An internal communication model for multi-campus higher education institutions in South Africa

Published ArticleIn this article the authors propose a model for South African multi-campus universities, aimed at improving the effectiveness of internal communication. The development of the model was informed by three factors: the bureaucratic nature of higher education institutions; the restructured South African higher education landscape comprising various multi-campus universities with campuses situated geographically apart; and the fact that the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) identified certain shortcomings in its internal communication practices during a climate survey. Various communication models, including those employed by the corporate sector, were studied, after which an extensive empirical investigation was carried out. The proposed model incorporates essential features, but also addresses shortcomings of existing internal communication models. The characteristics of the model were developed from an empirical investigation that included a mixed-method research as well as the recommendations of communication executives from seven multi-campus universities in South Africa

Decline in acute coronary syndrome hospitalisation rates during COVID-19 lockdown in private hospitals in South Africa

We conducted a study of admission rates of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in all Mediclinic hospitals in South Africa. The aim of the study was to quantify the extent of change in admission rates of ACS subtypes and to establish the degree of change in subtype proportions in the private sector assumed to be related to COVID-19 and/or lockdown implementation. Time intervals were demarcated by lockdown measures (March: pre-lockdown versus April: post-lockdown implementation), and comparisons were performed with equitable time periods (2019 versus 2020). For the comparison of proportions, data for April and May were summated

Edwardsiella tarda Infection Triggering Acute Relapse in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

Crohn\u27s disease exacerbations can often be associated with bacterial infections causing gastroenteritis. We report a child who experienced exacerbation of his Crohn\u27s disease associated with a positive stool culture fo

The correlation between C-reactive protein and toxic granulation of neutrophils in the peripheral blood

Background. During inflammation, the serum concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) increase. A positive correlation between CRP and the percentages of neutrophils exhibiting toxic granulation during inflammation has been demonstrated, and that the fluctuations of CRP and toxic granulation of neutrophils were similar. Objectives. We studied whether grading of toxic granulated neutrophils can be used as a surrogate marker for infection or inflammation, and also be an easier method than previously described methods. Materials and methods. We graded 357 consecutive peripheral blood slides from patients on whom a full blood count with differential count and CRP level was performed, according to intensity of toxic granulation in the neutrophil population, according to a newly proposed grading system. Results. The CRP range was between 1 and 530.3 mg/l. The results confirm the association between a rise in CRP and progressive intensity of toxic granulation in neutrophils in peripheral blood. Kruskal-Wallis equality of populations rank test showed a statistically significant difference between the graded categories (p=0.0001). The Trend test was also statistically significant (p=0.000). Conclusion. The proposed system can be applied to patients with inflammatory or infectious conditions, where grading of toxic granulation of neutrophils can possibly be used as a surrogate marker to assess infection or inflammation and their response to treatment. It may be of particular use in cases where traditional infectious or inflammatory markers cannot be used, owing to inherent problems associated with the respective conditions

Ondersoek na seleksiemaatstawwe by Afrinoskape. Genetiese parameters van groei- en woleienskappe

Investigation of selection criteria for Afrino sheep. Genetic parameters of growth and wool traits. The data used in this study were obtained from the Carnarvon Afrino stud. The genetic and phenotypic parameters for the various growth and wool traits were estimated by means of Henderson's Method III. The following traits were considered as possible selection criteria for ram selection: weaning weight (h2 = 0,21 ± O,07), yearling weight (h2 = 0,22 ± 0,07), ADG: weaning-year-old (h2 = 0,22 ± 0,07), Kleiber: weaning-year-old (h = 0,23 ± 0,07), and eighteen-month mass (h2 = 0,28 ± 0,08). However, the traits yearling weight, ADG: weaning-year-old and eighteen month mass cannot be considered as possible selection criteria because of their undesirable genetic correlations with birth mass and eighteen-month mass. Kleiber: weaning-year-old had a non-significant negative genetic correlation of -0,12 ± 0,22 with birth mass, a medium positive correlation with yearling weight (0,35 ± 0,21) and it is almost unrelated to eighteen-month mass (rg = 0,10 ± 0,22). At 12 months of age, rams can be selected on the basis of the following selection index: I=3 X weaning mass -- 1 X Kleiber: weaning-year-old- 18 X fibre diameter.Ondersoek is ingestel na geskikte seleksiemaatstawwe vir Afrino-skape. Data vanaf die Camarvonse Afrinokudde is vir hierdie ondersoek gebruik. Genetiese en fenotipiese parameters van die onderskeie groei- en woleienskappe is met behulp van Henderson se Metode III beraam. Die volgende eienskappe is as moontlike seleksiemaatstawwe vir ramseleksie oorweeg: speenmassa (h2 = 0,21 ± 0,07), jaarmassa (h2 = 0,22 ± 0,07), GDT: speen-jaar (h2 = 0,22 ± 0,07), Kleiber: speen-jaar (h2 = 0,23 ± 0,07), en agtienmaandemassa (h2 = 0,28 ± 0,08). Jaarmassa, GDT: speenjaar en agtienmaandemassa is as gevolg van hul ongunstige genetiese korrelasies met geboortemassa en agtienmaandemassa as seleksiemaatstawwe geelimineer. Kleiber: speen-jaar het 'n nie-betekenisvolle negatiewe korrelasie van -0,12 ± 0,22 met geboortemassa, 'n matig-positiewe korrelasie van 0,35 ± 0,21 met jaarmassa en is feitlik onafhanklik van agtienmaandemassa (rg = 0,10 ± 0,22). Ramme kan op 12-maande-ouderdom op grond van die volgende seleksie-indeks geselekteer word: I = 3 X speenmassa + 1 X Kleiber: speen-jaar - 18 X veseldikte.Keywords: Afrino, genetic parameters, growth traits, Kleiber ratio

