52 research outputs found
The epidemiology of the 2016-2017 African swine fever outbreaks in the Northwest and Free State provinces of South Africa
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease, which is endemic in most sub-Saharan
African countries with warthog and tick vector (Ornithodoros) acting as biological
reservoirs of the virus. A high mortality rate is evident among domestic pigs, and
international trade becomes negatively affected including swine products. The African
Swine Fever outbreak was confirmed by laboratory results issued on the 6th of June
2016. It occurred in the North West Province where smallholder farmers reported
deaths in the free-roaming pigs. During the same period, another suspected outbreak
of ASF was reported on a farm near Koffiefontein in the Free State.
This project aimed at establishing the source of the ASF outbreak in the Free State
and North West provinces by conducting an epidemiological assessment,
investigating possible risk factors, and assessing the role played by the sylvatic cycle.
Face-to-Face interviews and direct observations were used to collect primary data.
Affected pigs (n=2 539) were recorded in both provinces. Pigs that succumbed to the
ASF virus were (n=880) in Free State and (n=664) in North West province whereas
pigs that were culled, in both provinces, were respectively (n=571) and (n=424). Blood
samples from live pigs comprised sera (n=174), blood on ethylene diamine tetra-acetic
acid (EDTA) (n=67), and from dead pigs, tissue samples (n=44) were submitted to the
laboratory for analysis.
Samples from warthogs namely, EDTA blood (n=2), sera (n=9,) and tissue (n=10)
were also submitted to the laboratory. Methods used included virus isolation, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and PCR. Antibody ELISA was used to assess
exposure to the African Swine Fever virus (ASFV). The polymerase chain reaction
test was used to quantify the prevalence of pig exposure to the ASFV using tissue and
EDTA samples. Blood samples on EDTA from domestic pigs (n=67) yielded 23 out of
67 samples (34%) positive for ASFV which suggests that healthy pigs carrying ASFV
existed in the affected area. Twenty-six out of 67 (39%) tested negative with the rest,
18 out of 67 (27%) not tested. The tissue samples (n=44) revealed that 23 out of 44
(52%) tested positive and 21 out of 44 (48%) were negative for ASFV. Of the serum
samples (n=174), 18 out of 174 (10%) were positive for antibody detection and 138
out of 174 (79%) were negative. From assessments, EDTA samples (n=2) revealed that both samples 2 out of 2
(100%) were positive for ASFV, and tissue samples from warthogâs carcasses (n = 10)
revealed that 9 out of 10 (90%) were positive while 1 out of 10 (10%) was negative for
ASFV detection. Lastly, serum samples (n = 9) revealed that 7 out of 9 sera (78 %)
tested positive while 2 out of 9 sera (22%) tested negative for antibodies against ASFV.
To establish the involvement of the sylvatic cycle, sampling of warthog burrows with
Ornithodoros moubata was carried out. A total of 88 ticks were recovered from the
burrows and the laboratory results demonstrated that 10 out of 88 tick samples
(11.4%) collected from warthog burrows in Koffiefontein in the Free State tested
positive for ASFV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), 68 out 88 (77.3%) were negative, and
10 out of 88 (10.4%) yielded inconclusive results. The positive results indicated a
possibility that the sylvatic cycle has contributed to the dissemination of the ASFV. In
addition, the questionnaire and farm observations revealed a lack of biosecurity as a
major concern.Agriculture andâŻâŻAnimal HealthM. Sc. Agricultur
Training South African clinician-scientists: Lessons from the University of Cape Townâs intercalated programme
In 2011, the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, South Africa (SA), established the Clinician-Scientist Training Programme (UCTCSTP), consisting of intercalated BMedSci Hons/MB ChB and integrated MB ChB/MSc/PhD tracks. We report and reflect on the programmeâs performance and challenges. The UCTCSTP has so far enrolled 71 students: 51 have received BMedSci Hons degrees and 4 have received Masterâs degrees, while there are 14 BMedSci Hons, 4 MSc and 4 PhD candidates. Graduates have produced significant research outputs, and many remain actively engaged in research. The UCTCSTP has been successful in encouraging a cohort of future clinician-scientists, but should aim to broaden and improve its appeal to address the need to transform and grow the SA clinical academic workforce. As graduates progress with their postgraduate clinical training, they require institutional support and guidance, which may necessitate policy reform
Investigation of African swine fever outbreaks in pigs outside the controlled areas of South Africa, 2012â2017
South Africa historically experienced sporadic African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in domestic
pigs in the northern parts of the country. This was subsequently indicated to be because of
spillover from the sylvatic cycle of ASF between warthog and tampans (soft ticks) in the area.
