Gulu University

Hybrid nanofluids have attracted significant attention due to their enhanced thermal performance in engineering applications. This study numerically investigates the effects of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), Joule heating, thermal radiation, heat source, and nanoparticle volume fractions on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a copper–titanium dioxide/sodium alginate (Cu–TiO₂/SA) hybrid nanofluid over a Darcy–Forchheimer porous shrinking sheet using the non-Newtonian Reiner–Philippoff model. The governing partial differential equations were transformed into ordinary differential equations via similarity transformations and solved using the MATLAB bvp4c solver. Dual solutions were obtained for the shrinking case, and stability analysis confirmed that the first solution is physically stable. The results indicate that increasing nanoparticle concentration enhances fluid viscosity and skin friction while slightly reducing the heat transfer rate due to the dominance of conductive heat transport. The Cu–TiO₂/SA hybrid nanofluid enhances heat transfer by 34.2

Compliance with maize grades and standards remains a significant challenge in Uganda, particularly among smallholder farmers. Despite the guidelines established by the East African Grain Council, adherence within local markets remains limited. Understanding the factors that influence the awareness and adoption of maize grading is crucial for enhancing market quality and improving farmer incomes. This study examined the determinants of smallholder farmers’ awareness, utilization, and intensity of use of recommended maize grades and standards in northern Uganda. Primary data were collected from 270 farmers through a cross-sectional survey using multistage sampling. Probit regression and the Heckman two-stage econometric model were used to identify factors influencing farmers’ awareness, adoption, and degree of compliance with maize grading standards. The results indicated that awareness and utilization of maize grades and standards were generally low, with only 40.4

Traditionally fermented African beverages (TFABs) are believed to harbor diverse microbial communities, including beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, few TFABs have been examined for beneficial LAB. In this study, we determined the genera of LAB from a maize-based TFAB (kwete) produced by the Acholi (KA) and Lango (KL) ethnic communities of Northern Uganda. Examination of KA and KL samples using De Man Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) culture medium and 16S rRNA gene identified Lactiplantibacilli (66.04

English language copyediting poses significant barriers to global health authors in academic publishing. Editing is too expensive for most researchers in low-income countries, and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT may offer a cost-effective alternative. The technology, however, has been criticized for its biases and inaccuracies. In a preliminary, in-depth case comparison, we compared the number and quality of corrections made by U-M GPT, a secure, University of Michigan-hosted generative AI tool, to those from Grammarly and a human editor to text from two draft papers written by Ugandan sexual and reproductive health researchers. Overall, U-M GPT made about three times as many corrections compared to the human editor and about ten times more than Grammarly. U-M GPT was the least discriminating in terms of quality: only 61% (51/83) of its corrections were judged as improvements. Despite this, U-M GPT has advantages, such as a broad scope of correction types, fast turnaround, and no cost. Its disadvantages, which reflect shortcomings of LLMs more broadly, include the need for prompt engineering skill, careful review of corrections, and high environmental costs due to energy consumption. Additional concerns involve data privacy and content moderation policies that restrict discussions on topics deemed as sensitive; these included words related to sexual and reproductive health. Although LLMs could improve equity, efficiency, and productivity, several important issues should be considered when using the technology. Larger follow-up investigations are needed to confirm our findings. Authors using LLMs should consult journal guidelines and disclose their use.

BACKGROUND:Hunger and malnutrition are major global issues particularly in conflict and disaster-affected areas. Own food production has been considered as effective strategy to improve nutrition outcomes. However, evidence on its contribution to dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy, especially in refugee settings with limited access to land remains limited. This study assessed the contribution of own food production to dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy among refugees in Palorinya settlement, northwestern Uganda. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 316 randomly selected households in Palorinya refugee settlement, northwestern Uganda. Current household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall of food groups consumed. Nutrient intake adequacy was estimated using food composition tables based on annual food production and consumption. Poisson regression with robust standard errors and multiple linear regression were employed to identify factors associated with current HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Beta coefficients with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. RESULTS:Own food production greatly contributed to vegetable consumption (85.0%) but was low for animal-sourced foods (3% for milk/dairy products; 7.5% for meat). Own food production contributed minimally to nutrient intake adequacy, with most households falling short of annual recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium (100%), iron (95%), zinc and protein (95.2%), and energy (99%). Education level, access to agricultural land, and kitchen garden were key predictors of both HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Additionally, size of agricultural, household income and occupation also influenced HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. CONCLUSION:Own food production contributes moderately to dietary diversity and minimally to nutrient intake adequacy. Education level, land access, and kitchen gardening play important roles in shaping HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Interventions should focus on promoting kitchen gardening, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and improving refugee land policy to enhance nutrient intake in refugee settlements.