Dr. H.J. van der Bijl se filosofiese denkraamwerk - ’n histories-fllosofiese oorsig

The philosophical cognitive framework of dr. H.J. van der Bijl - a historicphilosophical overview The great achievements of H.J. van der Bijl on the industrial scene in South Africa as a whole and in Vanderbijlpark in particular are widely known. What is less commonly known is that the vision and ideals on which these achievements are based, are grounded in the humanist-scientistic philosophy of the Renaissance a n d the Enlightenment. From a Christian-Reformational point of view it will be a rgued that the deepest ideals of Van der Bijl were never realised, and can never be realised. From a Reformational point of view the basic reason why Van der B ijl’s ideals were not realised, is to be found in a lack of a biblically orientated life a n d worldview, and especially a biblically orientated anthropology. Because of his scientism Van der Bijl overrated human abilities to create an utopia on the basis of scientific knowledge and he underrated the effect o f sin on human nature. Van der Bijl also ignored God’s will for humanity and society; he judged the human being as autonomous and ignored the fact that man is merely a steward of God's properly and not the owner

Mental models in the learning and teaching of music theory concepts

Published ArticleA retired physicist attempting to master elements of music theory in a short time found the Mental Model of the keyboard layout invaluable in overcoming some of the related learning challenges and this has been followed up in collaboration with a professor of Music Education. Possible cognitive mechanisms for his response are discussed and it is concluded that his engrained learning habits, which emphasise models as found in physics, are potentially of wider applicability. A survey of the use of Mental Models among competent young musicians indicated that although various models are widely used, this is largely subconscious. The practical question of whether exposure of students to the keyboard would assist them in mastering music theory remains unresolved

Growth performance, haemo-biochemical parameters and meat quality characteristics of male Japanese quails fed a Lippia javanica-based diet

A total of 105 male Japanese quails (153.2 ± 10.21 g) (Cortunix cortunix japonica) were reared in an environmentally controlled house to investigate the effect of inclusion of Lippia javanica leaf meal on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical parameters, and carcass and meat quality characteristics. The quails were randomly allocated to 15 pens, with each pen holding 7 quails. Pens were then randomly allocated to the following experimental diets: 1) commercial grower diet without antibiotics [NegCon]; 2) commercial grower diet with antibiotics, coxistac and olaquindox [PosCon]; and 3) commercial grower diet without antibiotics in which L. javanica was included at the rate of 25 g/kg [Ljav25]. Experimental diets and fresh water were offered ad libitum. Weekly feed intake and body weights were recorded to calculate feed conversion efficiency (FCE). At 9 weeks of age, quails were slaughtered at a local poultry abattoir for assessment of blood parameters, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Repeated measures analysis showed no significant week × diet interaction effect on average weekly feed intake (AWFI), average weekly weight gain (AWG) and FCE. Diet had no significant influence on AWFI, AWG, FCE, and haematological parameters. There was no dietary effect on overall FI, overall WG and overall FCE. Alanine transaminase (ALT) was the only serum biochemical parameter influenced by diet. Quails offered Ljav25 had higher ALT content (56.83 u/L) than those offered PosCon (18.0 u/L). Diets had no significant impact on carcass characteristics and internal organs, except for gizzard weights. Immediately after slaughter, diets caused no effect on meat quality parameters, except meat lightness (L*), whereas at 24 h post slaughter, diets had significant impact on meat yellowness (b*). No dietary variation was observed for peak positive force (PPF) values of quail meat. NegCon diet promoted the least cooking losses (16.51%) when compared to PosCon and Ljav25 diets, which significantly did not differ. It was concluded that inclusion of L. javanica in quail diets at 25 g/kg feed promoted similar growth performance, health status, and carcass and meat quality traits as the commercial grower diet containing antibiotics. Lippia javanica leaf meal, therefore, has potential as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in Japanese quails.Keywords: Antibiotics, health, Lippia javanica, physiological response, quail

Changing demands of clients of extension: What kind of competency is needed to meet the new demand?

Two studies were conducted in which the first one focused on thirty extension practitioners in Limpopo province. This study formed part of a bigger study which was initiated by Extension Africa, which is made up of African researchers from African countries and in the Diaspora. Extension Africa research organization has embarked on extension research in nine African countries focussing on problems that faced small holder farmers. One aspect of the study was to look at the competency of the extension staff in terms of delivering an efficient and effective service to satisfy the needs of farmers. This paper finds the study relevant for this purpose and it draws from its data. The findings suggest that an extension staff should be competent in the area of: development theory 93%, development policy, 93%, development practice 93%, training in development 90%, development process 80%, training in development 90%. There is also a need to be competent in communication from different facets e.g. communication for building linkages 90% , public speaking, 86%, facilitation 90%,Communication for integration 86.6 %, and for communication for coordination 87 %.The second study report on the relevant technical competency needed to resolve the climatic challenges faced by farmers, climatic challenges form part of the new mandate that extension staff is supposed to consider when addressing farmer’s needs. 194 farmers were interviewed from four local agricultural offices of Limpopo namely: Fetakgomo, Makhuduthamaga, Aganang and Blouberg. The information was collected through a questionnaire which was analysed through the SPSS system. The findings suggest that there are eight areas that farmers expect extension staff to be competent. These areas can be seen as strategies to mitigate against climate change and are summarized as good cultural practices. Some of these practices include the following: soil mulching skills, fertilizer recommendation, and zero tillage, knowledge of early maturity variety, early ploughing, drought resistant seed and water harvesting. The paper concludes with three recommendations namely, extension practitioners should acquire the necessary skills; they should be trained in both technical and in extension methods and they should be knowledgeable in terms of conflict resolution, negotiation, and persuasive communication skills. These skills are important in assisting farmers to cope with changes that they face due to forces of change that affect their productivities.Keywords: Extension, Extension Africa, climate study, and competenc

Verlichting bij leghennen in volieresystemen

In juni 2000 is een nieuw koppel leghennen geplaatst in stal P5 van het Praktijkcentrum 'Het Spelderholt'. Er wordt onder andere onderzoek gedaan met bruine leghennen in twee voliOresystemen met twee verschillende verlichtingssystemen. In dit artikel gaan we in op de tussentijdse resultaten van het verlichtingsonderzoek in de voliOresystemen

Systeem van de toekomst voor leghennen

Het Praktijkonderzoek Veehouderij wil samen met andere kennisinstellingen de huidige inzichten gebruiken om te komen tot een geheel nieuw houderijsysteem. Uitgangspunt bij dit systeem van de toekomst is dat het op zijn minst moet passen binnen de voorwaarden van duurzame huisvestingssystemen voor leghennen

Prevalence of Blomia tropicalis allergy in two regions of South Africa

Background. Asthma and allergic rhinitis affect 15% and 38% of South African (SA) children, respectively. The housedust mite (HDM) is the most significant indoor aeroallergen. Typical HDM species include Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae and Blomia tropicalis. Conventional skin-prick testing (SPT) panels only test for Dermatophagoides. B. tropicalis has been described in the tropical and subtropical regions, but is not routinely tested for in SA.Objective. To ascertain the significance of B. tropicalis as an aeroallergen in northern coastal KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN), a tropical environment, and in Johannesburg in the highveld, where the climate is milder and less humid.Methods. Children aged 1 - 18 years with features of allergic rhinitis and/or asthma were recruited over a 6-month period from Alberlito Hospital in northern KZN and the Clinton Clinic in Johannesburg. SPTs included Dermatophagoides and B. tropicalis. Sensitisation was defined as a wheal 3 mm greater than the negative control.Results. Eighty-five subjects were included, 50 in northern KZN and 35 in the Johannesburg arm; 52% of subjects in northern KZN and 3% in Johannesburg were sensitised to B. tropicalis, with a significant difference between these centres (p<0.05). Of the 52% sensitised to B. tropicalis in northern KZN, half were sensitised only to B. tropicalis.Conclusion. There is a high prevalence of B. tropicalis allergy in the tropical northern KZN region and a much lower prevalence in the Johannesburg region. Routine testing for B. tropicalis allergy should be employed in northern KZN

Fish meal supplementation to early lactation Jersey cows grazing ryegrass pasture

This trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that early lactation cows grazing ryegrass pasture and receiving maize and mineral supplementation could respond to additional supplementation with a protein source such as fish meal. Multiparous Jersey cows in early to mid lactation that grazed annual ryegrass pasture in spring were used in a randomised complete block design experiment. In addition to the pasture, cows received 6 kg (as is) of a maize-based supplement, including minerals, fed in two equal portions in the milking parlour. Three groups of 15 cows received a control, a low fish meal or a high fish meal treatment (0, 4 or 8% fish meal replacing maize). Milk yield was measured and milk samples taken fortnightly. A simultaneous study on rumen fermentation was conducted using eight rumen cannulated cows receiving the control and high fish meal treatments in a cross-over design experiment. Ruminal pH and ammonia-N and volatile fatty acid concentrations were measured. Milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk yield and milk fat and protein percentages of cows on the low and high fish meal treatments (21.9 and 22.1 kg milk/d, 24.1 and 24.2 kg 4% fat corrected milk/d, 4.73 and 4.67% fat and 3.49 and 3.45% protein) were higher than the control (20.5 kg milk/d, 20.4 kg 4% fat corrected milk/d, 3.97% fat and 3.25% protein). The ruminal ammonia-N concentration was higher in the cows on the high fish meal treatment than the control (16.7 vs. 14.2 mg/dL). Fish meal supplementation to cows on ryegrass proved to be profitable. Keywords: Dairy cattle, cultivated pasture, RUP, maize, milk yield, milk composition South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (4) 2008: pp. 331-34

'n Evaluering van die 6M-Simulasie opleidingkursus vir oningewyde swart werkers.

Evaluation of the 6M Simulation Training Course is discussed with reference to mastery of course content, influence of training on job performance and reaction of course attendants to the course. Results indicate a significant increase in knowledge, irrespective of variables such as age, educational qualifications, years of service, home language, place of origin and job category. A positive change in 34 items related to the job situation and a positive reaction to the course content and training techniques were also found