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The ongoing outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Rwanda marks the third largest historically, although it has shown the lowest fatality rate. Genomic analysis of samples from 18 cases identified a lineage with limited internal diversity, closely related to a 2014 Ugandan case. Our findings suggest that the Rwandan lineage diverged decades ago from a common ancestor shared with diversity sampled from bats in Uganda. Our genomic data reveal limited genetic variation, consistent with a single zoonotic transmission event and limited human-to-human transmission. Investigations including contact tracing, clinical assessments, sequencing and serology, linked the index case to a mining cave inhabited by Rousettus aegyptiacus. Serology tests identified three individuals seropositive for immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M, further supporting the zoonotic origin of the outbreak through human–animal interactions.

Outbreaks of monkeypox (mpox) have historically resulted from zoonotic spillover of clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Central Africa and clade II MPXV in West Africa. In 2022, subclade IIb caused a global epidemic linked to transmission through sexual contact. Here we describe the epidemiological and genomic features of an mpox outbreak in a mining region in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, caused by clade I MPXV. Surveillance data collected between September 2023 and January 2024 identified 241 suspected cases. Genomic analysis demonstrates a distinct clade I lineage divergent from previously circulating strains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Of the 108 polymerase chain reaction-confirmed mpox cases, the median age of individuals was 22 years, 51.9% were female and 29% were sex workers, suggesting a potential role for sexual transmission. The predominance of APOBEC3-type mutations and the estimated emergence time around mid-September 2023 imply recent sustained human-to-human transmission.

K-hyperparameter optimization in high-dimensional genomics remains a critical challenge, impacting the quality of clustering. Improved quality of clustering can enhance models for predicting patient outcomes and identifying personalized treatment plans. Subsequently, these enhanced models can facilitate the discovery of biomarkers, which can be essential for early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response in cancer research. Our paper addresses this challenge through a four-fold approach. Firstly, we empirically evaluate the k-hyperparameter optimization algorithms in genomics analysis using a correlation based feature selection method and a stratified k-fold cross-validation strategy. Secondly, we evaluate the performance of the best optimization algorithm in the first step using a variety of the dimensionality reduction methods applied for reducing the hyperparameter search spaces in genomics. Building on the two, we propose a novel algorithm for this optimization problem in the third step, employing a joint optimization of Deep-Differential-Evolutionary Algorithm and Unsupervised Transfer Learning from Intelligent GenoUMAP (Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection). Finally, we compare it with the existing algorithms and validate its effectiveness. Our approach leverages UMAP pre-trained special autoencoder and integrates a deep-differential-evolutionary algorithm in tuning k. These choices are based on empirical analysis results. The novel algorithm balances population size for exploration and exploitation, helping to find diverse solutions and the global optimum. The learning rate balances iterations and convergence speed, leading to stable convergence towards the global optimum. UMAP’s superior performance, demonstrated by short whiskers and higher median values in the comparative analysis, informs its choice for training the special autoencoder in the new algorithm. The algorithm enhances clustering by balancing reconstruction accuracy, local structure preservation, and cluster compactness. The comprehensive loss function optimizes clustering quality, promotes hyperparameter diversity, and facilitates effective knowledge transfer. This algorithm’s multi-objective joint optimization makes it effective in genomics data analysis. The validation on this algorithm on three genomic datasets demonstrates superior clustering scores. Additionally, the convergence plots indicate relatively smoother curves and an excellent fitness landscape. These findings hold significant promise for advancing cancer research and computational genomics at large.

Purpose: This study applied the Heritage Place Lab (HPL) research-practice teams methodology to identify missing cultural values and/or oversubscribed natural values and assess impacts on sustainable conservation of the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site. The authors found that cultural elements are often overlooked owing to limited inputs from trans-disciplinary and cross-stakeholder perspectives to conservation. This may explain why the majority of African sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger are of “natural” designations, as an absence of cultural values is linked to the exclusion of people and, therefore, gives rise to conflicts of access and use. Design/methodology/approach: World Heritage Site statistics, published and non-published documents/literature, site maps, site registers, consultancy reports and archival materials were used to assess whether existing as well as potential natural and cultural site values were considered for the contemporary management of the Okavango Delta site in a way that leads to a sustainable conservation approach. The composition of the research-practice team as suggested by the HPL methodology constituted a ready-made diverse team of academics, policy makers and community members that could apply its diverse expertise to fully assess whether all values necessary for a sustainable conservation approach are accounted for. Findings: Using expertise of trans-disciplinary team populated during the HPL, the authors found that cultural values of the OD-WHS are not highlighted in the OUVs dossier but are significantly expressed on site by locals, leading to potential conflicts of conservation. The research alerts conservationists to embrace an approach that includes all values on the site in order move towards sustainable conservation. Research limitations/implications: More research that require funding is needed to cover a wider area of the site, as well as enable work in adjoining countries to compare experiences per country - The Okavango waterbody starts in Angola and go through Namibia, and finally to Botswana. Practical implications: Conservation indicators of African nature world heritage sites constitute of, and border on, diverse stakeholders. An all-encompassing approach such as the Heritage Place Lab (HPL) methodology approach always needs to be factored in. Social implications: Including cultural aspects of world heritage sites designated as ‘natural' is important to allow for socio-cultural inclusion in conservation management. This allows for local communities to become visible and active participants in the management of the site as they contribute their socio-cultural qualities to landscape conservation and management, a process that has potential to enhance sustainable conservation of the Okavango Delta site landscape, as well as other wetlands across the world. Originality/value: The adopted approach to values assessment has somehow not conformed to the OUVs emphasis or other dichotomies of the World Heritage criteria but instead assessed on-the-ground management practice against key sustainable conservation indicators. Using the ICCROM HPL trans-disciplinary research-practice team approach, the focus was on a holistic values assessment of the site. The authors found that cultural values are currently under recognised, under-acknowledged and less expressed; creating potential conflicts that may hinder achievement of sustainable conservation and management of the site towards 2030 SDG agenda.

