Epileptic brain network mechanisms and neuroimaging techniques for the brain network

Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network,and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated diffe rently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal discharges.Gaining more detailed information on brain network alterations can help us to further understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and pave the way for brain network-based precise therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.An increasing number of advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tra ctography,diffusion kurtosis imaging-based fiber tractography,fiber ball imagingbased tra ctography,electroencephalography,functional magnetic resonance imaging,magnetoencephalography,positron emission tomography,molecular imaging,and functional ultrasound imaging have been extensively used to delineate epileptic networks.In this review,we summarize the relevant neuroimaging and neuroelectrophysiological techniques for assessing structural and functional brain networks in patients with epilepsy,and extensively analyze the imaging mechanisms,advantages,limitations,and clinical application ranges of each technique.A greater focus on emerging advanced technologies,new data analysis software,a combination of multiple techniques,and the construction of personalized virtual epilepsy models can provide a theoretical basis to better understand the brain network mechanisms of epilepsy and make surgical decisions.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of the Granitoids in the South of Godé (North of the Square Degree of Léo-Burkina Faso, West Africa)

South of Godé, in the central-western region of Burkina Faso, granitoids of Paleoproterozoic age are similar to those of the Man/Leo shield. This study focused on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of these granitoids, with the following results: 1) The tonalite that outcrops in the south-west of the study area belongs to the TTG group or first generation granitoids. They are most often ribboned at outcrop and have a geochemical signature close to that of Archean TTGs. Tonalite has a metaluminous character and the REE spectrum indicates that it may be derived from partial melting of basic magmatic rocks. 2) Biotite granites have no outcrop structure. They are weakly metaluminous to peraluminous and potassic to highly potassic. Their rare earth spectra indicate that they may be derived from the partial melting of TTG granitoids. 3) Geotectonic diagrams show that the granitoids studied to the south of Godé were emplaced in an active tectonic context similar to that of present-day subduction zones.

Neuroprotective effects of G9a inhibition through modulation of peroxisome-proliferator activator receptor gamma-dependent pathways by miR-128

Dysregulation of G9a,a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase,has been observed in Alzheimer’s disease and has been correlated with increased levels of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.Likewise,microRNAs are involved in many biological processes and diseases playing a key role in pathogenesis,especially in multifactorial diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.Therefore,our aim has been to provide partial insights into the interconnection between G9a,microRNAs,oxidative stress,and neuroinflammation.To better understand the biology of G9a,we compared the global microRNA expression between senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8(SAMP8)control mice and SAMP8 treated with G9a inhibitor UNC0642.We found a downregulation of miR-128 after a G9a inhibition treatment,which interestingly binds to the 3′untranslated region(3′-UTR)of peroxisome-proliferator activator receptor γ(PPARG)mRNA.Accordingly,Pparg gene expression levels were higher in the SAMP8 group treated with G9a inhibitor than in the SAMP8 control group.We also observed modulation of oxidative stress responses might be mainly driven Pparg after G9a inhibitor.To confirm these antioxidant effects,we treated primary neuron cell cultures with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative insult.In this setting,treatment with G9a inhibitor increases both cell survival and antioxidant enzymes.Moreover,up-regulation of PPARγby G9a inhibitor could also increase the expression of genes involved in DNA damage responses and apoptosis.In addition,we also described that the PPARγ/AMPK axis partially explains the regulation of autophagy markers expression.Finally,PPARγ/GADD45αpotentially contributes to enhancing synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis after G9a inhibition.Altogether,we propose that pharmacological inhibition of G9a leads to a neuroprotective effect that could be due,at least in part,by the modulation of PPARγ-dependent pathways by miR-128.

Adult neurogenesis:a real hope or a delusion?

