Development and validation of selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS Methods for determination of para-aminosalicyclic acid and cycloserine/terizidone applicable to clinical studies for the treatment of tuberculosis

A method was validated for the quantification of para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) in human plasma. The technique consisted of a protein precipitation extraction, followed by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection. Rilmenidine was used as the internal standard (ISTD). Analyte mean extraction yields determined were ~100.3% (CV % = 3.3). The extraction procedure was followed by liquid chromatographic separation using a Phenomenex Synergi Hydro-RP (150 x 2.0 mm, 4µm) analytical column. An isocratic mobile phase containing methanol, water and formic acid (40:59.8:0.2, v/v/v) was used at a flow-rate of 300 µl per minute. The retention times for PAS and rilmenidine were, ~2.4 and ~1.6 minutes, respectively. An AB Sciex API 3000 mass spectrometer at unit resolution in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used to monitor the transition of the protonated precursor ions m/z 154.1 and m/z 181.2 to the product ions m/z 80.2 and m/z 95.2 for PAS and the ISTD, respectively. Electro Spray Ionisation (ESI) was used for ion production. Accuracy and precision were assessed over three consecutive, independent runs. The calibration curve fits a quadratic (weighted by 1/x concentration) regression for PAS over the range 0.391 – 100 µg/ml, based on peak area ratios. A 1:1 and 1:4 dilution of the QC Dilution sample showed that concentrations of up to 160 µg/ml of PAS in plasma could be analysed reliably when diluted into the calibration range. Endogenous matrix components were found to have an insignificant effect on the reproducibility of the method, when human plasma originating from eight different sources were analysed. PAS was found to be stable in human plasma for 21 months kept at ~-80°C, for up to 21 hours at room temperature and when subjected to 3 freeze-thaw cycles. Stock solutions of PAS in methanol were stable for 2 days when stored at ~80°C and for 24 hours when stored at room temperature, ~4°C and ~-20°C. Plasma extracts of the analyte/ISTD ratio were shown to be stable on instrument over a period of ~55 hours. Reinjection reproducibility experiments indicated that an assay batch may be re-injected within 58 hours. Quantification of PAS in plasma was not significantly affected by the presence of haemolysed blood (2%) in plasma and when Lithium Heparin was used as anti-coagulant instead of K3EDTA. The best marker for terizidone pharmacokinetics is the analysis of cycloserine, a small polar drug with limited potential for absorbing UV that makes it difficult to analyse. A method was validated for the quantification of cycloserine in human plasma, and consisted of a protein precipitation extraction and derivatization, followed by high performance liquid chromatography with MS/MS detection. No ISTD was used as no suitable match could be found. The mean extraction yield determined was ~77% (CV% = 10.7). The extraction procedure was followed by liquid chromatographic separation using a Gemini NX C18 (50 x 2.0 mm, 5µ) analytical column. An isocratic mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water and formic acid (30:69.9:0.1, v/v/v) was used at a flow-rate of 300 µl per minute. The retention time for cycloserine was ~ 1.5 minutes. An AB Sciex API 3000 mass spectrometer at unit resolution in the MRM mode was used to monitor the transition of the protonated precursor ion m/z 335.9 to the product ion m/z 157.2 for cycloserine. ESI was used for ion production. Accuracy and precision were assessed over three consecutive, independent runs. The calibration curve fits a quadratic (weighted by 1/x concentration) regression for cycloserine over the range 0.313 – 40.0 µg/ml, based on peak areas. A 1:4 dilution of the QC Dilution sample showed that concentrations of up to 64.0 µg/ml of cycloserine in plasma could be analysed reliably when diluted into the calibration range and no carry over peaks were observed. Endogenous matrix components were found to have no effect on the reproducibility of the method when human plasma originating from six different sources was analysed. Cycloserine was found to be stable in human plasma for up to 18 hours at room temperature, and when subjected to 3 freeze-thaw cycles. Stock solutions of cycloserine in water and methanol were stable for 10 days when stored at ~ -80°C and for 18 hours when stored at room temperature, ~ 4°C and ~ -20°C. Long term stability in plasma has been proven for 17 months at -80°C. Plasma extracts of the analyte were shown to be stable on instrument over a period of ~ 29 hours. Reinjection reproducibility experiments indicate that an assay batch may be re-injected within 29 hours. Cycloserine is stable in whole blood (on ice) for up to 30 minutes. Both validated methods presented performed well on clinical samples generated from a multi drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) research study in children dosed with PAS and terizidone