Background: In Cameroon, the COVID-19 disease has demonstrated shortcomings in preventing nosocomial infections at both collective and individual levels. This study aimed to identify practice changes in ENT outpatient consultations in Cameroon inducted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that took place in March 2024. A Google Form was submitted to ENT practitioners online across Cameroon. It consisted of 20 questions grouped into socio-professional and clinical data. Results: Sixty-four practitioners responded to the questionnaire. The average age of respondents was 36, with extremes of 31 and 70. The sex ratio was 0.35 in favor of women. In terms of experience, 47.7% had been practicing for less than 10 years. A total of 91.3% practiced in public health facilities. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, attitudes towards respiratory diseases were as follows: wearing of masks by suspected patients (4.3%), information posters in waiting rooms (13%), constant use of disinfectant gel (26.1%), wearing of masks by practitioners (0%), wearing of gloves (54.5%), wearing of gowns (87%), constant hand hygiene after each consultation (26.1%), and regular surface hygiene (30.4%). All precautions were improved after 4 years of the pandemic except wearing eye protection. Conclusion: ENT practice has been strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many measures still need to be taken to improve infection control in hospitals in Cameroon.

Background: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe and often fatal illness that affects humans and has significant public health implications, including high mortality rates, strain on healthcare systems, and social and economic disruption. On 20 September 2022, Uganda declared an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Sudan ebolavirus species. The neighboring countries of Uganda were classified by World Health Organization (WHO) as being at high risk of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SUDV) importation. The country of Rwanda implemented different sustainable strategies and activities to prepare and ensure a timely and effective response to SUDV outbreaks once it has arrived in the country. We aimed to highlight the sustainable strategies and activities implemented for SUDV preparedness and the subsequent lessons learnt in Rwanda. Methods: This paper reviewed the documentation on activities implemented for SUDV preparedness, with a focus on lessons learned from different countries. The paper analyzed the common themes and highlighted the key components of EVD preparedness in Rwanda after declaration of SUDV outbreak in Uganda. Results: The key components of SUDV preparedness include its readiness assessment in Rwanda, effective coordination, collaboration and leadership mechanisms, enhancing the early detection and surveillance system, effective risk communication and community engagement, capacity building of healthcare providers on case management and infection prevention and control (IPC), and continual preparedness. These components were essential to ensure timely and effective preparation and response to SUDV related outbreaks. Conclusion: A multi-sectoral approach involving all stakeholders was necessary to ensure timely and effective preparation and response. Continuous investment in preparedness, strengthening of health systems, and the review of preparedness components provided insights into the best practices for SUDV preparedness, which were essential to prevent future outbreaks and minimize their impact. This will inform other countries about the role of timely development of preparedness plans.

Letter to the Editor

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 is the predominant type of HCV found in sub-Saharan Africa. Various genotype 4 subtypes, such as 4r, frequently have resistance-associated substitutions that can increase rates of treatment failure with common direct-acting antiviral regimens. In-vitro studies suggest that the NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir is effective against viral isolates containing such resistance-associated substitutions, but its clinical efficacy against genotype 4 non-a/d subtypes in sub-Saharan Africa remains to be confirmed. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir–velpatasvir among adults chronically infected with HCV and naive to direct-acting antiviral treatment in Rwanda, where genotype 4 non-a/d subtypes predominate.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 non-a/d subtypes, which frequently have NS5A resistance-associated substitutions, are highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. These subtypes, particularly genotype 4r, have been associated with higher rates of failure of treatment regimens containing the NS5A inhibitors ledipasvir or daclatasvir, which are the most accessible direct-acting antivirals in low-income countries. Clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of re-treatment options for these subtypes is limited. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir for the treatment of adults in Rwanda with chronic HCV infection, predominantly of genotype 4, and a history of direct-acting antiviral treatment failure.

