This qualitative study has been investigating effects on Iranian students who are studying, or recently studied, abroad out from the fact that their home country Iran in current time is being targeted with extensive international sanctions. With these Iranian students as a target group in which their perception of these circumstances has been analyzed and later on concluded in order to see to what the possible effects for citizens outside of a sanctioned state as Iran. As mentioned the research has looked into the personal perceptions of the students and by that taken into consideration private matters and circumstances that in some cases has lead to larger effects than in others. Out of the analyze this research can show a great deal of economic issues and problems for when trying to receive funding in order to cover essential expenses for when being abroad such as; tuition fee, rent, food and clothes and in one case this lead to the termination of studies for one of the students in this group. The conclusion made by the students is that the sanctions are affecting them in an unfair manner, rather than what are the official aims of the sanctions.

Environmental xenoestrogens (EEs) are chemicals that when they enter the body, the body responds to them as it would to endogenous estrogens. Humans are exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis via natural components, additives and contaminants in food and water, through the use of pharmaceuticals and personal care products such as sunscreens, lotions and toothpaste. Exposure to EEs is thought to result in adverse effects on humans such as decreased fertility, increased susceptibility to hormone-sensitive cancers, deformities of the male genitalia and precocious puberty in females. The critical window of exposure is thought to be early fetal development, when tissues are rapidly differentiating under the control of endogenous estrogens. However, there is limited data in the literature on human fetal exposure to EEs. The first objective of this study was to assess human fetal exposure to a suite of 35 EEs by analysis of paired samples of amniotic fluid and maternal urine were collected from 32 New Zealand women between 14 and 20 weeks gestation. The analytical chemistry methods required for this study were developed and validated. The results demonstrate that fetal exposure is highly correlated with maternal exposure. This study is the first to report maternal urine levels of two UV filters and amniotic fluid levels of parabens, UV filters and triclosan. A model based on simple additivity of effect was developed that combined the measured concentrations with literature data on relative estrogenic potency to assess the magnitude of the estrogen signal that may be attributed to the EEs. This model suggests that the fetus may experience an estrogen signal due to the measured EEs that could be as large as the endogenous estrogen signal. A second objective was to use computational docking to study the interactions of the EEs with the human estrogen receptor (hER) protein. The docking studies show that the rigid endogenous ligand, 17β-estradiol (E2) interacts with the hER to produce a single, well-defined complex with the receptor and the flexible EEs produce multiple, distinct energy-equivalent complexes. EEs are not able to interact with the binding cavity to stabilise the rigid hER-E2-like topology of the complex. As a result, the hER-EE complexes can be thought of as more pliable or ‘floppy’ and thus able to respond to the cell context in multiple ways, leading to variations in gene expression in different target tissues. These multiple pathways may explain the range of physiological responses attributed to exposure that depend on the timing of exposure and the sex of the individual exposed.

