15 research outputs found
Controllability of the one-dimensional fractional heat equation under positivity constraints
No full textThis is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Communications on Pure and Applied Analysis following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Biccari, U., Warma, M., & Zuazua, E. (2020). Controllability of the one-dimensional fractional heat equation under positivity constraints. Communications on Pure & Applied Analysis, 19(4), 1949-1978.
is available online at https://www.aimsciences.org/article/doi/10.3934/cpaa.2020086In this paper, we analyze the controllability properties under positivity constraints on the control or the state of a one-dimensional heat equation involving the fractional Laplacian (−dx2)s (0 < s < 1) on the interval (−1, 1). We prove the existence of a minimal (strictly positive) time Tmin such that the fractional heat dynamics can be controlled from any initial datum in L2(−1, 1) to a positive trajectory through the action of a positive control, when s > 1/2. Moreover, we show that in this minimal time constrained controllability is achieved by means of a control that belongs to a certain space of Radon measures. We also give some numerical simulations that confirm our theoretical resultsThis project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement NO. 694126-DyCon). The work of the three authors is partially supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Award NO: FA9550-18-1-0242. The work of the first and of the third author was partially supported by the Grant MTM2017-92996-C2-1-R COSNET of MINECO (Spain) and by the ELKARTEK project KK-2018/00083 ROAD2DC of the Basque Government. The work of the third author was partially supported by the Alexander von Humboldt-Professorship program, the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement NO. 765579-ConFlex, and by the Grant ICON-ANR-16-ACHN-0014 of the French AN
Effect of Agromorphological Diversity and Botanical Race on Biochemical Composition in Sweet Grains Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench] of Burkina Faso
No full textSorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is an under-harvested crop in Burkina Faso. It is grown mainly for its sweet grains in the pasty stage. However, the precocity of the cycle and the sweet grains at pasty stage make it an interesting plant with agro-alimentary potential during the lean season. This study was carried out to identify the main sugars responsible for the sweetness of the grains at the pasty stage and their variation according to the agro-morphological group and the botanical race. Thus, the grains harvested at the pasty stage of fifteen (15) accessions selected according to the agro-morphological group and botanical race were lyophilized and analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results reveal the presence of four (4) main carbohydrates at pasty stage of grains such as fructose, glucose, sucrose and starch. Analysis of variance revealed that these carbohydrates discriminate significantly the agro-morphological groups and the botanical races. Moreover, with exception of the sucrose, the coefficient of determination (R2) values shows that the agro-morphological group factor has a greater effect on the expression of glucose, fructose and starch than the botanical race. Group III and caudatum race have the highest levels of fructose and would be the sweetest. While group IV and the guinea-bicolor race with the low value of fructose would be the least sweet. Fructose is therefore the main sugar responsible for the sweetness of the pasty grains of sweet grains sorghum
Performance of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdcourt) Genotypes Cropped on Plinthite Soil in the Semi Arid-Zone, Burkina Faso
No full textBambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdcourt) is grown mainly as a food crop in Burkina Faso. Despite its high nutritional value, it has been among the most neglected crops in the country. This study was undertaken with the objective to investigating the effects of genotypes on the physiological traits, yield and yield related traits of the crop and thereby identify the genotypes having better performance for yield and yield related traits. The field experiment was conducted at the Tenkodogo University Centre site, during the 2021 rainy season. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications and eight genotypes were obtained from INERA germplam bank. Data were collected on number of days to 50% field emergence, number of days from sowing to 50% flowering, number of leaves per plant, plant height, plant spread, number of pods per plant, number of one seed per pod, number of two seeds per pod, weight of seeds per plant seed length, seed width,100-seed weight and yield. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance, and means were separated through Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 95% confidence. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients between pair of characters were computed using SPSS 2.0. Results showed that significant and highly significant variations were observed among genotypes for almost all studied characters, except plant spread and number of one seed per pod. Majority of the characters had positive correlations. Most of the negative correlation was observed between physiologic and agronomic traits. The result showed that genotypes KVS97-2 (33.75 days; 1578.12 kg.ha-1); KVS360 (34.75 days; 1181 kg.ha-1) and KVS235 (34.5 days; 1167.19 kg.ha-1) performed better than others genotypes in yield parameters and had shorter flowering cycle
Monitoring Insecticide Susceptibility in Aedes Aegypti Populations from the Two Biggest Cities, Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, in Burkina Faso: Implication of Metabolic Resistance
