scholarly journals A Yaounde – Kigali Experience Sharing for Harmonious City Biking Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Renz Tichafogwe Tende

Salvaging motorbike calamities and urban chaos would not only safeguard lives but achieve urban tranquility in Yaounde and Cameroon. The disorder in this transport sector observed in Yaounde can be uncurled and riders called to order as solution to the chaos accrued. This article exposes the shortcomings of biking transport as inadequate training and reckless riding have led to the urban chaos and calamities observed. If it does not occur from high speed, perhaps it would be a mentality problem. Some 140 questionnaires were administered to motor bike riders, clients, and transport authorities in Yaounde. Field observation and interview sessions were organized to have first-hand information on calamities in the city. Hotbed neighbourhoods of accidents were captured through a GPS and transformed into maps and tables. An in-depth documentary research at the Ministry of Transport and its delegations as well as the national institute of statistics was done to have data for analysis. Findings adhere to the fact that total identification of riders, mandatory use of helmets for rider and passenger as well as stringent speed limits with unadorned sanctions can be used to address the situation. This paper advocates that the Kigali experience in the management and control of motor bike transport be shared in Yaounde so as to reduce, if not curb urban mayhem and wanton accidents.

Author(s):  
Rhoda Leask ◽  
Kenneth P. Pettey ◽  
Gareth F. Bath

Heartwater is a serious limiting factor for sheep and goat production in the major endemic area of sub-Saharan Africa and therefore most knowledge, research and control methods originate from this region. Whilst the usual or common clinical presentations can be used to make a presumptive diagnosis of heartwater with a good measure of confidence, this is not always the case, and animals suffering from heartwater may be misdiagnosed because their cases do not conform to the expected syndrome, signs and lesions. One aberrant form found occasionally in the Channel Island breeds of cattle and some goats is an afebrile heartwaterlike syndrome. The most constant and characteristic features of this heartwater-like syndrome comprise normal temperature, clinical signs associated with generalised oedema, and nervous signs, especially hypersensitivity. The presumption that the disease under investigation is the afebrile heartwater-like syndrome entails a tentative diagnosis based on history and clinical signs and the response to presumed appropriate treatment (metadiagnosis). The afebrile heartwater-like syndrome presents similarly to peracute heartwater but without the febrile reaction. Peracute cases of heartwater have a high mortality rate, enabling confirmation of the disease on post-mortem examination. Recognition of the afebrile heartwater-like syndrome is important to prevent deaths and identify the need for appropriate control measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 2219-2229
Author(s):  
A. Kindozandji ◽  
B.D. Datinon ◽  
K. Amevoin ◽  
A.N. Nondichao ◽  
A.I. Glitho ◽  
...  

Le niébé est l’une des légumineuses alimentaires la plus importante dans toutes les régions de l’Afrique Sub-saharienne. L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier l’effet rémanent de Mavi Multinucléo polyhedrovirus (Mavi MNPV) après la récolte du niébé au champ. Le champ a été traité 5 fois au biopesticide Mavi MNPV à la fréquence de sept jours. Deux semaines après la récolte, deux plants ainsi que les graines de chaque traitement sur chaque unité parcellaire ayant reçu les traitements de Mavi MNPV de 107, 108 et 109 virions/ml ont été collectés et amenés au laboratoire avec le substrat de développement de la plante (sable). Aucune des formulations issues des substrats sable, racines, feuilles, tiges et graines n’a affecté la mortalité des larves L2 et L3 de Maruca vitrata et aucune différence significative n’a été observée entre les traitements et le témoin. Quels que soient les traitements, le taux d’émergence des adultes est élevé ; ce qui signifie que la variation de la concentration de Mavi MNPV ne conditionne pas sa présence dans le sol, les tiges, les feuilles, les racines et les graines. Le biopesticide Mavi MNPV n’est pas persistant dans la nature.Mots clés : Niébé, Mavi MNPV, Maruca vitrata, Effet rémanent   English Title: Study of the residual effect of Mavi MNPV in a cowpea field Cowpea is one of the most important food legumes in all regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this research work was to study the persistence effect of Mavi Multinucleus polyhedrovirus (Mavi MNPV) after field harvest of the cowpea. The field was treated 5 times with Mavi MNPV biopesticide at seven days. Two weeks after harvest, two plants as well as the seeds from each treatment on each plot unit that received Mavi MNPV treatments of 107, 108 and 109 virions / ml were removed and brought to the laboratory with the plant development substrate (sand). None of the formulations from sand, root, leaf, stem and seed substrates did not affect the mortality of L2 and L3 larvae of Maruca vitrata and no significant difference was observed between treatments and control. Regardless of the treatments, the rate of emergence of adults is high; this means that the variation in the concentration of Mavi MNPV does not condition its presence in soil, stems, leaves, roots and seeds. Mavi MNPV biopesticide is not persistent in nature.Keywords: Cowpea, Mavi MNPV, Maruca vitrata, Residual effect.      


