Introduction: In Burkina Faso, undernutrition is a public health problem associated with more than 40% of infant and child mortality. Undernutrition management is complex, and there is often a risk of treatment abando...Introduction: In Burkina Faso, undernutrition is a public health problem associated with more than 40% of infant and child mortality. Undernutrition management is complex, and there is often a risk of treatment abandonment. Studies on this topic have not explored the influence of environmental and therapeutic factors on parental compliance. This study proposes an analysis of factors influencing the abandonment of nutritional recovery by parents of malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months in ambulatory care. Methods: This was a descriptive and exploratory qualitative study. Data collection took place in February 2020. Data were collected from seventeen (17) participants via in-depth interviews (IDI) and direct observation. The IDIs were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using Nvivo software. Results: The results revealed that factors related to the physical environment, such as geographical inaccessibility, pastoral occupation, displacement at auriferous sites, and insecurity, are important causes of nutritional recovery abandonment. They also prove that factors related to the social environment, such as lack of family and social support, feelings of shame, stigmatization, occupation of the mother, and social events, lead to this abandonment. In addition, therapeutic factors such as interruptions of supplies of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), feeling of improvement or worsening of the state of health, recourse to traditional medicine, and ignorance of undernutrition are also associated with this issue. Conclusion: This study highlighted barriers to the abandonment of nutritional recovery among parents of severely malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months in the health district of Titao, Burkina Faso. It is more important to consider these different factors when evaluating care protocols so that policies to reduce child undernutrition can considerably impact the targets.展开更多
This work focused on the search for biobased materials capable of being used in road techniques as soil inclusions, and on studying the influence of their incorporation on the characteristic parameters of pavement lay...This work focused on the search for biobased materials capable of being used in road techniques as soil inclusions, and on studying the influence of their incorporation on the characteristic parameters of pavement layers. To this end, pineapple, cyperus and imperata plant fibers, due to their endemic availability, were used as reinforcement on sourced materials, notably bar soil, lateritic gravel and silty sand. Complete identification and mechanical tests (Proctor and CBR) were carried out on materials in their natural state (soil) and on composite materials (soil + plant fibers) in the laboratory to determine their classification in road geotechnics, their compaction parameters and their mechanical behavior. Firstly, the various types of 2.5 cm long fibers were incorporated into the different types of soil at mass contents of 1% and 2%. This part of the study showed that the pineapple fiber composite incorporated into class A2 bar soil offered the best results, with a 38% gain in CBR index compared with the natural soil. Pineapple fibers incorporated at 1% in lateritic gravel raise the CBR value of the reinforced soil to 10% of the CBR value of the natural soil and to 7% for silty sand.展开更多
Organic biostimulants and organic fertilizers can improve soil health for various horticultural crops. The objectives of these experiments were to determine if biostimulants beneficially increase soil microorganism ac...Organic biostimulants and organic fertilizers can improve soil health for various horticultural crops. The objectives of these experiments were to determine if biostimulants beneficially increase soil microorganism activity in soilless medium, and additionally measure the impact of synthetic and organic fertilizers with blackstrap molasses on plant nutrient uptake nutrient runoff. It was hypothesized that the addition of biostimulants will increase soil microbe activity. Evolution of soil carbon dioxide was measured by comparing different rates (0, 15, 30, and 45 mL/3.8 L of water) of blackstrap molasses using a randomized block design with 3 replications in nursery containers. Also, a second study using St. Augustinegrass and tomatoes fertilized with organic and synthetic fertilizers was evaluated with and without a biostimulant rate (30 mL/3.8 L of water). The plants were arranged in randomized complete block design with 6 replications. Soil biostimulants did significantly increase the microorganism activity at the 0.05 level. The highest rate of blackstrap molasses improved soil biological activity over a 4-week period. Additionally, fertilizer combined with molasses did show significant increases in soil microbiology for over 5 weeks for both tomatoes and St. Augustinegrass. Molasses increased soil microbial activity but not plant nutrition. Organic fertilizer though resulted in higher levels of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur in plant tissue. Further research is being conducted to measure the influence of biostimulants on the breakdown of composting plant matter. Organic fertilizer slightly increased soil water pH but reduced nutrient load pollution based on a 7-day nutrient effluent study. Total nutrients (nitrates, P, Ca, Mg, and S) runoff was significantly less than synthetic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer reduced nutrient dumping in waste effluent. Organic fertilizers can improve nutrient use efficiency.展开更多