Carbonatite occurrences are reported in Lueshe, Kirumba, Bingo and Mombadio in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), within the western branch of the East African Rift System (EARS). These rocks intrude Precambrian rocks, which are mainly quartzites and mica schists. Lateritic profiles from Lueshe and Bingo are ore-bearing minerals enriched in Nb2O5and phosphate minerals. The Lueshe and Bingo exploitable quantities are estimated to be 30 Mt at a grade of 1.34% Nb2O5and 7 Mt at a grade of 2.86% Nb2O5, respectively. These carbonatites were explored and exploited by some mining companies in the 1970s and 2000s. They show geological and geochemical similarities to other exploitable carbonatites in the EARS, including Mrima Hill in Kenya, Panda Hill in Tanzania and the world-class Araxá and Catalão carbonatites in Brazil. The Lueshe and Kirumba alkaline massifs dates, determined using the whole-rock Rb–Sr method, are respectively 822?±?120 and 803?±?22 Ma and are intimately linked to the Rodinia Supercontinent breakup. These dates are analogous to other regional carbonatite dates like the Matongo carbonatite in Burundi. However, further geological, petrological and geochemical studies on carbonatite complexes are essential in DRC. Most importantly, the economic potentials of Kirumba and Mombadio should be evaluated. Simultaneously, the dates of the Bingo and Mombadio carbonatites are crucial for the elucidation of their geodynamic settings.

•Precarious socioeconomic situations in forest-adjacent areas is often the main cause of deforestation and forest degradation in eastern D.R. Congo.•The use of NTFPs holds potential to provide alternative income sources to local communities around protected areas.•This study emphasizes the necessity for the promotion of NTFPs to alleviate pressure on the forest's natural resources.•Structural policies and legislative measures are crucial to unravel NTFPs full potential for food and income security for communities living close by protected areas.

ABSTRACTCarbonatite occurrences are reported in Lueshe, Kirumba, Bingo and Mombadio in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), within the western branch of the East African Rift System (EARS). These rocks intrude Precambrian rocks , which are mainly quartzites and mica schists. Lateritic profiles from Lueshe and Bingo are ore-bearing minerals enriched in Nb2O5and phosphate minerals. The Lueshe and Bingo exploitable quantities are estimated to be 30 Mt at a grade of 1.34% Nb2O5and 7 Mt at a grade of 2.86% Nb2O5, respectively. These carbonatites were explored and exploited by some mining companies in the 1970s and 2000s. They show geological and geochemical similarities to other exploitable carbonatites in the EARS, including Mrima Hill in Kenya, Panda Hill in Tanzania and the world-class Araxá and Catalão carbonatites in Brazil. The Lueshe and Kirumba alkaline massifs dates, determined using the whole-rock Rb–Sr method, are respectively 822 ± 120 and 803 ± 22 Ma and are intimately linked to the Rodinia Supercontinent breakup. These dates are analogous to other regional carbonatite dates like the Matongo carbonatite in Burundi. However, further geological, petrological and geochemical studies on carbonatite complexes are essential in DRC. Most importantly, the economic potentials of Kirumba and Mombadio should be evaluated. Simultaneously, the dates of the Bingo and Mombadio carbonatites are crucial for the elucidation of their geodynamic settings.

There have been insufficient data for African patients with COVID-19 who are critically ill. The African COVID-19 Critical Care Outcomes Study (ACCCOS) aimed to determine which resources, comorbidities, and critical care interventions are associated with mortality in this patient population.

An assay to detect carbon monoxide (CO), one of the gaseous signaling molecules, has been prepared using a new palladium complex probe. The ethylenediamine group linked to the naphthalimide fluorophore coordinates to Pd(II) which intramolecularly quenches the emission. Upon treatment with CO, the absorbance of the turn-on fluorescent sensor changes due to the formation of a complex between Pd(II) and CO at room temperature in a phosphate buffer. As the concentration of CO increases, the probe peak emission intensity at 527 nm gradually increases. Other analyte controls, such as K+, Mg2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Cr3+, Hg2+, Fe3+, alanine, glycine, leucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, F–, Cl–, Br–, NO, NO2–, NO3–, HCO3–, CH3COO–, H2O2, •OH, and tBuOO•, exhibit no significant effect on emission intensity. The response time of the probe to CO was quite fast because of the relatively weak coordination of Pd(II) to the pendent ethylenediamine group. The Pd probe is capable of detecting CO in aqueous buffer as well as in living cells with high selectivity and stability, providing a potential real-time indicator for studying CO-involved reactions in biological systems.

