Die Christelike en die tragiese: intreerede aan die Universiteit Rhodes

Inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes UniversityRhodes University Libraries (Digitisation

SEASOAR and CTD observations during a COARE surveys cruise, W9211A, 8 November to 8 December 1992

An international Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) was conducted in the warm-pool region of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean over a four-month period from November 1992 through February 1993 (Webster and Lukas, 1992). Most of the oceanographic and meteorological observations were concentrated in the Intensive Flux Array (IFA) centered at 1°45'S, 156°00'E. As part of this experiment, three survey cruises were conducted on the R/V Wecoma; each cruise included measurements of the temperature, salinity and velocity distribution in the upper 300 m of the ocean, and continuous meteorological measurements of wind, air temperature, humidity, etc. Most of these measurements were along a butterfly pattern that was sampled repeatedly during the three COARE Surveys cruises, W9211A and W9211B, and W9211C. Our primary objective was to measure zonal and meridional gradients across the center of the IFA. We originally intended to sample along a larger pattern (with diagonals of 200 km) at the beginning and end of each cruise, and to sample a smaller pattern (diagonals of 100 km) as continuously as possible through the main portion of each cruise. Early in W9211A, we found that the smaller pattern was not large enough to span the actual positions of the profiling current meter array, and that frequent deviations from our initial choice of longitude would be necessary to avoid moorings and quasistationary ships. We therefore abandoned our plan of two separate sampling patterns, and instead chose one Standard Butterfly Pattern with a meridional section along 156°06'W and a zonal section along 1°50'S, connected in the southwestern and northeastern quadrants. Along this track, we measured the upper-ocean temperature and salinity by means of a towed undulating Seasoar vehicle (Figure 1) equipped with a SeaBird CTD system, while underway at 7-8 knots. CTD casts were made at the beginning and end of each tow, primarily to check calibration of the Seasoar sensors; additional CTD casts were occasionally made along portions of the standard sections while Seasoar was disabled. Water velocity along the ship's track was measured by means of the ship-borne acoustic Doppler current profiler. This report summarizes the Seasoar and CTD observations from Wecoma's first COARE Surveys cruise, W9211A. It also provides a cruise narrative, and a brief description of the data processing procedures

Fumonisins affect the intestinal microbial homeostasis in broiler chickens, predisposing to necrotic enteritis

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi. This study aimed to investigate the effect of these feed contaminants on the intestinal morphology and microbiota composition, and to evaluate whether FBs predispose broilers to necrotic enteritis. One-day-old broiler chicks were divided into a group fed a control diet, and a group fed a FBs contaminated diet (18.6 mg FB1+ FB2/kg feed). A significant increase in the plasma sphinganine/sphingosine ratio in the FBs-treated group (0.21 +/- 0.016) compared to the control (0.14 +/- 0.014) indicated disturbance of the sphingolipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, villus height and crypt depth of the ileum was significantly reduced by FBs. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed a shift in the microbiota composition in the ileum in the FBs group compared to the control. A reduced presence of low-GC containing operational taxonomic units in ileal digesta of birds exposed to FBs was demonstrated, and identified as a reduced abundance of Candidatus Savagella and Lactobaccilus spp. Quantification of total Clostridium perfringens in these ileal samples, previous to experimental infection, using cpa gene (alpha toxin) quantification by qPCR showed an increase in C. perfringens in chickens fed a FBs contaminated diet compared to control (7.5 +/- 0.30 versus 6.3 +/- 0.24 log10 copies/g intestinal content). After C. perfringens challenge, a higher percentage of birds developed subclinical necrotic enteritis in the group fed a FBs contaminated diet as compared to the control (44.9 +/- 2.22% versus 29.8 +/- 5.46%)

Increased endothelin-1 and diminished nitric oxide levels in blister fluids of patients with intermediate cold type complex regional pain syndrome type 1

BACKGROUND: In complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) pro-inflammatory mediators and vascular changes play an important role in the sustained development and outcome of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of vasoactive substances endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) during early chronic CRPS1. METHODS: Included were 29 patients with CRPS 1 who were diagnosed during the acute stage of their disease and observed during follow-up visits. Disease activity and impairment were determined and artificial suction blisters were made on the CRPS1 and the contralateral extremities for measurements of IL-6, TNF-α, ET-1 and nitrate/nitrite (NOx). RESULTS: The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and ET-1 in blister fluid in the CRPS1 extremity versus the contralateral extremity were significantly increased and correlated with each other, whereas NOx levels were decreased. CONCLUSION: The NOx/ET-1 ratio appears to be disturbed in the intermediate stage of CRPS, resulting in vasoconstriction and consequently in a diminished tissue blood distribution

Comparison of tonic spinal cord stimulation, high-frequency and burst stimulation in patients with complex regional pain syndrome: a double-blind, randomised placebo controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a disabling disease that is sometimes difficult to treat. Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can reduce pain in most patients with CRPS, some do not achieve the desired reduction in pain. Moreover, the pain reduction can diminish over time even after an initially successful period of SCS. Pain reduction can be regained by increasing the SCS frequency, but this has not been investigated in a prospective trial. This study compares pain reduction using five SCS frequencies (standard 40 Hz, 500 Hz, 1200 Hz, burst and placebo stimulation) in patients with CRPS to determine which of the modalities is most effective. DESIGN: All patients with a confirmed CRPS diagnosis that have unsuccessfully tried all other therapies and are eligible for SCS, can enroll in this trial (primary implantation group). CRPS patients that already receive SCS therapy, or those previously treated with SCS but with loss of therapeutic effect over time, can also participate (re-implantation group). Once all inclusion criteria are met and written informed consent obtained, patients will undergo a baseline assessment (T0). A 2-week trial with SCS is performed and, if successful, a rechargeable internal pulse generator (IPG) is implanted. For the following 3 months the patient will have standard 40 Hz stimulation therapy before a follow-up assessment (T1) is performed. Those who have completed the T1 assessment will enroll in a 10-week crossover period in which the five SCS frequencies are tested in five periods, each frequency lasting for 2 weeks. At the end of the crossover period, the patient will choose which frequency is to be used for stimulation for an additional 3 months, until the T2 assessment. DISCUSSION: Currently no trials are available that systematically investigate the importance of variation in frequency during SCS in patients with CRPS. Data from this trial will provide better insight as to whether SCS with a higher frequency, or with burst stimulation, results in more effective pain relief. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN3665525

Magrita Prinslo (1896), Magdalena Retief (1938) and Mies Julie (2012): from historical Afrikaner Mothers of the Nation to a modern Afrikanermeisie (girl): a postcolonial reading of Farber’s Mies Julie

Afrikaans and Theory of Literatur

Switch2Move:Designing a tangible interface with people living with dementia for initiating and engaging in music-supported exercises at home

Dance exercises offer recreational and social activities that engage people with dementia in physical exercise to increase fitness and cognitive functioning. However, there is limited research on how technology supports people with dementia to initiate and engage in music-supported dance exercises at home. We present Switch2Move: a TV-based home system with a tangible interface to trigger music-supported exercises at home for people with dementia. Four people with dementia and their informal caregivers explored a mockup to reveal design improvements for stimulating initiative and engagement. Next, we evaluated a high-fidelity prototype in the homes of three other couples during a one-week pilot study. The Switch2Move home system stimulated initiative by providing ongoing access in the home setting and supported engagement through daily enjoyment, calmness, and relief. We present opportunities for technology to increase self-efficacy, offer rich experiences, and fit the physical and social home environment of people with dementia