Factors affecting the retention of knowledge workers.

One of the characteristics of knowledge workers is their high level of mobility. The cost of labour turnover of these key resources is high in both financial and non financial terms. There is thus a need to understand what the factors are that underpin the retention cognitions of knowledge workers. Data was collected from 306 knowledge workers in full time employment representing a wide range of demographic groupings. The results showed that job satisfaction and organisational commitment do not predict knowledge workers’ proposed future length of service. Factor analysis revealed seven underlying dimensions of retention cognitions. Cluster analysis revealed nine distinct clusters of knowledge workers with regard to their retention cognitions. High levels of individualism, need for challenge and focus on personal development were demonstrated. The implications of these findings are discussed

Photovoice as a critical reflection methodology for a service learning module

The article examines the value of using photovoice to assist reflection in a service learning module. Students were required to complete a reflective assignment in order to facilitate critical reflection on experiences during their community-based projects. They had to identify a specific incident during the execution of their project which they experienced as a challenge. They had to take a photograph to depict the challenge and at the end of their project, complete a reflective questionnaire about the identified challenge. The concepts of photovoice as a methodology tool were used to determine the value of such a reflective assignment for students.The study shows that identifying the challenge during the execution of their project enhanced the students’ creativity during the project and assisted reflection after completing the project. Furthermore, the photographic reminder of the incident they had identified as a challenge, helped the students to recall their experiences and resulted in a more meaningful reflection.Keywords: service learning, photovoice, reflectio

Ethical Risks of Environmental Policies: The Case of Ethanol in North America

Policy to address the environmental impacts of transportation fuel derived from conventional oil is frequently focused on the promotion of alternatives such as biofuels. While there are some biofuels that can be developed with relatively few impacts, others can result in broader, complex social concerns that should be included in the policy debate. These concerns include impacts arising from the conversion of natural landscapes and changes in food supply. To help inform policy development, this paper raises a series of questions to encourage a fuller debate and proposes a methodology to capture ethical risks related to the energy and environmental choices. This methodology should be applied to policies that encourage a transition to fuel alternatives for transportation – whether unconventional fossil fuels or corn ethanol. Energ

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis due to Rickettsia conorii infection

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated acute inflammatory demyelinating disorder, which typically occurs after viral infections or immunisation. We present a case of a man with acute Rickettsia conorii infection whose diagnosis was delayed. He presented with fever, headache, an eschar and an acute paraplegia. The R. conorii IgM serum titre was 1:128. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal lesions in the brain and spinal cord consistent with inflammatory demyelination. The patient responded well to doxycycline and a short course of high-dose corticosteroids. To our knowledge this is the first case of ADEM associated with Mediterranean spotted fever – we found a previous report of ADEM in a child with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, whose diagnosis of rickettsial infection was also delayed. We hypothesise that delayed diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsial infections could rarely result in ADEM

The intervention effects of a community-based hypertension control programme in two rural South African towns: the CORIS study

The objective of the hypertension programme of the Coronary Risk Factor Study (CORlS) was to evaluate the effectiveness of the first 4 years of community-based intervention. The hypertension intervention model comprised a blood pressure station where the whole population was screened for hypertension, non-drug management was provided and hypertensives were monitored after referral to general practitioners for drug therapy. Two levels of intervention were maintained: in the high-intensity intervention town (N =2 278) hypertensives were actively followed up, and in the low-intensity intervention town (N =2 620) no active follow-up procedure existed. A third town acted as control (N= 2 290).In the cohort which was hypertensive at baseline, the net decreases in systolic blood pressure (mean ± SE) after correction for changes in the control town were 0,5 ± 2,2 mmHg (men) and 4,5 ± 2,2 mmHg (women) in the low-intensity intervention town, and 5,6 ± 2,3 mmHg (men) and 7,5 ± 2,2 mmHg (women) in the high-intensity intervention town. The net decrease in diastolic blood pressure was 3,4 ± 1,2 mmHg (men) and 4,4 ± 1,1 mmHg (women) in the low-intensity intervention town, and 6,1 ± 1,2 mmHg (men) and 5,9 ± 1,1 mmHg (women) in the high-intensity intervention town. These reductions were statistically significant with one exception. The changes in the total population in the 3 communities after 4 years of intervention were similar to those found in the hypertensive cohort.Decreases in mean blood pressure were accompanied by marked increases in the proportion of hypertensives on drug treatment and the proportion under control (< 160/95 mmHg).Distribution curves of blood pressure indicated a large effect in the subgroup above the cut-off point for hypertension; however, the entire curve also shifted to the left, indicating, in addition, benefit to the whole population. An increase in the appropriate knowledge and action for hypertension control was observed in the intervention towns compared with the control town.The CORlS community-based hypertension control programme successfully reduced the risk for cardiovascular diseases in the intervention towns compared with the control town