Suppressing infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will probably require the rapid identification and isolation of individuals infected with the virus on an ongoing basis. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) tests are accurate but costly, which makes the regular testing of every individual expensive. These costs are a challenge for all countries around the world, but particularly for low-to-middle-income countries. Cost reductions can be achieved by pooling (or combining) subsamples and testing them in groups1–7. A balance must be struck between increasing the group size and retaining test sensitivity, as sample dilution increases the likelihood of false-negative test results for individuals with a low viral load in the sampled region at the time of the test8. Similarly, minimizing the number of tests to reduce costs must be balanced against minimizing the time that testing takes, to reduce the spread of the infection. Here we propose an algorithm for pooling subsamples based on the geometry of a hypercube that, at low prevalence, accurately identifies individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a small number of tests and few rounds of testing. We discuss the optimal group size and explain why, given the highly infectious nature of the disease, largely parallel searches are preferred. We report proof-of-concept experiments in which a positive subsample was detected even when diluted 100-fold with negative subsamples (compared with 30–48-fold dilutions described in previous studies9–11). We quantify the loss of sensitivity due to dilution and discuss how it may be mitigated by the frequent re-testing of groups, for example. With the use of these methods, the cost of mass testing could be reduced by a large factor. At low prevalence, the costs decrease in rough proportion to the prevalence. Field trials of our approach are under way in Rwanda and South Africa. The use of group testing on a massive scale to monitor infection rates closely and continually in a population, along with the rapid and effective isolation of people with SARS-CoV-2 infections, provides a promising pathway towards the long-term control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In the present work, an electrochemical sensor for detection of paracetamol was fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) decorated with bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) based on using the drop dry technique. The prepared composite electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were used to study the behavior of paracetamol. The modification process improved the redox kinetics of paracetamol as shown by increased peak currents. The peak current varied linearly with increment of paracetamol concentration in the range of 0.02 to 28 μM with a sensitivity of 1.133 μA μM−1. A detection limit of 0.0052 μM was obtained. The proposed method was successfully applied to determination of paracetamol in biological samples with recoveries in the range 94.3–98.7%.

The understanding of the motivational orientations of adults with complex reasons participating in learning activities is a base for church leaders and directors of Christian education to plan educational programs that meet their needs as adult learners. Knowing their motivation helps determine the curriculum, methods of teaching, and the available resources, leading to success in reaching the desired goals for the members and the church. This paper investigates adults’ voluntary participation in congregationally sponsored Christian education programs among Episcopal churches in Southern California. Adaptation of the education participation scale (EPS) (Boshier, 1991) was used to measure the adult’smotivation to participate.

Reactive oxygen species play a pivotal role in liver disease, contributing to severe liver damage and chronic inflammation. In liver injury driven by inflammation, adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) and hypochlorite ion (ClO–) emerge as novel biomarkers, reflecting mitochondrial dysfunction and amplified oxidative stress, respectively. However, the dynamic fluctuations of ATP and ClO–in hepatocytes and mouse livers remain unclear, and multidetection techniques for these biomarkers are yet to be developed. This study presents RATP-NClO, a dual-channel fluorescent bioprobe capable of synchronously detecting ATP and ClO–ions. RATP-NClOexhibits excellent selectivity and sensitivity for ATP and ClO–ions, demonstrating a dual-channel fluorescence response in a murine hepatocyte cell line. Upon intravenous administration, RATP-NClOreveals synchronized ATP depletion and ClO–amplification in the livers of mice with experimental metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Through a comprehensive analysis of the principal mechanism of the developed bioprobe and the verification of its reliable detection ability in both in vitroand in vivosettings, we propose it as a unique tool for monitoring changes in intracellular ATP and ClO–level. These findings underscore its potential for practical image-based monitoring and functional phenotyping of MASH pathogenesis.

Limited treatment data are available for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sub-Saharan Africa, especially for genotype 4. Our objective was to establish the safety and efficacy of ledipasvir–sofosbuvir for chronic HCV genotype 1 or 4 infection in adults in Rwanda.

•DALY for food related illnesses were estimated from syndromic surveillance data in Rwanda.•Diarrheal diseases were estimated at 887 (95% CrI 566–1,242) DALY/million people.•Food related illnesses with watery diarrhea, resulted to highest DALYs estimates.•Methodology as used in this study can suit countries with less developed disease surveillance systems.

Lors de l’épidémie de la maladie à virus Ebola, les enfants de 0 à 7 ans dont les mères sont suspectes au Centre de transit (CT) et ou confirmées au Centre de traitement (CTE), sont suivis et gardés dans une crèche construite à côté de ces centres jusqu’ à la sortie de leurs mères.

The objective of this article is to demonstrate how data collection can be enhanced with survey instruments, including questionnaires. Pinpointing at the prevailing organizational cultural conditions as an antecedence to the introduction and management of the amendment is required in a useful company. The data collected can be analyzed and interpreted to develop the metrics required to boost performance. Understanding workers' knowledge and their resourcefulness in producing the goods and services demanded by customers is critical in the design and implementation of renovations to progress a business. Opinion polls and analyses are technologies in framing high-performance entrepreneurship.

This article discusses how leakage of knowledge can occur in value creation networks embedded in knowledge-intensive firms, and how a collaborative approach can be utilized to minimize risk and increase sustainability. For knowledge to be preserved from unintentional outflow, its confidential nature and description must be understood at all levels. Loss of knowledge can occur at any point; whether it is through the process of consultation or when employees do their work. Forfeiture of information can be unintended or a planned effort. To prevent such unintended leakage, it is important to develop a shared mindset among employees to minimize the risk. The socio-technical system design is a philosophical framework that enables companies to simultaneously consider both ethical and technical systems in order to best match the technology and the people involved. History has shown through a number of situations that firms that failed to comprehend new opportunities were often limited by stakeholders' thoughts and actions.

AbstractRooibos (Aspalathus linearis) plants are cultivated for the production of the Rooibos tea. In this work, biosorption process of Pb(II) from aqueous solution on Rooibos shoot powder (RSP) was studied in a batch process. The effect of experimental parameters such as solution pH (2–9), contact time (30–180 min) and initial Pb(II) concentration (25–400 mg L−1), adsorbent dosage (0.2–2.1 g), and temperature (25–80°C) on biosorption process was examined. In an attempt to determine the biosorption capacity and rate of Pb(II) removal, isotherm and kinetic data were modeled using different equations. To this end, the biosorption process by RSP followed the Langmuir model for Pb(II) ions (R2 = 0.9907), with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 18.90 mg g−1. Kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second order kinetic model, and it can be seen that the calculated qe(cal) value (11.31 mg g−1) agrees with the experimental value (12.80 mg g−1). Furthermore, the biosorbent showed good removal of Pb(II) from industrial wastewaters.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) plants are cultivated for the production of the Rooibos tea. In this work, biosorption process of Pb(II) from aqueous solution on Rooibos shoot powder (RSP) was studied in a batch process. The effect of experimental parameters such as solution pH (2–9), contact time (30–180 min) and initial Pb(II) concentration (25–400 mg L−1), adsorbent dosage (0.2–2.1 g), and temperature (25–80°C) on biosorption process was examined. In an attempt to determine the biosorption capacity and rate of Pb(II) removal, isotherm and kinetic data were modeled using different equations. To this end, the biosorption process by RSP followed the Langmuir model for Pb(II) ions (R2 = 0.9907), with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 18.90 mg g−1. Kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second order kinetic model, and it can be seen that the calculated qe(cal) value (11.31 mg g−1) agrees with the experimental value (12.80 mg g−1). Furthermore, the biosorbent showed good removal of Pb(II) from industrial wastewaters.

ABSTRACTThe potential of goat dung-derived activated carbon as an adsorbent for the removal of lead from aqueous solution in a batch system was studied. Physicochemical properties of the biosorbent were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and temperature. The adsorption showed a pH dependent profile and an optimum value at pH 4.5. The adsorption isotherm modelling showed that the equilibrium data fitted better to the Freundlich than the Langmuir model. Kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption reaction was endothermic and a spontaneous process.

The search for greener pastures during the colonial era led many African youth to leave their homes to seek employment in Southern Africa's goldmines, and commercial farms. Colour-bar prevented them of opportunities to becoming specialist. The immigrant experiences echo sentiments of inequality. They built some of the largest world economies and their efforts remained unrecognised. The rise of the civil rights movement in the sixties coincided with a concerted effort to do away with political oppression in all spheres of social life during the same period in Africa. The construction of useful global organisation demands an understanding of the historical past and the scarcity of talent and competency necessary in triumphant businesses.

The potential of goat dung-derived activated carbon as an adsorbent for the removal of lead from aqueous solution in a batch system was studied. Physicochemical properties of the biosorbent were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and temperature. The adsorption showed a pH dependent profile and an optimum value at pH 4.5. The adsorption isotherm modelling showed that the equilibrium data fitted better to the Freundlich than the Langmuir model. Kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption reaction was endothermic and a spontaneous process.

This article describes the deliberate making of a knowledge community to advance specialization in divided labor and structuring a successful enterprise. A knowledge network is characterized by mutual engagement in a joint enterprise that gives rise to a shared repertoire of knowledge, skillsets, and practices. The division of labor is identified to enable the novice to develop the proficiencies required for specialty to happen. Bootstrapping and other techniques are applied to replicate the performance required in making effective specialists. A conclusion is drawn taking the position that the centricity of an epistemic community is the locus of control of the job, individual, and team; additionally, it is the only organization that can authenticate the practices necessary to boost productivity.

In the present study, Afzelia quanzensisbark extract was tested for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Based on UV–Vis spectrum analysis, the characteristic absorption band was observed at 427 nm. Furthermore, the size and shape of the nanoparticles ranged from 10 to 80 nm and were spherical in shape as observed through SEM analysis. In addition, the X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the silver nanoparticles are crystalline in nature and have a face-centred cubic structure. Based on FTIR analysis, the presence of phytochemical functional groups such as carboxyl (–C=O) and amine (N–H) in Afzelia quanzensisbark extract further confirmed the responsible reducing agents for nanoparticles formation. Interestingly, the synthesized silver nanoparticles at 50 mg/L concentration showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coliand Staphylococcus aureus.

