Archives-May 2023

Two composites - 1) Molybdenum dicarbonate-filter paper and 2) Molybdenum dicarbonate-activated carbon were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis EDX. Using the method of UV-visible spectroscopy, the removal efficiences and adsorption capacities of these composites towards the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution were compared. The findings of the MB adsorption with these composites (I and II) indicated equilibrium adsorption in less than 5 minutes. Composites I and II have MB removal efficiencies of 87% and 96.25%, respectively, and their estimated adsorption capacities at 20°C are 432 mg g-1 and 481 mg g-1. The adsorption process of MB onto Molybdenum dicarbonate-filter paper (composite I) suited well with the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetics and conformed to intraparticle diffusion model for Molybdenum dicarbonate-activated carbon composite (composite II). Adsorption of MB onto composite I aligned with both Freundlich model and Tempkin models due to higher values of correlation coefficients and fitted well with Langmiur model for composite II. Adsorption process was found to be endothermic and spontaneous in nature. The adsorption results revealed that these composites could be employed as effective adsorbents to remove dyes from industrial effluents.

To provide cashew seedlings with the optimum growing conditions possible during the early phases of establishment, it is crucial to reduce stress. The purpose of this study was to analyze the physiological response of cashew to soil moisture and light conservation under various shading regimes. The seedlings were raised in a 2.8 litter plastic container filled with topsoil under partial shade, semi-partial shade and unshaded (control) conditions at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, (CRIN) Ibadan. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design with 4 replications per treatment. The shade effects were studied for 7 months and data on morphological parameters such as plant height, stem girth, numbers of leaves were collected. Light and moisture meter were used to read the amount of sunlight penetration and soil moisture. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and treatment means. From the result, plant height growth was highest in the control (full sun) at 50.52cm as the control also had the thickest stem girth and highest number of leaves. Shade imposes a limitation on growth and development of cashew seedlings but varies with shading levels. It should be noted that the results observed in this study are specific to the environmental conditions of the study site.

At the Makelekele base hospital in Brazzaville, the most neglected aspect of activities is hospital information management. Our study aimed to assess the quality of information by interviewing patients hospitalised or consulting at the Makélékélé base hospital between July 2020 and February 2021. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach based on the quality criteria of the Delone and MacLean models. Our study population consisted of a group of patients, users of hospital information. The patients gave their consent to participate in the survey. Confidentiality and anonymity of the data were ensured. A total of 300 patients responded to the questionnaires, most of them with a satisfaction rate of over 60%. The satisfaction rate of the patients appeared to be satisfactory with regard to the comfort and cleanliness of the room (63.27%), the noise in the ward (60.20%) and the organisation of discharges. The responses (90-100%) regarding possible improvement of the quality of the data were maximum. The statistical results were significant. Our survey revealed a relatively positive patient satisfaction rate regarding the quality of care, the comfort and cleanliness of the room and the noise in the ward. Patients were satisfied with the organisation of hospital discharges. Most respondents were unanimous about the evolution of data quality. The measurement instrument used for this exploratory research concluded that the target population had a high level of satisfaction. Users were clearly satisfied with the current information system. This investigation revealed that there were significant gaps in data quality that should be prioritised in the management of the Hospital Information System. Our study has allowed us to understand the constraints that hinder information management in the hospital. There were specific elements of health information that need to be diligently applied (information quality) or improved and enhanced (information use).

A well-functioning hospital information system must ensure the production, analysis, dissemination and use of reliable and timely information on health determinants, health system performance and health status. The aim of this study is to contribute to the improvement of information management and, by extension, to strengthen the overall performance of the Makélékélé Base Hospital. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study, at the Makélékélé Base Hospital in the first arrondissement of Brazzaville, the political capital of the Republic of Congo. The study took place during the period from 1 July 2020 to 8 February 2021. Authorisation to collect data for the study will be sought from the Hospital's General Management. In total, 55 questionnaires were completed by data management staff in the health information system field. More than 50% of the respondents answered that the same tools were used from year to year, site to site (58.18%) and that data collection was done according to the same methods from year to year, site to site (69.09%). Only 83.64% of the respondents answered that data from all reportable sites are included in the overall data, while 36.36% answered that there are measures in place to ensure data completeness. There were 69.09% of respondents confided the existence of the risk of the data being used for personal or political purposes. In our study, the analysis of the constraints of health information management was mainly related to data quality problems. The quality of health information is poor and does not allow the establishment of an efficient hospital system. The use of health information is insufficient to allow the implementation of an efficient hospital system. Our survey revealed a relatively positive patient satisfaction rate regarding the quality of care, the comfort and cleanliness of the room and the noise in the ward. The two investigations revealed that the "data quality" component had significant shortcomings that should be prioritised in the management of the Hospital Information System. Health information is essential for monitoring progress in improving and maintaining the health of populations and the functioning of the health system.

