Salvation according to the Heidelberg Catechism

The Heidelberg Catechism has been part of the Reformed Confessional tradition for over 400 years. It has helped to shape and form generations of Reformed believers. The question however can be raised if the model of salvation that features in the Catechism is still relevant today? In the light of different contexts this article looks at the questions in the Heidelberg Catechism concerning the explanation of our salvation and reads this judicial model against other Christian understandings in the Catholic, Baptist and Orthodox tradition. The dialogue continues with the work of Ellen Charry that reminds us of the formative role that theology had in the works of the Early Church fathers and asks what the content and role of catechism are today and if we can still use this document fruitfully in our formation of young people

Are Cycling and Running Comparable Metabolic Physical Activities?

Running is an exercise that gives several benefits, but is very hard on joints of the ankles, knees and hips. Research has shown how much impact running puts on the knee joint cartilage and this can lead to various types of injuries. Cycling is often the choice of exercise when taking a break from running or recovering from an injury. There is less of an impact on the joints, but different muscles are activated. This has led researchers to often believe that the two cannot be comparable. The goal of this project is to conduct a research study that will test whether or not cycling can be comparable to running when examining the metabolic aspects of exercise. In previous years, it was believed that running and cycling could not be comparable due to muscle specificity. Researchers have also looked at the metabolic aspects of exercise and comparing running and cycling. My goal is to provide another piece of research on the metabolic aspects that has not been done. That is looking at how rates of perceived exertion can vary from person to person and they may differ when applied to various modes of exercise. After the results have been determined, the research will provide information for myself, athletes, trainers and other exercise physiologists. For myself, I will gain knowledge of testing, refine taking vitals, and better my own workout routine. For athletes and trainers, this will aid in when injuries occur knowing how to keep the athlete in peak condition. For other researchers and exercise physiologists, I hope that the results will encourage more research into the comparability of running and cycling as well as the knowledge that they can have similar benefits

DEVELOPMENT OF FRENCH GRAMMAR USAGE THROUGH THE ACCELERATIVE INTEGRATED METHOD

This study investigates the Accelerative Integrated Method’s (AIM) effectiveness for teaching French grammar in core French (CF) settings. The researcher conducted case study research in a CF classroom, using the Communication Orientation of Language Teaching (COLT) checklist for observation and performing an in depth grammatical analysis of 3 students’ written stories. Students demonstrate acceptable use of the grammatical forms expected at their level by provincial standards, excepting the observation of gender and number agreement between words. Definite article agreement appears particularly weak. Students, however, exceed provincial standards for producing complete sentences and show signs of acquiring native-like French expressions. These findings are presumed to be a result of AIM’s focus on oral fluency. The researcher discusses the role of grammar correction in language learning, and recommends that future research investigate whether gender agreement errors are corrected further on in the AIM program

Anxiety and Hysterical Symptoms in Schizophrenia

The existence of both anxiety and hysterical symptoms have been described in schizophrenic populations. Various explanations exist. The issue of whether such symptoms represent discrete clinical entities or are intrinsic to the schizophrenic process, requires further research.Keywords: Schizophrenia, Anxiety, HystericalSouth African Psychiatry Review - November 200

Troubleshooting Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory for Photochemical Applications: Oxirane

The development of analytic-gradient methodology for excited states within conventional time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) would seem to offer a relatively inexpensive alternative to better established quantum-chemical approaches for the modeling of photochemical reactions. However, even though TDDFT is formally exact, practical calculations involve the use of approximate functionals, in particular the TDDFT adiabatic approximation, whose use in photochemical applications must be further validated. Here, we investigate the prototypical case of the symmetric CC ring opening of oxirane. We demonstrate by direct comparison with the results of high-quality quantum Monte Carlo calculations that, far from being an approximation on TDDFT, the Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA) is a practical necessity for avoiding triplet instabilities and singlet near instabilities, thus helping maintain energetically reasonable excited-state potential energy surfaces during bond breaking. Other difficulties one would encounter in modeling oxirane photodynamics are pointed out but none of these is likely to prevent a qualitatively correct TDDFT/TDA description of photochemistry in this prototypical molecule.Comment: 19 pages, 17 figures, submitted to the Journal of Chemical Physic

