Building a Business and Strategic Intelligence Policy as a Strategy for Promoting Congolese Business Progress and Healthy Economic Development in Eastern DRC

The aim of this study was to verify the existence of business and strategic intelligence policies at the level of Congolese companies and at the state level, likely to foster progress and healthy development in the east of the DRC. The study was based on a mixed perspective consisting of objective analysis of quantitative data and interpretative analysis of qualitative data. The results showed that business and strategic intelligence policies have not been established at either company or state level, as this is an area of activity that is not known to the players in companies and public departments, and there are no units or offices in their organizational structures responsible for managing strategic information for competitiveness on the international market. In addition, there is a real need to establish strategic information management units within companies, upstream, and to set up a national strategic information management department or agency to help local companies compete in the marketplace, downstream. This reflects the importance and timeliness of building business and strategic intelligence policies to ensure economic progress and development in the eastern DRC. Business and strategic intelligence provides companies with an appropriate tool for researching, collecting, processing and disseminating information useful for decision-making among stakeholders, in order to cope with a crisis or competitive situation. The study suggests a number of key recommendations based on its findings. To the government, it is recommended to establish the national policy of business and strategic intelligence by setting up a national agency of strategic intelligence in favor of local companies;and to companies to establish business intelligence units in their organizational structures in favor of stakeholders to foster advantageous decision-making in the competitive market and achieve progress. Finally, the study suggests that studies be carried out to fully understand the opportunities and impact of business and strategic intelligence in African countries, particularly in the DRC.

Palaeogene Sandstones of the Manika Plateau in Kolwezi (DR Congo): Sedimentological and Geochemical Characterization, Provenance, Palaeoalteration and Tectonic Context

This work presents a study of the Paleogene sandstones of the Manika plateau in Kolwezi, DR Congo. These sandstones belong to the “Grès polymorphes” group, which together with the overlying “Sables ocre” makes up the Kalahari Supergroup. Sedimentological and geochemical analyses have enabled us to characterize these sandstones and determine their origin, the conditions of their formation and the tectonic context in which they were developed. The results show that the sandstones are quartz arenites with a high level of mineralogical, textural and chemical maturity. They are recycled sandstones, formed in an intracratonic sedimentary basin, in the context of a passive continental margin, after a long fluvial transport of sediments. These sandstones initially come from intense alteration of magmatic rocks with felsic composition, mainly tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) complexes, in hot, humid palaeoclimatic conditions and oxidizing environments.

Fatty Acid Composition of Hazelnut Kernel Oil from Coula edulis Collected in the Republic of Congo

Coula edulis is non-timber forest product (NTFP) used in Africa for its hazelnuts, which contain edible seeds with a demonstrated nutritional potential. However, there have been very few scientific studies of this species in the Republic of Congo. Thus, the aim of the current study was therefore to determine the fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from Coula edulis hazelnut seeds collected at random in the Republic of Congo. The oil was extracted using the Soxhlet method and its fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The extracted oil from Coula edulis hazelnut kernels is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (95.28%), particularly oleic acid (94.5%), which classifies it as an oleic oil and gives it interesting nutritional and therapeutic properties. On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (4.15%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.35%) are not well represented. Its low poly-unsaturated fatty acid content makes it more stable when stored at room temperature.

Epidemiological and Paraclinical Aspects of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Hepatitis B Virus Carriers in the Republic of Congo