No full textInternational audienceIn West Africa, Aedes aegypti remains the major vector of dengue virus. Since 2013, dengue fever has been reemerging in Burkina Faso with annual outbreaks, thus becoming a major public health problem. Its control relies on vector control, which is unfortunately facing the problem of insecticide resistance. At the time of this study, although data on phenotypic resistance were available, information related to the metabolic resistance in Aedes populations from Burkina Faso remained very scarce. Here, we assessed the phenotypic and the metabolic resistance of Ae. aegypti populations sampled from the two main urban areas (Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso) of Burkina Faso. Insecticide susceptibility bioassays to chlorpyriphos-methyl 0.4%, bendiocarb 0.1% and deltamethrin 0.05% were performed on natural populations of Ae. aegypti using the WHO protocol. The activity of enzymes involved in the rapid detoxification of insecticides, especially non-specific esterases, oxidases (cytochrome P450) and glutathione-S-transferases, was measured on individual mosquitos. The mortality rates for deltamethrin 0.05% were low and ranged from 20.72% to 89.62% in the Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou sites, respectively. When bendiocarb 0.1% was tested, the mortality rates ranged from 7.73% to 71.23%. Interestingly, in the two urban areas, mosquitoes were found to be fully susceptible to chlorpyriphos-methyl 0.4%. Elevated activity of non-specific esterases and glutathione-S-transferases was reported, suggesting multiple resistance mechanisms involved in Ae. aegypti populations from Bobo-Dioulasso and Ouagadougou (including cytochrome P450). This update to the insecticide resistance status within Ae. aegypti populations in the two biggest cities is important to better plan dengue vectors control in the country and provides valuable information for improving vector control strategies in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Genetic Diversity of Jatropha curcas in Burkina Faso Revealed by Microsatellite Markers
No full textJatropha curcas L. is a perennial oleaginous plant commonly used in tropical areas as a medicinal plant in the construction of defensive hedges against animals, and in the fight against water erosion. It produces oil which can be used as agrofuel or soap-making. Despite its potential, the species remain under-exploited and its genetic diversity is still not very well-known in Burkina Faso. This paper focuses on determining the level and structure of the genetic diversity of 50 accessions collected in three phytogeographical sectors of the country using 12 microsatellite markers. Resultsrevealed a total of 37 alleles in the studied population with an average of 3 alleles per locus, a number of 2.717 effective alleles, and a Shannon diversity index of 1.663. Mean observed heterozygosity and mean expected heterozygosity were 0.144 and 0.356, respectively. Accessions were structured into three genetic groups. The high genetic distance of 0.177 was observed between groups A and B, and a low genetic distance of 0.075 was observed between groups B and C. These preliminary results showed that microsatellites are promising tools that can be used for the characterization of J. curcas. They indicate that the population studied has a low genetic diversity, but it is sufficient to develop programs for conservation and sustainable development of the species
Updating Anopheles funestus group members in Burkina Faso species distribution and contribution to malaria transmission
No full textBackground: Anopheles funestus group and Anopheles gambiae complexes are among the most efficient malaria vectors in Africa, thriving in a variety of environments and well adapted to develop in semi-permanent and permanent water bodies. This study investigated the spatial distribution of the An. funestus group and their contribution to malaria transmission in Burkina Faso. Methods: An entomological survey was conducted from October to December 2022 across 67 sites within the ecological zones of Burkina Faso (once a month); An. funestus was detected in 22 of these sites. Mosquitoes were collected using pyrethrum spray catches (PSC) and identified at the species complex level using morphological keys. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for species identification among An. funestus group, blood meal sources and Plasmodium falciparum infection. Results: A total of 617 members of the An. funestus group (45 males and 572 females) were collected across eight regions of Burkina Faso. Anopheles funestus s.s. was the most prevalent specie identified with a frequency of up to 95% (589/617). Most An. funestus s.s. were found in the Hauts-Bassins and the Sud-Ouest regions with 30% (177/589) and 55% (329/589), respectively. Hybrids between An. rivulorum and An. rivulorum-like were identified at a frequency of 3.57% (22/617). Additionally, results showed a high prevalence of zoophilic behaviour (64.3% of the blood source) in An. funestus. Plasmodium falciparum infection was detected in 5.76% (33/572) of the An. funestus s.l. populations with a frequency of 5.6% (32/572) and 0.174% (1/572) in An. funestus s.s. and An. rivulorum-like, respectively. Conclusions: This study updates the distribution of the An. funestus group and its potential role in malaria transmission in Burkina Faso. It emphasizes the need to strengthen malaria vector surveillance and highlights the importance of incorporating An. funestus in developing innovative vector control interventions.</p
Strengthening nutrition routine data using institutionalized health management information systems for decision making: analysis of best practices and lessons learned from implementation in Burkina Faso
No full textAbstract Strengthening nutrition routine information system is critical to support nutrition programs with relevant data to inform decision-making. This study analyzed the practices and lessons learned from the implementation in Burkina Faso in strengthening nutrition routine data using institutionalized health management information systems for decision making. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in Burkina Faso in 2022 on the capitalization of best practices after 3 years of implementation through documentary review, semi-structured individual interviews with 64 key implementing informants spread over 2 health districts, 2 regional hospital centers and 2 health regions, and a national triangulation workshop with 40 implementing actors, including 20 from the central level, 15 from the decentralized level, and 5 partners. Results The results of the study show the best practices and progress identified: (i) the integration of new routine data elements and nutrition indicators into District Health Information Software (DHIS2), which filled the data gap for adequate monitoring of the nutrition program; (ii) the design and use of the nutrition indicator dashboard; (iii) data validation and performance review sessions which have improved the quality and use of routine data in decision-making; and (iv) decentralization of data entry of monthly activity reports of health facilities. Lessons learned included: (i) conducting a small-scale phase to test the indicators is an important step to take before national scale-up of the indicators; (ii) a participatory approach involving all actors at different levels is important; (iii) advocacy is important to integrate prevention indicators into health facilities information systems in a more curative-oriented health system; (iv) the decentralized entry of data is a best practice that improves data quality in terms of timeliness, completeness, and internal consistency. Conclusion Beyond the inclusion of indicators, special emphasis should be placed on working on data quality. Future experiences in refining routine data related to nutrition-sensitive interventions in the non-health sectors are key next steps that would further contribute to strengthening the national nutrition information system
Assessing greywater characteristics in the sahel region and perception of the local population on its reuse in agriculture
No full textResearch on greywater reuse in water stressed areas is in full swing. However, the perception of greywater reuse is one of the least researched areas in West Africa, particularly in Sahelian countries. This study aimed to fills a significant gap in the existing literature, which has largely ignored the specific socio-demographic contexts of developing countries in the Sahelian regions. The study involved in-depth interviews with 240 rural households and the collection of 40 greywater samples in four locations for laboratory analysis. The survey focused on greywater management and household perceptions of greywater reuse in agriculture. The analyses focused on determining the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of greywater collected from households. The results showed that over 80 % of households discharged greywater into the natural environment without prior treatment. The majority of respondents were aware that poor greywater management poses a health risk. The results also showed an association between locality, gender, education level and perceptions of poor grey water management. Respondents were willing to accept the reuse of greywater in agriculture, to consume irrigated vegetables and to install a greywater treatment system. The quality analysis showed that the greywater was not in compliance with the legal discharge limits. This study highlights that in order to promote sustainable greywater management practices within households, it is important to design effective greywater treatment systems that meet the needs of the target population. Awareness campaigns, education and training programmes on wastewater management could also be established
Genomic analyses revealed low genetic variation in the intron-exon boundary of the doublesex gene within the natural populations of An. gambiae s.l. in Burkina Faso
No full textAbstract Background The recent success of a population control gene drive targeting the doublesex gene in Anopheles gambiae paved the way for developing self-sustaining and self-limiting genetic control strategies targeting the sex determination pathway to reduce and/or distort the reproductive capacity of insect vectors. However, targeting these genes for genetic control requires a better understanding of their genetic variation in natural populations to ensure effective gene drive spread. Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from the Ag1000G project (Ag3.0, 3.4 and 3.8), and Illumina pooled amplicon sequencing, we investigated the genetic polymorphism of the intron-4–exon-5 boundary of the doublesex gene in the natural populations of An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.). Results The analyses showed a very low variant density at the gRNA target sequence of the Ag(QFS)1 gene drive (previously called dsxF CRISPRh ) within the populations of West and East Africa. However, populations from the forest area in Central Africa exhibited four SNP at frequencies ranging from 0.011 to 0.26. The SNP (2R:48714641[C > T]) at high frequencies, i.e. 0.26 is identified within the An. coluzzii population from Angola. The analyses also identified 90 low frequency (1 − 5%) SNPs in the genomic region around the gRNA target sequence (intron-4–exon-5 boundary). Three of these SNPs (2R:48714472 A > T; 2R:48714486 C > A; 2R:48714516 C > T) were observed at frequencies higher than 5% in the UTR region of the doublesex gene. The results also showed a very low variant density and constant nucleotide diversity over a five-year survey in natural An. gambiae s.l. populations of Burkina Faso. Conclusion These findings will guide the implementation of doublesex-targeted gene drives to support the current control tools in malaria elimination efforts. Our methods can be applied to efficiently monitor the evolution of any sequence of interest in a natural population via pooled amplicon sequencing, surpassing the need for WGS
Assessment of genetic diversity of Burkina Faso sweet grain sorghum using microsatellite markers
No full textSweet grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an under-harvested crop produced mainly for its sweet grains in the pasty stage. Little is known of its genetic diversity remains. This study aims to determine the level and structure of the genetic diversity of sweet grain sorghum from Burkina Faso. Thus, 93 accessions were evaluated using 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The analysis revealed 49 alleles in total, 6 rare alleles, an average of 3 alleles per locus, a moderate Nei diversity of 0.474, a low level of heterozygosity (0.031) in the collection and very high Wright's fixation index (Fis) of 0.934. The accessions were organized into three genetic groups: A, B and C. Groups A and B were the farthest, with an Fst and a genetic distance of 0.37 and 0.22, respectively, whereas Groups B and C were the closest, with an Fst (genetic differentiation) of 0.279 and a genetic distance of 0.142. This diversity could be exploited in Burkina Faso sweet grain sorghum breeding programs
