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Creating an interactive, accurate, and low-latency big data visualisation is challenging due to the volume, variety, and velocity of the data. Visualisation options range from visualising the entire big dataset, which could take a long time and be taxing to the system, to visualising a small subset of the dataset, which could be fast and less taxing to the system but could also lead to a less-beneficial visualisation as a result of information loss. The main research questions investigated by this work are what effect sampling has on visualisation insight and how to provide guidance to users in navigating this trade-off. To investigate these issues, we study an initial case of simple estimation tasks on histogram visualisations of sampled big data, in hopes that these results may generalise. Leveraging sampling, we generate subsets of large datasets and create visualisations for a crowd-sourced study involving a simple cognitive visualisation task. Using the results of this study, we quantify insight, sampling, visualisation, and perception error in comparison to the full dataset. We use these results to model the relationship between sample size and insight error, and we propose the use of our model to guide big data visualisation sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of laboratory studies conducted to evaluate the effects of different curing conditions on the compressive strength development of concrete made with pulverized copper slag as partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is presented. Concrete cube specimens were made with copper slag replacing cement in the following proportions; 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% compared to the control (0%) specimen under normal laboratory conditions and cured in three different conditions, namely; water, solar chamber and ambient air up 90 days. Test performed included X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and sieve analysis respectively for the chemical oxide composition and fineness for both the pulverized copper slag and ordinary Portland cement. Specimens were tested for compressive strength up to 90 days of curing, with the temperature and humidity of the surrounding curing environment recorded for each of the three curing method used. The experimental results indicate a significant drop in the compressive strength as the copper slag content increases for all curing methods. Moreover, for the control samples, the percentage decrease in the compressive strength for the 3-day curing for water cured sample, compared to the solar chamber and ambient air were respectively 31% and 28%. However, beyond 28 up to 90 days of curing, the water cured samples yielded a higher compressive strength, followed by the solar chamber and ambient air. The percentage increase in the compressive strength up to 90 days of curing for water cured specimen, compared to the solar chamber and ambient air were respectively 8.5% and 12%. This trend was similar for all percentage replacement of cement with the pulverized copper slag

Sensemaking of large graphs, specifically those with millions of nodes, is a crucial task in many fields. Automatic graph layout algorithms, augmented with real-time human-in-the-loop interaction, can potentially support sensemaking of large graphs. However, designing interactive algorithms to achieve this is challenging. In this paper, we tackle the scalability problem of interactive layout of large graphs, and contribute a new GPU-based force-directed layout algorithm that exploits graph topology. This algorithm can interactively layout graphs with millions of nodes, and support real-time interaction to explore alternative graph layouts. Users can directly manipulate the layout of vertices in a force-directed fashion. The complexity of traditional repulsive force computation is reduced by approximating calculations based on the hierarchical structure of multi-level clustered graphs. We evaluate the algorithm performance, and demonstrate human-in-the-loop layout in two sensemaking case studies. Moreover, we summarize lessons learned for designing interactive large graph layout algorithms on the GPU.

This paper presents the Animated VISualization Tool (AVIST), an exploration-oriented data visualization tool that enables rapidly exploring and filtering large time series multidimensional datasets. AVIST highlights interactive data exploration by revealing fine data details. This is achieved through the use of animation and cross-filtering interactions. To support interactive exploration of big data, AVIST features a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)-centric design. Two key aspects are emphasized on the GPU-centric design: (1) both data management and computation are implemented on the GPU to leverage its parallel computing capability and fast memory bandwidth; (2) a GPU-based directed acyclic graph is proposed to characterize data transformations triggered by users’ demands. Moreover, we implement AVIST based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. In the implementation, we consider two aspects: (1) user interaction is highlighted to slice big data into small data; and (2) data transformation is based on parallel computing. Two case studies demonstrate how AVIST can help analysts identify abnormal behaviors and infer new hypotheses by exploring big datasets. Finally, we summarize lessons learned about GPU-based solutions in interactive information visualization with big data.