Adult neurogenesis,the process of creating new neurons,involves the coordinated division,migration,and differentiation of neural stem cells.This process is restricted to neurogenic niches located in two distinct areas of the brain:the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle,where new neurons are generated and then migrate to the olfactory bulb.Neurogenesis has been thought to occur only during the embryonic and early postnatal stages and to decline with age due to a continuous depletion of neural stem cells.Interestingly,recent years have seen tremendous progress in our understanding of adult brain neurogenesis,bridging the knowledge gap between embryonic and adult neurogenesis.Here,we discuss the current status of adult brain neurogenesis in light of what we know about neural stem cells.In this notion,we talk about the importance of intra cellular signaling molecules in mobilizing endogenous neural stem cell prolife ration.Based on the current understanding,we can declare that these molecules play a role in targeting neurogenesis in the mature brain.However,to achieve this goal,we need to avoid the undesired proliferation of neural stem cells by controlling the necessary checkpoints,which can lead to tumorigenesis and prove to be a curse instead of a blessing or hope.

Transurethral prostate surgery in prostate cancer patients: A population-based comparative analysis of complication and mortality rates

Objective:Prostate cancer(PCa)patients might experience lower urinary tract symptoms as those diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Some of them might be treated for their lower urinary tract symptoms instead of PCa.We aimed to test the effect of PCa versus BPH on surgical outcomes after transurethral prostate surgery,namely complication and mortality rates.Methods:Within the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database(2011-2016),we identified patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate,photoselective vaporization,or laser enucleation.Patients were stratified according to postoperative diagnosis(PCa vs.BPH).Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the predictors of perioperative morbidity and mortality.A formal test of interaction between diagnosis and surgical technique used was performed.Results:Overall,34542 patients were included.Of all,2008(5.8%)had a diagnosis of PCa.The multivariable logistic regression model failed to show statistically significant higher rates of postoperative complications in PCa patients(odds ratio:0.9,95%confidence interval:0.7-1.1;p=0.252).Moreover,similar rates of perioperative mortality(p=0.255),major acute cardiovascular events(p=0.581),transfusions(p=0.933),and length of stay of more than or equal to 30 days(p=0.174)were found.Additionally,all tests failed to show an interaction between post-operative diagnosis and surgical technique used.Conclusion:Patients diagnosed with PCa do not experience higher perioperative morbidity or mortality after transurethral prostate surgery when compared to their BPH counterparts.Moreover,the diagnosis seems to not influence surgical technique outcomes.

Low-Cost Federated Broad Learning for Privacy-Preserved Knowledge Sharing in the RIS-Aided Internet of Vehicles

High-efficiency and low-cost knowledge sharing can improve the decision-making ability of autonomous vehicles by mining knowledge from the Internet of Vehicles(IoVs).However,it is challenging to ensure high efficiency of local data learning models while preventing privacy leakage in a high mobility environment.In order to protect data privacy and improve data learning efficiency in knowledge sharing,we propose an asynchronous federated broad learning(FBL)framework that integrates broad learning(BL)into federated learning(FL).In FBL,we design a broad fully connected model(BFCM)as a local model for training client data.To enhance the wireless channel quality for knowledge sharing and reduce the communication and computation cost of participating clients,we construct a joint resource allocation and reconfigurable intelligent surface(RIS)configuration optimization framework for FBL.The problem is decoupled into two convex subproblems.Aiming to improve the resource scheduling efficiency in FBL,a double Davidon–Fletcher–Powell(DDFP)algorithm is presented to solve the time slot allocation and RIS configuration problem.Based on the results of resource scheduling,we design a reward-allocation algorithm based on federated incentive learning(FIL)in FBL to compensate clients for their costs.The simulation results show that the proposed FBL framework achieves better performance than the comparison models in terms of efficiency,accuracy,and cost for knowledge sharing in the IoV.

