Machine Vision for intelligent Semi-Autonomous Transport (MV-iSAT)

AbstractThe primary focus was to develop a vision-based system suitable for the navigation and mapping of an indoor, single-floor environment. Devices incorporating an iSAT system could be used as ‘self-propelled’ shopping carts in high-end retail stores or as automated luggage routing systems in airports. The primary design feature of this system is its Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) core, chosen for its strengths in parallelism and pipelining. Image processing has been successfully demonstrated in real-time using FPGA hardware. Remote feedback and monitoring was broadcasted to a host computer via a local area network. Deadlines as short as 40ns have been met by a custom built memory-based arbitration scheme. It is hoped that the iSAT platform will provide the basis for future work on advanced FPGA-based machine-vision algorithms for mobile robotics

Rethinking competency requirements in South African supply chain management

Background: In the realm of talent acquisition and supply chain management (SCM), the establishment of a standardised competency framework is pivotal. However, a lack of consensus in the supply chain management literature persists regarding the prioritisation of competencies for SCM professional recruitment in South Africa. This necessitates a re-evaluation of SCM competencies to align with the dynamic business environment. Objectives: To understand the competencies necessary for supply chain professionals in South Africa’s SCM job market to inform curriculum development for the training of supply chain profession at higher education institutions. Method: A qualitative, grounded theory approach was followed. Content analysis was conducted on 29 SCM job advertisements posted on various employment agents’ websites. Atlas was then used to create codes and code groups and themes describing the SCM job market needs and expectations. Results: While technical competencies maintain their significance, strategic thinking and cognitive capabilities are increasing in their importance compared with interpersonal skills in the SCM job market. Conclusion: The required competencies for SCM roles are evolving, with an increasing emphasis on strategic and cognitive skills rather than just technical abilities. Interpersonal competencies, although still important, are becoming less crucial. Training institutions should adjust their curricula to ensure well-rounded SCM professionals. Contribution: The literature reflecting the fast evolving nature of SCM competencies is sparse. This study challenges the prevailing narrative that emphasizes technical and interpersonal competencies thereby opening new pathways for curriculum development and professional training of SCM professionals

Database Management Systems: A NoSQL Analysis

Volume 1 Issue 7 (September 2013

Hypoglycaemic and renal effects of a bioactive plant extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.Background: Evidence from our laboratories indicates that triterpene constituents of Syzygium cordatum (Hochst.) [Myrtaceae] crude leaf extracts can be used to treat diabetes mellitus. For the plant derived triterpenes to have further potential in diabetes management, they should, however, additionally alleviate or prevent some of the complications of diabetes mellitus such as impaired kidney function and cardiovascular disorders. Accordingly, this study was designed to isolate the triterpene, oleanolic acid (OA) from S. cordatum leaves and evaluate its effects on blood glucose, renal function and blood pressure in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. OA was studied because it is the major constituent of many African plant species used in traditional medicine. Materials and Methods S. cordatum crude leaf ethyl acetate solubles (EAS) were obtained after defatting the leaves with hexane followed by dichloromethane before maceration with ethyl acetate. Preliminary experiments indicated that EAS contained triterpenes with hypoglycaemic properties. Solvent extraction and fractionation of EAS yielded mixtures of oleanolic acid/ursolic acid (OA/UA) and methyl maslinate/methyl corosolate. Recrystallisation of the OA/UA mixture using ethanol yielded OA, the structure of which was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy ('H & 13C). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) responses to various doses of OA (40, 80 and 120 mg/kg) were monitored in separate groups of non-diabetic and STZ-induced diabetic rats given a glucose load (0.86 g/kg, p.o.) after an 18-h fast. Rats treated with deionized water (3 ml/kg p.o.), or standard drugs, (insulin, 200 Hg/kg, s.c; metformin, 500 mg/kg, p.o. and glibenclamide, 500 f^g/kg, p.o.) acted as untreated and treated positive controls, respectively. To investigate the possible interaction between OA and standard drugs in lowering blood glucose, OGTT responses were studied in separate groups of animals simultaneously treated with OA at either 40 or 80 mg/kg and insulin (100 or 200 ug/kg, s.c), metformin, (250 or 500 mg/kg, p.o.) or glibenclamide (250 or 500 mg/kg, p.o.). Blood glucose was monitored at 15-min intervals for the first hour, and hourly thereafter for 3 h. Plasma insulin concentrations were measured in separate parallel groups of rats prepared as for OGTT studies to examine whether there was an association between OA treatment and pancreatic insulin secretion. Acute effects of OA on kidney function and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were investigated in anaesthetized rats challenged with hypotonic saline after a 3'/2-h equilibration for 4 h consisting of 1 h control, 1XA h treatment and 1 Vi h recovery periods. OA was added to the infusate during the treatment period. Short-term effects of OA were studied in individually-caged rats treated twice daily with OA (80 mg/kg, p.o.) for 5 weeks. Results OA decreased blood glucose concentrations of both non-diabetic and diabetic rats, as did some standard drugs except glibenclamide which did not exhibit any effects in STZ-induced diabetic animals. The blood glucose lowering effects were most potent in STZ-induced rats treated with combined OA and insulin by comparison with all other treatments. Short-term treatment of non-diabetic and STZ-induced diabetic rats with OA alone for 5 weeks decreased blood glucose concentrations, but the reduction in non-diabetic rats was to values that did not achieve statistical significance. Except for non-diabetic rats treated with insulin alone or in combination with OA, plasma insulin concentrations were not altered by treatment in non-diabetic and STZ-induced diabetic animals. Hepatic glycogen concentrations of non-diabetic and STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly increased by all treatments at the end of 5 weeks. Acute intravenous infusion of OA in anaesthetized rats significantly increased Na+ excretion outputs of non-diabetic and STZ-induced diabetic rats without affecting urine flow, K+ or CI" excretion rates. Similarly, daily OA treatment (80 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased Na+ excretion rates of non-diabetic and STZ-induced diabetic rats throughout the 5 week experimental period without affecting urine flow, K+ or CI" excretion rates. By comparison with respective control animals, Short-term administrations of OA significantly (p<0.05) increased GFR of non-diabetic (2.88±0.14 vs 3.71±0.30 ml/min) and STZ-diabetic rats (1.81± 0.32 vs 3.07±0.16 ml/min, n=6 in all groups) with concomitant reduction of plasma creatinine concentrations. Acute and Short-term administrations of OA non-diabetic and STZinduced diabetic rats reduced mean arterial blood pressure by comparison with respective control animals. Discussion The results suggest that S. cordatum leaf derived OA not only has the potential to lower blood glucose in diabetes, but also has beneficial effects on kidney function and blood pressure. We suggest that the hypoglycaemic effects of OA mimic those of metformin as evidenced by the fact that neither of these treatments altered plasma insulin concentration of non-diabetic rats. OA-evoked increases in urinary Na+ outputs of STZ-diabetic rats and elevation of GFR suggest up-regulation of renal function by the triterpene. The findings are of considerable importance because they suggest the hypoglycaemic, renal and hypotensive effects of OA in the management of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion The results demonstrated that the oleanolic acid extracted from S. cordatum leaf has blood glucose-lowering effects comparable to standard anti-diabetic drugs in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, OA augmented the hypoglycaemic effects of insulin in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These findings suggest that OA may have beneficial effects on some of the processes that are associated with renal derangement in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The results introduce the first in vivo evidence that OA ameliorates kidney function in STZinduced diabetic rats. Keywords: Renal function; diabetes mellitus; triterpenoids; oleanolic acid, hypoglycaemi

The effects of benfotiamine in attenuating hyperglycemia-induced cardiac pathology

Type 2 diabetes is a major global health problem. It is also a risk factor for the onset of cardiovascular diseases, the current leading cause of global mortality. The first part of this mini-review describes hyperglycemia-induced cellular alterations and its effects on cardiac function. In particular, we emphasize the role of hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in the activation of non-oxidative glucose pathways (NOGPs), that may contribute to cardiac pathology. For the second part, we evaluate the utility of benfotiamine (a vitamin B1 derivative) in treating diabetes-related cardiac pathology. The focus is on its role in activating the pentose phosphate pathway, which may reduce flux though the NOGPs. A possible role for benfotiamine in activating pro-survival signaling and reducing cell death in the heart is also described. We also discuss benfotiamine’s potential cardioprotective role in preventing the diabetic cardiomyopathy, treating myocardial infarction and maintaining the viability of cardiac progenitor cells. These findings warrant further investigation into the therapeutic potential of benfotiamine in treating diabetes-related cardiac complications.Keywords: Diabetes; cardiovascular disease; hyperglycemia; oxidative stress; non-oxidative glucose pathways; benfotiamin

The epidemiology and knowledge of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe

Background: Chronic and persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important factor associated with the development of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer deaths have been on the rise in recent years with 85% of about 270 000 annual deaths occurring in developing countries. The rise in cervical cancer trends in the past two decades has coincided with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic especially in the sub-Saharan African region. With the advent of HIV especially among young people in most of these developing countries, the incidence, morbidity and burden of cervical cancer are likely to continue increasing. Although cervical cancer prevention/screening and treatment is available in most developing countries, challenges and constraints still exist when it comes to HIV-positive women. Most developing countries, Zimbabwe included, do not have adequate infrastructure, funds, human resources, proper guidelines, and policies, which facilitate the adoption of effective prevention and treatment methods for cervical cancer among HIV-positive women. Therefore, the first part of this study involved two systematic reviews to weigh current evidence on screening and treatment of cervical cancer in HIV-seropositive women. In addition to the burden in HIVpositive women, the rise in HIV-incidence and risky sexual behaviour (multiple sexual partners, early sexual debut and use of contraceptives) among young people (15 to 24 years old), pose as barriers to successful establishment and implementation of cervical cancer control initiatives. In Zimbabwe, there is underutilisation of available cervical cancer services (although some are expensive) due to lack of knowledge and information about cervical cancer, a patriarchal and conservative society that views cervical cancer as a women’s issue. Adding to these issues, Zimbabwe does not have a cancer communication strategy that focuses on cancer risks factors as a cancer primary prevention. The National Cancer Prevention and Control Strategy for Zimbabwe (2014-2018) highlighted that underfunding has resulted in health education on cervical cancer to be unstructured. Therefore, as Zimbabwe sets out to strengthen cervical cancer prevention with the launch of the National Mass HPV Vaccination drive in May 2018, a number of questions still exists; how can a culturally patriarchal society aid and accept vaccination freely? How can young boys, men and the rest of the community be integrated within cervical cancer prevention programmes? Are there opportunities for HIV-positive women in these initiatives? How can the issue of health inequity which is associated with cervical cancer incidence be addressed? Aim: This PhD study weighed current evidence on screening and treatment of cervical cancer in HIV-seropositive women in developing countries through two systematic reviews; and assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices of young people towards cervical cancer, prevention/screening, HPV and vaccination. Methods: The research design was an integrative approach, which utilised a combination of two systematic reviews and a cross-sectional survey. The two systematic reviews explored cervical cancer prevention and treatment modalities for HIV-positive women, whilst the crosssectional survey assessed young people’s knowledge, attitude and practices concerning cervical cancer. Study participants for the cross-sectional survey were recruited through a three-stage cluster design from high schools and universities in Zimbabwe. Knowledge, attitudes and practices were assessed using questions based and adapted from the concepts of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Cervical Cancer Measuring tool kit-United Kingdom (UK). Results: The study found that HPV Deoxyribonucleic acid/Messenger RNA (DNA/mRNA) testing (n=16, 64.0%), visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) (n=13, 52.0%) and Pap smear (n=11, 44.0%) are the mostly used cervical cancer screening methods. HPV testing has a better accuracy/efficiency than other methods with a sensitivity of between 80.0-97.0% and specificity of 51.0-78.0%. In addition, the study found that sequential screening using VIA or visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI) and HPV testing has shown better clinical performance in screening HIV-seropositive women. Whilst radiation, chemotherapy, chemoradiation, and surgery have shown the possibility of effectiveness among HIVseropositive women, cervical cancer stage, immunosuppressive level, and multisystem toxicities due to treatment are associated with treatment completion, prognosis and survival outcomes. Those infected with HIV are of a younger age and have more advanced cervical cancer as compared to those who are HIV-negative. The majority of young people, 87.47% (656/750), claimed to know what cervical cancer is. However, only 43.14% (324/751) had ever heard of cervical cancer prevention/screening and 53% (398/751) did not know about HPVhow it is transmitted or prevented. Misconceptions regarding cervical cancer causes exist, with some young people attributing cervical cancer to use of detergents, certain foodstuffs and having sex with an uncircumcised man. Conclusion and Recommendations: This research not only reports on the current screening and treatment modalities for cervical cancer among HIV-positive women, but it also offers a lens through which government can generate behavioural changes around cervical cancer among young people. Although cervical cancer screening exists in almost all developing countries, what is missing is both opportunistic and systematic organized population-based screening. Cervical cancer screening programmes need to be integrated into already existing HIV services, to enable early detection and treatment. The study suggests a need to offer opportunistic and coordinated screening programmes that are provider-initiated to young women (from 15 years), especially those who are HIV-infected, to promote early identification of cervical precancerous lesions. Opportunities to include young boys and HIV-positive middle-aged women in the recently launched mass HPV vaccination programmes exist and can be utilised. Ring-fencing budgets or introducing cancer levies and investing resources in evidence-based screen and treat strategies for precancerous lesions in HIV-seropositive women and young people will reduce morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer. Developing a standard cervical cancer primary prevention tool that can be integrated into schools can be a step towards addressing health inequity. Research on cervical cancer management of HIVseropositive patients focusing on the quality of life of those treated, the effectiveness of the treatment method taking into account CD4+ count and ART is required.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018.School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)PhDUnrestricte

