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This study aims to explore the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on job acquisition for young people aged 15 to 35 in Cameroon. The research uses data from the fourth Cameroon Household Survey (CHS-4) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) in 2014. The study compares the results with those of senior employees to highlight the digital divide. The results suggest that internet use increases the probability of finding a job, regardless of age group, between 15 and 31 % for young people, between 0.31 and 1.214 % for senior citizens, and between 15 and 38 % for all workers. Young Internet users are 15 times more likely to find a job compared to senior employees. The results are consistent after specificity/sensitivity tests. The study contributes to the understanding of the digital divide and its impact on job acquisition.

The recent advancements in energy production, storage, and distribution are creating unprecedented opportunities in the field. Major consumers can benefit from the implementation of distributed energy resource networks capable of generating electricity or heating from sources, often renewable ones, in close proximity to the point of use, rather than relying on centralized generation sources from power plants. In this paper, we introduce a pioneering model designed to determine the optimal set of energy commands in a distributed energy resource network, minimizing operational costs in a time horizon. Indeed, we propose an innovative mixed-integer linear programming formulation rooted in the production-inventory models commonly employed in aggregate production planning. The system integrates diverse energy generation sources, storage facilities, and demand points, encompassing both electric and heating commodities. The optimum of the model is achieved for all analyzed instances of the test library (2 scenarios-20 instances) in an exceptionally short time, outperforming other approaches previously presented in the literature. We employed the Gurobi optimizer to solve the model, obtaining rapid responses that ensure real-time decision-making and facilitate effective control of the distributed energy resource network within a three-days' rolling horizon, as discussed in a simulated real-life application case study. Indeed, the proposed model solves in less than 1 s, enabling near-instantaneous decision-making. This swift solution time surpasses any known references in the field, effectively shifting the bottleneck in DER network operation from the decision-making process to the forecasting of demand and weather conditions. While forecasting typically requires a minimum of 15 min, our approach suggests that a reduction in this forecasting time could further enhance the control system's response time, given the model's ability to deliver optimal solutions almost immediately. The real-time availability of optimal solutions allows for the seamless incorporation of stochastic elements into the control loop via a rolling horizon process.

Smallholder agriculture plays a crucial role in achieving food security, particularly at the household level. However, fallow fields are progressively increasing in former homelands of South Africa. While substantial efforts have been devoted towards addressing food insecurity, access to arable land has not translated to sustainable crop production for smallholder farmers in former homelands of the country. This paper analyses household food security in the context of deagrarianization in two villages, Ambros (Eastern Cape) and Maramanzhi (Limpopo). Using a mixed-method approach, a total of 106 semi-structured questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews with household heads. Descriptive statistics were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 computer program. Meanwhile, qualitative data was coded and content analysis was conducted on NVivo 12 software. The key findings revealed that the primary household income in the study area was earned from social grants. Furthermore, home gardens, with an average size of 4100m2 in Ambros and 4400m2 in Maramanzhi village, played a crucial role in supporting household crop production. However, food insecurity threatened the sustainability of rural livelihoods because the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) indicator highlighted that a majority of 54% of households in Ambros and 69% in Maramanzhi were mildly food insecure. Food insecurity challenges varied between the two villages but these were mainly perpetuated by food shortages caused by insufficient monthly income and waning household crop production. Although acquiring food was rated as a very important reason for cultivating in both villages, deagrarianization eroded opportunities for increased crop production. Among other solutions, this study recommends that the government improve the delivery of basic services such as water to promote household crop production and the revitalization of fallow fields. These transformations can potentially enhance food security, income and employment opportunities for rural households, contributing to the sustainability of rural livelihoods.

Background: Tacrolimus is regarded as a cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy after lung transplantation. Tacrolimus-induced neurotoxicity is common, while late-onset severe encephalopathy is rare.

Case presentation: We report a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with confusion and limb stiffness 29 months after undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for bronchiectasis. She received immunosuppressive regimen consisting of low-dose tacrolimus, sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone due to renal insufficiency. Neurological examination revealed gaze deviation towards the right side in both eyes, as well as nuchal rigidity. The muscle strength of her extremities was at grade 1-2, and muscle tone was increased, with a bilateral positive Babinski sign. Blood tests revealed that tacrolimus and sirolimus levels were within the therapeutic range. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed that periventricular white matter lesions were slightly more extensive than those observed prior to transplantation. Lumbar puncture showed that cerebrospinal fluid pressure and composition were normal. A diagnosis of tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy was made after a thorough clinical examination. Subsequently, cyclosporine was administered instead of tacrolimus for anti-rejection therapy, and she has remained free of neurological symptoms since then. The improvement of clinical symptoms following the withdrawal of tacrolimus supports the drug-induced etiology of this neurological disorder.

