Showing papers by "University of Zimbabwe published in 2022"

Catalytic fast pyrolysis of Arundo donax in a two-stage fixed bed reactor over metal-modified HZSM-5 catalysts

Abstract: Various types of mono- and bi-metallic modified HZSM-5 catalysts such as Mo-, Fe-, Zn-, Cu-, Mo–Fe-, Mo–Zn-, and Mo–Cu-modified HZSM-5 were prepared via impregnation and were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and pyridine adsorption infrared spectroscopy (Py-IR) analysis. Online catalytic upgrading of Arundo donax pyrolysis vapors was performed using modified zeolite catalysts in a two-stage fixed bed reactor to investigate the catalytic performance. Results showed that loading of Mo, Fe, Zn and Cu were well-dispersed, the channels and acidity of zeolites were modified. Impregnation of HZSM-5 with metals resulted in relatively lower yield of oxygenates and nitrogen-containing compounds in bio-oil as compared to the reference condition without catalyst. Moreover, the addition of metals significantly favored the catalytic selectivity towards aromatics especially monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs). Mo-M/HZSM-5 catalysts was the best catalyst and exhibited the optimal de-oxygenation potential (from 62.66% to 18.03%), denitrification (from 6.53% to 0.43%) and produced maximum MAHs content approximately 28.77%. Among the bimetallic modified zeolite catalysts, Mo–Zn/HZSM-5 exhibited strong catalytic effect in oxygen-free aromatization of the mixed pyrolysis vapors containing methane and propane. In the presence of Mo–Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst, the content of oxygen in bio-oil decreased from 36.07 wt% to 15.05 wt%, and the calorific value reached a maximum value of 34.12 MJ kg−1. Mo–Zn/HZSM-5 has been identified as a superior catalyst for improving the value of Arundo donax pyrolysis to make bio-oil.

The impact of COSECSA in developing the surgical workforce in East Central and Southern Africa

Abstract: The Association of Surgeons of East Africa (ASEA) was formed in 1952. In 1996 a Steering Committee was formed to transform ASEA into a surgical college. The College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa was officially launched in December 1999 in Nairobi, Kenya. Today the College consists of 14 constituent member countries but trains in 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.COSECSA runs a 5 year training programme in all the surgical specialties. In the first 2 years trainees do the Membership (MCS) programme. This is followed by 3 years of the Fellowship (FCS) programme. More recently the College has started a 2 year sub-specialty Fellowship in paediatric orthopaedics.The main aim of the College was to expand and improve surgical training in the COSECSA region. This goal was partially realised in December 2020 when the total number of surgeons produced by the College from inception reached 557.Another key success story of COSECSA is that the majority of graduates have remained in the region leading to a high retention rate of 88.3%.Since the formation of WISA in 2015 the College has witnessed an increase in the number of female trainees. Currently only 9% of surgeons in the region are women.In its current Strategic Plan (2021-2025) COSECSA aims not only to increase the surgical workforce in the region but also to modernise its training programmes and strengthen its governance structures.

Search engine marketing and social media marketing predictive trends

Abstract: The research purpose of this article was to analyse the search engine marketing and social media marketing predictive trends that are occurring both regionally in Africa and on a global scale. The motivation for the study was to offer pragmatic advice to business practitioners in crafting digital marketing strategies by leveraging search engine marketing and social media marketing trends. In terms of research methodology, a systematic literature survey method and an inductive research approach were applied. Social media concepts were critically analysed and evaluated to determine their link to the current research focus area. The main literature findings showed that the main trends include the use of Accelerated Mobile Pages, micro-vlogging, voice search, blogging and social messaging. In the continuous dynamic digital landscape, marketers need to embrace the art of doing business by adopting new search engine marketing and social media marketing techniques. With this in mind, it is important for corporations to utilize social media for the development of marketing strategies. The viral power of social media makes it more attractive to businesses promoting their products to target markets. The article also provides an intuitive apprehension of the predictive trends in digital marketing, which are vital for developing an agile stance to outwit rivals in blue oceans.

