The challenges facing education in South Africa

There is a major emphasis on the education of the South African people to become responsible, participatory and reflective citizens that contribute to an emerging democracy. However, the government of SA is faced with many challenges that hinder the South African people from becoming an educated nation. This is based on the assumption that education plays a major role in improving the economic status of the nation. The education in South Africa is categorized into sectors, primary, secondary and tertiary which are interlinked through a fine thread that determines the success of individuals. Thus, in this manner education within the various categories can contribute to the building of a united, peaceful, and democratic country (Wilson, 2006). This paper sketches the challenges faced by a young democracy and the initiatives that have been implemented to improve the status of education in South Africa

Multiple Urethral Stones Causing Penile Gangrene

Penile urethral stones are a rare occurrence resulting from a number of causes including migration of stones within the urinary tract, urethral strictures, meatal stenosis, and obstructing tumours such as adenomatous metaplasia of the uroepithelium, hypospadias, urethral diverticulum, and very rarely primary fossa navicularis calculi. We report the case of a 54-year-old male presenting with penile gangrene and sepsis resulting from impaction of multiple stones within the penile urethra. This paper summarises the topic and discusses the pathophysiology of this unusual condition

Reconstruction of Cluster Masses using Particle Based Lensing I: Application to Weak Lensing

We present Particle-Based Lensing (PBL), a new technique for gravitational lensing mass reconstructions of galaxy clusters. Traditionally, most methods have employed either a finite inversion or gridding to turn observational lensed galaxy ellipticities into an estimate of the surface mass density of a galaxy cluster. We approach the problem from a different perspective, motivated by the success of multi-scale analysis in smoothed particle hydrodynamics. In PBL, we treat each of the lensed galaxies as a particle and then reconstruct the potential by smoothing over a local kernel with variable smoothing scale. In this way, we can tune a reconstruction to produce constant signal-noise throughout, and maximally exploit regions of high information density. PBL is designed to include all lensing observables, including multiple image positions and fluxes from strong lensing, as well as weak lensing signals including shear and flexion. In this paper, however, we describe a shear-only reconstruction, and apply the method to several test cases, including simulated lensing clusters, as well as the well-studied ``Bullet Cluster'' (1E0657-56). In the former cases, we show that PBL is better able to identify cusps and substructures than are grid-based reconstructions, and in the latter case, we show that PBL is able to identify substructure in the Bullet Cluster without even exploiting strong lensing measurements. We also make our codes publicly available.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; Codes available at http://www.physics.drexel.edu/~deb/PBL.htm ; 12 pages,9 figures, section 3 shortene

Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using Sequencing Batch Reactor

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum operating conditions for the effective treatment of a pharmaceutical wastewater by sequencing batch reactor. The wastewater sample was obtained from a pharmaceutical company in Bangi, Kuala Lumpur. The characteristics of the wastewater: pH 4.36; BOD5 765 mg/L; COD 1352mg/L; TSS 71.3 mg/L; NH3-N 6.8 mg/L; N03-N 30 mg/L; total phosphorus 18.13 mg/L; sulphate 20 mg/L, sulphide 0.28 mg/L and TKN 44.34 mg/L. The wastewater was treated using sequencing batch reactor process that included the following five stages: Fill, React, Settle, Decant and Idle. Three different HRT values were tested (12 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr) with each cycle operating under high MLSS and low MLSS concentrations simultaneously. Both reactors operated with an organic loading rate of 1.35 kg COD/m3. A 24 hr HRT showed the best performance. Optimum operating conditions resulted in the following effluent characteristics, COD 217±23.2 mg/L, BOD 46±9.8 mg/L, pH 7.7±0.2, TNK 23.35±17 mg/L, N03-N 0.21±0.08 mg/L and NH3-N 4.4±2.1 mg/L. It is recommended to use a pre treatment by chemical or anaerobic process

Engineering the clothing industry towards competitive advantage : a managerial dilemma

