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Southern Africa produces almost a third of the Earth's biomass burning (BB) aerosol particles, yet the fate of these particles and their influence on regional and global climate is poorly understood. ORACLES (ObseRvations of Aerosols above CLouds and their intEractionS) is a 5-year NASA EVS-2 (Earth Venture Suborbital-2) investigation with three intensive observation periods designed to study key atmospheric processes that determine the climate impacts of these aerosols. During the Southern Hemisphere winter and spring (June–October), aerosol particles reaching 3–5 km in altitude are transported westward over the southeast Atlantic, where they interact with one of the largest subtropical stratocumulus (Sc) cloud decks in the world. The representation of these interactions in climate models remains highly uncertain in part due to a scarcity of observational constraints on aerosol and cloud properties, as well as due to the parameterized treatment of physical processes. Three ORACLES deployments by the NASA P-3 aircraft in September 2016, August 2017, and October 2018 (totaling ∼350 science flight hours), augmented by the deployment of the NASA ER-2 aircraft for remote sensing in September 2016 (totaling ∼100 science flight hours), were intended to help fill this observational gap. ORACLES focuses on three fundamental science themes centered on the climate effects of African BB aerosols: (a) direct aerosol radiative effects, (b) effects of aerosol absorption on atmospheric circulation and clouds, and (c) aerosol–cloud microphysical interactions. This paper summarizes the ORACLES science objectives, describes the project implementation, provides an overview of the flights and measurements in each deployment, and highlights the integrative modeling efforts from cloud to global scales to address science objectives. Significant new findings on the vertical structure of BB aerosol physical and chemical properties, chemical aging, cloud condensation nuclei, rain and precipitation statistics, and aerosol indirect effects are emphasized, but their detailed descriptions are the subject of separate publications. The main purpose of this paper is to familiarize the broader scientific community with the ORACLES project and the dataset it produced.

We have developed an algorithm that retrieves the size, number concentration and density of falling snow from multifrequency radar observations. This work builds on previous studies that have indicated that three-frequency radars can provide information on snow density, potentially improving the accuracy of snow parameter estimates. The algorithm is based on a Bayesian framework, using lookup tables mapping the measurement space to the state space, which allows fast and robust retrieval. In the forward model, we calculate the radar reflectivities using recently published snow scattering databases. We demonstrate the algorithm using multifrequency airborne radar observations from the OLYMPEX–RADEX field campaign, comparing the retrieval results to hydrometeor identification using ground-based polarimetric radar and also to collocated in situ observations made using another aircraft. Using these data, we examine how the availability of multiple frequencies affects the retrieval accuracy, and we test the sensitivity of the algorithm to the prior assumptions. The results suggest that multifrequency radars are substantially better than single-frequency radars at retrieving snow microphysical properties. Meanwhile, triple-frequency radars can retrieve wider ranges of snow density than dual-frequency radars and better locate regions of high-density snow such as graupel, although these benefits are relatively modest compared to the difference in retrieval performance between dual- and single-frequency radars. We also examine the sensitivity of the retrieval results to the fixed a priori assumptions in the algorithm, showing that the multifrequency method can reliably retrieve snowflake size, while the retrieved number concentration and density are affected significantly by the assumptions.

Статтю присвячено історії особливого університетського статусу honoris causa — почесного члена (доктора, професора), в Одеському національному університеті імені І. І. Мечникова. Виявлено, що статус honoris causa в 1865–2020 рр. отримала 131 особа. Незважаючи на дискретність в існуванні та перебування в межах кількох держав університет, створив і підтримує традицію існування цього статусу, що змінювався у назвах, мав різну міру та динаміку застосування залежно від епохи. Ключові слова: історія, honoris causa, Одеський національний університет імені І. І. Мечникова, Новоросійський університет, вища освіта, ХІХ–ХХІ ст.

Проведено аналіз проблеми екологічного аудиту меліорованих агроландшафтів з метою стабілізації їх екологічного стану та безпечного користування в умовах трансформації земельних відносин і раціонального землекористування.

