Dans cette thèse nous quantifions les interactions entre phénomènes tectoniques et magmatiques au niveau d'un rift proche de la rupture continentale: celui du Dabbahu / Manda Hararo en Afar (Ethiopie), qui a été le siège d'un épisode de rifting majeur en 2005. Nous apportons ici des contraintes temporelles sur ces interactions à l'échelle du millier à la dizaine de millier d'années, afin de mieux comprendre l'évolution des processus responsables de l'acquisition de la topographie. Pour cela nous avons produits des âges d'expositions de surfaces de coulées de laves et d'escarpement de failles par la technique des isotopes cosmogéniques. Ces datations ont été combinées à des travaux de cartographie et de géochimie (éléments majeurs et traces). Nous montrons que nord du segment est sous l'influence de la présence d'un volcan terminal qui impacte le développent de la topographie. Le milieu du segment permet d'évaluer l'impact des variations spatiales et temporelles de la localisation des réservoirs sur la topographie. Le long du segment, il apparaît que la topographie se développe quand les réservoirs magmatiques locaux ont une activité modérée à faible, alors que la topographie est inhibée lors des phases de magmatisme intense. Nos observations ont permis de monter que l'épisode de rifting de 2005 n'est pas représentatif de l'évolution globale de la morphologie du rift, et que ce type d'intrusion ne représente sans doute qu'un dixième des injections totales. Enfin, l'accrétion magmatique est soutenue à l'axe par différents réservoirs magmatiques qui semblent se relayer dans le temps, et dont la position peut varier de 15 kilomètres de part et d'autre de l'axe / In this thesis we quantify the interactions between tectonic and magmatic processes in the active Dabbahu rift segment, which experienced in 2005 a major rifting event. Here, we provide accurate constraints at this time scale by producing cosmogenic exposure ages of lavas surfaces and faults scarps, in order to decipher the morphological evolution of a rift depression, and to identify the processes that are responsible for the topography acquisition. The study is based on samples taken on two separate areas of the rift. The field areas were systematically mapped, and all lavas were chemically analysed in major and trace elements. The first studied focused the northern portion of the rift segment, where the lavas of the segment terminating volcano meets the neo-volcanic zone. This area allowed the influence of the presence of such volcanic edifice to be assessed. The second studied area is located at the middle of the segment, and covers the rift western margin up to the rift axis. The topography in this area is sensitive to the evolution in space and time of the location of the different axial magma reservoirs. Our results show that along the rift segment, topography develops during phases of low magmatic activity, and is inhibited during phases of lower magmatic activity. The 2005 appears to be an unusual event that represents about a tenth of the total intrusions necessary to build the depression. The maintaining of magmatic accretion at the axis seems to be the result of a relay between different magma reservoirs. The position of these reservoirs can vary between 0 and 15 km from both sides of the rift axis

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus which has the ability to infect a large variety of animals including humans in Africa and Arabian Peninsula. The abortion rate among these animals are close to 100%, and young animals develop severe disease which often are lethal. In humans, Rift Valley fever (RVF) presents in most cases as a mild illness with influenza-like symptoms. However, in about 8% of the cases it progresses into a more severe disease with a high case fatality rate. Since there is such a high abortion rate among infected animals, a link between human miscarriage and RVFV has been suggested, but never proven. We could in paper I for the first time show an association between acute RVFV infection and miscarriage in humans. We observed an increase in pregnant women arriving at the Port Sudan Hospital with fever of unknown origin, and several of the patients experienced miscarriage. When we analysed their blood samples for several viral diseases we found that many had an acute RVFV infection and of these, 54% experienced a miscarriage. The odds of having a miscarriage was 7 times higher for RVFV patients compared to the RVFV negative women of which only 12% miscarried. These results indicated that RVFV infection could be a contributing factor to miscarriage. RVFV is an enveloped virus containing the viral glycoproteins n and c (Gn and Gc respectively), where Gn most likely is responsible for the initial cellular contact. The protein DC-SIGN on dendritic cells and the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate has been suggested as cellular receptors for RVFV, however other mechanisms are probably also involved in binding and entry. Charge is a driving force for molecular interaction and has been shown to be important for cellular attachment of several viruses, and in paper II we could show that when the charge around the cells was altered, the infection was affected. We also showed that Gn most likely has a positive charge at a physiological pH. When we added negatively charged molecules to the viral particles before infection, we observed a decreased infection efficiency, which we also observed after removal of carbohydrate structures from the cell surface. Our results suggested that the cellular interaction partner for initial attachment is a negatively charged carbohydrate. Further investigations into the mechanisms of RVFV cellular interactions has to be undertaken in order to understand, and ultimately prevent, infection and disease. There is currently no vaccine approved for human use and no specific treatments for RVF, so there is a great need for developing safe effective drugs targeting this virus. We designed a whole-cell based high-throughput screen (HTS) assay which we used to screen libraries of small molecular compounds for anti-RVFV properties. After dose-response and toxicity analysis of the initial hits, we identified six safe and effective inhibitors of RVFV infection that with further testing could become drug candidates for treatment of RVF. This study demonstrated the application of HTS using a whole-cell virus replication reporter gene assay as an effective method to identify novel compounds with potential antiviral activity against RVFV.

