THE INTEGRATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE INTO THE OPEN LABOUR MARKET: A SOCIAL WORK PERSPECTIVE

It has been established that people with disabilities are in most cases excluded from society and major activities in society such as social recreation and employment in the open labour market. Only 1% of people with disabilities in South Africa are working in the open labour market. Only some of the 99% who do not work receive a small grant from the state, which is their only form of income (White Paper on Integrated National Disability Strategy 1997:2-3). It is an objective of the South African government to achieve equity in the open labour market. As little research has formally been done regarding the attitudes, perceptions and needs of employers regarding the integrating of people with disabilities into the labour market, the subject of this study is relatively new. The researchers have therefore conducted an exploratory research study to explore employment possibilities for people with disabilities, the attitudes, perceptions and needs of employers as well as barriers that prevent the employment of disabled people. On the basis of this information the researchers have described guidelines for a training programme for employers to integrate people with disabilities into the open labour market

WWF transport project's low carbon challenges in Tshwane and Johannesburg: video, evaluation and findings

In partnership with each of the Cities of Tshwane and Joburg, WWF ran two low-carbon challenges. Following clues, teams of participants traversed a route within the City using only public, minibus taxi, electric or non-motorised transport. The teams were made up of City officials, business leaders, students and celebrities. The team with the lowest ?carbon footprint? was the winner, not the team which came in first. Participants, city officials and WWF learnt a lot in the process of organising the races and during them, which will be presented in this lively input.No paper, Abstract onlyPaper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Lexicography and the translation of ‘cedars of Lebanon’ in the Septuagint

Botanical terms in the Septuagint reveal a mass of uncertain and sometimes contradictory data, owing to the translators’ inadequate and inaccurate understanding of plants. To understand the metaphorical and symbolic meaning of plants, the new approach represented by Biblical Plant Hermeneutics places the taxonomy of flora on a strong ethnological and ethnobotanical basis by studying each plant in situ and gathering indigenous knowledge about the plant and its context in the biblical text. This article applies this methodology to the translation of the Hebrew source text term אֶרֶז [cedar] in the Septuagint as κέδρος [cedar] or κέδρινος (the adjectival form of κέδρος) and its interpretation in the light of lexicography, which lead to contradictory identifications. A complexity theoretical approach is proposed to provide a solution for the various identification choices in the light of lexicography to communicate the cultural values of the Hebrew source text and its Greek translation

Exploring the Role of Environmental Quality and Time Perspective in the Academic Performance of Grade 12 Learners

The aim of this study was to determine to what extent environmental quality and time perspective can account for the variance in the academic performance of Grade 12 learners. Time perspective was assessed utilising the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI). Environmental quality was measured by means of a self-compiled questionnaire. A total of 413 Grade 12 learners from four English mediumschools in the Mangaung area of the Free State Province in South Africa were involved in the study. It was found that time perspective together with environmental quality accounts for approximately 14% of the variance found in the academic performance of Grade 12 learners. Although statistically significant relationships were found between time perspective and academic performance, these relationships were concluded to be of little practical importance. The academic performance of Grade 12 learners is of great importance as the results obtained from their final examinations are generally viewed as primary selection criteria for access to higher education institutions (Swartz, 1998; Uys, 1993; Huysamen, 2001). Various cognitive, personal and environmental factors have been found to influence learners’ academic performance (Moller, 1995; Louw, Van Ede & Louw, 1998; Malefo, 2000). Only a limited number of researchers have investigated the influence of environmental quality as well as time perspective on academic performance within the South African context. It is the aim of this study to explore the concepts of environmental quality and time perspective and their role in the academic performance of Grade 12 learners

