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Item Using Landsat, Sentinel-1 and -2 and GEE to assess changes in wetland Ecosystem Functional Groups in the Maputaland Coastal Plain of South Africa(2026-12) Apleni, P; Naidoo, L; Tsele, P; Van Deventer, HeidiConsistent monitoring of wetland Ecosystem Functional Groups (EFGs) over large areas and long periods remains challenging owing to uneven availability, varying spatial resolutions, and spectral similarity of some EFGs. A Google Earth Engine (GEE)-based Earth Observation workflow was developed to map and quantify changes in wetland EFGs across the Maputaland Coastal Plain (MCP) in South Africa. The study included Landsat imagery for 1990, 2000, 2006 and 2014; and Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery for 2018, 2020 and 2022.Item Microstructure, hardness, and wear behaviour of laser-cladded Inconel 625 and 718 powders on Hadfield steel(2026) Williams, I; Maledi, Nthabiseng; Bamisaye, OS; Bodunrin, M; Skhosane, Besabakhe S; Sitimela, TLaser cladding offers enhanced mechanical and microstructural properties in rail crossings, thereby improving the surface characteristics required for high-speed and heavy-haul rail transportation. In this study, the Inconel 625 and 718 powders were deposited on Hadfield steel to evaluate the microstructural, hardness, and wear properties. The laser-cladded Inconel 625 and 718 showed a strong metallurgical bond at the substrate-clad interface. Columnar and equiaxed dendritic microstructure was observed in the clads. The average microhardness of Inconel 625 and 718 clads was 269 HV and 243 HV, respectively. The Inconel 718 clad had a lower wear rate of 2.31×10−3 mm3/Nm compared to the Inconel 625 samples at 2.46×10−3 mm3/Nm. Based on these findings, Inconel 625 and 718 are promising deposition materials for repairing rail crossings by laser cladding.Item Leaf spectroscopy reveals post-fire phenolic chrono sequence in the Fynbos biome(2026-08) Sibiya, Sihle B; Cho, Moses A; Mutanga, O; Odindi, J; Masemola, Cecilia; Van Stade, JFire is a key physical driver of ecosystem change, while plants rely on secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds for chemical defense. Despite their importance, fire effects on secondary metabolites are often studied separately. Consequently, the mechanisms by which post-fire conditions shape the levels and diversity of secondary compounds in plant communities remain poorly understood. In this study, we used leaf spectroscopy to investigate how post-fire affects secondary metabolites in the fire- driven fynbos biome, a system rich in secondary metabolites. Results showed that both fire and secondary metabolites contribute to ecosystem rejuvenation. Areas subjected to recent fires in 2015, 2016, and 2021 exhibited high phenolic levels, whereas regions with limited fire in 2010 or no recent fire (“never_exp”) had low phenolic concentrations. Using continuum removal, we identified the strongest spectral features for total phenols at 1660 nm and for flavonoids at 415 nm. Because chlorophyll also absorbs strongly in the 410–430 nm region, we evaluated and adjusted multiple spectral indices to improve flavonoid sensitivity. The Flavonoid Index (FI)415,710 and FI420,710 showed the strongest relationships with phenolic content (R flavonoids: R 2 = 0.55; RRMSE ≈ 1.98– 1.99%). Phenolic concentrations were also estimated using random forest regression. Prediction of total phenols was generally more accurate than flavonoids (total phenols: R 2 2 = 0.82, RRMSE = 12.54%; = 0.81, RRMSE = 10.75%). Total phenols were best modeled using short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectra, while flavonoids were best modeled using full (VSWIR) spectra. Overall, our findings clarify the coupled roles of fire and secondary metabolites in supporting fynbos resilience and regeneration.Item Riverine microplastics in South Africa: Unravelling pollution sources from source to sediment(2026-02) Malambule, NL; Kumar, A; Amoah, ID; Tyrone Moodley, T; Malla, MA; Nnadozie, CF; Thangwane, Christabel S; Kumar, SMicroplastics (MPs) are persistent environmental pollutants of growing concern, threatening aquatic ecosystems worldwide. This study examined the influence of different pollution sources on the abundance, types, and polymer composition of MPs in two South African river systems, the uMsunduzi and Swartskop Rivers. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from sites impacted by industrial, wastewater, agricultural, and urban activities. Both rivers showed high MP contamination, with the highest concentrations detected in industrial and agricultural zones. Fibers dominated the particle shapes, while polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the most common polymers, alongside site-specific contaminants such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Sediments generally contained higher MP concentrations and smaller particles than surface waters. These findings highlight the role of land use in shaping MP pollution profiles and the need for targeted mitigation strategies to protect freshwater systems.Item The Evolution of Southern Ocean Net Primary Production in a Changing Climate: Challenges and Opportunities(2025-12) Tagliabue, A; Thomas Ryan-Keogh, Thomas; Baker, A; Bibby, TS; Follett, C; Lohan, MC; Naveira-Garabato, A; Mayor, DJ; Milne, A; Moore, CM; Ussher, SNet primary production in the Southern Ocean plays a critical role in governing ecosystem production, the biological carbon pump, and global biogeochemical cycles. Recent work has advanced our understanding of novel factors regulating Southern Ocean net primary production and the regional physiological adaptations employed by Southern Ocean phytoplankton in terms of their photosynthetic strategies and resource acquisition. Here we assess trends in Southern Ocean net primary production from different remote sensing algorithms and bgc-Argo floats to compare them to the latest Earth System Models used to forecast future changes under three different future climate scenarios. Overall, remote sensing and bgc-Argo floats indicate net primary productivity in the Southern Ocean is declining at basin scale. This contrasts with the Earth System Models that display muted contemporary trends and consistent increases in net primary production that are relatively robust across SSP2-45, SSP3-70, and SS5-85. This mismatch in trends suggests low confidence in these projected net primary production changes, with implications for assessments of changes in ecosystem services. Despite their coherence in terms of net primary production trends, Earth System Models show large disagreement in the relative role of different drivers, suggesting we lack sufficient mechanistic understanding. Improved knowledge of the role of manganese alongside iron and the coupled responses of phytoplankton and zooplankton through the integration of observations and experiments into a new generation of models is necessary to deliver confident forecasts of Southern Ocean ecosystem change. Advancing knowledge in these areas is an important priority for future research in the region and provides context for policy discussions around the marine protection of Antarctic ecosystems that depend on sufficiently confident projections of climate change impacts.Item A global comparison of net-zero carbon building practices(2026-07) Senaratne, S; Nadeeshani, M; Perera, S; Domingo, N; Lombardi, P; Moghadam, ST; Van Reenen, Coralie A; Lai, JHK; Chan, DWM; Mallawaarachchi, HDespite extensive research on individual net-zero carbon building (NZCB) practices, prior studies fail to systematically map global adoption patterns across diverse regulatory and market contexts. This study addresses this gap by investigating current NZCB practices worldwide. A comprehensive list of global NZCB practices, with associated enablers and barriers, was first identified through a literature review. A global survey was then employed to explore the practical adoption of the practices. Six countries/ regions participated in the survey: Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. Survey data were analysed using descriptive and frequency analysis. The study identifies three empirically derived adoption patterns: common, varied, and low across countries/regions. Use of solar photovoltaics, energy-efficient HVAC and modular systems were found to be commonly adopted, while advanced technologies like carbon-infused materials were least adopted. Lack of direct financial incentives emerged as the key global barrier, while robust government policies were the main enabler for NZCB adoption worldwide. These findings provide empirical benchmarks for cross-country NZCB adoption and actionable strategies to accelerate low-adoption practices globally.Item From description to implementation: Key takeaways from the 3rd African Microbiome Symposium(2025-12) Marsh, CC; Nel Van Zyl, K; Babalola, OO; Böhmer, R; Cowan, DA; Moganedi, KLM; Moroenyane, I; Naidoo, Jerolen; Delgado, AN; Posma, JMThe 3rd African Microbiome Symposium was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 20 to 22 November 2024. The symposium featured a diverse range of local and international microbiome research and provided a platform for 79 researchers, students, and industry members to engage in discussions on the microbiome within an African context and focusing on translational research. This meeting review shares highlights, findings, and recommendations derived from the event. Insights from two panel discussions revealed key barriers to microbiome research in Africa, including limited funding, infrastructure gaps, and a shortage of trained local scientists. Recommendations centered on increased investment, institutional training, adherence to ethical guidelines, and the fostering of equitable global partnerships.Item Brightness-shape-moisture