Objective: Describe the epidemiological and paraclinical aspects of HP infection in hepatitis B virus carriers. Population and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study running from January 1 to August 30, 2019, a period of 8 months. It took place in the Hospital Centers of the two major cities of Congo (Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire). The target population of our study consists of patients carrying HBV under antiviral treatment or not. Patients aged at least 18 years and consenting with a biological and morphological assessment were included. We did not include in our study patients taking or having taken antibiotics and/or PPIs less than 4 weeks ago. We excluded all patients who did not deposit fresh stools and those in whom stool extraction could not be done manually. The variables studied covered sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical aspects. Data entry was done using Excel 8.0 software. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 20.0 software. Results: During our study, we included 169 patients. The frequency of HPAG in the stools of HBV carriers in our study population was 63.9% (n = 109). Male patients represented 69% (n = 75) and female patients represented 31% (n = 34). The average age of the patients is 43.92 ± 13.51 years with extremes of 18 years and 80 years. Concerning profession, unemployed patients and those working in the private sector were the most represented in respectively 28.4% (n = 31) and 22.9% (n = 25) without statistical link. Households comprising between 4 - 10 people and the use of public latrines were the risk factors most represented in respectively 69% (n = 75) and 88% (n = 96) without statistical link. Clinically, hepatomegaly and signs of portal hypertension were most represented in 53% (n = 58) and 47% (n = 51). Biologically, HBV DNA was detectable in 60.5% of cases (n = 66).

Complete Hydatidiform Mole at Menopause: A Case Report from Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Gestational trophoblastic disease is an abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue during pregnancy. It occurs in women of childbearing age, although a few cases have also been observed in post-menopausal women, although it is extremely rare in the latter. Here we describe a rare case of complete hydatidiform mole in a 56-year-old female patient who presented with genital bleeding combined with nausea and vomiting and a gravid uterus 16 cm in height. The ultrasound findings and the increase in serum β-HCG to 182566.00 mIU/ml suggested a diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole. Given the post-menopausal state and the future risk of post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, we opted for total hysterectomy without preservation of the adnexa via a transabdominal approach, followed by antimitotic treatment with methotrexate. The uterus measured 18.45 cm × 11.18 cm with intra cavitary vesicles. Microscopic examination showed chorionic villi of variable size and shape, most of which were dilated and oedematous, associated with trophoblastic cell proliferation and haemorrhage suggestive of complete benign hydatidiform mole. Follow-up showed a consistent decrease in serum β-HCG levels and no evidence of residual disease. A suspicion of gestational trophoblastic disease should be borne in mind when evaluating a patient with peri- or post-menopausal bleeding to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment.

A green cross-linking method for the preparation of renewable threedimensional graphene sponges for efficient adsorption of Congo red dye

Graphene-based materials possess significant potential for the treatment of dye wastewater due to their exceptional adsorption properties toward stubborn pollutants.However,their utilization is hindered by high preparation costs,low yields,environmental pollution during synthesis,and challenges in regenerating the adsorbent.This study proposes a novel approach to address these limitations by developing nitrogen-doped three-dimensional(3D)polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)crosslinked graphene sponges(N-PGA)using a cross-linking method with ammonium carbonate.This method offers a relatively mild,environmentally friendly approach.Ammonium carbonate serves as both a reducing and modifying agent,facilitating the formation of the intrinsic structure of N-PGA and acting as a nitrogen source.Meanwhile,PVA is utilized as the cross-linking agent.The results demonstrate that N-PGA exhibits a favorable internal 3D hierarchical porous structure and possesses robust mechanical properties.The measured specific surface area(BET)of N-PGA was as high as406.538 m^(2)·g^(-1),which was favorable for its efficient adsorption of Congo red(CR)dye molecules.At an initial concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),N-PGA achieved an impressive removal rate of 89.6%and an adsorption capacity of 112 mg·g^(-1)for CR dye.Furthermore,it retained 79%of its initial adsorption capacity after 10 cycles,demonstrating excellent regeneration performance.In summary,the synthesized N-PGA displays remarkable efficacy in the adsorption of CR dye in wastewater,opening up new possibilities for utilizing 3D porous graphene nanomaterials as efficient adsorbents in wastewater treatment.

What Is the Impact of Ploughing on Eucalyptus Plantations in Bambou Mingali (Plateaux Batéké, Republic of Congo)?

