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Should the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) lower the inflation target (IT) band? Does lowering the IT band impact the relationship between GDP growth and inflation? This paper explores these questions considering the SARB Governor, Lesetja Kganyago statements that there is a need to lower the IT band from 3–6% to a point target of 3%. We estimate the VAR model to determine whether the passthrough of positive GDP growth shocks to inflation is nonlinear in South Africa. The inflation effects are delineated into bands (i) above 6% (ii) between 4.5% and 6% (iii) between 3% and 4.5% (iv) between 0% and 3% and (v) when there are no IT bands. Evidence reveals that the passthrough is elevated when inflation exceeds 6% and is lower when inflation is within the (i) 3 to 4.5% and (ii) 0 to 3% IT bands. The passthrough from positive GDP growth shocks is more than halved when inflation is less than 3%. The policy implication is that lowering the IT band from 3 to 6% to 0 to 3% will reduce the passthrough of GDP growth shocks to inflation. It allows expansionary monetary to have more real effects as prices are more rigid in the low inflation environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sisonke 2 study provided a homologous boost at least 6 months after administration of the priming dose of Ad26.COV2.S for healthcare workers enrolled on the Sisonke phase 3b implementation study. Safety monitoring was via five reporting sources: (i.) self-report through a web-link; (ii.) paper-based case report forms; (iii.) a toll-free telephonic reporting line; (iv.) healthcare professionals-initiated reports; and (v.) active linkage with National Disease Databases. A total of 2350 adverse events were reported by 2117 of the 240 888 (0.88%) participants enrolled; 1625 of the 2350 reported events are reactogenicity events and 28 adverse events met seriousness criteria. No cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopaenia syndrome were reported; all adverse events including thromboembolic disorders occurred at a rate below the expected population rates apart from one case of Guillain Barre Syndrome and one case of portal vein thrombosis. The Sisonke 2 study demonstrates that two doses of Ad26.COV2.S is safe and well tolerated; and provides a feasible model for national pharmacovigilance strategies for low- and middle-income settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Background rates of maternal foetal and neonatal adverse events in South Africa have been assessed to support safety assessment of vaccines. • Retrospective review of paper-based medical records is challenging and time-consuming. • Missing data hampered alignment between clinically-reported adverse events and adverse events confirmed with GAIA case definitions. • Brighton Collaboration GAIA case definitions are useful, but some require amendments to improve utilization in real world settings. Background epidemiologic population data from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), on maternal, foetal and neonatal adverse outcomes are limited. We aimed to estimate the incidence of maternal, foetal and neonatal adverse outcomes at South African maternal vaccine trial sites as reported directly in the clinical notes as well as using the 'Global Alignment of Immunization Safety Assessment in Pregnancy' case definitions (GAIA-CDs). GAIA-CDs were utilized as a tool to standardise data collection and outcome assessment, and the applicability and utility of the GAIA-CDs was evaluated in a LMIC observational study. We conducted a retrospective record review of maternity and neonatal case records for births that occurred in Soweto, Inner City- Johannesburg and Metro-East Cape Town, South Africa, between 1st July 2017 and 30th June 2018. Study staff abstracted data from randomly selected medical charts onto standardized study-specific forms. Incidence (per 100,000 population) was calculated for adverse maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes, which were identified as priority outcomes in vaccine safety studies by the Brighton Collaboration and World Health Organization. Outcomes reported directly in the clinical notes and outcomes which fulfilled GAIA-CDs were compared. Incidence of outcomes was calculated by combining cases which were either reported in clinical notes by attending physicians and/ or fulfilled GAIA-CDs. Of 9371 pregnant women enrolled, 27·6% were HIV-infected, 19·9% attended antenatal clinic in the 1st trimester of pregnancy and 55·3% had ≥1 ultrasound examination. Fourteen percent of women had hypertensive disease of pregnancy, 1·3% had gestational diabetes mellitus and 16% experienced preterm labour. There were 150 stillbirths (1·6%), 26·8% of infants were preterm and five percent had microcephaly. Data available in clinical notes for some adverse outcomes, including maternal- & neonatal death, severe pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia, were able to fulfil GAIA-CDs criteria for all of the clinically-reported cases, however, missing data required to fulfil other GAIA-CD criteria (including stillbirth, gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension) led to poor correlation between clinically-reported adverse outcomes and outcomes fulfilling GAIA-CDs. Challenges were also encountered in accurately ascertaining gestational age. This study contributes to the expanding body of data on background rates of adverse maternal and foetal/ neonatal outcomes in LMICs. Utilization of GAIA-CDs assists with alignment of data, however, some GAIA-CDs require amendment to improve the applicability in LMICs. This study was funded by Pfizer (Inc). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Seriphium plumosum L. is a taxonomically recalcitrant complex of paper daisies distributed in southern Africa. • The complex has been shown to comprise at least seven independent species. • Stoebe burchellii Levyns, Stoebe virgata Thunb. and Stoebe vulgaris Levyns are reinstated in Seriphium. • Four species new to science are described in Seriphium. • Seriphium vulgaris (Levyns) Z.Shaik is the only species in the S. plumosum complex that is an agricultural weed on millions of hectares of South African rangeland. Seriphium plumosum L. from southern Africa has been shown to comprise at least seven distinct species based on analysis of morphological, environmental, and multilocus DNA sequence data. On that evidence, Stoebe burchellii Levyns, Stoebe virgata Thunb., and Stoebe vulgaris Levyns are reinstated in Seriphium , and four new species are described, viz., Seriphium alto-argillaceum Z.Shaik , Se. burrowsii Z.Shaik , Se. crypticum Z.Shaik , and Se. dunensis Z.Shaik. Four of these species are endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, and one is so far known from a single high-elevation locality. We present a key to species in the Seriphium plumosum complex, and for each species provide a formal description with accompanying images, typification and synonymy, with distribution maps based on verified field-collected and herbarium specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Taxonomic description of new and little known Indigofera species from South Africa. • Four new Indigofera species, one new variety and two little known species are described. • One established taxon is raised to specific status and described with a new name. • An earlier name is found which has priority over an established species name. • All taxa are associated with the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, ranging to surrounding floristic areas. This second paper describes and clarifies new and poorly known Indigofera species, belonging to sect. Pinnatae (E.Mey.) Harv., from the Pondoland Centre of Endemism and associated neighbouring areas in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa. Five new species (one with two infraspecific taxa) are recognized: Indigofera abbottii Schrire and K.W.Grieve , I. hillburttii Schrire and K.W.Grieve , I. tysonii Schrire and K.W.Grieve , I. herrstreyi Schrire and K.W.Grieve var. herrstreyi and I. herrstreyi var. helodes K.W.Grieve and Schrire, and I. ngwenyana Schrire and K.W.Grieve. Descriptions are provided for the poorly known I. corniculata E.Mey. and I. gerrardiana Harv., taxa rarely taken up in the literature and both having been mostly synonymised under I. dregeana E.Mey. that occurs outside the area of the present study. The name I. tenuissima E.Mey. was found to be the earliest, correct, name for the widespread species I. longipes N.E.Br. ex Baker f., leaving the coastal Zululand taxon – currently named I. tenuissima E.Mey. – requiring further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Later Stone Age of southern Africa sees the succession of varied lithic traditions. The Wilton (8ka BP – second millennium AD) corresponds to the last techno-complex of the LSA in South Africa. It has been typologically recognised over vast geographical areas and seems to last until the progressive disappearance of stone tool industries, while experiencing chronological and geographical variations. While Wilton formal tools, mainly small scrapers and microliths, have received much attention, the ways in which the stone tools themselves were produced are still unknown. This paper provides keys to describe mid-Holocene Wilton microlithic productions at the reference site of Rose Cottage Cave (Free-State). The lithic technological analysis highlights the integrated production of 'ready-made' blanks from one volume, including bladelets. The scraper and backed piece typologies are analysed and reveal an interesting diversity. These results provide a foundation for the building of the technological understanding of the Wilton in southern Africa. This paper ultimately aims to facilitate the exploration of regional and chronological variations at Wilton sites, and, by contrast, to differentiate other lithic traditions in southern Africa. • This paper provides keys for better understanding Wilton lithic technologies in South Africa • The knapping methods allowed for the production of various 'ready-made' blanks from one volume. • Different knapping techniques could have been used within one operational sequence. • The scraper and backed piece typology are more diverse than revealed by previous studies. • The paper provides a base line for future comparative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of stock assessment is to provide managers with an understanding of the biomass and age-/size-composition of a stock, stock status (ideally relative to target and reference points), and to support management decision making, often through projections and application of