Cybersecurity Awareness in African Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study of Sudan

The crisis caused by the rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has imposed a swift and profound change on teaching and learning methods. Consequently, most higher education institutions around the world, including African higher education institutions, have moved from face-to-face teaching to online learning and teaching, which has made the use of the internet by university students necessary and obligatory regardless of the risks associated with unsafe use. This quick move to online teaching and learning has exposed African universities to a greater risk of cybercrime. This prompted the researchers to investigate the cybersecurity awareness levels among undergraduate students at African higher education institutions based in the case country, Sudan. In an exploratory research approach, a survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 1,200 undergraduate students at six public universities in Sudan. The results show that most undergraduate students in Sudan higher educational institutions have low cybersecurity awareness levels. Further investigation using inferential statistics reveals that male students at the universities in Sudan have slightly higher levels of cybersecurity awareness than female students. Most of the participants believe that cybersecurity should be taught in schools; they are also willing to learn about cybersecurity. In addition, the results showed that students with advanced computer skills significantly differ from students with intermediate or basic computer skills in practicing cybersecurity

Simulating the connections of ENSO and the rainfall regime of East Africa and the upper Blue Nile region using a climate model of the Tropics

We simulate the observed statistical relationship between ENSO and the rainfall regime of the upper Blue Nile using the tropical-band version of the regional climate model RegCM4 (or Reg-TB). An ensemble of nine simulations for the 28-year period 1982–2009 is completed to investigate the role of ENSO in modulating rainfall over the upper Blue Nile catchment. Reg-TB shows a good skill in simulating the climatology of temperature, outgoing long-wave radiation patterns as well as related atmospheric circulation features during the summer season (i.e. the rainy season over the Blue Nile catchment). The model also succeeds in reproducing the observed negative correlation between Pacific SST and rainfall anomalies over the Blue Nile catchment, and in particular the association of droughts over the Blue Nile with El Niño events that start in April–June. We thus propose that observations and model forecasts of Pacific SST during this season could be used in seasonal forecasting of summer rainfall over the upper Blue Nile region.Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics. Earth System PhysicsAbdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics. Sandwich Training Educational ProgrammeEuropean Union (DEWFORA Project

Satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes of breast reconstruction:Investigations into the correlation between the patients' Breast-Q outcome and the judgment of panels

Objectives: We aimed to determine the relation between breast reconstruction method, patient satisfaction, and surgeon reported cosmetic outcome among women who underwent breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Study Design: A cross-sectional study of patients treated between 2006 and 2010. Main Outcome: Women's satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes after breast reconstruction. Measures: Cosmetic outcomes were evaluated by (1) women using the Breast-Q to rate satisfaction with breasts outcomes, and (2) an independent panel using the Strasser score. The relationships between the Breast-Q rating, Strasser scores, and breast reconstruction methods, including laterality and timing, were evaluated by Mann-Whitney U tests, Spearman's rank correlations, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Ninety-four women were included. Patients were more satisfied with their breasts if they had undergone autologous, unilateral, or secondary breast reconstruction compared with those who underwent alloplastic, bilateral, or primary breast reconstruction (p-values 0.008, 0.011, and 0.001, respectively). The Strasser system did not reveal significant cosmetic differences, with all breast reconstructions graded as mediocre or poor. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction with breast outcomes, as measured by the Breast-Q, was described as mediocre or poorly reflected by the Strasser score. If doctors are to support patients to make informed decisions on the optimal method of breast reconstruction, we need a more sensitive, comprehensive tool reflecting patients' cosmetic outcomes

Exploitation of Phenotypic Variations Among some Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Genotypes for grain yield Under Irrigated Conditions of Sudan