Population genetic polymorphisms of pharmacogenes in Zimbabwe, a potential guide for the safe and efficacious use of medicines in people of African ancestry

Abstract: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a clinically significant factor in the safe and efficacious use of medicines. While PGx knowledge is abundant for other populations, there are scarce PGx data on African populations and is little knowledge on drug-gene interactions for medicines used to treat diseases common in Africa. The aim of this study was to use a custom-designed open array to genotype clinically actionable variants in a Zimbabwean population. This study also identified some of the commonly used drugs in Zimbabwe and the associated genes involved in their metabolism.A custom-designed open array that covers 120 genetic variants was used to genotype 522 black Zimbabwean healthy volunteers using TaqMan-based single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. Data were also accessed from Essential Drugs' List in Zimbabwe (EDLIZ), and the medicines were grouped into the associated biomarker groups based on their metabolism. We also estimated the national drug procurement levels for medicines that could benefit from PGx-guided use based on the data obtained from the national authorities in Zimbabwe.The results demonstrate the applicability of an open-array chip in simultaneously determining multiple genetic variants in an individual, thus significantly reducing cost and time to generate PGx data. There were significantly high frequencies of African-specific variants, such as the CYP2D6*17 and *29 variants and the CYP2B6*18 variant. The data obtained showed that the Zimbabwean population exhibits PGx variations in genes important for the safe and efficacious use of drugs approved by the EDLIZ and are procured at significantly large amounts annually. The study has established a cohort of genotyped healthy volunteers that can be accessed and used in the conduct of clinical pharmacogenetic studies for drugs entering a market of people of predominantly African ancestry.Our study demonstrated the potential benefit of integrating PGx in Zimbabwe for the safe and efficacious use of drugs that are commonly used.

Tenebrio molitor: possible source of polystyrene-degrading bacteria

Abstract: The excessive use of polystyrene as a packaging material has resulted in a rise in environmental pollution. Polystyrene waste has continually increased water pollution, soil pollution and the closing of landfill sites since it is durable and resistant to biodegradation. Therefore, the challenge in polystyrene disposal has caused researchers to look for urgent innovative and eco-friendly solutions for plastic degradation. The current study focuses on the isolation and identification of bacteria produced by the larvae of beetle Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworms), that enable them to survive when fed with polystyrene foam as their sole carbon diet.The biodegradation of polystyrene by Tenebrio molitor was investigated by breeding and rearing the mealworms in the presence and absence of polystyrene. A comparison was made between those fed with a normal diet and those fed on polystyrene. The mealworms which were fed with polystyrene were then dissected and the guts were collected to isolate and identify the bacteria in their guts. The viability and metabolic activity of the isolates were investigated. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing was used for molecular identification of the isolates. The PCR products were directly sequenced using Sanger's method and the phylogenetic tree and molecular evolutionary analyses were constructed using MEGAX software with the Neighbour Joining algorithm. The evolutionary distances were computed using the Maximum Composite Likelihood method.The decrease in mass of the polystyrene as feedstock confirmed that the mealworms were depending on polystyrene as their sole carbon diet. The frass egested by mealworms also confirmed the biodegradation of polystyrene as it contained very tiny residues of polystyrene. Three isolates were obtained from the mealworms guts, and all were found to be gram-negative. The sequencing results showed that the isolates were Klebsiella oxytoca ATCC 13182, Klebsiella oxytoca NBRC 102593 and Klebsiella oxytoca JCM 1665.Klebsiella oxytoca ATCC 13182, Klebsiella oxytoca NBRC 102593 and Klebsiella oxytoca JCM 1665 maybe some of the bacteria responsible for polystyrene biodegradation.

