The relationship between boron, stress hormones and bone markers in humans of different ages, life style and health status

Hormones (sex hormones, thyroxine, cortisol and parathyroid), cytokines (interleukins-1 and 2 and tumour necrosis factor), life style (exercise, smoking and reproductive history), nutrition (calcium, meat, vegetables, vitamin D, caffeine and alcohol) and diseases (diabetes mellitus, malabsorption and thyrotoxicosis) affect bone mass. The loss of calcium, phosphate and magnesium from bone makes it weaker which enhances the incidence of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis and increases the risks of fractures causing pain, sufferings and even death particularly in older females. Treatment of these diseases and the 200,000 related fractures costs the National Health Service over £940 millions annually (National Osteoporosis Society, 1998/1999). The multifactorial aetiology of osteoporosis and difficulties in deciding the most effective treatment to suit individual sufferer makes preventative measures more suitable in lowering the incidence of this disease and therefore reduces human sufferings, cost and mortality. Boron, a ubiquitous element in soil, water, ground vegetables and fruits modulates sex hormones in animals. Its role in human is unclear and inconclusive. Boron prolonged the half-life of 17(3 oestradiol and delayed the loss of bone mass particularly in post-menopausal women with low magnesium (Neilsen, 1990) and increased absorption and retention of calcium, phosphate and magnesium during vitamin D deficiency (Hunt, 1994). Excessively high level of boron suppressed sex steroids and increased the loss of bone minerals (Benderdour et al, 1998). Cortisol reduced bone mass (Delany et al, 1995) but the effects of catecholamines on bone are largely undetermined. This study aims to assess the relationship between boron, cortisol, catecholamines, serotonin and bone turnover in relation to age, gender, life style, nutrition, reproductive history and health status in men and women of 3 age groups, mainly nurses and to make recommendations, if appropriate, to improve bone mass or reduce the rate of bone loss. 172 male and female volunteers were placed in respective groups aged 11-20, 20-40, over 40 years old and all the pregnant subjects in one group. Early morning urine was analysed for calcium and magnesium by flame spectrophotometry, phosphate, hydroxyproline and creatinine by spectrophotometry, boron by inductive coupled plasma spectrophotometry and cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin by high performance liquid chromatography. Information about each subject's life style, nutrition and health was obtained using a questionnaire. Data were processed and analysed using excel and minitab packages and only significance level at P<0.05 or less was accepted using ANOVA, t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. There were positive trends between urinary levels of boron and calcium and significant correlation (P40 with the history of osteoporosis compared to those in M>40 as well as in F20-40 heavy smokers compared to those in M20-40 and in subjects taking the contraceptive pill. Age, exercise, hysterectomy, HRT, vegetables consumption and vitamin supplements did not significantly influence urinary boron levels. Heavy alcohol consumption, greater stress, heavy smoking and family history of osteoporosis increase urinary boron levels and this might enhance bone damage, particularly in post-menopausal subjects. Urinary cortisol, adrenaline and dopamine levels were raised (P40 and M>40 and correlated with an increased calcium excretion which suggest that the increased catecholamine levels in these subjects may promote calcium loss and compromise ageing bone. Regular intake of alcohol above 1500 ml of beer, 750 ml of wine and 150 ml of spirits per week, heavy smoking of over 10 cigarettes or 3 ounces of tobacco per day, eating less than 3 vegetables, not taking weight bearing exercises at least 3 times per week and a lack of multivitamin supplements during puberty and middle age, increased bone turnover and may predispose bone to fractures. Male nurses were at a greater risk (PO.05) than the females from increased turnover of phosphate, magnesium, calcium and hydroxyproline as these also positively correlated with either boron, adrenaline or cortisol. The levels of urinary catecholamines were significantly (PO.05) higher in M20-40 compared to F20-40 who were stressed and suggested either male subjects had poor coping mechanism or that female subjects had a different response mechanism. The correlation between boron, cortisol, adrenaline and phosphate in the male subjects as a whole but particularly in M20-40, in whom adrenaline also correlated with hydroxyproline, suggest that these male subjects are at greater risks of bone damage and poor health. Improved dietary intakes of calcium, vegetables and boron and a healthier life style of reduced alcohol and smoking with more weight-bearing exercises could significantly reduced bone loss and therefore prevent osteoporosis. In addition, male nurses should minimise stress levels not only to protect bone loss but for a better health

