Pathways to academic success of disadvantaged undergraduate university students from a high-risk community in the Western Cape

Academic success is an indicator of employability and a decreased susceptibility to poverty. South Africa is burdened by high levels of poverty, and low levels of academic achievement. Students in disadvantaged communities such as Delft, in South Africa, typically have poor academic outcomes, since it is linked to socioeconomic status. Despite the myriad of challenges that they encounter, some students from high-risk contexts attain academic success. This study explored the pathways to academic success of disadvantaged university students from a high-risk community in the Western Cape. This qualitative study used a narrative inquiry design. A sample of 10 (N =10) participants were selected using criterion-based purposive sampling. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The pathways to academic success have obstacles, but through positive developmental relationships, specific personal qualities, and motivation, the students achieved academic success. The correlation, significance, and impact of each pathway on academic success can be explored further

The nature of the purpose requirement of an impermissible tax avoidance arrangement

The nature of an inquiry into the purpose requirement of an impermissible tax avoidance arrangement can either be objective or subjective. In essence, an objective inquiry has regard to the ‘effect’ of an arrangement, as opposed to a subjective inquiry which has regard to the taxpayer’s ipse dixit. Although the purpose requirement under section 103(1) was a subjective inquiry, case law decided under section 103(1) revealed that a taxpayer’s ipse dixit was weighed and tested against the surrounding facts and circumstances. This introduced an element of objectivity into the interpretation of the purpose requirement. Tax scholars have various opinions regarding the nature of the test in the new purpose requirement in sections 80A and 80G. It seems that the amendments to the purpose requirement merely confirm the approach which was applied by our courts under the repealed section 103(1). The nature of the purpose requirement, therefore, in essence, seems to have stayed unaltered

Job satisfaction in a chemical factory

Subjective well-being is regarded as an important goal given thepositive outcomes thereof for individuals. Job satisfaction is animportant indicator of the subjective well-being of individuals. Theobjectives of this study were to evaluate the use of the MinnesotaSatisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) for diff erent language groupsworking in a chemical factory, and to investigate the relationshipbetween job satisfaction and demographic variables. The studywas carried out with a sample (N = 583) representing diff erent joblevels in a chemical factory. The 20-item MSQ and a biographicalquestionnaire were administered. The results confi rmed that jobsatisfaction consists of two internally consistent factors, namelyextrinsic and intrinsic job satisfaction. The factorial invariance ofthe MSQ was confi rmed for African languages and an Afrikaansand English group. Language was the only demographic variablethat statistically signifi cantly predicted extrinsic job satisfaction.Intrinsic job satisfaction was statistically signifi cantly predicted bytwo demographic variables, namely age and qualifi cation

Tackling gambling related harms as a public health issue

Gambling is a highly profitable commercial activity, with providers including international corporations and governments. However, there is growing international recognition that gambling is a source of serious harm, and that there is inequity in the distribution of this harm, which has led to demands for action to protect public health. These concerns are reflected in the recent report from the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group, which calls for stronger action on regulation of online gambling. Although there is largely a consensus on the need for developing and implementing strategies to reduce gambling-associated harms, to date, the stated need for a public health approach to preventing harm has not been widely or effectively translated into action in the UK. The barriers and facilitators to effective public health action need to be understood to enable good intentions to be translated into effective action. The current context represents real opportunities for policy implementation, but also the threats to effective action that need to be addressed