In unstable soils, a special erosion process termed suffusion can occur under the effect of relatively low hydraulic gradient. The critical hydraulic gradient of an unstable soil is smaller than in stable soils, which...In unstable soils, a special erosion process termed suffusion can occur under the effect of relatively low hydraulic gradient. The critical hydraulic gradient of an unstable soil is smaller than in stable soils, which is described by a reduction factor α. According to a theory of Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1], this reduction factor is related to the stress conditions in the soil. In an unstable soil, the average stresses acting in the fine portion are believed to be smaller than the average stresses in the coarse portion. It is assumed that the stress ratio and the reduction factor for the hydraulic gradient are almost equal. In order to prove this theory, laboratory tests and discrete element modelings are carried out. Models of stable and unstable soils are established, and the stresses inside the sample are analysed. It is found that indeed in unstable soils the coarse grains are subject to larger stresses. The stress ratios in stable soils are almost unity, whereas in unstable soils smaller stress ratios, which are dependent on the soil composition and on the relative density of the soil, are obtained. A comparison between the results of erosion tests and numerical modeling shows that the stress ratios and the reduction factors are strongly related, as assumed by Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1].展开更多
Although agriculture is the backbone of the African economy, it has faced considerable challenges in the past sixty years. Africa has moved from being a self-sufficiency continent before the 1960s, to net food importe...Although agriculture is the backbone of the African economy, it has faced considerable challenges in the past sixty years. Africa has moved from being a self-sufficiency continent before the 1960s, to net food importers, with a handful of countries facing severe food shortages from drought, desertification, climate change and wars. In this article, we use the case of Northern Ghana to explore some of the salient dynamics that have resulted in the current crisis in the African agricultural sector over time. Using historical and contemporary evidence gathered from Northern Ghana during several field trips from 2013 to 2015, we argue that practices adopted as a result of colonial influence in combination with socio-economic and biophysical factors and ineffective economic policies have contributed immensely to the poor state of agriculture in Africa. Note should be taken that most of these economic policies have origins from the Structural Adjustment Policies and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. We conclude that our agricultural systems can be improved if policies are inclusive, equitable and sustainable and also if there are synergies between international or government organisations implementing agricultural projects over time and space.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Measuring optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), a relatively re-cent technique, allows an indirect and non-invasive diagnosis of intracranial hypertension. The ONSD ratio to eyeb...<strong>Background:</strong> Measuring optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), a relatively re-cent technique, allows an indirect and non-invasive diagnosis of intracranial hypertension. The ONSD ratio to eyeball transverse diameter (ETD) increases this reliability of the technique. The objective of this study was to determine the normal ONSD and its ratio with ETD in black African adults in Benin. <strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2019 and August 2019. Ultrasound ONSD and ONSD/ETD ratio were meas-ured in 210 healthy adults received in the medical imaging department of the Borgou and Alibori University Hospital Center in Benin. The ONSD corre-sponded to the average of 12 measurements (03 horizontal and 03 vertical for each eye) taken 3 mm behind the papilla. The transverse ETD corresponded to the average of 03 measurements. <strong>Results:</strong> The mean ONSD was 4.20 ± 0.28 mm (95% CI = [4.17;4.24] mm and 95th percentile = 4.70 mm). The mean ETD was 24.25 ± 1.10 mm. The ONSD/ETD ratio was 0.17 ± 0.01 (95% CI = [0.17;0.17] and 95th percentile = 0.19). There was no difference between ver-tical and horizontal ONSD and between right and left ONSD. The ONSD and the ONSD/ETD ratio were not correlated with any of the socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics studied (sex, age, ethnicity, weight, height, body mass index, head circumference and waist circumference). The ONSD was associated with ETD (p < 0.001 and r = 0.55). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> An ONSD and an ONSD/ETD ratio respectively greater than 4.70 mm and 0.19 should sus-pect intracranial hypertension. The ONSD/ETD ratio may be a better indicator of HICT because of its small variation.展开更多
<strong>Introduction:</strong> Tendinopathy of the thoracic limb (TMT) is frequent, and is responsible for an important socio-professional handicap. Medical imaging, in particular, ultrasound has a major r...<strong>Introduction:</strong> Tendinopathy of the thoracic limb (TMT) is frequent, and is responsible for an important socio-professional handicap. Medical imaging, in particular, ultrasound has a major role in contributing to the diagnosis. As the use of ultrasound is recent in osteoarticular pathology, especially in Africa, we proposed to determine the contribution of imaging in the diagnosis of tendinopathy of the thoracic limbs in a country with limited resources. <strong>Patients and Method:</strong> A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of patients with tendinopathy of the thoracic limb who consulted the rheumatology department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou from August 6, 2019 to October 6, 2019. We evaluated the concordance of thoracic limb tendinopathy between imaging (radiography and ultrasound) and the clinic on the one hand and then between radiography and ultrasound on the other hand. The analysis of the collected data was carried out with the Epi-info software version 7.2.1.0. Then the concordance was evaluated by the kappa coefficient. <strong>Results:</strong> Fifty- two (52) patients with 104 joints were evaluated. The average age was 54.92 ± 3.40 years. Clinically, rotator cuff tendinopathy was the most frequent abarticular pathology (45.19%). The clinical-ultrasound agreement was strong (k = 0.7527) for the shoulders, very strong (k = 0.9360) for the elbows and moderate for the wrists (k = 0.6695). The clinical-radiographic agreement was weak (k = 0.2316) at the shoulder level and very weak (k = 0.2087) at the elbow level. The radio-ultrasound agreement was very low in the shoulders (k = 0.1522), elbows (k = 0.1859) and wrists (k = 0.0001). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The contribution of imaging in the diagnosis of TMT remains certain even in a country with limited resources like ours. Ultrasound is a reliable examination for the diagnosis of non-traumatic tendinopathy of the thoracic limb with a good clinical-ultra- sound concordance and a weak radio-clinical and radio-ultrasound c展开更多
<strong>Introduction: </strong>The portal vein (PVD) diameter is one of the predictive variables of portal hypertension. This diameter can differ according to the population. The objective of this study wa...<strong>Introduction: </strong>The portal vein (PVD) diameter is one of the predictive variables of portal hypertension. This diameter can differ according to the population. The objective of this study was to determine the PVD in a healthy adult population in Parakou using ultrasonography.<strong> Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the medical imaging department of the Borgou and Alibori University-affiliated Hospitals in Parakou from July 1st to October 1st, 2019. The study population consisted of 201 healthy adults. The ultrasound diameter of the portal vein was measured at the level of the hepatic hilum on a cross-sectional epigastric view and on an oblique intercostal view. An association was sought between the PVD and sociodemographic and anthropometric factors. <strong>Results: </strong>The mean age was 28.97 ± 10.56 years and the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.79. The mean PVD in regular breathing (FB) was 9.83 ± 0.95 mm with a 95% confidence interval of [9.70;9.97], a 95th percentile of 11.49 mm with extremes of 7.50 mm and 12.23 mm. PVD was correlated with age, sex, weight, height and abdominal girth. After multiple linear regressions (r = 0.19), there was correlation between the PVD in normal breathing with age (p = 0.0090), weight (p = 0.0026), body mass index (p = 0.0171) and body surface (p = 0.004). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>A PVD greater in normal adults is less than 12 mm and seems to be correlated to the subject age, weight, body mass index and body surface. A more than 13 mm PVD should lead to the suspicion of portal vein hypertension in adults in our populations.展开更多
<strong>Introduction</strong>: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatism. The increasing use of bone and joint ultrasound as a tool to aid in the detection of unrefined s...<strong>Introduction</strong>: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatism. The increasing use of bone and joint ultrasound as a tool to aid in the detection of unrefined synovitis in developed countries, has led us to study the performance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of RA in subjects consulting in rheumatology at Cotonou. <strong>Study Method:</strong> Descriptive cross-sectional study of patients with RA, selected on the basis of ACR/ EULAR 2010 criteria. A complete clinical examination with imaging including X-rays and ultrasounds of the hands and feet were performed in all patients who have given their consent. The data collected was analyzed using EPI data 3.1 and SPSS 24.0 software. The significance rate was defined with a p-value < 5%. Cohen’s Kappa (k) test was used to assess agreement. <strong>Results:</strong> All 53 patients included had lesions on ultrasound. Synovitis was found in 98.1% and bone erosions in 88.7%. There was no agreement in the wrists between clinical examination and ultrasound (k = <span style="white-space:nowrap;">-</span>0.116), MCP (k = <span style="white-space:nowrap;">-</span>0.097) and MTP (k = <span style="white-space:nowrap;">-</span>0.031). Agreement was very low at the PPI level (k = 0.03). It was low at the different sites, between ultrasound and radiographic detection of lesions (k between 0.022 - 0.22). Age, positive immunologic RA factor and biological inflammatory syndrome were associated with ultrasound erosions (p = 0.0001) and only age was associated with active synovitis (p = 0.022). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Bone and articular ultrasound is a good complementary alternative to clinical examination and radiography diagnostic in early diagnosis of RA in our developing countries, in the absence of MRI which remains a luxury.展开更多
