bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Deep Defects in CdS/CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells Using Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy
Authors: Versluys Jorg , Clauws Paul
Published: May 2017

The presence of deep defect levels in thin film solar cells can highly affect the characteristics of the photovoltaic energy conversion. Therefore, knowledge of the origin and nature of these defects is desirable.

Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) was performed on a series of CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells which were activated in vacuum or air ambient. Temperature scans between 5 and 320K revealed semi-shallow and mid-gap majority traps. These mid-gap traps were also investigated using isothermal DLTS (region 250 to 330K) where the temperature is kept constant and the rate window is varied. This way the mid-gap traps can be characterized completely. Using electrical injection DLTS and optical DLTS minority traps could be detected. Electrical injection DLTS showed a single defect in the bulk of the air activated cells, while optical DLTS revealed the presence of defects close to the CdS/CdTe interface in both types of samples. The nature and origin of these defects are unknown.
Bioremediation of pit toilet sewage
Authors: Rao Sudhakar M. , Arkenadan Lydia , Mogili Nitish V. , Atishaya Saksham K. , Anthony Priscilla
Published: May 2017

The paper examines the efficacy of anaerobic, aerobic and denitrification reactions in reducing organic carbon (C), ammonium and nitrate concentrations in pit toilet sewage. The anaerobic character of pit toilet sewage causes nitrogen (N) to prevail as ammonium rather than as nitrate ions. Anaerobic decomposition of organic carbon is initially resorted to reduce competition for ammonium oxidation during subsequent aerobic treatment of sewage. A mixture of air-dried cattle manure, sand and gravel is used as a biobarrier medium for nitrate reduction. Cattle manure serves as an affordable organic carbon source; sand particles act as a medium for attached bacterial growth, while gravel improves the permeability of the barrier. Batch tests showed that anaerobic reactions reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration in pit toilet sewage by 85%. Comparatively, aerobic reactions reduce ammonium concentration in sewage by 77% through assimilation, nitrification and adsorption; 6–10 h of contact between the biobarrier mix and nitrate leads to acceptable levels of denitrification (residual nitrate concentration < 45 mg/l). A modified twin-pit toilet that facilitates anaerobic decomposition of sewage in the first pit and aerobic treatment and denitrification of sewage in the second pit is constructed at Mulbagal town, Karnataka, India.
DCX Immunohistochemistry rotocol v1
Authors: Gyzely de Morais Magalhães Nara
Published: May 2017

Protocol Immunohistochemistry free-floating sections with anti-doublecortin antibody for avian tissue.
NeuN Immunohistochemistry Protocol v1
Authors: Gyzely de Morais Magalhães Nara
Published: May 2017

Protocol Immunohistochemistry free-floating sections with anti-NeuN antibody for avian tissue.
Study of effect of myoinositol on menstrual irregularities and skin problems in polycystic ovarian syndrome cases
Authors: Ranwa Monika , Nagaria Tripti , Jaiswal Jyoti , Arya Abhishek
Published: May 2017

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), first identified in 1935 as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a complex neuro-endocrine disorder affecting approximately 5% to 10% of women reproductive age. Typically PCOS is characterized by hyperandrogenism (extremely variable in its occurrence), chronic anovulation, polycystic ovaries at ultrasound evaluation and dermatological problems such as acne, hirsute and seborrhoea. PCOS is indeed the most common cause of female infertility.Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted during December 2012 to June 2013 in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College and Associated Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur (C.G.) India, after obtaining permission of ethical committee of institute. All young girls and married women who attended GOPD of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology having polycystic ovarian syndrome as defined by Rotterdam Criteria were registered and screened for inclusion in the study. At the end of three months’ data were compiled in MS-Excel and checked for its completeness and correctness then it was analysed suitable statistical test was applied and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Maximum no of cases were between 21 to 25 yrs age, youngest one was of 15 yrs and oldest one was of 33 yrs. 72% cases belonged to urban area and only 28% cases belonged to rural area. 94.67% of cases were presented with abnormal menstrual cycle. The most common menstrual abnormality was Oligomenorrhoea (43.66%) followed by Oligomenorrhoea+Menorrhagia (21.13%) than Amenorrhoea (19.71%) and Hypomenorrhoea+Oligomenorrhoea (15.49%). 42.7% cases had oily skin, 26.7% cases had hirsutism, 20% cases had acne and 9.3% cases had acanthosis nigricans. 74.65% cases (53/75) were improved in their menstrual complaints; most common menstrual abnormality improved was Oligomenorrhoea+ Menorrhagia i.e. 88.67% (13/15). Out of all cases of oligomenorrhoea 77.4% cases (24/31) achieved regular menses. Out of all cases of oligomenorrhoea+ hypomenorrhoea 81.8%% cases (2/11) achieved regular menses.Conclusions: Present study confirms that Myoinositol, an insulin sensitizer, by improving insulin signalling reduces insulin resistance and improves menstrual irregularities and skin problems of PCOS cases.
AMOR Volume 2, Issue 1: Full Issue
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: May 2017

View the full issue here.
Biocontrol of faba bean black root rot caused by Fusarium solani using seed dressing and soil application of Trichoderma harzianum
Authors: Habtegebriel Belay , Boydom Anteneh
Published: May 2017