Introduction: In Mauritania, only an investigation carried out 26 years ago allows to report epidemiological findings about tinea capitis in Nouakchott. The objective of this study was to reactualize the tinea capitis epidemiological, clinical and mycological profile in school children and to compare this profile in urban and rural area., Patients and Methods: All subscribed students in targeted schools and present during the investigation were examined clinically before samples collection. Mycological diagnosis was made by direct examination and culture in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar with chloramphenicol and supplemented with cycloheximide. The results were considered positive when culture with the presence of dermatophytes was obtained., Results: Prevalence of tinea capitis among school children was 10.50% and it was more important in rural area (12.21%) than in urban area (9.52%). The age group ranged between 6 and 8 years was the most affected (13.58%). According to the gender, male (11.46%) were more affected than female (9.62%). Trichophytic tinea were predominant and Trichophyton soudanense was more isolated followed by Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton schoenleinii and Microsporum audouinii., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

In the central western Senegal, malaria transmission has been reduced low due to the combination of several effective control interventions. However, despite this encouraging achievement, residual malaria transmission still occurring in few areas, mainly ensured by An. arabiensis and An. melas. The resurgence or the persistence of the disease may have originated from the increase and the spread of insecticide resistance genes among natural malaria vectors populations. Therefore, assessing the status and mechanisms of insecticides resistance among targeted malaria vectors is of highest importance to better characterize factors underlying the residual transmission where it occurs. Malaria vectors were collected from three selected villages using nocturnal human landing catches (HLC) and pyrethrum spray collections (PSC) methods. An. gambiae s.l. specimens were identified at the species level then genotyped for the presence of kdr-west (L1014F), kdr-east (L1014S) and ace-1 R mutations by qPCR. An. arabiensis (69.36%) and An. melas (27.99%) were the most common species of the Gambiae complex in the study area. Among An. arabiensis population, the allelic frequency of the kdr-east (22.66%) was relatively higher than for kdr-west mutation (9.96%). While for An. melas populations, the overall frequencies of both mutations were very low, being respectively 1.12% and 0.40% for the L1014S and L1014F mutations. With a global frequency of 2%, only the heterozygous form of the G119S mutation was found only in An. arabiensis and in all the study sites. The widespread occurrence of the kdr mutation in both An. arabiensis and An. melas natural populations, respectively the main and focal vectors in the central-western Senegal, may have contributed to maintaining malaria transmission in the area. Thus, compromising the effectiveness of pyrethroids-based vector control measures and the National Elimination Goal. Therefore, monitoring and managing properly insecticide resistance became a key programmatic intervention to achieve the elimination goal where feasible, as aimed by Senegal. Noteworthy, this is the first report of the ace-1 mutation in natural populations of An. arabiensis from Senegal, which need to be closely monitored to preserve one of the essential insecticide classes used in IRS to control the pyrethroids-resistant populations., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: Scalp Tinea is the most common mycosis in children and adolescents. The objective of this work was to determine the epidemiological and etiological profile of Scalp Tinea in schoolchildren in Mauritania, during the year 2019., Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study lasting four months, from May to September 2019, in a sample of schoolchildren from Nouakchott, included following a random survey at three levels, having benefited from a clinical examination, mycological and culture samples., Results: A total of 228 children out of the 434 included (52,5%) were detected as carriers of Scalp Tinea, after fungal culture, i.e. rates of 54% in boys and 46% in girls. The most affected age group was 9-12 years (49%). Public schools were the most affected (37,7%), followed by private schools (32%) and traditional schools (30,3%), (p<0,05). Trichophyton sudanense represented 23,5% (n=102) followed by Trichophyton rubrum (15,4%, n=67) and Microsporum langeronii 8,1% (n=35). The type of habitat, the humidity of the environment and walking with bare feet did not significantly influence the presence of ringworms, unlike overcrowding (sleeping with more than two people). The prevalence of scalp ringworms increased from 1,3% for children sleeping on single beds to 22,8% in children sharing their beds and to 75,9% in students sleeping together on the same bed (p˂0,05)., Conclusion: The results of this survey, conducted in 2019, confirmed the changes in the epidemiological and ecological trend of the mycological profile of Scalp Tinea, in Mauritania. It is necessary to strengthen these results with the molecular characterization of fungal strains circulating in our country.

