DOES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PAY - THE CASE FOR PROTEACEAE

This paper reports on the socio-economic impact of the Proteaceae technology development and transfer programme. Farm level data were collected from the major role players in the industry, including cultivators, harvesters, agents and nurseries. The five major production regions were the Western Cape, South Western Cape, Southern Cape, Cape Peninsula and Eastern Cape, but other small regions in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) were also included in the study. Standard pretested mail questionnaires, supplemented with personal interviews, were used. This paper reports the socio-economic impacts over the period 1974- 2005. Results show that the rate of return for the financial and economic analyses ranged between seven and twelve percent, showing that the research programme is a profitable investment to society. The Proteaceae programme contributed to the conservation of biodiversity, had institutional impact in terms of training and technology transfer, while the social impact was indicated by employment generation through R&D activities.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Differentiation between Wines Originating from Different Red Wine Cultivars and Wine Regions by the Application of Stepwise Discriminant Analysis to Gas Chromatographic Data

Stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) was applied to gas chromatographic data of some volatile compounds extracted with freon from red wines. By means of this statistical method, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon wines (1978 vintage) could be classified into separate groups, the most effective variables being hexanol and i-amyl acetate. Pinotage wines from three, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from two localities (1979 vintage) were subjected to classification according to origin. Successful classifications were obtained using the variables ethyl acetate, ethyl caprate, i-amyl acetate as well as a compound tentatively identified as i-valeric acid

Objective quality rating of Pinotage wine

Relationships between wine composition and three quality parameters were investigated employing a linear multiple regression statistical model. For this purpose a least squares curve fitting computer programme was applied to analyses of 17 Pinotage wines for 6 fatty add esters. Overall quality, taste and aroma ratings were determined by a taste panel and utilized as dependent variables. lt was found that 2 esters viz. n-hexylacetate and ethyl-n-octanoate allowed excellent prediction equations to be set up for the quality ratings when incorporated into multiple regression equations.Objektive Beurteilung der Weinqualität bei der Sorte PinotageDie Beziehungen zwischen der Weinzusammensetzung und drei Parametern der Weinqualität wurden untersucht, wobei das statistische Modell einer mehrfachen linearen Regression verwendet wurde. Zu diesem Zweck wurden die bei 17 Weinen der Sorte Pinotage gewonnenen Analysenergebnisse über 6 Fettsäureester in ein Computerprogramm zur optimalen Kurvenanpassung eingegeben. Durch ein Gutachtergremium wurden die Gesamt-Weinqualität, der Geschmack und der Geruch bewertet; die Daten dieser Qualitätsbeurteilung wurden als abhängige Veränderliche benützt. Es wurde festgestellt, daß 2 Ester, nämlich n-Hexylacetat und Äthyl-n-octanoat eine ausgezeichnete Vorhersage der Weinqualität ermöglichten, wenn ihre Werte in Mehrfachregressions-Gleichungen eingesetzt wurden

Classification of White Cultivar Wines by Origin using Volatile Aroma Components

Stepwise discriminant analysis was applied to gas chromatographic data of some volatile compounds obtmiieabjiTreonextracliOii"of dry white table wines. By means of this statistical method, successful classifications according to origin of Colombar wines from two regions, and Chenin blanc wines from three regions, were obtained. The components with the highest discriminatory value were i-amyl acetate, hexyl acetate and i-butanol, in the case of the Colombar wines and hexanol and 2-phenyl ethanol in the case of the Chenin blanc wines

Concussion knowledge and attitudes among amateur South African rugby players

Background: The South African Rugby Union’s BokSmart programme currently educates coaches and referees on concussion. Rugby players are often more familiar with their teammates than the coach or referee. Therefore they are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in rugby safety if they have adequate knowledge to identify subtle signs and abnormal behaviour displayed by a concussed teammate. However, no programme focuses on concussion education among South African rugby players and there is a dearth of literature on concussion education programmes among rugby players which could lead to safer return to play (RTP) habits.Objectives: To evaluate South African rugby players’ concussion knowledge and attitudes/behaviours regarding RTP following a concussion.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used. Participants (n=294) were divided into junior amateur high school (JAHS) (n=216) and senior amateur club (SAC) (n=78) players. The modified RoCKAS-ST questionnaire was used to evaluate their concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitudes/behaviours index (CAI) regarding RTP.Results: On average, 62% (JAHS) and 60% (SAC) of the CKI questions were answered correctly. JAHS participants correctly identified 66% of concussion symptoms, similarly to the SAC participants (63%), rendering similar (p=0.37) overall CKI scores when comparing the two groups. The CAI questions yielded similar (p=0.98) results between the groups, reporting safe responses in 66% (JAHS) and 67% (SAC) of the items.Discussion and conclusion: Junior and senior South African amateur rugby players lacked approximately one-third of essential concussion knowledge, which may lead to a display of unsafe attitudes/behaviours to concussion and RTP. Further research is warranted to inform educational programmes on concussion among rugby players.Keywords: post-concussion syndrome, rugby union, return to play, safety, South Afric