Soil ploughing is an important stage in the preparation of planting, causing disturbance to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Soil ploughing can affect the availability of nutrients and water resources, and its effect can be short, medium or long-term. Soil ploughing accelerates surface heating and air circulation and encourages mineralisation by transforming organic matter into mineral salts, making nutrients soluble and accessible to plants. The aim of this study is to determine how soil ploughing affects the distribution of nutrients in the soil profile. The study focuses on nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, which are major elements of soil fertility on the Batéké plateaux in Congo. The results indicate that ploughing significantly modifies the distribution at depth des elements nutritifs: there is more accumulation at the surface than at depth (ei: nitrogen 1.34 t/ha ± 0.035 at 10 cm compared with 1.034 t/ha ± 0.098 at 50 cm) with a higher concentration of carbon (13.89 t/ha ± 0.87) followed by nitrogen (1.34 t/ha ± 0.035).

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Profile of Bilanko and Ngamakala Peat Bog Soils (Republic of Congo)

Peatlands are unique and complex natural ecosystems that are part of the most important carbon reservoirs on our planet, home to a diversity of microorganisms responsible for fermentation, humification or peat. The aim is to understand chemical and biological indicators of peatland soils. This work aims to determine the physicochemical and bacteriological profile and lipolytic activity of soil bacteria in Bilanko peatlands. The bacterial profile with the production of lipases is carried out by classical microbiology techniques. The results show that the soils are moderately acidic with temperatures of 27.8˚C ± 0.01˚C for Bilanko and 27.1˚C ± 0.57˚C for Ngamakala. The electroconductivity (EC) varies from (9.52 ± 0.002) μS/cm to (39.01 ± 1.4) μS/cm with low turbidity of (2.04 ± 0.66) mg/L to (31.02 ± 0.84) mg/L and low ion concentrations with, however, a richness in phenolic compounds for Bilanko compared to Ngamakala. FMAT diversity ranged from (1.71 ± 0.88)∙104 UFC/g to (2.92 ± 0.07)∙105 UFC/g for Bilanko and (1.30 ± 0.73)∙104 UFC/g to (2.89 ± 0.06)∙104 UFC/g for Ngamakala. Bacillus loads ranged from (5.20 ± 1.40)∙103 CFU/g to (1.22 ± 0.13)∙104 CFU/g and from (1.11 ± 0.13)∙104 CFU/g to (9.20 ± 2.05)∙103 CFU/g;enterobacteria loads from (1.40 ± 0.76)∙103 CFU/g to (8.80 ± 1.73)∙103 CFU/g and from (1.01 ± 0.02)∙103 CFU/g to (9.20 ± 2.05)∙103 CFU/g;in Pseudomonas from 0 to (2.30 ± 0.53)∙102 CFU/g and from 0 to (8.90 ± 2.35)∙102 CFU/g for Bilanko and Ngamakala respectively. These results reveal a variation in bacterial similarity and distribution in the Bilanko and Ngamakala peat bogs.

Investigating Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Vaccination through Hesitancy, Refusal, and Access Limitation: A Community-Based Survey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Vaccination plays a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination campaigns encounter obstacles, especially in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aimed at investigating the roles of vaccine hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers, while identifying individual-level factors associated with non-vaccination in Mbujimayi, DRC. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three health districts and included 1496 residents. Attitudes and behaviors related to seeking COVID-19 vaccination were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to assess factors potentially affecting non-compliance with vaccination. Results: Among participants (median age = 33, IQR = 23.3, M/F sex ratio = 0.7), 60% displayed misconceptions about COVID-19 or its vaccine, while only 35.2% perceived COVID-19 as a significant health threat. Vaccination coverage was estimated at 49.1% (95% CI: 47.5;52.6), with 71.8% of vaccinated individuals having received one dose. Among the unvaccinated individuals, 50.9% expressed no intention to be vaccinated in the future, citing hesitation (30.4%) or refusal (39.6%) mainly due to side effects or distrust of vaccines. Conversely, 32.7% of the unvaccinated persons expressed access barriers despite willingness to be vaccinated. Misconceptions about COVID-19 and its vaccines were the main drivers of vaccination non-compliance. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate significant vaccine non-compliance driven by hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers. Strategies to enhance vaccination coverage and pandemic preparedness should address misconceptions, sociodemographic barriers, and geographic disparities.