AIM:To study the peripheral dose(PD) from highenergy photon beams in radiotherapy using the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor(MOSFET) dose verification system.METHODS:The radiation dose absorbed by the...AIM:To study the peripheral dose(PD) from highenergy photon beams in radiotherapy using the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor(MOSFET) dose verification system.METHODS:The radiation dose absorbed by the MOSFET detector was calculated taking into account the manufacturer's Correction Factor,the Calibration Factor and the threshold voltage shift.PD measurements were carried out for three different field sizes(5 cm×5 cm,10 cm×10 cm and 15 cm×15 cm) and for various depths with the source to surface distance set at 100 cm.Dose measurements were realized on the central axis and then at distances(1 to 18 cm) parallel to the edge of the field,and were expressed as the percentage PD(% PD) with respect to the maximum dose(dmax).The accuracy of the results was evaluated with respect to a calibrated 0.3 cm3 ionization chamber.The reproducibility was expressed in terms of standard deviation(s) and coefficient of variation.RESULTS:% PD is higher near the phantom surface and drops to a minimum at the depth of dmax,and then tends to become constant with depth.Internal scatter radiation is the predominant source of PD and the depth dependence is determined by the attenuation of the primary photons.Closer to the field edge,where internal scatter from the phantom dominates,the % PD increases with depth because the ratio of the scatter to primary increases with depth.A few centimeters away from the field,where collimator scatter and leakage dominate,the % PD decreases with depth,due to attenuation by the water.The % PD decreases almost exponentially with the increase of distance from the field edge.The decrease of the % PD is more than 60% and can reach up to 90% as the measurement point departs from the edge of the field.For a given distance,the % PD is significantly higher for larger field sizes,due to the increase of the scattering volume.Finally,the measured PD obtained with MOSFET is higher than that obtained with an ionization chamber with percentage differences being from 0.6% to 34.0%.However,when normalize展开更多
The effects of Hg exposure on blood parameters and gill physiology of tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)were analyzed.Fish maintained in freshwater were exposed for 7 days(d)to sublethal mercury concentrations(0.1 and 1 m...The effects of Hg exposure on blood parameters and gill physiology of tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)were analyzed.Fish maintained in freshwater were exposed for 7 days(d)to sublethal mercury concentrations(0.1 and 1 mg/L).Blood serum osmolality(SO),sodium(Nat),potassium(K^+)and chloride(Cl^-)ionic concentrations,and hematological parameters were assessed after 1 up to 7 d of exposure.Serum osmolality and ionic concentrations of exposed fish appeared differently affected throughout the experimental period compared to the controls.Osmolality was reduced at the 2 tested concentrations but Nat and Cl^-contents were only altered at 1 mg/L of Hg after 1 d of exposure and values rapidly returned to the control values thereafter.K^+content was also modified and significantly increased at both concentrations after 1 d of exposure but returned to the control values after 3 d of exposure.Red blood cell(RBC),white blood cell(WBC)and hemoglobin(Hb)levels were significantly increased throughout the experiment but returned to control values after 7 d of exposure only for the 0.1 mg/L concentration.The hematocrit(Ht)levels remained unaffected due to Hg exposure.Therefore,tilapias exposed to sublethal concentrations of Hg present a marked osmotic imbalance with ionic and hematological disorders that are rapidly compensated.展开更多
Background: Childhood cerebral malaria is one of the most frequent complications of malaria, with high morbidity and mortality. Raised Intracranial Pressure (ICP) is currently recognized as a fundamental element of th...Background: Childhood cerebral malaria is one of the most frequent complications of malaria, with high morbidity and mortality. Raised Intracranial Pressure (ICP) is currently recognized as a fundamental element of the severity of that disease. This study aims to look into the prognostic role of the sonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in the context of that disease. Methods: This study was conducted in the pediatric and imaging departments of the University Hospital Center of Parakou in Republic of Benin in West Africa. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a prospective data collection conducted over a period of 6 months, from March 1st to August 31st, 2014. There were two groups of children with severe malaria and conscious impairment: one with unrousable coma or Cerebral Malaria (Group 1) and the other without unrousable coma (Group 2), benefitting from ONSD sonographic measurement. ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the papilla. Correlation between depth of coma, outcome and ONSD measure on ultrasound was investigated. Results: Group 1 consisted of 37 children and Group 2 of 50 children, i.e. a sample of 87 children. The mean age was 27.21 ± 20.11 months and sex ratio (Male/Female) estimated at 0.89. The average ONSD of the sample was 4.39 ± 0.94 mm with a significant difference (p = 0.0001) between Group 1 (5.09 ± 1.09 mm) and Group 2 (3.87 ± 0.17 mm). Raised ICP prevalence was 48.28% with a significant difference between Group 1 (83.78%) and Group 2 (22%) with p Conclusion: Sonographic measurement of ONSD could be a leading prognostic tool in childhood cerebral malaria management.展开更多
This study aims to determine the effect of adding feed supplements of fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration on the digestibility of local chicken rations in the growth phase.The research was carried out in Jati...This study aims to determine the effect of adding feed supplements of fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration on the digestibility of local chicken rations in the growth phase.The research was carried out in Jatinangor District as well as the Laboratory of Ruminant Animal Nutrition and Animal Feed Chemistry,Faculty of Animal Husbandry,Padjadjaran University,Sumedang.The method used in this study was experimental with a Complete Randomized Design(RAL).The data were analyzed by fingerprint test(ANOVA)with further tests using the Dunnet test.The object of this study consisted of 20 Sentul chickens raised from the age of 1 day to 12 weeks,divided into 5 treatments and 4 tests.The treatment consists of P0=Basal ration without the addition of feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P1=Basal ration+0.5%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P2=Basal ration+1.0%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P3=Basal ration+1.5%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,and P4=Basal ration+2.0%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract.The changes observed are the digestibility of dry matter,the digestibility of organic matter,and the digestibility of proteins.The results showed that the addition of feed supplements for fermented shrimp waste extract had a significantly different influence on the digestibility of dry matter,the digestibility of organic matter,and the digestibility of protein.This study concludes that the addition of a feed supplement of 2%fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration can produce a high ration digestibility value for Sentul chicken in the growth phase.展开更多
