Evaluation of Medical Prescribers’ Theoretical Knowledge on Medical Imaging in the Northern Region of Burkina Faso

Introduction: Medical imaging is a medical specialty that involves producing images of the human body and interpreting them for diagnostic, therapeutic purposes, and for monitoring the progress of pathologies. We aimed to assess the theoretical knowledge of doctors and interns in medical imaging in the northern region of Burkina Faso. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey based on a self-administered questionnaire. Prescribers knowledge was estimated based on scores derived from questionnaire responses. Results: We collected 106 questionnaires out of 163, i.e. a participation rate of 65.03%. The average knowledge score was 81.71% for the contribution of medical imaging to patient management. It was 60.02% for the indications/counter-indications of radiological examinations and 72.56% for the risks associated with exposure to radiation during these examinations. The score was 59.83% for the methods used to select the appropriate radiological examination. As regards the completeness of the clinical and biological information on the forms requesting imaging examinations, the score was 96.65%. Specialist doctors had the highest overall level of knowledge (74.68%). Conclusion: Improved technical facilities, good initial and in-service training, and interdisciplinary collaboration will help to ensure that imaging tests are properly prescribed, leading to better patient care.

Study of the Spatio-Temporal Variability of Rainfall in the Northern Region of Senegal

Senegal is a country of the Sahel. In this region, most of the populations live from agro-pastoral activities. The northern zone of Senegal is strongly influenced by river cultures. And the dynamics of the Senegal River are dependent on rainfall. The rainfall in the area is very closely linked to the dynamics of the atmosphere. The study of the spatio-temporal variability of rainfall in the northern region of Senegal requires quality rainfall observation data. It includes the Ferlo and the Senegal River valley, in particular the regions of Louga (department of Linguère included), Saint-Louis (departments of Dagana and Podor included) and Matam. These stations have been defined since Le Borgne (1988). The difficulty of having quality rain observation data can be resolved by using more accessible and good quality satellite data. Using satellite data, namely MSWEP, CRU, TAMSAT, ARC and PERSIANN, we showed the return of precipitation that appeared in 2000 and the unimodal cycle of precipitation in our study area. These data were validated using the correlation coefficient, the bias, the RMSE and the Nash index with observation data from the Regional Study Center for the Improvement of Adaptation to Drought (CERASS). The CRU data is then retained. Thus, this study made it possible to show the zonal distribution of rainfall in the northern zone of Senegal.

Petrology of Spinel-Lherzolite Xenoliths from Mazéléand Others Northen Xenoliths Localities of Cameroon Volcanic Line: Exchange Reactions and Equilibrium State

The alkaline volcanism of the Cameroon Volcanic Line in its northern domain has raised many fresh enclaves of peridotites. The samples selected come from five (05) different localities (Liri, in the plateau of Kapsiki, Mazélé in the NE of Ngaoundéré, Tello and Ganguiré in the SE of Ngaoundéré and Likok, locality located in the west of Ngaoundé). The peridotite enclaves of the above localities show restricted mineralogical variation. Most are four-phase spinel-lherzolites, indicating that this is the main lithology that forms the lithospheric mantle below the shallow zone. No traces of garnet or primary plagioclase were detected, which strongly limits the depth range from which the rock fragments were sampled. The textures and the wide equilibrium temperatures (884˚C - 1115˚C) indicate also entrainment of lherzolite xenoliths from shallow depths within the lithosphere and the presence of mantle diapirism. The exchange reactions and equilibrium state established in this work make it possible to characterize the chemical composition of the upper mantle of each region and test the equilibrium state of the phases between them. Variations of major oxides and incompatible elemental concentrations in clinopyroxene indicate a primary control by partial melting. The absence of typical “metasomatic” minerals, low equilibration temperatures and enriched LREE patterns indicate that the upper mantle below septentrional crust of Cameroun underwent an event of cryptic metasomatic enrichment prior to partial melting. The distinctive chemical features, LREE enrichment, strong U, Ce and Pr, depletion relative to Ba, Nb, La, Pb, and T, fractionation of Zr and Hf and therefore ligh high Zr/Hf ratio, low La/Yb, Nb/La and Ti/Eu are all results of interaction of refractory peridotite residues with carbonatite melts.

