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Conversations with deviant website developers: a case study of online shopping fraud enablers
No full textThis study explores the experiences and challenges faced by Cameroonian website developers involved in creating non-delivery fraud websites. Through semi-structured interviews with 14 developers, four key themes were identified: (1) the psychological impact of the Ambazonian crisis, including heightened stress and anxiety due to ongoing civil conflict; (2) infrastructure disruptions, such as frequent power outages and Internet blackouts, which hinder their work and increase operational risks; (3) the influence of spiritual beliefs on decision-making, where concerns about offending ancestral spirits deter developers from direct fraud involvement; and (4) cultural perceptions of cybercrime, particularly the glorification of the “Big Boy” image, which normalises fraudulent activities as symbols of success. The study suggests that redirecting these developers’ skills towards legitimate tech employment opportunities in Cameroon and internationally could help reduce cyber deviance and contribute to economic growth in affected regions
Bureaucratic uncertainty and migrant temporality: a study of skilled Congolese migrants in Cape Town, South Africa
No full textContemporary migration has become more complex during the era of globalisation, with heterogenous actors and places of departure, transit, and destination. This has compelled mechanisms of control and regulation, subjecting migrants to bureaucratic procedures in the governance of migration. After attaining its democratic dispensation in 1994, South Africa has become a destination for migrants of various backgrounds and categories. However, inequality and unemployment in the country have grown due to the legacy of apartheid, and migrants – particularly from African countries – have been exposed to xenophobia and discrimination. Furthermore, obstacles in receiving visas and permits and securing employment have also hindered migrant integration in South Africa, creating uncertainty of the future and a protracted mode of waiting. Referred to as migrant temporality, in this study this concept focuses on how the migration bureaucracy of South Africa creates and has an impact on these temporal modes of migrant life, such as waiting, uncertainty, aspiration, life course and future-making
Multifunctional metal oxides synthesized via a solvo-hydrothermal process for photocatalytic degradation of organic dye and bacteria in wastewater
No full textThe persistent occurrence of textile industrial dyestuff in water bodies has continuously threatened aquatic life and public health, requiring effective remediation. This study explores the solvo-hydrothermal synthesis of Ag2O, Fe2O3, AgFe2O3, TiO2, Ag-TiO2, Fe-TiO2, and AgFe-TiO2 catalysts. Various techniques, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, XRD, BET, TGA, and XPS characterized the as-prepared metal oxide (MO) catalysts. The multi-functionality of the catalysts was assessed on the degradation of Congo red dye and the inhibition of gram-positive B. subtilis in simulated wastewater. SEM analysis shows that MOs mostly appeared in granular morphologies except for Fe₂O₃, which comprised elongated grains, and showed that both Ag and Fe were successfully doped into the TiO₂ framework. The XRD survey revealed that Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ were abundant in hematite and anatase phases. The BET findings indicated that the MOs are fine mesoporous particles, with TiO₂ showing the highest surface area of 83 m²/g, followed by 63, 28.27, and 24.03 m²/g for AgFe-TiO₂, AgFe₂O₃, and Ag-TiO₂, respectively. The antibacterial assays showed that Ag-TiO₂ and AgFe₂O₃ inhibited 58 % and 64 % of B. subtilis, correspondingly. The highest removals 98 and 99.99 % of Congo red (CR) dye were achieved with AgFe₂O₃ and TiO₂ after 5 h of irradiation time. At optimum conditions, AgFe₂O₃ and TiO₂ performed well and reached complete degradation up to 3 cycles. The outcomes of this study show that the multifunctional metal oxides produced via the solvohydrothermal method are thermally stable and can effectively be used for the simultaneous degradation of organic dye and disinfection of bacterial-polluted wate
Challenges and opportunities in digital learning technologies for nursing education in low-resource settings: a scoping review
No full textThe use of digital learning technologies is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. However, there is a lack of published evidence regarding their application in nursing education, particularly in low-resource settings. To inform the development of digital learning guidelines for use in such contexts, a scoping review was conducted to examine the use of these technologies and the associated challenges. The review question was: What are the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of digital learning technologies in nursing education in low-resource settings? The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology was followed. The databases Scopus, Academic Search Complete, PubMed, and CINAHL were searched using the following criteria: student nurses and nurse educators in nursing education institutions; low-resource settings, defined as low- and middle-income countries; and the use of digital learning technologies. Studies involving non-nursing health professions were excluded. Retrieved papers were screened by title and abstract, with full text reviews conducted as needed. Data were analysed thematically using the digital competence framework. Few studies have been conducted in African countries. Key themes included the use of digital learning technologies in general, their application in clinical teaching and theoretical instruction, and the emergence of artificial intelligence in nursing education. Most reported uses were related to students’ online learning experiences. The main challenges were linked to pedagogical competence, along with the need for administrative and technical competencies, thus extending the existing digital competence framework
