{"title":"GIS-based landslide susceptibility mapping using Frequency ratio method: A case study from Adigrat-Mugulat mountain chains, northern Ethiopia","authors":"Asmelash Abay , Aklilu Mulugeta , Gebreslassie Mebrahtu","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Landslides are common geo-hazards in the mountainous regions of Ethiopian highlands. This study aims to assess the contributions of major causative factors of landslides and produce landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) map of the study area using frequency ratio (FR) method. In total, 283 landslides were identified using field campaigns, aerial photos, and Google Earth. Seven causative factors, namely slope steepness, aspect, elevation, lithology, distance to drainage, land use land cover, and distance to lineament, were used for landslide susceptibility mapping. 12.7% of the study area is affected by different types of landslides. The study revealed that slope steepness, lithology, and distance to drainage have significant effect on landslide occurrences. Specifically, slope angles (>35°), distance to drainage (0 to 150 m), land use land cover (bare land), distance to lineament (0 to 400 m), and elevation (>3030 m) are prone to landslides. Moreover, slope aspects with southwest, northwest, and west orientations are more susceptible to landslides. The findings showed that 11.7% of the study area falls under low susceptibility zone, 47.68% under moderate zone, while high and very high susceptibility zones cover 30.83% and 9.79% of the area, respectively. The validation of landslide susceptibility map reveals that 84% of the inventoried landslides fall in high and very high susceptibility zones, while 14% fall in moderate zone and only 2% in low susceptibility zone. Furthermore, verification using the area under the ROC curve resulted in 87% prediction accuracy. Therefore, the generated landslide susceptibility map could serve as a baseline for future infrastructure planning and settlement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02661"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clustering and spatial dynamics of informal trading in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Meshach Ndlovu","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disruptions across various sectors, with Zimbabwe's informal economy being acutely impacted. In response, the Zimbabwean government implemented measures to mitigate the economic challenges faced by informal traders, including the establishment of new trading spaces such as Nkulumane Sekusile in Bulawayo. This study investigates the spatial dynamics, understood as the clustering and grouping of different types of traders within Sekusile market during the pandemic. The research examines how the influx of traders from various regions altered the market's structure and competition. By employing advanced statistical clustering methods—such as hotspot analysis, the K-means algorithm, ordinary kriging, and persistence diagrams—this study provides critical insights into these spatial variations, informing policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the socio-economic resilience of informal traders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02662"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143704622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abudu Issah Ndaago, Philip Kwaku Kankam, Winifred Bentil
{"title":"Awareness and knowledge of Open Educational Resources (OERs) among postgraduate students in Ghanaian universities","authors":"Abudu Issah Ndaago, Philip Kwaku Kankam, Winifred Bentil","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Open Educational Resources (OERs) proficiently enhance academic resources and help promote affordable, accessible education. However, much is not known in terms of the knowledge, awareness, and sources of information about OERs among postgraduate students in Ghanaian universities. This present study examined postgraduate students' awareness, knowledge, and sources of OERs. It employed a quantitative method, using a survey study design. Data was collected with self-administered questionnaires, 344 postgraduate students responded from across the three Ghanaian universities, and analyzed using Special Package for Statistical Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Findings from this study revealed that OERs were generally accessible through platforms like Sakai Learning Management System, Moodle, and other institutional repositories. Although many students demonstrated some basic level of awareness, a significant proportion of the students lacked familiarity with specific OERs and their components. The university libraries were identified as dominant providers of OER materials, alongside academic advisors, conferences, and colleagues. The findings from this study also emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions, such as workshops, training programs, and promotional activities, to bridge the awareness-usage gap to foster effective and efficient OER implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optimization of biodiesel production from cottonseed oil using response surface methodology and artificial neural network techniques","authors":"Negasa Tesfaye Tefera, Ramesh Babu Nallamothu, Getachew Alemayehu Lakew, Teshome Kumsa Kurse","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The depletion of fossil fuels and increasing environmental concerns necessitate the development of sustainable energy alternatives. Biodiesel, derived from renewable feedstocks, is a promising solution to address these challenges. This study focuses on optimizing biodiesel production from cottonseed oil using a hybrid modelling approach that integrates response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN). Unlike conventional studies that rely on a single optimization technique, this study combines RSM with Box-Behnken design and ANN to enhance predictive accuracy and process efficiency. Biodiesel was synthesized through transesterification using methanol and KOH catalyst, with optimization based on reaction time (40, 60, and 80 min.), concentration of catalyst (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt. %), and methanol to oil ratio (1:4, 1:6, and 1:8). The Box-Behnken design of RSM generated an experimental design matrix, while ANN featured a 3-10-1 architecture to evaluate process variables. The highest biodiesel yield of 94.66 % was achieved at catalyst concentration (1 wt. %), a reaction duration (60 min.), and a methanol to oil ratio (1:6). The RSM quadratic model achieved an R<sup>2</sup> of 0.970 and an adj-R<sup>2</sup> of 0.968. The ANN model, trained using the Levenberg-Marquardt approach, achieved a mean squared error of 4.963e-18 and an R-value of 0.9957 at epoch 3. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) confirmed several fatty acid concentrations in the methyl ester. Furthermore, the biodiesel's key physicochemical properties meet EN 14214 and ASTM D6751 standards. This study contributes to advancing renewable energy sources by utilizing cottonseed oil, thereby promoting environmental sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02665"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development of solid phase extraction method for the LC-PDA detection of selected pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in surface water and sediment from the Isipingo River, KZN, South Africa","authors":"Lemien Thavarayan, Brenda Moodley","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multiple reports of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP's) have been established worldwide in different matrices of the environment. However, only a few of these investigations cover their metabolites in the environment. This study addresses the detection of ten selected pharmaceuticals including their dominant metabolites in surface water and sediments along the Isipingo River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A solid phase extraction method was developed for the simultaneous extraction of these targeted pharmaceuticals from different therapeutic groups in sediment and surface water samples. The extracted samples were analyzed using LC-PDA. Extraction times, solvent extraction, SPE sorbent type and extraction pH were optimized for both sediment and surface water samples to produce an overall analyte recovery of 59 -109 %. The limit of detection for surface water and sediments were 0.012–0.211 µg/L and 0.848–2.756 µg/kg, respectively. All target analytes and their dominant metabolites were detected in the range of 0.11–3.68 µg/L and 1.76–117.2 µg/kg for surface water and sediments, respectively. The trends show an increase in total PPCP levels along the flow of the river with the highest amounts detected at the outflow of the diversion works for sediments 358.89 µg/kg and surface water 11.07 ug/L.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02655"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Spatio-temporal crime pattern analysis in Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: GIS and R based approaches","authors":"Ziyen Achamyeleh Mekonnen , Esubalew Mulugeta Engda , Kanenus Fufa Deraro , Natnael Agegnehu , Talema Moged Reda , Muralitharan Jothimani","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spatio-temporal crime analysis is a critical component of modern law enforcement and urban planning, aiming to understand the dynamic nature of criminal activities within a geographic context. This study presents a comprehensive approach to spatio-temporal crime analysis using R programming language. The study begins by collecting and preprocessing 5-year crime data, incorporating both spatial and temporal dimensions. It applies various exploratory data analyses to unveil underlying patterns and trends in the data, including hotspot identification, density estimation, and cluster detection to pinpoint areas of high criminal activity and potential crime clusters. The results reveal that fraud, accounting for 19.5 % of reported crimes, is the most prevalent crime, followed by attempted murder (11.1 %) and drug offenses (9 %). Temporal trends indicate that fraud peaked in 2018, while attempted murders showed the highest frequency in 2021. Crime incidents were most frequent in the summer months, with notable spikes in June and July for attempted murder, and August through October for fraud. The spatial analysis identified crime hotspots in areas such as Merkato and Autobis Tera, where commercial activity and transportation hubs correlate with high crime concentrations. The study recommends continuously collecting and analyzing crime data to identify emerging trends and adapt strategies accordingly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143734577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Duration of cuteneous analgesia induced by bupivacaine and ketamine in female Wistar rats; role of epinephrine","authors":"Dennis Seyi Arokoyo , Praise Ireyimika Fagbangbe , Oluwabanke Chigozirim Oladimeji , Abraham Oluwaseun Olaoye , Ayobami Emmanuel Oyediran , Majeed Babajide Adegboye","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study was designed to investigate the cumulative effect of bupivacaine and ketamine on rats' cutaneous trunci muscle reflex (CTMR) and the effect of epinephrine on the duration of analgesia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fifteen rats were randomly selected into three groups of five rats each. Each rat served as its own control with the right and left thoracolumbar regions being the experimental and control sites respectively. Rats in the first group (group A) were administered Bupivacaine alone, Group B rats were given Ketamine alone while Group C rats were infiltrated with a combination of Bupivacaine and Ketamine. The experiment was repeated seven days after with the addition of epinephrine to all the 3 categories of infiltrate. 0.6 ml total volume of drugs in each group was injected subcutaneously following which CTMR was stimulated via forceps bite on the injection and control sites alternately. The duration of induced analgesia (period of negative responses) in each group was recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The result showed a statistically significant difference (<em>P</em> < 0.05) in the duration of analgesia among the three groups. Bupivacaine and ketamine injections individually produced analgesia of 160 min and 120 min, respectively while a combination of both drugs acted for less duration. The duration of analgesia was further prolonged in all three groups following the addition of epinephrine.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Bupivacaine and ketamine have a combined analgesic effect that is permissive on one another rather than additive and these effects are prolonged by concurrent administration with epinephrine due to its local vasoconstrictive effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02660"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdulrahim A. Alzain , Fatima A. Elbadwi , Wadah Osman , Ahmed Ashour , Mohammed Hamed Alqarni , Ahmed I. Foudah , Reham M. Samra
