Implementing an EPrints repository system at a small South African university

This presentation gives a descriptive and analytical overview of the implementation of the Rhodes eResearch Repository system at Rhodes University, building on an ETD programme started in 1998. This project involves staff from Rhodes University Library and the Information Technology Division, with the approval of the Dean of Research. With the support of Management and a strong university IT culture of using open source software, Rhodes University Library planned the implementation of the system without major bureaucratic obstacles. We did, however, experience limited budgetary support and severe staff constraints. This poster aims to encourage institutions with limited resources to start IR programmes and emphasizes the short space of time required “to get up and go”

The influence of a nutritional supplement on lung function and immune status of hiv-positive patients in the Mangaung metropolitan

Thesis (D. Tech. (Clinical Technology )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013The HIV pandemic in South-Africa has created a new form of vulnerability for households with regards to food security and nutritional status which are vital components in the general care of HIV-infected individuals. The risk of nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition are predictors of disease progression and treatment in resource limited settings. Furthermore, HIV affects nutritional status by increasing the energy requirements, reducing food intake, affecting nutrient absorption and metabolism inadequacies due to cytokine activity and diarrhea. Several vitamins and minerals are important in fighting HIV infection because they are required by the immune system and major organs to attack infectious pathogens. Many of these micronutrients have been found to be deficient in HIVinfected persons and several studies were launched worldwide to investigate the feasibility of food assistance and nutrient supplementation. Nutritional supplementation has been advocated in HIV-infected persons especially in lowincome countries such as South Africa. Therefore, a study to evaluate the role of nutritional supplementation in HIV-positive patients becomes necessary, especially in a developing country such as South Africa. It is against this background that the present research was initiated to examine the influence of a nutritional supplement on the immune status and health status of HIVpositive/ AIDS adult individuals. The aim of the investigation was to determine if supplementation with a mixture comprised from specific minerals, vitamins and herbs over a period of one year, affected the haematological status, immune status, viral load and pulmonary function in forty (40) HIV-infected individuals living in the Mangaung Metropolitan, RSA. viii A quantitative, open-labeled, before-after clinical trial was conducted at the Central University of Technology, in Bloemfontein, Free State Province in the RSA. Socio-demographic and dietary intake questionnaires were completed. All data pertaining to anthropometric measurements, haematological status, immune status, viral load and pulmonary function were obtained my means of using standard procedures and technological equipment. The data were subjected to parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis. The results of the present investigation show that the eating pattern of this urbanized group of individuals reflects high energy (KJ) and macronutrient intakes coinciding with sub-optimal intake of Vitamin D and iodine. Of all the haematological variables the only statistical significant changes observed were increases in the median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.0219) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p=0.0245) after six months of nutritional supplementation. At 12 months a statistical significant decrease in the median CD/CD8 ratio (p<0.0048), median Hematocrit concentration (p<0.0312), median mean cell volume (MCV) (p<0.0359), and median RDW (p<0.0273) accompanied a statistically significant increase in the MCHC (p<0.0003) at 12 months after supplementation. At 6 months 89% (CI95%: 73%; 96%) of the individuals showed a decline in viral load counts with a median percentage decline of 34% (CI95%: 73%; 96%). At 12 months 85% [CI95%: 68%; 94%] of the individuals show a decrease in viral load counts with a median percentage decline of 62.9% (CI95%: 50%; 78.6%) following the intake of the supplement. The main findings of the present investigation reveal that 68% (50%-81%) of the individuals show a statistical median increase (p=0.0302) of 16.9% (11.5%; ix 36.1%) in the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) at six months. A significant decrease (p=0.0484) in the median FEF75 of 28.1% (14%; 35.3%) is observed in 70% (53%-83%) of the individuals after 12 months of exposure to the supplement. No statistical significant changes are observed for FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF50 over the entire trial period. The present results suggest that a significant measurable decrease in viral load in HIV-infected individuals can be obtained by means of subjecting individuals to a nutritional fortification supplement strategy for 6 months or more

The laboratory assessment of lipid disorders

No Abstract

Design-for-delay-testability techniques for high-speed digital circuits

The importance of delay faults is enhanced by the ever increasing clock rates and decreasing geometry sizes of nowadays' circuits. This thesis focuses on the development of Design-for-Delay-Testability (DfDT) techniques for high-speed circuits and embedded cores. The rising costs of IC testing and in particular the costs of Automatic Test Equipment are major concerns for the semiconductor industry. To reverse the trend of rising testing costs, DfDT is\ud getting more and more important

A cross-sectional study of the association between cognitive impairment and haemoglobin levels in HIV-infected South Africans established on antiretroviral therapy

Background Sub-Saharan Africa, the epicenter of the global population of people living with HIV (PLHIV), is estimated to have more than 25 million PLHIV. In the era before the widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), anaemia (low serum haemoglobin) was a common clinical finding that was seen as a potential risk factor for HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment. The association between haemoglobin levels and neurocognitive function has not been assessed in a Sub-Saharan study population in the era of ART. Methods A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was performed to assess the association between serum haemoglobin level and neurocognitive function in 129 participants who had both neurocognitive test (global deficit score) and full blood count results performed as part of a randomised placebo controlled trial that evaluated the efficacy of lithium carbonate for the treatment of HIV associated neurocognitive disorders. Results The majority of our participants were female (87%) with a mean age of 37 ±7.78 years. Participants were all established on ART with a median CD4 count of 495 cells/µL (IQR=315- 629). The median haemoglobin level was 12.2 (IQR=11.6-13.00) and anaemia was present in 8.5%. Serum haemoglobin level was not associated with global deficit scores (GDS) and fewer years of education was the only independent risk association for GDS-defined neurocognitive impairment. Conclusion We found that in South Africans, who are established on ART, anaemia is less common than in the pre-ART era and importantly, that low-normal serum Hb levels do not present a risk for GDS-defined neurocognitive impairment. These findings are relevant as they show that aggressive management of low-normal Hb levels is not necessary provided individuals are otherwise clinically well and virally suppressed

Automated component-handling system for education and research in Mechatronics

Published ArticleMechatronic practitioners are engaged in the assembly and maintenance of complex machines, plants and systems in the engineering sector or in organisations which purchase and operate such mechatronic systems. Mechatronics, often described as the synergy of mechanical and computer systems together with electronic technologies, is increasingly being singled out as a core focus by both the education and business sectors. This international trend is also evident in South Africa and Engineering Faculties now have to provide students with the opportunity not only to acquire theoretical knowledge in Mechatronics but also to develop skills in implementing and designing mechatronics systems

BLAMING AGAMEMNON MORAL CONFLICT AND THE FIRST CHORAL SEQUENCE OF AESCHYLUS' AGAMEMNON

Consider the following questions: is moral value subject to luck?2 How should we understandand cope with moral conflict?3 What do lines 40-263 of Aeschylus' Agamemnon mean, and whydo the Chorus sing them? Martha Nussbaum in her recent book4 answers these questions andsees a deep connection between them. The sub-title of her book is "Luck and Ethics in Greekphilosophy and tragedy" and in Chapter 2 she argues that the first choral sequence of Ag.answers the second question and gives a partial answer to the first. She also claims thatAeschylus has been misunderstood because of misguided modem philosophical assumptionsconcerning the two questions