文摘Introduction: In Burkina Faso, undernutrition is a public health problem associated with more than 40% of infant and child mortality. Undernutrition management is complex, and there is often a risk of treatment abandonment. Studies on this topic have not explored the influence of environmental and therapeutic factors on parental compliance. This study proposes an analysis of factors influencing the abandonment of nutritional recovery by parents of malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months in ambulatory care. Methods: This was a descriptive and exploratory qualitative study. Data collection took place in February 2020. Data were collected from seventeen (17) participants via in-depth interviews (IDI) and direct observation. The IDIs were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using Nvivo software. Results: The results revealed that factors related to the physical environment, such as geographical inaccessibility, pastoral occupation, displacement at auriferous sites, and insecurity, are important causes of nutritional recovery abandonment. They also prove that factors related to the social environment, such as lack of family and social support, feelings of shame, stigmatization, occupation of the mother, and social events, lead to this abandonment. In addition, therapeutic factors such as interruptions of supplies of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), feeling of improvement or worsening of the state of health, recourse to traditional medicine, and ignorance of undernutrition are also associated with this issue. Conclusion: This study highlighted barriers to the abandonment of nutritional recovery among parents of severely malnourished children aged 6 to 59 months in the health district of Titao, Burkina Faso. It is more important to consider these different factors when evaluating care protocols so that policies to reduce child undernutrition can considerably impact the targets.
文摘This work focused on the search for biobased materials capable of being used in road techniques as soil inclusions, and on studying the influence of their incorporation on the characteristic parameters of pavement layers. To this end, pineapple, cyperus and imperata plant fibers, due to their endemic availability, were used as reinforcement on sourced materials, notably bar soil, lateritic gravel and silty sand. Complete identification and mechanical tests (Proctor and CBR) were carried out on materials in their natural state (soil) and on composite materials (soil + plant fibers) in the laboratory to determine their classification in road geotechnics, their compaction parameters and their mechanical behavior. Firstly, the various types of 2.5 cm long fibers were incorporated into the different types of soil at mass contents of 1% and 2%. This part of the study showed that the pineapple fiber composite incorporated into class A2 bar soil offered the best results, with a 38% gain in CBR index compared with the natural soil. Pineapple fibers incorporated at 1% in lateritic gravel raise the CBR value of the reinforced soil to 10% of the CBR value of the natural soil and to 7% for silty sand.
文摘Organic biostimulants and organic fertilizers can improve soil health for various horticultural crops. The objectives of these experiments were to determine if biostimulants beneficially increase soil microorganism activity in soilless medium, and additionally measure the impact of synthetic and organic fertilizers with blackstrap molasses on plant nutrient uptake nutrient runoff. It was hypothesized that the addition of biostimulants will increase soil microbe activity. Evolution of soil carbon dioxide was measured by comparing different rates (0, 15, 30, and 45 mL/3.8 L of water) of blackstrap molasses using a randomized block design with 3 replications in nursery containers. Also, a second study using St. Augustinegrass and tomatoes fertilized with organic and synthetic fertilizers was evaluated with and without a biostimulant rate (30 mL/3.8 L of water). The plants were arranged in randomized complete block design with 6 replications. Soil biostimulants did significantly increase the microorganism activity at the 0.05 level. The highest rate of blackstrap molasses improved soil biological activity over a 4-week period. Additionally, fertilizer combined with molasses did show significant increases in soil microbiology for over 5 weeks for both tomatoes and St. Augustinegrass. Molasses increased soil microbial activity but not plant nutrition. Organic fertilizer though resulted in higher levels of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur in plant tissue. Further research is being conducted to measure the influence of biostimulants on the breakdown of composting plant matter. Organic fertilizer slightly increased soil water pH but reduced nutrient load pollution based on a 7-day nutrient effluent study. Total nutrients (nitrates, P, Ca, Mg, and S) runoff was significantly less than synthetic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer reduced nutrient dumping in waste effluent. Organic fertilizers can improve nutrient use efficiency.