Black root rot of faba bean is one of the most destructive diseases that causes up to 100% yield loss on farmers’ fields under severe conditions. As use of chemical fungicides for control of the disease is neither efficient nor economical, alternative options such as biological control need to be exploited. The antagonistic fungus Trichoderma harzianum was used as seed dressing or soil application treatment in combination with three varieties viz. Kasa (susceptible), Wolki (moderately resistant) and Wayu (resistant) in two consecutive cropping seasons in a sick plot. Each variety was sown with and without T. harzianum. There were a total of six treatments. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with three replications in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Results showed that in the first year highly significant variations in the percentage of dead plants at harvesting stage were observed only due to varietal differences for soil treatment (P = 0.0001) and seed dressing (P< 0.0001) respectively. Percentage of dead plants of variety wayu was 26.1% and 30.8% in soil application and seed dressing treatments respectively. Similarly, 92.1% and 95.2% dead plants were observed for the susceptible variety Kassa in soil application and seed dressing treatments respectively. In the second year there was a significant interaction between varieties and Trichoderma treatments (P=0.0047, F=8.66, df= 2) with variety Wayu showing the least percentage of dead plants (56.58%) significantly differing from Kassa (93.86%) and Wolki (77.08%) in the soil treatments. It is concluded that use of T. harzianum in combination with a resistant variety such as Wayu is effective to reduce the incidence of faba bean root rot caused by Fusarium solani. Future research should focus on studying the effects of combining different Trichoderma spp. on the disease as integrated with resistant varieties.
Reoccurrence of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (Arctiidae: Lepidoptera) population in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India: A biological control agent of the weed, Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae)
Authors: Arjun C. P. , Sarojkumar V. , Sooraj N. P. , Prakash V. R. , Jaishanker R. , Joseph Ammini
Published: May 2017

Authors report the reoccurrence of Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros larvae at Technopark campus, Thiruvananthapuram. The larvae of P. pseudoinsulata were found feeding voraciously on terminal and axillary buds and leaves of Chromolena odorata. The recent report helps to identify the elite and resistant population for further field release to control C. odorata.
Diversity and population dynamics of Odonata (Insecta: Odonata) in rice growing area of central Gujarat
Authors: Rohmare V. B. , Rathod Darshana M. , Parasharya B. M.
Published: May 2017

Odonates diversity was studied in Paddy field of central Gujarat during 2012 to 2015. Total 39 species belonging to 25 genera, under six families and two suborders were recorded. Total 17 species of Zygoptera (damselflies) and 22 species of Anisoptera (dragonflies) were recorded. Community structure and population dynamics of adult odonates were studied at Lingda village during July to December, 2012 through monitoring their population by point count method on three microhabitats (paddy field, village pond and fish farm). Total seventeen species were encounterd in the point count. Diversity index (H’) was highest (2.13) for paddy fields followed by fish farm (2.07) and village pond (1.99). Evenness value of the odonates also ranged between 0.7 and 0.8. Total four species (Viz. Ditch Jewel (25.0%), Green Marsh Hawk (17%), Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Coromandal Marsh Dart (16% each) were dominant species in all three microhabitats. Both the suborders Anisoptera (dragonfly) and Zygoptera (damselfly) showed similar trend of population fluctuation during the study. Relative abundance was higher and remained constant during 4th week of September to 2nd week of October.
The architecture of Sverre Fehn. The universe in a line
Authors:   Universidad de Valladolid, Rincón Borrego Iván
Published: May 2017

El legado de Sverre Fehn –Premio Pritzker de Arquitectura en 1997– constituye uno de los imaginarios más crípticos, pero no menos seductores de la arquitectura de la segunda mitad del siglo XX. La presente investigación analiza las acuarelas originales que el noruego realiza durante décadas en la isla de Hvasser y desentraña el acervo cultural plasmado en ellas, así como el notable proceso de abstracción que representan. El interés del autor por bañistas, veleros y horizontes constituye un primer paso para comprender algunas de sus fábulas más relevantes: La Tierra como Gran Museo y El Laberinto. Las ideas y referencias culturales que emanan de sus dibujos se consideran parte consustancial del proceso creativo que deviene en la arquitectura y la labor docente de Fehn.
Semiotics and deconstruction in architecture: a note on language and inhabitation
Authors:   Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Arnau Amo Joaquín , Gutiérrez Mozo María ,   Universidad de Alicante
Published: May 2017

Este pequeño ensayo discurre acerca de la corriente –dominante en su momento y hoy un tanto remansada– que bajo el epígrafe de deconstrucción ha dado respuesta obras recientes de arquitectura, algunas emblemáticas. Se argumenta, en primer lugar, cómo la opción deconstructiva pone en crisis la hipótesis semiótica que establece el binomio significante-significado; y, se observa, a continuación, cómo una lectura arquitectónica que asume la idea de la deconstrucción literalmente y la materializa en la imagen del edificio, no pasa de ser una ingenua anticipación de aquello que, en todo caso, acabará sucediendo en la vida cotidiana. La conclusión es que el habitante deconstruye el espacio de habitación desde tiempo inmemorial, de manera natural y espontánea, en cuanto toma posesión de él.
Análisis de transparencia prenegociación en los calces OTC de los contratos de futuros sobre TRM, del mercado de derivados colombiano
Authors: Sandoval Archila Javier Hernando
Published: May 2017

