Perceptions of childhood immunisations in rural Transkei - a qualitative study

Objectives. To examine perceptions of childhood illnesses, and the role of immunisation in preventing them, among caretakers of young children in Mhlakulo, a rural community in Transkei, Eastern Cape, and to suggest reasons for the low uptake of immunisations in that area. Design. In-depth qualitative research using semi-structured questionnaires, focus groups, and free listing. Methods. Detailed interviews were conducted using standardised semi-structured questionnaires. Interviews involved 60 caretakers of children aged under 5 years brought to a community health centre. Interviews were followed by two focus groups and free listing interviews to validate results of these questionnaires. Results. There was widespread acceptance of the value of immunisations in preventing childhood illnesses, but only vague knowledge of why they are given, and for what illnesses. The most common knowledge was of measles and polio, but there was only limited knowledge of BCG, DPT and other immunisations. Childhood illnesses were seen as multi-causal in origin, but there was a marked absence of germ theory in explaining them. Attitudes to the use of traditional medicines in childhood were generally negative. Conclusions. Despite positive perception of immunisations, there is widespread ignorance of what they are for, and how they work. This suggests the need for increased health education, more community participation, and organisational changes in primary care clinics to make them more userfriendly to caretakers of infants and young children. S Afr Med J 2004; 94: 835-838

Enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human fetal cartilage rudiment cells on graphene oxide-PLGA hybrid microparticles

Poly(d,l–lactide–co–glycolide) (PLGA) has been extensively explored for bone regeneration applications; however, its clinical use is limited by low osteointegration. Therefore, approaches that incorporate osteoconductive molecules are of great interest. Graphene oxide (GO) is gaining popularity for biomedical applications due to its ability to bind biological molecules and present them for enhanced bioactivity. This study reports the preparation of PLGA microparticles via Pickering emulsification using GO as the sole surfactant, which resulted in hybrid microparticles in the size range of 1.1 to 2.4 µm based on the ratio of GO to PLGA in the reaction. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the hybrid GO-PLGA microparticles were not cytotoxic to either primary human fetal cartilage rudiment cells or the human osteoblast-like cell line, Saos-2. Additionally, the GO-PLGA microparticles promoted the osteogenic differentiation of the human fetal cartilage rudiment cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors to a greater extent than PLGA alone. These findings demonstrate that GO-PLGA microparticles are cytocompatible, osteoinductive and have potential as substrates for bone tissue engineering

New materials and advances in making electronic skin for interactive robots

Flexible electronics has huge potential to bring revolution in robotics and prosthetics as well as to bring about the next big evolution in electronics industry. In robotics and related applications, it is expected to revolutionise the way with which machines interact with humans, real-world objects and the environment. For example, the conformable electronic or tactile skin on robot’s body, enabled by advances in flexible electronics, will allow safe robotic interaction during physical contact of robot with various objects. Developing a conformable, bendable and stretchable electronic system requires distributing electronics over large non-planar surfaces and movable components. The current research focus in this direction is marked by the use of novel materials or by the smart engineering of the traditional materials to develop new sensors, electronics on substrates that can be wrapped around curved surfaces. Attempts are being made to achieve flexibility/stretchability in e-skin while retaining a reliable operation. This review provides insight into various materials that have been used in the development of flexible electronics primarily for e-skin applications

Characterising the outcomes, impacts and implementation challenges of advanced clinical practice roles in the UK: A scoping review

Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Objectives In response to demographic and health system pressures, the development of non-medical advanced clinical practice (ACP) roles is a key component of National Health Service workforce transformation policy in the UK. This review was undertaken to establish a baseline of evidence on ACP roles and their outcomes, impacts and implementation challenges across the UK. Design A scoping review was undertaken following JBI methodological guidance. Methods 13 online databases (Medline, CINAHL, ASSIA, Embase, HMIC, AMED, Amber, OT seeker, PsycINFO, PEDro, SportDiscus, Osteopathic Research and PenNutrition) and grey literature sources were searched from 2005 to 2020. Data extraction, charting and summary was guided by the PEPPA-Plus framework. The review was undertaken by a multi-professional team that included an expert lay representative. Results 191 papers met the inclusion criteria (any type of UK evidence, any sector/setting and any profession meeting the Health Education England definition of ACP). Most papers were small-scale descriptive studies, service evaluations or audits. The papers reported mainly on clinical aspects of the ACP role. Most papers related to nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy and radiography roles and these were referred to by a plethora of different titles. ACP roles were reported to be achieving beneficial impacts across a range of clinical and health system outcomes. They were highly acceptable to patients and staff. No significant adverse events were reported. There was a lack of cost-effectiveness evidence. Implementation challenges included a lack of role clarity and an ambivalent role identity, lack of mentorship, lack of continuing professional development and an unclear career pathway. Conclusion This review suggests a need for educational and role standardisation and a supported career pathway for advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) in the UK. Future research should: (i) adopt more robust study designs, (ii) investigate the full scope of the ACP role and (iii) include a wider range of professions and sectors.Health Education England (DN384826— Evaluation for HEE ACP Programme—Current Evidence Based for Advanced Level Practice within Health and Related Environments)

An extensive review of research in swarm robotics

Abstract — Swarm robotics is a new approach to the coordination of multi-robot systems which consist of large numbers of relatively simple robots which takes its inspiration from social insects. The most remarkable characteristic of swarm robots are the ability to work cooperatively to achieve a common goal. In this paper, classification of existing researches, problems and algorithms aroused in the study of swarm robotics are presented. The existing studies are classified into major areas and relevant sub-categories in the major areas. Keywords-swarm robotics, review, state-of-art, multi-robot I

Stretchable Systems: Materials, Technologies and Applications

Stretchable electronics is one of the transformative pillars of future flexible electronics. As a result, the research on new passive and active materials, novel designs, and engineering approaches has attracted significant interest. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of new approaches that enable the integration of high-performance materials, including, organic and inorganic compounds, carbon-based and layered materials, and composites to serve as conductors, semiconductors or insulators, with the ability to accommodate electronics on stretchable substrates. This Element presents a discussion about the strategies that have been developed for obtaining stretchable systems, with a focus on various stretchable geometries to achieve strain invariant electrical response, and summarises the recent advances in terms of material research, various integration techniques of high-performance electronics. In addition, some of the applications, challenges and opportunities associated with the development of stretchable electronics are discussed