266 research outputs found
Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa: Jewish Voices and Perspectives
No full textThe author who served on the South African� Truth� and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) focuses on the Jewish experience in South Africa� during� the apartheid years. At a special TRC Hearing for Faith Communities (East London, 17-19� November 1997) Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris submitted a statement on behalf of his community. Two earlier documents were also put at� the TRC�s disposal: a statement on Reconciliation� presented by Gesher (a Jewish movement for social action) as a well as a comprehensive volume containing 27 interviews with Jewish activists (Cutting Through the Mountain). Taking his cue from both the Chief Rabbi�s presentation and the earlier documents, the author discusses the role of the Jewish community in overtly and covertly supporting the apartheid regime, as well the experiences of many Jews in struggling against apartheid. Finally the contribution of the Jewish community towards healing and reconciliation in South Africa comes under the spotlight
Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa: the role of the faith communities
No full textTen years after the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission commenced with its work (1995), the author � using the statements made by representatives of the different faith communities in South Africa � analyses the role the communities played in the past: as agents of oppression, as victims of apartheid, as opponents of apartheid, as well as their role in the country�s transition to a new democratic society. Finally, the contribution of the faith communities in the process of reconciliation and nation building is discussed
Mathematics
No full text"Inservice education"--Final (unnumbered) p. of each document.; Includes bibliographical references.T. Teaching mathematics : elementary & middle grades / prepared by Steven P. Meiring (19 p.) -- K. Kindergarten mathematics / principal authors, James B. Wesson, Steven P. Meiring (18 p.) -- 1. First grade mathematics (18 p.) ; 2. Second grade mathematics (15 p.) ; 3. Third grade mathematics (18 p.) / principal author, C. Winston Smith, Jr. -- 4. Fourth grade mathematics (21 p.) ; 5. Fifth grade mathematics (19 p.) / principal author, James B. Wesson -- 6. Sixth grade mathematics (19 p.) ; 7. Seventh grade mathematics (23 p.) / principal author, William R. Speer -- 8. Eighth grade mathematics (19 p.) ; 8E. Eighth grade enrichment mathematics / principal author, James E. Schultz.A series of eleven monographs describing mathematics learning in the elementary and middle grades. These documents identify appropriate outcomes for each grade level and discuss teaching methods for helping students achieve those outcomes
Leadership for reconciliation: A Truth and Reconciliation Commission perspective
No full textAs important as the need for authentic leadership in the fields of politics, economy and education in Africa may be, the continent is also in dire need of leadership for reconciliation. Against the backdrop of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the author � who served on the Commission � discusses five characteristics of leaders for reconciliation. Leaders need to be: leaders with a clear understanding of the issues at stake; leaders with respect for the truth; leaders with a sense of justice; leaders with a comprehension of the dynamics of forgiveness; and leaders with a firm commitment. The insights and experiences of both the chairperson of the TRC, Desmond Tutu, and the deputy chair, Alex Boraine, form the backbone of the article
Theology in the flesh - embodied sensing, consciousness and the mapping of the body
No full textDr Jacob Meiring is part of
the research project,
‘Theology of Nature’, directed
by Prof. Dr Johan Buitendag
(Dean, Faculty of Theology,
Department Dogmatics and
Christian Ethics, Faculty of
Theology, University of
Pretoria.)Flowing from his model for a contemporary theological anthropology as embodied sensing, the
author focuses on the corporeal-linguistic turn in the 21st century and explores how his use of
bodymapping, as an applied aspect of theological anthropology within the context of narrative
therapy, intersects with the work of the neuro-scientist, Antonio Damasio on consciousness,
and specifically his research on how the brain constantly maps the body in the brain. The
author also explores the notion of sensing in the latest book of the Irish philosopher Richard
Kearney and based on this, expands his model for theological anthropology to the embodied
sensing of meaning.http://www.hts.org.zaam2016Dogmatics and Christian Ethic
Characterization of autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 in HIV-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
No full textThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a potentially fatal thrombotic microangiopathic disorder that can occur secondary to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The pathogenesis involves deficiency of the von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease ADAMTS13 and the presence of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Insufficient information is however available regarding epitope specificity and reactivity of the ADAMTS13 autoantibodies present in HIV-associated TTP. In this study, epitope-mapping analysis was performed to provide novel insight into the specific antigenic regions (epitopes) on ADAMTS13 domains affected by autoantibodies in patients with HIV-associated TTP. Anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies are also present in HIV positive individuals, and their binding specificities were analysed. Methods: A total of 59 HIV-associated TTP