The Trace Element Content Observed in the Elderly People of Russia＇s North Regions

To investigate the status of mineral metabolism in people residing in huge regional centers of north-western and north-eastern parts of Russia by AES-IBP （atom-emission spectrometry with inductively bonded argon plasma）, the content of 25 elements in hair samples of surveyed people was examined. The results of the study carried out in Russia＇s north could testify to significant deformation found in the elderly people bodies＇ element profiles. The pronounced deficit in such essential elements as Ca, Cr, Mg can be considered the common north-related profile typical for the elderly people from European and Asian north. In addition, age-related formation of all the elements＇ deficit due to their risen spending at pathologies as well as the increased need in such elements as Zn, Se, Cr, Cu, Mn. The age-related excess of arsenic proved to be typical for Magadan residents. In Anadyr, the age-related excess of lead was found, in Petrozavodsk mercury, and in Arkhangelsk--boron and aluminium.

Geochemistry,geochronology and Hf isotope of granitoids in the northern Alxa region:Implications for the Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The tectonic setting of the northern Alxa region during the Late Paleozoic is highly controversial.The key to resolve this controversy is to recognize the Late Paleozoic magmatic processes in the northern Alxa.In this paper,we present new zircon U-Pb ages,Hf-isotopic compositions and whole-rock geochemical data of four granitoids along the Zhusileng-Hangwula Tectonic Belt in the northern Alxa region that could provide critical information about the tectonic evolution of this region.The zircon U-Pb data could be grouped as two phases:Late Devonian granite and diorite(ca.373-360 Ma),and Late Carboniferous granodiorite(ca.318 Ma).The Late Devonian granites and diorites are metaluminous to slightly peraluminous,with A/CNK and A/NK ratios of 0.90-1.11 and0.95-2.19,respectively.The Late Devonian diorites are characterized by high MgO,Cr and Ni contents and MgO#values,together with variableεHf(t)values from-1.0 to+1.3 and old TDM2 ages varied from 1283 Ma to 1426 Ma,indicating the primary magma was potentially derived from magma mixing of depleted mantle with Mesoproterozoic continental crust.Even though the Late Devonian granites yielded most positive and minor negative eHf(t)values between-1.1 to+5.7(three grains are negative)with two-stage model ages(TDM2)of 1003-1438 Ma,they display low MgO,Cr and Ni contents and MgO#values,suggesting that they were mainly derived from juvenile crustal materials,mixed with a small amount of ancient crust.The Late Carboniferous granitoids are metaluminous and medium-K calc-alkaline series,with A/CNK and A/NK ratios ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 and1.75 to 1.90,respectively.These rocks were potentially derived from juvenile crustal materials mixed with depleted mantle,as evidenced by their highεHf(t)values(+11.6 to+14.1)and young TDM2 ages(427 Ma to 586 Ma),as well as high Mg#values,and MgO,Ni and Cr contents.Our data,along with available sedimentary evidence and previous researches,indicate that the Late Devonian and Late Carboniferous rocks are arc-related granitoids under the subduction setting.The identification of arc-related granitoids in the northern Alxa region not only reveals the Late Paleozoic magmatic process in response to the subduction of Paleo Asian Ocean,but also provide significant constrains to the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.

The Extension Methods and Fecision-making Analysis on the Planting Dtructure of Dlope Garmland in Northern Shaanxi

Based on the resent research about the planting structure of slope farmland in northern Shaanxi,in order to increase the native's income,we use the theory of the extension methods to analyze the planting structure of slope farmland,so that we can get the extensive strategy,and put them into use for planting of slope farmland to make the native's income higher.

Planting Performance of Several Elephant Grass Species in Northern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

This study aimed to screen suitable species of Pennisetum purpureum for planting in northern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. During 2012-2014, a comparative field trial was carried out in Lingyun County of Baise City in northern Guangxi to compare plant height, yield, stem-leaf ratio and nutrient composition am-ong Pennisetum purpureum Schumab cv. Purple, P. purpureum Schum cv. Guimin and P. purpureum Rich ＆#215; P. americana King grass cv. Reyan No.4. The results in-dicated that average annual fresh yield of P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple reached 141.4 t/hm2, which was 2.3 t/hm^2 higher than that of P. purpureum_Rich×P. americana_King grass cv. Reyan No.4; both average annual fresh yield of these two species was lower than that of P. purpureum Schum cv. Guimin. Stem-leaf ratio of P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple was the lowest （1.17）, which was 17.8% lower compared with P. purpureum Schum cv. Guimin, with significant differences （P〈0.05）, indicating that P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple had more leaves. Crude protein content of P. purpureum_Schumab cv. Purple was slightly lower than that of P. purpureum Rich×P. americana_King grass cv. Reyan No.4, while P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple was superior to P. purpureum Schum cv. Guimin and P. pur-pureum Rich ×P. americana_King grass cv. Reyan No.4 in other indicators. Specifi-cal y, P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple contained 26.6% of dry matter, 39.1% of nitrogen-free extract and 2.9% of crude fat.

