Search Results (666)

Rural communities in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain isolated from reliable access to critical sites and social services due to inadequate transport connectivity. Formal planning approaches to improve rural networked transport infrastructure (RNTI) remain limited, underfunded and deprioritized relative to urban systems. Where resources do exist, they largely emphasize roads, despite the fact that nearly one-third of the global rural population lives more than two kilometers from an all-weather road and relies primarily on walking and intermediate modes of transport (IMTs), such as bicycles, motorcycles, and animal-powered vehicles. This review examines planning approaches for RNTI with a focus on non-car-centric, multimodal mobility. It assesses prioritization frameworks, including multi-criteria analysis, that incorporate social, environmental, accessibility, and economic considerations. Long-term outcomes are strengthened by participatory methods, multimodal planning and cross-sectoral integration that align transport investments with health, education, agriculture, and renewable resource goals. Addressing persistent barriers such as funding constraints, data gaps, and maintenance challenges requires improved spatial mapping and travel-time analysis to better identify mobility needs and guide investment decisions. The limited body of formal literature on the topic of RNTI necessitates the inclusion of grey literature and practitioner sources and underscores the call for additional research. Full article

Background/Objectives: A comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial genomes of Japetella diaphana and Amphitretus pelagicus was conducted to investigate their genomic composition, gene size, sequence characteristics, and phylogenetic positioning within the Amphitretidae family. Methods: A rigorous phylogenetic analysis was performed utilizing a dataset comprising 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs derived from 26 cephalopod mitochondrial genomes, representing 25 species across seven families, Vampyroteuthidae, Tremoctopodidae, Octopodidae, Enteroctopodidae, Bolitaenidae, Argonautidae, and Amphitretidae, along with outgroup Nautilus macromphalus. Results: Notably, both focal species demonstrated a pronounced adenine–thymine bias in their mitochondrial genomes, with A. pelagicus exhibiting gene rearrangements and two extensive non-coding regions. The analysis, employing both the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methodologies, revealed a monophyletic relationship between Bolitaenidae and Vitreledonellidae, as well as a sister taxon relationship between Amphitretidae and Tremoctopodidae. The majority of species were classified into the Amphitretidae and Bolitaenidae clades, with numerous species exhibiting close phylogenetic relationships. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into the evolutionary relationships within Octopodiformes, underscoring the significance of mitochondrial genome data in resolving phylogenetic relationships among cephalopods. The findings contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary history of octopi and pose implications for their classification and conservation. Furthermore, the results underscore the necessity for continued research into the evolutionary relationships among cephalopod taxa. Full article

Regional financial integration in East Africa remains shallow, yet contagion risks persist due to market fragility and illiquidity. Using daily data from 2014 to 2025 from the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE), and Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), this study examines volatility spillovers, dynamic connectedness, and contagion through autoregressive moving average – generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARMA–GARCH) diagnostics, asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation (ADCC–GARCH) correlations, and the Diebold–Yilmaz framework. The results show weak spillovers and limited connectedness in tranquil periods, reflecting persistent segmentation. However, systemic stress triggers abnormal surges in correlations and connectedness, consistent with contagion as a temporary amplification of cross-market linkages. The NSE emerges as the dominant transmitter, driven by liquidity and cross-listings, while the USE acts as a passive absorber. The RSE and DSE alternate between marginal transmitters and receivers depending on conditions. These findings support the Adaptive Market and Financial Instability Hypotheses, underscoring the need for harmonised regulation, liquidity reforms, and adaptive risk management to bolster resilience. Full article

Background: Intervention effectiveness studies rarely empirically assess Theories of Change (ToC) to determine how an intervention worked. We examine the ToC underlying the Sugira Muryango (SM) parenting program in rural Rwanda to understand whether the intervention improved child development outcomes via changes in caregivers’ behaviors to improve the home caregiving environment, as hypothesized. Methods: SM uses coaching of parents to create a safe, affectionate, stimulating, and violence-free home environment. A cluster randomized trial enrolled 1049 families with young children. SM had immediate effects on caregiver behaviors, improving scores on the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), harsh discipline, caregiver emotion regulation, and provision of dietary diversity. We use structural equation modeling to examine whether change in caregivers’ behaviors explains intervention-related improvements in child development (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) one year after the intervention ended. Results: Improvements in positive caregiving practices, including stimulation and early language learning as captured by the HOME, explained some of the intervention-related changes in child development, including gross motor, communication, problem-solving, and personal-social development. Increased dietary diversity explained intervention-related change in gross motor, problem-solving, and personal-social development. Change in harsh discipline and caregiver emotion regulation did not explain child outcomes. Conclusions: Intervention-related changes related to constructs captured on the HOME and dietary diversity were associated with changes in child development scores, but violent discipline and caregiver emotion regulation were not. Future research should examine whether these components of the intervention can be strengthened and may influence child development via other pathways, for example, via caregiver mental health. Full article