Principle for the Installation of Accommodation for Sick guards in Public Health Establishments in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo

The results of scientific studies of human social facts in the field of health show that the management of a patient should involve the patient’s entourage,whatever the status or size of the health establishment.In healthcare establishments in the Congo,the following are recognised as being responsible for medical care:specialist doctors,doctors,midwives,nurses and care assistants.The patient’s family and close friends are responsible for looking after the patient and financing care.The hospital infrastructure does not provide any space for the patient warden who accompany the patient during reception and hospitalisation.This makes Congolese hospitals inefficient for patient care.How can we integrate the function of the Sick guard and the assistance of the family,in order to reduce the mortality rate and repair the harm caused to patients requiring the presence of relatives during their stay in hospital,which is considered to be a dangerous place?This article examines the functional principles for configuring the space that patient warden would occupy in the patient care system.On the basis of a documentary analysis of sociological and architectural studies of existing facilities,this article proposes a typical accommodation model with the spaces needed to ensure the well-being and effectiveness of the patient warden with the patient.These are rooms with minimum space for 2 to 4 individual beds,equipped with toilets and showers.The accommodation has a dining area,kitchen and laundry facilities.In the future,this accommodation will become part of the hospital estate and may be occupied by orderlies and patient warden recruited by the hospital administration.

Congophilic fibrils in the glomeruli with polyclonal immunoglobulin gamma staining-another cause for diagnostic overlap:A case report

BACKGROUND Glomerulopathy with fibrillary deposits is not uncommon in routine nephropathology practice,with amyloidosis and fibrillary glomerulonephritis being the two most frequently encountered entities.Renal amyloid heavy and light chain(AHL)is relatively uncommon and its biopsy diagnosis is usually limited to cases that show strong equivalent staining for a single immunoglobulin(Ig)heavy chain and a single light chain,further supported by mass spectrometry(MS)and serum studies for monoclonal protein.But polyclonal light chain staining can pose a challenge.CASE SUMMARY Herein we present a challenging case of renal AHL with polyclonal and polytypic Ig gamma(IgG)staining pattern by immunofluorescence.The patient is a 62-yearold Caucasian male who presented to an outside institution with a serum creatinine of up to 8.1 mg/dL and nephrotic range proteinuria.Despite the finding of a polyclonal and polytypic staining pattern on immunofluorescence,ultrastructural study of the renal biopsy demonstrated the presence of fibrils with a mean diameter of 10 nm.Congo red was positive while DNAJB9 was negative.MS suggested a diagnosis of amyloid AHL type with IgG and lambda,but kappa light chains were also present supporting the immunofluorescence staining results.Serum immunofixation studies demonstrated IgG lambda monoclonal spike.The patient was started on chemotherapy.The chronic renal injury however was quite advanced and he ended up needing dialysis shortly after.CONCLUSION Tissue diagnosis of AHL amyloid can be tricky.Thorough confirmation using other available diagnostic techniques is recommended in such cases.

Coordination of Regulation Devices for Damping Power Oscillations in a Dynamic Disturbance Context: A Fuzzy Logic-Based Approach Applied to the Electrical Grid of the Republic of Congo

This article presents a fuzzy logic-based approach to coordinate the control devices of the power system, such as Power System Stabilizers (PSS) and Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM), to damp power oscillations caused by dynamic disturbances. At first, we used the Lyapunov method to study the dynamic stability of the power grid in the Republic of Congo. This method allowed us to analyze the eigenvalues of the state variable matrix and highlight the eigenvalues in the complex plane. Secondly, we proposed a fuzzy logic-based controller to account for uncertainties existing near the thresholds. The inputs to this controller are the generator speed and generator rotor angle. We demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of this fuzzy control by applying it to the power grid of the Republic of Congo, with three power stabilizers and two STATCOMs. .

