COVID-19 in pregnancy : update on the disease and its management

At the time of writing (24th August 2020), it has been over 5 months since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in South Africa. Since then over 600,000 cases have been diagnosed in South Africa, of which over 13,000 have unfortunately resulted in death. The previous edition of the O+G Forum, three months ago (issue 2, 2020), included an editorial about South Africa’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an overview of management of obstetric patients with COVID-19. Since then the course of the pandemic has evolved and the scientific literature has been dominated by publications relating to various aspects of the pandemic and its management.https://journals.co.za/journal/medogam2021Obstetrics and Gynaecolog

Comparative Analysis of Tourism Determination in 36 Countries: A Panel Approach

This study utilizes panel estimation models to analyse the determinants of tourism in 36 countries with observations of 108, and countries are further disaggregated into sub-groupings of high income, upper middle income, low middle income and low income countries. The application of panel econometric methods allowed us to control for unobserved heterogeneity amongst different countries and that is necessary to circumvent certain econometric challenges indicated in the literature which include endogeneity of tourism variables and also measurement biasness. Our results shows that tourism arrivals have the expected effect on tourism with a positive elasticity on tourism receipts ranging from 0.41% in all countries to 0.63% in low income countries. However, exchange rates and inflation have an expected negative sign, which implies tourism earnings are affected by high exchange rates and inflation which is attributed to costs of tourism related to tourism services such hotel prices, domestic transportation and entrances to tourism facilities like for example, game reserves. Furthermore, the results show different specifications per income groups. Therefore some variables tend to change its effect as situations are different from one country to another

Assessment of levels of V, Cr, Mn, Sr, Cd, Pb and U in bovine meat

Pollution of the environment with heavy metals can be a serious problem. In SouthAfrica, particularly, there are many sources of heavy metals, often due to smelter and mining activities. This has led to toxic metals in the environment that directly affect air, water and food. The presence of heavy metal residues in foodstuffs is potentially hazardous to humans and animals. Heavy metals accumulate in certain organs, particularly in the liver and kidney. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of V, Cr, Mn,Sr, Cd, Pb and U in bovine organs and tissues obtained from polluted areas of North West Province, South Africa. Bovine liver, kidney, muscle, fat and bone samples were freeze-dried, homogenized and mineralized using a microwave-assisted digestion system. The levels were quantified using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS). A bovine muscle (NIST-RM8414) and bovine liver, reference material (NIST-RM1577b), were also analyzed and results agreed with certified values. The study revealed accumulation of Sr in bone, Cd, Pb and U in kidney and bone, Mn in liver and, V and Cr in kidney tissues of cattle.Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and National Research Fund (NRF).http://journals.sabinet.co.za/sajchem/nf201

Revising the dark fermentative H2 research and development scenario – An overview of the recent advances and emerging technological approaches

The indiscriminate use of fossil fuels has led to several challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation, and energy security. Establishment of clean fuels is at the forefront of science and innovation in today’s society to curb these problems. Dark fermentation (DF) is widely regarded as the most promising clean energy technology of the 21st century due to its desirable properties such as high energy content, its non-polluting features, its ability to use a broad spectrum of feedstocks and inoculum sources, as well as its ability to use mild fermentation conditions. In developing nations, this technology could be instrumental in establishing effective waste disposal systems while boosting the production of clean fuels. However, DF is still hindered by the low yields which stagnate its commercialization. This paper reviews the recent and emerging technologies that are gaining prominence in DF based on information that has been gathered from recent scientific publications. Herein, novel enhancement methods such as cell immobilization, nanotechnology, mathematical optimization tools, and technologies for biogas upgrading using renewable H2 are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, a section which discusses the potential of bioenergy in Sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa is included. Finally, scientific areas that need further research and development in DF process are also presented

Adaptation and pre-test of a shortened Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention focused on HIV for young men in rural South Africa

This is the final version. Available on open access from Public Library of Science via the DOI in this recordData Availability: All data are available via the AHRI data repository: https://data.ahri.org/index.php/home with access based on their guidelines.Men’s engagement in HIV prevention and treatment is suboptimal, including in South Africa. We sought to address this through adapting an evidence-based intervention, Stepping Stones and Creating Futures (SSCF), to strengthen its HIV content and provide a more scalable (shorter) intervention in rural South Africa. We then conducted a mixed methods pre-test of the intervention among young men aged 18–35 years. To adapt SSCF, we reviewed the current evidence base and worked with male Peer Navigators to update the SSCF theory of change (ToC) and manual. The revised intervention was ~45 hours (9 sessions) as opposed to ~63 hours and included a greater focus on HIV prevention and treatment technologies. Overall, 64% (n = 60) of men approached agreed to participate in the intervention, uptake (attending one session) among those who agreed was n = 35(58%) and retention (attending 6 or more sessions) was n = 25(71%). Qualitative data emphasized the intervention was acceptable, with young men describing it as something they liked. The qualitative data also broadly supported the intervention ToC, including the normalization of HIV in men’s lives, and the importance of health for men in achieving their life goals. However, it also highlighted the need to focus more on HIV-related stigma and fear, and the importance of HIV self-testing kits in encouraging testing. We revised the ToC and manual in light of this data. The adapted SSCF is acceptable and supports the ToC. Next steps is an evaluation to look at effectiveness of the intervention.Medical Research Council (MRC)Wellcome TrustNational Institutes of Health (NIH)South African Medical Research Counci

Price transmission analysis of pasteurised liquid milk in South Africa: Granger causality approach

Price transmission studies have become increasingly important in Sub Saharan Africa over the past decades because of its nature of providing clear and insightful information into our markets. In this study, price transmission mechanism is described with an agricultural product within the dairy industry, which is pasteurised liquid milk. The aim of the study was to investigate and analyse the nature of price transmission mechanism of pasteurised liquid milk South Africa. The study used secondary time series data that covered a sample size of 17 years (2000 -2016) of pasteurised liquid milk. Granger causality test and Vector Error Correction Model were used for data analysis. The Granger causality tests suggested a bidirectional causal relationship between processor and farm gate prices and also between retail and processor prices. On the other hand, a unidirectional causality was found from retail to farm gate prices. The VECM results showed asymmetric price transmission implying that retailers and processors react quicker to price increases than to price decrease. Price monitoring policy is suggested in order to protect the consumers from unfair prices passed on by the retailers. Keywords: Price transmission, granger causality, pasteurised liquid milk, Vector Error Correction mode

Price transmission analysis of pasteurised liquid milk in South Africa: Granger causality approach

Price transmission studies have become increasingly important in Sub Saharan Africa over the past decades because of its nature of providing clear and insightful information into our markets. In this study, price transmission mechanism is described with an agricultural product within the dairy industry, which is pasteurised liquid milk. The aim of the study was to investigate and analyse the nature of price transmission mechanism of pasteurised liquid milk South Africa. The study used secondary time series data that covered a sample size of 17 years (2000 -2016) of pasteurised liquid milk. Granger causality test and Vector Error Correction Model were used for data analysis. The Granger causality tests suggested a bidirectional causal relationship between processor and farm gate prices and also between retail and processor prices. On the other hand, a unidirectional causality was found from retail to farm gate prices. The VECM results showed asymmetric price transmission implying that retailers and processors react quicker to price increases than to price decrease. Price monitoring policy is suggested in order to protect the consumers from unfair prices passed on by the retailers. Keywords: Price transmission, granger causality, pasteurised liquid milk, Vector Error Correction mode