Mobile money as a strategy for financial inclusion in rural communities

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the usage level of mobile money, and how it has accelerated financial inclusion among the rural communities in an emerging economy such as Zimbabwe. The study employed a mixed methods approach and a concurrent dominant status design where quantitative and qualitative approaches were concurrently used with the quantitative approach having a dominant status. The study was carried out in the Midlands Province and a simple random sampling technique was applied to select the province. Eight districts in the province formed the study population of 262 493 households and a pilot sample size of 37 household was chosen. The study used a survey method to collect data, where a questionnaire and focus group discussions were used as the main data collection instruments. It emerged that the usage of mobile money by the unbanked rural people is very high, especially for sending and receiving remittances. However the saving and loan aspect of mobile money were not very popular. Users were still relying on their traditional methods of savings and borrowing. The implications are that the service providers need to increase their awareness programs targeting this specific market to encourage them to migrate from traditional ways to safe and secure way of saving their meagre income. More so, that their saving patterns will determine their access to loans.KIM201

Factors Influencing the Quality of Decision-Making Using Business Intelligence in a Metal Rolling Plant in KwaZulu-Natal

The current study sought to investigate the factors which influence the quality of decision-making using business intelligence (BI) in a metal rolling plant in KwaZulu-Natal. Specifically, the study was focused on information quality, system quality and BI service quality. The study used a self-administered survey sent out to participants having sufficient report runs which made up the population of the study. The collected data came from different levels of employees, namely; managers (47%) and non-managers (53%) with varying levels of BI experience, and the data was imported into SPSS for analysis. The results showed that information quality had a positive significant impact on the quality of decision-making; system quality had a positive significant impact on the quality of decision-making; and BI service quality had a positive significant impact on the quality of decision-making. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the strength of these variances in influencing decision-making. It was found that the three variables explained 65.7% of the variance in the quality of decision-making. Overall, the study found that high quality information, coupled with a high-quality system and good BI service, leads to a higher quality of decision-making, and that the impact of BI on decision-making is positive. The study recommends that the company implement data quality management focusing on data cleansing, it should also implement more sophisticated analysis techniques to get insights and have strategies to upskill both technical and business workers

Le trauma de l’esclavage à l’engagisme: une réécriture des géographies du corps humain et de l’espace

This dissertation examines the notion of nationhood and the intricacies of identity in Mauritius as depicted in the work of artists from this island. Through the writing of Ananda Devi, Shenaz Patel, Natacha Appanah, Amal Sewtohul, and Carl de Souza, as well as through the works of filmmakers Harikrisna Anenden and David Constantin, I analyze the distinctive ways in which these artists explore the burden of a traumatic past along with their ensuing representations of the present images of the Mauritian people. Their works best encapsulate the paradoxical place that Mauritius holds in the Francophone and Anglophone world, i.e. that it was first a French and then a British colony, which respectively introduced slavery and indentured servants to this island that had no autochthone population. As a result, the question of identity – both individual and national – remains intrinsically linked to the memory of slavery and of indentured servitude/Coolitude, in a country which history prior to colonization has little been explored. Thus far, critical work in Francophone literature has studied these two memories separately. My analysis creates a dialogue between them. This is crucial to the understanding of just how the intersection of slavery and Coolitude, have shaped today’s Mauritian national identity. Each chapter raises a key question on the subject: How does the writing of Devi, along with Anenden’s cinema, both of which are centered on marginalized communities, present a critical framework through which the socio-economic issues of the island can be studied? In what ways does Appanah’s fiction convoke historical events, while problematizing deeply engrained power dynamics? What does it mean for Patel and Constantin to give voice to the subaltern and to speak for/instead of a minority group? Finally, how do the works of these different writers, namely Patel, Appanah, Sewtohul and de Souza, address the complexities and tensions within the multicultural society of Mauritius? My conclusion reflects on the critical role and impact of artistic expression in the creation of a mosaic in which we can better understand the Mauritian nation when this country is at the milestone of 50 years of independence.2020-11-27T00:00:00

Maternal Cigarette Smoking and Cleft Lip and Palate:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES: A systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association between active maternal smoking and cleft lip and palate etiology. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from inception to November, 2020. STUDY SELECTION: Observational studies of cigarette smoking habits in pregnant women. Outcomes included cleft lip and/or palate, cleft lip  ±  palate and cleft palate only. DATA ANALYSIS: Publication bias analyses were performed and the Newcastle Ottawa scales were used to assess study quality. Fixed or random effect models were used in the meta-analysis, dependent on risk of statistical heterogeneity. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were eligible for inclusion of which 11 were cohort and 34 were case–control studies. Sixteen studies were of sufficient standard for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The summary odds ratio for the association between smoking and cleft lip and/or palate was 1.42 (95%CI 1.27-1.59) with a population attributable fraction of 4% (95%CI 3%-5%). There was limited evidence to show a dose–response effect of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: This review reports a moderate association between maternal smoking and orofacial cleft but the overall quality of the conventional observational studies included was poor. There is a need for high quality and novel research strategies to further define the role of smoking in the etiology of cleft lip and palate

