164 research outputs found
Figure 1 in The maximum likelihood identification method applied to insect morphometric data
No full textFigure 1. Measurements on Triatominae. A. Digitization of the contour of the eggs of Triatomini and Rhodniini. B. Landmarks as digitized on the wing of Panstrongylus chinai. C. Traditional measurement of eggs of the tribe Triatomini (Panstrongylus sp. and Triatoma sp., left) and the tribe Rhodniini (Rhodnius sp., right). Abbreviation: op.dim—dimensions of the operculum; max.leng— maximum length; max.dim—maximum diameter.Published as part of Dujardin, Jean-Pierre, Dujardin, Sebastien, Kaba, Dramane, Santillán-Guayasamín, Soledad, Villacís, Anita G., Piyaselakul, Sitha, Sumruayphol, Suchada, Samung, Yudthana & Vargas, Ronald Morales, 2017, The maximum likelihood identification method applied to insect morphometric data, pp. 46-58 in Zoological Systematics 42 (1) on page 49, DOI: 10.11865/zs.201704, http://zenodo.org/record/536686
Navigating the South China Sea Cauldron: A Study of Vietnam's Middle Power Diplomacy
No full textOutside traditional middle-ranking powers, e.g., Canada and Australia, there stands Vietnam, whose middle-power credentials are increasingly discernible despite little literature on its middle-sized legitimacy and relative practice. The author argues that Vietnam\ue2s medium power status remains embedded not in declaratory but behavioral settings. Taking the South China Sea (SCS) as a case study, this thesis seeks to enrich understandings of Vietnam\ue2s middle power diplomacy and to highlight how the practice of such diplomatic strategy could help frame public perceptions of Vietnam as an emerging and responsible second-tier power. The author contends that Vietnam\ue2s foreign policy approaches towards the SCS are shaped amply by low resource availability and a high-threat strategic environment. Driven by these distinct variables, Vietnam goes for middle power diplomacy characterized by a balanced hybrid of functional and behavioral strategy. The primary conclusion reached is that Vietnam has been largely successful in navigating the SCS cauldron, with the preferable adoption of functional strategy. In years to come, \ue2middle power diplomacy\ue2 is expected to continue to help Vietnam navigate the disputed sea given lingering tensions in the SCS
How to attract Chinese tourists to Poland in the aftermath of Covid-19 market collapse.
No full textThis thesis focused on determining more efficient ways to attract Chinese tourist to Poland and used mostly qualitative methods to achieve its goal. In this thesis, after a thorough literature research, the author justified the topic of this thesis by proving why tourism is important. Next, she sketched the history of the Chinese outbound tourist market to better understand its current state and characteristic as well as attempted to break down a profile of Chinese tourists. Understanding his behavior and decision-making process is necessary to create an attractive tourist product that will convince him to visit Poland. In the next part, the view of Chinese tourist concerning Poland was examined. The most important finding of this thesis is that although Chinese tourists might be familiar with Poland, the local tourist market doesn\ue2t meet the tourists\ue2 expectations mostly in technical and organizational aspect. Therefore, the last chapter was dedicated to introducing author\ue2s ideas and solutions that in her opinion \ue2 would increase interest of Chinese tourists in coming to Poland
The exchangeability of shape
No full textAbstract Background Landmark based geometric morphometrics (GM) allows the quantitative comparison of organismal shapes. When applied to systematics, it is able to score shape changes which often are undetectable by traditional morphological studies and even by classical morphometric approaches. It has thus become a fast and low cost candidate to identify cryptic species. Due to inherent mathematical properties, shape variables derived from one set of coordinates cannot be compared with shape variables derived from another set. Raw coordinates which produce these shape variables could be used for data exchange, however they contain measurement error. The latter may represent a significant obstacle when the objective is to distinguish very similar species. Results We show here that a single user derived dataset produces much less classification error than a multiple one. The question then becomes how to circumvent the lack of exchangeability of shape variables while preserving a single user dataset. A solution to this question could lead to the creation of a relatively fast and inexpensive systematic tool adapted for the recognition of cryptic species. Conclusions To preserve both exchangeability of shape and a single user derived dataset, our suggestion is to create a free access bank of reference images from which one can produce raw coordinates and use them for comparison with external specimens. Thus, we propose an alternative geometric descriptive system that separates 2-D data gathering and analyzes.</p
Perceptions et pratiques à risque face au Covid-19 dans les milieux de coiffure et de tresse des femmes à Abidjan