Background: Acute malnutrition continues to be a real public health problem due to morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors related to acute malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in the health district of Menaka., Methods: This is a case-control study that was conducted in the health district of Menaka over a period of six (6) months from January to June 2019. Data collection was done for patients in recovery and nutrition education units and for controls, in health centers and in the general population. Subjects were matched on age and sex. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 20.0., Results: Children with no immunization or incorrect immunization (OR = 18.17 [3.49-94.56]), children not fed exclusively with breast milk before 6 months (OR = 16.44 [3 , 93-68.8]) and lack of compliance with the principle of spacing births (OR = 9.93 [1.65-59.8]) were strongly implicated in the occurrence of acute malnutrition., Conclusion: Efforts should be made by the authorities to improve population's living conditions, which would improve the nutritional status of children under five and also reduce acute malnutrition prevalence., (Le comité de rédaction se réserve le droit de renvoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de conserver un exemplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

Aim: To determine the prevalence and the associated risk factors of vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnant women in Mauritania., Patients and Method: The study was carried out at the laboratory of the Mère et Enfant Center in Nouakchott, from November 1, 2016 to February 5, 2017. It concerned all pregnant women in the third trimester that came to the natal consultation at the gynecology service. These women must have given their informed consent in written form. After completing the survey to collect epidemiological and clinical data, a sample was collected to perform fresh direct examination and culture on Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol media., Results: Two hundred pregnant women were included in the study. Culture on Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol media was positive in 52 patients corresponding to a prevalence of 26%. The germ tube test was positive for 61.5% of isolated Candida. Clinical signs are dominated by leucorrhea (56%), pelvic pain (25%) and vulvar pruritus (11%). Among women with positive culture, 55.76% had received local antifungal treatment in the form of an ovula during pregnancy., Conclusion: This study shows that vulvovaginal candidiasis is frequent in pregnant women attending gynecology at the Mère et Enfant Hospital Center in Nouakchott., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Through this single-center consecutive prospective study, we evaluated the results of a combined approach for L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis, using a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) interbody lordotic cage during anterior approach and pedicle screw-based posterior fixation. Between 2010 and 2014, 27 adult patients were treated for L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis (high and low grades) by a combined approach with a minimum follow-up of one year. Clinical outcome was assessed before surgical treatment and at four months and one year after surgery by: VAS, Oswestry Index (ODI) and Rolland-Morris scores. Two observers evaluated the following radiological parameters: pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis L5-S1, anterior and posterior disc height, spinal vertical axis (SVA), SVA/sacro-femoral distance (SFD) ratio. Fusion was evaluated on the CT scan at one-year follow-up. Blood loss, surgery time and complications were also collected. The mean age was 47.7 years (±16.9). The VAS, ODI and Rolland-Morris scores were significantly improved postoperatively, decreased from 7.5 (±1.45); 48 (±19.25); 15.3 (±4.67) before the surgery to 3.8 (±2.55); 28.7 (±19.58) and 7.76 (±7.21) respectively at one year after the surgery (P=0.05). The mean follow-up was 3.3 years. Mean surgery time was 193.7min (±37). Fusion was obtained in 100% of cases. Segmental lordosis L5-S1, pelvic tilt, slippage, anterior and posterior L5-S1 disc height were significantly improved postoperatively, they passed from 20.1; 22.6; 35.3%; 26.4%; 17.9% to 29.5; 20.6; 20.3%; 64.4%; 36.3% respectively. Combined surgical procedure meets the required goals of surgery in the treatment of adults L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Urban malaria is a major public health problem in Africa. In Senegal, the environmental changes seem to favor the persistence of malaria transmission in Dakar suburbs by creating, throughout the year, potential breeding sites of malaria vectors. In such a situation and in a context of a growing threat of insecticide resistance in anopheline vectors, the larval control making use of products from biological origin or growth regulators could represent an additional tool to the current strategies developed against anophelines. In this study conducted in 2012, the efficiency and residual effect of three biological larvicides (VectoBac ® WG, Vecto-Max ® CG, and VectoBac ® GR) and an insect growth regulator (MetaLarv™) were evaluated on Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in seminatural conditions (experimental station) and natural breeding sites in the suburbs of Dakar. The formulations were tested according to the manufacturer recommendations, namely 0.03 g/m 2 for VectoBac ® WG, 0.5 g/m 2 for VectoBac ® GR, 0.75 g/m 2 for VectoMax ® CG, and 0.5 g/m 2 for MetaLarv™. In experimental station, the treatment with larvicides was effective over a period of 14 days with a mortality ranging between 92% and 100%. The insect growth regulator remained effective up to 55 days with a single emergence recorded in the 27th day after treatment. In natural conditions, a total effectiveness (100% mortality) of larvicides was obtained 48 hours after treatment, then a gradual recolonization of breeding sites was noted. However, the insect growth regulator has reduced adult emergence higher than 80% until the end of follow-up (J28). This study showed a good efficiency of the larvicides and of the growth regulator tested. These works provide current data on potential candidates for the implementation of larval control interventions in addition to that of chemical adulticide for control of urban malaria.

