Left-Right Symmetry and Supersymmetric Unification

The existence of an SU(3) X SU(2)_L X SU(2)_R X U(1) gauge symmetry with g_L = g_R at the TeV energy scale is shown to be consistent with supersymmetric SO(10) grand unification at around 1O^{16} GeV if certain new particles are assumed. The additional imposition of a discrete Z_2 symmetry leads to a generalized definition of R parity as well as highly suppressed Majorana neutrino masses. Another model based on SO(10) X SO(10) is also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures not included, UCRHEP-T124, Apr 199

Clinical Significance of G6PD Variants among Palestinians

Conclusion: We conclude that children with G6PD A-deficiency are also susceptible to AHA, but demonstrate in direct comparison within this same population that G6PD Mediterranean and G6PD Cairo are more severe forms of deficiency than G6PD A‐. Further, we show that the heretofore poorly studied G6PD Cairo may be associated with low‐level, chronic hemolysis. This study illustrates favism is a significant public health problem in Gaza due to fava beans as a staple in the diet and the coexistence of polymorphic G6PD deficiency variants in the society. Favism is an easily preventable and manageable genetic disorder with the proper awareness, intervention and education programs

Non SUSY Unification in Left-Right Models

We explore in a model independent way the possibility of achieving the non supersymmetric gauge coupling unification within left-right symmetric models, with the minimal particle content at the left-right mass scale which could be as low as 1 TeV in a variety of models, and with a unification scale M in the range $10^5$ GeV $< M< 10^{17.7}$ GeV.Comment: 18 pages, Latex file, uses epsf style, four figures. Submitted for publication to Phys. Rev. D on Oct. 13, 199

Assessing the impact of integrated community-based management of severe wasting programs in conflict-stricken south Sudan : a multi-dimensional approach to scalability of nutrition emergency response programs

Community-based management of severe wasting (CMSW) programs have solely focused on exit outcome indicators, often omitting data on nutrition emergency preparedness and scalability. This study aimed to document good practices and generate evidence on the effectiveness and scalability of CMSW programs to guide future nutrition interventions in South Sudan. A total of 69 CMSW program implementation documents and policies were authenticated and retained for analysis, complemented with the analyses of aggregated secondary data obtained over five (2016–2020 for CMSW program performance) to six (wasting prevention) years (2014–2019). Findings suggest a strong and harmonised coordination of CMSW program implementation, facilitated timely and with quality care through an integrated and harmonised multi-agency and multidisciplinary approach. There were challenges to the institutionalisation and ownership of CMSW programs: a weak health system, fragile health budget that relied on external assistance, and limited opportunities for competency-based learning and knowledge transfer. Between 2014 and 2019, the prevalence of wasting fluctuated ac-cording to the agricultural cycle and remained above the emergency threshold of 15% during the July to August lean season. However, during the same period, under-five and crude mortality rates (10,000/day) declined respectively from 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91, 1.43) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.75, 1.25) to 0.57 (95% CI: 0.38, 0.76) and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.70). Both indicators remained below the emergency thresholds, hence suggesting that the emergency response was under control. Over a five-year period (2016–2020), a total of 1,105,546 children (52% girls, 48% boys) were admitted to CMSW programs. The five-year pooled performance indicators (mean [standard deviations]) was 86.4 (18.9%) for recovery, 2.1 (7.8%) for deaths, 5.2 (10.3%) for defaulting, 1.7 (5.7%) for non-recovery, 4.6 (13.5%) for medical transfers, 2.2 (4.7%) for relapse, 3.3 (15.0) g/kg/day for weight gain velocity, and 6.7 (3.7) weeks for the length of stay in the program. In conclusion, all key performance indicators, except the weight gain velocity, met or exceeded the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. Our findings demonstrate the possibility of implementing robust and resilient CMSAM programs in protracted conflict environments, informed by global guidelines and protocols. They also depict challenges to institutionalisation and ownership

Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic : A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness

Background: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in different countries across the world, claiming thousands of lives, increasing morbidity and disrupting lifestyles. The global scientific community is in urgent need of relevant evidence, to understand the challenges and knowledge gaps, as well as the opportunities to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the unique socio-economic, demographic, political, ecological and climatic contexts in Africa, the responses which may prove to be successful in other regions may not be appropriate on the continent. This paper aims to provide insight for scientists, policy makers and international agencies to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact at all levels. Methods: The Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), came together to synthesize the current evidence, identify the challenges and opportunities to enhance the understanding of the disease. We assess the potential impact of this pandemic and the unique challenges of the disease on African nations. We examine the state of Africa’s preparedness and make recommendations for steps needed to win the war against this pandemic and combat potential resurgence. Results: We identified gaps and opportunities among cross-cutting issueswhich must be addressed or harnessed in this pandemic. Factors such as the nature of the virus and the opportunities for drug targeting, point of care diagnostics, health surveillance systems, food security, mental health, xenophobia and gender-based violence, shelter for the homeless, water and sanitation, telecommunications challenges, domestic regional coordination and financing. Conclusion: Based on our synthesis of the current evidence, while there are plans for preparedness in several African countries, there are significant limitations. A multi-sectoral efforts from the science, education, medical, technology, communication, business, and industry sectors, as well as local communities, must work collaboratively to assist countries in order to win this fight

Genetic diversity and risk factors for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance across human, animals and environmental compartments in East Africa: a review.

BACKGROUND The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present a challenge to disease control in East Africa. Resistance to beta-lactams, which are by far the most used antibiotics worldwide and include the penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams and carbapenems, is reducing options for effective control of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The World Health Organization, Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health have all advocated surveillance of AMR using an integrated One Health approach. Regional consortia also have strengthened collaboration to address the AMR problem through surveillance, training and research in a holistic and multisectoral approach. This review paper contains collective information on risk factors for transmission, clinical relevance and diversity of resistance genes relating to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) across the human, animal and environmental compartments in East Africa. MAIN BODY The review of the AMR literature (years 2001 to 2019) was performed using search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google and Web of Science. The search terms included 'antimicrobial resistance and human-animal-environment', 'antimicrobial resistance, risk factors, genetic diversity, and human-animal-environment' combined with respective countries of East Africa. In general, the risk factors identified were associated with the transmission of AMR. The marked genetic diversity due to multiple sequence types among drug-resistant bacteria and their replicon plasmid types sourced from the animal, human and environment were reported. The main ESBL, MRSA and carbapenem related genes/plasmids were the CTX-Ms (45.7%), SCCmec type III (27.3%) and IMP types (23.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION The high diversity of the AMR genes suggests there may be multiple sources of resistance bacteria, or the possible exchange of strains or a flow of genes amongst different strains due to transfer by mobile genetic elements. Therefore, there should be harmonized One Health guidelines for the use of antibiotics, as well as regulations governing their importation and sale. Moreover, the trend of ESBLs, MRSA and carbapenem resistant (CAR) carriage rates is dynamic and are on rise over time period, posing a public health concern in East Africa. Collaborative surveillance of AMR in partnership with regional and external institutions using an integrated One Health approach is required for expert knowledge and technology transfer to facilitate information sharing for informed decision-making