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ETD: Acquired brain injury and the unraveling of theory of mind: exploring the role of personality change and spatial cognition
No full textThis study investigates the intricate relationship between spatial cognition, personality changes (notably egocentrism), and Theory of Mind (ToM) following right hemisphere dysfunction (RHD) due to Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Given the critical role of the right hemisphere in social and emotional behavior, this research focuses on understanding the connection between ToM and personality alterations, particularly as they relate to Cluster B personality traits postinjury. Through an exploration of right hemisphere syndrome deficits, including anosognosia and spatial neglect, the study aims to provide lesion-based insights into how ToM, spatial cognition, and personality changes interrelate post-ABI. The research is organized into two distinct phases: acute and chronic. It addresses three core objectives: firstly, to clarify the relationship between visuo-spatial abilities and ToM, hypothesizing that RHD adversely affects these capabilities and their interplay. Secondly, to examine the impact of ABI on Cluster B personality changes and their relationship to ToM, with a focus on narcissistic traits such as empathy, self-insight, and social interaction. Thirdly, to analyze ToM task performance in RHD individuals, especially in tasks like the Faux Pas test, controlling for executive functioning and intelligence. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study provides a unique perspective on RHD patients who maintain core cognitive abilities yet exhibit significant changes in social cognition and personality. Integrating insights from psychoanalysis, developmental, and abnormal psychology, the research enhances the understanding of ToM in the context of cognitive changes post-neurological impairment. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how patients adapt to brain injuries affecting their social and spatial cognitive functions. This study underscores the need for future ToM research to consider the impact of spatial cognition and personality traits. It highlights how these factors compound the loss of cognitive ToM abilities, leading to substantial alterations in patients' relationships and perceptions of the world. The findings emphasize the profound changes in ways of relating to self and others postneurological trauma, reinforcing the importance of a holistic understanding of ToM in clinical neuropsychology
Enhancing PEPT: high fidelity analysis techniques with augmented detection systems
Get PDFPositron emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a non-invasive, tracer-based technique used in the study of dynamic systems, such as particulate and fluid flows. Relying on positron imaging principles, typical PEPT systems operate with millimetre precision at tracking speeds of up to 10 m/s, with applications in fields from engineering to medicine. Performance is constrained by the efficiency of conventional fixed geometry detector systems and achievable activity of tracer particles, creating challenges when addressing phenomena on the micro-scale. Previous work with a pair of pixelated cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) room temperature semiconductors (9680 pixels of 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.5 mm3) exhibited potential in micro-scale PEPT, but achievable location rates and field of view (FOV) were limiting. To address these issues, a modular bismuth germanate oxide (BGO) scintillator array, consisting of 1024 detector elements (512 pixels of 6.75 x 6.25 x 30 mm3 and 512 pixels of 4.1 x 4.0 x 30 mm3), has been developed and characterised for use in a hybrid system, combining semiconductor and scintillator de vices. Optimal detection system geometry was determined through numerical modelling of system sensitivity, with the BGO array covering a FOV of 120×174×102 mm3 and the high-resolution semiconductor FOV of 62 × 42 × 20 mm3 placed centrally. This design maximises absolute efficiency through the scintillators and spatial resolution through the semiconductors. A coincidence timing resolution of 5.37 ± 0.17 ns and an energy resolution of 30.51 ± 0.48% at 511 keV was measured for the BGO devices, enabling optimisation of coincidence gates and energy level discriminators respectively. Using a novel 3D positioning stage and a 20.11 ± 0.26 kBq Na-22 calibration source, measurements of system sensitivity, spatial resolution and accuracy were performed. Sensitivity profiles were found in agreement with simulation, with a maximal central sensitivity of 34.8 ± 0.6 cps/kBq. Sub-millimetre system accuracy was achieved in all axes except between the BGO detector faces, in which an expected warping effect was identified. Sub-millimetre spatial resolution, σ, was achieved for a maximum location rate per unit activity, L ′, of 0.45 Hz/kBq, with an identified σ = 1.5 √ L′ trade-off to be optimised for specific use cases. The results of this work demonstrate the applicability of PEPT to the study of micro-scale phenomena and outline the path towards hybrid implementatio
Emergency registrars' and physicians' perceptions and preparedness to respond to the health impacts of climate change: a survey study