Malaria incidence has markedly declined in the Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey districts (central and western Senegal) thanks to a scaling up of effective control measures namely LLINs (Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net), ACTs (Artesunate Combination Therapy) and promoting care seeking. However malaria cases are now maintained by foci of transmission called hotspots. We evaluate the role of anopheles breeding sites in the identification of malaria hotspots in the health districts of Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey. Surveys of breeding sites were made in 6 hotspot villages and 4 non-hotspot villages. A sample was taken in each water point with mosquito larvae by dipping method and the collected specimens were identified to the genus level. Additional parameters as name of the village and breeding sites, type of collection, original water turbidity, presence of vegetation, proximity to dwellings, geographic coordinates, sizes were also collected. Sixty-two water collections were surveyed and monitored between 2013 and 2014. Temporary natural breeding sites were predominant regardless of the epidemiological status of the village. Among the 31 breeding sites located within 500 meters of dwellings in hotspots villages, 70% carried Anopheles larvae during the rainy season while 43% of the 21 breeding sites located at similar distances in non-hotspot villages carried Anopheles larvae during the same period (P = 0.042). At the end of the rainy season, the trend is the same with 27% of positive breeding sites in hotspots and 14% in non-hotspots villages. The breeding sites encountered in hotspots villages are mostly small to medium size and are more productive by Anopheles larvae than those found in non-hotspot area. This study showed that the high frequency of smallest and productive breeding sites around and inside the villages can create conditions of residual transmission.

Background: Road traffic accidents are major causes of mortality and morbidity. Therefore, we proposed to do a descriptive study of these accidents in the Diéma Referral Health Center during our study period., Material and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which took place in the health district of Diema (Kayes region) from February to July, 2010. It concerned patients victim of road traffic accidents and admitted to the Diema referral health center. Patient information was collected from medical records using a customized questionnaire. Data analysis was done using the SPSS 12.0 software. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation and categorical variables by proportions., Results: A total of 143 patients were admitted. The prevalence of accidents was 8.66%. The mean age of patients was 31.5 ± 12.2 years. The male sex was the most affected 72%. Automobiles were most involved 67.1%. The frequency of these accidents was higher in March at 30.1%. The injuries were the most common lesions with 86.1% of cases and the head was the most affected with 48.3%. Half of these accidents occurred between 8 o'clock and 12 o'clock. We observed 4.9% of deaths., Conclusion: Traffic accidents remain true public health problems today because of the serious consequences they generate. To reduce this problem, it is necessary to have well adapted roads and ensure a rigorous application of the rules of the road., (Le comitée de rédaction se réserve le droit de revoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de sonserver un examplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

