This study employs linear programming to find a healthy diet at minimum cost to avoid overweight and obesity that affect 9–18-year-old girls in U.S. The data includes the most consumed food in USA based on the USDA ERS data base, and nutrients that are selected from the Dietary Reference Intake Vitamins and Elements list: Protein, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.

For a long time, work appeared to be unthinkable in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly because of the long exploitation of natural resources by the colonial powers, which made it something alien to human life. This is partly what justifies the questioning by an author who, some twenty years ago, wondered whether work could be an object of scientific study in the sub-Saharan context. The aim of this article is to answer this question. Through a review of the literature and a reasoning by analogy, we probe the situation in France at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, in order to feed a prospective reflection about work in sub-Saharan Africa today. Our main conclusion is that it is quite possible to isolate work from the daily experience of sub-Saharan Africans, and to make explicit the concepts with which one operates such an approach. This constitutes a scientific investigation of work.

This paper presents a study on the main characteristics of an integrated transformer i.e. the low and high cut-off frequencies (FCL and FCH) and the voltage gain within the bandwidth (G0). After a description of the integrated transformer and its micro-fabrication, the measured transformer frequency response is given. An equivalent circuit is derived ant the method to determine each element is shortly described. Then, the paper focuses on the influence of geometrical dimensions and a few characteristics of materials on the low and high cut-off frequencies (FCL and FCH) and on the voltage gain (G0). An analytical expression is derived for FCL, FCH and G0. The aim of this article is to identify the main parameters that limit the bandwidth and the voltage gain.

The search for accuracy on biomass estimation is growing significantly, however density measurements are still essential to reduce bias in biomass estimations. The objective of this research was to: (1) test longitudinal and radial variations in wood density of Distemonanthus benthamianus, Musanga cecropioides and Trema orientalis. (2) Fitting mixed models of secondary forests pioneer species. Data for density determinations and fitting allometric equations were obtained by destructive method, on a sample of 115 trees. Archimedes' principle applied to the biomass data yielded the average densities of the three respective species (0.726; 0.214 and 0.35 in g.cm-3). This variable associated with tree height, crown diameter and diameter at breast height were used to explain tree biomass through ten fitted mixed models. The model, Aboveground biomass = Exp (-0.85 + 2.19 x ln (DBH) + 1.1 x ln (φ)), with a low Akaike Information Criterion (AIC = 78.76), the high correlation coefficient (Adjusted.R2 = 96.4%), the low rate of residual standard error (RSE = 0.33) and the Relative Root Mean Square Error (RRMSE = 0.39), was selected as the best mixed model. The full model (Aboveground biomass = Exp (-0.84 + 0.63 x ln (DBH2 x H) + 0.85 x ln (φ) + 0.54 x ln (C)) under the validation criteria was found to be efficient (adjusted R2 = 0.96; RRMSE = 0.41; average error = 15,95). However, density variations must be considered to reduce bias in the estimation. In addition, increased collection of large amounts of secondary forest data remains essential for fitting more robust mixed models.

Contributing to the determination of the frequency of anguillulosis in people living with HIV/AIDS, in the reduction of this helminthiasis in this category of people at the Pandji General Reference Hospital in Tshela in the DRC, is the main goal of this research.Sixty stool samples, taken from people living with HIV/AIDS in consultation at the Pandji General Reference Hospital in Tshela and analyzed in the laboratory of the said HGR, according to WHO standards in this area. Indeed, the results of the analyses of these stool samples showed that 8 samples were positive out of a total of 60 or 13%. In addition, the female sex was the most affected with 6 cases out of a total of 8 or 75%. The most infested age group was 41 to 49 years with 4 cases out of 8 or 50%.The danger remains among pvVs, so it is imperative and urgent to consider health education, recall the notions of basic hygiene to pvVs in Tshela Territory in particular and those of Kongo Central in general, if we want to still see PVVs with longevity.

Benin has been a democratic country since 1990. Freedom of expression and of the press are guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution of December 11 of the same year. The plurality of opinions that has become the norm on the national television has helped create a space for citizen discussion that is indispensable for political debate, a sign of the vitality of democracy. But this freedom of the press is progressively monitored and even completely confiscated on this statutory agency. Similarly, information is replaced by government propaganda. The television’s managers appointed by the President of the Republic, following a procedure led by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, are not sufficiently independent to open the television to all the components of the nation.

The management of protected areas requires constant adaptation to current context, managers must decide on methods for assessing and monitoring values of their conservation area. This choice must be based on simple methods that are efficient and less costly in terms of time and costs in a scarce financial resources context. Fourteen (14) Bushnell-branded trap cameras were deployed, which were used to collect data throughout the follow-up period which runs from February to April 2018. The sampling points were chosen at random and the choice of the location of the camera in the sampled part is based on certain essential criteria for a good follow-up. Indeed, it would be necessary to take into account the trails used by wildlife and the availability of a hang support for cameras. Data collected during the follow-up period concern three hundred and sixty-seven (367) nights traps or 8808 hours. Two (02) of the fourteen (14) trap cameras deployed for the collection system did not work: one is stolen and the other do not fonction well. Nineteen thousand six hundred and forty-six (19646) pictures of mammalian fauna were captured by the trapping cameras in which twenty-nine (29) species were identified. The diversity index varied from 2.38 bits in February to 3.89 bits in March respectively; it fell in April with 1.65 bits. Pielou's equitability was respectively 0.51, 0.81 and 0.37 for above mentioned months. Animal density estimated from distance sampling points transect showed fluctuating densities (4.87; 3.40 and 5.23 individuals per ha) depending on the month (February, March and April).

Background: Global action plans to tackle antimicrobial resistance include implementation of antimicrobial stewardship, but little is known about the dispensing practices of antibiotics of community pharmacists in low and middle-income countries. In this study, we aim to assess the dispensing of antibiotics for paediatric use in pharmacies in the City of Goma, capital of North Kivu province.Method: Between June and December 2017, we performed a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey with pharmacy managers about antibiotic dispensing to the paediatric population.Result: Among a total of 225 pharmacies identified, 84% were managed by nurses. 70% of pharmacy managers had absolved secondary school. Only 10% of pharmacies were owned by pharmacists or physicians. 76% of antibiotics for children were prescribed after families asking for them and only 21% after a recommendation from the pharmacy manager. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most commonly dispensed antibiotic - 78% cases. 81% of pharmacy managers had no supervision by a pharmacist from the pharmacy division. There was no significant difference in requiring or not between a physician prescription to deliver antibiotics in children and the qualifications of pharmacy managers (P=0. 28), their level of school education (P=0.42).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is a lack of regulation and consistency in the approach to dispensing antibiotics in children. A policy is needed to regulate the dispensing of antibiotics along with education and training to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.

The majority of the population in Africa resort to traditional medicine to solve the problem of health. The present study, an ethno-botanical survey, was carried out with 70 sellers of medicinal plants anti-diabetic and 30 traditional healers in two townships Kimbaseke et Selembao in city of Kinshasa according to principles included in the declaration of Helsink. Her goal is to promote the traditional ecological knowledge. The ethno-botanical data collected were then supplemented by information concerning the plant ecological types. The results from this study revealed that 21 species belonging 19 genera and 15 families were inventoried in the medicinal flora for treatment of diabetes. The 15 families are dominated by Rubiaceae with three species. The sale and use of the medicinal plant species is a current practice among the age ranging from 22 to 67 years with prevalence at the old people of 51 years and over with predominantly male activity. the barks and leaves are the parts most used by traditional healers and therefore the most sold. The infusion is the most used process. It is important to take conservation measures in order to revalorizing and preserving/using them for sustainable development according to the convention on biological diversity. It is desirable that advanced phytochemical and pharmacological studies are carried out on the two plant species for the scientific validation of their bioactivity, for conversion of the traditional knowledge into scientific culture according to the convention on biological diversity.

In the present study, an ethno-botanical survey, we consider the processes by which today the knowledge and know-how related to the various subsistence activities and also in the social field are acquired and transmitted in a context of sexual division of labour among the Ekonda populations of the Territory of Bikoro in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The method used is to submit a questionnaire to a randomly selected sample of key individuals and informants, whether they know how to do the requested activity, and if so, from whom they learned it. The results obtained show that the Ekonda differ from other members of the Mongo ethnolinguistic group in the activities for which they are recognized as specialists and connoisseur, namely: dance and ceremonial songs, to some extent the hunt for net and sagary. However, the differences observed can be explained more by the age and sex of the informants than by the place of residence. Differences according to sex, between men and women, are distinguished in the same sectors of activity. However, hunting activities, honey collection, palm wine making, felling of trees for cultivation and the construction of houses are more clearly mastered by men than by women within the Ekonda community. While at first sight the practice of agriculture is likely to involve a decrease in the use of the wild plants collected as well as the knowledge related to them, it can be seen that collection still plays an important role in the daily life of the Ekonda, especially for food.

University research for development requires ethical considerations. This research aims to understand the level of knowledge of ethics by the actors such as lecturers, researchers, and students at the undergraduate and graduate levels of the University of Parakou in Benin. For this purpose, an approach essentially based on a survey by electronic questionnaire was carried out among 95 persons. The results obtained reveal that research ethics is not well understood by a large proportion of university actors (50.5%), particularly students. The results show that men (51.59%) have a higher level of knowledge than women (28.42%) and that the higher the level of education, the greater the knowledge of ethical considerations. The type of the training institution determines the obligation of lecturers, researchers, and students to take into account the ethical rules related to their disciplines. It is the case especially in human health sciences.

The objective of this study was to know the effect of particle size of the laterite contained in reactors filled with laterite and sand on the removal of the physicochemical parameters of a well water. Three reactors filled from the bottom to the top with 10 cm of granitic gravel, 50 cm of sand, 10 cm of standing water and 30 cm of different particles sizes of laterite (granular, very coarse and medium) were used. The depths of the sand and the standing water were fixed according to a previous study. pH, conductivity, turbidity, suspended solids, ammonium, nitrate, lead and total iron were analyzed according to standard norms. The results showed that pH increased with decreasing particle size while conductivity decreased. With regard to suspended solids and turbidity, the removal was (98.9%) and of the same order in all the reactors. Removal efficiency of ammonium ranged from 97.67% to 98.1% in the reactors. The reactors also removed nitrate, total iron and lead. In addition, the concentrations of nitrate, total iron and lead decreased with increasing particle size. However, the reactor filled with medium laterite and sand was the most efficient.

The content analysis of the audiovisual programs shows to what extent the journalism practiced at RTNC Haut-Katanga is stalling, because of its editorial line on the one hand, and the building effect on the other. Indeed, the objective pursued in this reflection is to demonstrate the limits of journalism which is practiced in the provinces in an audiovisual channel of the Congolese State. This journalism observes and promotes with commitment its editorial line which, moreover, constitutes one in the journalist's work. But in the case of the RTNC, this editorial line ultimately becomes a brake on the dissemination of quality information. Of course, observing an editorial line is a journalist's duty. The editorial line orients and specifies the work of a press house. However, promoting a brand image of a company, even of the state, always boils down to activism to the point where it becomes difficult to see the loopholes. The consequence is that this way of working stifles criticism. Moreover, trying to spare the boss who is the State at all costs (building effect) this stifles the work of the journalist with the risk of losing all credibility with his audience. This article has the merit of demonstrating how the editorial line, although of value in the treatment of information, ultimately constitutes an obstacle to the dissemination of information that is expected by the public. In order to avoid this inconvenience, the journalist obliges himself to respect the facts as well as his independence. He must ensure that he performs his work in accordance with the rules of the art.

Negatively charged with rumors and painful memories from the start, the covid-19 vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo struggles to convince. The Congolese authorities are confronted with the distrust of the population with regard to the vaccine. If for some, it is the fear of being taken for guinea pigs that invades them, for others, covid-19 simply does not exist. And therefore, considering the vaccine as a cure-all for Covid-19 imperatively requires extricating it from social obscurantism, which plebiscites a number of prejudices and rumors at the origin of mistrust and reluctance. The communication strategies proposed as an alternative to a vast vaccination campaign have as an epistemological basis, the psychosociological approach to communication. This article presents the results of a survey conducted among a random sample of 428 Congolese across the country. It also lays the groundwork for an intervention model that highlights the psychosociological approach to communication as a driver of success in vaccination against Covid-19 in the DRC.

The deficiency in available phosphorus for crops is a major constraint on cereal production in Mali. The objective of this study was to assess the combined effects of phosphorus sources at different rate and tillage practice on maize agronomic performance and soil chemical properties. The treatments used consisted of the combination of three sources of phosphorus at three doses each and two types of tillage, arranged in a split-plot device with three repetitions. Contour plowing increased corn grain yield by 22 and 16% compared to conventional plowing in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and improved the availability of PNT's phosphorus due to its ability to increase soil moisture. Maize growth and phosphorus uptake were better with contour plowing compared to conventional plowing with an increase of 44% and 65% respectively in 2013 and 2014. Relative agronomic efficiency was higher with contour plowing. level compared to conventional plowing. The powdered form of PNT significantly (P <0.05) increased phosphorus adsorption indices compared to the granule form. These results show that there is a great opportunity to improve maize production in Mali through the use of natural phosphorus combined with an adequate tillage practice.