House-dust mite species in Bloemfontein, South Africa

House-dust mites (HDMs) are an important source of allergens that are reputed to act as a trigger for atopic disease. Climatic conditions in parts of South Africa are not suitable for their proliferation, and there is doubt whether they occur on the Highveld. We studied whether HDMs occur in homes in Bloemfontein, Free State.Methods. Ten houses were sampled over a 1-year period. Dust was collected monthly or quarterly from a mattress, a bedroom floor and the living room floor of each house and examined for the presence of HDMs. Climate data were collected during the same period and a questionnaire was completed by home-owners to gather data on indoor factorsthat could influence mite proliferation.Results. HDMs were regularly found in 3 houses (30%). Dermatophagoides farinae was the dominant species (97.5%).The highest numbers were found in winter, when climatic conditions were the least favourable. Climatic conditions never met the requirements for active proliferation of the mites. Indoor factors that may have promoted mite proliferation in some houses were artificial heating (especially under-floor heating), en-suite bathrooms and lack of adequate ventilation during the winter months.Conclusion. HDMs do occur in central South Africa, owing to amicroclimate created indoors. Adequate ventilation, to reduceindoor humidity, should suffice to reduce mite numbers andprevent atopic symptoms induced by them

STUDENT EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT TEACHING METHODS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF

Published ArticleA significant amount of time and effort has to go into teaching students. It is no art when lecturers simply read from a text book. The objective of this study was to determine the teaching methods that students at the Hotel School, Central University of Technology, Free State, consider as most effective to support learning. All first-year students (N=73) enrolled for the National Diploma: Hospitality Management were targeted to participate in the survey. A mixedmethod study design was followed, and a questionnaire consisting of closedand open-ended questions was developed for data collection. Closed-ended questions were rated on a five-point Likert scale, while answers to open-ended questions were analysed to determine trends. Results showed that lecturers used a variety of teaching methods. The lecture teaching method was rated best by 49% of students followed by the group discussion method which was rated as second best (19%). Case studies and brainstorming were the least-preferred methods (4% and 0% respectively). Lecturers should ensure that maximum information is transferred through the teaching methods that most appeal to students. The focus should be on enabling students to practically apply the lessons taught in everyday life

Multidisciplinary Training to Undergraduate Students in the Faculty of Health Sciences: Hypertension as a Case Study

Background: Healthcare students should be aware of the specific skills, knowledge and management options of other disciplines in order to achieve an effective and cohesive working relationship. Aim: The aim of this study was to expose healthcare students at the University of the Free State to one another\'s domains, as related to hypertension management, during a formal didactic lecture attended by medical, physiotherapy and dietetic students, and to determine whether they could apply in practice the theoretical knowledge regarding blood pressure measurement and exercise, obtained during a multidisciplinary session. The perceptions of students regarding multidisciplinary sessions were also to be obtained. Method: Students received a formal lecture on hypertension from a medical doctor, a dietitian, a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist and they then worked in multidisciplinary groups to demonstrate the physiological effect of exercise on blood pressure and pulse rate. Students had to report their findings and perceptions of the session by completing data forms. Results: A total of 125 medical, physiotherapy and human nutrition students participated in the session. The students were able to demonstrate the influence of exercise on blood pressure and pulse measurements. They reported that they enjoyed the multidisciplinary session and gained information on the scope of practice of the domains of the other disciplines. Negative feedback was received on the size of the groups and lack of equipment. Conclusion: The students could apply theoretical knowledge in practice and all gave positive feedback. The sessions will continue in the current format but attention will be given to smaller groups and the availability of more equipment. South African Journal of Family Practice Vol. 50 (4) 2008: pp. 70a-70

Antigen Cross-Priming of Cell-Associated Proteins is Enhanced by Macroautophagy within the Antigen Donor Cell

Phagocytosis of dying cells constitutes an important mechanism of antigen capture for the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells. This process has been shown to be critical for achieving tumor and viral immunity. While most studies have focused on the mechanisms inherent in the dendritic cell that account for exogenous antigen accessing MHC I, several recent reports have highlighted the important contribution made by the antigen donor cell. Specifically, the cell stress and cell death pathways that precede antigen transfer are now known to impact cross-presentation and cross-priming. Herein, we review the current literature regarding a role for macroautophagy within the antigen donor cell. Further examination of this point of immune regulation is warranted and may contribute to a better understanding of how to optimize immunotherapy for treatment of cancer and chronic infectious disease