A Note on the Linear Flow of a Viscous Incompressible Conducting Fluid Past an Infinite Flat Plate with Constant Suction in the Presence of a Transverse Magnetic Field

Analytical solution has been obtained for the momentum Equations of the linear flow of a viscous in compressible electrically conducting fluid past an infinite porous flat plate in the presence of a transverse magnetic field when the suction velocity normal to the plate is constant. It is observed that the velocity in the boundary layer increases with the increase of the intensity of the magnetic field

Sanctuary or double-edged sword? Challenges confronting adolescents living at Nkosi’s Haven in Johannesburg, South Africa

Living in an institution associated with HIV and AIDS is likely to exacerbate difficulties experienced by teenagers who have to cope with the normal stresses of adolescence. The aim of the study was to explore the challenges that adolescents living at Nkosi’s Haven encounter and whether they experience any problems when interacting with their peers and other members of the community. The study was located within a qualitative research paradigm and utilised a purposive, non-probability sample of 15 participants recruited from two Nkosi’s Havens. A semi-structured interview schedule was employed as the research tool, with in-depth one-on-oneinterviews adopted as the method of data collection. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data collected during the interviews. The main finding that emanated from the study was that Nkosi’s Haven is indeed a place of care and nurturing as adolescents are afforded the opportunity to continue with their educational needs while basic and psychosocial needs are also addressed. However, it also emerged that rejection, discrimination, social exclusion and stigmatisation associated with the setting make it difficult for resident adolescents to integrate freely with their peers at school and in the community. The conclusion drawn is that Nkosi’s Haven can be regarded as a double-edged sword as it presents both positive and negative factors that impact on its resident adolescents. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for community awareness programmes, policies and practice changes regarding employment and training of staff, and visiting of parents as well as future research

The praxis and paradoxes of community engagement as the third mission of universities. A case of a selected South African university

Community Engagement (CE) is universities’ third mission (TM), with teaching and learning, and research as the first and second. Although endorsed as the TM of universities and despite clear policy mandates, CE is largely neglected in several South African universities for several reasons. There is growing pressure for universities to partake in CE in order to align their various disciplinary diversity and resources to connect with the broader society and produce socially engaged and responsible graduates. The long-term benefits of CE are linked to knowledge creation, improved community practices and improved social justice. The article aimed to explore academic staff members’ understanding of CE, its execution in the institution and its challenges. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study concluded that there are conceptual contradictions in academics’ view of CE and there is a mismatch between what is defined as CE and the actual practice. The CE challenges include lack of institutional guidance, lack of understanding on measuring its effectiveness, neglect, the uncertainty of who should conduct it and lack of finances channelled towards it. To curb the challenges, a clear conceptual framework/policy should be generated that stipulates a clear definition of CE, how to conduct it and which staff should engage communities. Finally, considering that CE benefits students, researchers and communities, provision for its funding should be made by universities to curb financial constraints

Effect of Planned Early Recommended Ambulation Technique on Selected Post caesarean Biophysiological Health Parameters

Background: Caesarean section has been a part of human culture since ancient times. It has been used effectively throughout the 20th century and among the major abdominal surgeries, it is the most common, oldest worldwide surgery performed in obstetrics. Despite the life saving advantages, there are several adverse consequences of caesarean delivery for a woman and to her household. The rate and risk of these complications increases due to the increasing incidence mainly in countries like India. The role of nurse midwife is to act in the best interest of patient and newborn and make the patient independent in carrying out the activities of daily living as soon as possible. This can lead to a faster recovery and shorter hospital stay. Also it can indirectly help in reducing the complications associated with prolonged bed rest and can improve the maternal newborn bonding. Aim and Objectives: The present study was done to evaluate the effect of planned early ambulation on selected biophysiological health parameters of post caesarean patients. Material and Methods: The study included total 500 study subjects, 250 in experimental and 250 in control group. Quasi experimental approach with multiple time series design was adopted for the study. The experimental group was given an early planned recommended ambulation technique starting from the day of surgery. This consisted of deep breathing exercise, cough exercise, leg exercise and early mobilization. Over and above, the routine general health care was given by the doctors and nurses. The control group received only by routine general care by doctors and nurses and mobilization on third post operative day as per strategy adopted by the hospital. The deep breathing exercises, coughing exercises and leg exercises were not given routinely and hence were not given to the control group. Post caesarean biophysiological parameters chart was used to assess the selected parameters for first five post operative days. Result: The significant findings of the study were that there was a significant difference in the proportions of normal observations of selected biophysiological health parameters like incisional pain, condition of breast, condition of abdomen and peristaltic movements of experimental group as compared to that of control group. All these parameters improved significant during first five post caesarean days at 0.05 level of significance. Thus the alternative hypothesis was accepted and null hypothesis was rejected. From the present study it could be concluded that the early planned ambulation is an effective strategy for post operative management of caesarean patient. It can help in avoiding morbidity and can enhance the early recovery of the patient

Glycans in pathogenic bacteria - potential for targeted covalent therapeutics and imaging agents

