Technical University of Angola

In February 2024, an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) was reported in a commercial pig farm in southwestern Angola. Five clinical samples were collected and sent to the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek, Namibia and the presence of ASF virus (ASFV) was confirmed. Sequencing of the C-terminus of the B646L gene (p72 protein), the complete E183L gene (p54 protein), the central hypervariable region (CVR) of the B602L gene, and the partial CD2v gene (used for serotyping) was performed on DNA isolated from the samples. Phylogenetic analyses of the B646L (p72) and the E183L gene (p54) revealed that the samples were identical to each other and belonged to genotype I. The viruses belonged to serotype 2 and had CVR profiles similar to those commonly found in ASFVs of genotype I. This is the first detailed report of ASFV in Angola and will be of interest to regional veterinary authorities.

ABSTRACT: The Portuguese colonial regime used textbooks and other educational means to disseminate its ideologies of white supremacy. This was enacted in order to better subjugate the colonized in their African, so-called 'overseas provinces'. This paper attempts to establish that the majority of the social native extract in the African colonial Lusophone, particularly in Angola and Guinea-Bissau was entrenched in systematic stereotyping during Estado Novo [New State] (1933-1974). This was achieved through using textbooks to inculcate values and the culture of subservience in indigenous children from an early school-going age. The study employs the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA) to analyse data. The results have demonstrated that the Angolan and Guinean indigenous people as humans, in essence, were only fit for manual labour,as patent in the textbooks analyzed, undermining the cultural values of this group represented as inexpert and therefore undeserving, to a certain extent, to do those so-called 'intellectual jobs',while whites are legitimately shown as superior and had the right to enslave the inferior.

The World has been subjected to successive and rapid changes that modified its order and given rise to a constant state of certainty of uncertainties, as a fluid state of accelerated change and vagueness in the global scenario. For some authors we are living in an environment of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA), as for others in a Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear and Incomprehensible (BANI) scenario that affects organizations, with serious implications for their leadership and management. In the case of countries' military organizations, this affects the operations’ design, the type of equipment used and fundamentally their training, from which we highlight leadership. So, how is military leadership characterized in a VUCA world and BANI scenario? According to this research question we carried out a systematic literature review with a qualitative approach doing an update of a previous similar study carried out by the authors, looking for new publications that could enrich the comprehension of the topic. Thus, studies were searched in different databases, according to the selected criteria. Guided by the review question we adopt the PRISMA protocol for screening process divided into three phases: identification, screening and inclusion of studies. So, eleven studies were added . Data collected point out that as traditional leadership models are unable to faithfully reflect the modelling of new challenges and realities and military leadership in a VUCA world and BANI scenario is characterized by a complex combination of competencies in a personal, relational and organizational level. Among them the capacity to think out of the box, to be creative, innovative, intuitive, resilient, flexible and adaptative, based on a state of constant awareness and mindfulness to see the global situation and make the best decisions. No other study was found addressing the same research question. So, it seems to be the first study to systematically analyze military leadership in a VUCA environment. This way, it can be a contribution to understanding this topic and to frame future empirical studies.

It is well established that gender strongly influences cardiovascular risk factors, playing a crucial role in cardiovascular prevention, clinical pathways, diagnostic approach and treatment. Beyond the sex, which is a biological factor, gender entails a socio-cultural condition that impacts access and quality of care due to structural and institutional barriers. However, despite its great importance, this issue has not been adequately covered. Indeed sex and gender differences scarcely impact the clinical approach, creating a lot of disparities in care and outcomes of patients. Therefore, it becomes essential to increase the awareness of the importance of sex and gender influences on cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, new strategies for reducing disparities should be developed. Importantly, these differences should be taken into account in guideline recommendations. In this regard, it is crucial to include a greater number of women in clinical trials, since they are currently underrepresented. Furthermore, more women should be involved as member of international boards in order to develop recommendations and guidelines with more attention to this important topic.The aim of this ANMCO position paper is to shed light on gender differences concerning many cardiovascular drugs in order to encourage a more personalized therapeutic approach.

