Northern Region Research Articles

Status of Velar Fricatives and Flap in Dagbanli

The study is cross-dialectal investigation of the velar fricatives [x, ɣ] and the flap [ɾ] in Dagbanli, a Mabia language spoken in the Northern Region of Ghana. The issues investigated and assessed for the purpose of Dagbanli phonology are the status of the velar fricatives [x, ɣ] and the flap [ɾ] across Dagbanli dialects. Ethnographic approach is employed to solicit the primary data from bucolic Dagbanli speech communities. Descriptive method is engaged for the analysis of the primary data available. The investigation reveals that Dagbanli dialects have the velar fricatives [x, ɣ] confined to specific segmental contexts with a particular inventory stricture. The flap[ɾ] is noticed to occur in mostly in intervocalic but entirely missing in Dagbanli indigenous words in word-initial. The velar fricatives [x, ɣ] and the flap[ɾ] are observed to be non-contrastive and only suffice as dialectal allophones in the language. The paper shows evidence of coalesce of non-coronal labial /m/ and coronal fricative /s/ to produce dorsal fricative [x] in intervocalic and coalesce of stem final stop /ɡ/ and suffix onset fricative /s/ to yield the dorsal fricative [x], a finding which shows the status of the segment [x] in Dagbanli phonology. The paper concludes that the segments [x], [ɣ] and [ɾ] are positional variants of /s/, /ɡ/ and /d/.

Inorganic composition of PM2.5 in the lower northern region of Thailand and their potential impact on human health

Inorganic composition of PM2.5 in the lower northern region of Thailand and their potential impact on human health

Multiple Views on Return Migration to Northern Syria

ABSTRACTMedia, humanitarian organisations and host governments have increasingly talked about returning refugees affected by a more than a decade‐long conflict in Syria. However, the northern Syria region does not offer adequate living conditions for return; this region is currently unfit for settlement, and it is impossible to attract Syrians to return to it, regardless of the lack of security and the political issues that many scholars have discussed. This study was conducted in early 2023 in two regions including four areas in northern Syria (Jarabulus, Azaz, Al‐Bab and Afrin) and three provinces in Türkiye (Istanbul, Gaziantep and Mersin). We compare the opinions of Syrian refugees in Türkiye and Syrians who had been internally displaced and who resettled in the northern region. The purpose of the comparison is to understand the views of both Syrians in Türkiye and in northern Syria regarding whether the region is attractive to them or not. However, the results confirm that people are not willing to return, as the push factors overcome the pull factors. The data collection among Türkiye‐based Syrians and northern Syria's residents enabled us to work with different opinion‐making processes: The assessment of today's Syrian services results from the direct witness of current dwellers and the views of Türkiye‐based refugees. Through a large‐scale survey, our study aims to identify the push factors that induce refugees to discount the possibility of returning to the northern Syrian region, including the lack of job opportunities and basic services such as potable water, electricity, fuel, Internet, adequate education and healthcare.

Dynamic factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Cameroon between 2021 and 2022.

Little is known about attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa, where immunisation coverage is the lowest in the world. The study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake in Cameroon, and assess changes in these factors over a period of time. The study was conducted in the ten regions of Cameroon. The authors conducted a two-phase cross-sectional survey in the 10 regions of Cameroon, from July 2021 to August 2021 (Phase one) and from August 2022 to September 2022 (Phase two). We analysed reasons for vaccine hesitancy descriptively and used logistic regression to assess factors associated with hesitancy. Overall, we enrolled 12 109 participants: 6567 (54.23%) in Phase one and 5542 (45.77%) in Phase two. Of these, 8009 (66.14%) were not interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (n = 4176 in Phase one, n = 3833 in Phase two). The refusal rate increased significantly in the northern region from 27.00% in Phase 1 to 60.00% in Phase two. The leading contributor to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was fear that the vaccine was dangerous, which was significantly associated (95% confidence interval [CI], p < 0.05%) with vaccine refusal in both phases. Overall, 32.90% of participants (n = 2578) perceived the COVID-19 vaccine to be dangerous. Advanced age, male gender, Muslim religion and low level of education were associated with vaccine acceptance. Participants reported that healthcare workers were the most trusted source of information about the COVID-19 vaccine by 5005 (42.84%) participants. Despite the investment of the Ministry of Health and its partners in community engagement, focussing on communication about the vaccine efficacy, tolerance and potential adverse events, fear of the vaccine remains high, likely leading to vaccine hesitancy in Cameroon between 2021 and 2022. The study highlight regional variations in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Cameroon, with factors age, gender, religion and education influencing willingness to vaccine. Trust in health workers was high, indicating that, tailored, community-led vaccination strategies are key for improving vaccine uptake, not only for COVID-19 but also for future epidemics.

Ecological effects of land use and land cover change in the typical ecological functional zones of Egypt

Evaluation the value of ecosystem services can provide crucial reference for formulating ecological protection plans and making informed management decision. This study utilized Landsat remote sensing images as the data source and employed land-use transfer chains and land use transfer matrix methods to compare the ecological effects of land use and land cover change(LUCC) in the two typical ecological functional zones of Egypt, one area isthe northern region of Egypt with the Priority function of Economic Development, another area is the Nasser Reservoir area with the priority function of water conservation. The key findings are as follows: (1)The northern region of Egypt and the Nasser Reservoir exhibited different trends across the ecological functional zones.From 1985 to 2020, the northern region of Egypt is characterized by an increase in arable land and impervious surface,the Nasser Reservoir area is distinguished by the expansion of water and a reduction in sand.(2) Key land transfer patterns vary significantly between the ecological functional zones of the northern region of Egypt and the Nasser Reservoir. From 1985 to 2020, the Egypt’s northern region experienced significant shifts between arable land, sand, and impervious surfaces. The conversion of arable land to impervious surfaces represented 2.41% of the total arable land transfer area, while sand converted to impervious surfaces accounted for 11.68% of the total sand transfer area. In the Nasser Reservoir region, significant conversions occurred between water, grasslands, and sand. Sand converted to water made up 3.83% of the total sand transfer area, while grassland converted to water compriseed 5.38% of the total grassland transfer area. (3) The ecological benefits of the northern region of Egypt and the Nasser Reservoir have increased significantly. In northern region of Egypt, the primary drivers of this increase in ecological service value are the conversion of arable land and grasslands, along with the ecological development and utilization of sand. In the Nasser Reservoir area,the inflow of water and the continued outflow of sands are the main factors contributing to the rise in ecosystem service value. (4) Differentiated LUCC management should be implemented for different ecological functional zones. In northern region of Egypt, the focus should be on balancing ecological security with human development, while the Nasser Reservoir area should prioritize water resource protection and sustainable development. The research findings are not only significant for optimizing LUCC but also for enhancing ecosystem service functions in Egypt.

Central-European sunshine hours, relationship with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and forecast

Sunshine hours (SSH) is an important meteorological parameter, loosely linked to temperature and precipitation, and highly relevant for various sectors such as agriculture or solar energy. Previous studies have already identified a correlation of European SSH with the thermal state of the North Atlantic. This paper investigates this relationship further by studying annual and monthly SSH of seven long-term Central European SSH series and comparing them to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) using Fourier Transformation, Monte Carlo simulation and non-linear optimization. The Fourier spectra of our annual SSH series have their strongest and highly significant peaks in the known AMO period of ~ 50 to ~ 80 years, supporting the hypothesis that European SSH and the AMO are linked. The optimized sinusoids of the seven SSH and the AMO series with these periods show substantial correlations with the corresponding data (r = 0.42–0.55 for SSH and 0.71 for the AMO). Extrapolating the sinusoids, we project a gradual decline in SSH across Central Europe by 9–16% from its current maximum over the next three decades, particularly pronounced in northern regions.

Work Value and Work-Related Issues between Two Generations for Technical Staff at Northern Region in Malaysia

Work Value and Work-Related Issues between Two Generations for Technical Staff at Northern Region in Malaysia

Snow as an Indicator of Atmospheric Transport of Anthropogenic Particles (Microplastics and Microfibers) from Urban to Arctic Regions

We report anthropogenic particles (AP) &gt; 100μm, including microplastics and microfibers, from 70 surface snow samples collected from the urban Greater Toronto Area (GTA), remote and sparsely inhabited regions in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the unpopulated high Arctic. Concentrations and proportions of particles of anthropogenic origin were conservatively estimated after blank and ‘anthropogenic origin’ corrections were performed based on visual analysis and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR). AP were dominated by microfibers (95-100%), with variable concentrations across and within regions. Microfibers were distinguished as synthetic, regenerated semi-synthetic, anthropogenically modified cellulosic, and natural cellulosic or proteinaceous. Among microfibers with confirmed anthropogenic origin, most were polyester/PET (8-22%) and semi-synthetic rayon (1-18%), with anthropogenic cellulose comprising a small proportion (3-7%) across all regional areas. Greater diversity of coloured non-fibrous particles (fragments, films and foams) in settled regions (i.e., GTA and Carcross, Yukon) suggests direct input from local sources. Back trajectory analyses performed for days leading up to sample collection showed high frequency transport (&gt;10%) from population centres exceeding 200km distance. Our findings of APs in snow from uninhabited areas support the hypothesis that APs, especially microfibers, undergo long-range atmospheric transport whereby snow can scavenge and deposit APs in remote northern regions.

Analysis of ecological environment quality heterogeneity across different landform types in Myanmar and its driving forces

Ecological Environmental Quality (EEQ) assessment is a crucial method for understanding regional ecological conditions and identifying ecological problems. Understanding how EEQ responds to various natural and anthropogenic factors under different landform conditions is extremely important to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the assessment. Landforms, as a key natural geographic element, influence not only the spatial distribution of EEQ, but also the nature and intensity of human activities. However, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how different landform types affect the ecological environment. In this paper, we quantitatively assessed the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of EEQ in Myanmar based on the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) model, and used Geodetector to reveal the driving mechanisms of EEQ in terms of the whole region and specific landform types. The results showed that: (1) The overall EEQ in Myanmar showed a fluctuating downward trend from 2000 to 2020, and the spatial heterogeneity is obvious. The plains and hills had poor EEQ, while the mountains, highlands and most of the northern regions have better EEQ. (2) The EEQ of different landform types differed significantly. The EEQ was best in middle relief mountains and poorer in plains and high relief mountains. (3) Land use, human footprint and net primary productivity (NPP) were the main factors affecting EEQ in Myanmar, and there are significant spatial and temporal dynamic interactions between different factors. (4) There were significant differences in the factors affecting EEQ between landform types. For example, EEQ in plains, hills, low relief mountains, and middle relief mountains was influenced by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. In contrast, upland mountain areas were mainly influenced by natural factors alone. As the degree of landform fluctuation increases, the influence of each factor generally showed a downward trend. This study reveals the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of Myanmar’s EEQ, key driving factors, and differential response mechanisms of ecological environment evolution under different landform types, and provides a scientific basis for formulating ecosystem protection and restoration strategies based on local conditions.

Morphological and physiological characteristics of two neotropical plants in veredas with different levels of drying

Objective: The propose of this study was to investigate whether the species Copaifera oblongifolia (Fabaceae) and Macairea radula (Melastomataceae), occurring in veredas with different levels of drying, show differences in plant architecture (morphological traits) and foliar compound levels (physiological characteristics). Methods: Sampling was conducted in two veredas, which are Vereda da Almescla (preserved vereda) and Vereda do Peruaçu (degraded vereda in an advanced drying stage) located in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data on morphological traits (height, circumference above ground, and canopy width) and foliar compounds (concentrations of chlorophyll, nitrogen, and flavonols) were collected from 15 individuals of each species in each vereda. Results: The results showed that the structural characteristics of the studied species did not differ between the analyzed veredas. Similarly, foliar compounds did not exhibit significant differences in their concentrations among the plants from the two veredas studied. Conclusion: These results suggest that the water stress present in the veredas does not seem to influence the morphological characteristics and foliar compounds of neotropical species. This is the first study evaluating the impacts of vereda drying on morphological and physiological attributes of plants.

Escaping the midway trap: A mixed method study highlighting roadblocks and coping mechanisms of female researchers in Cameroon.

Across the world, women make most of the health workforce, but remain underrepresented in academia. This is even worst in Sub-Saharan Africa where women are the least represented as first and last authors in publications, especially in francophone countries. However, there is a lack of data on the reason explaining this inequity. Therefore, we sought to describe challenges which hinder the growth of Cameroonian female researchers and conducted a mixed method study over one year from January 2020 to December 2020. We included Cameroonian female researchers in health. For the quantitative arm, data was collected through an online google questionnaire. In-depth interviews were organized for the qualitative arm. Data was analyzed using python software version 21 for the quantitative arm and content analysis was performed for qualitative data. A total of 119 participants were included in this study. Most participants were aged between 25 and 35 years (72%) and they were Christians (94%). The majority had at least a PhD degree (29.6%) and they came from the West region of Cameroon (34.2%) the Northern regions were grossly underrepresented. More than half of our participants faced issues with balancing career, work, and academia and this is linked to culture. Socioeconomic, sociocultural, institutional, and environmental roadblocks hinder the progress and research productivity of most female researchers. The burden of unpaid maternity leaves, and sexual harassment remains high for most women. The use of English language as lingua Franca is perceived as another barrier for one on two women. However, there are coping strategies adopted by female scientists including the development of soft skills such as self-confidence, determination, and hard work. Extrinsic factors such as global policy, international partnerships, workshops, mentorship, and networking are also supporting women in global health. Gender-based interventions are critical to support women in escaping the midway trap.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes: Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Adopted Hospital Policies That Combat Antibacterial Resistance in Selected Health Facilities in Uganda

Background: This study aimed to determine healthcare providers’ perspectives on adopted hospital policies that support establishing antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) in selected health facilities in Uganda. Results: In this study, 63.1% of healthcare providers had a low-level perspective regarding adopting hospital policies to facilitate the establishment of ASPs. The low-perspective was significantly associated with females (aOR: 17.3, 95% CI: 1.28–2.34, p &lt; 0.001), healthcare practitioners aged 50 + years (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.22–3.01, p = 0.004), individuals in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department (aOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.03–2.90, p &lt; 0.037), and Uganda’s Eastern (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.03–2.09, p = 0.034) and Northern regions (aOR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.63–5.42, p &lt; 0.001). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study where 582 healthcare providers (response rate (76%) were interviewed using a questionnaire to assess their perspectives on hospital policies that support ASP in 32 selected health facilities. We performed ordinal logistic regression on factors associated with adopted policies, and these were reported with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Conclusions: there was a low-level perspective on adopted hospital policies to support ASPs, which were significantly associated with the sex of healthcare providers, departments, age, and region of the country.

Analyzing disruptions in post-pandemic population return patterns: A network perspective on Chinese cities

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally reshaped global socio-economic structures, precipitating a profound transformation in people's lifestyles. An in-depth analysis of the disruptions in post-pandemic population returns patterns and the evolving driving factors can facilitate socio-economic recovery, development, and macro-control. This paper employs social network analysis to examine the spatial patterns and evolving urban locational attributes of the Population Mobility Network (PMN) during post-holiday returns in major Chinese cities amid the pandemic, assessing the impact of varying proximities on the PMN. The results indicate that: (1) During the pandemic, the geographic patterns of population mobility in China underwent significant fluctuations, with distinct regional and temporal variations, while intercity connections increasingly shifted toward shorter trips. (2) From 2019 to 2022, major Chinese cities experienced notable changes in status and connectivity, evolving into a multi-centric structure within the national population mobility network. (3) Community clusters predominantly adhere to provincial demarcations, maintaining stable structures within major urban agglomerations despite intense intra-regional competition, with clear distinctions in community stability between northern and southern regions. (4) Beyond traditional socio-economic factors, the level of digital finance has emerged as a new driver of population mobility, with the varied attributes of inter-city relationships also significantly influencing the PMN. Studying spatial patterns and urban location from the perspective of population mobility can inform post-pandemic optimization of national resource allocation and urban recovery strategies.

Coastal fisheries adaptations to increasing climate change exposure in Japan

Abstract Climate change‐driven ocean warming is altering the geographic ranges of species, leading to a poleward shift of tropical species into temperate regions (tropicalisation). This threatens the native marine community assemblages by changing the availability of traditional marine resources, thus impacting the livelihood and well‐being of coastal fisheries. Fishers' individual responses are expected to transition from remaining to coping and from adapting to transforming as climate change exposure increases, yet empirical evidence is limited. The existing strong thermal gradient along the western coast of Shikoku (Japan), an area experiencing tropicalisation, provides a unique opportunity to analyse how regions facing different climate change exposure levels (North: low, Centre: medium and South: high) affect fishers' responses in relation to their adaptive capacity. Data from 92 face‐to‐face interviews with small‐scale fishers from 25 locations revealed that the largest proportion of coping and adaptive responses is in the Central region, while remaining responses predominated in the Northern and Southern regions. Results from a multinomial logistic model indicate that the exposure level is a good predictor for coping and adaptive responses but not for transformative ones. This possibly reflects the fact that these fishers might have exited coastal fisheries prior to our study as suggested by the strong fisher population decrease in the communities from the Southern region over the last three decades. This study provides novel empirical evidence on how climate change exposure influences fishers' responses to past and current climate change impacts, highlighting the intricate interplay between exposure level and individual adaptive capacity. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Analyzing the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Drought in Shaanxi Province

Drought, as a natural disaster with wide-ranging impacts and long duration, has an adverse effect on the global economy and ecosystems. In this paper, four remote sensing drought indices, namely the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), Vegetation Supply Water Index (VSWI), Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), are selected for drought analysis. The correlation analysis is carried out with the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (sc-PDSI), and based on the optimal index (CWSI), the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought in Shaanxi Province from 2001 to 2021 were studied by SEN trend analysis, Mann–Kendall test, and a center of gravity migration model. The results show that (1) the CWSI performs best in drought monitoring in Shaanxi Province and is suitable for drought studies in this region. (2) Drought in Shaanxi Province shows a decreasing trend from 2001 to 2021; the main manifestation of this phenomenon is the decrease in the occurrence of severe drought, with severe drought covering less than 10% of the area in 2010 and subsequent years. The most severely affected regions in the province are the northern Loess Plateau region and Guanzhong Plain region. In terms of the overall trend, only 0.21% of the area shows an increase in drought, primarily concentrated in the Guanzhong Plain region and the outskirts of the Qinling–Bashan mountainous region. (3) Drought conditions are generally improving, with the droughts’ center of gravity moving northeastward at a rate of 3.31 km per year. The results of this paper can provide a theoretical basis and a practical reference for drought control and decision-making in Shaanxi Province.

Neuro-Architecture in Service of the Autism Spectrum: Designing a School Complex Adapted to Autistic Children in Northern Cameroon

This research explores the application of neuro-architecture in the design of a school complex adapted for autistic children in the northern region of Cameroon. The literature review highlights the specific characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the particular sensory needs of children with this condition in an educational setting. It analyzes how architecture, through the management of light, colors, materials, and spatial arrangement, can positively influence the well-being and learning of these children. By integrating the principles of neuro-architecture, the design of optimized school spaces can help reduce sensory overload and improve the social and educational inclusion of autistic children. This review also examines international case studies and potential adaptations to the geographic and cultural context of northern Cameroon, which is characterized by a lack of suitable educational infrastructure. The objective of this research is to propose architectural design solutions that meet the specific needs of autistic children while considering local constraints.

Analyzing the impact of elastomer spiral bearings as seismic isolators in a reinforced concrete structure in Algeria

Over the past few years, Algeria has experienced numerous seismic events, particularly in the northern region of the country, due to its geographical position between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. These earthquakes pose significant risks, leading to severe damage to both human life and property, including buildings and infrastructure. In response, civil engineers have increasingly advocated for the adoption of advanced seismic isolation techniques aimed at mitigating the transmission of seismic acceleration from the foundation to the superstructure. As a result, Algeria has seen the implementation of a few key projects incorporating seismic isolators, such as the Grand Mosque of Algiers. This article focuses on the design and analysis of the impact of typical aseismic elastomer spiral bearings in a reinforced concrete building located in the city of Oran, Algeria. The study utilizes ETABS software to evaluate the effectiveness of these bearings in enhancing the seismic resilience of the structure.

Influence of socioeconomic aspects on morbidity and mortality rates from COVID-19 in the state of Tocantins, Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the spatial correlation of COVID-19 with social vulnerability indices in the state of Tocantins. Methodology: An ecological and cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing the temporal evolution of the pandemic using the local bivariate Moran's index and the Kernel intensity estimator for COVID-19 cases in Tocantins from 2020 to 2022. Results: The northern region of the state showed the highest concentration of cases and deaths, a concerning fact given the high social vulnerability of most municipalities in this region. Conclusion: The study identified a positive spatial correlation between the incidence and mortality rates of COVID-19 and the social vulnerability index of the municipalities. These findings highlight the need to strengthen preventive measures and expand the physical, technological, and human resources of the healthcare network, especially in areas serving populations with higher vulnerability and traditional communities. This is particularly relevant as the disease also affects more isolated areas, impacting indigenous, riverside, and quilombola populations.

Yellow fever in Ghana: Predicting emergence and ecology from historical outbreaks.

Understanding the epidemiology and ecology of yellow fever in endemic regions is critical for preventing future outbreaks. Ghana is a high-risk country for yellow fever. In this study we estimate the disease burden, ecological cycles, and areas at risk for yellow fever in Ghana based on historical outbreaks. We identify 2387 cases and 888 deaths (case fatality rate 37.7%) from yellow fever reported in Ghana from 1910 to 2022. During the approximately 30-year periods before and after implementation of routine childhood vaccination in 1992, the reported mean annual number of cases decreased by 80%. The geographic distribution of yellow fever cases has also changed over the past century. While there have been multiple large historical outbreaks of yellow fever in regions throughout Ghana, recent outbreaks have originated in northern regions. Comparing the locations where yellow fever outbreaks have emerged, we find patterns with seasons and different ecological transmission cycles. Using an ecological niche modeling framework, we predict areas in Ghana that are similar to where prior yellow fever outbreaks have originated based on temperature, precipitation, vegetation, and human population density. We find that these predictions differ depending on the ecological cycles of outbreaks. Ultimately, these findings and methods could be used to inform further subnational risk assessments for yellow fever in Ghana and other high-risk countries.

Early Generation Selection of Potato Breeding Lines

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world in terms of adaptability, yield potential, and nutritional advantages. This study aimed to conduct potato breeding work for cultivation in Kazakhstan; potato breeding for further processing into chips with cultivation in the northern regions; and the selection of potatoes for processing into frozen French fries with cultivation in the southern and south-eastern regions. Potato varieties (Fontane, Santana, and Punchy) were used as reference varieties to check molecular markers linked to maturity, tuber shape, and flesh color. A total of 42 potato breeding lines crossed from Yagodnyi 19 and CIP clone 397079-6 were used in this study to identify prospective breeding lines. The research was carried out between 2023 and 2024 and under greenhouse conditions. According to the results of molecular analysis and phenotypic data, 21 breeding lines were identified as prospective potato breeding lines. The majority of these potato breeding lines had a round tuber shape and were recommended for chip processing. Three breeding lines had a long oval tuber shape, making them suitable for French fries. Six breeding lines with short-oval and oval tuber shapes were found for consumer potato processing. It is recommended that the breeding process and studies of biochemical properties are continued in all of these identified potato breeding lines.