IT-business strategic alignment in the context of business process reengineering : case studies of large organisations in Lesotho.

Master of Commerce in Information Ssytems and Technology. University KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2018.The alignment of IT strategy and business strategy is an ongoing topic of interest for many researchers. In the same light is Business Process Re-engineering (BPR). The existing literature considers these two topics separately in the context of developed countries. This study taps into this gap by investigating how IT-business alignment at a strategic level can be achieved in BPR by considering the influential factors that drive this alignment in large organisations in Lesotho. The study empirically builds on centrally placing IT-business strategic alignment at the heart of BPR. Consequently, the findings show that IT-business alignment plays a pivotal role in the success or failure of a BPR project. New directions for future studies are suggested and discussed

Possible barriers to the advancement of women to leadership positions in the education profession

In a previous article we discussed, in detail, the problem of this study, its aim, methods used, its limitations, and the first five of twelve barriers that were perceived to be obstacles to the advancement of women to leadership positions in the education profession, in particular, and the workplace, in general. To avoid repetition, the issues already discussed can be read as background information in the previous article. This article is devoted to the discussion of the last seven barriers that were also identified as constituting some of the hurdles women have to overcome before they are promoted to senior positions in the field of education. (South African Journal of Education: 2001 21(4): 324-330

Histopathological Changes of Heart in Sudden Death Cases - Autopsy Conducted at Madurai Medical College

1. Age-wise distribution of 100 cases were studied. Maximum number of cases were seen in age group of 40 to 60 years. Minimum number of cases were seen in age group of 1 to 20 years. 2. Sex wise distribution of cases were studied.out of 100 cases, 78 were male, 22 were female. There was a remarkable male dominance. 3. In histopathological examination of 100 cases, the most common finding was atherosclerosis which was found in 46 cases, followed by myocardial hypertrophy in 20 cases, myocardial infarction in 15 cases, myocarditis in 3 cases, pericarditis in 2 cases. Dysarrythmogenic ventricular hypoplasia in 4 cases.no specific findings in 10 cases during microscopic examination. 4. Out of 100 cases 90 cases found to have died out side the hospital and 10 cases were found died in hospital. 5. More number of sudden deaths found to have occurred in the heart weight ranges from 301 to 400grams 6. Out of 100 cases,20 cases show myocardial hypertrophy,10 cases show left ventricular hypertrophy,5 cases show right ventricular hypertrophy, 5 cases show biventricular hypertrophy. 7. Out of 100 cases, 26 cases died in short period,[within 30 minutes, 43 cases within few hours of onset of symptoms[6 to 24 hrs], 30 cases after 24 hours in 10 cases duration of onset of symptoms could not be evaluated due to non availability of specific history. 8. Nonspecific findings in the heart were seen in 23 cases which comprised of increased epicardial fatty tissue,left ventricle with few congested vascular spaces, right ventricle congestion. cardiac muscle fibrecongestion, arrythmogenic dysplasia of right ventricle etc. 9. Multiple cardiac lesions were seen in 5 cases which consists of combination of two or more cardiac lesions like pericarditis,myocarditis, aatherosclerosis and pericardial or myocardial haemorrhage. 10. Out of 46 cases of atherosclerosis, major blockage was noted in left anterior descending artery in 31 cases[67.3%], left circumflex artery in 10 cases[21.7 percent],right coronary artery in 5 cases[10.8%]. 11. In this study single vesselinvolvement due to atherosclerosis is seen in 41 cases[89%], double vessel involvement is seen in 4 case [8.6%] triple vessel involvement in 1 case [2.17%]. 12. out of 100 cases 15 cases show myocardial infarction,out of 15 cases, 12 cases shows old infarct, whereas 3 cases show features of recent infarction. 13. In grade 1 block there are 20 cases, In grade 2 block there are 23 cases In grade 3 block there are 2 cases , and In grade 4 block there is 1 case

The development of an environmental education programme for water conservation in the Steelpoort area

The purpose of this study was to determine what activities and practices prejudice water conservation in the Steelpoort area. Using this information, context specific environmental education programmes were designed for various sectors of the community. A qualitative research approach was used. Respondents who provided information through interviews and questionnaires included school principals and educators, non-teaching staff members, learners and adult community members. The theory developed from the literature review facilitated the development of qualitative research for the study. The research identified certain activities and practices that contribute to the unsustainable use of water in the area. The respondents suggested that consumers generally need to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively conserve and utilise water. Specific programmes intended to meet the needs of the various categories of consumers that will facilitate water conservation and its sustainable use were designed as an outcome and recommendation of the research.Educational StudiesM.Ed. (Environmental Education

