Spirometry of healthy adult South African men

Aim. To detennine normative spirometric values for black and white South African men.Methods. A population of 796 bank personnel were subjected to spirometry and anthropometric measurements. An exhaustive questionnaire and radiographic screening process was used to identify a healthy population. Spirometry was performed using two calibrated instruments, a sleeve sealed piston spirometer (Autolink) and a bellows spirometer (Vitalograph). The methodological guidelines of the American Thoracic Society were observed. In the regression analysis Mallow's CP statistic was used to identify the best prediction models.Results. Compelling evidence was found in support of incorporating sitting height in prediction equations. For the Autolink studies the prediction equations (based on age, slanding height and weight) for forced vital capacity (FVC) (litres) were as follows: blacks: 0.053 height- 0.030 age 3.54; and whites: 0.056 height - 0.038 age - 3.07; for forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (FEV,) (litres) blacks: 0.038 height- 0.032 age - 1.18; and whites: 0.042 height- 0.038 age - 1.45. For the VitaJograph the equations were: FVC: blacks 0.048 height - 0.024 age 3.08 L; whites 0.056 height- 0.031 age - 3.42; FEV,: blacks 0.029 height - 0.027 age - 0.535; whites 0.042 height- 0.036 age - 1.84.Conclusion. The VitaJograph yielded significantly lower values than the Autolink for FVC measurements despite absolute consistency in methods. In view of the fact that the present study was conducted on healthy men, free from noxious industrial exposure, using state-of-the-art methods, these prediction equations may be regarded as the definitive norms for adult South African males

The southern African poultry value chain : corporate strategies, investments and agro-industrial policies

Abstract: Following various regional investments in the last decade, production and participation in the poultry value chain in southern Africa has increased. One of the factors that determines entry into, and success in, a global value chain is the governance structure. This paper adopts a modular approach to analyse the governance structures in the poultry value chains in Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A key finding is that various stakeholders have an influence on the regional poultry value chain in southern Africa, with the sources of influence depending on the formality of structures within the value chain

Assessing user behaviour and acceptance in real-world automated driving: the L3Pilot project approach

The L3Pilot project, funded by H2020, is conducting the first large-scale piloting of SAE Level 3 automated driving in Europe. The main aim of the project is to address a number of key questions in a step towards introducing automated vehicles on European roads. This paper discusses the approach taken by the L3Pilot project, to evaluate user behaviour in, and acceptance of, automated driving in real-world pilots. Although some technical challenges associated with the development and demonstration of such technologies are well-documented, current methodologies, such as those used to evaluate Field Operational Tests (FOTs), offer little guidance about assessing the impact of automated driving on users’ behaviour and acceptance. This paper outlines the methods used and developed for assessing user behaviour and acceptance within the project, summarises some of the methodological challenges involved in collecting data during an automated driving pilot, and discusses some approaches we have developed to solve these multifaceted challenges

The professionalization of pastoral caregiving: a critical assessment of pastoral identity within the helping professions

CITATION: Dames, G. A. & Louw, Daniël J. 2020. The professionalization of pastoral caregiving: a critical assessment of pastoral identity within the helping professions. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 6(2):103-128, doi:10.17570/stj.2020.v6n2.a5.The original publication is available at: http://www.scielo.org.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pastoral caregiving within a clinical setting and the parameters of interdisciplinarity and a team approach to healing and helping, cannot escape the public demand for a professional approach to caregiving i.e. safeguarding the well-being of people and patients. In this regard, differentiation in terms of theory, paradigmatic conceptualization, and directives for a base anthropology, are paramount. To detect the identity of the pastoral caregiver within the parameters of the pastoral ministry and the Christian tradition of cura animarum, the research focuses on the theological paradigm for comfort and compassion. It is argued that the professional stance of caregivers is shaped by biblical hermeneutics. The theological characteristics of pastoral interventions and engagements are determined by the appropriate God-image of compassionate being-with as pastoral exemplifications of a theologia crucis, directed by a theologia resurrectionis.Publisher's versio

Strengthening intellectually challenged adolescents’ sense of self: An appreciative inquiry mixed-methods intervention

