Experiences of secondary school management teams on teamwork in Tshwane North District schools

Democracy in South Africa, among others, has brought a significant number of changes in the education system, including the concept of school management team in schools (SMT). In line with this, the objective of this study was to find out how SMTs experience teamwork in schools; and was conducted in the purposefully sampled six secondary schools in the Tshwane North District. This study was framed within the interpretive approach, and sought to unpack the experience of SMT members with regard to teamwork. An interpretive paradigm made it possible for me to gain an in-depth understanding of SMT member‟s experience of teamwork within their school contexts. I used interviews and questionnaires as research tools to gather data. This study has found that, although the concept of teamwork is well-received, there are significant obstacles to the implementation of teamwork as an alternative form of management.Education Leadership and ManagementM. Ed. (Education Management

The diversity of root nodule bacteria associated with Lebeckia species in South Africa

Nitrogen-fixing diazotrophic root-nodule bacteria are of immense economic importance because of their symbiosis with leguminous plants. Diazotrophic bacteria infect the host legume root inducing the formation of nodules in which the bacteria (also termed rhizobia) replicate and synthesize the enzyme nitrogenase. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of atmospheric dinitrogen to ammonia for subsequent use by the plant as a major source of nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential element required by plants for growth and synthesis of protein and is usually the most limiting element in agricultural production as well as being the most expensive component of fertilizer. The aim of my study was to determine the diversity and taxonomy of a specific group of root nodule bacteria associated with different species of Lebeckia. The genus Lebeckia Thunb. (Family Leguminosae, subfamily Papilionoideae, tribe Crotalarieae) comprises some 33 plant species. These plants are mainly indigenous to the southern and Western Cape regions of South Africa. They are divided into shrubby trifoliate-leaf species in the sections Calobota, Stiza and Viborgioides and suffrutescent unifoliate needle-leaf species in the section Lebeckia. Plants of this genus are adapted to harsh environmental conditions such as are found in the Karoo and Namaqualand. Several Lebeckia species are beneficial, such as L. spinescens and L. multiflora, which are valuable as pasture legumes and well grazed by animals especially in winter. All the species have ecological value because of their nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with rhizobia. To my knowledge, no attempts have been made in the past to investigate these microsymbionts of Lebeckia. Root nodules were collected from Lebeckia species at a wide variety of localities in the western and southern Cape regions of South Africa. Indigenous rhizobia isolated from these nodules were investigated for their nodulation abilities on their respective host plants as well as on non-host promiscuous legumes, cowpea and siratro. The isolates were then characterized using random amplified DNA fingerprinting followed by DNA sequencing of selected isolates. Results presented in this study showed that the indigenous South African genus Lebeckia is nodulated by diverse rhizobia from both α- and β-Proteobacteria. The first chapter contains a literature review of symbiotic nitrogen fixation that includes a general description of the biology, inoculant technology and the taxonomy of legumes and their rhizobia. The genera within the tribe Crotalarieae (such as Crotalaria, Lotononis, and Aspalathus) were discussed with special reference to the genus Lebeckia. Technical methods used for the classification of rhizobia were also reviewed. Non-DNA-based methods such as host specificity, substrate utilization, antibiotic resistance, morphological characters and biochemical properties as well as DNA based fingerprinting methods (ARDRA, RFLP RAPD, and AFLP), DNA sequence information, analysis of whole genomes, DNA-DNA hybridization and polyphasic approaches were outlined. The second chapter describes the isolation of 79 rhizobial isolates from the root nodules of 10 Lebeckia species. The isolates were purified and tested for nodulation and nitrogen fixation on cowpea and siratro as well as their host plants. All the isolates fixed nitrogen on their respective Lebeckia hosts, whereas 56% of the strains were effective on cowpea and 77% on siratro. The third chapter describes initial comparison and screening of the isolates by SP-PCR fingerprinting analysis. DNA profiles showed that most of the isolates grouped according to host plant species rather than geographical location. Isolates selected from different clusters were subjected to partial 16S rDNA gene sequencing to confirm their taxonomic identity. This revealed that Lebeckia is nodulated by diverse genera of root nodule bacteria from both the α-Proteobacteria (Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, and Sinorhizobium) as well as the β-Proteobacteria (Burkholderia). The final chapter (Chapter 4) provides concluding remarks on my results and possible future avenues of research on the Lebeckia rhizobia.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Microbiology and Plant Pathologyunrestricte

The metabolic syndrome and renal function in an African cohort infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Introduction: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often accompanied by renal dysfunction. It is expected that metabolic syndrome (MetS) may exacerbate renal impairment.Objective: We therefore determined the prevalence of MetS and the association thereof with renal function in a South African cohort infected with HIV.Methods: We matched 114 HIV-infected (77.3% on antiretroviral therapy [ART] and 22.7% ART-naïve) and 114 HIV-uninfected individuals according to age, sex and locality. We examined cardiovascular, anthropometric and metabolic measurements and determined the MetS. Renal function was assessed using standardised procedures.Results: The prevalence of MetS was lower in the HIV-infected individuals as compared to the uninfected individuals (28% vs. 44%, p = 0.013). The HIV-infected group presented with a lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) (all p < 0.001), as well as blood pressure (BP) ( p ≤ 0.0021). The results were confirmed when comparing the HIV-infected group using ART (N = 85) and the HIV-uninfected group. When comparing the HIV-infected individuals with MetS to the HIV-uninfected individuals with MetS, no differences in BP were seen. With regard to renal function, the HIV-infected individuals with MetS (n = 32) had 43% higher urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) compared to the HIV-uninfected individuals with MetS, after adjusting for age, sex and WC (p = 0.032). None of the other renal function markers differed after adjustments for WC or BMI.Conclusion: The HIV-infected Africans with MetS had almost twofold higher uACR, despite the low prevalence of MetS, compared to their uninfected counterparts. The combination of HIV and MetS seemed to increase the risk for renal impairment

Leadership strategies employed by secondary school management teams in managing teamwork in Tshwane North District schools

The study focused on the leadership strategies employed by secondary school management team (SMT) in managing teamwork in Tshwane North District schools. Apart from a literature review, the objective of this study was to explore leadership strategies employed by SMT in managing teamwork, and how it affects the overall school management and performance. The study was conducted in the purposefully sampled six secondary schools wherein 18 SMT members were interviewed and 100 questionnaires distributed to 10 randomly sampled schools from the population of 30 schools. The study adopted the mixed methods research and sought to unpack the leadership strategies SMT members employ to manage teamwork. Empirical findings elicited by this study are that the concept of leadership strategies is a positive development. The participants’ perception of leadership strategies is generally favourable and they welcome the development, though many argue that it is essentially nothing new.Educational Leadership and ManagementD. Ed. (Educational Management

The metabolic syndrome and renal function in an African cohort infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Introduction: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often accompanied by renal dysfunction. It is expected that metabolic syndrome (MetS) may exacerbate renal impairment. Objective: We therefore determined the prevalence of MetS and the association thereof with renal function in a South African cohort infected with HIV. Methods: We matched 114 HIV-infected (77.3% on antiretroviral therapy [ART] and 22.7% ART-naïve) and 114 HIV-uninfected individuals according to age, sex and locality. We examined cardiovascular, anthropometric and metabolic measurements and determined the MetS. Renal function was assessed using standardised procedures. Results: The prevalence of MetS was lower in the HIV-infected individuals as compared to the uninfected individuals (28% vs. 44%, p = 0.013). The HIV-infected group presented with a lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) (all p < 0.001), as well as blood pressure (BP) (p ≤ 0.0021). The results were confirmed when comparing the HIV-infected group using ART (N = 85) and the HIV-uninfected group. When comparing the HIV-infected individuals with MetS to the HIV-uninfected individuals with MetS, no differences in BP were seen. With regard to renal function, the HIV-infected individuals with MetS (n = 32) had 43% higher urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) compared to the HIV-uninfected individuals with MetS, after adjusting for age, sex and WC (p = 0.032). None of the other renal function markers differed after adjustments for WC or BMI. Conclusion: The HIV-infected Africans with MetS had almost twofold higher uACR, despite the low prevalence of MetS, compared to their uninfected counterparts. The combination of HIV and MetS seemed to increase the risk for renal impairment

Understanding the differential impacts of COVID-19 among hospitalised patients in South Africa for equitable response

BACKGROUND : There are limited in-depth analyses of COVID-19 differential impacts, especially in resource-limited settings such as South Africa (SA). OBJECTIVES : To explore context-specific sociodemographic heterogeneities in order to understand the differential impacts of COVID-19. METHODS : Descriptive epidemiological COVID-19 hospitalisation and mortality data were drawn from daily hospital surveillance data, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) update reports (6 March 2020 - 24 January 2021) and the Eastern Cape Daily Epidemiological Report (as of 24 March 2021). We examined hospitalisations and mortality by sociodemographics (age using 10-year age bands, sex and race) using absolute numbers, proportions and ratios. The data are presented using tables received from the NICD, and charts were created to show trends and patterns. Mortality rates (per 100 000 population) were calculated using population estimates as a denominator for standardisation. Associations were determined through relative risks (RRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values <0.001. RESULTS : Black African females had a significantly higher rate of hospitalisation (8.7% (95% CI 8.5 - 8.9)) compared with coloureds, Indians and whites (6.7% (95% CI 6.0 - 7.4), 6.3% (95% CI 5.5 - 7.2) and 4% (95% CI 3.5 - 4.5), respectively). Similarly, black African females had the highest hospitalisation rates at a younger age category of 30 - 39 years (16.1%) compared with other race groups. Whites were hospitalised at older ages than other races, with a median age of 63 years. Black Africans were hospitalised at younger ages than other race groups, with a median age of 52 years. Whites were significantly more likely to die at older ages compared with black Africans (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.06 - 1.08) or coloureds (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.33 - 1.54); a similar pattern was found between Indians and whites (RR 1.59; 95% CI 1.47 - 1.73). Women died at older ages than men, although they were admitted to hospital at younger ages. Among black Africans and coloureds, females (50.9 deaths per 100 000 and 37 per 100 000, respectively) had a higher COVID-19 death rate than males (41.2 per 100 000 and 41.5 per 100 000, respectively). However, among Indians and whites, males had higher rates of deaths than females. The ratio of deaths to hospitalisations by race and gender increased with increasing age. In each age group, this ratio was highest among black Africans and lowest among whites. CONCLUSION : The study revealed the heterogeneous nature of COVID-19 impacts in SA. Existing socioeconomic inequalities appear to shape COVID-19 impacts, with a disproportionate effect on black Africans and marginalised and low socioeconomic groups. These differential impacts call for considered attention to mitigating the health disparities among black Africans.University of Johannesburghttp://www.samj.org.zadm2022Psycholog

Burkholderia kirstenboschensis sp. nov. nodulates papilionoid legumes indigenous to South Africa

Despite the diversity of Burkholderia species known to nodulate legumes in introduced and native regions, relatively few taxa have been formally described. For example, the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa is thought to represent one of the major centres of diversity for the rhizobial members of Burkholderia, yet only five species have been described from legumes occurring in this region and numerous are still awaiting taxonomic treatment. Here, we investigated the taxonomic status of 12 South African root-nodulating Burkholderia isolates from native papilionoid legumes (Hypocalyptus coluteoides, H. oxalidifolius, H. sophoroides and Virgilia oroboides). Analysis of four gene regions (16S rRNA, recA, atpD and rpoB) revealed that the isolates represent a genealogically unique and exclusive assemblage within the genus. Its distinctness was supported by all other aspects of the polyphasic approach utilized, including the genome-based criteria DNA−DNA hybridization (≥70.9%) and average nucleotide identities (≥96%). We accordingly propose the name B. kirstenboschensis sp. nov. for this taxon with isolate Kb15T (=LMG 28727T; =SARC 695T) as its type strain. Our data showed that intraspecific genome size differences (≥0.81 Mb) and the occurrence of large DNA regions that are apparently unique to single individuals (16−23% of an isolate's genome) can significantly limit the value of data obtained from DNA−DNA hybridization experiments. Substitution of DNA−DNA hybridization with whole genome sequencing as a prerequisite for the description of Burkholderia species will undoubtedly speed up the pace at which their diversity are documented, especially in hyperdiverse regions such as the Cape Floristic Region.South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology.http://www.elsevier.de/syapm2016-12-31hb201

Stem cell transplant in immune-deficiency-associated vaccine-derived poliovirus

Patients with severe primary immunodeficiency are at risk for complications from live-attenuated vaccines. Here, we report a case of a vaccine-associated paralytic polio and Bacille Calmette-Guérin disease in a 6-month-old girl with severe combined immunodeficiency resulting from homozygous recombinant activating gene 1 deficiency. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and oral pocapavir for poliovirus, and antimycobacterial therapy for regional Bacille Calmette-Guérin disease, allowing stem cell transplant. Following transplantation, poliovirus type 3 with 13 mutations was detected from cerebrospinal fluid but not from stool, indicating ongoing viral evolution in the central nervous system despite pocapavir treatment. Clinical improvement and immune reconstitution allowed the patient to be successfully discharged with no further detection of poliovirus.https://academic.oup.com/ofidhj2024Medical VirologyPaediatrics and Child HealthSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

The influence of body composition effects on male facial masculinity and attractiveness

Body mass index (BMI) and its facial correlates influence a range of perceptions including masculinity and attractiveness. BMI conflates body fat and muscle which are sexually dimorphic because men typically have more muscle but less fat than women. We therefore investigated the influence of facial correlates of body composition (fat mass and muscle mass) on the perception of masculinity in male faces. Women have been found to prefer more masculine looking men when considering short-term relationships compared with long-term relationships. We therefore conducted a second study of heterosexual women’s preferences for facial correlates of fat and muscle mass under long and short relationship contexts. We digitally transformed face shape simulating the effects of raised and lowered levels of body fat or muscle, controlling for each other, height and age. In Study 1, participants rated masculinity of shape-transformed male faces. The face shape correlates of muscle mass profoundly enhanced perceived masculinity but the face shape correlates of fat mass only affected the perception of masculinity in underweight to low normal weight men. In Study 2, we asked two groups of women to optimize male face images (by adjusting the shape correlates of fat and muscle) to most resemble someone they would prefer, either for a short-term sexual relationship or for a long-term relationship. The results were consistent across the two participant groups: women preferred the appearance of male faces associated with a higher muscle mass for short-term compared with long-term relationships. No difference was found in women’s preference for the face shape correlates of fat mass between the two relationship contexts. These findings suggest that the facial correlates of body fat and muscle have distinct impacts on the perception of male masculinity and on women’s preferences. The findings indicate that body composition needs to be taken into consideration in psychological studies involving body weight