ADOPTION OF VETERINARY SURGEON SERVICES BY SHEEP AND GOAT FARMERS IN QWAQWA

A number of technology transfer (diffusion) programmes involving amongst others veterinary surgeon services subsidised by the government, were launched in the former homelands of South Africa between 1980 and 1993. Many of these programmes were discontinued after the general election of 1994. In order to evaluate the adoption of technology in Qwaqwa, a former Sotho speaking homeland, two Logit models were fit using the conventional definition of an adopter and an adapted definition, which included potential adopters with the adopters. Where the conventional definition of adoption was estimated, livestock income per LSU, ram technology, roads and suppliers of livestock inputs are significant variables contributing to adoption. The results of the adapted model reveal that farming efficiency (weaning percentage), type of farmer (sheep as percentage of the total small ruminant herd) and ram technology, prove to be significant variables predicting adoption. It was also found that the characteristics of potential adopters gravitate more to adopters than to non-adopters. These results indicated that the adapted definition presented a more accurate prediction than the conventional definition. The results of this study indicate the policy necessary to further accelerate the diffusion of veterinary surgeon services by means of the development of a better infrastructure, the reintroduction of subsidised veterinary surgeon services at the sheering sheds as well as a better flow of information to farmers in Qwaqwa.Livestock Production/Industries,

Noodlottige kindermishandeling: ‘n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995-2003) Fatal child abuse: a literature review and the profile in the Southern Free State (1995-2003)

Agtergrond Kindermishandeling is \'n sosiale probleem met verreikende gevolge. Ernstige onderrapportering van gevalle vind plaas, en geen studies kon opgespoor word wat die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks van die probleem ondersoek nie. In hierdie studie is gepoog om die profiel van die slagoffers van noodlottige kindermishandeling in die Suid-Vrystaat te ondersoek. Metodes Alle kindersterftes van kinders van tien jaar en jonger is uit die register van sterftes by die SAPD- (Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens-) lykshuis, Bloemfontein, geïdentifiseer. Hierdie sterftes se verslae is vir gevalle van noodlottige kindermishandeling geëvalueer. Irrelevante verslae is geëlimineer totdat \'n groep moontlike gevalle van noodlottige kindermishandeling verkry is. In gevalle waar daar twyfel oor die oorsaak van dood was, is \'n kliniese assistent in Geregtelike Geneeskunde geraadpleeg. In sommige gevalle het die assistent aanbeveel dat \'n geskiedenis uit polisieverslae verkry moes word. Indien gevalle nie op so \'n wyse bevestig kon word nie, is dit in die sogenaamde ‘grys area\' ingesluit. Negentien gevalle is geïdentifiseer en vier is in die grys area geplaas. Resultate Uit die 19 gevalle was die meerderheid vroulik (14). Die mediaanouderdom van slagoffers was twee jaar. Die slag-offers toon \'n eweredige verspreiding t.o.v. ras. Geen patroon kon geïdentifiseer word in die jaarlikse en maandelikse verspreiding van sterftes nie. Die meeste van die slagoffers, 73.7% (14 van 19 gevalle), was van normale massa, en geen slagoffers het aan \'n wanvoedingsiekte gely nie. Hoofbese-rings was die algemeenste oorsaak van sterftes (63.2%), gevolg deur veelvuldige beserings (21.2%). Gevolgtrekking Indien dokters bedag is op die tekens van kindermishandeling, kan gevalle vroeg geïdentifiseer word. Sodoende kan \'n beduidende verlaging in mortaliteit en morbiditeit bewerkstellig Introduction Child abuse is a social problem with far-reaching consequences. Serious underreporting of cases occurs, and no studies could be found which investigates the South African context of the problem. In this study we aimed to determine the profile of victims of fatal child abuse in the Southern Free State. Methods All child deaths of children 10 years and younger in the period 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2003 were identified in the register of deaths at the SA Police Mortuary, Bloemfontein. The reports of these deaths were evaluated to identify possible cases of fatal child abuse. Irrelevant reports were eliminated until a group of possible cases of fatal child abuse were identified. In cases where there was uncertainty about the cause of death, a registrar in Forensic Medicine was consulted. In some cases she advised that a history be obtained from police reports. Cases which could not be confirmed in this way were included in a so-called grey area. Nineteen cases were identified, and a further 4 placed in the grey area. Results Of the 19 cases, the majority were female (14). The median age of cases was 2 years. Cases showed an even distribution regarding race. No patterns regarding annual or monthly distribution were found. Most victims, 73.7% (14 of 19 cases), were of normal weight and no victims suffered from malnutrition. Head injuries were the most common cause of death (63.2%) followed by multiple injuries (21.2%). Conclusion If doctors are aware of the signs of child abuse cases can be identified early. In this way a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity can occur. word.South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (9) 2007: pp. 1

Guidelines for the harvesting of game for meat export 2010

The wildlife industry in Namibia has shown tremendous growth over the past decades and is currently the only extensive animal production system that is expanding. Tourism, live sales and trophy hunting can, however, not alone sustain further growth. Harvesting wildlife for the purpose of meat production is a viable option since there is a worldwide demand for healthy and high-quality meat proteins. The need to hygienically harvest game spearheaded the writing of this guideline booklet for Namibian game harvesting teams. This booklet does however not replace any Act or Regulation with regard to the harvesting of game for meat export.Publishers' versio

Climatological characteristics of fog at Cape Town International Airport

The character of fog at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), South Africa, is investigated, using 13 yr of historical hourly data during the period 1997–2010. Hourly surface observations are used to identify fog types that most frequently affect CTIA, by using an objective fog-type classification method that classifies fog events according to their primary formation mechanisms. Fog-type characteristics, such as the minimum visibility, duration, and time of onset and dissipation, are determined. Self-organizing maps (SOMs) are used to determine the dominant synoptic circulation types associated with fog at CTIA. Results show that radiative processes are the most common cause of fog, with an enhanced likelihood of radiation fog in winter. Cloudbase- lowering fog and advection fog events are more likely at the start of the fog season. As the fog season (March–August) progresses, synoptic circulations associated with fog change from a dominant low pressure pattern along the west coast in March and April to a dominant interior high pressure pattern toward July and August. The techniques presented may be used to provide aviation forecasters with a detailed description of the types of fog that frequently occur, their characteristics, and the synoptic circulation associated therewith.http://www.ametsoc.org/pubs/journals/waf/index.htmlam201

Blood flow restriction training in South Africa – a panel discussion

Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training uses a cuff to partially occlude venous blood flow and improve musculoskeletal training outcomes. Over the past 25 years, numerous studies have demonstrated its relative safety and efficacy. Objectives: Blood flow restriction training is under review by the Health Professions Council of South Africa due to safety and ethical concerns. The objective of this roundtable discussion is to gain better insight into the current use and perception of blood flow restriction training in South Africa. Formation of panel: The expert panel had experience with the use of BFR training and included one representative from each of the following professions, namely, sports medicine, physiotherapy and biokinetics. Discussion: The panellists provided their unique perspectives on BFR training, whilst reaching a relative consensus on its safety, screening, efficacy, and appropriate use. Agreement on appropriate loading and occlusion pressure protocols during different phases of rehabilitation was less clear. Conclusion: Although BFR is a safe and effective modality, the development of evidence-based protocols among different health professionals in South Africa is required to ensure good clinical practice

South African field strains of Haemonchus contortus resistant to the levamisole/morantel group of anthelmintics

A strain of Haemonchus contortus from the Pietermaritzburg district of Natal was found to be resistant to levamisole (geometric mean efficacy 76,5 %), morantel (41,9 %), the benzimidazoles (oxfendazole: 33,7 %) and rafoxanide (82,0% ), but apparently fully susceptible to closantel and disophenol. In the case of ivermectin, a mean of 5.2 % of the H. contortus was not removed at a dosage of 200 µg kgˉ¹ live mass. A second strain of H. contortus, from Amsterdam in the south-eastern Transvaal, showed reduced susceptibility to levamisole (80,8%) and morantel (46,2% ), the only 2 drugs tested. This is apparently the first report of resistance to the levamisole/morantel group of anthelmintics in sheep in South Africa.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.lmchunu2014mn201