Barley in Sudan is grown in limited areas for grain and forage, although the barley is a well adapted crop to Sudan environment, it has a very small number of genotypes. Therefore, this study aims at the exploitation of  phenotypic variations among the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes in Sudan for possible utilization in breeding programmes and to identify the top yielding genotypes. A set of twenty barley genotypes were tested at three sites representing different environments of Sudan. The experiments were executed over two consecutive seasons (2010/2011 and 2011/2012) in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results of the growth habit demonstrated that all the genotypes were resistant to lodging except the genotype 20 (local genotype) was susceptible to lodging. The results of the combined analysis showed very highly significant differences among the barley genotypes at three sites. Across the three sites, the common genotypes out-yielded the check were G3, G8 and G9. At Gezira, the genotypes G3, G8 and G9 out yielding the check by 31, 24 and 40%, respectively, at Hudeiba high terrace soil by 34, 9 and 31%, respectively, while at Hudeiba karu soil by 61, 21 and 20%, respectively. According to the ASV (AMMI Stability Value) concept, the most stable genotype was the check Beladi having an ASV of 4.5 with the lowest mean seed yield (1970 kg/ha). In contrast, the most unstable genotype was G3 with an ASV of 37.7, however, it had the highest grain yield (2810 kg/ha). Among the six environments, when the genotypes were arranged according to AMMI estimate, genotype G3 ranked first in four environments (Gezira in season 2011, karu in two seasons and high terrace soil in season 2011), genotype G9 ranked first in one environment (Gezira in season 2010) and ranked third in the other five environments, while genotype G8 ranked second in the high terrace soil in season 2010 and fourth in two environments (Gezira in two seasons). The check Beladi did not appear in the first four ranking genotypes. Therefore, the genotypes G3, G8 and G9 could provide a good option for barley seed yield under Sudan conditions.   يزرع الشعير في السودان في مناطق محدودة بغرض إنتاج الحبوب والأعلاف، على الرغم من أن الشعير محصول جيد التأقلم  في البيئات المناخية المختلفة  للسودان، إلا أن هنالك عددا قليلا جدًا من الطرز الوراثية التي تزرع فيه. لذلك، تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى إستغلال الاختلافات المظهرية بين بعض الطرز الوراثية للشعير (Hordeum vulgare L.) في السودان لإمكانية استخدامها في برامج التربية ولتحديد الطرز الوراثية الاعلي إنتاجية. تم اختبار عدد عشرين من الطرز الوراثية للشعير في ثلاثة مواقع تمثل بيئات مختلفة في السودان. تم تنفيذ التجارب على مدار موسمين متتاليين (2010/2011 و 2011/2012) باستخدام تصميم القطاعات العشوائية الكاملة (RCBD) بثلاثة مكررات. أظهرت نتائج التحليل المشترك تباين كبير للغاية بين الطرز الوراثية للشعير من حيث الإنتاجية في الثلاثة مواقع، حيث كانت الطرز الوراثية الشائعة التي فاقت إنتاجيتها الصنف المحلي هي G3 و G8 و G9 . في الجزيرة، الطرز الوراثية G3 و G8 و G9 فاقت إنتاجيتها الصنف المحلي بنسبة 31 و 24 و 40٪ على التوالي، أما في أراضي التروس العليا (الحديبة)  بنسبة 34 و 9 و 31٪ على التوالي، بينما في أراضي الكرو (الحديبة) بنسبة 61 و 21 و 20٪، على التوالي. وفقًا لمفهوم قيمة الثبات (ASV) كان الطراز الوراثي الأكثر ثباتًا هو الصنف المحلي بقيمة ثبات4.5  وبأقل متوسط ​​إنتاجية للبذور (1970 كجم / هكتار). في المقابل، كان الطراز الوراثي الأقل ثباتًا هو       G3 بقيمة ثبات  37.7، ومع ذلك، فقد حقق أعلى إنتاجية للحبوب (2810 كجم / هكتار). عند ترتيب الطرز الوراثية وفقًا لتقدير  AMMI في البيئات الست، احتل الطراز الوراثي G3 المرتبة الأولى في أربع بيئات (الجزيرة في موسم 2011 ، اراضي الكرو (الحديبة) في موسمين وفي اراضي التروس العليا (الحديبة) في موسم 2011) ، بينما احتل الطراز الوراثي G3  المرتبة الأولى في بيئة واحدة (الجزيرة) في موسم 2010) واحتل المرتبة الثالثة في البيئات الخمسة الأخرى، في حين احتل الطراز الوراثي G8 المركز الثاني في اراضي التروس العليا (الحديبة) في موسم 2010 والرابع في بيئتين (الجزيرة في موسمين). لم يظهر الصنف المحلي ضمن الطرز الوراثية الأربعة الأولى. أوضحت هذه النتائج أن الطرز الوراثية  G3 و G8 و G9 يمكن أن تكون خيارًا جيدًا لإنتاج بذور الشعير تحت ظروف السودا

Determination of elemental composition of air particulates and soil

ABSTRAC

Putative markers for the detection of breast carcinoma cells in blood.

The aim of this study was to investigate certain genes for their suitability as molecular markers for detection of breast carcinoma cells using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RNA was prepared from MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells and peripheral blood leucocytes of healthy female volunteers. This RNA was screened for mRNA of MUC1, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and CD44 (exons 8-11) by RT-PCR and the results validated by Southern blots. Variable degrees of expression of MUC1 and CD44 (exons 8-11) were detected in normal peripheral blood, rendering these genes non-specific for epithelial cells and therefore unsuitable for use as markers to detect breast carcinoma cells. Although CK19 mRNA was apparently specific, it was deemed unsuitable for use as a marker of breast cancer cells in light of its limited sensitivity. Furthermore, an attempt at using nested primers to increase sensitivity resulted in CK19 mRNA being detected after two amplification rounds in blood from healthy volunteers

