OpenUCT :: Browsing by Subject "Societies, Medical"

Browsing by Subject "Societies, Medical"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 76

Open Access
A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean
(2012) Tagliabue, A; Mtshali, T; Aumont, O; Bowie, A R; Klunder, M B; Roychoudhury, A N; Swart, S
Due to its importance as a limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in large regions of the world's oceans, ocean water column observations of concentration of the trace-metal iron (Fe) have increased markedly over recent decades. Here we compile >13 000 global measurements of dissolved Fe (dFe) and make this available to the community. We then conduct a synthesis study focussed on the Southern Ocean, where dFe plays a fundamental role in governing the carbon cycle, using four regions, six basins and five depth intervals as a framework. Our analysis highlights depth-dependent trends in the properties of dFe between different regions and basins. In general, surface dFe is highest in the Atlantic basin and the Antarctic region. While attributing drivers to these patterns is uncertain, inter-basin patterns in surface dFe might be linked to differing degrees of dFe inputs, while variability in biological consumption between regions covaries with the associated surface dFe differences. Opposite to the surface, dFe concentrations at depth are typically higher in the Indian basin and the Subantarctic region. The inter-region trends can be reconciled with similar ligand variability (although only from one cruise), and the inter-basin difference might be explained by differences in hydrothermal inputs suggested by modelling studies (Tagliabue et al., 2010) that await observational confirmation. We find that even in regions where many dFe measurements exist, the processes governing the seasonal evolution of dFe remain enigmatic, suggesting that, aside from broad Subantarctic - Antarctic trends, biological consumption might not be the major driver of dFe variability. This highlights the apparent importance of other processes such as exogenous inputs, physical transport/mixing or dFe recycling processes. Nevertheless, missing measurements during key seasonal transitions make it difficult to better quantify and understand surface water replenishment processes and the seasonal Fe cycle. Finally, we detail the degree of seasonal coverage by region, basin and depth. By synthesising prior measurements, we suggest a role for different processes and highlight key gaps in understanding, which we hope can help structure future research efforts in the Southern Ocean.
Open Access
A new species of Merxmuellera (Arundineae, Poaceae) from South Africa
(1991) Barker, N P; Ellis, R P
Merxmuellera setacea N.P. Barker from the south-western Cape. South Africa, is formally described. Descriptions of the morphology and leaf anatomy, in transectional and surface view, as observed under the light- and scanning electron microscope are given. Comparisons between this taxon and other southern African arundinoid species are made on the basis of morphological and anatomical observations. While the morphology of M setacea is in keeping with the generic limits of Merxmuellera Conert. the leaf blade anatomy appears to be intermediate between Merxmuellera, Pentameris Beauv. and Pentaschistis (Nees) Spach.
Open Access
A re-evaluation of isotope screening for skeletal metastases in node-negative breast cancer
(1996) Gudgeon, CA; Werner, I D; Dent, D M
The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary.
Open Access
Action-based flood forecasting for triggering humanitarian action
(2016) Coughlan de Perez, Erin; van den Hurk, Bart; van Aalst, Maarten K; Amuron, Irene; Bamanya, Deus; Hauser, Tristan; Jongma, Brenden; Lopez, Ana; Mason, Simon; Mendler de Suarez, Janot; Pappenberger, Florian; Rueth, Alexandra; Stephens, Elisabeth; Suarez, Pablo; Wagemaker, Jurjen; Zsoter, Ervin
Too often, credible scientific early warning information of increased disaster risk does not result in humanitarian action. With financial resources tilted heavily towards response after a disaster, disaster managers have limited incentive and ability to process complex scientific data, including uncertainties. These incentives are beginning to change, with the advent of several new Forecast-based Financing systems that provide funding based on a forecast of an extreme event. Given the changing landscape, here we demonstrate a method to select and use appropriate forecasts for specific humanitarian disaster prevention actions, even in a data-scarce location. This action-based forecasting methodology takes into account the parameters of each action, such as action lifetime, when verifying a forecast. Forecasts are linked with action based on an understanding of (1) the magnitude of previous flooding events and (2) the willingness to act "in vain" for specific actions. This is applied in the context of the Uganda Red Cross Society Forecast-based Financing pilot project, with forecasts from the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS). Using this method, we define the "danger level" of flooding, and we select the probabilistic forecast triggers that are appropriate for specific actions. Results from this methodology can be applied globally across hazards, and fed into a financing system that ensures that automatic, pre-funded early action will be triggered by forecasts.
