A qualitative risk assessment of factors contributing to foot and mouth disease outbreaks in cattle along the western boundary of the Kruger National Park

Between November 2000 and the end of 2007, five outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle in the area adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the north-eastern corner of South Africa. To help understand the factors behind these outbreaks a qualitative risk assessment based on the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) assessment framework was adopted, using available data from published sources and various unpublished South African sources. Risk was assessed on the basis of the following factors: data on South African Territories (SAT) type infections of buffalo and impala in the KNP, permeability of the fence along the western boundary of the KNP, the potential for contact between livestock and wildlife susceptible to FMD in areas adjacent to the KNP, and the level of herd immunity in cattle generated by prophylactic vaccination. Scenario pathways for FMD occurrence outside the KNP are presented as a conceptual framework to qualitatively assess the risk of FMD outbreaks. Factors that are likely to have most influence on the risk were identified: fence permeability, vaccination coverage, or the efficiency of animal movement control measures. The method and results are provided as an approach that may be used as a basis to evaluate the risk of FMD outbreaks occurring in other wildlife/livestock interface areas of southern Africa. (Résumé d'auteur

A method for estimating the distribution of species susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease in the Kruger National Park Region

Landscape distribution of susceptible species is needed to model the spatial spread of infectious diseases. Our objective is to develop 2 individual species animal count maps - for African buffalo and domestic cattle susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Kruger National Park Region (KNPR) of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) - using retrospective census and land use data. The KNPR includes the Kruger National Park, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. We applied dasymetric mapping methods to disaggregate animal population census data to a finer resolution using ancillary data. In this study, ancillary data used to define species distributions included stocking rate or carrying capacity and land suitability parameters, A geographical information system (GIS) was used to identify suitable land and vegetation locations (x,y coordinates) for each species. Covariate-specific animal counts were modelled using a Poisson distribution. The resulting animal count data was mapped and will be used to model FMD spread within the KNPR. (Résumé d'auteur

An entrepreneurship education, training and support framework for South African architects

This article will report the findings of a study undertaken to propose an integrated education and training framework that can enhance the entrepreneurial performance of South African Architects’ firms while contributing to the current discourse on entrepreneurial education and training. Many South African architects’ firms are finding it difficult to stay afloat (Corbert 2015, 44). While there could be many reasons for this situation, the absence of appropriate entrepreneurship education, training and support for architects could be a contributing factor. Substantial agreement exists amongst entrepreneurial education and training theorists that a phased approach that includes enacted learning is best suited for entrepreneurship education and training. Hence the article proposes a framework as a basic conceptual structure within which the education and training can be packaged. The study used a mixed methods approach as a single source was insufficient and, due to the use of multiple phases or projects, could best achieve the overall research objective (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2011, 8). The purpose of the article is to bring the findings and recommendations to the attention of those who can put them into effect and to contribute to the discourse on entrepreneurship education and training.  

Sequence-based prediction for vaccine strain selection and identification of antigenic variability in foot-and-mouth disease virus

Identifying when past exposure to an infectious disease will protect against newly emerging strains is central to understanding the spread and the severity of epidemics, but the prediction of viral cross-protection remains an important unsolved problem. For foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) research in particular, improved methods for predicting this cross-protection are critical for predicting the severity of outbreaks within endemic settings where multiple serotypes and subtypes commonly co-circulate, as well as for deciding whether appropriate vaccine(s) exist and how much they could mitigate the effects of any outbreak. To identify antigenic relationships and their predictors, we used linear mixed effects models to account for variation in pairwise cross-neutralization titres using only viral sequences and structural data. We identified those substitutions in surface-exposed structural proteins that are correlates of loss of cross-reactivity. These allowed prediction of both the best vaccine match for any single virus and the breadth of coverage of new vaccine candidates from their capsid sequences as effectively as or better than serology. Sub-sequences chosen by the model-building process all contained sites that are known epitopes on other serotypes. Furthermore, for the SAT1 serotype, for which epitopes have never previously been identified, we provide strong evidence - by controlling for phylogenetic structure - for the presence of three epitopes across a panel of viruses and quantify the relative significance of some individual residues in determining cross-neutralization. Identifying and quantifying the importance of sites that predict viral strain cross-reactivity not just for single viruses but across entire serotypes can help in the design of vaccines with better targeting and broader coverage. These techniques can be generalized to any infectious agents where cross-reactivity assays have been carried out. As the parameterization uses pre-existing datasets, this approach quickly and cheaply increases both our understanding of antigenic relationships and our power to control disease

Between the Prose of Justice and the Poetics of Love? Reading Ricœur on Mutual Recognition in the Light of Harmful Strategies of “Othering”

Against the backdrop of the challenges posed by xenophobia and other social phenomena that operated with harmful strategies of “othering,” this article considers the promise that the notion of “mutual recognition” as exemplified in the later work of Paul Ricœur holds for discourse on these matters. Can the hermeneutical and mediating approach of Ricœur provide an adequate framework in order to respond to these radical challenges? In light of this question, this article discusses and ultimately affirms Ricœur’s view that places mutual recognition between what he calls the prose of justice and the poetics of agápē. In addition this article draws attention to the value of symbolic gestures and an ethic of linguistic hospitality to give further texture to the plea for mutual recognition amidst experience of exclusion, conflict and violence.Face aux défis de la xénophobie et des autres phénomènes sociaux liés aux stratégies nuisibles “d’altérisation,” cet article réfléchit à la promesse que représente la notion de “reconnaissance mutuelle” telle qu’elle se trouve définie dans les derniers travaux de Paul Ricœur. Dans quelle mesure l’approche herméneutique de Ricœur et son travail de médiation sont-ils susceptibles de répondre à ces défis radicaux? En prenant cette question comme fil conducteur, cet article discute et reprend finalement à son compte la thèse de Ricœur selon laquelle la reconnaissance mutuelle se situe entre ce qu’il appelle la “prose” de la justice et la “poésie” de l’agapè. L’auteur attire en outre l'attention sur la valeur des gestes symboliques et de l’hospitalité ethnique et linguistique susceptibles de donner plus de consistance à l’appel pour la reconnaissance mutuelle au sein de cette expérience d’exclusion, de conflit et de violence

Remembering the Heidelberg Catechism in South Africa today? Some remarks on the commemoration of a 16th century reformed confession

With the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism of 2013 in mind, this article offers some remarks on the question what it means to remember and commemorate this 16th century Reformed confession in South Africa today. The first part of the article argues that commemorations invite us to be conscious of the close link between memory and identity, as well as to the fact that our memories of the past are often highly contested memories. The second part of the paper comments on the status of the Heidelberg Catechism as a historical document, while the third part of the paper extends the discussion with a focus on the reception of the Heidelberg Catechism in South Africa. By highlighting a few episodes from its reception history, the article affirms the view of the Heidelberg Catechism as an important identity marker amidst contestation

Exploring factors contributing to current versus former coaching status of women coaches: A social exchange theory perspective.

The percentage of women coaches at the helm of women’s sports teams has dropped from 90% in 1972, to 42.6% in 2010 (Carpenter & Acosta, 2010). Previous research has found that women coaches experience discrimination (Greenhaus et al., 1990) social stigma, and homophobia (Griffin, 1998). Difficulties with work-life balance have been identified as a barrier to coaching. Mentoring has been positive for the development of career satisfaction, commitment and positive job attitudes (Ragins et al., 2000), however, the role of mentoring in retaining women coaches needs exploration. This study used social exchange theory to determine if perceived costs/benefits of coaching, mentoring, work-life balance and coaching experiences could predict coaching career outcomes (current/non-coaching status). Current (n=442) and former (n=171) NCAA Division I head and assistant coaches completed an online survey. Five former coaches participated in phone interviews. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict coaching status (former/current) using demographic, costs/benefits to coaching, mentoring and work-life balance factors. The model correctly classified 81.3% of cases and the model accounted for 25.1-37.3% of the variance. Informal and formal mentoring significantly decreased the odds of being a former coach compared to no mentoring; however, mentoring satisfaction increased the odds of being a former coach. Work-life support decreased the odds of being a former coach. Qualitative results revealed the importance of mentoring, networking, personal balance and the impact of coaching on interpersonal relationships. Participants discussed experiences with structural barriers in athletics, homophobia and their decision to leave coaching

An Assessment of Critically Ill Children admitted to a General High Care Unit in a Regional Hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa

Background Many critically ill children in South Africa are cared for in regional hospitals by general Paediatricians. Critically ill adults and children are usually cared for in the same units. There is limited data on the numbers of children admitted and the outcomes of these children. Objective To describe the patient profile and outcomes of children admitted to a general high care unit (HCU) in a regional hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods This was a retrospective descriptive study of all children admitted to the HCU of George Regional Hospital during a one year period (2016). Demographic data, HIV, anthropometric data, immunisation status, diagnoses, medical interventions, length of stay, death or survival, and referral data to the tertiary paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) were collected. The PIM3 score and Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) was calculated. Results Thirty percent (144/468) of the HCU admissions were children. Most (70%) were admitted after hours. Half were under 9 months (range 3 days to 149 months). Sixty-five percent of the children required respiratory support and 45% needed inotropic support. Twenty percent of the children were transferred to the PICU. Twelve children (8,5%) died with most deaths (75%) occurring at regional level. Half of the deaths were due to sepsis with pneumonia (25%) and diarrhoea with shock (25%) accounting for the rest. The cumulative PIM3 score was 9.049 (95%CI 6.430-11.668) with an SMR of 1.326 (95%CI 1.028-1.866) observed. Conclusion Critically ill children accounted for a third of HCU admissions. Most children needed medical interventions. These require specific training and equipment that are often lacking. After hours admissions also put strain on limited staff. Most children were successfully discharged demonstrating a good outcome. This was achievable with good channels of communication and transport to a tertiary PICU