Les profils de sismique réflexion de Marges Passives Volcaniques imagent une croûte inférieure réflective formée de deux domaines distincts. Ces réflecteurs sont interprétés comme des intrusions mafiques associées à la formation de la marge. Les observations géophysiques ne permettent pas de comprendre les conséquences associées à la mise en place de ces magmas sur la rhéologie et la déformation effective de la croûte inférieure des marges volcaniques. Cette thèse explore deux exemples géologiques de croûte inférieure à l’affleurement qui ont été affectés par d’importants volumes magmatiques pendant leur histoire extensive : la Zone d’Ivrée (Alpes italiennes) et la province de Seiland (Calédonides finmarkiennes). Une étude approfondie de terrain, associée à des analyses géochimiques et isotopiques ainsi qu’à des expériences de déformation en Presse Paterson permet, (1) de définir la structure synthétique finie d’une croûte inférieure extensive affectée par un ou plusieurs épisodes magmatiques intenses et d'identifier dans la Zone d’Ivrée une croûte moyenne ductile, dans laquelle s’enracinent les failles de la croûte supérieure, (2) de montrer l’évolution de la rhéologie et de la déformation ductile de la croûte inférieure relativement à la mise en place des magmas (3) de caractériser à partir de Seiland l’interface croûte manteau dans un contexte d’extension synmagmatisme mafique. L’ensemble des résultats montre la complexité des relations, à la fois structurales, spatiales et temporelles, entre les magmas et roches mafiques et la déformation en extension dans la croûte inférieure. / Seismic reflection profiles of Volcanic Passive Margins show a two-domain reflective lower crust. The particular reflectors are interpreted as mafic intrusions associated to the margin evolution.From those geophysical observations it is not possible to understand the consequences of mafic magma emplacement on the rheology and effective deformation of volcanic margins lower crust. This thesis explores two geologic examples of outcropping lower crusts affected by important volumes of magma during their extensional story: the Ivrea Zone (Italian Alps) and Seiland (Finmarkian Caledonides). An important field study associated to geochemical and isotopic analyses, and to Patersonapparatus deformation experiences led to (1) define a synthetic structure of an extensional lower crust affected by one or more major magmatic events and to indentify a ductile middle crust in the Ivrea Zone where roots the upper crust faults, (2) show the rheologic and deformation evolution of the lower crust in relation to magma emplacement timing, (3) characterize, from Seiland observations, the crustmantle interface in an extensional System. The whole study shows the complexity of the temporal, spatial and structural relationships between mafic rocks (as magma and as crystallised rock) and extensional deformation in the lower crust.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease caused by a virus of the family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus. It is responsible for extensive outbreaks of disease in livestock in Africa with significant mortality and economic impact. Virus neutralization is considered the gold standard for confirming Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection but the procedure is time consuming and expensive. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are the diagnostic methods most often used in South Africa to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of RVF in necropsied animals. Validated estimates of diagnostic accuracy of these tests, in naturally infected livestock, however, have not been published. The objective of this study was to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of rRT-PCR, histopathology, and IHC using Bayesian latent class methods in the absence of a gold standard. A secondary objective was to estimate stratum-specific values based on species, age, degree of specimen autolysis, and the presence/absence of tissue pigments. The Sensitivity (Se) and Specificity (Sp) of qRT-PCR were 97.4% (95% credibility interval (CI): 95.2% - 98.8%) and 71.7% (95% CI: 65% - 77.9%) respectively. The extraordinary analytical sensitivity of PCR makes this test very susceptible to false positive reactions, and thus reduced specificity. This is more likely during large-scale epidemics due to crosscontamination of specimens at necropsy facilities or testing laboratories. The Se and Sp of histopathology were 94.6% (95% CI: 91% - 97.2%) and 92.3% (95% CI: 87.6% - 95.8%) respectively. Single cases of RVF could be confused with acute poisoning with plants, bacterial septicaemias, and viral diseases such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and Wesselsbron disease. Most of these conditions, however, can be excluded using histological examination of the liver, special stains, bacterial culture, and toxicological or serological investigations. The Se and Sp of IHC were 97.6% (95% CI: 93.9% - 99.8%) and 99.4% (95% CI: 96.9% - 100%) respectively. Immunohistochemistry is highly specific because characteristic positive immunolabelling of the cytoplasm of hepatocytes can be correlated with the presence of hepatocellular injury typical for RVFV infection. False negative results are sometimes obtained with IHC because of reader error or loss of the antigenic epitopes due to advanced autolysis. Scant positive immunolabelling might be missed or viral proteins might be absent from sections of liver with advanced hepatocellular damage. The stratified analysis suggested differences in test accuracy in foetuses and severely autolysed specimens. The Sp of histopathology in foetuses (83.0%) was 9.3% lower than the value obtained for the sample population (92.3%). Lesions in some foetuses are more subtle and the typical eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions are often difficult to detect. In severely autolysed specimens, the Se of IHC decreased by 16.1% and the Sp of rRT-PCR by 17.4%. There is no plausible biological explanation for this decrease in the Sp of rRTPCR since the RNA of RVFV is resistant to degradation in autolysed tissues. Conversely, the antibody used to detect RVFV using IHC detects epitopes raised against nucleoproteins of the virus and it is possible that viral proteins become too widely dispersed and/or degraded in autolysed tissues to detect by light microscopy. It is possible that the marked decrease in Se of histopathology and IHC in severely autolysed specimens caused an apparent decrease in Sp of rRT-PCR, due to the latent class method. In conclusion, the high estimated Sp (99.4%) of IHC and the low Sp of rRT-PCR (71.3%) suggests that the definitive diagnosis or exclusion of RVF should not rely on a single PCR test and that IHC would be an effective confirmatory test for rRT-PCR positive field cases necropsied during an epidemic. Immunohistochemistry results from severely autolysed specimens, however, should be interpreted with caution and aborted foetuses in areas endemic for RVF should be screened using a variety of tests. The diagnostic Se and Sp of histopathology was much higher than expected confirming the value of routine post mortem examinations and histopathology of liver specimens. The most feasible RVF testing option in areas that do not have suitably equipped PCR laboratories, and where disease is often not detected in livestock until after human cases have been diagnosed, would be routine histopathology screening with IHC confirmation. Key Words: Rift Valley fever; Rift Valley fever virus; Bayesian; latent-class model; real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; immunohistochemistry; histopathology; diagnosis; sensitivity; specificity. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

The Malawi (Nyasa) Rift is a prominent example of immature rifting located along the southern East African Rift System. The SEGMeNT (Study of Extension and maGmatism in Malawi aNd Tanzania) project installed a new network of 12 continuous GPS sites in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. Using this new data along with data from other existing sites in the region, I examine the present-day deformation along the Malawi Rift and surrounding areas. The GPS data is used to constrain a tectonic block model of the Malawi Rift in order to produce estimates of angular velocities of the blocks, which are then used to derive fault slip rates and linear block velocities. The new data around the Malawi Rift suggests an additional block may be required to explain the observed deformation. My preferred model predicts that extension rates in the area are slower than previous studies suggested (3.8 ± 0.7 mm/yr; Stamps et al., 2008) with a cumulative rate 2.35 ± 0.65 mm/yr in the northern Malawi Rift and 1.26 ± 0.85 mm/yr along the southern Malawi Rift.

