Biogeographical comparison of the emergent macrophyte, Sagittaria platyphylla in its native and introduced ranges
- Kwong, Raelene M, Sagliocco, Jean Louis, Harms, Nathan E, Butler, Kym L, Green, Peter T, Martin, Grant D
- Authors: Kwong, Raelene M , Sagliocco, Jean Louis , Harms, Nathan E , Butler, Kym L , Green, Peter T , Martin, Grant D
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76980 , vital:30652 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2017.05.001
- Description: Understanding why some plant species become invasive is important to predict and prevent future weed threats and identify appropriate management strategies. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain why plants become invasive, yet few studies have quantitatively compared plant and population parameters between native and introduced range populations to gain an objective perspective on the causes of plant invasion. The present study uses a biogeographical field survey to compare morphological and reproductive traits and abundance between the native range (USA) and two introduced ranges (Australia and South Africa) of Sagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G. Sm (Alismataceae), a highly invasive freshwater macrophyte. Introduced and native populations differed in sexual reproductive output with the number of achenes per fruiting head and individual achene weight found to be 40% and 50% greater in introduced populations respectively. However, no other morphological traits were found to be consistently different between the native and both introduced ranges, especially after taking into account differences in environmental conditions between the three ranges. Although populations in introduced regions were larger and occupied greater percentage cover, no differences in plant density were evident. Our results suggest that, apart from sexual reproduction, many of the trait patterns observed in S. platyphylla are influenced by environmental and habitat conditions within the native and invaded ranges. We conclude that the enemy release hypothesis best explains the results observed for sexual reproduction. In particular, we hypothesise that a release from natural enemies, specifically a pre-dispersal seed predator, may induce reproductive plasticity in S. platyphylla.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kwong, Raelene M , Sagliocco, Jean Louis , Harms, Nathan E , Butler, Kym L , Green, Peter T , Martin, Grant D
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76980 , vital:30652 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2017.05.001
- Description: Understanding why some plant species become invasive is important to predict and prevent future weed threats and identify appropriate management strategies. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain why plants become invasive, yet few studies have quantitatively compared plant and population parameters between native and introduced range populations to gain an objective perspective on the causes of plant invasion. The present study uses a biogeographical field survey to compare morphological and reproductive traits and abundance between the native range (USA) and two introduced ranges (Australia and South Africa) of Sagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G. Sm (Alismataceae), a highly invasive freshwater macrophyte. Introduced and native populations differed in sexual reproductive output with the number of achenes per fruiting head and individual achene weight found to be 40% and 50% greater in introduced populations respectively. However, no other morphological traits were found to be consistently different between the native and both introduced ranges, especially after taking into account differences in environmental conditions between the three ranges. Although populations in introduced regions were larger and occupied greater percentage cover, no differences in plant density were evident. Our results suggest that, apart from sexual reproduction, many of the trait patterns observed in S. platyphylla are influenced by environmental and habitat conditions within the native and invaded ranges. We conclude that the enemy release hypothesis best explains the results observed for sexual reproduction. In particular, we hypothesise that a release from natural enemies, specifically a pre-dispersal seed predator, may induce reproductive plasticity in S. platyphylla.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Extended use of grey water for irrigating home gardens in an arid environment
- Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M, Ahmed, Mushtaque, Al-Busaidi, Ahmed, Al-Adawi, Seif, Tandlich, Roman, Al-Amri, Mohammed
- Authors: Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M , Ahmed, Mushtaque , Al-Busaidi, Ahmed , Al-Adawi, Seif , Tandlich, Roman , Al-Amri, Mohammed
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76048 , vital:30497 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8963-z
- Description: The use of treated grey water (GW) for home gardens, peri-urban agriculture and landscaping is becoming popular in many water stressed countries such as Oman. This study aims to investigate the treatment efficacy, health and chemical concerns, cost-benefits and maintenance protocol of a GW treatment system as well as the effect of irrigation with GW on crop yield. Therefore, a decentralized homemade GW treatment system was installed in a newly constructed house in Muscat, Oman and studied over a 2-year period. The treated GW was found to be suitable for irrigation as per Omani standards. GW when mixed with kitchen effluent substituted the use of nutrient supplements for plants and did not show any harmful chemical or biological contamination. The capital cost of the system was around US $980, and the annual operating cost was US $78 with annual income and savings from the system being around US $572 indicating a payback period of nearly 2 years. It was found that the system required simple but regular maintenance particularly cleaning of the top layer of the filter. It can be concluded from this study that such a GW system should be technically, economically and environmentally feasible in Oman. Also, wider acceptance by the general public to the idea of GW reuse will help in mitigating the water shortage problem of the country to some extent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Al-Ismaili, Abdulrahim M , Ahmed, Mushtaque , Al-Busaidi, Ahmed , Al-Adawi, Seif , Tandlich, Roman , Al-Amri, Mohammed
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76048 , vital:30497 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8963-z
- Description: The use of treated grey water (GW) for home gardens, peri-urban agriculture and landscaping is becoming popular in many water stressed countries such as Oman. This study aims to investigate the treatment efficacy, health and chemical concerns, cost-benefits and maintenance protocol of a GW treatment system as well as the effect of irrigation with GW on crop yield. Therefore, a decentralized homemade GW treatment system was installed in a newly constructed house in Muscat, Oman and studied over a 2-year period. The treated GW was found to be suitable for irrigation as per Omani standards. GW when mixed with kitchen effluent substituted the use of nutrient supplements for plants and did not show any harmful chemical or biological contamination. The capital cost of the system was around US $980, and the annual operating cost was US $78 with annual income and savings from the system being around US $572 indicating a payback period of nearly 2 years. It was found that the system required simple but regular maintenance particularly cleaning of the top layer of the filter. It can be concluded from this study that such a GW system should be technically, economically and environmentally feasible in Oman. Also, wider acceptance by the general public to the idea of GW reuse will help in mitigating the water shortage problem of the country to some extent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Integrating Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for greater local level resilience: lessons from a multi-stakeholder think-tank
- Pereira, Taryn, Shackleton, Sheona E, Donkor, Felix Kwabena
- Authors: Pereira, Taryn , Shackleton, Sheona E , Donkor, Felix Kwabena
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62027 , vital:28097
- Description: The last few years have seen one of the most severe droughts in recent times in the southern African region, and news headlines are increasingly full of warnings about heavy storms, fires and floods. There is no doubt that extreme hydro-meteorological events, and their multiple and potentially disastrous impacts, are at the forefront of the public consciousness at the present time and are one of the key concerns regarding the impacts of climate change in the region. While the links between extreme climate events, disaster risk reduction (DRR - see Box 1) and climate change adaptation (CCA - see Box 2) are recognised in the South African Climate Change White Paper, this is not the case for the whole region. Furthermore, even if there is national recognition of the need to synergise these two spheres of endeavour, this does not always trickle down to effective policy, planning and implementation at the local level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Pereira, Taryn , Shackleton, Sheona E , Donkor, Felix Kwabena
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62027 , vital:28097
- Description: The last few years have seen one of the most severe droughts in recent times in the southern African region, and news headlines are increasingly full of warnings about heavy storms, fires and floods. There is no doubt that extreme hydro-meteorological events, and their multiple and potentially disastrous impacts, are at the forefront of the public consciousness at the present time and are one of the key concerns regarding the impacts of climate change in the region. While the links between extreme climate events, disaster risk reduction (DRR - see Box 1) and climate change adaptation (CCA - see Box 2) are recognised in the South African Climate Change White Paper, this is not the case for the whole region. Furthermore, even if there is national recognition of the need to synergise these two spheres of endeavour, this does not always trickle down to effective policy, planning and implementation at the local level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Investigating the effects various compilers have on the electromagnetic signature of a cryptographic executable
- Frieslaar, Ibraheem, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Frieslaar, Ibraheem , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430207 , vital:72673 , https://doi.org/10.1145/3129416.3129436
- Description: This research investigates changes in the electromagnetic (EM) signatures of a cryptographic binary executable based on compile-time parameters to the GNU and clang compilers. The source code was compiled and executed on a Raspberry Pi 2, which utilizes the ARMv7 CPU. Various optimization flags are enabled at compile-time and the output of the binary executable's EM signatures are captured at run-time. It is demonstrated that GNU and clang compilers produced different EM signature on program execution. The results indicated while utilizing the O3 optimization flag, the EM signature of the program changes. Additionally, the g++ compiler demonstrated fewer instructions were required to run the executable; this related to fewer EM emissions leaked. The EM data from the various compilers under different optimization levels was used as input data for a correlation power analysis attack. The results indicated that partial AES-128 encryption keys was possible. In addition, the fewest subkeys recovered was when the clang compiler was used with level O2 optimization. Finally, the research was able to recover 15 of 16 AES-128 cryptographic algorithm's subkeys, from the the Pi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Frieslaar, Ibraheem , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430207 , vital:72673 , https://doi.org/10.1145/3129416.3129436
- Description: This research investigates changes in the electromagnetic (EM) signatures of a cryptographic binary executable based on compile-time parameters to the GNU and clang compilers. The source code was compiled and executed on a Raspberry Pi 2, which utilizes the ARMv7 CPU. Various optimization flags are enabled at compile-time and the output of the binary executable's EM signatures are captured at run-time. It is demonstrated that GNU and clang compilers produced different EM signature on program execution. The results indicated while utilizing the O3 optimization flag, the EM signature of the program changes. Additionally, the g++ compiler demonstrated fewer instructions were required to run the executable; this related to fewer EM emissions leaked. The EM data from the various compilers under different optimization levels was used as input data for a correlation power analysis attack. The results indicated that partial AES-128 encryption keys was possible. In addition, the fewest subkeys recovered was when the clang compiler was used with level O2 optimization. Finally, the research was able to recover 15 of 16 AES-128 cryptographic algorithm's subkeys, from the the Pi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Issues-Based Enquiry: An Enabling Pedagogy for ESD in Teacher Education and School Geography
- Authors: Wilmot, Diana P
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436266 , vital:73253 , ISBN 978-3-319-45989-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45989-9_10
- Description: This chapter addresses the need for innovations in geography teacher education programmes in a developing world context. More specifically, it responds to the need for practical ‘how to’ examples for ESD integration into school geography by de-scribing a pedagogical experiment that was piloted with in-service Namibian teachers and education development offic-ers (EDOs) enrolled for a Bachelor of Education (Honours) de-gree in 2014. The theoretical constructs underpinning the ex-periment’s design and pedagogical approach as well as the teacher professional development model are described. This is followed by a description and justification of the methodology used to answer the research question: ‘How can issues-based enquiry enable the integration of ESD at the micro level of the classroom?’ The findings of the experiment provide evidence of how issues-based enquiry, underpinned by active learning and constructivist epistemology and a model of teacher pro-fessional development located in reflexive practice, enabled the teachers to acquire foundational knowledge and pedagog-ical content knowledge for effective integration of ESD into school geography. This chapter may offer other teacher educators some guidelines on how to develop teacher capacity to integrate ESD into their own programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Wilmot, Diana P
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436266 , vital:73253 , ISBN 978-3-319-45989-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45989-9_10
- Description: This chapter addresses the need for innovations in geography teacher education programmes in a developing world context. More specifically, it responds to the need for practical ‘how to’ examples for ESD integration into school geography by de-scribing a pedagogical experiment that was piloted with in-service Namibian teachers and education development offic-ers (EDOs) enrolled for a Bachelor of Education (Honours) de-gree in 2014. The theoretical constructs underpinning the ex-periment’s design and pedagogical approach as well as the teacher professional development model are described. This is followed by a description and justification of the methodology used to answer the research question: ‘How can issues-based enquiry enable the integration of ESD at the micro level of the classroom?’ The findings of the experiment provide evidence of how issues-based enquiry, underpinned by active learning and constructivist epistemology and a model of teacher pro-fessional development located in reflexive practice, enabled the teachers to acquire foundational knowledge and pedagog-ical content knowledge for effective integration of ESD into school geography. This chapter may offer other teacher educators some guidelines on how to develop teacher capacity to integrate ESD into their own programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of the Xpert MTB/RIF test on the time to MDR-TB treatment initiation in a rural setting: a cohort study in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province
