Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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Microstructure and chemical composition of deposited particulate matter from gasoline and diesel vehicle exhaust emissions
No full textA comprehensive physicochemical characterization of transport-emitted aerosols containing in vehicle exhaust emissions derived from the combustion of fuels such as diesel, premium gasoline, and unleaded gasoline was performed in this study by employing a range of analytical techniques (Laser granulometry, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (DRX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetry). The X-ray diffractogram of diesel (D) derived aerosols showed an amorphous structure while those of unleaded gasoline (UG) and premium gasoline (PG), showed amorphous crystalline phases. The chemical composition of D, PG and UG derived particles was dominated by aliphatic C-H groups of alkanes with relatively low C=O groups of carboxylic acids, ketones, aldehydes, esters, lactones, and sulphate (SO4 2-) inorganic salts. The nitrogen-containing functionality (NO3-) was specific to particles of PG and UG. Laser particle size analysis showed fine particle sizes (Range) generated from diesel exhausts, thus making them dangerous when inhaled, as they can penetrate deeply into the human airways and become incorporated into the blood stream damaging other viscera
Building Smiles and Loyalty: The Power of Customer Loyalty Programs in Dental Practices
Full text linkIn the highly competitive world of dental practices, winning the loyalty of your patients is a critical factor for success. Happy, loyal patients not only return for their regular check ups but also become your brand advocates, referring friends and family to your practice. One effective way to nurture this loyalty is by implementing a customer loyalty programme. In this blog, we’ll explore how loyalty programmes can benefit your dental practice and offer some insights into creating on
Inaccessible specialised oral health services in South Africa – rationing policy uncertainty: Inaccessible specialised oral health services in South Africa – rationing policy uncertainty
No full textRationing by waiting lists is associated with patient costs such as pain, anxiety and poor health outcomes. Rationing is indicative of a mismatch between the demands and resources to service patients’ needs. Long waiting times for specialised oral health services are concerning and unjustifiable. The majority of oral health care services are devoid of an explicit policy and mechanism to address this problem. This paper attempts to provide the ethical basis for waiting times. That is, whether the mechanisms used in the allocation of services (or placing patients on waiting lists) is consistent with ethical principles
What’s new for the clinician – summaries of recently published papers (October 2023)
Full text linkAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Around 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries. In 2020, 22.3% of the world’s population used tobacco: 36.7% of men and 7.8% of women
Chrysomya chloropyga (copper-tailed blowfly) larvae reared on abattoir waste as a protein source for broiler production: carcass traits, meat quality and sensory attributes
No full textThe larvae of the copper-tailed blowfly (Chrysomya chloropyga) have the potential to break down high-risk waste such as abattoir waste and ameliorate the nutrients to be reintroduced into the food chain by including them in broiler feeds. Chrysomya chloropyga larvae were grown on abattoir waste, harvested, processed, and included in broiler diets at inclusion rates of either 5, 10 or 15%. Thereafter the carcass traits, meat quality characteristics and descriptive sensory attributes were determined. Further to this the mineral content of the tibia, as well as the tibia bone strength were determined. The highest inclusion rate of 15% resulted in broiler carcass and meat characteristics that were on par with a formulated soya-based control diet. The chemical composition of the meat was predominantly not significantly affected by the dietary larval meal inclusion (p > 0.05). In terms of its sensory attributes, meat from broilers fed C. chloropyga meal showed some significant differences for chicken aroma and initial juiciness (p ≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed for any of five other sensory attributes of importance. Interestingly, the dietary inclusion of C. chloropyga meal was significantly related to increased tibia potassium and iron content, which could be linked to the insects’ accumulating these minerals present in the abattoir waste. The results indicate that C. chloropyga larval meal could be included in broiler diets at up to 15% without any negative effects on the aforementioned characteristics and could even influence them positively
QUELLING THE RAGING FIRE: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AS A RESPONSE TO VIGILANTISM IN SOUTH AFRICA
