Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is widely used in high-voltage circuit breakers because of its insulating properties and interrupting capability, although concerns related to its environmental impact and decomposition products encourage efforts to limit its use. This study determines the equilibrium chemical composition of SF₆–air plasmas at atmospheric pressure over the temperature range 1,000–15,000 K under local thermodynamic equilibrium. Air is represented by 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen, and different air proportions in the mixture are considered. The equilibrium number densities of the chemical species are calculated by Gibbs free energy minimisation using a computational code developed in MATLAB. The results indicate that molecular species predominate below 7,000 K. SF₆ begins to dissociate at approximately 1,700 K, while SF₄ and F₂ dissociate at around 1,900 K; SF₃ and SF₂ dissociate at...

In developing countries where agriculture sustains rural livelihoods, advancing sustainable development and poverty reduction requires a better understanding of the drivers of agricultural productivity growth to promote inclusive growth and strengthen food security. This paper investigates the main constraints to agricultural productivity growth in Burkina Faso and analyses convergence dynamics across its provinces. Using a meta-frontier Färe–Primont index based on data envelopment analysis and panel data from 45 provinces (2009–2021), the results reveal that in the most technologically advanced agricultural zone, comprising the most efficient provinces, technological advantages are underutilised due to low technical efficiency. In contrast, the other major agricultural zones rely primarily on higher technical efficiency despite lagging in technological progress. Moreover, although evide...

Cet article analyse la réforme de la politique minière sous le prisme des instruments d’action publique, à partir d’une comparaison entre deux régimes politiques au Burkina Faso. Il s’appuie sur des données issues d’entretiens semi-structurés réalisés entre 2022 et 2023 et d’une recherche documentaire. Les résultats montrent que les choix des instruments d’action publique pour la réforme de la politique minière résultent de facteurs idéels et pragmatiques propres aux régimes politiques. L’article apporte une double contribution à la littérature sur les politiques publiques et sur les régimes politiques. D’une part, il analyse les régimes de transition à travers une politique économique alors que la littérature se focalise sur les réformes politiques. De l’autre, il met en relation la littérature sur l’instrumentation et la sociologie des régimes politiques.

This study evaluates the potential of a natural clay from N’Djamena (Chad) for removing Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions under static conditions. The adsorption performance was interpreted using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Mineralogical characterization classified the raw material as a clay soil, predominantly composed of kaolinite (49.3%), with contributions from goethite (15.8%), quartz (18.1%), vermiculite (1.5%), and k-feldspar* (15.4%). The clay is primarily composed of silica (40.46%), alumina (23.84 %), and iron oxide (14.44%). Its specific surface area is 86.82 m²/g. It has a cation exchange capacity of 46 meq/100 g and a swelling index of 2.71 cm³/g. Optimal lead removal was achieved under the following conditions: 25 mL of solution per reactor; a clay-solute contact time of 90 minutes; an initial Pb²⁺ concentration of 20 μg/L; and a pH of 7. The adsorption o...

This paper proposes an innovative approach to solving fuzzy multiobjective linear optimization problems by combining the embedding theorem and an optimal transformation technique. The objective func- tions and fuzzy constraints are first embedded in a Banach space, where they are represented as parametric biobjective vectors. The application of a Riemann integral operator then allows them to be transformed into a de- terministic and non-parametric form. Appropriate weights are introduced in order to limit compensatory effects and to ensure a non-empty admissible domain, leading to a weighted deterministic multiobjective problem of the same dimension. This problem is then aggregated into a single-objective nonlinear model, solvable by classical methods. The proposed transformations ensure the equivalence of the models and the preservation of Pareto op- timality. The numerical resu...

Striga hermonthica is widespread in several regions of Burkina Faso. It attacks crops of agronomic interest, causing losses ranging from 20 to 100% of grain yield in sorghum varieties. This study carried out at the weed science laboratory from October 2022 to February 2023 aims to identify sorghum varieties resistant to Striga hermonthica and local plants that inhibit or stimulate its germination. Fifteen varieties of sorghum has been evaluated for their germination stimulant capacity production using the agar gel method. The roots of two seedlings of each variety were buried in the opposite position in the agar medium containing Striga seeds. The effect of nine local plants on Striga hermonthica seeds germination has been evaluated by preparing 10% aqueous extract for each plant by macerating a mass of 10 g of powder in 100 ml of sterile distilled water. The inhibitory effect w...

IoT systems have become very popular in recent years and are present in all areas. They collect and process data that is often sensitive and confidential, making them targets for increasingly sophisticated and frequent attacks. In the field of IoT cybersecurity, Federated Learning and Blockchain Technology are showing promising results. In this paper, we propose an innovative hybrid approach that combines the advantages of multimodal personalised federated learning and blockchain technology to dynamically adapt the model to local resource constraints and secure the learning process, while taking into account the heterogeneity of the domain. This approachs tands out for outperforming conventional federated models in its ability to adapt to the heterogeneous resources of IoT devices while guaranteeing effective and reliable detection of cyberattacks on IoT systems. A proof of concept with...

Medicinal insects represent a valuable and still largely underexplored source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential for human health. Traditionally used in various cultural pharmacopeias, these insects are now drawing an increasing interest in pharmacological and biomedical research communities. Most medicinal insects belong to the orders Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Blattoptera, Hymenoptera, and Coleoptera. This review highlights key insect species with therapeutic relevance, exploring their roles in traditional medicine, the bioactive compounds they produce, and their emerging applications in modern healthcare, starting with a focus on Africa continent and expanding to a global perspective. Recent pharmacological advances have enabled the isolation of compounds with anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and immunomodulatory effects, providing promising avenues for dru...

Cet article analyse l’effet de l’autonomisation des femmes sur la sécurité alimentaire de leurs ménages au Burkina Faso en interrogeant le rôle du facteur temps. Des données primaires, collectées sur un échantillon aléatoire et stratifié de 227 ménages, ont été utilisées. À partir de l’approche par les capabilités, des scores dans les cinq domaines d’autonomisation de l’indice abrégé d’autonomisation des femmes en agriculture et des scores de diversité alimentaire des ménages ont été calculés. Un modèle d’équations structurelles et un modèle à processus-mixte conditionnel soutiennent la conclusion selon laquelle les ménages dans lesquels les femmes sont autonomisées et moins pauvres en temps sont en sécurité alimentaire. Il serait donc indiqué d’investir dans des programmes d’autonomisation et d’accroissement de la disponibilité en temps des femmes afin d’améliorer l’état alimentaire des...

La formation ouverte et à distance (FOAD) se développe et s’impose progressivement comme un dispositif de formation à part entière, au même titre que l’enseignement traditionnel. C’est dans ce contexte que la présente étude interroge les défis liés à l’inclusion numérique des apprenants. Elle s’appuie sur une analyse de données quantitatives recueillies auprès de 1959 candidats ayant postulé aux formations en ligne de l’institut de formation ouverte à distance de l’université Thomas SANKARA. Les résultats révèlent des inégalités d’accès à une connexion internet fiable, et à un environnement d’apprentissage propice. À ces contraintes matérielles s’ajoutent des écarts importants en matière de compétences numériques qui affectent la participation des candidats aux FOAD. A partir de ces constats, l’étude propose des stratégies institutionnelles et pédagogiques pour des offres de FOAD réell...