harvest control rules. Stock assessments are increasingly being used to form the basis for the operating models used to evaluate the ability of management strategies to achieve the goals of fisheries management. Stock assessments for rock lobsters were among the first to adopt size-structured population models as the basis for stock assessment, and population model-based stock assessments have been used extensively to evaluate management strategies for rock lobster stocks in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. This paper identifies how closely population model-based stock assessments for rock lobsters satisfy the guidelines identified for best practices for conducting stock assessments during meetings of, for example, the Center for the Advancement of Population Assessment Methodology and papers identifying best practice guidelines for stock assessment. The paper highlights some key directions for stock assessment science for rock lobsters, including considerations related to environmental variation and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of ageing on pavement performance are significant, particularly in terms of fatigue cracking. South Africa has the 10th longest road network in the world, requiring innovative approaches to road construction due to severe budget constraints. Innovative solutions such as thin asphalt concrete layers for surfacing, result in unique ageing rates of the layers, which, in general, have a higher incidence of fatigue cracking than, for example, thicker asphalt concrete layers used in other parts of the world. The objective of this paper is to evaluate how ageing mechanisms affect various asphalt binder properties, and whether they affect them to the same extent or not. Furthermore, the objective of the paper is also to determine the accuracy of the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT) in simulating short-term ageing in the field. The RTFOT provides a relatively good indication of short-term ageing, according to this multi-decade ageing study, and the effect on the asphalt binder properties used as ageing indices depends on the specific property chosen for comparison before and after ageing. • From 2001 to 2012, the prevalent surfacing in South Africa was a dense-graded asphalt mix with 50/70-grade asphalt binder. • Asphalt binders were consistent over 2001 to 2012, originating from four South African refineries. • A short-term ageing method in the laboratory cannot emulate the reaction kinetics during manufacturing and placement. • Binder properties such as penetration and softening are affected to different extents in an oxidation / ageing environment. • The rolling thin film oven provides a good indication of ageing under typical conditions of manufacturing and laying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mineral Liberation Analysis can readily determine rare earth-bearing mineral in particles and grains occurring coal ash. • Four rare earth-bearing minerals were determined, namely: monazite-REE, xenotime-REE, REE-cerium, and REE-silicate. • Understanding the detailed mineralogy of the rare-earth bearing minerals and/or mineral phases will guide the prediction of REE extraction method and efficiency. Critical raw materials, including rare earth elements (REE), are the cornerstone of modern technologies. Due to their unique properties, REE are in high demand, leading to the exploration and research of alternative sources. Coal combustion by-products, specifically coal ash, has been identified as a potential alternative source of REE, but more research is required. This study aimed to identify REE's occurring in power station and laboratory-derived coal ash. Results from Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Mineral Liberation Analysis are presented herein, to gain insight into rare-earth-bearing minerals occurring in the ash samples. REEs were determined in both sets of ash samples at values higher than 600 parts per million (ppm) using ICP-MS. Critical REE occur in ranges from 203 to 406 ppm; uncritical REE from 179 to 256 ppm; and excessive REE ranging from 197 to 348 ppm in these samples. Laboratory-derived coal ash and power station-generated ash samples were prepared as polished blocks and coated for examination using a Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA). A bright phase search mode was employed to detect rare earth-bearing mineral phases using the back-scattered electron detector (BSE).Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to determine elemental compositions in these phases. Four rare earth-bearing mineral phases were determined, namely: monazite-REE, xenotime-REE, Ce-REErium rich, and REE-silicate. The laboratory-derived ash samples had a greater proportion of liberated rare earth-bearing minerals, related to the lower proportion of aluminosilicate glassy phase, related to the low temperature ashing procedure. The detailed mineralogy provides insight into the design of REE extraction processes, targeting specific REE's hosted in the various minerals. This will be documented in a future paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing call for heritage management to decentralise and involve stakeholders outside of the sphere of governance. This research focuses on participatory conservation of heritage resources and the value of narrative in heritage