Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid adoption of remote teaching to sustain learning during school closures. For children with neurodevelopmental problems, remote teaching presented both significant challenges and unique opportunities. This study explores stakeholders’ perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of remote teaching for children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Uganda. Methods: In this qualitative phenomenological study, we conducted individual, in-person, audio-recorded in-depth interviews with thirty participants (18 teachers, 7 administrators and 5 parents). Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and then thematically analysed. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) economic and technological constraints; (2) pedagogical and learner support challenges; (3) educational continuity and flexible teaching; and (4) digital transformation, monitoring, and accountability. Conclusion: Remote teaching can support inclusive education for children with neurodevelopmental problems when appropriate support systems are in place. However, addressing persistent barriers requires investment in digital infrastructure, assistive technologies, teacher training in inclusive digital pedagogy, and stronger family-school partnerships. The findings underscore the need for policies and practices that promote equitable access to digital learning and enhance educational resilience during future disruptions.
This paper examines why many Kenyan adults rely exclusively on informal finance despite high formal financial inclusion. Drawing on information asymmetry, human capital and permanent income theories, it asks whether financial literacy, asset wealth and education are associated with exclusive informal use, and whether they reinforce one another. Using the 2024 FinAccess Household Survey analytical file of 18,182 respondents classified as formal-only or informal-only (1,211 informal-only; 6.7 percent), we estimate four nested logit models with county-clustered standard errors and average marginal effects. A one-category higher literacy, wealth and education score is associated with a 0.9, 2.4 and 2.7 percentage point lower probability of informal-only use, respectively. The literacy association falls by more than half once wealth and education are controlled. Relative to those aged 26–35, respondents aged 16–17 and 18–25 are 57.7 and 8.4 points more likely to be informal-only; only Nairobi and North Eastern differ significantly from Central. Wealth and education are complements (p < 0.01), though scale-sensitive. The literacy interactions, including the three-way term (p = 0.27), are insignificant in every specification. Literacy is associated with lower informal-only use in nearly all wealth-education groups, with the largest absolute reduction among the poorest households. These results are associations, not causal effects. We recommend piloting and rigorously evaluating simplified youth accounts, asset-based credit scoring with matched asset-building savings for low-wealth households, and financial education targeted first at low-wealth, low-education households.
This preliminary study compared the in vitro a-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Bersama abyssinica, Flacourtia flavescens, Pouteria alnifolia and Sapium ellipticum from Bouafle, Cote d Ivoire, using decoction, aqueous maceration and ethyl acetate maceration. Extracts were tested at final concentrations of 50, 125, 250 and 500 ug/mL against a-glucosidase from the digestive juice of Archachatina ventricosa using a sucrose/DNS spectrophotometric assay at 540 nm.
Saudi oil and gas megaprojects depend on globally distributed engineering,fabrication, transport and construction networks. Their performance is often constrained less by isolated purchasing decisions than by misalignment among design maturity, contracting schedules, supplier capacity, shipping, site readiness and project controls. This review examines procurement and supply chain optimization through an integrated project-delivery perspective relevant to Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. It synthesizes recent megaproject scholarship, supply chain resilience research, professional guidance and Saudi industrial-development policies. The analysis distinguishes procurement efficiency from supply chain effectiveness and examines how early market engagement, package design, supplier assurance, digital expediting, inventory segmentation and interface governance can improve predictable delivery. A conceptual optimization framework connects demand planning to commercial strategy, supplier execution, logistics and performance learning.The evidence supports coordinated, risk-informed procurement, rather than an exclusive focus on lowest initial purchase price. The proposed framework is intended as a basis for future testing with anonymized project data; it does not present simulated savings as observed results. Policy implications include supplier capability development, responsible localization and stronger integration of procurement with project schedule and cost systems.
The article addresses current issues related to the sanitary condition of fir (Abies) stands in Adjara affected by certain bark beetle pests, as well as the planning of control measures aimed at reducing their populations or achieving their complete eradication. For the purpose of conducting detailed and reconnaissance studies, permanent and temporary sample plots were established in various ecotopes of coniferous forests in Adjara, at different elevations above sea level, with varying stand density, age structure, productivity, and in pure as well as mixed forest stands, based on preliminary monitoring.Long-term studies have shown that the deterioration of the sanitary condition of fir stands is mainly caused by stem pests belonging to the bark beetle family (Ipidae), namely the great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans (Kug.), the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (L.), and the sharp-dentated bark beetle Ips acuminatus Gyll., as well as by wood-decaying pathogenic fungi, such as Phellinus pini var. abietis Karst (the causative agent of red heart rot of fir), the capped fungus honey fungus Armillaria mellea, and others. The pathological condition of trees recorded on the selected sample plots was assessed in accordance with rules accepted in Georgia and international practice.
