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Environmental reporting is a realistic alternative for mines to prioritise operational changes in crucial environmental areas. Gold mines report to multiple platforms – i.e., integrated reporting. All these platforms have created the need for effective environmental data management. A methodology was developed in which the environmental performance data for numerous operations is centralised. A standardised reporting procedure was developed for each environmental data category that includes the different stakeholders’ needs. Focus was also placed on reducing the data transfer errors due to the importance of data accuracy. The methodology is based on the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle and was implemented at a gold mining company. After implementation, the rate of transfer error that would have been recorded in the data was reduced from 20 percent to four percent. This error rate was recorded before an external audit took place.

Abstract Background While multidisciplinary teams with clinical pharmacists improve medication use and outcomes, their integration in South Africa faces limitations. A lack of dedicated positions and healthcare professionals’ misunderstanding restrict ward activities and hinder full collaboration, limiting their potential to optimize patient care. This study addresses a gap by exploring how perceived healthcare professionals’ understanding of clinical pharmacists’ roles impacts their motivation and service implementation. Understanding these dynamics, particularly in resource-constrained settings, is crucial for optimizing integration and healthcare delivery. Methods Adopting a constructivist approach, this qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions. Through purposive sampling clinical pharmacists were recruited across South Africa’s public healthcare sector. A semi-structured guide based on previous findings explored how the perceived understanding around clinical pharmacy impacts service delivery and work motivation. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Self-Determination Theory framework. Thematic analysis employed an inductive approach, following an initial preliminary analysis of open and selective coding to develop a coding framework. Results Clinical pharmacists (n = 16) reported various challenges impacting service implementation and motivation. Two main themes were identified: (1) Time: Dedicated ward time is crucial for both the proper implementation of clinical services, as well as the clinical pharmacists’ motivation; and (2) Trust: Clinical pharmacists experience a lack of trust amongst healthcare professionals in the value of clinical pharmacy services. The themes illustrated mechanisms at work at three levels: systemic (lack of dedicated positions), inter-relational (healthcare professional’s misconceptions), and personal (thwarted autonomy). Conclusions Systemic challenges, like the absence of official positions present the biggest obstacle, affecting support, scope of practice, and healthcare professional interactions. While systemic changes are crucial for full integration of clinical pharmacists, in resource-constrained settings fostering autonomous motivation is equally important. This study emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach, including policy changes, international collaboration, interprofessional education, and interventions to empower clinical pharmacists for proactive service delivery. By addressing these interconnected challenges, healthcare systems can leverage the full potential of clinical pharmacists, ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Abstract Background Incorporating clinical pharmacists in collaborative medical teams results in better patient treatment and health outcomes. In addition, the understanding of other healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards the role of clinical pharmacists can either facilitate or hinder the implementation and expansion of these services. The main distinction between pharmacists and clinical pharmacists lie in their different scope of duties. This study set out to explore other HCPs’ understanding towards the role of the clinical pharmacists in South Africa, and to identify associated factors. Methods An exploratory, survey-based, quantitative study was conducted. A survey assessing HCPs’ understanding based on the competencies and role of a clinical pharmacist was distributed to 300 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and clinical pharmacists. An exploratory factor analysis was carried out to determine the construct validity of the measurement. Items were analysed for grouping into subscales through principal components analysis. Differences in the variable scores for gender, age, work experience and previous experience working with a clinical pharmacist were analyzed using independent t-tests. Analysis of variance was used to analyze differences in the variable scores for the different HCPs and the different departments of work in the hospital. Results The factor analysis yielded two separate subscales, measuring HCPs’ (n = 188) understanding towards the role of a clinical pharmacist, as well as the competencies of a clinical pharmacist. Doctors (85, n = 188) (p = 0.004) and nurses (76, n = 188) (p = 0.022), working in both surgical and non-surgical units, had significantly poorer understanding of the role of clinical pharmacists than clinical pharmacists (8, n = 188) and pharmacists (19, n = 188) (p = 0.028). Where specific clinical pharmacist activities were described, 5–16% of pharmacists were unsure whether an activity forms part of a clinical pharmacist’s role. Over 50% of the clinical pharmacists disagreed that their role also includes pharmacist’s activities, like stock procurement and control, pharmacy and administrative work, and hospital pharmacy-medication dispensing activities. Conclusion The findings highlighted the possible impact of role expectations and lack of understanding among HCPs. A standard job description with recognition from statutory bodies could promote other HCPs, as well as clinical pharmacists’ understanding of their roles. Findings further suggested the need for interventions like interprofessional education opportunities, staff induction programmes and regular interprofessional meetings to foster acknowledgement of clinical pharmacy services, promoting the acceptance and growth of the profession.