Conclusions: We highlight that tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy can occur in a late stage after lung transplantation and may occur with tacrolimus whole blood concentrations within the therapeutic range.

The uncertainty in climate change and high water demand pose pressure on the natural water resources supply. Not only does this require better understanding but also a call for immediate interventions, mitigation and adaptive measures. This study evaluates catchment water resources in the Luwombwa sub-catchment in Zambia through statistical analysis in the downscaling of past, present and future climatic variables from the CMIP6 climatic model. These variables are then integrated into WEAP - a semi-distributed hydrological and water evaluation model - to perform water demand and allocation scenario modelling. Mult-site calibration and validation were conducted on five selected micro-catchments within Luwombwa sub-catchment. The model performance was assessed usng the R², NSE and PBIAS as the objective functions. Satisfactory values of 92 % for R², 82 % for NSE and 6.9 % for PBIAS were achieved. This allowed for scenario modelling on water demand and allocation among competing users. Three future scenarios (2022-2050) were developed from the historical to baseline (1988-2022) and included state of water resources availability under climate change, expansion of irrigation area and impact of dam construction in the sub-catchment. The study reveals a decrease of 20 % in sub-catchment's water availability resulting from 9.3 % (equivalent to 4^oC) rise in maximum temperature and 4.5 % reduction in rainfall within the entire sub-catchment. This is especially under the persistence of SSP370 climate variability scenario projections downscaled from four GCM models by the year 2050. The study further revealed that the change point for anticipated future climate extremes is likely to occur between 2027 and 2030. The results are indicative of downward trends in streamflow under climate change and socioeconomic development leading to increase in water value and water scarcity. The insights from the study are critical to inform formulation of effective catchment water resources management strategies such as the development of management plans and adapation measures in the face of climate change and the needs for different stakeholders involvement.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) tar against adults of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis Bouché, a significant ectoparasite affecting both domestic and stray animals.

Methods: Tar was obtained through traditional pyrolytic decomposition of cedar wood in the Elmali district of Antalya, Türkiye. The volatile compounds in the tar were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The tar was tested at various concentrations-100 % (pure tar), 50 % tar, 25 % tar, and 10 % tar. Its efficacy was compared to a 0.5 % concentration of fipronil. Fleas were collected from six locations and exposed to treated filter papers for 1 h. Mortality was assessed after 24 h, and statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA and probit analysis, were performed to determine LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values.

Results: The major components of Ced. libani tar identified were β-himachalene (29.16 %) and α-atlantone (28.70 %). The effectiveness of tar was concentration-dependent, with higher concentrations showing flea mortality rates comparable to fipronil. In Kepez-Teomanpaşa, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 8.52 % tar and 20.24 % tar respectively, indicating high sensitivity, whereas in Konyaaltı-Pınarbası, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 19.48 % tar and 46.91 % tar, suggesting reduced susceptibility. The highest concentration (pure tar) resulted in 100 % mortality across all locations, similar to fipronil.

Conclusion: Ced. libani tar demonstrates significant potential as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical insecticides for controlling flea infestations, with its efficacy varying by region. The findings highlight the need for considering regional differences in susceptibility when developing pest control strategies.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue, particularly among the elderly population. Lipids are closely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathology. Lipidomics as a comprehensive profiling tool is showing to be promising in the prediction of events and mortality due to CVD as well as identifying novel biomarkers.

Materials and methods: In this study, eicosanoids and lipid profiles were measured in order to predict survival in patients with de novo or acute decompensated HF. Our study included 50 patients (16 females, mean age 73 years and 34 males, mean age 71 years) with de novo or acute decompensated chronic HF with a median follow-up of 7 months. Lipids were semiquantified using targeted lipidomic liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Eicosanoid concentrations were determined using a commercially available sandwich ELISA assay.

