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A comprehensive approach is essential in India's ongoing battle against air pollution, combining technological advancements, regulatory reinforcement, and widespread societal engagement. Bridging technological gaps involves deploying sophisticated pollution control technologies and addressing the rural–urban disparity through innovative solutions. The review found that integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI&ML) in air quality forecasting demonstrates promising results with a remarkable model efficiency. In this study, initially, we compute the PM2.5 concentration over India using a surface mass concentration of 5 key aerosols such as black carbon (BC), dust (DU), organic carbon (OC), sea salt (SS) and sulphates (SU), respectively. The study identifies several regions highly vulnerable to PM2.5 pollution due to specific sources. The Indo-Gangetic Plains are notably impacted by high concentrations of BC, OC, and SU resulting from anthropogenic activities. Western India experiences higher DU concentrations due to its proximity to the Sahara Desert. Additionally, certain areas in northeast India show significant contributions of OC from biogenic activities. Moreover, an AI&ML model based on convolutional autoencoder architecture underwent rigorous training, testing, and validation to forecast PM2.5 concentrations across India. The results reveal its exceptional precision in PM2.5 prediction, as demonstrated by model evaluation metrics, including a Structural Similarity Index exceeding 0.60, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio ranging from 28–30 dB and Mean Square Error below 10 μg/m3. However, regulatory challenges persist, necessitating robust frameworks and consistent enforcement mechanisms, as evidenced by the complexities in predicting PM2.5 concentrations. Implementing tailored regional pollution control strategies, integrating AI&ML technologies, strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting sustainable practices, and encouraging international collaboration are essential policy measures to mitigate air pollution in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprising roughly eighty percent of Algeria's land mass, the Sahara is a significant part of its geography. As such, it often makes an appearance in Francophone Algerian literature in various ways, including at the level of personal and collective identity. The desert is often juxtaposed with the sea, and the Mediterranean Sea more specifically, with the latter's liquid borders separating Algeria from its former colonizer, France. The ever-changing surfaces of sand and seawater are ideal for talking about fluid, hybrid identities that are the product of lingering friction between the two nations, as is the case in Nina Bouraoui's first autobiographical text Garçon manqué (2000). In her poetics of the desert, the author envisions a feminist, emancipatory geography where her textual self can find refuge from the hostility and violence of the male gaze as well as from constrictive gender and sexuality norms. Movement through the different geographical spaces that reflect her identity forces her to constantly confront the contradictions within it to eventually be able to come to terms, at least temporarily, with a feminine, homosexual self. This could not be possible without a solitude, or desertedness, necessary to come into writing that is also a coming into herself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We investigated the impact of Drug–Drug Interactions (DDIs) on virologic control among HIV-positive pregnant women initiating antiretroviral therapy while identifying drivers for Traditional Medicine (TM) use and exploring the nature and extent of TM-related DDIs. Methods Employing a three-pronged approach, we examined DDIs arising from comedication, including TM, in ART. The DolPHIN-2 trial (NCT03249181) randomized 268 HIV-positive pregnant women in Uganda and South Africa to dolutegravir (DTG)-based (135) or efavirenz-based (133) regimens while systematically recording comedications and screening for DDIs. We used Cox regression models to compare time-to-virologic control between participants with and without DDIs. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among 37 and 67 women with and without HIV, respectively, to explore reasons for TM use during pregnancy. Additionally, in-vitro and in-vivo studies evaluated the composition and impact of clay-based TM, mumbwa , on DTG plasma exposure. Results The baseline prevalence of DDIs was 67.2%, with TM use prevalent in 34% of participants, with mumbwa being the most frequent (76%, 69/91). There was no difference in virologic response between participants with and without DDIs. Fetal health and cultural norms were among the reasons cited for TM use. Analysis of mumbwa rods confirmed significant amounts of aluminium (8.4%–13.9%) and iron (4%–6%). In Balb-C mice, coadministration of mumbwa led to a reduction in DTG exposure observed in the AUC0-24 (−21%; P  = 0.0271) and C24 (−53%; P  = 0.0028). Conclusions The widespread use of clay-based TM may compromise HIV treatment, necessitating medication screening and counselling to manage DDIs in pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite major breeding efforts by various national and international agencies, yields for the ~40 million hectares of maize, the major food crop in sub‐Saharan Africa, have stagnated at <2 tons/ha/year for the past decade, one‐third the global average. Breeders have succeeded in breeding increased yield with a modicum of tolerance to some single‐weed or pathogen stresses. There has been minimal adoption of these varieties because introgressing polygenic yield and tolerance traits into locally adapted material is very challenging. Multiple traits to deal with pests (weeds, pathogens, and insects) are needed for farmer acceptance, because African fields typically encounter multiple pest constraints. Also, maize has no inherent resistance to some of these pest constraints, rendering them intractable to traditional breeding. The proposed solution is to simultaneously engineer multiple traits into one genetic locus. The dominantly inherited multi‐pest resistance trait single locus can be bred simply into locally adapted, elite high‐yielding material, and would be valuable for farmers, vastly increasing maize yields, and allowing for more than regional maize sufficiency. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern Tunisia belongs to the Sahara desert, one of the driest regions of the world, where groundwater research is crucial to satisfy the water demand. In this region, the Jurassic aquifer appears as a potential resource. Nevertheless, the related information is too limited to develop a suitable plan for exploitation. The present study aimed for a thorough understanding of the Jurassic series using borehole and seismic reflection data. Well logs from 40 petroleum boreholes were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively to define precisely the potential water reservoirs and determine their petrophysical characteristics. Comparison of the various recordings revealed the abundance of sandstone and dolomite deposits in the Sebaia Formation (Dogger–Malm) and the evaporitic composition of the Abreghs Formation (Lias). The Sebaia Formation is enriched in clays toward the south as indicated by well logs correlation and computed shale volumes (Vsh reaching 27.8%). The south-east part of Southern Tunisia contains mostly sandy Jurassic reservoirs, exhibiting the highest estimated porosities (22.8–31%). Lithostratigraphic correlations were established to firstly approach the geometry of the Jurassic aquifer. These correlations highlighted that the Jurassic series have variable depth and thickness along the Dahar structure, which thicken and deepen from the Dahar to the west and disappear in the Jeffara. These findings were further refined by the interpretation of 198 seismic profiles, which display several NW–SE-, E–W- and NE–SW-trending normal faults that influenced the Jurassic reservoirs depth, thickness, facies and petrophysical characteristics as well as groundwater circulation. The present study yielded interesting results that may enormously guide the investigation of the Jurassic aquifer in Southern Tunisia. Furthermore, it may be considered as an example for hydrogeophysical applications in the "Sahara" and other arid zones worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-Saharan Africa, with its hot and humid climate, is a conducive zone for tick proliferation. These vectors pose a major challenge to both animal and human health in the region. However, despite the relevance of emerging diseases and evidence of tick-borne disease emergence, very few studies have been dedicated to investigating zoonotic pathogens transmitted by ticks in this area. To raise awareness of the risks of tick-borne zoonotic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, and to define a direction for future research, this systematic review considers the trends of research on tick-borne bacteria, parasites, and viruses from 2012 to 2023, aiming to highlight the circulation of these pathogens in ticks, cattle, sheep, goats, and humans. For this purpose, three international databases were screened to select 159 papers fitting designed inclusion criteria and used for qualitative analyses. Analysis of these studies revealed a high diversity of tick-borne pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, with a total