Objectives: After South Africa's second wave of COVID-19, this study estimated the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 500 pregnant women who were non-COVID-19-vaccinated (aged ≥12 years) were enrolled, and demographic and clinical data were collected. Serum samples were tested using the Wantai SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Roche Elecsys® anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody assays. Seropositivity was defined as SARS-CoV-2 antibodies on either (primary) or both (secondary) assays. Univariate Poisson regression assessed risk factors associated with seropositivity. Results: The median age was 27.4 years, and HIV prevalence was 26.7%. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 64.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59.6-68.2%) on the primary and 54% (95% CI: 49.5-58.4%) on the secondary measure. Most (96.6%) women who were SARS-CoV-2-seropositive reported no symptoms. On the Roche assay, we detected lower seroprevalence among women living with HIV than women without HIV (48.9% vs 61.7%, P-value = 0.018), and especially low levels among women living with HIV with a clusters of differentiation 4

Deciding whether two different face photographs or voice samples are from the same person represent fundamental challenges within applied settings. To date, most research has focussed on average performance in these tests, failing to consider individual differences and within-person consistency in responses. Here, participants completed the same face (Experiment 1) or voice matching test (Experiment 2) on two separate occasions, allowing comparison of overall accuracy across the two timepoints as well as consistency in trial-level responses. In both experiments, participants were highly consistent in their performances. In addition, we demonstrated a large association between consistency and accuracy, with the most accurate participants also tending to be the most consistent. This is an important result for applied settings in which organisational groups of super-matchers are deployed in real-world contexts. Being able to reliably identify these high performers based upon only a single test informs regarding recruitment for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

1. The amount of calcium and phosphorus in the empty, feather-free bodies of Cobb 700 breed males and females was measured from hatch to 15 weeks of age.2. A four-phase ad libitum feeding programme was used to feed 400 chicks of each sex. Feeds contained commercial levels of calcium and phosphorus which met or exceeded the requirements for energy, protein and amino acids. All birds were weighed weekly. Ten birds per sex were sampled at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 and 105 d of age. Defeathered birds were minced, freeze-dried and then analysed for protein, ash, calcium and phosphorus content.3. Amounts of Ca in males and females at 105 d averaged 54 and 37 g, respectively, and 105 d P content in males and females averaged 35 and 27 g, respectively. The allometry of ash, Ca and P with empty, feather-free body protein was assessed. Ash was isometric with body protein, while an allometric exponent greater than 1 was established for Ca and P with body protein.4. The allometric models and means for Ca and P relative to body protein were compared with models and means found in the literature. Comparison of the Ca/protein ratios with previous data suggested that modern broilers may not reach their potential bone mineral deposition with current dietary guidelines, even when growth rates were maximised.5. Theoretical allometric relationships between Ca and P in bone and bone-free body and body protein have now been proposed. The allometric relationship between Ca and P and empty, feather-free body protein offers a suitable way to model the growth of these minerals in the broiler body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear whether witness mental illness and special measures used with witnesses in court impacts juror decision-making. Participants (N = 204) from the general public and student population completed a measure assessing attitudes towards mental illness before reading a mock trial vignette where witness mental illness (depression, schizophrenia, no mental illness) and the special measure used in court (screen, intermediary, no special measure) were manipulated. Participants were then instructed to formulate judgements about the witness testimony provided (reliability, competency, credibility) and their likelihood of finding the defendant guilty. The findings showed that witnesses with depression were perceived as significantly more competent than witnesses with schizophrenia, or with no mental illness. Witnesses with depression were also perceived as significantly more competent than witnesses with schizophrenia when a screen was used in court. There was however no difference in competency ratings for witnesses with depression versus those with schizophrenia when no special measure was used, or when an intermediary was used, although witnesses with depression were still viewed more favourably overall. These findings suggest that some awareness of these biases is needed in court. Improving clarity about why special measures are used in court might also go some way towards addressing this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eyewitness descriptions provide critical information for the police and other agencies to use during investigations. While researchers have typically considered the impact of memory, little consideration has been given to the utility of facial descriptions themselves, without the additional memory demands. In Experiment 1, participants described face images to their partners, who were then required to select these faces from photographic lineups. Performance was error-prone when the same image appeared in the lineup (73% correct), and decreased further when a different image of the same face was presented (22% correct). We found some evidence to suggest this was due, in part, to difficulties with recognizing that two different images depicted the same person. In Experiment 2, we demonstrated that descriptions of the same face given by different people showed only moderate agreement. Taken together, these results highlight the problematic nature of facial descriptions, even without memory, and their limited utility.

This study aimed to estimate the standardized ileal digestible leucine intake (SID-Leui, mg) in laying hens for maintenance, and to describe the response in laying hens to SID-Leui, thereby providing the information required to determine the optimum economic intake of SID-Leu for laying hens. Two nitrogen balance series, one balanced and the other unbalanced with respect to leucine (Leu), were used to estimate the SID-Leu requirement for maintenance using 36 roosters per series. The roosters were randomly distributed among the six levels of Leu with each level being replicated six times. The six diets were formulated to contain 0.0, 3.5, 6.9, 10.4, 13.9, or 17.4 g/kg of SID-Leu for the unbalanced series and 0.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, 16.0, or 20.0 g/kg of SID-Leu for the balanced series. The SID-Leui maintenance requirement was calculated as 144 mg/bird d, 66 mg/kg d, 74 mg/kg0.75d or 395 mg/BPm0.73d. For the response trial, 120 individually caged laying hens (63 weeks old) were randomly distributed among eight treatments with 15 replicates. To estimate the SID-Leui for the population of hens, the Reading Model was fitted to the data using body weight (BW, kg), SID-Leui and egg output (EO, g). The Reading Model calculated the mg SID-Leui = 11.6 EOmax + 43.4 BW. The efficiency of SID-Leu utilization for laying hens was estimated to be 79%.

Within poultry production systems, models have provided vital decision support, opportunity analysis, and performance optimization capabilities to nutritionists and producers for decades. In recent years, due to the advancement of digital and sensor technologies, ‘Big Data’ streams have emerged, optimally positioned to be analyzed by machine-learning (ML) modeling approaches, with strengths in forecasting and prediction. This review explores the evolution of empirical and mechanistic models in poultry production systems, and how these models may interact with new digital tools and technologies. This review will also examine the emergence of ML and Big Data in the poultry production sector, and the emergence of precision feeding and automation of poultry production systems. There are several promising directions for the field, including: (1) application of Big Data analytics (e.g., sensor-based technologies, precision feeding systems) and ML methodologies (e.g., unsupervised and supervised learning algorithms) to feed more precisely to production targets given a ‘known’ individual animal, and (2) combination and hybridization of data-driven and mechanistic modeling approaches to bridge decision support with improved forecasting capabilities.

Efficient meat production is crucial in addressing global market demands and sustainability goals. Modeling production systems has gained worldwide attention, offering valuable insights for predicting outcomes and optimizing economic returns. In the poultry industry, researchers have developed mathematical models to predict animal performance and maximize profits. These models incorporate theories to explain real-world processes and enable future event predictions. One such model is the Broiler Growth Model (BGM), which serves as a predictive tool for estimating feed intake, growth, and body composition of broilers. The BGM takes into account the genetic potential of the broilers, the feed they are provided, and several constraining factors that may prevent the animal from achieving their genetic potential. To evaluate the BGM, a series of simulations were performed: (i) model behavior was evaluated by simulating the response of males and females from 22 to 35 d to feeds differing in dietary protein content and nutrient density; (ii) model prediction was evaluated using the results of a protein response trial conducted at UNESP in which six dietary protein levels were fed to male and female broilers over a 56 d period; and (iii) model optimization was used to maximize economic returns in the above trial. The model behaved as expected when feeds differing in protein content were fed, with feed intake per kg of BW increasing as protein level was decreased, resulting in lower gains and higher body lipid contents. Increasing nutrient density resulted in higher feed intake in the second level, followed by a reduction in feed intake in the highest nutrient feed. The simulated response to nutrient density resulted in increasing body lipid deposition as the nutrient density increased. In comparing the simulated and actual results of the protein response trial, the overall error of prediction was up to 15% for feed intake, BW, and body protein. The optimization routine allows the simulation of different economic scenarios, helping in decision-making. The Broiler Growth Model emerges as a valuable tool for the poultry industry, offering predictive capabilities and economic optimization potential. While minor discrepancies between simulated and actual results exist, the BGM holds significant promise for enhancing efficiency and profitability in broiler production, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable broiler meat production.

The egg production model (EPM) described here is a mechanistic and stochastic model that simulates the amino acid and energy requirements of laying hens. It takes into account their potential rate of laying, and egg weight over time, and the composition of the feed provided. The model predicts feed intake based on the assumption that hens will consume enough feed to reach their genetic potential. The environment is assumed to be non-limiting, although feed intake may be constrained by bulk capacity when bulky feeds are offered. The simulation model integrates a least-cost feed formulator, which enables the prediction of a feeding program that maximizes economic returns. A series of simulations were conducted to demonstrate the model behavior, external evaluation, and the economic optimization routine. The model behavior showed that as the energy content in the feed decreased, the simulated feed intake increased to compensate. Consequently, feeds with lower energy concentrations led to an overconsumption of nutrients, resulting in increased egg component weights (yolk and albumen). However, when the balanced protein was reduced while maintaining a constant energy-to-protein ratio, there was no change in egg components, consistent with published literature. The external evaluation indicated that feed intake, egg production, and egg weight were estimated with low error, and there was a similar trend observed between the estimated and observed data. This demonstrates the reliability of the model. Additionally, the paper provides a demonstration of how to use and interpret the results from the egg production model, including the economic optimization routine. The study found that a feed containing 7.8 g/kg of digestible lysine maximized economic returns. This optimization tool can be valuable in making nutritional decisions to optimize economic returns in an egg production system.

