This report presents a statistical analysis of the impact of key maternal characteristics, including age, smoking status, parity, height, weight, and gestation period, on newborn birth weight. A real- world dataset comprising 1,236 observations was utilized for this investigation. The methodology involved comprehensive data cleaning, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and a series of parametric statistical tests, specifically the One-Sample t-test, Two-Sample t-test, Chi-Square tests, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). All analyses were conducted within the SAS programming environment. The study’s findings indicate a statistically significant negative impact of maternal smoking on birth weight, a finding consistent with broader public health literature. Gestation period emerged as the strongest positive predictor of birth weight within this dataset. While the analyses using broad categories of maternal age and parity did not reveal significant differences in mean birth weight, a review of existing literature suggests more intricate, potentially non-linear relationships and nuanced effects of these factors. Similarly, maternal pre-pregnancy weight, though showing a weak linear correlation in this dataset, is widely recognized as a critical determinant of birth weight outcomes, particularly at its extremes. These results emphasize the importance of targeted prenatal care interventions, especially those focused on smoking cessation. The study reinforces the utility of data-driven insights in informing public health policies aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes. Future research should explore non-linear relationships and potential interactions among various maternal factors.

In a work environment marked by danger and precariousness, trade union action constitutes a central lever for dockworkers at the Port of Abidjan to defend their rights. This study analyzes the social profile of dockworker trade unionists and their repertoires of action, based on a methodology combining direct observation, individual interviews, and documentary research. The findings show that union leaders generally come from among the most experienced dockworkers and possess a higher level of education than the average of their peers. Their legitimacy relies on the strategic use of narrative and symbolic resources, while, in certain situations, resorting to forms of physical violence. The article highlights the tensions between internal solidarity, power struggles, and structural constraints in a context where institutional mechanisms for worker protection remain limited.

This research paper presents a qualitative case study exploring the relationship between open innovation and customer experience within a global telecom operator in Egypt. Using in-depth interviews with 35 employees across various departments and extensive secondary data, the study investigates how service innovations are created to address local market needs and enhance customer experience. Findings reveal that the telecom operator leverages customer-centric open innovation to introduce both incremental and radical service innovations, such as interactive voice responses tailored to high illiteracy rates, micro-recharge cards, and mobile transfer applications. These innovations provide value-for-money, convenience, and differentiated services, significantly improving customer experience and loyalty in the emerging market context. The study underscores the importance of integrating external and internal knowledge and agile innovation processes to sustain competitive advantage in the dynamic telecommunications sector in Egypt.

The performance of most crop genotypes is strongly influenced by genotype-environment interactions. Thus, finding good-performing and adapted nutsedge genotypes is necessary for growers to improve their productivity. Consequently, the aim of this study is to understand the effect of genotype x environment interaction (GEI) on tuber yield and to select high-yielding genotypes specifically or broadly adapted to production. 36 genotypes were evaluated in three environments, following an alpha lattice design of 18 genotypes × 2 blocks in four replications. The combined AMMI analysis of variance indicated that the main effects due to environments, genotypes and genotype x environment interaction were significant. The contribution of environment (E), genotype (G) and genotype × environment interaction (G×E) to the total variation in tuber yield was 36.81%, 10.80% and 6.77% respectively. The genotypes × environments interaction was represented using the GGE-biplot method. The PCA1 and PCA2 axes accounted for 47.67% and 39.49% respectively of the total variability due to the G + G×E effect. Genotypes B32 (2.21Tonnes ha-1), P123 (1.71Tonnes ha-1) performed best specifically in environment 1, genotypes C65 (4.69Tonnes ha-1), B43 (4.21Tonnes ha-1) in environment 2 and genotypes K25 (3.17Tonnes ha-1), M5 (3.10Tonnes ha-1) in environment 3. Genotype C69 was the ideal genotype and genotypes P181, B44, C65 and B43 were the desirable genotypes for tuber yield in all three environments. The high-performance genotypes C65, B43 could be popularized for nutsedge production in the Soudano-Sahelian zone and the high-performance genotypes K25, C69 for the Soudanian zone in Burkina Faso.

The 2023 eruption of Nyamulagira volcano (DR Congo) began on May 19 with lava overflowing from the summit crater. We analyze seismic data from two nearby stations (RGB2 and RSY2) to investigate the precursory signals leading up to the eruption. Our results show a clear and gradual increase in RSAM (Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement) starting around 10 days before, followed by a seismic swarm from May 18 to early May 19. Correlation analyses reveal a weak relationship between RSAM and the number of daily volcanic events, suggesting distinct physical processes: RSAM is sensitive to continuous tremors linked to magma ascent, whereas event counts reflect brittle fracturing. Despite moderate correlation between RSAM values at both stations, local effects may influence amplitude differently. We conclude that RSAM trends, especially progressive increases followed by swarms, may serve as reliable early indicators of eruptive activity, even in the absence of detectable surface deformation.

Sahelian livestock farming is faced with feeding problems, especially during the dry season. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of different rates of incorporation of Piliostigma thonningii pods, with or without the use of bamboo charcoal, on goat growth. This involved determining the chemical composition of the feed and assessing the impact of rations incorporating the pods on the weight gain of the goats. Chemical composition was determined using the FOSS DS2500F with the Global Feed Equation from the International Livestock Research Institute. Twenty-four goats of average age and live weight of 12.5 ± 5.5 months and 8.49 ± 1.33 kg, respectively, were fed a ration incorporating 20%, 40% and 60% of pods, respectively, in 6 batches. Batches 1, 2 and 3 received the ration without charcoal and batches 4, 5 and 6 with charcoal at a dose of 1g/kg PV. Bromatological analysis of the pods yielded contents of 91.5 and 8.69% DM for OM and MAT respectively, with a nitrogen digestibility of 45.51 g/kg DM. The trial yielded GMQs of 10.5±3.32, 18.59±7.97 and 18.43±6.93 g/d for batches 1, 2 and 3 respectively; lower than 17.54±5.55, 20.78±9.2 and 21.71±7.29 g/d for batches 4, 5 and 6, which had the highest DM intake (283.23±52.81, 240±35.04 and 315±50.9 g/d respectively). These results could be used in goat production improvement programmes.

The decline in soil fertility through water erosion greatly affects rainfed crops productivity in the North-East of southern zone of Mali. The objective of this study is to contribute to improving sorghum productivity in rainfed crops. A split plot design was used in 7 replications, with 3 factors. The first factor was the water and soil conservation technique with 2 levels including contour bunding with ado (big ridge) (ACN) and grass strip, the second factor was the tillage at 2 levels of which ridging and scraping, factor 3 was fertilization with 3 levels including zero input, micro dose (40kg.ha-1) and extended dose (100kg.ha-1). The measurements focused on sorghum grain and straw weight and soil moisture in the plots. The results showed that ACN with ridging and popularized fertilization was the most efficient treatment in terms of both moisture conservation and sorghum yields increasing, with 159% increase in grain yield and 195% increase in straw yield compared with the control and 40%, 61% increase in moisture respectively at Zanzoni and Finkoloni. All treatments outperformed the control. These results showed the performance of the technologies used in water conservation and improving sorghum yields and will allow farmers to make a choice of technique according to the level of intensification.