The synthesis, characterization and activation of some multinuclear catalyst precursors for olefin polymerization

This thesis reports on an exploratory investigation into the immobilization of homogeneous olefin polymerisation cataiysts on dendritic supports...; The dendrimers . employed were essentially allylaryl-ether type systems and consisted of both dendritic wedges .and compltte dendrimers.. These materials were used as supports for homogeneous irconocene catalysts. The zirconium moiety was attached to the surface of the dendrimer through the ally! functionality. This was dope via hydrozirconation of the pendant C=C of the ally! groups on the periphery of the dendrimers. A number of model compounds such as Cp2Zr{(CH2)4iPh}(Cl) and Cp2Zr{(CH2)30Ph}(Cl) were also prepared and their pronerties compared with the dendritic catalyst precursors .. The supported catalyst species together with. analogous mononuclear model compounds were activated using a range of activating agents. Included amongst these activating agents are, silver salts of the type AgX, (where X = OS02CF3, Cl04 and BP); the perfluoroaryl borane, B(C6Fs)3 and MAO. The activated complexes were assessed for their. polymerisation ability towards ethylene. The dendrimers were characterised using techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, 1 H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, GC mass spectrometry and microanalysis. All new organometallic compounds produced were characterised using techniques such as 1 H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The polymers prepared were characterised by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), 1 H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Teaching ethical issues in health care: Incorporating a philosophy of care into undergraduate health programs at the University of the Western Cape

CONTEXT: There is a growing emphasis on ethics education in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula of the health professions. Approximately five hundred and eighty two health science students participate annually on an interdisciplinary core course i.e. Introduction to Philosophy of Care (IPOC). OBJECTIVES: To describe in detail the IPOC course and to determine the students' perceptions and experiences of the course. METHODS: A survey was conducted and variables were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Students also completed an open ended questionnaire to assess their learning and participation in the small group work. RESULTS: Lectures and small group work (28%), assignments (25%) and independent community visit (15%) were rated as the preferred method of teaching. Two thirds (77.5%) were satisfied with the course objectives, 83.4 % reported that they could apply the information and skills learnt to other courses, 81.9% stated that the course made them reconsider many of their former attitudes about care and that they gained a good understanding of the interdisciplinary partnership in care (87.8%). DISCUSSION: Developing a philosophy of care is an important aspect of a progressive health professional education. Staff development in the field of ethics is crucial to develop expertise and sustain programmes. The faculty has overcome the attitudinal, administrative and logistical barriers associated with interdisciplinary teaching and learning. However, to implement interdisciplinary programmes in the final year, where professional identity and turf is most powerful remains a challenge. CONCLUSION: Students clearly support the IPOC course as an important interdisciplinary core course in their undergraduate health professional education

Risk information seeking and processing of beef producers in the Southeast United States

Master of Science - Agricultural Education and CommunicationDepartment of Communications and Agricultural EducationJason D. EllisThe beef industry is ever evolving and plays a vital role in the United States economy. Many factors determine the impact of a beef operation and its contributions to the industry as a whole. Beef cow-calf operations in the Southeast United States are often criticized for being behind-the-times in management practices used and being slower to adopt new technologies. Is there a reason these producers manage differently than those in other regions? What impact, if any, do communication practices have on the management decisions for these operations? The purpose of this study was to better understand how Southeast beef cow-calf producers seek and process risk information about herd management and to determine communication preferences of these producers. The Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model was used to develop a survey, which was distributed through various beef producer organization channels to 11 Southeast states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The specific research objectives were to 1) define demographic and sociocultural characteristics of beef cow-calf producers in the Southeast United States, and 2) determine the perceived knowledge gap of beef cow-calf producers in the Southeast United States as it relates to risk management knowledge. The research question addressed by this study asked how beef cow-calf producers in the Southeast United States use different communication channels to influence their level of knowledge regarding risks facing their operations. Researchers proposed the following hypothesis, based on the RISP model: as the level of perceived risk increases, beef cow-calf producers in the Southeast United States will seek risk information through nonroutine channels. A majority of respondents identified their beef operations as having moderate risk in the areas of animal health, breeding management, calving management, animal growth, economic management, and marketing/selling calves. Perceived risk of weaning was categorized as moderately low. The preferred channel to receive beef-related information was through print magazines, and the preferred source of information was local extension. Additionally, respondents appeared to generally seek heuristic messages about beef risk management. In this study, no information was collected to assess the processing of these messages

Creating a space for interprofessional engagement in a clinical setting

No Abstract

Risk factors for chronic non communicable diseases in Mombasa, Kenya: Epidemiological study using WHO stepwise approach

Objective: To describe the prevalence and distribution patterns of the major common risk factors for non communicable diseases among the people living in Mombasa, Kenya. Methods: Using the WHO STEPwise approach, risk factors for non communicable diseases were analyzed for 305 people aged between 13 to 67 years. The study sample was arrived at through convenient stratification of the population according to age and setting followed by random selection of the participants. Results: The most common individual risk factors registered were physical inactivity, hypertension and overweight/obesity accounting for 42%, 24% and 11% of the sample respectively. Participants who possessed a single risk factor profile were 42% and those who had multiple risk factors were approximately 17%. Hypertension and physical inactivity were the most common multiple risk factor pattern possessed by 7.5% of the participants who had at least one of the investigated risk factors for CNCDs. Socio-demographic characteristics including male gender, increasing age, being a student and low socio-economic status were found to be positive predictors of CNCDs Conclusion: The burden of CNCDs risk factors is unequally distributed among Mombasa residents. The poorest quintile posses the worst risk factor profile compared to their privileged counterparts. The implementation of WHO STEPwise approach was feasible since it revealed a comprehensive picture of the at-risk groups thus forming a vital baseline framework for target-specific and cost-effective CNCDs control and prevention interventions. Keywords: Chronic non communicable diseases, Risk factors, Health promotion, Epidemiology, Mombas

Risk factors for chronic non communicable diseases in Mombasa, Kenya: epidemiological study using WHO stepwise approach

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and distribution patterns of the major common risk factors for non communicable diseases among the people living in Mombasa, Kenya. METHODS: Using the WHO STEPwise approach, risk factors for non communicable diseases were analyzed for 305 people aged between 13 to 67 years. The study sample was arrived at through convenient stratification of the population according to age and setting followed by random selection of the participants. RESULTS: The most common individual risk factors registered were physical inactivity, hypertension and overweight/obesity accounting for 42%, 24% and 11% of the sample respectively. Participants who possessed a single risk factor profile were 42% and those who had multiple risk factors were approximately 17%. Hypertension and physical inactivity were the most common multiple risk factor pattern possessed by 7.5% of the participants who had at least one of the investigated risk factors for CNCDs. Socio-demographic characteristics including male gender, increasing age, being a student and low socio-economic status were found to be positive predictors of CNCDs CONCLUSION: The burden of CNCDs risk factors is unequally distributed among Mombasa residents. The poorest quintile posses the worst risk factor profile compared to their privileged counterparts. The implementation of WHO STEPwise approach was feasible since it revealed a comprehensive picture of the at-risk groups thus forming a vital baseline framework for target specific and cost-effective CNCDs control and prevention interventions.Web of Scienc

Moving from conversation to commitment: Optimising school-based health promotion in the Western Cape, South Africa

Background: Recent evaluation of the Interdisciplinary Health Promotion (IHP) course offered by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) at schools revealed that the needs expressed by the schools had not changed in the last five years. Objectives: This paper describes the process that was undertaken to identify specific interventions that would have an impact on the schools and, in turn, the broader community, and provides an overview of the interventions conducted in 2011 - 2012. Methods: A stakeholder dialogue explored notions of partnership between the university and the schools, sustainability of health promotion programmes in the schools, and social responsiveness of the university. An action research design was followed using the nominal group technique to gain consensus among the stakeholders as to which interventions are needed, most appropriate and sustainable. Results: A comprehensive plan of action for promoting health in schools was formulated and implemented based on the outcome of the stakeholder dialogue. Conclusion: The study's findings reiterate that an ongoing dialogue between schools and higher education institutions is imperative in building sustainable partnerships to respond to health promotion needs of the school community.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Occupational therapy graduates’ reflections on their ability to cope with primary healthcare and rural practice during community service

BACKGROUND: Occupational therapy graduates are expected to deliver service in public health facilities using a primary healthcare approach (PHC) during their community service year. There is limited literature available about their experiences in this context. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the experiences of novice occupational therapy graduates and the extent to which their curriculum had prepared them for practice in PHC settings. METHODS: This qualitative exploratory study used purposive sampling to recruit thirty nine novice occupational therapy graduates. Using audio-recorded semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion data were collected to explore participants’ experience of work and the extent to which their undergraduate programme had prepared them for primary healthcare practice. The data was analyzed thematically. FINDINGS: Occupational therapy graduates expressed challenges in applying the PHC approaches for practice in resource-restricted rural settings. They required additional skills to communicate in the local indigenous language, to understand the various beliefs of the local communities and to manage change in these settings. They were well prepared for basic clinical skills as a need for urban-based ethical practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Curriculum planners need to review the teaching of communication skills and introduce students to strategies for change management. More inter-professional collaboration and service-learning in rural primary healthcare settings will prepare them better for rural and PHC settings.DHE