Este documento analiza la transparencia prenegociación del mercado colombiano de futuros de TRM y su relación con la asimetría de información en las operaciones por fuera del motor de calce de la bolsa realizadas entre agentes informados y desinformados. Se concluye que los registros de operaciones son utilizados por los intermediarios de mercado para generar transacciones por fuera de los precios disponibles vía el motor de calce de la BVC, y así aprovechar su posición dominante de agente informado.Adicionalmente, se discute que para eliminar esta ventaja, las operaciones entre agentes clasificados en posición propia (informados) y clientes (no informados), no deberían realizarse vía registro, sino solamente usando el motor de calce de la bolsa.
Collaborative Cross Mouse Population for Studying Alveolar Bone Changes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance Comorbidity After High‐Fat Diet Consumption
Authors: Nashef Aysar , Abu‐Toamih Atamni Hanifa J. , Buchnik Yuval , Hasturk Hatice , Kantarci Alpdogan , Stephens Danielle , Wiess Ervin I. , Houri‐Haddad Yael , Iraqi Fuad A.
Published: May 2017

Background: High‐fat diet (HFD), body weight (BW) gain, and impaired glucose tolerance development are associated with alveolar bone loss (ABL) in susceptible individuals. This report explores the Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse population for studying the impact of genetic background on comorbidity of alveolar bone change and glucose tolerance after HFD consumption.

Methods: Seventy‐eight mice from 19 different CC lines were maintained on rodent chow diet for 8 weeks and were subsequently transferred to an HFD (42% fat) for an additional 12 weeks. BW changes were assessed, and glucose tolerance was measured using an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). Six cytokines/chemokines were quantified by multiplex immunoassay, alveolar bone volume was quantified by microcomputed tomography, and the ABL phenotype was calculated relative to a control group (143 mice maintained on standard chow diet for 20 weeks).

Results: The glucose tolerance response after HFD significantly varied among CC lines (P <0.01), with a significant effect of sex (P <0.01). Alveolar bone changes significantly varied among CC lines (P <0.01). Overall, there was no significant correlation between alveolar bone volume changes and increased BW or glucose tolerance response. However, individual CC lines were identified that showed type 2 diabetes mellitus (t2DM) development and significant alveolar bone volume change (P <0.05), whereas others showed t2DM development, regardless of periodontitis. Interleukin‐6 significantly correlated with alveolar bone changes (P <0.05), whereas adipsin showed a negative correlation with IPGTT area under the curve values (P <0.05).

Conclusion: The present results demonstrate the power of CC mice for studying the genetic background impact between comorbidity of t2DM and bone loss.
Performances pondérales de la pintade locale (Numida meleagris) en système d’alimentation améliorée dans la zone centrale du Burkina Faso
Authors: Sanfo R. , Boly Hamidou , Sawadogo H. , Brian O.
Published: May 2017

Les performances de croissance pondérale de 200 pintades (97 femelles et 103 mâles) locales (Numida meleagris) en système d’alimentation améliorée ont été rapportées. Les femelles ont présenté un poids vif moyen à l’éclosion de 25,8 ± 3,1 g et les mâles de 25,5 ± 2,4 g. Les poids vifs aux points d’inflexion ont été de 523,0 ± 171,4 g chez les femelles et de 497,0 ± 134,7 g chez les mâles, et les poids asymptotiques respectivement de 962,0 ± 147,8 g et 857,0 ± 183,7 g. Les poids aux points d’inflexion et les poids asymptotiques ont différé significativement (p < 0,05) selon la variété. Les gains de poids moyens quotidiens aux points d’inflexion ont été de 10,1 ± 4,7 g chez les femelles et de 10,2 ± 5,1 g chez les mâles. Ils ont été acquis dans les intervalles d’âges respectifs de 12 à 14 semaines et 14 à 16 semaines, âges optimums à l’abattage. La moyenne générale des taux de croissance a été de 29,2 ± 16,8 p. 100 chez les deux sexes, avec 30,0 ± 18,0 p. 100 chez les femelles et 28,4 ± 15,9 p. 100 chez les mâles. Le rendement carcasse a augmenté de 65,7 p. 100 à 16 semaines à 74,3 p. 100 à 22 semaines, pour baisser à 70,4 p. 100 à 56 semaines. L’indice moyen de consommation a présenté la valeur de 4,6 de l’éclosion à 16 semaines d’âge chez les deux sexes.
Comparaison entre le test Elisa et le test de microagglutination dans le diagnostic de la leptospirose bovine
Authors: El Jalii I. M.
Published: May 2017

Un test Elisa indirect a été comparé au test de microaaglutination (MAT) dans le diagnostic de la leptospirose bovine. Au total 170 échantillons sériques aléatoires on été prélevés sur des bovins dans des fermes en Malaisie. L’examen des échantillons a porté sur la recherche d’anticorps contre Leptospira en utilisant Elisa et MAT. Quatre-vingt-seize (56,5 p. 100) échantillons ont été positifs à l’Elisa, alors que 47 (27,7 p. 100) l’ont été au MAT. Tous les échantillons qui ont été positifs au MAT l’ont aussi été à l’Elisa ; il n’y a pas eu d’échantillon positif au MAT et négatif à l’Elisa. La sensibilité d’Elisa a été de 100 p. 100 comparée à celle de MAT. Elisa apparaît comme étant la meilleure technique des deux dans le diagnostic de la leptospirose bovine.
Effet des conditions de transport et de la conservation sur le comptage cellulaire et pertes de précision associées aux âges des échantillons de lait de vache
Authors: Othmane M. H. , Trabelsi L. , Ben Hammouda M. , Bergaoui R.
Published: May 2017