Exploring Biocomplexity in Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Living objects have complex internal and external interactions. The complexity is regulated and controlled by homeostasis, which is the balance of multiple opposing influences. The environmental effects finally guide the self-organized structure. The living systems are open, dynamic structures performing random, stationary, stochastic, self-organizing processes. The self-organizing procedure is defined by the spatial-temporal fractal structure, which is self-similar both in space and time. The system’s complexity appears in its energetics, which tries the most efficient use of the available energies;for that, it organizes various well-connected networks. The controller of environmental relations is the Darwinian selection on a long-time scale. The energetics optimize the healthy processes tuned to the highest efficacy and minimal loss (minimalization of the entropy production). The organism is built up by morphogenetic rules and develops various networks from the genetic level to the organism. The networks have intensive crosstalk and form a balance in the Nash equilibrium, which is the homeostatic state in healthy conditions. Homeostasis may be described as a Nash equilibrium, which ensures energy distribution in a “democratic” way regarding the functions of the parts in the complete system. Cancer radically changes the network system in the organism. Cancer is a network disease. Deviation from healthy networking appears at every level, from genetic (molecular) to cells, tissues, organs, and organisms. The strong proliferation of malignant tissue is the origin of most of the life-threatening processes. The weak side of cancer development is the change of complex information networking in the system, being vulnerable to immune attacks. Cancer cells are masters of adaptation and evade immune surveillance. This hiding process can be broken by electromagnetic nonionizing radiation, for which the malignant structure has no adaptation strategy. Our objective is to review the different sides of living complexity and use the knowledge to fight against cancer.

Effect of non-uniform swelling on coal multiphysics during gas injection: The triangle approach

In current dual porosity/permeability models,there exists a fundamental assumption that the adsorption-induced swelling is distributed uniformly within the representative elementary volume (REV),irrespective of its internal structures and transient processes.However,both internal structures and transient processes can lead to the non-uniform swelling.In this study,we hypothesize that the non-uniform swelling is responsible for why coal permeability in experimental measurements is not only controlled by the effective stress but also is affected by the adsorption-induced swelling.We propose a concept of the swelling triangle composed of swelling paths to characterize the evolution of the non-uniform swelling and serve as a core link in coupled multiphysics.A swelling path is determined by a dimensionless volumetric ratio and a dimensionless swelling ratio.Different swelling paths have the same start and end point,and each swelling path represents a unique swelling case.The swelling path as the diagonal of the triangle represents the case of the uniform swelling while that as the two perpendicular boundaries represents the case of the localized swelling.The paths of all intermediate cases populate inside the triangle.The corresponding relations between the swelling path and the response of coal multiphysics are established by a non-uniform swelling coefficient.We define this method as the triangle approach and corresponding models as swelling path-based ones.The proposed concept and models are verified against a long-term experimental measurement of permeability and strains under constant effective stress.Our results demonstrate that during gas injection,coal multiphysics responses have a close dependence on the swelling path,and that in both future experiments and field predictions,this dependence must be considered.

Characteristics of Gold Mineralization at the Baguiomo Gold Panning Site, Koudougou Region, Burkina Faso, West Africa

The Birimian Baguiomo formations are located in the northern part of the Boromo greenstone belt. In this belt, the volcanic rocks (tholeiitic basalt, calcalkaline basalt, andesite) hosting the gold mineralization are located in the Kwademen-Baguiomo shear zone. This mineralization, located only a few kilometers from the Kwademen gold deposit, is uncharacterized and, together with the latter, could constitute a gold potential capable of being economically exploitable. It is in this sense that this work is carried out with a view to characterizing the gold mineralization of the Baguiomo gold panning site. To carry out this work, we have made direct field measurements, combined with microstructures, and combined all this with data from geochemical rock analysis of the basalts that are the main host formations. Geochemical data show that tholeitic basalts formed from a mantle plume that was emplaced in an oceanic plateau context. Calc-alkaline basalts and andesites are comparable to Paleoproterozoic tholeitic basalts (PTH3), which are slightly enriched in light rare earths. Fertility tests show that these basalts concentrate between 3 and 6 ppb of gold at the time of accretion, which is sufficient for remobilization of this primary gold during the Eburnian orogeny to yield a deposit of around 4 - 5 Moz. Gold mineralization is associated with pyrite crystals when the latter are disseminated in the rock mass, whereas it is associated with hematite in quartz veins concordant with S1 shear deformation. It is mainly the pyrite crystals in the pressure shadows that contain the gold grains, whose development would be synchronous with micro-shear zone reactivation during the first phase of D1B deformation. The second phase of D2B deformation, which is a crenulation or fracture schistosity, does not significantly affect the shear deformation that controls mineralization.

