14 research outputs found
The learning and teaching of systemic therapy : an action research approach
Text in EnglishThe training of psychotherapists not only determines what new therapists
learn about the practice of therapy, but influences significantly their identity
and the development of a professional self. This dissertation explores the
professional development of a trainee therapist, taking into consideration the training context and training approach, the trainee's unique training needs and the influence of own interactional style. The study was undertaken from an action research perspective, therefore emphasising solving a problem in the field and feeding this information back into the system during the course of the research project. The researcher describes how the training context (in this case, the Agape Healing Community in Mamelodi, South Africa), the training approach (systemic family therapy), and his personal style shaped his professional sense of self. He found however, that it was the process of action research which encouraged movement from feelings of inadequacy to competence in his professional development.PsychologyM.A. (Clinical Psychology
Fly-by-Pi : open source closed-loop control for geotechnical centrifuge testing applications
Geotechnical centrifuges are valuable instruments for physical modelling of complex
geotechnical problems in a controlled laboratory setting. In comparison to full-scale testing, scaled models are cost effective to construct and instrument and, when tested in a
geotechnical centrifuge at increased centrifugal accelerations, are capable of replicating
full-scale stress–strain soil behaviour. Centrifuge modellers require specialised hardware
and instruments capable of functioning under high accelerations. Such hardware is costly,
nearly always purpose built, and often rely on commercial, closed-source data acquisition
systems, hardware and control systems.
This paper demonstrates a novel and versatile, low cost, open source logger and control
system that works in parallel alongside existing centrifuge hardware. This solution, termed
Fly-by-Pi, was developed using the Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The system provides
closed-loop control of linear actuators with the ability to operate in either cyclic, monotonic, or static load- or displacement-control. The control mechanism can be reprogrammed according to experimental requirements, even during flight in the centrifuge.
Three independent experiments are described which included the Fly-by-Pi controller as
a key component in their operation. Based on the experience gained during these experiments, the authors encourage wide-spread adoption of open-sourced hardware solutions
in extreme testing environments.The UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Global Challenges Fund under the Wind Africa project.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ohxpm2021Civil Engineerin
Distinct genetic architectures for syndromic and nonsyndromic congenital heart defects identified by exome sequencing.
Congenital heart defects (CHDs) have a neonatal incidence of 0.8-1% (refs. 1,2). Despite abundant examples of monogenic CHD in humans and mice, CHD has a low absolute sibling recurrence risk (∼2.7%), suggesting a considerable role for de novo mutations (DNMs) and/or incomplete penetrance. De novo protein-truncating variants (PTVs) have been shown to be enriched among the 10% of 'syndromic' patients with extra-cardiac manifestations. We exome sequenced 1,891 probands, including both syndromic CHD (S-CHD, n = 610) and nonsyndromic CHD (NS-CHD, n = 1,281). In S-CHD, we confirmed a significant enrichment of de novo PTVs but not inherited PTVs in known CHD-associated genes, consistent with recent findings. Conversely, in NS-CHD we observed significant enrichment of PTVs inherited from unaffected parents in CHD-associated genes. We identified three genome-wide significant S-CHD disorders caused by DNMs in CHD4, CDK13 and PRKD1. Our study finds evidence for distinct genetic architectures underlying the low sibling recurrence risk in S-CHD and NS-CHD
Recommendations for the management of adult chronic myeloid leukaemia in South Africa
INTRODUCTION: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a chronic
myeloproliferative disorder characterised by a chromosomal
translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 12
resulting in the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene. The
management of CML has undergone major changes over the past
decade. Novel treatment approaches have had a dramatic impact
on patient outcomes and survival. Nevertheless, these outcomes
can only be achieved in the context of expert management,
careful monitoring of disease response, appropriate management of
adverse events and timeous adjustments to therapy when responses
are not achieved within stated time frames.
AIM: With the advent of novel treatments providing molecular
responses, both the monitoring and management of CML have
become more complicated. The aim of these recommendations was
to provide a pragmatic yet comprehensive roadmap to negotiate
these complexities.
METHODS: Recommendations were developed based on local
expert opinion from both the academic and private medical care
arenas after careful review of the relevant literature and taking
into account the most widely used international guidelines. About
five meetings were held at which these recommendations were
discussed and debated in detail.
RESULTS: A comprehensive set of recommendations was compiled
with an emphasis on diagnosis, investigation, treatment and
monitoring of disease. Careful attention was given to circumstances
unique to South Africa, funding constraints, availability and access
to laboratory resources, as well as the effects of concurrent HIV
infection.
CONCLUSION: Most patients with CML can live a reasonably
normal life if their disease is appropriately managed. These
recommendations should be of value to all specialists involved in
the treatment of haematological disorders.http://www.samj.org.z