Symmetry Properties of Autonomous Integrating Factors

We study the symmetry properties of autonomous integrating factors from an algebraic point of view. The symmetries are delineated for the resulting integrals treated as equations and symmetries of the integrals treated as functions or configurational invariants. The succession of terms (pattern) is noted. The general pattern for the solution symmetries for equations in the simplest form of maximal order is given and the properties of the associated integrals resulting from this analysis are given.Comment: Published in SIGMA (Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications) at http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA

Evaluating adverse drug reactions associated with antibiotic use in a public sector hospital.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Background and Aim Antibiotics are one of the most troublesome classes of drugs contributing to adverse drug reactions. These adverse drug reactions are generally under reported. This study aimed to evaluate the adverse drug reactions associated with antibiotic use in a public sector hospital. Methods A prospective, quantitative study was carried out using adverse drug reaction reports collected from a public sector hospital in South Africa, for the period 01 July 2016 – 30 September 2016. All the adverse drug reaction reports attributed to use of antibiotics were included in the study. The patient’s age, gender, weight, antibiotic prescribed, dose of antibiotic, route of administration of the antibiotic, adverse drug reaction experienced and action taken regarding the adverse drug reaction was extracted from the adverse drug reaction report. A descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out using SPSS (version 24) to determine the strength of the relationships (Pearson Chi Square test) between different variables. Results A total of 10 adverse drug reaction reports were collected during the 3 month period from which 8 were related to antibiotic use (80%). Adverse drug reactions associated with antibiotic use were experienced mostly by female patients (n=6, 75%). Adverse drug reactions were reported for Amphoteracin B (n=3), Amoxicillin (n=1), Cefazolin (n=1), Lopinavir/Ritonavir combination (n=1), Metronidazole (n=1) and Tenofoir/Emtricitrabine/Efavirenz combination (n=1). Of the 8 adverse drug reactions, 7 required intervention to prevent permanent damage/disability. There were 2 serious adverse drug reactions; 1 required hospitalization and the other prolonged hospital stay; the remaining adverse drug reactions were classified as non-serious. Discussion and Conclusion Antibiotic related adverse drug reactions constituted 80% of all adverse drug reactions reported in a single hospital. The impact of adverse drug reactions associated with antibiotic use in the public hospital ranged from treatment to manage the adverse drug reaction to hospitalization and the prolongation of hospital stay. This study provides useful information on the current status of adverse drug reactions related to antibiotic use in the public sector in South Africa, and indicates the need for adverse drug reaction reporting in hospitals to ensure safety of medicines and better treatment outcomes

Life cycle assessment of the cement industry in Zimbabwe

This paper generates data that can be used to quantify total life cycle environmental impacts of cement production in Zimbabwe. Emissions of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides and solid waste occur. These have adverse effects on climate, global warming flora, fauna, water bodies and humans. Quantifyin these within a life cycle assessment framework at a local level provides data that can be used in other environmental impact assessment activities, where cement industries operate. A number of environmental metrics were obtained for the cement factories in Zimbabwe and form a basis for future work covering all cement plants

An Update on the Consequences of EU Sugar Reform

Since its formation the European Union (EU) has employed a rather complicated policy to ensure high prices to domestic sugar growers and trade preferences to certain sugar exporting countries, e.g. the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group. One result of this policy is that the EU has been both the second largest importer and second largest exporter in the world market. Under pressure from the World Trade Organization (WTO), the EU agreed to reform its policies toward sugar in 2001, with the full effect of the reforms being fully implemented in 2006. In this paper, the impact of the sugar reform on EU production, consumption, imports, and exports is examined especially with regard to how it all affects the ACP countries who receive preferential treatment regarding access to EU sugar markets. Preliminary analysis indicates that lowering domestic EU prices, while quotas requirements for ACP countries remain intact might have negative revenue implications for poor sugar producers

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PEANUT RESEARCH ON POVERTY REDUCTION: RESISTANCE STRATEGIES TO CONTROL PEANUT VIRUSES IN UGANDA

Economic impacts of research that developed Rosette Virus-resistance peanut in Uganda are estimated. Changes in economic surplus are calculated and combined with household data to assess changes in poverty rates and effects on livelihoods of the poor. The poverty rate may decline up to 1.5 percent as a result of the research.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