A substantial obstacle to the existing treatment of bacterial diseases is the lack of specific probes that can be used to diagnose and treat pathogenic bacteria in a selective manner while leaving the microbiome largely intact. To tackle this problem, there is an urgent need to develop pathogen-specific therapeutics and diagnostics. Here, we describe recent evidence that indicates distinctive glycans found exclusively on pathogenic bacteria could form the basis of targeted therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. In particular, we highlight the use of metabolic oligosaccharide engineering to covalently deliver therapeutics and imaging agents to bacterial glycans. © 2014 The Partner Organisations

STUDIES ON THE IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO FOREIGN TUMOR TRANSPLANTS IN THE MOUSE : II. THE RELATION BETWEEN HEMAGGLUTINATING ANTIBODY AND GRAFT RESISTANCE IN THE NORMAL MOUSE AND MICE PRETREATED WITH TISSUE PREPARATIONS

The relation between serum antibody and resistance to tumor homografts in the mouse has been investigated. Production of serum antibody in response to homografts of a transplantable sarcoma (Sarcoma 1) was demonstrated, by cytotoxic action on the cells of the tumor, and also by a hemagglutinin test. The simpler and more repeatable hemagglutinin test was further investigated. Peak hemagglutinin titres were reached after the immunizing homografts underwent breakdown. Following transfer of lymph node cells from immunized mice into hosts of the same strain, hemagglutinin could be detected in the host serum. The course of its production showed that this secondary antibody was not elicited by transferred antigen, nor could it be due to transfer of preformed antibody. The cells developed the capacity to transfer hemagglutinin production later than the power to transfer heightened graft resistance. Spleen cells also transferred hemagglutinin production, at a later stage after immunization and to a lesser extent than cells from the regional lymph nodes. Implantation of the sarcoma in mice pretreated with certain preparations of lyophilized or frozen tissue stimulated hemagglutinin production, although the tumor grew progressively. The regional lymph nodes participated in the response: they could transfer hemagglutinin production into secondary hosts, but not graft resistance, and indeed appeared to diminish resistance. Lymph node cells from immunized donors conferred protection against the tumor on pretreated mice. Lymph nodes from normal donors also appeared in some experiments to confer protection although the effect was obscured by the rapidity with which the growing tumor became immunologically invulnerable. The fate of lymph node cells stained with acriflavine was followed after transfer. No effect of the staining on the power of the cells to confer immunity could be detected. Cells transferred to the peritoneal cavity passed into various host tissues, but were not found in test homografts. The conclusion is drawn that the hemagglutinating antibody is distinct from the antibody effective in combating homografts. The similarity in this respect between the homograft reaction and sensitization is emphasized in discussion

Final-year medical students’ ratings of service-learning activities during an integrated primary care block

Background. Service learning (SL) has as its pedagogy the ability to link medical education to the community through the identification of healthcare needs for citizens residing in rural and urban underserved communities. Integrated Primary Care (IPC) is a clinical block through which final-year medical students manage common presenting problems in context and engage the community in a reciprocal manner.Objective. To assess the educational value and enjoyment of the 27 SL activities (SLAs) undertaken by final-year medical students as part of the IPC block.Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among final-year medical students (N=245), focusing on logbook activities during 1 academic year.Results. Students reported positively on the educational value of the majority of the 17 clinical SLAs, but only 3 activities were ranked the same for enjoyment and educational value. For non-clinical activities, only 2 of 10 were matched for educational and enjoyment value. There was no significant difference in the rating of educational value and enjoyment between rural and urban underserved sites.Conclusions. The study provided insight into clinical and non-clinical SLAs that accumulate value for students when they are based in primary healthcare settings. The lack of enjoyment on reflective activities is a concern that should be explored through a qualitative review of SLAs

Risk of nevirapine-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome among HIV-infected pregnant women: The Medunsa National Pharmacovigilance Centre, 2007 - 2012

Background. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an acute life-threatening condition often elicited by drugs. The government’s indecisiveness in deciding to stop the use of nevirapine (NVP) in HIV-infected pregnant women owing to the increase of SJS among this population groupin South Africa prompted this investigation.Objectives. To investigate if pregnancy is a risk factor for SJS among HIV-infected women taking NVP-containing regimens and registeredwithin the Medunsa National Pharmacovigilance Centre database.Methods. A matched case-control study with 5:1 matching was conducted. Women with SJS (cases) taking NVP-containing regimens were matched with women without SJS (controls) taking NVP-containing regimens. Controls were randomly selected and matched to cases by hospital, age, treatment duration and CD4 count. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine if pregnancy was a risk factor for SJS.Results. Six SJS cases were identified and 30 controls selected. The median age of both cases and controls was 29 years and the averageCD4 counts were 237 and 234 cells/ìl respectively. Subjects were on NVP treatment for 18 - 31 days before the onset of SJS. Controls did not develop SJS after treatment of between 1 and 365 days. Pregnancy increased the chances of developing SJS 14-fold (OR 14.28, p=0.006,95% CI 1.54 - 131.82).Conclusions. NVP-containing ARV regimens taken during pregnancy increase the risk of developing SJS. Healthcare workers are advisedto offer informed consent to patients and recommend effective  contraception methods if NVP treatment is considered. In the light of ourfindings, further studies of the association between NVP, pregnancy and SJS are necessary before general conclusions can be reached