Die vraag na en aanbod van verpleegkundiges in Suid Afrika

The threatening crisis in the nursing profession, especially in the public sector, led to a national investigation that was directed to the HMAC. A national nursing manpower analysis was undertaken by private consultants by means of a descriptive survey. A registered nurse/population ratio of 1:416 was recommended by the South African Nursing Council and accepted by the HMAC. The demand presently exceeds the supply and an actual annual student output of 4000 is required It was also emphasized that only 65% of the college capacities are being utilised and a potential supply of matriculants amounts to 3300 p.a. Important recommendations include active marketing of the profession, phasing in of a registered nurse/population ratio of 1:416, as well as an appropriate increase of posts for students, tutors and clinical nurses

Comparisons of Limb Structural Properties in Free-Ranging Chimpanzees From Kibale, Gombe, Mahale and Taï Communities

Structural characteristics of limbs bones provide insight into how an animal dynamically loads its limbs during life. Cause-and-effect relationships between loading and the osteogenic response it elicits are complex. In spite of such complexities, cross-sectional geometric properties can be useful indicators of locomotor repertoires. Typical comparisons use primates that are distinguished by broad habitual locomotor differences, usually with samples garnered from several museum collections. Intraspecific variability is difficult to investigate in such samples because behavior or life histories, which are tools for interpreting intraspecific variability, are limited. Clearly intraspecific variation both in morphology and behavior/life history exists. Here we expand an ongoing effort towards understanding intraspecific variation in limb structural properties by comparing free-ranging chimpanzees that have associated behavioral and life history data. Humeral and femoral data from eleven adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) of Kibale National Park (Uganda) are compared to 29 adult habituated chimpanzees from Gombe (Tanzania), Mahale Mountains (Tanzania), and Taï Forest (Côte d’Ivoire) National Park communities. Overall, limb structural morphology of Kibale chimpanzees most resembles limb structural morphology of Mahale chimpanzees. Shape ratios and percentage cortical areas of Kibale chimpanzees are most similar to non-Gombe chimpanzees, while Kibale structural properties (e.g., maximum rigidity) are most similar to non-Taï structural properties. Even after adding Kibale females, Taï females continue to stand out from females in other communities. This research was supported in part by the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation and the National Science Foundation (DDIG, BCS-0002686).Human Evolutionary Biolog

Magnetic flux jumps in textured Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+d)

Magnetic flux jumps in textured Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+d) have been studied by means of magnetization measurements in the temperature range between 1.95 K and Tc, in an external magnetic field up to 9 T. Flux jumps were found in the temperature range 1.95 K - 6 K, with the external magnetic field parallel to the c axis of the investigated sample. The effect of sample history on magnetic flux jumping was studied and it was found to be well accounted for by the available theoretical models. The magnetic field sweep rate strongly influences the flux jumping and this effect was interpreted in terms of the influence of both flux creep and the thermal environment of the sample. Strong flux creep was found in the temperature and magnetic field range where flux jumps occur suggesting a relationship between the two. The heat exchange conditions between the sample and the experimental environment also influence the flux jumping behavior. Both these effects stabilize the sample against flux instabilities, and this stabilizing effect increases with decreasing magnetic field sweep rate. Demagnetizing effects are also shown to have a significant influence on flux jumping.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, RevTeX4, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Furosemide stimulation of parathormone in humans: role of the calcium-sensing receptor and the renin-angiotensin system.