Emerging contaminants in the terrestrial-aquatic-atmosphere continuum: A global perspective

Abstract: Emerging contaminants (ECs) or contaminants of emerging concern have become a major global concern due to their nature, suspected, and known environmental and public health risks, and the lack of harmonized procedures for their detection and analysis, which all affect their regulation. This chapter presents a global perspective on ECs with respect to their nature and sources, production, applications, and regulation. Furthermore, the use of the life cycle assessment approaches is highlighted. Solid waste and wastewater systems are the major sources of ECs and their metabolites in both high-income and low-income countries. An overview of the detection of ECs in various matrices in the terrestrial-aquatic-atmosphere continuum is presented. Research on ECs appears dominated by high-income countries, and China and India in Asia, whilst the contribution of African countries remains low. There is lack of comprehensive inventories on EC sources and consumption. The chapter argues that ECs and their health risks are a global problem. This is because international trade, travel, and rapid industrialization promote their global production, applications, and disposal. Therefore, addressing ECs and their health risks requires coordinated collaborative efforts at national, regional, and global levels. This collaboration includes sharing of information, lessons and best practices, harmonization of protocols, and joint research and capacity building.

Conceptualisation and psychometric evaluation of positive psychological outcome measures used in adolescents and young adults living with HIV: a mixed scoping and systematic review protocol

Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa bears the greatest burden of HIV. Concomitant mental disorders are common, necessitating the integration of mental healthcare into routine HIV care. Consequently, it is necessary to holistically evaluate the mental health of adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYALHIV, 10-24 years old) by measuring negative and positive psychological constructs (eg, anxiety and self-acceptance, respectively). There has been a proliferation of positive psychological outcome measures, but the evidence of their psychometric robustness is fragmented. This review, therefore, seeks to (1) identify positive psychological outcomes used in AYALHIV in sub-Saharan Africa and map the constructs onto corresponding measures and (2) critically appraise the psychometrics of the identified outcomes METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This mixed review will be done in two parts. First, a scoping review will identify positive psychological outcomes and map them onto corresponding outcome measures. Subsequently, we will systematically evaluate the psychometric properties of the outcomes identified from the scoping review. Independent and blinded reviewers will search articles in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Google Scholar from inception through 30 September 2022. Thereafter, separate independent reviewers will screen the retrieved articles. We will apply a narrative synthesis to map the key constructs emerging from the scoping review. For the systematic review, the risk of bias across studies will be evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. The quality of the psychometric properties will be rated using the COSMIN checklist and qualitatively synthesised using the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation checklist.No ethical approvals are needed. The mixed-review outputs will collectively inform the development, implementation and evaluation of bespoke interventions for AYALHIV. Review outcomes will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal, on social media and through policy briefs.CRD42022325172.

Proinflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers are associated with echocardiographic abnormalities in children with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy

Abstract: Children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) and taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) have a high prevalence of subclinical cardiac disease. We hypothesized that cardiac disease may be a consequence of dysregulated systemic immune activation driven by HIV infection. We examined cardiovascular and proinflammatory biomarkers and their association with echocardiographic abnormalities in children with PHIV.Cross-sectional analysis of soluble biomarkers from a prospective cohort of children aged 6-16 years with PHIV and age-matched HIV-uninfected comparison group.Cryopreserved plasma samples were used to measure seven soluble biomarkers using multiplex bead assay (Luminex). Multivariable logistic regression assessed how biomarker levels related to cardiac abnormalities.A total of 406 children participated in this study (195 PHIV and 211 HIV-uninfected). Mean [standard deviation (SD)] ages of PHIV and HIV-uninfected participants were 10.7 (2.6) and 10.8 (2.8) years, respectively. Plasma levels of CRP, TNF-α, ST2, VCAM-1 and GDF-15 were significantly higher in the PHIV group compared with uninfected control ( P < 0.001). Among children with PHIV, with one-unit representing one SD in biomarker level, a one-unit increase in CRP and GDF-15, was associated with increased odds of having left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.49 (1.02-2.18; P < 0.040)] and [aOR 1.71 (1.18-2.53; P = 0.006)], respectively. Each one unit increase in GDF-15 was associated with increased odds of LV hypertrophy [aOR 1.84 (95% CI 1.10-3.10; P < 0.021)].Children with PHIV had higher levels of proinflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers compared with HIV-uninfected children. Increased CRP and GDF-15 were associated with cardiac abnormalities in children with PHIV.