ACTIVITY SYSTEMS AND LIVELIHOODS IN EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE RURAL AREAS (TRANSKEI): HOUSEHOLD TYPOLOGIES AS SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO A LANDCARE PROJECT

Consumer/Household Economics,

Development of Research Administration and Management System for Higher Education Institutions in Developing Countries: Case Study of Durban University of Technology

Research information management has become an essential activity for higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide as a mechanism to aggregate, curate, utilize and improve the transparency of information about research. It has led to the evolution of proprietary software systems for administering and managing research information in HEIs. However, the literature reveals that most proprietary software systems are usually inflexible, costly to maintain and do not adequately satisfy the dynamic requirements of HEIs in developing countries. Consequently, the demand for current information systems is to incorporate a high degree of formalism into software development processes to produce correct, flexible, usable and cost-effective systems. This paper reports on the development of a web-based research administration and management system (RAMS) that addresses pertinent issues associated with research information management in the context of HEIs in developing countries. The Zermelo-Fraenkel specification language has been utilized to formally specify the requirements of RAMS in close collaboration with the intended users who evaluated its usability. The overall results of the usability evaluation show that RAMS is effective, useful, easy to use, learnable and satisfactory

The Role of International Academic Professionals in the Development of Entrepreneurial Universities in South Africa: Government Funded Universities Perspective

 There is a wide belief and acceptance from leading government and business experts that small enterprises and entrepreneurship are the key components to unemployment and poverty alleviation in any country. Unfortunately, high unemployment levels, low entrepreneurial activity and high small business failure rate have become the main characteristics of the South African economy. Post-school education is partially blamed for the dropping levels of entrepreneurial activities in the country. South Africa’s tertiary education system continues to focus on producing job-seekers instead of job creators. This problem has forced South African Universities to explore more on their potential of becoming more entrepreneurial, but lack of academics in the field of entrepreneurship has been found to be a hindrance to success in this agenda. To avert this obstacle, it is reiterated that internationalisation is key to any university entrepreneurship strategy, and therefore universities are encouraged to internationalise through attracting international entrepreneurial staff. The purpose of this literature review paper is twofold. The first part explores the role played by international academic professionals in the establishment of entrepreneurial universities in South Africa, while the second aims at evaluating the state of entrepreneurship development in higher education and the potential of South African universities becoming more entrepreneurial. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative research techniques (mixed method). The study reveals that South African universities should internationalise if they are to succeed in the entrepreneurial strategy. In addition, it is found that foreign academics have the required skills and bring in the diverse expertise needed for the establishment of entrepreneurial universities. Moreover, the presence of international academics has enhanced entrepreneurship mindset of local staff and students. It is recommended that universities should establish entrepreneurial institutes which are affiliated to them in order to drive this initiative and that the establishment of entrepreneurial universities is the way to go in South Africa if the country is to beat poverty and unemployment.&nbsp

Entrenching internationalisation in African Higher Education Institutions

In this paper, an attempt was made to locate the role of internationalisation in African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It is argued that comprehensive international, intercultural, and global dimensions in the affairs of African tertiary institutions provide for a more nuanced and diversified higher education landscape. Through a desk study approach, dwelling mainly on existing literature, the paper examines the issues of internationalisation from the perspectives of diversity and inclusion, as well as the roles of the relevant key players within those institutions to practically deliver internationalisation strategies that will put the institution on a global pedestal while remaining locally and regionally relevant. More importantly, strategies for achieving comprehensive internationalisation are discussed drawing inferences from literature and documentary sources. The interrogation of these sources in relation to the expectations of the current and future HEIs to remain socially relevant and sustainable is carried out. HEIs in Africa must contribute to socio-economic change and engage with their quad-helix and eco-system partners to ensure that high end skills training, knowledge production, entrepreneurship and innovation are accelerated. In so doing, African HEIs must embrace diversity in its fullness including welcoming differences in gender, race, culture, nationality and providing platforms of engagement that allow for inclusion, and breaking silos to allow for a nuanced agenda of internationalisation