Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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Experiences of online occupational therapy education during the COVID-19 pandemic at a South African university
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a worldwide shift of academic programmes towards a predominantly online forum. There was therefore a need to explore how students experienced these shifts to ensure optimal learning. This study describes students' experiences of online teaching, learning and assessment and perception of their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was employed using a four-part self-administered online survey. Following a pilot study with 11 community service occupational therapists, the survey was sent to all eligible participants (N=118) with a response rate of 85% (n=91). Data were collected from second to fourth year registered occupational therapy students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2021. Data were analysed descriptively using R Studio Suite RESULTS: Over 50% of the students reported a positive online experience. Adequate access to infrastructure enabled optimal online learning. However, students experienced difficulty with structuring self-study time, theoretical application and time allocated for online tests. Additional challenges included stress and time management and managing the increased requirements for self-directed learning. Coping was enhanced by the availability and access to student support services CONCLUSION: The key issues identified in the study need to be addressed to enhance online delivery of the curriculum IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Online teaching, learning, and assessment in occupational therapy curriculum requires review and adaptation to facilitate optimal student learning On an online platform, or with digital learning, students require support with aspects such as structuring of their self-directed learning time, personal time and stress management An understanding of the online experiences of students may assist in the development and revision of curricula that are responsive to students' needs and which may aid in optimal learning outcomes
A review of: The Power of Women. A doctor's journey of hope and healing written by Denis Mukwege
Get PDFFETTERING OF PRESIDENTIAL DISCRETION: DID THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR OVERREACH?
No full textThe President’s power to establish a commission of inquiry confers a plethora of discretionary powers for the Head of State. In the exercise of this power, the President acts alone, seemingly without the constitutional obligation to consult any public functionary or institution. This creates challenges for the question of accountability that attends the exercise of the power. Following the release of the State Capture Report, the Public Protector found that the President had inter alia outsourced his power to appoint cabinet members to the Gupta family, notwithstanding that he was the only one empowered to exercise the power in terms of the Constitution. Consequently, the Public Protector directed the President to establish a commission of inquiry to probe the allegations further. The President argued that the Public Protector had overreached her powers and trespassed upon his powers as Head of State. In the State Capture judgment, the High Court found that the Public Protector’s direction to the President to establish a commission of inquiry was lawful and binding. This article investigates whether the Public Protector may compel the President to establish a commission of inquiry, and whether such an order does not violate the doctrine of the separation of powers. It also probes the nature and extent of the Public Protector’s investigatory powers, vis-à-vis the President’s discretion in appointing a commission of inquiry. The article argues that the President’s power in the process is too broad and should be curtailed to enhance accountability
CERTAINTY ESTABLISHED: MAJORITARIANISM TRUMPS MINORITY, PASSES CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER, AND ACCORDS WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS Association of Mineworkers and Construction v Royal Bafokeng Platinum Limited [2020] ZAAC 1
No full textSouth African courts have recognised majoritarianism to mean that the will of the majority is favoured over the will of the minority in serving the legislative goals of advancing labour peace, orderly collective bargaining, and the democratisation of the workplace. Yet a fundamental problem arising from majoritarianism is the possibility that the rights of the minority could be violated. This case involves the retrenchments in South Africa when a firm elects to dismiss part of its labour force for operational reasons. This procedure frequently arises without warning. Generally, it has devastating consequences and leaves certain employees out of work through no fault of their own. That is exactly what happened in Association of Mineworkers and Construction v Royal Bafokeng Platinum Limited [2020] ZACC 1.Against this backdrop, this case note addresses two issues. First, it explores the constitutionality of procedural fairness during retrenchments; second, it assesses the International Labour Organisation’s Committee of the Freedom of Association (ILO-CFA) Report on this matter against the decision of the Committee
Using Landsat satellite imagery to monitor the spatial and temporal dynamics of aquatic weed extent in Lakes Chivero and Manyame, located in an urban catchment of Zimbabwe
No full textThis study quantified the spatial and temporal variation of aquatic weeds in two lakes in an urban catchment of Zimbabwe using the automatic water extraction index (AWEI) and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from Landsat satellite data from 1986 to 2020. Extent of aquatic weeds estimated using AWEI in Lake Chivero increased from less than 1 km2 (4%) in 1986 to 7 km2 (27%) in 2020. NDVI-based aquatic weed estimation gave the least spatial extent in the first few years. Similarly, in Lake Manyame aquatic weeds occupied ~62 ha (<1% in 1986) before reaching a peak extent of 60 km2 (~70%) in 1995, based on AWEI estimates. NDVI-derived aquatic weed extent ranged from less than 2 km2 in 1997 to a maximum of 56.12 km2 in 1994. Although AWEI and NDVI estimated similar extents, NDVI had higher estimates than AWEI. A non-significant positive trend in aquatic weed extent was detected for Lake Manyame based on AWEI (Mann-Kendal tau = 0.139, s = 69, p = 0.27) and NDVI (Mann-Kendal tau = 0.129, s = 64, p = 0.307). In Lake Chivero, a non-significant negative trend was observed in aquatic weed extent based on NDVI (Mann-Kendal tau = −0.06, s = −30, p = 0.6382), while a positive trend was detected using AWEI (tau = 0.0036, s = 18, p = 0.7827). Results of the regression analysis indicate that phosphorus (R2 = 0.7957, p = 0.00122) and nitrogen (R2 = 0.8992, p = 0.0011) significantly explained variations in aquatic weed infestation in Lake Chivero. These results suggest that phosphorus and nitrogen enrichment are key drivers of aquatic weed proliferation in the two lakes. Thus, sustainable management of water resources in the catchment hinges on reducing the amount of nutrients released into the lakes from sewage treatment plants and croplands
A 500-year-old medicine container discovered near Misgund, Eastern Cape, South Africa: Residue characterisation by GC-MS
No full textThe chance discovery of a 500-year-old cattle-horn container in a painted rock shelter on the farm La vie D’Antan in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa sheds new light on the antiquity of traditional medicines in the region. We report the micro-residue and GC-MS results of the solidified substance found inside the horn container. Several plant-based medicinal compounds were tentatively identified, of which mono-methyl inositol and lupeol are the most prevalent. Based on pharmacobotanical studies, we suggest the most probable ailments the medicine would have been used to treat and propose the most likely plants from which the ingredients were sourced. Apart from the rock art, whose contemporaneity has not been established, there is no associated archaeology from which to draw specific cultural associations. Although people clearly have been aware of the medicinal properties of plants for at least the last 200 000 years, this is, to our knowledge, the oldest evidence from southern Africa of a bespoke container that has been used to store multiple combined ingredients of medicinal application. The age of the contents of the horn container, however, could not be independently established, leaving open the possibility that the medicinal container and its contents may not be contemporaneous.Significance:
We present the oldest medicine container yet found in southern Africa combining two or more plant ingredients.
