Ascorbic acid (AsA), an antioxidant form of vitamin C, helps the plants in photosynthesis as an enzyme’s cofactor. It also increases the rate at which plants grow, produce, and germinate. The main goal of this study was to find out how ascorbic acid affects the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) while applying on rooting medium. First, a trial experiment was performed to determine the most effective dose of AsA application for maize plants to adopt in the main experiments. A single variety of maize, Golden, was grown in sand under pot conditions. Hoagland’s nutrient solution was applied every week and four doses of AsA (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mM) were applied in root medium of maize seedlings every three days for two weeks. Then, in the main experiment conducted at the Botanical Garden at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, two cultivars of maize i.e., Golden and Sadaf, were grown in the soil inside a wire house. The selected optimal dosage of vitamin C from trial experiment (1 mM) was applied to roots of maize plants for five weeks after every three days at seedling stage. Growth and physiological parameters were measured and statistically analyzed with the help of COSTAT software using analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. When compared with the control plants, all plant parameters (root length, shoot length, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll a and b content, soluble carbohydrates, osmotic potential, Potassium, Calcium, and Phosphorus content) were observed to be enhanced with AsA treatment. On the other hand, application of ascorbic acid decreased the sodium content of both roots and shoots of the treated plants. Moreover, genotype Sadaf demonstrated relatively better results in comparison to genotype Golden.

In modern healthcare, patient satisfaction is widely recognized as a cornerstone of healthcare quality assessment, influencing not only clinical outcomes but also institutional reputation and patient loyalty. Yet, its inherently subjective and multifaceted nature makes it difficult to capture with conventional tools. This study introduces an inference system, developed within the framework of artificial intelligence, to provide a more nuanced evaluation of patient-centered care. The model examines eight qualitative indicators of patient experience, including communication, accessibility, staff competence, and perceived treatment outcomes, translating them into measurable outputs through linguistic variables. Relying on a Mamdani approach combined with centroid defuzzification, the system generates an interpretable satisfaction score on a 0–10 scale. Applied to real-world clinical data, this approach proves effective in managing uncertainty, improving decision support, and offering a refined perspective for patient experience evaluation, ultimately supporting more responsive and human-centered healthcare delivery.

This study analyses the anthropometric characteristics of young Senegalese handball players (U18 and U20 categories) in order to determine the extent to which their morphological profile is compatible with the demands of high-level handball. Based on measurements of height, weight, body mass index (BMI), wingspan and hand span, the data collected from a representative sample were compared with data from young international handball players who participated in the 10thWorld Youth Handball Championship (U19) in Croatia in 2023. The results show that while the height and wingspan of Senegalese players are broadly in line with African and European benchmarks, their weight, BMI and hand span are lower. The study concludes that a morpho-functional approach is needed in the detection and training of young handball players.

Numerous innovative climate-smart agricultural practices are being implemented across Africa, contributing to increased productivity and enhanced resilience. However, their efficiency remains relatively low at the continental and even regional levels. This study aims to assess the water use efficiency (WUE) of soybean (Glycine max) under the combined application of biochar and manure. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used for the experiment. The factor studied was organic amendment, with four levels: no amendment (T0), manure (T1), biochar (T2), and a combination of biochar and manure (T3). The methodology included rainfall and soil moisture measurements to monitor water availability in each experimental unit. Data on growth and yield parameters were collected. Analysis showed that manure, particularly when combined with biochar, significantly improved growth parameters. Furthermore, the biochar-manure treatment enhanced soybean grain yield by up to 37.34% compared to the control (i.e., 1642 kg/ha). It also resulted in the highest water use efficiency, with an improvement of up to 37.03%. Therefore, applying manure combined with biochar appears beneficial for soybean cultivation. The combination reduces nutrient loss by limiting leaching, thanks to the biochar’s retention capacity. Further research involving different application rates of biochar and manure would help determine the optimal quantities for maximizing water use efficiency.