Petrographic and Geochemical Characteristics of the Pouni Palaeoproterozoic Formations North of the Léo Square Degree (Burkina Faso, West Africa)

The Pouni area is made up of basalts belonging to the Boromo belt, lamprophyres and granitoids. These geological formations are similar to geological formations of the same type in other regions of the Palaeoproterozoic domain of the Man/Leo shield. This study, which focused on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of these geological formations, led to the following main conclusions: The lamprophyres are basic plutonic rocks that cut through other geological formations. The basalt belongs to the northern part of the Borormo belt and is thought to be a relic of overthickened oceanic plateaus. There are two groups of granitoid rocks. The granodiorite has a geochemical signature close to that of Archean TTGs and is metaluminous in character. It has a low potassium content. The minor element and rare earth element spectra indicate that it could be derived from partial melting of basic magmatic rocks. Biotite granites are peraluminous and highly potassic. Minor element contents and rare earth spectra indicate that they could be derived from partial melting of felsic materials. Geotectonic diagrams show that the granitoids identified in the Pouni zone were emplaced in an active tectonic context, similar to that of present-day subduction zones.

Step‑by‑Step Modulation of Crystalline Features and Exciton Kinetics for 19.2%Efficiency Ortho‑Xylene Processed Organic Solar Cells

With plenty of popular and effective ternary organic solar cells(OSCs)construction strategies proposed and applied,its power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)have come to a new level of over 19%in single-junction devices.However,previous studies are heavily based in chloroform(CF)leaving behind substantial knowledge deficiencies in understanding the influence of solvent choice when introducing a third component.Herein,we present a case where a newly designed asymmetric small molecular acceptor using fluoro-methoxylated end-group modification strategy,named BTP-BO-3FO with enlarged bandgap,brings different morphological evolution and performance improvement effect on host system PM6:BTP-eC9,processed by CF and ortho-xylene(o-XY).With detailed analyses supported by a series of experiments,the best PCE of 19.24%for green solvent-processed OSCs is found to be a fruit of finely tuned crystalline ordering and general aggregation motif,which furthermore nourishes a favorable charge generation and recombination behavior.Likewise,over 19%PCE can be achieved by replacing spin-coating with blade coating for active layer deposition.This work focuses on understanding the commonly met yet frequently ignored issues when building ternary blends to demonstrate cutting-edge device performance,hence,will be instructive to other ternary OSC works in the future.

Using deep neural networks coupled with principal component analysis for ore production forecasting at open-pit mines

Ore production is usually affected by multiple influencing inputs at open-pit mines.Nevertheless,the complex nonlinear relationships between these inputs and ore production remain unclear.This becomes even more challenging when training data(e.g.truck haulage information and weather conditions)are massive.In machine learning(ML)algorithms,deep neural network(DNN)is a superior method for processing nonlinear and massive data by adjusting the amount of neurons and hidden layers.This study adopted DNN to forecast ore production using truck haulage information and weather conditions at open-pit mines as training data.Before the prediction models were built,principal component analysis(PCA)was employed to reduce the data dimensionality and eliminate the multicollinearity among highly correlated input variables.To verify the superiority of DNN,three ANNs containing only one hidden layer and six traditional ML models were established as benchmark models.The DNN model with multiple hidden layers performed better than the ANN models with a single hidden layer.The DNN model outperformed the extensively applied benchmark models in predicting ore production.This can provide engineers and researchers with an accurate method to forecast ore production,which helps make sound budgetary decisions and mine planning at open-pit mines.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndromes at the Mother-Child University Hospital Luxembourg in Bamako

