AfricArXiv
Not a member yet
1453 research outputs found
Sort by
Impact Of Enclosures On Range Productivity In Chepareria West Pokot County, Kenya
No full textIn the semi-arid areas of West Pokot particularly Chepareria, the majority of the people live semi sedentary lives while others are nomadic pastoralists. In the last three decades, there have been concerted efforts to restore and improve rangeland in this area. Use of enclosures, which is one of the key interventions, by the Vi Agro- forestry a Non-Governmental Organisation, enhancing with many ecological processes such as disturbance, is a method of rehabilitating degraded rangeland, which in turn affects vegetation dynamics. Adoption of these strategies by farmers has been gradual and some areas are still open and degraded. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of enclosures on range productivity in the semi-arid rangeland in West Pokot. Plant productivity, diversity and density were assessed in enclosures of different ages and in adjacent open land used for communal grazing. Questionnaires were also used to assess local community perception of the range restoration and improvement. Modified Whittaker plot was used for sampling in the selected enclosures and open areas. Herbaceous biomass and plant cover were greater in enclosures than in open areas. The average herbaceous cover in the enclosed area was 76% while that in the open it was 55% which was significantly different, p<0.001. The average herbaceous biomass in the enclosure was 137.2kg/ha while in the open it was 37.8kg/ha respectively. Enclosed areas are more productive than open areas and should be adopted in other dry areas as a method of rehabilitating degraded grazing lands
Comparative analysis of the antibody titers to different SARS-COV-2 vaccines in vaccinated tertiary students in Botswana
No full textRapidly evolving new variants of SARS-CoV-2, e.g., alpha, beta, delta and omicron, were associated with higher transmissibility and pathogenicity causing new waves of infections in most countries. During the Covid-19 pandemic Botswana like most countries in Africa initiated a rigorous vaccine program to protect its population. Due to the dynamics of vaccine availability Botswana engaged in a heterologous mix and match vaccine strategy which relied on using generally available vaccines while. The country prioritised vulnerable citizens. Hence subjects received various vaccines and in various regimen in both Homologous and heterologous combinations. In Botswana, the administered vaccines included inactivated virus-based vaccines Sinovac/CoronaVac, mRNA-based vaccines Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna and lastly viral vector-based vaccines AstraZeneca and Janssen by Johnson & Johnson. These vaccines stimulate immune responses, including B-cell (humoral/antibody) activation with subsequent production of antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA) [2,3,4]. Research work was done to analyse and quantify induced antibody titers (IgM and IgG) in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. We also enrolled participants in a longitudinal cohort-based sero-epidemiological survey to quantify the proportion of subjects who were seropositive at various points during Covid-19 pandemic.NR
Research Methodology: Paradigms, Approaches, Methods and Design
No full textThis abstract covers the main points discussed in the text, as well as the definitions and explanations of research paradigms (positivism, interpretivism, and pragmatism), research approaches (deductive, inductive, and abductive), research methods (quantitative and qualitative), and research design/strategy (experimental design and case study design). It also includes aspects of data collection and data analysis, focusing on the importance of ethical considerations and valid and reliable methodologies. The abstract concludes by highlighting the significance of understanding and aligning these components with research objectives and the nature of the research problem to generate meaningful and reliable findings that contribute to knowledge advancement in various fields of study
Corporate Governance exercised through the delicate balance between Shareholder’s rights and Board roles in Europe
No full textCorporate governance is fundamental to well-run organisations. Accordingly, it is associated with the positive performance of corporations and international best practices. It is the blueprint that helps shareholders scope their activities and engagement within a company, including the role and structures of the Board of Directors (BoD). It is against this backdrop that the BoD is the nexus between executive leadership and corporate governance, a hallmark of an effective functioning corporation and the affirming of an integrative approach. Thus, good corporate governance is arguably an important tool in curbing corporate malfeasance and limiting scandals in corporations. Conversely, poor corporate governance is observed when there are lapses in this relationship between shareholder‘s rights and board roles. Invariably, this leads to corporate lapses and scandals.
Europe has made strides in corporate governance, through its developing legislative framework. Pursuantly, corporate governance theories exercised in Europe posit ownership and management as key variables to achieving well-run organizations. Thus, central to corporate governance is the principle of separation of ownership and management. In tandem with this view, good corporate governance is achieved through the delicate balance of the rights of shareholders as owners of the company and the roles of directors who have the duty to run the affairs of the company, as enshrined in the Statute governing Company law. The empirical basis for this paper has included collecting data mostly from primary and secondary sources, including literature review on books, articles, caselaws and relevant Statutes. The paper contributes to theory, practice, and policy formulation but specifically, to the importance of shareholders’ rights and board roles in corporate governance in Europe. Similarly, policymakers could find these insights useful to inform evidence-based practices and policymakin
Handgrip Strength As A Screening Tool For Diabetes In Resource-Constrained Settings: A Potential Solution To Overcome Barriers To Diagnosis
No full textBackground Information: Diabetes mellitus is an escalating global health concern, especially in low and middle-income countries. Handgrip strength (HGS), a measure of muscle strength, emerges as a potential non-invasive and affordable screening tool for diabetes, particularly in areas with limited healthcare access.
