3,754 research outputs found
Impact of market deregulation on the competitiveness of commercial milk producers in East Griqualand: a unit cost ratio (UCR) analysis: 1983-2006
No full textThis study investigates the impact of dairy market deregulation on the competitiveness of milk producers who comprise the East Griqualand (EG) study group in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study uses a microeconomic approach, the unit cost ratio (UCR) method of competitiveness analysis, to assess changes in the relative competitiveness of EG milk producers from 1983 – 2006. Findings of previous research indicate that dairy market deregulation in the 1980s and 1990s caused lower real milk producer prices, increased uncertainty and higher exit rates in the South African dairy industry. Results of the UCR analysis suggest that EG milk producers were not competitive based on the net local price received for milk but were competitive when dairy cattle trading income was included. This suggests that dairy cattle trading income played an important role in enhancing the profitability of EG dairy enterprises in the study period. Further UCR analysis revealed that the top one-third of EG milk producers were relatively competitive from 1983 – 2006 due to higher real milk prices and lower unit costs. A panel data study of individual EG milk producers could be used to identify other important factors affecting milk producer competitiveness over time.dairy market deregulation, East Griqualand milk producers, competitiveness, unit cost ratio analysis, Livestock Production/Industries,
New insights into the survival mechanisms of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
No full textObjectives: Rifampicin is considered the most important antibiotic for treating TB, but unfortunately Mycobacterium tuberculosis is rapidly developing resistance to this drug. Despite the fervent research efforts to date, TB is still a major global problem, and hence new approaches are necessary to better characterize this disease, especially the mechanisms relating to drug resistance.
Methods: Using a two-dimensional GC-coupled time-of-flight MS metabolomics approach, the most important metabolite markers characterizing rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis were identified.
Results: The metabolite markers identified indicate instability in rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis mRNA, induced by the rpoB mutation. This results in a total depletion of aconitic acid, due to a shift in aconitase functionality towards mRNA binding and stability, and away from energy production and growth, and a subsequent increased dependency on alternative energy sources, fatty acids in particular. A number of other metabolic changes were observed, confirming an additional survival response for maintaining/remodelling the cell wall.
Conclusions: This study shows the value of a metabolomics approach to biological investigations in a quest to better understand disease-causing organisms and their tolerance to existing medications, which would in the future undoubtedly assist in the development of alternative treatment approache
The role of remorse in sentencing
No full textIt has become an established feature of the South African sentencing practice to consider the level of remorse displayed by the accused (S v M (Centre for Child Law as Amicus Curiae) 2007 (2) SACR 539 (CC) par [115]). Genuine contrition or remorse is generally regarded as a mitigating factor whilst the absence thereof is considered to be an aggravating factor. Our courts link the presence of remorse with the prospect of the rehabilitation of the offender(Terblanche "Sentencing" 2010 Annual Survey of South African Law 1279 1287-1288; S v Ntuli 1978 (1) SA 523 (A) 528B-C; S v PN 2010 (2) SACR 187 (ECG); S v De Klerk 2010 (2) SACR 40 (KZP) par [28]; S v Langa 2010 (2) SACR 289 (KZP) par [36]; S v Onose 2012 JDR 1074 (ECG) par [9]; and S v Keyser 2012 (2) SACR 437 (SCA) par [29]). In S v Seegers (1970 (2) SA 506 (A) 512G-H) Rumpff JA held that remorse, as an indication that the offence will not be committed again, is an important consideration, in suitable cases, when the deterrent effect of a sentence on the accused is considered. This note considers the meaning of "remorse" in the eyes of our courts, the approach of South African courts (in particular the Supreme Court of Appeal) to the role of remorse in sentencing, as well as the question whether the presence or absence of remorse can truly be determined by a court.http://reference.sabinet.co.za.nwulib.nwu.ac.za/document/EJC148916http://reference.sabinet.co.za.nwulib.nwu.ac.za/sa_epublication/obiterhttp://reference.sabinet.co.za.nwulib.nwu.ac.za/document/EJC14891
African feminism as decolonising force: a philosophical exploration of the work of Oyeronke Oyewumi
No full textGoris, W. [Promotor]Du Toit, H.I. [Promotor]Halsema, J.M. [Copromotor
Types de migrations dans des pays sous-développés : Helen I. Safa, Brian M. du Toit, Migration and development
No full textGeorge Pierre. Types de migrations dans des pays sous-développés : Helen I. Safa, Brian M. du Toit, Migration and development. In: Annales de Géographie, t. 86, n°477, 1977. p. 609
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the long-term implications
No full textCITATION: Du Toit, M. M. & Siebert, T. I. 2009. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the long-term implications. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 15(2):48-53.The original publication is available at http://www.sajog.org.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: No abstract availableAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaarhttp://www.sajog.org.za/index.php/SAJOG/issue/view/11/showTocPublisher's versio
Altered fatty acid metabolism due to rifampicin-resistance conferring mutations in the rpoB gene of mycobacterium tuberculosis: mapping the potential of pharmaco-metabolomics for global health and personalized medicine
No full textWe investigated the use of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics to better characterize rifampicin-resistance by comparing the fatty acid metabolomes of two rpoB mutant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains (S522L and S531L) to that of a fully susceptible wild-type parent strain. Using the generated GC-MS metabolite data, principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear differentiation between all three sample groups analyzed. We subsequently identified those metabolites contributing most to the variation in the data using PCA and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The altered metabolite markers detected in the rifampicin-resistant mutants indicate a decreased synthesis of various 10-methyl branched-chain fatty acids and cell wall lipids, and an increased use of the shorter-chain fatty acids as carbon sources. Furthermore, the rpoB S531L mutant, previously reported to occur in well over 70% of all clinical rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis strains, potentially showed a better capacity for using these alternative energy sources, compared to the less frequently detected rpoB S522L mutant. This study is the first of its kind to associate rifampicin resistance, rpoB mutations, and the β-subunit of RNA polymerase in M. tuberculosis, with an altered fatty acid metabolism, thereby demonstrating the role that pharmaco-metabolomics can play in identifying new markers associated with drug resistanc
Total Metabolome Extraction from Mycobacterial Cells for GC-MS Metabolomics Analysis
No full textOver the past 10 years, the number of metabolomics based publications in the available scientific literature has exponentially grown, a large portion of which describing new biomarkers better elucidating microbial disease mechanisms and improved diagnostics and treatment thereof. Here, we describe a metabolomics method for extracting the total metabolome (all compounds present in the microbial cell irrespective of the compound class), for analysis in a single analytical run using only one analytical instrument. This method includes disruption of robust microbial cell walls, and the precipitation of proteins and cell debris using a combination of mechanical methods and solvents. These extracts are subsequently derivatized, in order to improve the volatility of polar compounds for efficient gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. This methodology can be applied to all microbes, including those with robust cell walls, such as M. tuberculosis. To date, the biomarkers identified using this approach have led to improved tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics, improved TB treatment approaches, and better understanding of host–microbe interactions and associated mycobacterial genomic
Anti-money laundering regulations and the effective use of mobile money in South Africa – Part 1
No full textMobile financial services, specifically mobile money, has the potential to expand access to financial services to millions of unbanked people in South Africa. As such, it looks very promising in terms of financial inclusion. However, concerns exist that mobile money can be detrimental to financial integrity since there are several proven risk factors linked to mobile financial services. These risk factors make mobile money very susceptible to money laundering. The potential for abuse and the need for appropriate controls is therefore something which cannot be ignored.
While the South African legislator has made provision for comprehensive anti-money laundering preventative measures by means of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001, there exists no South African legislation explicitly concerned with mobile money. It is therefore difficult to determine what the regulatory stance is in terms of mobile money in South Africa. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is, however, currently focusing attention on the effect which mobile money may have on financial integrity. The latest FATF Recommendations make provision for several anti-money laundering controls which are specifically applicable to mobile money, including controls regarding money or value transfer services and new technologies.
While it is always difficult to balance financial integrity and financial inclusion, the risk-based approach makes it possible for governments to implement effective anti-money laundering measures, thereby preserving financial integrity, without the need to compromise on financial inclusion objectives. The fact that South Africa has not fully adopted a risk-based approach is a problem which needs to be addressed if mobile money is to deliver on its promises for financial inclusion, without being detrimental to financial integrity
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