Discourse and power in the Gospel according to Mark: Strategies of exclusion

In this article it is argued that the materiality of religious discourse necessitates a description of its strategies of power and control. Since Christian religious discourse reactivates the discourses of canonical writings, the description of the materiality of the discursive practices of the canonical writings themselves is imperative. Focusing on the strategics of exclusion, Foucault’s archaeological model of the description of discourse is used as a framework for delineating some strategies of the Markan discourse. The analysis of the archive ... involves a privileged region: at once close to us, and different from our p resent existence, it is the border of time that surrounds our presence, which overhangs it, and which indicates it in its otherness; it is that which, outside ourselves, delimits us (Foucault, 1972:130)

Social Responsibility and Power I: J.T. van der Kemp’s Interventions For and on Behalf of the Khoikhoi on the Eastern Cape Frontier (1801 – 1806)

In a previous article, I have traced Van der Kemp’s link to the British anti-slavery network, argued that his position on the exploitation of the Khoi paralleled his views on slavery, and that his civil rights activism for and on behalf of the Khoi mirrored his anti-slavery advocacy (cf. Smit 2016b). In this article, I continue my analysis of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century archive which Van der Kemp formed part of, and here focus on Van der Kemp’s interventions for and on behalf of the Khoi (1801 – 1806) and power. My hypothesis is that starting with Van der Kemp, the interventions of Christian missions vis-à-vis the governments and the frontier settler farmers, and later beyond the frontier, on behalf of indigenous people, were the manifestations of late eighteenth and nineteenth century ‘social responsibility’. As indicated in my topic, such taking up of ‘social responsibility’ includes the ‘power’ or more particularly, in Foucault’s terminology, the colonising ‘power effects’ of the missions on indigenous people. In this article I consecutively provide some background related to twentieth century, as well as late eighteenth and nineteenth century notions of ‘social responsibility’, Van der Kemp’s change of plans to not continue with mission work among the Xhosa but to switch to the Khoi, and his and his fellow missionary James Read’s interventions for and on behalf of the Khoi asserting their ‘freedom’ and their ‘civilisation’. For these focuses, I mainly draw on Van der Kemp’s correspondence from his extant South African texts. For ‘power’ or ‘power relations’ and ‘power effects’ in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, I draw on the theoretical and discursive historical studies by Michel Foucault1

An assessment of the multi-disciplinary approach to investigate corruption in the South African public service

The aim of this study is to assess the multi-disciplinary approach in the investigation of corruption in the South African public service. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews conducted with members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s Anti-Corruption Task Team to gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences regarding the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Task Team in the investigation of corruption within the public service. In addition, the researcher conducted a comprehensive literature study of local and international legislation to curb corruption, supplemented with various multi-disciplinary approaches employed internationally. Furthermore, various global Anti-Corruption Agencies were studied to comprehend their functions and efficacy. The findings of the research identified and described various impediments facing the Anti-Corruption Task Team’s effectiveness in investigating corruption within the public service. As a result, this study recommends the need to establish a single Anti-Corruption Agency with a comprehensive mandate to prevent, investigate, and educate on corruption, to critically safeguard the independence of the Anti-Corruption Task Team against political interference, as well as the allocation of adequate resources and budget for its effective operation. The research identified best practices globally to combat corruption, which can be used to amend the current anti-corruption practices to suit the South African public service. Consequently, this study contributes significantly towards effective anti-corruption investigation in the South African public service.Maikemišetšo a dinyakišišo tše ke go lekola mokgwa wa go kopanya dikarolo tše mmalwa tša thuto go nyakišiša bomenetša ka ditirelong tša setšhaba tša Afrika Borwa. Data e kgobokeditšwe ka mokgwa wa dipoledišano tše di tletšego tšeo di dirilwego le maloko a Sehlophatšhomo sa Twantšho ya Bomenetša sa Ofisi ya Molaodimogolo wa Dinyakišišo tša Bosenyi bjo Bogolo go hwetša kwešišo ya maitemogelo a bona a go šoma ga Sehlophatšhomo sa Twantšho ya Bomenetša mo go nyakišišeng bomenetša mo ditirelong tša setšhaba. Go tlaleletše, monyakišiša o dirile dinyakišišo tše di tletšego tša dingwalwa tša peomolao ya gae le ya ditšhabatšhaba tšeo maikemišetšo a tšona e lego go fokotša bomenetša le mekgwa ya go kopanya dikarolo tše mmalwa tša thuto yeo e dirišwago ditšhabatšhabeng. Go tlaleletša, mekgatlo ya twantšho ya bomenetša bja lefase ya go fapana e nyakišišitšwe go kwešiša mešomo le mehola ya yona. Monyakišiši o utollotše le go hlaloša mapheko a go fapana go moholo wa dinyakišišo ka Sehlophatšhomo sa Twantšho ya Bomenetša mo bomenetšeng ka ditirelong tša mmušo. Ka lebaka leo, dinyakišišo di digela tlhokego ya go thoma mokgatlo o tee wa go lwantšha bomenetša wa taolela ye kgolo ya go thibela, go nyakišiša le go ruta ka ga bomenetša; go šireletša boikemelo bja sehlophatšhomo sa twantšho ya bomenetša le go thibela go tsenatsena ga dipolotiki; le go aba methopo yeo e lekanego le ditekanetšo gore e šome gabotse. Dinyakišišo di utollotše tirišo ye botse go feta ka moka lefaseng ka moka go lwantšha bomenetša, yeo e swanetšwego go mpshafatšwa go fihlelela dinyakwa tša ditirelo tša setšhaba tša Afrika Borwa.Inhloso yalolu cwaningo ukuhlola inqubo ebandakanya amadisiplini ehlukene ukuphenyisisa ngenkohlakalo kwezezimali kumkhakha wabasebenzi bakahulumeni eNingizimu Afrika. Idata iqoqwe ngokwenza ama-interview ajulile enziwe nabethimba elilwisana nezinkohlakalo kwezezimali, i-Anti-Corruption Task team lwabophiko lwabenza uphenyiso lobugebengu obukhulu lwe-Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation ukuthola ukuqondisisa okujulile ngezipiliyoni zabo ngokusebenza ngendlela enomphumela kwethimba le-Anti-Corruption Task Team ekuphenyisiseni ngenkohlakalo kwezezimali kumkhakha wabasebenzi bakahulumeni. Nangaphezu kwalokho, umcwaningi uye wafunda ngokujulile ngemibhalo yocwaningo imibhalo yemithetho yezwe kanye nemithetho yamazwe omhlaba enenhloso yokulwisana nenkohlakalo kwezezimali, kanye nezinqubo ezihlanganisa amadisiplini ehlukene ezisetshenziswa kumazwe omhlaba. Nangaphezu kwalokho, ama-ejensi omhlaba alwa nezinkohlakalo nawo kwafundwa ngawo ukuqondisisa imisebenzi yawo kanye nemiphumela yemisebenzi yawo. Umcwaningi waphawula kanye nokuchaza izihibe ezihlukene maqondana nokusebenza ngendlela enomphumela kophenyisiso olwenziwa ngabethimba le-Anti-Corruption Task Team kwinkohlakalo kwezeziali emkhakheni wabasebenzi bakahulueni. Ngenxa yalokhu, ucwaningo luncoma isidingo sokuthi kusungulwe i-ejensi eyodwa enamagunya ajulile okuvimbela, ukuphenyisisa kanye nokufundisa ngezindlela zokulwa nenkohlakalo kwezezimali; ukuvikela ukuzimela kwethimba lokulwa nenkohlakalo kanye nokuvimbela ukuthi ithimba lingaphazanyiswa ngabezepolitiki; kanye nokuhlinzeka ngemithombo eyenele kanye namabhajethi ukuze ithimba lisebenze kahle ngendlela enomphumela. Ucwaningo luphawule izindlela ezingcono kuwo wonke umhlaba zokulwa nenkohlakalo kwezezimali, kanti futhi lezi zinqubo kumele zichitshiyelwe noma zihlelwe kabusha ukuhlangabezana nezidingo zomkhakha wabasebenzi bakahulumeni eNingizimu Afrika. Kanti-ke futhi emuva kwalokho, lolu cwaningo luthela esivivaneni kuphenyisiso olunomphumela lokulwa nenkohlakalo kwezezimali okwenziwa kumkhakha wabasebenzi bakahulumeni eNingizimu Afrika.Criminology and Security SciencePh. D. (Criminal Justice

