Observational space-times

Includes bibliographical references.The work presented in this thesis forms part of a programme undertaken in collaboration with G.F.R. Ellis and R. Maartens, the primary aim of which is to examine in detail how cosmological observations may be used to determine the large scale structure of space-time (see, e.g., refs. [1-5]). In order to place this work in context as part of the ongoing cosmological enterprise, it is necessary to review briefly the main objectives of cosmology, the basic assumptions underlying most modern attempts to achieve these objectives, and the observational as well as philosophical status of these assumptions

Realiteite van kantoorparkontwikkelings

The purpose of the study was to high­light the characteristic features of office parks. The importance of loca­tion and accessibility in orderly plan­ning in public interest, the new Deve­lopment Facilitation Act, Act 67 of 1995 (DFA), as well as, site size and establishment conditions were empha­sized. A literature study was done, interviews were conducted, with ques­tionnaires in large cities in South Africa, as office parks have not yet been established in the smaller cities. The conclusion was reached that the typical peripheral location can possi­bly still move further from the city (with reservations), even to more rural areas to avoid traffic congestion and ensure more pleasant residential areas. In the more rural areas a smaller site can still convey the office park con­cept, even with higher coverage and floor space ratio (FSR). Finally possi­ble guidelines for urban planners and developers were suggested.*This article is written in Afrikaans

A replacement family-group name among fossil Neuroptera (Insecta)

The nomenclature of the enigmatic fossil family Rafaelidae is summarized and its status as a nomen invalidum requiring replacement is recognized, due to homonymy of its type genus, Rafaelia Nel et al. (nec Rafaelia Townsend).  The replacement family-group name is made available as Rafaelianidae Engel & Nel, new name, based on the type genus Rafaeliana Nel et al., which is itself a former replacement for the junior Rafaelia

Reflective learning in engineering education : a case study of Shell Eco- Marathon

Abstract: Globally, universities are reinventing STEM education where traditional classroom methods are substituted or supplemented with practical learning methods such as problem-based learning and project-based learning. Another method, not often employed in STEM, is learning through reflection. This paper presents a case study where a group of engineering students participated in an international competition, the Shell Eco-Marathon, and partook in reflective learning before and after the event. The results indicate that students who learn through reflection value the inclusion of project-based learning in their curricula, which emphasizes the importance of this study for the future of engineering education

Sacrocolpopexy - a report on 262 consecutive operations

Objectives. This report analyses the outcome and complications of 262 consecutive sacrocolpopexy procedures for the repair of vaginal vault prolapse and enterocele. Methods. From March 1994 to February 2001, 262 patients underwent surgical repair using a standardised retroperitoneal technique. Initially dura mater strips were used and from the 19th patient onwards, Gore-tex soft tissue patch was used to suspend the vaginal apex to the anterior sacral ligament. Halban-type occluding sutures were placed in the pouch of Douglas. All patients were followed up and the minimum duration of follow-up was 16 months. Results. Vaginal vault prolapse was successfully managed in 259 of 262 patients giving a success rate of 98.8%. In addition, 4 patients had a repeat enterocele that required surgical repair. The overall surgical complication rate was low. Erosion of the patch through the vaginal vault occurred in 10 patients, necessitating removal of the patch. Prolapse did not recur in any of these patients. Conclusion. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy is a very successful and safe surgical management of vaginal vault prolapse. (South African Medical Journal: 2002 92(12): 982-985

Motivation for developing a qualitative methodological basis for the analysis of historical curriculum changes

Abstract: The qualifications National Diploma (NDip) and Baccalaureus Technologiae (BTech) have been offered by Technikons and since 2006 by Universities of Technology (UoTs). As a result of government drives for a new technology training programme a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) is being introduced. This study of perceptions of change by industry, lecturers and the professional body is meant to serve as feedback to enable curriculum development to be more aligned to the needs of the stakeholders. For engineering researchers the difference between theory and epistemology is still often confusing and while engineering theories are often well established and tacitly understood (essentially positivist); social science theories however embrace different ways of seeing the world and different epistemological positions. With this as background, a choice had to be made between a quantitative and a qualitative research process to accomplish the objectives of the study in question. The present research is aimed at exploring the extent to which stakeholders have inputs (and of what value) in the process of curriculum development, as little is known about the relevant curriculum changes and their impact on technology students in South Africa. As there is no present analysis of such change, the preferred research approach was originally undefined and open to a wider range of methodologies than is common for engineering research – even in engineering education. As a result of an analysis the decision was made to follow a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual methodology. In particular grounded theory was selected as the research method of choice. The aim of this paper is to describe why a qualitative methodological approach is better suited to an analysis of historical curriculum changes and their impact on technology students in South Africa than a quantitative approach

