23 research outputs found
A detailed description of the internal structure of the skull of Emydops (Therapsida: Dicynodontia)
A detailed morphological study of two skulls of Emydops was undertaken by using the serial grinding technique. Graphic reconstructions of various aspects of the skulls were made. The internal structures are described in detail and compared to other small dicynodonts such as Eodicynodon, Pristerodon, Cistecephalus and Diictodon. Emydops and Cistecephalus show more advanced features in common with each other than with other dicynodonts. The structure of the skull of Emydops conforms within the limits of variation known for this genus, to descriptions given in the literature. It was found that Emydops differs from other dicynodonts in that the parasphenoid has a definite suture with the pterygoid anterior to the pterygoid-basisphenoid suture, instead of passing between the pterygoids without contacting them, as reported by Olson (1944)
The postcranial skeletal anatomy of the therocephalian Regisaurus (Therapsida: Regisauridae) and its utilization for biostratigraphic correlation
The postcranial morphology of the therocephalian genus Regisaurus from the Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone of South Africa is
described. The remarkably complete state of preservation of the vertebral column has, for the first time, provided a full vertebral count
for a therocephalian and demonstrates that it is possible to differentiate between cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal vertebrae.
It is demonstrated that some postcranial elements can be used to identify particular therocephalian groups and will be of use in
biostratigraphic studies in areas where cranial remains have not been found. A slender scapula, low scapular ridge, shallow scapular
depression, short and broad interclavicle, oval sternum, and a small obturator foramen are characteristics of therocephalians known
from the Cistecephalus, Dicynodon and Lystrosaurus assemblage zones of the Beaufort Group of South Africa.The University of the Witwatersrand, Transvaal
Museum, National Research Foundation of South Africa and the Palaeontological
Scientific Trust (PAST
A Detailed Description Of The Skull Of Emydops (therapsida: Dicynodontia).
A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science
University of the Witwatersrand, .Johannesburg
for the Degree of Master of Science.A detailed morphological study of two skulls of Emydops was
undertaken by using the serial grinding technique.
Graphical, wax modeI and computer-3D reconstructions of
various aspects of the skulls were made. The internal
structures are described in detail and compared to other
small dicyncdonts such as Eodicmodort, Pristerodon,
Tropidostpma, Cistecepnalus and Diictodon. The structure of
the skull of Emydops conforms within the limits of variation
known for this genus, to descriptions given in the
literature. It was found that Emydops is different from
other dicynoconts in that the parasphen and has a definite
suture with the pterygoid anterior to the pterygoidbasisphenoid
suture, which is not noticed and mentioned for
other dicynodonts, except for Emydops (Olson, 1944).Andrew Chakane 201
IRS, information services and LIS research - a reminder about affect and the affective paradigm… and a question
PURPOSE – A previous contribution (Fourie, 2013) argues in favour of a balance in emphasis
between information communication technology (ICT); information retrieval systems (IRS)
such as databases, library catalogues, repositories, Google Scholar, digital libraries, portals,
search engines; and, the users of these systems. This contribution pursues the need to
consider affect and an affective paradigm more prominently in the design, evaluation,
promotion and use of IRS and library and information services (LIS).
DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH – The contribution is written against the background of
research in information behaviour, user studies, systems design, and information literacy.
FINDINGS – Although the literature from LIS and other disciplines notes an affective
paradigm or even paradigms, it is not strongly positioned compared with the systems and
cognitive paradigms. A growing body of research and work practices such as information
representation and tagging, and information skills training, is taking a slant towards affect
and emotion. The question, however, is whether current work is sufficient to argue for an
affective paradigm complimentary to the systems, cognitive and socio-cognitive paradigms,
and how an affective paradigm should be introduced in training/education for LIS.