文摘In unstable soils, a special erosion process termed suffusion can occur under the effect of relatively low hydraulic gradient. The critical hydraulic gradient of an unstable soil is smaller than in stable soils, which is described by a reduction factor α. According to a theory of Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1], this reduction factor is related to the stress conditions in the soil. In an unstable soil, the average stresses acting in the fine portion are believed to be smaller than the average stresses in the coarse portion. It is assumed that the stress ratio and the reduction factor for the hydraulic gradient are almost equal. In order to prove this theory, laboratory tests and discrete element modelings are carried out. Models of stable and unstable soils are established, and the stresses inside the sample are analysed. It is found that indeed in unstable soils the coarse grains are subject to larger stresses. The stress ratios in stable soils are almost unity, whereas in unstable soils smaller stress ratios, which are dependent on the soil composition and on the relative density of the soil, are obtained. A comparison between the results of erosion tests and numerical modeling shows that the stress ratios and the reduction factors are strongly related, as assumed by Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1].
文摘Although agriculture is the backbone of the African economy, it has faced considerable challenges in the past sixty years. Africa has moved from being a self-sufficiency continent before the 1960s, to net food importers, with a handful of countries facing severe food shortages from drought, desertification, climate change and wars. In this article, we use the case of Northern Ghana to explore some of the salient dynamics that have resulted in the current crisis in the African agricultural sector over time. Using historical and contemporary evidence gathered from Northern Ghana during several field trips from 2013 to 2015, we argue that practices adopted as a result of colonial influence in combination with socio-economic and biophysical factors and ineffective economic policies have contributed immensely to the poor state of agriculture in Africa. Note should be taken that most of these economic policies have origins from the Structural Adjustment Policies and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. We conclude that our agricultural systems can be improved if policies are inclusive, equitable and sustainable and also if there are synergies between international or government organisations implementing agricultural projects over time and space.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Measuring optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), a relatively re-cent technique, allows an indirect and non-invasive diagnosis of intracranial hypertension. The ONSD ratio to eyeball transverse diameter (ETD) increases this reliability of the technique. The objective of this study was to determine the normal ONSD and its ratio with ETD in black African adults in Benin. <strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2019 and August 2019. Ultrasound ONSD and ONSD/ETD ratio were meas-ured in 210 healthy adults received in the medical imaging department of the Borgou and Alibori University Hospital Center in Benin. The ONSD corre-sponded to the average of 12 measurements (03 horizontal and 03 vertical for each eye) taken 3 mm behind the papilla. The transverse ETD corresponded to the average of 03 measurements. <strong>Results:</strong> The mean ONSD was 4.20 ± 0.28 mm (95% CI = [4.17;4.24] mm and 95th percentile = 4.70 mm). The mean ETD was 24.25 ± 1.10 mm. The ONSD/ETD ratio was 0.17 ± 0.01 (95% CI = [0.17;0.17] and 95th percentile = 0.19). There was no difference between ver-tical and horizontal ONSD and between right and left ONSD. The ONSD and the ONSD/ETD ratio were not correlated with any of the socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics studied (sex, age, ethnicity, weight, height, body mass index, head circumference and waist circumference). The ONSD was associated with ETD (p < 0.001 and r = 0.55). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> An ONSD and an ONSD/ETD ratio respectively greater than 4.70 mm and 0.19 should sus-pect intracranial hypertension. The ONSD/ETD ratio may be a better indicator of HICT because of its small variation.