Open Access
Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage I non-seminomatous testicular cancer
(1994) Abratt, R P; Pontin, AR; Barnes, RD; Reddi, BV
The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary.
Open Access
Analysis of Nonlinear Dispersion of a Pollutant Ejected by an External Source into a Channel Flow
(2010) Chinyoka, T; Makinde, O D
This paper focuses on the transient analysis of nonlinear dispersion of a pollutant ejected by an external source into a laminar flow of an incompressible fluid in a channel. The influence of density variation with pollutant concentration is approximated according to the Boussinesq approximation, and the nonlinear governing equations of momentum and pollutant concentration are obtained. The problem is solved numerically using a semi-implicit finite difference method. Solutions are presented in graphical form and given in terms of fluid velocity, pollutant concentration, skin friction, and wall mass transfer rate for various parametric values. The model can be a useful tool for understanding the polluting situations of an improper discharge incident and evaluating the effects of decontaminating measures for the water body.
Open Access
Antibiotic resistance in community-acquired urinary tract infections
(1994) Maartens, G; Oliver, S P
The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary.
Open Access
ASSAf turns 20: Young enough to be dynamic and old enough to be trusted with its mission
(2016) Gevers, Wieland
The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary.
Open Access
Behavioural plasticity as a key factor in the survival and evolution of the macrofauna on exposed sandy beaches
(1996) Brown, ALEXANDER
Behavioural patterns evident in members of the sandy-beach macrofauna, including tidal rhythms and orientational responses, are not inflexible but become modified according to physical circumstances. Both long-term and short-term t1exibility in behaviour is apparent. The former often results in behavioural differences between populations and is relatively easy to study compared with short-term modifications, which are generally encountered by accident and are thus poorly documented.As survival on exposed sandy shores is only possible for animals that can react appropriately to changes in conditions, and particularly to dramatic. unpredictable perturbations such as beach erosion during storms, it is suggested that behavioural t1exibility is a key factor which has been rigorously selected for in the evolution of the sandy beach macrofauna. The question is also raised as to whether synchrony of behaviour is a further genetically-facilitated attribute which has played a role in this evolution. Key words: sandy beaches. behaviour, plasticity. RESUMEN Patrones conductuales evidentes en miembros de la macrofauna de playas arenosas, incluyendo ritmos mareales y respuestas de orientación no son int1exibles si no que se modifican según !as circunstancias. Cambios de largo y corto plazo son aparentes. Los primeros (rcsultando en difercncias conductualcs entre poblaciones) son relativamente faciles de estudiar, pero Ios segun-dos se encuentran stlo por accidente y por lo tanto son pobremente documentados. Como la sobrevivencia en playas arenosas expuestas es sólo posible para animales que pueden reaccionar apropiadamente a Ios cambios en !as condiciones, y particu-larmente a pe11urhacioncs dramáticas c irnpredecibles. tales como erosión de la playa durante temporales, se sugiere que la flexibilidad conductual es un atributo clave, el cual ha sido rigurosamente seleccionado durante la evoluci6n de la macrofauna de playas arenosas expuestas. Se plantea tambien si la sincronización de la conducta es un atributo determinado geneticamente que ha jugado un rol en esa evolución. Palabras claves: playas arenosas, conducta. plasticidad.
Open Access
Blood ordering practices in the management of ectopic pregnancy at Groote Schuur hospital
(1999) Nevin, J; Van Wyk, E; Denny, L; Megevand, E; JAMES, M
The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary.
Open Access
Breastfeeding and the 2015 South African guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
(2015) Kuhn, Louise; Kroon, Max
No abstract available
Open Access
Building Productive Links between the UNFCCC and the Broader Global Climate Governance Landscape
(2015) Betsill, Michele; Dubash, Navroz K; Paterson, Matthew; van Asselt, Harro; Vihma, Antto; WINKLER, HARALD
The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary.
Open Access
Carbon export and sequestration in the southern Benguela upwelling system: lower and upper estimates
(2009) Waldron, H N; Monteiro, P M S; Swart, N C
Three independent studies of carbon export and sequestration in the southern Benguela upwelling system are presented. They were undertaken by Waldron (upwelling index), Monteiro (discrete upwelling centres – gate hypothesis model) and Swart (cross-shelf advection in bottom nelpheloid layers). The annual estimates were, 3.9×10¹³, 0.72×10¹³ and 8.6×10¹¹ gC respectively. The lowest estimate was derived from a consideration of low frequency lateral carbon export in the bottom nepheloid layer and was thought likely to be an under-estimate. Taking into account high frequency episodic events, intermediate nepheloid layers and along isopycnal export of DOC at surface and intermediate depths was thought likely to result in a substantial upward revision. The remaining two estimates were considered to be an upper and lower estimate of carbon export and sequestration due to factors inherent in the methodologies. The upper estimate presents a two-dimensional system, integrated alongshore; the lower estimate sums a series of upwelling centres in order to obtain a system flux. The former is therefore a uniform extrapolation along the coast while the latter omits upwelling between the upwelling centres.
