Improved Algorithms for the Point-Set Embeddability problem for Plane 3-Trees

In the point set embeddability problem, we are given a plane graph $G$ with $n$ vertices and a point set $S$ with $n$ points. Now the goal is to answer the question whether there exists a straight-line drawing of $G$ such that each vertex is represented as a distinct point of $S$ as well as to provide an embedding if one does exist. Recently, in \cite{DBLP:conf/gd/NishatMR10}, a complete characterization for this problem on a special class of graphs known as the plane 3-trees was presented along with an efficient algorithm to solve the problem. In this paper, we use the same characterization to devise an improved algorithm for the same problem. Much of the efficiency we achieve comes from clever uses of the triangular range search technique. We also study a generalized version of the problem and present improved algorithms for this version of the problem as well

Faskh (divorce) and intestate succession in Islamic and South African law: impact of the watershed judgment in Hassam v Jacobs and the Muslim Marriages Bill

This article deals with intestate succession against the background of the complex Islamic legal aspects of faskh and talaq as forms of divorce. It elaborates on the divergent views held by Islamic scholars and explains the foundational principles of Islamic law. The article offers a new perspective on the ground-breaking case of Hassam v Jacobs and sheds light on its surrounding circumstances and factual background in order to indicate that the Cape High Court may have unnecessarily pronounced on the recognition of polygynous Muslim marriages, an issue which in fact may not have been before the court. The article also examines how the Islamic law of divorce is practically administered by Islamic organisations within Cape Town. Practical recommendations are offered for dealing with the complexities of recognising and administering aspects of Islamic law in secular courts and the interaction with Islamic bodies administering Muslim personal law.DHE

Effect of potassium and potting-bag size on foliar biomass and related attributes and oil composition of rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Published ArticleThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of four concentrations of potassium (K; 1.3, 3.3, 5.3 and 7.3 mmol L−1) and two potting-bag sizes (5 and 10 L) on foliar biomass and related attributes and oil composition of rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). Plants were grown in a climate-controlled greenhouse at the University of the Free State and treatments were arranged in a split plot design. Potassium concentrations were allocated to the main plots and potting-bag size to the subplots replicated three times. Plant height, K tissue content, linalool, geraniol, geranyl formate and citronellol:geraniol ratio were affected by the K application. Plant height, number of branches, branch:height ratio, foliage fresh mass, K tissue content and oil yield were affected by the potting-bag size. Foliar fresh mass was significantly increased by the interaction between K concentration and potting-bag size. Growers may use a 5.3 mmol L−1 K concentration and a 5 L potting bag for optimum production of rose geranium under soil-less cultivation

Provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (PICT) in the mentally ill

The prevalence of HIV infection is substantially higher in mentally ill individuals than in the general population. Despite this, HIV testing is not yet standard practice among the mentally ill population, and many mental health settings do not encourage HIV testing. This paper discusses provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (PICT) and some of the ethical dilemmas associated with it, on the basis that PICT may be used to increase the number of mentally ill persons tested for HIV. The authors conclude that PICT should be promoted to all psychiatric admissions and mentally ill individuals receiving outpatient services, and that this is within the parameters of existing policies and legislations in South Africa

Introducing a national health insurance system in South Africa: A general practitioner’s bottom-up approach to costing

BACKGROUND: The introduction of national health insurance (NHI) is an important debate in South Africa, with affordability and institutional capacity being the key issues. NHI costing has been dominated by estimates of exorbitant cost. However, capitation is not only a different payment system but also a different service delivery model, and as a result there are opportunities for risk management and efficiencies. OBJECTIVE: This study explores how private general practitioners (GPs) may choose to embrace these service delivery concepts and deal with the cost implications to meet NHI requirements. METHODS: Data were collected from 598 solo private GPs through a self-administered online questionnaire survey across South Africa. RESULTS: In spite of poor engagement with the public sector, and some challenges in costing and organisation, GPs appear to have an affordable and pro-active response to NHI capitation costing and fee setting. On average, they would accept a minimum global fee of R4.03 million to look after a population of 10 000 people for personal healthcare services. CONCLUSION: At a total cost to the country of R16.9 billion, government could affordably use GPs to develop the primary health care part of NHI to cover the entire South African uninsured population. It is anticipated that a similar approach would be successful in other developing countries

The state of kidney transplantation in South Africa

Background. Kidney transplantation has been performed in South Africa (SA) since 1966. Transplants were initially limited to public hospitals, and the entry of the private sector heralded a new era in organ transplantation.Objectives. To document kidney transplantation in SA and compare numbers, rates, trends and sources of kidneys transplanted in the public and private sectors in SA over 25 years.Methods. National kidney transplant data collected between 1991 and 2015 by the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa were analysed. The total number of kidneys transplanted in the country was counted and rates were calculated. The numbers and rates in the private and public sectors were compared. The source of donor kidneys and sites where transplants were performed were documented.Results. Over the 25-year period under review, 7 191 kidney transplants were performed in SA. The overall kidney transplant rate was 6.4 per million population (pmp), averaging 4.8 pmp in the public sector and 15.2 pmp in the private sector; 58.3% of the donor kidneys were derived from deceased donors. Cape Town and Johannesburg hospitals performed 75% of the country’s kidney transplants.Conclusions. The overall transplant rate in SA is declining, especially in the public sector. Most kidney transplants in the country were performed in the public sector, and deceased-donor transplants predominated. Discrepancies exist in the allocation of kidneys. Recommendations are made on how the situation may be improved.Â

The outcome of HIV-positive patients admitted to intensive care units with acute kidney injury

The original publication is available at http://www.intechopen.comPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.Acute kidney injury is a serious clinical problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Several factors are recognized to aggravate the outcome including advanced age, gender, oliguria and the serum creatinine level. What is currently unknown is whether the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aggravates the outcome of patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI). Sub-Saharan Africa currently bears the brunt of the global HIV pandemic. In South Africa alone more than 5.7 million people are infected ((UNAIDS 2008 report on the global AIDS epidemic, 2009), creating substantial additional pressure on already inadequate social and healthcare infrastructures. Acute kidney injury occurs commonly in HIV-infected patients admitted to hospital and carries with it substantial mortality. In a resource-poor environment clinicians are often forced to select patients with a better chance of survival for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A rigorous evaluation of the outcomes of HIV-positive patients admitted to ICU with AKI may assist in identifying factors associated with better survival, and thus aid in the cost-effective management of these patients.Publishers' Versio

The Outcome of HIV-Positive Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units with Acute Kidney Injury

The original publication is available at http://www.intechopen.comPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.Acute kidney injury is a serious clinical problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Several factors are recognized to aggravate the outcome including advanced age, gender, oliguria and the serum creatinine level. What is currently unknown is whether the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aggravates the outcome of patients who develop acute kidney injury (AKI). Sub-Saharan Africa currently bears the brunt of the global HIV pandemic. In South Africa alone more than 5.7 million people are infected ((UNAIDS 2008 report on the global AIDS epidemic, 2009), creating substantial additional pressure on already inadequate social and healthcare infrastructures. Acute kidney injury occurs commonly in HIV-infected patients admitted to hospital and carries with it substantial mortality. In a resource-poor environment clinicians are often forced to select patients with a better chance of survival for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). A rigorous evaluation of the outcomes of HIV-positive patients admitted to ICU with AKI may assist in identifying factors associated with better survival, and thus aid in the cost-effective management of these patients.Publishers' Versio