Disruptive behaviour in the Foundation Phase of schooling

Since the passage of legislation banning corporal punishment in South African schools, disruptive behaviour in schools has become an issue of national concern. Against this background a research project was undertaken in which the types and causes of disruptive behaviour occurring most frequently in the Foundation Phase of schooling were identified, with a view to providing strategies for teachers to manage behaviour of this kind. A qualitative research approach was applied. Data collection was done by conducting interviews comprising semistructured questions with Foundation Phase teachers. Strategies purposely devised to deal specifically with the identified types and causes of disruptive behaviour are explained.Keywords: disciplinary procedures; discipline problems; disruptive behaviour;disruptive behaviour strategies; human dignity; misbehaviou

Metaxanine, A Systemic Fungicide Against Plasmopara Viticola on Wine Grapes: Disease Control, Residues and Effect on Fermentation and Wine Quality

The systemic fungicide metaxanine/methyl D, L-N-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-(2 methoxyacetyl) alaninate/, was compared with mancozeb for the control of Plasmopara viticola (B x C) Berl. & de T. on grapevines in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The systemic fungicide gave better control thanmancozeb. Good control was obtained with applications of the systemic fungicide at 21 day intervals, despite the fact that weather conditions were particularly favourable for disease development. Residues of metaxanine recovered from grapes were low and did not affect either the onset, or the rate of fermentation of grape juice, nor did it affect wine quality

Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among People being Treated for HIV in Nepal: a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are found to be strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. Data are sparse on the prevalence and distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among people being treated for HIV in South Asia region. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 103 HIV patients (51 women and 52 men) attending routine follow-up consultations at the largest ART centre in Nepal was conducted. Data on several cardiovascular risk factors were collected through interview questionnaires, biophysical measurements and consulting medical records. Results: The most common cardiovascular risk factors observed were central obesity [34.6%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 25.3% to 43.9%], chronic kidney disease [20.7% (95% CI: 11.6% to 29.7%)] and tachycardia [20.6% (95% CI: 12.7% to 28.5%)]. Females were significantly more likely to have central obesity (male 9.8% vs. female 60%, p=0.016) and chronic kidney disease (male 15.4% vs. female 26.3%, p=0.003) as compared to the males. Participants were fairly active but a large proportion, especially men, had smoked [65% (95% CI: 57%-72.3%)], used tobacco products [66% (95% CI: 56.4%-74.4%)] or drugs (53.8% of the men) and consumed alcohol [60.2% (95% CI: 50.5%-69.1%)]. Conclusion: A high prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors was observed among patients being treated for HIV in Nepal. Further larger studies are warranted to better understand the relevance and public health impact of cardiovascular risk factors in this region

Susceptibility to Phytophthora Cinnamomi of two Grapevine Rootstock Clones after Thermotherapy

The grapevine rootstocks 99 Richter clone I/30/1H74 infected with grapevine fleck and leafroll and 99 Richter Prosperi Super subclone 5 infected with stem pitting and leafroll were more susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi without treatment than after heat treatment to eliminate viruses. Recent field observations by various local workers (unpublished) and claims by local growers suggested that 99 Richer (Vitis berlandieri P. x V rupestris S.) grapevine rootstock material previously subjected to thermotherapy is more susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands than untreated material. This contribution provides data on the effect of thermotherapy on the susceptibility of two 99 Richter rootstock clones to P. cinnamomi

SALT Spectropolarimetry and Self-Consistent SED and Polarization Modeling of Blazars

We report on recent results from a target-of-opportunity program to obtain spectropolarimetry observations with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) on flaring gamma-ray blazars. SALT spectropolarimetry and contemporaneous multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) data are being modelled self-consistently with a leptonic single-zone model. Such modeling provides an accurate estimate of the degree of order of the magnetic field in the emission region and the thermal contributions (from the host galaxy and the accretion disk) to the SED, thus putting strong constraints on the physical parameters of the gamma-ray emitting region. For the specific case of the $\gamma$-ray blazar 4C+01.02, we demonstrate that the combined SED and spectropolarimetry modeling constrains the mass of the central black hole in this blazar to $M_{\rm BH} \sim 10^9 \, M_{\odot}$.Comment: Submitted to Galaxies - Proceedings of "Polarized Emission from Astrophysical Jets", Ierapetra, Crete, June 12 - 16, 201