Successful Conservative Management of Scrotal Edema Resulting from Uncomplicated Peritoneal Fluid Leak

Introduction: Peritoneal fluid leaks are frequent in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and may manifest as subcutaneous or genital edema or as apparent ultrafiltration (UF) failure. Genital swelling in CAPD patients is often due to dialysate leak through a small clinically-undetectable inguinal hernia, and may require herniorrhaphy. If imaging studies exclude an associated hernia or patent processus vaginalis, a conservative approach may be adopted. Case report: An 80 year-old bed-ridden male developed gross bilateral scrotal swelling (without cough impulse) and apparent UF failure shortly after initiation of CAPD. Computed tomography peritoneography (CTP) showed bilateral scrotal fluid collections without a hernia or patent processus vaginalis. An attempt to maintain the patient on CAPD by reducing the dialysate volume, scrotal elevation and adopting a supine position was not successful; CAPD was substituted with temporary hemodialysis (HD) for four weeks. Scrotal swelling reversed after one week of CAPD cessation and did not recur when supine PD with intermittent dry periods was reinstituted a few weeks later. Satisfactory UF could also be easily attained. This was compatible with caudal fluid migration through peritoneal defects being the underlying cause. The patient had been successfully maintained on CAPD for the last 18 months. Conclusion: Fluid dissection through soft tissues can result in gross genital edema and apparent ultrafiltration failure in CAPD patients. Supine PD, scrotal elevation with intermittent dry periods may be a practical alternative management in the absence of automated dialysis facilities. The severity of dialysate leak does not preclude a satisfactory response to this conservative management. Keywords: peritoneal dialysis, dialysate leak, genital edema, ultrafiltration failur

The Effect of COVID-19 on Family Support for Home-Schooling in Urban Areas

The objective of the study is to clarify that the family participated in COVID-19 as a home-schooling family. The sample was selected according to the geographical distribution of schools in the eastern region of Khartoum. Data was collected through a questionnaire and interviews. The most important result is that there is an increasing interest from parents to support home-schooling despite the challenges of continuing learning, such as the widening digital divide in technology, previous experience, and poor network connectivity. This research paper focused on the point of view of parents in the city of Khartoum on supporting home-schooling according to social variables related to both mother and father, and the paper concluded that parents of students in private schools are more supportive of home education. Also, most of the parents of students who support home-schooling have reached their university level of education and post-university and belong to the youth age group. Although parents emphasize the importance of home-schooling during the COVID-19 infection, there are challenges associated with providing home-schooling for their children. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-05-021 Full Text: PD

Y Chromosome Lineage- and Village-Specific Genes on Chromosomes 1p22 and 6q27 Control Visceral Leishmaniasis in Sudan

Familial clustering and ethnic differences suggest that visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani is under genetic control. A recent genome scan provided evidence for a major susceptibility gene on Chromosome 22q12 in the Aringa ethnic group in Sudan. We now report a genome-wide scan using 69 families with 173 affected relatives from two villages occupied by the related Masalit ethnic group. A primary ten-centimorgan scan followed by refined mapping provided evidence for major loci at 1p22 (LOD score 5.65; nominal p = 1.72 × 10(−7); empirical p < 1 × 10(−5); λ(S) = 5.1) and 6q27 (LOD score 3.74; nominal p = 1.68 × 10(−5); empirical p < 1 × 10(−4); λ(S) = 2.3) that were Y chromosome–lineage and village-specific. Neither village supported a visceral leishmaniasis susceptibility gene on 22q12. The results suggest strong lineage-specific genes due to founder effect and consanguinity in these recently immigrant populations. These chance events in ethnically uniform African populations provide a powerful resource in the search for genes and mechanisms that regulate this complex disease

Early warnings of the potential for malaria transmission in rural Africa using the hydrology, entomology and malaria transmission simulator (HYDREMATS)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early warnings of malaria transmission allow health officials to better prepare for future epidemics. Monitoring rainfall is recognized as an important part of malaria early warning systems. The Hydrology, Entomology and Malaria Simulator (HYDREMATS) is a mechanistic model that relates rainfall to malaria transmission, and could be used to provide early warnings of malaria epidemics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>HYDREMATS is used to make predictions of mosquito populations and vectorial capacity for 2005, 2006, and 2007 in Banizoumbou village in western Niger. HYDREMATS is forced by observed rainfall, followed by a rainfall prediction based on the seasonal mean rainfall for a period two or four weeks into the future.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Predictions made using this method provided reasonable estimates of mosquito populations and vectorial capacity, two to four weeks in advance. The predictions were significantly improved compared to those made when HYDREMATS was forced with seasonal mean rainfall alone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HYDREMATS can be used to make reasonable predictions of mosquito populations and vectorial capacity, and provide early warnings of the potential for malaria epidemics in Africa.</p