A comparison of two models to measure business success in microinsurance

Microinsurance is an insurance product offered to low-income earners charactrized by low profitability resulting from low premiums and high transaction costs. Insurance companies are socially challenged to also include this market segment in their portfolio of insurance products to contribute to economic development and servicing the low-income market. Business success in the microinsurance segment is, therefore, more than calculating profits. This article offers guidance to measure business success in this market. Two models were constructed to measure business success: one generalized and the other an industry specific model. These models are compared to determine which one would be the more suitable to employ as a tool to measure business success in the microinsurance industry. The analysis indicated that the generalized model is better model to use. However, the industry specific model also proves to be valuable and is more suitable for specific company applications than general industry analysis

Mobile Money access and usage among the rural communities in Zimbabwe

The study sought to determine the level of mobile money access and usage among the rural households in Zimbabwe. A descriptive research design was employed in a mixed method research approach. The study population comprised of all rural districts in the Midlands Province and the target population was 8258 rural households. A sample size of 367 household heads was determined in the Kwekwe Rural District. A questionnaire was used as a data collecting instrument. The results of the study revealed a moderate use of mobile money by rural households. The widely used service was the funds transfer services (sending and receiving) with a mean score of 1.81. Mobile money was used as a vehicle of remitting funds. More over mobile money had improved access to financial services as indicated by the reduced distances walked to access the nearest mobile money agents. Majority of the users were walking distances of less than 10km to access the service. When assessing the demographic influences on the use of mobile money, an association between education and mobile money use was supported by a Pearson Chi-Square value of 62.803 at p value 0.000

The function of competitive intelligence in South African insurance post-COVID-19 outbreak

Background: Competitive intelligence (CI) involves monitoring competitors and providing organisations with actionable and meaningful intelligence. Some studies have focussed on the role of CI in other industries post-COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: This article aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the South African insurance sector and how the integration of CI and related technologies can sustain the South African insurance sector post-COVID-19 epidemic. Method: Qualitative research with an exploratory-driven approach was used to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the South African insurance sector. Qualitative secondary data analyses were conducted to measure insurance claims and death benefits paid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The research findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the South African insurance industry, leading to a reassessment of pricing, products, and risk management. COVID-19 caused disparities in death benefits and claims between provinces; not everyone was insured. Despite challenges, South African insurers remained well-capitalised and attentive to policyholders. Integrating CI and analytical technologies could enhance the flexibility of prevention, risk management, and product design. Conclusion: COVID-19 requires digital transformation and CI for South African insurers’ competitiveness. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI), big data (BD), and CI enhances value, efficiency, and risk assessments. Contribution: This study highlights the importance of integrating CI strategies and related technologies into South African insurance firms’ operations to aid in their recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It addresses a research gap and adds to academic knowledge in this area

A Perspective of Microinsurance (MI): The Case of South Africa

Microinsurance (MI), an important economic roleplayer, is investigated in and placed in perspective to the insurance industry in South African. This is achieved by researching the factors that cause serious deprivation in the provision of MI. Typical restrictive factors are financial literacy, out-of-reach of customers, and low commission for brokers. Resultantly, the need for stakeholder analysis presents itself to better understand and address these challenges which should enable an up-and-running MI environment in South Africa. Historically, the insurance industry focussed on financial products and services that for the middle to high income groups. The low-income households have thus been largely excluded from insurance benefits although the consequences of setbacks are extreme for the low income group. As a result, the market most vulnerable to financial shocks are the least protected. This situation has drastically changed during the last few years. The LOASA and the Insurance companies reached consensus with the Financial Sector Charter of South Africa to launch tailor-made products and services for the low-income people. South Africa is still facing an “Insurance Gap”, approximately 61% of the low-income households which are not insured represent a huge opportunity for the industry. Therefore, the introduction of the Zimele products classified as MI products in 2007 was a good launch to target the “niche” of those uninsured market. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p6

Mobile Money access and usage among the rural communities in Zimbabwe

The study sought to determine the level of mobile money access and usage among the rural households in Zimbabwe. A descriptive research design was employed in a mixed method research approach. The study population comprised of all rural districts in the Midlands Province and the target population was 8258 rural households. A sample size of 367 household heads was determined in the Kwekwe Rural District. A questionnaire was used as a data collecting instrument. The results of the study revealed a moderate use of mobile money by rural households. The widely used service was the funds transfer services (sending and receiving) with a mean score of 1.81. Mobile money was used as a vehicle of remitting funds. More over mobile money had improved access to financial services as indicated by the reduced distances walked to access the nearest mobile money agents. Majority of the users were walking distances of less than 10km to access the service. When assessing the demographic influences on the use of mobile money, an association between education and mobile money use was supported by a Pearson Chi-Square value of 62.803 at p value 0.000