The discourse in this presentation is about how talent, explicit knowing, and appropriate techniques, can be de-constructed to progress the necessary efficacy in the structure of the value creation process. Value is created anytime an action is taken for which the benefits exceed the costs, or anytime an action can be prevented for which the costs exceed the benefits. A co-constructed competency model can be applied to understand the structures that enhance performance and the design of attractive conditions of service to retention talent and nurture the skillfulness and knowing necessary in boosting yields in diversified entities.

The discourse presented in this paper is about an alternative change management technique hinged on pragmatic social construction ontology purposefully designed to champion productivity. All companies are designed and upshot specific goals. In those entities, talented individuals can be hired to play exact roles in the production of goods and services valued by customers. In addition they can collaborate to enhance explicit understanding critical in triumphant businesses. Data available show that corporations that prioritize activities by re-engineering the division of labor yield increased outputs. Winning in competition imply re-aligning capability abilities where technology and the operational rules are constantly evolving. Productivity can be enhanced by juxtaposing experts with technology to create goods and services appreciated by customers the most.

A mixed research methodology was deployed to show that cultural differences and perceived risk-taking must be considered in charting competences in advancing household enterprises in the Southern African Development Communities and the USA. The consequences were that triumphant households were those that took cognizance of multiculturalism in assessing and measuring performance. Multiple Linear Regression analysis demonstrated that capacity must be customized to suit organizational vision and that the vital predictor of perceived success in the USA was performance orientation while uncertainty avoidance topped the list in the SADC. Results indicate that diversity was understood in all successful enterprises.

En République Démocratique du Congo, l'actuelle épidémie de la maladie à virus Ebola sévit depuis août 2018 jusqu’à nos jours, elle est la dixième, la plus meurtrière et plus complexe avec plus de 3000 cas et plus de 2000 décès.

The primary objective of this paper is about innovation within specific social organization which compacts with the division of labor, knowledge creation, and the use of technology such as e-enterprise in social economy aimed at improving productivity. A significant proportion of the world's economy is organized to make profits not only for investors but to sustain the employment of many disadvantaged people throughout the world. It includes cooperative organizations, foundations and many other social enterprises that provide a wide range of products and services across the globe and generate sustainable employment. Productivity tends to increase when the job is divided into manageable portions and then performed by adequately skilled personnel. In order to succeed in an environment in which other businesses fiercely compete along with social enterprises it is imperative to take into account innovative systems such as e-enterprise to leverage competition and increase productivity.

The world is becoming increasingly one multicultural Global village and business and education transnational, which implies that students will need to recognize accept and adjust to cultural differences in communications to succeed in their studies as well as in their future careers. This presentation is fundamentally about a niftier way of intercultural learning and knowledge-acquisition that adapts video-conferencing and Internet technology to build Web-based successful learning communities. Students can meet on interactive camera at least twice per week and thereafter at any time using Google-mail during the semester effectively forming a knowledge community. The learning community can collaborate to develop the capacity to create diffuse and distribute experiential knowledge in boundary-less and Global-campuses in virtual environments. Students from different universities will cohere to understand each other's culture without leaving their own countries. The method is cost-effective as compared to similar costly semester abroad and hiked out-of-state tuition rates. Students can access additional resources to enhance cultural competencies from the virtual libraries and faculty facilitating in the program without leaving their campuses.

Massive unemployment, increasing dissension and despotic and corrupt authorities have created an ideal environment for the emergence of civil and democratic movements whose main objectives are to create and foster democracy. African spring is seeking to facilitate an equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. The organisations have generated geopolitical tensions and pressure to dispose despots who have amassed personal fortunes at the expense of the public. The discussion includes how African citizens can present a united force and deploy peaceful demonstrations, drawing on socio-technical systems approach as a strategy complimented by an active media to make effective democratic amendment. Important historical events are analysed to facilitate an understanding of the critical success factors necessary in advancing equality in fluid post-colonial contexts.

