5,001 research outputs found
The relationship between urinary organophosphate pesticide residues and reproductive development among boys living in the rural Western Cape
No full textBackground: Many contemporary agricultural pesticides are hormonally active, but few previous studies have investigated their effect on the reproductive health and growth of pubertal boys. A previous analysis found significant differences in serum reproductive hormone levels and lower anthropometric measurements as well as non-significant lower sexual maturity ratings and testicular sizes in farm boys compared to non-farm boys from the rural Western Cape in South Africa. Methodology: This analysis included 183 out of 269 school boys residing on farms and neighbouring nonfarming areas who provided urine samples in a cross-sectional study. Measurements included a questionnaire, clinical assessment of sexual maturity development (SMD), anthropometric measurements (height, weight and body mass index (BMI)), serum reproductive hormones (including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and oestradiol (E2)) and urinary levels of 3 dialkyl phosphates (organophosphate pesticide metabolites) including di-ethyl, di-methyl and di-methyl triphosphate (DEP, DMP and DMTP). Results: The median (interquartile range) of age and sum dialkyl phosphates of the school boys was 12 years (9-13 years) and 68.3 ng/mL (27.9-129.5 ng/mL) respectively. There were consistent, mostly non-significant associations with some dose response relationships between urinary levels of dialkyl phosphates and adverse effects on outcomes including SMD, serum reproductive hormones and anthropometric development. The strongest results included a strong positive association and dose response found between serum oestradiol > the 50th percentile and quartiles DMTP (odd ratio and confidence interval for highest and lowest quartile: 7.4; 1.7-32.4) and between BMI <50th percentile and quartiles of DMTP (odd ratio and confidence interval for highest and lowest quartile: 3.2; 1.2-9.0). Conclusion: The results provide some preliminary evidence that organophosphate pesticides exposure could alter the reproductive hormone levels and adversely affect the body size of school boys. There was also lack of evidence of other adverse effects on reproductive development. These findings require further investigation in a larger longitudinal study with seasonal bio-monitoring for pesticides
HIV-associated Neuropathy and Autonomic Dysfunction in South Africans on established ART impacts daily living
No full textIntroduction A common complication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP). Older age and previous TB are risk factors for DSP among HIVinfected Africans before and shortly after ART initiation. Little is known about autonomic dysfunction in Africans on long-term ART and the impact of DSP and autonomic impairment on their quality of life. Our aim was to describe the frequency, characteristics and functional consequences of DSP and autonomic dysfunction in a healthy HIV-infected community-based cohort after at least 5 years of ART. Methods HIV-infected South Africans on the government-sponsored ART program for at least 5 years were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Each consenting participant underwent a focussed neurological assessment using the Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screen (BPNS) and a reduced version of the Total Neuropathy Score (rTNS). DSP was defined as the presence of at least 2 neuropathic signs in a distal and symmetrical distribution, and symptomatic DSP (SDSP) when accompanied by neuropathic symptoms. Heart rate variability and orthostatic hypotension were measured as described by the Ewing classic battery, and the Survey of Autonomic Symptoms (SAS) questionnaire assessed the presence and severity of autonomic symptoms. We used a modified version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) to assess lower limb physical ability. Results The 67 participants had a median age of 41 years (interquartile range (IQR) 36-46) and 61 (91 %) were women. The median duration of ART was 7 years (IQR 6-10). DSP criteria were met in 54 (80.6%) and 24 (44.4%) had symptomatic DSP. Comparing participants with DSP to those without DSP, there was no difference in sex (P=0.39), age (P=0.79), current CD4 (P=0.69), viral suppression (P=0.34), ART duration (P=0.22) or previous tuberculosis (TB) (P=0.72) in those with DSP. Similar outcomes were obtained for SDSP. Abnormal autonomic tests were present in 60%. Those with SDSP had more severe autonomic symptoms than those with asymptomatic DSP (P=0.0008). We found that those with DSP and SDSP had significantly lower LEFS percentage scores than those without (P=0.039 and P=0.013 respectively). 5 Conclusion DSP remains a common complication of HIV in the modern era of ART and can lead to significant functional impairment. Autonomic dysfunction is prevalent in SDSP
A cross-sectional study of Ig-E mediated food sensitisation and food allergy in an unselected population of South African children aged 12-36 months
