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How do public procurement practices influence effective public financial management (PFM) in Africa? Notwithstanding the several public procurement reforms to improve PFM in Africa, outcomes have not been sustainable. Prior studies have failed to explain this phenomenon. With a descriptive case study design based on comprehensive datasets, this paper explains this situation with three key factors underlying the public procurement environment in three African countries: Ethiopia, Central African Republic, and Ghana. From the agency theory lenses, these factors affect the agency cost in public administrative systems necessary for addressing the agency problems in public procurement management towards desired PFM outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the geochemistry of bulk rock and infers the petrogenesis of ultramafic rocks in the Boali Precambrian terrane in Mbi Valley, in the North of the Central African Republic (CAR). The studied rocks comprise coarse primary olivine and orthopyroxene relics (dominant phase), magnesio-hornblende, magnetite, and antigorite. Whole-rock analysis indicates low SiO2 (average of 43.14 wt%) and high MgO (19.84–26.98 wt%) contents and their Mg number (Mg#) ranges from 74 to 82. They display high Ni (526–865 ppm), Cr (1500–3680 ppm) contents. AFM (Na2O-K2O)-FeO-MgO) and ACM (Al2O3-CaO-MgO) ternary diagrams have revealed that the studied samples correspond to arc-related ultramafic cumulates. Chondrite-normalized REE plots display an increasing trend from La to Sm (CeN/SmN: 0.74–1.81), weak negative to no Eu (Eu/Eu* = 0.72–1.05) and strong negative Ce (Ce/Ce* = 0.33–0.98) anomalies. Primitive mantle normalized of multi-element diagrams exhibit LREE enrichment and large ion lithophile elements (LILE) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE), and notable negative anomalies in Nb. This suggests the generation of the parent melt by slab dehydration and wedge melting processes. In addition, incompatible trace element composition and ratios assumed that the source magma had an enhanced mantle source associated with a prominent influence of continental crust. Metasomatism of mantle wedge by plate-dehydrated, LILE-rich fluids and the incorporation of sediments derived from subduction explain the enhancement of the source. Integrated major and trace element compositions jointly with the tectonic reconstruction of this region and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb data on zircon constrain the emplacement age at ca. 2099 Ma in a continental margin arc setting involving subduction of an oceanic plate beneath the continental lithosphere, dehydration of the slab and mantle wedge melting. This result intimate that the remnants of Paleoproterozoic oceanic crust or subduction event and subsequent basins closure extended from the Congo craton in Cameroon to CAR and NE Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: With a fourth of all under-five children affected, stunting remains one of the biggest health challenges worldwide. Even though the main underlying factors are known, the exact pathways to stunting varying in affected regions, and interventions thus need to be tailored to the local contexts. This study aimed assessing and comparing factors associated with stunting in two understudied sub-Saharan urban contexts with some of the highest stunting prevalence globally: Bangui, Central African Republic (~ 36%) and Antananarivo, Madagascar (42%). Methods: We performed a case–control study on 175 + 194 stunted and 237 + 230 non-stunted control children aged 2–5 years and matched for age, gender and district of residency. Factors associated with stunting were identified using a standardized, paper questionnaire delivered by trained interviewers. Statistical analysis was done using logistic regression modelling. Results: In both sites, formal maternal education lowered the risk of being stunted and restricted access to soap, suffering of anaemia and low birth weight were associated with higher risk of stunting. Short maternal stature, household head different from parents, diarrhoea and coughing were associated with an increased risk and continuing breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of stunting in Antananarivo. Previous severe undernutrition and dermatitis/ fungal skin infections were associated with higher and changes in diet during pregnancy with lower risk of stunting in Bangui. Conclusions: Our results suggest maternal education, antenatal care, iron supplementation and simple WASH interventions such as using soap and infection control as general and breastfeeding (Antananarivo) or better nutrition (Bangui) as area-specified interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review is presented of the ticks of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), based on unpublished data and a literature review. We consider as established in the C.A.R. two species of Argasidae (one species of each of the genera Carios and Ornithodoros) and 49 species of Ixodidae: 5 Ixodes, 11 Amblyomma, 2 Dermacentor, 9 Haemaphysalis, 4 Hyalomma, and 18 Rhipicephalus species, 3 of which belong to the subgenus Boophilus. Two of these species, one Amblyomma and one Dermacentor, may by now have disappeared from the country together with their hosts, the black and white rhinoceroses. Moreover, four other species of Ixodidae have been recorded, but are not necessarily established in the country, and 6 species of Ixodidae have apparently been reported incorrectly; the data for the occurrence of three other species of Ixodidae are uncertain. Rhipicephalus species in the C.A.R. present the greatest difficulties in identification, on the one hand because of uncertainties in taxonomy, particularly in the capensis group, on the other hand because of individual variability, which means that individual specimens cannot always be reliably identified to species. Examining the dissected and cleared gonopore structure of females helps, but is very time-consuming where large numbers are involved. Some of the species of the genus Haemaphysalis are also difficult to identify with certainty. There are only a few species of Hyalomma in the country. We revised also some old records of ticks in C.A.R., which we consider as unreliable and should be disregarded because of subsequent changes in taxonomy and nomenclature, unless the material is still available for examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared paired plasma and dried blood spot (DBS) samples from 54 HIV-1-treated children living in Bangui, Central African Republic, for antiretroviral-resistance-associated mutations. All children displayed virological failure (HIV-1 RNA >3.70 logcopies/ml). Testing for resistance genotype was carried out in a reference laboratory in Paris, France. A successful test result was obtained in 54 (100%) plasmas and 25 DBSs (46%). Among the 732 resistance-associated mutations analyzed, 718 were identical, leading to a high concordance rate of 98.1%. Genotypic resistance tests on DBS samples were found to be highly feasible and accurate in a foreign reference laboratory, but with additional costs for shipping and decreased sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though insectivory by large-bodied gorillas may be unexpected, researchers have reported it in all populations of gorillas studied to date. Our study of 2 well monitored groups of western gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Bai Hokou in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic provides information on frequency and variability of termite consumption (the most commonly eaten insect) as well as some of the first direct observations of the behavior. Pooled data from both groups indicate termite feeding on 34% and 83% of days, through fecal analysis and feeding trails, respectively. Direct observations revealed that termite feeding occurred on 91% of the days for 1 group, in which the silverback fed on termites during 13% of all feeding scans, making termites the most commonly observed food item. The group that had a higher density of termite mounds in its home range consumed termites more frequently than the other group did. A higher proportion of fecal samples from the silverbacks contained termite remains than the ones from adult females and juveniles. Termite consumption was lower during the dry season, but it does not correlate with rainfall, measures of fruit availability, or fruit consumption. Displacements at termite mounds occurred more than expected, indicating that they are a patchy, sought-after food resource. Gorillas did not use tools to extract termites, but they used 2 different techniques to remove them from the cells. Though culture or social traditions may cause the variation in termite consumption across sites, further investigation of termite availability and consumption is necessary to rule out ecological and methodological explanations for observed variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We monitored the impact of habituation for tourism through changes in gorillas' behavior during the habituation process at Bai Hokou (Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic) from August 1996 to December 1999. From August 1998 onwards we focused on one gorilla group: the Munye. During the habituation process, it became increasingly easier to locate and to remain with the gorillas. Their initial reactions of aggression, fear and vocalization upon contact were replaced increasingly by ignoring us. Curiosity appeared to be an intermediate stage in the process. The way in which contacts with the Munye ended became more subdued over time. Regular daily contact is important in promoting habituation. Likewise, contacting gorillas while they are in a tree or in dense forest provides positive results compared to open habitat. Contacts within 10 m and contacts without forewarning the gorillas of observer presence, e.g., via tongue clacking, should be avoided. As of December 1999, habituation had progressed well; habituation of western gorillas is feasible. However, the gorillas experience negative effects during the habituation process, showing, for example, an increase in daily path length, and reactions of aggression, fear and vocalization upon contact. Impacts diminish over time. Given these and other potentially negative effects, the decision to begin habituation should not be taken lightly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]