The effects of community participation on sustainability in an ICT4D project: A Case of Vrygrond Community Lab in South Africa

Background: This study explores an ICT for development project in previously ‘underserved’ community of Vrygrond in Cape Town South Africa. Developing countries have embraced technology as a means to improve the pace of development in their countries. Several projects have been setup that allow communities to access skills training programmes within their communities. However, there is a challenge when considering the sustainability of projects implemented to achieve their developmental goals Purpose: ICT for development initiatives are usually centrally planned without the involvement of the targeted communities. The targeted participants may be involved in the implementation phase only, and this may lead to sustainability failure. This study explores the how community participation affects sustainability of ICT for development projects in the context of South Africa. Research methodology: The methodology in this study is qualitative. Exploratory and descriptive research methods were used to analyse how community participation affects sustainability. This study used the Stakeholder Theory to explore community participation and project sustainability. Data was collected using semi structured interviews, documents, observations and applied thematic analysis. The Vrygrond Community Lab in Cape Town South Africa was used as a case study. Key Findings: Based on the analysed data, a number of key stakeholders were not involved in the project planning but were represented by the Vrygrond Community Trust. It was seen from the data that sustainability is dependent on closely working with existing community groups based within the community twenty-four seven. This research found positive relationship between participation and sustainability. Other findings indicated that there was an element of ‘tokenism’ and despite this the Vrygrond Community Lab seemed sustainable. This was attributed to the continued funding and operational support received from University of Cape Town and Pforzheim University. Finally, the study indicated that it was essential that socioeconomic and sociocultural issues are addressed quickly when they emerge. Value of the study: The study broadly contributes to the existing literature on community participation and sustainability of ICT4D initiatives in South Africa. Secondly study makes recommendations for donors and Universities looking to implement initiatives similar to the Vrygrond Community Lab in addressing socioeconomic challenges by equipping communities with computer skills that would assist them in their daily lives, either in finding work, studying, or running a business

ARE ELECTRIC CARS A SOLUTION IN RWANDA?

Numerous studies have been conducted that demonstrate how environmentally friendly electric vehicles are. They produce fewer greenhouse gases, which makes them an effective way to reduce both air pollution and greenhouse emissions. In order to combat rising air pollution and support a green city initiative, Rwanda considered introducing more electric vehicles. The Global Electric Mobility Program, run by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), aims to assist low- and middle-income nations in switching from conventional (gas) to electric vehicles. Rwanda has joined this program. Due to the high cost of switching to electric vehicles in poor nations like Rwanda and the inefficient distribution of electricity, I do not fully support the proposal

Classroom-based assessment and its relationship with students’ self-efficacy: The case of English language learning in Rwandan lower secondary schools

This study was conducted to explore the classroom assessment practices, specifically the forms of assessment and methods of providing feedback used by the teachers of English in lower level of secondary schools in Rwanda. It also aimed to investigate the students’ perceptions of the teachers’ assessment practices, the students’ self-efficacy for the four English language skills and how such self-efficacy was related to the teachers’ assessment practices. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to collect and analyse data from both teachers and students. The results indicated that controlled assessment, commonly known as paper and pencil was the most prevalent form that teachers used for assessment. The results also showed that the students reported relatively high positive perceptions for their teachers' classroom assessment practices and high self-efficacy in all the four English language skills except for listening. The Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the use of some performance assessment correlated with higher levels of students’ self-efficacy for productive skills. These results tend to support findings from previous studies that some assessment practices can affect the students’ self-efficacy. They expand the literature and deepen our understanding of the teachers’ assessment preferences in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context and highlight the complexity of the influencing factors of the students' self efficacy. Major implications of the findings are discussed

Female age and reproductive stage influence copulation patterns in mountain gorillas’ variable mating system

