1,721,241 research outputs found
The negative effects of mucolytics in otitis media with effusion
No full textCITATION: Van der Merwe, J. & Wagenfeld, D. J. H. 1987. The negative effects of mucolytics in otitis media with effusion. South African Medical Journal, 72:625-626.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaMuch controversy still exists in the treatment of otitis media with effusion. A double-blind randomised prospective trial during which bromhexine hydrochloride was compared with a placebo is reported. Information from 60 patients was analysed and the results reveal interesting findings on the effects of bromhexine on middle-ear clearance. The data clearly reveal that bromhexine retards resolution of the effusion. Further discussion of the literature gives insight into the controversy surrounding the treatment of middle-ear effusion. Steroids are proposed for further research and clinical trials.Publisher’s versio
Severe ovarian hyperstimulation after follicular aspiration
Full text linkThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaCITATION: Van der Merwe, J. P., Michell, W. L. & Kruger, T. F. 1988. Severe ovarian hyperstimulation after follicular aspiration. South African Medical Journal, 73:426-427.In order to maximise the changes of pregnancy, most successful in vitro fertilisation programmes use a combination of ovulation induction agents. This treatment can lead to the hyperstimulation syndrome. Aspiration of the follicles is believed to avoid this syndrome. Despite this approach, hyperstimulation syndrome may still develop. The clinical picture and treatment of a patient with severe hyperstimulation is discussed.Publisher’s versio
Aircraft noise management through controlled-area demarcation in South Africa : its application at Cape Town International airport
Full text linkCITATION: Van Der Merwe, J. H. & Von Holdt, D. S. 2005. Aircraft noise management through controlled-area demarcation in South Africa : its application at Cape Town International airport. South African Journal of Science, 101(9-10):400-408.The original publication is available at https://journals.co.zaAircraft noise is a growing social, technical, economic and environmental problem, especially in developing countries like South Africa. It arises from the growth in air traffic, urbanization, uncoordinated planning around airports, and open-window living that makes physical insulation an ineffective mitigating solution. Cape Town International airport is a typical South African example of the phenomenon. Air traffic volume is steadily increasing and an additional runway has been proposed for the airport's efficient operation. The changing noise pattern requires the demarcation of a 'noise-controlled area' around the airport as the planning framework that is legally prescribed to manage this type of environmental nuisance. This paper reports the application of geographic Information system (GIS) technology to define a control zone using various spatial demarcation techniques. Each alternative zone has different spatial characteristics that define and incorporate the adjacent residential communities affected as well as vulnerable land in the vicinity. An aircraft noise generation model was used to map noise intensity contours. Different spatial noise footprints for six optional demarcation criteria were used to identify affected areas around the airport. The GIS methods were then compared and evaluated to select the optimum planning approach under South African conditions.https://journals.co.za/content/sajsci/101/9-10/EJC96457?fromSearch=truePublisher's versio
Military environmental literacy in the South African Army
Full text linkCITATION: Smit, H. A. P. & Van Der Merwe, J. H. 2017. Military environmental literacy in the South African army. Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, 46(1):59-77, doi:10.5787/46-1-1225.The original publication is available at http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.zaTraditional military activities, such as fighting wars, are inherently destructive. Modern militaries undertake a diverse range of military activities, use large areas for military training and operational purposes, and are confronted with a global focus on environmentally responsible behaviour. These conditions compel militaries to ensure that soldiers display the correct attitude toward, behaviour in and knowledge about the diverse physical, social and cultural environments they occupy and on which they have an effect. Globally, and in South Africa, this is not only a moral obligation but a legal imperative too.
The aim of this article is to report on the military environmental literacy (MEL) (attitude, behaviour and knowledge regarding the environment in which the military operate) of the members of the South African Army (SA Army). To achieve this aim, existing environmental questionnaires were evaluated to ascertain their suitability for use in an SA Army context. None of them was usable to appraise MEL in a SA Army context effectively. Consequently, an iterative process was initiated to develop a tailor-made, valid, reliable and organisation-specific questionnaire to assess MEL in the SA Army.http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1225Publisher's versio
Political analysis of South Africa's hosting of the rugby and cricket world cups: lessons for the 2010 football world cup and beyond?