South Africa declared this area an ASF-controlled area in 1935, and the area is still controlled
in terms of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984). Two main epidemics of ASF in
domestic pigs were identified outside of the South African ASF-controlled area. The first
occurred in 2012 with outbreaks in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, and the second
occurred in 2016â2017 with outbreaks in the North West, Free State and Northern Cape
provinces. These were the first ASF epidemics in South Africa associated with transmission of
the disease via a domestic cycle. This study found that the spread of ASF in these epidemics
was mainly via auctions, swill feeding and scavenging. These three aspects need to be
addressed in terms of awareness and education on the disease including implementation
of biosecurity measures in order to prevent future ASF outbreaks in South Africa. Specific
biosecurity measures should be implemented in the semi-commercial sector to prevent
ASF-infected pigs and pig products from being moved to naĂŻve pigs and therefore spreading
the disease.The South African Pork Producers Organisationhttp://www.jsava.co.zaam2020Production Animal StudiesVeterinary Tropical Disease
Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles of Semen Influence Cytokine Responses of Cervicovaginal Epithelial Cells
Genital inflammatory cytokine responses increase HIV risk. Since male partner semen is a complex mixture of immune-modulatory prostaglandins and cytokines, we hypothesized that exposure to semen may influence genital inflammation in women. Here, we investigated cytokine response kinetics of cervical cells following stimulation with seminal plasma from HIV-negative and HIV-positive men characterized as having low or high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. Irrespective of the HIV status or semen cytokine profile, in vitro stimulation of cervical cells with seminal plasma resulted in significantly elevated concentrations of secreted IL-6, IL-8, TNF-β, MCP-1, GM-CSF, and VEGF within 8 h of stimulation, which tended to decline by 24 h, although this was only significant for TNF-β. Consistent with this, cervical cells responded to seminal plasma with increases in IL-8 and IL-1β mRNA expression of 10-fold. These findings suggest that the impact of semen on local female genital cytokines is likely transient. Although these findings suggest that the impact of semen on local female genital cytokines may not be sustained long-term, this heightened genital inflammation may have implications for HIV risk in women
The roots of factional tensions over the ANC government's policies in the ruling alliance in South Africa
An enduring question concerning the ruling tripartite alliance led by the ANC in South Africa is how such a powerful united liberation movement, which succeeded in defeating the apartheid system to assume governmental control, was torn by ideological divisions in its midst? The objective of this study is to investigate the causes of the disunity within the governing ANC alliance that culminated with the dismissal of the then President Thabo Mbeki from office in 2008. The thesis examines why the ANC allianceâs ârevolutionaryâ language that had largely unified it during the protracted racial liberation struggle proved most divisive in the post-apartheid period.
The inquiry utilises the analytical framework of the alternative functions of ideology to analyse the development of the ANCâs ideological perspectives. The study argues that the ANC-led allianceâs ârevolutionaryâ language is inherently ambiguous. The research excavates the origins of the imprecise ANCâs âtwo-stage theoryâ of revolution. It highlights how the theory of the âNational Democratic Revolutionâ used to depict the first stage of liberation and its assumed programme, the Freedom Charter are contentious. The study contends that the inherent inconsistencies in the ANC allianceâs ârevolutionaryâ language were mirrored in trenchant factional ideological disagreements.