Get PDFClimate change has many significant impacts on health. These impacts occur on top of existing conditions, which places a disproportionate burden on those who are already vulnerable. Emergency healthcare, which is responsible for all acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury, often serves as the first point of contact in the health system for patients who have been affected by climate change. However, it is expected that many emergency medicine specialists are not well versed on the health impacts of climate change, making it essential to assess their current perception of and preparedness to address these impacts in clinical practice. To create an understanding of emergency medicine registrars' and physicians' perceptions about climate change and health, climate-related health education, and self-perceived preparedness to respond to these impacts, this study followed a survey design, using an online questionnaire to collect data. Data were collected from emergency medicine registrars' and physicians' who are currently working in South Africa. The data were first analysed descriptively, and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to explore differences amongst sub-groups. Results indicated that most (80%, n = 16) participants recognised the health impacts of climate change and felt that it would impact their own and their patients' health. None of the participants however received any formal training on the topic and only 3 (15%) participants indicated that they probably have enough information to prepare for the health impacts of climate change. Exploratory analysis indicated that the extent to which participants agreed with the statement that climate change will affect their personal health scores was statistically significantly higher for those who identified as women than for participants who identified as men (p = .024). There is a need for better integration of climate-related health education into medical curricula to prepare emergency medicine specialists in response to the health impacts of climate change. Key Terms: emergency medicine, emergency healthcare professional, climate-related health impacts, climate-related health education, medical curriculum, emergency healthcare preparedness, gender differences
Succession planning for leadership transformation for South African non-profit organisations
Get PDFNon-profit organisations (NPOs) play a vital role in South African society, providing critical services for many underserved and marginalised communities. Despite the evidence of the importance of NPOs in transforming the South African economy and society, there is very little research on succession planning for executive leadership transformation within this sector. The Literature on this topic is primarily based on case studies from other countries. South African studies were conducted in the public or private sector, which does not address the unique context of NPOs. This dissertation aims to address the gap in the current academic literature by exploring the unique ways in which NPOs implement succession planning to achieve successful internal executive leadership transformation within the South African non-profit sector. The primary research question is, “How do NPOs plan organisational succession to achieve successful internal executive leadership transformation?” The study used Eisenhardt's method of building theories from case study research as the overarching research methodology. Data was collected from eight NPOs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the ex-Executive Director (ED) and the incumbent ED of each NPO. Both in-case and cross-case analyses were used to derive the findings. Key findings from the research include the importance of being intentional about creating diverse and inclusive organisations, having reciprocal trust between the Executive Director and the board, and creating informal learning opportunities for potential successors. Future research should focus on the first 12 - 24 months of the incumbent ED, exploring the main challenges faced by the new leader as a black perso
Teachers Perspectives on One-on-One Remote Piano Lessons in Selected High Schools in Cape Town
Get PDFThe study examines how piano teachers employed at Quintile 5 public high schools in Cape Town adjusted to conducting online piano lessons during the COVID-19 restrictions on face-to-face teaching. Following the announcement of a national lockdown, schools in South Africa had to transition rapidly to online methods of teaching in April 2020, and as a result, many piano teachers had to transform their conventional methods of teaching into online instruction. Very few studies exist on online methods of teaching, especially in the practical instruction of a musical instrument, and even fewer in the South African context. The study aims to address this gap in the literature by focusing on the impact of online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers, learners, and school environments in Cape Town. At the centre of the study are the personal experiences of piano teachers who taught online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus a qualitative approach was followed. Data was collected via short questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with seven piano teachers from seven different Quintile 5 schools in Cape Town. The data was then analysed with qualitative coding. As theoretical framework, Jack Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory was selected as