The global economy which is enhanced through changing technologies of all types is pressurizing organisations to improve productivity of their business processes. Competition is forcing organisations to focus their energy on “core competencies.” Like many industries, the clothing industry is witnessing changes in technology, diversification of labour, managerial implications while competing on the global market. The South African clothing and textile industry has the potential to create jobs, but this potential has been steadily diminishing over the last ten years before 2007 [7]. In this context the performance of the clothing industry, whether in terms of efficiency, working conditions or degree of social protection, is unstable. The industry’s ability to generate sustainable and productive employment varies according to geographical locations. This paper explores the experiences of employees at a clothing manufacturer in South Africa through empirical data that was gathered through a series of focus group and individual interviews and analysed in terms of the idyllic relationship between management commitment and process improvement implementation in the workplace. In the development of these insights, the study aims to inform the process of the implementation of business process improvement particularly for the clothing industry in South Africa [1]

Traumatic false aneurysm of the distal peroneal artery with associated anatomic anomaly: a case report

Football and ankle soft tissue injuries are common occurrences. However, traumatic peroneal false aneurysm is quite a rare entity with only a handful of cases reported in the literature. A case of traumatic false aneurysm of the distal peroneal artery is described in which an anatomic anomaly of the distal peroneal artery crossing the ankle joint may have been a predisposing factor. A technique for surgical approach is also described for the particular location of the lesion

Structural mechanisms of multimeric BTB E3 ligases and interactors

In recent years, E3 ligases and ubiquitination biology have garnered increased attention due to their critical role in emerging field targeted protein degradation field (TPD). However, many E3 ligases associate with multiple interactors and are often implicated in several diverse cellular processes. The ability to utilise these E3 ligases relies on complete characterisation of their structural mechanisms and interactor partners. This thesis presents investigations into three distinct multimeric cullin-RING ligases. KCTD9 is a unique member of an unusual set of E3 ligases that typically assemble into higher-order assemblies. Newly generated structural data has provided insights into its function, while affinity mass spectrometry has identified a shortlist of potential interactors that may elucidate KCTD9’s role in natural killer cell development. Dimeric KLHL12 is a rare example of an E3 ligase that can engage multiple types of interactors through a shared recognition motif. Structural data confirm, that despite some variation in protein sequence among interactors, they adopt a common binding mode. Finally, attempts were made to setup a reproducible crystal system and establish biophysical assays for the E3 ligase FBXO31, in order to screen compounds selected by virtual ligand screening. However, these experiments were waylaid by previous studies of FBXO31, in which its interactions with Cyclin D1 were poorly characterised. Overall, these findings contribute to the growing understanding of E3 ligases, and this will aid in TPD developments

IMI – industry guidelines and ethical considerations for myopia control report

PURPOSE. To discuss guidelines and ethical considerations associated with the development and prescription of treatments intended for myopia control (MC). METHODS. Critical review of published papers and guidance documents was undertaken, with a view to carefully considering the ethical standards associated with the investigation, development, registration, marketing, prescription, and use of MC treatments. RESULTS. The roles and responsibilities of regulatory bodies, manufacturers, academics, eye care practitioners, and patients in the use of MC treatments are explored. Particular attention is given to the ethical considerations for deciding whether to implement a MC strategy and how to implement this within a clinical trial or practice setting. Finally, the responsibilities in marketing, support, and education required to transfer required knowledge and skills to eye care practitioners and academics are discussed. CONCLUSIONS. Undertaking MC treatment in minors creates an ethical challenge for a wide variety of stakeholders. Regulatory bodies, manufacturers, academics, and clinicians all share an ethical responsibility to ensure that the products used for MC are safe and efficacious and that patients understand the benefits and potential risks of such products. This International Myopia Institute report highlights these ethical challenges and provides stakeholders with recommendations and guidelines in the development, financial support, prescribing, and advertising of such treatments.</p

Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater Using Sequencing Batch Reactor

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum operating conditions for the effective treatment of a pharmaceutical wastewater by sequencing batch reactor. The wastewater sample was obtained from a pharmaceutical company in Bangi, Kuala Lumpur. The characteristics of the wastewater: pH 4.36; BOD5 765 mg/L; COD 1352mg/L; TSS 71.3 mg/L; NH3-N 6.8 mg/L; N03-N 30 mg/L; total phosphorus 18.13 mg/L; sulphate 20 mg/L, sulphide 0.28 mg/L and TKN 44.34 mg/L. The wastewater was treated using sequencing batch reactor process that included the following five stages: Fill, React, Settle, Decant and Idle. Three different HRT values were tested (12 hr, 24 hr and 48 hr) with each cycle operating under high MLSS and low MLSS concentrations simultaneously. Both reactors operated with an organic loading rate of 1.35 kg COD/m3. A 24 hr HRT showed the best performance. Optimum operating conditions resulted in the following effluent characteristics, COD 217±23.2 mg/L, BOD 46±9.8 mg/L, pH 7.7±0.2, TNK 23.35±17 mg/L, N03-N 0.21±0.08 mg/L and NH3-N 4.4±2.1 mg/L. It is recommended to use a pre treatment by chemical or anaerobic process

Identity Centrality Influences Group Members’ Self-uncertainty, Self-esteem, and Evaluations of Moral Deviants

A person who identifies with a group will gain many psychological benefits from their group identification. These benefits include reduced self-uncertainty (Hogg, 2007, 2021) and increased self-esteem (Tajfel & Turner, 1986; see also Abrams & Hogg, 1988). Group members define and adhere to group norms (Turner et al., 1987) to gain the psychological benefits derived from group identification. However, not all group norms are equal. Moral norms, or norms relating to the group’s morality, are used to help people view themselves as moral people via being moral group members (Ellemers et al., 2013). Moral norms are viewed differently from nonmoral group norms (Luttrell et al., 2016) and group members desire to view themselves and their groups as having high morality (Ellemers et al., 2013; Leach et al., 2007). Group members vary their evaluation of moral or nonmoral group deviants based on several relevant factors (Ramdass & Hogg, 2019; see also Marques et al., 2001; Marques et al., 1988). However, the presence of an ingroup deviant may threaten self-uncertainty or self-esteem. Furthermore, other group members’ response towards a moral ingroup deviant (Asch, 1951; Festinger, 1954; see also Ditrich et al., 2019; Ditrich et al., 2017) may influence a group member’s feelings of self-uncertainty or self-esteem. Inspired by relevant research on group members’ evaluations of moral and nonmoral group deviants, this dissertation investigated whether an ingroup deviant affected a group member’s level of self-uncertainty or self-esteem. Study 1 hypothesized that group members would feel greater self-uncertainty or less self-esteem when faced with a multi-time moral ingroup deviant compared to a one-time moral ingroup deviant. Study 2 hypothesized that group members would feel greater self-uncertainty and less self-esteem when their group members did not punish a moral ingroup deviant compared to when they did. Both studies hypothesized a three-way interaction: effects should be stronger for group members with high identity centrality and when the moral ingroup deviant had prior ingroup prototypicality. Study 1 (N = 266) had university students recruited via Amazon.com’s MTurk rate their identity centrality with their university before evaluating a moral ingroup deviant who committed one or three moral violations and who either had prior high or low group prototypicality. Group members did not differ in their self-uncertainty or self-esteem based on whether the moral ingroup deviant committed one or three morally deviant acts. However, participants with high identity centrality reported lower self-esteem when evaluating a multiple-time moral ingroup deviant with prior high prototypicality. Exploratory analyses using manipulation check ratings found a similar pattern for self-uncertainty. Study 2 (N = 297) followed a similar research design as Study 1. However, Study 2 found that identity centrality was the largest predictor of changes to self-uncertainty, self-esteem, and evaluations of a moral ingroup deviant or their group. Overall, group members with high identity centrality may feel greater self-uncertainty or lower self-esteem in response to a moral ingroup deviant. However, group members overall self-uncertainty and self-esteem—and their evaluations of an ingroup deviant and their group—may depend on how central a group is to a group member