Cocktails of probiotics pre-adapted to multiple stress factors are more robust under simulated gastrointestinal conditions than their parental counterparts and exhibit enhanced antagonistic capabilities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND : The success of the probiotics in delivery of health benefits depends on their ability to withstand the technological and gastrointestinal conditions; hence development of robust cultures is critical to the probiotic industry. Combinations of probiotic cultures have proven to be more effective than the use of single cultures for treatment and prevention of heterogeneous diseases. We investigated the effect of pre- adaptation of probiotics to multiple stresses on their stability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and the effect of their singular as well as their synergistic antagonistic effect against selected enteric pathogens. METHODS : Probiotic cultures were inoculated into MRS broth adjusted to pH 2 and incubated for 2 h at 37°C. Survivors of pH 2 were subcultured into 2% bile acid for 1 h at 37°C. Cells that showed growth after exposure to 2% bile acid for 1 h were finally inoculated in fresh MRS broth and incubated at 55°C for 2 h. The cells surviving were then used as stress adapted cultures. The adapted cultures were exposed to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and their non- adapted counterparts were used to compare the effects of stress adaptation. The combination cultures were tested for their antipathogenic effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. RESULTS : Acid and bile tolerances of most of the stress-adapted cells were higher than of the non-adapted cells. Viable counts of all the stress-adapted lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium longum LMG 13197 were higher after sequential exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. However, for B. longum Bb46 and B. bifidum LMG 13197, viability of non-adapted cells was higher than for adapted cells after exposure to these fluids. A cocktail containing L. plantarum + B. longum Bb46 + B. longum LMG 13197 best inhibited S. aureus while E. coli was best inhibited by a combination containing L. acidophilus La14 150B + B. longum Bb46 + B. bifidum LMG 11041. A cocktail containing the six non- adapted cultures was the least effective in inhibiting the pathogens. CONCLUSION : Multi-stress pre-adaptation enhances viability of probiotics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions; and formulations containing a mixture of multi stress-adapted cells exhibits enhanced synergistic effects against foodborne pathogens.We would like to acknowledge National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Pretoria for funding this work.http://www.gutpathogens.comam201

Mentoring : A key to the professional development of the teacher

Abstract: The teaching profession has a long history of providing mentorship to mentees (budding lecturers) through focused, collaborative, and one-on-one relationships. However, despite new lecturers’ ongoing need for guidance and assistance, mentoring is relatively neglected as a concept in institutions of higher education. This study explores the concept of mentoring in higher education institutions to ascertain whether different mentoring strategies and approaches can be utilized to support junior researchers who are in need of guidance, coaching, and assistance. In this study, purposively sampled mentors and mentees were interviewed about their views of, and experiences with, mentoring. The study extends beyond the mentoring research and highlights that mentoring can promote unintended outcomes due to its dynamic nature. The article also addresses how both the mentor and mentee play important roles in the success of the mentoring process. The article concludes with recommendations for mentoring programsUniversity of South AfricaEducational Foundation

Cocktails of probiotics pre-adapted to multiple stress factors are more robust under simulated gastrointestinal conditions than their parental counterparts and exhibit enhanced antagonistic capabilities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND : The success of the probiotics in delivery of health benefits depends on their ability to withstand the technological and gastrointestinal conditions; hence development of robust cultures is critical to the probiotic industry. Combinations of probiotic cultures have proven to be more effective than the use of single cultures for treatment and prevention of heterogeneous diseases. We investigated the effect of pre- adaptation of probiotics to multiple stresses on their stability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and the effect of their singular as well as their synergistic antagonistic effect against selected enteric pathogens. METHODS : Probiotic cultures were inoculated into MRS broth adjusted to pH 2 and incubated for 2 h at 37°C. Survivors of pH 2 were subcultured into 2% bile acid for 1 h at 37°C. Cells that showed growth after exposure to 2% bile acid for 1 h were finally inoculated in fresh MRS broth and incubated at 55°C for 2 h. The cells surviving were then used as stress adapted cultures. The adapted cultures were exposed to simulated gastrointestinal conditions and their non- adapted counterparts were used to compare the effects of stress adaptation. The combination cultures were tested for their antipathogenic effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. RESULTS : Acid and bile tolerances of most of the stress-adapted cells were higher than of the non-adapted cells. Viable counts of all the stress-adapted lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium longum LMG 13197 were higher after sequential exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. However, for B. longum Bb46 and B. bifidum LMG 13197, viability of non-adapted cells was higher than for adapted cells after exposure to these fluids. A cocktail containing L. plantarum + B. longum Bb46 + B. longum LMG 13197 best inhibited S. aureus while E. coli was best inhibited by a combination containing L. acidophilus La14 150B + B. longum Bb46 + B. bifidum LMG 11041. A cocktail containing the six non- adapted cultures was the least effective in inhibiting the pathogens. CONCLUSION : Multi-stress pre-adaptation enhances viability of probiotics under simulated gastrointestinal conditions; and formulations containing a mixture of multi stress-adapted cells exhibits enhanced synergistic effects against foodborne pathogens.We would like to acknowledge National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Pretoria for funding this work.http://www.gutpathogens.comam201

The morphological and functional properties of lactiplantibacillus plantarum B411 subjected to acid, bile and heat multi-stress adaptation process and subsequent long-term freezing

The preadaptation of probiotics to sub-lethal levels of multiple stress factors boosts their survival and stability. However, little is known about how long-term cold storage affects the properties of such preadapted probiotics. This study examined the impact of long-term freezing on structural and functional properties of multi-stress (acid, bile and heat) adapted Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B411. Cell morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, and then their selected functional (bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregative and antimicrobial) properties were evaluated. Furthermore, the survival of L. plantarum B411 cells in yoghurt and juices during storage and under simulated gastrointestinal (GIT) conditions was evaluated. Longterm freezing negatively affected the morphology, auto-aggregation ability, BSH and antimicrobial activities of L. plantarum B411. The viability of freshly adapted and old adapted L. plantarum B411 cells in foods was similar. Under simulated GIT conditions, the viability of the stress adapted cells from the freezer diminished more than that of freshly adapted cells. Prolonged freezing compromised some functional properties of stress adapted cells and their stability under simulated GIT conditions. Care should thus be taken to ensure that a method used to preserve stress adapted cells does not cause them to lose beneficial properties, nor revert to their pre-adaptation status.National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers and the University of Pretoria.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microbiolresam2023BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog