Research and development program for a combined carbon dioxide removal and reduction system. Supplement 1, phase 2a - Physicochemical properties of lithium chloride lithium carbonate melt mixtures

Physiochemical properties of liquid mixtures of lithium chloride and lithium carbonat

An exploratory study of the relationship between store image, trust, satisfaction and loyalty in a franchise setting

This study aims to shed insight on how young shoppers, between theages of 21 and 35, perceive, and relate to, franchise and corporateownedstores in the supermarket industry. This is achieved by investigating the roles of store image, trust and satisfaction in predicting loyalty to a particular store type. By analysing empirical results, this study shows that compared to corporate-owned stores, consumers have an overall better perception of franchise stores, especially in terms of trust and customer satisfaction. Examining an integrative loyalty framework, the study shows diff erential eff ects in how Store Image elements infl uence customer Loyalty indirectlythrough satisfaction, and how Trust elements infl uence customer Loyalty indirectly through Satisfaction

Re-examining a theology of reconciliation: What we learn from the Kairos document and its pedagogical implications

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa is widely regarded as an organisation that was established to facilitate the transition from social conflict to a new dispensation. Frequently considered as the focal point of reconciliation, the TRC has enjoyed premier status in the context of South Africa’s democratic transition. More recently, various forms of a TRC have been introduced to deal with similar social conflict in other parts of the world.

Beyond nostalgia in the search for identity: Black liberation theology and the politics of reconciliation

Practitioners of Black liberation theology often reflect on the emergence of this theological expression by means of a nostalgic launch into the past, seeking ways to address some of today’s most pressing concerns. In this sense, much of what is known about Black liberation theology, including its identity, is premised on how we engage with nostalgia. However, the problem with the rendering of history through a nostalgic lens is our propensity to populate this reality with half-truths; in the process, we present an idealised version of events, sometimes ignoring the objective facts at our disposal. This is most evident in the tendency to look back at the ‘best’ of the past whilst comparing it with the ‘worst’ of the present. The purpose of this contribution is not to focus narrowly on what Black liberation theology (or its practitioners) has done well because this has limited value. Instead, a more productive undertaking necessarily includes what the late Vuyani Vellem refers to when he asks the question: ‘What lessons has Black theology not learned?’ Often regarded in binary terms, liberation and reconciliation as root metaphors in Black theological thought provide a framework through which practitioners are challenged anew to reflect on some of South Africa’s most pressing concerns

Partnerships between faith-based organizations in Elsies river and the Western Cape government: a critical assessment

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDWith the National Development Plan vision 2030, the South African government has charted a path to ensure that through social development, poverty, inequality and unemployment will be eradicated in post-apartheid South Africa. After more than twenty years of democracy and freedom, the nature and scale of the problems plaguing social development are far from alleviated. However, scholars share the view that social development partnerships could enhance the delivery of developmental welfare services as is implied in the South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). The variety of actors involved in any functional partnership pose particular challenges, risks and benefits. In order to explore ways to assess the functionality of such partnerships, this study will focus on religion-state partnerships in social development, with special reference to FBOs, their relation with the state, society and the context within which they exist; hence, defining the nature, identity and role of FBOs in social development

Bounce Conditions in f(R) Cosmologies

We investigate the conditions for a bounce to occur in Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmologies for the class of fourth order gravity theories. The general bounce criterion is determined and constraints on the parameters of three specific models are given in order to obtain bounces solutions. It is found that unlike the case of General Relativity, a bounce appears to be possible in open and flat cosmologies.Comment: 11 pages LaTe

Tuberculous meningitis in children: reducing the burden of death and disability

Tuberculous meningitis disproportionately affects young children. As the most devastating form of tuberculosis, it is associated with unacceptably high rates of mortality and morbidity even if treated. Challenging to diagnose and treat, tuberculous meningitis commonly causes long-term neurodisability in those who do survive. There remains an urgent need for strengthened surveillance, improved rapid diagnostics technology, optimised anti-tuberculosis drug therapy, investigation of new host-directed therapy, and further research on long-term functional and neurodevelopmental outcomes to allow targeted intervention. This review focuses on the neglected field of paediatric tuberculous meningitis and bridges current clinical gaps with research questions to improve outcomes from this crippling disease

Seizure outcomes and survival in adult low-grade glioma over 11 years: living longer and better

Background: There has been a trend toward earlier and more aggressive resection for low-grade gliomas (LGGs). This study set out to compare seizure control and survival of adults with LGG seen in the same neuro-oncology clinic over 11 years and to determine whether a change in surgical philosophy has led to a corresponding improvement in outcomes. / Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using case-note review of 153 adults with histologically verified or radiologically suspected LGG, collecting data on patient, tumor, and seizure characteristics between 2006 and 2017. / Results: We studied 79 patients in 2006 and 74 patients in 2017. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in age at presentation, tumor location, or integrated pathological diagnosis. The numbers of complete or partial resections increased from 21.5% in 2006 to 60.8% in 2017 (P < .05). Five- and 10-year overall survival increased from 81.8% and 51.7% in 2006 to 100% and 95.8% in 2017 (P < .001); similarly, 5- and 10-year progression-free survival increased from 47.0% and 30.7% in 2006 to 93.1% and 68.7% in 2017. The proportion of patients with intractable epilepsy declined from 72.2% in 2006 to 43.2% in 2017 (P < .05). The neurosurgical morbidity rate was identical in both groups (11.8% in 2006 vs 11.1% in 2017). / Conclusion: Management of LGG over the last 11 years has led to substantial improvements in survival and seizure control. This is most likely thanks to a change in surgical philosophy, with early resection now favored over watchful waiting where possible

A Solution to the Graceful Exit Problem in Pre-Big Bang Cosmology

We examine the string cosmology equations with a dilaton potential in the context of the Pre-Big Bang Scenario with the desired scale factor duality, and give a generic algorithm for obtaining solutions with appropriate evolutionary properties. This enables us to find pre-big bang type solutions with suitable dilaton behaviour that are regular at $t=0$, thereby solving the graceful exit problem. However to avoid fine tuning of initial data, an `exotic' equation of state is needed that relates the fluid properties to the dilaton field. We discuss why such an equation of state should be required for reliable dilaton behaviour at late times.Comment: 16 pages LaTeX, 5 figures. To appear in Physical Review

Tuberculous meningitis in children: a forgotten public health emergency

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children with tuberculosis (TB), yet there are currently no estimates of the global burden of paediatric TBM. Due to frequent non-specific clinical presentation and limited and inadequate diagnostic tests, children with TBM are often diagnosed late or die undiagnosed. Even when diagnosed and treated, 20% of children with TBM die. Of survivors, the majority have substantial neurological disability with significant negative impact on children and their families. Surveillance data on this devastating form of TB can help to quantify the contribution of TBM to the overall burden, morbidity and mortality of TB in children and the epidemiology of TB more broadly. Paediatric TBM usually occurs shortly after primary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and reflects ongoing TB transmission to children. In this article we explain the public health importance of paediatric TBM, discuss the epidemiology within the context of overall TB control and health system functioning and the limitations of current surveillance strategies. We provide a clear rationale for the benefit of improved surveillance of paediatric TBM using a TB care cascade framework to support monitoring and evaluation of paediatric TB, and TB control more broadly. Considering the public health implications of a diagnosis of TBM in children, we provide recommendations to strengthen paediatric TBM surveillance and outline how improved surveillance can help us identify opportunities for prevention, earlier diagnosis and improved care to minimize the impact of TBM on children globally