Prediction of marbling score in ribeye quartered at the 5th- 6th rib of French beef using the Q-FOM™ beef assessment camera.

In the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) and Guaranteed Global Grading (3G) grading schemes, beef marbling is scored visually in the chiller by accredited graders from 100 to 1190 marble score points in increments of 10. This study aimed to evaluate a hand-held camera (Q-FOM™ Beef) for determining MSA marbling scores of carcasses quartered between the 5th and 6th rib. The carcasses were scored by two accredited graders, including an expert grader (i.

Integrating field surveys and remote sensing to optimize phosphorus resource management for rainfed rice production in the Central plateau of Burkina Faso.

Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is restricted by low water availability, soil fertility, and fertilizer input, and phosphate rock (PR) application is expected to increase production. Soil water conditions and soil types affect the efficacy of phosphorus fertilization in improving productivity. However, these factors are rarely discussed together.

Determinants of menstrual dysfunction in the female athlete triad: A cross-sectional study in Italian athletes.

Background: In 1992 the American College of Sports Medicine first described the Female Athlete Triad. The Triad is a metabolic injury involving three distinct clinical traits: low energy availability, with possible eating disorder, low bone mineral density and menstrual dysfunction (MD). Although the estimated prevalence of the Triad is low (1.

Non-invasive meat quality assessment: Exploring the potential of ocular infrared thermography to predict ultimate pH in Nellore beef cattle.

This study investigated the use of infrared thermography (IRT) to identify the dark, firm, and dry (DFD) phenomenon in Brazilian beef, which is a significant concern for the industry because of its inferior quality and reduced shelf life. This study examined 113 Nellore bulls and analyzed their minimum and maximum ocular temperatures using IRT. The results highlight the efficacy of thermal images (IRTmax) as a significant predictor, with R values ranging from 0.

The Crucial Role of Breeder and Dog Owners Associations in Safeguarding Genetic Heritage of Endangered Balearic Dog Breeds: Gender Preference and Registry Adscription.

This study delves into the complex relationships between indigenous dog breeds in the Balearic Isles and their human counterparts, specifically breeders and owners. Using Canonical Correlation Analysis, the research examines variables such as breed registries and the number of breeders/owners, uncovering significant correlations within registries. For example, an increase in female auxiliary registrations corresponds to a decline in foundational registrations, indicating shifts in breed documentation dynamics.

Sensory quality of beef with different ultimate pH values - A Brazilian perspective.

This study evaluated Brazilian consumer perceptions of beef with different pH values at 48 h post-mortem (pHu) through sensory analysis. A total of 138 consumers evaluated raw and grilled steaks. The steaks were divided according to their pHu (normal pH < 5.

Genetic parameters for frame size and carcass traits in Nellore cattle.

Our study aimed to evaluate the frame size as a genetic selection criterion as well as the association of scores with carcass characteristics measured via ultrasound to the genetic improvement of carcass quality in Nellore cattle. The variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method for the thoracic perimeter (TP), frame size score (FRAME), yearling weight (YW), visual scores of body structure (BS), muscularity (MUSC), and precocity (PREC). The carcass traits included loin eye area (REA), backfat thickness (BF), rump fat (FR), and intramuscular fat (IF).

Barriers and facilitators for the sustainability of digital health interventions in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review.

Background: Digital health interventions (DHIs) have increased exponentially all over the world. Furthermore, the interest in the sustainability of digital health interventions is growing significantly. However, a systematic synthesis of digital health intervention sustainability challenges is lacking.

Genetic Structure of the Ca Rater Mallorquí Dog Breed Inferred by Microsatellite Markers.

Ca Rater Mallorquí is a dog breed from the Island of Mallorca (Spain) traditionally used as a hunting and ratting dog to prevent disease spread and economic losses related to rodent activities on farms. However, the census data shows a population decline that should be addressed by implementing a conservation program. The first step to implementing a conservation plan is knowing the genetic situation of the Ca Rater Mallorquí population.

Public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines in Africa: A systematic review.

As COVID-19 vaccine acquisition and deployment accelerates, tensions also increase. This review aims to identify and understand the significance of population attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines in Africa. A systematic review was conducted.

Microtubule-based perception of mechanical conflicts controls plant organ morphogenesis.

Precise coordination between cells and tissues is essential for differential growth in plants. During lateral root formation in , the endodermis is actively remodeled to allow outgrowth of the new organ. Here, we show that microtubule arrays facing lateral root founder cells display a higher order compared to arrays on the opposite side of the same cell, and this asymmetry is required for endodermal remodeling and lateral root initiation.

The Retropepsin-Type Protease APRc as a Novel Ig-Binding Protein and Moonlighting Immune Evasion Factor of .

Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria transmitted by arthropod vectors. Despite their reduced genomes, the function(s) of the majority of rickettsial proteins remains to be uncovered. APRc is a highly conserved retropepsin-type protease, suggested to act as a modulator of other rickettsial surface proteins with a role in adhesion/invasion.

Knowledge, beliefs and perceptions of religious leaders on modern contraceptive use in Burkina Faso: a qualitative study.

Introduction: in Burkina Faso, despite the strategies implemented to increase the use of contraceptives, the prevalence rate of modern contraceptives remains low. Religion is an important part of the socio-cultural fabric of many communities. Besides, religious leaders play an essential role in adopting and using contraceptive methods to support family health.

Religious Leaders' Knowledge of Family Planning and Modern Contraceptive Use and Their Involvement in Family Planning Programmes in Burkina Faso: A Qualitative Study in Dori in the Sahel Region.

