Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) Model for the Classification of Varieties of Date Palm Fruits ( L.).

The popularity and demand for high-quality date palm fruits ( L.) have been growing, and their quality largely depends on the type of handling, storage, and processing methods. The current methods of geometric evaluation and classification of date palm fruits are characterised by high labour intensity and are usually performed mechanically, which may cause additional damage and reduce the quality and value of the product.

Soil Fertility Clock-Crop Rotation as a Paradigm in Nitrogen Fertilizer Productivity Control.

The Soil Fertility Clock (SFC) concept is based on the assumption that the critical content (range) of essential nutrients in the soil is adapted to the requirements of the most sensitive plant in the cropping sequence (CS). This provides a key way to effectively control the productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (N). The production goals of a farm are set for the maximum crop yield, which is defined by the environmental conditions of the production process.

Resource and infrastructure challenges on the RESIST-2 Trial: an implementation study of drug resistance genotype-based algorithmic ART switches in HIV-2-infected adults in Senegal.

Background: Second-line treatment of HIV-2 in resource-limited settings (RLS) is complicated by a lack of controlled trial data, limited availability of HIV-2-active antiretroviral drugs, and inadequate access to drug resistance testing. We conducted an implementation trial of a dried blood spot- (DBS) based, drug resistance genotype-informed antiretroviral therapy (ART) switching algorithm for HIV-2-infected patients in Senegal.

Methods: HIV-2-infected adults initiating or receiving ART through the Senegalese national AIDS program were invited to participate in this single-arm trial.

Impact of Traditional Healers on the HIV Care Cascade in Senegal, West Africa: A Longitudinal Study.

Consultation with traditional healers (THs) is common among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study to determine the association between consultation with THs and HIV outcomes following 12 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV-infected individuals presenting for care and initiation of ART in Dakar and Ziguinchor, Senegal were eligible for enrollment.

Food insecurity predicts loss to follow-up among people living with HIV in Senegal, West Africa.

The goals of this study were to assess retention on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to identify predictors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Senegal. HIV-positive individuals presenting for initiation of ART in Dakar and Ziguinchor were enrolled and followed for 12 months. Data were collected using interviews, clinical evaluations, laboratory analyses, chart review, and active patient tracing.

The impact of food insecurity on HIV outcomes in Senegal, West Africa: a prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Understanding the impact of food insecurity on HIV outcomes is critical for the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based interventions to address food insecurity and improve the HIV care cascade. We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study to determine the impact of food insecurity on HIV outcomes in Senegal, West Africa.

Methods: HIV-infected individuals presenting for care and initiation of ART through the Senegalese National AIDS program in Dakar and Ziguinchor were eligible for enrollment.

Geochemical alkalinity and acidity as preferential site-specific for three lineages liverwort of Aneura pinguis cryptic species A.

The study focused on the verification of the preferential site-specific concept hypothesizing, that mineral elements could be playing an initiating role in the biological speciation within Aneura pinguis cryptic species. A. pinguis species A and soil materials were collected from three ecological sites of Poland.

Long-term Experience and Outcomes of Programmatic Antiretroviral Therapy for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 Infection in Senegal, West Africa.

Background: Programmatic treatment outcome data for people living with human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) in West Africa, where the virus is most prevalent, are scarce.

Methods: Adults with HIV-2 initiating or receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) through the Senegalese national AIDS program were invited to participate in this prospective, longitudinal observational cohort study. We analyzed HIV-2 viral loads, CD4 cell counts, antiretroviral drug resistance, loss to follow-up, and mortality.

HIV-2 Drug Resistance Genotyping from Dried Blood Spots.

The treatment of HIV-2 in resource-limited settings (RLS) is complicated by the limited availability of HIV-2-active antiretroviral drugs and inadequate access to HIV-2 viral load and drug resistance testing. Dried blood spots (DBS)-based drug resistance testing, widely studied for HIV-1, has not been reported for HIV-2 and could present an opportunity to improve care for HIV-2-infected individuals. We selected 150 DBS specimens from ongoing studies of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-2 infection in Senegal and subjected them to genotypic drug resistance testing.

Nutrition support for HIV-TB co-infected adults in Senegal, West Africa: A randomized pilot implementation study.

Background: Food insecurity can contribute to poor adherence to both tuberculosis treatment and HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART). Interventions that target food insecurity have the potential to increase treatment adherence, improve clinical outcomes, and decrease mortality. The goals of this study were to compare the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of implementing two different forms of nutrition support for HIV-TB co-infected adults in the Casamance region of Senegal.

Traditional healers, HIV outcomes, and mortality among people living with HIV in Senegal, West Africa.

Objectives: The goals of this study were to determine the frequency of traditional healer use among people living with HIV in Senegal, to identify predictors of traditional healer use, and to determine if traditional healer use is associated with HIV outcomes.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study.

Methods: Participants were enrolled from April 2017 to April 2018 in Dakar and Ziguinchor, Senegal.

Prevalence, predictors, and management of advanced HIV disease among individuals initiating ART in Senegal, West Africa.

Background: The WHO guidelines for the management of advanced HIV disease recommend a package of care consisting of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), enhanced screening and diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and cryptococcal meningitis, co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), fluconazole pre-emptive therapy, and adherence support. The goals of this study were to determine the prevalence of advanced HIV disease among individuals initiating ART in Senegal, to identify predictors of advanced disease, and to evaluate adherence to the WHO guidelines.

Methods: This study was conducted among HIV-positive individuals initiating ART in Dakar and Ziguinchor, Senegal.

Trace element contamination differentiates the natural population of Scots pine: evidence from DNA microsatellites and needle morphology.

The Scots pine is often used in the biomonitoring of forests. Studies on the chemical composition plus variability of its needles morphological structure allow for an assessment of the state of environmental pollution. However, in their natural populations, the response of individual trees to stress differs.

Multilingual education of students on a global scale and perspective-international networking on the example of bioindication and biomonitoring (B&B technologies).

Living or formerly living organisms are being used to obtain information on the quality of the general health status of our environment by bioindication and biomonitoring methods for many decades. Thus, different roads toward this common scientific goal were developed by a lot of different international research groups. Global cooperation in between various scientific teams throughout the world has produced common ideas, scientific definitions, and highly innovative results of this extremely attractive working field.

Adaptation strategies and referencing trial of Scots and black pine populations subjected to heavy metal pollution.

The impact of industrial heavy metal pollution on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) populations was investigated.