{"title":"Broadening the scope of bacteria DNA Gyrase B Inhibitors by marine compounds: Insights form molecular docking, MM-GBSA, molecular dynamics simulations and ADMET predictions","authors":"Abdulrahim A. Alzain , Fatima A. Elbadwi , Wadah Osman , Ahmed Ashour , Mohammed Hamed Alqarni , Ahmed I. Foudah , Reham M. Samra","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>New antibacterial drugs are urgently needed to tackle the rapid rise in multi-drug-resistant bacteria. DNA gyrase B is a validated target for the development of new antibacterial drugs. The marine environment has proven to be a very rich source of diverse natural products with significant biological activities. Thus, in the present investigation, a library of marine natural compounds was screened against the active site of DNA gyrase B using multistage virtual screening using HTVS, SP, and XP docking modes of Glide. Notably, compounds CMNPD25880, CMNPD28952 and CMNPD28578 were found to have a good binding affinity against <em>E. coli</em> gyrase with docking scores values of -11.084, -10.809, and -10.699 Kcal/mol, respectively, in comparison with the bound ligand (docking score -9.899 kcal/mol). The MM-GBSA (Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area) results revealed that these compounds had favorable binding free energy values comparable to that of the reference. Further, these three compounds were subjected to MD simulations, resulting in low RMSD values suggesting their interaction stability with the DNA gyrase binding site. Finally, the three compounds showed acceptable ADMET properties. Therefore, these marine-derived compounds could be a promising lead as antibacterial candidates which merit further future experimental testing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Modelling and analysis of hydraulic transients in water pipelines using physics-informed neural network","authors":"Philbert Felician Mushumbusi , Judith Leo , Ashvinkumar Chaudhari , Verdiana Grace Masanja","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydraulic transients remain a challenge in fluid flow systems, spanning basic pipelines to complex networks. While advances in transient analysis methods have been made, most approaches require full boundary condition data or rely on computationally intensive mesh-based techniques. In response to these limitations, PINNs have emerged as a promising alternative for predicting pressure and flow rate transients in pipeline systems without requiring complete knowledge of boundary conditions. The PINN model was trained both with and without initial and boundary condition data, achieving results that matched the Method of Characteristics reference with remarkable accuracy. Notably, the model effectively captured pressure and flow rate traces, even when tested on data from unmonitored locations. This demonstrate the robustness of PINN in addressing incomplete data challenges, enhance mesh-free computation, and optimising transient analysis. These findings highlight PINN as a powerful tool for improving field data accuracy and computational efficiency in hydraulic systems, paving the way for their broader application in fluid flow networks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02637"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brahim Echouai , Ahmed Adri , Yassine El Khouddar , Omar Outassafte , Issam El Hantati , El kouchi Echouai , Mustapha Hassa , Rhali Benamar
{"title":"Analysis of transverse vibrations of functionally graded beams with magnetostrictive Terfenol-D layers resting on an elastic foundation","authors":"Brahim Echouai , Ahmed Adri , Yassine El Khouddar , Omar Outassafte , Issam El Hantati , El kouchi Echouai , Mustapha Hassa , Rhali Benamar","doi":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of this research is to analyse and optimise the transverse vibrations of a beam made from functional gradient material (FGM) with magnetostrictive layers of Terfenol-D, supported by a Winkler-type elastic foundation. This study aims to develop an accurate model to analyze the influence of material properties, magnetostrictive layers, and the elastic foundation on the natural frequencies and damping factors of FGMT beams, using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory within the finite element method (FEM). Using this approach, the governing differential equations are solved, and then the results, such as natural frequencies and vibration modes, are compared with the existing literature to validate the proposed model. Special focus is given to the detailed examination of natural frequencies for various combinations of FGMT materials to enhance the formulation's precision. More specifically, the objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive numerical framework that enables the prediction and optimization of transverse vibrations in FGMT beams, considering different material compositions and boundary conditions. The study seeks to highlight how the combination of magnetostrictive layers and elastic foundations can be exploited to enhance vibration control efficiency. The study also investigates the effectiveness of vibration suppression based on design parameters like material properties and foundation configuration. This paper provides insights into vibration mode distribution and structural optimization, offering recommendations for designing vibration control systems with potential applications in mitigating unwanted vibrations in infrastructure, industrial devices, and transport vehicles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21690,"journal":{"name":"Scientific African","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article e02651"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143697640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}