The identification of a municipal policing model for Mangaung municipality

The researcher investigated and identified a municipal policing model for Mangaung Local Municipality. The five municipalities that have established a municipal police services in terms of the South African Police Service Amendment Act, Act 83/1998 were identified. Fifteen members of these municipalities who were involved in the establishment of a municipal police services, were interviewed to acquire First hand information on the process of establishing a municipal police service. The purpose of the study was to explore and therefore it required the research to be a qualitative approach, because the adversities the officials encountered were comprehended. Judgemental sampling was engaged to select participants since it was necessary to describe rather than to generalize and it also relevant to ensure that comparisons on the data collected are recognized. Three out of five municipalities that were investigated converted from traffic departments to municipal police services. Traffic officers of these municipalities undertook a bridging course determined by the National Commissioner of Police and to augment the numbers of the municipal police service members, these municipalities recruited and trained security officers. The Ethekweni municipality converted the then Durban City Police Department and other traffic departments that amalgamated with it to form a municipal police service. Unlike the other municipalities, Cape Town Metro recruited new members and trained them to formed a municipal police service in addition to the existing traffic departments and law enforcement agency. Mangaung Municipality should convert the existing traffic department and follow the route model to establish a municipal police service and augment the number of the municipal police service members by recruiting within the security division.Criminology and Security ScienceM.Tech. (Policing (School of Crtiminal Justice)

Characterisation of selected volatile organic compounds in Rwandan indigenous beer ‘Urwagwa’ by dynamic headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The volatile organic compound profile of alcoholic beverages consists of a wide range of compounds, comprising of acids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and other trace level aroma compounds. These compounds play an important role as they provide relative information on the product quality and enhance product acceptability. In this study, two brands of commercially available traditional banana beer samples were collected from a local market in Kigali, Rwanda; and were analyzed for volatile organic compounds. Dynamic headspace, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (DHS/GCMS), was used to identify volatile compounds at three different temperatures. Fifty volatile compounds, inclusive of 14 acids, 14 alcohols, and 22 esters were identified and quantified in the two brands of indigenous banana beer samples. Only 12 volatile components (three alcohols, three acids and six esters) were common in all banana beer samples. Among all the identified compounds, ethanol and acetate were the dominant compounds in all beer samples. Ethanol levels were found to be 8.7 and 18.1% (v/v) for brand A and B, respectively using gas chromatography (GC). The two major toxic compounds, methyl alcohol and ethyl carbamate/urethane, were detected in lower concentration levels compared to other identified compounds, thus suggesting negligible risk.Keywords: Indigenous banana beer, volatile compounds, dynamic headspace, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ‘Urgwagwa’African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 2990-299

Investigation of groundwater salinity using geophysical and geochemical approaches: Heuningnes catchment coastal aquifer. Western Cape Province, South Africa

Seawater intrusion is recognised as a major factor affecting the quality of groundwater in coastal aquifers around the world. To determine the occurrence and extent of saline groundwater intrusion prevailing in the Heuningnes Catchment, a 2D resistivity imaging survey was carried out in three sites within the catchment. Eleven resistivity profile lines were conducted using the multi-electrode ABEM SAS resistivity meter system, employing the Wenner Array to map the extent of saline groundwater. A 2D resistivity image was acquired for these resistivity profile lines and the data were processed using Res2DINV software to produce the 2D inverse resistivity models. The interpretation of the resistivity models revealed three resistivity zones. The first zone is characterised by low resistivity (1–3 Ω.m); this represents an aquifer filled with saline water. The second resistivity zone has values ranging from (3–30 Ω.m); this represents a brackish saturated formation. The third resistivity zone denotes a sandy layer/sandstone saturated with freshwater having high resistivity values above 30 Ω.m. Geochemical analysis results of water samples at 11 locations along the electrical resistivity profile lines also suggest high salinity, indicated by high levels of Cl−, Na+, Total Dissolved Solids, and Electrical Conductivity

Driving antibiotic stewardship awareness through the minibus-taxi community across the Tshwane District, South Africa

BACKGROUND : The minibus-taxi community plays an integral role within society, and for years this community has been neglected. Of late, studies on minibus-taxi operators’ health and their perceptions of HIV have emerged. Antibiotic resistance is a global problemand to help curb its spread studies have looked into the knowledge, attitude and perceptions amongst students and healthcare professionals, and yet little to nothing is known about the minibus-taxi community. OBJECTIVES : To assess the knowledge and understanding of the minibus-taxi community on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, and document indigenous antibiotic terminology used across the Tshwane District in Gauteng, South Africa. METHODS : A semi-structured questionnaire was adopted from WHO, translated into commonly spoken languages and administered to 83 minibus-taxi community members: 27 minibus-taxi operators and 56 commuters. A convenience sampling method was utilized in selecting the minibus-taxi ranks and routes. The questionnaire was later adapted to the minibus-taxi community’s busy lifestyle and a section added to document antibiotic terms. RESULTS : Seventy-one percent (n"59) of the participants knew the importance of taking antibiotics as directed, while 64% (n"53) believed it’s correct to share antibiotics. Seventy-five percent (n"62) thought antibiotic resistance occurred in the human body. One misconception noted was that the minibus-taxi community thought antibiotics treated cold/flu and fever. Over 80% of the community were unfamiliar with antibiotic terminology. CONCLUSIONS : Several misconceptions were documented amongst the minibus-taxi community and, whilst highlighting the linguistic barriers for the term antibiotic resistance, we identified several enablers for public awareness and empowerment. Further studies are required to define appropriate indigenous terms for future educational antibiotic campaigns.The Division of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, SefakoMakgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).https://academic.oup.com/jacamram2022Pharmacolog

Fabrication of AgCu/TiO2 nanoparticle-based sensors for selective detection of xylene vapor

The design and fabrication of innovative nanostructured materials that could display improved sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid response/recovery characteristics still present significant scientific challenges. Herein we report the timely selective detection of xylene vapour in benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene (BTE) and acetone vapours at low operating temperatures using an n-type AgCu/TiO2 nanoparticlebased sensor. Switching from p-type to n-type conductivity was observed at higher AgCu loadings. The findings showed that sensor switching was not temperature- or gas-dependent. Among the AgCu loaded on TiO2 nanoparticles, n-type 0.5% AgCu loaded on TiO2 displayed a remarkable response (Rg/Ra E 33.2) toward xylene vapour at 150 1C. The sensor exhibited superior selectivity

Leucocyte count and C-reactive protein cannot be relied upon in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in HIV-infected patients

BACKGROUND: South Africa has the highest prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the world, and is commonly found in association with appendicitis. Atypical presentation of appendicitis in the presence of HIV infection makes clinical diagnosis of appendicitis unreliable, and inflammatory markers are commonly used as adjuncts. The aim of this study was ascertain the value of inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of appendicitis in patients with and without HIV infection. METHODS: Patients with acute appendicitis were studied and divided into HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected groups. Symptoms, and systemic and local signs were recorded. Appendiceal pathology was classified as simple or as complicated by abscess, phlegmon or perforation. Total white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were chosen as inflammatory markers. Findings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 125 patients, of whom 26 (20.8 per cent) had HIV infection. Clinical manifestations did not differ statistically, and there was no difference in the incidence of simple or complicated appendicitis between the two groups. The mean CRP level was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients (194.9 mg/l versus 138.9 mg/l in HIV-uninfected patients; P¼0.049), and mean WCC (x109/L) was significantly lower (11.07 versus 14.17 109/l respectively; P¼0.010) CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations and pathology did not differ between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients with appendicitis, except that the WCC response was significantly attenuated and CRP levels were generally higher in the presence of HIV infection.https://academic.oup.com/bjsopenpm2021Surger

“COMING TOGETHER” (Batanai): Learning from Zimbabwe’s experiences with community biodiversity conservation, participatory crop improvement and climate change adaptation

This brief presents the findings and lessons learned of a study tour by a team from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of South Africa to neighbouring Zimbabwe, to learn about the roles of Farmer Field Schools, functions and operations of community seedbanks and various forms of participatory crop improvement, promoted by the Community Technology Development Organisation of Zimbabwe

Profile: Agincourt health and socio-demographic surveillance system.

The Agincourt health and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS), located in rural northeast South Africa close to the Mozambique border, was established in 1992 to support district health systems development led by the post-apartheid ministry of health. The HDSS (90 000 people), based on an annual update of resident status and vital events, now supports multiple investigations into the causes and consequences of complex health, population and social transitions. Observational work includes cohorts focusing on different stages along the life course, evaluation of national policy at population, household and individual levels and examination of household responses to shocks and stresses and the resulting pathways influencing health and well-being. Trials target children and adolescents, including promoting psycho-social well-being, preventing HIV transmission and reducing metabolic disease risk. Efforts to enhance the research platform include using automated measurement techniques to estimate cause of death by verbal autopsy, full 'reconciliation' of in- and out-migrations, follow-up of migrants departing the study area, recording of extra-household social connections and linkage of individual HDSS records with those from sub-district clinics. Fostering effective collaborations (including INDEPTH multi-centre work in adult health and ageing and migration and urbanization), ensuring cross-site compatibility of common variables and optimizing public access to HDSS data are priorities

Peritoneal macrophage heterogeneity is associated with different peritoneal dialysis outcomes

Peritonitis remains the major obstacle for the maintenance of long-term peritoneal dialysis and dysregulated host peritoneal immune responses may compromise local anti-infectious defense, leading to treatment failure. Whilst, tissue mononuclear phagocytes, comprising macrophages and dendritic cells, are central to a host response to pathogens and the development of adaptive immune responses, they are poorly characterized in the human peritoneum. Combining flow cytometry with global transcriptome analysis, the phenotypic features and lineage identity of the major CD14+ macrophage and CD1c+ dendritic cell subsets in dialysis effluent were defined. Their functional specialization was reflected in cytokine generation, phagocytosis, and antigen processing/presentation. By analyzing acute bacterial peritonitis, stable (infection-free) and new-starter patients receiving peritoneal dialysis, we identified a skewed distribution of macrophage to dendritic cell subsets (increasing ratio) that associated with adverse peritonitis outcomes, history of multiple peritonitis episodes, and early catheter failure, respectively. Intriguingly, we also noted significant alterations of macrophage heterogeneity, indicative of different maturation and activation states that were associated with different peritoneal dialysis outcomes. Thus, our studies delineate peritoneal dendritic cells from macrophages within dialysate, and define cellular characteristics associated with peritoneal dialysis treatment failure. These are the first steps to unravelling the detrimental adaptive immune responses occurring as a consequence of peritonitis