- Iruedo, Joshua, O’Mahony , Don, Mabunda, Sikhumbuzo A, Wright, Graham, Cawe , Busisiwe
- Authors: Iruedo, Joshua , O’Mahony , Don , Mabunda, Sikhumbuzo A , Wright, Graham , Cawe , Busisiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6098 , vital:45115 , https://DOI10.1186/s12879-017-2200-8
- Description: Background: There are significant delays in initiation of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR –TB) treatment. The Xpert MTB/RIF test has been shown to reduce the time to diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB predominantly in urban centres. This study describes the time to treatment of MDR-TB and the effect of Xpert MTB/RIF on time to treatment in a deprived rural area in South Africa. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study analysing the medical records of patients diagnosed with MDR-TB in King Sabata Dalindyebo Sub-District between 2009 and 2014. Numerical data were reported using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon sum rank tests and categorical data compared using the two-sample test of proportions. Results: Of the 342 patients with MDR-TB identified, 285 were eligible for analysis, of whom 145 (61.4%) were HIV positive. The median time from sputum collection to MDR-TB diagnosis was 27 days (IQR: 2–45) and differed significantly between diagnostic modalities: Xpert MTB/RIF, 1 day (IQR: 1–4; n = 114: p less 0.0001); Line Probe Assay 12 days (IQR: 8–21; n = 28; p less 0.0001); and culture/phenotypic drug sensitivity testing 45 days (IQR: 39–59; n = 143: p less 0.0001). The time from diagnosis to treatment initiation was 14 days (IQR: 8–27) and did not differ significantly between diagnostic modality. The median time from sputum collection to treatment initiation was 49 days (IQR: 20–69) but differed significantly between diagnostic modalities: Xpert MTB/RIF, 18 days (IQR: 11–27; n = 114; p less 0.0001); Line Probe Assay 29 days (IQR: 14.5–53; n = 28; p les 0.0001); and culture/phenotypic drug sensitivity, 64 days (IQR: 50–103; n = 143: P less 0.0001). Age, sex and HIV status did not influence the time intervals. Conclusions: Xpert MTB/RIF significantly reduced the time to MDR-TB treatment in a deprived rural setting as a result of a reduced time to diagnosis. However, the national target of five days was not achieved. Further research is needed to explore and address programmatic and patient-related challenges contributing to delayed treatment initiation. Keywords: Xpert MTB/RIF, MDR-TB, Rural, Time-to-treatment, Cohort study
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Iruedo, Joshua , O’Mahony , Don , Mabunda, Sikhumbuzo A , Wright, Graham , Cawe , Busisiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis Computer File
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6098 , vital:45115 , https://DOI10.1186/s12879-017-2200-8
- Description: Background: There are significant delays in initiation of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR –TB) treatment. The Xpert MTB/RIF test has been shown to reduce the time to diagnosis and treatment of MDR-TB predominantly in urban centres. This study describes the time to treatment of MDR-TB and the effect of Xpert MTB/RIF on time to treatment in a deprived rural area in South Africa. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study analysing the medical records of patients diagnosed with MDR-TB in King Sabata Dalindyebo Sub-District between 2009 and 2014. Numerical data were reported using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon sum rank tests and categorical data compared using the two-sample test of proportions. Results: Of the 342 patients with MDR-TB identified, 285 were eligible for analysis, of whom 145 (61.4%) were HIV positive. The median time from sputum collection to MDR-TB diagnosis was 27 days (IQR: 2–45) and differed significantly between diagnostic modalities: Xpert MTB/RIF, 1 day (IQR: 1–4; n = 114: p less 0.0001); Line Probe Assay 12 days (IQR: 8–21; n = 28; p less 0.0001); and culture/phenotypic drug sensitivity testing 45 days (IQR: 39–59; n = 143: p less 0.0001). The time from diagnosis to treatment initiation was 14 days (IQR: 8–27) and did not differ significantly between diagnostic modality. The median time from sputum collection to treatment initiation was 49 days (IQR: 20–69) but differed significantly between diagnostic modalities: Xpert MTB/RIF, 18 days (IQR: 11–27; n = 114; p less 0.0001); Line Probe Assay 29 days (IQR: 14.5–53; n = 28; p les 0.0001); and culture/phenotypic drug sensitivity, 64 days (IQR: 50–103; n = 143: P less 0.0001). Age, sex and HIV status did not influence the time intervals. Conclusions: Xpert MTB/RIF significantly reduced the time to MDR-TB treatment in a deprived rural setting as a result of a reduced time to diagnosis. However, the national target of five days was not achieved. Further research is needed to explore and address programmatic and patient-related challenges contributing to delayed treatment initiation. Keywords: Xpert MTB/RIF, MDR-TB, Rural, Time-to-treatment, Cohort study