文摘<strong>Introduction:</strong> Tendinopathy of the thoracic limb (TMT) is frequent, and is responsible for an important socio-professional handicap. Medical imaging, in particular, ultrasound has a major role in contributing to the diagnosis. As the use of ultrasound is recent in osteoarticular pathology, especially in Africa, we proposed to determine the contribution of imaging in the diagnosis of tendinopathy of the thoracic limbs in a country with limited resources. <strong>Patients and Method:</strong> A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study of patients with tendinopathy of the thoracic limb who consulted the rheumatology department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou from August 6, 2019 to October 6, 2019. We evaluated the concordance of thoracic limb tendinopathy between imaging (radiography and ultrasound) and the clinic on the one hand and then between radiography and ultrasound on the other hand. The analysis of the collected data was carried out with the Epi-info software version 7.2.1.0. Then the concordance was evaluated by the kappa coefficient. <strong>Results:</strong> Fifty- two (52) patients with 104 joints were evaluated. The average age was 54.92 ± 3.40 years. Clinically, rotator cuff tendinopathy was the most frequent abarticular pathology (45.19%). The clinical-ultrasound agreement was strong (k = 0.7527) for the shoulders, very strong (k = 0.9360) for the elbows and moderate for the wrists (k = 0.6695). The clinical-radiographic agreement was weak (k = 0.2316) at the shoulder level and very weak (k = 0.2087) at the elbow level. The radio-ultrasound agreement was very low in the shoulders (k = 0.1522), elbows (k = 0.1859) and wrists (k = 0.0001). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The contribution of imaging in the diagnosis of TMT remains certain even in a country with limited resources like ours. Ultrasound is a reliable examination for the diagnosis of non-traumatic tendinopathy of the thoracic limb with a good clinical-ultra- sound concordance and a weak radio-clinical and radio-ultrasound c
文摘<strong>Introduction: </strong>The portal vein (PVD) diameter is one of the predictive variables of portal hypertension. This diameter can differ according to the population. The objective of this study was to determine the PVD in a healthy adult population in Parakou using ultrasonography.<strong> Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the medical imaging department of the Borgou and Alibori University-affiliated Hospitals in Parakou from July 1st to October 1st, 2019. The study population consisted of 201 healthy adults. The ultrasound diameter of the portal vein was measured at the level of the hepatic hilum on a cross-sectional epigastric view and on an oblique intercostal view. An association was sought between the PVD and sociodemographic and anthropometric factors. <strong>Results: </strong>The mean age was 28.97 ± 10.56 years and the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.79. The mean PVD in regular breathing (FB) was 9.83 ± 0.95 mm with a 95% confidence interval of [9.70;9.97], a 95th percentile of 11.49 mm with extremes of 7.50 mm and 12.23 mm. PVD was correlated with age, sex, weight, height and abdominal girth. After multiple linear regressions (r = 0.19), there was correlation between the PVD in normal breathing with age (p = 0.0090), weight (p = 0.0026), body mass index (p = 0.0171) and body surface (p = 0.004). <strong>Conclusion: </strong>A PVD greater in normal adults is less than 12 mm and seems to be correlated to the subject age, weight, body mass index and body surface. A more than 13 mm PVD should lead to the suspicion of portal vein hypertension in adults in our populations.
文摘<strong>Introduction</strong>: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatism. The increasing use of bone and joint ultrasound as a tool to aid in the detection of unrefined synovitis in developed countries, has led us to study the performance of ultrasound in the diagnosis of RA in subjects consulting in rheumatology at Cotonou. <strong>Study Method:</strong> Descriptive cross-sectional study of patients with RA, selected on the basis of ACR/ EULAR 2010 criteria. A complete clinical examination with imaging including X-rays and ultrasounds of the hands and feet were performed in all patients who have given their consent. The data collected was analyzed using EPI data 3.1 and SPSS 24.0 software. The significance rate was defined with a p-value < 5%. Cohen’s Kappa (k) test was used to assess agreement. <strong>Results:</strong> All 53 patients included had lesions on ultrasound. Synovitis was found in 98.1% and bone erosions in 88.7%. There was no agreement in the wrists between clinical examination and ultrasound (k = <span style="white-space:nowrap;">-</span>0.116), MCP (k = <span style="white-space:nowrap;">-</span>0.097) and MTP (k = <span style="white-space:nowrap;">-</span>0.031). Agreement was very low at the PPI level (k = 0.03). It was low at the different sites, between ultrasound and radiographic detection of lesions (k between 0.022 - 0.22). Age, positive immunologic RA factor and biological inflammatory syndrome were associated with ultrasound erosions (p = 0.0001) and only age was associated with active synovitis (p = 0.022). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Bone and articular ultrasound is a good complementary alternative to clinical examination and radiography diagnostic in early diagnosis of RA in our developing countries, in the absence of MRI which remains a luxury.
基金Supported by The Greek Central Council of Health (110Κ/93)
文摘AIM:To study the peripheral dose(PD) from highenergy photon beams in radiotherapy using the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor(MOSFET) dose verification system.METHODS:The radiation dose absorbed by the MOSFET detector was calculated taking into account the manufacturer's Correction Factor,the Calibration Factor and the threshold voltage shift.PD measurements were carried out for three different field sizes(5 cm×5 cm,10 cm×10 cm and 15 cm×15 cm) and for various depths with the source to surface distance set at 100 cm.Dose measurements were realized on the central axis and then at distances(1 to 18 cm) parallel to the edge of the field,and were expressed as the percentage PD(% PD) with respect to the maximum dose(dmax).The accuracy of the results was evaluated with respect to a calibrated 0.3 cm3 ionization chamber.The reproducibility was expressed in terms of standard deviation(s) and coefficient of variation.RESULTS:% PD is higher near the phantom surface and drops to a minimum at the depth of dmax,and then tends to become constant with depth.Internal scatter radiation is the predominant source of PD and the depth dependence is determined by the attenuation of the primary photons.Closer to the field edge,where internal scatter from the phantom dominates,the % PD increases with depth because the ratio of the scatter to primary increases with depth.A few centimeters away from the field,where collimator scatter and leakage dominate,the % PD decreases with depth,due to attenuation by the water.The % PD decreases almost exponentially with the increase of distance from the field edge.The decrease of the % PD is more than 60% and can reach up to 90% as the measurement point departs from the edge of the field.For a given distance,the % PD is significantly higher for larger field sizes,due to the increase of the scattering volume.Finally,the measured PD obtained with MOSFET is higher than that obtained with an ionization chamber with percentage differences being from 0.6% to 34.0%.However,when normalize
基金The authors are grateful to the Ministry of Research,Technology and Higher Education of Republic of Indonesia,Directorate General of Resources for Science Technology and Higher Education for supporting this work under the Sandwich-Like Program at the University of Montpellier(Grant no.1406.58/D3/PG/2018).