Chenin blanc Wine Volatiles and the Intensity of a Guava-like Flavour

A guava-like flavour occurring in some South African Chenin blanc and Colombard dry white wines was investigated. Headspace volatiles of some of these wines, as well as those of fresh guava fruits, were analysed by means of a gas chromatograph equipped with a "sniffer-detector". In contrast to the headspace concentrate of guava fruits, no single fraction with a typical guava flavour was found in the wines analysed. The pattern recognition system "ARTHUR" was therefore used to investigate relationships between the more important wine volatiles and the intensity of a guava-like flavour of a set of wines originating from the same Chenin blanc must. Sensory scores for this flavour were used in both category and continuous property analysis in each case. Category and correlation to property plots were used to elucidate the results. Several promising variables and ratios between variables were singled out for further investigation, notably ethyl butyrate and the ratios ethyl butyrate/ethyl decanoate and ethyl butyrate/ethyl octanoate

Allergic sensitisation in South Africa: Exploring regional variation in sensitisation

Background. Allergy is a common health problem in South Africa (SA), and a rational approach to allergy testing is essential to ensure cost-effective as well as optimal patient diagnosis and management.Objectives. To review allergy testing data with respect to current national testing recommendations, and to explore the regional variations in sensitisation.Methods. Retrospective data review on allergy testing from a private pathology provider in SA over a 2-year period. Data on skin-prick testing (SPT) and allergen-specific IgE testing originating from all the provinces of SA were collected and analysed with regards to allergen positivity rate and regional sensitisation patterns.Results. Among the patients (N=45 0320) tested for a suspected inhalant allergy, 46% tested positive. Only 45% of these received additional testing for the nine recommended inhalant allergens included in the current national testing protocol. Among the patients (N=6 775) who received SPT for a suspected inhalant allergy, 59% yielded one or more positive results. The most frequent sensitising allergens were house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and grass pollen. The house dust mite, Blomia tropicalis, was a significant sensitiser in coastal regions. SPT identified two other important regional allergens which are not included in the current recommendations for inhalant allergen-specific IgE testing.Conclusions. The current diagnostic recommendations include allergens that demonstrate significant sensitisation in all regions of SA. Two additional allergens that show significant regional sensitisation in the South African population were identified. These findings may aid the recommendations for the most appropriate and cost-effective approach to allergy testing of symptomatic patients in SA

Towards describing small scale agriculture: an analysis of diversity and the impact thereof on extension services: the case of the Leliefontein area (Northern Cape, South Africa)

This article reports on a study which was undertaken in one of the historically “coloured reserves” of the Northern Cape Province called Leliefontein. The overall objective of the study was to compile an understanding about the diversity in farming households. Typology analysis was applied on a sample of 108 households. The findings of the study show that there exists substantial diversity among the households in this predominantly farming community. The knowledge of this diversity might be of importance for extension service. There are seven types of households reflecting this diversity namely, Autonomous Households; Livestock Holders; Irregular Income Earners; the Poorest; Regular Income Earners and Social Transfer Dependent types. These findings are then applied to assist with the design of extension services. Keywords: Small-scale agriculture, extension services, farming households, diversity, impact South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 34(2) 2005: 303-31

The relationship between obesity, leptin, adiponectin and the components of metabolic syndrome in urban African women, Free State, South Africa

Objectives: Obesity prevalence is increasing worldwide. In South Africa, older and urbanised African women have significantly higher rates of obesity. Limited information is available on the relationship between anthropometric parameters, adipokines and metabolic health status of African women. This study investigated the relationship between obesity, adipokines and the components of metabolic syndrome in urban African women.Methods: This study included 135 urban African women that were 26–63 years of age, identified with metabolic syndrome in the urban leg of the Assuring Health for All in the Free State (AHA-FS) study. To establish anthropometric status, the following measures were taken: body weight, height and waist circumference. Blood was drawn to determine leptin, adiponectin levels and metabolic status.Results: Adiponectin levels in obese women were significantly decreased compared to normal weight women. Leptin levels and leptin:adiponectin ratios (L:A) were increased in the obese group compared to the overweight and normal weight groups. Leptin and L:A showed strong positive correlations with body mass index and waist circumference. Adiponectin levels decreased as the number of components of metabolic syndrome increased. The L:A ratio was significantly lower in women with elevated triglycerides and significantly higher in women with elevated blood glucose levels. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in women with elevated blood glucose.Conclusion: This study confirms the inverse relationship between adiponectin and leptin with increased body adiposity. Results indicate that waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels are the metabolic syndrome components most closely associated with altered adiponectin and leptin levels and L:A in urban African women with metabolic syndrome.Keywords: adipokines, adiponectin, components of metabolic syndrome, leptin, L:A ratio, obesit