Variability in the carbon management index and enzymatic activity under distinct altitudes in the alpine wetlands of Lesotho
No full textAlpine wetlands, key carbon sinks and biodiversity hubs, remain understudied, especially under climate change pressures. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the variability in soil enzyme activity (SEA) and the carbon management index (CMI) and to utilize principal component analysis (PCA) to explore the variation and correlation between SEA and CMI as influenced by altitudinal gradients in alpine wetlands. This information is essential for exploring the impacts of soil degradation and guiding restoration efforts. The study was designed in blocks (catchments) with six altitudinal variations (from 2500 to 3155 m a.s.l), equivalent to alpine wetlands from three catchments (Senqunyane, Khubelu and Sani) as follows: Khorong and Tenesolo in Senqunyane; Khamoqana and Khalong-la-Lichelete in Sani; and Lets’eng-la-Likhama and Koting-Sa-ha Ramosetsana in Khubelu. The soil samples were collected in February 2025 (autumn season, i.e., wet season) at depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm and analyzed for bulk density, texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), SEA, and carbon pools, and the CMI was computed following standard procedures. The results demonstrated that the soil was loam to sandy loam and was slightly acidic and non-saline in nature in the 0–15 cm layer across the wetlands. The significant decreases in SEA were 45.33%, 32.20% and 15.11% (p < 0.05) for dehydrogenase, fluorescein di-acetate and β-Galactosidase activities, respectively, in KSHM compared with those in Khorong (lower elevated site). The passive carbon pool (CPSV) was dominant over the active carbon pool (CACT) and contributed 76–79% of the SOC to the total organic carbon, with a higher CPSV (79%) observed at KSHM. The CMI was also greater (91.05 and 75.88) under KSHM at the 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm soil depths, respectively, than in all the other alpine wetlands, suggesting better carbon management at higher altitudinal gradients and less enzymatic activity. These trends shape climate change outcomes by affecting soil carbon storage, with high-altitude regions serving as significant, though relatively less active, carbon reservoirs. The PCA-Biplot graph revealed a negative correlation between the CMI and SEA, and these variables drove more variation across sites, highlighting a complex interaction influenced by higher altitude with its multiple ecological drivers, such as temperature variation, nutrient dynamics, and shifts in microbial communities. Further studies on metagenomics in alpine soils are needed to uncover altitude-driven microbial adaptations and their role in carbon dynamics
Genome divergence between European anchovy ecotypes fuelled by structural variants originating from trans-equatorial admixture
No full textThe formation of ecotypes is driven by evolutionary mechanisms that reduce gene flow through complex interactions among ecological, historical and genomic factors. In the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), marine and coastal ecotypes have been identified in the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, yet the genomic basis of their divergence remains unclear. Here, we present the first genome-scale analysis of this species complex, integrating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RAD-seq data from populations spanning its distribution range. In addition to the known marine and coastal ecotypes, we identify a previously undetected lineage extending from southern Morocco, through the Canary Islands, to South Africa. This southern Atlantic lineage exhibits a gradient of admixture with northern populations near the Atlantic–Mediterranean transition zone. Genomic differentiation landscapes reveal large regions of high linkage disequilibrium, probably corresponding to 13 structural variants (SVs) segregating within or between lineages. Notably, three of the six SVs contributing to the gene flow barrier between northern ecotypes originated in the southern lineage, supporting a partially shared evolutionary history between the coastal ecotype and the southern lineage. This study highlights how SVs that arose in geographically isolated lineages can act as key genetic elements in ecotype formation, reinforcing reproductive isolation through distinct evolutionary pathways
Drought Tolerance Mechanisms in Grain and Vegetable Amaranthus Species: Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Insights
No full textDrought limits plant growth, development and productivity, leading to more than 50% crop loss globally. Drought-induced oxidative stress disturbs the plant’s metabolism; however, plants activate signaling pathways to respond and adapt to drought stress. Although drought response mechanisms are well reported in several crops, these mechanisms are poorly understood in Amaranthus. As a highly nutritious crop, rich in antioxidants with the ability to survive in extreme agro-climatic environments, Amaranthus has the potential to serve as a climate-smart future crop. This review provides evidence of some drought response traits in grain and vegetable Amaranthus species. Grain amaranths are the most tolerant species, mainly through improved osmoregulation, antioxidant capacity, and gene expression. While biomass partitioning, efficient water use, and membrane stability have been reported in both grain and vegetable amaranth, the molecular response of vegetable amaranth remains limited. Thus, future research must focus on integrated biochemical, molecular, and multi-omics applications to screen and identify resilient Amaranthus genotypes under drought for sustainable agriculture