L’effet de l’agent conservateur (sans conservation, dichromate de potassium ou bronopol) et des conditions de transport (température ambiante et réfrigération) sur le taux cellulaire (SCC) de laits individuels de vaches a été étudié à deux reprises durant la lactation. Mille cinquante (expérience 1) et 924 (expérience 2) mesures de SCC ont été effectuées à l’aide d’un appareil Fossomatic à partir de laits individuels respectivement de 25 et de 22 vaches du même lot. Par ailleurs, chaque lait individuel a été divisé en plusieurs aliquotes et analysé à différents temps après le prélèvement (5 h, et 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 et 6 jours) pour estimer les pertes de précision associées au temps d’analyse, selon que les aliquotes sont conservées, réfrigérées ou non. Ni l’agent conservateur ni les conditions de transport n’ont eu d’effets significatifs sur le taux cellulaire pour les deux expériences qui ont différé par le niveau cellulaire dans le lait. La précision des mesures associée à chaque âge dépendait du stade de lactation, les erreurs étant de loin faibles lorsque la quantité de lait était plus abondante et le SCC était donc moins élevé. Pour des raisons pratiques, l’analyse du lait pour le SCC devrait être effectué au plus tard dans les 48 h après prélèvement.
Evaluation technique et socio-économique des pratiques d’alimentation en zones aride et semi-aride au nord de l’Inde (Haryana) et implications pour le développement laitier
Authors: Alary Véronique , Teynier Delphine , Messad Samir , Lecomte Philippe , Barbier Bruno
Published: May 2017

Pour satisfaire la demande croissante des consommateurs en produits laitiers en Inde, les producteurs doivent augmenter rapidement la production laitière, et ce, par le biais de l’amélioration des pratiques alimentaires. De nombreux spécialistes pensent que la production actuelle de sousproduits agricoles ne sera pas suffisante pour satisfaire la demande croissante des besoins du troupeau laitier et que le recours aux céréales sera nécessaire. Mais d’autres spécialistes pensent que la production de grain risque aussi d’être insuffisante et que l’augmentation de la part de grain dans l’alimentation animale pourrait affecter la consommation humaine en céréales à moins que l’Inde n’ouvre son marché à l’importation avec des risques de perturbation du marché mondial. Une étude empirique sur les pratiques d’alimentation des animaux laitiers (vaches de race locale et améliorée, bufflesses) en Haryana a montré que les céréales n’étaient pas un aliment essentiel et qu’il existait encore un grand potentiel par l’amélioration des fourrages verts et des sous-produits des cultures de coton et de moutarde. Cette étude a aussi montré que les plus grands producteurs tendaient à sous-utiliser le potentiel génétique des vaches et des bufflesses. Ainsi, il est mis en évidence des liens étroits entre les pratiques de gestion du troupeau, en particulier les pratiques d’alimentation et la gestion socio-économique du système d’exploitation familiale ; les stratégies étaient fortement orientées vers la satisfaction des besoins en lait de la famille chez les grands producteurs et la génération de revenu quotidien chez les plus petits. Enfin, il est possible de mettre en évidence le besoin d’élaboration, de mise en place et de suivi de programmes de développement qui prendraient en compte les facteurs socio-culturels pour faciliter l’adoption technique en matière de valorisation et de stockage des fourrages.
Essais interlaboratoires pour l'identification moléculaire des espèces paléarctiques du sous-genre Avaritia
Authors: Cetre-Sossah Catherine , Balenghien Thomas , Delécolle Jean-Claude , Meiswinkel Rudolf
Published: May 2017

A ring trial was conducted for molecular identification of Palaearctic species of the subgenus Avaritia, and especially the following four species: Culicoides chiopterus, C. dewulfi, C. obsoletus and C. scoticus. It was based on multiplex polymer­ase chain reaction (PCR) on the molecular markers cytochrome oxidase type 1 (CO1), internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2), and ITS-1. Each of the 13 participating laboratories (from seven dif­ferent countries) received on the 4th of August 2008 a panel of 38 samples of 11 μL of a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solu­tion containing parts of a single specimen of insect ground up into 200 μL of PBS, as well as four tubes, identified and men­tioned in the accompanying letter, for which deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) had already been extracted.  The panel was coded with a letter followed by different num­bers. The laboratories had two months from the date of arrival of the samples to give back the results by sending an Excel file containing the coding. The 38 samples used for the trial were exchanged for identification between two international experts (Drs J.C. Delécolle and R. Meiswinkel). Only one identification differed between the two experts: scoticus vs. obsoletus, and sequencing revealed it to be a C. scoticus specimen.  Only one laboratory used molecular marker ITS-2, five labo­ratories used ITS-1, and four used CO1. Only two found the expected results. The eight remaining laboratories found some false positive or false negative results. Five out of ten correctly identified the species from the DNA samples. Seven out of ten laboratories had 100% sensitivity
Risques de fièvre catarrhale ovine liés à la propagation éolienne
Authors: Martinez-Lopez Beatriz , Sanchez-Vizcaino J. M.
Published: May 2017