Liquefaction of sandy soil has been observed to cause significant damage to infrastructure during major earthquakes. Historical cases of liquefaction have typically occurred in sands containing some portion of fines particles, which are defined as 75μm or smaller in diameter. The effects of fines on the undrained behaviour of sand are not however fully understood, and this study therefore attempts to quantify these effects through the undrained testing of sand mixed with non-plastic fines sourced from Christchurch, New Zealand. The experimental program carried out during this study consisted of undrained monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests performed on three different mixtures of sand and fines: the Fitzgerald Bridge mixture (FBM), and two Pinnacles Sand mixtures (PSM1 and PSM2). The fines content of each host sand was systematically varied up to a maximum of 30%, with all test specimens being reconstituted using moist tamping deposition. The undrained test results from the FBM soils were interpreted using a range of different measures of initial state. When using void ratio and relative density, the addition of fines to the FBM sand caused more contractive behaviour for both monotonic and cyclic loadings. This resulted in lower strengths at the steady state of deformation, and lower liquefaction resistances. When the intergranular void ratio was used for the interpretation, the effect of additional fines was to cause less contractive response in the sand. The state parameter and state index were also used to interpret the undrained cyclic test results – these measures suggested that additional fines caused less contractive sand behaviour, the opposite to that observed when using the void ratio. This highlighted the dependency on the parameter chosen as a basis for the response comparison when determining the effects of fines, and pointed out a need to identify a measure that normalizes such effects. Based on the FBM undrained test results and interpretations, the equivalent granular void ratio, e*, was identified from the literature as a measure of initial state that normalizes the effects of fines on the undrained behaviour of sand up to a fines content of 30%. This is done through a parameter within the e* definition termed the fines influence factor, b, which quantifies the effects of fines from a value of zero (no effect) to one (same effect as sand particles). The value of b was also determined to be different when interpreting the steady state lines (bSSL) and cyclic resistance curves (bCR) respectively for a given mixture of sand and fines. The steady state lines and cyclic resistance curves of the FBM soils and a number of other sand-fines mixtures sourced from the literature were subsequently interpreted using the equivalent granular void ratio concept, with bSSL and bCR values being back-calculated from the respective test data sets. Based on these interpretations, it was concluded that e* was conceptually a useful parameter for characterizing and quantifying the effects of fines on the undrained behaviour of sand, assuming the fines influence factor value could be derived. To allow prediction of the fines influence factor values, bSSL and bCR were correlated with material and depositional properties of the presented sand-fines mixtures. It was found that as the size of the fines particles relative to the sand particles became smaller, the values of bSSL and bCR reduced, indicating lower effect of fines. The same trend was also observed as the angularity of the sand particles increased. The depositional method was found to influence the value of bCR, due to the sensitivity of cyclic loading to initial soil fabric. This led to bSSL being used as a reference for the effect of fines, with specimens prepared by moist tamping having bCR > bSSL, and specimens prepared by slurry deposition having bCR < bSSL. Finally the correlations of the fines influence factor values with material and depositional properties were used to define the simplified estimation method – a procedure capable of predicting the approximate steady state lines and cyclic resistance curves of a sand as the non-plastic fines content is increased up to 30%. The method was critically reviewed based on the undrained test results of the PSM1 and PSM2 soils. This review suggested the method could accurately predict undrained response curves as the fines content was raised, based on the PSM1 test results. It also however identified some key issues with the method, such as the inability to accurately predict the responses of highly non-uniform soils, a lack of consideration for the entire particle size distribution of a soil, and the fact the errors in the prediction of bSSL carry through into the prediction of bCR. Lastly some areas of further investigation relating to the method were highlighted, including the need to verify the method through testing of sandy soils sourced from outside the Christchurch area, and the need to correlate the value of bCR with additional soil fabrics / depositional methods.

No description available.

Background Limitations in mobility resulting from balance impairments contribute substantially to falls in older adults. Aging also has a detrimental effect on cognition which influences mobility and balance. A low cost treadmill rehabilitation platform (TRP) and a custom computer game that provided single and dual task challenges while standing and walking were used to evaluate standing balance, gait variables, visual tracking and cognition game performances in active young and older adults. Objectives The study objectives were, 1) to determine the differences in performance-based measures of standing balance, treadmill walking, visual tracking and executive cognitive function between young and older adults and 2) to examine the effect of age and dual tasks on performance-based measures of balance, gait, visual tracking and cognition in both groups. Methods Thirty active young adults (Mean age: 26.7± 2 years) and thirty older adults (Mean age 61.4± 4.4 years) performed visual tracking and cognitive game tasks on three different physical and cognitive loads on the TRP. The treadmill was instrumented with a force sense array (FSA) pressure mat to record the centre of foot pressure excursions. A motion sense air mouse (Gyration Elite) mounted on a custom made helmet was used to interact with the on screen cursor of the computer screen to perform visual tracking and cognitive game tasks. Participants were also evaluated for balance using clinical tests. Results During single tasks, younger adults performed better than older adults in the AP direction while older adults demonstrated better balance in the ML direction. Single task walking did not demonstrate a difference between the two groups. During single task cognition, there was no difference during both cognitive games while young adults did better during the closed loop visual tracking task. During the dual tasks, both groups demonstrated a dual task effect in balance, walking and cognitive tasks. Younger adults performed better than older adults in all the physical and cognitive load conditions. Conclusion The study findings provided evidence for discussion on the effects of single and dual tasking conditions in young and older adults. Understanding the effects of dual tasks has important clinical implications because older adults engage themselves in a wide variety of activities that require cognitive, mobility and balance skills simultaneously. Identifying the age at which there is a compromise on the above and providing appropriate interventions would be very useful to prevent falls.

Cimetidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that is among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. In addition to its inhibitory action on gastric acid secretion, a possible role in kidney tubulointerstitial disease has been suggested. Isolated reports have also suggested an association between cimetidine administration and acute interstitial nephritis. The present study examined the effect of cimetidine on renal function in the rat. The nine rats used in this study had normal renal function and urinalyses before treatment with cimetidine. The cimetidine treated rats then developed a clinical picture of weakness, hematuria, proteinuria, casturia, oliguria, and increases in serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.Following the 6 weeks treatment period, all rats were sacrificed and their kidneys prepared for microscopic study. Histologically, the patchy, intense tubulointerstitial infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and other cells observed in the cortex of the rat kidneys is quite similar to findings described in human cases of drug-induce hypersensitivity tubulointerstitial disease. In addition, other pathologic conditions which can cause tubulointerstitial disease were adequately ruled out. Specifically, bacterial pyelonephritis was excluded as a result of the consistently sterile urine test. In conclusion, the author feels that the clinical, aboratory, and histologic findings in this study strongly suggests an association between of tubulointerstitial disease and the use of cimetidine. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