Interactions between sodium and calcium regulating systems are poorly characterized but clinically important. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are increased shortly after furosemide treatment by an unknown mechanism, and this effect is blunted by the previous administration of a calcimimetic in animal studies. Here, we explored further the possible underlying mechanisms of this observation in a randomized crossover placebo-controlled study performed in 18 human males. Volunteers took either cinacalcet (60 mg) or placebo and received a 20 mg furosemide injection 3 h later. Plasma samples were collected at 15-min intervals and analyzed for intact PTH, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphate, plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone up to 6 h after furosemide injection. Urinary electrolyte excretion was also monitored. Subjects under placebo presented a sharp increase in PTH levels after furosemide injection. In the presence of cinacalcet, PTH levels were suppressed and marginal increase of PTH was observed. No significant changes in electrolytes and urinary excretion were identified that could explain the furosemide-induced increase in PTH levels. PRA and aldosterone were stimulated by furosemide injection but were not affected by previous cinacalcet ingestion. Expression of NKCC1, but not NKCC2, was found in parathyroid tissue. In conclusion, our results indicate that furosemide acutely stimulates PTH secretion in the absence of any detectable electrolyte changes in healthy adults. A possible direct effect of furosemide on parathyroid gland needs further studies

New Topflavor Models with Seesaw Mechanism

New class of models are constructed in which the third family quarks, but not leptons, experience a new SU(2) or U(1) gauge force. Anomaly cancellation enforces the introduction of spectator quarks so that the top and bottom masses are naturally generated via a seesaw mechanism. We find the new contributions to the (S,T,U) parameters and Zbb vertex to be generically small. We further analyze how the reasonable flavor mixing pattern can be generated to ensure the top-seesaw mechanism and sufficiently suppress the flavor-changing effects for light quarks. Collider signatures for the light Higgs boson and top quark are also discussed.Comment: To match the version in Rapid Communication of PRD, RevTex 5p

Research Project as Boundary Object: negotiating the conceptual design of a tool for International Development

This paper reflects on the relationship between who one designs for and what one designs in the unstructured space of designing for political change; in particular, for supporting “International Development” with ICT. We look at an interdisciplinary research project with goals and funding, but no clearly defined beneficiary group at start, and how amorphousness contributed to impact. The reported project researched a bridging tool to connect producers with consumers across global contexts and show players in the supply chain and their circumstances. We explore how both the nature of the research and the tool’s function became contested as work progressed. To tell this tale, we invoke the idea of boundary objects and the value of tacking back and forth between elastic meanings of the project’s artefacts and processes. We examine the project’s role in India, Chile and other arenas to draw out ways that it functioned as a catalyst and how absence of committed design choices acted as an unexpected strength in reaching its goals

Mechanics: non-classical, non-quantum

A non-classical, non-quantum theory, or NCQ, is any fully consistent theory that differs fundamentally from both the corresponding classical and quantum theories, while exhibiting certain features common to both. Such theories are of interest for two primary reasons. Firstly, NCQs arise prominently in semi-classical approximation schemes. Their formal study may yield improved approximation techniques in the near-classical regime. More importantly for the purposes of this note, it may be possible for NCQs to reproduce quantum results over experimentally tested regimes while having a well defined classical limit, and hence are viable alternative theories. We illustrate an NCQ by considering an explicit class of NCQ mechanics. Here this class will be arrived at via a natural generalization of classical mechanics formulated in terms of a probability density functional

Effects of the SGLT-2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin on Renal Tissue Oxygenation in Non-Diabetic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Protocol.

Empagliflozin is an SGLT-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) which belongs to a new class of hypoglycemic drugs with the unique property of decreasing blood glucose independently from insulin, through an increase in glycosuria. In addition to decreasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, empagliflozin has nephroprotective properties in high cardiovascular risk patients with type 2 diabetes. Decreased hyperfiltration and shifting towards more favorable renal fuel energetics with improved renal oxygenation may explain some of these properties. With this study, we propose to explore the effects of empagliflozin on renal tissue oxygenation using blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI). This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study examining the acute and chronic renal effects of empagliflozin 10 mg. The primary outcome is the effects of empagliflozin on renal tissue oxygenation as measured by BOLD-MRI. The secondary outcomes include the effects of empagliflozin on tubular function, 24 h blood pressure control, and the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the renal response to empagliflozin. Fifteen normal weight, 15 overweight, and 15 obese non-diabetic subjects (men and women) will be recruited. Each participant will undergo 24 h urine collections and blood pressure measurements on day - 1, followed by an investigation day at the study center with blood and urine sampling and renal BOLD-MRI measurements before and 180 min after the administration of 10 mg empagliflozin or placebo. This sequence of measurements will be repeated after 1 month of a daily empagliflozin or placebo intake. To investigate renal oxygenation, the renal cortical and medullary R2*, as a marker of oxygenation, will be assessed by BOLD-MRI under standardized hydration conditions: the higher R2*, the lower oxygenation. SGLT-2 inhibitors have a profound effect on renal physiology. This is an important study that will explore for the first time whether inhibiting SGLT-2 with empagliflozin in healthy volunteers affects renal tissue oxygenation as determined by BOLD-MRI. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03093103