The introduction of bluetongue virus (BTV) infected Culicoides carried by the wind is an important way of disease introduction into BTV-free areas. The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of Culicoides that could potentially be carried by the wind into Europe from disease-prevalent surrounding countries. Firstly, we focused on the estimation of the potential introduc­tion of Culicoides by using a climatic model called the Dust Regional Atmospheric Model (DREAM). It is used to estimate dust particle transportation and final deposition in Europe by measuring the surface concentration (μg/m3/day). We hypoth­esised that there is a significant association between dust intro­duction into Europe and Culicoides introduction by wind. Data of the surface concentration per day were collected for each of the centroids of a 0.5x0.5 degree grid, and a temporal and spa­tial analysis was performed. Preliminary results of the spatial and temporal variation of dust deposition were presented for Spain. The correlation between outbreak occurrence in North Africa, dust introduction and outbreak occurrence in Spain was also evaluated. Preliminary results revealed that Culicoides introduc­tion was most likely to occur in the south-eastern part of Spain and the Canary Islands, and sporadically in the Balearic Islands. The period from April to July was found to be at highest risk for Culicoides introduction. The combination of outbreak occur­rence in Algeria or Tunisia and dust entrance was found to be correlated with the risk of outbreak occurrence in the Balearic Islands. Similarly, the combination of outbreaks in Morocco and dust introduction was correlated with the risk of outbreak occur­rence in Andalucía. Results of this study will be useful to help European countries to develop policies and to allocate resources in areas and periods of time at highest risk for BTV introduction, helping ultimately to mitigate the consequences of BTV incur­sion into the countries.
Interactions vecteurs-virus : diversité des sérotypes et des souches de la peste équine africaine, et populations géographiques
Authors: Venter Gert J. , Hermanides I. , Majatladi D. , Boikanyo S. , Wright I.
Published: May 2017

The most abundant Culicoides species in an area is not inevi­tably the most competent vector species for a specific virus. Oral susceptibility, as an indicator of vector competence, is a measure of the portion of vectors taking a blood meal from an infected host that actually becomes infective. Cumulative laboratory oral susceptibility results from South Africa indicate a multivector potential for bluetongue virus (BTV) as well as for African horse sickness virus (AHSV). Considering the unique biology of potential vector competent Culicoides species one can appreciate the complex epidemiology of these diseases. The oral susceptibly of C. imicola, a proven vector of AHSV and BTV, was relatively low for most of the viral isolates and even appeared to be refractory to infection with some of the isolates used. This relatively low oral susceptibility may partly explain the low field infection prevalence of AHSV and BTV recorded in field collected midges. In South Africa, the relatively low oral susceptibility as determined for some of the isolates is easily compensated for by the high abundance of C. imicola. Differences found in the virus recovery rates of various AHSV serotypes/isolates from the various Culicoides species and even different populations of the same species emphasize the fact that, although oral susceptibility tests provide important information about a specific vector population, it provides no predictability about the behaviour of other populations with different strains of virus. Differences found in the oral susceptibility of C. imi­cola and C. bolitinos for isolates of the same serotypes of AHSV suggest coadaptation between orbiviruses and vectors present in a given locality. Real-time monitoring of vector competence might be difficult as it would require assessing local Culicoides populations using variants of orbiviruses currently in circula­tion. It needs to be emphasized that laboratory demonstration of oral susceptibility is not the only necessary step to implement a competent vector. It is, however, an indication of the ability of a vector to support virus replication and one of the critical components of vectorial capacity. Vector capacity is the relative measure of a vector population to transmit a virus to a vertebrate population. In addition to vector competence, vectorial capacity depends on the biting rate, host selection, vector survivorship, and the extrinsic incubation period of the virus.
Résultats préliminaires d'études de terrain sur la fièvre catarrhale ovine en Algérie
Authors: Madani Hafsa , Casal Jordi
Published: May 2017

A survey has been performed to determine the prevalence and obtain information on the possible presence of new serotypes of bluetongue (BT) and enzootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Algeria. The field studies, based on the standardized guidelines designed during the previous meeting, have already been con­ducted. The preparation of the field study protocol was performed during the meeting in Barcelona with the partners involved in this study. The protocol was explained and included the defini­tion of the period of the study, the type of number of samples to be collected, the areas where the study was to place, the species concerned, the type of diagnostic techniques, the resources. Out of 1307 sera analysed in young animals (between 6 and 12 months of age) of different species, 364 (28%) were positive. Analysis of sam­ples taken in 20 wilayas showed only one positive among them. Cattle samples were also analysed against enzootic haemorrhagic disease and resulted in 60 positive out of the 818 (7.3%) tested animals. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for BT and for African horse sickness antibody detection. EHD virus antibodies were detected with reagents provided by Pirbright laboratories, United Kingdom.
Surveillance entomologique de la fièvre catarrhale ovine en Algérie
Authors: Djerbal M. , Delecolle Jean-Claude
Published: May 2017