Most major urban centers in Sub-Saharan Africa are located along the shores of estuaries, lakes, or lagoons which, due to their high biodiversity, are often subjected to significant anthropogenic pressures, particularly waste pollution. This study aims to analyze the phytoplankton community structure of the Ebrié Lagoon, an ecosystem heavily impacted by human activities. Phytoplankton samples were collected between February and November 2020 using a 20-µm mesh plankton net, targeting specific areas of the lagoon exposed to intense anthropogenic pressure. A total of 53 taxa belonging to five phyla were identified: Heterokontophyta, Dinophyta, Cyanoprokaryota, Euglenophyta, and Chlorophyta. Among these groups, Heterokontophyta exhibited the highest diversity, accounting for 58% of the total abundance. Furthermore, Cocody Bay emerged as the most biodiverse site, with 45 species recorded, representing 46% of all identified taxa. These findings highlight the ecological importance of the Ébrié Lagoon as a phytoplankton habitat and emphasize the urgent need for management strategies to safeguard this fragile ecosystem against increasing urbanization.

Water is essential to life, and the health status of a population largely depends on the quality and accessibility of drinking water services. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, urban populations face significant challenges in accessing safe drinking water. REGIDESO, the national water supply company, is unable to meet the needs of the entire population due to rapid demographic growth and the deterioration of its infrastructure. In response to this socio-environmental crisis, a large proportion of households (82%) in the town of Idiofa rely on borehole water. However, this water, which is often untreated and insufficiently protected, is a major source of waterborne diseases such as amoebic dysentery, cholera, malaria, bilharzia, and typhoid fever. Children are particularly vulnerable to these health risks. This study proposes appropriate solutions aimed at ensuring sustainable production, consumption, and management of drinking water, in order to strengthen urban resilience and reduce environmental vulnerability within the urban ecosystem of Idiofa.

In response to the continuing decline in the fertility of tropical agricultural soils, the use of grain legumes has been developed as an alternative form of organic fertilization, as it integrates the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity. The present study, conducted in the Karamokola area in central-western Côte d’Ivoire, falls within this framework and aims to compare the effect of two legume crops (soybean: Glycine max and bean: Phaseolus vulgaris) on soil macroinvertebrates. To this end, an experimental design consisting of four randomized blocks comparing four treatments (beans, soybeans, beans and soybeans, and a control) was set up on two fallow plots that were more than five years old. The results showed that the plots with a previous monoculture of beans and a previous mixed crop (beans and soybeans) harbored 15 taxonomic groups, compared to 10 groups for the control. In addition, there was a greater abundance of macroinvertebrates, with 675.75 individuals per m2 (previous bean monoculture) and 653.25 individuals per m2 (previous bean-soybean intercropping). Furthermore, soybean monoculture hosted an intermediate abundance of macroinvertebrates of 156.12 individuals per square meter.In addition, bean monoculture significantly improved (p˂0.05) the organic matter content (OM = 1.82%), carbon (C = 1.06%), and nitrogen (N = 0.09%) content of the soil compared to the other treatments (soybean monoculture and bean-soybean combination), which recorded statistically identical values (OM = 1.00% soybean and 1.17% bean-soybean); C = 0.58% soybean and 0.68% bean-soybean: N = 0.05% soybean and 0.06% bean-soybean). The positive correlations (r ≥ 0.85) between soil organic status and macroinvertebrate density, taxonomic richness, and Shannon diversity index suggest a synergistic relationship between these two compartments (soil organic status and density). The mechanisms governing the increases in abundance and diversity under the bean and bean-soybean treatments are discussed, and we recommend that farmers grow beans or bean-soybeans before planting any other crops in the Karamokola area of Béré in Côte d’Ivoire.

This study aimed to determine the frequency, bacterial profile, and antibiotic susceptibility of urinary tract infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the SALAMA Hospital Center. A total of 58 pregnant women were included, constituting an exhaustive sample. The prevalence of urinary tract infections was 29.31%. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated pathogen (35.29%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.65% each). E. coli showed high susceptibility to levofloxacin (83.33%) and piperacillin (66.67%). Staphylococcus aureus was fully susceptible to piperacillin (100%), while Klebsiella strains showed 100% susceptibility to levofloxacin.

