RAFT Polymerisation and Hypercrosslinking Improve Crosslink Homogeneity and Surface Area of Styrene Based PolyHIPEs.

The influence of a polymerisation mechanism (reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer; RAFT vs. free radical polymerisation; FRP) on the porous structure of highly porous poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) polymers was investigated. The highly porous polymers were synthesised via high internal phase emulsion templating (polymerizing the continuous phase of a high internal phase emulsion), utilising either FRP or RAFT processes.

Ecological aspects shaping child labour in Tanzania's artisanal and small-scale gold mines: A qualitative inquiry.

Background: This study describes factors promoting child labour in small-scale gold mines in rural Tanzania, a pernicious problem despite the country's adoption of laws and regulations intended to curb it.

Methods: Employing a phenomenological design, we collected qualitative data using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to describe factors promoting children's engagement in small-scale gold mining activities in three districts in Tanzania. Data analysis applied constructs from the ecological system theory.

Reusable Pd-PolyHIPE for Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling.

Palladium was immobilized on a highly porous copolymer of 4-vinylpyridine and divinylbenzene (polyHIPE-poly(high internal phase emulsion)) using palladium(II) acetate to obtain PolyPy-Pd with 6.1 wt % or 0.57 mmol Pd/g.

Influence of Functional Group Concentration on Hypercrosslinking of Poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) PolyHIPEs: Upgrading Macroporosity with Nanoporosity.

With the aim to study the influence of monomer ratio in poly(high internal phase emulsions) (polyHIPEs) on the polymer network architecture and morphology of poly(vinylbenzyl chloride-co-divinylbenzene-co-styrene) after hypercrosslinking via the internal Friedel-Crafts process, polyHIPEs with 80% overall porosity were prepared at three different initial crosslinking degrees, namely 2, 5, and 10 mol.%. All had typical interconnected cellular morphology, which was not affected by the hypercrosslinking process.

Balancing HIV testing efficiency with HIV case-identification among children and adolescents (2-19 years) using an HIV risk screening approach in Tanzania.

To optimize HIV testing resources, programs are moving away from universal testing strategies toward a risk-based screening approach to testing children/adolescents, but there is little consensus around what defines an optimal risk screening tool. This study aimed to validate a 12-item risk screening tool among children and adolescents and provide suggested fewer-item tool options for screening both facility out-patient and community populations by age strata (<10 and ≥10 years). Children/adolescents (2-19 years) with unknown HIV status were recruited from a community-based vulnerable children program and health facilities in 5 regions of Tanzania in 2019.

Post Polymerisation Hypercrosslinking with Emulsion Templating for Hierarchical and Multi-Level Porous Polymers.

Porosity in polymers and polymeric materials adds to their functionality due to achieving the desired tailored characteristics porosity offers, such as improved mass transfer through the material, improved accessibility of reactive sites, reduced overall mass, tunable separation properties, etc. Therefore, applications in many fields, e.g.

ART use and associated factors among HIV positive caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania.

Background: Utilization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for better health outcomes among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). Nearly 30% of the 1.6 million PLHIV in Tanzania are not on treatment.

Determinants of undisclosed HIV status to a community-based HIV program: findings from caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania.

Background: HIV status disclosure facilitates receipt of HIV prevention and treatment services. Although disclosure to sexual partners, family members or friends has been extensively studied, disclosure to community-based HIV programs is missing. This study assesses the magnitude of, and factors associated with undisclosed HIV status to a community-based HIV prevention program among caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Tanzania.

Understanding the association between caregiver sex and HIV infection among orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania: learning from the USAID Kizazi Kipya project.

Background: Tanzania has met only 50.1% of the 90% target for diagnosing HIV in children. The country's pediatric case finding strategy uses global best practices of index testing, provider-initiated counselling and testing, and targeted community testing of at-risk populations to find about 50,000 children living with HIV (CLHIV) who are undiagnosed.

Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS): a prospective national cohort study.

Background: Swaziland has the highest national HIV prevalence worldwide. The Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS) provides the first national HIV incidence estimate based on prospectively observed HIV seroconversions.

Methods: A two-stage survey sampling design was used to select a nationally representative sample of men and women aged 18-49 years from 14 891 households in 575 enumeration areas in Swaziland, who underwent household-based counselling and rapid HIV testing during 2011.

Strengthening Health Systems for Chronic Care: Leveraging HIV Programs to Support Diabetes Services in Ethiopia and Swaziland.

The scale-up of HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa has catalyzed the development of highly effective chronic care systems. The strategies, systems, and tools developed to support life-long HIV care and treatment are locally owned contextually appropriate resources, many of which could be adapted to support continuity care for noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCD), such as diabetes mellitus (DM). We conducted two proof-of-concept studies to further the understanding of the status of NCD programs and the feasibility and effectiveness of adapting HIV program-related tools and systems for patients with DM.

Suprapancreatic and periportal lymph nodes are normally larger than 1 cm by laparoscopic ultrasound evaluation.

Background: Laparoscopic and endoscopic ultrasound is used to assess resectability of gastrointestinal malignancies. Lymph node size greater than 1 cm is a criterion used to identify suspicious nodes. We define size and echo characteristics of suprapancreatic and periportal nodes to determine if this criterion is reliable for suprapancreatic and periportal lymph nodes.

What influences medical students' choice of surgical careers.

Background: Recent emphasis in medical education has been to encourage students to pursue primary care careers. This could have a negative impact on applications to surgical residencies.

Methods: To determine what factors are most influential for a student to pursue a surgical career in spite of this environment, third- and fourth-year medical students were surveyed with a 40-item questionnaire.

Awake aortic aneurysm repair in patients with severe pulmonary disease.

Background: We report the use of retroperitoneal aortic aneurysm repair utilizing exclusive regional anesthesia (no intubation or inhalation anesthetic) in high pulmonary risk patients.

Methods: Six patients were retrospectively reviewed. Pulmonary disease was diagnosed by clinical history and pulmonary function tests.