This article presents an arts-based and polyvocal account of Gira Ingoma (One Drum per Girl), a women- and girl-led cultural initiative in Rwanda that reconstructs drumming, warrior dance, and self-praise poetry to advance gender equality and contribute to everyday peace power. Based on arts-based qualitative methods (workshops, rehearsals, festivals, interviews, and youth-led Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning), we show how repetitive public performance materialises gender equality beyond policy texts. The article explores core theoretical frames—gender performativity, everyday peace power, spatial approaches to peace, and performance-as-knowledge—while aligning key findings to research questions concerning (1) negotiation of gender through performance, (2) micro-processes of everyday peace power, and (3) observable change in confidence, community engagement, and institutional practice. We conclude with policy measures to embed gender-responsive arts education, resource girls and women across the creative value chain, and set parity targets within cultural institutions. Full article

Accurate carbon emission forecasting is essential for China’s dual-carbon targets and mitigation planning. However, many existing models struggle to capture long-range dependencies while remaining sensitive to short-term fluctuations. We evaluate State Space Transformer (SST) on a Rwanda dataset constructed from weekly Sentinel-5P observations. The resulting time series are noisy, weakly periodic, and heterogeneous across monitoring sites. SST forms interrelated temporal patches through Multi-Scale Temporal Patches (MSTP). It models low-frequency trends with a Mamba state space backbone and captures high-frequency disturbances using an enhanced Local Window Transformer (LWT). These design choices explicitly disentangle low-frequency trends from high-frequency perturbations in noisy observations, improving robustness to non-stationary remote-sensing sequences. Across forecasting horizons from 6 to 72 weeks, SST achieves an average MSE of 0.0331. It reduces MSE by approximately 3.5% compared with the strongest baseline, PatchTST, and consistently outperforms other baselines. With short input histories, SST remains stable for one-year-ahead forecasting (about 53 weeks), which is critical when historical records are limited in operational monitoring systems. Ablation studies further show that MSTP, Mamba, and LWT each contribute substantially to accuracy. Overall, SST-style multi-scale modeling is well suited to noisy monitoring data and supports sustainable planning and emission-trend analysis. Full article

Malaria remains a global health threat, with Plasmodium falciparum causing most deaths, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Although artemisinin-based therapies reduce the burden, drug-resistant parasites threaten control efforts. Mapping the distribution and evolution of molecular resistance markers is vital for evidence-based strategies. This systematic review mapped the global distribution, pooled prevalence, and temporal trends of key P. falciparum antimalarial resistance markers. Following the PRISMA methodology (PROSPERO: CRD4202511098991), databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and gray sources were searched (July 2005–July 2025). Data were extracted in Rayyan, assessed via the JBI prevalence tool, and analyzed using Python v3.13 for WHO regional distribution, temporal trends, and treatment outcome trends. Of the 1972 records, 261 studies from 64 countries qualified for inclusion in this review. The pooled prevalence was highest for pfdhfr (85.7%), followed by pfcrt (78.0%), pfdhps (73.7%), pfmdr1 (60.5%), and pfk13 (45.0%). High heterogeneity (I² > 95%) and rising pfk13 since 2012 highlight emerging artemisinin resistance, while persistent pfdhfr/pfdhps mutations show that ongoing sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP) pressure on P. falciparum drug resistance, decreased parasite clearance, and treatment failure remain widespread and evolving in Africa. Integrating molecular surveillance into national malaria programs is essential to guide treatment modalities and support progress toward malaria elimination. Full article

Maize is vital for food systems and rural livelihoods in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Continuous cultivation depletes soil nutrients, reducing maize production. Inorganic (or mineral) fertilizers provide nutrients rapidly, but their cost and sustainability concerns have prompted interest in alternatives. Biological amendments improve nutrient uptake and soil structure and boost crop resistance, potentially cutting mineral fertilizer use. The present study aims to investigate the direct and residual effects of biological amendments (BAs) on maize productivity in the Eastern DRC, both when applied alone or combined with inorganic fertilizer, with trials conducted in the Kabare, Kalehe, and Ruzizi Plain regions from October 2022 to June 2024. Two trials across four seasons gathered data using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatments and three replicates: Control, without fertilizer application; farmer practice; inorganic fertilizer (NPK 17-17-17 and urea); BA_1: Lactobacillus; BA_2: fish serum; BA_3: black soldier fly (BSF) compost; BA_1 + inorganic fertilizer; BA_2 + inorganic fertilizer; and BA_3 + inorganic fertilizer. The results identified three categories: integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers, single applications, and inconsistent uses. The best outcomes emerged from treatments combining Lactobacillus, fish serum, and BSF compost with inorganic fertilizer, positively impacting maize yield parameters. The study confirms that combining biological amendments and mineral fertilizers significantly (p < 0.001) enhances maize productivity in the Eastern DRC. Performance differences across locations emphasize the influence of local soil characteristics and targeted nutrient strategies. Full article