A survey was conducted with students enrolled in the higher institutes and universities operating in the province of Tshuapa, in DRCongo, to collect their judgments and their expectations compared to the actors and practices around the elections of the governorsand vice-governors of provinces that were held from 2016 to 2019. In the same way, the respondents were questioned about the results and the electoral system in application for elections. Finally, the results of the investigation inform that these three elections were, mostly, inadequate with the expectations of the respondents. Indeed, the latter, in their majority, say they wanted to see other characters as governors and vice-governors that those who had won thanks to the voices of the provincial MPs (members of the provincial parliament). Similarly, investigations denounce and condemn several practices and behaviors found in these elections from actors acting both from the national level and those of the provincial one, while rejecting the large part of responsibilities on the provincial MPs who compose the electoral college of these ballots.

The present dissection shows that there are some positive points contained in the legal texts on the election of governors and vice-governors of province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in force since 2006. This is the case, including the strict limitation of the duration and the number of mandates of the elected governors. It is mentioned thereafter, and unfortunately, in the Congolese regulation on the election of this category of authorities, a series of the resulting problems formula to remove or improve. In the number of these, one can insert those with the size of the election colleges, the adopted electoral system, the application criteria, the obligations and bans around the electoral campaign which binding less candidates and convincing less the national community on the concern to reach free elements, fair and transparent. It is also clearly demonstrated that the provincial provisions leave a wide open aims to the trade of the voices and, on the occurrence of the voting results in inadequate with the expectations of the populations. Legitimacy, political stability and the vision for development from our Provinces thus found destroyed from the start of the third republic instituted in 2006 after a long period of political crises and wars in the country. So, some proposals for the revision of those provisions contained in both the Constitution (Articles 197 paragraph 4 and 198) as in other relevant laws (Election Act: Articles 159, 161, 162 and Law on Free Administration of provinces: Article 23).

The nutritive and anti-oxidative properties of tea have made it the most widely consumed beverage in many parts of the world. Warm climatic conditions arising from high light intensity however, constitutes a major constraint to tea cultivation in South-Western Nigeria. Reduction in the Light Intensity (LI) is therefore, fundamental to the possible expansion of tea production in this zone. A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different light intensities on growth, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids contents of two tea cultivars at two locations (Ibadan and Owena). The experiment was a factorial of eight treatments; Two tea cultivars (143 and 318), Four levels of light intensity-(25%=2.40x104lux, 45%=4.57x104lux, 65%=6.75x104lux and 100%=1.04x105lux: control). These were achieved by using sheds of 4, 2, 1 and 0 palm fronds layers, respectively. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with four replications. Data were collected on Number of Leaves (NL), Leaf Area (LA, cm2), Plant Height (PH, cm), leaf abscission as well as chlorophyll and carotenoids contents (mg/g). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at ?0.05. The result revealed that Cultivar 143 performed significantly better than 318 with 25.23±9.74NL, 665.93±297.54LA in Ibadan and 25.38±9.82NL, 898.23±670.34LA in Owena. Tea plants under 45 and 65% LI had higher NL, LA and PH compared to those grown under 25 and 100% LI in Ibadan and Owena. Highest leaf abscission (15.44±3.89 and 23.13±7.22 dropped leaves in Ibadan and Owena, respectively) was obtained in C143 under 100% LI; while the least (6.84±3.89 and 4.78±7.22 dropped leaves in Ibadan and Owena, respectively) was obtained in C318 under 45% LI. In Ibadan, chlorophyll and carotenoids increased from 1.11±0.83 and 0.30±0.15, respectively in C318 under 100% LI to 3.15±0.83 in C143 under 25% LI and 0.6±0.15 in C318 under 45% LI; while in Owena, chlorophyll and carotenoids increased from 1.05±0.87 and 0.29±0.30, respectively in C143 under 100% LI to 2.97±0.87 and 0.83±0.30 in C318 under 25% LI. Conclusively, light intensities of 45% (4.57x104lux ) - 65% (6.75x104lux) enhanced optimal vegetative growth, reduced leaf abscission, increased chlorophyll and carotenoids accumulation of tea cultivar 143 which was more adaptable to Ibadan and Owena, Southwest Nigeria.