radiative transfer model improves soil moisture estimation from Sentinel-2 imagery(2026) Bonnet, Wessel J; Cho, Moses A; Atyosi, Yonwaba; Majozi, Nobuhle PSoil moisture is the main water source for plants, affecting everything from germination to nutrient absorption. The physics-informed brightness-shape-moisture (BSM) radiative transfer model can be used in the inverse direction for accurate soil moisture estimation from high-resolution spectra. However, this accuracy is not maintained once spectra are resampled to fewer-band multispectral resolutions. By coupling a simulated BSM look-up table, resampled to Sentinel-2 response spectra, with gradient boosting regression, the authors developed a transferable method capable of estimating soil moisture from Sentinel-2 imagery, achieving high accuracy on simulated data (R 2 Department of Geography, = 0.96) and moderate accuracy on real-world data (R 2 = 0.51), while avoiding the poorer generalization typically associated with empirical, field- calibrated models. This approach shows strong potential for operational, long-term soil moisture monitoring across Southern Africa.Item Enhanced concept-based exploration of manipulators’ design spaces with kinematics, dynamics and control co-design(2026-08) Modungwa, Dithoto MDetermining the parameters of a manipulator for optimal performance is a challenging task. This is primarily due to possible conflicting objectives, various tasks that should be considered, and the highly non-linear behavior that is involved. This work proposes an enhanced version of the concept-based design space exploration (C-DSE) approach for the design of manipulators. According to the C-DSE approach, prior to the search, the designers divide the set of feasible solutions into meaningful subsets, which are termed concepts. The design space exploration involves a simultaneous search for optimal solutions within each of the pre-defined concepts. This enhanced framework integrates the following: (1) kinematics, dynamics, and control co-design, and the simultaneous optimization of manipulator morphology and controller parameters; (2) surrogate-assisted optimization using Gaussian process (GP) and neural network (NN) models to reduce computational cost; (3) approximately 30 performance metrics spanning kinematic, dynamic, structural, control, and task performance domains; (4) task-aware feasibility verification applying a multi-level hierarchy; (5) a generative AI integration pathway using diffusion models and LLM-guided concept generation (proposed in this preliminary investigation). The results demonstrate a 95.7% reduction in high-fidelity function evaluations (50,000 to 2150), corresponding to a 23.3 times reduction in evaluation count and a 6.6 times reduction in wall-clock computation time (25 h to 3.8 h). Co-design yields up to a 35% improvement in energy efficiency and a 28% reduction in tracking error compared to sequential morphology-only optimization.Item A review of vehicle wheel misalignment detection techniques(2026-07) Mashigo, KI; Ayomoh, MK; Erasmus, Louwrence D; Nenzhelele, TGWheel (mis)alignment is one of the factors influencing vehicle safety, tire wear, and energy efficiency. While alignment procedures are well established in automotive workshops, recent advances in sensing, connectivity, and data-driven methods have led to renewed academic interest. This goes against existing research, which remains fragmented around vehicle types and methodologies. This study conducts a scoping review of wheel alignment monitoring and detection methods, with a focus on passenger vehicles. Guided by PRISMA-ScR, 453 studies were identified, of which 386 were excluded and 13 were duplicates and thus removed, resulting in a small number remaining for thematic analysis. Three dominant methodological approaches emerged: (i) traditional measurement methods, (ii) sensor-based vehicle dynamics analysis, and (iii) data-driven methods employing machine learning and vehicle telemetry. The findings revealed limited research on vehicle applications, especially for intelligent, integrated, and scalable alignment technologies and real-time, in-service monitoring applications. Other challenges included data quality, calibration, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the development of an integrated real-time wheel misalignment detection and reporting framework grounded in systems engineering and enterprise architecture principles is proposed.Item Prediction of doped silicon phases for enhanced lithium-ion battery anodes: Exploring the superior potential of C, N, and F doping(2026-07) Singoa, S; Phoshoko, Katlego W; Mogashoa, T; Ngoepe, P; Ledwaba, RSilicon-based anodes are promising candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries owing to their high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and environmental compatibility. However, their practical implementation is limited by severe volume expansion during lithiation and delithiation, resulting in particle pulverization, loss of electrical contact, and instability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Doping has emerged as an effective strategy to mitigate these challenges and improve the structural and electrochemical performance of silicon anodes. In this study, the effects of carbon, nitrogen, and fluorine doping on silicon were investigated using the cluster expansion method. Several ordered phases, including SiC, SiF2, SiF5, SiN, SiN2, and SiN5, were predicted to be the most thermodynamically stable structures along the DFT ground-state line. SiN exhibited the most balanced overall performance, as indicated by thermodynamic, mechanical, and dynamical stability, along with semiconducting behaviour and a band gap of 1.76 eV. In contrast, SiN2 displayed semi- metallic conductivity and superior ductility (Pugh’s ratio =2.48, Poisson’s ratio =0.32), although phonon calculations indicated vibrational instability. Carbon doping produced the dynamically stable SiC phase with an enlarged band gap of 2.31 eV but increased brittleness, while fluorine-doped phases exhibited favourable electronic properties but poor mechanical and vibrational stability. The results demonstrate that dopant selection strongly influences the structural, electronic, mechanical, and vibrational properties of silicon, with nitrogen doping offering the most promising route for developing durable silicon-based lithium-ion battery anodes.Item Autoimmune hepatitis: A review of molecular mechanisms and research gaps in African populations(2026-02) Wheeler, Caitlin A; Scholefield, Janine; Hurrell, Tracey; Naidoo, JerolenAutoimmune hepatitis is a liver disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own liver cells because it no longer recognises them, causing inflammation and damage that can eventually lead to liver failure. We do not fully understand the exact steps that cause autoimmune hepatitis, which makes it hard to figure out if a person has it and how best to treat it. This paper reviews what we currently knowabouthowautoimmunehepatitisstarts. It is a complicated mix of an individual’s genes, things they encounter in their environment, and the immune system. The review also looks at new technologies and models which scientists are using to figure out the precise biological details of the disease. Crucially, research on autoimmune hepatitis has focused almost entirely on people of European descent. This leaves a huge gap in our knowledge for other global groups, especially those of African ancestry, where evidence suggests they might experience a more severe form of the disease. Therefore, future research must focus on these underrepresented populations to develop tests and treatments that work well for everyone.Item Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB): Critical perspectives on material properties, production advances, and challenges toward sustainable commercialisation(2026-07) Ramdas, Veshara; Muniyasamy, Sudhakar; Njokweni, Sesethu G; Letsoalo, Machira P; Ramchuran, Santosh OPolyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a microbial polyester belonging to the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, has emerged as one of the most promising biodegradable alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastics. Its inherent marine biodegradability (typically mineralizing within months depending on material geometry and ambient temperature), biocompatibility, and ability to be synthesised from renewable and waste-derived feedstocks position PHB as a key candidate for supporting the transition towards a circular bioeconomy. Despite these advantages, widespread commercial adoption remains limited by high production costs, processing challenges, and performance constraints relative to established commodity plastics and competing biopolymers. This review critically evaluates the current state of PHB development from the perspective of sustainable commercialisation. Key aspects discussed include microbial biosynthesis pathways, feedstock selection, upstream fermentation strategies, downstream recovery technologies, and technoeconomic considerations influencing industrial feasibility. The intrinsic thermal, mechanical, and degradation characteristics of PHB are examined alongside modification approaches such as copolymerisation, polymer blending, plasticisation, and composite reinforcement that have been developed to overcome certain inherent physical–mechanical properties, narrow processing windows, and limited functional performance. Furthermore, characterisation methodologies, environmental degradation behaviour, and emerging industrial applications are assessed within the context of market requirements and sustainability objectives. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying the interconnected technical and economic bottlenecks that continue to hinder large-scale deployment, including feedstock costs, fermentation scalability, downstream processing expenses, and material performance trade-offs. By integrating advances across the entire PHB value chain, this review highlights current opportunities, remaining challenges, and future priorities required to enable the sustainable and economically viable commercialisation of PHB-based materials.Item Complementary effects of probiotics and stimbiotics inclusion on carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidant activity in broiler chickens exposed to cyclic heat stress(2026-03) Mokonyama, RM; Marume, U; Moonsamy, GhaneshreeThis study assessed the complementary effects of probiotics and stimbiotics inclusion in diets on carcass traits and meat quality in broiler chickens exposed to cyclic heat stress. 600 day- old Cobb500 chicks were divided into five dietary groups; T1: Standard broiler diet, with no AGPs (NegControl); T2: Basal diet, with AGPs (PosControl); T3: Basal diet + 0.01% probiotics (Prob); T4: Basal diet + 0.01% stimbiotics (Stim) and T5: Basal diet + 0.01% (probiotics+ stimbiotics) (ProbStim). The birds were fed over a period of 42 days and then slaughtered for measurements of internal organs, carcass traits and meat quality attributes. The results revealed that dietary treatments had no effect on internal organs apart from the liver weight, duodenum and length of large intestine. Broiler chickens fed PosControl showed the heaviest liver, while those fed PosControl and ProbStim diets showed heavier duodenum weight. Carcass characteristics were not affected by diet apart from the wing weight. Broiler chickens fed Prob and ProbStim obtained heavier wing weight. With regards to meat quality, diet significantly (p <0.05) affected the lightness (L* i ), yellowness (b* i ) and redness (a* 24hr ). Diet also significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the antioxidant activity of the broiler meat on FRAP and TEAC assay. Prob and Stim individually showed high ferric ion reducing power, while on TEAC assay, NegControl and Prob showed the most efficient scavenger of radicals. The findings suggest that probiotics and stimbiotics can improve carcass traits and meat quality parameters in broilers while mitigating negative effects of heat stress.Item A high surface area silica-supported aldehyde as a flow-compatible amine scavenger(2026-06) Reinhardt, AM; Panayides, Jenny-Lee; Riley, DLA silica-supported aldehyde scavenger () was prepared from silica by sequential NaOH activation, alkylation with 1,2-dichloroethane, and Kornblum oxidation of the resulting alkyl chloride in DMSO/K2CO3. The material was characterised by FTIR, PXRD, TGA/DSC, SEM, and BET physisorption, confirming successful surface functionalisation and a dramatic increase in surface area upon imine formation with probe amines. Loading capacity was experimentally determined to be 0.43–1.31 mmol g−1, comparable to commercial polystyrene-aldehyde resins. A D-optimal design of experiments (22 runs) evaluated the effects of solvent type (mapped by PCA), flow rate (0.1–1.0 mL min−1), temperature (30–90 °C), and amine concentration (0.2–1.0 M) on scavenging efficiency. Only solvent type had a significant influence on performance: hydrophobic solvents afforded near-quantitative scavenging, while polar non-polarisable solvents (notably acetonitrile) reduced efficiency to approximately 75% due to a solvation screening mechanism. The scavenger is flow-compatible and demonstrates utility as an in-line purification tool for continuous flow synthesis of small-molecule libraries.Item Pilot-scale valorization of food waste using Eucalyptus grandis-derived biochar: Functional roles in pH modulation, volatile fatty acid dynamics, microbial network transitions, and preliminary technoeconomic assessment(2026-06) Sekoai, Patrick T; Gumbi, ST; Egbewale, OS; Mbatha, S; Nyathela, R; Makhapela, N; Ghimire, A; Johakimu, Jonas K; Chunilall, VirenBiochar is increasingly recognized in biorefineries for its unique physicochemical properties that enhance microbial performance and process stability. However, limited research has examined its biocatalytic functions in food waste valorization, particularly in the Global South regions. This study investigates the functional roles of Eucalyptus grandis-derived biochar in a pilot-scale anaerobic system, emphasizing pH modulation, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) dynamics, microbial network transitions, and technoeconomic studies. Comprehensive biochar characterization using FTIR, BET, SEM, TGA, XRD, and CHNS analyses revealed favorable surface functionality, porosity, and nutrient content conducive to microbial colonization. Biochar addition maintained a stable pH range of 7.03–5.0, contrasting with the sharper decline observed in the control (7.03–4.30). Acetic acid was the dominant VFA, with a markedly higher relative proportion in the biochar-amended reactor (53.23%) than in the control (15.23%). Nutrient recovery in the resulting biofertilizer was also enhanced, attaining 92.12 ± 0.13, 682.08 ± 0.21, and 4238.06 ± 0.05 mg/L for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), respectively. Enhanced VFA depletion indicated stimulated syntrophic activity, corroborated by microbial community analysis, which showed enrichment of Pseudomonadota and Campylobacterota, taxa pivotal to syntrophic metabolism and carbon flux regulation. Preliminary techno-economic studies also confirmed the cost-effectiveness of biochar in food waste biorefineries. These findings demonstrate that Eucalyptus grandis biochar functions as a sustainable, low-cost bioadditive that enhances biocatalytic efficiency and nutrient recovery in food waste valorization. This work establishes a scalable biorefinery model for a biochar-mediated bioprocess that advances circular bioeconomy principles and promotes environmental and socioeconomic resilience in developing regions.Item An enhanced rule-based energy management system with integrated route and environmental information for battery–supercapacitor hybrid electric vehicles(2026-08) Khanyile, Ntokozo M; Mbukani, MWKIn this paper, a route- and environment-aware rule-based energy management system (EMS) strategy for EVs equipped with HESSs consisting of a lithium-ion battery and a supercapacitor is proposed. The proposed rule-based EMS integrates driving mode classification, traffic conditions, road gradient, wind resistance, ambient temperature, and the supercapacitor (SOC) to determine the optimal power-sharing strategy between the battery and the supercapacitor under various driving conditions, including city, highway, and stop-and-go traffic. A mathematical model of the EV powertrain, battery, and supercapacitor is developed. The performance of the proposed rule-based EMS strategy is validated in MATLAB/SIMULINK under three representative driving cycles: the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), Artemis Motorway 130, and a Central Business District (CBD) driving cycle. It is shown that the proposed rule-based EMS strategy significantly reduces the battery current stress while increasing supercapacitor usage.Item Africa’s emerging role in precision oncology: Translational insights from the harnessing functional genomics in cancer research conference, Windhoek, 23-26 September 2025(2026-07) Rix, CL; Buberwa, EB; Amofa, J; Maurihungirire, U; Hosea, R; Ratjama, L; Takundwa, Mutsa M; Naidoo, Jerolen; Govender, Ireshyn S; Hurrell, TraceyPurpose Africa is entering a new era of cancer research, driven by renewed commitments to genomic innovation, data equity, and strengthened cancer registry systems. The “Harnessing Functional Genomics in Cancer Research: Opportunities for Diagnosis and Treatment” conference, held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 23 to 26 September 2025, convened leading experts to evaluate current progress and identify priorities for advancing cancer genomics and precision oncology across the continent. Design This conference synthesis report and narrative review drew on four days of expert-led presentations, interactive panel discussions, and structured delegate engagement sessions. Conference proceedings were documented through session minutes, presenter slide decks, recorded discussions, and post-conference feedback. Perspectives from more than 160 participants representing 21 countries were synthesized into priority thematic areas through an iterative drafting and multiauthor review process. Conference findings were integrated with supporting peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify opportunities, challenges, and strategic priorities for advancing precision oncology in Africa. Results Discussions highlighted Africa’s unparalleled human genomic diversity and its continued underrepresentation in global genomic datasets, emphasizing the need for African-led genomic discovery and precision oncology strategies. Key priorities included strengthening cancer registries and surveillance systems, expanding genomic infrastructure and workforce capacity, establishing ethical and sovereign data-governance frameworks, and improving the translation of genomic discoveries into clinical practice. Next-generation sequencing, multi-omics approaches, artificial intelligence, and collaborative research networks were identified as important enablers of equitable and sustainable precision oncology implementation across Africa. Conclusion Africa’s genetic diversity represents a critical resource for advancing precision oncology. Conference insights, supported by the literature, underscore the need for coordinated investments in genomic infrastructure, cancer surveillance systems, workforce development, ethical data governance, and translational implementation. Advancing these priorities will strengthen genomics-informed cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment while positioning Africa as an increasingly important contributor to global oncology innovation.Item Engineered BaTiO₃/SnIn₄S₈ step-scheme nanocomposite with interfacial coupling for energy-efficient piezo-photocatalytic oxidation of tetracycline(2026-07) Mohlala, TT; Yusuf, TL; Masukume, Mike; Ojijo, Vincent V; Mabuba, NTetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) has been recognized as one of the most problematic pollutants in water systems due to its extensive uses in medical and veterinary systems. Poor removal leads to persistent residues that lead to antibiotic resistance and ecological disruption. The nanosphere-on-nanoflower architecture of BaTiO3/SnIn4S8 (BTO/SIS) was designed and fabricated via solvothermal synthesis using ethanol as a solvent, as an energy-efficient catalyst for piezo-phototronic applications. Characterization such as Mott-Schottky (M-S), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and XRD were used to substantiate the nanoflower-decorated nanosphere composite heterojunction contact leading to the Step-scheme (S-scheme) band alignment promoting partial recombination through the internal electric field for enhanced charge separation, generation, and migration within the heterostructure. Owing to the synergistic effects of the S-scheme alignment and the hierarchical morphology, BTO/SIS (1:1) ratio achieved the removal of ~85% of the persistent tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) in 120 minutes with minimal 70 W light illumination and low ultrasonication power of 6.8 W (20 kHz). The optimized BTO/SIS possessed a synergistic factor of 1.74 (>1), way higher than the single photocatalytic and piezocatalytic processes. Photoluminescence (PL), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated longer lifetimes of charge carriers, lower charge transfer resistance, and lower rates of recombination. Interestingly, TCH as an amphoteric molecule was efficiently removed at an optimum pH of 7 where it is at its zwitterionic form. Trapping studies revealed that superoxides (•O2−) were the major oxidants responsible for the degradation caused by efficient electron transfer and via indirect oxidation especially in S-scheme heterojunctions. This study not only demonstrated the energy-efficient 0D/3D BTO/SIS system but also showed that the nanosphere piezoelectric BTO with a photo-active nanoflower in an architecture S-scheme enhances mechanical deformation sensitivity, while maintaining high stability in piezo-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water.Item Actionable pharmacogenomics and essential Medicines: An analysis of WHO and African lists for safer and efficacious drug use(2026-04) Mazhindu, TA; Nagy, M; Twesigomwe, D; Agesa, G; Scholefield, Janine; Masimirembwa, CThe World Health Organization Model Essential Medicines List and African national essential medicines lists (EMLs) detail drugs intended to be consistently available within national health systems, thereby supporting clinicians and pharmacists in making evidence-based treatment decisions. At present, these EMLs do not account for pharmacogenomics, despite known drug-gene interactions and the considerable genetic diversity found throughout Africa. In the absence of pharmacogenomic considerations, the medicines lead to sub-optimal treatment outcomes, especially across a continent such as Africa which represents more genetic variation that the rest of the world combined. Herein, we review EMLs from the WHO, and from 52 African countries, highlighting systemic medicines for which actionable pharmacogenomic-biomarker testing recommendations exist. Furthermore, we assess the feasibility of PGx-guided dosing in eight African countries by examining the availability of registered drug formulations that facilitate dose adjustment. The 2023 WHO EML comprised 447 unique systemic medicines, with 58 (13%) categorized as medicines with actionable pharmacogenomic biomarkers. African country EMLs collectively featured 774 such medicines, with an average of 294 per country (range: 125–465). On average, for each country one in every eight medicines in the Essential Medicines List was associated with established pharmacogenomic guidance. PGx recommendation. Cumulatively in African EMLS the most frequent drug classes with this designation are anti-infectives (25.6%), immunomodulators/antineoplastics (16.7%), and medicines for mental and behavioral disorders (14.1%). Analysis of eight African countries determined that implementability ranged from 75% to 96% based on product formulation and strength availability to enable drug or dose modification. We provide data that contributes towards a foundation of increasing evidence showing that integrating pharmacogenomic knowledge into the selection processes for essential medicines and ensuring the availability of appropriate drug formulations can enhance treatment safety and efficacy across Africa.