Perceptions toward E-Training and E-Assessment of Practical Skills: A Pre-Post Intervention Survey in Selected Vocational Institutions in Uganda

Whereas the COVID 19 pandemic provided an opportunity for innovations in online delivery and evaluation of self-regulated learning outcomes; for most developing countries, e-training and e-assessment of practical skills dragged at take-off stage due to stakeholders’ perception that the pedagogy cannot provide the required experience and productivity in mastering practical competencies. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine participants’ pre and post intervention perception towards e-training and e-assessment of vocational practical skills. The study used a pre and post intervention survey (Before–after) design and stratified sampling was used to select sixty-nine trainees (n=69) that would be comfortably accommodated in the respective institution workshops, Twenty instructors (n=20) and eight assessors (n=8). The 24-item questionnaire used for data collection was validated, piloted and checked for reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.726). The data characteristics were explained using descriptive statistics and the significance of the identified differences was examined using the within subjects’ statistical test (Paired Samples T - Test). The findings showed a statistically significant difference in participants’ perception toward e-training and e-assessment of vocational practical skills at the start of the study (pre-test) and their perception after undergoing e-training and e-assessment (t97 = 10.089, p > .005). The study concludes that perceptions about e-training and e-assessment of practical skills significantly change after experiencing e-training and e-assessment sessions. The study then recommends that when migrating to e-training and e-assessment of practical skills, efforts should be made to start with small-scale piloting sessions that can give stakeholders the opportunity to build up own experiences and acceptance of the pedagogy

Mediating Effect of Government Policies on Corporate Governance and Financial Performance of Savings And Credit Cooperative Societies in Uganda

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of corporate governance on financial performance of SACCOs in Kiruhura District,Uganda and the specific objectives were; To examine the effect of board accountability on financial performance of selected SACCOs in Kiruhura District, In this study, a cross-sectional survey research design was employed, adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches research approaches. A total population of 342 people were used at a confidence level of 95% or error of 0.05 and the sample size was 184 respondents who involved the staff and members taken from the six SACCOs registered in Kiruhura districts, Uganda as of January 2023. the structural relationships between the variables in the suggested conceptual model were tested and examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Jaffrey’s Amazing Statistical Program (JASP) version 0.17.2.0 was used to implement SEM.The findings of the study were: The effect of board accountability (BAC) on financial performance was found to have a negative effect. Board risk management was found to have a significant positive influence on financial management of savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs). Board assurance was found to have a significant positive influence on financial management of savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs)

Bibliometric Insights into Advances in Nondestructive Testing Techniques for Delamination Detection

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of advances in nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques for delamination detection, based on 4,382 publications indexed in Scopus from 2021 to 2025. Using advanced bibliometric methods and the biblioshiny package in R, the analysis evaluates annual scientific production, citation trends, thematic focus, and collaboration patterns. The results reveal a peak in research output in 2024, followed by a marked decline in 2025, alongside a steady decrease in average citations per article. “Delamination,” “composite,” “ultrasonic,” and “infrared thermography” are identified as core research themes. The field is dominated by a few prolific journals, authors, and institutions most notably in China which account for the majority of scientific output and impact. These findings illuminate evolving research priorities, highlight central contributors, and offer critical perspectives on the development, concentration, and future directions of NDT for delamination detection

Adoption of sustainable agricultural intensification practices: assessing the role of institutional and socio economic factors amongst smallholder farmers.

Sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIPs) are highly recommended for smallholder farmers due to their positive impact on farm production and productivity. However, farmers remain reluctant to adopt SAIPs resulting in low agricultural productivity in Uganda. This study assessed the institutional and socio-economic factors affecting the adoption and adoption intensity of SAIPs amongst smallholder maize farmers in Eastern Uganda. Primary data were collected from 320 maize farmers in Kamuli and Jinja districts using a pretested questionnaire. The binomial logistic and generalized Poisson regression models were used to compute the predictor variables of adoption and adoption intensity of SAIPs respectively. Results showed that improved maize varieties, conservation tillage, legume intercrop, integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), and integrated pest management (IPM) were adopted by 58, 36, 44, 52, and 56% of the farmers. Institutional factors i.e., group membership, access to all-weather roads, credit, and extension information were the significant predictors of the adoption and the adoption intensity of SAIPs. Socio-economic factors i.e., market-oriented farming influenced both the adoption and adoption intensity of SAIPs, age of family head, family labour use, household size, and dependence ratio, only positively influenced the adoption intensity of adoption of SAIPs. The policy implications of this study include the need to strengthen agricultural extension institutions and streamline extension information disseminated to farmers to enhance the adoption of SAIPs. Farmers should be advised to utilize cheap credit services such as village savings and loan associations to facilitate the adoption of SAIPs