Measurement of cardiac troponins to detect myocardial infarction using high-sensitivity assays : South African guidelines

With the use of specific cardiac markers with higher sensitivity, new perspectives have emerged on the nature of myocardial necrosis and injury, which are associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The third universal definition of myocardial infarction1 now classifies myocardial infarction (MI), based on the relevant pathology, clinical presentation, prognosis and treatment strategy, as spontaneous MI (type 1), MI secondary to an ischaemic imbalance (type 2), cardiac death due to sudden fatal MI (type 3), and MI associated with revascularisation procedures (types 4 and 5). What has also become evident is the extent of necrosis and injury that is associated with pathologies of other organs and conditions.http://www.cvjsa.co.z

Mothers’ perspectives on the play of their children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Play, which is fundamental to children’s lives, can be utilised to enrich their daily experience. However, the available knowledge regarding the impact of play on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is limited. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating mothers’ perspectives on their children with ADHD in Kuwait regarding their play preferences, the impact of play on ADHD behaviours, and the strategies used to regulate their children’s ADHD symptoms. Methods: Eight mothers of children aged five to ten years old with ADHD were recruited via purposive sampling. Their perspectives were qualitatively explored through one-week diaries of their children’s routines followed by semistructured interviews. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) play characteristics for children with ADHD, (2) play preferences, (3) play settings and their impact on ADHD symptoms, and (4) mothers’ values, understanding, and influence on play. Children were found to spend most of their playtime in indoor settings, largely playing video games. The mothers acknowledged the positive influence on their children of outdoor play and the deleterious effect of video games. However, they undervalued the contribution of play to their children’s development. Their strategies for regulating the types of play that diminish their children’s ADHD behaviours were less well understood. The weather and mothers’ other responsibilities were the main barriers. Conclusions: Understanding the play of children with ADHD revealed the requirement for more opportunities for different types of play, with more consideration of those that positively manage ADHD behaviours

Congenital anomalies in black South African liveborn neonates at an urban academic hospital

Study objective. The aim was to study the spectrum of clinical problems and outcomes in infants born at an urban academic hospital. In consequence, as part of the overall study, the incidence of congenital anomalies and the outcomes of affected infants were recorded.Design. This was a prospective, hospital-based study, undertaken on liveborn infants born over a 3-year period, 1 May 1986 to 30 April 1989.Setting. Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria.Main results. A total of 17 351 liveborn infants was examined and the total congenital anomalies incidence was 11 ,87 per 1 000 Iivebirths. The central nervous system was the system most frequently involved (2,30 per 1 000 livebirths), followed by the musculoskeletal system (2,13 per 1 000 livebirths). The commonest individual congenital anomaly was Down syndrome (1,33 per 1 000 Iivebirths), followed by neural tube defects (0,99 per 1 000 livebirths) and ventricular septal defects (0,69 per 1 000 livebirths). In 11 % (2,25 per 1 000 livebirths) of neonatal deaths, infant loss was attributable to congenital anomalies.Conclusions. The incidence of congenital anomalies in black South African neonates, born in an urban setting, is as high as in other First- and Third-World countries, and the incidence of some individual congenital anomalies is higher. This study indicates the need for further research and the establishment of prenatal, genetics and paediatric facilities to manage these problems

Selective Constraints on Amino Acids Estimated by a Mechanistic Codon Substitution Model with Multiple Nucleotide Changes

Empirical substitution matrices represent the average tendencies of substitutions over various protein families by sacrificing gene-level resolution. We develop a codon-based model, in which mutational tendencies of codon, a genetic code, and the strength of selective constraints against amino acid replacements can be tailored to a given gene. First, selective constraints averaged over proteins are estimated by maximizing the likelihood of each 1-PAM matrix of empirical amino acid (JTT, WAG, and LG) and codon (KHG) substitution matrices. Then, selective constraints specific to given proteins are approximated as a linear function of those estimated from the empirical substitution matrices. Akaike information criterion (AIC) values indicate that a model allowing multiple nucleotide changes fits the empirical substitution matrices significantly better. Also, the ML estimates of transition-transversion bias obtained from these empirical matrices are not so large as previously estimated. The selective constraints are characteristic of proteins rather than species. However, their relative strengths among amino acid pairs can be approximated not to depend very much on protein families but amino acid pairs, because the present model, in which selective constraints are approximated to be a linear function of those estimated from the JTT/WAG/LG/KHG matrices, can provide a good fit to other empirical substitution matrices including cpREV for chloroplast proteins and mtREV for vertebrate mitochondrial proteins. The present codon-based model with the ML estimates of selective constraints and with adjustable mutation rates of nucleotide would be useful as a simple substitution model in ML and Bayesian inferences of molecular phylogenetic trees, and enables us to obtain biologically meaningful information at both nucleotide and amino acid levels from codon and protein sequences.Comment: Table 9 in this article includes corrections for errata in the Table 9 published in 10.1371/journal.pone.0017244. Supporting information is attached at the end of the article, and a computer-readable dataset of the ML estimates of selective constraints is available from 10.1371/journal.pone.001724