it posits that, following a disorienting dilemma, individuals can undergo profound changes in their perspectives through critical reflection. This study reveals diverse perspectives on the shift to online teaching among participants, many of whom initially struggled with the transition. Despite facing obstacles, participants proactively improved their online piano lessons through careful planning, involving the parents, setting specific goals, and offering emotional support. Schools also played a pivotal role, offering different support systems, ranging from providing counselling to learning materials. Teachers extended personal help to their learners by maintaining regular communication, an empathetic approach in lessons, and tailored guidance for learners who did not own a proper instrument. Participants still continue to use some of the said methods in face-to-face teaching, which suggests that they transformed their teaching methods on a long-term basis. This research touches on the socio-economic aspect of education, but it fell outside the scope of the study to investigate this in detail. Further research is thus required to fully comprehend the relationship between South African learners' socio-economic status and their academic progress during the COVID-19 pandemic
The introduction of multi-strain probiotics to preterm infants in a regional hospital: an observational study
Get PDFBackground: Worldwide 1 in 10 of all infants are born preterm. Late onset sepsis (LOS) (>3days of life) and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group. Probiotics may help to decrease the incidence of these conditions, although controversies remain. Objectives: To describe the implementation of multi-strain probiotics in George Hospital (GH) and determine the incidence of NEC, LOS and mortality in this group. Also, to compare with previous years where there were either no probiotics or only single strain probiotics. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted between February 2019 to July 2020 at George Hospital, Western-Cape, South-Africa. Data were collected from infants who weighed between 800g to 1200g to observe the occurrence of LOS and NEC. Results: Seventy-seven inborn infants were included. They had a median weight of 1000g, IQR [900- 1120g] and a median gestation of 30weeks, IQR [28-31weeks]. The ratio of male to female was 51:49. All of them received breastmilk. A total of eleven (14.3%) infants had positive cultures. These were predominantly gram-negative organisms and there were no positive cultures of probiotic organisms. Seventy five percent of the infections occurred in ELBW infants and their risk for mortality is higher overall. There was a total of seven deaths (9%) of which 3 were before 72hours of life. Out of all the 77 infants 4 died of LOS. None of the infants in the group had clinical or radiological NEC. Compared with the previous time periods, there was a similar rate of LOS, but a reduction of NEC and death. Conclusion: The introduction of probiotics to a regional hospital is possible. Less NEC was observed during the administration of multi-strain probiotic
Investigating the impact of organisational resources, entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and big data analytics on business performance of South African E-commerce SMMEs
Get PDFSmall, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are key contributors to economic growth in South Africa. It is important to understand the essential organisational resources (IT Infrastructure, IT human resources and financial resources) and dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) (innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking) that influence the utilisation of big data analytic (BDA) capabilities. It is also important to understand the impact of big data analytic (BDA) capabilities on business performance (productivity and profitability). Leveraging insights from BDA capabilities is believed to create economic value, especially in e-commerce which generates large volumes of data. This study investigated the combined impact of organisational resources and EO dimensions on BDA capabilities, and ultimately on the business performance of South African e-commerce SMMEs. The study uses both the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities view to build a theoretical framework. The study was guided by a conceptual model developed through a literature review and utilised quantitative methods to analyse data collected from SMME owners, partners and managers. A probability simple random sampling technique was used for this study. Data were collected from 288 responses to a questionnaire and were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. The findings revealed that IT infrastructure, IT human resources and financial resources have a significant positive impact on BDA capabilities. Furthermore, innovativeness and risk-taking (EO dimensions) enhanced BDA capabilities positively and significantly while another EO dimension, proactiveness, had an insignificant impact on BDA capabilities. The mediation analyses revealed that BDA capabilities fully mediate the relationship between organisational resources and business performance, while the EO dimensions are partially mediated. The study makes important theoretical and practical contributions and future research directions are discussed. A framework is provided that can be tested in future academic studies, specifically in the context of South Africa. Practically, the study indicates areas of investment for South African SMMEs engaged in e-commerce which may support their expansion and long-term sustainability, profitability and productivity. Both the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities view theories are context-sensitive, these findings should be considered limited in their generalizability and relevance to different contexts
