Search

Biomass burning is a significant anthropogenic source of air pollution, including the preharvest burning of sugar cane. These burn events result in atmospheric emissions, including semivolatile organic compounds, that may have adverse impacts on air quality and human health on a local, regional, and even a global scale. Gaseous and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions from various sugar cane burn events in the province of Kwa‐Zulu Natal in South Africa were simultaneously sampled using a portable denuder sampling technology, consisting of a quartz fiber filter sandwiched between two polydimethylsiloxane multichannel traps. Total gas and particle phase PAH concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 9.85 µg m–3 per individual burn event, and nine PAHs were quantified. Over 85% of all PAHs were found to exist in the gas phase, with smaller two‐ and three‐ring PAHs, primarily naphthalene, 1‐methyl naphthalene, and acenaphthylene, being the most dominant and causing the majority of variance between the burn sites. The PAH profiles differed between the different burn events at different sites, emphasizing the significant influence that the crop variety, prevailing weather conditions, and geographical location has on the type and number of pollutants emitted. The potential carcinogenicity of the PAH exposure was estimated based on toxic equivalency factors that showed varying risk potentials per burn event, with the highest value of 5.97 ng m–3. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:778–792. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse environmental impacts associated with the use of fossil fuels and the over-dependence thereon has made energy security and sustainability a critical issue worldwide particularly for key energy intensive economic sectors which are heavily dependent on diesel. We thus investigated the feasibility of a transition to two different alternative fuels namely, rapeseed methyl ester (RME) biodiesel and gas-to-liquid fuel (GTL), in the platinum mining industry in South Africa. Load haul dump vehicles are the most abundant workhorses underground and were the selected vehicles to test alternative fuels at 100% without any engine modification. Potential reduction of harmful unregulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions was the focus of the research due to their adverse impacts on the environment, human health and engine operations. Quantitative collection of gas and particle phase PAHs was made possible using portable denuder devices followed by analysis by two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results showed that total PAH emissions from a high idling vehicle decreased dramatically when diesel was substituted with both biofuels (total gas phase PAH concentrations of 34; 14 and 9 µg m-3 for diesel, GTL and RME, respectively) and no substantial hinderance on engine performance was reported. This novel sector specific study on unmodified heavy duty working vehicles can potentially translate into a real-world, immediate solution, as not only would the selected biofuels be able to directly replace diesel, but both have high potential of being locally produced in South Africa and assist in the promotion of a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propose a three-phase method for proportional representation in South Africa, in respect to its electoral regions. Number of seats in the lower house of parliament; Number of seats per region; Seats for compensatory purposes; Mathematical description of the proposed method.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The sustainable management and conservation of fish biodiversity depends on studying fish biology. In this study, the length-weight relationships and condition factors of <i>Tilapia sparrmanii</i> were observed to gain a better understanding of their ecological and nutritional conditions. This information is crucial for the effective management of fisheries. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> During the study, 100 <i>T. sparrmanii</i> were collected from the Molepo Dam from October, 2022 to March, 2023. This fish's condition factor (CF) and length-weight relationship (LWR) were studied. To determine the size of each fish, the total length was measured using a caliper with a precision of 0.1 mm and the weight using a balance with an accuracy of 0.1 g. Differences were analyzed using ANOVA with the Tukey's <i>post hoc</i> test. A non-parametric Chi-square test was employed to evaluate the differences in sexes each month. <b>Results:</b> Their total length and body weight ranged from 4-15 cm and 0.96-57.96 g, respectively. The study found a strong positive relationship between the length and weight of the fish (r = 0.96). The regression coefficient (b) was more than 3.0, indicating a positive allometric growing rate. The condition factors (K) of males and females were not significantly different (p>0.05). The lowest CF value was observed in March (K = 1.01±0.03) and the highest in December (K = 1.73±0.12). The sex ratio of 1.0 male to 1.15 female was observed, which was significantly different from the theoretical ratio of one male to one female. This suggests that males were not significantly more than females (p>0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> The study found that <i>T. sparrmanii</i> in Molepo Dam exhibited allometric growth, as evidenced by a strong correlation between length and weight represented by a high "r" value. This fish is in good condition because it has no competition for food due to ecological factors.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Molepo Dam is a small dam with several aquatic animal species. An assessment of the water quality index of Molepo Dam is necessary because it is situated close to a largely rural community. In this study, the physicochemical variables of Molepo Dam were observed to better understand the water quality situation of this dam. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study was carried out from October 2022 to March 2023; 126 samples of water were taken from the Molepo Dam. The physicochemical parameters of the water were determined through standard methods. <b>Results:</b> The site within the dam exhibited a clear separation. Site 1, 2 and 4 were found to be more similar to each other, while Site 3 was separated from them. Site 5, 6 and 7 were more similar together as well. The results showed that the pollution level in Site 3 was the lowest. The pollution level in Site 1, 2 and 4 was more similar and the level of pollution in Site 5, 6 and 7 was the highest. <b>Conclusion:</b> According to the study, pollution levels were found to be different in various parts of the Molepo Dam. This was because the wastewater generated by rural communities was predominantly discharged towards the northern part of the dam.

The palatability and chemical composition of Longissimus lumborum muscles from 24 Boer goat castrates (eight goats per treatment), finished on diets varying in energy content (9.7, 10.2 and 10.6MJ ME/kg feed), were evaluated by a trained sensory panel on a line scale ranging from low to high intensity for aroma, flavour and texture attributes. Physical measurements as well as proximate analysis were performed for each sample. No differences (P>0.05) were found between the dietary treatments for any of the attributes analysed. Lamb flavour and aroma were the most prominent attributes, while only low levels of goat-like flavours were detected. Juiciness and tenderness had a strong correlation (r=0.864) and were rated to be moderate. The findings suggest that energy density of feedlot diets can be varied to still produce chevon with uniform meat quality characteristics., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Loneliness and social isolation are major problems for older adults. Interventions and activities aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness are widely advocated as a solution to this growing problem. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review to identify the range and scope of interventions that target social isolation and loneliness among older people, to gain insight into why interventions are successful and to determine the effectiveness of those interventions. Six electronic databases were searched from 2003 until January 2016 for literature relating to interventions with a primary or secondary outcome of reducing or preventing social isolation and/or loneliness among older people. Data evaluation followed Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre guidelines and data analysis was conducted using a descriptive thematic method for synthesising data. The review identified 38 studies. A range of interventions were described which relied on differing mechanisms for reducing social isolation and loneliness. The majority of interventions reported some success in reducing social isolation and loneliness, but the quality of evidence was generally weak. Factors which were associated with the most effective interventions included adaptability, a community development approach, and productive engagement. A wide range of interventions have been developed to tackle social isolation and loneliness among older people. However, the quality of the evidence base is weak and further research is required to provide more robust data on the effectiveness of interventions. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to further develop theoretical understandings of how successful interventions mediate social isolation and loneliness., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The feeding activities of Egyptian geese are becoming a problem for crop farmers in South Africa. Their grain-based diet during the harvesting season compared to the diet during the rest of the year may have an influence on the meat quality, especially the sensory profile. Descriptive sensory analysis, physical measurements, and the proximate composition were used to investigate these effects. Season was a major influential factor with the meat from summer associating with sweet-oily-duck and beef attributes in contrast to the strong association towards the game, metallic, and fish attributes of the winter meat. This is due to the difference in the main fatty acids; winter was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA: ) (C18:3 n-3) and summer higher (P ≤ 0.05) in monounsaturated fatty acid (C18:1 n-9). This study established that season has a significant effect on the sensory profile of Egyptian goose meat and should be considered regarding the utilization and consumption., (© 2016 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Background: The meat from African game species is healthy, naturally produced and increasingly popular with consumers. Among these species, zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) are growing in number in South Africa, with the meat from surplus animals holding potential to contribute to food security and economic stability. Despite being consumed locally and globally, little information exists on the composition of zebra meat. This study aimed to determine the proximate composition of zebra meat as well as the fatty acid composition of the intramuscular (IMF) and subcutaneous (SCF) fat., Results: Zebra longissimus lumborum muscle was shown to have a high mean protein content (22.29 g per 100 g) and low mean fat content (1.47 g per 100 g). High proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were found in the IMF (41.15%) and SCF (37.71%), mainly comprising α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) and linoleic (C18:2n-6) acids. Furthermore, the IMF and SCF had favourable PUFA/saturated fatty acid ratios (>0.4) and omega-6/omega-3 ratios (<4), indicating that both components are healthy lipid food sources., Conclusion: This study has shed new light on the nutritional value of zebra meat, which will not only be important for food product labelling, nutritional education and incorporation into food composition databases, but will also be indispensable for marketing and export purposes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Egyptian goose breast meat has been found to be very tough compared to the meat of other well-known fowl species. In attempting to clarify the toughness of the meat, the physical and biochemical changes during post-mortem conditioning (14 days) was investigated., Results: Although there was increased cathepsin (B, B & L and H) activity, together with a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in myofibrillar fragmentation lengths (32-25 µm) with conditioning, no change (decline) in shear force values was observed. The higher (P ≤ 0.05) shear force of the male breast portions may be linked to the higher (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of total and insoluble collagen., Conclusions: No significant change (decline) in shear force values was observed. Conditioning of Egyptian goose meat as a means of improving the overall toughness cannot therefore not be proposed. The higher shear force and lower sensory tenderness of the male breast portions, as previously observed, may be linked to higher concentrations of total and insoluble collagen., (© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Baseline research on the toughness of Egyptian goose meat is required. This study therefore investigates the post mortem pH and temperature decline (15 min-4 h 15 min post mortem) in the pectoralis muscle (breast portion) of this gamebird species. It also explores the enzyme activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease (calpain system) and the lysosomal cathepsins during the rigor mortis period., Results: No differences were found for any of the variables between genders. The pH decline in the pectoralis muscle occurs quite rapidly (c = -0.806; ultimate pH ∼ 5.86) compared with other species and it is speculated that the high rigor temperature (>20 °C) may contribute to the increased toughness. No calpain I was found in Egyptian goose meat and the µ/m-calpain activity remained constant during the rigor period, while a decrease in calpastatin activity was observed. The cathepsin B, B & L and H activity increased over the rigor period., Conclusion: Further research into the connective tissue content and myofibrillar breakdown during aging is required in order to know if the proteolytic enzymes do in actual fact contribute to tenderisation., (© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.)

With the current absence of scientific information on the nutritive aspects it is essential to investigate the fatty acid, mineral, and amino acid composition of Egyptian geese as well as the factors of influence. The forage vs. grain based diets of Egyptian geese during certain periods of the yr leads to variation in the content of the key fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid. The differences in these fatty acids results in variation between the n-6/n-3 ratios of the seasons; the portions from winter (July) are within the recommendations (ratio <5) and those from summer (November) not. This study indicates that Egyptian goose meat does not only vary in nutritional composition but season may also have a substantial effect on the flavor profile and ultimate uniformity of the meat. The season and portion effects were, however, interlinked but the general tendency shows that the portions, especially the breast and thigh do differ concerning the major fatty acids. No substantial differences were found in the mineral composition of the breast portion on account of season and gender; however there were some variation in certain amino acids such as lysine and arginine due to season/diet. This research provides essential information that should be considered not only regarding the everyday consumption of Egyptian goose meat but the potential utilization and ultimate consistency of this meat product., (© 2015 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Background: Afrikaners are a unique ethnic group in South Africa (SA) with well-documented ancestral records spanning a period of over 350 years. They are mainly descended from Dutch, German and French settlers to SA in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today several disorders in this population occur at relatively high frequencies as a result of founder effects.Objective. To determine whether a founder effect for Parkinson's disease (PD) is present in the Afrikaner population., Methods: Study participants were recruited from the Movement Disorders Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, SA, and from support groups of the Parkinson's Association of South Africa. Standard methods for genealogical research in SA on hereditary diseases were used including interviews and searches in sources such as state archives, the Huguenot Museum in Franschhoek, marriage and baptismal records, and tombstone inscriptions., Results: For 40 of the PD families, there was only a single most recent ancestral couple common to all of the families. On average there are between three and four ancestral lines to the founder couple per proband (range 1 -14)., Conclusion: If genetic studies confirm the presence of a founder effect for PD in Afrikaners, this would imply that there is a large number of individuals from this ethnic group who may potentially be at risk of developing this debilitating condition. This study illustrates and reinforces the concept that genealogical analysis is a powerful tool for identification of founder effects for various disorders in the Afrikaner population.

The carcass yield, physical characteristics, and proximate composition of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus), a southern African gamebird species, have been studied. A total of 69 geese were harvested during 2 seasons: summer (n = 36) and winter (n = 33). This total group of geese consisted of 27 female birds and 42 male birds. Sex alone affected (P ≤ 0.05) the live and carcass weights, and the average muscle weight (g) of each portion was higher for the male fowl. The data does not indicate differences between the meat's physical characteristics on account of sex; however, the meat from the female birds did have a higher intramuscular fat content. Season (winter vs. summer) did not influence the average muscle weights (g) of the breast, thigh, and drumstick portions, but the intramuscular fat content content of the birds hunted in winter was higher. Muscle color and pH differed as a result of season with the summer meat having a higher pH and more vivid red color compared with winter. The physical characteristics and the proximate composition of the breast, thigh, and drumstick portions varied considerably. This is essentially connected to a difference in physical activity of the muscles in the portions. Overall, this study revealed that to ensure a consistent eating quality the harvesting periods of Egyptian geese should be considered.

There is no scientific research regarding Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) meat; therefore, a chemical analysis to establish the nutritional characteristics of the breast portion is described. Meat from guinea fowl, Pekin duck, ostrich, and broiler chicken were used as a reference. The high intramuscular fat content of Egyptian goose meat (5.6 g/100 g) may be linked to the fact that this species relies on fat for heat insulation and buoyancy. Egyptian goose meat is very high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (39.7%). The polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio is within the recommendations (>0.4), although the n-6/n-3 ratio is higher than the suggested value of 5. The high Fe content of 7.5 mg/100 g is the differentiating factor within the mineral compositions and is related to the physical activity endured by the breast muscle of Egyptian geese. This study provides new insight into the nutritional characteristics of a meat species providing crucial information that is, as of yet, not available in the literature.