The findings add to our knowledge of traditional Khoisan medicines and the antiquity of this traditional knowledge system
The great pretender: Multi-system tuberculosis and pathological fracture masquerading as a severe acute football groin injury ‒ Case study with a 5-year follow-up
Get PDFIn this clinical case, a man presented with a groin injury on his dominant side, which he apparently sustained in football (soccer) practice on the previous day. The man was unable to walk unassisted and had to be transported in a wheelchair. The consulting practitioner grew suspicious upon finding minimal clinical evidence and nothing notable on the X-ray to suggest a severe acute injury. A subsequent detailed workup revealed extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) of the musculoskeletal (MSK) and genitourinary tract (GUT) systems, complicated by a pathological fracture of the acetabulum, as the cause of the groin injury. Management of the EPTB resolved the condition with no relapse nor long-term sequelae beyond five years, despite being immunocompromised. We present the clinical case and a five year follow-up. The case serves as a reminder of the possibility that other conditions may mimic sports injuries and further illustrates a rare presentation of such a condition
An analysis of specific batting demands in the women’s The Hundred competition
Get PDFBackground: No research has investigated the shortest format of the game of cricket, The Hundred competition. Furthermore, women’s cricket research is particularly limited, with most focusing on injuries and little literature investigating specific batting demands. These demands are important if training programmes are to mimic the game’s movement patterns.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyse specific batting demands and variables associated with the women’s The Hundred competition.
Methods: Thirty-one matches from the Women’s 2021 The Hundred competition were analysed using Hudl Sportscode Elite. Variables analysed included: bowler type (seam or spin), free hits, no ball runs, reason for no ball (height/wide/front foot), run scored (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6), type of key event (fall of wicket, bowling referral, batting referral, umpire referral, bowling time out, rain delay, or injury) as well as time between deliveries and sets, overall and between the power play and non-power play. A total of 6073 deliveries were analysed.
Results: A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed for time between deliveries for spin bowlers (26.90±22.16 s) compared to seam bowlers(31.70±20.37 s) as well as time between sets for the power play (58.00±13.28 s) and non-power play phases (63.70±42.00 s). Additionally, in the power play, most runs were made up of “1’s” and “4’s”. In the non-power play phase, “1’s” made up the biggest contribution of runs (as a percentage).
Conclusion: The fact that singles make up a significant portion of a typical match means that strength and conditioning coaches should incorporate high-intensity sprint-type training into training programmes to mimic these demands
Kinematic differences between left- and right-handed cricket fast bowlers during the bowling action
Get PDFBackground: Despite differences between left- and right-handed athletes in other sports, minimal evidence exists regarding biomechanical similarities and differences between left- and right-handed cricket fast bowlers performing an equivalent task.
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the kinematics between left and right-handed fast bowlers performing an equivalent task (i.e. bowling ‘over the wicket’ to a batter of the same handedness as the bowler).
Methods: Full body, three-dimensional kinematic data for six left-handed and 20 right-handed adolescent, male, fast bowlers were collected using the Xsens inertial measurement system. Time-normalised joint and segment angle time histories from back foot contact to follow-through ground contacts were compared between groups via statistical parametric mapping. Whole movement and subphase durations were also compared.
Results: Left-handed players displayed significantly more trunk flexion from 49%-56% of the total movement (ball release occurred at 54%; p = 0.037) and had shorter back foot contact durations on average (0.153 vs 0.177 s; p = 0.036) compared to right-handed players.
Conclusion: Left- and right-handed bowlers displayed similar sagittal plane kinematics but appeared to use non-sagittal plane movements differently around the time of ball release. The kinematic differences identified in this study can inform future research investigating the effect of hand dominance on bowling performance and injury risk
Darkness stopping play? An update on cricket and mental health
Get PDFMental health within elite cricket continues to be an area of focus for researchers and practitioners working within the game. Support structures for psychological issues within differing administrations and franchises vary. This may lead to inconsistent practice and levels of resource allocation. Elite level cricketers are exposed to stressors as a result of the congested international and domestic calendar, contract insecurity, injury and pressure to perform. Within the following commentary, the authors consider the existing medical literature, franchise and women-specific challenges and suggest ways to build on existing structures in order to optimise mental health within elite-level cricket