BMJ ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 317 (7150) ◽  
pp. 76-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Burdon ◽  
R W Montgomery ◽  
R. Walker ◽  
N Unwin ◽  
K G M M Alberti ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Frimpon ◽  
Ebenezer Adaku

Purpose The rising proportion of internet users in Sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of analytical techniques, as decision support systems, in choosing among alternative internet service providers (ISPs) by consumers underpin this study. The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach for evaluating high-speed internet service offered by ISPs in a sub-Saharan African country. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample size of 150, pairwise comparisons of two ISPs along five criteria of cost, usability, support, reliability and speed were performed by ten person groups of university students working in various organizations in Ghana and undertaking an online Six Sigma Course. Geometric means were employed to aggregate the scores in 15 groups, and these scores were then normalized and used as input into an analytical hierarchy process grid. Findings The results show that consumers of internet services highly emphasize the cost attribute of internet provision in their decision making. On the other hand, it was realized that consumers least emphasize the support provided by ISPs in their decision making among alternative ISPs. Originality/value This study has sought to provide an analytical framework for assessing the quality of service provided by alternative ISPs in a developing economy’s context. The evaluating criteria in this framework also reveal the key consumer requirements in internet service provision in a developing economy’s environment. This, to a large extent, will inform the marketing strategies of existing ISPs in Ghana as well as prospective ones intending to enter the Ghanaian market. Besides, the National Communication Authority, a regulator of communication services provision in Ghana, will be informed about the performances of the ISPs along five performance criteria. This is expected to aid in their regulatory functions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 1047-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianyun Su ◽  
Jennifer Thieme ◽  
Taylor Lura ◽  
Min-Lee Cheng ◽  
Michelle Q Brown

Abstract The peridomestic anthropophilic Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is originated from the wild zoophilic subspecies Aedes aegypti formosus in sub-Saharan Africa, and currently has a broad distribution in human-modified environments of the tropics and subtropics worldwide. In California, breeding populations were initially detected in 2013 in the cities of Fresno, Madera, and San Mateo, and now can be found in 188 cities of 12 counties in the state. Recent genetic studies suggest that this species invaded California on multiple occasions from several regions of the United States and northern Mexico prior to initial detection. As an invasive species and vector for numerous arboviruses, Ae. aegypti is a primary target of surveillance and control in California. In southern California city of Montclair, a population was identified in September 2015, from which a short-term colony was established in an insectary. The susceptibility of this field population to commonly used pesticides with various modes of action, including 15 formulations against larvae and four against adults, was determined, in reference to a susceptible laboratory colony of the same species. No resistance was shown to most pesticides tested. However, tolerance or reduced susceptibility to spinosad, spinetoram, diflubezuron, and fipronil was detected, and modest levels of resistance to pyriproxyfen (resistance ratio = 38.7-fold at IE50 and 81.5-fold at IE90) was observed. Results are discussed based on the field usage and modes of action of the pesticides tested. Strategic selection and application of pesticides against this population of Ae. aegypti in the urban environments should be taken into consideration.


Challenges ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Edmond Sanganyado

Recurrent cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) attracted a lot of research interest, raising questions about the effectiveness of current prevention and control methods. However, research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in Africa is dominated by epidemiological studies, while investigations on the environmental drivers and reservoirs of cholera remain scarce. The current discourse relating cholera to the environment in SSA is often limited to the rudimentary statement that, “cholera is caused by the consumption of contaminated water and food”. Yet, beyond this simplistic view, literature elsewhere shows that cholera outbreaks are controlled by its complex interactions with environmental drivers and reservoirs. This brings to question whether cholera can be eradicated in SSA without understanding these complex interactions. The current review seeks to (1) highlight the nature and dynamics of recent cholera outbreaks in SSA, (2) discuss the importance of environmental reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae, and anthropogenic and hydroclimatic drivers in controlling the dynamics of cholera outbreaks, and (3) highlight key knowledge gaps and future research directions, and the need to harness emerging research tools such as modeling, machine learning, data mining, and genomics techniques to better understand the cholera dynamics. By bringing to fore these often-overlooked issues in cholera research, we seek to stimulate discussion, and promote a shift toward cross-disciplinary research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in SSA and beyond.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S127-S129
Author(s):  
Samuel Kariuki ◽  
Ellis Owusu-Dabo