No full textCovid-19 is a disease that affects people from all walks of life, especially high-traffic areas. This is a concern for the world given the complexity of its control due to the resistance of the populations in the face of barrier measures. This text aims to analyze the perceptions and social practices at risk in the face of Covid-19 in women's hairstyles and braids in Abidjan. It is a mixed study (qualitative and quantitative) which mobilized a questionnaire administered to 90 women, an interview guide which made it possible to carry out interviews with 15 people and an observation grid. The results showed a multiplicity of interpretations of Covid-19, an increased risk of transmission and spread of this scourge in these environments and the use of local practices in the face of this disease. Also, the study reveals that the fight against Covid-19 can impact social relations within communities. This can influence the fight against this pandemic in Côte d'Ivoire.Le Covid-19 est une maladie qui affecte les populations de tous les milieux de la société, notamment les zones de grande affluence. C’est une préoccupation pour le monde vu la complexité de sa maitrise due aux résistances des populations face aux mesures barrières. Ce texte a pour objectif d’analyser les perceptions et pratiques sociales à risque face au Covid-19 dans les milieux de coiffures et de tresses de femmes à Abidjan. C’est une étude mixte (qualitative et quantitative) qui a mobilisé un questionnaire administré à 90 femmes, un guide d’entretien qui a permis de faire des interviews avec 15 personnes et une grille d’observation. Les résultats ont montré une multiplicité des interprétations du Covid-19, un risque accru de transmission et de propagation de ce fléau dans ces milieux et un usage de pratiques locales face à cette maladie. Également, l’étude révèle que la lutte contre le Covid-19 peut avoir un impact sur les relations sociales au sein des communautés. Ainsi, le non-respect des mesures barrières lié aux normes sociales peut-il influencer négativement la lutte contre cette pandémie en Côte d’Ivoire
Morphological characterization of ticks of the genus <em>Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)</em> based on geometric morphometry: the case of the Savannah District in Côte d’Ivoire
No full textThe introduction of the invasive tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in Côte d'Ivoire has led to a change in the population of ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus (Boophilus). Thus, this study aims to characterize morphologically the tick species of the genus Rhipicephalus (B.) by geometric morphometry. It consisted of collecting all ticks from cattle in 74 farms in the Savanes District. The collected ticks were identified in the laboratory and, after identification, only non-gorged adult ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus (B.) were retained for morphometric characterisation. A total of 394 ticks were examined under a digital microscope, images were digitised using the online program XYOM and the data were analysed. This study revealed that males of each species have a smaller average size than females. It also showed a variation in mean size in all species except for the females of Rhipicephalus (B.) decoloratus and Rhipicephalus (B.) geigyi whose mean sizes did not differ. Geometric morphometry allowed the separation of Rhipicephalus (B.) annulatus males from other males. In females, Rhipicephalus (B.) geigyi and Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus were distinguished from each other and from other females
Profil Sociodémographique et Clinique des Porteurs de Leishmaniose Cutanée en Côte d’Ivoire
No full textRÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Les travaux, antérieurs sur la leishmaniose réalisés en Côte d’Ivoire, évoquent seulement les aspects cliniques chez quelques patients diagnostiqués dans des Centres Hospitaliers et Universitaires (CHU) d’Abidjan. Aucune étude à ce jour portant sur le profil sociodémographique et clinique des cas diagnostiqués depuis 1967 n’a été faite. L’objectif de notre étude était de déterminer les profils sociodémographiques et cliniques des porteurs de lésions cutanées évocatrices de la leishmaniose cutanée en Côte d’Ivoire. Méthodologie. Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale d’investigation sur une période de 3 mois allant d’Octobre 2018 à Janvier 2019 portant sur les cas cliniques évocateurs de leishmaniose cutanée dans trois villages de la commune de Bouaké (Boblénou, de Golikro et de Kouadio-Miankro) en Côte d’ Ivoire. Résultats. Nous avons enregistré 66 participants. L’âge moyen des participants était de 11,84 ans pour un sex ratio de 0,83. Les tranches d’âges les plus représentées étaient celles de 0 à 5 ans (42,42%) et de 6 à 11 ans (36,36%). Les porteurs de lésions cutanées provenaient de Golikro (54,55 %), Boblénou (34,85 %), et de Kouadio-Miankro (16,67 %). La forme clinique la plus retrouvée était celle ulcérée (88,33%). Les lésions étaient localisées essentiellement aux membres inférieurs (36,36 %) et dans 30,3 % des cas à la tête. Conclusion. Ces résultats montrent une forte suspicion de la leishmaniose cutanée dans ces trois localités. Des études portant sur l’identification du parasite, du vecteur et du réservoir doivent être réalisées afin de confirmer ou d’infirmer la présence de cette pathologie.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Previous work on leishmaniasis in Côte d'Ivoire has focused solely on the clinical aspects of a few patients diagnosed in Abidjan's University Hospitals (CHU). To date, there has been no study of the socio-demographic and clinical profile of cases diagnosed since 1967. The aim of our study was to determine the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of carriers of cutaneous lesions suggestive of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Côte d'Ivoire. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional investigative study over a 3-month period from October 2018 to January 2019 of clinical cases suggestive of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three villages in the commune of Bouaké (Boblénou, Golikro and Kouadio-Miankro) in Côte d' Ivoire. Results. We registered 66 participants. The mean age of participants was 11.84 years, with a sex ratio of 0.83. The most common age groups were 0-5 years (42.42%) and 6-11 years (36.36%). Skin lesion carriers came from Golikro (54.55%), Boblénou (34.85%), and Kouadio-Miankro (16.67%). The most common clinical form was ulcerated (88.33%). Lesions were located mainly on the lower limbs (36.36%), and in 30.3% of cases on the head. Conclusion. These results show a strong suspicion of cutaneous leishmaniasis in these three localities. Studies to identify the parasite, the vector and the reservoir need to be carried out in order to confirm or rule out the presence of this disease
