Paper-based smart microfluidics for education and low-cost diagnostics

Abstract Current centralised healthcare models pose many challenges, particularly for developing countries such as South Africa, where travel and time costs make it difficult for patients to seek healthcare, even when urgently needed. To address this issue, point-of-care (PoC) tests, which are performed at or near the site of clinical care, have gained popularity and are actively being developed. Microfluidic systems, in which small volumes of fluids can be processed, provide an ideal platform on which to develop PoC diagnostic solutions. Specifically, the emerging field of paper-based microfluidics, with advantages such as low-cost, disposability and minimal external equipment requirements, provides unique opportunities for addressing healthcare issues in developing countries. This work explores the field of paper-based microfluidics, with step-by-step instructions on the design, manufacture and testing processes to realise paper-based devices towards diagnostic applications. Paper-based microfluidic and electronic components are presented, as well as the integration of these components to provide smart paper-based devices. This serves as an educational tool, enabling both beginners and experts in the field to fast-track development of unique paper-based solutions towards PoC diagnostics, with emphasis on the South African context, where both the need for and impact of these solutions are great.

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Curriculum Development of an ICT4D Module in the South African Context

Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology ◽

10.28945/2181 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 111-139

Author(s):

Caroline Khene

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

South African ◽

Information And Communication Technology ◽

Communication Technology ◽

Theoretical Study ◽

South African Context ◽

The South ◽

Information And Communication ◽

African Context ◽

Discipline Knowledge

The significance of ICTs in supporting socio-economic development in developing countries is inevitable. As academics of information systems in developing countries, we cannot ignore the need for teaching and building the capacity of our students to become knowledgeable and skilled in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) practice and discourse. Furthermore, it is vital to equip our students with the ability to apply their discipline knowledge in addressing some of the ICT discrepancies in current ICT4D practice in their own context. I introduced and teach the ICT4D module to the Honours level course at my university in South Africa. This paper explores the factors that have influenced and shaped the development of the ICT4D module curriculum in the South African context I teach in, using a qualitative ethnographic lens and theoretical study. This provides a practice lens to motivate for and support the introduction of an ICT4D module in tertiary curricula in developing countries.

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Low-cost Point-of-Care Biosensors Using Common Electronic Components as Transducers

BioChip Journal ◽

10.1007/s13206-020-4104-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 32-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yong Duk Han ◽

Hyeong Jin Chun ◽

Hyun C. Yoon

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Low Cost ◽

Electronic Components

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A QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW PROTOCOL FOR STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management ◽

10.1142/s1464333207002895 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 09 (04) ◽

pp. 443-471 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

FRANCOIS RETIEF

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Performance Evaluation ◽

South African ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

Strategic Environmental Assessment ◽

Local Context ◽

South African Context ◽

International Perspectives ◽

Review Protocol ◽

African Context

The need for empirical research and systematic performance evaluation of SEA, to advance theoretical understandings as well as practice, has been widely expressed. To promote such research any performance evaluation has to ensure that it is conceptually justified, methodologically sound, practically viable and tailored to the local context. This paper describes a SEA quality and effectiveness review protocol for application within the South African context. Based on international perspectives and debates it provides a description of the conceptual thinking underpinning the structure of the protocol in terms of its approach and framework as well as methodological justification on how the review areas and indicators were designed. Finally a critical evaluation of its application to selected case studies is presented. It concludes that the conceptual framework and methodology could be applied in any context although the contents in terms of review areas and indicators needs to be adapted to accommodate different understandings and perspectives on SEA.