The aim of this research was: • to gain a better understanding of factors that influence the performance of Information Technology (IT) students; • to gain a better understanding of how Education Technology can assist in overcoming some of the factors that negatively influence the performance of IT students; *to gain a better understanding of students’ perceptions about technology usage in classrooms; *to determine the correlation between the use of Education Technology and student performance, and *to identify whether the use of resources posted on a LMS can serve as predictors of IT students’ performance. In order to achieve these objectives, the research used, firstly, a literature review to identify factors that influence the performance of IT students and how some of these problems can be overcome with the use of Education Technology. Secondly, the empirical part of the study consisted of data derived from an online Learning Management System called eFundiTM at the North-West University Vaal Triangle campus in South Africa. A questionnaire was issued as a collateral investigation to determine students’ perceptions about technology use in classrooms. The empirical portion of the study was conducted to gain an understanding of how students feel about Education Technology, whether the students’ perceptions have changed during their first semester about technology use and whether the usage of certain resources have an influence on students’ performance. The findings from the literature revealed that mental models, learning styles, mathematical ability, prior programming experience and gender are some of the most prominent predictors of success in the performance of IT students. The empirical portion of the study revealed that the usage of certain resources influences students’ performance and that students have an overall positive perception about technology. Finally, recommendations are made for additional studies in order to extend the study of Education Technology to full-time BSc. IT students (not only BSc. IT extended students) at other universities in South Africa. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013

Telkom was established in 1991 when the then Department of Post and Telecommunications was transformed into two companies: Telkom SA and the SA Post Office. Telkom inherited 67,667 employees. When the affirmative action policy was implemented on October 1, 1993, 46% of employees were did you mean that the 46% were white - check this again (African 30%, Coloured 13% and Indians 3%). (this gives you a total of 92% The majority of African personnel were employed in unskilled or semi-skilled work functions, with less than 0.25% of first level management positions whilst none were employed within the ranks of top management. Women comprised 19% of the total staff complement. In 1997 the Government sold 30% of Telkom's equity to Thintana, a consortium made up of SBC Communications and Telkom Malaysia. An important element of the agreement was a skills transfer and employee development programme. By this time management had realised the need for large-scale organisational changes to create a competitive, customer-focused and performance-driven employee culture. This went hand in hand with the streamlining of service benefits and conditions to achieve greater efficiency and reduce employee expenses. It has driven the people management focus over the last few years and, going forward, will continue to be a focus point. Due to ongoing organisational renewal over the past few years, voluntary early retirement packages offered to employees aged 50 years and older forced change in management structures at Telkom, the organisation's length of service profile is declining. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Telkom was established in 1991 when the then Department of Post and Telecommunications was transformed into two companies: Telkom SA and the SA Post Office. Telkom inherited 67,667 employees. When the affirmative action policy was implemented on October 1, 1993, 46% of employees were did you mean that the 46% were white - check this again (African 30%, Coloured 13% and Indians 3%). (this gives you a total of 92% The majority of African personnel were employed in unskilled or semi-skilled work functions, with less than 0.25% of first level management positions whilst none were employed within the ranks of top management. Women comprised 19% of the total staff complement. In 1997 the Government sold 30% of Telkom's equity to Thintana, a consortium made up of SBC Communications and Telkom Malaysia. An important element of the agreement was a skills transfer and employee development programme. By this time management had realised the need for large-scale organisational changes to create a competitive, customer-focused and performance-driven employee culture. This went hand in hand with the streamlining of service benefits and conditions to achieve greater efficiency and reduce employee expenses. It has driven the people management focus over the last few years and, going forward, will continue to be a focus point. Due to ongoing organisational renewal over the past few years, voluntary early retirement packages offered to employees aged 50 years and older forced change in management structures at Telkom, the organisation's length of service profile is declining. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Historically, children with disabilities have been perceived as sources of stress, and disability has been portrayed in Western society as a tragedy to be avoided. This study used Appreciative Inquiry methodology and an integrated conceptual framework combining the Dynamic Ecological Systems Model, Cognitive Adaptation Theory, and components of the Affirmative Model of Disability. Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten children and sixteen parents to gain insight into their perceptions of the positive effects that a child with a disability has on the family. Findings suggest that children with disabilities can have some of the same positive effects on, and make some of the same contributions to, their families as any other child. They can also have unique positive effects and make unique contributions potentially unparalleled by their non-disabled peers. These findings may have implications for how disability is perceived by medical professionals, parents raising children with disabilities, and the public.