No full textIncludes bibliographical references.Background: Food allergy (FA) is a significant and often life-threatening health problem affecting about 4-6% of children and their families globally. In some developed countries FA prevalence has reached 10% and it is believed that developing economies may follow a similar trend since there is a reported rise in the global burden of other allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema. However, there is a dearth of population studies at global level documenting challenge-proven Ig-E mediated food allergy (FA) prevalence. As such, we studied an unselected population of children attending crèches in Cape Town, South Africa. Methodology All children aged 12-36 months attending the selected crèches between February 2013 and October 2013 were eligible for the study. Participants were assessed with an allergy questionnaire, had skin prick tests (SPTs) done and if they qualified, were invited for an oral food challenge (OFC) at the Red Cross Hospital Paediatric Allergy Clinic (RCHPAC). The SPT wheal size results were categorised into ≥1mm, ≥3mm and ≥7mm. We gave a general description of the study sample with respect to the demographic characteristics and compared participants and non-participants. We reported sensitisation pattern towards foods in the panel i.e. egg white extract, peanut, cow’s milk, wheat(flour), soy, hazelnut and fish (cod) according to the SPT categories. The effects of age, ethnicity, sex and concomitant allergy on sensitisation patterns were assessed. Associations between the potential predictor variables and sensitisation were assessed by Z-test for proportions and Chi-square/Fisher’s exact. PART I presents the study protocol with a brief motivation for the relevance of the study and the methodology used. PART II presents a structured literature review on FA and FS in large populations of selected and unselected cohorts. It provides an overview of empirical evidence on prevalence estimates from both the developed and developing world, and the potential risk factors causing Fav. PART III summarises the methodology, results and interpretation of the analysis conducted in a journal-ready manuscript according to Current Allergy and Clinical Immunology Journal requirements. Results The sample consisted of; 39% black African, 20% Caucasian and 41% mixed race participants, with a median age 26 months (IQR: 22-31). Amongst 121 participants (66% response rate, 92% participation rate and 94% completion rate), the prevalence of SPT≥1mm to any food was 16%, SPT≥3mm 12% and SPT≥7mm 4%. The prevalence of challenge-proven Ig-E mediated raw egg allergy was 1.7% and peanut allergy 0.8%. Black African participants had higher sensitisation rates (23%) of SPT≥1mm to any food, when compared to Caucasian (13%) and mixed race (10%) participants despite the difference not reaching statistical significance (p=0.17). Conclusions: This study was acceptable and feasible in this population that has a low prevalence of Ig-E mediated FA that is comparable to other studies from developed countries using objective measures in unselected cohorts. The prevalence of FS is appreciably high in this sample and there are ethnic differences that require further investigation. The findings seem to suggest an existing burden of Ig-E mediated FAs in the South African context that is un-diagnosed and therefore not manage
An Ontological Approach to the Innate Cognition in Human Being Emphasizing the Principles of Transcendental Wisdom
No full textHuman, who is the symbol of the Divine Names and has displayed a glorious resemblance to his Creator from among the creatures, alongside the wisdom, has taken his glory from an innate nature based on the divine nature. This gift, which has been expanded in both the cognitive aspect and the tendencies of human beings, has made his essence insightful, which is also the source of his innate desires. After dividing the innate perceptions into the knowledge by presence and the knowledge by acquisition, the innate perceptions of the knowledge by presence is the immediate reception of information that has been intertwined with human nature. Explaining the features such as the existence of the innate cognitions by presence, its skepticism, and also the examination of how the union is between the knowing to innate cognition and its known among the ontological coordinates of this knowledge in man. Undoubtedly the incomparable precisions of the transcendental wisdom among the philosophical schools has been the only reason the author has discussed the subject of this study from the same perspective
Wisdom in the Bible
No full textFollowing a general introduction to Wisdom literature and its significance in the ancient East, the author discusses the significance of such literature in Israel. Wisdom was the key to understanding the basic dimensions of Biblical messages: the relation between belief and life. Wisdom is afforded divine properties. The redeeming importance of Wisdom is emphasized. In this sense, Jesus is a teacher of Wisdom and a sage: the embodiment of Wisdom. Today, when the danger of the Gnostic misuse of Wisdom has passed, the author suggests that it would again be worthwhile to attach greater weight to this dimension in theology and in the evangelization of the world
Leveraging the Wisdom of the Crowds
No full textWisdom of the crowds is the idea that groups of people can collectively make wise decisions. Research suggests that these crowds can even outsmart experts. To gather the wisdom of the crowds, this project utilizes a prediction market. To successfully gather the wisdom of the crowds, a predictionmarket has to overcome serious challenges, such as gathering a large and active user base, and deciding on a fair initialmarket value. The main goal of the project is to create a prediction market that can overcome these challenges and successfully gather the wisdom of the crowds. Research has been done in the field of prediction markets. This process started with researching the theory behind prediction markets, the wisdom of the crowds. After that evaluating existing prediction markets and reviewing literature related to those markets was useful. Before and during the research phase, clear goals were set for the project, together with a clear set of requirements. These goals can be divided into: leveraging the wisdomof the crowd, solving problems associated with predictionmarkets and developing a product that is easily maintainable. The final product reaches the goals of the project and meets the requirements. The prediction market correctly aggregates the estimations of users on the market, and provides probabilities on real-world events. These probabilities are contained in the values on the market. The prediction markets solves the problems encountered on other prediction markets. The project makes use of gamification, an automated marketmaker and a reward system to correctly initialise market values. The system was thoroughly tested and developed with maintainability in mind.Computer Science and Engineerin
