Possibilities and constraints of rapid online ethnography: Lessons from a rapid assessment of COVID-19 policy for people who use drugs.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, health care provision changed rapidly and funding became available to assess pandemic-related policy change. Research activities, however, were limited to contactless, online delivery. It was clear early on that some elements of online rapid ethnography were feasible and effective, while others would not approach traditional ethnographic depth. We conducted an online Rapid Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (RARE) project from August 2020 to September 2021 to understand how COVID-19 policy impacted people who use drugs. Our interdisciplinary research team conducted online ethnographic interviews and focus groups with 45 providers and community stakeholders, and 19 clients from rural and urban areas throughout Arizona. In addition, 26 webinars, online trainings, and virtual conferences focused on opioid policy and medication for opioid use disorders (MOUD) were opportunities to observe conversations among providers and program representatives about how best to implement policy changes, how to reach people in recovery, and what aspects of the changes should carry forward into better all-around opioid services in the future. Our RARE project was successful in collecting a range of providers' perspectives on both rural and urban implementation of take-home MOUDs as well as a wide view of national conversations, but client perspectives were limited to those who were not impacted by the policies and continued to attend in-person daily clinic visits. We describe challenges to online rapid ethnography and how online research may have allowed for an in-depth, but incomplete picture of how policy changes during COVID-19 policy affected people with opioid use disorders.

Application of ZIF-8 nanocomposite membrane in microbial desalination cells for simultaneous heavy metal removal and biofouling prevention.

Microbial desalination cells (MDC) syndicate the advantage of physical separation by using membranes to create conditions required for Bioelectrochemical processes for the treatment of various domestic and industrial wastewater, while simultaneously desalinating saline water and generating bioenergy. However, since the introduction of this technology, heavy metal removal has been a challenge, and membrane fouling has become a major bottleneck limiting the optimum performance and efficiency of this technology. This study incorporated the use of ZIF-8 nanocomposite membrane via phase inversion mechanism in MDC for simultaneous heavy metal removal and membrane biofouling prevention. The study was conducted in two MDC systems; MDC-Control (without the ZIF-8 nanocomposite membrane) and MDC with ZIF-8 nanocomposite membrane. The results from the experiment shown that maximum removal efficiency of 85.7%, 84.3%, 84.0%, and 90.61% was obtained for Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ respectively in MDC-ZIF-8, while MDC control showed 54.17%, 59.71%, 51.94%, and 54.17%. The results were well fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with correlation coefficients (R2) > 0.99 in all cases for MDC-ZIF-8. A maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 292 mg g-1 was attained for all four metal ions in MDC-ZIF-8. Besides, after 38 days of continuous operation with two complete desalination for both systems, the SEM-EDS characterization analysis, polarization characteristics, and power generation revealed antifouling characteristics of ZIF-8 nanocomposite membrane incorporated in MDC. The integration of the ZIF-8 nanocomposite membrane proved to be simultaneously efficient in biofouling prevention and heavy metal removal without jeopardizing the system's ability for wastewater treatment, bioelectricity generation, and desalination processes.

Macro problems from microplastics: Toward a sustainable policy framework for managing microplastic waste in Africa.

Microplastic pollution is a ubiquitous and emerging environmental and public health concern in Africa due to increased plastic production, product and waste importation, and usage. While studies on the environmental monitoring and characterization of microplastics demonstrated the urgent need for a drastic reduction in plastic waste generation, the effectiveness of the various regulatory and policy interventions implemented or proposed in Africa countries remains poorly understood. We critically examined policies, legislations, and regulations enacted to control microplastic pollution in Africa to develop a sustainable, harmonized framework for the coordinated reduction of plastic waste generation across Africa. Analysis of the interventions revealed most African countries employed traditional perspective (i.e., command-and-control) approaches, whereby state instruments such as plastic ban, production and importation levies, and consumer taxes were enacted. However, the continued increase in microplastic waste generation suggests traditional perspective approaches might not be effective in Africa. Although rarely used in Africa, market-oriented approaches such as private-public waste management are often effective in controlling plastic pollution. Hence, we proposed a bottom-up hybrid regulatory approach for managing microplastics pollution in Africa, involving price-based, right-base, legislation and behavioral frameworks based on best practices in microplastic waste management.