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The FOXP2 forkhead domain binds to a variety of DNA sequences with different rates and affinities
- Webb, Helen, Steeb, Olga, Blane, Ashleigh, Rotherham, Lia, Aron, Shaun, Machanick, Philip, Dirr, Heini, Fanucchi, Sylvia
- Authors: Webb, Helen , Steeb, Olga , Blane, Ashleigh , Rotherham, Lia , Aron, Shaun , Machanick, Philip , Dirr, Heini , Fanucchi, Sylvia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439326 , vital:73567 , https://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvx003
- Description: FOXP2 is a member of the P subfamily of FOX transcription factors, the DNA-binding domain of which is the winged helix forkhead domain (FHD). In this work we show that the FOXP2 FHD is able to bind to various DNA sequences, including a novel sequence identified in this work, with different affinities and rates as detected using surface plasmon resonance. Combining the experimental work with molecular docking, we show that high-affinity sequences remain bound to the protein for longer, form a greater number of interactions with the protein and induce a greater structural change in the protein than low-affinity sequences. We propose a binding model for the FOXP2 FHD that involves three types of binding sequence: low affinity sites which allow for rapid scanning of the genome by the protein in a partially unstructured state; moderate affinity sites which serve to locate the protein near target sites and high-affinity sites which secure the protein to the DNA and induce a conformational change necessary for functional binding and the possible initiation of downstream transcriptional events.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Webb, Helen , Steeb, Olga , Blane, Ashleigh , Rotherham, Lia , Aron, Shaun , Machanick, Philip , Dirr, Heini , Fanucchi, Sylvia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/439326 , vital:73567 , https://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvx003
- Description: FOXP2 is a member of the P subfamily of FOX transcription factors, the DNA-binding domain of which is the winged helix forkhead domain (FHD). In this work we show that the FOXP2 FHD is able to bind to various DNA sequences, including a novel sequence identified in this work, with different affinities and rates as detected using surface plasmon resonance. Combining the experimental work with molecular docking, we show that high-affinity sequences remain bound to the protein for longer, form a greater number of interactions with the protein and induce a greater structural change in the protein than low-affinity sequences. We propose a binding model for the FOXP2 FHD that involves three types of binding sequence: low affinity sites which allow for rapid scanning of the genome by the protein in a partially unstructured state; moderate affinity sites which serve to locate the protein near target sites and high-affinity sites which secure the protein to the DNA and induce a conformational change necessary for functional binding and the possible initiation of downstream transcriptional events.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The global distribution and diversity of protein vaccine candidate antigens in the highly virulent Streptococcus pnuemoniae serotype:
- Cornick, Jennifer E, Tastan Bishop, Özlem, Yalcin, Feyruz, Kiran, Anmol M, Kumwenda, Benjamin, Chaguza, Chrispin, Govindpershad, Shanil, Ousmane, Sani, Senghore, Madikay, du Plessis, Mignon, Pluschke, Gerd, 1952-, Ebruke, Chinelo, McGee, Lesley, Sigaùque , Beutel, Collard, Jean-Marc, Bentley, Stephen D, Kadioglu , Aras, Antonio, Martin, von Gottberg, Anne, French, Neil, Klugman, Keith P, Heyderman, Robert S, Alderson, Mark, Everett, Dean B
- Authors: Cornick, Jennifer E , Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Yalcin, Feyruz , Kiran, Anmol M , Kumwenda, Benjamin , Chaguza, Chrispin , Govindpershad, Shanil , Ousmane, Sani , Senghore, Madikay , du Plessis, Mignon , Pluschke, Gerd, 1952- , Ebruke, Chinelo , McGee, Lesley , Sigaùque , Beutel , Collard, Jean-Marc , Bentley, Stephen D , Kadioglu , Aras , Antonio, Martin , von Gottberg, Anne , French, Neil , Klugman, Keith P , Heyderman, Robert S , Alderson, Mark , Everett, Dean B
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148318 , vital:38729 , DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.12.037
- Description: Serotype 1 is one of the most common causes of pneumococcal disease worldwide. Pneumococcal protein vaccines are currently being developed as an alternate intervention strategy to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Pre-requisites for an efficacious pneumococcal protein vaccine are universal presence and minimal variation of the target antigen in the pneumococcal population, and the capability to induce a robust human immune response. We used in silico analysis to assess the prevalence of seven protein vaccine candidates (CbpA, PcpA, PhtD, PspA, SP0148, SP1912, SP2108) among 445 serotype 1 pneumococci from 26 different countries, across four continents. CbpA (76%), PspA (68%), PhtD (28%), PcpA (11%) were not universally encoded in the study population, and would not provide full coverage against serotype 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Cornick, Jennifer E , Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Yalcin, Feyruz , Kiran, Anmol M , Kumwenda, Benjamin , Chaguza, Chrispin , Govindpershad, Shanil , Ousmane, Sani , Senghore, Madikay , du Plessis, Mignon , Pluschke, Gerd, 1952- , Ebruke, Chinelo , McGee, Lesley , Sigaùque , Beutel , Collard, Jean-Marc , Bentley, Stephen D , Kadioglu , Aras , Antonio, Martin , von Gottberg, Anne , French, Neil , Klugman, Keith P , Heyderman, Robert S , Alderson, Mark , Everett, Dean B
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148318 , vital:38729 , DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.12.037
- Description: Serotype 1 is one of the most common causes of pneumococcal disease worldwide. Pneumococcal protein vaccines are currently being developed as an alternate intervention strategy to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Pre-requisites for an efficacious pneumococcal protein vaccine are universal presence and minimal variation of the target antigen in the pneumococcal population, and the capability to induce a robust human immune response. We used in silico analysis to assess the prevalence of seven protein vaccine candidates (CbpA, PcpA, PhtD, PspA, SP0148, SP1912, SP2108) among 445 serotype 1 pneumococci from 26 different countries, across four continents. CbpA (76%), PspA (68%), PhtD (28%), PcpA (11%) were not universally encoded in the study population, and would not provide full coverage against serotype 1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Wheelchair users, access and exclusion in South Africa higher education
- Chiwandire, D, Vincent, Louise
- Authors: Chiwandire, D , Vincent, Louise
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59984 , vital:27717 , doi: 10.4102/ajod.v6i0.353
- Description: Background: South Africa’s Constitution guarantees everyone, including persons with disabilities, the right to education. A variety of laws are in place obliging higher education institutions to provide appropriate physical access to education sites for all. In practice, however, many buildings remain inaccessible to people with physical disabilities. Objectives: To describe what measures South African universities are taking to make their built environments more accessible to students with diverse types of disabilities, and to assess the adequacy of such measures. Method: We conducted semi-structured in-depth face-to-face interviews with disability unit staff members (DUSMs) based at 10 different public universities in South Africa. Results: Challenges with promoting higher education accessibility for wheelchair users include the preservation and heritage justification for failing to modify older buildings, ad hoc approaches to creating accessible environments and failure to address access to toilets, libraries and transport facilities for wheelchair users. Conclusion: South African universities are still not places where all students are equally able to integrate socially. DUSMs know what ought to be done to make campuses more accessible and welcoming to students with disabilities and should be empowered to play a leading role in sensitising non-disabled members of universities, to create greater awareness of, and appreciation for, the multiple ways in which wheelchair user students continue to be excluded from full participation in university life. South African universities need to adopt a systemic approach to inclusion, which fosters an understanding of inclusion as a fundamental right rather than as a luxury.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chiwandire, D , Vincent, Louise
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59984 , vital:27717 , doi: 10.4102/ajod.v6i0.353
- Description: Background: South Africa’s Constitution guarantees everyone, including persons with disabilities, the right to education. A variety of laws are in place obliging higher education institutions to provide appropriate physical access to education sites for all. In practice, however, many buildings remain inaccessible to people with physical disabilities. Objectives: To describe what measures South African universities are taking to make their built environments more accessible to students with diverse types of disabilities, and to assess the adequacy of such measures. Method: We conducted semi-structured in-depth face-to-face interviews with disability unit staff members (DUSMs) based at 10 different public universities in South Africa. Results: Challenges with promoting higher education accessibility for wheelchair users include the preservation and heritage justification for failing to modify older buildings, ad hoc approaches to creating accessible environments and failure to address access to toilets, libraries and transport facilities for wheelchair users. Conclusion: South African universities are still not places where all students are equally able to integrate socially. DUSMs know what ought to be done to make campuses more accessible and welcoming to students with disabilities and should be empowered to play a leading role in sensitising non-disabled members of universities, to create greater awareness of, and appreciation for, the multiple ways in which wheelchair user students continue to be excluded from full participation in university life. South African universities need to adopt a systemic approach to inclusion, which fosters an understanding of inclusion as a fundamental right rather than as a luxury.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
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