Missions and emancipation in the South Western Cape : a case study of Groenekloof (Mamre), 1838-1852

Bibliography: pages 238-246.While the past decade has seen a proliferation of studies of Cape slavery, there has been very little research directed at the immediate post-emancipation period. This study seeks to examine the consequences of emancipation for the former slaves who settled at the Moravian mission at Groenekloof. This was situated in the wheat-producing Malmesbury district of the Cape Colony. The dissertation takes the form of a case study of nearly 700 people and focusses on the period from December 1838 to December 1852. Mission records are used as a way of identifying the origins of newcomers to the mission as well as of the social groups in which they arrived. The structure and ethos of the mission is explored as a context of the new lives constructed by the former slaves, and aspirations of ex-slaves concerning marriage and family life are examined

Apprenticing undergraduate history students into interpretative practice through local history

Student Number : 7262070 - M Ed research report - School of Education - Faculty of HumanitiesThis research report investigates the development of undergraduate history students’ knowledgeability and identity as historians. Drawing on a sociological paradigm, it examines the classification of the discipline or practice of history that informs undergraduate history teaching at a sample of three South African universities. It suggests that most undergraduate courses focus on and aim to apprentice students into a partial experience of the practice of history – the adjudicative task of the historian. The report then presents findings from an analysis of student feedback on their participation in an extended local history assignment. The analysis of student work draws upon socio-cultural notions of situated learning and the community of practice. This analysis suggests that as an instance of situated learning, the local history engagement enhances students’ understanding of the interpretative task of the historian and their own identity as constructors of history. The findings also suggest that there are implications for curriculum development in undergraduate history programmes

An exploration of the experiences of people living with Pelvic Radiation Disease

The number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing year on year and it can therefore be assumed that the number of people living with late effects of the cancer treatment is also increasing. Using a descriptive and exploratory qualitative approach, this study considers the experiences of those people with late gastrointestinal effects of cancer treatment. Using this knowledge recommendations will be made to improve future awareness and support for this group of people. Cancer treatment can cause problems which may be evident during or after the treatment is completed, even many years later. Those that occur four to six months after treatment are referred to as late effects, or consequences of treatment. Radiotherapy for pelvic cancer can affect organs within the pelvis, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Therefore, although the cancer treatment may be successful, the person may then be living with late GI effects that can have a significant impact upon their life. These symptoms are collectively known as pelvic radiation disease (PRD). Using a qualitative approach, nine participants were involved in interviews, five of whom also had their spouse present. Framework analysis (FA) was used to analyse the interview transcripts. Through the process of familiarisation with the literature the issues that people with PRD were experiencing began to emerge and thus formed the basis of the framework. When applied to the interview transcripts, the framework developed further to highlight three main areas of concern: feelings of stigma, experiences of contact with healthcare services and the need of, but occasional lack of, support from family and friends. This study shows that there is a significant physical, psychological and social impact upon quality of life (QoL) for people with PRD. It is therefore anticipated that the knowledge gained from this study will contribute to improving the care that people with PRD receive, by increasing awareness of PRD, and the affect upon patients, amongst healthcare professionals (HCPs). In addition, this study developed recommendations to v encourage the identification of people with PRD, through the use of existing guidelines and assessment tools

Activin B is a novel biomarker for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) diagnosis: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: Investigations of activin family proteins as serum biomarkers for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). CFS/ME is a disease with complex, wide-ranging symptoms, featuring persistent fatigue of 6 months or longer, particularly post exertion. No definitive biomarkers are available. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study of CFS/ME patients fulfilling the 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria, in parallel with healthy non-fatigued controls, was conducted. Comparisons with a previously defined activin reference population were also performed. For the total study cohort the age range was 18-65 years with a female: male participant ratio of greater than 3:1. All participants were assessed via a primary care community clinic. Blood samples were collected for pathology testing after physical examination and orthostatic intolerance assessment. Cytokines, activin A, activin B and follistatin were also measured in sera from these samples. All data were compared between the CFS/ME and control cohorts, with the activins and follistatin also compared with previously defined reference intervals. RESULTS: Serum activin B levels for CFS/ME participants were significantly elevated when compared to the study controls, as well as the established reference interval. Serum activin A and follistatin were within their normal ranges. All routine and special pathology markers were within the normal laboratory reference intervals for the total study cohort, with no significant differences detected between CFS/ME and control groups. Also, no significant differences were detected for IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF or IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: Elevated activin B levels together with normal activin A levels identified patients with the diagnostic symptoms of CFS/ME, thus providing a novel serum based test. The activins have multiple physiological roles and capture the diverse array of symptoms experienced by CFS/ME patients.The Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation (AHMF), National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program. The funding bodies acknowledged above had no input into the design or conduct of this stud

Serum activin A and B, and follistatin in critically ill patients with influenza A(H1N1) infection

Peer reviewe

Serum activin A and B, and follistatin in critically ill patients with influenza A(H1N1) infection

Peer reviewe

Weighting of Orthostatic Intolerance Time Measurements with Standing Difficulty Score Stratifies ME/CFS Symptom Severity and Analyte Detection

Background Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is clinically defined and characterised by persistent disabling tiredness and exertional malaise, leading to functional impairment. Methods This study introduces the weighted standing time (WST) as a proxy for ME/CFS severity, and investigates its behaviour in an Australian cohort. WST was calculated from standing time and subjective standing difficulty data, collected via orthostatic intolerance assessments. The distribution of WST for healthy controls and ME/CFS patients was correlated with the clinical criteria, as well as pathology and cytokine markers. Included in the WST cytokine analyses were activins A and B, cytokines causally linked to inflammation, and previously demonstrated to separate ME/CFS from healthy controls. Forty-five ME/CFS patients were recruited from the CFS Discovery Clinic (Victoria) between 2011 and 2013. Seventeen healthy controls were recruited concurrently and identically assessed. Results WST distribution was significantly different between ME/CFS participants and controls, with six diagnostic criteria, five analytes and one cytokine also significantly different when comparing severity via WST. On direct comparison of ME/CFS to study controls, only serum activin B was significantly elevated, with no significant variation observed for a broad range of serum and urine markers, or other serum cytokines. Conclusions The enhanced understanding of standing test behaviour to reflect orthostatic intolerance as a ME/CFS symptom, and the subsequent calculation of WST, will encourage the greater implementation of this simple test as a measure of ME/CFS diagnosis, and symptom severity, to the benefit of improved diagnosis and guidance for potential treatments.Funding was awarded to BAL and DPL by The Alison Hunter Memorial Foun- dation Award (2009–2013). MPH and DMdeK are supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and the Victorian Govern- ment’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program