Abstract Background Growing scientific evidence points to the pervasiveness of inequities in health and health care and the persistence of the inverse care law, that is the availability of good quality healthcare seems to be inversely related to the need for it in developing countries. Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is likely to be compromised if inequities in health/healthcare are not properly addressed. Objective This study attempts to assess trends in inequities in selected indicators of health status and health service utilization in Malawi using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 1992, 2000 and 2004. Methods Data from Demographic and Health Surveys of 1992, 2000 and 2004 are analysed for inequities in health/healthcare using quintile ratios and concentration curves/indices. Results Overall, the findings indicate that in most of the selected indicators there are pro-rich inequities and that they have been widening during the period under consideration. Furthermore, vertical inequities are observed in the use of interventions (treatment of diarrhoea, ARI among under-five children), in that the non-poor who experience less burden from these diseases receive more of the treatment/interventions, whereas the poor who have a greater proportion of the disease burden use less of the interventions. It is also observed that the publicly provided services for some of the selected interventions (e.g. child delivery) benefit the non-poor more than the poor. Conclusion The widening trend in inequities, in particular healthcare utilization for proven cost-effective interventions is likely to jeopardize the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and other national and regional targets. To counteract the inequities it is recommended that coverage in poor communities be increased through appropriate targeting mechanisms and effective service delivery strategies. There is also a need for studies to identify which service delivery mechanisms are effective in the Malawian context.

Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Competing Interests: MM is the WHO Regional Director for Africa and the other authors are all employees of the WHO Regional Office for Africa. We declare no other competing interests.

A human resource base that ensures appropriate deployment of staff to emergencies, addressing different shock events in emergencies, without disrupting continuity of service is germane to a successful response. Consequently, the WHO Health Emergencies programme in the African Region, in collaboration with Africa Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) launched the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) and Strengthening and Utilization of Response Group for Emergencies (SURGE), an initiative aimed at ensuring a pool of timely responders. We explored the willingness of WHO staff to work in emergencies. A call for expression of interest to be part of the Elite Emergency Experts (Triple E) was published on 5 th July 2022 via email and was open for 5 weeks. The responses were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and presented with graphic illustrations. A total of 1253 WHO staff, from all the six WHO regions, cutting across all cadre, applied to the call. The applicants had various trainings and experiences in emergency and have responded to mostly disease outbreaks. Two-third of the applicants were males. This paper did not explore reasons for the willingness to work in emergencies. However, contrary to fears expressed in literature that health workers would not want to work in emergencies with potential for infections, the applicants have worked mostly in infectious emergencies. Literature identified some themes on factors that could impact on willingness of health workers to work in emergencies. These include concerns for the safety of the responders and impact of partners, child and elderly care, as well as other family obligations, which emergency planners must consider in planning emergency response., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Abdou Salam Gueye et al.)

Although Africa is home to about 14% of the global population (1.14 billion people), it is growing three times faster than the global average [1]. The continent carries a high burden of disease, but there has been real progress in eradication, elimination, and control since 2015. Examples are the eradication of wild polio in 2020 [2] and the eradication or elimination of neglected tropical diseases, such as dracunculiasis in Kenya in 2018; Human African trypanosomiasis in Togo in 2022; and trachoma in Togo, Gambia, Ghana, and Malawi in 2022 [3]. New HIV infections reduced by 44% in 2021 compared to 2010 [4], and in 2021 the African region passed the 2020 milestone of the End TB Strategy, with a 22% reduction in new infections compared with 2015 [5].

Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests. The PEN-Plus Partnership is supported by grants from the Leona M and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust and the JDRF. Editorial note: The Lancet Group takes a neutral position with respect to territorial claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This paper investigates the systemic challenges that African healthcare innovators experience in the quest to scale their innovations. The aim is to aggregate insights and to conceptualize a foundation towards building a framework that can be used as a guide by intermediary organizations and global partners to support collaborative innovation in African countries. These insights were gained from analyzing a dataset of survey responses obtained from a follow-up on 230 innovators who took part in the inaugural WHO Africa Innovation Challenge that was held in 2018. The insights led to the identification of 10 key foundational blocks that assist in ecosystem management in a bid to strengthen national health innovation ecosystems and to improve the sustainability and integration of innovations in the health system.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century.

Competing Interests: Declaration of interests HH received fees from the WHO Western Pacific regional office as an advisor, received support for attending World Psychiatric Association meetings, and was president of the World Psychiatric Association between 2017 and 2020. All other authors declare no competing interests.

In October 2021, the WHO published an ambitious strategy to ensure that all countries had vaccinated 40% of their population by the end of 2021 and 70% by mid-2022. The end of June 2022 marks 18 months of implementation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in the African region and provides an opportunity to look back and think ahead about COVID-19 vaccine set targets, demand and delivery strategies. As of 26 June 2022 two countries in the WHO African region have achieved this target (Mauritius and Seychelles) and seven are on track, having vaccinated between 40% and 69% of their population. By the 26 June 2022, seven among the 20 countries that had less than 10% of people fully vaccinated at the end of January 2022, have surpassed 15% of people fully vaccinated at the end of June 2022. This includes five targeted countries, which are being supported by the WHO Regional Office for Africa through the Multi-Partners' Country Support Team Initiative. As we enter the second semester of 2022, a window of opportunity has opened to provide new impetus to COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the African region guided by the four principles: Scale-up, Transition, Consolidation and Communication. Member States need to build on progress made to ensure that this impetus is not lost and that the African region does not remain the least vaccinated global region, as economies open up and world priorities change.

The World Health Organization African region recorded its first laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases on 25 February 2020. Two months later, all the 47 countries of the region were affected. The first anniversary of the pandemic occurred in a changed context with the emergence of new variants of concern (VOC) and growing COVID-19 fatigue. This study describes the epidemiological trajectory of COVID-19 in the region, summarises public health and social measures (PHSM) implemented and discusses their impact on the pandemic trajectory. As of 24 February 2021, the African region accounted for 2.5% of cases and 2.9% of deaths reported globally. Of the 13 countries that submitted detailed line listing of cases, the proportion of cases with at least one co-morbid condition was estimated at 3.3% of all cases. Hypertension, diabetes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were the most common comorbid conditions, accounting for 11.1%, 7.1% and 5.0% of cases with comorbidities, respectively. Overall, the case fatality ratio (CFR) in patients with comorbid conditions was higher than in patients without comorbid conditions: 5.5% vs. 1.0% (P < 0.0001). Countries started to implement lockdown measures in early March 2020. This contributed to slow the spread of the pandemic at the early stage while the gradual ease of lockdowns from 20 April 2020 resulted in an upsurge. The second wave of the pandemic, which started in November 2020, coincided with the emergence of the new variants of concern. Only 0.08% of the population from six countries received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is critical to not only learn from the past 12 months to improve the effectiveness of the current response but also to start preparing the health systems for subsequent waves of the current pandemic and future pandemics.

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is an essential component of public health emergency response. In the WHO African region (WHO AFRO), over 100 events are detected and responded to annually. Here we discuss the development of the M&E for COVID-19 that established a set of regional and country indicators for tracking the COVID-19 pandemic and response measures. An interdisciplinary task force used the 11 pillars of strategic preparedness and response to define a set of inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact indicators that were used to closely monitor and evaluate progress in the evolving COVID-19 response, with each pillar tailored to specific country needs. M&E data were submitted electronically and informed country profiles, detailed epidemiological reports, and situation reports. Further, 10 selected key performance indicators were tracked to monitor country progress through a bi-weekly progress scoring tool used to identify priority countries in need of additional support from WHO AFRO. Investment in M&E of health emergencies should be an integral part of efforts to strengthen national, regional and global capacities for early detection and response to threats to public health security. The development of an adaptable M&E framework for health emergencies must draw from the lessons learned throughout the COVID-19 response.

Concerns have been expressed about the view point of WHO AFRO concerning research for health in the African Region. WHO AFRO considers research a critical component in the improvement of health in the Africa region. Ensuring the effectiveness of our strategies, policies and programmes requires evidence. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, WHO research interests cover key areas of the response. The WHO AFRO consider research as critical in our efforts at protecting people against health emergencies and pandemics like the COVID-19 and ensuring universal access to proven interventions. In view of this, the WHO has taken steps to strengthen capacity for research in the region. The results of these efforts may take time to manifest but will surely do as we persist in our drive, with support from our partners., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© Matshidiso Moeti et al.)

