients and 48 free malaria controls were enrolled in this research. Malaria patients were classified into severe malaria (SM) and uncomplicated malaria (UM). IL-17A serum levels were measured with ELISA. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to assess host genetic polymorphisms in IL-17A. We performed a multivariate regression to estimate the impact of human IL-17A variants on IL-17A serum level and malaria outcome. Elevated serum IL-17A levels accompanied by increased parasitemia were found in SM patients compared to UM and controls (P

Drug resistance inPlasmodium falciparumis a major threat to malaria control efforts. We analyzed data from two decades (2000-2020) of continuous molecular surveillance ofP. falciparumparasite strains in Senegal to determine how historical changes in drug administration policy may have affected parasite evolution. We profiled several known drug resistance markers and their surrounding haplotypes using a combination of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) molecular surveillance and whole-genome sequence (WGS) based population genomics. We observed rapid changes in drug resistance markers associated with the withdrawal of chloroquine and introduction of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in 2003. We also observed a rapid increase inPfcrtK76T and decline inPfdhpsA437G starting in 2014, which we hypothesize may reflect changes in resistance or fitness caused by seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). Parasite populations evolve rapidly in response to drug use, and SMC preventive efficacy should be closely monitored.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond to insulin normally, resulting in an abnormal increase in blood glucose levels. 90% of diabetes cases in pregnant women are gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). It is known that fluctuations in the level of glucose and its irregularity led to disturbances in the health of both mother and fetus.The therapeutic strategies and options for the treatment of gestational diabetes are highlighted in this review. We havereviewed medicinal plants used in the treatment of gestational diabetes. Literature review indicates that medicinal plants are effective in treating osteoarthritis and have been clinically and scientifically proven. Natural medicines have been the subject of chemical studies and many plants are the subject of clinical trials. Their results are remarkable and significant. However, scientific exploration for bioactive constituents is becoming increasingly important and their mechanisms of actions to treat GDM are still ongoing.

Omar ibn Sayyid (Said is the more prevalent Anglicized version of his name; 1770–1863), a West African Muslim scholar, was enslaved in North Carolina from 1810 until his death in 1863. Omar was captured in Futa Toro, modern-day Senegal in 1807 and transported to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1808, and he spent the first two years of his American life enslaved on a plantation there. He left behind a body of Arabic writings including his 1831 autobiography, which was the subject of two limited translations in the 19th century by Alexander Cotheal in 1848 and Isaac Bird in 1863; a more elaborated translation was produced by John Franklin Jameson in 1925. Since the 1980s, Omar has attracted scholarly interest as a striking example of the presence of enslaved Muslim scholars in the antebellum United States. The Library of Congress has created an Omar ibn Said Collection of documents in English and Arabic to serve as a resource for research on slavery and Islam in America. North Carolina governor Roy Cooper declared May 23, 2019, Omar ibn Said Day.