Background. Antibiotic dosing in critically ill patients is complicated by variations in the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics in this group. The dosing of imipenem/cilastatin is usually determined by severity of illness and renal function. Objectives. To determine the correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) calculated with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and imipenem trough levels in critically ill patients. Methods. This prospective observational study was done in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. Imipenem trough levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and compared with eGFRs calculated with the CKD-EPI equation. Correlation was evaluated by the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Results. The study population consisted of 68 critically ill patients aged between 18 and 81 years; 43 (63%) were male, and the mean weight was 78 kg (range 40 - 140). On admission, 30 patients (44%) had sepsis, 16 (24%) were admitted for trauma, and 22 (32%) were admitted for miscellaneous surgical conditions. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores ranged from 4 to 39 (mean 18). The 28-day mortality rate was 29%. The mean albumin level was 16 g/L (range 7 - 25), the mean creatinine level 142 μmol/L (range 33 - 840), and the mean eGFR 91 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range 6 - 180). Imipenem trough levels ranged between 3.6 and 92.2 mg/L (mean 11.5). The unadjusted Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between eGFR and imipenem trough level was –0.04 (p=0.761). Conclusion. Considering the high mortality rate of sepsis in ICUs and the rapid global increase in antimicrobial resistance, it is crucial to dose antibiotics appropriately. Owing to the variability of antibiotic pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients, this task becomes almost impossible when relying on conventional dosing guidelines. This study found that eGFRs do not correlate with imipenem blood levels in critically ill patients and should not be used to determine the dose of imipenem/cilastatin. Instead, the dose should be individualised for patients through routine therapeutic drug monitoring.

Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) science is by definition transdisciplinary. However, the communication and collaboration between constituent disciplines needed for true transdisciplinarity remains relatively rare. Consequently, many of the potential benefits of MBE science remain unrealized for parties on all sides of the discipline. The present commentary first conducts an analysis of the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of transdisciplinary partnerships in MBE. A new, free, and international web platform ("UNIFIED") is then proposed to broker relationships between researchers and teachers within schools. This website would allow users to form collaborations based on a system of tags indexing their research interests as well as practicalities such as their location. Such a website appears well placed to realize many of the opportunities, and mitigate the threats and weaknesses, of transdisciplinary MBE research. The article concludes with an appeal to interested researchers and schools to contribute to the development of the project.

SUMMARY: Few studies have modelled the nutrient requirements of breeding ostriches. Results obtained from historical studies were used here to determine the energy, protein and amino acid requirements of breeding ostriches for maintenance and egg production. Two energy scales were used to determine the energy requirement for egg production by ostrich breeders. The efficiency of metabolisable energy (ME) utilisation for energy deposition in the egg (ko) was calculated as 0.8, and the ME required for egg production (MEe) was 12.2 MJ/egg. The effective energy (EE) requirement for egg production (EEe) and maintenance (EEm) was calculated as 7.8 and 13.8 MJ/bird d, respectively. Average total daily balanced protein requirement (TPt) was calculated as 160 g/bird d. Amino acid requirements for maintenance and egg production are given together with recommendations for the daily supply of each amino acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted with 1 680 one-day-old turkey poults (720 males and 960 females) of the Hybrid ConverterTM genotype to compare the growth performance of male and female turkeys. The experiment lasted until 119 days of age for males and 126 days for females, during which 6 commercial-type feeds were administered, with changes occurring at 21, 42, 63, 84 and 102 days of age. Performance was evaluated by weekly weighing and measuring feed consumption in each pen at weekly intervals. At 1, 7, 14, 21, 35, 56, 77, 119 (males) and 126 (female) days, 12 birds from each sex were sampled for weights of carcass, liver, gizzard, heart, thighs and breast. The Gompertz equation fitted separately to male and female growth data suggested that the mature weight of males would be by 16 kg heavier than in females (34.6 vs 18.7 kg) and that the females would mature 36% faster than males (0.023 2 vs 0.017 0/day). The weights of liver, gizzard and heart were similar in males and females in the early part of the growth period but they diverged from 35 days for the gizzard, 56 days for the liver and 77 days for the heart. However, the allometric coefficients describing the growth of each of these internal organs in relation to body weight were the same for males and females. Thigh weight was allometrically related to body weight, with males and females sharing the same relationship, but although the slope of the allometric relationship for breast weight in males and females was the same, breast weights in females were heavier than in males at any given body weight. Female turkeys became fatter than males from 56 days onwards.

