The University of Botswana, popularly known as UB, was established in 1982 as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university has three campuses: one in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The university is divided into six faculties: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences and the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital.
Pavement construction relies heavily on natural aggregates and conventional stabilizers such as Portland cement (PC) and lime, contributing to resource depletion, high energy demand, and significant greenhouse gas emissions. Geopolymerization, the alkaline activation of aluminosilicate materials, offers a more sustainable alternative. Mine tailings (MT), abundant mining by-products rich in silica and alumina, are attractive geopolymer precursors, although their reuse is constrained by variable composition and potential toxicity. In mining-intensive countries like South Africa, copper, cassiterite, and gold MT represent promising resources. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the physicochemical properties, mechanical performance, and environmental implications of geopolymerized MT in pavement applications. Unlike previous reviews that consider MT or geopolymers in isolation, it establishes a pavement-engineering–driven framework linking MT characteristics, geopolymer chemistry, and pavement performance requirements across laboratory, environmental, and field scales. The reviewed evidence indicates that MT-based geopolymers can achieve higher strength and superior durability than PC or lime-stabilized bases while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80
Natural resources provide vital support to communities, and in this regard indigenous plants remain particularly important, as they are widely used for food, medicine, and cultural practices. In the quest to integrate these resources into modern applications, exploring their phytochemical composition is essential for both conservation and utilization. This study compared the phytochemical profiles, antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity of Tylosema esculentum (Burch.) A.Schreib., Myrothamnus flabellifolius Welw., and Ozoroa paniculosa (Sond.) R.Fern. A.Fern. using water, 80
Pillar[5]arene has emerged as a possible candidate for drug delivery. However, detailed studies of the binding mechanisms and interactions with drug molecules remain limited. In this study, we utilised density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the interactions of three pillar[5]arene derivatives with two anticancer drug molecules. The results reveal that the three pillar[5]arenes form stable host-guest complexes with the drug molecules and thermodynamic analyses showed that the processes are all spontaneous and exothermic. NBO charge analysis revealed change in electron density due to host-drug interactions, while UV-vis and IR spectra show blue and red shifts, indicating a change in polarity of some bonds. Molecular docking analysis of the host-drug complexes with one of the biomarkers of breast cancer, estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha; PDB:5GS4), indicated that the drug complexes can successfully bind with the protein, possibly inhibiting the activity of one of the responsible enzymes in the development of breast cancer. Subject to further studies, these findings show the potential of pillar[5]arene and its derivatives as drug delivery systems.
This case study focuses on the journey of a female wildlife photographer based in Botswana, who has challenged the narrative and status quo in a traditionally male-dominated tourism conservation field. The case summarizes the history of Tshepo Phokoje's venture and the processes driving her resilience in this career path, based on existing literature from online newspapers and articles and her self-account. It reviews her journey, utilizing the Communication Theory of Resilience, and offers insights into female wildlife photography and global gender imbalances in tourism professions. Her entry into wildlife photography was driven by a high degree of self-motivated learning and passion, as well as a strong support network from friends and some male photographers. Her resilience gave rise to Vixen Excursions, a safari and photography company, as well as Vixen Photography, her photography brand, and several collaborative efforts aimed at inspiring aspiring young women to pursue photography. Understanding her pursuits, as presented in this case study, helps contribute to a broader comprehension of wildlife photography, gendered tourism professions, and career resilience.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by heterogeneous symptoms and is commonly managed with conventional medications that often exhibit variable efficacy and undesirable side effects. Given these limitations, nanotechnology, particularly plant-derived metallic nanoparticles, offers novel strategies to enhance phytochemical delivery, stability, and bioavailability. Accordingly, this scoping review synthesizes preclinical evidence (2015–2025) on plant-derived metallic nanoparticles for PCOS, evaluating therapeutic outcomes, safety, and mechanisms. In line with PRISMA-ScR guidance, records were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect (n = 375), duplicates were removed (n = 51), and 324 records underwent screening. Three hundred twenty records were excluded based on title/abstract screening, and 4 reports were retrieved from databases for eligibility assessment. Together with 1 additional study from Google Scholar, 5 rodent studies were included. Reporting quality and risk of bias were assessed descriptively using selected ARRIVE- and SYRCLE-based domains. Overall, the included studies evaluated cinnamon-derived silver nanoparticles, selenium nanoparticles synthesized using Corchorus olitorius, silver nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous extract of fresh asparagus stems, and silver nanoparticles prepared using fenugreek aqueous extract. Across the included studies, these interventions normalized reproductive hormones, restored estrous cyclicity and fertility, reduced ovarian cystic changes, and lowered inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18) without observable toxicity. Nevertheless, clinical translation remains pending due to the absence of long-term safety data and well-structured human clinical trials. Future research should prioritize mechanistic validation, long-term toxicological assessment, formulation standardization, and rigorously designed clinical trials.
