The Marabadiassa-Katiola volcano-plutono-sedimentary greenstone belt (Central Côte d’Ivoire) belongs to the Paleoprotozoic domain of the West African craton, known to contain significant gold mineralization like other regions of the country (Tongon, Yaouré, Ity, Sissingué,...). Our study was based on the description (macroscopic and microscopic) of rock samples collected in the field during our various missions and on the analysis of teleanalytical and aeromagnetic maps of the study area. The Marabadiassa-Katiola greenstone belt is formed of Birimian volcano-sedimentary units intruded by plutonites. These are mainly basalts, andesites, pyroclastics and volcaniclastics associated with phillitous or sandstones detrital sediments. The plutonism is marked by gabbros with a grainy or micro-grained texture in places, granites in the form of arena or in outcrop, sometimes alkaline or with two micas with small dark enclaves, diorites, granodiorites with a medium-grained texture with sometimes few dark enclaves or sometimes little deformed to basic dark enclaves or sometimes not deformed. All of these formations are affected by low-grade metamorphism of the greenschist facies. At the structural level, the area is part of the phases of regional tectonics that generated the sinistral shear corridors, thus causing a fracture network that can host mineralization. Several structural markers are found there, both ductile and brittle. These include foliation, fractures and faults, veins and dikes, sigmoidal tension cracks, and NE-SW-trending shear zones.

In Benin, bushmeat from the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) is the most consumed, despite the availability of domesticated cane rats. The objective of this study was to assess the current state of meat processing for both types of cane rats in southern Benin through a retrospective survey involving 12 hunters, 13 processors, and 68 consumers. Firearms (83.33%) and traps (50%) were the main hunting tools used. Among hunted cane rats, large-sized animals were the most frequent (39.09%), followed by small-sized (30.91%) and medium-sized ones (30%). They were most often sold without any processing (p<0.05). Regarding processors, the main selection criteria for either wild or farmed cane rats were tasting (76.92%) and customer demand (69.23%). The most common processing method was frying (69.23%). Processing cane rat meat was profitable for the majority of respondents (69.23%). The factors contributing to profitability included animal size (38.46%) and the selling price of the processed meat (23.08%). Bushmeat cane rat was the most preferred by consumers (70.59%) due to its good taste (56.25%), availability, and lower purchase price (16.67%). Reported health risks associated with its consumption included Ebola virus (61.11%), Lassa virus (58.33%), gout (60%), and haemorrhoids (30%). Therefore, cane rat meat processing remains traditional, and improving processing methods for both wild and farmed cane rats will better meet consumer expectations.

Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with health, social and school problems. As for moderate drinking, opinions differ depending on authors. Taking account of the way young people drink alcohol and their particular sensibilities to alcoholism at neuroanatomical level, we are led to wonder about the impact of moderate alcohol consumption on their cognitive abilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on memory capacity, and more specifically on explicit learning capacity using the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) that is to say a memory test for young people. To do this, 56 young people were selected and divided into four groups including one control group (with a blood alcohol content of 0.0 g/l) and three experimental groups (with blood alcohol contents of 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 g/l). Each group comprised two sub-groups (occasional and regular drinkers). Participants were subjected to a neuropsychological test, namely learning words from list A of the CVLT. The results of this study showed that alcohol consumption, even in moderate doses, significantly perturb immediate memory, thereby significantly reducing the ability to learn words for occasional drinkers (OD), especially when the blood alcohol content is 0.8 g/l. It also appears that regular drinkers (RD) are better able to tolerate the acute effects of alcohol, when blood alcohol contents are above 0.5 g/l. Schoolchildren are therefore advised to avoid drinking even at moderate dose in the school environment.

This study focuses on the petro-structural characterization of the Pan-African terrane of Tchilit in the Gofat-Tafadek sector, within the Aïr Massif (Northern Niger). The Aïr Massif consists of metamorphic rocks intruded by granitoids. Previous works related to the petrographic characterization and structural analysis of the Pan-African terrains in this region are superficial and fragmentary. The general objective of this study is to analyze the petro-structural characteristics of the Pan-African formations. Specifically, the study aims to: (i) determine the petrographic characteristics of different facies, (ii) identify the deformation structures that have affected them, and (iii) establish a relative chronological relationship between the main deformation phases. To achieve these objectives, a methodological approach was implemented, incorporating petrographic analysis and structural measurements. The schistosity/foliation planes, fault planes, and fractures were analyzed using the Win-tensor and Stereonet programs. Petrographic analysis shows that in the Gofat-Tafadek sector, the Tchilit terrane consists of phyllites, chlorite schists, biotite quartzites, mica schists, muscovite quartzites, quartz schists, paragneiss, biotite orthogneiss, amphibolites, metarhyolites, meta-arkoses, two-mica granites, heterogeneous granites, and pegmatites. Structural analysis of the Tchilit terrane in the Gofat and Tafadek sectors reveals three deformation phases: D0, D1 and D2. The extensional deformation phase D0, characterized by a NNE-SSW extension direction (N20°), is evidenced by normal microfault mirrors observed in quartzites. The first deformation phase, D1 (Pan-African), is ductile to semi-ductile and comprises two episodes: D1a (ductile) and D1b (semi-ductile to brittle). The first ductile episode (D1a), related to Pan-African shortening, is characterized by an ENE-WSW shortening direction (N70° on average), while the second semi-ductile to brittle episode (D1b) is marked by an average shortening direction of NE-SW (N40°). The second deformation phase, D2, marked by a shortening direction of N10° (NNE-SSW), is late to post-Pan-African. It is characterized by the development of a fracture schistosity. The structural evolution over time of the shortening direction in the Tchilit terrane highlights a sinistral counterclockwise rotation, from the ENE-WSW direction (Phase D1) to the NNE-SSW direction (Phase D2). This indicates a deformation continuum during the Pan-African event, associated with the convergence between the West African Craton, the São Francisco Craton, the Congo Craton, and the Saharan Metacraton.

In this work, we propose to study the influence of soil and concrete mechanical properties on soil-structure interaction parameters. Soil-structure interaction is modeled by two parameters, the vertical (k) and horizontal (T) reaction modulus. These two parameters depend on the system’s geometric and mechanical characteristics. This study shows that the vertical reaction modulus is not an intrinsic characteristic but depends on soil and concrete parameters (Es νs, Eb and νb) and foundation dimensions. The analysis shows that soil parameters are more influential than foundation parameters.

Streamflow data are very important in assessing the groundwater and surface water resources of a given region. In northern Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in the Bagoé region, although there are long series of rainfall data, streamflow data are still scarce. The few chronicles available are very short and incomplete. The aim of this study is to obtain a long flow chronicle for the period 1996-2016. It aims to estimate flows in the Bagoé River at the Kouto hydrometric station using neural networks. To this end, two neural models were developed to estimate variations in monthly flows of the Bagoé River from 1996 to 2016. The modeling was validated using the Nash criterion (%), the Pearson coefficient (R), the maximum flow ratio and the robustness criterion. The results showed that the validation criteria for these models are optimal. The Nash criterion is greater than 84% for both calibration and validation. The Pearson coefficient ranged from 92% to 96% in calibration and validation. The maximum flow ratio ranges from 93% to 118% in calibration and validation. The robustness criterion ranged from 2.91% to 7.62%. All these results reflect the good performance and stability of neural network-based models for estimating flows in the Bagoé river.

This work explores the use of innovative eco-friendly solutions from bio-based materials Sources such as rice straw and reed mat in the thermal insulation of buildings to optimize energy requirements and limit loss of ambient temperature inside homes. For this purpose, an experimental cell in clay brick of dimensions 1.60 m x 1.50 m x 1.55 m was built to highlight these materials. As for the cases of one of the vertical walls and the roof insulated with rice straw and reed mat, the results obtained on the vertical wall made of terracotta brick + reed + rice straw + reed + clay coating show that the surface transmission coefficient defined by U has a value of 0.24 W/m2K equal to the recommended limit value. This wall therefore has the thermal qualities of a good insulator. Which leads to the absence of water condensation in the wall and the hygrometry content is good and pleasant to human life as well as the summer comfort as a whole must be better. It appears that this wall has a strong thermal resistance and diffuses little heat from the outside to the inside. At the roof level, two cases were considered. One without insulation and the other with insulation. U of the non-insulated roof is 1.6 W/m2K, higher than the recommended limit value of 0.24 W/m2K. Once insulated, it is equal to 0.24 W/m2K. Based on the results of this parameter, we can conclude that the sheet metal roof, insulated with rice straw, acts as an insulator.