I den här rapporten undersöks stereoskopisk 3D. Vi utreder hur ett spel ska anpassas för att tafram en så bra och tydlig stereoskopisk 3D-effekt som möjligt och så att betraktaren upplever etttydligt djup utan att uppleva ett obehag på grund av effekten. Rapporten tittar djupare på vilkatekniska aspekter man behöver ta hänsyn till vid spelutveckling i stereoskopisk 3D. Samt vilkaprestandabegränsningar som man bör ta hänsyn till vid stereoskopisk 3D. Vi beskriver hurprocessen och framtagandet av prototypen Kodo med anaglyfisk stereoskopisk 3D såg ut.Prototypen togs fram för att testa och analysera resultatet av stereoskopisk 3D-effekten. / In this report we investigate the technique of stereoscopic 3D. This report investigates the stepsneeded to create a game adapted for an improved stereoscopic 3D effect. Furthermore weinvestigate what improvements one should make to avoid the beholder to experience anydiscomfort due to the effect. The report talks about technical aspects one needs to considerwhen using stereoscopic 3D, as well as performance issues we might need to take intoconsideration. The process of developing the prototype of the game Kodo using anaglyphstereoscopic 3D and OpenGL is described in this report. The prototype was then used for testingand analyzing the stereoscopic 3D effects.

Transmis par les moustiques, le virus de la fièvre de la vallée du Rift (vFVR) est un virus zoonotique qui affecte principalement les ruminants en Afrique et conduit à des pertes économiques importantes. Il n’existe actuellement pas de traitements et les seuls vaccins disponibles sont à usage vétérinaire. Le développement de nouveaux vaccins plus sûrs contre le vFVR est une priorité de l’OMS en raison du risque d’émergence de cet arbovirus dans d’autres continents. Dans cette étude, nous avons développé une vaccination à ADN optimisée contre le vFVR qui consiste à administrer par voie cutanée un plasmide codant pour l’ectodomaine de la glycoprotéine de surface Gn du vFVR (eGn) en présence d’un plasmide adjuvant codant le GM-CSF et combinée avec une électroporation. De plus, nous avons également optimisé la vaccination à ADN en l’associant à la stratégie de ciblage des cellules dendritiques (DCs) via un plasmide qui code des fragments d’anticorps scFv fusionnés avec l’eGn dirigés contre les récepteurs DEC205 et CD11c exprimés à la surface des DCs. Les vaccins ont été testés chez le mouton, hôte naturel du virus et dans le modèle murin pour étudier les mécanismes de protection. Dans nos deux modèles d’études, l’immunisation par le plasmide codant l’eGn confère une meilleure protection après une épreuve virale ainsi qu’une forte production d’anticorps non neutralisants par rapport au ciblage des DCs. En revanche, le ciblage d’eGn vers des récepteurs de DCs protège partiellement contre une épreuve virale et induit une immunogénicité différente dans les deux espèces. Nous avons confirmé le rôle protecteur de ces anticorps anti-eGn par un transfert passif dans le modèle murin et le mécanisme d’action de ces anticorps protecteurs reste encore à être déterminé. Notre étude montre pour la première fois la protection par un vaccin à ADN contre le vFVR chez le mouton. / The Rift valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus that mainly affect ruminants in Africa, resulting in economic burden. There is currently no treatment and only vaccine for veterinary use against the RVFV are available. The development of new and safer vaccine is urgently needed due to the risk of introduction of this arbovirus to other continents. In the present work, we developed an optimized DNA vaccination against RVFV using a plasmid encoding the ectodomain of surface glycoprotein Gn (eGn) of RVFV into the skin with plasmid adjuvant encoding GM-CSF and electroporation in sheep. We further optimized the DNA vaccination using dendritic cell targeting strategy with a plasmid encoding a single chain fragment variable (scFv) fused with eGn directed to two DC receptors, DEC205 and CD11c. The efficacy of the vaccines were tested in the sheep, the natural host and in the mouse model to investigate the mechanism of protection. In both models non-targeted eGn vaccine confer a better clinical protection and higher non-neutralizing antibody production than DC-targeted vaccine. However, in both models eGn targeting to DEC205 differentially affected the immune response and induced a partial protection after a challenge. We further demonstrated that non-neutralizing antibodies induced by native eGn protect mice by passive transfer. The mechanism mediated by these antibodies remains to be investigated. Overall, this work indicates the proof of concept that DNA vaccine can confer protection against the RVFV in the sheep.