Acute and Chronic Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin on Renal Oxygenation and Blood Pressure Control in Nondiabetic Normotensive Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background The sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin has cardiorenal protective properties through mechanisms beyond glucose control. In this study we assessed whether empagliflozin modifies renal oxygenation as a possible mechanism of renal protection, and determined the metabolic, renal, and hemodynamic effects of empagliflozin in nondiabetic subjects. Methods and Results In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 45 healthy volunteers underwent blood and urine sampling, renal ultrasound, and blood-oxygenation-level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging before and 180 minutes after administration of 10 mg empagliflozin (n=30) or placebo (n=15). These examinations were repeated after 1 month of daily intake. Cortical and medullary renal oxygenation were not affected by the acute or chronic administration of empagliflozin, as determined by 148 renal blood-oxygenation-level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Empagliflozin increased glucosuria (24-hour glucosuria at 1 month: +50.1±16.3 g). The acute decrease in proximal sodium reabsorption, as determined by endogenous fractional excretion of lithium (-34.6% versus placebo), was compensated at 1 month by a rise in plasma renin activity (+28.6%) and aldosterone (+55.7%). The 24-hour systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressures decreased significantly after 1 month of empagliflozin administration (-5.1 and -2.0 mm Hg, respectively). Serum uric acid levels decreased (-28.4%), hemoglobin increased (+1.7%), and erythropoietin remained the same. Conclusions Empagliflozin has a rapid and significant effect on tubular function, with sustained glucosuria and transient natriuresis in nondiabetic normotensive subjects. These effects favor blood pressure reduction. No acute or sustained changes were found in renal cortical or medullary tissue oxygenation. It remains to be determined whether this is the case in nondiabetic or diabetic patients with congestive heart failure or kidney disease. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03093103

Beautiful Mirrors and Precision Electroweak Data

The Standard Model (SM) with a light Higgs boson provides a very good description of the precision electroweak observable data coming from the LEP, SLD and Tevatron experiments. Most of the observables, with the notable exception of the forward-backward asymmetry of the bottom quark, point towards a Higgs mass far below its current experimental bound. The disagreement, within the SM, between the values for the weak mixing angle as obtained from the measurement of the leptonic and hadronic asymmetries at lepton colliders, may be taken to indicate new physics contributions to the precision electroweak observables. In this article we investigate the possibility that the inclusion of additional bottom-like quarks could help resolve this discrepancy. Two inequivalent assignments for these new quarks are analysed. The resultant fits to the electroweak data show a significant improvement when compared to that obtained in the SM. While in one of the examples analyzed, the exotic quarks are predicted to be light, with masses below 300 GeV, and the Higgs tends to be heavy, in the second one the Higgs is predicted to be light, with a mass below 250 GeV, while the quarks tend to be heavy, with masses of about 800 GeV. The collider signatures associated with the new exotic quarks, as well as the question of unification of couplings within these models and a possible cosmological implication of the new physical degrees of freedom at the weak scale are also discussed.Comment: 21 pages, 4 embedded postscript figures, LaTeX. Two minor corrections performe