263 results match your criteria: "University of South Africa (Unisa)[Affiliation]"

Prevalence of Depression Among People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Healthcare (Basel)

January 2025

Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Science Campus, Private Bag X6, Florida, Roodepoort 1710, South Africa.

Background: HIV is a global health issue, with the highest number of infected individuals found in sub-Saharan Africa. The coexistence of HIV with depression is a huge challenge. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Africa.

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Reconstructing a Meaningful Self: The Identity Work of People Living With Chronic Disease.

Qual Health Res

December 2024

Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

With the escalating number of people diagnosed with chronic disease globally, research aimed at supporting their adjustment and coping is invaluable. Reconstructing a sense of self is core to the psychosocial adjustment of people with chronic disease (PwCD), and meaning making is central to their coping with the diagnosis. Despite the growing number of PwCD living productive lives, their identity work is underexplored.

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Discovery and Evaluation of Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein-HSPA8 Complex Towards Developing COVID-19 Therapeutic Drugs.

Viruses

October 2024

Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort 1709, South Africa.

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is pivotal in the COVID-19 virus's life cycle, facilitating viral attachment to host cells. It is believed that targeting this viral protein could be key to developing effective COVID-19 prophylactics. Using in silico techniques, this study sought to virtually screen for compounds from the literature that strongly bind and disrupt the stability of the HSPA8-spike protein complex.

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Cyclic Voltammetry Study and Solar Light Assisted Photocatalytic Activity of the CeFeO/CeO/FeO Composite.

Luminescence

November 2024

UNESCO - UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

The semiconducting nature of CeFeO/CeO/FeO nanocomposite has permitted the degradation of the organic toxic dye methylene blue under the irradiation of ultraviolet and visible light portions of solar radiation. Fullprof-assisted Rietveld refinement analysis, performed using the Match software, has revealed the orthorhombic nature of CeFeO. In addition, in the synthesized material, the cubic phase byproduct CeO was found due to the highly oxidizing nature of the cerium element.

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Comparing microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools for the surveillance of anthrax.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

November 2024

Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.

The diagnosis of anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis can be complicated by detection of closely related species. Conventional diagnosis of anthrax involves microscopy, culture identification of bacterial colonies and molecular detection. Genetic markers used are often virulence gene targets such as B.

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The objective of this study was to synthesize strontium titanate (SrCeTiO) doped with Ce by solid state method. Its crystalline structure is SrCeTiO, and its bandgap ranges from ~3.3 to ~2.

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Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Highly Porous CeO-Doped Zr Nanoparticles for Supercapacitor Applications.

Microsc Res Tech

November 2024

UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanoscience's/Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

The aim of this work was to develop an ultrasonic-assisted synthesis method for the fabrication of CeO-doped Zr nanoparticles that would improve the performance of supercapacitor electrodes. This method, which eliminates the need for high-temperature calcination, involves embedding CeO into Zr nanoparticles through 1 hr (CeO-Zr-1) and 2 hrs (CeO-Zr-2) of ultrasonic irradiation, resulting in the formation of nanostructures with significant improvements in their electrochemical properties. Through physicochemical analysis, we observed that the CeO-doped Zr nanoparticles, particularly those treated for 2 hrs (CeO-Zr-2), exhibit superior crystalline phase purity, optimal chemical surface composition, minimal agglomeration with particle sizes below 50 nm, and an impressive average surface area of 178 m/g.

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Electrochemical Applications Reveal Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of TiO-Doped ZnS Nanocomposites.

Microsc Res Tech

October 2024

UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

The titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal methods at ambient temperature. Based on XRD analysis, the average crystallite size of pure TiO nanoparticles and those doped with ZnS was calculated to be 58 and 54 nm, respectively. At an angle of 25.

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The role of BaTiO nanoparticles as photocatalysts in the synthesis and characterization of novel fruit dyes is investigated.

Microsc Res Tech

October 2024

UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

In the present work, the photocatalytic activity against the natural dye extracted from the novel fruits has been studied by the BaTiO nanoparticles (NPs) under a ultra-violet (UV) light source. The large concentrations of an essential phenolic agent present in this phytochemical extract superimposed with cloths fibers make strong stain and degrade into another form of toxic, which is excluded from the many textiles industries as the colorful waste waters without recycling and removal of that dye pigments have been investigated using both photodegradation and photoluminescence techniques. The entitled nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the soft chemical root-modified solvothermal synthesis combo method and exposure to heat treatment such that the annealing process has been done for different temperatures ranging from 100°C to 250°C.

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Breast cancer, the second most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. To target the four subgroups of breast cancer "hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative, hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative and HER2-positive, and hormone receptor-negative and HER2-negative" it is crucial to inhibit specific targets such as EGFR, HER2, ER, NF-κB, and PR. In this study, we evaluated various methods for binary and multiclass classification.

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Experimental appraisal and numerical modelling of chlorine demand and decay in a typical drinking water distribution network in South Africa.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf

November 2024

Research Centre for Carbon Solutions, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • * Research in South Africa identified a strong relationship between chlorine dosage and its decay rate, with a mathematical model predicting chlorine levels effectively.
  • * The study found that while a chlorine dosage of 5 mg/L can maintain some residual chlorine, levels at the end of the distribution network often fall below safety standards, indicating the necessity for chlorine booster stations for better safety.
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Background: Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) medication is the major predictor of HIV/AIDS treatment success. Poor adherence to HAART creates the risk of transmitting HIV, deteriorating health conditions, treatment failure, increased occurrences of drug-resistant HIV, morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study was to explore and describe factors influencing HAART adherence among HIV-positive women in Southern Ethiopia.

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In the title compound, CHO, the phenyl rings of the chalcone unit subtend a dihedral angle of 26.43 (10)°. The phenyl rings of the pendant benz-yloxy groups are orientated at 75.

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In this study, biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Senna auriculata flower extract for antibacterial activities was reported. The silver spectra compared to the plant extract show a rightward shift in AgNP peaks, indicating successful nanoparticle formation. The absorption band at 302 nm and the disappearance or shift of other peaks further confirm the synthesis.

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Investigation of structural, optical, photocatalytic, and antibacterial properties of ZnO doped GO nanoparticles for environment applications.

Microsc Res Tech

January 2025

UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology Laboratories, School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Roodepoort, Johannesburg, South Africa.

As a result of their unique and novel properties, nanocomposites have found applications in a wide variety of fields. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the ability to synthesize nanoparticles consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO) via sol-gel techniques. An x-ray diffractometer (XRD) as well as a UV-visible spectrometer were used to determine the crystalline and optical characteristics of the prepared samples.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers investigated how melon farmers in southern Nigeria adapt to climate change, focusing on factors influencing their strategies.
  • Key determinants included access to climate change information, marital status, household size, and crop insurance, with significant impacts on crop diversification and planting date adjustments.
  • The study used data from 260 farmers, analyzed through multivariate probit models, revealing that educational levels, farming experience, and access to credit also played crucial roles in adaptation efforts.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has changed people's interactions dramatically, be it with the government, the outside world, or one another. It has compelled society to change the standards for decision-making in areas such as health and education, and how people live, work, play, and do business. As a result of the new behavioral patterns imposed by governments around the world, including the South African government, there has been technological advancement through the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

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Exploring the dichotomy: Shotgun metagenomics reveals diversity of beneficial and pathogenic protist community in arid wetlands of northeastern South Africa.

Sci Total Environ

October 2024

Water and Environmental Management Research Group, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.

Arid regions harbor seasonal and permanent wetlands, as biodiversity hotspots crucial for ecosystem services despite harsh conditions. These wetlands, typically dependent on episodic intense rainfall, are understudied compared to their humid counterparts. While the diversity of plants and animals in these wetlands is well-known, the microbial communities remain largely unexplored.

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Graphene oxide (GO) is considered as a promising adsorbent material for the removal of metal from aqueous environments. Here, we have used the density functional theory (DFT) approach and a combination of parameters to characterise the interactions of GO with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), i.e.

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A comprehensive review of the interaction between COVID-19 spike proteins with mammalian small and major heat shock proteins.

Biomol Concepts

January 2024

Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Roodepoort, 1709, South Africa.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel disease that had devastating effects on human lives and the country's economies worldwide. This disease shows similar parasitic traits, requiring the host's biomolecules for its survival and propagation. Spike glycoproteins severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 spike protein) located on the surface of the COVID-19 virus serve as a potential hotspot for antiviral drug development based on their structure.

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Investigate the biological activities of Lawsonia inermis extract synthesized from TiO doped graphene oxide nanoparticles.

Microsc Res Tech

October 2024

UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology Laboratories, School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO) were made by reacting graphene oxide (GO) with Lawsonia inermis leaf extract. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed crystalline TiO doped GO nanoparticles composed of a variety of anatase phases. Initially, UV-vis spectroscopy was performed to confirm the biogenesis of TiO doped GO nanoparticles (NP's).

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In this study, the electronic transport properties of 11-Cis and Trans retinal, components of rhodopsin, were investigated as optical molecular switches using the nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism combined with first-principles density functional theory (DFT). These isomers, which can be reversibly converted into each other, were examined in detail. The structural and spectroscopic properties, including infrared (IR), Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ultraviolet (UV) spectra, were analyzed using the hybrid B3LYP/6-311 +  + G** level of theory.

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DFT study on capture using boron, nitrogen, and phosphorus-doped in the presence of an electric field.

Sci Rep

May 2024

UNESCO-UNISA-iTLABS Africa Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (U2ACN2), College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

Burning fossil fuels emits a significant amount of , causing climate change concerns. Capture and Storage (CCS) aims to reduce emissions, with fullerenes showing promise as adsorbents. Recent research focuses on modifying fullerenes using an electric field.

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Extensive investigations have been carried out on spinel mixed transition metal oxide-based materials for high-performance electrochemical energy storage applications. In this study, mesoporous Mn-substituted MnZnCoO (ZMC) ternary oxide microspheres (x = 0, 0.3, 0.

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