Frontiers requested research on how a systems approach can explore the mechanisms of cardiovascular complications in Covid-19. The focus of this paper will thus be on these detailed mechanisms. It will elucidate the integrated pathogenic pathways based on an extensive review of literature. Many severe Covid-19 cases and deaths occur in patients with chronic cardiovascular comorbidities. To help understand all the mechanisms of this interaction, Covid-19 complications were integrated into a pre-existing systems-based coronary heart disease (CHD) model. Such a complete model could not be found in literature. A fully integrative view could be valuable in identifying new pharmaceutical interventions, help understand how health factors influence Covid-19 severity and give a fully integrated explanation for the Covid-19 death spiral phenomenon seen in some patients. Covid-19 data showed that CHD hallmarks namely, Hypercoagulability, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperglycemia/Hyperinsulinemia, Inflammation and Hypertension have an important effect on disease severity. The pathogenic pathways that Covid-19 activate in CHD were integrated into the CHD model. This fully integrated model presents a visual explanation of the mechanism of interaction between CHD and Covid-19 complications. This includes a detailed integrated explanation of the death spiral as a result of interactions between Inflammation, endothelial cell injury, Hypercoagulability and hypoxia. Additionally, the model presents the aggravation of this death spiral through the other CHD hallmarks namely, Hyperglycemia/Hyperinsulinemia, Hypercholesterolemia, and/or Hypertension. The resulting model further suggests systematically how the pathogenesis of nine health factors (stress, exercise, smoking, etc.) and seven pharmaceutical interventions (statins, salicylates, thrombin inhibitors, etc.) may either aggravate or suppress Covid-19 severity. A strong association between CHD and Covid-19 for all the investigated health factors and pharmaceutical interventions, except for β-blockers, was found. It is further discussed how the proposed model can be extended in future to do computational analysis to help assess the risk of Covid-19 in cardiovascular disease. With insight gained from this study, recommendations are made for future research in potential new pharmacotherapeutics. These recommendations could also be beneficial for cardiovascular disease, which killed five times more people in the past year than Covid-19.

Temperature-sensitive cure kinetics based on bisphenol A oligomeric diglycidyl ether and branching diphenylmethane di-isocyanate, polymer aliphatic or lower molecular weight aromatic amines, and polypropylene and epoxy composites were examined. Polypropylene networks are formed initially, followed by amine hardeners interfering with epoxy oxirane rings to frame linear oligomers. Finally, the system is formed by a reaction between amines obtained in the second phase and epoxy oxirane rings during the curing step. This three-stage treatment was illustrated. The activation energy was calculated using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose isoconversational approaches to cure degree. The Ea-to-α correlation was determined using these approaches, revealing that the research curing systems exhibited autocatalytic effects. Among the materials studied, compounds with low molecular weight aromatic amines had the strongest and longest-lasting tensile characteristics. There are numerous advantages to slow curing and discrete stages of composite creation, including better mechanical properties.

The National Department of Health published their Quality Standards for Healthcare Establishments in South Africa and introduced the National Health Insurance, with the pilot phase that commenced in 2012. The system requires an adequate supply of pharmaceutical personnel and the direct involvement of clinical pharmacists throughout the medication-use process to ensure continuity of care, minimised risk with increasing improvement of patient outcomes. The study aimed to provide insight into the pressing issues of clinical pharmacy practice in South Africa, and sets out to contextualise the current profile of the pharmacist performing clinical functions. The study used a quantitative, explorative, cross-sectional design. The population included pharmacists from private and public tertiary hospitals. A questionnaire was administered, using Typeform™. Ethics approval was obtained from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, National Department of Health and Private Healthcare groups. Categorical data were summarised using frequency counts and percentages; continuous data were summarised by mean values and standard deviations. The sample size included 70 pharmacists practicing clinical pharmacy (private sector n = 59; public sector n = 11). Most participants hold a BPharm degree (busy with MPharm qualification) (64%; n = 70). No statistical significance was found between participants in private and public practice. Most pharmacist agreed (32% (private); n = 59) and strongly agreed (45% (public); n = 11) to have sufficient training to perform pharmaceutical care. The majority respondents felt that interventions made by the pharmacist improved the rational use of medicine (47% (private); 55% (public). Pharmacist interventions influence prescribing patterns (42% (private); 64% (public); and reduce polypharmacy (41% (private); 55% (public). The clinical functions mostly performed were evaluation of prescriptions (private 90%; public 82%), while the top logistical function is daily ordering of medication (40.7%; private), and checking of ward stock (36%; public). Although not all pharmacists appointed in South Africa has completed the MPharm degree in clinical pharmacy, the pharmacists at ward level perform numerous clinical functions, even if only for a small part of their workday. This paper sets the way to standardise practices of clinical pharmacy in South Africa, with a reflection on the differences in practice in different institutions.

Introduction: Pharmacy practice in many middle to low-income countries has slowly transitioned from being product-focused to a more patient-focused clinical practice. Lack of motivation is one of the factors contributing to the scarcity of pharmacists in the wards. As little is known about motivation in clinical pharmacists, this study aimed to obtain insight into the quantity and quality of their work motivation and factors associated with it.Methods: Self-determination Theory, used as the framework, describes autonomous motivation as being generated from within or through personal endorsement and controlled motivation as originating from external factors. An online questionnaire including the Academic Motivation Scale to measure autonomous motivation, controlled motivation and amotivation, was sent to clinical pharmacy graduates from 2000 to 2020 across South Africa, followed by interviews to explain some results. Independent t-test was used to analyze differences in motivation of clinical pharmacists to perform clinical services based on personal and environmental factors. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed to explain significant quantitative findings.Results: Higher amotivation was found in graduates who are currently not practicing in dedicated clinical pharmacist positions, as well as in graduates who do not receive additional financial benefits for clinical services. We found no significant differences in the work motivation of clinical pharmacists based on their gender, age, current practice setting, work experience and additional training received. The interviews revealed that relatedness and autonomy are the most important factors for clinical pharmacists' work motivation.Discussion: Overall participants had a high mean autonomous motivation, a high mean controlled motivation and low mean amotivation. In line with Self-determination Theory literature, considering the basic psychological needs for relatedness and autonomy could assist with designing interventions, like creating a supportive work environment, to optimize motivation. This could improve professional wellbeing, service implementation and prevent possible adverse events. Future research is necessary to understand barriers and facilitators of clinical pharmacists' work motivation.

1. The potential growth of the chemical and physical components of males and females of the Cobb 700 strain was measured from hatch to 15 weeks of age. 2. A four-phase ad libitum feeding programme was used to feed 200 chicks of each sex. All birds were weighed weekly. Ten birds per sex were sampled at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 and 105 d of age. They were weighed before and after plucking to determine the weight of feathers. Physical parts were measured on defeathered birds, whereafter these components were combined, minced, freeze dried to measure water content, and then analysed for protein, lipid and ash content. 3. Mature body weights of males and females averaged 8.38 and 6.94 kg, respectively, mature body protein weights averaged 1.48 and 1.19 kg and mature body lipid contents averaged 1.08 and 1.54 kg, respectively. 4. Rates of maturing of the empty feather-free body weights of males and females averaged 0.0417 and 0.0402/d, respectively. All chemical and physical components within a sex, other than feathers, had the same rate of maturing. The rate of maturing of feathers, calculated by iteration, in males was lower than in females (0.0324 vs. 0.0357/d) and the mature weight was higher (435 vs. 372 g). 5. The ratios of the chemical components to feather-free body protein at maturity for males and females were, for water, 3.80 and 3.34; for lipid, 0.73 and 1.29; and for ash, 0.13 and 0.19, respectively. Separate equations were required for males and females to describe the allometric relationship between lipid and protein in the feather-free body. 6. Mature body weights of broilers in this trial were considerably higher than those measured using the same protocol 28 years ago, whereas rates of maturing have remained the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Two experiments were conducted to measure the response of growing turkeys to dietary protein content. In the first, 960 sexed British United Turkey (BUT 6) poults were used to measure the response to balanced protein from 3 to 6 weeks of age. In the second, 1440 sexed BUT and Hybrid Converter poults were raised from 14 to 17 weeks. 2. In both experiments, six levels of dietary protein were fed, with feed intake, body and feather weight gain and changes in body composition measured. The levels of protein chosen ranged from 0.53 to 1.2 of the Aviagen requirements for growing turkeys. 3. In the first experiment, six poults were sampled from each sex at the start of the experiment for carcass analysis, and four were sampled from each strain and sex in the second. At the end of each experiment, eight poults from each treatment were sampled. Body composition analyses were made on individual defeathered birds. 4. Weight gain increased linearly with protein intake in the early period and exponentially in the later period. In both periods, feed intake decreased as protein content reduced. 5. In the early period, body lipid content increased from 20.2 to 41.5 g/kg body weight, as dietary protein content decreased, but there was no change in the later period. Efficiency of utilisation of dietary protein declined linearly with an increase in dietary protein content, from 0.87 to 0.46 g/g in the first, and from 0.43 to 0.27 g/g in the later period. 6. The inability of the growing turkey to increase feed intake on marginally limiting feeds may have been due to a genetic constraints to store excess energy consumed as body lipid, resulting in the observed decrease in feed intake as dietary protein content is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fluorometholone is an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid. It has been used in various ocular inflammatory as well as infectious conditions. Opting for sustained release in ocular drug delivery is a favorable option for managing ocular diseases. To improve efficacy and to overcome side effects, fluorometholone was encapsulated in cubosomal vesicles. Aim: In this study, fluorometholone-loaded cubosomal vesicles were prepared using top-down techniques and applying the QbD approach. The optimized formulation releases the drug in a sustained release manner. Materials and Methods: The optimization of cubosomal vesicles was conducted using a 32-CDD. The independent parameter was selected: Concentration of both polymers Glyceryl monooleate (GMO) and Poloxamer 407 (P407), sonication time. The desired property for five important critical attributes of fluorometholone-loaded cubosome vesicles, namely % entrapment efficiency, Cumulative drug release, particle size, polydispersity index and Viscosity. Results and Discussion: The optimized formulation suggested by the central composite design was the concentration of GMO and P407; sonication times were 0.36 g, 0.46 g and 8 min, respectively. The optimized formulation exhibited % entrapment efficiency, % Cumulative drug release, particle size, polydispersity index and Viscosity were 82.89%, 88.33%, 137.7 µn, 0.22 and 169.3 m. Pas. The results confirm that implementing a QbD approach in cubosomal design leads to demonstrably improved formulation outcomes. The optimized batch was used for further evaluation like pH and Refractive index, Morphological feature evaluation, Release kinetics study, Test for sterility and stability and in vivo pharmacokinetic study. Conclusion: The present work confirms the improved ocular bioavailability of fluorometholone-loaded cubosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Change is the new normal, but so it has been for ages. Experience to navigate change is something you get just after you needed it, unless you tap into age-old experience. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is bringing about wide-ranging changes. With people having to adjust, the question is whether Christianity, with its roots in preindustrial times, may support people to navigate these changes. This conceptual article focusses on the relationships amongst constructs, exploring logical arguments about how these constructs are associated. The 4IR is briefly described from differing vantage points, as to whether it is a valid description thereof. Whether a revolution or evolution, it is a complex system, and therefore the theory of complex systems is used, with the conclusion that one may merely participate in such systems. Being novel situations, one needs to participate creatively, based on a cognitive understanding of creativity. Creative solutions do not materialise out of thin air but are the novel use of existing knowledge structures. Christian traditions include institutional memories of how people managed situations of radical change, as reflected in Genesis 1 and Lamentations 4. These passages provide building blocks that may be used in creative coping strategies during times of change. Both passages suggest the strategy to juxtapose order and chaos, and borrowing from that, a ‘Grip-Grapple-Grow’ scaffolding system is suggested. To test the usability thereof, the issue of face masks during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic was touched upon, to evaluate how the interplay amongst 4IR, disruption, (Christian) beliefs and technological advancement may play out. Contribution: The Fourth Industrial Revolution is speeding up the pace of change, with people having to adapt. This article explores processes of change management, juxtaposing the theory of complex systems, the cognitive science understanding of creativity and institutional memories afforded by some Christian traditions reflecting on how people managed order and chaos.

South Africa is a megadiverse country with three globally recognised biodiversity hotspots within its borders. Bees in particular show high diversity and endemism in the western part of the country. Not much is currently known about the floral host preferences of indigenous bees in South Africa, with data only available from observational studies. Pollen metabarcoding provides provenance information by utilising DNA analyses instead of floral visitation and traditional microscopic identification to identify pollinator food plants, which can be time consuming and imprecise. In this study, we sampled pollen from leaf-cutter bees (Megachilidae) specimens maintained in a historic insect collection (National Collection of Insects, South Africa) that were originally collected from two florally important areas in South Africa (Succulent Karoo and Savanna) and used metabarcoding to determine pollen provenance. We also sampled pollen from leafcutter bee species with wider distributions, that extend across many different biomes, to determine if these 'generalist' species show relaxed floral host specificity in some biomes. Metabarcoding involved sequencing of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region. Amplicons were compared to a sequence reference database to assign taxonomic classifications to family level. Sequence reads were also clustered to OTUs based on 97% sequence similarity to estimate numbers of plant species visited. We found no significant difference in the mean number of plant taxa visited in the Succulent Karoo and Savanna regions, but the widespread group visited significantly more floral hosts. Bees from the widespread group were also characterised by a significantly different composition in pollen assemblage. The time since specimens were collected did not have an effect on the mean number of taxa visited by any of the bee species studied. This study highlights national history collections as valuable sources of temporal and spatial biodiversity data.

