Search

Description of the subject. Fertilizers microdosing was tested for African leafy vegetables (ALVs) production to reduce the high rates of fertilizers usually applied to their production in West Africa. Objectives. This study aims to (i) evaluate the response of three ALVs (Amaranthus cruentus L., Solanum macrocarpon L. and Ocimum gratissimum L.) to cattle manure combined with urea-N microdosing and application timing and (ii) assess their partial factor productivity. Method. On-station trials were carried out over three growing seasons (2015 to 2017) in Northern Benin. Urea-N rates of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 kg urea-N·ha-1 combined with 5 t·ha-1 of cattle manure (M5N0, M5N10, M5N20, M5N30, M5N40 and M5N60, respectively) and sole application as control (40 (M0N40) and 80 kg urea-N·ha-1 (M0N80)) and two urea-N application timings (T1 = 0 and T2 = 14 days after transplanting) were tested in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results. The M5N60 treatment resulted in the highest A. cruentus fresh yield and improved leaf yield by 90 and 151% compared to M5N0, and the average of the two no-manure input treatments M0N40 and M0N80, respectively, while M5N40 treatment improved S. macrocarpon fresh yield the best by 23% compared to M5N0. For O. gratissimum, no significant difference was found between urea-N microdose rates. Besides, urea fertilizer application timing affected neither fresh yields nor partial factor productivity for any studied ALVs species. Conclusions. Reduced combination of urea-N and cattle manure is a promising nutrient management practice for ALVs production in West Africa as it improved yields while saving fertilizer for smallholder vegetable farmers.

In this work, a hybrid system is comprised of wind turbines (WT) and photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate green Hydrogen via water electrolysis. Consideration is given to the influence of five electrical power generation scenarios on system performance and Hydrogen production cost. This study adopts the solar radiation, wind speed, and ambient temperature for Mersa-Matruh in Egypt. The system performance is studied using MATLAB-Simulink over one year. The winter months have high wind speed and low sun radiation compared to other months, whereas additional months have high solar radiation and lower wind speed than the winter months. The findings show that the amount of Hydrogen produced for all scenarios varies from 12,340 m3 to 13,748 m3 per year. The system efficiency and LCOH are 7.974% and 3.67$/kg, 9.56%, and 3.97$/kg, 10.7% and 4.12 $/kg, 12.08%, and 4.3$/kg, and 16.23% and 4.69$/kg for scenarios1 to 5, respectively. Finally, the introduced system can reduce CO2 emissions by 345 tons over the lifetime and gain about 13,806$.

Farms in cotton production areas in West Africa have been undergoing environmental, economic, and social transformation, which is contributing to a restructuring of families. Drawing on sociological theories on family models and the functioning of agricultural families, this study collected data through formal and informal interviews with 349 randomly selected cotton producers in Northern Benin. Focus group interviews were also conducted. Data analysis was done through speech analysis and quantitative methods. Results revealed the crucial role of cotton production in the transformation of agrarian systems and land use. Cotton production has become the mainstay of farm development in cotton-growing regions. The economic and technical transformation of farms in the region resulted in significant changes in the allocation of production factors within households as well as in the structure of families. Furthermore, new economic and social challenges led to a decentralization of farm manager responsibilities, and the redistribution of roles and resources. Overall, new forms of farm management emerged within families, which are gradually becoming restructured. Families agricultural models are increasingly fragmenting towards nuclear models. The multiplication of decision-making units coupled with the fragmentation of farm assets calls into question farm sustainability. This study sheds light on the ongoing process in Benin’s cotton zones and the issue of their sustainability.

Hydrogen energy, as clean and efficient energy, is considered significant support for the construction of a sustainable society in the face of global climate change and the looming energy revolution. Hydrogen is one of the most important chemical substances on earth and can be obtained through various techniques using renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. However, the necessity for a gradual transition to renewable energy sources significantly hampers efforts to identify and implement green hydrogen production paths. Therefore, this paper’s objective is to provide a technological review of the systems of hydrogen production from solar and wind energy utilizing several types of water electrolyzers. The current paper starts with a short brief about the different production techniques. A detailed comparison between water electrolyzer types and a complete illustration of hydrogen production techniques using solar and wind are presented with examples, after which an economic assessment of green hydrogen production by comparing the costs of the discussed renewable sources with other production methods. Finally, the challenges that face the mentioned production methods are illuminated in the current review.

Compared to many other groups of parasitic insects, the chewing louse fauna of the Middle East remains poorly known. Our attempts to alleviate this data deficiency include this report of lice that we found on five species of raptors in Egypt. From a total of 12 birds, we recovered four new records of chewing lice for Egypt: Colpocephalum milvi Tendeiro, Restivo & Demartis; Laemobothrion maximum (Scopoli); Colpocephalum percnopteri Price & Beer; and Laemobothrion vulturis (F.). We also recovered additional records for Egypt of Degeeriella regalis (Giebel), Colpocephalum turbinatum Denny, and Strigiphilus cursitans (Nitzsch [in Giebel]). The record of S. cursitans constitutes a new host association, Bubo ascalaphus Savigny. We provide measurements, taxonomic and ecological notes for all identified chewing louse specimens.

Populations are subjected to climatic uncertainties, the predictions of which are major challenges for the scientific community. This study analyzes indigenous climate event prediction and adaptation based on indigenous knowledge in North Benin. A sample of 80 holders of indigenous knowledge of prediction of climate events was selected using snowball sampling in the district of Gogonou. Data were collected during semi-structured interviews with the indigenous knowledge holders. Data included the profile of the knowledge holders, climate events and their prediction signs, and the planned responses in the face of climate events. Data were analyzed using discourse analysis and descriptive statistics. The results showed that the holders of indigenous knowledge of prediction of climate events are agropastoralists and some of their wives. They are over 60 years old and rooted in traditional religion. Climate events predicted were floods, pockets of drought, early cessation of rains, and invasion of fields by caterpillars. These climate events are predicted from animal, vegetable, and nature behaviors. The responses developed in the face of climate events are mainly the relocation of fields to firm land, the use of drought-tolerant varieties, the relocation of planting periods, and the planning of the suspension of children's schooling for spreading and planting operations. These findings demonstrate the necessity for policymakers to consider the value of indigenous knowledge to reduce the effects of climate change.

Background: Sinonasal lesions are a common occurrence in people of all ages. Nasal and paranasal sinus lesions are quite deceiving; Thus, the presenting characteristics, nasal endoscopy, clinical examination, histopathology, and radiographic findings are all used in conjunction to provide a diagnosis. The aim of this research was to observe a much of higher percentage of unilateral sinus pathology. Comprehensive evaluation of patient age, presenting symptoms, sex, nasoendoscopic examination and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results help in the diagnosis of unilateral sinus disease with finding the same result in patient who had endoscopic sinus surgery performed in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department of Tanta University Hospital. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 100 adult and pediatric patients who were suffering from nasal obstruction, epistaxis, proptosis, headache, and space occupying lesions in one side of nose including inflammatory, benign and malignant lesions. All cases underwent complete taking of history, endoscopic assessment, otorhinogological examination, CT, MRI for evaluation of unilateral opacification of paranasal sinuses and other routine preoperative laboratory investigation. Results: Of all affected sinuses, right maxillary sinus and nasal cavity were the most significantly affected sinuses in malignant tumor group than both inflammatory disease group and benign tumor group (P = 0.002, 0.001 respectively) while left maxillary, right ethmoid, left ethmoid, right sphenoid, left sphenoid, right frontal and left frontal showed insignificant differences in affection among the three groups. All performed radiology to the patients was insignificantly different among the three groups (P = 0.211). The main symptoms were significantly different among the three groups (P

Background: Variable palliative options are now made available for patients suffering metastatic bone deposits, which in turn can be very painful, debilitating and crippling, let alone their negative impact on daily life activities, undermining the whole quality of life for affected individuals. With the wide range of available treatment options, comes wide possible drawbacks for each type of treatment. In our study we aim at assessing the safety and efficacy of thermal ablation guided by imaging tools to treat painful bony metastasis and hopefully providing better overall quality of life. Patients and methods: 12 patients underwent thermal ablation, 10 underwent RF ablation and 2 underwent microwave ablation, follow up was done at baseline, at 24 hours, 1, 2 and weeks as well as 1, 2 and months post-treatment. Pain scores were calculated at each point and compared in correlation to the treatment received. Results: At baseline, mean pain scores were around 9. At 3rd month post-treatment follow up the median value became 2, with a significant p value of about 0.003. Conclusion: radiofrequency/microwave ablation have statistically significant effect in pain reduction hence, quality of life in treatment of patients with metastatic bone tumors.

An autonomous micro-grid is generally based on fossil fuels. Recently, these systems are favored integrating existing renewable energies in very specific areas to achieve the sustainability of the energy sectors. Hydrogen is considered as means of storing and transmitting energy, especially nowadays, and the sufficiency required by remote areas can be achieved by using hybrid techniques. Our search is the electrification of a tourist site in the region of Kenadsa. In Bechar city, which is located in the south west of the Algerian state. Using an independent small electric network based on the hybridization of renewable energies. The hybrid energy system must be provided with a cost-effective energy solution for the project by optimizing its components, controlling, sizing them with better selection. This research evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems. This work aims to reduce the total net cost of the pre-determined system as well as the cost of energy and unfulfilled load and to make CO2 emissions lower, this kind of studies is carried out using the simulation program HOMER Pro. At the end we ca say that the proposed system has good results for electrifying remote areas and at a conservative cost of electrical energy in order to establish sustainable areas.

Algeria is a country rich in fossil fuels, we can say that the energy future in this country looks secure. On the other hand, this abundance is addictive, Algeria and the importance of its geographical location is one of the countries that absorbs the most solar radiation when the renewable energy and energy efficiency program was implemented in 2011. The windiest areas are located in the southern region of Algeria. Based on this, we will discuss in this article the geographical identification of the Kaberten region and present the qualifications that made it a suitable location for the establishment of the wind field. We will also discuss the type of wind turbine used in the station and display curves showing the electrical energy generated over a period of two years. Finally, we conclude to what extent this project contributes to sustainable development, if the expansion is known to increase the amount of energy generated from clean sources.

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic knee pain and disability with a reported prevalence of 25–30% of the population. Knee OA has traditionally been thought as a degenerative disease only related to chronic repetitive injury “wear and tear” mechanism, yet it is now considered as a much more complex disease of inflammatory nature induced by cytokines and inflammatory mediators through abnormal neo-vascularization (angiogenesis). The rational of geniculate artery embolization (GAE) is based on the hypothesis that suggesting a direct relationship between the abnormal angiogenesis and the chronic knee pain. As a novel treatment option based on occlusion of these abnormal neo-vessels via geniculate artery embolization, we postulated that such a mechanism will relieve pain and improve the quality of life. GAE has been previously approved as a safe and effective treatment in cases of post-knee arthroplasty hemarthrosis. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of geniculate artery embolization for OA-related knee pain. Materials and methods Sixteen patients with knee pain secondary to chronic OA refractory to conservative therapies for at least 6 months and not yet fit for total knee replacement were enrolled in a prospective single arm interventional study. GAE was performed using 150–300 μm microspheres. Patients were assessed and followed up using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for the overall knee function at baseline and at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months post-embolization. Results A total 16 patients presented by knee pain secondary to chronic OA were enrolled. All of them showed a remarkable improvement in the VAS and WOMAC scores, with better clinical outcome after GAE. Pre- versus post-embolization ± MDs in VAS score from 8.38 ± 0.81 (baseline) to 2.88 ± 1.54 after 6 months (post-embolization) equivalent to 66.66% improvement. There was also a satisfactory improvement in the WOMAC scores, with ± MDs drop from 77.94 ± 10.62 (baseline) to 49.69 ± 15.43 (post-embolization) equivalent to 37.41% improvement. No severe or life-threatening complications were reported. Conclusions GAE holds promise as an effective minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of knee pain secondary to OA and could be introduced as a safe technique with no serious complications.

