Estimating Scale Efficiency Of Platinum-Mining Companies Environmental Performance: A South African Perspective

The purpose of the study is to develop a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to estimate the relative scale efficiency of platinum-mining companies environmental performance. South African platinum-mines were used to demonstrate the model, which uses environmental performance indicators as the input variables in order to generate mineral extraction and financial performances as the output variables. The input variables considered were greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and energy usage, while the output variables were platinum production, return on equity and return on assets. The contribution of the study is that a DEA model was developed that could identify relatively efficient companies that could act as benchmarks with regard to environmental issues in the mining sector. A further contribution is that the study concluded that platinum-mining companies tend not to achieve economies of scale, where the companies that are relatively larger in size tend to operate on a scale that is too large and companies that are physically relatively smaller in size tend to operate on a scale that is too small

Ou Testament Teologie en/of 'Religionsgeschichte'?

Old Testament Theology and/or "Religionsgeschichte"This article provides an overview of the latest developments in the area of Old Testament Theology and the relationship thereof to "Religionsgeschichte". The book by Rainer Albertz has played an important role in the debate on the relationship between these disciplines. Attention is given to this debate and particularly to the reaction to the Albertz�s viewpoint as stated at the International Meeting Society of Biblical Literature, Louvain, 7-10 August 1994

Die twaalfde kongres van die �International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament� (IOSOT), 24 tot 29 Augustus 1986 in Jerusalem

The XII congress of the "International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament", 24�29 August, Jerusalem The XII congress of the lOSOT, attended by 436 participants from all over the world, took place in Jerusalem under the auspices of the Hebrew University, The presence of a great number of Israeli scholars had a definite influence on the proceedings of the congress. South Africa was also well represented. The congress reflected the multiplicity of approaches in current Old Testament research and no new trends came to the fore at the congress. The sociological approach was implemented by a considerable number of scholars. In general it can be said that the text immanent approach gained ground on the historicalcritical method

Application of the radio-iodine rose bengal test in liver disease in infancy and childhood

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International normalised ratio control in a non-metropolitan setting in Western Cape Province, South Africa

Background. The quality of international normalised ratio (INR) control determines the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. Data on INR control in non-metropolitan settings of South Africa (SA) are sparse.Objectives. To examine the time in therapeutic range (TTR) and its potential predictors in a sample of Garden Route District Municipality primary healthcare clinics (PHCs).Methods. INR records from eight PHCs were reviewed. The TTR and percentage of patients with a TTR >65% were determined. A host of variables were analysed for association with TTR.Results. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of the cohort (N=191) was 56 (44 - 69) years. The median (IQR) TTR was 37.2% (20.2 - 58.8); only 17.8% of patients had a TTR ≥65%. Compared with patients aged >50 years, those aged <50 had worse INR control (median (IQR) TTR 26.6% (16.1 - 53.0) v. 43.5% (23.5 - 60.1); p=0.01). Patients hospitalised for any reason during the study period had worse INR control than patients not hospitalised (median (IQR) TTR 26.2% (16.2 - 50.2) v. 42.9% (23.5 - 62.0); p=0.02). On multivariable regression analysis, participants on warfarin for atrial fibrillation/flutter had better INR control than those with other indications for warfarin (odds ratio 2.21; 95% confidence interval 1.02 - 4.77; p=0.04), but the control was still very poor.Conclusions. INR control, as determined by TTR and proportion of TTR ≥65%, in these non-metropolitan clinics was poor. Age and hospitalisation as a marker of illness predicted poor control. There was a difference in control between groups, depending on the indication for warfarin. Evidence-based measures to improve the quality of INR control in patients on warfarin therapy need to be instituted as a matter of urgency