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Being on top of your game at the bottom of the pyramid

Corporate Ownership and Control ◽

10.22495/cocv11i3c2p4 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 253-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pravina D. Oodith ◽

Sanjana Brijball Parumasur

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Competitive Advantage ◽

South African ◽

Multinational Corporations ◽

Low Cost ◽

Bottom Of The Pyramid ◽

Collaborative Effort ◽

South African Context ◽

The South ◽

African Context

This paper analysed the viability of Prahalad’s Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) proposition within the South Africa context as a mechanism to eradicate/minimize poverty by ensuring a joint collaborative effort by government, NGOs, large domestic firms, multinational corporations (MNCs) as well as the poverty stricken citizens themselves. It conceptualized the BOP proposition and, having reviewed statistics on the extent of poverty globally and in South African in particular, confirmed that the BOP is a lucrative market in the South African context. From the paper, it is evident that the BOP proposition, if effectively implemented, has the potential to reduce poverty in South Africa and increase the profits of MNCs. It then reviewed Prahalad’s twelve Principles of Innovation and strategically divided these into six differentiation and six low-cost strategies. The paper concludes by articulating creative strategies (based on Prahalad’s 12 principles of innovation) for active participation and competitive advantage at the bottom of the pyramid, which are vividly presented in a model for strategic partners especially multinational corporations (MNCs) to adopt when expanding their scale of operations to incorporate the BOP market.

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Evaluation of a novel handheld point-of-care ultrasound device in an African emergency department

The Ultrasound Journal ◽

10.1186/s13089-020-00200-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Samuel L. Burleson ◽

Jonathan F. Swanson ◽

Erin F. Shufflebarger ◽

Douglas W. Wallace ◽

Matthew A. Heimann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Image Quality ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Low Cost ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Low Resource ◽

Ultrasound Device ◽

High Acuity

Abstract Background Many point-of-care ultrasound devices are now “pocket-sized” or handheld, allowing easy transport during travel and facilitating use in crowded spaces or in austere low-resource settings. Concerns remain about their durability, image quality, and clinical utility in those environments. Method Five emergency physicians with training in point-of-care ultrasound employed the Butterfly iQ, a novel handheld ultrasound device, in routine clinical care in a busy, high-acuity African emergency department over a period of 10 weeks. We retrospectively evaluated the performance of the Butterfly iQ from the perspectives of both the clinicians using the device and expert ultrasound faculty reviewing the images. Results We found advantages of the Butterfly iQ in a high-acuity African emergency department include its use of a single probe for multiple functions, small size, ease of transport, relatively low cost, and good image quality in most functions. Disadvantages include large probe footprint, lower, though still adequate, cardiac imaging quality, frequent overheating, and reliance on internet-based cloud storage, but these were surmountable. We also report a wide variety of patient presentations, pathology, and procedures to which the device was used. Conclusion We conclude the Butterfly iQ is an effective, though imperfect, point-of-care ultrasound device in a low-resource emergency setting. We will continue to employ the device in clinical emergency care and teaching in this setting.

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Curriculum Development of an ICT4D Module in the South African Context

10.28945/2236 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Caroline Khene

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

South African ◽

Information And Communication Technology ◽

Communication Technology ◽

South African Context ◽

The South ◽

Socio Economic Development ◽

Information And Communication ◽

African Context ◽

Discipline Knowledge

[The final form of this paper was published in the journal Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology.] The significance of ICTs in supporting socio-economic development in developing countries is inevitable. As academics of information systems in developing countries, we cannot ignore the need for teaching and building the capacity of our students to become knowledgeable and skilled in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) practice and discourse. Furthermore, it is vital to equip our students with the ability to apply their discipline knowledge in addressing some of the ICT discrepancies in current ICT4D practice in their own context. I introduced and teach the ICT4D module to the Honours level course at my university in South Africa. This paper explores the influencing aspects that shaped the development of the ICT4D module curriculum in the South African context I teach in. This provides a practice lens to motivate for and support the introduction of an ICT4D module in tertiary curricula in developing countries.

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Straightforward Yet Effective Ergonomics Collaborations in South Africa

Ergonomics in Design The Quarterly of Human Factors Applications ◽

10.1177/1064804612455641 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 39-42

Author(s):

Candice Jo-Anne Christie

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Developing Countries ◽

South African ◽

Low Cost ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Health ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Developed Nations

In this article, the author discusses the lack of ergonomics input in developing countries generally and the lack of collaboration between Africa and other countries, particularly developed nations. She describes forestry ergonomics collaboration between South Africa and Chile and a consultancy project completed by a South African company for an industry in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Noteworthy was the focus on low-cost and no-cost interventions aimed at improving the well-being of workers, who are generally of poor health and who participate in labor-intensive industries in poorer countries. The successes of these simple yet effective interventions are highlighted.