The purpose of this study is to reveal the level of psychological loneliness experienced by older people residing in a social welfare institution and to identify gender differences among the study sample consisting of 20 elderly men and women. The study used the Russell loneliness scale adapted to the Arab context. The Welch’s t- test arithmetic means and standard deviations are used for statistical analysis. The results revealed a moderate level of psychological loneliness among the sample studied. They also showed no statistically significant gender differences. So, they do not support the study’s two main hypotheses.

The feeding practices and socio-economic characteristics of small ruminant farms in the periurban area of Bouaké were analyzed through a field survey of breeders. Over a period of 45 days, this survey was carried out on sheep and goat farms within a radius of around twenty km from the city center. It involved 26 goat breeders and 78 sheep breeders. The results obtained indicate that 84.6% of goat breeders are Muslims compared to 15.4% Christians and their main activity is breeding with 46% and 23% for commerce. In sheep farms, similarly, 97.4% of breeders are Muslim compared to 2.6% Christian and their main activity is dominated equally between breeding and commerce with 34 and 35% respectively. Production costs for males ready for sale vary from 17,450 FCFA to 45,245 FCFA depending on the breed and species. As for the selling price of animals, it essentially depends on the breed, age and sex, and varies from 20,000 FCFA to 600,000 FCFA. For feeding, natural pasture is the most used with 92.3% for goats and 53.8% for sheep. Goat breeders don’t practice fattening, however 41% of sheep breeders do. Breeders use crop residues for 61.5% and 97.4%, for goats and sheep respectively to compensate for the grazing deficit. Production costs for males ready for sale vary from 17,450 FCFA to 45,245 FCFA depending on the breed and species. As for the selling price of animals, it essentially depends on the breed, age and sex, and varies from 20,000 FCFA to 600,000 FCFA.

The aim of this work is to identify and enhance the value of lowlands in the face of the challenges posed by climatic hazards, with a view to the sustainable use of land that represents a major challenge for agriculture in Ivory Coast. The data used in this study are sentinel-2 images for the year 2023. The various methodological approaches used consisted of the combined extraction of vegetation, moisture and topographical indices. Analysis of the results shows that our study area has lowlands covering an area of around 31,100 ha. In the department of Man, 121584 ha of wetlands have been inventoried, covering 12% of the territory. They offer opportunities for a variety of crops, particularly rice and market gardening, and play a crucial role in food security and people’s livelihoods. However, their use faces challenges linked to climatic hazards, water management constraints and land pressure from urban expansion. Lowlands benefit from higher humidity and soils that are often rich in nutrients, which encourages crop growth. Farming in these areas contributes to local food security and can generate additional income for households. At times, these areas are prone to flooding and drought, which can lead to crop losses. It is important to manage these different plots in a sustainable way, taking into account the needs of the local population and the preservation of the environment. This work highlights the effectiveness of the remote sensing-GIS approach for monitoring wetland ecosystems and strategies for adapting to climate change.

This study aimed to evaluate the zootechnical effects of incorporating Moringa oleifera leaf powder or Carica papaya leaf powder into the diet of rabbits during the fattening period. The experiment was conducted on 28 weaned rabbits aged 45 days, randomly divided into 7 groups of 4 individuals each. For 56 days, the animals received rations containing different proportions of Moringa oleifera or Carica papaya leaf powder: 0% for the control ration, and 5%, 10%, and 15%. Results revealed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in average daily gain for rabbits fed rations including 15% Moringa oleifera leaves and 15% Carica papaya leaves, with respective values of 13.41 ± 3.7 g/day and 8.30 ± 2.45 g/day. These results contrasted with other groups: control ration (3.85 ± 3.85 g/day), 5% Moringa oleifera (4.815 ± 0.9 g/day), 5% Carica papaya (6.92 ± 1.45 g/day), 10% Moringa oleifera (8.07 ± 1.14 g/day), and 10% Carica papaya (7.13 ± 1.42 g/day). Additionally, the 15% Moringa oleifera and Carica papaya leaf rations showed the lowest feed conversion ratios (5.06 ± 1.12 and 4.06 ± 1.2 respectively), indicating enhanced feed efficiency. Incorporation of up to 15% Moringa oleifera and Carica papaya leaf powder in rabbit diets produced no adverse effects and improved growth performance as well as feed efficiency. These results suggest that these plants may be used as alternative dietary supplements to enhance rabbit production in Burkina Faso.