Abstract During the 11th International Conference on Typhoid and Other Invasive Salmonelloses held in Hanoi, Vietnam, a number of papers were presented on the burden of disease, epidemiology, genomics, management, and control strategies for invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease, which is increasingly becoming an important public health threat in low- and middle-income countries, but especially in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). Although there were minor variations in characteristics of iNTS in different settings (urban vs rural, country to country), it was observed that iNTS has gained greater recognition as a major disease entity in children younger than 5 years. Renewed efforts towards greater understanding of the burden of illness, detection and diagnostic strategies, and management and control of the disease in communities in sSA through the introduction of vaccines will be important.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Walter Pefura-Yone ◽  
Adamou Dodo Balkissou ◽  
Andre Pascal Kengne

Background Restrictive spirometric pattern is a risk factor for all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Objective We assessed the prevalence of restrictive pattern and investigated its determinants in a major sub-Saharan Africa city. Methods Participants were adults (≥ 19 years) who took part in a population-based survey in Yaounde (Cameroon) between December 2013 and April 2014. Restrictive pattern was based on a FVC below the lower limit of the normal (LLN) and a ratio forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/FVC ≥ LLN (LLN-based restrictive pattern) or a FVC <80% and FEV1/FVC ≥ LLN (fixed cut-off based restrictive pattern). Determinants were investigated by logistic regressions. Results In all, 1003 participants [514 (51.2%) women] with a mean age of 33.7 years were included. The prevalence of restrictive pattern was 18.8% (95%CI: 16.6-21.2) based on LLN and 15.0% (13.0-17.2) based on fixed cut-off. LLN-based restrictive pattern was mild in 148 (78.3%) subjects, moderate in 35 (18.5%) and severe in 6 (3.2%). Determinants of LLN-based restrictive pattern were age ≥ 60 years [adjusted odds ratio 2.90 (95%CI 1.46-5.77), p=0.002), history of pulmonary tuberculosis [3.81(1.42-10.20), p=0.008], prevalent heart diseases [3.81 (1.20-12.12), p=0.024] and underweight [5.15(1.30-20.39), p=0.020]. Determinants were largely similar with slightly different effect sizes for fixed cut-off based restrictive pattern. Conclusion Restrictive pattern was very frequent in this city. Clinical implications These results enhance the needs to increase the efforts to prevent and control tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases and underweight in this setting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Dorothy A. Onyango ◽  
Fredrickson Entila ◽  
James Egdane ◽  
Myrish Pacleb ◽  
Meggy Lou Katimbang ◽  
...  

To enhance breeding efficiency for iron (Fe) toxicity tolerance and boost lowland rice production in sub-Saharan Africa, we have characterised the morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of contrasting rice varieties to excess iron. Here, we report the capacity of four varieties (CK801 and Suakoko8 (tolerant), Supa and IR64 (sensitive)) to oxidise iron in the rhizosphere and control iron-induced oxidative stress. The experiments were conducted in hydroponic conditions using modified Magnavaca nutrient solution and 300 ppm of ferrous iron (Fe2+) supplied in the form of FeSO4. Severe oxidative stress was observed in sensitive varieties as revealed by their high levels of lipid peroxidation. Histochemical and biochemical analyses showed that tolerant varieties exhibited a better development of the aerenchyma and greater oxygen release than the sensitive varieties in response to excess Fe. Both suberin and lignin deposits were observed in the root, stem and leaf tissues but with varying intensities depending on the variety. Under iron toxic conditions, tolerant varieties displayed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in both the roots and shoots, whereas sensitive varieties showed increased APX and catalase (CAT) activities in the roots. This study had revealed also that Suakoko8 mainly uses root oxidation to exclude Fe2+ from its rhizosphere, and CK801 possesses a strong reactive oxygen species scavenging system, in addition to root oxidation ability. Key traits associated with these tolerance mechanisms such as a well-developed aerenchyma, radial oxygen loss restricted to the root cap as well as strong activation of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, GR, POX and APX) could be useful selection criteria in rice varietal improvement programs for enhanced Fe toxicity tolerance.


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