Editorial: Religion and Society

The rising significance of the focus on scholarly discourse development on ‘religion and society’ is evident from a number of recent initiatives. For instance, the Religion and Society Programme is a £12m research initiative funded by UK research councils between 2007-2013. To this we can add the growing significance of the Journal of Religion and Society published by Berghahn Journals in both Oxford and New York, the Encyclopedia of Religion and Society of the American Academy of Religion, and the fact that we shall have a fourth international conference on Religion and Spirituality in Society in 2014 at the Universidad Nacional Costa Rica Heredia. The founding of programmes for postgraduate research (University of Aberdeen for instance), and research Centers for Religion and Society at universities (Notre Dame University, US; Victoria University; and University of Western Sydney Australia are examples) also speak to this fact. This can rightly be termed a renewed interest for scholarship in the New Millennium. This is also borne out by the seminal book, borne out by the seminal book edited by Gerrie ter Haar and Yoshio Tsuruoka in 2007, viz. Religion and Society: An Agenda for the 21st Century (2007)

Social Responsibility and Power II: J.T. van der Kemp’s Interventions for and on behalf of the Khoikhoi on the Eastern Cape Frontier (1801 – 1806)

In ‘Social Responsibility and Power I’, I have endeavoured to provide an argument for the social responsibility and power of J.T. van der Kemp (joined by James Read in 1801) as manifest in his interventions for and on behalf of the Khoi vis-à-vis the British and later Batavian colonial governments, as well as the frontier settler farmers on the Eastern Cape Frontier (1801 – 1806) (cf. Smit 2016a). His own ‘power’ became manifest in his interventions for and on behalf of the Khoi and his critique of both the colonial governments and the frontier settler farmers. To this we may add his assertion of the freedom of the landless Khoi, and his contention that they should receive a piece of land, to be allocated by government, for a mission station, where they would be subjected to education and be ‘civilized’. I have expounded what these devel-opments meant in terms of the ‘archive’ of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. They included, amongst others, the further de-culturali-sation of the Khoi. In this article, I take the argument further by focusing on the ‘useful education’, ‘analytic education’, ‘institutionalisation’, the interaction with the colonial ‘government’ in these matters, and the ‘pacifica-tion’ of the Khoi by the mission as institution

Complexity analysis for mapping a DRM receiver on a heterogeneous tiled architecture

In this article we present the results of partitioning the OFDM baseband processing of a DRM receiver into smaller independent processes. Furthermore, we give a short introduction into the relevant parts of the DRM standard. Based on the number of multiplications and additions we can map individual processes on a heterogeneous multitile architecture. This architecture can meet both the computational demands as well as the restricted energy budget

Non-power-of-Two FFTs: Exploring the Flexibility of the Montium TP

Coarse-grain reconfigurable architectures, like the Montium TP, have proven to be a very successful approach for low-power and high-performance computation of regular digital signal processing algorithms. This paper presents the implementation of a class of non-power-of-two FFTs to discover the limitations and Flexibility of the Montium TP for less regular algorithms. A non-power-of-two FFT is less regular compared to a traditional power-of-two FFT. The results of the implementation show the processing time, accuracy, energy consumption and Flexibility of the implementation