Class of 2013 Abstract / Specific Aims: To describe the incidence of hyponatremia in patients using SSRIs and to assess how often health care professionals obtain electrolyte panels after SSRI initiation. Also, to identify the most recent sodium level in patients and to compare sodium levels in a patient group using an SSRI and a control group not using an SSRI. Subjects: Patients who received care at a large multi-center ambulatory care clinic between January 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2011. Methods: An electronic medical record database was used to identify potential patients through medication records reflecting SSRI use or diagnosis of low back pain, obesity, pruritis, rash, or fibromyalgia. The following data was collected: patient gender, age, weight, height, use/non-use of SSRI, plasma sodium level, and documented past hyponatremia diagnosis. Plasma sodium levels and hyponatremia incidence were compared from the SSRI group to the non-SSRI group. In addition, the SSRI group was analyzed for incidence of documented hyponatremia. Monitoring of sodium levels after SSRI initiation was also investigated. Main Results: Overall, 500 charts were reviewed. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 118 patients were included in the study (38 in the SSRI group, 80 in the control group). The incidence of hyponatremia in the SSRI group and control group was 2.63% and 1.25% respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (p=0.542). Sodium levels were monitored 19.2% of the time after SSRI initiation. Conclusion: The incidence of hyponatremia was similar between groups. Physicians are not adequately monitoring for hyponatremia after SSRI initiation.

Ferroresonance is a nonlinear phenomenon that could cause damage in the power systems equipment due to a high voltage and current during its sustained period. If the system is under sustained ferroresonance for a long time, it can cause thermal damage to the equipment. Therefore, it is important to eliminate or mitigate ferroresonance. It is shown that different mode of ferroresonance gives different impact to power systems. Thus, being able to detect and classify ferroresonance according to its mode during the transient period could avoid the system from going into the sustained period by initiating appropriate mitigation or elimination procedures. The objective of this research is to develop numerical algorithms for ferroresonance monitoring by analyzing its voltage and current signals using Fourier transform and wavelet transform. The aim of this research is to provide features that can be used in the development of a real time monitoring system that may be incorporated in mitigation or elimination procedures in the future. Ferroresonance voltage and current signals are obtained from the modelling of the ferroresonance circuit in the transient program. The sensitivity studies are performed to obtain different modes of ferroresonance and to observe the sensitivity of ferroresonance towards its initial condition and parameter variation. The signals are then being analyzed using Fourier transforms and wavelet transforms to obtain features that can be used in the classification process. Both the sustained and transient periods of the ferroresonance signals are analyzed. The results show that the ferroresonance voltage signals during sustained period are able to be classified according to their modes, however, the ferroresonance signals of the transient period requires further analysis. The algorithms are tested on the real data and produce the similar results that validate the algorithms.

No description available.

6 pp. / Originally published: 1998 / This article provides an introduction to repeat color photography and explains how it can be used as an important part of a comprehensive rangeland monitoring program. Reviewed 12/2014. Originally published 05/1998.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-65). / This programme aims to ensure that all students and staff are aware of their HIV status and encourages the reduction of high-risk behaviours. Furthermore, UCT's VCT programme provides access to both medical care and social support at HIV positive individuals. The focus of this implementation evaluation was to determine the extent to which UCT's VCT programme was operating effectively and in keeping with UCT's mission.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-100). / This evaluation examines the extent to which 2005 and 2006 Associate Coaching Course participants have successfully applied the proximal outcomes from the executive coach training. Following the Success Case Method, a survey determined that the majority of participants rated their application of the learnings very successfully. A qualitative data analysis of eight interviews conducted with six high success cases (three professional coaches and three within-job coaches) and two low success cases, explored their application of the proximal outcomes in detail. The results report on various themes that describe how the coaches have applied the training, what results they have achieved and what value has come from the training. Further themes address factors that helped or hindered application and suggestions for training improvement. It can be concluded that the Associate Coaching Course was successful for this group of participants in that they report successful on-the-job application of the proximal outcomes and provide examples of positive results achieved due to this application. Furthermore, this evaluation contributes to a relatively scant literature concerning the application of the Success Case Method of evaluation.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-43). / This study presents an outcome evaluation of the maternal care manual of the Perinatal Education Programme (PEP) studies by 32 midwives at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, a training facility in Cape Town, South Africa. Pre-and-post course knowledge assessments and a survey of participants were used to evaluate the maternal care manual of the PEP. Knowledge assessment scores achieved by the midwives before and after the course were compared. This was done to measure the knowledge acquisition of midwives who participated in the programme. In addition, a broader survey was administered to the participants in order to map out the perceived gain in knowledge, clinical skills and acceptability of the programme. The study found out that the midwives who attended the course improved their knowledge in maternal care.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48). / This formative theory evaluation investigated the feasibility of the programme theory underlying a staff reward and recognition intervention within a retail setting. It contained academic literature which discussed the effects of reward and recognition programmes on motivation and turnover. In addition, best practice guidelines for motivational reward and recognition programmes were used as measure of comparison against the programme's theory. The evaluation questions contained in this dissertation covered various programme evaluation elements and assisted in evaluating the programme's theory.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-71). / This dissertation presents an outcome evaluation of a training programme provided to middle managers working in higher education institutions at four universities in the Western Cape. The Success Case Method was used to evaluate the training programme. An electronic questionnaire was sent to seventy five participants that attended the 2006 training to determine whether they could be classified as either a success (i.e. successfully applied the acquired knowledge and skills from the training programme) or a non-success case (i.e. did not successfully apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the training).

The thesis work details the design and testing of a wireless electrocardiogram (ECG) system. This system includes a wireless ECG device, as well as software packages to visually display the waveform locally on a computer and remotely on a web page. The remote viewing capability also extends to using an Android phone application. The purpose of the system is to serve as a means for a doctor or physician to check up on a patient away from a hospital setting. This system allows for a patient to be in their home environment while giving health vital information, primarily being the heart’s activity through the ECG, to medical personnel.