Why do local issues struggle to tie in with the global forest management agenda in the DRC? This is the question that motivated this study. To find out, we collected data from 98 agents of public and private organizations working on environmental issues in the DRC, specifically in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Yangambi. From the data collected, we found that there is a conflict between the actors involved in forest management in the DRC, namely NGOs and other associations, the Congolese government through its ministries and local communities. The root of the conflict lies in the divergence of logics between the players and the failure to respect commitments. Also, the threats to the Congolese forest come from slash-and-burn agriculture, timber exploitation, climate change and mining. In view of these results, it is clear that the logics, interests and ideologies of the players do not coincide, with each player defending its own interests or ideologies. Added to this is poor governance on the part of the State, and the failure of stakeholders to comply with specifications. As a result, forest management under study can evolve in a context of conflict.

In carrying out this study, our main objective was to demonstrate, through the opinions of stakeholders involved in forest management in the DR Congo, that the latter is a solution to the problem of global warming. To achieve this, we collected data from 98 agents of public and private organizations working on environmental issues in the DRC, in Kinshasa, Kisangani and Yangambi. A questionnaire was administered to these agents. We then consulted various documents relating to Congolese forest management. In analyzing the data, we found that the DRC is a real solution to the problem of global warming, thanks to its forests with a high capacity for CO2 sequestration, the strategic minerals used in the manufacture of batteries and electric cars, and the production of renewable energies. The payment of carbon credits equivalent to the CO2 stored or captured by forests and peatlands, the effective commercialization of carbon sinks, the rewarding of damage caused by the effects of climate change, and the financing of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects and programs are the positive stakes in the DRC’s fight against global warming. These results stipulate, as implications, the sensitization of all the actors, the implementation of alternative actions for the benefit of the communities bordering the forests finally to safeguard the assets in forest conservation.

This study focuses on determining the activity of hepatic enzymes among consumers of traditional alcohol known as “Agène.” In the search for disturbances related to hepatic dysfunction, data analysis revealed the following findings: - The study population was predominantly male, with 44 cases (73.3%), compared to 16 female cases (26.7%). - Participants aged 21 to 30 years were the most represented, with 14 cases (26.9%), while those aged 51 to 60 years were the least represented, with 6 cases (11.5%). - The mean values of the hepatic enzyme measured (GGT) were higher in men than in women, with 48.11 ± 5.8 U/L versus 40.96 ± 3.3 U/L, respectively. The literature indicates that alcohol consumption significantly disrupts liver function. Indeed, the liver, as the primary organ responsible for alcohol metabolism, undergoes increased activity, which may lead to liver enlargement and functional abnormalities. In conclusion, this study shows that the majority of the examined “Agène” alcohol consumers present impaired hepatic function.

This study was conducted to estimate the allocative efficiency of tomato producers in the two (2) production basins of Moundou during the 2025 growing season. Data was collected from 212 tomato producers using a random sampling technique. The cost frontier was determined by applying the self-dual property of the stochastic Cobb-Douglas production function. The estimated average allocative efficiency score was 79%, while only 19% of producers achieved a level above 90%. The allocative efficiency of 28.78% of farmers ranges from 71 to 80%, followed by 22.64% in the range of 81 to 90%. The results illustrate that there is still potential to increase production and reduce costs by 21% at the current level of input use and available technology. The yield coefficient is negative, indicating that a one percent increase in yield reduces the cost by 0.065 percent. The estimated elasticities for land rental and inputs have a positive and significant effect on the total cost of production. An optimal mix of inputs could reduce production costs. Regarding the independent variables, the farmer’s age, as an indicator of relevant experience, and access to extension services were found to be significant contributors to allocative efficiency.

Student dropout rates are a major challenge for higher education. Both parents and academic institutions are seeking to reduce this phenomenon by investigating its root causes, as it has economic, social and institutional consequences. Based on an academic dataset enriched by SMOTE balancing, one-hot encoding and scaling, this article explores the application of machine learning (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting) and deep learning (MLP and CNN) techniques to predict this phenomenon and consider possible solutions. Exploring various data, such as grades, absences, failures, study time and family support, the models were compared through these metrics: Accuracy, F1-score, AUC-ROC, PR-curve. The results reveal the effectiveness of Gradient Boosting and Random Forest models (with an F1-score close to 1) over those of Multilayer Perceptron (F1-score = 0.84) and Convolutional Neural Networks (F1-score = 0,82). Analysis of the variables confirms the importance of mid-term marks (G2), absences and previous failures as key predictors. The article provides recommendations, including the parameters to be taken into account in early prediction, and opens up prospects for future work.

Although illegal gold panning is prohibited and punishable by law in Côte d’Ivoire, numerous sites continue to thrive in rural areas, bringing with them significant environmental nuisances. The western region of the country hosts a high concentration of gold panning sites. This study aims to assess the potential intensity of metal contamination (As, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Hg, and Cd) in soils and to determine the associated ecological risk. Eight (8) soil samples were collected at a depth of 15 cm from areas influenced by gold panning activity in the Bangolo department. Laboratory chemical analyses and statistical treatments were conducted to evaluate the contamination intensity through the calculation of contamination factors and the geo-accumulation index (Igeo). Additionally, the ecological risk associated with soil metal contamination was assessed. The results showed that As, Ni, and Cr concentrations in samples S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and ST exceeded average concentrations typically found in the upper continental crust. The highest average concentrations were recorded for Cr (134.34 mg/kg), Cu (41 mg/kg), and Ni (34.43 mg/kg). The average Pb and As concentrations in the studied soils were 7.92 mg/kg and 5.79 mg/kg, respectively. Overall, soil metal contamination ranged from low to moderately severe. Chromium and arsenic contamination were the highest, with contamination factors reaching up to 5.37 and 6.75, and Igeo values of 1.84 and 2.17, respectively. Sample S6 was the most contaminated, while S1 showed no contamination due to its sandy nature. The resulting ecological risk is currently low, with all risk index (RI) values below 150.

Senegalese women have become sedentary. A sedentary lifestyle is undoubtedly one of the main causes of diabetes and hypertension. Dance, a physical activity based on bodily expression, can be a source of motivation for Senegalese women to engage in regular physical activity. To study the effects of a 2-month ‘bougarabou’ dance program involving two 2- hour sessions per week on the heart rate and resting blood pressure of 16 sedentary Senegalese women aged between 22 and 28 is our objective.The heart rate and resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 16 sedentary women aged 22 to 28 from the town of Ziguinchor were measured before and after a two (2) month «bougarabou dance» program, with two 2-hour sessions per week. Resting heart rate (before 78.81 beats/min ± 9.31 vs after 64.38 ± 6.05 beats/min), systolic blood pressure (before 13.13 cmHg ± 0.96 vs after 11.44 cmHg ± 1.09) and diastolic blood pressure (before 7.75 cmHg ± 0.93 vs after 6.68 cmHg ± 1.01) fell significantly (P < 0.05) at the end of the «bougarabou» dance program.This study shows that an 8-week «bougarabou» dance program, consisting of two 2-hour sessions, has a significant effect on the heart rate and blood pressure of our sample of sedentary Senegalese women aged between 22 and 28.