A qualitative exploration of resilience in pre-adolescent AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility

This article presents the findings of a study among a small group of South African AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility, Lebone Land. The research was conducted between June and September 2006. A qualitative, exploratory study consisting of in-depth, semistructured interviews with eight children and seven key informants aimed to identify and investigate developmental assets operating in the children’s lives to help them cope amid exposure to adversities. The findings indicate that the  developmental assets that facilitate coping and foster resilience in these children relate to four main components: external stressors and challenges, external supports, inner strengths and interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Emerging key themes relate to the experience of illness, death, poverty and violence, as well as the important roles of morality, social values, resistance skills, religion and faith in assisting these children in defining their purpose in life. To this end, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, goal-setting, problem-solving ability and self-efficacy are fundamental in the children’s attainment of their future projections. Therefore, qualities such as optimism, perseverance and hope seem to permeate the children’s process of recovery. Strong networks of support, particularly friendships with other children, also seemto contribute to developing and sustaining resilience

The cognitive/affective distinction of job insecurity: Validation and differential relations

Job insecurity as a work-related stressor is well established through three decades of research. It has been related to outcomes such as decreased job satisfaction, organisational commitment and performance as well as increased ill-health and organisational turnover. However, some important conceptual and theoretical issues are still under discussion, with implications for the measurement of the construct. We administered a short version of the measure of job insecurity originally devised by De Witte (2000), which distinguishes between cognitive and affective job insecurity. Data on job satisfaction, commitment, psychological ill-health and emotional exhaustion were also gathered from employees in a variety of South African organisations (N=1925) by means of anonymous surveys. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the cognitive and affective dimensions of job insecurity could be distinguished in this sample of South African employees, and the two dimensions evidenced adequate reliability. Equivalence analyses showed that the measurement properties of the scale were invariant across various demographic groups. The relationships with outcome variables were investigated by means of correlations and regression analyses. Cognitive job insecurity was predictive of all outcome variables, whereas affective job insecurity primarily played a role for emotional exhaustion. Norm data concerning levels of cognitive and affective job insecurity are presented to guide future South African studies.Key words: Job insecurity, job satisfaction, validation, equivalence analysis, factorial invarianc

Randomised trials in the South African Medical Journal, 1948- 1997

Objective. To describe randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ) over a 50-year period from 1948 to 1997 with regard to number, topic and quality.Methods. We hand searched all issues of the SAMJ published during the study period to identify all published RCTs.Outcome measures. Number, topic and quality of RCTs published from 1948 to 1997.Results. Eight hundred and fifty-eight clinical trials were published during the period reviewed. Eighty-four per cent of RCTs were published as full articles. During the 1980s the number of RCTs published increased rapidly,  with a peak of 35 in 1985, but then declined to only 5 in 1997. The majority (92%) of RCTs were conducted in a hospital setting. A varied range of subjects was covered, with gastroenterology taking the lead and no trials in public health. The sample size in more than 50% of RCTs was smaller than 50 patients. Fifty-one per cent (435 trials) used random allocation and 49% (423) quasi-random methods of allocation. Concealment of treatment allocation was judged to be adequate in 46% of studies (N == 200), blinding of observers assessing outcomes was adequate in 28% (123), and all the allocated test subjects were included in the primary analysis in 28% (123). The follow-up period was more than 1 year in 4% (17) and less than 6 days in 16% (71).Conclusions. Compared with other international journals the SAMJ is highly regarded in terms of the number of trials published. There are, however, a number of deficiencies in the quality of the trials

Causal Factors of Breeding Success and Frequency in Threatened Grassland Birds on the Ingula Nature Reserve, South Africa

The high-altitude grasslands covering the eastern escarpment of South Africa is one of the country’s most valuable habitats for biodiversity, livestock and water production. The habitat hosts several threatened bird species including endangered species such as the Rudd\u27s Lark (Heteromirafra ruddi) and Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum), and vulnerable species such as the Blue Crane (Grus paradisea), Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus), Southern Bald Ibis (Geronticus calvus), and Yellow-breasted Pipit (Anthus chloris). Avian research and monitoring have been ongoing within the recently declared Ingula Nature Reserve for more than 15 years as part of the activities of the Ingula Partnership - a partnership between BirdLife South Africa, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd and the Middelpunt Wetland Trust - with the objective of effectively conserving birds and their habitat surrounding the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme development. Avian monitoring on Ingula refocused in 2014 to confirm the presence of threatened species on site, followed by the determination of the breeding status of these species. An initiative was then launched to assess the breeding frequency and success of each identified species. Breeding monitoring for 13 out of the 24 occurring threatened species commenced in 2014 and was conducted for five consecutive seasons. Breeding success per season was measured in relation to the grassland management regime of that season (including both fire and grazing), as well as weather data, adjusting for dry and wet seasons. Results confirm that various grassland management regimes directly influenced the initiation of breeding activities and density of several of the species studied, while others’ breeding success and frequency were more dependent on macro-weather patterns (including climate change) and fire frequency and timing. These results have direct implications for the management of highland grasslands and associated species in the given region

Nitro­furan­toin methanol monosolvate

The anti­biotic nitro­furan­toin {systematic name: (E)-1-[(5-nitro-2-fur­yl)methyl­idene­amino]­imidazolidine-2,4-dione} crys­tallizes as a methanol monosolvate, C8H6N4O5·CH4O. The nitro­furan­toin mol­ecule adopts a nearly planar conformation (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0344 Å). Hydrogen bonds involve the co-operative N—H⋯O—H⋯O heterosynthons between the cyclic imide of nitro­furan­toin and methanol O—H groups. There are also C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the nitro­furan­toin mol­ecules which support the key hydrogen-bonding synthon. The overall crystal packing is further assisted by weak C—H⋯O inter­actions, giving a herringbone pattern

Physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes

Background: The aim of this study was to describe physical activity knowledge, attitudes and practices of the elderly in Bloemfontein old age homes. Methods: Three hundred and ninety residents (65 years and older) from 11 Bloemfontein old age homes participated in the study. All participants gave informed oral consent before answering a structured questionnaire. Results: The participants had a good general knowledge of the influence of physical activity on life quality, but had less knowledge of the influence of exercise on cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Most of the participants (80.5%) enjoyed exercising and 60% had a positive attitude towards exercise. Most participants (62.8%) felt that they had not received enough information about physical activity from their doctor. Few participants (3.8%) took part in prescribed exercise programmes. Conclusions: The participants had a positive attitude towards physical activity, but lacked sufficient knowledge of the practice of physical fitness to be able to understand adequate physical fitness programmes. Elderly people who do not exercise because of a specific health problem may be motivated to exercise in a way that improves quality of life. SA Fam Pract 2004;46(8): 17-1

Work locus of control and sense of coherence as antecedents of job insecurity

Previous research has highlighted various antecedents of job insecurity, both in cross-sectional research and in a recent meta-analysis. A review of this literature indicates that work locus of control actually is the only personality antecedent that has received considerable attention, while sense of coherence may also be an important factor to consider. Data on biographical variables, cognitive and affective job insecurity, work locus of control and sense of coherence were gathered from employees across 3 organisations (N=718), presenting two different sectors (chemical industry and financial services), by means of anonymous surveys. Data were analysed by means of correlations and regression analyses. Results indicate that both work locus of control and sense of coherence play a role in predicting job insecurity, even after controlling for biographical variables. Considering their individual contributions, it is suggested here that sense of coherence may be even more important than work locus of control as a personality antecedent of job insecurity

Quantum fields on closed time-like curves

Recently, there has been much interest in the evolution of quantum particles on closed time-like curves (CTCs). However, such models typically assume point-like particles with only two degrees of freedom - a very questionable assumption given the relativistic setting of the problem. We show that it is possible to generalise the Deutsch model of CTCs to fields using the equivalent circuit formalism. We give examples for coherent, squeezed and single-photon states interacting with the CTC via a beamsplitter. The model is then generalised further to account for the smooth transition to normal quantum mechanics as the CTC becomes much smaller than the size of the modes interacting on it. In this limit, we find that the system behaves like a standard quantum mechanical feedback loop.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures. Minor corrections, added reference

Assessing the validity and reliability and determining cut-points of the Actiwatch 2 in measuring physical activity

Objective: The Actiwatch 2 (AW2) is a wrist-worn accelerometer typically used to measure sleep. Although it can measure physical activity, there is limited evidence supporting its validity. We assessed the validity and reliability of the AW2 to measure sedentary behavior and physical activity (light, moderate, vigorous intensities), and reported their respective count cut-points. Approach: Twenty-eight males and 22 females completed a task battery comprising three sedentary tasks and six randomized physical activity tasks at varying intensities, whilst wearing the AW2, a reference accelerometry device (Actigraph GT3X) and a cardiopulmonary gas analyzer on two separate occasions. Validity was assessed using correlations (AW2 counts versus GT3X counts and metabolic equivalent (MET) values), reliability using Bland–Altman analyses, and cut-points were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) analyses. Main results: AW2 counts were positively correlated with GT3X counts (rho = 0.902, p < 0.001) and METs (rho = 0.900, p < 0.001). AW2-derived counts were comparable across independent assessment periods. Sedentary (AUC = 0.99, cut-point: 256 cpm) and vigorous activity (AUC = 0.95, cut-point: 720 cpm) were strongly characterized, and moderate activity (AUC = 0.66, cut-point: 418 cpm) was weakly characterized. Significance: The use of the AW2 in physical activity monitoring looks promising for sedentary behavior, moderate and vigorous activity, however, further validation is needed

Socio-cultural, environmental and behavioural determinants of obesity in black South African women

South Africa (SA) is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition and has the highest prevalence of obesity in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA), with black women being the most affected (obesity prevalence 31.8%). Although genetic factors are important, socio-cultural, environmental and behavioural factors, as well as the influence of socio-economic status, more likely explain the high prevalence of obesity in black SA women. This review examines these determinants in black SA women, and compares them to their white counterparts, black SA men, and where appropriate, to women from SSA. Specifically this review focuses on environmental factors influencing obesity, the influence of urbanisation, as well as the interaction with socio-cultural and socio-economic factors. In addition, the role of maternal and early life factors and cultural aspects relating to body image are discussed. This information can be used to guide public health interventions aimed at reducing obesity in black SA women.Department of HE and Training approved lis