Transwomen and the Prison Industrial Complex

As one of the fastest growing populations in the prison system, transwomen have a unique relationship with the prison system and the Prison Industrial Complex. These systems work to further the marginalization of transwomen by subjecting them to psychological and sexual violence. Transwomen’s bodies are criminalized in ways that naturalizes the violence they experience both in the prisons and in the court systems. This paper aims to provide an overview of the ways in which transwomen are dehumanized in their encounters with the criminal justice system (i.e. mis-gendering, the physical and sexual abuse they experience) by contextualizing their experiences. Through contextualization, I aim to illustrate the interlocking systems of oppression that construct transwomen as socially deviant bodies, that leads to their encounters with the Prison Industrial Complex. Additionally, I explore how these interlocking systems of oppression continue to function within the context of the Prison Industrial Complex and how that reduces transwomen to Agamben’s conceptualization of bare life and as ‘non- citizens’ within the carceral state

The use of cyclodextrin template-based metal oxide nanomaterials in the development of electrochemical sensors for phenolic endocrine disruptor compounds

Magister Scientiae - MScIron oxide nanoparticles were prepared using co-precipitation method in the presence and absence of beta-cyclodextrin β-CD). Such materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry (CA). The TEM shows that the surface morphology has no difference between nanoparticles prepared in the presence and absence of beta-cyclodextrin β-CD), amorphous particles with high surface area and dimensions of about 100 nm by 500 nm. The amorphous states of nanoparticles are confirmed further by XRD. The ATR-FTIR analysis confirms inclusion complex between β-CD and nanoparticles. The nanoparticles synthesized were used to develop an electrochemical sensor for phenolic endocrine disruptors by modifying the surface area of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Electrochemical characterization of the iron oxide β-CD nano-composites, studied in 0.1 M potassium chloride (KCl) using chronoamperometry,showed that the surface concentration of the adsorbed composite material was 8.5 x 10-8 mol/cm2. Sensor analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) was carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) based on amperometric techniques which gave a linear range of 0.50 × 10-6 M to 50 × 10-6 M; limit of detection of 0.156 x 10-6 M and order of magnitude of linearity of 2.03. Hence, the sensor was further used to study 4-tert-octylphenol (TOP); the results showed that the sensitivity and the limit of detection were 11.31 nA L/mol and 0.249 x 10-6 M, respectively and order of magnitude of linearity of 2.00.South Afric

Spatial variability of macroinvertebrate assemblages and the influence of hydrological and environmental variables along the Sigi River, Tanzania-East Africa

The study of investigating the spatial and temporal variability of macroinvertebrate and their relation to hydrology, hydraulic and environmental factors was done along the Sigi River during two sampling periods in the dry (March) and wet (May) periods of 2012. The river was demarcated based on slope ranges and five river zones were identified as mountains streams (MS), upper foothills (UF), lower foothills (LF), rejuvenated foothills (REJ) and mature lower river (MR). Samples of macroinvertebrate were collected from the five river zones and measurements of hydrological (discharge), hydraulics (Depth, velocity and Froude number) and Environmental (pH, Temperature, substrate, conductivity) parameters were done in each zone. In characterizing the macroinvertebrate assemblages along the Sigi River diversity indices (number of taxa, total abundances, Margalef richness index and ShannonWiener index) were calculated and the most representative species for the spatial and temporal variation were identified. Melanoides and Afronurous showed differences in abundance in two samplings periods while Cleopatra, Potamonautes, Ephemerythus, Neoperla, Caenis, Ceratogomphus and Cheumatopsyche showed significant difference among the river zones. Spearman rank correlation and Distance Linear Model (DistLM) used to revealed physical factors governing the macroinvertebrate assemblages distribution. The study demonstrated that the variation of physical factors like discharge, temperature, conductivity and pH have an important role in the spatial distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages along the river and the life cycle of macroinvertebrate (Afronurus) is important in determining the temporal variability.O estudo de investigar a variabilidade espacial e temporal de macroinvertebrados e sua relação com a hidrologia, fatores hidráulicos e ambientais foi feito ao longo do Rio Sigi durante dois períodos de amostragem na estação seca (Março) e chuvosa (Maio) de 2012. O rio foi demarcada com base nas taxas de inclinação e cinco zonas do rio foram identificadas como: riachos em montanhas, alto sopé, baixo sopé, rejuvenescente sopé e rio inferior. Amostras de macroinvertebrados foram coletadas a partir das cinco zonas fluviais e medições dos parâmetros hidrológicos (descarga), hidráulicos (profundidade, velocidade e número de Froude) e ambientais (pH, temperatura, substrato, condutividade), foram feitas em cada zona. Ao caracterizar as assembléias de macroinvertebrados ao longo do Rio Sigi, índices de diversidade (número de táxons, abundâncias totais, índice de riqueza de Margalef e ShannonWiener) foram calculados e as espécies mais representativas foram identificadas para a variação espacial e temporal. Melanoides, Amphypsyche, Elminae e Afronurous mostraram diferenças na abundância em dois períodos amostrados, enquanto Cleopatra, Potamonautes, Ephemerythus, Neoperla, Caenis, Ceratogomphus e Cheumatopsyche apresentaram diferença significativa entre as zonas fluviais. Correlação de Sperman e Modelo de Distância Linear foram usados a fim de revelar os fatores físicos que regem a distribuição da comunidade de macroinvertebrados bentônicos. O estudo demonstrou que a variação dos factores físicos, como a descarga, temperatura, condutividade e pH apresentam um papel importante na distribuição espacial na comunidade de macroinvertebrados ao longo do rio e do ciclo de vida dos macroinvertebrados (Afronurus) sendo importante para a determinação da variabilidade temporal

Enhanced electrochemical glucose sensing performance of CuO:NiO mixed oxides thin film by plasma assisted nitrogen doping

In this study plasma-assisted nitrogen doping of a CuO–NiO mixed oxide thin film was presented. The as prepared film was also applied as a glucose sensor. The nitrogen species generated during plasma ignition resulted in a beneficial phase transformation of CuO to Cu2O. Characterisation techniques such as XRD, SEM, EIS and Hall Effect etc. measurements were utilized to study the morphology, structural features, doping profile and electrical properties of the sensing material. Device performance electrochemical testing showed that the as-developed sensor (labelled as N–CuO/Cu2O:NiO) showed an ultra-fast response time of 2.5 s with high sensitivity (1131 μA/mM.cm2). The linear range of the sensor was calculated to be up to 2.74 mM of glucose and excellent selectivity towards glucose at an applied potential of +0.67 V vs Ag/AgCl in 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte solution

Electronics of anion hot injection-synthesized te-functionalized kesterite nanomaterial

Metal chalcogenides such as copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) have been intensively studied as potential photovoltaic cell materials, but their viability have been marred by crystal defects and low open circuit potential (Voc) deficit, which affected their energy conversion efficiency. Strategies to improve on the properties of this material such as alloying with other elements have been ex-plored and have yielded promising results. Here, we report the synthesis of CZTS and the partial substitution of S with Te via anion hot injection synthesis method to form a solid solution of a novel kesterite nanomaterial, namely, copper zinc tin sulfide telluride (CZTSTe). Particle-size analyzed via small angle X-ray scattering spectroscopy (SAXS) confirmed that CZTS and CZTSTe materials are nanostructured. Crystal planes values of 112, 200, 220 and 312 corresponding to the kesterite phase with tetragonal modification were revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic analysis of CZTS and CZTSTe. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the shifts at 281 cm−1 and 347 cm−1 for CZTS, and 124 cm−1, 149 cm−1 and 318 cm−1 for CZTSTe

Déterminants Du Vieillissement En Sante Chez Les Personnes De Troisième Age De La Ville De Buta

The main purpose of our study is to identify the determinants of healthy aging among elderly people in the city of Buta; to improve lifestyle habits/behaviours and promote their health. We opted for a cross-sectional analytical estimate, in order to allow us to identify the determinants of healthy aging among the elderly inhabitants of the city of Buta, from 03/17/2021 to 07/25/2021. A total of 471 senior citizens (55 years or older) were surveyed. The association between health-promoting factors and cumulative chronic health problems (3 or more problems, 0 problems) was verified using a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, and level of health. education of our respondents, because all study characteristics are strongly linked to the variables studied (p<0.05 each). Daily consumption of leaves/vegetables, beans, meat, rice + fruits; the practice of a physical activity; a good body weight index; a cumulative index of 4 health-promoting factors; are factors that protect the elderly person from a chronic health problem and this is significant (p<0.05 significant at the conventional threshold of 5%)

A fumonisins immunosensor based on polyanilino-carbon nanotubes doped with palladium telluride quantum dots

An impedimetric immunosensor for fumonisins was developed based on poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)-multi-wall carbon nanotubes doped with palladium telluride quantum dots onto a glassy carbon surface. The composite was assembled by a layer-by-layer method to form a multilayer film of quantum dots (QDs) and poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)- multi-wall carbon nanotubes (PDMA-MWCNT). Preparation of the electrochemical immunosensor for fumonisins involved drop-coating of fumonisins antibody onto the composite modified glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy response of the FB1 immunosensor (GCE/PT-PDMA-MWCNT/anti-Fms-BSA) gave a linear range of 7 to 49 ng L−1 and the corresponding sensitivity and detection limits were 0.0162 kΩ L ng−1 and 0.46 pg L−1 , respectively, hence the limit of detection of the GCE/PT-PDMA-MWCNT immunosensor for fumonisins in corn certified material was calculated to be 0.014 and 0.011 ppm for FB1, and FB2 and FB3, respectively. These results are lower than those obtained by ELISA, a provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) for fumonisins (the sum of FB1, FB2, and FB3) established by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives and contaminants of 2 μg kg−1 and the maximum level recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for protection of human consumption (2–4 mg L−1 )

Filarial antigenemia and Loa loa night blood microfilaremia in an area without bancroftian filariasis in the democratic republic of Congo

Implementation of mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been delayed in central Africa because of incomplete mapping and coendemic loiasis. We mapped two regions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that were suspected to have LF. Night blood samples were collected from 2,724 subjects in 30 villages. Filarial antigenemia rates by card test exceeded 1% in 28 villages (range = 0–14%). Prevalence rates for large sheathed microfilariae (Mf) ranged from 4% to 40%; Mansonella perstans rates ranged from 22% to 98%. Large Mf were exclusively Loa loa by microscopy, and only 1 of 337 samples tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was positive for Wuchereria bancrofti DNA. Filarial antigen positivity was strongly associated with high L. loa Mf counts. Periodicity studies revealed atypical patterns, with no significant diurnal periodicity in some individuals. Thus, methods routinely used for LF mapping may not be reliable in areas in central Africa that are highly endemic for loiasis

An electrochemically active green synthesized polycrystalline NiO/MgO catalyst: Use in photo-catalytic applications

For many years, research scientists have aided communities in their tremendous efforts towards environmental remediation. Due to their high physical and chemical stability, metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been used as metal catalysts to remedy this issue. This article reviews green approaches for the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles, in aqueous bio-reductive polyphenols from punica granatum peel extract and the degradation of organic pollutants. The bimetallic nanocomposite of face-centred cubic NiO/MgO pseudocapacitors were successfully prepared via the polyphenols of punica granatum peel extracts. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) successfully provide evidence of polycrystalline face-centre cubic nanocomposite (high crystallinity index (Icry) > 1) while revealing their interplanar distance. The spherical and irregular particle distribution of the binary NiO/MgO nanocomposite (at different calcination temperatures) was assessed by high resolution-TEM. FTIR, GC–MS and EDS provided evidence of the proposed mechanism during coordination between polyphenols and metal precursors. The popular “egg box model” is referred to in the case of polyphenols-metal interaction. The unique feature of two consecutive chelation site per repeat that provides a favourable entropic contribution to the inter-chain association is produced by this model governed by electrostatic interactions. Based on the obtained results, new structural models of Ni2+/Mg2+-polyphenols (punicalagin) complexes were proposed. UV–vis and Cyclic voltammetry confirmed the growth and band gap energies of the nanocomposite. NiO/MgO nanocomposite was found to be excellent photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene orange and methylene blue under the illumination of artificial light irradiation. The experiments demonstrated that MB in aqueous solution was more efficiently photo-degraded (87%) than MO (73%) using NiO/MgO nanocomposite as photocatalysts within 10 min of exposure. Conclusively, the nanocomposite was found to be more efficient compared to other reported oxides.ISI & Scopu