Culicoides imicola is the major Old World vector of the arbovi­ruses that caused African horse sickness and bluetongue (BT). BT was observed for the first time in Algeria in 2000. BT virus serotype 2 (BTV-2) was then reported, whereas BTV-1 was incriminated in 2006. Various Culicoides species were captured during the trapping campaigns of 2003 and 2006 carried out by Delécolle and Baldet, and those of 2007 and 2009 carried out by the present team. The 2007/2009 campaigns covered two periods (March-April and June-July) and samples were collected in 28 departments of Algeria. More C. imicola were caught in the second period (June-July). Although a weak activity and sometimes absence of C. imicola were observed in some depart­ments, BTV-1 was reported in these areas. It seems likely that other species of Culicoides are incriminated in the transmission of BTV in the country. The 2007/2009 campaigns revealed 10 new Culicoides species, which, added to the 37 species identi­fied by Delécolle and Baldet in the 2003/2006 campaigns, bring the total of known species in Algeria to 47.
Epidémiologie moléculaire du sérotype 9 du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine en région méditerranéenne
Authors: Nomikou K. , Maan S. , Maan N. S. , Mertens P. P.C.
Published: May 2017

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the prototype species of the genus Orbivirus within the family Reoviridae. There are 24 (possibly 25) distinct serotypes of BTV, eleven of which have entered, or have been identified in Europe and the Mediterranean region since 1998 (types 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 24 and 25). The first BTV to arrive in Greece during 1998 was serotype 9 (iso­late GRE1998/01), followed by BTV-16 (GRE1999/13) during 1999. BTV-9 spread to mainland Greece, South-Eastern Bulgaria and European Turkey during 1999, to Italy during 2000, then to Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, mainland Italy and Sicily in 2001. In 2002, BTV-9 was again identified in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Yugoslavia and Albania, and was identified in Libya for the first time in 2008. The whole genome was sequenced for representative field and vaccine strains of BTV-9 and 16 from the Mediterranean region, identifying the levels of genetic heterogeneity in each genome segment. The early European isolates of BTV-9 (1998 onwards) were identified as ‘eastern’ strains related to those from India, Indonesia and Australia. BTV-16 isolates are also eastern strains that are most closely related to strains from Turkey and the South African reference strain of type 16 (originally from Pakistan). Analyses of the more conserved genome segments coding for structural and non-structural proteins of BTV-9 (from Bosnia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey) and BTV-16 (from Greece and Turkey) show that the Eastern European isolates of these two serotypes have the remaining eight genome segments (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) with more than 99% similarity, in each case belonging to the same eastern lineage. These data show that the BTV-9 and 16 isolates that were circulating in the Mediterranean region are reassortants, with the majority of their genome seg­ments derived from a single parental lineage. However, the BTV-9 isolate from Libya (LIB2008/08) is more closely related to the western BTV-9 reference strain from South Africa than to the earlier BTV-9 isolates from Eastern Europe. Analysis of the more conserved segments of LIB2008/08 showed only 79.8–80.2% similarity with the eastern European BTV-9 isolates from the Eastern Mediterranean region, but 89–93.5% similarity with the BTV-9 reference and vaccine strains from South Africa. BTV-9 from Libya belongs to a distinct western lineage of viruses and represents both a new introduction to the Mediterranean region and a new threat to Europe.
Génétique inverse pour les virus à ARN à double brin
Authors: Attoui H. , Mohd Jaafar F. , Maan S. , Mertens P. P.C.
Published: May 2017

Since the recognition by Sabin of the specific nature of reovi­ruses in 1959 and the characterisation of their genome as double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) by Gomatos in 1960, there have been many attempts to rescue viruses by transfecting cells with viral dsRNA. These attempts were largely unsuccessful. In 1990, it was proposed by Roner and Joklik that messenger (m) RNA transcribed from orthoreovirus cores was infectious when that mRNA was transfected into cells together with rabbit reticu­locyte lysates that were pre-incubated with denatured viral dsR­NAs. However, attempts to reproduce these ‘rescue’ experiments failed in the hands of other scientists. A breakthrough came in 2007 when Kobayashi and Dermody established a plasmid-based reverse genetics system for the orthoreoviruses, which represents the first reliable, synthetic based, reverse genetic system for a dsRNA virus. The system made it possible to study the role of specified amino acids in the outer capsid protein by generating ‘designer’ mutants. A second and potentially even more signifi­cant breakthrough came in the same year when Boyce and Roy showed that mRNA transcribed from the bluetongue virus core was infectious, allowing rescue of the virus in BSR cells, a clone of BHK-21 cells. This same group extended their work to the generation of synthetic transcripts from complementary (c) DNA copies of each of the 10 genome segments cloned into plasmids, driven by the T7 polymerase. We report refinement of a T7 base transcription approach, which uses simple linear polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons of the individual virus genome segments from any reovirus, for transcription of full length, fully capped mRNA transcripts. These transcripts were used to transfect BSR cells and permitted rescue of the corresponding viruses. There was no requirement for a second transfection of either capped or uncapped messages. The efficiency of the system was significantly improved, using modulators of the cells’ innate immunity; particu­larly, 2-aminopurine considerably enhanced the rescue and short­ened the time for appearance of lysis plaques. This system was successfully used for 12 segmented coltiviruses, the 12 segmented seadornaviruses and 10 segmented orbiviruses. The authors sug­gest that this simplified rescue-strategy should be applicable to any dsRNA virus, particularly the members of the 15 recognized genera of the family Reoviridae. The system is currently being tested for mono-partite dsRNA viral genomes.
Evaluation de la probabilité de transmission du virus de la fièvre catarrhale ovine par le sperme
Authors: Napp Sebastian , Garcia-Bocanegra I. , Alba Anna , Allepuz Alberto , Casal Jordi
Published: May 2017