Comparative Studies of Recirculatory Microbial Desalination Cell-Microbial Electrolysis Cell Coupled Systems.

The recirculatory microbial desalination cell-microbial electrolysis cell (MDC-MEC) coupled system is a novel technology that generates power, treats wastewater, and supports desalination through eco-friendly processes. This study focuses on the simultaneous efficient removal of Fe2+ and Pb2+ in the MEC and ammonium ions in the MDC. It also evaluates the performances of dual-chambered MEC (DCMEC) and single-chambered MEC (SCMEC), coupled with MDC with Ferricyanide as catholyte (MDCF) in heavy metals (Pb2+ and Fe2+) removal, in addition to the production of voltage, current, and power within a 48-h cycle. The SCMEC has a higher Pb2+ (74.61%) and Fe2+ (85.05%) removal efficiency during the 48-h cycle than the DCMEC due to the simultaneous use of microbial biosorption and the cathodic reduction potential. The DCMEC had a higher current density of 753.62 mAm-2 than that of SCMEC, i.e., 463.77 mAm-2, which influences higher desalination in the MDCF than in the SCMEC within the 48-h cycle. The MDCF produces a higher voltage (627 mV) than Control 1, MDC (505 mV), as a power source to the two MECs. Stable electrolytes' pH and conductivities provide a conducive operation of the coupled system. This study lays a solid background for the type of MDC-MEC coupled systems needed for industrial scale-up.

Assessing the factors influencing the performance of constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell integration.

Constructed wetland coupled microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) systems integrate an aerobic zone and an anaerobic zone to treat wastewater and to generate bioenergy. The concept evolves based on the principles of constructed wetlands and plant MFC (one form of photosynthetic MFC) technologies, of which all contain plants. CW-MFC have been used in a wide range of application since their introduction in 2012 for wastewater treatment and electricity generation. However, there are few reports on the individual components and their performance on CW-MFC efficiency. The performance and efficiency of this technology are significantly influenced by several factors such as the organic load and sewage composition, hydraulic retention time, cathode dissolved oxygen, electrode materials and wetland plants. This paper reviews the influence of the macrophyte (wetland plants) component, substrate material, microorganisms, electrode material and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on CW-MFC performance in wastewater treatment and electricity generation. The study assesses the relationship between these parameters and discusses progress in the development of this integrated system to date.

Performance of Exoelectrogenic Bacteria Used in Microbial Desalination Cell Technology.

The tri-functional purpose of Microbial Desalination Cell (MDC) has shown a great promise in our current scarcity of water, an increase in water pollution and the high cost of electricity production. As a biological system, the baseline force that drives its performance is the presence of exoelectrogens in the anode chamber. Their presence in the anodic chamber of MDC systems enables the treatment of water, desalination of seawater, and the production of electrical energy. This study reviews the characteristics of exoelectrogens, as a driving force in MDC and examines factors which influence their growth and the performance efficiency of MDC systems. It also addresses the efficiency of mixed cultures with certain predominant species as compared to pure cultures used in MDC systems. Furthermore, the study suggests the need to genetically modify certain predominant strains in mixed cultures to enhance their performance in COD removal, desalination and power output and the integration of MDC with other technologies for cost-effective processes.

THE PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE AND THEIR HANDLERS IN NORTH TONGU, VOLTA REGION, GHANA.

BACKGROUND: The need to understand the contribution of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) to the general tuberculosis burden in a poor resource setting is paramount. The aim of this study is to determine the burden of BTB among herdsmen and cattle in the North Tongu district of Volta Region in Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross- sectional study was conducted in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region between the period of October 2011- March 2012. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and possible risk factor information on cattle from participants. Sputum samples from 68 herdsmen and blood samples from 200 cattle belonging to these herdsmen were also collected. Sputum samples were analyzed using Ziehl- Neelsen staining while Anigen Rapid BTB Test was used for Cattle blood samples. RESULTS: Ninety percent (61/68) of respondents were also found to consume fresh milk while 84% (57/68) do not use protective clothing. Of a total of 1580 cattle owned by the herdsmen, 200 cattle consisting of 14 bulls and 186 cows were screened where the prevalence of bovine TB was 19% (38/200) and those affected were all females. All (100%) human sample tested negative for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB). However, the seropositivity of cattle and kraal density were statistically associated (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bovine TB is prevalent in cattle in North Tongu district. Although herdsmen indulge in risky lifestyles that expose them to BTB, a zero prevalence of BTB was observed, further study is envisaged using a larger sample size.

Evaluation of GenoType MTBDRplus for the rapid detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Rapid but simple diagnostic tools for the detection of drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis (TB) have been acknowledged as being important for its effective management and control. OBJECTIVE: To establish a molecular line-probe assay (GenoType MTBDRplus) for detecting DR-TB in Ghana. METHOD: We first screened 113 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using the indirect proportion method and MTBDRplus. The rpoB and katG genes and the promoter regions of oxyR-ahpC and inhA were sequenced to identify mutations in isolates found to be resistant on phenotypic drug susceptibility testing and/or MTBDRplus. We then analysed an additional 412 isolates using only MTBDRplus. RESULTS: Respectively 43 (8.2%) and 8 (1.5%) isolates were resistant to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP), while 8 (1.5%) were multidrug-resistant. In resistant isolates, mutations in codon 450 of rpoB and codon 315 of katG, conferring resistance to respectively RMP and INH, dominated. We found two RMP-resistant isolates with a S450L substitution, each harbouring an additional mutation at S388L and Q409R. Using phenotypic testing as gold standard, the MTBDRplus assay showed a sensitivity and specificity in the detection of RMP and INH resistance and multidrug resistance of respectively 100% and 100%, 83.3% and 100%, and 100% and 100%. CONCLUSION: The high sensitivity of MTBDRplus makes it a valuable addition to the conventional TB diagnostic algorithm in Ghana.

A cross-sectional study of determinants of birth weight of neonates in the Greater Accra region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Birth weight is a major determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Fetal undernourishment means an increased risk of dying during a baby's early months and years. Birth weight has emerged as the leading indicator of infant health and welfare and the central focus of infant health policy. The issues have not been comprehensively evaluated in part due to lack of or limited empirical data. To this end, this study is aimed to evaluate the effects of maternal determinants on the birth weights of neonates in two major hospitals. RESULTS: Low birth weight neonates were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with low gestation at birth (34.8 ± 3.8) while mothers of low birth weight neonates had significantly (p = 0.034) lower body mass index (27.3 ± 5.4) than their normal birth weight counterparts (29.0 ± 6.3). Gestation at birth (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.008) was the only significant determinant of birth weight. CONCLUSION: An increase in gestation at birth by 1 week results in over twice more likelihood of a normal birth weight while a rise in diastolic blood pressure is less likely to give rise to a normal birth weight neonate.

Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae prevalence among women of reproductive age living in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic area in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown an overlap in the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urogenital schistosomiasis among young women living in schistosomiasis endemic areas. Yet we found no study assessing the prevalence of STI infections in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in Ghana. As part of an epidemiological study on urogenital schistosomiasis and HIV, we sought to assess the prevalence of both Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorhoeae (NG) infections among women living in schistosomiasis endemic communities and explore the relationship between the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which endocervical samples were collected from 191 women aged 15-49 years from October 2005 to March 2006. Samples were examined for CT and NG using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A structured questionnaire was also used to elicit information on study participant's gynaecological and obstetric history and symptoms for genital infection. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to assess association between CT and NG and other variables such as age, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CT and NG were 6.3% and 2.6% respectively.The highest prevalence rates of CT were in the 15 to 19 year group while only individuals between 15 and 39 years were positive for NG. There was no association between CT and age, contraceptive use and the other variables assessed. NG on the other hand was found to be associated with age, number of births and number of sexual partners only by chi-square test. CONCLUSIONS: Our research revealed higher prevalence of CT and NG infections when compared to previous studies conducted among higher risk groups in non-urogenital schistosomiasis areas in Ghana. We therefore recommend further studies of these STIs in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in the country.