ORIGINALITY / VALUE – Although there are a number of publications on affect and emotion, and
references to an affective paradigm, this contribution is aimed at stimulating thought on
whether we should prominently introduce the affective paradigm into LIS curricula as
preparation for adding more value to IRS, library services, and in dealing with emotion-laden
jobs, and if so, how.http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0737-8831hb201
Reflections of affect in studies of information behavior in HIV/AIDS contexts : an exploratory quantitative content analysis
Information seeking and use are critically important for people living with HIV/AIDS and for those who care for
people with HIV/AIDS. In addition, the HIV/AIDS context is characterized by significant affective or emotional
aspects including stigma, fear, and coping. Thus, studies of information behavior in this context should be expected
to take account of emotional variables. In information behavior scholarship, emotional variables have been
marginalized in favor of a focus on cognitive aspects, although in recent years greater attention has been paid
to the affective realm. This study used quantitative content analysis to explore the degree to which information
behavior studies across a range of disciplines actually include affect or emotion in their analyses. Findings suggest
that most studies pay little or no attention to these variables, and that attention has not changed over the past 20
years. Those studies that do account for emotion, however, provide excellent examples of information behavior
research that can lead the way for future work.http://www.journals.elsevier.com/library-and-information-science-researchhb201
Comparative efficacy of oral administrated afoxolaner (NexGard™) and fluralaner (Bravecto™) with topically applied permethrin/imidacloprid (Advantix®) against transmission of Ehrlichia canis by infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks to dogs
BACKGROUND : The ability of the topical spot-on Advantix® (50 % permethrin/10 % imidacloprid) to prevent
transmission of Ehrlichia canis by infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks to dogs has previously been reported. The
recent market introduction of chewable tablets containing the novel compounds, afoxolaner (NexGardâ„¢) and
fluralaner (Bravectoâ„¢) enabled us to conduct a comparative efficacy study with respect to the ability of these three
products to block transmission of E. canis by ticks to dogs. The speed of kill, immediate drop-off rate and
anti-attachment efficacy of the respective products were also studied.
METHODS : The study was a blinded parallel group design, wherein 32 dogs were randomised into four different
groups of eight dogs. Group 1 served as negative placebo control, group 2 and 3 were treated on Days 0, 28 and
56 with NexGard™ and Advantix®, respectively. Group 4 was dosed once on Day 0 with Bravecto™. For tick efficacy
assessments 50 non-infected ticks were placed onto the dogs on Days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77 and 84 and on
animal tick counts were performed at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after infestation. To evaluate the ability to block transmission of
E. canis, each dog was challenged by releasing 80 adult E. canis-infected R. sanguineus ticks into their sleeping kennels
on Days 31, 38, 45 and 52. The animals were monitored for clinical signs of monocytic ehrlichiosis (pyrexia and
thrombocytopenia) and were tested for E. canis DNA by PCR and for specific antibodies using IFA. A dog was
considered infected with E. canis if both PCR and IFA yielded positive test results up to Day 84.
RESULTS : Mean arithmetic tick counts on dogs treated with the Advantix® spot-on were significantly (P < 0.0005) lower
throughout the study as compared with the negative controls and was, with respect to the speed of kill and resulting
onset of acaricidal efficacy, superior over NexGardâ„¢ and Bravectoâ„¢ at all time points in the 12 h period observed (3 h,
6 h and 12 h). None of the dogs treated with the Advantix® spot-on became infected with E. canis, whereas six out of
eight untreated control dogs acquired the infection. Furthermore, E. canis infection was diagnosed in four out of eight
dogs treated with NexGardâ„¢ and in two out of eight dogs treated with Bravectoâ„¢.