Implementation of highly sophisticated technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), into routine clinical practice requires compatibility with common tumor biopsy types, such as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fine-needle aspiration specimens, and validation metrics for platforms, controls, and data analysis pipelines. In this study, a two-step PCR enrichment workflow was used to assess 540 known cancer-relevant variants in 16 oncogenes for high-depth sequencing in tumor samples on either mature (Illumina GAIIx) or emerging (Ion Torrent PGM) NGS platforms. The results revealed that the background noise of variant detection was elevated approximately twofold in FFPE compared with cell line DNA. Bioinformatic algorithms were optimized to accommodate this background. Variant calls from 38 residual clinical colorectal cancer FFPE specimens and 10 thyroid fine-needle aspiration specimens were compared across multiple cancer genes, resulting in an accuracy of 96.1% (95% CI, 96.1% to 99.3%) compared with Sanger sequencing, and 99.6% (95% CI, 97.9% to 99.9%) compared with an alternative method with an analytical sensitivity of 1% mutation detection. A total of 45 of 48 samples were concordant between NGS platforms across all matched regions, with the three discordant calls each represented at <10% of reads. Consequently, NGS of targeted oncogenes in real-life tumor specimens using distinct platforms addresses unmet needs for unbiased and highly sensitive mutation detection and can accelerate both basic and clinical cancer research.

Mycoplasma genitaliumis an emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) and has been associated with reproductive tract infections and HIV in cross-sectional studies. In this longitudinal study, we assess whether M. genitaliumis associated with risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection.

This paper proposes a framework to create successful human rights practices using the platform of a knowledge community. The challenges which face human rights promotion are both theoretical and practical and will require community collaboration if they are to succeed. Theoretically, for the framing of human rights to be relevant to Africa, it has to be situated in a combination of international conceptions of local and international knowledge. However, efforts to formulate international perceptions on democracy are complicated because of the apprehension that they are seen as trying to supersede existing traditions outlook and the lack of clarity about what exactly they mean in situ. Local knowledge provided by a community of practice provides an avenue in which effective human rights can operate. The conclusion drawn is that human rights organisations are more likely to succeed if they collaborate with the local community in co-constructing a shared human rights vision.

The purpose of this paper is to advance organisational efficiency and effectiveness by appreciating the division of labour espoused by the classic economist Adam Smith (1723-1790). Adam Smith proposes that the division of labour into specialisation units can yield increased productivity. By determining the desired capacity and the set of skills that capture what the organisation does best using appreciative inquiry (AI), the entire organisation can advance to the next level. Adam Smith envisioned increased ratio of output as each man perfected his act. AI, a change management method can be deployed to determine the skillfulness required in avoiding wasted time and efforts. The AI methodology makes it possible for the entire organisation to participate in the determination of what needs to be changed making it possible to distinguish between efficiency and effectiveness. It is essential to make this differentiation because successful corporations are both efficient and effective. By drawing from the Adam Smith pin-making enterprise the paper illustrates how AI can be one of the best methods used to perfect the acts of different specialists. More wealth can be created by controlling operational costs.

Background The coverage of preschool preventive medical visits in developing countries is still low. Consequently, very few children benefit from continuous monitoring during the first 5 years of life.Objective To assess community volunteers' effectiveness in monitoring the growth of preschool-age children in a context of endemic malnutrition and armed conflict.Methods Community volunteers were selected by village committees and trained to monitor children's growth in their respective villages. Community volunteers monitored 5,479 children under 5 years of age in the Lwiro Health Sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from January 2004 to December 2005 under the supervision of the district health office. Children's weight was interpreted according to weight-for-age curves drawn on the growth sheet proposed by the World Health Organization and adopted by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Results During the 2-year program, the volunteers weighed children under 5 years of age monthly. The median percentage of children weighed per village varied between 80% and 90% for children of 12–59 months, and 80% and 100% for children of less than 12 months even during the conflict period. The median percentage of children between 12 and 59 months of age per village ranked as highly susceptible to malnutrition by the volunteers decreased from 4.2% (range, 0% to 35.3%) in 2004 to 2.8% (range, 0.0% to 18.9%) in 2005.Conclusions The decentralization of weighing of children to the community level could be an alternative for improving growth monitoring of preschool-age children in situations of armed conflict or political instability. This option also offers an opportunity to involve the community in malnutrition care and can be an entry point for other public health activities.

Imperative need exists to search for new anti-TB drugs that are safer, and more effective against drug-resistant strains. Medicinal plants have been the source of active ingredients for drug development. However, the slow growth and biosafety level requirements of M. tuberculosisculture are considerable challenges. M. smegmatiscan be used as a surrogate for M. tuberculosis.In the current study, preliminary phytochemical screening and antimycobacterial activity evaluation of crude methanolic extracts of medicinal plants against M. smegmatis, and two M. tuberculosisstrains, were conducted.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) poses an important challenge in TB management and control. Rifampicin resistance (RR) is a solid surrogate marker of MDR-TB. We investigated the RR-TB clustering rates, bacterial population dynamics to infer transmission dynamics, and the impact of changes to patient management on these dynamics over 27 years in Rwanda.