In Search of Sophia: Seeking wisdom in adult teaching and learning spaces - An Autoethnographic Inquiry
No full textThis thesis explores the relatively under-theorised relationship between wisdom and adult teaching and learning. Whilst studies of wisdom are usually couched within a psychological framework, and/or one related to gerontology, this work poses key questions about what wisdom means, whether it can be taught, and the extent to which its elusive and allusive character has rendered it marginal to the design and delivery of adult and lifelong learning. Using autoethnography as both method and methodology, and by drawing on a diverse range of sources, including six interviews, this pursuit of wisdom is anchored in the reflexive relationship between the author and her subject of study. Key ontological and epistemological questions are posed as I seek meaning in relation to my lifeworld and lifespan. I also examine autoethnography’s efficacy whilst acknowledging criticisms within the academy, including accusations of narcissistic irrelevance. This study also incorporates the use of ‘writing as inquiry’ by way of offering a further challenge to the more traditional bounds of the social sciences. The interview material is couched within a fictionalised framework, and the whole thesis unfolds, conterminously, as both analysis and quest. In keeping with the methodological approach, the thesis concludes by offering a synthesis of certain of its propositions, rather than resolution.
By adopting Sophia, the ancient goddess of wisdom, as metaphorical guide, the basic proposition that is shared across the text is the epistemologically fragmented nature of our understanding of wisdom and her relegation in a frenetic world which can be obsessed with the measurable as against the deepening of understanding. Yet the paradoxical nature of wisdom’s manifestations might also offer a degree of hope, should we heed her call…I argue that she is intimately intertwined with learning itself and with the potential for heartfelt and imaginative openness to the wisdom of ‘unknowing’ and the possibility of transcendence. However, Sophia demands our imaginative, authentic, loving and courageous attention in the process: in writing; in the classroom; in understanding the play of history, culture and the self. This autoethnographic inquiry is my response to that demand
Virtue of Political Wisdom
No full textThe author considers the virtue of wisdom as the decisive one for every policy and political activity. Politically wisdom is shown: a) by being orientated towards good aims in political matters, not bein selfish and obstinate, b) by trying to understand and master complex relationships, but not putting things before man, c) by being able to resolve difficult situations, to discern and govern them, but not as an opportunist. The author shows the limits of thus conceived wisdom which can only be a human quality. For christian politicians it is challenge to question the meaning of the christian virtue of prudency as a kind of fortification, shelter and overcoming of a merely natural common sense. The christian politician, in his wisdom, retains a place for the cardinal christian virtues: faith, hope and charity
Paradigma Etika Publik dalam Kearifan Lokal Pela
No full text ABSTRACT This paper is based on the basic preposition that local wisdom contains values of virtue that can contribute to the development of public ethics. By examining the Pela cultural institutions in Maluku, this paper intends to answer two main questions: what is Pela’s value of virtues and how to link these values in the framework of developing public ethics relevant to inclusive humanity. The writing aims to offer a thought about public ethics by digging its source from one of the local wisdom of the people of Maluku, namely Pela. The development of the public ethics perspective refers to the concern about the actual context of society, namely pluralism, ethnicity and religion. In this paper, in addition to literature review, the author also uses participatory observation methods and in-depth interviews as data collection techniques, while data analysis is done in the groove of attending, telling, transcribing, analyzing, reading and rewriting. Through this paper, the author arrives at the finding that not only religions are the source of the values of virtue, but also local wisdom (local genius). Pela also has the values of the virtue, such as brotherhood, equality and goodness. The excavation and discovery of these values contribute to theoretical thinking and public ethical praxis, particularly in a pluralistic Indonesian context. Keywords: Pela, public ethics, pluralism, local wisdom.
Wisdom and Law in Old Testament Wisdom Literature
No full textIn this article the author shows how the Jewish understanding of wisdom and law changed, especially in the intertestamental period. Wisdom, under the influence of Hellenistic thought, became almost a personal mediator between God and man, although it had originally been used to describe a certain style of living. The word law also underwent a change from its first meaning of guidance, to a later meaning in Deuteronomy of the revelation of Yahweh\u27s will to Israel, to the final identification of law with wisdom as the mediator between God and His creation, including especially man
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