CONCLUSIONS : The speed of kill of the two recently registered systemic compounds against R. sanguineus was not
sufficiently fast to prevent transmission of E. canis and resulted in only low partial blocking and protection capacity
while Advantix® effectively blocked transmission of E. canis to dogs in the challenge period and thus provided
adequate protection for dogs against monocytic ehrlichiosis.Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Monheim,
Germanyhttp://www.parasitesandvectors.comam2016Veterinary Tropical Disease
The efficacy of a generic doxycycline tablet in the treatment of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a generic
doxycycline tablet (DoxyVet®) against Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs. Canine monocytic
ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium E. canis and transmitted by the brown kennel tick
(Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Six disease-free and tick-free dogs were infested with E. canisinfected
ticks. Once diagnosed (with polymerase chain reaction [PCR] analysis and platelet
counts) as positive for infection, doxycycline tablets were administered orally once a day for
20 consecutive days, at a target dose level of 10 mg/kg. The actual dose administered was
calculated as ranging between 10 mg/kg and 11.7 mg/kg. The PCR analysis, 28 days after the
first administration of the tablets, failed to detect E. canis in any of the dogs. On Day 56 of the
study, four of the dogs were diagnosed with E. canis for the second time and a fifth dog was
diagnosed on Day 70. The platelet counts of the sixth dog remained within normal levels and it
was discharged from the study on Day 84. Doxycycline tablets were then administered to the
remaining five infected dogs for 28 consecutive days. Four of these dogs had no positive PCR
results during the following 3 months. The fifth dog was diagnosed with E. canis for the third
time 58 days after the last tablets of the second treatment had been administered, after which
it was rescue treated (doxycycline for a further 28 days). The results indicate that doxycycline
administered in tablet form (DoxyVet®) at 10 mg/kg – 11.7 mg/kg body mass once daily for 28
consecutive days clears most dogs of infection. The importance of a concomitant tick-control
programme is therefore stressed.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201
Recommended from our members
North-South Scholarly Collaboration: Opportunities and Experiences in Africa
Article from a panel held at the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) 2021 conference held on October 23-November 3, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The panel was meant to stimulate future north-south collaborations by increasing awareness of both funded opportunities and low budget initiatives for scholarly exchanges and collaborations, benefits for scholars and their institutions in developed and developing countries, and best practices with respect to north-south collaborations and scholarly exchanges. This panel was sponsored by the Africa Chapter and SIG-III
First fungal genome sequence from Africa : a preliminary analysis
Some of the most significant breakthroughs in the biological sciences this century will emerge
from the development of next generation sequencing technologies. The ease of availability
of DNA sequence made possible through these new technologies has given researchers
opportunities to study organisms in a manner that was not possible with Sanger sequencing.
Scientists will, therefore, need to embrace genomics, as well as develop and nurture the
human capacity to sequence genomes and utilise the ’tsunami‘ of data that emerge from
genome sequencing. In response to these challenges, we sequenced the genome of Fusarium
circinatum, a fungal pathogen of pine that causes pitch canker, a disease of great concern to
the South African forestry industry. The sequencing work was conducted in South Africa,
making F. circinatum the first eukaryotic organism for which the complete genome has been
sequenced locally. Here we report on the process that was followed to sequence, assemble and
perform a preliminary characterisation of the genome. Furthermore, details of the computer
annotation and manual curation of this genome are presented. The F. circinatum genome was
found to be nearly 44 million bases in size, which is similar to that of four other Fusarium
genomes that have been sequenced elsewhere. The genome contains just over 15 000 open
reading frames, which is less than that of the related species, Fusarium oxysporum, but more
than that for Fusarium verticillioides. Amongst the various putative gene clusters identified
in F. circinatum, those encoding the secondary metabolites fumosin and fusarin appeared to
harbour evidence of gene translocation. It is anticipated that similar comparisons of other loci
will provide insights into the genetic basis for pathogenicity of the pitch canker pathogen.
Perhaps more importantly, this project has engaged a relatively large group of scientists
including students in a significant genome project that is certain to provide a platform for
growth in this important area of research in the future.We thank the National Research Foundation (NRF) of
South Africa, members of the Tree Protection Co-operative
Programme, the THRIP initiative of the Department of Trade
and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology
(DST)/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology
and the Oppenheimer Foundation for funding.http://www.sajs.co.zanf201
Ending the dance : a research agenda for affect and emotion in studies of information behaviour
INTRODUCTION : Current trends necessitate the need to consider affect and emotion in information behaviour. A research agenda is required to ensure a systematic and holistic approach to information behaviour scholarship that will align research foci, methods and theories with the practical needs of society at large: where are information behaviour studies focusing on affect and emotion needed and what are the foci of studies to date?
METHOD : The cornerstones for a research agenda are outlined before discussing findings from an exploratory literature survey.
ANALYSIS : The literature review is organised around six broad themes: where, how, whom, why, when and what, with specific reference to information activities and interactions involving affect and emotion. For each theme, relevant information behaviour research is noted, and opportunities to extend research on affect and emotion are identified.
RESULTS : A research agenda is suggested that calls for tighter conceptualisation of affect and emotion, methods for setting research agendas, and researcher and research participant self-awareness of emotion and affect. These recommendations address the broad agenda themes, and have potential to align research findings with practical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS : This paper provides a foundation to explore a research agenda which addresses significant information-related needs, and expands the scope of information behaviour scholarship.http://informationr.net/ir/hb201