Class of 2006 Abstract / Objectives: To determine if Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) patients treated with lifestyle changes and metformin resulted in ovulation after six months of treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review of initial patient visits at an infertility clinic were obtained. Patients that were given a diagnosis of PCOS were further reviewed for age at initial diagnosis, weight, height, ovarian cysts, lifestyle recommendations (diet, exercise, and vitamin use), metformin recommendations and usage, and if ovulation occurred after six months of treatment. Results: A total of 1011 charts were reviewed. At the initial office visit, 206 (20.38%) of these patients were classified as having PCOS. Of PCOS patients, 113 (54.85%) patients ovulated after six months of treatment. In the average initial weight, ovulators averaged slightly less weight than did non-ovulators (171.77 pounds ± 44.26 vs. 188.65 pounds ± 51.37, p=0.0121). This also follows true for the initial BMI of ovulators vs. non-ovulators (29.53 kg/m2 ± 10.14 vs. 32.69 kg/m2 ± 13.03, p=0.0521). There was a significant difference in metformin use between ovulators and non-ovulators (90.27% vs. 73.12%, p=0.0024). More ovulators were found to continue metformin treatment as compared to non-ovulators. Conclusions: In this specific infertility clinic setting, 20.3% of patients were diagnosed with PCOS at the initial office visit. Of these PCOS patients, treatment with lifestyle changes and metformin use resulted in 55% of patients achieving ovulation at six months. This study shows that weight loss, through lifestyle modification and metformin treatment, increases this population’s chances of ovulation within six months of therapy.

Cellular immortality is one of the ten hallmarks of human cancer and has been shown to be an essential prerequisite for malignant progression (Hanahan and Weinberg., 2011, Newbold et al., 1982, Newbold and Overell., 1983). In contrast, normal human somatic cells proliferate for a limited number of population doublings before entering permanent growth arrest known as replicative senescence. This is thought to be due to the progressive shortening of telomeric sequences with each round of cell division. Over 90% of human tumours, but not the majority of human somatic cells, have been found to express telomerase activity (Kim et al., 1994). The rate-limiting component of the human telomerase enzyme is the telomerase reverse transcriptase subunit, which is encoded by the hTERT gene. Transfection of hTERT cDNA into normal human fibroblasts and epithelial cells may sometimes be sufficient to confer cellular immortality (Newbold., 2005, Stampfer and Yaswen., 2002). Therefore, de-repression of hTERT and telomerase re-activation are thought to be critical events in human carcinogenesis and is the predominant mechanism by which cancer cells maintain their proliferative capacity. Previously, our group has shown that introduction of a normal, intact copy of human chromosome 3 into the 21NT primary breast cancer cell line by microcell-mediated monochromosome transfer (MMCT), is associated with strong telomerase repression and induction of cell growth arrest within the majority of hybrid clones (Cuthbert et al., 1999). Structural mapping of chromosome 3 within telomerase-positive revertent clones revealed two regions of deletion: 3p21.3-p22 and 3p12-p21.1, thought to harbour the putative telomerase repressor sequence(s). Subsequent studies showed that the chromosome 3p-encoded telomerase repressor sequence(s) mediates its function by means of transcriptional silencing of hTERT, in part, through chromatin remodelling of two sites within intron 2 of the hTERT gene (Ducrest et al., 2001, Szutorisz et al., 2003). Attempts to achieve positional cloning of hTERT repressor sequences on chromosome 3p identified two interesting candidates; the histone methyltransferase SETD2 and an adjacent long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) sequence known as FLJ/KIF9-AS1 (Dr. T. Roberts, unpublished data). Through MMCT-mediated introduction of intact chromosomes 3 and 17 into the 21NT cell line, I have demonstrated that at least two as yet unidentified telomerase repressor sequences (one located on each of these two normal chromosomes) may function to repress telomerase activity within the same breast cancer cell line, which suggests that multiple, independent telomerase regulatory pathways may be inactivated within the same cancer type. Furthermore, by examining the consequences of forced SETD2 and FLJ expression within the 21NT cell line, together with siRNA-mediated knockdown of SETD2 within a single telomerase-repressed 21NT-chromosome 3 hybrid, I have provided evidence to show that neither of these two candidate genes may function as a regulator of hTERT transcription. Through interrogation of relevant literature, a set of four candidate 3 telomerase regulatory genes (BAP1, RASSF1A, PBRM1 and PARP-3) were selected for further investigation based on their location within the 3p21.1-p21.3 region together with their documented role in the epigenetic regulation of target gene expression. Using mammalian expression vectors containing candidate gene cDNA sequences, my colleague Dr. T. Roberts and I demonstrated that forced overexpression of BAP1 and PARP-3 within the 21NT cell line is associated with consistent, but not always sustained, repression of hTERT transcriptional activity and telomerase activity. It is therefore possible that at least two sequences may exist on chromosome 3p that function collectively to regulate hTERT expression within breast cancer cells. Finally, using an in vitro model of human mammary epithelial cell (HMEC) immortalization, involving the targeted abrogation of two pathologically relevant genes, p16 and p53 to generate a series of variant clones at different stages of immortal transformation (developed by my colleague Dr. H. Yasaei), I have shown that single copy deletions on chromosome 3p are a frequent, clonal event, specifically associated with hTERT de-repression and immortal transformation. Subsequent high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis of immortal variants carried out by Dr. H. Yasaei, identified a minimal common region of deletion localized to 3p14.2-p22. Together, these findings provide additional evidence to show that chromosome 3p may harbour critical hTERT repressor sequences, that are lost as an early event during breast carcinogenesis.

The climate of the Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth is tested in the UKMO Unified Model, specifically the HadCM3 climate model. The model is largely left unchanged, but the boundary conditions, both external and initial, are adjusted to create experiments based on the Snowball Earth hypothesis. The model can reproduce multiple equilibrium climates, as have been seen in energy balance models of the Earth's climate. The modelled present day and Neoproterozoic versions of Earth can both reproduce both ice capped and ice covered climate states. Neither can reproduce a climate which remains ice free throughout the year, even with an equilibrated ocean or elevated levels of C02. In all cases the ice free climate reverts toward the ice capped climate after the first polar winter. The modelled Neoproterozoic ice covered climate, that is the climate of Snowball Earth, has a climate very different from the present day. These changes are mostly driven by the lower thermal inertia, latitudinal temperature differences and the changed meridional circulation that results. The weather of the modelled Snowball Earth climate is also very different, dom- inated by a strong diurnal variation due to solar heating, as opposed to the more varied weather in the present day. The model responds well to the conditions of the Snowball Earth climate, with temperatures similar to those predicted by a simple physical model. The model responds less well to high levels of C02 in the Snowball Earth climate. The ice model also allows excessive heat and moisture to escape from the ocean into the atmosphere compared to that that would be predicted from solid ice coverage of the ocean. The exit from a Snowball Earth state was also tested within the model. Neither an decrease in albedo nor an increase in CO2 is unable to increase the temperature of the climate system sufficiently to exit the Snowball Earth state.

This thesis considers the portrayal of uncertain or amateur encounters with new technologies in the late twentieth century. Focusing on fictional responses to the incipient technological and cultural changes wrought by the rise of the personal computer, I demonstrate how authors during this period drew on experiences of empowerment and uncertainty to convey the impact of a period of intense technological transition. From the increasing availability of word processing software in the 1980s to the exponential popularity of the “World Wide Web”, I explore how perceptions of an “information revolution” tended to emphasise the increasing speed, ease and expansiveness of global communications, while more doubtful commentators expressed anxieties about the pace and effects of technological change. Critical approaches to the cultural impact of computing technologies have tended to overlook the role played by perceptions of expertise and familiarity, and my thesis seeks to redress this by identifying a broad range of imagery, language and cultural references used to depict amateur or inexpert encounters with computing technologies. My interest in literary representations of amateur or marginalised users of computing technology reveals how the ease and speed of reading and writing promised by technological expertise can be countered by uncertainty arising from limited understanding of the complex processes involved. In a pre-smartphone age, the computer loomed as an object which was simultaneously baffling and enchanting, filled with potential but also obscure in its fundamental workings. Examining instances within experimental literary fiction and poetry which portray, imply, or respond to, encounters with personal computing, I demonstrate how individuals’ attempts to understand a technologically-inflected world can be described and enacted by the use of unusual narrative and poetic devices, where experimental literary strategies work to recreate the complex sensations associated with thrilling, difficult, or incomprehensible aspects of information technologies.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de proposer une analyse théorique des effets d'une taxe sur les transactions de change, encore appelée taxe Tobin. Plusieurs essais sont ainsi proposés. Dans le premier, on présente les fondements et les limites de cette mesure controversée. Dans le second, un modèle de simulation stochastique est construit afin d'étudier les effets de cette mesure sur les investissements productifs et le lien entre la charge de taxation et le type d'anticipations. On montre que si le bien-être de tous les investisseurs diminue, les investisseurs de long terme sont de loin les moins pénalisés. Dans le troisième, on revisite, au carrefour des modèles macro-monétaires et de la théorie microstructurelle, l'intérêt d'une telle taxe en matière de variabilité des taux de change. Lorsque le taux est faible, la taxe est susceptible de réduire la variabilité des changes tout en préservant l'efficience du marché des changes. Dans le quatrième, une analyse économétrique est proposée. Sur la base de données réelles, une première quantification de la sensibilité du volume des opérations à la taxe est proposée. Une analyse en cointégration sur données de panels nous permet en effet d'estimer ce qu'on appelle l'élasticité du marché à la taxation. On montre que cette dernière est égale à -0,45 toutes parités confondues. Sur cette base, une estimation des recettes que générerait la taxe est proposée dans le cinquième et dernier volet de la thèse. / The purpose of this dissertation is to expose a theoretical analysis of the effects that a currency transaction tax, usually called Tobin Tax, could entail. Five essays are outlined. The first one highlights the bases and limitations of this debated proposition. In the second one, a stochastic simulation model is built in order to study the effects of such a measure on real investments and the link between tax weight and expectations. Our result is the following one : the welfare of all agents decreases whereas long term investors are the least penalized. In the third one, by using macro-monetary models and microstructure theory, we analyse the interest of such a tax in terms of exchange market efficiency. The fourth essay proposes an econometrical analysis. With a real data set, we suggest to measure for the first time the sensibility of the transactions volume to the tax. Through a cointegration analysis using panel data, an estimation of the so-called foreign transactions elasticity to taxation is presented. The obtained value is - 0.45 for any currency parity. Following this idea, we set out an estimation of the revenues that such a tax would yield in the last fifth part of the dissertation.

As life expectancy rates continue to rise, so does the need for continued participation in the workforce. Economic sustainability and aging in place become values anticipated and realized through longer life spans. The ability to maintain lifestyle is severely halted when individuals are faced with loss of employment. This qualitative case study was created to delve into how individuals separated from the workforce after the age of 50, re-gain employment. The foundation of this study was couched on the following assumptions: (1) the older/later-life displaced worker will have developed/learned a set of competencies comprised of attitudes behaviors and skills underpinning ventures of re-engagement into the workforce; (2) workforce re-engagement can sustain livelihoods for later-life displaced workers; (3) older/later-life displaced workers have found self-sustaining opportunities through re-engagement pathways that have allowed them to continue to contribute to their communities. Twelve individuals over the age of 50 representing eight states, and various careers participated in the study. The principal data sources were in-depth interviews and a focus group. Although, the study was designed to explore workforce re-entry for displaced workers over the age of 50, the key finding that transitioning to employment pathways differing from previous careers, emerged as most challenging. In addition, post separation perceptions yielded thematic elements concerning pluralistic ageism on the separation from, and the re-entry into the workforce. Primary recommendations include the communication and viable training and re-tooling prior to workforce separation, comprehensive counseling, and awareness of legislative workforce rights, all of which should be disseminated with greater regularity.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the MSc by Coursework Degree (in Resource Conservation Biology) June 2017. South Africa. / Understanding why species occur where they do and, predicting where species might migrate to under different global change scenarios is an important aspect of biodiversity conservation. Regions that harbour high levels of species diversity and endemism arising from sharp local climatic and ecological gradients are highly susceptible to changing conditions. Kumara plicatilis is a tree aloe endemic to the Boland mountain ranges in the species-rich fynbos region in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The species is currently listed as Least Concern as far as habitat degradation, population decline, invasive species and direct-use threats are concerned although impacts of anthropogenic climate change on this habitat specialist remain undocumented. This study used species distribution models to successfully classify the environmental niche of the species as well as delineate spatial patterns of probable occurrence and abundance based on this niche. In addition, models based on the IPCCs 2014 ‘best-case’ and ‘worst-case’ climate change scenarios provide projections of changes in the spatial occurrence patterns of Kumara plicatilis expected under conditions of shifting climates. Niche-based statistical analyses were further used to draw temporal comparisons between current and future projected ranges to ascertain the degree and properties of shared niche space now and in the future. Results indicate that suitable habitat conditions for the species distribution is irregularly spread around the central and southwestern fynbos region constrained by several climatic and biophysical variables including winter rainfall and temperature conditions as well as vegetation type. The species is expected to experience limited to severe declines in the area of suitable habitat available under mild and harsh climate change conditions, respectively. The patterns arising from these models are in line with the environmental niche measurements which show large degrees of overlap between current and future niche space of the species. These outcomes suggest that Kumara plicatilis displays traits of environmental niche conservatism where unsuitable climate and biophysical conditions can limit its geographic range and local extinction of populations can occur due to global change. Whilst the results of this study offer a useful and initial insight into the possible impacts of shifting climates on this species, outcomes from modeling should be interpreted with caution to reach the best management decisions and conservation action for this endemic species. / MT 2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 31 August 2012. / Unable to load abstract.

The tourism climate index (TCI) provides information on the levels of comfort for tourism activity based on the climate of a destination. This index has been widely used to quantify the impacts of climate change on tourism at a diversity of destinations. The index is calculated based on the monthly averages of seven variables. To apply this index in South Africa, meteorological datasets of each variable were obtained from the South African Weather Service for 18 locations across South Africa. Each location is climatically distinct and relies on the tourism sector to generate social and economic development within the region. The 18 study sites, are influenced by differences in elevation, the Benguela and Agulhas currents, found along the west and east coast of the country respectively, and by the temporal scale at which summer and winter rainfall occurs across the country. Various data limitations resulted in the need for an adapted tourism climate model in order to calculate the climate suitability of all the chosen locations. The annual mean TCI scores for the period 2005-2014, reveal excellent to ideal climate suitability for tourism at the majority of the locations, with TCI scores ranging between 80.20 and 93.00. However, for the same period, East London, Port Nolloth and Belfast have annual average TCI scores between 74.88 and 79.20, which indicates that their climate suitability is considered to be very good. During the period 2005-2014, the majority of the locations experienced an increase in their climate suitability for tourism. Mean Monthly TCI scores indicate seasonal variations in the climate suitability of destinations across the country. These results suggest that Durban and St Lucia have the most favourable climate conditions for tourism during winter; while Cape Town, Paarl, Port Elizabeth, East London, Port Nolloth and Knysna have the most favourable climate conditions for tourism during summer; and Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Ladysmith, Nelspruit, Pilanesberg, Pretoria, Polokwane, and Belfast have the best climatic conditions for tourism during spring and autumn. The difference in average TCI scores across the country and the rate at which these TCI scores change over temporal scales highlights the need for constant monitoring of the climate suitability in these regions, particularly because they are reliant on the tourism sector. Rainfall and average thermal comfort had the most negative influence on the annual mean TCI scores, whilst daytime thermal comfort had the most positive influence on the same TCI scores. Tourism academics and researchers in South Africa were interviewed and they perceive climate change to be a social issue that will only impact the South African tourism sector in the future. The perceptions of the tourism academics and researchers are important as they are often the first people to engage with information pertaining to issues about tourism in South Africa. Although none of the respondents could provide a clear indication of when they perceive climate change to have an impact on the South African tourism sector, the majority of them believe that that TCI can be used as a tool to quantify the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector. This would improve the capacity of tourism stakeholders to adapt to the resultant impacts. However, most of the tourism academics and researchers clearly stipulated that the TCI should be used in conjunction with current climate change and tourism research in the country

Background: Hypertension is a global health problem that can lead to serious complications such as stroke and congestive heart failure. Nurses' work includes promoting lifestyle changes, motivating, compliance with medication, and providing regular follow-ups to improve blood pressure. More knowledge is needed on which working methods nurses use to promote health and support sustainable lifestyle changes. Aim: To illuminate the nurse's ways of working to promote health through lifestyle changes and self-care in persons with hypertension. Method: A literature review according to Friberg was chosen as the method. Database searches were carried out in CINAHL, PubMed and PsycInfo. Nine scientific articles were included after having been analysed, classified and compiled in an article matrix. Result: The analysis resulted in two main themes and five subthemes. The first theme was Creating change which described how the nurse responded to the patient's specific opportunities, expectations, knowledge needs and motivation for initiating lifestyle change. The second theme was Maintaining change which describes how the nurse guides, promotes and follows up the person to create a sustainable lifestyle change and an improved self-care strategy. Conclusion: The nurse's ways of working to promote health through lifestyle change and self-care in persons with hypertension can be designed in different ways. Regardless of which nursing philosophy lies behind it, it appears that a person-centred approach stimulates the person's motivation for a changed lifestyle through increased participation and responsibility. / Högt blodtryck och konsekvenser av detta är ett stort globalt problem. Livsstilsförändringar är en långsiktig investering i förbättrad hälsa för personer med högt blodtryck. På de flesta kliniker är detta sjuksköterskans arbetsuppgift och då det är viktigt att finna ett bra och fungerande arbetssätt och utgå från den pedagogiska skolning och den träning som behövs för detta. I sjuksköterskans omvårdnadsarbete är hälsa ett centralt begrepp. Sjuksköterskan skall främja hälsa och förhindra ohälsa genom att identifiera och bedöma personens resurser och förmåga till egenvård, delge kunskap, motivera och stödja. I kompetensbeskrivningen för sjuksköterskor tydliggörs även att sjuksköterskan skall bedriva sitt arbete med omsorg och respekt för integritet och värdighet och att sjuksköterskans kompetens och förmåga att tillvarata personens resurser är av betydelse. Utförandet av egenvård stödjs av Orems omvårdnadsteori som grundar sig i att personer skall kunna delta i sin egenvård i så stor utsträckning som möjligt och att personen kan behöva stöd av sjuksköterskan för att kunna göra det. Kunskap, egenansvar och motivation är viktiga byggstenar. Att personen blir delaktig i sin vård och behandling, erhåller kunskap och stöds i att kunna identifiera sin egenvårdsbrist och kapacitet och kan ta beslut för förändring är ett av målen i behandling av hypertoni. Detta är en utmaning för sjuksköterskan och därmed är det viktigt med bra och effektiva arbetssätt för detta finns. Enligt Socialstyrelsen (2018) önskar majoriteten att få diskutera sina levnadsvanor och få stöd till förändring utav dessa före farmakologisk behandling. Därför är det viktigt att sjuksköterskor arbetar med utbildning, rådgivning och uppföljning för att stödja livsstilsförändringar. Litteraturöversiktens resultat visar att sjuksköterskans arbetssätt med att främja livsstilsförändring och egenvård hos personer med hypertoni är en aktiv process som startar med att ge personerna de rätta förutsättningarna för att skapa en livsstilsförändring. Detta kan ske genom att individanpassa det pedagogiska mötet, vilket bygger på en kartläggning av personens tidigare kunskaper, erfarenheter och motivation. Sjuksköterskan kan därigenom möta, ge information och adekvat kunskap på rätt nivå. Motiverande samtal är en metod som stärker personens förmåga till att fatta egna beslut om livsstilsförändringar och egenvård med stöd av sjuksköterskan. Sjuksköterskans utbildningsnivå och bemötande ligger till grund för ett lyckat förändringsarbete. För att nå en mer hållbar förändring används empowerment som arbetssätt för att få personen aktiv i processen genom att känna ett egenansvar för både en kort- och långsiktig förändring.