Relocation of the M_S≥2.0 Earthquakes in the Northern Tianshan Region, Xinjiang, Using the Double-Difference Earthquake Relocation Algorithm

We applied the double-difference earthquake rdocation algorithm to 1348 earthquakes with Ms ≥2.0 that occurred in the northern Tianshan region, Xinjiang, from April 1988 to June 2003, using a total of 28701 P- and S-wave arrival times recorded by 32 seismic stations in Xinjiang. Aiming to obtain most of these Ms ≥ 2.0 earthquakes relocations, and considering the requirements of the DD method and the condition of data, we added the travel time data of another 437 earthquakes with 1.5 ≤ Ms 〈 2.0. Finally, we obtained the relocation results for 1253 earthquakes with Ms ≥2.0, which account for 93 % of all the 1348 earthquakes with Ms ≥ 2.0 and includes all the Ms ≥ 3.0 earthquakes. The reason for not relocating the 95 earthquakes with 2.0 ≤ Ms 〈 3.0 is analyzed in the paper. After relocation, the RMS residual decreased from 0.83s to 0.14s, the average error is 0.993 km in E-W direction, 1.10 km in N- S direction, and 1.33 km in vertical direction. The hypocenter depths are more convergent than before and distributed from 5 km to 35 kin, with 94% being from 5km to 35 kin, 68.2% from 10 km to 25 kin. The average hypocenter depth is 19 kin.

Study on the Decision Support System for Northing of Winter Wheat Cultivation in Hebei Province

[Objective] This study was to provide methods to improve the scientificity and informatization level of agricultural decision-making system based on the study of Decision Support System for ＂Northing of Winter Wheat＂ in Hebei Province （DSS- NWWH）. [Method] The functions, development process, operation guidance as well as input and output modes of DSSNWWH were introduced, and the simulated results of the system were verified by comparing with the actual situations. [Result] The decision support system established in this study could predict whether a wheat variety could live through the winter in a certain area of northern Hebei Province, as well as the growth conditions based on the previous meteorological data or local weather forecast, and provided corresponding cultivation and management measures, making it possible for the user to determine whether the variety could be planted in the region based on the predictions. [Conclusion] The established DSSNWWH in this study can effectively help decision makers make decisions, providing scientific instructions for the northing of winter wheat.

Optimal redundant placement of PMUs in Indian power grid -- northern, eastern and north-eastern regions

Effective utilization of renewable energy sources and efficient management of electric energy are essential for any developing countries like India. This can be envisioned through the implementation of concepts of smart grid （SG）. One of the key requisites for SG implementation is that the grid should be completely observable. Renovation of conventional Indian power grid to a SG necessitates incorporation of the phasor measure- ment units （PMUs） in the present power grid measurement and monitoring system. Since the cost of PMU is high and any bus containing a PMU makes the neighboring connected buses observable, optimal placement of PMUs is very important for complete observability of the grid. This paper proposes optimal redundant geographical locations in the northern, eastern and north-eastern regions of Indian power grid for PMU placement. The PMUs installed in these geographical locations will make the grid completely observable and maintain the observability under the conditions of failure of some PMUs or branch outages. Integer linear programming has been used for finding the optimal PMU locations. The results proposed in this paper can be a stepping stone for revamping the Indian power grid to a SG ensuring complete observability during different contingency conditions.

Joint creation of a demonstration zone for China-UK cooperation 3rd China-UK Regional Leaders Summit held in Northern Ireland

The Third China-UK Regional Leaders Summit—themed'China-UK Industrial Area Cooperation'—was co-hosted by the CPAFFC and the Northern Ireland government in the capital city of Belfast from Dec 1 to 3,2017,as a supplementary activity of the fifth meeting of China-UK High Level People-to-People Dialogue.Attending the event were CPAFFC Vice-President Song Jingwu;