Ten (10) key research questions on emerging contaminants and novel entities, and their health risks

Abstract: Emerging contaminants and novel entities are a diverse group of pollutants and technologies posing potential human and ecological health risks. Emerging contaminants and novel entities share a number of common pollutants/technologies such as nanotechnology and technology-critical elements. Moreover, the human and ecological health effects of both emerging contaminants and novel entities are still poorly understood. Due to their potential health risks, emerging contaminants and novel entities are attracting global public, research, and policy attention. To date, knowledge gaps on emerging contaminants and novel entities remain scattered in various individual articles and review papers focusing on specific emerging contaminants and/or environmental compartments. Thus, a synthesis of the key knowledge gaps on emerging contaminants is still missing. This perspective seeks to address the gap by presenting a collection of ten (10) key cross-cutting research questions. The various emerging contaminants and novel entities, and current knowledge are discussed. Then the ten (10) cross-cutting research questions are presented. The opportunities and challenges associated with research on emerging contaminants and novel entities in low-income regions particularly Africa are discussed. The opportunities and potential research applications offered by recent technological advances such as novel analytical and monitoring tools are highlighted. Overall, the present perspective provides a road-map or framework to advance our knowledge on emerging contaminants and novel entities, and their human and ecological health risks.

Pharmacogenetics of interaction between depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and efavirenz, rifampicin, and isoniazid during treatment of HIV and tuberculosis.

Abstract: Objective In AIDS Clinical Trials Group study A5338, concomitant rifampicin, isoniazid, and efavirenz was associated with more rapid plasma medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) clearance compared to historical controls without tuberculosis or HIV therapy. We characterized the pharmacogenetics of this interaction. Methods In A5338, women receiving efavirenz-based HIV therapy and rifampicin plus isoniazid for tuberculosis underwent pharmacokinetic evaluations over 12 weeks following a 150-mg intramuscular injection of depot MPA. Data were interpreted with nonlinear mixed-effects modelling. Associations between individual pharmacokinetic parameters and polymorphisms relevant to rifampicin, isoniazid, efavirenz, and MPA were assessed. Results Of 62 A5338 participants in four African countries, 44 were evaluable for pharmacokinetic associations, with 17 CYP2B6 normal, 21 intermediate, and 6 poor metabolizers, and 5 NAT2 rapid, 20 intermediate, and 19 slow acetylators. There were no associations between either CYP2B6 or NAT2 genotype and MPA Cmin at week 12, apparent clearance, Cmax, area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) or half-life, or unexplained interindividual variability in clearance, and uptake rate constant or mean transit time of the slow-release fraction (P > 0.05 for each). In exploratory analyses, none of 28 polymorphisms in 14 genes were consistently associated with MPA pharmacokinetic parameters, and none withstood correction for multiple testing. Conclusions Study A5338 suggested that more frequent depot MPA dosing may be appropriate for women receiving rifampicin, isoniazid, and efavirenz. The present results suggest that knowledge of CYP2B6 metabolizer or NAT2 acetylator status does not inform individualized DMPA dosing in this setting.

The environmental resistome: Human exposure, health risks, and research needs

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance is a global concern due to its environmental, ecological, and human health risks. Antibiotic resistance comprises of antibiotic resistance genes coding for resistance, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the associated virulence genes and mobile genetic elements. The human health impacts of antibiotic resistance have received significant policy, research, and public attention. Yet comprehensive reviews discussing the human health effects, exposure routes, and risk factors in both low-income and developed countries are still limited. The current review presents a Source-Pathway-Receptor-Impact/Consequence (SPRI/C) analysis of the humans health impacts of the environmental resistome. First, evidence on the origins, detection, and behaviour of environmental antibiotic resistomes is discussed. Second, the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and environmental circulation including horizontal gene transfer are discussed. Then, the multiple human exposure pathways to the environmental resistome are discussed, including: (1) water and food ingestion, (2) inhaling air-borne antibiotic resistance, and (3) skin/dermal contacts with contaminated surfaces. Risk factors and risky behaviour predisposing humans to the health risks of antibiotic resistance in low-income countries are discussed. A critique of the data is presented showing that quantitative empirical evidence on the human health impacts of the environmental resistome is still weak and predominantly inferential. The Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) are proposed as tools to acquire the quantitative evidence on human health impacts. Future directions and perspectives on the human health risks of antibiotic resistance, including several knowledge gaps, are discussed.

Performance of Doubled Haploid Elite Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm for Grain Yield and Associated Traits in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in 2018/2019 growing season at the Scientific Industrial Research and Development Center under irrigated conditions using the simple alpha lattice (7 $\ast$ 7) design, with three replications. The objective of the study was to determine the performance of 44 elite rice lines that were selected and shared from elite doubled haploid germplasm and five cultivars were used as checks. All evaluated genotypes exhibited significant variation in the traits measured except for number of grains/panicle, total tillers/plant, and effective tillers/plant. Elite line 70462 was found to be the highest yielding, with yield advantage of 66% over the high yielding local check (Nerica 7). High values for broad sense heritability were recorded for days to 50% heading, panicle length, culm length, number of filled grains/panicle, 1000-grain weight, grain length, grain shape, and grain yield and indicated lesser influence of environment in expression of these traits, hence amenable to simple selection. Correlation analysis revealed that grain yield manifested significantly positive correlation with filled grains/panicle contributing the highest correlation (r = 0.784), followed by culm length (r = 0.605), spikelet fertility/panicle (r = 0.677), grain length (r = 0.551), 1000-grain weight (r = 0.518), panicle length (r = 0.449), and number of grains/panicle (r = 0.328). Based on grain yield, number of filled grains/panicle and spikelet fertility/panicle, panicle length, and earliness, lines 70462, 60143, 70383, Arica 3, Sahel 177, 6040, 70537, 60409, and 70476 had the best performance. Selection of these traits would be more effective for yield improvement in rice and these promising lines could be used in the varietal development and can be tested in multilocational trials and on-farm trials in Zimbabwe with the possibility of release and commercialization.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic systems: Occurrence, behaviour, and fate

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance is an emerging global health concern. Bacterial resistance to multiple and single antibiotics has been reported in aquatic systems, including drinking water sources, wastewater treatment systems, and treated drinking water. Therefore, there is a need to understand the occurrence, behaviour, and fate of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and their resistance genes in aquatic systems. In summary, antibiotic resistance is detected for several antibiotics, including first-line and last-resort antibiotics. A number of bacterial species are antibiotic resistant including those of human health concern. The abiotic (e.g. physico-chemical factors) and biotic (e.g. biofilms) controls on the occurrence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems are discussed. Biofilms confer additional resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms, including physical protection and the existence of novel bacteria with resistance to antibiotics. The capacity of conventional wastewater/water treatment processes commonly used in low-income countries, and advanced ones used in developed countries to remove ARB and ARGs is discussed. Conventional water treatment processes such as filtration and adsorption have a low capacity to remove ARB and ARGs. Advanced treatment processes, and their combinations effectively remove ARB and ARGs, chlorination especially at low concentrations, may increase the proliferation of ARGs and ARB. However, few studies have investigated the capacity of low-cost processes such as boiling, biosand filtration, and solar disinfection on the removal of ARB and ARGs. Future research should investigate the following: (1) effects of these low-cost methods and water treatment trains on the removal of ARB and ARBs, and (2) the antimicrobial effects of metals such as zero-valent iron (Fe0), which have been reported to remove microbial contaminants from aqueous systems.