Evaluation de la toxicité de pesticides sur les glossines
No full textEn Afrique subsaharienne, la Trypanosomiase Humaine Africaine (THA ou maladie du sommeil) est une maladie parasitaire négligée provoquée par un trypanosome (protozoaire flagellé), transmis à l'homme par la mouche tsé-tsé (Glossina spp.). Cette mouche hématophage est également en grande partie responsable de la transmission de trypanosomes aux animaux, provoquant la Trypanosomose Animale Africaine (TAA ou nagana). Ce complexe de maladies a un impact important sur la santé humaine et animale et sur la productivité en Afrique. L'élevage du bétail dans les zones endémiques est difficile, et entraîne des pertes économiques de plusieurs milliards de dollars par an. La mouche tsé-tsé reste cependant un insecte vulnérable, sensible aux modifications environnementales et aux insecticides. En 2015 en Côte d'Ivoire, il a été mis en évidence une grande zone forestière (200 km2) où les glossines (Glossina palpalis palpalis) ont totalement disparues, en l'absence de lutte anti-vectorielle bien que l'environnement semble rester propice à leur développement. L'hypothèse sous-jacente à la disparition des glossines serait liée aux fortes densités de population humaines et aux pratiques agricoles associées qui se caractérisent par une utilisation importante de de produits phytosanitaires et qui affecteraient la survie des mouches. Après avoir caractérisé les produits les plus utilisés par les agriculteurs, nous les avons testés en bioessays par contact tarsal sur l'espèce Glossina palpalis gambiensis. Cette étude actuellement en cours nous permettra de mettre en évidence l'impact collatéral des traitements phytosanitaires en forêt de Côte d'Ivoire sur les populations de glossines
Genetic Diversity of Trypanosomes Infesting Cattle from Savannah District in North of Côte d’Ivoire Using Conserved Genomic Signatures: rRNA, ITS1 and gGAPDH
No full textThe potential danger to livestock from African animal trypanosomiasis is well known. However, the trypanosome species circulating in cattle and their genetics are poorly understood. After different alignments according to three regions (ITS1, gGAPDH and rRNA gene) of the trypanosome genome, phylogenetic analyses were used to show the genetic diversity of the different species that were circulating in the cattle in three regions (Bagoue, Poro and Tchologo) of Côte d’Ivoire. These analyses were performed by alignment of ITS1; by alignment of partial 18S, ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2 and partial 28S rRNA genes; and by alignment of gGAPDH gene with sequences of Trypanosomes found in GenBank. Three species were identified (T. vivax, T. theileri and T. congolense) in the cattle in the three northern regions of Côte d’Ivoire. T. vivax and T. theileri were the most abundant species in the present study. Contrary to the other primers used in this study, the ITS1 primers were not able to amplify T. theileri. We observed mixed infections between T. theileri and the other two species identified (T. vivax and T. congolense). As far as primers are concerned, in some cases, rRNA was able to identify the same species of trypanosomes that the ITS1 and gGAPDH primers were able to identify. Two main distinct groups of T. theileri complex were identified. The T. congolense and T. vivax strains were close to African strains, such as those from Kenya, Nigeria and Cameroon, unlike the T. theileri strain. Three trypanosome species (T. vivax, T. theileri and T. congolense) circulate in cattle in the Savannah district of Côte d’Ivoire. The genetic diversity of the trypanosome species encountered in this study cannot be classified as intraspecies according to geographical area and breed of cattle they infect
Outline-based morphometrics, an overlooked method in arthropod studies ?
No full textModern methods allow a geometric representation of forms, separating size and shape. In entomology, as well as in many other fields involving arthropod studies, shape variation has proved useful for species identification and population characterization. In medical entomology, it has been applied to very specific questions such as population structure, reinfestation of insecticide-treated areas and cryptic species recognition. For shape comparisons, great importance is given to the quality of landmarks in terms of comparability. Two conceptually and statistically separate approaches are: (i) landmark-based morphometrics, based on the relative position of a few anatomical "true' or "traditional' landmarks, and (ii) outline-based morphometrics, which captures the contour of forms through a sequence of close "pseudo-landmarks'. Most of the studies on insects of medical, veterinary or economic importance make use of the landmark approach. The present survey makes a case for the outline method, here based on elliptic Fourier analysis. The collection of pseudo-landmarks may require the manual digitization of many points and, for this reason, might appear less attractive. It, however, has the ability to compare homologous organs or structures having no landmarks at all. This strength offers the possibility to study a wider range of anatomical structures and thus, a larger range of arthropods. We present a few examples highlighting its interest for separating close or cryptic species, or characterizing conspecific geographic populations, in a series of different vector organisms. In this simple application, i.e. the recognition of close or cryptic forms, the outline approach provided similar scores as those obtained by the landmark-based approach
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