Background: Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is one of the inflammatory diseases of the nasal mucosa, caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE) after allergens exposure, Severity measurement of the AR symptoms can be conducted subjectively by counting the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and objectively by counting the serum IgE levels. Vitamin D (VD) plays a significant part in inborn and adaptive immunity; however, this is not completely understood. It is reported that over 900 genes are regulated by VD. The aim of this study is to assess the role of VD supplementation in AR. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was carried out on 90 patients Test group (n = 45): received standard medications and supplementation of oral VD3 (cholecalciferol; 1000 IU) for 3 months. Control group (n = 45): received standard medications without supplementation of oral VD3. Results: Comparison between both groups showed insignificant difference between both groups in VD level at the start of the study. According to TNSS in test group, there was significant improvement after 3 months compared to before the study. According to TNSS in control group, there was significant improvement after 3 months than before the study. There was significant improvement in test group than control group as regard to TNSS after 3 months. Conclusions: There was highly significant reduction in the TNSS after VD supplementation. Thus, VD supplementation alters the course of AR towards clinical improvement.

We study numerical conformal mappings of planar Jordan domains with boundaries consisting of finitely many circular arcs, also called polycircular domains, and compute the moduli of quadrilaterals for these domains. Experimental error estimates are provided and, when possible, comparison to exact values or other methods are given. We also analyze the rate of convergence as a function of the number of degrees of freedom. The main ingredients of the computation are boundary integral equations combined with the fast multipole method.

L’étude vise à analyser l’émergence des conflits issus des modes de gouvernance des aménagements hydroagricoles dans la vallée du Niger au Bénin. Des entretiens semi-structurés, des groupes de discussion (focus groups) et des entretiens ont été organisés avec les différents acteurs impliqués dans la gouvernance des aménagements hydroagricoles. Au total, 110 personnes ont été enquêté, regroupant les responsables des coopératives des riziculteurs, de l’administration publique du secteur agricole ainsi que les autorités communales et locales. La traduction des enregistrements à partir des téléphones intelligents (smartphones) a facilité la collecte et le traitement des données. L’analyse de discours a permis de comprendre les types de conflits, leurs émergences et leurs méthodes de résolution. Dans la vallée du Niger au Bénin, les modes de gouvernance observés sont : communautaire, communautaire-privée (mixte) et privée. Plusieurs conflits ont émané du non-respect des règles opérationnelles, collectives et constitutionnelles. La proximité des producteurs avec les leaders politiques locaux a entretenu la récurrence des conflits. Enfin au-delà de la régulation tant souhaitée par les différents acteurs, d’autres stratégies fondées sur le capital social ont été utilisées par l’État pour assurer la stabilité dans le fonctionnement des aménagements hydroagricoles., The study aims to analyze the emergence of conflicts arising from the modes of governance of hydro-agricultural developments in the Niger valley in Benin. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and interviews were organized with the different actors involved in the governance of hydro-agricultural developments. A total of 110 people were interviewed, including leaders of rice-growers' cooperatives, public administration in the agricultural sector, and communal and local authorities. Translation of recordings from smartphones facilitated data collection and processing. Discourse analysis was used to understand the types of conflicts, their emergence and their methods of resolution. In the Niger Valley of Benin, the modes of governance observed are: community, community-private (mixed) and private. Several conflicts arose from the failure to respect operational, collective and constitutional rules. The proximity of producers to local political leaders has led to the recurrence of conflicts. Finally, beyond the regulation so desired by the various actors, other strategies based on social capital have been used by the State to ensure stability in the operation of hydro-agricultural developments.

Back ground: Breast cancer radiotherapy plays an important role and can reduce local and regional recurrence, however may be complicated by radiation pneumonitis, the early stage occurs one to three months after treatment characterized mainly by ground glass opacities and consolidate-ion related to radiation portal. The late phase develops six months after the completion of radiation therapy and can progress for as long as two years manifested by atelectactic bands bronchiectasis and lung fibrosis. MDCT has an important role in assessment of lung and pleural changes with grading of these changes.Aim of the work: To show the role of MDCT in assessment of pleuropneumonic changes after breast cancer radiotherapy.Patients and methods: This study included 25 breast cancer patients managed with chemotherapy and surgery followed by RT (January 2017 and April 2020).Results: The study showed that lung and pleural changes varies from no changes to lung consolidation, fibrosis, bronchiectasis and pleural effusion and thickening which affected by different factors.Conclusion: MDCT has an important role in assessment of early and late lung changes after breast cancer radiotherapy.