of 37 bacterial species, 27 parasite species, and 14 viruses identified. Among these, 27% were zoonotic pathogens, yet only 11 studies investigated their presence in humans. Furthermore, there is growing interest in the investigation of bacteria and parasites in both ticks and ruminants. However, research into viruses is limited and has only received notable interest from 2021 onwards. While studies on the detection of bacteria, including those of medical interest, have focused on ticks, little consideration has been given to these vectors in studies of parasites circulation. Regarding the limited focus on zoonotic pathogens transmitted by ticks, particularly in humans, despite documented cases of emerging zoonoses and the notable 27% proportion reported, further efforts should be made to fill these gaps. Future studies should prioritize the investigation of zoonotic pathogens, especially viruses, which represent the primary emerging threats, by adopting a One Health approach. This will enhance the understanding of their circulation and impact on both human and animal health. In addition, more attention should be given to the risk factors/drivers associated to their emergence as well as the perception of the population at risk of infection from these zoonotic pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Second-line HIV treatment failure has become increasing worldwide, mainly in sub-Sahara Africa including Ethiopia. Even though the problem becomes increasing, inadequate information was available about its magnitude and associated factors in the current study area. Objective: To assess the factors of second-line Anti-Retroviral Treatment virological failure among second-line ART users. Method and materials: Institutional-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted from September to December 2021 at Felege Hiowt and University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals; Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 216 patients (60 cases and 156 controls) were recruited by a simple random sampling technique with a 1:3 cases-to-controls ratio. Patients who had two viral load results >1000 copies/ml within a 3-month interval after taking ART drugs for at least 6 months were cases and those who had ≤1,000 copies/ mL were controls. The sample size was calculated by using Epi-Info version 7.2.4. Structured questionnaires were used to gather the required information. SPSS version 26 was used to summarize the findings. In bivariate logistic regression model, Variables with two-tailed P-value ≤ 0.25 at 95% confidence interval were transferred into multivariate binary logistic regression model and P value at ≤ 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results: Out of 216 patients recruited, 212 have participated with a response rate of 98.2%. From these participants, 117(55.2%) were males and 187(88.2%) were urban dwellers. Among the total respondents, 208(98.1%) had age > 24 years, 200(94.3) were at HIV clinical stage I, 72(34%) had poor ART adherence and 112(52.8) did not disclose their HIV status. Likewise, most of the patients 147(69.37) didn't use condoms. The associated factors were not disclosing HIV status (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.52–7.79), medium adherence (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.3–10.7), poor adherence level (AOR = 5.27, 95% CI: 2.2–12.5), not using condoms (AOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.63–12.2) and Viral load (>150 copies/ml) when switched to second-line ART (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.5–8). Conclusion and recommendations: Non-disclosure, poor or medium adherence, not using condoms and high Viral load (>150 copes/ml) when switched to second-line ART were the main factors for second-line Anti-Retroviral Treatment virological failure. Disclosure about HIV status, using condoms and improving treatment adherence level are crucial to reduce second-line virological failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many traits play essential roles in determining crop yield. Wide variation for morphological traits exists in Hordeum vulgare L., but the genetic basis of this morphological variation is largely unknown. To understand genetic basis controlling morphological traits affecting yield, a barley doubled haploid population (146 individuals) derived from Clipper X Sahara 3771 was used to map chromosome regions underlying days to awn appearance, plant height, fertile spike number, flag leaf length, spike length, harvest index, seed number per plant, thousands kernel weight, and grain yield. Twentyseven QTLs for nine traits were mapped to the barley genome that described 3-69% of phenotypic variations; and some genomic regions harbor a given QTL for more than one trait. Out of 27 QTLs identified, 19 QTLs were novel. Chromosomal regions on 1H, 2H, 4H, and 6H associated with seed grain yield, and chromosome regions on 2H and 6H had major effects on grain yield (GY). One major QTL for seed number per plant was flanked by marker VRS1-KSUF15 on chromosome 2H. This QTL was also associated with GY. Some loci controlling thousands kernel weight (TKW), fertile spike number (FSN), and GY were the same. The major grain yield QTL detected on linkage PSR167 co-localized with TAM10. Two major QTLs controlling TKW and FSN were also mapped at this locus. Eight QTLs on chromosomes 1H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, and 7H consistently affected spike characteristics. One major QTL (ANIONT1A-TACMD) on 4H affected both spike length (SL) and spike number explained 9 and 5% of the variation of SL and FSN, respectively. In conclusion, this study could cast some light on the genetic basis of the studied pivotal traits. Moreover, fine mapping of the identified major effect markers may facilitate the application of molecular markers in barley breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hyoscyamus muticus L. subsp falezlez (Coss.) Maire is a Saharan species rich in tropane alkaloids (especially hyoscyamine). Hyoscyamine is raced into atropine, whose interest in pharmacy is considerable. The objective is to dose Hyoscyamus muticus L. subsp falezlez (Coss.) Maire alkaloids from the stations of Algerian Sahara (Abadla, Adrar, and Tamanrasset), to exploit the data in the valorization of this species as a potential source of industrial production of atropine. Method: The determination of tropane alkaloids (Hyoscyamine and scopolamine) concerned the whole plant (spontaneous and cultivated) and the various organs and was carried out by colorimetric method and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The colorimetric assay showed that the highest level of alkaloids was observed in the Adrar Sbaa station (2.83 %) in the leaf organ. However, the stem organ showed an average level of alkaloids in all harvesting stations (from 0.5 to 0.98 %). The HPLC assay confirmed the alkaloid and hyoscyamine richness in all study stations for spontaneous plant and cultivated species. The plant of the two stations (Tamanrasset and Adrar Sbaa) stood out with grades reaching (6.693±0.555 mg/100gDM and 4.707±0.092 mg/100gDM) respectively, and a hyoscyamine rate of (5.765± 0.23 mg/100gDM) for the Tamanrasset station. Conclusions: At the end of our study and the content of the results obtained on Hyoscyamus muticus subsp falezlez (Coss.) Maire of Algeria, it is imperative to exploit this species as an industrial source of atropine production in Algeria [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During spring migration, in several species of birds males tend to reach earlier than females the breeding grounds to occupy the best territories. Because of this competition, in some species males tend to migrate on shorter distances than females to cover shorter flyways in spring. A previous study made in the wintering grounds suggested that this could be the case of the European Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), a migrant raptor breeding in Western Palearctic and wintering south of the Sahara desert. To verify if a differential timing of spring migration between sex classes occurs in this species, a 5-year study was carried out at the Strait of Messina, a bottleneck located along the Central Mediterranean flyway, between 8 April and 31 May 2019–2023. The results showed that, as predicted, the passage of adult males occurs a few days earlier. In particular the median dates of the passage occurred May 2nd and May 8th, for males and females respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As globalization continues to shape the global economic landscape, understanding its intricate relationship with economic growth remains paramount in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of globalization's impact on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa from 1971 to 2019. Using panel data from reputable databases on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), World Development Indicators, Penn World Table 10.0, and Our World Data, the paper explores various dimensions of globalization, including economic, social, and political factors. The feasible generalized least square (FGLS) estimation technique was used to analyze data. Findings reveal nuanced dynamics, with social and financial globalization indices showing positive effects on economic growth and statistically significant at 1% significance level. Additionally, this study uncovers the influence of demographic indicators, government consumption, and the rule of law on economic growth. The result of the study revealed demographic indicators, government consumption, and the rule of law had statistically significant impacts on the economic growth of sub-Sahara Africa. In contrast, certain aspects of economic globalization exhibit negative impacts. However, political, trade, information, and cultural globalization had no significant impact on economic growth of the region. It is important to recognize that the absence of significant effects does not necessarily imply an absence of impact, but rather reflects the multifaceted nature of globalization's influence on economic growth. Several factors, including differences in the periods analyzed, may account for the differences in these results compared to previous studies. This study not only adds to the existing literature on globalization and economic growth but also offers valuable insights for policymakers tasked with promoting sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. By acknowledging the complexities of globalization's impact, policy makers can formulate more effective strategies to harness its benefits while mitigating its potential drawbacks. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of globalization's role in economic development, laying the foundation for evidence-based policy interventions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities facing sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how wastewater reshapes the dynamics of agricultural settlement in the Algerian Sahara. It also discusses farmers' hopes and frustrations around these dynamics. The study was carried out around the Berriane wastewater treatment facility. It is based on interviews with officials and farmers, a review of technical studies and direct field observations. We show how wastewater reuse regenerates traditional practices, such as the use of human waste as fertilizer and raw sewage to irrigate palm groves. We also discuss the problems that arise when the treatment plant is not managed properly, and the political ambivalence of State authorities regarding wastewater reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Populations of long-distance migratory species may exhibit dissimilarities in the leeway of scheduled annual migration programs, the routes they follow and their convergence at ecological barriers. The aim of this study was to fill the current geographical gap, spanning over 1,100 km longitudinally between southern France and eastern Austria, in the pan-European assessment of the migration ecology of the European Roller Coracias garrulus, and contribute to completing the puzzle of spatio-temporal patterns of migration, stopover and wintering at the Western-Palearctic scale for this species. We utilized high-resolution GPS tracking data from adult Rollers breeding in Italy and Croatia, tracked on their intercontinental seasonal journeys between 2018 and 2022 and modelled the variation of migratory components both at individual and population levels. Rollers from the Central Mediterranean exhibited a clockwise spring migration loop, following a Central African migration route and wintering across a wide longitudinal belt spanning from Namibia to Mozambique. Northern savannah zones were used as long stopovers, both in autumn (Chad/Sudan) and spring (Central African Republic/Cameroon). The probability of movement was significantly higher during the night and in spring. Migration speed varied according to season (> in spring) and the habitat crossed (sea > desert > rainforest > savannah). Individuals tracked in successive years showed high consistency of key migratory parameters and partial winter home ranges overlap, in contrast with the large variability of migratory parameters at the population level. This work bridges the current geographical gap of Roller migration ecology at the European level and helps meet conservation needs at the scale of the species' flyway, with new ecological information valuable for the implementation of International Single Species Action Plans (ISSAP) dedicated to the Roller. Significance statement: Tracking studies help to disentangle intraspecific variation in migratory strategies and wintering destinations among populations, as well as investigate individual-level decisions taken en route across seasonal journeys. By GPS tracking the intercontinental migration of adult Rollers we found that spatio-temporal components of migratory and flight strategy largely depend on extrinsic factors such as daytime, season and the habitat they traversed, and vary at population level. In contrast, within-individual consistency in migratory and wintering patterns emerged across years. Our findings emphasize the need for effective conservation strategies at the flyway scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat landraces cultivated in the oases of Algeria are are know for their resistance to abiotic stresses as a result of the extreme environmental constraints of the Sahara. As such, these landraces represent valuable breeding material for improving abiotic stress tolerance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate salt tolerance of bread and durum wheat from the Algerian oases. Ten wheat landraces from the Algerian oases were grown under prolonged salinity stress (150 mM NaCl) in greenhouse conditions. Data were assessed for 19 physiological, biochemical, and agronomical traits. The wheat landraces exhibited considerable variation in their salinity stress tolerance. The membership function value of salt tolerance identified Oum RokbaElhamra, Khellouf and Zeghlou as the most tolerant landraces while Bourione was identified as sensitive. The salt-tolerant and moderately tolerant wheat landraces maintained stable yields under conditions of salinity stress. Regression models constructed from MFVS and salt tolerance coefficients showed that for bread wheat, amino acid content and grain yield accounted for most of the variation in MFVS, while for durum wheat, the number of grains per plant and Na+ content explained the majority of observed differences in MFVS. Correlation analysis showed that the MFVS was significantly associated with grain yield, selectivity between K+ and Na+, and plant height. The results confirm that Algerian oasis wheat landraces are a valuable source given their salt tolerance and could be utilized in breeding programs seeking to improve salinity stress resilience in wheat.

Daboia mauritanica (Gray, 1849), Moorish Viper, is native to North Africa. We update the distribution map for this species in Algeria, providing 19 new locality records, filling distribution gaps and significantly expanding the species’ known range. Our updated distribution map reveals a widespread presence of the species in northern Algeria, extending south into the northern Sahara. We note that some historical records in certain provinces remain unconfirmed and/or questionable, indicating the need for further investigation. Our findings underscore the importance of collaboration between researchers and citizen scientists in Algeria.

The use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for disease prioritization at the sub-national level in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is rare. In this research, we contextualized MCDA for parallel prioritization of endemic zoonoses and animal diseases in The Adamawa and North regions of Cameroon. MCDA was associated to categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA), and two-step cluster analysis. Six and seven domains made of 17 and 19 criteria (out of 70) respectively were selected by CATPCA for the prioritization of zoonoses and animal diseases, respectively. The most influencing domains were "public health" for zoonoses and "control and prevention" for animal diseases. Twenty-seven zoonoses and 40 animal diseases were ranked and grouped in three clusters. Sensitivity analysis resulted in high correlation between complete models and reduced models showing the robustness of the simplification processes. The tool used in this study can be applied to prioritize endemic zoonoses and transboundary animal diseases in SSA at the sub-national level and upscaled at the national and regional levels. The relevance of MCDA is high because of its contextualization process and participatory nature enabling better operationalization of disease prioritization outcomes in the context of African countries or other low and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineralogical composition drives dust impacts on Earth's climate systems. However, most climate models still use homogeneous dust, without accounting for the temporal and spatial variation in mineralogy. To quantify the radiative impact of resolving dust mineralogy on Earth's climate, we implement and simulate the distribution of dust minerals (i.e., illite, kaolinite, smectite, hematite, calcite, feldspar, quartz, and gypsum) from Claquin et al. (1999) (C1999) and activate their interaction with radiation in the GFDL AM4.0 model. Resolving mineralogy reduces dust absorption compared to the homogeneous dust used in the standard GFDL AM4.0 model that assumes a globally uniform hematite volume content of 2.7 % (HD27). The reduction in dust absorption results in improved agreement with observation-based single-scattering albedo (SSA), radiative fluxes from CERES (the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System), and land surface temperature from the CRU (Climatic Research Unit) compared to the baseline HD27 model version. It also results in distinct radiative impacts on