In order to prevent the transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV) by semen, in case a semen collection or a storage centre is located within an endemic zone, the European Union established a ban on the movement of semen. However, there is a series of measures which may be applied to allow the exemption of semen from the exit ban. In order to assess the risk reduction achieved by some of these measures, a simulation model was constructed. In addition, the probability of introduction of BTV by importation of semen from a non-restricted area (exotic serotype) was also assessed.
Séroprévalence de la fièvre catarrhale dans la partie méditerranéenne de la Turquie
Authors: Ertürk A. , Cizmeci S. G. , Barut M. F. , Allepuz Alberto , Alba Anna , Napp Sebastian , Casal Jordi
Published: May 2017

One of the objectives of Medreonet is to identify new serotypes of bluetongue (BT) in some countries of the Mediterranean Basin including Turkey. In May 2008, a cross-sectional study was con­ducted in cattle to investigate the presence of new serotypes in the provinces of Adana, Antalya, Hatay, Mersin, and Osmaniye. Cattle were the species selected since they had not been vac­cinated against BT and the vaccine did not interfere with the serological results. The village was established as the epidemio­logical unit. The sample size was calculated with the aim to detect at least 2% of positive villages and a within-village preva­lence of 30% (with 95% confidence level), resulting in a total of 1168 animals. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and an antigen capture ELISA (BTACE) were used to detect antibody and antigen, respectively. The presence of specific BT serotypes was confirmed by a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To isolate BT virus, all the blood samples that were antigen positive were inoculated into embryonated chicken eggs and into cell cultures.  Of the 1096 sera samples obtained, 994 (90.7%) were from dairy cattle (Holstein and crossbred Holstein), and only 102 (9.3%) were from beef breeds. A total of 352 (32.1%) sera samples were positive. Of the 140 villages sampled, 99 (71%) presented at least one positive animal, and the prevalence was 31%. The prevalence in dairy cattle was significantly (P = 0.0002) higher than in beef breeds (34 and 16%, respectively). Older animals presented a higher level of prevalence. Animals up to two years old had a prevalence of 24.3% (P < 0.05), whereas the preva­lence in adult animals was 52% (P < 0.05). Given that the last BT cases in Turkey were reported in August 2000 (serotypes 9 and 16), these data indicate that BT virus has been circulat­ing in the country in the last years. There were major differ­ences between provinces: 88% of the samples were positive in Osmaniye against only 14% in Antalya. These differences could be attributable to differences in vector densities, but they could also be related to host factors such as breed, density of cattle and small ruminant populations, and age of the animals (animals were older in some provinces than in others).
Emergence des sérotypes de fièvre catarrhale ovine en Europe. Partie I - Description et validation de quatre tests diagnostiques par RT-PCR en temps réel
Authors: Vandenbussche Franck , De Leeuw I. , Vandemeulebroucke E. , De Clerq Kris
Published: May 2017

The control of bluetongue virus (BTV) in Central Western Europe is greatly complicated by the coexistence of several BTV serotypes. Rapid, sensitive and specific assays are there­fore needed to identify correctly the currently circulating BTV serotypes in field samples. In the present study, four serotype-specific real-time reverse transcription - polymerase chain reac­tion (RT-qPCR) assays are described for the detection of BTV serotype 1 (BTV-1), 6, 8 and 11. The analytical sensitivity of BTV-1/S2, BTV-6/S2, BTV-8/S2 and BTV-11/S2 serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays was comparable to the earlier described sero­group-specific pan-BTV/S5 RT-qPCR assay. In silico and in vitro analyses indicated that none of the assays cross-reacted with viruses which were symptomatically or genetically related to BTV, and only detected the intended BTV serotypes. All assays exhibited a linear range of at least 0.05–3.80 log10 TCID50 mL) and a PCR-efficiency approaching the ideal amplification factor of two per PCR cycle. Both intra- and inter-run variations were found to be low with a total coefficient of variation of 1–2% for clear positive samples and < 10% for very weak positive samples. Finally, the performance of the described assays was compared with commercially available kits for the detection of BTV-1, 6 and 8. Three in-house assays gave exactly the same diagnostic result (positive/negative) as the commercial assays and can thus be used interchangeably. Together with the earlier described serogroup-specific pan-BTV/S5, the serotype-specific RT-qPCR assays form a flexible and properly validated set of tools to detect and differentiate the BTV serotypes currently circulating in Central Western Europe.
Diagnostics ante et post mortem de la tuberculose bovine au sud du Tchad : cas des bovins destinés à l’abattage
Authors: Ngandolo B. N. , Diguimbaye-Djaibé C. , Müller B. , Didi L. , Hilty M. , Schiller I. , Schelling E. , Mobeal B. , Toguebaye B. S. , Akakpo A. J. , Zinsstag Jakob
Published: May 2017