[pt] O medo de voar é um problema real que afeta entre 10 porcento e 25 porcento da população mundial. Aproximadamente 25 porcento da população adulta experimenta um aumento significativo nos níveis de ansiedade ao serem solicitados a usar algum meio de transporte aéreo, e destes, 10 porcento evitam a situação. O tratamento que se mostrou mais efetivo no tratamento de fobias é a exposição in vivo. Porém, a dificuldade e o custo, e muitas vezes até o perigo, de usar aviões e voos reais para expor pessoas com medo de voar a esses estímulos assustam muitos pesquisadores, terapeutas e pacientes apesar da prevalência e do impacto do medo de voar. Neste trabalho é apresentada uma aplicação de realidade virtual que visa prover uma exposição sistemática a estímulos causadores de ansiedade relacionados ao medo de voar através de ambientes gerados por computador. Esta aplicação utiliza o conceito de imersão através do Oculus Rift, para prover uma experiência praticamente real aos pacientes. Para avaliar a aplicação proposta, em especial o sentimento de presença causado por ela, foram obtidos dados qualitativos a partir de entrevistas e questionários com seus meta-usuários, i.e., os psiquiatras que aplicarão o tratamento nos pacientes. / [en] Fear of flying is a real problem that affects 10 percent to 25 percent of the world s population. Approximately 25 percent of adults experience a significant increase in their anxiety levels when required to take any type of air transport and 10 percent of them avoid the situation. The approach that has proven to be the most effective in the treatment of phobias is in vivo exposure. However, the difficulty and the cost, and sometimes even the danger, of using real airplanes and real flights to expose people with fear of flying to these stimuli have daunted many researchers, therapists, and patients despite the prevalence and the impact of the fear of flying. We present in this study a virtual reality application that promotes a systematic exposure to the stimuli that causes significant increase in anxiety levels related to fear of flying through computer generated environments. This application uses the concept of immersion through the Oculus Rift to promote an almost real experience to the patients. To evaluate the proposed application, in special the sense of presence caused by it, we obtained qualitative data from interviews and questionnaires with its meta-users, i.e., the psychiatrists that will apply the treatment to their patients.

Thesis (PhD) - Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Albertine Rift is characterized by a heterogeneous landscape which may, at least in part, drive the exceptional biodiversity found across all taxonomic levels. Notwithstanding the biodiversity and beauty of the region, large areas are poorly understood because of political instability with the inaccessibility of most of the region as a contributing factor. The majority of studies in the Albertine Rift have focussed on charismatic mega fauna, with other taxa receiving less attention. One of the taxonomically and numerically more abundant small mammal genera is the genus Praomys, an African endemic with a wide distribution range spanning most of west, central and east Africa. Four species are typically recognized from the Albertine Rift namely P. degraaffi, P. jacksoni, P. misonnei and P. verschureni. In this study I used a combination of DNA sequence data (mitochondrial control region, mitochondrial cytochrome b and 7th intron of the nuclear ß-fibrinogen gene) as well as morphometric data (traditional and geometric) to investigate the systematics of the Praomys taxa occurring in the Albertine Rift. To allow meaningful DNA assessments and in an attempt to identify potential drivers of diversifications, other Praomys species were also included from public sequence data bases for comparisons. The main focus was on P. jacksoni (the numerically most abundant taxon; also, up to 2005, all Praomys in the Albertine Rift were mostly collected as “jacksoni”) and P. degraaffi (an Albertine Rift endemic). A surprising finding was the presence of P. mutoni; this represents a range extension for this species into the Albertine Rift. Distinct evolutionary lineages were found in both P. jacksoni (confirmed by sequence data as well as morphometrics) as well as P. degraaffi (based only on sequence data; insufficient samples precluded a full morphometric investigation). These lineages (in both P. jacksoni as well as P. degraaffi) appear to be separated along a north – south gradient; however, further investigations should confirm