Water supply in the Saloum area is provided by the groundwater in the sandy-clay formations of the Continental Terminal. The presence of hypersaline waters from the Saloum River in the north and the ocean in the west, climate change and population growth are threatening groundwater resources, hence the need for a better understanding of the aquifer system. The aim of this work is to establish a hydrodynamic model that can reproduce the behaviour of flows by identifying the main recharge and evaporation mechanisms and estimating the hydrodynamic properties. The heterogeneity of the geological formation is at the root of a very large variation in the hydraulic parameters. This heterogeneity and the very limited uncertainty in the data justify opting for a stochastic modelling approach. The modelling is carried out under steady state conditions with imposed loads in order to quantify the natural flows passing through the aquifer and to understand the distribution of hydrodynamic parameters in order to reconstruct the piezometry. The probability densities for the values of permeability and recharge obtained indicate a high sensitivity of the simulations to these two parameters. The hydraulic conductivity values oscillate between 10-2 and 10-5 m.s-1 and are identical to those obtained by test pumping. The overall average balance shows a perfect balance between inflow and outflow. The average annual recharge of 13.98 mm is provided mainly by rainwater, and evapotranspiration is 13.65 mm. The model, which is deemed acceptable under steady-state conditions, will serve as the basis for modelling saline intrusion.

Chromolaena odorata is a fast-spreading invasive plant species that poses a serious threat to agricultural ecosystems, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its reputation as a harmful weed, there has recently been an increase in interest in its potential use as an organic soil improver. This study evaluates the impact of C. odorata biomass on soil physicochemical properties, specifically pH and moisture content, as well as on the agronomic performance of maize (Zea mays). The experiment was conducted in Zépréguhé, in the Haut Sassandra region of central-western Côte d’Ivoire, using a randomised complete block design. Four treatments were tested: C. odorata biomass alone; C. odorata combined with a 170 kg/ha mineral fertiliser (NPK 15-15-15); mineral fertiliser alone; and an untreated control. A single maize variety (LG-501) was used to ensure consistency across the treatments. The agronomic parameters measured included plant height, the number of leaves, the stem base diameter and the yields of ears and grain. Soil pH and moisture were also assessed. The results showed that the treatments involving C. odorata significantly enhanced plant growth and increased soil moisture, while slightly neutralising soil acidity. Applying C. odorata alone produced the highest yields (10.74 t/ha for ears and 7.62 t/ha for grain), outperforming the mineral fertiliser treatment and the control. The combination treatment also yielded good results, albeit slightly lower. These results suggest that C. odorata biomass could be used as an effective, inexpensive alternative to or addition to synthetic fertilisers, thereby promoting soil health and sustainable maize production in tropical agroecosystems.

Many weed management techniques exist everywhere on farms. However, the frequently used mechanical weeding reduces their nuisance. The combination of weeding and hoeing has multiple advantages on crop development. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effects of hoeing on the yield and profitability of eggplant cultivation in the off-season. Four hoeing frequencies (F0, F1, F2 and F3) have been tested. After transplantation into a Randomized Complete Block, the frequencies were implemented with a localized watering system. At harvest, biometric parameters, fruit marketing, profitability and their components were evaluated and subjected to statistical calculations. The main results showed from an agronomic point of view that the watering frequencies did not influence the length of the fruits and the number of fruits per plant. Thus, the F3 frequency gave the best yield with 20.36 t/ha on the two harvests. However, the baton turned out to be better from an economic point of view with a profitability of 326.75%. Controlling weeds on eggplant crops in the off-season by hoeing gradually reduces its profitability. Its cultivation without hoeing during this period, with localized irrigation, can promote the conservation of soil moisture for good plant nutrition on a permanent basis and a reduction in the pressure of unwanted weeds.