Open Access
Centrality dependence of (sic)(2S) suppression in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV
(2016) Adam, J; Adamová, D; Aggarwal, M M; Aglieri Rinella, G; Agnello, M; Agrawal, N; Ahammed, Z; Ahmad, S; Ahn, S U; Aiola, S; Akindinov, A; Alam, S N; Albuquerque, D S D; Aleksandrov, D; Alessandro, B; Alexandre, D; Alfaro Molina, R; Alici, A; Alkin, A; Almaraz, J R M; Alme, J; Alt, T; Altinpinar, S; Altsybeev, I; Alves Garcia Prado, C; Andrei, C; Andronic, A; Anguelov, V; Antičić, T; Antinori, F; Antonioli, P; Aphecetche, L
The inclusive production of the ψ(2S) charmonium state was studied as a function of centrality in p-Pb collisions at the nucleon-nucleon center of mass energy s√NN=5.02 TeV at the CERN LHC. The measurement was performed with the ALICE detector in the center of mass rapidity ranges −4.46 < ycms< −2.96 and 2.03 < ycms< 3.53, down to zero transverse momentum, by reconstructing the ψ(2S) decay to a muon pair. The ψ(2S) production cross section σψ(2S) is presented as a function of the collision centrality, which is estimated through the energy deposited in forward rapidity calorimeters. The relative strength of nuclear effects on the ψ(2S) and on the corresponding 1S charmonium state J/ψ is then studied by means of the double ratio of cross sections [σψ(2S)/σJ/ψ]pPb/[σψ(2S)/σJ/ψ]pp between p-Pb and pp collisions, and by the values of the nuclear modification factors for the two charmonium states. The results show a large suppression of ψ(2S) production relative to the J/ψ at backward (negative) rapidity, corresponding to the flight direction of the Pb-nucleus, while at forward (positive) rapidity the suppressions of the two states are comparable. Finally, comparisons to results from lower energy experiments and to available theoretical models are presented.
Open Access
Challenges in Quantifying Changes in the Global Water Cycle
(2015) Hegerl, Gabriele C; Black, Emily; Allan, Richard P; Ingram, William J; Polson, Debbie; Trenberth, Kevin E; Chadwick, Robin S; Arkin, Phillip A; Sarojini, Beena Balan; Becker, Andreas; Dai, Aiguo; Durack, Paul J; Easterling, David; Fowler, Hayley J; Kendon, Elizabeth J; Huffman, George J; Liu, Chunlei; Marsh, Robert; New, Mark; Osborn, Timothy J; Skliris, Nikolaos; Stott, Peter A; Vidale, Pier-Luigi; Wijffels, Susan E; Wilcox, Laura J; Willett, Kate M; Zhang, Xuebin
Human influences have likely already impacted the large-scale water cycle but natural variability and observational uncertainty are substantial. It is essential to maintain and improve observational capabilities to better characterize changes. Understanding observed changes to the global water cycle is key to predicting future climate changes and their impacts. While many datasets document crucial variables such as precipitation, ocean salinity, runoff, and humidity, most are uncertain for determining long-term changes. In situ networks provide long time-series over land but are sparse in many regions, particularly the tropics. Satellite and reanalysis datasets provide global coverage, but their long-term stability is lacking. However, comparisons of changes among related variables can give insights into the robustness of observed changes. For example, ocean salinity, interpreted with an understanding of ocean processes, can help cross-validate precipitation. Observational evidence for human influences on the water cycle is emerging, but uncertainties resulting from internal variability and observational errors are too large to determine whether the observed and simulated changes are consistent. Improvements to the in situ and satellite observing networks that monitor the changing water cycle are required, yet continued data coverage is threatened by funding reductions. Uncertainty both in the role of anthropogenic aerosols, and due to large climate variability presently limits confidence in attribution of observed changes.