Investigation into the Aroma of Rosemary using Multi-Channel Silicone Rubber Traps, Off-line Olfactometry and Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Multi-channel polydimethylsiloxane rubber traps were used to sample the headspace of rosemary samples (two essential oils from different sources, one oleoresin and one dried herb) followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography – time of flight mass spectrometry(GCxGC-TOFMS)orGC-MSanalyses. The aromaof different headspace samples was characterized using a custom-built olfactory apparatus. The differences between the aroma profiles were evident from bubble plots of the perceived aroma at different temperatures. The samples were heat-treated to simulate cooking of food products, and were then reassessed to determine any changes in the aroma profile. It was found that the intense menthol and cooling aromas subsided in all the samples with heating. GCxGC-TOFMS allowed for separation of the numerous components in the headspace samples. Manyterpenes and aliphatics were thus tentatively identified and the relative peak areas were compared to better understand the mixture that contributes to the rosemary aroma.KEYWORDS Rosemary, multi-channel silicone rubber traps, GCxGC-TOFMS, essential oil, off-line olfactometry

Autologous whole blood clot and negative-pressure wound therapy in South Africa: A comparison of the cost and social considerations

Background. Advanced wound treatment modalities enhance healing of hard-to-heal wounds, decrease the risk of amputations, and improve the quality of life of patients. Modalities have different rates of efficacy and incur different social and financial costs to the individual and the healthcare system. Two such modalities, the autologous whole blood clot (WBC) and negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT), were compared in the South African (SA) context. The comparison was conducted on hard-to-heal wounds, with a specific focus on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Objectives. To compare the social considerations and financial costs of using autologous WBC v. NPWT in the treatment of DFUs in SA. Methods. Data were obtained based on current supply costs from SA suppliers for the two modalities, the standard of care for both modalities, the number of applications required for each, and social considerations provided by SA wound management clinicians. Wound healing rates were obtained from the published literature. This information was used to calculate costs of two scenarios (scenario 1: low exudate v. scenario 2: high exudate), which were compared over two treatment durations (4 and 12 weeks) for each treatment modality. Calculations included weekly cost of supplies, total cost saved by a patient with a DFU managed with either of the wound therapies, and the difference in total cost saved between the two modalities. Key social considerations were assessed qualitatively from discussions with SA clinicians experienced in both autologous WBC and NPWT, and from published research. Results. The cost of supplies per week was ZAR3 250 for autologous WBC and ZAR4 804 for NPWT in scenario 1, and ZAR3 332 and ZAR6 612 in scenario 2. With healing rates over 4 weeks’ treatment duration of 19% for autologous WBC and 10% for NPWT, autologous WBC saved ZAR17 719.93, or 9% more than using NPWT, in scenario 1 and ZAR18 381.47, or 10% more, in scenario 2. At 12 weeks’ treatment duration, healing rates for autologous WBC and NPWT were 75% and 43%, respectively. In scenario 1, results indicated a 43% cost difference between the two modalities. Autologous WBC had a total cost saving of ZAR61 874.40 compared with NPWT over a period of 12 weeks. In scenario 2, results indicated a 46% cost difference between the two modalities. Autologous WBC had a total cost saving of ZAR70 454.68 compared with NPWT over a period of 12 weeks. One of the identified social considerations is that NPWT needs a reliable supply of electricity to recharge the pump, while autologous WBC does not. Conclusion. Both modalities are safe and effective in treating hard-to-heal wounds of the lower extremities. Autologous WBC consistently demonstrated better outcomes than NPWT in terms of both healing rate and cost-effectiveness, as well as having some advantages in terms of social considerations in SA

Monitoring compliance of CITES lion bone exports from South Africa

From 2008 to 2018, South Africa permitted the export of captive-bred African lion (Panthera leo) skeletons to Southeast Asia under CITES Appendix II. Legal exports rose from approximately 50 individuals in 2008 to a maximum of 1,771 skeletons in 2016, and has led to ongoing concerns over possible laundering of non-lion, multiple-source and wild-sourced bones. South Africa is required under its obligations to CITES to employ mechanisms for monitoring and reporting trade, and to limit the potential for illegal trade and laundering of lion and other large felid bones. Monitoring tools for legal trade are critical to compliance with CITES. Here we evaluate the CITES-compliance procedure implemented by South Africa for export of lion bones and identify six essential general points for consideration in the implementation of animal export quota compliance protocols. We provide specific insight into the South African lion bone export monitoring system through: i) outlining the protocols followed; ii) assessing the utility of cranial morphology to identify species; iii) evaluating skeleton consignment weight as a monitoring tool; and iv) presenting molecular (DNA) species assignment and pairwise-comparative sample matching of individuals. We describe irregularities and illicit behaviour detected in the 2017 and 2018 lion bone quotas. Notably, we report that the compliance procedure successfully identified and prevented the attempted laundering of a tiger (P. tigris) skeleton in 2018. We emphasise the utility of mixed-method protocols for the monitoring of compliance in CITES Appendix II export quota systems

Corrective wedge ostectomy for an atypical femoral procurvatum deformity stabilised with a supracondylar bone plate

Physeal fractures of the distal femur are among the most commonly encountered fractures in skeletally immature dogs. These fractures respond poorly to conservative management and thus early surgical reduction and stabilisation are recommended. A 7-month-old intact male Border collie presented with a history of chronic lameness. Clinical examination revealed a predominantly non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hindlimb and concurrent muscle atrophy. A pronounced, but atypical, procurvatum deformity of the right distal femur was diagnosed on survey radiographs. Malunion of a Salter–Harris Type III physeal fracture was suspected as there was an associated history of trauma. A cranially based closing wedge ostectomy was performed to address the femoral deformity and subsequently stabilised using a supracondylar bone plate. The dog recovered well and was moderately weight-bearing lame on the right hindlimb 6 weeks post-operatively. Ten months following the operation the range of motion had improved in the right stifle and no signs of lameness were evident at a walk. We advocate surgical correction of sagittal plane deformities of the distal femur using the CORA method. Overall, a good functional outcome was achieved, which is consistent with previously reported cases with similar deformities

La dinámica de un territorio en Yucatán

El hilo conductor del proyecto en Yucatán partió de las preguntas surgidas del Programa Dinámicas Territoriales Rurales (DTR): ¿Cuáles han sido los fenómenos endógenos y exógenos que han influenciado la dinámica del territorio a estudiar en los últimos 20 años?; ¿Cuáles son los fenómenos que podrían explicar el resultado de una mejora de 1990 a 2005 en el nivel de bienestar de los hogares de cuatro municipios en el estado de Yucatán? A las estas dos preguntas hemos añadido la que sigue:¿ha cambiado el bienestar de los hogares de estos municipios en 2009? Un paso previo, necesario para llevar a cabo el estudio, fue indagar si los cuatro municipios yucatecos pueden considerarse como un territorio. Con base en los resultados obtenidos consideramos que los municipios de Cuzamá, Huhí, Acanceh y Homún forman un territorio, que denominamos CHAH a partir de la primera letra de sus nombres. Nuestra investigación se ha basado en el uso de dos metodologías: cualitativa y cuantitativa.Yucatán, México, economías rurales, Latín América, dinámicas territoriales

System dynamics as a tool for exploring greenhouse gas emission mitigation potential in freight transport

In this study, system dynamics modelling is used to evaluate the impacts of decisions made by different decision makers in the freight subsector on the performance of the sector, as measured in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, direct job creation, water usage and various externality costs. The focus is on gaining a deeper understanding of opportunities for reducing GHGs, and particularly on the shift of freight from road to rail. Transport of processed food along the Cape Town-Gauteng corridor is used as a case study. Decision makers considered include the freight owners and those responsible for decisions around the vehicle fleet. In the model, decision makers respond to a number of aspects of system performance, including cost, system reliability and taxes. These aspects inform their decision to shift freight on or off rail, or to invest in efficiency interventions. Decisions made in one year impact on overall system performance, which may change a decision maker?s actions in the following year. This paper describes in detail the structure of the model and how it functions. It also discusses the necessary input data, and how this was gathered. Finally, simulation results are presented and discussed.Paper presented at the 34th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 6-9 July 2015 "Working Together to Deliver - Sakha Sonke", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US