The main characteristic of a mobile ad hocnetwork (MANET) is its infrastructure‐less, highly dynamic topology, which is subject to malicious traffic analysis. Malicious intermediate nodes in MANETs are a threat concerning security as well as anonymity of exchanged information. In this paper, we propose an anonymous on‐demand routing protocol, called RINOMO, to protect anonymity and achieve security of nodes in MANETs. After successful authentication of the legitimate nodes in the network they can use their pseudo IDs for secure communication. Pseudo IDs of the nodes are generated considering pairing‐based cryptography. Nodes can generate their pseudo IDs independently and dynamically without consulting with system administrator. As a result, RINOMO reduces pseudo IDs maintenance costs. Only trust‐worthy nodes are allowed to take part in routing to discover a route. To ensure trustiness each node has to make authentication to its neighbors through the designed anonymous authentication process. Thus, RINOMO safely communicates between nodes without disclosing node identities. It also provides different desirable anonymous properties such as identity privacy, location privacy, route anonymity, and robustness against several attacks. Mathematical analysis of privacy loss is also evaluated and it shows there is no loss of privacy with respect to time. Thus, RINOMO is an anonymous robust protocol in MANETs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The discourse presented in this paper focuses on the deployment of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to determine organisational needs. The AI methodology enables a co-constructed and systematic analysis that gives a clear and accurate assessment of prevailing cultural conditions, a prerequisite step in introducing and managing change. Using AI will enable deep change to occur. AI is one of the best methods in organisational transformation that has revolutionised how change is introduced and managed. The methodology is a complete change management process equipped with tools for measurement and evaluation of culture in organisations, an interview protocol, and a framework for creating desired change and positivism. The method uses a Four-Dimension Cycle (Four-D Cycle) as its technological hub for determining organisational needs, continued co-constructing of a shared vision, and developing concerted efforts in fulfilling desirable destiny. Using AI as the intervention of choice, this paper draws a discourse that focuses on getting the organisational needs right the first time and the successful implementation of long-lasting desirable change.

Relationship between the contents of soil sulphur and plant sulphur was studied in order to evaluate the distribution of plant-available sulphur in Zambian soils. Four soils series with distinct differences in texture and organic carbon content had been selected among representative benchmark soil series and used to cultivate maize (Zea mays L.) as a test plant in pots. From the results of the pot experiment, critical levels of sulphur deficiency in plants and soils were evaluated and the levels of available sulphur for maize nutrition were rated into four classes using data on the relative yield of maize. The optimum method to determine the available sulphur content of the soils was applied to the analysis of other benchmark soils. Satisfactory regression models for assessing the relation between the content of available soil sulphur with other soil constituents among benchmark soil could not be identified. A distribution map for available sulphur was drawn in a step-by-step format by using a different scale of the soil map, soil units and the legends of soil map databases. As a result, it was confirmed that sulphur-deficient and marginal areas were widely distributed throughout the country. Finally, soil acidity problems associated with sulphur application, the inconsistency of the content of available sulphur with that of total sulphur and limitation of the map utility were examined.

Total sulphur content of some benchmark soils was evaluated by correlating with the contents of soil organic C and amorphous oxides (Al and Fe), and the particle size distribution. An equation model to calculate the content of total soil sulphur was first obtained by regression analysis. Introducing these chemical and physical data of all the map units except for the wetlands into the equation model, the sulphur level on a national scale was estimated for each soil mapping unit in the exploratory soil map of Zambia. Second, the total sulphur content was rated into 3 classes based on the frequency distribution of the total sulphur content in the benchmark soils. Finally, the rated total sulphur content was incorporated into the national soil map database of GIS to produce a map with the total sulphur content of Zambian soils. The extent of each class was calculated and the distribution of the areas was examined in relation to rainfall and soil formation.

Introduction Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a group of lipid kinases that regulate signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, survival, and motility. Even though PIK3CA amplification and somatic mutation have been reported previously in various kinds of human cancers, the genetic change in PIK3CA in human breast cancer has not been clearly identified.Methods Fifteen breast cancer cell lines and 92 primary breast tumors (33 with matched normal tissue) were used to check somatic mutation and gene copy number of PIK3CA. For the somatic mutation study, we specifically checked exons 1, 9, and 20, which have been reported to be hot spots in colon cancer. For the analysis of the gene copy number, we used quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. We also treated several breast cancer cells with the PIK3CA inhibitor LY294002 and compared the apoptosis status in cells with and without PIK3CA mutation.Results We identified a 20.6% (19 of 92) and 33.3% (5 of 15) PIK3CA somatic mutation frequency in primary breast tumors and cell lines, respectively. We also found that 8.7% (8 of 92) of the tumors harbored a gain of PIK3CA gene copy number. Only four cases in this study contained both an increase in the gene copy number and a somatic mutation. In addition, mutation of PIK3CA correlated with the status of Akt phosphorylation in some breast cancer cells and inhibition of PIK3CA-induced increased apoptosis in breast cancer cells with PIK3CA mutation.Conclusion Somatic mutation rather than a gain of gene copy number of PIK3CA is the frequent genetic alteration that contributes to human breast cancer progression. The frequent and clustered mutations within PIK3CA make it an attractive molecular marker for early detection and a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer.