scholarly journals Quantifying predation pressure and the protective role of sheltered basking sites for small snakes in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Coombs
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Behavioral Ecology ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Predatory Birds

Small snakes are frequent prey of predatory birds, reptiles, and mammals. The resulting mortality rate is difficult to quantify given the low likelihood of observing such predation events. However, studies using plasticine snake models have shown that small snakes may experience relatively high rates of predation. Model snakes constructed from slow-drying clay (as a substitute to plasticine) were used to assess the predation rate on small snakes in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The model snakes were used to test whether snakes basking in semi-shaded positions, with at least half of the body covered by overhanging vegetation are detected by bird and mammal predators. There were relatively high rates of predation, with half of the unconcealed snake models experiencing attacks. The predation rate on partially concealed models is lower than on unconcealed models, but the difference is not statistically significant. Thus, basking in sheltered areas may offer snakes protection against predators; however, predation attempts on concealed models suggests that predators actively seek out areas where prey might hide. This is the first quantification of predation on small snakes in South Africa, and the results generate numerous questions relating to the behavioral ecology of the diverse snake fauna found in this country

Thinking about offender social reintegration: A case study of one NGO programme in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 002087282096742
Author(s):  
Emmison Muleya
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Crime Prevention ◽  
The Body ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Social Reintegration ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Former Offenders ◽  
Offender Reintegration

Successful social reintegration is critical if we are to reduce recidivism and crime in general. This voice of people article presents a background case for why effective offender reintegration services are key in South Africa, and the Eastern Cape in particular, through an example of the Offender Reintegration programme rendered by the National Institute of Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO). Apart from the paucity of literature on offender reintegration, very few voices from people working directly with these former offenders are ever heard. Therefore, this article seeks to address this gap by contributing to the body of knowledge on offender social reintegration.

scholarly journals Prospective cohort study of mortality in very low birthweight infants in a single centre in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000918
Author(s):  
Isabel A Michaelis ◽  
Ingeborg Krägeloh-Mann ◽  
Ncomeka Manyisane ◽  
Mikateko C Mazinu ◽  
Esme R Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Overall Mortality

BackgroundNeonatal mortality is a major contributor worldwide to the number of deaths in children under 5 years of age. The primary objective of this study was to assess the overall mortality rate of babies with a birth weight equal or below 1500 g in a neonatal unit at a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Furthermore, different maternal-related and infant-related factors for higher mortality were analysed.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study which included infants admitted to the neonatal wards of the hospital within their first 24 hours of life and with a birth weight equal to or below 1500 g. Mothers who consented answered a questionnaire to identify factors for mortality.Results173 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants were recruited in the neonatal department between November 2017 and December 2018, of whom 55 died (overall mortality rate 32.0%). Twenty-three of the 44 infants (53,5%) with a birth weight below 1000 g died during the admission. One hundred and sixty-one mothers completed the questionnaire and 45 of their babies died.Main factors associated with mortality were lower gestational age and lower birth weight. Need for ventilator support and sepsis were associated with higher mortality, as were maternal factors such as HIV infection and age below 20 years.ConclusionThis prospective study looked at survival of VLBW babies in an underprivileged part of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Compared with other public urban hospitals in the country, the survival rate remains unacceptably low. Further research is required to find the associated causes and appropriate ways to address these.

Identity, Community and Belonging in gcc States

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-428
Author(s):  
Miriam R. Lowi
Keyword(s):  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
The Other ◽  
National Project ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
National Community ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Definition Of

Studies of identity and belonging in Gulf monarchies tend to privilege tribal or religious affiliation, if not the protective role of the ruler as paterfamilias. I focus instead on the ubiquitous foreigner and explore ways in which s/he contributes to the definition of national community in contemporary gcc states. Building upon and moving beyond the scholarly literature on imported labor in the Gulf, I suggest that the different ‘categories’ of foreigners impact identity and the consolidation of a community of privilege, in keeping with the national project of ruling families. Furthermore, I argue that the ‘European,’ the non-gcc Arab, and the predominantly Asian (and increasingly African) laborer play similar, but also distinct roles in the delineation of national community: while they are differentially incorporated in ways that protect the ‘nation’ and appease the citizen-subject, varying degrees of marginality reflect Gulf society’s perceptions or aspirations of the difference between itself and ‘the other(s).’

scholarly journals Changes in Adult Rats’ Testis structure Induced by Hypothyroidism and Alleviating Role of L-Carnitine

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-28
Author(s):  
Abdelmonem Awad Hegazy ◽  
Manal Mohammad Morsy ◽  
Rania Said Moawad ◽  
Gehad Mohammad Elsayed
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Fatty Acids Metabolism ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2

Background Hypothyroidism is a metabolic disorder affecting the functions of many tissues in the body including the testis. Testis is rich in the polyunsaturated fatty acids content and lacks strong intrinsic antioxidant system making it prone to such oxidative stress. L-carnitine (LC) regulates long chain fatty acids metabolism; and is considered a valuable antioxidant factor. Aim It was to evaluate the effect of hypothyroidism induced by propylthiouracil (PTU) on rats’ testes and the possible protective role of LC. Methods Forty-eight adult male albino rats were used in this work. The animals were divided into three groups with sixteen animals in each. Group 1 (Control): Animals were kept without medications. Group 2 (PTU-treated): was subjected to administration of PTU; while group 3 (PTU and LC) received both PTU and LC. By the end of the experiment “30 days”, blood samples were taken for hormonal assay; then animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed. Specimens were homogenized for biochemical analysis; epididymal content of each rat was obtained immediately for semen analysis. Testes’ specimens were harvested, prepared and examined by light microscope examination. Results Induced hypothyroidism was noticed to cause histopathological, morphometric and biochemical changes in rat’s testes. LC protected the testicular specimens against such changes; it also improved the seminal quality and quantity as well as testicular structure and biochemistry. Conclusion Hypothyroidism could result in hazards to the structure of testis. Fortunately co-administration of LC might reduce such hazards.

scholarly journals OF SEMI-COLONS AND THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HATE SPEECH DEFINITION IN THE EQUALITY ACT South African Human Rights Commission v Qwelane (Freedom of Expression Institute as Amici curiae) and a related matter [2017] 4 All SA 234 (GJ)

Obiter ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Botha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
South African ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Freedom Of Expression ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Threshold Test ◽  
Related Matter ◽  
The Republic

In South African Human Rights Commission v Qwelane (hereinafter “Qwelane”) the constitutionality of the threshold test for the hate speech prohibition in section 10(1) of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (hereinafter the “Equality Act”) was challenged. Although the court had no difficulty in finding that the publication in question fell squarely within the parameters of hate speech, the judgment is both incoherent and flawed. The court’s conjunctive interpretation of the section 10(1) requirements for hate speech also differs from the disjunctive interpretation given to the same provision in Herselman v Geleba (ECD (unreported) 2011-09-01 Case No 231/09 hereinafter “Herselman”) by the Eastern Cape High Court. The consequence is a “fragmented jurisprudence” which impacts on legal certainty, and which is especially dangerous when the legislation in question is critical to the achievement of the constitutional mandate (Daniels v Campbell NO 2004 (5) SA 331 (CC) par 104 hereinafter “Daniels”).This note demonstrates that the Qwelane court misapplied a number of key principles. These include: the court’s mandate in terms of section 39(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (hereinafter the “Constitution”); the need to strike an appropriate balance between competing rights in the constitutional framework; the importance of definitional certainty for a hate speech threshold test; the meaning to be ascribed to the terms “hate”, “hurt” and “harm” in the context of hate speech legislation; and the role of international law when interpreting legislation intended to give effect to international obligations.The consequence of these errors for hate speech regulation in South Africa is profound.

Pluralistic Tendencies in Healing Abantu Illness in the Contemporary South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 986-1005
Author(s):  
Kholekile Hazel Ngqila
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Biomedical Practitioners ◽  
Social Causes

Ukuhanjwa illness was used as an example to understanding abantu illnesses. With attributional theory ukuhanjwa illness is attributed to spiritual and social causes rather than biomedical causes, whereby causal link is socially constructed between ukuhanjwa illness and entry into the body by familiars. Issues explored included conceptualisation of ukuhanjwa illness. The focus of the chapter is on the reasons for continued pluralistic tendencies in healing regardless of the expectation by the West that people should be focusing on the use of the fast evolving biomedical healing methods. The ethnographic study took place among the Southern Nguni people of OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Data was collected using qualitative and ethnographic research methods amongst a sample group of 50 participants. The sample was composed of traditional healers, mothers of children who have experienced ukuhanjwa illness, elderly people (male and female), biomedical practitioners and nurses.

scholarly journals Selenium and vascular health

2011 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan A. Sneddon
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Damage ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vascular Health ◽  
Vascular Cells ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Oxidative Challenge ◽  
Se Status

Selenium (Se) is an important dietary micronutrient required for sustaining optimal health. Se is incorporated into proteins, many of which are antioxidants that protect the body against oxidative damage. As oxidative damage may contribute to the development of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD), Se has been proposed to provide a protective role against this disease. Studies in vitro and in animals continue to provide increasing insight into the role of Se in promoting vascular health and ameliorating CVD. Se within vascular cells limits the adhesion together of such cells, an important early step in the development of vascular disease. Organic forms of Se may also afford vascular cells greater protection against oxidative challenge compared to inorganic forms. Nevertheless, current studies in humans investigating the relationship between Se and CVD have so far proved equivocal; larger randomized trials with different Se exposures in populations spanning the broad physiological Se status are needed to determine the criteria whereby Se may influence CVD outcome within different populations. Further studies are also needed to explore the effects of different Se species and the role of different selenoprotein genotypes in modifying Se status and their resultant impact on cardiovascular function.

scholarly journals Role of Resveratrol in Regulating Cutaneous Functions

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si Wen ◽  
Jiechen Zhang ◽  
Bin Yang ◽  
Peter M. Elias ◽  
Mao-Qiang Man
Keyword(s):  
Protective Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sirtuin 1 ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Keratinocyte Differentiation ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Keratinocyte Proliferation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Peptide Expression

Protective role of the skin is against external insults and maintenance of electrolyte homeostasis of the body. Cutaneous dysfunction can account for the development of both cutaneous and systemic disorders. Thus, improvements in cutaneous functions can benefit a number of extracutaneous and cutaneous functions. Resveratrol, a natural ingredient, displays multiple benefits for various systems/organs, including the skin. The benefits of resveratrol for cutaneous functions include stimulation of keratinocyte differentiation and antimicrobial peptide expression, inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation and cutaneous inflammation, UV protection, anticancer, antiaging, and inhibition of melanogenesis. The mechanisms of action of resveratrol include activation of sirtuin 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Evidence suggests that topical resveratrol could be a valuable alternative not only for daily skin care, but also for the prevention and treatment of various cutaneous disorders. This review summarizes the benefits of resveratrol for cutaneous functions.

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