Objective: To investigate the relationship between handgrip strength and blood glucose regulation in non-diabetic young adults and to provide valuable insights into the potential of handgrip strength as a preventive and affordable approach to managing diabetes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study included 59 University of Ilorin students aged 18-21 in Nigeria. Handgrip strength was measured with a dynamometer, and its links to blood glucose markers (fasting blood glucose, 2-hour post-prandial glucose, and HbA1c) were explored using multiple regression models.
Results: Findings revealed significant associations between HGS and glucose regulation markers, particularly FBS, among males. The relationship was evident in females only after adjusting for body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, a notable connection between HGS and 2-hour post-prandial glucose levels was observed in females but not males. However, no significant associations were found between HGS and serum insulin levels across genders.
Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are uploaded along with the manuscript
Méthode de Classification Hiérarchique Descendante autour de Variables Latentes
No full textLa classification hiérarchique des variables autour des variables latentes consiste à regrouper les variables initiales (observées) autour des variables latentes (inobservées) qui forment la résultante des variables au sein des groupes sous-jacents (un équivalent du barycentre pour les variables situées dans le même groupe). Cette méthode est surtout utile quand on dispose de données de grandes dimensions dont la représentation des variables devient encombrée sur les axes principaux. Une première approche de classification hiérarchique ascendante autour des variables latentes, nommée CLV, a été réalisée par Vigneau et al (2003) et constitue une méthode robuste et complète en classification des variables. L’objectif de ce travail est de proposer une nouvelle approche par classification descendante autour des variables latentes. La conception de cette approche se base sur le principe qu’à l’étape initiale, toutes les variables sont regroupées en une seule classe, ensuite on procède à une division en deux à chaque fois jusqu’à aboutir au nombre de classe cherché. Ceci nécessite de créer un processus itératif de division et de calcul des composantes latentes, pour affecter les variables à des classes organisées autour de ces composantes latentes à chaque niveau de divisons
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for Medical Education and Training
No full textArtificial General Intelligence (AGI) has garnered worldwide attention as a transformative technology, thanks to the emergence of groundbreaking Large AI Models (LAMs), including Large Language Models, Large Vision Models, and Large Multi-Modal Models. AGI represents an ambitious endeavor to replicate human intelligence within computer systems, making it a pivotal technology poised to revolutionize Medical Training. Fueled by recent advancements in large pre-trained models, AGI signifies a remarkable stride in empowering machines to perform tasks demanding human-level intelligence. These tasks encompass reasoning, problem solving, decision-making, and even the comprehension of human emotions and social interactions. This work conducts a comprehensive exploration of AGI, elucidating its fundamental concepts, capabilities, scope, and transformative potential in the realm of Medical Education and Training. It specifically delves into Medical Simulation Environments, Interactive Virtual Labs, Humanoid Robots in Medical Education, Continuing Medical Education (CME), Personalized Learning Pathways, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Natural Language Processing for Medical Texts, Clinical Decision Support, and Automated Assessment Tools. The examination encompasses a thorough analysis of the prospective advantages, challenges, limitations, risks, and ethical considerations that AGI poses to Medical education and training programs, as well as its implications for Medical educators. The development of AGI necessitates fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between educators and AI engineers to propel research and application endeavors in this transformative field
Intsha yaseNingizimu Afrika ene-HIV nesibalo samasosha e-CD4 aphansi isengcupheni yokuthola umdlavuza.
No full textZulu translation of DOI: 10.31730/osf.io/xq6jhSifake abaneminyaka ewu-15 kuya ku-24 abavela ocwaningweni lwe-South African HIV Cancer Match, iqoqo elikhulu elivela ekuxhumaneni kwezilinganiso ezivela kumalaborethri ahambisana ne-HIV avela e-National Health Laboratory Services namarekhodi ase-National Cancer Registry(Inqolobane yomdlavuza). Siqoqele ndawonye ukuvela kwemidlavuza ejwayelekile. Sihlolisise ukuhlangana phakathi kwalemidlavuza nocansi, iminyaka, unyaka, nesibalo samasosha e-CD4 ngamamodeli e-Cox nama-adjusted hazard ratios (aHR)
Prioritizing STEAM Education from the Start: The Path to Inclusive and Sustainable STEAM Education
Get PDFThis study highlights the significance of prioritizing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education from the early stages of learning as a crucial step towards achieving inclusive and sustainable STEAM education. The study adopted a critical discourse analysis (CDA) and an allegory method entitled 'The Ancient Multi-Story Building'. The CDA focused on study reports and news on STEAM initiatives in Ghana. The findings revealed a substantial gap in early education STEAM initiatives, largely due to prevailing misconceptions about early childhood and primary education. The allegory of the 'Ancient Multi-Story Building' further explains the adverse impact of this gap by metaphorizing the flawed approach of initiating and investing heavily in upper-level STEAM education while neglecting these foundational years, much like a village constructing a multi-story building focusing on the higher floors without solidifying its base; the result is certain to be disastrous. Similarly, the findings show that previous STEM-related initiatives in Ghana have often been inclusively ineffective. The allegory further points out that the few students who thrive in these lopsided STEM-related pathways are typically those from affluent backgrounds with the necessary support. The study indicated that starting STEAM education in the early years of education has the potential to promote gender equity, cultivate critical thinking skills, and develop a positive attitude towards STEAM subjects among all young learners. This study, therefore, lays the groundwork to propose a strategic framework for early childhood and primary STEAM education in Ghana and other similar context