Respiratory risk assessment prior to extrathoracic surgery

Physicians are often asked to evaluate a patient prior to elective surgery for the purpose of risk identification and modification. Postoperative pulmonary complications are the most costly of the major postoperative medical complications, including cardiac, thromboembolic and infectious, and result in the lengthiest hospital stays. Therefore, estimation of respiratory risk should be a routine element of all preoperative medical evaluations. A diligent preoperative clinical evaluation, supplemented with appropriate preoperative pulmonary function testing, would identify the majority of important risk factors for postoperative complications. Risk reduction strategies can then be implemented to reduce complications, cost, and hospital stay

Design aspects of a hospital playroom to aid the well-being of hospitalised oncology children - a case study

Published ArticleThe aim of this research was to identify the design aspects necessary to create an aesthetically appealing playroom environment to aid the well-being of hospitalised oncology children at a public hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The methodology design is overall qualitative within the interpretivist paradigm with a triangulation methodology design with explanatory components. These components consisted of a literature review which was further explored by means of a qualitative questionnaire. The playroom was created as part of a community project according to the literature review and questionnaire after which semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with the children themselves

Keeping record of the postoperative nursing care of patients

The aim of this research project was to evaluate the recordkeeping of postoperative nursing care. A total of 186 randomly selected patient records were evaluated in terms of a checklist that included the most important parameters for postoperative nursing care. All the patients underwent operations under general anaesthetic in one month in a Level 3 hospital and were transferred to general wards after the operations. The data collected was analysed by means of frequencies. One finding was that the neurological status of most patients was assessed but that little attention was paid in the patient records to emotional status and physical comfort. The respiratory and circulatory status of the patients and their fluid balance were inadequately recorded. The patients were well monitored for signs of external haemorrhage, but in most cases haemorrhage was checked only once, on return from the theatre. Although the patients’ pain experience were well-monitored, follow-up actions after the administration of pharmacological agents was poor. The surgical intervention was fully described and, generally speaking, the records were complete and legible, but the signatures and ranks of the nurses were illegible. Allergies were indicated in the most important records. The researchers recommend that a comprehensive and easily usable documentation form be used in postoperative nursing care. Such a form would serve as a checklist and could ensure to a large degree that attention is given to the most important postoperative parameters. Errors and negligence could also be reduced by this meansHealth Studie

Application of fundamental techniques for physicochemical characterizations to understand post-formulation performance of pharmaceutical nanocrystalline materials

Nanocrystalline materials (NCM, i.e., crystalline nanoparticles) have become an important class of materials with great potential for applications ranging from drug delivery and electronics to optics. Drug nanocrystals (NC) and nano co-crystals (NCC) are examples of NCM with fascinating physicochemical properties and have attracted significant attention in drug delivery. NCM are categorized by advantageous properties, such as high drug-loading efficiency, good long-term physical stability, steady and predictable drug release, and long systemic circulation time. These properties make them excellent formulations for the efficient delivery of a variety of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). In this review, we summarize the recent advances in drug NCM-based therapy options. Currently, there are three main methods to synthesize drug NCM, including top-down, bottom-up, and combination methods. The fundamental characterization methods of drug NCM are elaborated. Furthermore, the applications of these characterizations and their implications on the post-formulation performance of NCM are introduced

The future of automated fare collection systems : a perspective from the eThekwini municipality

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2023.In 2009, the National Department of Transport (NDoT) legislated, as per the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), 2009 (Act No.5 of 2009), that fare payments must be made through any bank-issued fare payment system and be interoperable through all participating banks. Commuters with participating bank accounts should be able to use bank cards and commuters without bank accounts should be able to use prepaid cards. NDoT defined an Automated Fare Collection (AFC) data structure that must be loaded onto all the Smart Cards and stipulated that the Europay, Mastercard, Visa (EMV) card is the standard of card technology that must be used to enable the hosting of the NDoT data structure. The eThekwini Municipality (herein after referred to as “the City”) went out to tender in 2010 for an AFC system that was compliant with the requirements of the Act and the system was successfully implemented in 2012 and is still in use today. The system did not meet all the objectives that it was originally intended to. There were aspects of the system that worked well but there were also several challenges that were experienced. One of the major issues with the system was related to the inoperability of the banks with the EMV/NDoT pre-paid cards. This issue only surfaced once the City had already implemented the first compliant system and was in the process of implementing a new system. The technical constraints were identified with NDoT and the participating banks at the time, but there was a lack of capacity by the banks to co-operate to resolve the issue. In addition the system was costly and complex to manage requiring cumbersome reconciliation processes and technical constraints imposed by the restriction to utilise the EMV/NDoT compliant card. The lessons learned from the AFC implementations conducted by the City to-date has informed the City’s procurement approach for future AFC systems. Research has been conducted through various literature and discussion with colleagues in the sector to establish the latest trends globally for AFC systems, exploring changes that have been made to the technology and implementation approach that is being adopted to cater for the future needs of Public Transport in the City. The findings show that the future of AFC’s should first and foremost take into consideration the needs of the commuters by providing convenience, ease of use and cater for seamless travel between multiple modes of ——————————————————————————————— 41st Southern African Transport Conference ISBN: 978-0-6397-8659-9 Produced by: www.betaproducts.co.za ——————————————————————————————— 10-13 July 2023 Pretoria, South Africa Conference Proceedings ——————————————————————————————— 41st Southern African Transport Conference ISBN: 978-0-6397-8659-9 Produced by: www.betaproducts.co.za ——————————————————————————————— 10-13 July 2023 Pretoria, South Africa Conference Proceedings transport. Consideration also needs to be given to the overall operating costs for the City and sustainability in terms of the ratio of AFC system implementation costs to fare revenue. The NDoT is in the process of legislating the South African National Roads Agency’s (SANRAL) Account Based Ticketing (ABT) system as the AFC solution to be adopted for all Public Transport in the South Africa (herein after referred to as “the country”). The City has engaged with other Cities regarding the benefits, pitfalls and views on the recommended approach with regards to AFC systems for use in Public Transport across the Country. Considering global trends, current limitations, and unique challenges within the context of the country, the collective view is that AFC systems should not be restricted to a “one-size-fits-all” approach and the objectives of customer centricity and minimising operating costs are paramount

Physicochemical stability of enriched phenolic fractions of cyclopia genistoides and ex vivo bi-directional permeability of major xanthones and benzophenones

Fractions of an ultrafiltered Cyclopia genistoides extract, respectively enriched in xanthones and benzophenones, were previously shown to inhibit mammalian α -glucosidase in vitro. The present study investigated ex vivo intestinal transport of these fractions, using excised porcine jejunal tissue, to determine whether the gut could be a predominant in vivo site of action. The major bioactive compounds, the xanthones (mangiferin, isomangiferin) and benzophenones (3- β -D-glucopyranosyliriflophenone, 3- β -D-glucopyranosyl-4- O - β -D-glucopyranosyliriflophenone) exhibited poor permeation in the absorptive direction with a relatively high efflux ratio (efflux ratio > 1). The efflux ratio of 3- β -D-glucopyranosyl-4- O - β -D-glucopyranosyliriflophenone (3.05) was similar to rhodamine 123 (2.99), a known substrate of intestinal P-glycoprotein 1 efflux transporters. Low epithelial membrane transport rates, coupled with efflux mechanisms, would effectively concentrate these bioactive compounds at the target site (gut lumen). Storage stability testing and moisture sorption assays of the xanthone-enriched fraction, benzophenone-enriched fraction, and ultrafiltered Cyclopia genistoides extract were performed to determine their susceptibility to physical and chemical degradation during storage. Hygroscopicity of the powders, indicated by moisture uptake, decreased in the order: benzophenone-enriched fraction (22.7%) > ultrafiltered Cyclopia genistoides extract (14.0%) > xanthone-enriched fraction (10.7%). 3- β -D-Glucopyranosylmaclurin, a minor benzophenone, was the least stable of the compounds, degrading faster in the benzophenone-enriched fraction than in ultrafiltered Cyclopia genistoides extract, suggesting that the ultrafiltered extract matrix may provide a degree of protection against chemical degradation. Compound degradation during 12 wk of storage at 40°C in moisture-impermeable containers was best explained by first order reaction kinetics

Using data smartly ? moving towards a smart city

The eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) is currently developing and pursuing smart city strategies and interventions to make eThekwini more caring and liveable. A key component of smart cities is to use data smartly. This includes measuring, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of current projects and programmes. To this end a GIS based tool comprising databases from various sectors has been developed to allow the ETA to research and evaluate the effectiveness of past and current management, maintenance and sector specific strategies.Paper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Ozone–climate interactions and effects on solar ultraviolet radiation