Variation in mating systems and in individuals’ copulation patterns can have important consequences for the genetic structure of a population and ultimately its evolution. Whilst most gorilla sub-species form single-male, polygynous reproductive groups, mountain gorillas have both single-male and multimale reproductive groups. Considerable research has investigated the mating patterns of males in these multimale groups, but comparatively little is known about females. We investigated the copulation patterns of 71 female mountain gorillas over 13 years. We found that most sexually active, fecundable females in multimale groups had multiple mating partners. Females’ copulation patterns varied based on their reproductive stage, mating most often and with the greatest number of partners when they were pregnant, and least often when they had young dependent offspring. Females copulated throughout pregnancy, with pregnant females copulating more frequently in single-male groups than in multimale groups. Mating also varied with age, with older females mating less often and with fewer partners. Our findings confirm that when females transfer between single-male and multimale groups, they predominantly switch from copulating with one male to copulating with multiple males, and that females are also flexibly adjusting their copulation patterns across their lifetimes. This highlights the considerable variability of the mountain gorillas mating system, particularly from the female perspective, and the importance of accounting for within-species variation in copulation patterns. Significance statement Patterns of mating can vary both between individuals of the same species and within individuals across their lives. These patterns influence the genetic structure of a population. By examining copulation patterns in female mountain gorillas, we demonstrate that whilst females in single-male groups have only one mating partner, females in multi-male groups predominantly have multiple partners across a year. They also alter their copulation patterns across their lifetimes, copulating less often and with fewer partners as they age, and copulating most when pregnant. Our results highlight the flexibility with which female mountain gorillas can adjust their copulation patterns across their lifetimes, as the costs and benefits of copulation shift

Anticiper et évaluer la durabilité des transports internationaux de fret : le rôle des Autoroutes de la Mer dans la réduction des émissions routières sur les hinterlands portuaires de Gênes et de Marseille

The Mediterranean ports had become the European entry gate and the intermodal space. The quantities and volume growth of freight rise congestion problems. The organizational solutions implemented, haven’t brough only derisory and inefficient solution. This thesis wonders about the durability of transport and logistic spatial structures in the optics of the sustainable transport implementation and the development of the coastal spaces around the harbor port cities. It concentrates on the evaluation of the spatial and temporal evolution of the territorial potential of the exchanges between territories, to the methods of modal choice by a gravity model and to the modal accessibility offer. The results show a very high structural evolution of the potential in the coastal departments and from infrastructures and superstructures of freight transportation. We demonstrate the existence of a large party of road market transferable towards MoS. The costs of transport and the importance of markets stay two main explanatory factors of the MoS evolution markets. The flow orientation by MoS is the consequence of this spatial structuration.Les ports méditerranéens sont devenus, par l’importance des trafics de bateaux qu’ils drainent, la porte d’entrée de l’Europe et des espaces d’intermodalité. La croissance des marchandises pose de nombreux problèmes de congestion. Les moyens de gestion mis en oeuvre, n’ont apporté que des solutions dérisoires. Le recours aux modes alternatifs à la route permettrait de transférer une grande partie du trafic routier. Cette thèse s’interroge donc sur la durabilité des transports et des structures spatiales logistiques dans l’optique du développement durable et de l’aménagement des espaces côtiers autour des villes portuaires. Elle se concentre sur l’évaluation de l’évolution spatio-temporelle du potentiel territorial des échanges territoriaux, sur les méthodes de choix modal par un modèle gravitaire à double contraintes sont appliquées et sur l’évaluation des parts de marchés obtenus et la modélisation des aires de construction d’entrepôts. Les résultats révèlent une évolution structurelle du potentiel global très élevée dans les départements côtiers et à partir des infrastructures et des superstructures de transport de fret et une articulation spatiale en pôles majeurs attractifs. Les coûts de transport et l’importance des marchés restent les principaux facteurs explicatifs de l’évolution des marchés des AdM. L’impact sur le trafic obtenu est de +2,3% à +2,7% en France et en Espagne comme en Italie. Cet impact est renforcé par les nouvelles lignes des AdM avec une croissance des flux se situant entre +4,8% et +5,2. L’orientation des flux terrestres par les AdM est à la base de cette structuration spatiale

Genotypes and subtypes of hepatitis C virus in Burundi: a particularity in Sub-saharan Africa