Open Access
Comparing infrared thermography and ESPI for NDE of aircraft composites
(2010) Findeis, D; Gryzagoridis, J; Lombe, C
Infrared thermography is gaining acceptance by industry as a suitable non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT/E) technique. Likewise, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) has also been shown to be suited for similar purposes, particularly for the inspection of composite materials. This paper presents the theory of the two inspection methods. Selected composite samples containing defects are subjected to identical inspection procedures using both techniques. The results are presented and compared with each other. From the results it is clear that both techniques are suited for the detection of the defects in the composite sample. The results also indicate that ESPI is a more sensitive inspection technique than IRT. Comparisons are drawn and the benefits of each technique discussed.
Open Access
Computational Dynamics of Arterial Blood Flow in the Presence of Magnetic Field and Thermal Radiation Therapy
(2014) Chinyoka, T; Makinde, O D
We conduct a numerical study to determine the influence of magnetic field and thermal radiation on both velocity and temperature distributions in a single blood vessel. The model here assumes that blood is a Newtonian incompressible conducting fluid with radially varying viscosity due to hematocrit variation. The transient equations of momentum and energy transport governing the flow in an axisymmetric configuration are solved numerically using a semi-implicit finite difference method. Results are presented graphically and discussed both qualitatively and quantitatively from the physiological point of view. The results of this work may enhance current understanding of the factors that determine the effects of hyperthermia treatment on tumor tissues.
Open Access
Cooperative Behaviours with Swarm Intelligence in Multirobot Systems for Safety Inspections in Underground Terrains
(2014) Yinka-Banjo, Chika; Osunmakinde, Isaac O; Bagula, Antoine
Underground mining operations are carried out in hazardous environments. To prevent disasters from occurring, as often as they do in underground mines, and to prevent safety routine checkers from disasters during safety inspection checks, multirobots are suggested to do the job of safety inspection rather than human beings and single robots. Multirobots are preferred because the inspection task will be done in the minimum amount of time. This paper proposes a cooperative behaviour for a multirobot system (MRS) to achieve a preentry safety inspection in underground terrains. A hybrid QLACS swarm intelligent model based on Q-Learning (QL) and the Ant Colony System (ACS) was proposed to achieve this cooperative behaviour in MRS. The intelligent model was developed by harnessing the strengths of both QL and ACS algorithms. The ACS optimizes the routes used for each robot while the QL algorithm enhances the cooperation between the autonomous robots. A description of a communicating variation within the QLACS model for cooperative behavioural purposes is presented. The performance of the algorithms in terms of without communication, with communication, computation time, path costs, and the number of robots used was evaluated by using a simulation approach. Simulation results show achieved cooperative behaviour between robots.
Open Access
Dasineura rubiformis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a new biological control agent for Acacia mearnsii in South Africa
(2008)
Acecidomyiid midge, Dasineura rubiformis, is the most recent addition to the suite of biological control agents that have been deployed in South Africa against invasive Australian Acacia species. This insect is associated with Acacia mearnsii (black wattle), which is extremely invasive, but also an important agro-forestry species, in South Africa. It induces development of galls in the flowers of A. mearnsii, thereby preventing pod development and reducing the reproductive capacity of the plants. The useful attributes of this economically important plant species should not be affected by the introduction of D. rubiformis. The midge is established in the vicinity of Stellenbosch, where it is increasing in abundance. Studies have been initiated to (i) evaluate the performance of the midge; (ii) confirm that galling does not cause a reduction in vegetative growth of A. mearnsii; and (iii) determine the potential effectiveness of D. rubiformis as a biological control agent of A. mearnsii. All indications are that the insect has the potential to become an excellent seed-reducing biological control agent of A. mearnsii.
Open Access
Differential mesowear in the maxillary and mandibular cheek dentition of some ruminants (Artiodactyla)
(2003) Franz-Odendaal, Tamara A; Kaiser, Thomas M
The mesowear method assesses the dietary regime of herbivorous mammals based on the attrition/abrasion equilibrium by evaluating cusp shape and relief of upper second molars. The method has recently been extended to include four tooth positions, upper P4-M3, in equids. In this study we determine whether the method can be extended in ruminants by applying it to maxillary and mandibular dentitions of a browser, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and two mixed feeders, the oribi (Ourebia ourebi) and the musk ox (Ovibos moschatus). We find that including the upper third molar in addition to the upper second molar provides consistent mesowear classifications in these species. Lower dentitions of mixed feeders score significantly differently in terms of mesowear as compared with upper dentitions. We infer that adaptive optimization in differential anisodonty is related to the composition of the diet and should be mirrored in differential mesowear signals of adjoining upper and lower molars. Our results suggest that in mixed feeders, sharpness is maximized in upper teeth, whereas in specialized feeders this is not the case.