conservation and tourism development. The case study is situated in the city of Makhanda, which was established in 1812 and possesses a significant number of individual built environment heritage resources and historic streetscapes. These urban features have been identified as assets to the city by various stakeholders and institutions, but they remain under threat. Utilising semi-structured interviews with owners of historic residential properties in the city, the paper argues that homeowners are an underutilised resource in the management of the historic urban fabric. The study found that homeowners held an appreciation for and identified the value of the historic features of their properties, and it argues that this appreciation can be harnessed in heritage management. Interviews revealed, however, that homeowners faced many challenges in managing and maintaining their historic properties and received little support in this regard. Citizen participation in heritage conservation was limited and a top-down approach to heritage resource management predominated. • Local built environment heritage resources linked to the character of the city. • The conservation of these heritage resources is threatened. • Residential property owners value historic buildings, but face challenges. • Property owners are not consulted, supported or empowered. • Top-down heritage management needs to shift towards citizen participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the connection between water supply and energy consumption in a circular economy is crucial for managing the demands of these resources. Sankey diagrams have the potential to enhance the visualisation of resource flows. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the effective use of Sankey diagrams to capture the water-energy nexus and circularity of water. This study focused on effectively utilizing Sankey diagrams to model the nexus of water and energy flows and to assess the circularity of water. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on major studies on water material flows and modelling. This was supported by a review of approaches for modelling circularity, which have evolved from the material circularity index. The newly developed framework in this paper models water resource flows at all stages of the water supply chain, embedding the nexus as an interaction and considering resource intensity and material circularity index at each node. A city-level case study in South Africa was then used to apply the recommendations, model circularity, and the water-energy nexus using Sankey diagrams. In terms of circularity, the results indicate that water loss in the study area was very high, accounting for up to 40% of the total water supply and the water recycle rate was still very low, ranging from 3% to 7%. In terms of the nexus, the residential sector was found to have the highest energy intensity for water supply, primarily due to energy demand for water heating. Exploring the use of renewable or solar energy for water heating will be of interest and value. The new approach presented in this study allows for the simultaneous consideration of objectives, enabling a more robust analysis of energy-effective water use and water circularity along the water supply chain. [Display omitted] • A new framework for modelling the water energy nexus enriched by circularity options, energy intensity factors and confidence modelling. • Options for embedded circularity through the water supply chain. • The urgent challenge to address massive water loses in water supply systems for water scarce regions. • New Sankey diagrams showcasing how to model nexus and circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the critical challenge of sizing hybrid renewable energy systems over their lifespan while accounting for uncertainties in energy sources and load demands. By leveraging stochastic programming, we introduce a novel modeling technique that ensures robust optimization without compromising numerical tractability. Unlike conventional methods, which determine system parameters for the entire project duration upfront, our approach enables annual adjustments to the renewable components' sizing. This dynamic strategy alleviates early-stage under-utilization, aligning system capacity with evolving demand patterns. Central to our approach is the reformulation of the two-stage stochastic program as a quasi-optimal control. This reduces the number of optimization variables significantly, simplifying the solution process. Moreover, thousands of constraints are replaced with a system of differential equations, enhancing computational efficiency. By minimizing capital costs and dynamic operating expenses, we achieve an optimal system size. Through a real-world application in a rural area of South Africa, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. The results showed a remarkable improvement in problem-solving efficiency, reduced under-utilization, and heightened adaptability to unpredictable weather conditions. This innovative framework represents a substantial leap forward in hybrid renewable energy systems design, offering a more agile and efficient solution for sustainable energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dense medium separation circuits use a dense medium to separate low density waste material from high density