Background: This ethnobotanical study is the first based on the herbal teas or tisanes consumed in Angola, specifically in Uíge province. The aims of this study were to document traditional knowledge related to the use of herbal teas and then assess their floristic diversity. Methods: Field research was conducted between January to December 2022, in both rural and urban areas of Uíge province. Ethnobotanical methods included participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. These were used to obtain detailed information on plants used to brew herbal teas. A total of 150 informants (including 18 key informants) were interviewed. Results: A total of 60 species of herbal teas distributed in 48 genera and 27 families are used by the local population in Uíge province. Of these 58.63% are indigenous and 41.37% are exotic species. The most frequently used part was the leaf (62.5%), and the most frequently used preparation methods were decoction (68.7%), and infusion (31.3%). In addition, these plants are mainly used for other purposes, such as phytomedicines (71.6%), and bioenergy (14.1%). Regarding the medicinal use of tisanes, most are used to treat or prevent coughs (23.3%), and anemia (20%). It is important to implement the systematic protection of wild plant resources and the establishment of botanical gardens in order to provide a sustainable source of production of these herbal teas, which also contribute to the income of local farmers. This would benefit, the quality of the products, and support environmental and human well-being.

Purpose of the study was to find out comparison of body composition between Kabaddi players of Sakoli and Lakhani Taluka of Bhandara district. For this purpose 100 Kabaddi players from two Taluka of Bhandara District were selected by using purposive sampling method and age of the players were 18-24 years. Body composition was collected with the help of standardize test. The findings of the study show that there is no significant difference found between Kabaddi players of two Taluka of Bhandara District.

Oral cavity cancers are part of the upper aerodigestive tract cancers and represent a significant burden worldwide. Its epidemiology varies from country to country with high frequencies in South East Asian countries. Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors. Survival of oral cancer is low i.e., less than 40% in the advanced stage (stage III and IV), diagnosis of oral cavity cancer is based on a complete clinical examination of the oral cavity complete with biopsy, bio-markers are an adjunct to screening and diagnosis of oral cavity cancers, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are part of the therapeutic armamentarium of oral cancer but also have limitations. Traditional medicine is an important and proven alternative in the treatment and support of patients with oral cavity cancer. Prevention of oral cavity cancers includes not only early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions but also control of risk factors and education of the population. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are part of the therapeutic strategy of oral cancer treatment but also have limitations. Traditional Medicine is an important and proven alternative in the treatment and support of patients with oral cavity cancer. It is thus desirable to scientifically validate phytochemicals in order to integrate alternative medicine as part of national cancer management strategy. In silico advanced studies on secondary metabolites of medicinal plants traditionally used to treat oral cancer are in progress.

En la actualidad el fin que se persigue con la educación en la Universidad Técnica de Angola es contribuir a la formación integral de la personalidad de los futuros profesionales de las diferentes especialidades que cursan. Se fomenta desde los primeros años de las carreras la interiorización de conocimientos y orientaciones valorativas que se reflejan gradualmente en sus sentimientos, formas de pensar y comportamiento profesional, acorde con el sistema de valores e ideales de la sociedad. Este propósito será logrado en la medida que los profesores promuevan dentro del proceso formativo el interés por la investigación científica con un enfoque interdisciplinario y profesional materializado en acciones de orientación educativa del proceso docente-educativo en los diferentes procesos sustantivos que se desarrollan en las instituciones universitarias. Es propósito de este artículo reflexionar en lo referido a la importancia de promover la formación investigativa de los estudiantes de carreras técnicas.

A passive case-finding strategy as present in the DOTS strategy presupposes a patient's willingness to seek care. This requires awareness of tuberculosis (TB) symptoms and the diagnostic process, and positive attitudes towards access and probability of cure. To measure parameters of health-seeking intention in Southern Angola and to inform the design of context-specific interventions to improve case detection. A survey in four communities based on the cough-to-cure pathway represented by five domains with either one or two proxy measures. These were assessed for association with appropriate health-seeking behaviour (visiting a medical institution or service). In total, 805 individuals were included in the study. Appropriate health-seeking behaviour was positively associated with knowing the disease (OR 3.1, 95%CI 1.4-6.8), knowing key symptoms (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.0-1.9), perceived curability (OR 1.3, 95%CI 1.0-1.6), and the perception that TB services were free of charge (OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.4-2.7). Respondents who perceived a personal risk for TB were less likely to have an appropriate intended health-seeking behaviour (OR 0.7, 95%CI 0.5-0.9). Knowledge about TB should include key symptoms, perceived curability and information on access to services when designing interventions to improve case detection. The study highlights the importance of advocacy, social mobilisation and communication strategies.

This article addresses the political, social and broader economic context of public finance reforms in Angola, drawing upon historical perspectives of economic development in Africa and the country’s own experience. The article highlights changes in Angolan practices in line with generally accepted public finance principles, and demonstrates how these reforms occurred within a particular political economy and within sets of international financial, economic, trade and political relationships that influenced their design and implementation. The article illustrates how economic structures and governance systems have been directly linked to the platform of natural resources and social relationships in Angola and in the general African context.