Search Results (16,563)

Wind energy is a clean, inexhaustible resource with significant potential to reduce coal dependence, lower carbon emissions, and provide sustainable energy in the off-grid areas of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. However, due to wind variability, site-specific assessments are crucial for accurate resource estimation and investment risk mitigation. This study evaluates the wind energy potential at Fort Hare using six statistical distribution models: Weibull (WEI), Rayleigh (RAY), gamma (GAM), generalized extreme value (GEV), inverse Gaussian (IGA), and Gumbel (GUM). The analysis is based on three years (2021–2023) of hourly wind speed data at 10 m above ground level from the Fort Beaufort weather station. Parameters were estimated using the maximum likelihood method (MLM), and model performance was ranked using the total error (TE) metric. The results indicate an average wind speed of 2.60 m/s with a standard deviation of 1.85 m/s. The GEV distribution was the best fit (TE = 0.020), while the widely used Weibull distribution ranked third (TE = 0.5421), highlighting its limitations in capturing wind variability and extremes. This study underscores the importance of testing multiple models for accurate wind characterization and suggests improving the performance of the Weibull model through advanced parameter optimization, such as artificial intelligence. The wind power density was 31.52 W/m², classifying the site as poor for large-scale electricity generation. The prevailing wind direction was southeast. Recommendations include deploying small-scale turbines and exploring augmentative systems to optimize wind energy utilization in the region. Full article

This study explores the impact of audit quality and the proportion of women on an audit committee on earnings management. Moreover, we examined how age diversity and the presence of non-foreign women on audit committees influence earnings management. Our study utilizes data from 165 UK-based listed companies between 2011 and 2021. A combination of static and dynamic analysis was used to empirically reveal our results. The results show a negative and significant relationship between audit quality and earnings management, as per the Kothari model. The presence of a female audit committee does not affect earnings management. However, when we control for demographic variables like age and nationality, we found that non-foreign female members of the audit committee reduced earnings management, while age diversity among female members had no effect. Additional analysis using the Dechow model revealed that both the presence of a female audit committee and their nationality affected earnings management. Our findings contribute to ongoing discussions on corporate governance by providing evidence that female audit committees and audit quality influence earnings management in UK-listed companies. This study is one of the few that examines demographic attributes (e.g., nationality or age). Full article

This study evaluates the potential of quantum dots (QDs) as a marking method for Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) (Medfly) in comparison to traditional fluorescent powder. As a highly destructive pest impacting a wide variety of fruit crops, an effective marking technique is essential for improving the biological understanding and management of Medflies, including control strategies like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Through multiple controlled experiments, we examined the effects of QDs and fluorescent powder markers on Medfly flight ability, marker retention rates, and marker durability and stability under diverse storage conditions. Fluorescent powder demonstrated consistently high reliability across all parameters, whereas QDs showed reduced retention, particularly when applied to pupae, and had a more pronounced negative effect on flight ability. This was illustrated by the field trials, which did not recapture any of the QD-marked flies, highlighting the current limitations in QD application methods. Additionally, fluorescent powders outperformed QDs in both long-term storage conditions and short-term stability tests. These findings indicate that while QDs possess potential as marking agents, further refinement of application techniques is required to achieve comparable efficacy to fluorescent powders in pest management contexts. Full article

According to data from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Ukraine was the fifth and ninth global producer and exporter of corn and wheat, respectively, before Russia’s invasion. The disruption of the supply chain in Ukraine in these food sectors due to the Russian–Ukrainian conflict can hamper global food security. Very little is known about how the war has impacted these important food sectors globally. This paper examines the global impact of the war on the corn and wheat sectors in the first year of the war and investigates the relationship between market vulnerability and trade ties with the conflicting regions. Analysis of FAO data shows that Ukraine suffered a 12.87% and 17.45% production decline in the corn and wheat sectors, respectively, compared to the 2012–2021 base years. Using the Acclimate economic network model, these shocks are applied to Ukraine’s corn and wheat network nodes to analyze their global impact. The production value and total losses are calculated and compared to the base year, both regionally and in some major global economic blocs. The results show that the corn sectors in Germany, Ukraine, Poland, and Belgium suffered the largest production value losses, while Ukraine, China, Venezuela, and Korea suffered the largest overall losses. In the wheat sector, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, and Canada suffered the largest production value losses, while Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and China suffered the largest overall losses. Overall, the corn sector was the hardest hit globally compared to the wheat sector, with the EU, the US, China, South America, and Africa being the hardest hit in the corn sector, while BRICS and Oceania were the hardest hit in the wheat sector. The study equally finds a strong correlation between increased regional food market vulnerability and Ukraine’s trade relations. These findings can contribute to better investment decisions, regional and sectoral emergency management planning, and the development of regulatory frameworks. Full article