valuable minerals. Since the dense medium is an expensive consumable, it is recovered after separation of the valuable minerals from waste. A dynamic nonlinear model of a dense medium separation circuit of an iron ore plant in South Africa is developed to track the flow of medium in the circuit. An extended Kalman filter is designed for estimating observable but unmeasured states. The model is validated using online plant data. This paper serves as a precursor for further work to detect and mitigate expensive medium losses in the circuit. • A dense medium separation circuit is modelled from first principles. • Each unit process model is evaluated for state observability. • The states are estimated from industrial data using an extended Kalman filter. • The results indicate how the estimates can be used to detect medium losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the concept of social-ecological resilience gains increasing policy attention, there is growing demand for approaches that operationalise it. Amongst these demands is the need to empirically assess absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities that underpin resilience to better understand the ways in which social-ecological systems can navigate change and uncertainty. We explore the application of a capitals approach for assessing resilience capacities, using an example of deciduous fruit farming operations in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, thematically coded, and analysed using causal loop diagrams and co-occurrence analyses to identify changes experienced by farming operations, their responses to these changes, and the effects of both on capital resources. We then apply the criteria developed for the classification of resilience capacities. A variety of changes affect farming operations at multiple points across the value chain, and have effects across capital resources. Most significant to farmers are changes which impact the amount of water available and the cashflow they require to sustain their operations. The most common responses employed by farmers consisted of activities which either increase the availability of an affected resource, or decrease its demand in order to maintain the same functions (adaptive capacity). In fewer cases, farming operations were able to absorb the depletion of their capital resources due to pre-emptive management (absorptive capacity). In similarly few cases, the potential or realised resource deficiencies caused by changes were either corrected or decoupled from the farming operation through structural reorganisation towards a different or additional function and types of output being delivered (transformative capacity). Evidence of changes being anticipated prior to their onset were also identified, leading to responses which are used in conjunction with the preceding three capacities. Our findings suggest that the criteria we developed for classifying resilience capacities offer a useful means of operationalising resilience. In particular, the approach we pilot in this paper enables the application of a systems perspective to identify interactions between changes and responses, which broadens the options for identifying management strategies and interventions. The approach we propose can be used to identify key leverage points to strengthen the capacities of vulnerable farmers. Further work is required to integrate consideration of cross-scale effects of farm-scale resilience strategies on the broader social-ecological system. [Display omitted] • Empirical examples of studies which operationalise social-ecological resilience are in high demand. • We assess resilience identifying the capital effects of change and responses in farming operations. • The interaction between changes and responses are used to infer capacities of resilience. • Most response strategies reveal adaptive capacity, with other capacities utilised to a lesser extent. • The criteria employs a systemic outlook which broadens considerations for responses and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the Holocene climatic dynamics of South Africa's southern Cape, a region that supports a large proportion of the Greater Cape Floristic Region and contains an array of important archaeological sites. While South African climates are generally characterised by marked rainfall seasonality, the southern Cape is currently situated at the interface between tropical and temperate climate systems, resulting in a largely aseasonal rainfall regime. This regime, however, is thought to have been particularly sensitive to past changes in late Quaternary boundary conditions, meaning that variability in either tropical or temperate systems could have significant environmental impacts. Evidence of past climate change, however, remains limited. We present a 9000-year record of hydroclimatic variability obtained from rock hyrax midden stable nitrogen records, from Papkuilsfontein, on the southern slope of the Anysberg Mountains. Resolved to an average 6-year resolution and spanning the period c. 9050 cal yr BP to 1990 CE, this is the highest resolution Holocene record from southern Africa and presents a unique opportunity for the detailed study of the primary drivers and spatial gradients of Holocene climate change in the southern Cape. The data indicate a long-term decrease in aridity across the Holocene