Spot spraying, in which only the area around individual trees is treated, is an important method of herbicide application during establishment of Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine) in New Zealand. Minimising the spot size reduces costs and has possible environmental benefits from reduced overall herbicide use. An analysis of six experiments at five separate sites tested the growth response of P. radiata to spot weed control on sites dominated by herbaceous vegetation, usually as a result of oversowing with a mixture of grasses and legumes. The analysis showed that, on sites dominated by herbaceous weeds, the reduction in rotation length achieved by applying total weed control compared with no postplant weed control ranged from 0.4 to 1.6 years and averaged 0.9 years. A spot diameter of 1 m maintained for 1 year achieved 28% of the benefit of total weed control, whereas a spot diameter of 2 m maintained for 1 year achieved 66% of the benefit. Generally, there was little benefit in maintaining spots beyond 1 year. An economic analysis indicated that weed control of any kind was generally unprofitable when the time-shift gain from weed control was 0.4 years or less but highly profitable for sites with a time shift of 1.6 years or more. Key words: weed control, competition, spot spraying, herbicide, Pinus radiata. L'epandage localise, qui consiste a ne traiter que la surface entourant des arbres individuels, est une methode importante d'application d'herbicide pendant l'etablissement de Pinus radiata D. Don en Nouvelle-Zelande. La reduction de la surface traitee diminue les couts et a des avantages environnementaux potentiels lies a une utilisation globale reduite des herbicides. Une analyse de six experiences menees sur cinq stations distinctes a permis de verifier la reaction de croissance de P. radiata a la suite d'un desherbage localise sur des stations dominees par une vegetation herbacee provenant generalement d'un ensemencement excessif d'un melange d'herbes et de legumineuses. L'analyse a montre que sur des stations dominees par des herbacees, la reduction de la rotation obtenue en effectuant un desherbage complet etait de 0,4 a 1,6 ans, avec une moyenne de 0,9 an, par rapport a l'absence de desherbage apres la plantation. Le desherbage sur une surface de 1 m de diametre maintenu pendant 1 an a produit 28 % des effets positifs du desherbage complet, alors que le desherbage sur une surface de2mde diametre maintenu pendant 1 an a produit 66 % des effets positifs. Generalement, le maintien de la surface traitee au-dela d'un an presentait peu d'avantages. Une analyse economique a montre que le desherbage, peu importe le type, n'etait generalement pas rentable lorsque le gain de temps du au desherbage etait de 0,4 an ou moins, mais tres rentable pour les stations pouvant atteindre un gain de temps de 1,6 ans ou plus. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: desherbage, competition, epandage localise, herbicide, Pinus radiata., 1. Introduction Many studies have demonstrated that the survival and growth rates of Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine), and of conifers in general, can be reduced by competition with [...]

Background: Connectivity platforms collect a wealth of data from connected GeneXpert instruments, with the potential to provide valuable insights into the burden of disease and effectiveness of tuberculosis programmes. The challenge faced by many countries is a lack of training, analytical skills, and resources required to understand and translate this data into patient management and programme improvement. Objective: We describe a novel training programme, the tuberculosis Data Fellowship, designed to build capacity in low- and middle- income countries for tuberculosis data analytics. Methods: The programme consisted of classroom and remote training plus mentorship over a 12-month period. The focus was on skills development in Tableau software, followed by training in exploration, analysis, and interpretation of GeneXpert tuberculosis data across five key programme areas: patient services, programme monitoring, quality of testing, inventory management, and disease burden. Results: The programme was piloted in six countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique) in July 2018 and Nigeria in September 2018; 20 participants completed the training. A number of key outputs have been achieved, such as improved instrument utilisation rates, decreased error rates, and improved instrument management. Conclusion: The training programme empowers local tuberculosis programme staff to discover and fix critical inefficiencies, provides high-level technical and operational support to the tuberculosis programme, and provides a platform for continued sharing of insights and best practices between countries. It supports the notion that connectivity can increase efficiencies and clinical benefits with better data for decision making, if coupled with commensurate capacity building in data analysis and interpretation.

The South African energy crisis harms the economy. Tax incentives are intended to help, but rules for incentives must be understood by all stakeholders for taxpayers to be encouraged to invest. Section 12L (S12L) is relatively new legislation that allows a tax deduction for verified year-on-year energy efficiency savings in South Africa. Concurrent benefits are excluded from this tax incentive, to prevent a double reward for the same activity. Although the prevention of double benefits is commonly addressed in the field of measurement and verification (M&V), non-technical guidelines are not available. This is a critical shortcoming since multiple professions (tax, audit and legal) need to understand the technical M&V requirements of S12L. This study reviews the current legislation and interpretations of concurrent benefits in terms of S12L. It shows that multiple energy-related incentives are utilised by industries and that, therefore, it must be determined if different programmes overlap, so as to create concurrent benefits with S12L. It is then critical to correctly apply M&V practice to ensure exclusion of concurrent benefits. This study also provides a simplified methodology to evaluate concurrency, based on the S12L regulatory requirements and standard M&V methods. Three case studies show how concurrency can occur and how M&V practice is applied to exclude double benefits. The test for concurrency is shown to reduce to the following question: Is the same energy saving funded twice? The tests must be done to ensure no double benefit occurs.