Background: Inadequate access to quality health care services due to weak health systems and recurrent public health emergencies are impediments to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage and health security in Africa. To discuss these challenges and deliberate on plausible solutions, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the Government of Cabo Verde, convened the second Africa Health Forum in Praia, Cabo Verde on 26-28 March 2019, under the theme Achieving Universal Health Coverage and Health Security: The Africa We Want to See., Methods: The Forum was conducted through technical sessions consisting of high-level, moderated panel discussions on specific themes, some of them preceded by keynote addresses. There were booth exhibitions by Member States, World Health Organization and other organizations to facilitate information exchanges. A Communiqué highlighting the recommendations of the Forum was issued during the closing ceremony . More than 750 participants attended. Relevant information from the report of the Forum and notes by the authors were extracted and synthesized into these proceedings., Conclusions: The Forum participants agreed that the role of community engagement and participation in the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, health security and ultimately the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be overemphasized. The public sector of Africa alone cannot achieve these three interrelated goals; other partners, such as the private sector, must be engaged. Technological innovations will be a key driver of the attainment of these goals; hence, there is need to harness the comparative advantages that they offer. Attainment of the three goals is also intertwined - achieving one paves the way for achieving the others. Thus, there is need for integrated public health approaches in the planning and implementation of interventions aimed at achieving them., Recommendations: To ensure that the recommendations of this Forum are translated into concrete actions in a sustainable manner, we call on African Ministers of Health to ensure their integration into national health sector policies and strategic documents and to provide the necessary leadership required for their implementation. We also call on partners to mainstream these recommendations into their ongoing support to World Health Organization African Member States., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© The Author(s). 2019.)

Tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial diseases are a major threat to livestock in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa. In this study we investigated the presence and distribution of Theileria spp., Babesia ovis, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia ruminantium and SFG Rickettsia in sheep and goats from Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. A total of 91 blood samples were screened in this study, 61 from goats and 30 from sheep. PCR assay was conducted using primers based on Theileria spp. 18S rRNA, Babesia ovis (BoSSU rRNA), Anaplasma ovis (AoMSP4), Anaplasma phagocytophilum epank1, Ehrlichia ruminantium pCS20 and SFG Rickettsia OmpA. Overall infection rates of Theileria spp., Anaplasma ovis and Ehrlichia ruminantium were 18 (19.8%), 33 (36.3%) and 13 (14.3%), respectively. The co-infection of two pathogens were detected in 17/91 (18.7%) of all samples, goats having higher rates of co-infection compared to sheep. Phylogenetic tree analysis sequence of pCS20 gene of E. ruminantium of this study was found to be in the same clade with Kumm2 and Riverside strains both from South Africa. The phylogram of SSU rRNA of Theileria ovis had longer branch length compared to all other sequences most of which were from Asia and Middle East. This study provides important data for understanding the tick-borne diseases occurrence in the study area and it is expected to improve the approach for the diagnosis and control of these diseases., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

One hundred each, of Muturu and Bunaji cattle were screened, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for trypanosomes in Makurdi and Gboko Local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Erythrocyte surface sialic acid (ESSA) and free serum sialic acid (FSSA) concentrations were determined and compared in both breeds with the aim of providing baseline data for research and diagnostic purposes. Five per cent (5%) and 23% of the Muturu and Bunaji cattle, respectively, were positive for trypanosomes. The result at p=0.005 was significantly different, with p value of 0.0002 and odd ratio of 0.1762. The Trypanosoma species circulating in Benue State, as detected in the two breeds of cattle, were Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei and T. evansi. This study, therefore, reports for the first time a natural infection of cattle with T. evansi and the use of a novel PCR in the diagnosis of trypanosome infections in cattle in Benue State, Nigeria. The determination of the ESSA and FSSA concentrations in Muturu cattle in Nigeria is also reported for the first time. The Muturu cattle have a significantly higher ESSA than the Bunaji cattle, this may be responsible for their relative trypanotolerance., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The outlook for elimination of the scourge of cervical cancer is bright, because we now have the tools to achieve this goal. In recent years human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in high-income countries has resulted in dramatic decreases in HPV infection and associated cervical disease. If all countries with a substantial burden of disease introduce the vaccine nationally, we can protect the vast majority of women and girls most at risk. For women who are beyond the vaccination target age, progress has been made in screening and treatment for cervical precancer, but we must accelerate this momentum to reduce incidence and mortality worldwide to the very low rates found in wealthier countries. Human and financial resources must be increased and directed to programs that follow best practices and reach all women, including the marginalized or disadvantaged. Seven key actions are recommended. Now is the time for action at national, regional, and global levels., (© 2017 The Authors. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)