An evaluation of childhood tuberculosis program in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health concern contributing to significant child morbidity and mortality. A records review of the TB notification for Chegutu District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) showed a low childhood TB case detection rate. For 2018 and 2019, childhood TB notifications were 4% and 7% respectively against the annual national childhood 12% case detection rate. We evaluated the performance of the childhood TB program in Chegutu.We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. Sixty-six health workers (HW) participated in the study. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklists were used to collect data on reasons for low TB case detection, HW childhood TB knowledge, program inputs, processes, and outputs. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis was used to assess the childhood TB processes. We analyzed the data using Epi Info 7™ to generate frequencies, proportions and means. A Likert scale was used to assess health worker knowledge.The majority 51/66(77%) of HW were nurses and 51/66(67%) of respondents were females. Reasons for the low childhood TB case detection were lack of HW confidence in collecting gastric aspirates 55/66(83%) and HW's negative attitudes towards gastric aspirate collection 23/66(35%). HW 24/66 (37%) had a fair knowledge of childhood TB notification. The district had only one functional X-ray machine for 34 health facilities. Only 6/18 motorcycles were functional with inadequate fuel supply. No desk guide for the management of TB in children for HW (2018) was available in 34 health facilities. Ethambutol 400 mg was out of stock and adult 800 mg tablets were used. Funds allocated for motor vehicle and motorcycles service ($1612USD/year) were inadequate. The district failed to perform planned quarterly TB review meetings, contact tracing and childhood TB training due to funding and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.The childhood TB program failed to meet its targets due to inadequate inputs, HW suboptimal knowledge and COVID-19 lockdown measures. Case detection and notification can be improved through on-job training, mentorship, support and supervision and adequate resources.

COVID-19 and the Digital Transformation of Education Lessons Learnt on 4IR in Zimbabwe

Abstract: This study assessed the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in motivating digital transformation in the education sector in Zimbabwe. The study tracked the rate at which the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) tools were used by various institutions during the COVID-19 lockdown. Data were obtained from secondary sources. The findings are that, in Zimbabwe, during the lockdown, a variety of 4IR tools were unleashed from primary education to higher and tertiary education where educational activities switched to remote (online) learning. These observations reflect that Zimbabwe generally has some elements of excellence to drive the education sector into the 4IR, which has the potential to increase access. Access to education, particularly at a higher education level, has always been a challenge due to a limited number of spaces available. The pandemic has presented an opportunity to assess successes and failures of deployed technologies, costs associated with them, and scaling these technologies to improve access.

The Fallacy of Exclusion and the Promise of Conversational Philosophy in Africa

Abstract: African philosophy has now reached a stage whereby its bonafide practitioners, that is, philosophers of sub-Saharan descent in good faith, can converse with each other on critical debates regarding the African place and the African space. In the past, there were no such critical conversations as most contributions on African philosophy centered on the issue of whether or not there was African philosophy, with those who denied it making frantic efforts to prescribe a philosophy for Africa. For quite a while, it would appear as if those who had denied the existence of African philosophy and embarked on the project of prescribing philosophy for the same, had won the battle until recently when some bonafide philosophy practitioners in Southern Africa led by Mogobe Ramose, Mabogo More and Fainos Mangena, and those from the conversational school in West Africa led by Jonathan O Chimakonam, decided to challenge this pernicious fallacy of exclusion and call for a true or genuine intercultural philosophy which is based on equality of cultures. This paper exposes this fallacy as well as shows the promise of conversational philosophy in promoting true or genuine intercultural philosophy.