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major health concerns worldwide, often managed with treatments that have significant limitations and side effects. This study examines the potential of sodium alginates, extracted from Ecklonia radiata and Sargassum elegans, to inhibit digestive enzymes involved in managing these conditions. We chemically characterized the sodium alginates and confirmed their structural integrity using FTIR, NMR, and TGA. The focus was on evaluating their ability to inhibit key digestive enzymes relevant to T2DM (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, sucrase, maltase) and obesity (pancreatic lipase). Enzyme inhibition assays revealed that these sodium alginates moderately inhibit α-glucosidase, maltase, and lipase by up to 43%, while showing limited effects on sucrase and α-amylase. In addition, the sodium alginates did not affect glucose uptake in human colorectal cells (HCT116), indicating they do not impact cellular glucose absorption. In summary, while the observed enzyme inhibition was moderate, the targeted inhibition of α-glucosidase, maltase, and lipase suggests that sodium alginates could be beneficial for managing postprandial hyperglycemia and lipid absorption in the context of T2DM and obesity. Full article

Drought significantly impacts sugarcane yield, making drought resistance an important trait in drought-prone regions. The effects of the timing and duration of drought on yield and yield components, including relationships among these traits, were examined using a diverse set of sugarcane genotypes in a 2-year (planted cane and first ratoon) field study. Three drought treatments (no water stress (SD0), short-term (SD1), and long-term (SD2) drought) were assigned as the main plot and replicated four times. Within each plot, six genotypes were nested in a split-plot design. Drought reduced yield and its components, with the decline greater in SD2 than in SD1. Strong relationships between yield and its components like stalk height and density and height growth rate, especially under drought, make these traits potential surrogates for yield in drought screening experiments. The genotypes F03–362 and KK3 displayed high, stable yield potential across drought treatments, but KK3 lost potential in ratoon crop under drought. Although KK09–0358 displayed high yield potential, it was very sensitive to drought stress while UT12 and KK09–0939 displayed low yield potential and sensitivity to drought. TPJ04–768 displayed low but stable yield potential across drought treatments and crops. F03–362 and TPJ04–768 have utility in studies seeking to couple physiological with agronomic parameters promoting drought resistance and as parents for developing cultivars combining high and stable yield performance under drought. Full article

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is one of the most prevalent serotypes commonly associated with invasive pneumococcal disease cases and outbreaks worldwide. Several sequence types of this serotype have been identified globally, including those exhibiting both high virulence potential and antimicrobial resistance profiles. This systematic review presents the global distribution of clones of pneumococcal serotype 1, describing their circulating patterns in various regions in the world. A database search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science using keywords related to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1. The inclusion criteria entailed peer-reviewed studies published in English describing the utilization of at least one molecular genotyping tool to identify S. pneumoniae serotype 1 clones based on their sequence types. Data extracted were managed and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365 (Version 2108). Forty-three studies were finally included in the systematic review. A total of 103 MLST serotype 1 sequence types were identified in 48 countries. These clones were widely reported to be associated with invasive pneumococcal diseases. Globally, ST217 and ST306 clonal complexes (CC217 and CC306) were the predominant lineages of serotype 1 sequence types, exhibiting distinct continental distribution patterns. CC217, characterized by ST217, ST303, ST612, ST618, and ST3081, was predominant in Africa and Asia. ST306 clonal complex, which is grouped into ST306, ST304, and ST227 were mostly found in Europe, Oceania, North America, and some countries in South America. ST615 was predominant in Chile, Peru, and Argentina. The hypervirulence nature of serotype 1, coupled with its complex genetic diversity, poses a significant public health threat. Our findings emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of these hypervirulent clones, ultimately informing evidence-based strategies for disease prevention and control. Full article