This study carried out in the main markets of the City of Kinshasa aims to contribute to the knowledge of medicinal plants and their therapeutic uses in order to convert local naturalistic knowledge into scientific knowledge to be preserved sustainably. It emerges from this study that: 66 species divided into 59 genera and 40 families have inventoried in the medicinal flora sold in Kinshasa. These plants treat 38 diseases. However, the best consensus emerges among respondents only in the treatment of fever due to Malaria and Diabetes. The lowest consensus is achieved with the treatment of hemorrhoids, urinary infections, high blood pressure, sexual weakness and cough. Salespeople and traditional practitioners are recruited from men as well as women. They are almost evenly distributed across different ages. The use of medicinal plants is a common practice in age groups from 30 to 67 years with a predominance in people aged 45-54 years. However, the majority of sellers have as their main activity the sale of medicinal plants, and half associate the sale of medicinal plants with other products. Decoction is the most used method of preparation while the bark and root are the most stressed parts of the plant. It is therefore desirable that chemical screenings and phytochemical analyses be carried out on plants mentioned in the treatment of malaria and diabetes.

Recent data gathered from optimization of dockounou-cake manufacturing process parameters showed that an optimized dockounou could be a better way to add value to overripe plantain. But, to date, there is no scientific data about glycemic properties on this food, which is integrated into urban food habits. We performed a nutritional characterization and glycemic index/load (GI/GL) of these plantain-based dishes. In addition, we investigated a glucidic profiling, whose presence in dishes has been scarcely investigated so far. Overall, there were no considerable variations in the nutritional composition, except for the ash and carbohydrate components. The following values were obtained for the carbohydrate component (g/100g): starch (32.4-33.7); sucrose (4.1-8.8); glucose (20.1-20.7); fructose (21.1-22.6); soluble fibre (2.5-2.5) and insoluble fibre (6.9-6.9). GI/GL values were 79/20.4 for optimized dockounou and 81/21.3 for traditional dockounou. The results confirmed that these foods are a good source of carbohydrate, especially in the glucose fraction and energy. However, the high levels of GI and GL implies consumption in moderation.

Weeds represent one of the main constraint responsible for the proliferation of pests in cassava cultivation. It generally serves as hosts of parasites and pests. It impacts negatively the management process of these. The study on the main noxious weeds in cassava cultivation in Me Region, in South-East of Côte d’Ivoire carried out using two field methods. The first was to undertake a survey among 206 cassava producers and the second, to carry out floritic surveys in the fields of the producers surveyed. A total of 23 recurrent weeds were obtained from they survey. Regarding floritic survey, out 176 weed species recorded, 8 have high potential for harmfulness. In descending ordre, there are: Porophyllum ruderale, Panicum laxum, Chromolaena odorata, Calopogonium mucunoides, Croton hirtus, Centrosema pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides et Diodia rubricosa. The similarity coefficient of these two floristic lists showed that there is a floristic homogeneity between them (Cs=72.34 pc.). This study on the main binding weeds is proving to be te fundamental step in the implementation of an effective technical ways for the managment of cassava cultivation.

The present study aims to evaluate the diversity of ichthyological populations in the section of the Bandama River located in the Upper Bandama Fauna and Flora Reserve (RFF-HB). This study was carried out, following the longitudinal gradient (upstream-downstream) of the section of the Bandama River in the reserve, on 06 stations and during 08 sampling campaigns between January 2018 and February 2019. The collection of fish from the experimental fishery was carried out using gill nets, creels and hawks. The ichthyofauna inventory identified 33 fish species divided into 17 families and 8 orders. The fish populations are more diversified in the middle course (25 species) and upstream (24 species) of the reserve. The frequencies of occurrence of the ichthyofauna show that Labeo coubie, Brycinus imberi, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Heterobranchus isopterus and Oreochromis niloticus are very frequently encountered on the Bandama river in the reserve. The analysis of the diversity of the ichthyological populations of the reserve shows that the fish populations are less diversified but more stable and balanced.

Piliostigma reticulatum is a species with high socio-economic potential. Unfortunately, in Burkina Faso, under the combined effect of climatic factors and anthropic actions, the species is experiencing a degradation compromising its survival. The present study was undertaken in order to contribute to promote its domestication by determining better conditions for seed germination and the determination of the substrate (organic or mineral) that allows a stronger, faster and homogeneous germination of seeds. Thus, the germination of P. reticulatum seeds was tested on ten (10) types of substrates. Also, the effect of substrate on seed germination and growth parameters was studied. The results revealed that germination is influenced by the type of substrate used. The best substrate for seed germination of Piliostigma reticulatum was a mixture of forest soil, Guiera senegalensis leaf compost and Burkina phosphate with a germination rate of 34.44%. The best growth of P. reticulatum seedlings is obtained with the substrates of Guiera senegalensis compost + forest soil + Burkina phosphate 13g and Guiera senegalensis compost + forest soil presents the greatest size with respective heights of 8.9 cm and 7.8 cm at day 30 after sowing. The results of the present study suggest avenues for further study with a view to sustainable management of the species.