This report assesses the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion and anticipated ozone recovery on the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the Earth's surface. Interactions between changes in ozone and changes in climate, as well as their effects on UV radiation, are also considered. These evaluations focus mainly on new knowledge gained from research conducted during the last four years. Furthermore, drivers of changes in UV radiation other than ozone are discussed and their relative importance is assessed. The most important of these factors, namely clouds, aerosols and surface reflectivity, are related to changes in climate, and some of their effects on short- and long-term variations of UV radiation have already been identified from measurements. Finally, projected future developments in stratospheric ozone, climate, and other factors affecting UV radiation have been used to estimate changes in solar UV radiation from the present to the end of the 21st century. New instruments and methods have been assessed with respect to their ability to provide useful and accurate information for monitoring solar UV radiation at the Earth's surface and for determining relevant exposures of humans. Evidence since the last assessment reconfirms that systematic and accurate long-term measurements of UV radiation and stratospheric ozone are essential for assessing the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and adjustments. Finally, we have assessed aspects of UV radiation related to biological effects and human health, as well as implications for UV radiation from possible solar radiation management (geoengineering) methods to mitigate climate change

Social Impact Assessment: Guidance for assessing and managing the social impacts of projects

The purpose of this Guidance Note is to provide advice to various stakeholders about what is expected in good practice social impact assessment (SIA) and social impact management processes, especially in relation to project development. Project development refers to dams, mines, oil and gas drilling, factories, ports, airports, pipelines, electricity transmission corridors, roads, railway lines and other infrastructure including large-scale agriculture, forestry and aquaculture projects. This Guidance Note builds on IAIA’s (2003) International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. While the International Principles outline the overarching understandings of the SIA field, including the expected values of the profession, this document seeks to provide advice on good practice in the undertaking and appraisal of SIAs and the adaptive management of projects to address the social issues. As a statement of good and sometimes leading practice, not all the information in this document will necessarily be applicable in every situation – people utilising this information will need to establish for themselves what is appropriate in each particular context. The intended users of this document include: • SIA Practitioners/Consultants who want to know how their practice compares with international best practice; • Project Developers/Proponents (private sector or government) to assist them in evaluating SIA consultants and in knowing what to expect from consultants; • Regulatory agencies in terms of judging the quality and acceptability of SIA reports and in determining what procedures and expectations will be; • Social specialists in the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), such as the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank (AfDB), European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); • Social staff in other financial institutions, especially Equator Principles banks; • Development cooperation agencies; • Government planning agencies; • Communities and local peoples; • Civil society organizations; • People responsible for SIA regulatory frameworks

A cost effective public transport management system for go!durban

The eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) is implementing an Integrated Public Transport Network (Go!Durban) which is essentially a traditional BRT system. Go!Durban requires a Public Transport Management System (PTMS) in order to monitor the performance and compliance of the BRT operator and provide real time information on the BRT system. In 2014, the ETA advertised a tender for an Advanced PTMS. The lowest tender to specification was priced at around R350 million. This was deemed too expensive, and the tender was not awarded. Subsequent to this, in 2018 the ETA commenced discussions with Netstar, the current eThekwini fleet management contractor, to extend their fleet management system to include compliance monitoring, thus meeting the core functionality of a PTMS. The Go!Durban team developed a minimum User Requirements Specification (URS), based on the original ETA APTMS specification, which Netstar then used to map their proposal and cost estimate to develop the system. The system is being developed in two phases with a Proof of Concept or Pilot phase, building on their existing system functionality, followed by a Phase 2 to address the gaps in the APTMS minimum URS – essentially functionality that required further development. Based on the Netstar fleet management system, the ETA has thus developed a cost-effective PTMS to support the operations of the Go! Durban Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN). This PTMS Lite system provides the essential functionality of the traditional PTMS at a fraction of the cost. The ETA PTM Lite System is a tool to manage bus movements against a static timetable on the Go!Durban corridors and provide appropriate reporting and bus communication for the Transport Operator. In order to drive down operational costs (and therefore subsidies) ITS practitioners have a significant role to play in looking for cost effective solutions. The Netstar system presented here offers significant cost savings for capital and operating budgets. It offers an application centric solution for passenger information and provides all the essential functionality of a traditional APTMS at around a tenth of the cost. This should assist planners in their quest for a more financially sustainable public transport system.Papers presented virtually at the 39th International Southern African Transport Conference on 05 -07 July 202