Exploring the effect of digital finance on financial inclusion in Uganda, a reflection from Lira City

Purpose – The study aims to discuss financial inclusion (FI) as a facilitator of digital financing with intension of solving challenges relating to financial exclusion. Design/methodology/approach – Both descriptive and correlation research designs were used to understand the nexus between digital finance (DF) and FI. The study collected data from 300 respondents, which included vendors and dealers in agricultural produce, who were selected purposively and randomly. Findings – The study found a significant contribution of DF to FI and the variations in FI due to mobile money (MM) and Internet banking are significant. MM and smartphones are very often used in performing commercial transactions due to easy accessibility compared to ATMs, the Internet and agent banking, which is always restricted. Research limitations/implications – The study only focused on how DF platform affects financial inclusiveness in Lira City and did not explore other financial services. Social implications – The quickest and widest adoption of MM by rural communities is mostly a factor of user-friendliness, which seem to be lacking in other bank applications or products. Originality/value – The study offers a significant insight on challenges related to the financial inclusiveness, which is a global concern by many economies

Fruits and Vegetables Used in Treating Respiratory and Other Troubles in Africa: Ethnopharmacology and Phytochemistry

Respiratory troubles, which encompass conditions such as cough,asthma, tuberculosis, bronchitis, common cold, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pose significant health challenges globally. This chapter explores the diverse array of biologically active agents (BAA) found in vegetables and fruit plants used not only as sources of food but also for treatment of respiratory troubles in Africa. A total of 38 vegetables and fruit plants from 22 families were encountered. The plants are sources of antimicrobials that help the lungs to resist infection as well as boost the immunity of the host; expectorants which stimulate the coughing up of mucus; anti-inflammatory agents and demulcents which soothe irritated membranes, while others are spasmolytic which relax the bronchial muscles. The BAA include allicin from garlic, quercetin from onions, theobromine from cacao, and anethole from fennel. BAA, such as bromelain in pineapple, beta-carotene in carrots, vitamin C in lemon, and glucosinolates in radish, play pivotal roles in mucolytic activities and enhancement of immune function as well as repair of the bronchial membrane. Some of the vegetables/fruits are a source of mineral salts that are vital to the integrity and functioning of lungs. Thus, Cleome gynandra contains selenium, a key component that inhibits HIV-associated tuberculosis. The available research evidence underscores the importance of integrating the BAA into human daily diets as a prophylactic approach and therapeutic strategy against respiratory trouble

A systematic review of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. adams traditional medicinal uses, phytoconstituents, bioactivities, and toxicities

Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams, popularly referred to as wild sunflower, has been used for generations across several African communities to treat various diseases, including malaria, wounds, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, gastric ulcers, measles, tuberculosis, stomach ache, rheumatic pains, and gonorrhea. This study aimed to sys-tematically and critically compile data on the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, bioactivities, botanical descriptions, and toxicities of A. africana. Relevant research findings were retrieved and organized from various databases, including PubMed and ScienceDirect, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. To date, 149 phytochemicals have been identified from various A. africana parts and they primarily belong to the classes of terpenoids, lipids, hydrocarbons, phenolics, and esters. The extracts and bioactive phytochemicals of A. africana have revealed several pharmacological prop-erties, including antimalarial, anticancer, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities. However, the major components responsible for these bioactivities and their mechanisms of action in some diseases have not yet been clearly identified. Additionally, toxicity and clinical trial data for A. africana are limited with most toxicological assessments being acute in nature. Therefore, further research on the mechanisms of action of the pure bioactive phytochemicals and toxicity of A. africana are necessary to better understand its efficacy and safety. Taken together, this study provides comprehensive information on the traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, bioactivities, and toxicity of A. africana, and a reference for future studies, relevant to the development of therapeutic products.Development of Sustainable Application for Standard Herbal Resources (KSN1823320 Development of Innovative Technologies for the Future Value of Herbal Medicine Resources (KSN2511030) Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, through the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea

Deep Learning Techniques in DICOM Files Classification: A Systematic Review

The digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) format is a widely adopted standard for storing medical imaging data, integrating both image and metadata critical for clinical diagnostics. However, its complexity poses challenges for deep learning applications, particularly in extracting and processing this dual-layered data. This review analyzes 23 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024, sourced from PubMed, Google Scholar, PLOS, Science Direct, and IEEE databases. Guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping methodology, the review reveals that existing deep learning techniques typically rely on converting DICOM images into simpler formats like JPEG, TIF, or PNG for classification, a process that often results in metadata loss and reduced classification accuracy. Frameworks such as MONAI, NVIDIA Clare, SimpleITK, and OpenCV facilitate direct DICOM processing but face limitations, including overfitting, challenges with data heterogeneity, and inefficiencies in handling large datasets. This review emphasizes the urgent need for developing a robust convolutional neural network architecture capable of directly processing DICOM data to preserve metadata integrity and enhance predictive performance, paving way for more reliable and scalable medical imaging solutions

Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum across areas of varied malaria transmission intensities in Uganda.

Background: Malaria remains a significant global health threat, with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bearing the highest burden of the disease. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant species in the region, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite intensified control efforts over the last two decades, P. falciparum genetic diversity and multiplicity of infections (MOI) continue to pose significant challenges to malaria elimination in the region. This study assessed P. falciparum genetic diversity and population structure in areas with low, medium, and high malaria transmission intensities in Uganda. Methods: A total of 288 P. falciparum-positive samples from children (6 months to 10 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) living in Jinja (low transmission), Kanungu (medium transmission), and Tororo (high transmission) were genotyped using seven neutral microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity was assessed based on the number of alleles (Na), allelic richness (Ar), and expected heterozygosity (He). Population structure was assessed using the fixation index, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), and clustering analysis. Results: High P. falciparum genetic diversity was observed across all study sites, with Kanungu exhibiting the highest mean He (0.81 ± 0.14), while Jinja and Tororo had lower mean He (0.78 ± 0.16). P. falciparum MOI varied significantly,with Tororo showing the highest mean MOI (2.5 ± 0.5) and 70% of samples exhibiting polyclonal infections, compared to Jinja’s mean MOI of 1.9 ± 0.3 and 58% polyclonal infections. Significant multilocus linkage disequilibrium (LD) was noted (p < 0.01), ranging from 0.07 in Tororo to 0.14 in Jinja. Parasite population structure showed minimal genetic differentiation (FST ranged from 0.011 to 0.021) and a low AMOVA value (0.03), indicating high gene flow. Conclusion: This study demonstrates high P. falciparum genetic diversity and MOI but low population structure, suggesting significant parasite gene flow between study sites. This highlights the need for integrated malaria control strategies across areas with varying malaria transmission intensities in Uganda

Low Latitude Analysis of Geomagnetic Storm Effects on Ionospheric Vertical Drifts over the East African Region

The geomagnetic storm effect on ionospheric vertical E × B drift is analysed using Communication/Navigation Outage and Forecasting System (C/NOFS) Satellite data, magnetometer data, and solar wind data, over the East African low latitude region during the period 2008-2015. We identified a total of 608 corotating interaction region (CIR)-driven and 23 coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven geomagnetic storms in this study. Most of the CIR-driven storms were observed during the declining phase of solar cycle 24 in 2015. The CME-driven storms, on the other hand, were dominant during the near maximum phase of the solar cycle 24 in 2012. The C/NOFS satellite data was found to be consistent with magnetometer observations in identifying both upward and downward vertical E × B drift occurrence. The common result of analysed CME-driven geomagnetic storms was enhancement in E × B drifts due to presence of eastward prompt penetrating electric fields (PPEFs) during the storm main phase. There was also a decrease in E × B due to the decrease in horizontal component of the magnetic field ( ΔH ) during the recovery phases of the CME-driven storms. This is a manifestation of downward E × B drifts associated with westward electric field, which is due to the disturbance dynamo contribution. During CIR-driven geomagnetic storms, the storm’s main phases were also dominated by downward E × B drifts associated with westward electric field, which is due to disturbance dynamo.Swedish International De- velopment Agency (SIDA