文摘The effects of Hg exposure on blood parameters and gill physiology of tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)were analyzed.Fish maintained in freshwater were exposed for 7 days(d)to sublethal mercury concentrations(0.1 and 1 mg/L).Blood serum osmolality(SO),sodium(Nat),potassium(K^+)and chloride(Cl^-)ionic concentrations,and hematological parameters were assessed after 1 up to 7 d of exposure.Serum osmolality and ionic concentrations of exposed fish appeared differently affected throughout the experimental period compared to the controls.Osmolality was reduced at the 2 tested concentrations but Nat and Cl^-contents were only altered at 1 mg/L of Hg after 1 d of exposure and values rapidly returned to the control values thereafter.K^+content was also modified and significantly increased at both concentrations after 1 d of exposure but returned to the control values after 3 d of exposure.Red blood cell(RBC),white blood cell(WBC)and hemoglobin(Hb)levels were significantly increased throughout the experiment but returned to control values after 7 d of exposure only for the 0.1 mg/L concentration.The hematocrit(Ht)levels remained unaffected due to Hg exposure.Therefore,tilapias exposed to sublethal concentrations of Hg present a marked osmotic imbalance with ionic and hematological disorders that are rapidly compensated.
文摘Background: Childhood cerebral malaria is one of the most frequent complications of malaria, with high morbidity and mortality. Raised Intracranial Pressure (ICP) is currently recognized as a fundamental element of the severity of that disease. This study aims to look into the prognostic role of the sonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in the context of that disease. Methods: This study was conducted in the pediatric and imaging departments of the University Hospital Center of Parakou in Republic of Benin in West Africa. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a prospective data collection conducted over a period of 6 months, from March 1st to August 31st, 2014. There were two groups of children with severe malaria and conscious impairment: one with unrousable coma or Cerebral Malaria (Group 1) and the other without unrousable coma (Group 2), benefitting from ONSD sonographic measurement. ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the papilla. Correlation between depth of coma, outcome and ONSD measure on ultrasound was investigated. Results: Group 1 consisted of 37 children and Group 2 of 50 children, i.e. a sample of 87 children. The mean age was 27.21 ± 20.11 months and sex ratio (Male/Female) estimated at 0.89. The average ONSD of the sample was 4.39 ± 0.94 mm with a significant difference (p = 0.0001) between Group 1 (5.09 ± 1.09 mm) and Group 2 (3.87 ± 0.17 mm). Raised ICP prevalence was 48.28% with a significant difference between Group 1 (83.78%) and Group 2 (22%) with p Conclusion: Sonographic measurement of ONSD could be a leading prognostic tool in childhood cerebral malaria management.
文摘This study aims to determine the effect of adding feed supplements of fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration on the digestibility of local chicken rations in the growth phase.The research was carried out in Jatinangor District as well as the Laboratory of Ruminant Animal Nutrition and Animal Feed Chemistry,Faculty of Animal Husbandry,Padjadjaran University,Sumedang.The method used in this study was experimental with a Complete Randomized Design(RAL).The data were analyzed by fingerprint test(ANOVA)with further tests using the Dunnet test.The object of this study consisted of 20 Sentul chickens raised from the age of 1 day to 12 weeks,divided into 5 treatments and 4 tests.The treatment consists of P0=Basal ration without the addition of feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P1=Basal ration+0.5%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P2=Basal ration+1.0%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,P3=Basal ration+1.5%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract,and P4=Basal ration+2.0%feed supplement fermented shrimp waste extract.The changes observed are the digestibility of dry matter,the digestibility of organic matter,and the digestibility of proteins.The results showed that the addition of feed supplements for fermented shrimp waste extract had a significantly different influence on the digestibility of dry matter,the digestibility of organic matter,and the digestibility of protein.This study concludes that the addition of a feed supplement of 2%fermented shrimp waste extract in the ration can produce a high ration digestibility value for Sentul chicken in the growth phase.