Apparatus for the automatic determination of oxygen consumption in fish

An apparatus is described which permits the automatic determination of the oxygen consumption of three fish and a control for 24 hours per day. This is made possible by an electrical control system operating four three-way valves which allow water from one of four respiration chambers at a time to flow past an oxygen electrode for quarter-hour periods. These values are registered successively on a recorder

Dysbetalipoproteinaemia-clinical and pathophysiological features

Objectives. Dysbetalipoproteinaemia (type III hyperlipidaemia, broad-beta disease) is a highly atherogenic genetic disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. It presents with a severe mixed hyperlipidaemia in which the ratio of total cholesterol to triglycerides is typically 2:1. There is a high incidence of atherosclerotic complications and severe hypertriglyceridaemia may cause pancreatitis. Highly effective therapy is available and affected families also benefit from genetic counselling.We present a review of our experience with dysbetalipoproteinaemia at the lipid clinic of Groote Schuur Hospital to enhance awareness of this serious condition, for which the index of suspicion should be raised.Design. Retrospective review of case records, 1969- 2001.Setting. Lipid clinic of Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.Subjects. Patients with dysbetalipoproteinaemia diagnosed by the presence of cholesterol-enriched very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and/or dyslipidaemia associated with homozygosity for apolipoprotein E2 or carriers of the apoE2 (Arg 145 →Cys) mutation.Results. One hundred and five patients were identified, 55 of whom were male and 50 female. The age at presentation was 48.8 ± 11.1 years (mean, standard deviation). Total cholesterol was 12.0 ± 5.5 mmol/l and plasma triglycerides 8.3 ± 9.8 mmol/1. The ratio (by mass) of cholesterol to triglycerides within VLDL was 0.52 ± 0.17, while VLDL cholesterol to plasma triglycerides was 0.33 ± 0.09. Fifty patients were E2 homozygotes while 22 carried the apoE2(Arg→ 145 Cys) mutation. Palmar crease xanthomas occurred in 20% of patients, cutaneous xanthomas in 18%, and tendon xanthomas in 13%. Coronary artery disease was found in 47% of patients and peripheral vascular disease in 20%. Fibrates were the most commonly used hypolipidaemic agents (48%), while 31% of patients received combination therapy with a fibrate and statin. Statin monotherapy was used in 11% of patients and a few patients were treated with niacin or required no drug therapy. The treated cholesterol was 5.7 ± 2.4 mmol/1, with plasma triglycerides of 2.7 ± 1.9 mmol/1. Conclusions. Dysbetalipoproteinaemia is a highly atherogenic disorder and is extremely responsive to therapy. A significant proportion of dysbetalipoproteinaemia locally is caused by the apoE2(Arg→ 145 Cys) mutation and is therefore dominantly inherited. This mutation is particularly prevalent in the black community where dysbetalipoproteinaemia may be undiagnosed in many patients. Patients with severe mixed hyperlipidaemia or clinical stigmata of dyslipidaemia should be assessed at a lipid clinic for a specific diagnosis and initiation of therapy.

Moyenne vallée du Doubs

Depuis 1984, la prospection systématique de la moyenne vallée du Doubs entre Besançon et Baume-les-Dames porte sur deux entités géographiques bien distinctes dont les altitudes varient de 250 à 500-600 m. La vallée du Doubs, encadrée de reliefs accentués, qui constitue un axe de circulation privilégiée le long duquel les découvertes archéologiques, antérieures à ces travaux d’inventaire, ont été les plus nombreuses et s’échelonnent du Paléolithique moyen à l’époque gallo-romaine. À l’est, la ..