No full textEvaluation of the cerclage cable force
No full textINTRODUCTION: Cerclage cable systems are manufactured by different companies to assist in fracture reduction and fixation; their usefulness extends to various specialties, including trauma, tumour surgery and arthroplasty, especially in revision total hip replacements. Two types of systems exist, namely, monofilament and multifilament systems. Multifilament cables grip systems are reported to have good outcomes; however, these attractive fixation devices are not without complications, with a reported failure rate that ranges from 27% to 44%. Loosening is one the modes of failure that can occur intraoperatively, after clamp fixation, or postoperatively because of micro motion and displacement caused by soft tissue interposition and bone resorption. The aim of this study is to determine whether the initial force that is applied to the cylindrical structure reflects the value of the force indicated by the manufacturer of the tensioning device. METHOD: This is a descriptive study that was undertaken during January 2020 at the University of the Free State, Universitas Academic Hospital’s Department of Orthopaedics. A measuring device was manufactured to measure the true force exerted by the cable systems. The researcher used five different cerclage cable systems from different companies in order to evaluate the forces exerted by these systems. The measuring device had a cylindrical structure to which these forces we applied at four different sites. The force applied was measured and compared to the forces indicated by the manufacturer of the tensioning device. These values were recorded on the data collection sheet.RESULTS: Out of the five cable systems evaluated, only one cable system indicated the correct force at all four different sites. However the other four cable systems reflected higher forces on the tensioning device when the true measured forces were lower. Retensioning the cables more than twice caused fraying of the cables. CONCLUSION: The force applied to the bone by the cerclage cable system is not a true reflection of the force indicated by the manufacturer of the tensioning device. Cables should not be retensioned more than twice as this may cause fraying and lead to failure of the implant
A pilot study : participation opportunities for persons with disabilities in training interventions in a public service department
Full text linkMEd (Training and Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012Persons with disabilities face several barriers in their everyday lives and are often unable to participate fully in society or to reach their full potential. They often have little or no exposure to formal schooling or education, which means that they can only be employed at entry-level positions in organisations. When employed, they are often not nominated to attend any training interventions because of the logistical arrangements that need to be made to accommodate them. The central problem investigated in this research study was whether persons with disabilities were equally exposed to training interventions and opportunities in the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) as persons without disabilities. In other words, were they equally advanced in terms of skills development as envisaged by the JobAccess Strategy (the Strategic framework on the recruitment, employment and retention of persons with disabilities in the public service) and does this empowerment help redress past discriminatory practices? If not, what can the dti and CIPRO do to change this situation (2008:2) The JobAccess Strategy was approved by the South African Cabinet in November 2008. This strategy wanted to create a public service that can not only accommodate persons with disabilities as employees, but also advance them in terms of skills development. This study therefore aimed to determine whether persons with disabilities were equally exposed to training interventions in the dti and CIPRO as persons without disabilities; and whether persons with disabilities were equally advanced in terms of skills development as envisaged by the JobAccess Strategic Framework. Furthermore, the researcher aimed to determine to what extent the dti and CIPRO develop employed persons with disabilities in order to address their disadvantaged position by virtue of the discrimination they suffered in the past and, finally, the researcher made some recommendations to the management of the dti and CIPRO regarding the empowerment of persons with disabilities through training and development opportunities. In an effort to study this topic and accomplish the aims of the research project, a comprehensive literature review of recent and relevant literature sources available on the researched topic was conducted. The literature review included reference sources and the relevant legislation, as well as relevant information identified by means of electronic search engines. Special attention was given to defining important terms, such as disability, education, training and development, as well as to understanding the concept of disability by looking at different types and causes of disability.
The researcher then gathered specific data on the dti and CIPRO from the following source documents: annual reports, work place skills plans, and annual training reports; and from individual interviews with the identified participants. Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews with staff members with disabilities and observations recorded by the researcher during the interviews. This was done in an attempt to gather first-hand data in a confidential, safe environment where interviewees could be honest and at ease.
Broadly considered, the findings of the study were that the participants with disabilities employed in the two entities studied, were mainly exposed to repetitive, low-level training that would lead to little or no career advancement. A comparison of the percentage of trained employees with disabilities with their trained colleagues without disabilities also showed an unequal distribution. Based on the research findings, various recommendations were made with a view to improve the training opportunities of employees with disabilities in the dti and CIPRO. These recommendations included changes to the relevant policies and practices to ensure equal employment practices and developmental opportunities for all employees.Master
Training and development opportunities for the rigger ropesman artisan in the mining and minerals industry
Full text linkMEd (Training and Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014The mining engineering world is continuously experiencing new challenges whether it is economically, technologically or socially, there will always be something new in sight. Training and Development fulfils the role of the “breeder” of competence workforce and therefore it is essential to assure constant growth and progress within the skills and development environment. Personal attribute and dedication are the drivers of our success and achievements in our careers. The capacity of our trade and occupation does not set the limits and pace of our intensification to strive for the bigger and better in future. The career background and training and development opportunities are essential aspects to be renowned with before engaging with the learning intervention. Assure you start your career in the artisan trade that you desire to be a successful example in and discover the engineering world where the spectrum is never-ending. Development opportunities exist for all, irrespective of the trade and occupation. This study illustrates that even the smaller trade's artisans as focused on in this study, namely the Rigger Ropesman, can achieve higher laurels if the energy and efforts are exploited in the applicable avenues. The starting blocks, must be the blocks that fit yourself as individual learner, if not, even the first steps in the career will be started in stumbling mode. This qualitative research design study discovered numerous persons who started a career without knowing what it entails. The Rigger Ropesman artisans, Engineering Foremen and Learners who were interviewed as the target group contributed to achieving the aim of the study. The aim of the study was the possible training and development opportunities for the Rigger Ropesman in the Mining and Minerals Sector. Future studies can be conducted on career guidance and training and development opportunities in other engineering trades as this study only focused on the Rigger Ropesman trade in the Mining and Minerals Sector.Master
The 2003 cricket world cup: implications for identity and democracy in Zimbabwe
No full textPaper presented at theSports mega-events have the potential to provide a focal point for the strengthening of national unity and coherent national identity. They are also said to be able to provide a catalyst or incentive for democratization and human rights processes if hosted by authoritarian or democratically weak regimes. However, the outcomes for host nations are not always predeterminable. An analysis of South African and Zimbabwe's co-hosting of the 2003 Cricket World cup illustrated this point. A racially charged discourse informed much of the changes about Zimbabwe's co-host status, both transnational with the racial and ethic contours of the cricket playing commonwealth world and domestically within the host nations, thereby undermining the broader attempts at transforming the sport. Instead of the event having a generally liberalizing effect on Zimbabwean society it ultimately aided in further entrenching the regime
Safaris, soccer and the silver screen: South Africa's emergent soft power
No full textSouth Africa is a nation that has actively sought to 'punch above its weight' in world affairs, relative to its actual size and strategic importance. This could be partially because of the increasing 'soft power' that South Africa is projecting globally.
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