Synthesis of Alkyne and Alkene Ketal Derivatives of Pentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane-8-11-dione and 1-Phenyl-pentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane-8-11-dione

Functionalizing pentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane-8-11-one and 1-phenyl-pentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane-8-11-one can be easily accomplished by using the alcohols of various alkynes and alkenes. Generally the synthesis of terminal alkyne and cyclic alkene ketal derivatives were performed fairly easily. Synthesis of the terminal alkenes provided some difficulties. Reduction of the alkyne ketal derivatives using Pd/CaCO3 has been demonstrated to forma mixture containing the desired alkene ketal derivatives.KEYWORDS Cage compounds, diketone, ketal formation, reduction

Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome). A report of 2 cases

CITATION: Jordaan, H.F., De Goede, F.H. & Sandler, M. 1989. Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome). A report of 2 cases . S Afr Med J, 75(4):336-338.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two cases of Sweet's syndrome are described. The diagnostic criteria, clinical spectrum, complications, pertinent differential diagnoses and treatment modalities of this relatively rare clinical condition are described. The association of Sweet's syndrome with underlying haematological malignant disease is stressed.Publisher’s versio

Variation in sex determination and the application of the YY male technology for the production of all-male populations of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Tilapia is presumed to have a well-defined genetic mechanism of sex determination, but not all sex ratios are compatible with a monofactorial sex determination model. A theory of autosomal gene influence, as well as temperature sex determination (TSD) has been proposed in order to explain large variations in sex ratios. This study assessed the variation in progeny sex ratio in O. mossambicus as a basis for the application of YY male technology in the production of all-male progeny groups. Three populations of O. mossambicus were sampled that are representative of the geographical distribution of the species in Southern Africa. Progeny groups were produced from randomly selected parents and maintained at constant temperature during the labile period of sex differentiation. Variation in sex ratios between different families of the same strain as well as between different strains was calculated. No significant differences were observed in sex ratio between strains, though a significant intra-group variation was identified. This study identified both male and female-biased sex ratios. The data in general conform to a monofactorial sex determination model. Male-biased sex ratio observed in one strain can possibly be ascribed to temperature sex determination (TSD). This strain of O. mossambicus originated from an area with different annual temperature patterns and the possibility of TSD having an adaptive advantage is discussed. This thesis also presents the results of a program to produce monosex male tilapia through the application of the YY male technology in O. mossambicus. Viable XY female and YY male genotypes were produced. XY females sired progenies ranging from 68-94% male ofspring, while YY males sired a mean progeny of 94% male phenotypes. From these results it is concluded that YY male technology provide a viable method for the production of all-male progeny in O. mossambicus. Once available on a commercial scale, the technology can be made more reliable through the application of the appropriate selection methods.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tilapia spesies is oorwegend onderworpe aan ‘n goed gedefinieerde enkelfaktor model van genetiese geslagsbepaling, hoewel afwykings van sodanige geslagsbepalingsmodel soms waargeneem word. Die invloed van outosomale gene, sowel as omgewings temperatuur word voorgehou as verklaring van die waargenome variasies in geslagsverhoudings. Hierdie studie behels die evaluasie van variasie in geslagsdifferensiasie van O. mossambicus as basis vir die implementering van die YY manlike tegnologie vir die produksie van slegs-manlike nageslag groepe. Monsters is bekom van drie populasies van O. mossambicus verteenwoordigend van die geografiese verspreiding van die spesie in Suider Afrika. Nageslag groepe is geproduseer vanaf ewekansig gekose ouerpare en by ‘n konstante temperatuur gehuisves tydens die sensitiewe tydperk van geslagsdifferentiasie. Variasie in geslagsverhouding tussen verskillende families binne dieselfde subpopulasie sowel as binne verskillende populasies is bepaal. Geen betekenisvolle verskille is waargeneem in die geslagsverhouding tussen die verskillende populasies nie terwyl betekenisvolle verskille tussen families binne ‘n populasie waargeneem is. Die data voldoen aan ‘n enkelfaktor genetiese geslagsbepalingsmodel, met die uitsondering van een populasies waar ‘n moontlike omgewingsverwante geslagsbepalingseffek waargeneem is. Die tesis sluit ook in die resultate in van ’n program om YY-tegnologie in O. mossambicus te vestig ten einde manlike nageslag groepe te produseer. Funksionele vroulike XY- en manlike YY genotipes is ontwikkel. Die vroulike XY-genotipes het manlike nageslag groepe opgelewer wat wissel van 68%-94% manlik, terwyl manlike YY-genotipes nageslag groepe gelewer het wat gemiddeld 94% manlik was. Die resultate bevestig die lewensvatbaarheid van YY-tegnologie vir die kommersiële produksie van manlike nageslaggroepe in O. mossambicus