Adult binge drinking: rate, frequency and intensity in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

This study was conducted to explore views about the execution of powers and functions of the police in the light of related challenges. This study made use of data from a total of 83 adult participants (a survey involving 73 individuals, and 10 in-depth interviews), including males and females of diverse occupational backgrounds from Bindura and Mount Darwin policing districts in Zimbabwe. A closed-ended, mostly Likert-scale-based questionnaire was used to collect data about the prevalent forms of police abuse of powers and functions, while an in-depth interview guide was provided to harvest information qualitatively. Findings reveal that police officers abuse their powers through unlawful arrests, arbitrary search and seizure, excessive use of force, unlawful methods of investigation, and ill treatment of detainees. Though not as prevalent as other forms of abuse, malicious criminal prosecution and partisan policing were also cited.K EYWOR DS: powers, abuse, function, police, Zimbabw

Anaerobic conversion of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) to biogas

This study evaluated the anaerobic mono-digestion of two different samples of Chromolaena odorata. Combinations of mechanical and thermo-alkaline pretreatments were applied to one of the two samples and labeled as ‘‘X’’ while the second had no thermo-alkaline treatment and was labeled as ‘‘Y’’. The Central Composite Design was used to design the pre treatments. The physicochemical characteristics of the substrates were carried out using standard methods after appropriate pretreatments. From the experimental set-ups, the most probable actual biogas yields in experiments ‘‘X’’ and ’’Y’’ were 0.3554 m3/kg Total Solid (TS)fed and 0.1803 m3/kg TSfed with the desirability of 99 and 100%, respectively. Further shown in the result is a 49.2% higher experimental (actual) biogas yield in experiment ‘‘X’’ over ‘‘Y’’. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the CH4 and CO2 content of both experiments to be 65±1.5%; 21±3% and 53.5±2.5%; 26±3%, respectively. Combination of different pretreatment methods enhanced enormous biogas yield from the digested substrates. Optimization of the generated biogas data was carried out using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The coefficient of determination (R2) for RSM was lower compared to that of ANN. This shows that ANN

Synthesis and crystal structures of zinc(II) coordination polymers of trimethylenedipyridine (tmdp), 4-nitrobenzoic (Hnba) and 4-biphenylcarboxylic acid (Hbiphen) for adsorptive removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution

Two novel Zn(II) coordination polymers (CPs), [Zn(nba)2(tmdp)]n (1) and [Zn(biphen)2(tmdp)]n (2), were synthesised by reacting Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and 4,4′-trimethylenedipyridine (tmdp) with corresponding carboxylates: 4-nitrobenzoic (Hnba) and 4-biphenylcarboxylic acid (Hbiphen). Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are one-dimensional CPs with the zinc(II) carboxylate units bridged through the N-donor spacer ligand. The zinc (II) atom adopts a tetrahedral arrangement in 1 and 2 coordinated by two nitrogen atoms from two tmdp ligand molecules and two deprotonated oxygen atoms from two carboxylate ligand molecules. The adsorption capacities of MO in this study was found to be 546.31 mg/g and 22.67 mg/g for 1 and 2, respectively. DFT studies confirmed that adsorption is primarily due to π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions between MO and 1. It is noteworthy that binding energy (BE) values for 1 (-74.14 KJ/mol) and 2 (-61.11 KJ/mol) correlate reasonably well with the observed adsorption capacities of MO. The study demonstrated that 1 has higher adsorption efficiency in comparison to 2 and could be an effective and easily reusable adsorbent for the removal of MO from wastewater

Biochemical conversion of fruit rind of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) and poultry manure

Environmental pollution by solid wastes and inadequate energy supply are some of the major challenges facing the developing world. This study evaluated the potentials of Fluted pumpkin fruit rind and poultry manure for biogas generation. Mechanical and thermo-alkaline pre-treatments were applied to two samples labeled ‘O’ and ‘P’ while the third sample (Q) had no thermo-alkaline treatment. The physicochemical characteristics of the substrates revealed richness in nutrients and mineral elements. The results showed that use of a combination of pre-treatment methods enhanced the biogas yield in the pre-treated substrates. Analysis of the gas composition showed 66.5 ± 2.5% Methane, 25 ± 1% Carbon dioxide; 58.5 ± 2.5% Methane, 26 ± 1% Carbon dioxide; 54.5 ± 1.5% Methane, 28 ± 2% Carbon dioxide for the three experiments, respectively. All the obtained values show the models had a high predictive ability. The substrates should be further used for energy generatio

A Short Overview on the Role of Nanotechnology in Different Sectors of Energy System

Globally, with respect to the advancement in technologies developed in the energy sector, a good comprehension of the economic situation is the real challenge to having sustainable energy. Though technologies are available, they are usually very expensive or not adequately recognized by the industrial players. Sustainability of the advancement in energy development has globally gained great attention. Nanotechnologies make available a very good prospect of improving the efficiency of energy across all sectors of industry in a sustainable way. These technologies economically influence renewable energy production by using novel technological approaches and enhanced production technologies. The advances of nanotechnology may perhaps influence every part of the value-added chain in the energy sector. Therefore, employing nanomaterials in technologies for energy system sustainability will remain a significant field of academic and researcher, even at the commercial level. In this review, the role of nanotechnology for four sustainable sources of energy together with energy distribution and also for different energy usage was discussed. Hence, this review looked at the possible prospect of utilizing nanoscale materials, such as nanoparticles and nanofluids, to stimulate sustainable developments and practices for energy systems

Challenges of Residency Training and Early Career Doctors in Nigeria Phase II: Update on Objectives, Design, and Rationale of Study

Background: Early career doctors (ECDs) are a dynamic and highly mobile group of medical and dental practitioners who form a significant proportion of the health workforce in Nigeria. The challenges of residency training and ECDs in Nigeria CHARTING Phase I study explored limited challenges affecting ECDs under the broad themes of demography, workplace issues, and psychosocial issues. The CHARTING II was expanded to provide wider insight into the challenges of ECDs in Nigeria. Objective: This protocol aims to provide clear objectives including description of objectives, design, and rationale for the conduct of the proposed CHARTING II study which seeks to explore other components under the various themes of demographic, workplace, psychosocial issues affecting the ECDs in Nigeria, and which were not explored under CHARTING I.   Methodology: This shall be a mixed study design that will combine qualitative and quantitative methods, to investigate 27 subthemes among 2000 ECDs spread across 31 centers, accredited by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors. Participants shall be selected using the multistage sampling method. The primary data will be generated using structured proforma and validated questionnaires,while administrative sources would serve as a source of secondary data. Data will be entered and analyzed using appropriate statisticalsoftware. Conclusion: CHARTING II study would provide more robust data and insight into the problems encountered by ECDs in Nigeria. This would in turn build a platform for institutional engagement and advocacy in order to drive relevant policies to mitigate these challenges. Keywords: Early career doctors, Nigeria, residency, resident doctors, trainin

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe