The combined honours student experience survey data and the perceptions of staff and students

Data analysis from the University Student Survey (2016) at Canterbury Christ Church University revealed that combined honours students (n=780) were less satisfied than single honours students. The qualitative comments of the students referred to concerns about identifying with and belonging to the programme; and self confidence. In addition, on one programme (n=89), combined honours student were less satisfied than their single honours classmates on 18 of the 22 USS satisfaction measure statements. Three focus group with staff on this programme (n=18) and interviews with students (n=8) were undertaken to investigate the issues of lack of satisfaction further. This paper will report on the ongoing investigation and the potential development of learning and teaching interventions

Effects of feeding rapeseed oil, soybean oil or linseed oil on stearoyl-CoA desturase expression in the mammary gland of dairy cows

Extensive biohydrogenation of dietary fatty acids (FA) occurs in the rumen of dairy cattle, giving rise to a high proportion of saturated FA in milk fat. Saturated FA may contribute to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome (Williams, 2000). Saturated FA, as well as several mono-unsaturated FA, can be desaturated by ¿9-desaturase, also known as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), present in the mammary gland of dairy cows. It is known that nutrition, especially polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), can affect the expression of SCD in rodents (Ntambi, 1999). Although various FA have been identified which can affect mammary SCD expression in dairy cattle, such knowledge is limited compared with rodents. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary FA supplementation of C18:1 cis-9, C18:2 cis-9,12 or C18:3 cis-9,12,15, by feeding rapeseed oil, soybean oil or linseed oil respectively, or its mixture, on SCD expression in the mammary gland of dairy cows

Killer Yeasts - Cause of Stuck Fermentations in a Wine Cellar

Sluggish fermentations in five fermenters in a wine cellar were investigated. Methylene blue-stains of yeast suspensions revealed that approximately 90% of the total yeast population in each of the fermenters were dead. The viable cells in each fermenter were killer yeasts. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total soluble cell proteins showed that the same killer yeast occurred in each of the five fermenters. The effect of killer yeast on viability and fermentation activity of the wine yeast was studied in an enriched grape juice medium at 20°C and 30°C. Death rate of the wine yeast was considerably higher in the presence of the killer yeast and fermentations were retarded at both temperatures. The killer yeast induced flocculation of the non-flocculent wine yeast

Spirit(ed) away: preventing foetal alcohol syndrome with motivational interviewing and cognitve behavioural therapy

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a growing concern in South Africa. In the Western Cape, prevalence rates for FAS are the highest in the world. Not surprisingly, the Western Cape also has some of the highest levels of alcohol consumption per capita. Although FAS is primarily caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the high rate of FAS in South Africa originates from a multitude of complex factors. These factors include heritage, poverty, high levels of unemployment and low-paid menial jobs, depression, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, increased accessibility to alcohol, lack of recreation, poor education, familial pressure, denial, cultural misconceptions and the smaller physiques of some of the women in the Western Cape. Holistic and comprehensive macro- and micro-level approaches are necessary in order to change the alcohol consumption trend that has developed over the last 300 years. No single strategy will reduce or eliminate the burden of alcohol misuse in this society. However, as the presented discussion suggests, combining the spirit of motivational interviewing (MI) with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) practice, borrowed from health psychological interventions for lifestyle-related chronic health conditions, holds promise for reducing the prevalence of FAS within Western Cape communities. These individual-based approaches have yet to be employed in South Africa despite the wealth of evidence that demonstrates their potential in targeting high-risk groups and reducing per capita alcohol consumption

Spirit(ed) away: preventing foetal alcohol syndrome with motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a growing concern in South Africa. In the Western Cape, prevalence rates for FAS are the highest in the world. Not surprisingly, the Western Cape also has some of the highest levels of alcohol consumption per capita. Although FAS is primarily caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the high rate of FAS in South Africa originates from a multitude of complex factors. These factors include heritage, poverty, high levels of unemployment and low-paid menial jobs, depression, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, increased accessibility to alcohol, lack of recreation, poor education, familial pressure, denial, cultural misconceptions and the smaller physiques of some of the women in the Western Cape. Holistic and comprehensive macro- and micro-level approaches are necessary in order to change the alcohol consumption trend that has developed over the last 300 years. No single strategy will reduce or eliminate the burden of alcohol misuse in this society. However, as the presented discussion suggests, combining the spirit of motivational interviewing (MI) with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) practice, borrowed from health psychological interventions for lifestyle-related chronic health conditions, holds promise for reducing the prevalence of FAS within Western Cape communities. These individual-based approaches have yet to be employed in South Africa despite the wealth of evidence that demonstrates their potential in targeting high-risk groups and reducing per capita alcohol consumption.Keywords: foetal alcohol syndrome, preventative health, spirit of motivational interviewing, cognitive behaviour therapy, Western Cap

COVID-19 Implications for Scenarios and Modelling and Considerations Moving Forward: Perspectives from the Integrated Assessment Modelling Community

Presentation given at the informal virtual meeting hosted by the SBSTA Chair with representatives from the research and systematic observation community and UNFCCC constituted bodies.The event aimed to provide an opportunity for discussing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on climate research and systematic observation, new opportunities emerging from this crisis for recovering better and what has changed and what needs to change in scientific communication on climate change

An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks: Ready to Embrace Online Learning with Collaborate

https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/weeklyreader/1058/thumbnail.jp

A Framework for Rapid Impact Assessment with special reference to wildfires

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology is a powerful tool that can support decision-making in all the facets of disaster risk management. Being at the centre of all disaster risk management functions, GIS activities such as data acquisition, processing, analysis and visualisation should be seamless from planning to prediction, preparation, response and recovery. A case study of devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of hectares of agricultural land during August 2011 in the North-West province, South Africa, identifies the lack of a comprehensive framework within which information-based disaster impact assessments are undertaken and which is integrated with the larger context of disaster risk management. Problems relating to the availability, quality and integration of data are typical of the ad hoc approach to the implementation of information technologies, indicating the need for an integrated and coordinated approach. The aim of this paper is to establish a framework for rapid impact assessment, with specific reference to geospatial data management. The framework is put into the theoretical context of disaster risk management and information management, with data acquisition and processing functions being anchored in the principles of information systems theory

Customised patient implants : future lifeline of the medical industry

Published ArticleLong-term growth in the additive fabrication industry will come from designs that are difficult, time-consuming, costly, or impossible to produce using standard techniques. Growth will occur with advances in the current additive processes, coupled with breakthroughs in new materials, which are expected to emerge over the next five to 10 years. These advanced materials will better satisfy the design requirements of many new products. The paper considers currently available technologies and discusses recent advancements in direct metal freeform fabrication and its potential of revolutionising the medical industry