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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.

Literature on STEM education outcome in the tertiary context has pursued the construct of non-cognitive attributes distinctly from that of entrepreneurship skills and pedagogical competencies, notwithstanding the inferred indications that the three can be adapted in an integrated model to enhance positive outcomes. This study established that there is a range of approaches seeking to optimize positive learning outcomes in tertiary level institutions. This paper argues that there is need to incorporate entrepreneurship and pedagogical skills training in the curriculum for STEM educators at the tertiary level institutions. The study has therefore proposed an integrated theoretical model which can be used to generate data sets to address identified gaps.

BackgroundExposure to environmental stressors can lead to shorter leukocyte telomere length and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Preservation of leukocyte telomere length by reducing oxidative stress exposure and reinforcing immunity may be a mechanism by which nutritional factors delay or prevent chronic disease development.MethodsHealthy pregnant women (aged 18-45 years) at 9-15 weeks of gestation living in Gasabo District, Kigali, Rwanda, were recruited from 10 health centers for a prospective, longitudinal study from September to October 2017 to determine possible associations between nutrition health, infectious disease and leukocyte telomere length. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed using standard procedures; sociodemographic parameters and health histories were assessed via surveys, and leukocyte telomere length was assessed using quantitative PCR expressed as the ratio of a telomeric product to a single-copy gene product (T/S).ResultsMean gestational age of participants (n = 297) at enrollment was 13.04 ± 3.50 weeks, age was 28.16 ± 6.10 years and leukocyte telomere length was 1.16 ± 0.22 (T/S). Younger age; no schooling vs. primary schooling; and lower levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors and retinol-binding protein were independent predictors of longer telomere length in multivariable models.ConclusionsLeukocyte telomere length is an indicator of biological aging in pregnant Rwandan women. Maternal micronutrient status, specifically lower ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor levels, and retinol-binding protein levels were associated with longer maternal telomere length in contrast with some studies from North America and Europe. There were no associations between inflammation and infectious disease status and maternal leukocyte telomere length. Further studies are needed to enhance our understanding of the interplay between maternal nutritional status and infectious disease in relation to leukocyte telomere length in developing countries.

BackgroundPreterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of early childhood mortality and morbidity, including long-term physical and mental impairment. The risk factors for PTB are complex and include maternal nutritional status and infections. This study aimed to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for targeted interventions to reduce the occurrence of PTB in Rwanda.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of healthy pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years. Women at 9-15 gestational weeks were recruited from 10 health centers in Gasabo District, Kigali Province between September and October 2017. Pregnancy age was estimated using ultrasonography and date of last menstruation. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed using standard procedures for both mothers and newborns. Surveys were administered to assess demographic and health histories. Categorical and continuous variables were depicted as proportions and means, respectively. Variables with p

Rwanda is a country in East Africa, a region characterized by highly mobile populations and outbreaks of high-consequence infectious diseases occurring on a regular basis. To increase the level of outbreak preparedness in the region, the Rwandan government and the German Ministry of Health signed a joint agreement to construct a new high-level isolation unit in Rwanda, the first in East Africa, and implement a training program for Rwandan healthcare workers to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for medical management of patients under high-level isolation conditions, including intensive care treatment. To better understand the scope and format of the planned training program, a needs assessment was performed based on findings from a standardized survey of 4 intensive care units in Rwanda as well as observations from 2 members of a German high-level isolation unit who completed clinical internships at Rwandan hospitals. In this case study, we describe the necessary steps to promote the sustainability and capabilities of the new high-level isolation unit in Kigali and ensure the successful implementation of the training program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study sought to investigate the prevalence of cyberbullying incidents among learners in institutions of higher learning in Gaborone, Botswana. The study explored the prevalence of cyberbullying, cyber stalking, impersonation and the use of technology. The mixed methods explanatory research design was adopted in this study. This design involved the use of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques to establish the extent of cyberbullying in institutions of higher learning in Gaborone. Questionnaires were distributed to 150 learners at the institutions of higher learning in Gaborone main campuses. Both institutions of learning were selected because of their intensive use of technology for teaching and learning. Of the 150 questionnaires that were distributed, 115 were completed and returned culminating in a 77% response rate. The research findings revealed the prevalence of cyberbullying in institutions of learning. The results also demonstrated that technological platforms through the use of the internet facilitated cyberbullying in learning institutions. The findings of the study are significant as they will enable the leaders of the institutions to promulgate effective policies that will help curb the prevalence cyberbullying incidences. To augment knowledge sharing in the education fraternity, the study makes a recommendation to the Ministry of Education, together with other institutions of learning, that a specific cyberbullying policy should be promulgated and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document describes a language immersion environment, a summer camp for learning languages, and the technology-rich projects that these learners were involved in. Technology projects and what is thought to have been accomplished through them is examined. It is discussed that many of the same things in a more typical school environment could be accomplished. This article focuses on the French, but the activities could be adapted for any language.

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.

Community-academic partnership research is a fairly new genre of community-based participatory research. It has arisen in part, from recognition of the potential role of alliances in the development and translation of applied knowledge and the elimination of health disparities. This paper reports on the learning process of academic and community members who worked together in developing a logic model for a research program focusing on partnerships with vulnerable populations. The Partners in Community Health Research is a 6-year training program that seeks to combine research, training, and practice through the work of its "learning clusters". As these types of partnerships proliferate, the articulation and exploration of clear models will assist in their implementation. The authors, coming from both academia and community agencies, present a logic model meant to facilitate program management. Key considerations in the model's development are discussed in the context of an ongoing research partnership; namely, the complexity of the research partnership, power and accountability, alignment with health promotion policy, and the iterative nature of program design. Recommendations challenge academics, policy-makers, service providers, and community members to reflect on the elements needed to support and manage research partnerships and the tools necessary to ensure continued collaboration. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)

Understanding the intricate interplay between the geographic distributions of species and the dynamics of environmental factors is crucial for effective biodiversity management. Crop wild relatives are important resources for the improvement of cultivated plants. However, our understanding of how these species might respond to future climatic changes and their implications for conservation remains incomplete. In this study, we focus on the ecologically and economically significant hickory trees to address this knowledge gap. We employed the Biomod2 ensemble model to predict the potential distributions of 12 North American and five East Asian Carya species based on 13,643 occurrence points and 26 environmental variables. We analyzed the distribution range dynamics of hickory trees across the past, present, and future emission scenarios (2090; SSP126 and SSP585), assessed their conservation status, and conducted a preliminary threat assessment. Our results indicate that most Carya species expanded their habitat range from the Last Glacial Maximum to the present, with substantial contraction projected under both future scenarios. A northward migration shift to high elevations was observed for most species from the LGM to the future. Sixteen species were categorized as "medium priority" for further conservation action, and only one (C. tonkinensis) as "high priority". Preliminary threat assessment classified one species (C. luana) as critically endangered, eight endangered, four vulnerable, and five as least concern. This study underscores the potential effects of climate change on the distribution of Carya species, providing crucial insights for their conservation and highlighting the broader impacts of climate change on crop wild relatives. [Display omitted] • Biomod2 ensemble model was used to predict the range dynamics of 17 Carya species. • The distribution ranges of most species are projected to contract in the future. • Northward range shifts to high elevations predicted under future climate changes. • Conservation actions are needed for C. floridana , C. palmeri and all Asian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]