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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 is a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak was first identified in the city of Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019, and was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020. The virus primarily spreads among people via respiratory droplets from coughing, breathing, or sneezing. To reduce virus transmission, close contact between people is discouraged. In response to advice by health practitioners, individuals are advised to wear face masks, regularly wash their hands, and apply sanitisers. However, the effectiveness of locally manufactured masks against COVID 19 and other microbes has not been investigated. Aims and methods: The current study aimed to experimentally determine and compare the effectiveness of two approved surgical masks and two face masks fabricated at the University of Dodoma (UDOM). Results: The effectiveness of the UDOM-made mask was similar when compared to surgical masks (Mann- Whitney, U = 390.000, p > 0.05; Mean ranks: Japan fabric = 32.5; N95 surgical mask = 28.50). However, the Japan fabric mask made at UDOM was more effective than BBL surgical mask made in China (Mann-Whitney, U = 270.000, p < 0.05; Mean ranks: Japan fabric = 24.50; BBL surgical mask = 36.50). Whereas the handkerchief mask made at UDOM and BBL surgical mask had similar levels of effectiveness (Mann-Whitney, U = 369.500, p > 0.05; Mean Ranks: Handkerchief = 27.82; BBL surgical mask = 33.18). The results obtained suggest that the two UDOM types were as effective as the N95 and BBL masks in reducing virus spread. Conclusion: The study recommends the determination of pore sizes of the materials used to make the mask to explain the effectiveness of the single layer, double layers, and double layers with cotton blends in the prevention of different microbes inhalable.

Recent genetic studies, using maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA, indicate a complex evolutionary history for baboons Papio spp. in general, and for eastern African baboons in particular. To further address this topic and to improve our understanding of phylogeographic patterns of baboons in eastern Africa, mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data were analysed from 148 baboon samples from 103 locations in eastern Africa. The resultant phylogenetic reconstructions suggest an initial split of baboons into four main clades: southern chacma baboons, baboons from Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, main southern, and main northern. We confirm that the boundary between southern and northern clades lies along the Ugalla-Malagarasi River and Ruaha-Rufiji River of central Tanzania. We detected new mitochondrial haplogroups, most notably the Mahale Mountains clade, and refined haplogroup distributions. The evolutionary divergence of baboons in eastern Africa was most likely triggered and maintained by numer...

In dryland ecosystems, mobility is essential for both wildlife and people to access unpredictable and spatially heterogeneous resources, particularly in the face of climate change. Fences can prevent connectivity vital for this mobility. There are recent calls for large-scale barrier fencing interventions to address human-wildlife conflict and illegal resource extraction. Fencing has costs and benefits to people and wildlife. However, the evidence available for facilitating sound decision-making for fencing initiatives is limited, particularly for drylands. We identify six research areas that are key to informing evaluations of fencing initiatives: economics, edge permeability, reserve design, connectivity, ecosystem services and communities. Policy implications. Implementing this research agenda to evaluate fencing interventions in dryland ecosystems will enable better management and policy decisions. The United Nations Conventions on Migratory Species (CMS) and to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) are appropriate international agreements for moving this agenda forward and leading the development of policies and guidelines on fencing in drylands. Implementing this research agenda to evaluate fencing interventions in dryland ecosystems will enable better management and policy decisions. The United Nations Conventions on Migratory Species (CMS) and to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) are appropriate international agreements for moving this agenda forward and leading the development of policies and guidelines on fencing in drylands.