Introduction: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Objective: Studying the feasibility, difficulties and results of coronary angioplasty in acute coronary syndromes at the Luxembourg Mother-Child University Hospital in Bamako. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study with prospective recruitment over 18 months from September 2020 to February 2022. All patients aged at least 18 years old admitted for SCA and having undergone PCI during the study period were included. Result: We collected 249 patients for SCA, of whom 160 underwent angioplasty, either an angioplasty/SCA ratio of 0.64. The average age of the patients was 59.54 ± 11.62 with extremes of 32 and 92 years. The age group of 45 to 65 years was the most representative. The predominance was male, sex ratio of 2.4. The main cardiovascular risk factors were high blood pressure (58.23%) and diabetes (45.78%). Persistent ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram was present in 71.48%. The treatment time was more than 12 hours after the first medical contact in 95.5%. The approach was radial in 96.5% of cases. Coronarography was pathological in 91.16% of our patients. The lesions were tri-truncular in 34.13% with the anterior inter ventricular as culprit artery in 72% of cases. The majority of patients (64%) had undergone angioplasty with implantation of an active stent. Angioplasty was performed successfully in 98% and per procedural mortality was 1.87%. Only 6.45% of ACS with ST elevation benefited from primary angioplasty. Conclusion: Percutaneous coronary intervention is performed routinely in our center with satisfactory results. Difficulties exist, related to the diagnostic delay of ACS and the high cost of angioplasty.

Optimization of chemistry and process parameters for control of intermetallic formation in Mg sludges

Intermetallic formation in sludge during magnesium(Mg)melting,holding and high pressure die casting practices is a very important issue.But,very often it is overlooked by academia,original equipment manufacturers(OEM),metal ingot producers and even die casters.The aim of this study was to minimize the intermetallic formation in Mg sludge via the optimization of the chemistry and process parameters.The Al8Mn5 intermetallic particles were identified by the microstructure analysis based on the Al and Mn ratio.The design of experiment(DOE)technique,Taguchi method,was employed to minimize the intermetallic formation in the sludge of Mg alloys with various chemical compositions of Al,Mn,Fe,and different process parameters,holding temperature and holding time.The sludge yield(SY)and intermetallic size(IS)was selected as two responses.The optimum combination of the levels in terms of minimizing the intermetallic formation were 9 wt.%Al,0.15 wt.%Mn,0.001 wt.%(10 ppm)Fe,690℃ for the holding temperature and holding at 30 mins for the holding time,respectively.The best combination for smallest intermetallic size were 9 wt.%Al,0.15 wt.%Mn,0.001 wt.%(10 ppm)Fe,630℃ for the holding temperature and holding at 60 mins for the holding time,respectively.Three groups of sludge factors,Chemical Sludge(CSF),Physical Sludge(PSF)and Comprehensive Sludge Factors(and CPSF)were established for prediction of sludge yields and intermetallic sizes in Al-containing Mg alloys.The CPSF with five independent variables including both chemical elements and process parameters gave high accuracy in prediction,as the prediction of the PSF with only the two processing parameters of the melt holding temperature and time showed a relatively large deviation from the experimental data.The Chemical Sludge Factor was primarily designed for small ingot producers and die casters with a limited melting and holding capacity,of which process parameters could be fixed easily.The Physical Sludge Factor could be used for mass production with a single type of Mg alloy,in which the chemistry fluctuation might be negligible.In large Mg casting suppliers with multiple melting and holding furnaces and a number of Mg alloys in production,the Comprehensive Sludge Factor should be implemented to diminish the sludge formation.

On the Thermal Distribution in Oncological Hyperthermia Treatments

The temperature is one of the principal controlling parameters of oncological hyperthermia. However, local heating forms a complicated thermal distribution in space and has developed over time, too. The decisional factors are the heterogeneity of the targeted volume, the electrolyte perfusions controlled by thermal homeostasis, and the spreading of the heat energy with time. A further complication is that the energy absorption sharply changes by depth, so the spatiotemporal development of the temperature distribution requires specialized methods to control. Most of the temperature imaging facilities (thermography, radiometry, electric impedance tomography, etc.) are less precise than the medical practice needs. In contrast, precise point sensing (like thermocouples, thermistors, and fluoroptical methods) is invasive and measures only a discrete point in the robustly changing thermal map. The two most precise thermal imaging methods, computer tomography, and magnetic resonance are expensive and have numerous technical complications. Our objective is to show the complexity of the temperature distribution inside the human body, and offer a relatively simple and cheap method to visualize its spatiotemporal development. A novel emerging technology, the application of ultrasound microbubble contrast agents is a promising method for solving complicated tasks of thermal distribution deep inside the living body. Noteworthy, the temperature distribution does not determine the full hyperthermia process, nonthermal effects make considerable impact, too. Additionally to the difficulties to measure the thermal heterogeneity during hyperthermia in oncology, numerous nonthermal processes, molecular and structural changes are triggered by the incoming electromagnetic energy, which presently has no spatiotemporal visualization technique. Microbubble imaging has a suitable spatiotemporal thermal resolution, and also it is sensitive to nonthermal effects. Its application for characterization of the modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT) may open a new theranostic facility, using the synergy of the thermal and nonthermal effects of the radiofrequency delivered energy. This complex approach gives facility to follow the mEHT processes, and the proposed microbubble ultrasound imaging has a particularly promising advantage sensing and acting also nonthermally, having potential to characterize the thermally conditioned nonthermal electromagnetic effects in oncologic hyperthermia. The mEHT combined with microbubble ultrasound images could be a robust theranostic method against cancer.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Bangladeshi children:Analysis of 100 cases

BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB)is defined as bleeding that occurs proximal to the ligament of Treitz and can sometimes lead to potentially serious and life-threatening clinical situations in children.Globally,the cause of UGIB differs significantly depending on the geographic location,patient population and presence of comorbid conditions.AIM To observe endoscopic findings of UGIB in children at a tertiary care center of Bangladesh.METHODS This retrospective study was carried out in the department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition of Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University,a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh,between January 2017 and January 2019.Data collected from hospital records of 100 children who were 16 years of age or younger,came with hematemesis,melena or both hematemesis and melena.All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy(Olympus CV 1000 upper gastrointestinal video endoscope)after initial stabilization.Necessary investigations to diagnose portal hypertension and chronic liver disease with underlying causes for management purposes were also done.RESULTS A total of 100 patients were studied.UGIB was common in the age group 5-10 years(42%),followed by above 10 years(37%).Hematemesis was the most common presenting symptom(75%)followed by both hematemesis and melena(25%).UGIB from ruptured esophageal varices was the most common cause(65%)on UGI endoscopy followed by gastric erosion(5%)and prolapsed gastropathy(2%).We observed that 23%of children were normal after endoscopic examination.CONCLUSION Ruptured esophageal varices were the most common cause of UGIB in children in Bangladesh.Other causes included gastric erosions and prolapsed gastropathy syndrome.

Genetically modified pigs:Emerging animal models for hereditary hearing loss

Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and evaluate therapeutic outcomes,appropriate animal models are necessary.Pigs have been extensively used as valuable large animal models in biomedical research.In this review,we highlight the advantages of pig models in terms of ear anatomy,inner ear morphology,and electrophysiological characteristics,as well as recent advancements in the development of distinct genetically modified porcine models of hearing loss.Additionally,we discuss the prospects,challenges,and recommendations regarding the use pig models in HHL research.Overall,this review provides insights and perspectives for future studies on HHL using porcine models.

Litho-Tectonic Architecture of the Dialafara Area, Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, Integration of New Field Data and Geophysics

The Dialafara area is part of the highly endowed Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier (KKI), West-Malian gold belt, which corresponds to a Paleoproterozoic window through the West African Craton (WAC). This study presents, first of all, an integration of geophysical data interpretation with litho-structural field reconnaissance and then proposes a new litho-structural map of the Dialafara area. The Dialafara area shows a variety of lithology characterized by volcanic and volcano-sedimentary units, metasediments and plutonic intrusion. These lithologies were affected by a complex superposition of structures of unequal importance defining three deformation phases (DD1 to DD3) under ductile to brittle regimes. These features permit to portray a new litho-structural map, which shows that the Dialafara area presents a more complex lithological and structural context than the one presented in regional map of the KKI. This leads to the evidence that this area could be a potential site for exploration as it is situated between two world-class gold districts.

Lithostructural Control of the Gold Mineralization of the Douta Permit of African Star Resources (Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, Southeastern Senegal)

The Douta permit of African Star Resources/Thor Explorations, located in the southeast of Senegal, in the Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier (western part of the West African Craton), is dominated to the East by metasedimentary formations such as greywackes, shales, graphitic shales, quartzites, cherts, claystones and breccias characteristic of the Dialé-Daléma basin. To the West, the mafic formations of the Mako volcanic belt are the most common. Metasedimentary rocks are associated with metavolcanosedimentary terms found at the contact zones between the two (2) Birimian groups. These different geological formations are cut by mafic dolerite and gabbro sills and/or dykes, as well as quartz and microgranite veins. The Douta gold project is crossed from North to South by the MTZ (Main Transcurrent Zone), generally oriented NE-SW and becoming N-S towards the North. The permit is characterized by several shear corridors. The rocks are affected by brittle, brittle-ductile to ductile deformations. The gold mineralization is hosted by a NE-trending shear corridor called the Makosa corridor (Makosa shear zone), therefore sub-parallel to the MTZ. It has a subvertical dip (75˚ to 85˚ to the NW). It is associated with a hydrothermal phase characterized by quartz-sericite-epidote-fine, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite ± albite ± chlorite paragenesis. These minerals testify to the existence of a low degree of metamorphism (greenschist facies, epizonal domain) in the area. However, metamorphism reaches amphibolite facies in some places, particularly in the vicinity of intrusive bodies, with the presence of hornblende (amphiboles) and plagioclase. The gold mineralization is mainly hosted by two (2) metasedimentary lithological units: meta-greywackes and shales.

National Soil Organic Carbon Stocks Inventories under Different Mangrove Forest Types in Gabon

Gabonese’s estuary is an important coastal mangrove setting and soil plays a key role in mangrove carbon storage in mangrove forests. However, the spatial variation in soil organic carbon (SOC) storage remain unclear. To address this gap, determining the SOC spatial variation in Gabonese’s estuarine is essential for better understanding the global carbon cycle. The present study compared soil organic carbon between northern and southern sites in different mangrove forest, Rhizophora racemosa and Avicennia germinans. The results showed that the mean SOC stocks at 1 m depth were 256.28 ± 127.29 MgC ha−1. Among the different regions, SOC in northern zone was significantly (p p < 0.001). The deeper layers contained higher SOC stocks (254.62 ± 128.09 MgC ha−1) than upper layers (55.42 ± 25.37 MgC ha−1). The study highlights that low deforestation rate have led to less CO2 (705.3 Mg CO2e ha−1 - 922.62 Mg CO2e ha−1) emissions than most sediment carbon-rich mangroves in the world. These results highlight the influence of soil texture and mangrove forest types on the mangrove SOC stocks. The first national comparison of soil organic carbon stocks between mangroves and upland tropical forests indicated SOC stocks were two times more in mangroves soils (51.21 ± 45.00 MgC ha−1) than primary (20.33 ± 12.7 MgC ha−1), savanna and cropland (21.71 ± 15.10 MgC ha−1). We find that mangroves in this study emit lower dioxide-carbon equivalent emissions. This study highlights the importance of national inventories of soil organic carbon and can be used as a baseline on the role of mangroves in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation but the variation in SOC stocks indicates the need for further national data.