• Title/Summary/Keyword: North Africa

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Genetic Characterization of Indigenous Goats of Sub-saharan Africa Using Microsatellite DNA Markers

  • Chenyambuga, S.W.;Hanotte, O.;Hirbo, J.;Watts, P.C.;Kemp, S.J.;Kifaro, G.C.;Gwakisa, P.S.;Petersen, P.H.;Rege, J.E.O.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.445-452
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    • 2004
  • Genetic diversity of sub-Saharan African goats was assessed using 19 microsatellite markers. Breeds were sampled from eastern Africa (Maasai, Kigezi, Mubende, North West Highland, Arsi-Bale), southern Africa (Ndebele, Pafuri) and West Africa (West African Dwarf, Maure, Djallonke). European breeds (Grisons Striped, Toggenburg), Asian breeds (Mongolian Cashmere, Bandipur) and a Middle East breed (Arab) were also included. The mean number of alleles per locus and average gene diversity ranged from 5.26$\pm$0.464 (Djallonke) to 7.05$\pm$0.516 (Mubende) and from 0.542$\pm$0.036 (Pafuri) to 0.672$\pm$0.031 (Ndebele), respectively. The between breeds variation evaluated using $$G_{ST}$$ and $\theta$ were found to account for 14.6% ($\theta$) and 15.7% ($$G_{ST}$$) of the total genetic variation. The $D_{A}$ measure of genetic distance between pairs of breeds indicated that the largest genetic distance was between Pafuri and Djallonke while the lowest genetic distance was between Arsi-Bale and North West Highland. A neighbour-joining tree of breed relationships revealed that the breeds were grouped according to their geographic origins. Principal component analysis supported the grouping of the breeds according to their geographic origins. It was concluded that the relationships of sub-Saharan African goat breeds were according to their geographical locations implying that the goats of eastern Africa, West Africa and southern Africa are genetically distinct. Within each sub-region, goat populations could be differentiated according to morphological characteristics.

Growth Rate and Volatility of Exports by Continent & Future Growth potential Analysis (대륙별 수출액의 상승률과 변동성 및 향후 성장 가능성 분석)

  • Choi, Soo-Ho;Choi, Jeong-II
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.17 no.11
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    • pp.192-199
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this paper is to examine the growth trends and volatility of exports in Asia, North America, Europe, Central and South America, Middle East and Africa since 2010. And analyze the correlation and model analysis to find out future directions of development. As a result of the analysis, it showed high export share in Asia, North America, Europe, Central and South America, Middle East and Africa. Asia, North America, Europe showed a relatively high rate of increase in exports and the month-on-month rate of change was stable in Asia and North America. In order to increase our exports through this research, we should pay much attention to export improvement to Asia, North America and Europe. Especially, Asia's exports account for more than 50%, so it seems necessary to plan export enhancement to China, Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India. Although the proportion of exports is not large yet, much attention needs to be paid to new markets in Central and South America, the Middle East and Africa. And I look forward to systematic progress in export promotion.

Prevalence of Mycotoxins and Their Consequences on Human Health

  • Omotayo, Oluwadara Pelumi;Omotayo, Abiodun Olusola;Mwanza, Mulunda;Babalola, Olubukola Oluranti
    • Toxicological Research
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2019
  • Mycotoxin contamination is a global phenomenon and causes a wide array of negative effects and other complications. This study focused on commonly found mycotoxins in Africa and the possible means of prevention or reduction of their contaminating effects. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of mold and fungi; they are generally toxic to living organisms. Hundreds of mycotoxins have been identified thus far, with some, such as aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, and patulin, considered agro-economically important. Several factors contribute to the presence of mycotoxins in food, such as climatic conditions, pest infestation, and poor harvest and storage practices. Exposure to mycotoxins, which occurs mostly by ingestion, leads to various diseases, such as mycotoxicoses and mycoses that may eventually result in death. In light of this, this review of relevant literature focuses on mycotoxin contamination, as well as various methods for the prevention and control of their prevalence, to avert its debilitating consequences on human health. Clear evidence of mycotoxin contamination is present in Africa, and it was therefore recommended that adequate prevention and control of these toxic substances in our food system should be encouraged and that appropriate measures must be taken to ensure food safety as well as the enhanced or long-lifespan of the African populace. Governments, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations should tailor the limited resources available to tackle mycotoxin prevalence, as these will offer the best prospects for successful development of a sustainable food system in Africa.

Distribution of Tropical Tropospheric Ozone Determined by the Scan-Angle Method applied to TOMS Measurements

  • Kim, Jae-H.;Na, Sun-Mi;Newchurch, M. J.;Emmons, L.
    • Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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    • 2002.10a
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    • pp.7-11
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    • 2002
  • This study introduces the first method that determines tropospheric ozone column directly from a space-based instrument. This method is based on the physical differences in the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) measurement as a function of its scan-angle geometry. Tropospheric ozone in September-October exhibits a broad enhancement over South America, the southern Atlantic Ocean, and western South Africa and a minimum over the central Pacific Ocean. Tropical tropospheric ozone south of the equator is higher than north of the equator in September-October, the southern burning season. Conversely, ozone north of the equator is higher in March, the northern burning season. Overall, the ozone over the southern tropics during September-October is significantly higher than over the northern tropics. Abnormally high tropospheric ozone occurs over the western Pacific Ocean during the El Nino season when the ozone amounts are as high as the ozone over the Africa.

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Legal Stability and Determinants of Insurance Development in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA)

  • BEN DHIAB, Lassad;DKHILI, Hichem
    • The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.141-149
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    • 2022
  • Despite the importance of the insurance business for financial and economic development, few studies have looked at the factors that influence its growth. This research adds to the body of knowledge by empirically examining the impact of numerous factors on the development of the insurance business in 15 Middle East and North African (MENA) countries from 2000 to 2017. The study looks at macroeconomic, demographic, and institutional factors as potential drivers of the insurance industry's growth, with the insurance premium as a percentage of GDP as the dependent variable. All variables are stationary at the first difference, according to the IPS panel unit root test. The Pedroni residual cointegration test, Kao residual cointegration test, and Johansen-Fisher panel cointegration tests are then used to look for long-run associations. The cointegration tests strongly suggest that the insurance premium and the various variables have long-run correlations. Findings from the Fully-Modified OLS imply that GDP per capita, gross capital formation, and the KOF economic globalization index have a positive long-term impact on the insurance business. The insurance business is also driven by combating corruption and the rule of law. The population and regulatory quality, on the other hand, have no significant impact.

Korea's Public Diplomacy Policy towards Africa: Strategies, Instruments and Its Implications on Economic Linkages with Africa (한국의 대 아프리카 공공외교: 전략과 방안 그리고 경제 연계에 미치는 영향)

  • Ochieng, Haggai Kennedy;Iffat, Tahira;Kim, Sungsoo
    • Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.312-333
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    • 2020
  • Korea-Africa relations date back to the period of independence of African countries. During this time, the ties between Korea and Africa has passed through stagnation, inconsistencies and weak diplomatic exchanges. Recently, Korea began to refocus its efforts towards Africa in order to revitalize their relations. This paper examines Korea's public diplomacy strategies towards Africa and how its various strategies are working in the interest of Korea as well as Africa. The study shows that Korea's renewed interest in Africa is primarily driven by the security threat from North Korea and the need to diversify its market for industrial goods as well as energy sources. The latter motives override Korea's interest in the continent. These motives are not at variance with those pursued by large powers like the US and China in Africa. Furthermore, the paper shows that Korea is employing a mixture of public diplomacy instruments in Africa with varied outcomes. Economic linkages between Korea and Africa are on an upward trajectory since the late 2000s. In order to build sustainable relations, the paper provides a number suggestions with far-reaching implications on Korea's public diplomacy towards Africa in the future.

Investigation of trace elements in incisor and molar teeth from two different geographical areas in Sudan using micro-particle induced x-ray emission (µ-PIXE)

  • M.E.M. Eisa;J.A. Mars;S. Naidoo;R.A. Shibrain;K.J. Cloete;M. Maaza
    • Analytical Science and Technology
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    • v.36 no.2
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    • pp.99-104
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    • 2023
  • Trace elements (TEs) have significant effects on both dental health and human health. Toxic effects are caused by deficiency or excess of TEs. This study was performed to determine levels of toxic and trace elements in incisor and molar teeth sampled from male and female participants residing in the north and south regions of Sudan. The tooth enamel of 18 extracted human teeth was analyzed using particle-induced x-ray emission (µ-PIXE) to determine its elemental profile and distribution. GeoPIXEII software package was used for the analysis of µ-PIXE data. The main elements determined were Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, and Sr which were homogeneously distributed in the areas of the tooth enamel mapped with micro-PIXE.

The Current State and Task of African Studies in Korea (국내 아프리카 연구의 현황과 과제)

  • Hong, Myung-Hee
    • Cross-Cultural Studies
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    • v.44
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    • pp.373-391
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    • 2016
  • Since the 2000's, interest toward Africa in Korea has increased rapidly. Korea's interest in Africa began in the second half of the 1960's. However, this interest in the 1960's was motivated by political and diplomatic necessity at the time rather than the needs of indigenous groups in Africa. Korea had to oppose North Korea's diplomatic expansion in Africa to gain the support of international organizations like the United Nations. This interest in Africa motivated by diplomatic needs vanished quickly after the end of the cold war in the 1990's. Authentic Korean interest in Africa began to emerge in the 2000's. Korea's rising international status based on economic development led to a natural interest in Africa, which was the last frontier on earth. As a result, African studies in Korea increased significantly after 2010. The increase in the number of theses, articles and books was remarkable from 2010-2016, in comparison with 1957-2010. In spite of the increase in the quantity of thesis, articles, and books, the problem with Korea's African studies is above all, its preponderance. Over 75% of thesis and 70% of articles are concentrated in the domain of politics and economics. This reflects the fact that Korea's interest in Africa is based on short term political and economic interest, indicating that Korea's African studies did not deviate from the rudimentary phase in its quantity and quality. Another problem with Korea's African studies is the lack of integration of different types of research. African studies in Korea has three components, government funded research centers, university laboratories and individual researchers. The government funded research centers focus on the overview of African nations and their political and economic information. University laboratories mainly perform research on the theoretical aspects of politics, economics, human sciences and culture in Africa. Individual researchers are concerned with various categories. However, these three groups have failed to achieve a synergic effect on African studies in Korea and most of the research on Africa does not extend beyond each academic area. To overcome this problem, first of all, a live exchange may be necessary between domestic researchers.

Clustering Asian and North African Countries According to Trend of Colon and Rectum Cancer Mortality Rates: an Application of Growth Mixture Models

  • Zayeri, Farid;Sheidaei, Ali;Mansouri, Anita
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.9
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    • pp.4115-4121
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    • 2015
  • Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death with half a million deaths per year. Incidence and mortality rates have demonstrated notable changes in Asian and African countries during the last few decades. In this study, we first aimed to determine the trend of colorectal cancer mortality rate in each Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) region, and then re-classify them to find more homogenous classes. Materials and Methods: Our study population consisted of 52 countries of Asia and North Africa in six IHME pre-defined regions for both genders and age-standardized groups from 1990 to 2010.We first applied simple growth models for pre-defined IHME regions to estimate the intercepts and slopes of mortality rate trends. Then, we clustered the 52 described countries using the latent growth mixture modeling approach for classifying them based on their colorectal mortality rates over time. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that males and people in high income Asia pacific and East Asia countries were at greater risk of death from colon and rectum cancer. In addition, South Asia region had the lowest rates of mortality due to this cancer. Simple growth modeling showed that majority of IHME regions had decreasing trend in mortality rate of colorectal cancer. However, re-classification these countries based on their mortality trend using the latent growth mixture model resulted in more homogeneous classes according to colorectal mortality trend. Conclusions: In general, our statistical analyses showed that most Asian and North African countries had upward trend in their colorectal cancer mortality. We therefore urge the health policy makers in these countries to evaluate the causes of growing mortality and study the interventional programs of successful countries in managing the consequences of this cancer.