We consider a network of a residential heating system (RHS) composed of two types of agents: a prosumer and a consumer. Both are connected to a community heating system (CHS), which supplies non-intermittent thermal energy for space heating and domestic hot water. The prosumer utilizes a combination of solar thermal collectors and CHS heat, whereas the consumer depends entirely on the CHS. Any excess heat generated by the prosumer can either be stored on-site or fed back into the CHS. Weather conditions, modeled as a common noise term, affect both agents simultaneously. The prosumer’s objective is to minimize the expected discounted total cost, taking into account storage charging and discharging losses as well as uncertainties in future heat production and demand. This leads to a stochastic optimal control problem addressed through dynamic programming techniques. Scenario-based analyses are then performed to examine how different parameters influence both the value function and the resulting optimal control strategies. For a common noise coefficient ${\sigma }_0=0.4$, the prosumer incurs an approximate $16.08\%$ increase in the aggregated discounted cost from the case of no common noise. For a discharging efficiency ${\eta }_E={\displaystyle \frac{1}{0.9}}$, the maximum aggregated discounted cost increases by approximately $1.85\%$ as compared to the perfect discharging efficiency. Similarly, for a charging efficiency ${\eta }_E=0.9$, we observe an approximate $1.94\%$ increase in the aggregated discounted cost as compared to a perfect charging efficiency. Furthermore, we derive insights into the maximum expected discounted investment that a consumer would need to make in renewable technologies in order to transition into a prosumer. Full article

Globally, 24 measles virus genotypes have been detected, and these genotypes have been classified into eight clades based on 450 nucleotides of the C-terminal region of the nucleoprotein gene. Genotype B3 is predominant in Africa, but there are limited data from Tanzania since the introduction of the second dose of measles-containing vaccine in 2014. A total of 129 nasopharyngeal samples and corresponding sera were collected during measles outbreaks between 2022 and 2024. Viral RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs prior to RT-qPCR and sequencing of a 450-nucleotide segment of the nucleoprotein (N) gene. Out of 129 nasopharyngeal samples, 73 (56%) were successfully amplified and identified as endemic measles virus genotype B3. Nine distinct sequence identifiers were detected, with seven reported for the first time in the MeaNS database. All the Tanzanian B3 sequences were closely related and clustered with genotype B3, similar to those reported from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and South Africa. On multivariate analysis, only inpatient admission status (p = 0.014) and positive measles IgM (p = 0.003) were found to be associated with positive measles RT-qPCR. Our results indicate that genotype B3 remains endemic in Tanzania and is closely related to other genotype B3 reported globally, indicating its high stability and transmissibility. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a significant environmental stressor that exerts profound impacts on insect physiology, behaviour and survival. Although some insects can use UV light for spatial orientation and navigation, it can induce DNA damage, oxidative stress, and impair critical biological functions, ultimately reducing ecological fitness. Sclerodermus alternatusi Yang (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is a dominant ectoparasitoid of the early instar larvae of Monochamus alternatus and plays a key role in the biological control of this pest in forestry systems; however, it faces intense UV exposure in the field environment. Despite its ecological importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying its responses to UV-induced stress remain poorly understood. In this study, newly emerged adult wasps (within 24 h post-eclosion) were exposed to UVA (365 nm) and UVC (253.7 nm) radiation for 9 h under controlled laboratory conditions. Total RNA was extracted from treated and control individuals for transcriptomic analysis using RNA-Seq. A total of 505 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified; gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that UVA exposure significantly upregulated genes involved in cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting an enhanced metabolic response. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that UV stress modulates energy metabolism through the activation of oxidative phosphorylation and thermogenesis-related pathways, highlighting the reallocation of energy resources in response to UV-induced stress. To validate the RNA-Seq data, four representative DEGs were selected for quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. The qPCR results were consistent with the transcriptomic trends, confirming the reliability of the sequencing data. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular response mechanisms of S. alternatusi to UV stress, offering novel insights into its environmental adaptability and laying a theoretical foundation for its application in biological pest control under field conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) provide additional benefits for maternal and neonatal health compared with iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements. To achieve effective coverage, acceptability, and adherence—and to inform a nationwide rollout of MMS—it is essential to understand the context-specific factors that shape implementation. This study evaluated the pilot implementation of MMS in Rwanda to identify key enablers, areas for improvement, and challenges related to antenatal care (ANC) attendance and MMS use. Methods: Data were collected through a survey of 3257 women who attended ANC services, seven focus group discussions with 35 ANC attendees, and key informant interviews with 20 ANC nurses and 21 community health workers. Results: Pregnant women reported high ANC attendance (74%) and MMS consumption (79%), largely driven by strong motivation and awareness of MMS benefits. Strategies to remember daily intake and to manage side effects supported adherence, as did reminders, motivation, and information from family members and healthcare providers. Limited patient-centered counselling, financial constraints, barriers to accessing ANC services, and product stock-outs were key areas for strengthening service delivery in Rwanda. Conclusions: Sustaining high ANC attendance and MMS adherence as the program transitions from the pilot phase to national scale-up is essential. Improving counseling quality and strengthening supply chains may reinforce ANC services and support sustained MMS adherence, with benefits for maternal and child health. Full article

While face recognition systems are increasingly deployed in critical domains, they remain vulnerable to presentation attacks and exhibit significant demographic bias, particularly affecting African populations. This paper presents a fairness-aware Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) system using Local Binary Patterns (LBPs) with novel ethnicity-aware processing techniques specifically designed for African contexts. Our approach introduces three key technical innovations: (1) adaptive preprocessing with differentiated Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) parameters and gamma correction optimized for different skin tones, (2) group-specific decision threshold optimization using Equal Error Rate (EER) minimization for each ethnic group, and (3) three novel statistical methods for PAD fairness evaluation such as Coefficient of Variation analysis, McNemar’s significance testing, and bootstrap confidence intervals representing the first application of these techniques in Presentation Attack Detection. Comprehensive evaluation on the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Automation-SURF Cross-ethnicity Face Anti-spoofing dataset (CASIA-SURF CeFA) dataset demonstrates significant bias reduction achievements: a 75.6% reduction in the accuracy gap between African and East Asian subjects (from 3.07% to 0.75%), elimination of statistically significant bias across all ethnic group comparisons, and strong overall performance, with 95.12% accuracy and 98.55% AUC. Our work establishes a comprehensive methodology for measuring and mitigating demographic bias in PAD systems while maintaining security effectiveness, contributing both technical innovations and statistical frameworks for inclusive biometric security research. Full article

This pilot study investigated the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Enterobacterales in conventionally kept domestic pigs and their environment across four districts in Rwanda. A total of 114 swabs (nasal, rectal, manure, dust) from 29 farms were collected and processed to isolate resistant bacteria. Thirty-two 3GC-R Enterobacterales were detected. Escherichia coli predominantly harboring bla_CTX-M group 1 β-lactamase genes, alongside Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, all displaying extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotypes. Four MRSA isolates, all belonging to clonal complex 398 and SCCmec type IV, the typical livestock MRSA, were recovered from nasal and environmental samples. Multidrug resistance was frequently observed. The co-occurrence of β-lactamase genes, non-β-lactam resistance genes, and virulence factors such as fimH and loci associated with extraintestinal pathogenic and enteropathogenic E. coli. The detection of both MRSA and 3GC-R Enterobacterales in the present study indicates pigs and their farm environments as reservoirs of WHO priority pathogens in Rwanda, highlighting a potential public health risk in the context of extensive human–animal–environment interaction. These findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated One Health surveillance and comprehensive AMR control strategies addressing both animal and environmental reservoirs to support Rwanda’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. Full article

Motorcycle emissions are a growing environmental and public health concern in many low- and middle-income countries. While several studies have examined the emission profiles from larger vehicles in urban areas, very few have analyzed motorcycle emissions through a parametric and non-parametric multivariate lens, combining technical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors, a gap that this study attempts to address. MANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis H test analyses highlighted visible smoke emissions (hydrocarbon: H = 30.62, p < 0.001; carbon monoxide: H = 16.71, p < 0.001; dioxygen: H = 6.67, p = 0.010), year of manufacturing (carbon monoxide: H = 20.61, p < 0.001; hydrocarbon: H = 11.80, p = 0.008), average fuel consumption (carbon dioxide: H = 13.32, p = 0.004), and daily driving distance (carbon monoxide: H = 10.09, p = 0.018) as significant predictors of emissions. The results also indicate that newer and well-maintained motorcycles (2018–2021) consistently showed the lowest carbon monoxide and HC levels compared to the older and poorly maintained counterparts with the highest emissions. Consistently, motorcycles with visible smoke showed substantially elevated carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons and reduced dioxygen, establishing visible smoke as a practical marker for excessive emissions. Additionally, younger riders (19–28 years) exhibited higher hydrocarbon emissions, while greater riding experience and more passengers influenced dioxygen levels. Spearman correlation analysis reinforced these patterns, with visible smoke showing strong positive correlations with carbon monoxide (ρ = 0.21) and hydrocarbon (ρ = 0.28), and carbon monoxide was negatively associated with motorcycle age (ρ = −0.18). These findings underscore manufacturing year, vehicle maintenance, and visible smoke as practical, high-impact targets for reducing motorcycle emissions, offering a basis for targeted emission control strategies. Full article