The Sélingué hydroelectric dam is built on the Sankarani River in Mali. It is a fishing production area teeming with many fish species including Coptodon zillii. The species was selected for the study of genetic diversity. The study involved 120 specimens from two landing stages, Carrière in the lake area and Faraba near the Sankarani River. Each sample was subjected to DNA extraction from a caudal fin portion. Ten microsatellite markers were used and the genetic diversity of each locus analyzed. The results showed a number of alleles varying from 2 to 5 per marker with an average of 2.9. The loci were 70% polymorphic at the 95% cutoff. In total, 29 alleles were observed for all the samples with 2 groups on the dendrogram. Group I consists of 5% of the Faraba samples and Group II of the Carrière and 95% Faraba samples. In group II, there is a separation according to landing stages with little differentiation between the samples from the two sites. The expected heterozygosity (He=0.35) is lower than that observed (Ho=0.69), reflecting an excess of heterozygosity, with an absence of consanguinity and less significant gene exchange between the specimens of the two zones. These results show high polymorphism and genetic diversity in the samples studied. They offer basic elements on the knowledge of the genetic diversity of the species. However, the study could be extended to C. zillii populations throughout the lake and rivers.

Introduction: COVID-19 disease is an infectious disease characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations of varying severity. Biological markers play an important role in its management. The objective of this work is to study the association between the elevation of certain markers of inflammation: CRP, ferritin and LDH, and the severity of COVID-19. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study carried out at the biochemistry laboratory of HMMI in Meknes, covering a series of 324 patients, hospitalized and declared positive for COVID-19. Patients are divided into 2 groups according to the severity of the disease; severe or moderate form, and all received a complete biological assessment including: CRP, ferritin and LDH. The aim of this study is to determine the role of these inflammatory markers in predicting the severity of COVID-19. Results: In a series of 324 cases, the average age is 33 years with a M/F sex ratio of 5. 40 patients developed the severe form of the disease, in whom the average age and the number of comorbidities, are both significantly higher than in the moderate forms group (age, p = 0.000; comorbidities, p < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of CRP, ferritin and LDH were respectively increased in 164 (25.3%), 128 (19.7%), and 136 (21%) patients, with a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups of patients. . However, statistical analysis shows that only CRP and ferritin levels are significant predictors of severe forms of COVID-19. A CRP level ≥ 31.80 mg/L predicts disease severity with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 96.5%. For ferritin, the predictive rate of severity is ≥ 295ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 88.7%. Discussion: Despite the limited size of our sample, the results of our study are consistent with those of the literature. They indicate that serum levels of CRP and ferritin are reliable and early predictors of the severity of COVID-19. Some studies have examined the prognostic role of other inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 and procalcitonin. However, it is difficult to carry out a large panel of tests in our context, given that they are not widely available. Conclusion: Our study showed that serum CRP and ferritin levels are better than LDH in predicting severe forms of COVID-19. They can be determined easily in almost all laboratories, which would help ensure adequate care and monitoring of patients upon admission.

Cyanobcateria blooms represent a major global concern due to certain toxin-producing species. These toxins are classifies into 3 groips bases on the mode of action: neurotoxins, dermatotoxins and hepatotoxins. Microcystins belonging on the group of hepatotoxins are the most studied, the most dangerous and the most encountered in waterways. It is in this context that we proposed to evaluate the microcystin content specifically LA which is as dangerous as the LR analogue. Monthly monitoring from june to september 2021 allowed us to collect water samples from three surface waters in Ivory Coast (Aghien Laoon, Adzopé Water Reservoir and Angboville Seuil). Microscopic observations made it possible to identify different cyanobacteria, and the determination of microcystin LA (MC-LA) present in the water samples was carried out by HPLC/UV. The results revealed the presence of fifteen (15) genera of cyanobacteria in the three water bodies studied including four (4) potentially producing microcystin. Oscillatoria sp was the most represented with a frequency àf 100% followed by genera Aphanocapsa, Calothrix, Chroococcus, Cylindrospermopsis Merismopedia, Microcystis, and Planktothrix (66,66%). The genera Anabaena, Anabaenopsis, Lyngbya, Phormidium, Pseudanabaena, Snowella and Synechococcus were the least represented (33.33%). The variant LA was identified on the Aghien lagoon and measured at different concentrations, the maximum and minimum values of which were respectively 3.5 µg/L at station 4 and 0.68 µg/L at station 1.

Cement-stabilized natural clay soils can be combined with agricultural waste decoction to improve the mechanical performance and water resistance of compressed earth bricks. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical performance and durability of cement-stabilized compressed earth bricks with the addition of agricultural waste in the form of decoction in order to promote an environmentally-friendly material in the building sector. Based on an experimental campaign, mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity, flexural strength and compressive strength, as well as durability (open porosity and capillary water absorption), were studied for these bricks. The results show that these properties are influenced by the nature of the soils used, as well as by other parameters studied in this work, such as the percentage of cement and the percentage of Parkia biglobosa pod decoction. Indeed, the addition of 8% cement with at least 10% Parkia biglobosa pod decoction proved beneficial for optimum performance. Moreover, according to criteria such as total open porosity and capillary water absorption, the durability of this material improves with an increase in cement percentage and the addition of at least 10% tannin-rich Parkia biglobosa pod decoction. The use of these waste products (Parkia biglobosa pods) in compressed bricks therefore seems beneficial in terms of improving their mechanical performance, reducing their sensitivity to water and helping to preserve the environment.

With a view to enhancing the many plant species that make up the Ivorian flora, a study on the medicinal properties of two plants, Boerhavia diffusa and Kaya senegalensis, was carried out with the main objective of evaluating their antibacterial activities. Sensitivity tests carried out (MIC and MBC) on two bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) revealed that the aqueous extract of Boerhavia diffusa has bactericidal activity against E. coli and bacteriostatic activity against S. aureus that of Khaya senegalensis is bactericidal against S. aureus but without any activity against E. coli up to the limit of 800 mg/mL of concentration tested. The antibacterial activities of these plants would be due to the active ingredients it contains, in particular sterols and polyterpenes (polyphenols, tannins, saponosides) but the advantage observed in Boerhavia diffusa would be due to the flavonoids it contains.

This research seeks to analyse the influence of employee participation in decision-making on the organisational performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Benin. Using a quantitative methodological approach, we targeted our sample of 150 employees and managers who answered the questions. A correlation matrix was used to assess not only the dependence but also the direction of change between several variables at the same time. The linear correlation coefficient and clinical significance allowed us to analyse the data collected. Our results show that the correlation coefficient between the variables «high employee involvement» and «organisational performance» is positive. The higher the level of employee satisfaction, the closer SMEs are to achieving their social and organisational objectives. Finally, the greater the sharing of information between employees, the closer SMEs are to achieving their social and organisational objectives.

The aim of this study is to map land use and analyse the dynamics of landscape structure through the spatial transformation processes that took place between 1987 and 2017. The analysis, using remote sensing, spatial indices and spatial transformation processes, showed a heterogeneous landscape associated with an increase in the extent of human activity over the period studied. The classes have undergone a number of spatial transformations, the most striking of which are dissection and fragmentation for natural formations and creation for artificial formations. These processes are linked to the combined effect of human activities and the natural dynamics of the region’s plant formations.