The recent decline of malaria transmission in central-western of Senegal after a scaling up of control measures gives an open window for interventions toward malaria elimination. As a consequence, malaria transmission is now occurring as hotspots. The aim of the project is to evaluate whether target control measures combining indoor residual spraying (IRS) with chemoprophylaxis can virtually eliminate malaria in hotspots. Targeted villages located in four (4) health districts (Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey) were sprayed in august 2013 with Actellic® 300 CS (Pirimiphosmethyl). Our objective in this study is to evaluate the acceptability of IRS in the population. IRS is a very complex intervention that requires strong adhesion of populations. After its implementation, 370 households have been interviewed. The results of this survey showed good acceptability of IRS using Actellic® 300 CS, with 97.8% of beneficiaries who declared that IRS is good and even excellent for the community. Despite inconveniences that may arise during intervention, including the preparation of structures to be treated, 98% of respondents were not disturbed in their daily activities. 98.6% of responders declared that sprayers were working with professionalism and almost all households (99.7%) are willing to accept IRS next year. The survey revealed a good acceptability of indoor residual spraying in hot spots located in central-western of Senegal; spraying with Actellic® 300 CS did not cause a problem to the targeted populations. Finally, there is great satisfaction in the population due a huge reduction of mosquito nuisances.

Introduction: In hospitals, the quality control of the air is a key element. Indeed airborne fungi constitute a real danger for patients hospitalized in wards at risk of nosocomial infections especially when they are immunocompromised., Objectives: The objective was to determine the qualitative fungal flora composition of wards at risk of nosocomial infections at Le Dantec teaching hospital., Materials and Methods: Between April and May 2013, 73 samples were collected from 45 compartments within seven services at risk of nosocomial infection at Aristide Le Dantec teaching Hospital (Dakar). Samples were made once by sedimentation method and the percentage of positive cultures was 100%. The most represented species were Cladosporium spp. (91.1%), Aspergillus spp. (86.6%), Penicillium spp. 71.1% and Candida spp. (57.7%). Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were isolated respectively at 15.5% and 11.1%. Wards have been classified according to the number of species isolated; 11 species in pediatric oncology, 10 species in pediatric surgery/neonatal and intensive care, nine species for oncology, eight species in general surgery and dermatology, and four species in internal medicine., Conclusion: This study shows that fungi causing nosocomial infections are present in hospital and their monitoring should be included in the program of Nosocomial Infections Prevention Committees (CLIN)., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A differential series is the normal method for identification of races within a plant pathogen and a host interaction. A host differential is extremely useful for phytopathological as well as breeding purposes. A set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed and characterized for race differentiation of Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici. The highly resistant Capsicum annuum accession Criollo de Morelos-334 was hybridized to a susceptible cultivar, Early Jalapeno, to generate the RIL population. The host differential characterized 17 isolates of P. capsici into 13 races. The establishment of a stable host differential for the P. capsici and C. annuum interaction will assist researchers in understanding the complex inheritance of resistance to Phytophthora root rot and to develop resistant cultivars.

The aim of this work was to study morbidity and mortality before implementing the setting up of the pediatric service of Bamako. Involved in the study were all the children hospitalized during 12 months that is a total of 2000 cases among which 57.3% boys and 42.8% girls. Our study indicated that only 25% of children (509/2000) were referred. The most encountered pathologies were : malaria 898 (44.9%), ARI 528 (26.4%), diarrhea 224 (11.2%), malnutrition 269 (13.4%) and anemia 239 (11.9%). Mortality rate in hospital was 7.1 % and the main causes of deaths were : malaria (23.9% of death cases), diarrhea (20.4%) and malnutrition (31.7%). Thus we have recorded 8.3% of deaths for a period of resort beyond 3 days, compare to 3.3 % for a resort of less than 24 hours. (x² = 8.10, p= 0.017 ). The pediatric service operated as a center for first contact. In the framework of the establishment of this project, organizational efforts should allow to receive only referred cases.