This paper adopts a quantitative and qualitative lens, through which we explore the economic relationship between the region of Sub-Saharan Africa and China as a consequence of Chinese Foreign direct investments (FDI).  Primarily, the paper’s direction, analysis, and discussions are dictated by the usage of primary and secondary data. Our primary data is constructed as a panel data set including GDP for 38 countries alongside the Chinese FDIs for each country during the period 2003-2021. Our secondary data includes already existing papers on topics related to our purpose and the data found in them. The main points include the economic development of Sub-Saharan Africa, the subsequent enforced Chinese economic policy, and further the gains China see from their strides into the region. In order to prove our hypothesis and research questions we've used econometric models.The panel data was used to conduct several time series regressions, where we further used different models and tests to get the best possible result Due to the fact that our regression shows a significant and positive correlation between economic growth in the region as a result of Chinese FDI, we can establish that past research is reinforced. Through the used model we’re enabled to look at the individual effects of every country in the region. In addition, by comparing these effects with the level of corruption and which type of income group the countries belong to, we can further highlight the fact that China tends to invest in countries who can offer something in return. Examples of such cases could be South Africa and Angola who are two of the biggest receivers of Chinese FDI in the region, which we, throughout the paper, attribute to the fact that they have an abundance of natural resources.

Rotavirus infection causes gastroenteritis, specifically severe gastroenteritis, affecting children younger than five globally, regardless of hygiene and water quality. Current licensed, live, attenuated vaccines do not contain the G9 genotype, which is a prevalent rotavirus strain circulating in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that carries a high rotavirus disease burden. Rotavirus-like particles (RV-VLPs) is an attractive non-live vaccine candidate, which has shown promising results in animal studies. Previously, dsRNA was extracted from a stool sample containing a South African human G9P[6] neonatal strain, and amplified cDNA using a sequence-independent procedure. The consensus sequence was obtained for the genome segments using 454® pyrosequencing. The insect-cell-codon-optimized genome segments 2 (VP2), 4 (VP4), 6 (VP6) and 9 (VP7) were cloned into a modified pFASTBACquad vector (pFBq). Several combinations of the genome segments were cloned to produce double-layered particles (DLP; pFBqVP2VP6) or triple-layered particles (TLP; pFBqVP2VP6VP7). In the current study, a ΔTLP (pFBqdVP2-VP8*VP6VP7) construct was generated. The first 92 amino acids of VP2 are not necessary for the conformation of recombinant RV-VLPs. The ORF of VP8*, which contains immune important epitopes, was fused to the 5’ end of the dVP2 coding region resulting in a dVP2-VP8* fused protein which was expressed in the presence of VP6 and VP7 to produce ΔTLPs. The Bac-to-Bac® Baculovirus Expression System and Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf) 9 insect cells were used for expression. All the proteins were successfully expressed. VP2, VP6, VP4 and the dVP2-VP8* fused protein were visible on Coomassie stained SDS-PAGE. Expression of VP7 could only be confirmed with western blot analysis. Particle formation, as assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), was observed for DLPs. No TLPs of dVP2-8*/6/7 or VP2/6/7 were visualized due to the lower expression level of VP7 and the lack of calcium supplements during the assembly process. In conclusion, it was possible to produce RV-DLPs derived from the consensus sequence determined for a G9P[6] rotavirus directly from stool without prior propagation in cell culture or virus isolation. This strain contains both the G9 and P[6] genotypes that are currently prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. / Thesis (MSc (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Rotavirus infection causes gastroenteritis, specifically severe gastroenteritis, affecting children younger than five globally, regardless of hygiene and water quality. Current licensed, live, attenuated vaccines do not contain the G9 genotype, which is a prevalent rotavirus strain circulating in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that carries a high rotavirus disease burden. Rotavirus-like particles (RV-VLPs) is an attractive non-live vaccine candidate, which has shown promising results in animal studies. Previously, dsRNA was extracted from a stool sample containing a South African human G9P[6] neonatal strain, and amplified cDNA using a sequence-independent procedure. The consensus sequence was obtained for the genome segments using 454® pyrosequencing. The insect-cell-codon-optimized genome segments 2 (VP2), 4 (VP4), 6 (VP6) and 9 (VP7) were cloned into a modified pFASTBACquad vector (pFBq). Several combinations of the genome segments were cloned to produce double-layered particles (DLP; pFBqVP2VP6) or triple-layered particles (TLP; pFBqVP2VP6VP7). In the current study, a ΔTLP (pFBqdVP2-VP8*VP6VP7) construct was generated. The first 92 amino acids of VP2 are not necessary for the conformation of recombinant RV-VLPs. The ORF of VP8*, which contains immune important epitopes, was fused to the 5’ end of the dVP2 coding region resulting in a dVP2-VP8* fused protein which was expressed in the presence of VP6 and VP7 to produce ΔTLPs. The Bac-to-Bac® Baculovirus Expression System and Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf) 9 insect cells were used for expression. All the proteins were successfully expressed. VP2, VP6, VP4 and the dVP2-VP8* fused protein were visible on Coomassie stained SDS-PAGE. Expression of VP7 could only be confirmed with western blot analysis. Particle formation, as assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), was observed for DLPs. No TLPs of dVP2-8*/6/7 or VP2/6/7 were visualized due to the lower expression level of VP7 and the lack of calcium supplements during the assembly process. In conclusion, it was possible to produce RV-DLPs derived from the consensus sequence determined for a G9P[6] rotavirus directly from stool without prior propagation in cell culture or virus isolation. This strain contains both the G9 and P[6] genotypes that are currently prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. / Thesis (MSc (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study is to investigate and analyse the military involvement of the USA in the security of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) during the era of the Clinton administration (1993-2001). The study is based on the assumption that the US did not have that much interest in the security of SSA during the Clinton era and that it did not want to become militarily involved in SSA. Its position as the only remaining superpower in the post-Cold War era, however placed a responsibility on the US to be militarily involved in the creation of a more secure SSA. The study relies on two theoretical constructs. On the one hand the changing nature of security in the post-Cold War world in general, but specifically in SSA, serves as a theoretical starting point. This is, on the other hand, supported by a theoretical focus on the nature of military involvement globally, but also specifically in SSA in the era after the Cold War. The latter is to a large extent related to the changing nature of military force and the use thereof in the post-Cold War era. The military involvement of the US in the management of the security of SSA during the Clinton era is analysed against the background of the US interests, policy, and strategy – specifically its security strategy – in SSA. The reality of the absence of concrete US interests in SSA is highlighted. This lack of interest led to a situation whereby SSA could not be a priority in US foreign policy. The US policy objectives in SSA were nevertheless aimed at the promotion of democracy, the improvement of the security situation and the support of economic progress. The reluctance of the US to deploy military forces in SSA underpins its security strategy and military involvement in SSA. The security strategy of the US was in essence preventive in nature since it aimed at preventing the manifestation of threats from SSA against the US by promoting the stability of SSA. However, the US was still militarily involved in SSA in a variety of ways, from the provision of military training and the conduct of military exercises to military operations. Military involvement centred around the empowerment of armed forces in SSA. It was argued that the capacity of the armed forces of SSA should be developed to support democratic governance and economic progress. The capacity building programmes of the US armed forces in SSA concentrated on defence reform, military professionalism, the creation of indigenous conflict resolution and peace support capabilities, the provision of equipment, and the improvement of health and environmental conditions. / Dissertation (MA (Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Political Sciences / unrestricted