this. To further investigate the genetic patterns at local scales across the Albertine Rift, as well as introgression between species as revealed by sequence data, a species-specific microsatellite library was developed for P. jacksoni. Twelve polymorphic markers were identified of which nine also amplified in P. degraaffi. Introgression was confirmed between the two focal species with almost 20% of the individuals analysed being jacksoni-degraaffi hybrids. This is perhaps not so surprising given that there is considerable overlap in their ranges (between ~ 1500 m a.s.l. to 2450 m a.s.l.) as well as the relative ages of the species (the divergence time between these two species were estimated at 3.8 Mya). The presence of distinct lineages within each of these species was confirmed by microsatellite analyses (these lineages diverged approcimately at same time at ca. 3.4 Mya). As suggested by sequence and morphometric data, these lineages had a largely north – south distribution but with considerable overlap in the central Albertine Rift in the vicinity of Lake Kivu. The phylogeographic patterns obtained for both focal species were not consistent with the physical barriers such as the rivers, lakes or mountains, nor were they exclusively associated with Pleistocene phenomena such as the change of the course of the rivers or uplift; rather, the lineages predate the Pleistocene and fall firmly in the Pliocene (>3 Mya). Biogeographically, the north - south location of lineages with a centrally - located contact zone could be a result of parapatric speciation due to habitat fragmentation or past climate change, followed by secondary contact. Barcoding using genetic information provides a useful tool to identify unknown taxa, cryptic diversity or where different life stages are difficult to identify. From an invasion biology perspective, it allows for the rapid identification of problem taxa against a known data base. By adopting such a barcoding approach (senso lato), the presence of three invasive rodents was confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); these are Rattus rattus (black rat), R. norvegicus (Norway rat) and Mus musculus domesticus (house mouse). A comparison with global data available for these species revealed two possible introduction pathways namely via the shipping port at Kinshasa/Matadi (with strong links to Europe) and via the slave trade routes in the east (strong links to the Arab world and the east). Of these three taxa, only R. rattus is currently documented from the DRC although the others have received mention in the gray literature. These findings draw attention to the lack of any official policy regarding biosecurity in the DRC, and argue for the development of strict control measures to prevent further introductions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Albertine Rift word gekenmerk deur 'n heterogene landskap wat kan, ten minste gedeeltelik, die uitsonderlike biodiversiteit wat oor al die taksonomiese vlakke gevind word teweeg bring. Nieteenstaande die biodiversiteit en die skoonheid van die streek, is groot gebiede onbekend as gevolg van politieke onstabiliteit met die ontoeganklikheid van meeste van die streek as 'n bydraende faktor. Die meerderheid van studies in die Albertine Rift het gefokus op die charismatiese mega fauna, met ander taxa wat minder aandag ontvang. Een van die taksonomies en numeries meer volop klein soogdier genera is die genus Praomys, 'n Afrika endemiese groep met 'n wye verspreiding wat strek oor die grootste deel van van wes-, sentraal en oos-Afrika. Vier spesies word tipies erken van die Albertine Rift naamlik P. degraaffi, P. jacksoni, P. misonnei en P. verschureni. In hierdie studie het ek 'n kombinasie van DNA volgorde data (mitochondriale beheer streek, mitochondriale sitochroom b en 7de intron van die kern ß-fibrinogeen geen) sowel as morfometriese data (tradisioneel en meetkundig) gebruik om die sistematiek van die Praomys taxa te ondersoek. Om betekenisvolle DNA aanslae toe te laat en in 'n poging om potensiële aandrywers van diversiteit te identifiseer, is ander Praomys spesies van openbare volgorde data basisse vir vergelykings ingesluit. Die hooffokus is op P. jacksoni (die numeries volopste takson, ook, tot en met 2005 is alle Praomys in die Albertine Rift meestal as "jacksoni" versamel) en P. degraaffi ('n Albertine Rift endemiese spesie). 