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Personal account of remote teaching for tertiary education in a South African context

Education for Information ◽

10.3233/efi-200006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 333-337

Author(s):

Isak de Villiers Bosman

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

South African ◽

Teaching Methods ◽

Tertiary Education ◽

South African Context ◽

Personal Account ◽

African Context

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted education at all levels worldwide. This personal account documents some of the details of the shift to remote teaching in a South African context and discusses some opportunities and challenges present in this shift. The focus is on those issues that specifically apply to developing countries and some of these challenges created from a teaching perspective. Unexpected opportunities from the change in teaching methods are also discussed, which may provide insight for further directions of study.

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DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A LAB-ON-A-PAPER FOR LOW-COST AND DISPOSABLE POINT-OF CARE DIAGNOSTICS

Jurnal Sains Dasar ◽

10.21831/jsd.v5i1.12661 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 26

Author(s):

Afnidar Afnidar ◽

Bambang Kuswandi

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Low Cost ◽

Diagnostic System ◽

Microfluidic System ◽

Clinical Diagnostics ◽

Detection Zone ◽

Power Sources ◽

Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽

Paper Based Microfluidics ◽

Analysis System

Abstract This paper presents a low-cost and disposable paper based microfluidic analysis system for point-of-care diagnostics. Detection is achieved by using a colorimetric or visual indicator. Immobilized specific reagent or enzymes designed for the parameter under consideration act as capture molecules on the surface of the detection zone. The sensor is integrated into a microfluidic system made of paper (cellulose). An additional component of the analysis system is a capillary unit which is used to introduce the analyte to the detection zone. For this purpose well- defined, millimeter-sized channel, comprising hydrophobic polymer bounded onto hydrophilic paper was created. Then the detection zone was coated with a sensitive reagent layer as a sensor region. The paper based microfluidics also called lab on paper, has been fabricated using screen printing technology as the basis for low-cost, disposable, portable and technically simple fabrication for mass production. Microfluidics in paper make it feasible to run single, dual or even multiple clinical analyses on one strip of paper while still using only small volumes of a single sample. The capability of lab on paper for detection of importance clinical analyte protein in urine, saliva and blood samples has been demonstrate successfully. Lab on paper as a diagnostic system is small, disposable, and easy to use and requires no external equipment, reagents, or power sources. This kind of diagnostic system is attractive for use in developing countries, in the field, or as a low-cost alternative to more-advanced technologies already used in clinical diagnostics. Keywords: Lab-on-a-paper, Point-of-care, Visual detection, Clinical diagnostic, Disposable sensor

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South African Society of Psychiatrists guidelines for the integration of spirituality in the approach to psychiatric practice

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v20i4.593 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Albert B R Janse van Rensburg

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Religious Affiliation ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Psychiatric Training ◽

African Society ◽

Ongoing Research ◽

South African Society ◽

African Context ◽

Definition Of ◽

And Training

Background. It was important to develop South African guidelines in view of the extent of local and worldwide religious affiliation, rapid growth of academic investigation, guidelines provided by other associations (e.g. Royal College of Psychiatrists), the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP)’s own position statements on culture, mental health and psychiatry, the appropriate definition of spirituality, the need for an evolutionary and anthropological approach, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V)’s cultural formulation, local legislation, ongoing research, and teaching requirements. Objective. To report on the outcome of the peer-reviewed process that was followed to draft local guidelines for psychiatric training and practice. Methods. During 2013, comments by members of the SASOP on a framework for guidelines on the role of spirituality in psychiatry practice and training were collated and subsequently submitted to the SASOP board for approval. Results. Guidelines were compiled in terms of: (i) integrating spirituality in clinical care and service provision; (ii) integrating spirituality in psychiatric training; (iii) ethically integrating spirituality within the professional scope of practice; and (iv) appropriate referral between psychiatrists and spiritual advisors. Conclusions. Integrating spirituality in the approach to practice and training cannot be ignored by local psychiatrists in the multicultural, multireligious and spiritually diverse South African context.

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