Abdominoplasty, Liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My Experience in This Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with Black African Women in a Low-Income Country

Background: In low-income African countries, the demand and use of plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are increasing. The goal of this work is to present my experience and the challenges of this aesthetic plastic surgery among black African women. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted about the abdominoplasties, liposuctions and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) which I operated in public and private hospitals at Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) in black African women. It covers a period of 13 years, going from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2023. For this study, I had at least 6 months period (to Juin 1, 2024) to assess the occurrence of early and late postoperative complications. Results: I performed 84 abdominoplasties, 144 liposuctions and 23 Brazilian butt lifts (BBL). The average age at the time of abdominoplasty was 44 years with extremes ranging from 26 to 55 years and a concentration of cases (60.7%) in the age group of 40 to 49 years. The age group of 20 to 29 years old represented the lowest rate of requests for abdominoplasty (4.7%). Patients with a BMI of 30 to 2 were the majority (61.9%), followed by those between 25 to 2 (29.7%). 67.8% of patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The average age at the time of liposuction was 41 years with extremes ranging from 21 years to 69 years;and more than half of cases (68%) in the age group between 30 and 49 years. As for Brazilian butt lift (BBL), the average age was 33 years with extremes ranging from 24 to 42 years and a concentration of patients (91.3%) between 20 and 39 years. The immediate postoperative complications of abdominoplasties observed were: seroma in 7% of cases, hematoma and partial infection of the surgical site in 5% of cases. Pathological scars (hypertrophic, keloid) after abdominoplasties were observed in 9% of cases. The most common complication of liposuction was contour deformity. I observed 16 patients (11.1%) with soft-tissue depressions or elevations, skin panniculus or folds. For Brazalian Butt Lift (BBL), complications like asymmetry for 2 patients (8.9%), contour irregularities for 2 patients (8.9%), and excessive fat removal for 6 patients (26%), had observed. I have not recorded any cases of death or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: I perform aesthetic plastic surgery procedures in black African women with a high socioeconomic standard of living compared to the average of the general population. The renunciation of planned surgery is motivated by the impossibility of paying the cost of the operation as well as by popular and religious perceptions regarding cosmetic surgery. The results of these aesthetic plastic surgery procedures carried out are very satisfactory for them. The challenges to overcome are mainly threefold: the unforeseeable complications of these cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, popular and religious perceptions of cosmetic surgery as well as the poverty of the population.

DRC-ICP-MS测定蜂王浆中硒的方法研究

为解决电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)测定蜂王浆中硒(Se)含量时产生的干扰问题,应用动态反应池(DRC)技术,通过对反应气种类、流量及测定元素同位素的优化,确定了消除干扰的方法。实验结果表明,当以78Se为分析物,甲烷(CH_4)为反应气且流量为0.5 m L·min^(-1)时,可有效降低干扰。该方法的线性范围宽(0.1~100μg·L^(-1)),检出限低(0.052 2μg·L^(-1)),精密度好,重复测定7次结果的相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于5%,加标回收率为95.0%~103.9%。实际样品测定结果显示,DRC-ICP-MS法与经典原子荧光法的测定结果相比无显著差异。

考虑乘客需求特性的DRC公交运行周期优化

考虑乘客需求特征,构建了单车双周期运行模式下DRC运行周期的优化方法。首先刻画乘客需求特征,然后根据出行分布的不均匀性、乘客取消预订等构建乘客出行成本函数,并与运营商成本叠加形成总成本函数,以系统总成本最小为目标构建运行周期优化模型,并基于遗传算法设计求解算法。通过多组仿真试验表明,DRC最佳运行周期随接送乘客比例和取消预订乘客比例变化;取消预订乘客数越多,则周期越长;当乘客数一定时,运行周期越长,则总成本越大。

适合直接驱动型风力发电系统的DRC混合箝位变流器研究

针对直接驱动型风力发电系统中需要的全功率变流器,提出了一种基于箝位二极管、电阻、电容DRC (Diode Resistor Capacitor)混合箝位的三电平变流器,并采用载波相移正弦脉宽调制CPS-SPWM(Carrier phase shifted SPWM)技术产生控制脉冲。仿真结果表明,该变流器输出波形正确,等效开关频率提高了1倍,最低次载波谐波移至载波频率2倍的位置,并具有自动平衡电容电压,电容充放电电流呈周期性变化且无电流尖峰冲击等优点。

DRC-ICP/MS法同时测定卷烟烟丝中8种重金属

为快速准确地测定卷烟烟丝中的重金属元素,建立了微波消解、动态反应池-电感耦合等离子体/质谱（DRC-ICP/MS）法同时测定卷烟烟丝中的Cr,Ni,As,Se,Cd,Cs,Hg和Pb含量的方法。结果表明：方法的回收率85.06%~119.54%,相对标准偏差均小于10%,检出限0.24~70.05 ng/L。

DRC-ICP-MS法测定卷烟纸中钾的不确定度评定

目的提高动态反应池模式电感耦合等离子体质谱法（DRC-ICP-MS）测定卷烟纸中钾含量的精密度,确保检测结果的准确性,识别和掌握影响测定的关键因素并实施有效监控和改进。方法依据JJF 1059.1—2012《测量不确定度评定与表示》,采用因果图对不确定度的主要来源进行分析,通过数学模型科学评定各不确定度分量,提出扩展不确定度。结果各相对标准不确定度分量值介于0.0067~0.0402之间。根据分量所占权重大小,不确定度对测定结果影响程度依次为标准溶液配制、样品水分含量、样品重复测量、工作曲线拟合、样品制备。当卷烟纸中钾含量为13.337 mg/g时,其扩展不确定度为1.218 mg/g（k=2,P=95%）。结论优化标准溶液配制环节能适当降低不确定度,同时检测时要密切关注仪器状态,仪器的稳定性会同步影响不确定度的最终结果。

HPLC-DRC-ICP-MS检测四种尿砷化合物

拟建立检测尿液中As（Ⅲ）、DMA（Ⅴ）、MMA（Ⅴ）和As（Ⅴ）4种砷化合物形态的HPLC—DRC-ICP—MS的方法。采用DRCTM（反应气为O2）与HPLC联用作为检测器，Phenomenex ODS-3作为分离柱，5 mmol／L四丁基羟胺，3 mmol／L丙二酸，5％（体积分数）甲醇为流动相（pH=5．0～6．0），建立了同时分析尿液中As（Ⅲ）、DMA（Ⅴ）、MMA（Ⅴ）和As（Ⅴ）的方法。实验结果显示：该分析方法对上述4种砷化合物的检测限均在0．1μg／L以下，在1～20μg／L范围内线性关系良好，准确度和精密度良好，回收率为89％～106％，样品中的Cl^-1对测定没有影响。所建立的HPLC-DRC-ICP—MS分析方法稳定、可靠，适用于快速、批量测定尿砷形态。

基于Neo4j的面向体系架构(DOA)的数据注册中心(DRC)的实现

为解决大数据时代下数据急剧增长带来的信息孤岛、系统扩展难及数据管理过度复杂等现象,采用面向数据体系架构(DOA)的思想和相关技术,结合Neo4j,设计了基于图形数据库的具有分布式、高效率、扩展性强的数据注册中心(DRC)方案,并搭建了实验平台.采用分布式图形数据库的注册方案已得到初步验证,与传统的数据注册方案相比,能够提高系统的运行效率,增强系统的扩展性,同时,简化了数据管理.