'n Verrassende bevinding was die teenwoordigheid van P. mutoni, dit verteenwoordig' n verspreidingsuitbreiding vir hierdie spesie in die Albertine Rift. Bepaalde evolusionêre ontwikkelingslyne was in beide P. jacksoni (bevestig deur die volgorde data sowel as morfometrie) sowel as P. degraaffi (wat slegs gebaseer is op die volgorde data, onvoldoende monsters verhinder 'n volledige morfometriese ondersoek). Hierdie lyne (in beide P. jacksoni sowel as P. degraaffi) word geskei langs 'n noord - suid gradiënt, maar verdere ondersoeke moet dit bevestig. Om die genetiese patrone op plaaslike skaal oor die Albertina Rift verder te ondersoek, sowel as introgressie tussen spesies soos geopenbaar deur die volgorde data, is 'n spesie-spesifieke mikrosatelliet biblioteek ontwikkel vir P. jacksoni. Twaalf polimorfiese merkers is geïdentifiseer waarvan nege ook amplifiseer in P. degraaffi. Introgressie is bevestig tussen die twee brandpunt spesies met byna 20% van die individue wat ontleed is as jacksoni-degraaffi basters. Dit is miskien nie so verbasend gegee dat daar aansienlike oorvleueling is in hul gebiede (tussen ~ 1500 m bo seespieel tot 2450 m bo seespieel), sowel as die relatiewe ouderdomme van die spesies (die divergensie tussen hierdie twee spesies is geskat op 3,8 Mya). Die teenwoordigheid van verskillende lyne in elk van hierdie spesies is bevestig deur mikrosatelliet ontleding (hierdie lyne het gedivergeer ongeveer 3,4 Mya). Soos voorgestel deur die DNA volgorde en morfometriese data, het hierdie lyne 'n grootliks noorde – suid verspreiding, maar met 'n aansienlike oorvleueling in die sentrale Albertine Rift in die omgewing van die Kivumeer. Die filogeografiese patrone wat vir beide die brandpunt spesies gevind is nie in ooreenstemming met die fisiese struikelblokke soos die riviere, mere of berge nie, en hou ook nie uitsluitlik verband met die Pleistoseen verskynsels soos die verandering van die loop van die riviere nie; die afstammelinge is eerder veel ouer as die Pleistoseen en val binne die Plioseen (> 3 Mya). Biogeografies, die noorde – suid plasing van die lyne met 'n sentraal geleë kontak sone kan die gevolg wees van parapatriese spesiasie te danke aan habitatfragmentasie as gevolg van verandering in die klimaat, gevolg deur 'n sekondêre kontak. Strepieskodering met behulp van genetiese inligting verskaf 'n nuttige instrument om onbekend taxa, kriptiese diversiteit of waar verskillende lewensfases moeilik is om te identifiseer, te identifiseer. Vanuit 'n indringerbiologie perspektief, maak hierdie benadering dit moontlik om vinnige identifikasies van die probleem taksa teen' n bekende data basis te bekom. Deur gebruik te maak van so 'n strepieskoderingsbenadering (senso lato), is die teenwoordigheid van drie indringende knaagdiere bevestig in die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo (DRK), naamlik Rattus rattus (swart rot), R. norvegicus (Noorweë rot) en Mus musculus domesticus (huis muis). 'n Vergelyking met die globale data wat beskikbaar is vir hierdie spesies het aan die lig gebring dat twee moontlike betree-roetes bestaan, naamlik via die skeepshawe by Kinshasa / Matadi (met sterk skakels na Europa), en via die slawehandel roetes in die ooste (sterk skakels na die Arabiese wêreld en die ooste) . Van hierdie drie taxa, is tans slegs R. rattus van die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo gedokumenteer, hoewel die ander melding ontvang in die grys literatuur. Hierdie bevindinge vestig die aandag op die gebrek aan enige amptelike beleid ten opsigte van biosekuriteit in die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo, en argumenteer vir die ontwikkeling van streng beheermaatreëls om verdere indringerspesies te voorkom.

One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a loss of spatial navigation. In this work, we improved an existing screening test for AD that analyzed a patient’s spatial navigation ability. The existing screening test was made more immersive, and therefore more reliable, by integrating support for a leading-edge consumer-targeted Head-Mounted Display (HMD). This integration brought some technical and usability challenges, that were addressed. Furthermore, we investigated the rehabilitative potential of Virtual Reality Navigational (VRN) activities in two case studies: an Early Stage AD (ESA) participant and a Late Stage AD (LSA) participant. We found that the ESA participant was able to significantly improve his navigation skills, and we observed some qualitative improvements in memory and navigation in his personal life. The LSA participant did not improve noticeably at the VRN tasks, but his mood improved after participating in the treatment sessions. These case studies suggested that VRN treatment may be beneficial for people with AD, especially at the onset stage. / February 2017