Resilience in food systems – response and adaptation to shocks and disruptions: the case of the Phillipi Horticultural area in Cape Town, South Africa
No full textThis study explores the concept of food systems resilience. It studied the vulnerability to shocks and pressure of the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA), a key urban food-producing region in Cape Town, South Africa. The PHA is critical for the city’s food security but faces challenges such as rapid urbanisation, governance gaps, and socioeconomic pressures threatening its resilience and sustainability. Using a descriptive methods approach, the research collected data through surveys with stakeholders from the government, the private sector, NGOs, private individuals, and informal settlers. The study adopted the place-based approach emphasising the importance of community-led initiatives and local actors in managing food systems. The perspective highlights the significance of addressing challenges collaboratively within specific contexts. Key findings revealed insufficient governance commitment, a lack of multi-stakeholder collaboration, and the growing threat of urban development on agricultural land. The study also confirmed the importance of community-driven strategies to adapt to these challenges and build resilience. In conclusion, the research emphasises the need for integrated, community-centred, and multi-stakeholder approaches to safeguard the PHA’s food system. To address these issues, the study recommends strengthening governance frameworks, promoting collaboration among diverse stakeholders, empowering community leadership, and protecting agricultural land from urban encroachment. These measures are crucial to maintaining the resilience and sustainability of this vital urban agricultural regio
Engineering xylan assimilation into industrial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
No full textSecond-generation biofuels are attractive alternatives to environmentally damaging, non-renewable fossil fuels, as they are carbon neutral and produced from renewable lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). One of the main challenges facing LCB conversion to bioethanol is the incomplete use of all available sugars present in the biomass. To overcome this challenge, the hemicellulose fraction, consisting mostly of xylan, should be targeted for conversion in addition to the cellulose fraction.
This study aimed to address this issue by developing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae capable of xylan degradation and efficient utilization of xylose. The laboratory strain S288C was the initial candidate used. The strain was previously engineered with a xylose isomerase (XI)pathway and subsequently further engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. GH43xylosidase activity, either freely secreted or tethered to the cells, was introduced into the yeast, together with secreted xylanase activity. The strains were evaluated through enzymatic assays, growth on media containing xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) and xylan, and fermentations on xylan media. It was found that the strain with tethered xylosidase and secreted xylanase activity showed the best growth on the polymeric substrates (XOS or xylan) and produced the highest ethanol titre of 0.47 g/L during fermentation on xylan as carbon source.
Natural S. cerevisiae strain isolates YI13, YI59 and FIN1 were selected for potential industrial applications due to their robust fermentation performance and enhanced ethanol production compared to the reference strain S288C. Efficient xylose utilization was conferred to the natural strains through engineering with an XI gene cassette and a xylose transporter, combined with adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) in minimal media with xylose as the sole carbon source. The xylose-utilizing strains were further engineered with cell-associated GH43 xylosidase activity and secreted xylanase activity. Enzymatic assays, growth trials on hemicellulosic substrates and fermentation on xylose and xylan showed that the strains were successfully engineered with xylan conversion capabilities and efficient xylose utilization. The final engineered version of YI13 showed the best xylose and xylan conversion, with ethanol titres of 4.51 g/L from xylose and ~ 3 g/L from xylan. This is the highest reported level of ethanol produced from polymeric xylan to date
Using Geophysical Tools for Aquifer Characterisation of Paleowater’s: A Case Study of the Bredasdorp Basin, South Africa
No full textReservoir depletion in the Bredasdorp Basin has come with many rising challenges, such as exorbitant decommissioning costs and deteriorating pipelines. However, a depleted offshore reservoir also has many opportunities that can be explored. This research study looks closely at offshore aquifers occurring in the Central Bredasdorp Basin, South Africa, as an alternative source of water. Groundwater usage accounts for 56% of South Africa’s population, either as sole or combined with surface water resources. Therefore, exploring different water sources is essential to the sustainability of our water resource management and security. Offshore aquifer research bridges the gap between two research groups, petroleum geology and hydrogeology, but is very rarely a reality, as data is not publicly available due to propriety rights restrictions. Integration of seismic and well log data acquired by the petroleum industry has demonstrated the effectiveness for offshore fresh groundwater modelling