Entre juillet et novembre 2005, 919 bovins issus d’élevages transhumants et destinés à l’abattage à Sarh (Tchad) ont été contrôlés en ante et post mortem afin d’identifier des suspicions de tuberculose bovine (TBB). Ces animaux appartenaient principalement aux races locales Arabe (639) et Mbororo (280), et comportaient 595 femelles et 324 mâles, âgés de 1 à 11 ans, et répartis dans quatre classes d’âge. En ante mortem, l’examen clinique et le test d’intradermo- tuberculination comparative (IDC) ont été effectués. Le diagnostic post mortem (DPM) a été établi par l’inspection à l’abattoir et la microscopie pour la recherche des bacilles acido-alcoolo-résistants (BAAR). L’IDC a révélé 95 réagissants (10,3 p. 100) et 102 réactions douteuses (11 p. 100). Par ailleurs, 109 carcasses (abats) ont été suspectées de tuberculose, et les lésions collectées, traitées et colorées au Ziehl-Neelsen ne contenaient des BAAR que dans 47,7 p. 100 des cas. L’IDC et le DPM ont tous les deux montré la susceptibilité de la race Mbororo à la TBB, ainsi que celle des animaux âgés de 4 à 9 ans. En dépit de la discordance entre les deux méthodes de diagnostic, la combinaison de leurs résultats a permis d’identifier 130 cas dans l’échantillon contrôlé, dont la moitié étaient âgés de 7 à 9 ans.
Half a Century of Tsetse and Animal Trypanosomosis Control on the Adamawa Plateau in Cameroon
Authors: Mamoudou A. , Zoli A. , Van den Bossche P. , Delespaux V. , Cuisance D. , Geerts S.
Published: May 2017

L’invasion des glossines sur le plateau de l’Adamaoua se situe dans les années 1950 et a entrainé une mortalité élevée des bovins à cause de la trypanosomose et des émigrations massives des éleveurs de la zone infestée. Trois espèces de mouches tsé-tsé ont été relevées : Glossina morsitans submorsitans, G. fuscipes fuscipes et G. tachinoides. Entre 1960 et 1975, le Gouvernement camerounais a organisé des campagnes de traitement aux trypanocides de masse du bétail. Des activités de lutte contre les glossines ont ensuite été initiées. Entre 1976 et 1994, plusieurs campagnes régulières de pulvérisation aérienne ont été réalisées aboutissant à l’assainissement de 3 200 000 hectares de pâturage. Malheureusement des réinvasions ponctuelles de la mouche tsé-tsé dans la zone assainie n’ont pas pu être évitées. Afin de prévenir la réinvasion des glossines à partir de la plaine de Koutine (au niveau du plateau de l’Adamaoua), des barrières constituées de pièges et d’écrans ont été créées. Cependant des feux de brousse ont détruit la plupart des piètes et de écrans peu après leur mise en place en 1994. Ils ont alors été remplacés par un programme de traitements insecticides du bétail. Des enquêtes transversales et longitudinales parasitologiques et entomologiques en 2004 et 2005 ont montré que la barrière constituée de bétail traité aux insecticides avait réussi à maintenir le plateau relativement indemne de glossines. L’incidence de la trypanosomose enregistrée chez le bétail du plateau variait entre 0 et 2,1 p. 100. Cependant une prévalence élevée inquiétante de résistance aux produits trypanocides a été rapportée récemment dans le département du Faro et Déo. Dans le cadre de la campagne panafricaine d’éradication des mouches tsétsé et des trypanosomoses (Pattec), le Cameroun est actuellement en train de préparer un projet commun avec le Tchad, la République d’Afrique centrale et le Nigeria pour éradiquer les mouches tsé-tsé et les trypanosomoses.
Résultats d'observation d'une infection à Actinomyces pyogenes chez une chèvre
Authors: Akpavie S. O. , Emikpe B. O.
Published: May 2017

Actinomyces pyogenes a été isolé chez une chèvre dont les poumons et le foie présentaient des abcès viscéraux.
Gestion par les feux des pâturages naturels et productivité des bovins sur les prairies des basses plaines orientales de Colombie
Authors: Rippstein Georges , Allard G. , Corbin J.
Published: May 2017

La productivité et la valeur alimentaire des différents types de pâturages naturels des basses plaines orientales de Colombie (Llanos), gérées par des feux annuels de saison sèche, ont été généralement faibles: les biomasses aériennes annuelles ont été de l'ordre de 2 à 3,5 tonnes de matière sèche par hectare et les teneurs en matières azotées totales des fourrages ont été comprises entre 5 et 11 p. 100 de la matière sèche suivant les saisons et le stade phénologique. Dans les conditions traditionnelles d'exploitation (pâture continue, pas de feu ou des feux en début de saison sèche, chargement de 8-10 ha par animal), les gains de poids des bovins ont été faibles en saison des pluies (gains quotidiens moyens entre 150 à 300g) et ils ont perdu généralement du poids en saison sèche (de 150 à 250g par jour). Des expérimentations en station ont montré une différence significative de productivité des animaux selon la composition botanique, ou mieux, la valeur pastorale (indice synthétique de valeur du pâturage intégrant productivité, valeur nutritive et appétence des espèces) des pâturages naturels suivant qu'ils étaient sur des sols à texture sablo-argileuse ou argilo-limoneuse. Les feux annuels de saison sèche ont permis la production de repousses vertes mais, répétés d'année en année et associés à la libre pâture en continu, ils ont dégradé la flore. Les auteurs ont testé, sur un ensemble de parcelles en rotation, deux systèmes séquentiels de feux permettant de les espacer de 16 mois et de mettre à la disposition du bétail des repousses protégées de la pâture toutes les quatre semaines. Malgré un doublement de la charge moyenne annuelle (4 ha par tête), les gains de poids individuels de bovins en croissance ont été significativement améliorés et ce résultat a été obtenu sans dégradation de la végétation.