Retreating rights: Human rights, pre-theoretical praxes and student activism in South African universities

This paper is a recognition-theoretical reading of a research-study on pre-theoretical understandings of human rights amongst university students as ways to logically anchor agential options for student social activism. The study shows that the expected legal and political constructions of human rights are discursively dominant. However, from the overall results of the study, it appears students have more complex pre-theoretical understandings of human rights from which they derive justice-orientations as sources for activism. We conclude this has deliberative implications for human rights praxes

Cytomegalovirus-associated supraglottic mass in a patient on immunosuppressive therapy

A 33-year-old woman on chronic immunosuppressive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis with a history of inhaled methamphetamine use presented with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation for a prolonged period. After being given plasma exchange, pulses of methylprednisolone and a dose of cyclosporine for suspected ANCA (anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibodies) vasculitis, she developed an obstructive supraglottic laryngeal mass that required a tracheostomy to bypass. Biopsy findings revealed the mass to be an inflammatory pseudomass secondary to cytomegalovirus (CMV). The mass resolved after several weeks of intravenous ganciclovir therapy. This is an extremely unusual presentation of localised CMV disease, with only two or three similar cases having been reported worldwide

An investigation into the applicability of the Lattice Boltzmann method to modelling of the flow in a hydrocyclone

The lattice Boltzmann method has gained popularity as a method for simulating fluid flow, particularly multiphase flow. Thus, it has potential in simulating fluid flow in hydrocyclones. While research on the method and its’ application to multiphase flow is mature, there is sparse research on its’ application to hydrocyclones. An overview of the literature on the use of the lattice Boltzmann method for simulating fluid flow in hydrocyclones is presented. A lattice Boltzmann model of single phase flow in a hydrocyclone is presented, which is compared to predictions from a Navier-Stokes based model. The lattice Boltzmann model predicts lower velocities than the Navier-Stokes model in certain areas of the hydrocyclone and higher velocities in other areas. In some areas both models are in close agreement. The lattice Boltzmann model predicts the low pressure region at the underflow and overflow. However, it does not display the low pressure region in the core of the hydrocyclone. It is proposed that these differences are related to the use of the single relaxation time implementation of the lattice Boltzmann method. The possible solution is to use the multiple relaxation time model which is more suitable to high-Reynolds number flows

Water quality awareness and barriers to safe water provisioning in informal communities: A case study from Ndola, Zambia

Local water providers in developing nations typically view shallow hand-dug wells as traditional and backward sources of water supply. It has long been assumed that the urban poor do not have the ability to develop these in a way that allows them to be classified as ‘improved’ in terms of the Millennium Development Goal for water, believing that users do not understand the factors that constitute safe water and the threats to these sources. Our assessment of the level of environmental knowledge held by local water-users in Ndola in Zambia demonstrates a coherent understanding of the safety of their water sources, the quality of these, the threats to them, and the fundamentals of how their local hydrology works, all of which is contrary to the perspective of key informants who are involved in water supply. Despite their environmental awareness, the majority of users did not generally protect their wells from contamination nor treat their water. The apparent paradox between awareness of risks to water and implementing protection of that water source is a function of the complex suite of socially manifested attitudes, habits and behaviours when it comes to water protection and treatment, which is exacerbated by vulnerable community and family structures and entrenched poverty. For meaningful outcomes in improved access to safe water to be realised providers need to increase their engagement with the informal communities, moving deeper into community-based participatory planning and recognise the societal and cultural factors that are entrained into these communities water supply practices. A key part of this involves the need for providers to move away from simple knowledge-based education to the more holistic form of skill-based health education