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Gauteng, South Africa, are inadequately designed or optimized to effectively remove microplastics (MPs), resulting in approximately 80% of wastewater being discharged into aquatic ecosystems with insufficient treatment. This study evaluates the prevalence and abundance of MPs in municipal WWTPs and their subsequent introduction into receiving water bodies. Comprehensive sampling was conducted across three municipal WWTPs in the Emfuleni region of Gauteng province from October 2022 to July 2023. Initial MP identification and quantification were performed using light microscopy, while scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was employed to identify non-plastic particles and perform elemental analysis. The findings reveal significant seasonal variability in MP concentrations. The highest influent and effluent concentrations were recorded during October (spring), with influent values of 142 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 1), 124 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 2), and 132 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 3), and effluent concentrations of 120 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 1), 63 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 2), and 89 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 3). Conversely, the lowest MP concentrations were observed during April (autumn), with influent concentrations of 114 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 1), 141 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 2), and 78 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 3), and effluent concentrations of 99 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 1), 53 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 2), and 86 MPs/ℓ (WWTP 3). Fibers and filaments constituted the dominant MP morphology, primarily derived from polyester, nylon, and acrylic synthetic textiles. Dark-colored MPs, especially black, blue, and red particles, were predominant in the wastewater samples. This study underscores the critical role of WWTPs as conduits for MP contaminants into the environment and highlights the urgent need to develop and implement improved MP removal technologies in wastewater treatment systems. MP production is estimated to account for approximately 15–20% of total global plastic production, corresponding to an annual generation of approximately 52.5–80 million metric tons of MP. By addressing MP pollution, this research directly contributes to sustainability by promoting the protection of freshwater ecosystems, reducing anthropogenic pressures on aquatic biodiversity, and supporting the principles of sustainable development. The findings align with global and regional goals to enhance water quality management and promote sustainable urbanization practices in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

The interplay between soil rhizobial bacteria and leguminous plants, particularly in Africa, has a profound impact on photosynthetic efficiency and overall crop productivity. This review explores the critical role of rhizobia in enhancing photosynthesis through nitrogen fixation, a process crucial for sustainable agriculture. Rhizobial bacteria residing in root nodules provide legumes with symbiotic nitrogen that significantly boosts plant growth and photosynthetic capacity. Recent advances in molecular genomics have elucidated the genetic frameworks underlying this symbiosis, identifying key genes involved in root nodule formation and nitrogen fixation. Comparative genomics of Bradyrhizobium species have revealed seven distinct lineages, with diverse traits linked to nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and photosynthesis. Field studies across Africa demonstrate that rhizobial inoculation can markedly increase nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and grain yields, though outcomes vary depending on local soil conditions and legume species. Notable findings include enhanced nutrient uptake and photosynthetic rates in inoculated legumes compared with nitrate-fed plants. This review highlights the potential of utilizing indigenous rhizobia to improve photosynthesis and crop resilience. Future prospects involve leveraging genomic insights to optimize rhizobial inoculants and enhance legume productivity in water-limited environments. As climate change intensifies, integrating these advancements into agricultural practices could play a crucial role in improving food security and sustainable soil health in Africa. Full article

Many African countries continue to face economic challenges even though the continent has much potential for economic progress. Entrepreneurship and ICT are one of the key forces behind economic change. However, little is known about how entrepreneurship, ICT, and economic growth affect economic resilience and development in Africa at the international level. Designing policies supporting a more resilient and inclusive African economy requires understanding this. This study, therefore, contributes to the existing literature by examining the direct and indirect impacts of entrepreneurship and ICT on economic growth in Africa. The study employs static and dynamic panel analyses to analyze panel data on 29 African countries from 2006 to 2020. The empirical results reveal that entrepreneurship positively influences economic growth in the long-run, but has a negative influence in the short-run, while ICT positively influences economic growth both in the short- and long-run. The moderating effects of ICT on the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth reveals that ICT positively strengthens the positive impact of entrepreneurship in Africa both in the short- and long-run. Furthermore, the causality results show that there is bidirectional among economic growth, entrepreneurship, and ICT adoption. Consistent with these findings, policy ramifications are highlighted. Full article

This paper describes the co-design of a participatory group intervention developed to promote and enhance parental involvement in supporting the education of children with disabilities in Malawi. The intervention was developed through participatory co-design workshops and consensus meetings involving 23 stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community leaders. The Behaviour Change Wheel framework and the Delphi technique guided the intervention development process, ensuring theoretical robustness and contextual relevance. The proposed intervention, Tiyanjane (‘Let Us Unite’), includes facilitator and participant training and practical face-to-face sessions over 12 weeks. The intervention targets four key areas: developing family action plans, holding regular meetings, providing ongoing support at home and school, and facilitating training and information exchange. This participatory approach, involving a wide range of local stakeholders, offers valuable insights into the process and outcomes of co-developing culturally relevant and theoretically grounded interventions to address the needs of families with children with disabilities in low-resource settings. Future research should include an evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and examine its applicability in diverse sociocultural settings within LMICs (low- and middle-income countries). Full article