Introduction: It is necessary to understand religious leaders' perceptions of modern contraceptive use and their role in influencing fertility behaviour for the successful adoption of family planning, especially in societies where the religious leaders' opinions can have a significant influence on individuals' reproductive decisions. This study, therefore, aimed to assess religious leaders' knowledge of family planning and their involvement in family planning programmes in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso.

Methods: This is a qualitative study comprising in-depth individual interviews with twenty-one religious' leaders in the town of Dori in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso.

An Imperative for the National Public Health School in Burkina Faso to Promote the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Critical Analysis.

Background: Several studies have reported the positive impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on academic performance and outcomes. Although some equipment is available, the ICTs for education at the National Public Health School (NPHS) of Burkina Faso have many shortcomings. These shortcomings were clearly revealed during the search for responses to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assessment of a Potential Synergistic Effect of Souvenaid® in Mild Alzheimer's Disease Patients on Treatment with Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: An Observational, Non-Interventional Study.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of Souvenaid (a multinutrient supplement) in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) in real clinical practice and assessed a potential synergistic effect of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale was evaluated after six months follow-up. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment they received: Souvenaid + AChE inhibitors (n = 23); only Souvenaid (n = 8); only AChE inhibitors (n = 7); no treatment (n = 16).

Estimating the Force of Infection for Dengue Virus Using Repeated Serosurveys, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Because of limited data on dengue virus in Burkina Faso, we conducted 4 consecutive age-stratified longitudinal serologic surveys, ≈6 months apart, among persons 1-55 years of age, during June 2015-March 2017, which included a 2016 outbreak. The seroconversion rate before the serosurvey enrollment was estimated by binomial regression, taking age as the duration of exposure, and assuming constant force of infection (FOI) over age and calendar time. We calculated FOI between consecutive surveys and rate ratios for potentially associated characteristics based on seroconversion using the duration of intervals.

Exploring the Spatial Determinants of Late HIV Diagnosis in Texas.

Introduction: Despite statewide progress and continuous HIV prevention efforts in Texas, HIV diagnosis at a late stage of infection persists. Diagnosis delay differs in magnitude and spatial distribution. We examined the local spatial relationships of late HIV diagnosis with a selection of variables in an area of Texas that includes large metropolises and high HIV morbidity.

Accurate and versatile 3D segmentation of plant tissues at cellular resolution.

Quantitative analysis of plant and animal morphogenesis requires accurate segmentation of individual cells in volumetric images of growing organs. In the last years, deep learning has provided robust automated algorithms that approach human performance, with applications to bio-image analysis now starting to emerge. Here, we present PlantSeg, a pipeline for volumetric segmentation of plant tissues into cells.

Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics associated with dengue during and outside the 2016 outbreak identified in health facility-based surveillance in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Background: In Africa, the magnitude of dengue virus (DENV) transmission is largely unknown. In Burkina Faso, several outbreaks have been reported and data are often based on findings from outbreak investigations.

Methods: To better understand dengue epidemiology and clinical characteristics in Burkina Faso, a fever surveillance study was conducted among patients aged 1-55 years, who presented with non-malarial febrile illness at five primary healthcare facilities in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from December 2014 to February 2017, encompassing a 3-month dengue outbreak in September-November 2016.

Environmental suitability for and and the spatial distribution of major arboviral infections in Mexico.

Background: This paper discusses a comparative geographic distribution of and mosquitoes in Mexico, using environmental suitability modeling and reported cases of arboviral infections.

Methods: Using presence-only records, we modeled mosquito niches to show how much they influenced the distribution of and based on mosquito records collected at the municipality level. Mosquito surveillance data were used to create models regarding the predicted suitability of and mosquitos in Mexico.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nellore bulls submitted to different nutritional strategies during cow-calf and stocker phase.

There have been few studies realized that evaluate the effects of adopting different nutritional systems in more than one phase of cattle production on carcass and meat characteristics. This study was realized to evaluate carcass and meat characteristics from bulls submitted to different nutritional systems during two production phases. The experiment was conducted at Figueira's farm during two production phases: I (cow-calf) - 80 calves (99.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of a Community-Based Intervention for Control of Dengue Virus Vector, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

We evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based intervention for dengue vector control in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. Households in the intervention (n = 287) and control (n = 289) neighborhoods were randomly sampled and the outcomes collected before the intervention (October 2015) and after the intervention (October 2016). The intervention reduced residents' exposure to dengue vector bites (vector saliva biomarker difference -0.

Community-based dengue control intervention in Ouagadougou: intervention theory and implementation fidelity.

Background: While malaria control is the primary health focus in Burkina Faso, the recent dengue epidemic calls for new interventions. This paper examines the implementation fidelity of an innovative intervention to control dengue in the capital Ouagadougou.

Methods: First we describe the content of the intervention and its theory.

A Comprehensive Toolkit for Inducible, Cell Type-Specific Gene Expression in Arabidopsis.

Understanding the context-specific role of gene function is a key objective of modern biology. To this end, we generated a resource for inducible cell type-specific transactivation in Arabidopsis () based on the well-established combination of the chimeric GR-LhG4 transcription factor and the synthetic promoter. Harnessing the flexibility of the GreenGate cloning system, we produced a comprehensive set of transgenic lines termed GR-LhG4 driver lines targeting most tissues in the Arabidopsis shoot and root with a strong focus on the indeterminate meristems.