Barriers to effective value chain management in developing countries: new insights from the cotton industrial value chain

A rigorous and extensive application of the value chain management (VCM) has become the vogue in modern day business practices and processes. However, due to the complex and multidimensional nature of value chains, achieving efficient and effective value chain management in real value chains remains a major conundrum for practitioners. Many unknown barriers continue to impede effective and efficient value chain management in developing countries’ industrial value chains. The purpose of this study was to find out the common barriers to effective value chain management in a developing country’s industrial value chains using evidence from the cotton industry in Zimbabwe. The analysis was based on survey data sets obtained from 157 purposively sampled experts from the cotton industry value chain in Zimbabwe. Exploratory factor analysis was used to find the barriers to effective value chain management. The results revealed both architectural and governance barriers to effective value chain management. The findings also presented major policy implications for industrial value chains in the developing countries and also indicated areas for further robust research founded on a broader data set from other developing countries’ industrial chains as a way of validating the findings of this study

Prevention of cervical cancer in HIV seropositive women from developing countries:a systematic review protocol

Data extraction form. This form will be used to extract relevant data such as exposure and outcome and statistics from the included studies. (DOCX 18 kb

The prevalence of probable depression and probable anxiety, and associations with adverse childhood experiences and socio-demographics: a national survey in South Africa

Objective and methods: Mental health problems among adults are a growing public health concern, and middle-income countries such as South Africa are disproportionally affected. Using a large scale nationally representative weighted survey, we assessed the prevalence of probable depression, probable anxiety, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and explored associations between probable depression, probable anxiety, ACEs, socio-economic status, and demographic characteristics. Results: Nationally, 25.7, 17.8, and 23.6% of respondents, respectively, reported scores of ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), indicating probable depression or probable anxiety, and an ACE score of ≥4 (high exposure). Overall probable depression prevalence across South Africa varied from 14.7 to 38.8%. Both probable depression and probable anxiety were more frequently reported among adults who were: retired and older (>65 years of age), and widowed, divorced, or separated; living in metropolitan areas; and only had primary school education. In a multivariable adjusted logistic regression, the likelihood of reporting probable depression or probable anxiety was also found to increase with each standard deviation increase in the ACE score (p < 0.001), independent of other socio-demographic determinants. Conclusion: The prevalence of probable depression among respondents in South Africa varies significantly across the nine provinces. Furthermore, higher ACE score and several socio-demographic determinants were associated with a higher likelihood of probable depression and probable anxiety. Adult mental health services are urgently needed to identify groups of the population vulnerable to mental health problems for better targeting of interventions. Given the range of probable depression prevalence across the country, provincial level plans and resources should also reflect the burden of mental health problems in that province

Gaps and opportunities for cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care : evidence from midterm review of the Zimbabwe cervical cancer prevention and control strategy (2016-2020)

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer amongst women globally and it accounts for the majority of cancer deaths among females in Zimbabwe. The objective of this midterm review analysis was to identify the gaps and opportunities for cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care to inform the next cervical cancer strategy in Zimbabwe. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used for the midterm review. Secondary data was collected from programme documents, published and grey literature. Primary data was collected in six provinces through key informant interviews with officials and focus group discussions with beneficiaries. After data analysis, a draft report was presented to a technical working group to validate the findings and to fill in any gaps. RESULTS: This midterm review revealed a myriad of gaps of the strategy particularly in diagnosis, treatment and care of cervical cancer and the primary focus was on secondary prevention. There was no data to quantify the level of awareness and advocacy for cervical cancer prevention. Our results revealed that there was no data on the proportion of women who ever tested for cervical cancer which existed nationally. Our findings suggest that some health facilities were screening women above 50 years old using VIAC, which is an inappropriate approach for those women. Quality control of VIAC and treatment of precancers were not part of the strategy. Pathological services were not efficient and effective due to lack of resources and additionally data on investigations were not routinely collected and available at the national level. Other gaps identified were limited funding, human resources, equipment, and commodities as well as lack of leadership at the national level to coordinate the various components of the cervical cancer programme. There are also numerous opportunities identified to build upon some successes realized to date. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasized the importance of effective and holistic planning in cervical cancer screening programmes in low-resource settings. In addition, huge investments are required in cervical cancer programmes and governments need to take centre role in mobilizing the requisite resources.This midterm assessment was funded by OPHID in support of the Ministry of Health and Child Carehttp://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealth/pm2021School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH