Comparing axiomatizations of free pseudospaces

Independently and pursuing different aims, Hrushovski and Srour (On stable non-equational theories. Unpublished manuscript, 1989) and Baudisch and Pillay (J Symb Log 65(1):443–460, 2000) have introduced two free pseudospaces that generalize the well know concept of Lachlan’s free pseudoplane. In this paper we investigate the relationship between these free pseudospaces, proving in particular, that the pseudospace of Baudisch and Pillay is a reduct of the pseudospace of Hrushovski and Srour

Open-Set Speaker Identification under Mismatch Conditions

Full text of this paper is not available in the UHRA.This paper presents investigations into the performance of open-set, text-independent speaker identification (OSTI-SI) under mismatched data conditions. The scope of the study includes attempts to reduce the adverse effects of such conditions through the introduction of a modified parallel model combination (PMC) method together with condition-adjusted T-Norm (CT-Norm) into the OSTI-SI framework. The experiments are conducted using examples of real world noise. Based on the outcomes, it is demonstrated that the above approach can lead to considerable improvements in the accuracy of open-set speaker identification operating under severely mismatched data conditions. The paper details the realisation of the modified PMC method and CT-Norm in the context of OSTI-SI, presents the experimental investigations and provides an analysis of the results.otherPeer reviewe

Enabling agency through participatory action research in an honours-level postgraduate class in a school of education

This article argues that it is feasible to use participatory action research to enable agency in a university lecture room.  Underpinned by critical pedagogy, this qualitative study, shaped by a critical paradigm, used three cycles of planning, acting, observing and reflecting with 14 honours-level postgraduate students. After each cycle, data generating methods, including written opinion pieces, open-ended questionnaires, and short written tasks, were used to ascertain the effectiveness of various interventions in facilitating the teachers’ understanding and/or enactment of agency. Findings included, firstly, that explicit teaching about the concept 'agency' is required for full understanding of the concept. Secondly, while participants engaged with the complexities of agency, they displayed increasing independence of thought and confidence in written and oral work.  Finally, they understood the need for life-long learning and regular reflection on their professional identities

Critical Changes in Cortical Neuronal Interactions in Anesthetized and Awake Rats

Background: Neuronal interactions are fundamental for information processing, cognition and consciousness. Anesthetics reduce spontaneous cortical activity; however, neuronal reactivity to sensory stimuli is often preserved or augmented. How sensory stimulus-related neuronal interactions change under anesthesia has not been elucidated. Here we investigated visual stimulus-related cortical neuronal interactions during stepwise emergence from desflurane anesthesia. Methods: Parallel spike trains were recorded with 64-contact extracellular microelectrode arrays from the primary visual cortex of chronically instrumented, unrestrained rats (N=6) at 8%, 6%, 4%, 2% desflurane anesthesia and wakefulness. Light flashes were delivered to the retina by transcranial illumination at 5-15s randomized intervals. Information theoretical indices, integration and interaction complexity, were calculated from the probability distribution of coincident spike patterns and used to quantify neuronal interactions before and after flash stimulation. Results: Integration and complexity showed significant negative associations with desflurane concentration (N=60). Flash stimulation increased integration and complexity at all anesthetic levels (N=60); the effect on complexity was reduced in wakefulness. During stepwise withdrawal of desflurane, the largest increase in integration (74%) and post-stimulus complexity (35%) occurred prior to reaching 4% desflurane concentration – a level associated with the recovery of consciousness according to the rats\u27 righting reflex. Conclusions: Neuronal interactions in the cerebral cortex are augmented during emergence from anesthesia. Visual flash stimuli enhance neuronal interactions in both wakefulness and anesthesia; the increase in interaction complexity is attenuated as post-stimulus complexity reaches plateau. The critical changes in cortical neuronal interactions occur during transition to consciousness

Towards a broader understanding of selection of students to train as health care professionals

Introduction: Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) must train healthcare professionals (HCPs) able to meet priority needs of the population and address health system deficiencies. Concerns about the mismatch between outcome and policy have led many IHL to review their curriculum content. We argue for a broadening of selection criteria when choosing students to train as HCPs. Methods: A narrative inquiry drawing on life-history interviews and art-based methods was used to generate and collect data on lived lives as told and experienced by six rural-origin HCPs. Results: Analysis of two narrative vignettes framed as dilemmatic spaces show how personal beliefs and practices inform perspectives that HCPs adopted in their learning and development at IHL, and the transformational practices they enacted. Discussion: How competing forces were negotiated and positions were taken in committing to become HCPs with the capacity to lead transformation is described. Introducing and using dilemmatic spaces analytically enabled deeper understanding of beliefs and priorities that are important to consider alongside academic potential

Pharmacists as vaccinators in South Africa – addressing COVID-19 and beyond

No abstrac

Characterization of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) degrading bacteria isolated from South African waste water

1,2-Dichloroethane (DCA), a potential carcinogen that is toxic to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, is one of the most widely produced chemicals in the modern world. It is used as a metal degreaser, solvent, chemical intermediate and fuel additive. Contamination of the environment with DCA results from accidental spills and poor handling. To date, several bacterial isolates, capable of utilizing this compound as a sole carbon and energy source, have been identified in the northern hemisphere. This report focused on the isolation and characterization of bacterial isolates in the southern hemisphere that are capable of degrading DCA. Samples obtained from a waste water treatment plant in Durban, South Africa were batch cultured in minimal medium containing DCA and repeatedly sub-cultured every five days over a 25 day period. A halogen release assay was performed in order to determine whether individual isolates possessed dehalogenase activity. Confirmation of DCA utilization by bacterial isolates that were positive for dehalogenase activity was done by sub-culturing back into minimal medium containing DCA. It was found that five isolates possessed an identical hydrolytic dehalogenase gene following the design of primers based on known hydrolytic dehalogenase genes. Analysis of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that, all the South African isolates belonged to the genus Ancylobacter and were different from each other.Key words: 1,2- dichloroethane, halogenated hydrocarbon, xenobiotic, dehalogenase