No full textVigilantism is a persistent problem in South Africa. The problem largely emanates from people’s dissatisfaction with how the police, or the criminal justice system, deals with crime. There are high levels of crime in communities and the general feeling is that little has been done to curb it. Thus, the acts of vigilantism fill the vacuum left by unsatisfactory law enforcement or the criminal justice system. Although vigilantism constitutes criminal behaviour that warrants punishment, vigilantes are often viewed as proactive citizens fighting crime. Put differently, vigilantism is seen as an attempt by community members to deal with crime. One crime-intervention strategy that involves the community legally in finding appropriate solutions is restorative justice. Accordingly, research indicates that restorative justice has the potential to reduce crime. Given that crime is what triggers vigilantism, there is a reason to believe that restorative justice might eliminate the chances of people resorting to vigilantism. The purpose of this article is to examine restorative justice as a method of dealing with vigilantism in South Africa
Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) Act of 2019: Exploration of its implementation dynamics
No full textAfter extensive advocacy and lobbying by the media, human rights campaigners, and civil society organisations (CSOs), Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) Act (Act 989) became law in 2019 and went into effect in January 2020. The Act sets out the procedures for access to information held by Ghanaian public institutions, with oversight by the Right to Information Commission (RTIC). The purpose of this study was to explore the dynamics of initial implementation of the law, in the years 2020-22, and to identify potential obstacles to optimal execution during that initial period. The core research data was collected via semi-structured interviews, between April and August 2022, with 10 individuals possessing deep knowledge of the Act and its implementation dynamics. This interview data was qualitatively analysed, through the lenses of the principal–agent conceptual model and the objectives of the Act, in order to determine the key themes emerging from the data. It was found that realisation of the Act’s objectives was being hampered to some extent by a lack of public awareness, and to a more substantial extent by bureaucratic blockages resulting from a mix of entrenched administrative culture and a lack of knowledge of the requirements of the Act. Based on these findings, the author recommends improved public education by the RTIC in cooperation with CSOs; strong RTIC engagement with public institutions to ensure a sufficient number of fully trained information officers (IOs); continued CSO cooperation with the Ministry of Information towards ensuring optimal implementation of the Act; CSO monitoring of the work of the RTIC; and CSO support for information access applications by journalists and other civil society actors
HOLDING THE EXECUTIVE TO ACCOUNT? Public Protector v President of the RSA 2021 (9) BCLR 929 (CC)
No full textThis case is part of a growing body of jurisprudence relating to the Public Protector (PP). In particular, it concerns the PP’s mandate, contained in section 182 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution), to “investigate any conduct in state affairs, or in the public administration, that is alleged or suspected to be improper or to result in any impropriety or prejudice”. The PP is further empowered in terms of the Public Protector Act (23 of 1994) (PP Act) to investigate, inter alia, maladministration, the unjustifiable exercise of power and dishonest conduct.In terms of this statutory framework, the PP’s primary function is to hold the executive to account. The Constitutional Court judgment that is the focus of this case note is an example of the PP attempting to hold the President accountable, but failing to do so as a result of producing an error-strewn report that was rejected by a full bench of the High Court and by a majority of judges in the apex court. On the facts, it is possible that had another PP produced a different report – one that satisfied the judges’ concerns – the President might have been less successful in avoiding public accountability.Apart from the main issue of the (at time of publication) now-suspended PP’s inability to hold the President to account, the judgment is significant from an administrative law perspective. In particular, the judgment adds to the debate on whether the PP’s remedial action amounts to administrative action.Although the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) held in 2018 that the PP’s remedial action does not constitute administrative action, the question has yet to be definitively dealt with by the Constitutional Court, with judges generally being content to leave the question open. Confusingly, the court a quo held that it was common cause that the PP’s reports do not amount to administrative action, but the judgment nevertheless made numerous references to the right to just administrative action. While Jafta J chose to leave the question open in Public Protector v President of the RSA (2021 (9) BCLR 929 (CC)), he engaged with the SCA’s judgment in Minister of Home Affairs v Public Protector (2018 (3) SA 380 (SCA) (Home Affairs)) and set out some guidelines on how the issue could be dealt with in the future