plasma samples with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency of less than 10% were collected prior to plasma therapy and analysed. Hundred (100) plasma samples from HIV positive patients without TTP were included as a control group. We compared the ADAMTS13 parameters i.e. ADAMTS13 antigen and activity levels and autoantibody titers and VWF parameters i.e. antigen levels, propeptide and multimeric patterns between the HIV-associated TTP and the control cohort. To understand the pathogenic mechanisms of anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies, a synthetic peptide library comprising of ADAMTS13 proximal domains was used to map potential epitope regions that bind to purified anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies isolated from 53 individual HIV-associated TTP patient samples and 18 control cohort samples using a newly developed Peptide ELISA-based assay. Results: The HIV-associated TTP patient plasma samples had severely reduced ADAMTS13 antigen (25% but 200%), and no statistically significant difference between them (p>0.05). The epitope mapping results revealed that the Metalloprotease, Cysteine-rich and Spacer domains were constantly (100%) involved in binding anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies isolated from the 53 patients with HIV-associated TTP samples. 58% of these samples contained anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies that bind to the C-terminal part of ADAMTS13 Disintegrin-like domain. However, in the HIV positive plasma samples, the Metalloprotease and Disintegrin-like domains were the primary targets (100%) for anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibody binding, while only 61% of samples with IgG antibodies showed binding to the Cysteine-rich and Spacer domains of ADAMTS13. The IgG autoantibodies detected in the control cohort samples shared linear epitopes at various regions of the ADAMTS13 proximal domains investigated with anti-ADAMTS13 IgG antibodies detected in HIV-associated TTP patient samples. Conclusions: Most (90%) of patients diagnosed with HIV-associated TTP with severe ADAMTS13 activity levels of less than 10% have anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Thus, highlighting that ADAMTS13 autoantibody-mediated deficiency may be involved in HIV-associated TTP. Both inhibitory and non-inhibitory anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies are present in these patients, suggesting that different pathogenic mechanisms may be involved in HIV-associated TTP. The Metalloprotease, Cysteine-rich and Spacer domains are the primary target for anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies in patients with HIV-associated TTP. In contrast, HIV positive patients without TTP may have anti-ADAMTS13 IgG autoantibodies, which may even share linear epitopes with those detected in patients with HIV-associated TTP, but their pathological relevance has not been elucidated. The results of this study provides new insight into the pathophysiology of HIV-associated TTP. HIV-associated TTP patients have anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies potentially affecting the proteolytic activity of this enzyme.National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS
Neisseria meningitidis epidemiology in South Africa during a period of low endemicity
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022Background
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a rare but life-threatening illness with outbreak potential. Many are aware of the meningococcal epidemics in the African meningitis belt, yet are oblivious to endemic IMD epidemiology in southern Africa. Constant changes in serogroup distribution necessitate a country-specific understanding of IMD epidemiology to drive targeted prevention efforts. There are limited country-specific data on meningococcal carriage and disease epidemiology from South Africa.
Objectives
To determine the carriage prevalence, acquisition of carriage and risk factors (including HIV-infection) for carriage of Neisseria meningitidis amongst first-year students entering university in South Africa; to describe the trends, serogroup distribution, sequelae and case-fatality ratio of IMD in South Africa; and to explore the association of circulating seasonal influenza virus on the incidence of IMD.
Methods
First-year university students were enrolled into a cross-sectional study to determine carriage prevalence on university registration and 6-8 weeks later. Acquisition of carriage was calculated amongst a cohort of students who participated in both studies. All students underwent HIV-testing and had an oropharyngeal swab taken for detection of meningococci. For IMD studies, episodes were identified through a national laboratory-based surveillance programme, GERMS-SA, from January 2003 through December 2020. From 2003-2016, Poisson regression was used to calculate trends in incidence over time by serogroup and univariate and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to compare characteristics of IMD by serogroup. A temporal-spatial analysis was conducted to detect IMD serogroup clusters from 2005-2015. From 2016-2020, additional questions were added to the GERMS-SA sentinel surveillance clinical data questionnaire to determine sequelae at discharge amongst survivors of meningococcal meningitis and outcome two-months post-discharge. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate risk factors for sequelae and in-hospital death. An ecological study was conducted using the GERMS-SA surveillance data and influenza-positive cases from a national influenza surveillance system, using time-series analyses to determine the temporal association between the peaks of the influenza and meningococcal seasons from 2003-2018.
Results
Meningococcal carriage amongst students entering university was initially low (5%), increasing to 8% after two months on campus. Carriage was diverse with representation from 6 serogroups (Y, B, W, C, X and Z). Risk factors for carriage were largely behavioural including intimate kissing and nightclub/pub attendance. In addition, HIV infection was an independent risk factor for meningococcal carriage acquisition. From 2003-2016, 5249 incident cases of laboratory-confirmed IMD occurred in South Africa. Disease incidence peaked at 1.4 cases per 100 000 population in 2006, due to an increase in serogroup W disease, dropping to 0.2 cases per 100 000 population in 2016. The spatial-temporal analyses indicated ongoing circulation of 5 different serogroups (A, B, W, Y and C) in various districts. In-hospital case-fatality ratio (CFR) amongst persons with IMD was 17% (247/1479). HIV-infection was a risk factor for IMD - particularly due to serogroup W and Y. From 2016 to 2020, among individuals with meningitis, in-hospital CFR was 14% (19/137) with an additional 3% (4/118) dying within two months of hospital discharge. Factors associated with poor outcome were decreased mental status on admission, presence of underlying conditions and HIV infection. Twenty percent (24/118) of survivors of meningococcal meningitis suffered major sequelae on discharge from hospital. The ecological study demonstrated that IMD and seasonal influenza were occurring in-phase during winter with influenza leading the IMD season by five weeks and peaking in-phase with IMD.
Conclusion
In South Africa, IMD is endemic, peaking in the winter months following the peak of the influenza season. Multiple serogroups circulate concurrently, often clustering temporal-spatially in different geographic districts. Both carriage prevalence and disease incidence were low in the later period studied, however case-fatality ratios and risk of developing sequelae amongst survivors were high. HIV infection was a risk factor for carriage acquisition, developing IMD and death following meningococcal meningitis. The WHO “Defeating meningitis by 2030” roadmap prioritises vaccine-preventable meningitis deaths and sequelae. Currently, meningococcal vaccines are not routinely used in South Africa, due to high cost and competing health priorities. Ongoing surveillance data are important in identifying high-risk groups to be prioritised for IMD prevention, providing data for cost-effectiveness analyses of interventions and monitoring changes in disease incidence and serogroup distribution over timePC(2023
Validation of Sequentially Linear Analysis by simulating structural behaviour of masonry components
No full textThe unreinforced masonry construction of Dutch terraced houses in Groningen is prone to lateral earthquake loading. To analyse the capacity of these houses, the faculty of Civil Engineering at the TU Delft started a test campaign. In this thesis, the experimental results served as benchmarks to validate a relatively new numerical method: Sequentially Linear Analysis (SLA). This method is developed to overcome numerical instability, which is a problem for regular non-linear finite element analyses (NLFEA). The objective is to investigate to what extent SLA is able to predict the behaviour of the two main components of a Dutch house, namely the shear wall and the out-of-plane loaded transversal wall, during a monotonic pushover test. Both pre-stressed components are modelled, using the (new) non-proportional loading algorithm and two modelling approaches were applied: the smeared crack approach and the discrete crack approach. Besides, two finite element types were used: the new implementation of the SLA code for shell elements is validated by modelling the shear wall with plane stress elements as well. Results showed that SLA is able to predict the behaviour of pre-stressed masonry components using the non-proportional loading algorithm, except for the post-peak behaviour of the out-of-plane loaded transversal wall. As SLA is under development, the method still has difficulties to overcome. The defined stop criteria were helpful to temporarily deal with the identified problems, but further research needs to be done to actually solve the errors.<br/
Moral regeneration : seedbeds for civic virtue
No full textSpine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff
Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9
Web display format PDFTaking his cue from a recent report by the US National Council on Civil Society, the author discusses a number of “seedbeds of civic virtue” that may play a role in the much needed moral regeneration of South African society. The “seedbeds” are (1) family, (2) the local community, (3) faith communities, (4) voluntary civil organizations, (5) arts and art institutions, (6) education, (7) business, labour and economic institu-tions, (8) the media, (9) government, (10) the nation. The “rainbow nation”, the author contends, has in recent times lost some of its colour, but if the different partners in the quest for moral regeneration take hands, the colours of the rainbow may return.http://explore.up.ac.za/record=b100134
Theology in the flesh – a model for theological anthropology as embodied sensing
No full textThe author proposes a model for theological anthropology as embodied sensing that is based on an interdisciplinary exploration of the corporeal turn from a southern African perspective. The work of James B. Nelson is acknowledged, stating that body theology starts with the concrete, the bodily expressions of life and not with doctrines about God and humanity. The theological anthropology of David H. Kelsey is evaluated as a theological anthropology with a sentiment of the flesh. Based on clearings in the work of David Kelsey and an interdisciplinary research, the author proposes a model for theological anthropology as embodied sensing which functions within the intricate and complex connection of the living body, language and experiencing in a concrete lifeworld with an openness to the ‘more than’. The author considers the use of bodymapping within narrative therapy as a way in which to uncover the intimate and intricate connection between the living body, experience and language, and implementing insights from theological anthropology as embodied sensing
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