Background: Individuals with intellectual challenges may experience a sense of isolation within their families. How their families and friends react towards these challenges influences the formation of their identity and self-acceptance significantly. Aim: The aim of this research was to explore and describe how the sense of self of intellectually challenged adolescents could be strengthened within familial relationships and to evaluate the effectiveness of appreciative inquiry as an intervention approach. Setting: The study was conducted with families at a school for children with intellectual disabilities in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Area, Northern Region of Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: In an embedded mixed-method approach, a sample of 24 intellectually challenged adolescents and their families were selected, tested and interviewed. Quantitative data were collected using the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (BarOn EQ-i:YV) on adolescents and the Family Environmental Scale (FES) on families in the experimental and control groups, before and after intervention. Qualitative data were gathered through an appreciative inquiry intervention and semi-structured interviews with adolescents in the experimental group. Results: Although the quantitative findings were not statistically significant, the qualitative findings indicated that adolescents and family members experienced the sense of self of intellectually challenged adolescents positively, rather than as ‘disabled’. The appreciative inquiry shows potential to strengthen intellectually challenged adolescents’ sense of self in a supportive, positive family environment. Conclusion: The research is valuable in the way it highlights the importance of relational research in cases where quantitative research does not seem to be effective

DrinkWise, enjoy responsibly: News frames, branding and alcohol

This article examines the communicative activities and press coverage of the alcohol industry-funded social-change organisation DrinkWise. Established in 2005, DrinkWise funds health research in universities, runs public health campaigns and engages in public relations activities. We use a framing analysis to examine the way DrinkWise frames problems, judgements and solutions related to alcohol consumption and policy. The aim of this analysis is to examine how journalistic practice legitimises DrinkWise and facilitates the organisation’s communicative activities. In addition, we consider how DrinkWise’s representation in the press works alongside the organisation’s array of communicative activities to facilitate the commercial objectives of the alcohol industry. We draw on the implications of this analysis to conceptualise how distinct forms of communicative work – such as academic research, policy-making, journalism and marketing, advertising and public relations – are interconnected

Shallow rainwater lenses in deltaic areas with saline seepage

In deltaic areas with saline seepage, freshwater availability is often limited to shallow rainwater lenses lying on top of saline groundwater. Here we describe the characteristics and spatial variability of such lenses in areas with saline seepage and the mechanisms that control their occurrence and size. Our findings are based on different types of field measurements and detailed numerical groundwater models applied in the south-western delta of the Netherlands. By combining the applied techniques we could extrapolate measurements at point scale (groundwater sampling, temperature and electrical soil conductivity (TEC)-probe measurements, electrical cone penetration tests (ECPT)) to field scale (continuous vertical electrical soundings (CVES), electromagnetic survey with EM31), and even to regional scale using helicopter-borne electromagnetic measurements (HEM). The measurements show a gradual mixing zone between infiltrating fresh rainwater and upward flowing saline groundwater. The mixing zone is best characterized by the depth of the centre of the mixing zone <i>D</i><sub>mix</sub>, where the salinity is half that of seepage water, and the bottom of the mixing zone <i>B</i><sub>mix</sub>, with a salinity equal to that of the seepage water (Cl-conc. 10 to 16 g l<sup>−1</sup>). <i>D</i><sub>mix</sub> is found at very shallow depth in the confining top layer, on average at 1.7 m below ground level (b.g.l.), while <i>B</i><sub>mix</sub> lies about 2.5 m b.g.l. The model results show that the constantly alternating upward and downward flow at low velocities in the confining layer is the main mechanism of mixing between rainwater and saline seepage and determines the position and extent of the mixing zone (<i>D</i><sub>mix</sub> and <i>B</i><sub>mix</sub>). Recharge, seepage flux, and drainage depth are the controlling factors

Helicobacter pylori prevalence in non-ulcer dyspepsia ethnic and socio-economic differences

Helicobacter pylori is an important cause of gastritis and a number of therapeutic. trials suggest that it may be important in the genesis of duodenal ulcer recurrence. The reported prevalence of gastric colonisation by the organism varies considerably. The aiIn of this cross-sectional survey was to determine its prevalence in non-ulcer dyspeptics and to determine whether this is influenced by age, race, sex, socio-economic status, educational level and the nwnber of persons sharing accommodation. One hundred and sixty-nine patients underwent endoscopy; biopsy speciInens were taken from the antrwn and H. pylori status was determined histologically. Gastric colonisation was found in 106 patients (63%). The prevalence showed a marked ethnic difference: 40% in whites and 71% in coloureds (P < 0,001). The ethnic groups were characterised by significant differences in socio-economic status (P < 10-6), educational level (P < 10-6), number of persons sharing accommodation (P < 10-6 ) and age (P < 0,001). These same differences were found when comparing the H. pylori-positive and negative groups, but were less marked and could be attributed to the marked differences between ethnic groups. We conclude that H. pylori prevalence differs between the ethnic groups studied. This may be because of varying degrees of exposure risk