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have revolutionized medical image analysis by enabling the automated learning of hierarchical features from complex medical imaging datasets. This review provides a focused analysis of CNN evolution and architectures as applied to medical image analysis, highlighting their application and performance in different medical fields, including oncology, neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, dermatology, and orthopedics. The paper also explores challenges specific to medical imaging and outlines trends and future research directions. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in healthcare and artificial intelligence. Full article

Background and aim: The use of mHealth, especially short-message text (SMS), has proven to be an effective intervention in promoting behavioral health outcomes in populations across different contexts and settings. While MomConnect, an mHealth technological device designed to enhance maternal and child health services in South Africa, offers various health-related contents aimed at improving maternal outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women, it currently lacks information on prenatal physical activity. However, physical activity and exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for both the mother and the baby. This article outlines the protocol for designing and developing a prenatal physical activity and exercise text messaging content for the MomConnect device. To achieve this, the protocol aims to elucidate the preferences of prenatal physical activity and exercise text messages and ascertain the preferred amount of SMS messaging to inform the design of an intervention for the incorporation of prenatal physical activity and exercise text messages into the MomConnect device in South Africa. Methods: We will apply a user-centred design approach conducted in three phases. First, a scoping literature review and interviews with pregnant women will be conducted to inform the formative stage for developing a desirable prototype SMS. Secondly, healthcare providers and pregnant women will be interviewed to collate data on the preferred SMS. Lastly, a cross-sectional survey will be conducted to determine the preferred quantity of SMS messaging to be incorporated in the MomConnect device. Expected outcomes: A preferred or desirable prenatal physical activity and exercise SMS text message will inform the design of SMS text messages to be incorporated into the content of the MomConnect device to promote prenatal physical activity and exercise participation among women in the Eastern Cape Province. This study will develop a tailored mHealth intervention to improve prenatal physical activity participation and health behaviors among pregnant women in South Africa. Full article

This study investigates weekend price gaps in three major stock market indices—the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), NASDAQ, and Germany’s DAX—from 2013 to 2023, using high-frequency (5 min) data to explore whether gap movements arise from random volatility or reflect systematic market tendencies. We examine 205 weekend gaps in the DJIA, 270 in NASDAQ, and 406 in the DAX. Two principal hypotheses guide our inquiry as follows: (i) whether price movements into the gap are primarily driven by increased volatility and (ii) whether larger gaps are associated with heightened volatility. Employing Chi-square tests for the independence and linear regression analyses, our results show no strong, universal bias towards closing gaps at shorter distances across all three indices. However, at medium-to-large distances, significant directional patterns emerge, particularly in the DAX. This outcome challenges the assumption that weekend gaps necessarily “fill” soon after they open. Moreover, larger gap sizes correlate with elevated volatility in both the DJIA and NASDAQ, underscoring that gaps can serve as leading indicators of near-term price fluctuations. These findings suggest that gap-based anomalies vary by market structure and geography, raising critical questions about the universality of efficient market principles and offering practical insights for risk management and gap-oriented trading strategies. Full article

Biocontrol has emerged as an effective strategy for managing plant pathogens and pests. The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as biocontrol agents offers a sustainable alternative, enhancing plant morphology, biochemistry, physiology, and secondary metabolism. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis and systematic review of PGPR-based biocontrol research from 2019 to 2023, using the Web of Science (WoS) database. A total of 2823 publications were identified, with a significant increase in scientific output since 2019. Original research articles dominated the field, with India, China, the USA, and Pakistan leading in publication volume. Key contributors included Babalola (North-West University, South Africa), Kloepper (Auburn University, USA), and Shen (Nanjing Agricultural University, China), each with at least 25 publications. Co-authorship analysis revealed four major research networks centered in India, China, Brazil, and Canada. Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the most studied PGPR genera, recognized for their roles as bioinoculants, bioremediators, and biostimulants, mitigating the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This analysis underscores the growing global focus on PGPR-based biocontrol and its potential for sustainable agriculture. Strengthening international collaboration and accelerating applied research on PGPR formulations will be critical for optimizing their efficacy and scalability in real-world agricultural systems. Full article