From Two-Dimensional to Four-Dimensional Layout Design

Abstract: The chapter seeks to explore the opportunities and constraints of the introduction of four-dimensional (4D) layout planning in Zimbabwe. Using case studies and document reviews to collect data and employing thematic content analysis, the paper explores how 2D urban planning designs are becoming insufficient in dealing with emerging challenges and harnessing potential opportunities. The paper considers existing 4D urban planning practices in America and Europe. It is identified that 2D urban planning does not permit adequate feasibility tests before the implementation of a plan. Urban design in Zimbabwe is largely 2D and feasibility tests are still done through the traditional concept of layout testing. The approach does not adequately cover the potential challenges of the proposed developments. The study identified that the uptake of the software packages for urban planning in Zimbabwe is still primitive partially because of the attitude towards planning software packages and political will. The chapter concluded that to improve the quality of the city plans under development in Zimbabwe, the Department of Physical Planning and Local Authorities need to take up 4D layout designing and train the relevant staff members.

Factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions of Zimbabweans during economic recessions: a case of hardware small businesses in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to establish factors that influence entrepreneurial intention (EI) in Zimbabwe during economic crisis. Relationships between these factors and EI were also established. A survey-based methodology was employed in which data were collected using self-administered questionnaires from a sample of 124 hardware small and medium enterprise (SME) owners. Further, the research employed Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation method to test hypotheses. Results indicated that EI in Zimbabwe is influenced by opportunity recognition, job loss, social pressure, sector expected positive potential, perceived easiness to run a business, and resource availability. Perfect positive relationship between EI and these factors was discovered. Therefore, government should consider ways of harnessing these EI factors to enhance new venture creation and reduce unemployment. New knowledge of EI in developing countries and economic downturn periods has been produced.

Ethnoarchaeology of Cattle and Humans among Selected Communities in Manicaland, Eastern Zimbabwe

Abstract: This chapter presents the results of ethnoarchaeological research conducted among selected communities in Mani- caland, eastern Zimbabwe, to establish a clearer understanding of the relationship between farming communities and their cattle within economic and, more importantly, socio-cultural, ritual, spiritual, and political spheres. Against this background, this research collected and analyzed specific data relating to the communities’ relationships, understand- ings, and meanings of their association with cattle. Data were gathered from the Hwesa in the northeast, the Manyika who occupy the central part, and the Ndau, Sangwe, and Shangaani found in the southeast of Manicaland. The results show how cattle have been and continue to be exploited, and have various meanings among the communities. This work also highlights the less obvious meanings imbedded in the relationships between humans and cattle. These provide a framework for a more informed and comprehensive reading of the faunal remains from archaeological sites. In the final analysis, it is noted and emphasized that the faunal remains that we recover from the archaeological record carry mul- tiple identities and meanings that archaeologists should consider, although some of these are not immediately apparent.

Health risk assessment and mitigation of emerging contaminants: A call for an integrated approach

Abstract: Emerging contaminants are a diverse group comprising several synthetic organic chemicals, high-technology rare earth elements, antimicrobial resistance, and microplastics. The mitigation of the pollution and health risks of emerging contaminants is largely dominated by end-of-pipe approaches relying on the application of hard engineering tools to remove emerging contaminants. To date, the ‘human factor’ entailing public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and the application of cross-cutting soft engineering tools have only received cursory research attention. Therefore, the present chapter posits that the mitigation of environmental pollution and health risks of emerging contaminants calls for the integration of soft and hard engineering tools. Firstly, the paper presents qualitative and quantitative health risk assessment protocols, followed by a discussion of environmental and public health surveillance systems as early warning tools and their challenges in low-income countries. Thirdly, the role of economic/financial instruments and the ‘human factor’ is discussed. Thereafter, a discussion on hard engineering technologies for substitution/replacement, removal/remediation, and the 4Rs (reduce, recycle, recover, reuse) for the various groups of emerging contaminants is presented. Taken together, the mitigation of environmental pollution and health risks of emerging contaminants requires a paradigm shift from the current approach dominated by hard engineering to a systematic understanding and integration of both soft and hard engineering approaches. Finally, future research directions on the environmental pollution and health risks of emerging contaminants and mitigation measures are highlighted.