Using âcritical discourseâ analysis, the thesis explains how the inherited ârevolutionaryâ language enabled contending factions within the alliance to make contradictory and divisive interpretations of the ideological complexion of ANC governmentâs policies. Furthermore, the investigation demonstrates how such a language allowed successive ANC governments to adopt the âKeynesian-reformismâ discourse used to rationalise the Neo-liberal macroeconomic policy framework. The thesis contends that the incoherent nature of ANC-led allianceâs ârevolutionaryâ language was also expedient for government to promote the interests of the emerged black capitalists in the post-apartheid period. The Mbeki-Zuma leadership struggle found fertile ground cultivated by prior intra-ANC alliance factional disagreements. It thus apparent that the on-going factional disagreements in the ruling ANC-led alliance over the ideological content of government policies, if not resolved, would continue to impact negatively on their implementation
Measuring the costs of implementing the former carbon tax for Australian liable entities
The implementation of the carbon tax (formally referred to as carbon pricing scheme) on 1July2012 was part of Australia :S commitment to stabilise greenhouse emissions in an effort to mitigate climate change. This study examines the implementation compliance costs of the Australian carbon tax for liable entities, for the period up until 30 June 2012. The study assesses the magnitude of the implementation costs of a new tax, thus contributing to the compliance costs literature. A survey of 50 /iable entities undertaken in September 2012 and telephone interviews with 10 of these entities conducted in April 2013 estimated the start-up compliance costs at AUD 1, 795, 762 per liable entity. Although the majority of respondents (60 per cent) supported the Government :S plan for a clean energy future, most of these enterprises (65 per cent) found the carbon fax complex. Despite the high gross carbon tax start-up compliance costs, fiable entities (56 per cent) a/so identified potential benefits of the implementation of the carbon tax. This investigation has important political, economic and environmental benefits for countries seeking to introduce a carbon tax or similar taxes
Small business managerial benefits derived from the implementation of the Australian tax reform
This paper discusses small business managerial benefits for the year 2003, arising from the Australian tax reform implementation requirements of the 1 July, 2000. Although small business GST start-up compliance costs were high, after around three years of the GST implementation, some small businesses reported managerial benefits. The results of structured face to face interviews with thirteen small business participants showed that overall, estimated average small business managerial benefit was 7,888 per small business. Small business managerial benefit arising from the use of computers and software was valued at 3,313 per annum. The benefit of small businesses doing their own accounts was estimated at $6,330 per annum. Overall, the results of this study support the claim by Government and 34 per cent of the surveyed small businesses (for GST start-up compliance cost study) that the GST would in the long-run, provide managerial benefit for small businesses
Attitudes of higher education students to business ownership: Lessons and experiences from the university of botswana students
This paper discusses Botswana women students' attitudes to business ownership and barriers thereto. Data was obtained from a survey of seventy six University of Botswana women students and a focus group discussion with ten of these women. A five Likert attitude scale was used to measure and summarise the women students' attitudes to business ownership. A majority (78.9 per cent) strongly agreed to the statement "business owners deserve every penny they get", followed by "Botswana can be proud about its business owners" (75 per cent). The women students (67 per cent) also disagreed that "in Botswana society, it is generally believed that it is difficult for a woman to have a career outside home, let alone own a business". Overall, a majority of respondents (84 per cent) listed "shortage of money" as one of the problems in business start-up. Their socio-cultural status in accessing land and finance was identified as an impediment to their business start-up aspirations. In conclusion, building of awareness among women through education, training, and the media about business ownership as an economic option is suggested
Small and medium sized enterprises' (SMEs) tax policy proposals arising from compliance with the Australian goods and services tax
This paper presents some major policy proposals for the Australian government and other international
countries yet to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST)1 or any new tax. These recommendations are
drawn from findings on the overall SMEs GST start-up compliance costs and their resultant managerial benefits
research conducted in 2000 and 2003 respectively. Findings are discussed within the context of this study's
major objectives, expressing an international perspective. With high SMEs GST start-up compliance costs, how
can governments minimise GST start-up compliance costs or alleviate SMEs compliance costs for future taxes?
Conclusions highlighting limitations and further research are made
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