Results: From 736 lipids and 3 eicosanoids, 39 significant lipids were selected (by using the Mann-Whitney U test after Benjamini-Hochberg correction) with the highest number of representatives belonging to the polyunsaturated (PUFA) phosphatidylcholines (PC). PC 42:10 (p = 1.44 × 10^-4) was found to be the most statistically significantly elevated in the surviving group with receiver operating characteristics of AUC = 0.84 (p = 3.24 × 10^-7). A multivariate supervised discriminant analysis based on the aforementioned lipid panel enabled the classification of the groups of surviving and non-surviving patients with 90 % accuracy.

Conclusions: In the present study we describe a trend in PUFA esterified in PC that were systematically increased in surviving patients with HF. This trend in low-abundant and rarely identified PUFA PC (mainly very long chain PUFA containing PC such as PC 42:10 or PC 40:9 containing FA 22:6, FA 20:5 and FA 20:4) suggests candidate biomarkers.

This study explores the human capital, vulnerability and integration of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Peru, emphasizing their difficulties in obtaining decent work and assimilating as productive members of Peruvian society. This study aims to investigate the challenges faced by Venezuelan migrants and refugees in integrating into Peruvian society as productive members. Using a descriptive and exploratory approach, data were collected via a questionnaire from 1193 Venezuelan migrants and refugees seeking assistance from an NGO in Lima, Peru. This study's findings address a critical gap in the existing literature, revealing that despite high levels of education, many migrants struggle utilize their skills and knowledge effectively, leading to significant brain waste due to precarious employment conditions and suffering through their exposure to various vulnerabilities. These findings underscore the need for public policies and practices that address the improvement of migrants' and refugees' living conditions and the promotion of Decent Work.

The accurate measurement and analysis of human movement are essential in fields ranging from rehabilitation and neuroscience to sports science and ergonomics. Traditional methods, though precise, are often constrained by cost, accessibility, and controlled environments. The advent of machine learning (ML) pose estimation models (PEMs) offers an alternative solution, enabling detailed motion analysis using low-cost imaging systems in various settings. The aim of this review is to evaluate ML PEMs and their impact on human movement sciences, focusing on recent advancements in machine learning and computer vision for accurate, non-invasive motion analysis using low-cost imaging systems. A narrative review was conducted by searching electronic databases, including PubMed and Google Scholar, using key terms such as "machine learning," "pose estimation models," and "human movement sciences." Thematic analysis identified key advancements, applications, and challenges in ML PEMs across clinical, sports, and ergonomic contexts. The review highlights the development, capabilities, and applications of models such as OpenPose, PoseNet, AlphaPose, DeepLabCut, HRNet, MediaPipe Pose, BlazePose, EfficientPose, and MoveNet, emphasizing their potential for non-invasive, cost-effective assessments. In clinical settings, these models enable objective gait and posture analysis, aiding in diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders and tracking rehabilitation progress. In sports, ML PEMs enhance performance analysis and injury prevention by providing real-time feedback and detailed biomechanical data. In ergonomics, they offer proactive solutions for workplace injury prevention through real-time posture and movement analysis. While promising, the implementation of ML PEMs faces challenges in accuracy, data quality, and integration into existing practices. Establishing standardized protocols and frameworks is crucial for ensuring reliable, interdisciplinary applications. This review can be useful for coaches, healthcare professionals, and researchers in evaluating and implementing ML PEMs, ultimately advancing the field of human movement sciences.

Objective: To understand the virulence genes and molecular epidemiological characteristics of human-infected strains of Streptococcus suis in Rui'an, Zhejiang Province, from 2021 to 2022, and to provide a scientific basis for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control.

Methods: Three blood-borne strains of Streptococcus suis were analysed by morphological observation, identification, and drug sensitivity tests. We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of their main seven virulence factors and housekeeping genes. This was followed by virulence analysis and multilocus sequence typing. We analysed their relationships with local pathogens from previous years.

Results: Three Streptococcus suis strains were isolated from the blood samples of three patients. From these, the virulence genotypes demonstrated that the two strains were orf2+ and ef+/orf2+/sly+, respectively. The Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) typing results demonstrated that the two strains were ST25 and ST7, respectively.

Conclusion: The first isolation of ST25 Streptococcus suis in Rui'an was presumed to have a close affinity with the endemic strain in North America. The other strain was an ST7 clone, consistent with the endemic strain in Sichuan, and which may have originated from Sichuan. Virulence genotype analysis demonstrated that different virulence genes of the pathogens resulted in different clinical manifestations.