and a pattern of variability that reveals remarkable similarities with records from the South African tropics and El Niño–Southern Oscillation proxies, highlighting the significance of tropical systems as drivers of Holocene climate change in the region. This substantially expands what has been previously considered to be the zone of tropical influence, extending from a coastal phenomenon associated with heat transport via the Agulhas Current to encompass much, if not all, of the Agulhas Plain south of the Cape Fold Mountains. These findings provide a valuable new climatic framework for contextualizing changes in ecological and archaeological records in the southern Cape, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of climate systems in southern Africa. • Sub-decadal 9000-year record of aridity from South Africa's southern Cape. • Reveals dominance of tropical forcing across the southern Cape and Agulhas Plain. • ENSO variability indicated to be important driver of regional climate change. • Presents high-resolution framework for study of human-environment interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Five discharge datasets have median correlation coefficients > 0.6 with the observations. • Overestimation of monthly mean flow is more common than underestimation. • GRFR showed the best estimate at around 40% of the locations. • None of the models provides good estimates for rivers and streams in arid regions. High-resolution global flow discharge datasets are critical to understand the terrestrial water cycle and river ecosystem services. Recently, a number of global hydrological models have been developed to capture global river flow dynamics at locally relevant scales. However, the relative accuracy of these simulated flow discharges is largely unknown. In this paper, using the largest observed streamflow datasets from > 26,000 gauging stations, we evaluated the performance of monthly and sub-monthly flow variation (1980–2014) generated from five major global hydrological models, Catchment-based Macro-scale Floodplain model (CaMa-Flood), Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS-reanalysis), Global Reach-level Flood Reanalysis (GRFR), PCRaster GLOBal Water Balance model (PCR-GLOBWB), and Water Global Assessment and Prognosis (WaterGAP). Significant spatial heterogeneity in model performance was identified. We found that estimates by all five discharge datasets have a relatively high correlation with the observations (medians > 0.6). But none of them showed adequate correlations between simulated and observed flows for systems in Southwest or Central U.S.A., South Africa, or South Australia. Across all models, overestimation of monthly mean flow was more common than underestimation and high flows at a sub-monthly scale were more accurately characterized than low flows. Performance of all models was poor in Africa and Oceania. No single model performed universally best at all gauging stations, but GRFR showed the best estimate at around 40 % of the locations. None of the models provided satisfying estimates for rivers and streams in arid regions. We also found a significant negative effect of flow regulation on the predictive accuracy of all models. Our study highlights the importance of thorough evaluation of global discharge datasets before their local and regional application and provides guidance for future enhancement of global hydrological models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travelling long distances to access public service facilities is costly and time consuming, especially to those who suffer the burden of poverty and deprivation. Assessing accessibility based on route-based distances does not work well in rural areas of Africa where people often travel along footpaths and dirt roads (in and out of vehicles) that are not mapped, not necessarily well-defined, could vary based on the season or change over short periods of time. The South African government therefore recommended that geographic accessibility be assessed based on a road network that is augmented by connecting communities to the main road network via a triangulated irregular network (TIN). While this method is recommended, a study about its suitability has not been published. We do this by describing an implementation, analysing the results and comparing these to other techniques. In this paper we present and compare the recommended method to geographic accessibility results of two other frequently used distance measuring techniques: 1) straight-line distances; 2) route-based distances in the road network. We applied the techniques to South African Police Service stations in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa, which is characterized by rural villages scattered across the landscape, not connected to the road network and where data for footpaths and dirt roads does not exist. The results confirm that in the absence of a completely mapped travel network, the recommended method is a suitable alternative for measuring geographic accessibility in rural areas of Africa without having to spend time and money on mapping footpaths and dirt roads that keep on changing anyhow. However, the results reveal sensitivity to the threshold distance and significant local variation depending on distance from urban areas and proximity to natural barriers such as rivers. The latter must be considered when deciding whether to apply the recommended distance measurement technique in rural accessibility studies. Further research could compare the techniques for other study areas and also refine the method, e.g., by experimenting with different algorithms for centroids of populated areas and finding ways to estimate travel speeds on TIN arcs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There are diverse paradigms of practice for management of anterior abdominal stab wounds. • Pooling data in a meta-analysis is reductionist for heterogeneous topics. • The utility of trauma laparoscopies depends on experience, patient factors and resource availability. Anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASW) are a heterogeneous presentation with evolving management over time and heterogenous practice between centres. The aim of this scoping review was to identify, characterise and classify paradigms for trauma laparoscopies for AASW. Studies were screened from Embase, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from 1 January 1947 until 1 January 2023. Extracted data included indications for trauma laparoscopies vs laparotomies, and criteria for conversion to an open procedure. Of 72 included studies, 35 (48.6 %) were published in the United States, with an increasing number from South Africa since 2014. Screening tests to determine an indication for surgery included local wound exploration, computed tomography, and serial clinical examination. Two studies proposed no absolute contraindications to laparoscopy, whereas most papers supported trauma laparoscopies over laparotomies in hemodynamically stable patients with positive or equivocal screening tests. However, clinical decision trees were used inconsistently both between and within many hospital centres. Triggers for conversion to laparotomy were diverse. Older studies typically reported conversion if peritoneal breach was identified. More recent studies reported advances in technical skills and technology allowed attempt at laparoscopic repair for organ and/or vascular injury. This review emphasises that there are many different paradigms of practice for AASW laparoscopy, which are evolving over time. Significant heterogeneity of these studies highlights that meta-analysis of outcomes for trauma laparoscopy is not appropriate unless the included studies report homogenous treatment paradigms and patient cohorts. The decision to perform a trauma laparoscopy should be based on surgeon/hospital experience, patient factors, and resource availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Primary repair is increasingly being used to manage rectal injuries, however, faecal diversion remains the main stay of rectal trauma management in our environment. • Rectal injuries are associated with high levels of morbidity such as sepsis and urogenital complications. • Rectal injury must be actively excluded in patients sustaining penetrating injuries to the pelvis, buttocks, perineal, or inguinal region or those who have experienced significant blunt trauma to the pelvis and perineum. This paper provides an overview of a single centre's experience with rectal injury over a decade. It hopes to use this data to provide context to our current approach to managing these injuries in the civilian setting. All patients with rectal trauma were identified from the Hybrid Electronic Medical Registry (HEMR). During the study period, a total of 88 patients with rectal injuries were admitted to Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. There were 80 (91 %) males and 8 (9 %) females. The median age was 31 (15–63) years. There were 9 (10 %) blunt mechanisms, 76 (86 %) penetrating mechanisms and 3 (4 %) combined blunt and penetrating mechanisms. Gunshot wounds accounted for the majority of sustained rectal trauma (71 %). There were 57 (65 %) extra-peritoneal injuries, 24 (27 %) intraperitoneal injuries and 7 (8 %) combined injuries. The grade of injury, according to the AAST grading system, was as follows, AAST 1: 16 (18 %), AAST 2: 63 (72 %), AAST 3: 7 (8 %), and AAST 4: 2 (2 %). Pre-sacral drainage and distal rectal washout were not performed. Almost all (55/57) of the extra-peritoneal rectal injuries were managed with proximal diversion (PD). There were five primary repairs (PR) performed in the extra-peritoneal rectal injury cohort. In four of these cases, this was accompanied by a PD. Of the 24 intraperitoneal rectal injuries, 15 underwent PR, of which 11 were performed in conjunction with PD. In total, 20 intraperitoneal rectal injuries underwent PD. All seven combined rectal injuries underwent PD, and three of the combined rectal injuries underwent PR with PD. There was urogenital tract associated morbidity in 8 %, gastrointestinal tract related morbidity in 8 % and septic complications in 11 %. Rectal trauma is still associated with a high rate of rectal/urogenital and infection related morbidity. Although pre-sacral drainage and distal stump washout have been largely abandoned in civilian practice, faecal diversion currently remains the cornerstone of the management of rectal trauma in our environment. Although there was a low rate of intra-abdominal septic complications in patients who had undergone diversion, this needs to be balanced against the low rate of stoma reversal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]