Introduction: Recently we have recorded some progress against the transmission of poliovirus in the African Region. This is attributable to a number of factors, including commitment of global partnerships against polio, improvement of existing strategies as well as a number of innovations in response to the disease in the Region., Methods: The WHO Regional Office in Africa documented these practices that led to the noticeable progress in the polio eradication initiative in the African Region, as lessons learnt and as part of polio legacy planning. The documentation exercise covered eight countries, namely Angola, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Togo., Results: A number of practices were identified. Some of these practices cut across countries while others were peculiar to specific countries. We have thus developed some manuscripts to capture these practices for publication in scientific journal so as to place them in the public domain for use., Conclusion: It is hoped that these practices will be deployed to other public health programmes in the Region and beyond., (Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Growing scientific evidence points to the pervasiveness of inequities in health and health care and the persistence of the inverse care law, that is the availability of good quality healthcare seems to be inversely related to the need for it in developing countries. Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is likely to be compromised if inequities in health/healthcare are not properly addressed., Objective: This study attempts to assess trends in inequities in selected indicators of health status and health service utilization in Malawi using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 1992, 2000 and 2004., Methods: Data from Demographic and Health Surveys of 1992, 2000 and 2004 are analysed for inequities in health/healthcare using quintile ratios and concentration curves/indices., Results: Overall, the findings indicate that in most of the selected indicators there are pro-rich inequities and that they have been widening during the period under consideration. Furthermore, vertical inequities are observed in the use of interventions (treatment of diarrhoea, ARI among under-five children), in that the non-poor who experience less burden from these diseases receive more of the treatment/interventions, whereas the poor who have a greater proportion of the disease burden use less of the interventions. It is also observed that the publicly provided services for some of the selected interventions (e.g. child delivery) benefit the non-poor more than the poor., Conclusion: The widening trend in inequities, in particular healthcare utilization for proven cost-effective interventions is likely to jeopardize the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and other national and regional targets. To counteract the inequities it is recommended that coverage in poor communities be increased through appropriate targeting mechanisms and effective service delivery strategies. There is also a need for studies to identify which service delivery mechanisms are effective in the Malawian context.

The clinical competence of newly registered nurses relating to the care of individual Clients, depends on their ability to correlate theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom with practice and the development of clinical skills. Its foundation lies in the ability to identify and solve problems that emanate from critical thinking, analytical reasoning and reflective practice. It is clear that the quality of clinical exposure plays a leading role in the development of nursing professionals. Nursing skills alone cannot ensure quality care of clients without the application of theory. Facilitation of this theory to practice therefore remains an essential component of nursing education. This study was aimed at identifying areas of incompetence of newly registered nurses (1998--2001) in the clinical area by determining the newly registered nurses' and professional nurses' perceptions of the competence of the newly registered nurses. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive survey was used to collect the data regarding the clinical competence of newly registered nurses (1998--2001). An in depth literature study was conducted to generate information that was used as basis for the study. For data collection two types of structured questionnaires were used to obtain information from the professional nurses and the newly registered nurses in identified hospitals in the North West Province. The professional nurses' sample consisted of (n=151) respondents and the newly registered nurses' sample of (n=67) respondents. An analysis of the data obtained from the study revealed that the shortage of staff, equipment and supplies negatively affect the competency of newly registered nurses. There is a discrepancy between what the newly registered nurses learned in the classroom and what they observe in the clinical area. Orientation programmes need to be reviewed and are often neglected due to staff shortages. Findings with regard to the newly registered nurses revealed that these nurses have sufficient theoretical knowledge but lack competency in basic nursing skills due to an inability to correlate theory to practice. Conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that there are many factors that impact negatively on the competency of the newly qualified nurses. These emanate from the clinical area, as well as during the education and development of newly registered nurses. Recommendations regarding the education and training of newly registered nurses and the clinical practice area have been made.