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue. HCV genotype identification is clinically important to tailor the dosage and duration of treatment. Indeed, distinct therapeutic approaches are required for each genotype. Up to now, there is no study assessing HCV genotypes and subtypes in Burundi. The aim of the study was to determine HCV genotypes and subtypes in Burundi and to highlight the difficulties related to LiPA Method, widely used for African samples.Methods: In this study, a total of 179 samples  contained anti-HCV antibodies were tested for HCV RNA, genotyping and subtyping. The analysis had been made in Cerba laboratory, Paris, France.Results: 166 patients (92.7%) were genotype 4; 10 patients (5.6%) were genotype 1 and 3 patients (1.7%) were genotype 3. It was possible to determine subtypes for 51 HCV-4 (30.7%) patients. Among these, 25 (49.1%) had 4h subtype; 11 (21.6%) had 4e subtype; 2 (3.9%) had 4k subtype and 13 patients (25.5%) had 4a/4c/4d subtype. The LiPA method failed to subtype 115 (69.3%) HCV-4 and to separate the three subtype: 4a, 4c and 4d.Conclusion: Genotype 4 and subytype 4h followed by 4e are the widespread in Burundi.Key words: Hepatitis C virus, genotype, subtype, genotype

Flow Dynamics in Cardiovascular Devices: A Comprehensive Review

This review explores flow dynamics in cardiovascular devices, focusing on fundamental fluid mechanics principles and normal blood flow patterns. It discusses the role of different structures in maintaining flow dynamics and the importance of stents, heart valves, artificial hearts, and ventricular assist devices in cardiovascular interventions. The review emphasizes the need for optimized designs and further research to enhance knowledge of flow dynamics in cardiovascular devices, advancing the field and improving patient care in cardiovascular interventions

Dominance rank but not body size influences female reproductive success in mountain gorillas

According to life history theory, natural selection has shaped trade-offs for allocating energy among growth, reproduction and maintenance to maximize individual fitness. In social mammals body size and dominance rank are two key variables believed to influence female reproductive success. However, few studies have examined these variables together, particularly in long-lived species. Previous studies found that female dominance rank correlates with reproductive success in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), which is surprising given they have weak dominance relationships and experience seemingly low levels of feeding competition. It is not currently known whether this relationship is primarily driven by a positive correlation between rank and body size. We used the non-invasive parallel laser method to measure two body size variables (back breadth and body length) of 34 wild adult female mountain gorillas, together with long-term dominance and demography data to investigate the interrelationships among body size, dominance rank and two measures of female reproductive success (inter-birth interval N = 29 and infant mortality N = 64). Using linear mixed models, we found no support for body size to be significantly correlated with dominance rank or female reproductive success. Higher-ranking females had significantly shorter inter-birth intervals than lower-ranking ones, but dominance rank was not significantly correlated with infant mortality. Our results suggest that female dominance rank is primarily determined by factors other than linear body dimensions and that high rank provides benefits even in species with weak dominance relationships and abundant year-round food resources. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms behind heterogeneity in female body size in relation to trade-offs in allocating energy to growth, maintenance and lifetime reproductive success

Chest beats as an honest signal of body size in male mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)

Acoustic signals that reliably indicate body size, which usually determines competitive ability, are of particular interest for understanding how animals assess rivals and choose mates. Whereas body size tends to be negatively associated with formant dispersion in animal vocalizations, non-vocal signals have received little attention. Among the most emblematic sounds in the animal kingdom is the chest beat of gorillas, a non-vocal signal that is thought to be important in intra and inter-sexual competition, yet it is unclear whether it reliably indicates body size. We examined the relationship among body size (back breadth), peak frequency, and three temporal characteristics of the chest beat: duration, number of beats and beat rate from sound recordings of wild adult male mountain gorillas. Using linear mixed models, we found that larger males had significantly lower peak frequencies than smaller ones, but we found no consistent relationship between body size and the temporal characteristics measured. Taken together with earlier findings of positive correlations among male body size, dominance rank and reproductive success, we conclude that the gorilla chest beat is an honest signal of competitive ability. These results emphasize the potential of non-vocal signals to convey important information in mammal communication