Earth's climate over North Africa. Over the 19-year (from 2001 to 2019) modeled period during JJA (June–July–August), the reduction in dust absorption in AM4.0 leads to a reduction of over 50 % in net downward radiation across the Sahara and approximately 20 % over the Sahel at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) compared to the baseline HD27 model version. The reduced dust absorption weakens the atmospheric warming effect of dust aerosols and leads to an alteration in land surface temperature, resulting in a decrease of 0.66 K over the Sahara and an increase of 0.7 K over the Sahel. The less warming in the atmosphere suppresses ascent and weakens the monsoon inflow from the Gulf of Guinea. This brings less moisture to the Sahel, which combined with decreased ascent induces a reduction of precipitation. To isolate the effect of reduced absorption compared to resolving spatial and temporal mineralogy, we carry out a simulation where the hematite volume content of homogeneous dust is reduced from 2.7 % to 0.9 % (HD09). The dust absorption (e.g., single-scattering albedo) of HD09 is comparable to that of the mineralogically speciated model on a global mean scale, albeit with a lower spatial variation that arises solely from particle size. Comparison of the two models indicates that the spatial inhomogeneity in dust absorption resulting from resolving mineralogy does not have significant impacts on Earth's radiation and climate, provided there is a similar level of dust absorption on a global mean scale before and after resolving dust mineralogy. However, uncertainties related to emission and distribution of minerals may blur the advantages of resolving minerals to study their impact on radiation, cloud properties, ocean biogeochemistry, air quality, and photochemistry. On the other hand, lumping together clay minerals (i.e., illite, kaolinite, and smectite), but excluding externally mixed hematite and gypsum, appears to provide both computational efficiency and relative accuracy. Nevertheless, for specific research, it may be necessary to fully resolve mineralogy to achieve accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne mineral dust significantly impacts air quality, human health, and the global climate. Due to sparse ground sensors, particularly in source regions, dust monitoring relies mainly on remote sensing through Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrievals from polar-orbiting satellite optical instruments. These are valuable but lack the temporal resolution for precise plume tracking and source characterization. We introduce DustSCAN, a five-year, hourly dust plume dataset derived from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) images on geostationary-orbit Meteosat satellites. Using multi-channel infrared images, we detect atmospheric dust and track hourly dust-affected pixels. These are clustered into discrete plumes using the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm. DustSCAN includes 9950 discrete plumes over 2018-2022 across the Sahara, the Arabian Desert, and Western and Central Asia. It complements existing resources and provides a framework for detailed analysis of dust sources, trajectories, and impacts. Its distinctive event-based and spatio-temporal detail offers an advancement in unraveling the complexities of dust storm dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WRF-Chem is widely used to assess regional aerosol radiative feedback. However, in current version, aerosol optical properties are only calculated in four shortwave bands, and only two of them are used to "interpolate" optical properties towards 14 shortwave bands used in the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTMG) scheme. In this study, we use a "Resolved" algorithm to estimate aerosol radiative feedback in WRF-Chem, in which aerosol optical properties are calculated in all 14 shortwave bands. The impacts of changing this calculation algorithm are then evaluated. The simulation results of aerosol optical properties are quite different using the new "Resolved" algorithm, especially for dust aerosols. The alteration of aerosol optical properties result in considerably different aerosol radiative effects: the dust radiative forcing in the atmosphere simulated by the "Resovled" algorithm is about two times larger than the original "Interpolated" algorithm; The dust radiative forcing at top of the atmosphere (TOA) simulated by the "Interpolated" algorithm is negative in all Sahara region, while the "Resolved" algorithm simulates positive forcing at TOA and can exceed 10 W/m2 in the Sahara desert, which is more consistent with previous studies. The modification also leads to changes in meteorological fields due to alterations in radiative feedback effects of aerosols. The surface temperature is changed due to the difference in radiation budget at the bottom of the atmosphere (BOT) and the heating effects by aerosols at the surface. Furthermore, the amendment of algorithm partially corrects the wind field and temperature simulation bias compared to the reanalysis data. The difference in planet boundary layer height can reach up to ~100 m in China and ~200 m in Sahara, further resulting in a greater surface haze considerably. The results show that correcting the estimation algorithm of aerosol radiative effects is necessary in WRF-Chem model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Adrar region (Algeria) has a total of 397,800 date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Due to annual palm cleaning, large quantities of lignocellulosic biomass are produced. Depending on the variety, an average of 65 kg of biowaste is obtained per palm tree. Since the value of this biowaste is underrated, most of the palms are burned outdoors, causing air and visual pollution. This work explores the gasification potential of lignocellulosic waste from date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L. Takarbouche variety) into useful energy. The technology investigated is air updraft fixed-bed gasification, thanks to an originally designed and built reactor, with the capability to process 1 kg of feedstock. Four types of palm waste—namely, palms, petioles, bunch, and bunch peduncles—are first characterized (bulk density, proximate analysis, fixed carbon, elemental composition, and calorific value) and then used as feedstock for two gasification tests each. The syngas produced for the four date palm wastes is combustible, with an outlet temperature between 200 and 400 °C. The operating temperature inside the gasifier varies according to the feature of the biomass cuts (from 174 °C for the peduncles to 557 °C for palms). The experimental setup is also equipped with a cyclone, allowing for the recovery of some of the tar produced during the tests. Finally, the results show that the residence time has a positive effect on the conversion rate of date palm waste, which can significantly increase it to values of around 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a migratory waterbird. We used the confirmed observations of colour-ringed individuals (2,735 specimens) of the Hungarian population collected outside the Carpathian Basin between May 2003 and February 2023. 546 Spoonbills occurred in 28 countries. They used mainly the Central Mediterranean Flyway, however, some individuals were seen along the East Atlantic Flyway or the East Mediterranean Flyway. Three individuals were observed north of the Alps, too. A small proportion of Spoonbills crossed the Sahara and they occurred in the Sahel zone, between Sudan in the east and Senegal and Mauritania in the west. A few individuals were observed on Saharan wetlands in Algeria during winter. The most important destination for the Hungarian (Pannonian) population during the migration is Tunisia, where many of them spend the winter, primarily in the tidal area of the Gulf of Gabes. The first adults reached North Africa (Tunisia) on 28 July during their southward migration, while the last ones stayed there until 23 April. The first observation of juveniles in North Africa (Tunisia) happened on 31 August. Immature, 2- and 3-cyold birds spend the summer in unknown numbers in Tunisia. The majority of Pannonian Spoonbills migrate through the Balkans and Italy and some stay there to winter, mainly in Italy. Some of the immatures spent the summer in Italy. In southern Europe, the peak of the spring migration was in March, and the peak of the autumn migration was in September. There was also a difference in the migration of different age groups: in Southern Europe, the migration peak of adult birds falls between March and April, while most of the immatures were observed in May and June during northward migration. The peak of the southward migration in all age groups was observed in September. In the southern part of Europe, there may still be adults migrating north on 13 May, while other adults may already migrate southward on 15 May. The earliest juvenile migrating south was documented on 30 June in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species-specific and age-related autumn migration strategies of the sedge, reed and great reed warbler were investigated at stopover sites between central Europe and north-eastern Africa during autumn. Adult reed warblers accumulated larger fat reserves than juveniles and consequently were able to cover longer distances from most stopover sites. Juvenile sedge warblers, on the other hand, left Europe with significantly larger fat reserves than adults as opposed to the populations migrating along the western route. Both juvenile and adult great reed warblers were potentially able to make long flights without refuelling from the northern part of the Mediterranean region onwards. It was the proximity of large ecological barriers that had the most prominent influence on the potential flight distances of adult and juvenile Acrocephalus warblers during their southward migration. In reed and sedge warblers, the differences in mean flight distances covered by adults and juveniles were the largest (ca. 600 km) just before the crossing of the Mediterranean Sea, but smaller (ca. 200 and 400 km, respectively) in front of the Sahara Desert. Juvenile and adult great reed warblers were potentially able to cover 1660 km from Turkey, which was also supported by very low numbers of individuals caught at the Egyptian ringing sites. The results of this study carried out in the key regions of the eastern European–African flyway documented that migration strategies differed between adults and juveniles of three long-distance migrant species, yet this variation depended on the migration stage and the proximity of natural ecological barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, experimental work has been presented to study the novel design of a solar crop dryer that includes an inverted absorber perforate type collector with forced airflow. A novel design configuration was constructed and tested in the eastern Algeria climate (El Oued city) for drying potatoes. We aimed to present a test of the thermal performance of the novel dryer and use only clean energy sources for evaluating the drying efficiency. Under real climatic conditions, the experimental test indicated that the average air temperature of the drying chamber is 50 °C, and the time required for drying potatoes starting at the initial moisture content (MC) of 84.17% until the final MC of 12.5% is 6h. The highest specific moisture extraction rate value was obtained as 1.074 g water/kWh. The drying efficiencies ranged from 20.37% to 34.01%, whereas the exergy efficiency ranged from 58.48% to 93.22%. The payback period was estimated as 1.39 years. The proposed novel dryer will dry potatoes free of cost for almost its entire life period, and about $13.92 can be saved. Compared with electric oven drying, the novel one has the following advantages: the cost of electricity saving and avoiding penalty tax for CO2 emission were $11.69 and $2.235, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of camel milk is gaining popularity in Algeria. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Mercury (Hg) in camel milk sold in Southeast Algeria and assess the potential health risks associated with its consumption. 120 samples of camel milk were collected from 10 farms located near the roads in the south of Algeria. Metals were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with a graphite furnace and Target Hazard Quotients (THQs) were calculated. The mean concentrations were 0.026 ± 0.013 mg/kg, 0.001 ± 0.0002 mg/kg, 0.017 ± 0.002 mg/kg and 0.0005 ± 0.0002 mg/kg for Pb, Cd, Ni and Hg. The THQ was higher for children, suggesting health risks associated with consumption of camel milk for this age group (p <.001). The primary contribution of this study is the establishment of a database on toxic metal levels in camel milk, which can be valuable to manage possible risk associated with metals in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) ranges throughout the African continent, south of the Sahara. After it was observed in Jabal Elba National Park, southeast of Egypt, an adult male spotted hyena was chased and intentionally killed by local shepherds. As far as we know, this paper is the first record of this species from Egypt. The animal was first observed in Wadi Eis, close to the Sudanese border, on March 16th, 2024. It was observed afterwards in Al-Dayeb region, where it killed the lambs of local residents. The tracks of the hyena were also recorded in the Kami Dabbab area on March 23rd, 2024. The animal was finally killed in Wadi Yahameib on March 24th, 2024. The present paper describes the movement route inside the protectorate and the localities and habitats visited by the animal. It also reviews the conservation status of this species as well as its adaptation strategy to changes in environmental temperature and habitat conditions. We recommend that efforts be made by wildlife conservation authorities to raise awareness about the importance of this species and other carnivorous species among the local community to stop killing such animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big stone artefacts ('macroliths') in the Sahara during Neolithic times. – Supplementary to size classification of lithic artefacts ("microlithic, megalithic") the term "macrolithic" is proposed. The intended application of such Neolithic "macroliths" in the Sahara seems sometimes to be obvious (cf. handmills or stone axes), but others are still under discussion (cf. tethering stones or up to 1 m long stone poles). Additionally, the author describes a new type of flat, up to 30 cm long tools which are characterized mainly by being curved like a pick axe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geo-heritage of the Saoura Valley in Southwest Algeria is particularly rich and of undeniable scientific value for studying the Palaeozoic, Neogene and Quaternary strata inherited from the Ougarta chain. Although Algeria has always been highly ranked among the most fascinating geodiversity countries, its geological heritage has been seldom described and presented to the African and international community. Subsequently its geodiversity and geo-resources are under-recognized. The Saoura Valley is renowned for its gorgeous geological, oasian and geomorphological landscapes, as well as for its archaeological wealth. In the present paper, we intend to briefly describe the main lithostratigraphic units of the Devonian series exposed in the Saoura Valley and to give an overview of the Quaternary outcrops. Several geo-sites were observed and inventoried, showing a highly significative scientific value and also some remarkable educational and tourism potential as evidenced by their huge historical, archaeological, geological, and cultural heritage. Additionally, the Saoura Valley displays pedagogical geo-sites of cardinal interest for different geological disciplines, among which are stratigraphy, palaeontology, ichnology, geomorphology, geodynamics, structural geology, and ecology, all reflecting the diversified geological record of the area. Besides its aesthetic value, the rich geodiversity of the Saoura Valley displays an obvious scientific and touristic interest. According to the obtained numerical scores using recent quantitative assessment methodology, the Saoura Valley is very promising and can be considered a first-order destination since geo-sites therein score quite a high attraction potential and recreational value for tourism development. These scores ought to be treated with great care by the authorities to effectively promote tourism and to accordingly enhance the local socio-economic development in this remote area. Furthermore, the Saoura Valley area deserves more attention and requires geo-conservation programs and protection strategies right away to make sure that these geo-resources will be preserved for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reveals some secrets hidden behind this ancestral hydro-agricultural development which has been operating for more than 30 centuries. During the period 1992-2024, several missions were carried out in the foggaras oases. Investigations and surveys were carried out among the owners of the foggaras and the Ksourian population. The results obtained show that the know-how acquired on foggaras is immense. For the first time, new notions about foggaras have been introduced into the technical bibliography. This is how in Algeria, there are two types of foggaras: volumetric and hourly. Part 2 of this article highlighted the diversity of the foggara. Eight (8) models of foggaras have been highlighted in the Algerian Sahara. These are the Tademaït foggara, the Erg foggara, the garden foggara, the wadi foggara, the Ouakda foggara, the Kenadsa foggara, the Ain foggara and the Mzab foggara. An acquisition of significant know-how has given rise to a diversity of foggaras, thus justifying the originality of the Algerian foggara. A proof which demonstrates the greatness of the Know-how and the oasis genius. So, should we let a heritage of this magnitude die out in the short term? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to apply a water treatment technique (phyto-purification) in the Algerian Sahara, an arid region, to resolve the scarcity of irrigation, recycled wastewater and preserve Saharian ecosystems composed of sand and two species of aquatic plants: Typha latifolia and Imperata cylindrica. The choice of these plants was determined based on the natural vegetation, soil and climatic characteristics of the study area. To this end, we developed an experimental pilot composed of three tanks measuring 30 cm × 35 cm × 45 cm, arranged with a filter bed of sand and gravel. Two of these tanks are sown with the above-mentioned plants, while the third tank, serving as a control, is not. The values of the main wastewater pollution parameters, namely total nitrogen compounds, ammonium (NH4+), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids measured at the outlet of the device, substantiate the performance of this treatment system. Indeed, the nitrogen reduction rate increased from 63% in the unplanted control filters to around 80% in the planted filters, and from 81 to 88% for NO3−. Regarding chemical oxygen demand (COD), the reduction rate exceeds 88.37% for the three tanks. The study of the analytical approach to modeling the purification kinetics reveals that the kinetics of COD and NH4+ are well correlated with the first-order model, with an explained variance varying between 68.1 and 81.6% for COD and 83.5 and 92.3% for ammonium. The Riverside diagram highlights that all treated water samples fall into the low sodium risk and high salinity risk class. Build on the Na% values; all purified waters have characteristics suitable for water use for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Africa transitioned from a wet/vegetated landscape toward drier/sparser conditions sometime between the late‐Pliocene and the late‐Pleistocene. However, our understanding of the precise timing and nature of this transition is hampered by a paucity of paleo‐records which bridge these two intervals. Here we report new plant‐wax isotope as well as dust and opal flux records from the relatively brief interval ∼1.1–1.0 million years ago (Ma) to evaluate the astronomical timescale controls of Northwest African hydroclimate and vegetation during the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition (MPT) and, in context with published records, the drivers of long‐term climate and ecological trends over the Plio‐Pleistocene. The tempo and amplitude of the Northwest African monsoon rainfall swings closely track low latitude insolation forcings over the last 5 Ma. However, we demonstrate that a pronounced mean state decline in monsoon strength likely occurred following the MPT most likely instigated by increasing Atlantic meridional sea surface temperature gradients or declines in the strength of the meridional overturning circulation. The northward extent of vegetation does not track changes in monsoon strength over the Plio‐Pleistocene and thus may be more strongly influenced by changes in monsoon rainfall extent or ecosystem disturbances. Progressively diminished dust fluxes following a decline in monsoon strength after 1.0 Ma is consistent with reduced production and subsequent depletion of fine‐grained sediments in the Sahara. Synchroneity between dust and opal fluxes across timescales suggests nutrient delivery to the surface ocean via dust plays a key role in marine primary productivity off the coast of Northwest Africa. Key Points: Northwest African monsoon intensity declined substantially sometime between 1.0 and 0.5 MaRainfall penetration or disturbances may be more consequential than monsoon strength for ecosystem biogeography over 105–106 yearsSedimentary dust and opal fluxes drop following monsoon intensity decline, linking dust production, dust flux, and marine productivity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four weeks before competition in the 2023 Marathon des Sables, a 6-stage, ~250 km running event in the Sahara Desert, we examined the effects of a 7-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract (210 mg anthocyanins per day) on 1 h treadmill running-induced physiological and metabolic responses in the heat (~34 °C, relative humidity: ~30%) in non-acclimatized amateur female and male athletes (age: 23, 38 yrs, BMI: 24.2, 28.4 kg·m−2, body fat%: 29.2, 18.8%, V ˙ O2max: 50.1, 52.1 mL·kg−1·min−1). During the 1 h run at 50% V ˙ O2max (speed female: 7.3, male: 7.5 km·h−1), indirect calorimetry was used, and heart rate was recorded at 15 min intervals with core temperature monitoring (0.05 Hz). The 1 h runs took place 3 h after a light breakfast and 2 h after intake of the final dose of New Zealand blackcurrant extract with water allowed ad libitum during the run. The New Zealand blackcurrant extract had no effects on the female athlete. The respiratory exchange ratio (RER) of the female athlete in the non-supplement control condition was 0.77 ± 0.01, indicating an existing ~77% contribution of fat oxidation to the energy requirements. In the male athlete, during 1 h of running, fat oxidation was higher by 21% (p < 0.01), carbohydrate oxidation was 31% lower (p = 0.05), RER was 0.03 units lower (p = 0.04), and core temperature was 0.4 °C lower (p < 0.01) with no differences for heart rate, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, and carbon dioxide production for the New Zealand blackcurrant condition compared to the non-supplement control condition. Seven-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant extract (210 mg anthocyanins per day) provided beneficial physiological and metabolic responses during exertional heat stress by 1 h of indoor (~34 °C) treadmill running in a male Marathon des Sables athlete 4 weeks before competition. Future work is required to address whether New Zealand blackcurrant provides a nutritional ergogenic effect for Marathon des Sables athletes during long-duration running in the heat combined with personalized nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the nexus between oil prices and remittances is critical to both remitting and recipient countries. Employing non-linear panel autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) approach, we examine the relationship for 32 sub-Sahara African countries over the period 1986-2019. The results reveal that: (1) changes in oil prices and remittance inflows are asymmetrically associated only in the short run for the entire sample; (2) when the sample is divided into middle and low-income subgroups, asymmetric effect is confirmed for former subgroup only in the long run, while it is confirmed for latter subgroup only in the short run, (3) in the long run, positive movement in oil prices reduces remittances for the sample and in the middle income subgroup, whereas it increases remittances in the low-income subgroup, (4) Negative oil price movement reduces remittances for the entire sample and the two subgroups; (5) in the short run, a reduction in oil prices increases remittance inflows only for the entire sample and for the low-income subgroup. These results suggest that policymakers in SSA should implement policies that will reduce oil price risks on remittance inflows especially in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an overview of the Late Cenozoic evolution of the West African Monsoon (WAM), and the associated changes in atmospheric dynamics and oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation (δ18Op). This evolution is established by using the high‐resolution isotope‐enabled GCM ECHAM5‐wiso to simulate the climatic responses to paleoenvironmental changes during the Mid‐Holocene (MH), Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and Mid‐Pliocene (MP). The simulated responses are compared to a set of GCM outputs from Paleoclimate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 4 (PMIP4) to assess the added value of a high resolution and model consistency across different time periods. Results show WAM magnitudes and pattern changes that are consistent with PMIP4 models and proxy reconstructions. ECHAM5‐wiso estimates the highest WAM intensification in the MH, with a precipitation increase of up to 150 mm/month reaching 25°N during the monsoon season. The WAM intensification in the MP estimated by ECHAM5‐wiso (up to 80 mm/month) aligns with the mid‐range of the PMIP4 estimates, while the LGM dryness magnitude matches most of the models. Despite an enhanced hydrological cycle in MP, MH simulations indicate a ∼50% precipitation increase and a greater northward extent of WAM than the MP simulations. Strengthened conditions of the WAM in the MH and MP result from a pronounced meridional temperature gradient driving low‐level westerly, Sahel‐Sahara vegetation expansion, and a northward shift of the Africa Easterly Jet. The simulated δ18Op values patterns and their relationship with temperature and precipitation are non‐stationarity over time, emphasizing the implications of assuming stationarity in proxy reconstruction transfer functions. Plain Language Summary: We use a global climate model to simulate how the West African Monsoon and related climate elements changed over the Late Cenozoic (from ca. 3 million years ago to now). We use a single, high‐resolution model to calculate these changes for the Mid‐Holocene, Last Glacial Maximum and Mid‐Pliocene time periods. We then compare our results to already existing simulations to find out if there are any benefits to using a single, high‐resolution model set‐up. Overall, our simulations are similar to previous simulations and other climate reconstructions. However, our results also yield two important new findings: (a) our simulations reproduce some aspects of the monsoon better than previous simulations; (b) the chemical composition of rainwater, which is used by geologists to reconstruct climate, is impacted by more factors than previously assumed. This makes it more challenging to create reliable reconstructions of climate from geological records of rainwater composition. Key Points: We simulate the Late Cenozoic evolution of the West African Monsoon and the isotopic composition of rainwaterUsing a high‐resolution model setup and realistic vegetation cover increases the intensity of the West African Monsoon in the Mid‐Holocene due to the pronounced meridional temperature gradientThe relationship between precipitation and the simulated isotopes is non‐stationary in time, which complicates proxy climate reconstructions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is a desert? What is a desert to a geomorphologist, a geoclimatologist, a biogeographer, a geoanthropologist, a cartographer or a geopolitologist? Geography, as a discipline that is as much concerned with terrestrial morphology and climates as it is with ecosystems and human societies, shed light on the various meanings of the term ‘desert’ in different fields of language and knowledge, providing insights into the significance of deserts for our contemporary societies. The ambition of this reflection is to unravel the complexities of deserts and help to grasp what deserts are and what they ‘do’ by encouraging geographers to merge bioclimatic analyses and geo-historical understandings, establishing the geographical discipline as the quintessential science of deserts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Loop diuretics may exacerbate cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) in heart failure (HF). Direct sodium removal (DSR) using the peritoneal membrane, in conjunction with complete diuretic withdrawal, may improve CRS and diuretic resistance. Methods and results: Patients with HF requiring high‐dose loop diuretics were enrolled in two prospective, single‐arm studies: RED DESERT (n = 8 euvolaemic patients), and SAHARA (n = 10 hypervolaemic patients). Loop diuretics were withdrawn, and serial DSR was utilized to achieve and maintain euvolaemia. At baseline, participants required a median 240 mg (interquartile range [IQR] 200–400) oral furosemide equivalents/day, which was withdrawn in all participants during DSR (median time of DSR 4 weeks [IQR 4–6]). Diuretic response (queried by formal 40 mg intravenous furosemide challenge and 6 h urine sodium quantification) increased substantially from baseline (81 ± 37 mmol) to end of DSR (223 ± 71 mmol, p < 0.001). Median time to re‐initiate diuretics was 87 days, and the median re‐initiation dose was 8% (IQR 6–10%) of baseline. At 1 year, diuretic dose remained substantially below baseline (30 [IQR 7.5–40] mg furosemide equivalents/day). Multiple dimensions of kidney function such as filtration, uraemic toxin excretion, kidney injury, and electrolyte handling improved (p < 0.05 for all). HF‐related biomarkers including N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, carbohydrate antigen‐125, soluble ST2, interleukin‐6, and growth differentiation factor‐15 (p < 0.003 for all) also improved. Conclusions: In patients with HF and diuretic resistance, serial DSR therapy with loop diuretic withdrawal was feasible and associated with substantial and persistent improvement in diuretic resistance and several cardiorenal parameters. If replicated in randomized controlled studies, DSR may represent a novel therapy for diuretic resistance and CRS. Clinical Trial Registration: RED DESERT (NCT04116034), SAHARA (NCT04882358). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategic location of North Africa has led to cultural and demographic shifts, shaping its genetic structure. Historical migrations brought different genetic components that are evident in present-day North African genomes, along with autochthonous components. The Imazighen (plural of Amazigh) are believed to be the descendants of autochthonous North Africans and speak various Amazigh languages, which belong to the Afro-Asiatic language family. However, the arrival of different human groups, especially during the Arab conquest, caused cultural and linguistic changes in local populations, increasing their heterogeneity. We aim to characterize the genetic structure of the region, using the largest Amazigh dataset to date and other reference samples. Our findings indicate microgeographical genetic heterogeneity among Amazigh populations, modeled by various admixture waves and different effective population sizes. A first admixture wave is detected group-wide around the twelfth century, whereas a second wave appears in some Amazigh groups around the nineteenth century. These events involved populations with higher genetic ancestry from south of the Sahara compared to the current North Africans. A plausible explanation would be the historical trans-Saharan slave trade, which lasted from the Roman times to the nineteenth century. Furthermore, our investigation shows that assortative mating in North Africa has been rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aime E Dickerson Jr9,101Private Practice, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 2Schwartz Laser Eye Center, Scottsdale, AZ, USA; 3Loh Ophthalmology Associates, Miami, FL, USA; 4Cleveland Eye Clinic, Brecksville, OH, USA; 5Rosenberg School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, USA; 6LASIK San Antonio, Kerrville, TX, USA; 7Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; 8Kannarr Eye Care, Pittsburg, KS, USA; 9Sight Sciences, Menlo Park, CA, USA; 10North Texas Eye Research Institute, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA Correspondence: Jaime E Dickerson Jr, Email [email protected] Purpose: To evaluate dry eye disease (DED) signs and symptoms six months after a single treatment with Localized Heat Therapy (LHT) (TearCare, Sight Sciences) for patients previously treated for six months with cyclosporine (0.05%) ophthalmic emulsion (CsA) BID (Restasis, Allergan). Setting: Nineteen ophthalmic and optometric practices in 11 US states. Design: Multicenter, cross-over, six month extension to the SAHARA randomized, controlled trial (RCT). Included patients were those randomized to CsA in Phase 1 of the SAHARA RCT. Methods: This was the second phase of the SAHARA RCT in which, following the 6-month endpoint, all patients that had been randomized to CsA discontinued CsA and were treated with LHT and subsequently followed for an additional six months. Outcome measures at 12 months for CsA patients crossed over to LHT included TBUT, OSDI and MGSS. Results: One hundred and sixty-one patients (322 eyes) were analyzed. Mean (SD) baseline TBUT prior to CsA was 4.4 (1.2) seconds, 5.6 (2.6) at 6 months which improved to 6.6 (3.2) and 6.1 (2.8) seconds (both P < 0.001) at 9 and 12 months (3, 6 months post LHT). Mean (SD) OSDI was 50.0 (14.9) at baseline and 34.2 (21.5) after CsA. With LHT at 6 months, this improved to 30.0 (20.6) and 31.0 (19.5) at 9 and 12 months (P = 0.162 vs month 6, P < 0.0001 vs baseline). MGSS was 7.1 (3.2) at baseline, 13.3 (8.2) at the end of CsA treatment which improved to 17.4 (8.8) and 16.1 (9.0) at 9 and 12 months; both P < 0.001. Conclusion: SAHARA showed 6-month superiority of LHT to CsA in clinical signs and non-inferiority in symptom scores. This extension shows that patients treated with CsA for 6 months can achieve meaningful additional improvement in signs and symptoms lasting for as long as 6 months following a single LHT treatment without the need for topical prescription therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal/purpose/objective of the inquiry is to empirically investigate the impact of capital structure (CS) on firm performance (FP), from an emerging capital market perspective, Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). Using financial data from 36 listed-firms on the GSE, spanning 2010–2020, and employing a robust dynamic panel System of Generalized Method of Moment (GMM), this inquiry examined CS-FP-nexuses. Results revealed that whilst total-debt-to-total-equity-ratio, total-debt-to-total-assets-ratio, long-term-debt-ratio, and financial risk exhibited negative associations with FP; total-equity-to-total-assets-ratio, short-term-debt-ratio, cash conversion cycle, total assets turnover, tangibility, sales-growth, firm size, and firm age revealed positive associations with FP, suggesting that highly leveraged-firms are susceptible to insolvency due to high debt-financing cost with worsened macroeconomic instability effect via increased sensitivity of the economy to shocks. Recommendations were made to policymakers to revamp Ghana's capital market to encourage equity-investment and also entreat listed-firms to improve upon their profitability and utilize more retained earnings as an internal-financing source to minimize the interest cost on debt-financing. By utilizing data on all the 36 firms listed on the GSE, an uncharted/unexploited path, this current inquiry is one of the few studies that has contributed to the literature on capital structure-performance nexus in Ghana, an emerging West African country south of the Sahara. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sahara Desert is the largest contributor of global atmospheric dust aerosols impacting regional climate, health, and ecosystems. The climate effects of these dust aerosols remain uncertain due, in part, to climate model uncertainty of Saharan source region contributions and aerosol microphysical properties. This study distinguishes source region elemental signatures of Saharan dust aerosols sampled during the 2015 Aerosols Ocean Sciences Expedition (AEROSE) in the tropical Atlantic. During the 4-week campaign, cascade impactors size-dependently collected airborne Saharan dust particulate upon glass microfiber filters. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis differentiated metal isotope concentrations within filter samples from various AEROSE dust sampling periods. Back-trajectory analysis and NOAA satellite aerosol optical depth retrievals confirmed source regions of AEROSE '15 dust samples. Pearson correlational statistics of source region activity and dust isotope concentrations distinguished the elemental signatures of North African potential source areas (PSAs). This study confirmed that elemental indicators of these PSAs remain detectable within dust samples collected far into the marine boundary layer of the tropical Atlantic. Changes detected in dust elemental indicators occurred on sub-weekly timescales across relatively small sampling distances along the 23W parallel of the tropical Atlantic. PSA-2 emissions, covering the western coast of the Sahara, were very strongly correlated (R2 > 0.79) with Ca-44 isotope ratios in AEROSE dust samples; PSA-2.5 emissions, covering eastern Mauritania and western Mali, were very strongly correlated with K-39 ratios; PSA-3 emissions, spanning southwestern Algeria and eastern Mali, were very strongly correlated with Fe-57 and Ti-48 ratios. The abundance of Ca isotopes from PSA-2 was attributed to calcite minerals from dry lakebeds and phosphorous mining activities in Western Sahara, based on source region analysis. The correlation between K isotope ratios and PSA-2.5 was a likely indicator of illite minerals near the El Djouf Desert region, according to corroboration with mineral mapping studies. Fe and Ti ratio correlations with PSA-3 observed in this study were likely indicators of iron and titanium oxides from Sahelian sources still detectable in Atlantic Ocean observations. The rapid changes in isotope chemistry found in AEROSE dust samples provide a unique marker of Saharan source regions and their relative contributions to desert outflows in the Atlantic. These elemental indicators provide source region apportionments of Sahara Desert aerosol flux and deposition into the Atlantic Ocean, as well as a basis for model and satellite validation of Saharan dust emissions for regional climate assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper initiates a novel discourse advocating for the anti-colonization of religious education (RE) in Africa South of the Sahara (ASoS). It illustrates how anti-colonial critiques can not only offer more precise theoretical perspectives but also generate a practical imperative for a paradigm shift in a school subject still influenced by what I have labeled as the neocoloniality of power. In some countries, attempts to decolonize RE through multi-faithism are being forsaken, reverting the subject to the Christonormativity of the colonial era. The paper contends that the process of reconceptualizing RE with an anti-colonial mindset should inspire innovative ideas for an anti-colonized RE aligned with the educational goals in an African postcolonial environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report reviews an Ethiopian patient who underwent cardiac surgery and had a mechanical heart valve implanted on the mitral valve with tricuspid valve repair for rheumatic heart disease via a local non-profit organization donation later complicated by cardio-embolic stroke, and aims to describe the challenges faced by patients from rural Ethiopia who require cardiac surgery for rheumatic heart disease and narrate the importance of careful follow-up. The lessons to be drawn from this case are that careful follow-up and adherence to prescribed Vitamin K antagonists after surgery for mechanical heart valves are critical and, when such patients are lost to follow-up as was witnessed in this case, it can induce lifelong morbidity. Morbidity that could have been avoided with strict and meticulous follow-up and with standardized patient tracing or contact systems. When patients are lost to follow-up it needs to be top priority to trace them after cardiac surgery and this report highlights the pivotal role of the health education in such populations. Unless we utilize this opportunity to unlock the door and embrace a systemic approach to reforming our risk assessment, referral chain system, and integration of various healthcare professionals in patient follow-up, as well as enhancing health education among our patients in rural Ethiopia and other low-income countries, the consequences could prove to be significant. Preventing such fatal complications is far superior to managing them afterwards, as it not only saves on expenses but also saves lives and enhances quality-of-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought has emerged as a major challenge to global food and water security, and is particularly pronounced for Algeria, which frequently grapples with water shortages. This paper sought to monitor and assess the temporal and spatial distribution of drought severity across northern Algeria (excluding the Sahara) during the growing season from 2011 to 2022, while exploring the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) anomaly and climate variables (rainfall and temperature). Temporal NDVI data from the Terra moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite covering the period 2000–2022 and climate data from the European Reanalysis 5th Generation (ERA5) datasets collected during the period 1990–2022 were used. The results showed that a considerable portion of northern Algeria has suffered from droughts of varying degrees of severity during the study period. The years 2022, 2021, 2016, and 2018 were the hardest hit, with 76%, 71%, 66%, and 60% of the area, respectively, experiencing drought conditions. While the relationship between the NDVI anomaly and the climatic factors showed variability across the different years, the steady decrease in vegetation health indicated by the NDVI anomaly corroborates the observed increase in drought intensity during the study period. We conclude that the MODIS-NDVI product offers a cost-efficient approach to monitor drought in data-scarce regions like Algeria, presenting a viable alternative to conventional climate-based drought indices, while serving as an initial step towards formulating drought mitigation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of African weather and climate extremes in the period 1970–2023 reveals spatial and temporal patterns of intense dry and wet spells, associated with meteorological conditions and consequences. Seasonal wind storms occur along coasts facing the Mozambique Channel, the Gulf of Guinea, the Mediterranean, and the Southern Ocean. Desiccating evaporation is found along the edge of the Sahara and Kalahari Deserts, as well as in lowland subtropical river valleys. The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and net outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) reflect precipitation–evaporation balance and guide regional evaluation. Temporal fluctuations are dominated by inter-decadal oscillations and drying/moistening trends over Southeast/West Africa, respectively. Localized floods and droughts are frequent, but widespread impacts are rare, suggesting that the transfer of resources from surplus to deficit regions is possible. Various case studies focus on (i) tropical cyclone impacts, (ii) monsoon moisture flux, and (iii) coastal upwelling. African communities have become resilient in the face of extreme weather and have shown that adaptation is possible, but further mitigating efforts are needed so that macro-economic progress does not come with harmful secondary consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a historical critique of the Great Green Wall Initiative of the Sahel and the Sahara (GGW) - an audacious project to stop the southern encroachment of the Sahara Desert by constructing a wall of trees across the continent. By situating the GGW within the longue durée of the Sahel's environmental history, it examines how the narratives of environmental decline that underpin the initiative are not only misguided but born out of the transatlantic slave trade, imperialism and colonialism, and the neoliberal development projects of the postcolonial period. In doing so, it argues that narratives of environmental decline have not only served as a dynamic framework to rationalise Western exploitation of the Sahel's environments over time, but have obscured, or even silenced, the effective practices of dryland regeneration of Sahelian communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is a major health threat in sub-Sahara Africa, especially for children under five. However, there is considerable heterogeneity between areas in malaria risk reported, associated with environmental and climatic. We used data from Togo to explore spatial patterns of malaria incidence. Geospatial covariate datasets, including climatic and environmental variables from the 2017 Malaria Indicator Survey in Togo, were used for this study. The association between malaria incidence and ecological predictors was assessed using three regression techniques, namely the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), spatial lag model (SLM), and spatial error model (SEM). A total of 171 clusters were included in the survey and provided data on environmental and climate variables. Spatial autocorrelation showed that the distribution of malaria incidence was not random and revealed significant spatial clustering. Mean temperature, precipitation, aridity and proximity to water bodies showed a significant and direct association with malaria incidence rate in the SLM model, which best fitted the data according to AIC. Five malaria incidence hotspots were identified. Malaria incidence is spatially clustered in Togo associated with climatic and environmental factors. The results can contribute to the development of specific malaria control plans taking geographical variation into consideration and targeting transmission hotspots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]