Investigating the current challenges and discovering workable solutions for the future of opera companies in South Africa
Get PDFThe aim of this research study was to investigate the current challenges facing and discovering workable solutions for the future of opera companies in South Africa. The decline in government funding emerges as a critical factor adversely affecting the operations of these companies, leading to closures and a diminished cultural landscape. Social constructivism theory is employed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the findings, acknowledging the complex interplay of social factors in shaping the fate of the opera industry. Qualitative in nature, the study draws on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 participants from both operational and closed opera companies across the two significant provinces, namely Gauteng and the Western Cape. While the importance of state funding is evident, the research highlights the consistent decline in financial support as a catalyst for the demise of opera companies. The study identifies and documents various challenges faced by the opera industry, presenting envisioned state funding recommendations and recognising initiatives already undertaken by surviving companies, such as Cape Town Opera. These visions and recommendations form a comprehensive roadmap for South African opera companies striving for financial stability, offering strategic guidance to navigate the complexities of funding challenges. Moreover, the research emphasises the need for a more comprehensive funding model, specifically tailored to the performing arts industry, with a focus on opera. This call to action underscores the necessity for a holistic approach in addressing financial constraints, acknowledging the unique requirements of opera companies within the broader cultural context. In conclusion, this study not only uncovers challenges, but it also provides actionable recommendations and acknowledges the successful implementation by surviving opera companies. The continuous pursuit of improvement and adaptation to changing circumstances is encouraged, fostering a resilient opera sector that not only overcomes financial hurdles, but that actively contributes to a vibrant and thriving cultural landscape in South Africa. The call for a more comprehensive funding model further underlines the urgency for recognition and support of the performing arts, particularly opera, as an integral component of the nation's cultural identity and enrichment
Left in Limbo The Status of the Handing Over of the Bride in Customary Marriages Post Sengadi v Tsambo
Get PDFCourts are regularly tasked with determining the validity of a customary marriage using the requirements stipulated in the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act. This entails an assessment of whether certain fundamental rituals and practices occurred. One such ritual that appears frequently in recent jurisprudence is the handing over of the bride to the bridegroom’s family, although courts have differed on whether this is a necessary requirement for a valid customary marriage. In the case of Sengadi v Tsambo, the High Court conceptualised the handing over ritual as an extraneous requirement additional to the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act that could be imposed on an otherwise valid marriage, and ruled it unconstitutional to this extent. This article argues that the High Court's declaration of unconstitutionality, while peculiar for positioning the practice of handing over as extraneous to the statutory provisions, was within its powers, effective without further confirmation, and binding on lower courts within its jurisdiction. Upon appeal, rather than clarifying the matter, the Supreme Court of Appeal did not substantively deal with the High Court’s peculiar conception of handing over and ruled that the High Court should not have pronounced on its constitutionality. In doing so, we argue that the Supreme Court of Appeal may have tacitly overturned the High Court’s declaration of constitutional invalidity
Level-dependent volatility in jumping short-rate models
Get PDFThis dissertation constructs a no-arbitrage term structure with deterministically timed randomly sized jumps to price interest rate contingent claims while accounting for level-dependent volatility. This dissertation will price such claims using an implicit finite difference scheme to implement a modelling framework that prices bonds, bond options and caplets with scheduled shocks to the short-term interest rate to simulate macroeconomic announcements and other sudden developments. This dissertation found that the prices derived from the implicit finite difference scheme agree with those derived from Monte-Carlo simulations and, where applicable, analytical solutions. Moreover, this dissertation shows how innovations in the short-term rate affect the valuations of interest rate contingent claims